Devil on the Road : Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

At last - I shall mislead myself to believe that it is the current economic situation that brings out the worse in people. The last bit of the puzzle fell into place yesterday evening on my drive back from wonderful dusty and dirty Kuala Lumpur. On the road was a "grey" colored Toyota VIOS driven by a middle aged woman. Although it was rush hour traffic and the cars were practically inching their way ahead slower than a tortoise, this woman driver insisted on shaving closely to me in an attempt to force me off the road. I would have easily given way should she have used her turning indicators. When I chanced a look at her and gave her an inquiring glance, she looked liked a demon on the phone busily yakking away and glaring at me at the same time. I took a deep breath and allowed her to slip in. Did I say allow? I meant stopped abruptly to avoid her grazing against my car.

Now, what have people and for that matter a woman driver become?

More on Malaysian Nurse Nude Pix

I guess we all have Edison Chen to thank for all the recent interest and continued fascination by the masses towards personal and intimate pictures of such genre.

Whatever a couple may want to do and that includes taking intimate pictures is their own business and should by all means remain private. The emergence of such pictures are only a measure of the person that released those pictures to the public. I again stress that I am not a prude even if it was to be shared by friends. Shame on these people that take advantage of others.

So what if it was Han Bee Yin, Elizabeth Wong, or even someone we know...for that moment of cheap thrill the imbecile who avail these pictures have degraded themselves to a level of the lowest.

Malaysian Nude Pix of A Nurse

I personally have not seen any of these Internet circulated photos of Han Bee Yin who is supposedly working in a private hospital in Penang as a nurse. However, I believe many have already seen the nude photos that are being circulated.

In an interview with Guang Ming Daily, Han Bee Yin admitted and revealed that she was indeed the person in those nude photos. This story was further highlighted in The Star in its February 14 publication which coincidently is on Valentine's Day, and which is how yours truly learned of this despicable act of a spurned suitor. Why can't men be more understanding and accept rejection? To what purpose was it if not only to bring shame to Han Bee Yin?

Well Bee Yin, if you do ever read this do not fret over it too much. Our body is god's gift and especially in such modern times there is no shame to feel. The idiot who posted your photos is more likely to get retribution ten-folds over for being a coward and a hopeless loser.

Perak's Crisis Fiasco

With due respect the recent "minor" upheaval in Perak Malaysia is anything but "happening". What more can I expect from a state government that's barely a year old? It's like taking candy from a baby. Now if the states in East Coast were to be as such, then perhaps the show would be impressive and well deserved a pat on the back.

The occurrences of governments falling, in this case that of a state, should be of certain standards. For one, the instability must be caused by great grief for acts done that fail to protect the interest of the public. Secondly or in conjunction with the former acts that have harmed the public and/or their interest.

Members of Parliament are MERELY elected representatives of the people under the banner of their respective party or party-free candidacy. It is not a position to be traded for political and/or monetary advantage.

A simple approach would be to implement a guideline that will state that any Independent (Party-Free) MP so-elected is FREE to align them to the powers-that-are. MPs that won their seats based on support for their political party should vacate those seats if their ideologies differ from that of their party and to have the party appoint another candidate as suitable replacement. This is because the public votes for the candidate is based on his type of candidacy, and not a hundred percent on personal character. It's simple yet effective and would make Malaysia less laughing fodder in the eyes of the world. Although, who cares what the world thinks since its not anyone's business what goes on with others...but then again politics will always remain politics.

My Life Today in Malaysia

It’s Saturday, the 7th of February in the year 2009, and yours truly is in the green. Being in the green means that my mind is jam packed, as usual, with thoughts. The only one I recognize is the constant itch to travel out of the country. But that’s not the point, my friend. The point is the beautiful people and places. There’s Singapore with all its supermodel pedestrians, and there’s my favorite country, Australia, and above all, there is the heart-stoppingly scenic, ultra ancient modern young and happening China, and the big boss, Japan, also beautiful. And then there are some others I haven't been to yet, but I’d like to.

The point is that they’re all not Malaysia, all beautiful travel destinations, and all here in this world where the local scene is bracing up to face the economy and business and fears of inflation and the credit crisis. And it’s all a torrent of wants, and they’re all so alluringly make-me-forget-and-relaxed, and I’m thinking, Why? When do I go from here?

When I finished breakfast at the local kopitiam, I hightailed it back to my abode, and what should be waiting there to greet me in the news is but the one and only stuff that is utterly embarrassing and disturbing, the one news that sort of puts one on the whole concept travel far far away, political instability in the country. Its been around a few years now, and we have all had our share of controversy lately. But I do hope that it'll be the last so that Malaysia can forge ahead and make right the wrongs in the past. Malaysia is still pretty young in terms of maturity at half a century. Looking mighty sweet to outside investors, she may soon sour if we don't get a firm grip at improving ours mentally and financially. We all know more than a little about the inner workings of the financial world - the strong oppresses whereas the weak meekly follow.

