Penang Views and Stories

Website crashed again or still using a blogger account?

2011-11-25T08:01:00.001-08:00

I am so glad my websites (and i have A LOT of sites) don't ever crashed. Not when I get unlimited bandwidth, excellent support and it's so cheap, you won't believe it!

Today is Black Friday and there's this extra special deal that you should grab RIGHT NOW!!! What deal?

Look below:

It says hosting is for $4.95 only each month but today, the price has been slashed! It is ONLY $2.95!!! Yep, that's barely $3 and you can host your own domain.

I mean, why stick to xxxx.blogspot.com when you can use imfabulous.com or imthegreatest.com as your website address?

So what are you waiting for? Grab this deal NOW!!!

Click here now!!!

Get dirt cheap hosting account here NOW!

You won't regret it and their service is really good. Trust me. I would know especially when some of my sites are high traffic sites.

The Deceased of the Western Road Burial Plots Are Turning in Their Graves

2010-09-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Before you read on, please take note that this is A PARODY, NOT REAL and most definitely DOES NOT REFER to any REAL PERSON, DEAD or ALIVE.

A week after the local council published notices in local newspapers announcing its intention to update the register of burial rights of those buried in the Western Road Christian cemetery, a strange phenomenon started to happen within the cemetery.

The once-peaceful cemetery was abuzz with activities as graves are suddenly being exhumed by its occupants. Many of the deceased are slowly climbing out of their permanent resting place, none of whom looked pleased to be woken from their slumber.

The cemetery groundskeeper, who had noticed the phenomenon, had immediately tipped off the media and quickly make a run for it. After all, he did not want to be blamed for waking the dead.

John Smith, a Royal Australian Air Force soldier who died in 1948 and was buried in one of the plots there, seemed to be leading the rise of the dead, amongst those are his comrades, the British soldiers, the Russian soldiers and the other civilians buried there.

"Since we are in danger of losing our homes, I think this is a good time that all of us get organised and we will all go get registered with the local council," the skeleton with a few scraps of rotting material hanging on his frame told reporters in a brief press conference yesterday.

Another deceased, still in the midst of decomposing and emitting a putrid stench, pushed Smith aside to have her say.

"Ignore Smith. I think the local council is so stupid. I mean, we are all dead and resting peacefully here and there they are wanting to wake us up to provide them with all those immaterial details. I mean, look at us! Does it look like we have the receipts to the burial plots?" the woman, who only wished to be known as Mary, said while gesturing to her rotting clothes and flesh.

"Yes, look at us. Some of us has been here for almost 100 years, how do they expect us to provide proof of purchase or date of purchase?" another skeleton demanded.

"Now, now, settle down. I am sure we can get all this sorted out in no time. We must hurry, we have until Nov 30 to get registered or we may no longer have a place to rest peacefully!" Smith told the crowd of unhappy, far-from-peaceful, skeletons and decomposing bodies.

Smith said most of the dead, some of whom has been there for almost a century, do not have surviving relatives to do the registration for them. Those who do have surviving relatives do not even know if the relatives are still living in Penang.

"It is indeed a big mess here. Some of us has relatives who are living elsewhere and some of us, like myself, do not have any relatives to claim my bones or provide a new resting place for us. So, we have no choice but to rise from our peaceful slumber to register with the council," he said when asked why the deceased are rising from their graves.

The MPPP is conducting an exercise to update the register of burial rights of those buried in the Western Road Christian cemetery.

It had published notices in local newspapers calling for individuals with burial rights or the family members and personal representatives of those buried in the 19th century cemetery located on Jalan Utama (or popularly known as Western Road) to provide detailed information such as date of purchase of the plot, plot number, name and address of the applicants and representatives, proof of purchase and the name of the deceased.

They are required to provide the information by Nov 30, otherwise the council will repossess the plots for other uses.

Be careful of phishing emails and other suspicious emails

2010-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

In this technology age, we can never be too trusting of emails that we get. After all, you never know if it's a scam, a hoax or a way to cheat you of your money, your property or worse, your identity. You may think that these hoaxes emails are just waste of your time but it can be much, much worse.

