Sharon Stone is so Shallow

I think everyone agrees that Ms. Stone should from now on be called Ms. Sharon "Shallow" Stone for her insensitive remark on the Sichuan Earthquake victims, many who lost theirs lives and many of them children. Human lives were lost and all she can think about is the Dalai Lama who is a hypocrite who mixes religion wrongfully with politics. The tragedy will be forever etched in our minds as one of the greatest disasters with unnecessary loss of lives on Earth within this century.

Last week, in a red carpet interview at the Cannes Film Festival, Ms. Shallow Stone said she was concerned about the way Tibetans were being treated in China. She said she did not think anyone should be unkind to anyone else and suggested the earthquake was bad karma, adding that when you're not nice, bad things happen to you.

For the information of all, the Chinese people were never unkind to the Tibetans as Tibet is part of China and the latter are Chinese as well and an ethnic minority living in Tibet. Whatever the reasons for the fracas in March, the Chinese Government did so as a measure for security and concerns that if unattended may lead to a greater national catastrophe.

Cheque Truncation and Conversion System (CTCS)

The CTCS was initiated in June 2007 by Bank Negara Malaysia. A national project that is expected to bring about an era of modern banking with the vision for a secure, efficient, and convenient payment system for paperless clearing of cheques. E-payment is enhanced. The system uses electroniac imaging and the Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) data of the cheque to process clearing. With the digital data, efficient payment transactions are efficiently quicker. People may even be able to get their payments in their accounts as fast as within 24 hours of the cheque being banked-in. Way to go Bank Negara!

Atlantuya Sharibuu...continue...continue...continue - The Never Ending Story

Malaysia, The Star newspaper, Tuesday May 27 2008 has again featured an article on the criminal court case of the sensational...ZZZZZzzz murder of Mongolian lass Atlantuya Sharibuu. Once again further efforts are being made to prolong this case of international concern with feeble attempts to discredit the policework of the Malaysian police.

The Malaysian police has fared tremendously well in their break-thru of investigating this case and deserves more than a pat on their back. Despite all relevant evidence factual and physical, the defence is still trying to pull a hood over the Malaysian judiciary. Let's hope it is resolved soon and that justice is blind and swift. Crime does not pay - the police has proved it so why the prolonged agony of downplaying and reducing the roles of those involved who are should be tried equally sharing the same fate of their poor defenseless victim. Murder is still murder.

Mahkota Cheras Chinese Temple

It has come to my attention that construction of a Chinese Temple has commenced at the Children's Playground near Jalan Permaisuri 1/6 of Section 6 in Bandar Mahkota Cheras amidst serious objections from the houseowners along the stretch facing the playground and from other residents living in that area.

Apparently, the Kajang Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Kajang - MPKJ) had earlier sent notice of this project to the houseowners seeking their feedback and possible objections to the same. After some written protest, as these residents did not want to lose the playground and the land it was on, the MPKJ "invited" them to a meeting at the MPKJ headoffice located at Jalan Cempaka Putih, Off Jalan Semenyih, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan. At this meeting, they were informed that the project had already been approved by the MPKJ and that the letter sent requesting for feedback was only a formality. Reportedly, the temple's representative also had the nerve to tell one resident that they were initially "offered" 2 choices and they had chosen the playground for obvious reasons and also that nothing would deter the project as they had gotten it approved by the MPKJ.

While we are living in a multiracial society, it is extremely rare to find Chinese Temples along major main roads in the community. Although nice the fact harbors that some abuse of power may have taken place since there is a MPKJ notice board erected on this piece of land quoting the 1976 Land Act, forbidding the use of the land for any other purpose than it's original purpose of a children's playground and badminton court. This brings to mind a similar case at Bukit Gasing where original plans for the land development deviated.

It will be a sad day for these residents when the project is completed as they would not only have lost an area for recreation and leisure activities, but they would have also been short changed in their purchase of their residential properties since they did not expect they would have a house fronting a place of worship. Least of all, the various pollution from increased traffic during festivities, incense smoke, and noise.