And the next day, there’s still us in the news with the political issues and such. I hope to see more of news that tell how well we are progressing, plans for the country's future, and lika lika lika.

What we have is a flood, a wakeup call, a tsunami of politic and economy. Pak Lah our beloved Prime Minister is still by far the best in my eyes. A leader that commands respects even till today and this is coming from someone who is a mere three decades of acquaintance from afar.

Long be well Malaysia.

McDonald's @ Malaysia - unforgivably Malaysian

"Had an awesome time at McDonald's and can't wait to share it with someone? Think you've got an idea to help us boost our service? Let us know! We'd like to hear what's on your mind to improve our services. We want you to love every encounter with McDonald's. After all, we're supposed to be your favourite place to be, not just a place to eat!"

And, that's how the fat lady sings or in my case, screaming...at least they have the gall to make it an online tagline of sorts.

McDonald's in Malaysia is a very poor ripoff of the international Golden Arch chain. The food served is anything but fast. Quality for instance will have you served with a fish fillet burger that has hard crusty sides that makes you wonder if its because you're the first to order for the day and that's the leftover from sometime back (I wouldn't dare say its "overnite").

Compared to other joints or reputable outlets - there seems to be an awkward gap in the communication skills of the staff that's employed in McDonald's Malaysia. It's the only place in Malaysia I think besides the obvious mamak joints and some food courts where the official, common, and only language spoken is Bahasa Malaysia. It's rather embarrassing as a Malaysian to translate for a foreign guest and rather rude of the McDonald's staff to not answer in English. I however find it very comical to be engaged in this childish defiant play. At the same, HR hiring is restricted to a very un-Malaysian representation.

The best parts are,
1. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), Pizza Hut, and even Burger King hire better staff.
2. Their staff are more attentive.
3. They are also respectful in communication with better language skills.
4. They do not chat with their co-workers when serving a customer.

Now, McDonald's anyone? Awesome? I don't think so. Can't wait to share it? Definitely, so that others can read and see that their experience is not that much different. I'm lovin' it? No No No...

Welcome to the Year of Earth Ox!

Well CNY this year is pretty wet and hot. It seems that this is the first memorable CNY where the weather is rainy. A first of many kinds. Perhaps its signalling great changes in the world. Whatever it is, I hope that the changes are good and beneficial to mankind.

In Chinese culture, each year is determined after a zodiac sign which is taken from a composition of 12 Animals. Namely, the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Rat. The Rat is actually the first zodiac sign according to list and since its the rota cycle of the Ox this year, its placed first here.

People born in the Year of the Ox are believed to be hard and tough, strong and silent, a planner who plots his stratagem. Someone who thinks before speaking and is very sure and clear about life. At times, they may come across as unfeeling and the sense of disdain for others too apparent. Their serene composure and modest exterior makes others misjudge them, as they are brilliant and easily able to assume leadership mantle. They are however not very chatty, less flashy and visible though intelligent enough to understand. For them, actions speak volumes.

Ho Chak on Malaysia 8TV

I enjoy watching Ho Chak. It's a foodie documentary aired weekend on the best places to eat. Typically a show and tell of what's good for the palate. Yoon (吳家潤) female host of the show is so cute and watching her antics on the show makes it even enjoyable for a non-foodie like me. I mean as in a person who loves food but not to desire the same.

The show's namesake Ho Chak is Hokkien (a Chinese dialect) for “Tasty”.

Kudos Yoon...I'll be watching out for more of you.

A Sincere Wish for this Chinese New Year 2009

I wish you all a Happy, Wonderful, and Prosperous New Year come this 26th January 2009. May we all be in the best of health and wealth starting this Chinese New Year. Happiness starts with you.

On the international scene, I would like to see:-

1. President Obie take office and show us the changes he looks set to do positively,
2. Wars and bloodshed a memorial of the past and never to recur,
3. A unification of trade organizations to protect and not fleece the consumers,
4. A China of greater reforms and with proper regulatory systems,
5. A Taiwan that maintains its own sovereignty,
6. Governments of more developed countries helping countries that are not, and
7. Peace and Prosperity.