Many people are unaware of the rising crime of identity theft. By identity theft, it means people can use your personal information that they gleaned from you through their fraudulent emails and then 'become you'. They could go to the extent of using your name, your social security number and everything about you to purchase things, to take up mortgages or to even commit crimes!

That is why you should be very careful about releasing your personal details to virtual strangers and if you have already done that, it is best that you check whether your identity have been stolen in sites like ID Watchdog. It is a good thing that there are sites like ID Watchdog so that we can be reassured that there's no one else out there using our identity to commit crimes or run up a really huge bill!

Penang Free Wi-Fi Spots

2009-08-20T01:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been awhile since I updated this blog, I've been preoccupied with stuffs of late...
Anyway, I'm sure every Penangite must have heard about the great Penang Free Wi-Fi project by the state government.

Well, let's make one thing clear. It's not installed by the state government but approval was given by the state government. The project is by RedTone, some telecommunications company. And the CM, who loves to harp on something on and on, is merely promoting it and of course, taking credit for it too. Anyway, essentially, it's a private project, condoned by the state government and promoted by the state government. 'For the good of the people' or so it's said.

Whether it's any good or not (the wi-fi service), one should not be complaining too much right? After all it's free (so said the CAT minister). Whatever it is, his claims of almost whole of Penang will have free Wi-Fi should ALWAYS be taken with a bucket of salt.

Why? Well, from the looks of phase one, the hotspots are only at certain locations and shops. Not exactly at some kampungs or public parks or anything. Here's the list in case you want to try using the free service. Oh yeah, and another thing, before using, you need to register and enter personal details like your name, IC, race, income, age group, profession, etc. It's a rather long questionnaire.

And if you can't see the list clearly, to put it in a nutshell, it's available at Prangin Mall, Komtar, Queensbay Mall, some shops and restaurants in Bukit Jambul, BJ Complex, two shops in Jalan Dato Koyah (Lee Car Engine Servicing & Commass Construction), one shop in Argyll Road (Kaiser Hardware), Jalan Kampung Malabar, one shop in Jln Kangsar (Perniagaan Ban Seing) and over at the mainland, Megamall Pinang, some car accessories shop, Synergy College, computer shops, some restaurants and some other shops (check the list).

Oh well. The stupid Wi-Fi card in my laptop is not working so I won't be surfing outside the house for now. But if you want to surf, go to Starbucks, the wi-fi is also free and pretty good too.

By-election in Penanti

2009-04-16T02:03:00.000-07:00

I have to hand it to PKR and their whole messy politics. In a time when the economy is barely stable, they are too busy finagling and fighting over who hold what post.

There are two perfectly eligible PKR assemblymen for them to choose to be the DCM I but instead of choosing, they decide not to choose at all. So, they have a by-election. Really, this is getting to be so tiresome.

Including this Penanti seat, there will have been six by-elections since the GE. That's ridiculous. Okay, so, three of it in Sarawak, Perak and KT are unavoidable since the reps keeled over and died but what about the other three?

First there's Permatang Pauh. There's a by-election because Anwar wants to go back to parliament.

Then there's Bukit Selambau. A by-election over some scandal regarding the rep.

Now, in Penanti, another by-election over corruption scandal regarding the rep.

Which means, three of the by-elections are caused by PKR and their shenanigans. Seriously, PKR really need to get it together. Can't they have chosen the right candidates in the first place instead of this?

What we really don't need now is a by-election but more concrete plans to keep the economy afloat and help people who have lost their jobs. So far, the focus seemed to be more on politics than the economy both on the BN and the PR side.

It is just too much. Enough is enough already. People are losing jobs and the poor are getting poorer and these politicians are too busy fighting over this seat or that seat just so they can get on the gravy train.

It is blardy obvious. They don't care about the economy or the people. They only care about their own pockets and for power.

Nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothing power crazy idiots.

Since when Anwar Ibrahim became the Penang CM?

