Anti-PORR people, time to break out the champagne!

To all the Anti-PORR campaigners, it looks like your dream came true because the federal government has decided to shelve this controversial and very much unwanted PORR (Penang Outer Ring Road) project indefinitely.

I read in Malaysiakini here that:

Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department today said that the RM2 billion Penang Monorail and RM1.5 billion Penang Outer Ring Road have been shelved.

MCPX

According to EPU director-general Dr Sulaiman Mahbob, projects that are not people-centred under the original Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) will be put on hold or deferred.

Frankly, I am glad that they shelved the PORR thing. It was a stupid idea in the beginning anyway and let's not forget that the stupid billion ringgit project only serve to line some cronies' pockets.

So, yes, I couldn't agree more that this project is not 'people-centred'. It was definitely more 'crony-centred' right from the beginning. Is the BN government finally seeing sense?

Or did they have this skewed sense that Penangites REALLY wanted the PORR badly so canceling it is a very good way to punish Penangites who dared to mark the cross next to logos that do not look like the scale in the elections.

But then the DPM Najib denies this (according to Malaysiakini):

Met later, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the deferment of the two Penang mega-projects was not a punishment on Penangites who voted in the opposition-led state government.

"(There is) no question of punishing anyone because (other) essential projects continue to be implemented whether the states are run by Barisan Nasional or not," he told a press conference held at the lobby.

As for the cancellation of the Penang Monorail project, I have mixed feelings about it. For one, at least there is not another project in which all our taxpayers' money (that's TWO blardy BILLION!!) were not spent to line another crony's pockets to complete the monorail project.

For another, we are in dire need of a proper public transportation system in Penang because having only RapidPenang is DEFINITELY not enough! I do not understand the part about this project not being people-centred.

So, providing public transportation is not people-centred, then what is? Projects that give more profits to their cronies? What, are they worried that the DAP-PKR state government will scrutinise the project and expose them so it is better to scrape it for now?

Okay, even if they want to shelve the monorail project because it is too expensive, do they have alternative public transportation projects for Penang? By the looks of it, nope.

First they increase the petrol price, now they do away with an alternative public transportation system here. So, are Penangites supposed to walk and cycle everywhere now?

Yep, we have a really great federal government and I absolutely agree that this does not mean they are punishing Penangites for voting them out. After all, public transportation is not people-centred. It is only for show and to line some cronies' pockets.

Take the Blue Whale Cruise to see UFOs

If you want to take a closer look at the murky, rubbish filled sea waters surrounding Penang island, you will have to spend at least RM175 to do so on a recently introduced Blue Whale Cruise.

Ok, so the sea water surrounding Penang aren't exactly rubbish-filled but you sure as hell will find loads of UFOs (unidentified floating objects) if you look down from the boat. Anyways, if you don't mind spending good money to cruise around Penang island, here are some details about the cruise:

Blue Whale Cruises:
- Run by British skipper and wife, Stephen & Eileen Burton with a local partner, Steven Tan.
- The boat is a 47ft Chriss Craft Boat with 2 diesel engines, fully air conditioned with toilet and galley.
- Can fit up to 20 people but only insured for 16 people on board, also have safety rafts, safety rings, life jacket, first aid box, etc.

Daily Tours:
1. Sunday - Around the island - inclusive of a BBQ lunch - 10am - 6pm
2. Monday - Turtle Beach - inclusive of a BBQ lunch - 10am - 3pm
3. Tuesday - Sunset Cruise - inclusive of set dinner - 6pm - 9.30pm
4. Wednesday - open for private bookings
5. Thursday - Turtle Beach - inclusive of a BBQ lunch - 10am - 3pm
6. Friday - Sunset Cruise - finger food (coffee, tea or my fingers anyone?) - 6pm - 9.30pm
7. Saturday - open for private bookings

While onboard, you will get free flow of soft drinks and water too.

The boat will depart from Tanjung City Marina and is best only for couples or people with children who does not want to tag along.