Locally, I hope to see:-

1. Less Talk and More Action (LTMA) from the Pakatan Rakyat government which is still sluggish,
2. A stop work and demolition order for a Chinese Temple that is in the ending stages of construction despite opposition from local residents in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (not to mention the highway saga),
3. Proper decorum from Members of Parliament whenever they carry out their duties, whether in debates or so,
4. A ceiling price capped for petrol and a reflective showing in the same when the CO price per barrel is down,
5. Malaysians think of themselves more of a single race, the Malaysian Race, instead of by ancestral roots. Here I think our forefathers were even more friendly and united back then than we are now. If we cannot move forward then look back and learn from our past,
6. The total eradication of the Mat Rempit menace and an end to the lack of public safety, and
7. That we all Malaysians regain our pride and love for this land where we were born - Unity is Strength.

Gong Xi Fa Cai.........many times over

Something Fishy

Fish pedicures, which involve tiny Garra rufa fish nibbling away at dead skin on the feet, can also be a harbinger for disease.

Back to Basics -- Traits of a Good Politician

Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

Political science (also political studies) is the study of political behavior and examines the acquisition and application of power. Related areas of study include political philosophy, which seeks a rationale for politics and an ethic of public behavior, and public administration, which examines the practices of governance.

The Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-471 BCE) was one of the first thinkers to adopt a distinct approach to political philosophy. His philosophy was "rooted in his belief that a ruler should learn self-discipline, should govern his subjects by his own example, and should treat them with love and concern." His political beliefs were strongly linked to personal ethics and morality, believing that only a morally upright ruler who possessed "de", or virtue, should be able to exercise power, and that the behavior of an individual ought to be consistent with their rank in society.

He stated that "Good government consists in the ruler being a ruler, the minister being a minister, the father being a father, and the son being a son."

The spate of demonstrations and public voicing that are mis-directed that we have so recently witnessed right here on the shores of Malaysia are akin to being embattled in a civil war. One that pits brother against brother -- inside us we are all the same. Now tell me, we certainly do not need a civil war to guide us and shape us like the one in America, do we?

The art and act of good government can exist when the leaders acknowledge that they serve the people of the nation. Overkill to say that they are sworn to protect them as well. Malaysians = Citizens of Malaysia. Are you a Citizen or a Foreigner?

Dim Sum A Chinese Delicacy - A Reflection on the State of Wealth and Economics

Dim Sum is a Chinese delicacy that is commonly enjoyed in the mornings over a pot of nicely brewed Chinese Tea. The Chinese believe that the tea helps to dissolves the oil in food and aid in digestion.

The name Dim Sum is aptly translated into "A Spot of Heart" meaning that it is prepared with a tinge of heart. Heart-full preparation to create these mouth sized bites of wonder.

I'm a bit saddened by the kan-seongs (traders) in the Dim Sum industry for raising the price of Dim Sum to almost double of what it was back in 2007 (last year). Its not that its no longer affordable but the price hike is ridiculous. It was so much a joy whenever I got wind of the latest promotions here and there with Dim Sum going at 50% discount -- seems that this will no longer apply. I am certain that many other business people in the food and services industry raise their prices not solely due to increases of the raw materials or resources that they use to in delivering their product or service but more often because of their own personal greed and increases in their own cost of living as an individual. Look at it: The employees are not getting paid any more, are they? There is simply no sense of balance here.

Okay, enough on the short insight. I vow not to indulge in Dim Sum but shall still enjoy it once a bluemoon (never on a shiny day or a weekday) as it is no longer good value for money...

Malaysia is not the only multiracial country

Face it...we Malaysians are not that special when it comes to being a multiracial country. Despite having come a long way since the time of our forefathers, we have regressed into a society full of controversy (as in singular sense). Perhaps we should bite the bullet and be humble enough to start learning from others. Tun Mahathir in all his glory during his overstayed rule in Malaysia did manage a good thing or two amongst his many other deeds. A good example is his introduction of the Look East Policy which nurtured Malaysia to emerge a formidable manufacturer of cars in Asia. No one is perfect...and neither is he.

I crossed upon an interesting documentary on Travel and Living yesterday of the ASTRO cable T.V. channel. It has this Bourdain chef guy on a visit to Columbia to seek pleasures of the tastebud...glorious food. It seems that Columbia has all skin tones imaginable. People of all the world can be seen here, White, Black, Hispanic, Caucasian, Asian, African...and all living happily. Although I could see that the majority were not in the trappings of a luxury lifestyle but heck..these people were happy.

It is my belief that Pak Lah had a good thing going and before positive things could come to fruit, bad things happened that were not entirely his doing. We are all proud to be Malaysians. It does not matter if we are an unknown (which we all know that the world in majority knows of us), multi ethnic group instead of multi racial, or even still making our mark on Earth, but the most we have to show at this moment is the childish behaviour we display to the international audience. Can we all just focus on the basics before we regress further. Think of a strong nation that is Malaysia and the Malaysian race that is the people living in harmony here. Is that not a goal worth achieving? Its fine to say that even lovers need a break or a vacation away from each other, but at the end of the day it remains that they get back together stronger and more geared for the future. We should all focus on being Malaysians and a multi ethnic nation - even the term multiracial denotes of a racial divide so drop it. In the true spirit of a global nation, we are beyond religion, race, skin colour, and borders. We are the same inside no matter who we are.