2009-04-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

The very controversial DCM I Fairus has officially resigned on April 8. So, the Chief Minister felt obliged to issue this press statement:

Press Statement by Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng in Georgetown, Penang on 8 April 2009

The Penang State Exco has decided to let Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng decide on the position of Deputy Chief Minister I. This appointment is the prerogative of the Penang Chief Minister who will consult with all relevant parties.

The Penang Chief Minister will held a Press Conference at 11.30am tomorrow on this matter. YB Mohammad Fairus resignation as Deputy Chief Minister I takes effect immediately today and is no longer on Exco member. However YB Mohammad Fairus still retains all privileges as Penang PR ADUN.

Lim Guan Eng

If you notice, it is written that "This appointment is the prerogative of the Penang Chief Minister who will consult with all relevant parties."

Anyone with any sense at all will take it to mean that it is the prerogative of the Penang chief Minister to decide on the appointment of the new DCM I. Right?

Right.

Besides, the CM has been given the power by the exco to decide on who becomes the new DCM I.

So, this means, the CM has the power and the right to decide on who becomes the new DCM I.

Which leads me to this puzzling bit of news:

GEORGE TOWN: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will nominate a candidate from the party for the post of Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I) within a week, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

He said although it was his prerogative to appoint the candidate to replace Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, he would wait for Anwar to name the party’s nominee.

“Since the post belongs to a Malay PKR state assemblyman, it is only right for PKR to identify the candidate.

[Staronline]

Let me get this straight. The CM decides to push aside his responsibility and let Anwar decide on who to be the next DCM I. Does this mean that the CM has no power at all to decide who he wants to appoint as the DCM I?

Sure, this is a PR state government and the DCM I is the PKR's post. But we are talking about the state government here, not some PKR party post. If it is a PKR party post, the CM has no right to intervene.

But this is a state government post and who is Anwar in the Penang state government for him to decide on the DCM I post?

This goes to show that there is obviously some sense of disunity within the PR coalition. Obviously, the DAP fellas (as in the Penang CM) steer themselves clear away from PKR and let PKR deal with their own problems. And obviously, PKR has kept a distance from DAP too.

And not only that, why did the CM's prerogative to appoint his DCM I became a PKR leader's prerogative?

As far as I know, Anwar is not the Penang CM. He is not part of the Penang state government. In fact, he has no say whatsoever in how the Penang state government was run. And yet, he was suddenly given the power to decide on who will become the second top guy in the state government and not only that, he was also the one to make the announcement too.

So, why did the exco give the CM power to decide on the DCM I's post when obviously he has no such power to do so? Why not from the start just say it is all up to Anwar and be done with it instead of issuing that kind of press statement to say it is the CM's prerogative when clearly it is not?

Whatever it is, it is obvious that the CM chose to do this to distance himself from whatever decision that PKR makes, which goes to show that PR still has a lot to work on before they could all work together smoothly.

Why a tiger park is such a BAD IDEA

2009-04-07T00:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the CM is a CAT man through and through but a tiger park?

He is really going overboard with his catty harebrained schemes. Enough already. And his reasons for proposing a tiger park?

1. Eco-tourism
2. to provide a sanctuary for tigers

Okay. Lets look at number one. Eco-tourism. Nobody in their right mind will book a holiday to Penang just because we have a tiger park. It will not draw tourists in in droves. Please be realistic. There are so many tiger parks / zoos in this world, what makes him think tourists will come to Penang just to look at tigers?

Ridiculous.

Now, let's look at number two.

Dear, dear CM. Please don't be such a child. The only place that tigers belonged are the forests. Not some park where they are ogled at. If you really care so much for tigers, then do something concrete. Like joining with WWF's fight for stricter conservation laws to protect tigers and all endangered animals in their NATURAL HABITAT.

Fight for keeping of tigers to be outlawed.

Fight for laws and enforcement that will stop illegal trade of tigers and tiger parts.

Fight against tigers being exploited in many ways at parks, theme parks, etc just so the owners can make a fast buck.