Seems like they couldn't get the insurance to cover children below 13 so no children allowed. If you want to bring your sullen, angst-filled teenager, you can but I doubt that by this age, your teenager would even want to be seen in public with their parents. Just saying.

The damage to your pocket will be extensive though. It is RM175 nett per person but for the set dinner sunset cruise it is RM250 per person. The All Day round the island cruise is RM300 per person!!

I don't know, maybe it's only meant for foreign tourists who earn in USDs and Pounds because I sure as heck will not spend RM175 to RM300 to cruise around Penang! And no, although the boat is named Blue Whale, there are no whales for you to watch here and nope, you won't get to see dolphins too since most of these have left for better seas.

Penangites will know that they could get to Muka Head by paying a fisherman to bring them in his motorboat at RM70 for a return trip. Yep, and it is not even per person! You can even bring your own food, home cooked or store bought, whatever you choose and have a great picnic at the beach.

Oh well, if you really want to spend that kind of money on the cruises, you can check it out at www.bluewhatecruises.com.

Should the government allow Chin Peng back into Malaysia?

I read in Malaysiakini that Chin Peng's application to come back was rejected by the courts:

Chin Peng loses bid to return home: lawyer
Jun 22, 08 12:10pm

Malaysia's exiled former communist chief, who fought a bloody 12-year guerrilla campaign, has lost his latest bid to return to the country, his lawyer said today.

Chin Peng, the former secretary-general of the outlawed Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), took legal action after the government rejected his 2003 request to return.

But the bid, according to his counsel Darshan Singh Khaira, has now been rejected by the Court of Appeal who upheld a earlier ruling that Chin Peng show identification papers to prove his citizenship.

"Chin Peng is obviously disappointed by the ruling but he says he will continue his fight to return home until all legal avenues are exhausted," Darshan told AFP.

"We are unable to make sense of the ruling because Chin Peng had already said his identification papers were seized by the authority of the day in the 1940s and so he is unable to produce them," he added.

Darshan said the former communist leader should be allowed to return under a December 1989 peace agreement between the government and CPM members.

"The agreement signed by Malaysia, Thailand and the CPM says those of Malayan origin are allowed to return and Chin Peng was born in Malaya," he said, using the country's pre-independence name.

"The government must honour its obligations to Chin Peng," he added.

Darshan said he was preparing Chin Peng's appeal to the Federal Court, the country's highest judicial body.

Born Ong Boon Hua in Sitiawan in Malaysia's northern Perak state in 1923, Chin Peng won the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and two medals for helping the British fight the Japanese in Malaya during World War II.

He later led the communist party, backed by China, in a guerrilla campaign against the British colonial and Malay governments between 1948 and 1960, in which hundreds were killed. Chin Peng left Malaysia in 1961 and has been in exile since.

Malaysia in 2003 denied his request to return on grounds he was still linked to a banned organisation with a "history of perpetrating terrorism" in the country. Chin Peng currently lives in exile in Thailand, his lawyer said.

-AFP

In my opinion, they should allow the exiled former communist leader Chin Peng back here.

My reasons are simple...

One - He is already SO old, he practically has one foot in the grave so I really doubt he will start a fresh guerilla campaign when he comes back for a visit.

(there are more civilised, bloodless ways to take over the government nowadays, such as through political froggie hopping and votes of no-confidence)

Two - he is only asking to come back to spend his last days after all, he is not immortal and will not live for much more longer. For God's sake, he is 85 this year!

Three - for reasons that it is best I leave unsaid.

What can the Penang state government do in three months

If you ask me, nothing much.

Rome was not built in a day so we should not expect the DAP-PKR Penang state government to work miracles in just three months.

Of course, this does not stop all the MSM from churning out 100-day reports on what the state government has achieved in this short period of time. It also did not stop the former state government leaders, namely Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon from pointing out at the 'weaknesses' of this new state government.

By now, I have learned to ignore most of what Gerakan has to say in the media because it is mostly crap resulting from sour grapes. Nothing profound can be seen in sour grapes comments, so why waste time, eh?