A MCP's Perspective of Woman (not mine)

3 Easy Ways to Die :
Take a Cigar daily - You will die 10 years early.
Drink Rum daily - You will die 30 years early.
Love Someone Truly - You will die daily.

1. A foolish man tells a woman to STOP talking, but a WISE man tells her that she looks extremely BEAUTIFUL when her LIPS are CLOSED.

2.. One GOOD way to REDUCE Alcohol consumption :
Before Marriage - Drink whenever you are SAD
After Marriage - Drink whenever you are HAPPY

3. Three FASTEST means of Communication :
1. Tele-Phone
2. Tele-Vision
3. Tell to Woman
Need still FASTER - Tell her NOT to tell ANYONE..

4. Love your friends not their sisters. Love your sisters not their friends.

5. Let us be generous like this : Four Ants are moving through a forest.
They see an ELEPHANT coming towards them.
Ant 1 says : we should KILL him.
Ant 2 says : No, Let us break his Leg alone.
Ant 3 says : No, we will just throw him away from our path..
Ant 4 says : No, we will LEAVE him because he is ALONE and we are FOUR.

6. If you do NOT have a Girl Friend - You are missing SOME thing in your life.
If you HAVE a Girl Friend - You are missing EVERY thing in your life.

7. Question : When do you CONGRATULATE someone for their MISTAKE.
Answer : On their MARRIAGE.

8. When your LIFE is in DARKNESS, PRAY GOD and ask him to free you from Darkness. Even after you pray, if U R still in Darkness - Please PAY the ELECTRICITY BILL.

9. Why Government do NOT allow a Man to MARRY 2 Women. Because as per the Constitution, you can NOT BE PUNISHED TWICE for the same Mistake.

Love or Illusion

Ever wondered if the person you love is truly that RIGHT person? It’s not easy to tell. You may think that you know that person like the back of your hand, but really can you ever tell? Part of you, at the very least your conscious self will tell you that it is true and then you hear your sub-conscious telling you otherwise.

You may spend 10 years “in love” with this person, and yet out of no where pops the question of whether the "love" is true. Just what is this thing we call love? Deal with it. No one truly knows. People change. Seasons change. Nothing is permanent except maybe for the fact that one day you will be apart from this person. Enjoy whatever bliss you have current and live it to the fullest.

Knock out that wistful hope that someday you will meet someone better for it is wise to be content and thankful for what you have. By definition there is no one in this world that can measure up as the perfect person for your life. Face the fact.

Hard facts? But that's how it is. It's also healthier for you to accept your love as it is. Set your heart free. Be together, share your joy and sorrow, understand each other, provide space to each other, but always be there for each others need. And surely love will blossom to strengthen your relationship with your matter of affection. Love unconditionally and without question. Only then can you achieve that of what we feel as true love.

Dr. M versus Pak Lah

Dr. M in his unending battle with Pak Lah has finally resigned from UMNO. Hats off to you Dr. M!

At least he now has the decency to quit making unnecessary comments on the UMNO leadership. Pak Lah in all his years of service in the Malaysian Government certainly does not deserve to put up with such insults; especially when it's coming from someone like Dr. M himself. UMNO needs the peace and tranquility to focus on strengthening the party after the dismal outing on March 8 this year. For Dr. M he should understand, being who he is and for what he's done, to not create any further dissent amongst the UMNO ranks. As a party outsider, I find it rather uncouth of him to belittle Pak Lah who is a man of great and admirable character.

Quote Sun-Tzu: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

Computer - Male or Female?

A SPANISH Teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine.

'House' for instance, is feminine: 'la casa.'
'Pencil,' however, is masculine: 'el lapiz.'

A student asked, 'What gender is 'computer'?'

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two
groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether computer' should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men's group decided that 'computer' should definitely be of the
feminine gender ('la computadora'), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers
is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for
possible later retrieval; and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself
spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

(THIS GETS BETTER!)