Fight for tigers' natural habitat to be preserved and conserved.

Fight for tigers to continue to live on in the wild and for our dwindling tiger in the wild population to be doubled.

Placing tigers in a park IS NOT saving the tigers but showing a stamp of approval that it is the right move for people to buy tiger cubs for entertainment and for humans to ogle at behind enclosures.

Placing tigers in a park IS THE SAME AS CAGING THEM. No matter how big an enclosure they are placed, they are still caged and locked up. They are NOT FREE.

Tigers belonged in the wild. PERIOD.

And all his talk of getting some private companies to fund and handle the project, please use your brain and think ahead.

What happens if the company suddenly goes belly-up and could not afford to maintain the tigers? Then what? Let the tigers starve? Sell off the tigers?

Mind you, feeding a single tiger costs RM30,000 a year. And that does not include veterinarian costs and park maintenance costs.

So, this tiger park idea is probably the most harebrained idea our CM has thought up.

Want to save the tigers? Go symbolically adopt one at WWF lar. Much better than placing them in some enclosure of a park.

To all the cowards and political nuts out there

2009-03-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

First off, THIS IS MY BLOG so I have the liberty of thrashing any idiotic politician in Penang and Malaysia and wherever as and when I see fit. That includes the so-called popular favourites the DAP big mouthed politicians and the BN losers.

Anonymous cowards who thinks they are SO smart leaving stupid comments in my OLD posts challenging things I blog about A LONG TIME AGO only serve to prove how moronic and cowardly they are. And I know the reasons for the brainless attacks...much like rabid dogs foaming at the mouth over some negative posts about their idols, they probably think they are belittling me for their idols.

HAH.

Stupid

Bunch

Of

Moronic

IDIOTS.

Go ahead, foam at the mouth and leave brainless comments here all you want. It just proves how stupid you are.

And to Jeffrey Chew, I know you work for the biggest Cat of them all so of course you are obliged to defend your employer.

After all in such an economic downturn, one must always be nice to the hand that feeds one. But really, this is MY BLOG. You wanna defend your boss, go do it in your blog. Don't sully my blog with your undying devotion for the Cat. It is just too sickening for me to bear. I may even need to boil this blog in disinfectant to get rid of all the germs. And I really hate to do that.

Cats may seem all nice and clean but do you know that their feces are toxic? Do you know that cat fur can cause asthma? Do you know that cats aren't all that loyal and frankly, I've never heard of a cat that protected its owners from robbers or burglars. Cats are also known to scratch their owners too.

If I've said it once, I will say it again:

Lim Guan Eng is CHILDISH and PETTY.

Lim Guan Eng only say what he DON'T mean and means what he DON'T say.

And I still think his spat with the media is prove enough what a control-freak and an all-talk but NO ACTION leader he is.

And it's been one year.

What has he done but play his old role as an Opposition leader of blaming all and sundry over whatever that went wrong?

Some investor decided not to come here, blame the BN.

People are losing their jobs, blame the BN.

Some drains are blocked, blame the BN.

Yeah, might as well change his surname to Lua since that's all he is good at. BN may have done wrong but isn't it time the PR government do something to right the wrongs instead of playing the blame game?

We blardy well know what the BN government did so please get over it. Time to do what you are elected to do instead of working only your mouth.

And to the Gerakan losers, Cat Watch????!!!??? Is that the best you could do? Dr Teng, either you are too blur or just plain senile but seriously, shouldn't you have something better than Cat Watch?

Maybe you guys need to learn a lesson or two from the PR fellas. They are damn good at being Opposition, so good in fact, that they seemed stuck in that mentality.

Politicians. *roll eyes* Bunch of pond scum.

Okay, now I know there will be loads of cowardly 'Anonymous' comments especially after my attack against the PR and even the Gerakan leaders. Let 'em rip.

I DON'T BLARDY CARE WHAT YOU THINK!!

The war between NST and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng

2009-03-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

Frankly, I think the Chief Minister is acting like a small sulking kid but that's my opinion so even if you don't like it, it's not my problem. This is my blog after all...