Anyway, what really caught my interest was that Koh Tsu Koon had termed the 100 days as the DAP-PKR state government's 'honeymoon' period. If that is not sour grapes, I do not know what is!

Running a state government for the first time since all of the DAP and PKR wakil rakyat are relatively new is no easy task. Many of them never expected to win and now suddenly, they are part of the Penang state government. Grappling with new things to learn, heavier responsibilities and a change in role from being a noise-making Opposition to the state government is no simple, easy as A-B-C task.

The fact that they had to do it minus all the files in the cleaned out offices, it is not easy at all. Of course, certain quarters have said that the new government could always get copies of the documents from the state secretary's office.

Sure, the state secretary my have copies of the documents but would you know what document to ask for if you do not even know what document you are suppose to be looking for?

Just think. For example, an exco may have, lets say 20, open files of issues and problems not solved or in the process and hundreds others already solved and filed away for records. But with the change of state government, the 20 unsolved issues (files) disappeared into thin air. Sure, all the copies are with the state secretary's office but so are the hundreds others kept there for records. So, how is the new exco to know which issue is unsolved, which issue is ongoing and which is already solved and dealt with? Yep, the new exco probably have to vet through hundreds of files and folders to find the 20 unsolved issues.

And that is easy, issit? On top of that, they have to meet with the people in their respective portfolios, they have to learn the ropes of their responsibilities, they have to meet with the reluctantly cooperative government departments, they have to also solve problems while still learning the ropes.

Then on top of that there is the huge big mess of scams and loose ends for them to clear up and tie up, again, no thanks to the previous state government.

So, what can the Penang state government do in 100 days? Well, obviously, nothing much because they are too busy clearing up the mess by the previous state government while at the same time trying to make their own policies and decisions now.

In fact, my question to all those sour grapes out there, what DID the Gerakan state government achieve all this time? Oh, wait...I know the answers:

1. Unsustainable development by allowing developers to chop down trees, hills to build more high rise, more luxury buildings

2. Cutting down and destruction of our water catchment areas for decades before the remaining few areas were gazetted in 2003.

3. Land scams

4. Extremely efficient (NOT) public transportation

5. A million traffic lights which causes more traffic congestions that clearing traffic

6. Extremely well-planned out (NOT) traffic dispersal system

7. Safe City is just a concept, not a reality

8. Penang rubbish city is a reality, not a concept

9. Beautiful clean and safe (yeah, right) beaches

10. Growing number of investments (leaving the state)

So, what can a 100-day-old Penang state government do to undo what the previous state government did in all those years? A lot that can't be done within three months!

Need I say more?

And so Anwar Ibrahim was in Penang to talk about...

...more crossovers from BN, MCA this time, to Pakatan Rakyat.

I don't know, I didn't go for the rally which reportedly saw some 30,000 people thronging the city stadium in Penang. Also, Anwar was around to open a service centre here in Bayan Baru.

So, I read up on what he has to say at the online media, Malaysiakini, for some accurate news about it. We can never trust the MSM with news on rallies and anything by the Opposition!

So, it seems that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the PKR de facto leader, is claiming that more BN fellas plan to do the froggie impression.

According to Malaysiakini:

“I can safely say that several MCA MPs will join us soon,” he told journalists yesterday, after opening a service centre in Bayan Baru, Penang.

Anwar has been keeping the public on tenterhooks since the general election on March 8, with repeated claims of crossovers by Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians, especially those in Sabah.

He said that discreet meetings have been held in Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore, to avoid scrutiny, and that “even a cabinet minister met me”

Alright, my curiosity is definitely piqued. I wonder who is this cabinet minister?

And yes, we have been hearing Anwar go on and on about those froggies but yet to see or hear any of them hopping over. Not yet, anyway.

But then, we never know. Not that I am accusing Anwar of lying (but then, don't all politicians lie?) about this impending crossovers, I am wondering if it will happen at all.