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be
Masculine ('el computador'), because:

1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model.

The women won.

The Death of Customer Service

The customer is always right (even if he/she is wrong). At least that's what I've learned in my course of work. Anyway, with all the rising cost of living the customer is now always tight.

I can't really tell when this disturbing trend and sorry state of affairs started but back in the good old days of the 1990s Malaysia, customer service (experienced first-hand account) was excellent compared to current day Malaysia.

Picture this,

You are shopping in (any) one of the departmental stores in Malaysia ~ seems that the larger the store the lower you can expect of the customer (virtually non-existent) service. As you move aisle to aisle you see some staff of minimum 2 (of course), although the numbers may increase, chatting and oblivious to your presence. Worse of all is that when you make your way over to their "circle", they don't stop. It doesn't matter whether you need assistance, attention, or even to make your way past them. They just will not budge! After you have politely excused yourself and uncomfortably squeezed your way through, and tearing your RM299 shirt on a protruding price holder along the way, you come across another 2 staff walking side by side meeting you head on. Instead of allowing the customer to pass by giving way, they make it their right of way by ensuring that either the customer gives way or is roughly brushed aside. And don't forget the idiotic tags that some staff may be wearing; ie. May I help you? My name is "Ungrateful" (example), Please tell me if I do not smile or greet you?. Waste of time, really.

Just what has come over us? Why is there such an obvious downward slide in the Malaysia hospitality sector? Is customer service dead? I'm sure it is.

International News media and China

The western media never ceases to label all of China "communist," and so on. Check hard CNN, Reuters, and the AFP. For the information of these people, the only communists in China are the government officials who do so to retain the legitimacy of the government and tradition.

There is no more communism in China than there is in Malaysia. It is a capitalist world and everyone is concerned with making money and they make sure they continue making money. For example, the recent negative pictures painted by pro-Tibet and so called peace activists during the Olympic Torch run; just what are these people thinking of? We all know that the Olympics is not about China – it’s only a convenient venue for the 2008 Olympic Games.

If China is indeed at fault, oppressive to the hilt, and generally ruled by the military, could be (perhaps) justifiable then to initiate such measures as a protest. But violence never ends well. How can disturbances and attacking torch bearers create a positive outcome or even stability? Who are these people fighting – the Chinese government or the Chinese people or the World? Mind them that the Olympics is a world event fostering peace and friendship. Take the US as an example, after operation Desert Storm and the annihilation of the Saddam regime, is Iraq at peace now? International opinion or rules really do not govern the day.

As I can see it, people are also adept at forgetting history and in the process lose their vision. Never speak ill or do harm unto others even if you've been a saint all your life. It absolutely shameful to see so called leaders in their field use religion and/or even race as a political tool. The new ideology for the modern world should be the creation and advancement of a world with opportunities, wealth, knowledge, cooperation, communication, transparency and above all, responsibility.

We all share the same planet address, Earth. We are neighbors to all. Brothers and Sisters. And, when we get to know each other well and work together, we all benefit.

A wise person must be well informed and have a keen sense of justification. Use your right and ability of thought to help you live in this great neighborhood Earth. Understand what you see and what you hear and do not let propaganda with ulterior motives guide you.

At the same, a silent prayer for all of those who lost their lives in the May 12 Sichuan Earthquake.

A Great Friend and a Surprising Mentor

Back in the 1990s, I was involved in the local knitting industry. Times were not that good as the knitting industry was considered a sunset industry; meaning to say that it was slowly drawing it last breath. A popular saying states: Yarn (Young), Fabric (Old), Finishing/Dyeing (Sick), and Garment/Finished Product (Dead).

Contrary to the same, it was still an interesting experience and I did meet my future employer there. He was one of the many suppliers of the raw material needed for production and we became friends after a long courtship of endless haggling over the prices of the goods that he would supply. At the time when I decided to move on and seek greener pastures, I was approached and offered a position with this friend. It was to assist him and the father (incidentally I grew to hold the father in great respect) in the knitting yarn import and distribution business. I spent 12 years in all working in this company. It has since grown into a formidable retail group with businesses in various countries.