Anyway, I'm not going to write much but paste here the first commentary that started this war of words between the NST and the CM:

THE MARCH 8, 2008 WATERSHED: Guan Eng trait that's difficult to swallow

WHILE public relations people and press secretaries are often considered to be stumbling blocks by pressmen in gaining access to industrialists and politicians, the need to be media savvy appears to be what the doctor may prescribe for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Lim's CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) mantra in running the state government has been put to the test by and on the media this week.

After refusing requests for exclusive interviews from certain publications to commemorate his first year in office, Lim had decreed that he would hold a joint media briefing for all reporters, ahead of the March 8 anniversary.

The Penang press corps was not amused when they discovered that Lim had gone against his word and given an interview to one newspaper, several days before the mass press conference.

This is not the first time that preference has been given to selected media organisations, although his almost-daily media briefings are covered by everyone.
It would have been a different story if a publication had got a "scoop" on Lim. But in this case, it was apparent a game of divide and rule was played with the media.

Any media practitioner worth his salt would tell any public figure that playing favourites with the press does not pay.

And the media is not the only one which has been crying foul over Lim's treatment.

Some businessmen have also been lamenting how certain personalities and projects are being given preference by Lim.

Others, or the less favoured ones, are made to withstand public embarrassment and are exposed during media briefings.

Lim may be right when he told off a journalist that he was the chief minister of Penang and thus deserved more than just a balanced story.

Declaring that he was the "dictator of policies in the state" may be the truth in so far as his position is concerned. However, no journalist -- junior or senior -- relishes being threatened with calls to his editor if they do not write "more than balanced" articles on him.

Just how does Lim expect to build goodwill in Penang if he and his aides go around proclaiming that it is a level playing field for everyone, while in reality the reverse is true?

If the Penang government wishes to continue expounding on its CAT tag, perhaps the time has come for the chief minister to practise what he has been preaching.
- NST

Okay, so that piece of commentary got LGE hopping mad. In fact, so mad that he dropped the NST from the mailing list of all the press statements from his office as claimed by this second commentary by NST:

SHARANJIT SINGH: What's your beef, Guan Eng?

IT was supposed to be a joyous day to mark his first anniversary as Penang chief minister and also a chance for him to bask in the glory of having dethroned Gerakan from their crown jewel state.
However, far from being in a celebratory mood, Lim Guan Eng -- who is also DAP secretary-general -- was enraged after reading an opinion piece in last week's New Sunday Times.

What's his beef? The astute politician admitted he screamed with rage after reading the article which chastised his administration's style.

Lim was apparently upset and felt maligned over the assertions that he was dishing out preferential treatment to the media and also businesses in the piece entitled "Guan Eng trait that's difficult to swallow".

It is normal for politicians to vent their anger against journalists (and their editors) whenever a story not to their liking sees print.
However, he has since gone a step further and barred all press releases from the chief minister's office from being sent to selected media groups and certain journalists are now persona non grata at his press conferences.

It is Lim's prerogative to give such a directive but he should be mindful that in his one year in office, he has already had clashes with various journalists.

Shortly after assuming office, national news agency Bernama and Utusan Malaysia were the first to come under his line of fire, when they were accused of playing up sensitive issues.

As chief minister, Lim should realise that unleashing his fury this way is at his own peril and his attitude towards the press has become the talk of the town.

All this from the same person who claims to be a champion of press freedom.

Lim had condemned the shortlived ban on reporters covering press conferences at Parliament lobby last year.

Was it also not the same Lim who expressed "dismay, disappointment and shock" six months ago when a Penang-based journalist was arrested for 24 hours under the Internal Security Act?

He was quoted at the time as saying that journalists should be free to report the news and not be intimidated by any party.

While he has been equally vocal in condemning the suspensions of newspapers previously, Lim is now suffering from amnesia about the party's stand on press freedom when a commentary not to his liking is printed.

It is ironic that after just a year in power, Lim has lost the goodwill of the media, including bloggers and non-governmental organisations.