Three months have passed since the general election. And rumours and talks of crossovers come and go but no concrete moves to substantiate it. Still, Anwar was adamant and seemed uber confident that Pakatan Rakyat will be able to wrest the government from BN.

“It’s about time that we take over. It’s only a matter of time for us to take over. We are so close to Putrajaya,” he said to roars from some 30,000 people.

“It’s very soon. I will not say how (soon). But it will happen soon.”

He stressed that defecting MPs would have to accept the Pakatan tenets of good governance.

Yeah, yeah. I have read all this before. In fact, I keep seeing this ever other week in Malaysiakini by Anwar or one of the Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

My main questions,

Is Anwar bluffing to scare the BN and make them jittery?

Or does he really have the numbers to really grab Putrajaya (and the whole country)?

So, who will be Prime Minister then? Do we really want a change in government? No, let me rephrase that, do we want Pakatan Rakyat to run the country?

Seriously, I have my doubts about them. Sure, they could possibly be better than BN but the recent call by PAS youth for hardline Islamic laws to be imposed on the five states under the Pakatan Rakyat has given me the jitters.

I wouldn't want hardline Islamic laws, especially if it affects my rights and freedom (of sorts), for the whole country.

Sigh...we do live in interesting times don't we?

Meet with Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat leaders this Sunday

All those of you with DAPitis (or not) and in awe with the Pakatan Rakyat (or not), there's going to be this huge 'Meet the People' session at the Penang city stadium this Sunday (June 15).

Entrance is free due to hard times... (heheheh, couldn't resist adding this line...)

And you will get to listen to the great minds of Pakatan Rakyat...who else...but Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (or so they said in their banners), Lim Kit Siang, our beloved (or not) chief minister Lim Guan Eng and all of the Penang state government reps.

They will be talking about recent issues especially about the rising costs and the recent petrol price hike. So, expect to get an earful about how the federal government (read: BN government) is wasting millions if not billions on inconsequential stuffs and claiming that they are 'subsidising' us. Or something like that.

I am sure, it will be loads of fun. And extremely crowded. And also jam packed. And parking will be horrendous. And you will be left to the elements too.

So, bring your own umbrellas and refreshments. And try to go early to find good parking spots. Or better still, park somewhere else and carpool. Or if you stay nearby, walk lah. With the expected jam, it is faster to walk.

Here are the details again:

What: Meet the people session with Pakatan Rakyat leaders

Where: Penang City Stadium (Lorong Kulit)

Why: To listen to them talk about current issues or simply because you want to meet them or maybe you just like packed places or you want to hear for yourself and see for yourself what transpired since you can never believe the mainstream media reports later.

When: Sunday, June 15, 8.30pm (but do go early)

Who: Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, etc...

Where to park: the limited parking lots around the stadium

What to expect: a heavy police presence since they tend to be very 'careful' during such events so if you are planning to sell illegal stuff there, don't. It's not a good time.

Expected crowd: 15,000 (or so they claimed, go and find out yourself)

Penang state government tightens purse strings

It is a good thing to note that the Penang state government, led by Lim Guan Eng, has continue to be 'frugal' in its spending which is a vast difference from the days under Gerakan where money was spent lavishly on unimportant and inconsequential things.

It is really good to read that Guan Eng has cancelled the purchase of new cars for the excos costing more than RM600,000 the moment he took office. Seems like the former state government had placed the order.

Then, recently, there were plans to supply laptops and printers for ALL assemblymen (yep, including those sour-puss Opposition) but he also prudently deferred it because the costs comes up to about RM300,000.

Also, the fact the he refused to move into his official residence because it may have to be renovated and repaired since it is quite inhabitable now due to leaks and whatnots. The costs also about RM100,000 or more. He is now staying at his father's house here.

Now, looks like there are more money saving tips that the state government is going into. Most of the functions they hold are either held in government premises (so, no need to rent expensive hotels) or mostly his office. The only hotel functions are by private companies.

Then, when traveling, he has also said that all those traveling due to duty, must do so in economy class. Now, that is commendable since I remember correctly that most of those in the previous administration travel in style and with a large entourage too.