The elder brother became a close friend and I would often confide in him and vice versa. This person although being one of the bosses did not have any airs around him and he was always approachable. He took time to listen and would always have the best intentions. All these possibly stemming from the fact that he grew up helping the father to move the family business up to a comfortable financial level. The hardship that he endured molded him into the person, that became my great friend and mentor. SJV I thank you for everything.

Pak Lah

My respect for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, hasn't changed at all. He was the best Foreign Minister that we had and it is in this role that I grew to admire and respect him. It is not his fault that he wished not to carry on the "works" of his predecessor Tun Dr. Mahathir. Should it be otherwise, perhaps he may not be in such a political quandary as he is now. If only Pak Lah remained as he was then.

There has also never before been more freedom of speech in the country. To this Pak Lah I salute you.

Atlantuya Sharibuu

Justice is blind and swift. Blind in the sense that it is non-bias and fair. Swift in the sense that criminals and the like are not spared and quickly brought to face punishment. Atlantuya Sharibuu, a Mongolian lass, who trusted a man she thought she loved and would take care of her met with her untimely demise in one of the most publicized murder trials in Malaysia.

The man whom she thought would take care of her, Political Analyst, Abdul Razak Baginda, 48, did so but in a wrong manner. In a case whereby the physical evidence is strong, Baginda is now claiming trial to a charge of only "abetting" the murder. Directly or indirectly it is still murder in the first-degree.

The men who are accused of murdering Atlantuya are policemen Chief Inspektor Azilah Hadri, 32, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, who are charged with committing the murder in Mukim Bukit Raja, Selangor, between 10pm on Oct 19 and 1am on Oct 20 in the year 2006.


There is plainly much deliberation in this case as it has dragged on for a long time. Despite the clarity of the evidence provided, there seems to be much hope for the 3 men as a lot is being done to discredit the evidence at hand. Hopefully, justice shall prevail and swiftly be dealt based on the truth.

Pesky Road Bugs - The Malaysian Motorcyclist

Pests include live insects, rats, rodents, snails...and on the road we have the Malaysian Motorcyclist. China, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong are sore losers in this arena as the Malaysian Motorcyclist is one of a kind. Their survival is akin to a virus...it just spreads. Soon as one hits the dust another and another swells the ranks.

Let's disillusion ourselves and attempt to understand The Motorcyclist (TM). Riding blissfully in fair weather, most of them makes a nuisance of themselves by weaving in and out of traffic and sometimes "drawing first blood" when they nick dent the unfortunate vehicle or more. The victim is almost certain to watch helplessly as the culprit rides off without a care. What about the times when these 2-wheeled "mosquitoes" hogs the whole lane by riding right in the middle of the road? Or when they squeeze their way through traffic and stops right in front of you at the traffic light?

I just saw TM this morning negotiating a illegal U-Turn on the right from the left lane of 2 lanes.TM also had the nerve to stop his motorcycle right in front of the car in the right lane as if daring the poor chap to hit him. And, there is also the disturbing trend of not using the signal lights but instead doing some "head and neck exercise" with the occasional repeated head twists in the direction they want to swerve...no wonder car drivers are urged to watch TM so carefully.

With such blatant behavior and total disregard of road safety, the irony of it all is the creation of even more campaigns to make the roads safer for the TM.

Jokes: Air India

A friend sent me the following joke...

Surinder Singh's uncle was booked into an Air India flight to Bombay. But as this was the first time he ever flew, he made a few preparations that were out of place.

When the flight stewardess came around to take orders for the in-flight meal, the uncle declared loudly, "Miss, I have brought my own lunch. Make sure that you don't charge me for the food and drinks. I shan't be needing any of yours!".

So, as everybody was being served their in-flight meal orders, the uncle coolly began taking out his home-cooked meal and spread the same on his lap.