Keep the ISA --- Lose the Politicians

For whatever it's worth, the Internal Security Act or ISA as we all know it should not be abolished as it provides a comfort zone towards maintaining the home security of Malaysia. However the only point which needs to be ensured is that the power to wield it should be entrusted to an individual or a committee that is able to act intelligently and without fear or favour; the latter being more needed.

It is extremely embarassing to learn of politicians who are whimsical, childish, rude, and shortsighted. For example, we have those that comment for the sake of letting loose a stream of unintelligibles; fear not that it is offensive to some quarters, those that use filthy language, and more so those that act like children in a playground fighting over who gets to play. Tsk tsk shame on you.

To these politicians I bid you a quick end to your so-called glamorous political career; whereas to those that are respectable (in my eyes) ie Pak Lah - you have done your best and although the tide is against you, your integrity shall be fortified and your good name held in deepest respect.

Speed up your PC

By following a few simple guidelines, you can maintain your computer and keep it running smoothly.

Free up disk space
By freeing disk space, you can improve the performance of your computer. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk. The utility identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.
Use Disk Cleanup to:
•Remove temporary Internet files.
•Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).
•Empty the Recycle Bin.
•Remove Windows temporary files.
•Remove optional Windows components that you don't use.
•Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
Tip: Typically, temporary Internet files take the most amount of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access later.
Speed up access to data
Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when the file is opened to piece it back together. The response time can be significantly longer. Disk Defragmenter is a Windows utility that consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. With your files stored neatly end-to-end, without fragmentation, reading and writing to the disk speeds up.
Detect and repair disk errors
In addition to running Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter to optimize the performance of your computer, you can check the integrity of the files stored on your hard disk by running the Error Checking utility. As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors. Bad sectors slow down hard disk performance and sometimes make data writing (such as file saving) difficult, or even impossible. The Error Checking utility scans the hard drive for bad sectors, and scans for file system errors to see whether certain files or folders are misplaced.If you use your computer daily, you should run this utility once a week to help prevent data loss.
Protect your computer against spyware
Spyware collects personal information without letting you know and without asking for permission. From the Web sites you visit to usernames and passwords, spyware can put you and your confidential information at risk. In addition to privacy concerns, spyware can hamper your computer's performance. To combat spyware, you might want to consider using Microsoft Windows Defender, which is included in Windows Vista, and is available as a free download for Microsoft XP SP2. Alternatively, there are other free anti-spyware software programs available.

Help my boss hates me

You can ignore the scowls and occasional nasty remarks as long as you're earning raises, promotions, and decent evaluations. Many supervisors just aren't warm and fuzzy. But if you think you're truly on thin ice, you need to talk things over with Mr. Nasty. This doesn't mean bursting into his office and demanding a dramatic, heart-to-heart exchange. Instead, request a half-hour meeting to get feedback. Most conflicts result from communication and work-style differences that make the boss uneasy. He doesn't have to like you, but he does need to trust you and feel comfortable with your habits. Tell him you want to be more responsive to his needs. Does he prefer e-mail or phone? Frequent updates or an end-of-the-month report? Is he cool with your two-hour lunches? Take notes. Heed his wishes. Check in a month later to see how it's working. You may find there is no pleasing the guy; you make all the adjustments and he still finds reasons to rip you apart. This is known as power tripping. Solution: Get a new boss.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

This is a common financial issue that has a fairly black-and-white solution. If you have a family that relies on your income, you need insurance.

If not, you don't, no matter what the salesman says. The more complicated question is how much insurance do you need? First, add up the assets you'll leave behind. Maxing out your financial investments builds savings that could help take care of your family. Second, estimate the obligations you want to cover--the mortgage and child care, for instance. Subtract those obligations from the value of your savings to figure out how much insurance you need.

Most people are better off with a term policy, rather than whole life, which includes a (pricey) investment component. A healthy 40-year-old man can buy a $500,000, 20-year term policy for about $400 a year. Term is a beautiful thing, because most people don't need insurance once they hit 60 as most have paid off debts, college is saved for or paid for, and retirement savings should cover survivor income.

Free Advice -- When you know you are in the right job

Are your pursuing the right career? Does it celebrate your strengths, creativity and leave you feeling fulfilled and enriched at the end of the day? Are you reaping the financial rewards you deserve? If the answer is yes to all, you can be certain that you are in the right job and for the right reasons.