His administration style is now under close scrutiny; a fact acknowledged by his own chief of staff Jeff Ooi in a recent posting on his Screenshots blogspot.

Never has there been such knee-jerk reaction to media reports from the chief minister's office, even during the much criticised 18-year leadership of Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

"Never before, no matter how unhappy we were with press reports did we ever ban any paper from the chief minister's office.

"It is outrageous that the media is being barred from a public office which dictates policies for all of Penang," a Gerakan member said.

Other state Pakatan Rakyat leaders have now gone behind Lim's back and expressed the view to prominent investors here that Lim should realise DAP is not the only party running the state administration.

Now DAP chairman Karpal Singh has waded into the controversy, stating he would raise the matter at the party' central executive committee meeting later this month.

"I will bring this matter up internally. It is serious and requires discussion.

"It affects the integrity of the state administration and I will not let it go just like that."

Perhaps Lim should consider taking a leaf from the book of former US president Theodore Roosevelt, who based many of his policies on the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
- NST

And I have to say that I totally agree. Lim Guan Eng has always been championing for press freedom and yet he's the one getting all hopping mad over a single commentary / opinion piece. Why champion for press freedom when he does not even believe in it? Seems like he only wants news that paint the good side of him. Anything critical, he gets hopping mad and acts like a childish sulking kid, turning his face and giving a resounding 'huh, I don't want to friend you anymore'.

For a state leader, that is hardly what we should expect from him. Much as I don't like Koh Tsu Koon, at least he never go around championing one cause and then when that very cause does not suit him, turn around and twist it all about.

It is only one year, and here are Lim Guan Eng's true colours. What makes this whole sordid issue even worse is that he is indulging in his childish sulk with a childish, almost stupid, reply to the column above with this (which I procured from a friend in the media):

Where Is The List Of Businesses Where Lim Guan Eng Was Alleged To Have Embarrassed Or Given Preferential Treatment To That Was Promised But Not Handed Over By NST's Sharanjit Singh?

Disparaging opinion pieces and columns by the NST editorial staff on the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government in general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in particular is nothing new. However the Penang Chief Minister considers it offensive that the Penang NST bureau Chief Sharanjit Singh has chosen to adopt a gross partisan stance to the extent of attacking Lim's personal integrity. Starting in the NST on 9 March 2009 titiled, " THE MARCH 8, 2008 WATERSHED: Guan Eng trait that's difficult to swallow", Lim was accused by the NST of giving preferential treatment to certain businesses.

"Some businessmen have also been lamenting how certain personalities and projects are being given preference by Lim. Others, or the less favoured ones, are made to withstand public embarrassment and are exposed during media briefings."

When Lim remonstrated with Sharanjit, he was promised to be given a list of businesses that Lim had allegedly given preferential treatment to. Sharanjit also told Lim that he had never requested for a special interview from Lim as his bosses in KL will never publish the interview. Lim was also told that this attack against him was done partly by KL editors who had an agenda to conduct a hatchet job on the PR government as their BN masters could not find any traction in attacking his administration.

Lim could only wait for the promised list to determine which businesses he had favoured and who he had embarrassed. If there is any business group that is unhappy, it is probably the RM 25 billion Penang Global City Centre project by Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd which Lim had declared is "as good as dead". Was Sharanjit referring to the PGCC "as good as dead" RM 25 billion project?

However instead of providing the promised list, Sharanjit went on the attack by repeating his allegations of preferential treatment to certain businesses in his column piece on 13 March 2009 entitled "SHARANJIT SINGH: What's your beef, Guan Eng?"

Lim was apparently upset and felt maligned over the assertions that he was dishing out preferential treatment to the media and also businesses in the piece entitled "Guan Eng trait that's difficult to swallow".