I also heard that the missions overseas by InvestPenang are also done economically. Only selected few get to go and even so, they all travel economy (or better still, try to get the cheap, zero fares from Air Asia and MAS during promotions) and they stay at 'not more than three stars hotels'.

This is what I call leading by example.

I'd like to see the ministers travel by economy! A mere 10% cut in entertainment allowance is nothing since they have high paying salaries and other allowances. I say no more paid vacations and no more first class flights for them! Also, no more new imported cars for them. They should only use Proton Perdana until it is at least 10 years old before being allowed to change to new cars.

And then, all those lavish functions and extravagant events and monumental projects which only benefit certain parties and not the people should all be deferred or if not possible, scaled down. I'd like to see them organising functions and events at government premises instead of renting lavish hotel ballrooms or expensive convention centres!

Missing the school holidays

The recently ended school holidays are just too short. It should have lasted longer....sigh...

No. I am not a student or a teacher.

The thing is that during school holidays, there are lesser traffic congestion along roads near schools that I travel along daily. It was pure bliss driving to my babysitter's place to pick up my kid and drive back home. No horrendous jams due to inconsiderate parents who double and triple park along narrow lanes. No stupid school buses DOUBLE parking along four-lane roads. In short, no stress of having to manoeuvre through all these obstacles.

Immediately after school reopens....Roads like Jalan Mesjid Negeri (the McDonalds greenlane stretch where there's PFS), Jalan Air Itam (Chung Ling), Jalan Batu Lanchang (SMK Georgetown and SRK Batu Lanchang), Jalan Burma ( Union primary school), Jalan Gottlieb (PCGH), Lebuh Light (CLS) and Farquhar Street (SXI) are once again choked with traffic during the rush hour of between 1pm and 3pm and then again between 6pm and 7pm.

Sigh...a journey which normally took me about 30 minutes now takes me one hour to 45 minutes.

Life is just not meant for wasting behind the wheels of a car stuck in a traffic jam.

Just give me a car like one of those buses that Harry Potter travels in (you know, the types that could squeeze through traffic) and I'll be the happiest person on earth.

Penang to ban Islam Hadhari

Looks like Penang is following the footsteps of Selangor as it has decided to prohibit Islam Hadhari which is widely promoted by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

According to Malaysiakini:

Penang next to prohibit Islam Hadhari
Jun 9, 08 7:41pm
The Penang government is set to ‘prohibit’ the spread of Islam Hadhari (‘progressive’ Islam) and to become the second Pakatan Rakyat-led state government to do so after Selangor.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, when contacted today, confirmed that the Islam Hadhari concept would be discontinued in the state.

He said he had received advice from more than 20 religious experts and former muftis, who had “all agreed” with the stance.

An official announcement will be made either this weekend or by next week at the latest, he added.

Two weeks ago, Mohammad Fairus had said the state would imitate Selangor which, on May 26, had prohibited the spread of Islam Hadhari.

Mohammad Fairuz, who is Penanti state assembly representative, is the executive councillor for Islamic welfare.

He had earlier said the state’s action was not fueled by a political motive, but to “return to the true teachings of Islam”.

“The teachings of Islam are perfect as they are (as stated in the Quran). Therefore, there is no need for supplements,” he said on May 27.

Islam Hadhari was developed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2004, soon after he stepped into power.

Selangor executive councillor for Islamic matters, Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali, in announcing the state’s decision at a press conference, had said that “the religion of Islam suffices” and that Islam Hadhari would no longer be promoted.

Elaborating later, he said: "We (the state government) will not promote Islam Hadhari in schools, during the Friday sermons and in religious programmes."

‘Don’t lose focus’

Responding today to the Selangor decision, Youth activist group Jalan Telawi Arts Community (KsJT) described the state government has having gone off-tangent.

“We are confident that the people want the Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Perak governments to defend (the interests of) small businessmen, single mothers and graduates, and not get tangled up with Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN),” said spokesperson Hasmi Hashim.