The man seated next to him was an American History researcher and he was ever so curious about the food and drink that the uncle was now preparing to eat. "Excuse me kind sir, what is it that you are drinking?", he asked.

The uncle picked up the yogurt-based Lassi drink and said, "This my good man is Milk of India!".

Then the uncle took out several chapattis and started chowing down on them. Again the American was curious. "What is this dish?", he asked.

The uncle holding up the greasy chapatti proudly replied, "This? Why this is Wheat of India!".

Finally the uncle took out his desserts. He offered some to the American. "What are these?", asked the American. "Sweets of India!", replied the uncle.

As everyone was settling down after having their meal, there was a sudden loud 'phooooot' sound emanating from the uncle.

Wrinkling and holding his nose in disgust, the American asked the uncle, "What in the blazes was that?!".

"Oh that's just Air India!", replied the uncle.

Never Procrastinate

I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed by tasks at home. Some household chores are piling up. Car needs to be cleaned inside and washed. Fishes in the aquarium gasping for clean oxygenated water. I might just have three weeks' worth of laundry to take care of as well! Not to mention a whole load of newspapers that need to be recycled.

Clear mind clear task. Clear out the clutter. Time to really dive in and just get these things done asap. Perhaps I'll feel better if I listen to some great music or chat with the family as you're handling these chores. Yeah that's it.

Ok. Lesson learned. Tackle each task as it comes along. Never never think that what can be done today might as well wait for tomorrow. What if tomorrow never comes...

Sex and the Little Dragon Princess

Every now and then,we hear about how the local enforcement agency has successfully raided some place or the other. The catch? Women from China. China Women, Little Dragon Princess, Cheap S...., or whatever they are known as in Malaysia - with all the attention showered on these women, just why are there little or less effort to check those applying visas to enter dear old Malaysia. Yes of course, some are pure tourists who are here genuinely to enjoy Malaysia's sights' sounds, and warm hospitality - but would not it be odd to have a couple of girls arriving at the airport just to be whisked off by someone other than their travel agent??? Or maybe even question the extension of visas...after all it takes is just some common sense.

What disturbs me is that instead, we are all making them (the women) the subject of a nation-wide hate target and not fighting the fire at its source. It seems that many a local woman are lamenting that their man is infatuated with our northern female cousins. It does take two hands to clap...

Women are not vessels of pleasure for man. In such modern times gender equality is prevalent among many developed countries. Should a man respect a woman for her gender then there would be less of those plying the trade. I have to agree that prostitution is the oldest trade in the world. Just don't blame it on women from China alone (statistics show their number being the highest - the sheer size of China and its population definitely accounts for it).

What is objectionable is the way women are used, the generalization on women from China, and the lack of proper methods to minimize (and hopefully quickly eradicate) the problem.

Right or Wrong ~ who can tell?

The scene in Malaysia gets more interesting day by day. Just the other day the Malaysian public had a nice dose of Malaysia-styled politics in the first Parliament sitting after the elections. It simply amazes me that in all my working life and of attending business and work meetings, perhaps in a lesser way, but I have never encountered such a public (aired live) display of childish behaviour. Made worse by the fact that these are people representatives elected by the people to govern.

Why cant they, the elected representatives, behave in a mature and more dignified matter? Firstly there's the order of the house which needs to be maintained. That's the role of the House Speaker. Proper and due respect should be given to the poor man. He cant even maintain order...the poor soul. I mean rules and regulations are meant to be followed...for heaven's sake. Is the public' voice to be ridiculed? On a personal note, I believe that the moderator/House Speaker should be one who is apolitical and appointed for his background in public service not by political association or camaderie. He or She should be one who is fair and listens to both sides. Then perhaps a higher level of respect can be attained.

Seriously, people in Parliament are there for a good reason. They are supposed to highlight matters that are important on a whole that affects the nation and its people. They who make fun or behave selfishly should be removed from their position.


What is perceived as a wrong may be considered as a right by some individuals. Are the masses to rule in this matter? Bringing religion, racial discrimination, and/or personal self gain is not the way.