“At a time where people are concerned about their livelihood, the move to prohibit Islam Hadhari may be seen as diverting from important issues that burden the rakyat.”

Hasmi, who is PKR Parit Sulong branch leader, elaborated that the reformasi struggles in 1998 must be remembered, even as the Pakatan-led governments mark their first 100 days in office tomorrow.

“We are concerned that these governments will be seen as being authoritarian, just like the BN government,” he added in a statement today.

Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin recently suggested that those who reject the concept of Islam Hadhari should review their stand objectively.

“Islam Hadhari may confuse many but there is good in it. The contents have not been obvious as it is only the branding that has been spoken about a lot,” he said.

Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria was reported as saying that it is not fair to prohibit related programmes.

"I think we have to fully understand the concept before taking any action. What I understand from my discussion with the prime minister previously is that the concept fulfills the cause of Islam,” he added.

Durians are a luxury item in Penang

I recently went searching for the pungent king of fruits and find that there is no such thing as cheap durians nowadays.

At least, good ones lar. You know, the types that is edible, rich, creamy and makes you go 'ahh....that hits the spot' and rub your stomach in satisfaction. Not the type that you eat and don't feel anything, barely any 'flesh', hardly any aroma and definitely all of blandness.

Nope, for durians, I go for the full bodied, thick, and pungent ones. you know, those with strange names and numbers. The likes of 604, 11, 14 or ang her, hor loh and bak eu.

And these are the ones that are so hard to find for a bargain. Most costs RM20 (if you are damn lucky) and above. A month ago, I bought it for RM15 each and was already grumbling about it.

Then a few weeks ago, it was RM20 each.

Then a few days ago, it was RM28 each.

Shiissshh....I could have eaten four square meals with that kind of money. Sigh, the things I do to feed this durian addiction.

Any cure, anyone?

p/s: I found a stall selling reasonably priced durians (of around RM15) along Mount Erskine road near the Hokkien Cemetery. The quality also not bad.
If you hanker for really good durian, go for the stall along Anson Road. The prices are RM20 each and above but the quality is numero uno.

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has left the building..

So, looks like our former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has decided not to seek re-election as the Penang Gerakan chairman.

Hmm...he must have suddenly woken up and realised that Penangites do not want him and it is time for him to move on?

Well, what I can say is that good riddance! Let's hope that he will also lose the president post for the party....

Here's the reasons why he does not want to remain as Penang Gerakan chairman (taken from The Star online):

Dr Koh to relinquish state chief post

GEORGE TOWN: Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon will not seek re-election as the party's Penang chairman.

Dr Koh, who has held the post for 12 years, made the announcement during the Penang Gerakan liaison committee's monthly meeting on Sunday night.

The former Penang chief minister will relinquish the post during the coming Gerakan state delegates conference on Aug 23, according to a statement released by the party here on Monday.

Dr Koh decided against contesting the party post to devote "even more time and energy" to national issues and party matters throughout the country.

He, however, stressed that he would "continue to work closely" with members and leaders and maintain the state as his "home base" to rejuvenate and strengthen the party here.

Although he would keep his office at the party headquarters in Macalister Road and his home in Tanjung Bunga, Dr Koh said he would be travelling "very often" to attend to his central duties.

Dr Koh's move to step down was described as "in line with Gerakan's overall strategy" of serving as an effective opposition to the Pakatan Rakyat administration in the state while reforming Barisan Nasional and Gerakan on the national level.

"I am confident that a capable and committed Gerakan leader will be chosen by the delegates through a democratic, smooth, healthy and clean manner according to the party's 'satu hati' spirit.

"Remember, we must sustain party unity and maintain the Gerakan image. After all, the state-level party election will only involve 450 delegates.

"A party election should be seen as friendly competition among comrades. Thus, it is better for candidates to campaign directly among delegates rather than through the media," Dr Koh said.

If you are one of the idiots who rushed to pump petrol yesterday, you are stupid!

Some people are so stupid.

Okay, not only some people. A LOT of people are so stupid. And kiasu. And brainless. And obviously senseless. Not to mention moronic and idiotic.

The ever great Prime Minister announced an increase in petrol price yesterday so what do most people do?

They make a beeline to the petrol stations, causing massive jams everywhere.

Me, I just want to get home early but no thanks to all those idiots clamouring to pump petrol at the RM1.92 rate, I got stuck for two hours in traffic to travel a short distance from my son's babysitter's house to my apartment.

A journey which normally took me 15 minutes turned into TWO blardy hours of crawling along millions of cars driven by countless other idiots intend on converging on any petrol station they spotted.

Some of them are so stupid that they queued up till 4am!!



See, I was justified to call them stupid idiots. Not bad enough jamming all the roads, some more so stupid to wait till 4am. Gila these people!

If they really do some serious calculations, they will find that they probably wasted more time, money, petrol and energy queuing up for hours just to pump petrol at RM1.92 than the money they seemed to think they had saved by doing this.

Just think lar.

Start of journey: Petrol at half tank
Time started: 5pm

During journey: Petrol down to nearing E
Time: 8pm

At Petrol station: Fill up to full tank
Time: 9pm

Journey back: Petrol plunging down to slightly below full tank
Time: 10pm

Reached home: Petrol is down to only three quarters of the tank
Time: 11pm.

So, just to 'save' say RM10 or RM15, SIX hours was wasted inching along the traffic jam AND more than half tank of petrol was wasted. I seriously do not see how that could save them money.

It all goes back to the same thing because they burnt up more petrol in the queues and jams than putting it in!

Grrrr....some people. Stupid never mind lar but some more caused so much inconvenience to others.

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and his Gerakan friends should know it's time to get lost

DAP chairman Karpal Singh is right to tell former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and his Gerakan friends to ride off into the sunset gracefully instead of immersing themselves in this media blitz to point the fingers at the current state administration under Lim Guan Eng.

I mean you were already being shown the door by Penangites, so leave already! And then all this pretentious 'I do not want to meddle' crap while you tell your Gerakan friends to issue this or that statement, most recently by Mark Ooi. Please lah, you think Penangites all blind and stupid issit?

In Karpal's word (excerpt taken from Malaysiakini:)

Koh should not continue to claim credit for “the few good things” done during his 18-year tenure as Penang chief minister, said Karpal, but accept the reality that the days of his “pomp and splendour have come and gone”.

Yep, stop it already, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Karpal dishes out more gems in Malaysiakini:

Karpal also described Koh as having been a puppet chief minister, whose administration had accommodated the demands and commands of Umno, instead of protecting the rights and interests of the people of Penang.

As a result, the post-election Pakatan Rakyat government has inherited an administration that is ridden with scandal and controversy.

“By virtue of having more seats in the state assembly, it was Umno calling the shots and was filching many prized projects during Koh’s time,” said Karpal, who is the Bukit Gelugor MP.

He reminded Koh (left) to be grateful to Lim for coming to his defence when Umno members openly demonstrated against him during the Tanjung Umno divisional meeting presided by party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2006.

“By then Koh should have stepped down gracefully, but he didn’t. Then the Penang voters had to (make sure that he did) so. Thus he should not interfere, and should retire and ride into sunset in grace and dignity,” said Karpal.

IMHO, it is time for sour grapes to be disposed of and those sore losers to really disappear. Enough is enough. Don't they even know the meaning of sportsmanship?

You lost the match lar, so get lost. Don't act all self-righteous, point fingers, blame the other team, blame everyone else, call the winning team names and in short, be a total arse. Just get lost.

We voters are so sick and tired of this pointless shenanigans by those sore losers be it Gerakan, Umno, MCA, MIC or whatever.

And of all the cheek, Koh has also said in the Chinese dailies that he is sure that Gerakan will recapture Penang in the next general elections. Wah, what confidence. This is after pointing fingers and acting all self-righteous.

We shall wait and see, won't we?