Again Sharanjit did not provide the list of businesses as promised. If these attacks originated from NST political masters and owners in UMNO and BN, Sharanjit had done no wrong as he was only doing his job as a journalist. However he had crossed the partisan line between a professional journalist and a professional politician when he took it upon himself to launch those attacks on Lim's integrity. To equate his actions with the detention under ISA of Sin Chew reporter Miss Tan Hoon Cheng misses the point completely as Tan was detained merely for reporting the racist and seditious utterances of extremist UMNO politicians. One can only say that, "Sharanjit, You are no Tan Hoon Cheng!".

Lim believes passionately in freedom of the press but not in the freedom to lie. The Penang Chief Minister wishes to make it clear that he has no issues with NST reporters who have conducted themselves professionally under the difficult constraints of working for an UMNO paper. The issue lies with NST editoral staff like Sharanjit who is behaving more UMNO than UMNO against Lim and his PR state government.

The question to Sharanjit and NST is this, "Where is the list?"

CHEONG YIN FAN
Press Secretary to Chief Minister of Penang

The worse of this statement is not how childish Lim Guan Eng seems, nitpicking and literally picking a fight but he didn't even have the nerve to put his name behind it and hide behind his press secretary by using her name.

Seriously, pick your own fights and be a man, Lim Guan Eng!

And yes, I have disabled comments here because seriously, I don't care what you DAP minions or PR worshippers or Lim Guan Eng fans think.

Sue or no sue, just repair the field

2009-01-13T18:28:00.000-08:00

Much has been said about the failed Kings of Tennis event in Esplanade so isn't it time that they just move on and repair the blardy field already?

So, the committee has called for the council to sue the organiser. Whatever. It is obvious the organiser has upped and left. Meanwhile the Esplanade field still has a slab of tar and who-knows-what in the centre. Worse still, around the ugly tar, the grass are destroyed due to the construction works for the stupid hyped-up failed tennis event.

I say the council can sue whoever it wants but it is really time to just repair the field so that others could have a chance using it. Just don't make it such a big issue and leave the field as it is. This tiny patch of greenery is the only one around that area so they should really take good care of it.

A note to the local council:

I remember how the Esplanade field was given a nice makeover costing hundreds of thousands a mere few years ago and many activities were not allowed to be held on the field so as not to destroy it. So, why the heck did you allow the kings of tennis organiser to rent the field knowing full well that they will build a tennis court and ruin most of the field?
The worst part is you are not even getting a cent out of this whole debacle. Now, why don't you just stop dragging your feet and repair the field already?

Finally, to all involved:

Just get over it already. So, the event failed. No point pointing fingers now. Damage has been done. You can sue Ms Celebrity Former Beauty Queen till kingdom come and still the field will remain damaged if you don't do something about it.

Let's just dig out the tar and restore the field, okay?

Oh, and yes, please, don't just let any tom, dick or Arianna into the field to destroy it again.

A smoke-free Penang with non-smoking areas?

2009-01-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

When I read that some researcher has this hope of turning the whole state into a non-smoking zone, I thought that guy must have been high on something.

I mean, err, hello? How idealistic can you be? Sure, it is a fine enough dream but I can say it's just gonna be a dream. That's all. Just think la. Even something so simple as putting on your seat belts in the backseat most Malaysians can't seem to do and he thinks they can adhere to non-smoking rules?

Ceh.

I've seen lawyers smoking INSIDE the courtroom (during adjournment) even with the No-Smoking sign clearly stuck on the wall.

I've seen doctors smoking INSIDE enclosed, air-conditioned places despite there being small children around.

I've seen politicians puffing just outside the state legislative building and then throwing the cigarette butts on the ground.

And here, we are talking about the general population? Heck, you think the Ah Beng who have no qualms spitting on the road could even be bothered with the idea of non-smoking areas? Don't even get me started on those who'd simply lit up anywhere they like and then throwing their cigarette butts everywhere.

So, having a smoke-free Penang may have been a great idea but without strict enforcement (which we ALL know we DON'T have), it will remain an idealistic dream.

Upcoming Penang events for the coming week or so

2008-11-20T21:16:00.000-08:00

For the following week or so there are quite a few events lined up. I would like to draw your attention to this event next week:

Young People's Showcase Exhibition

Young Designer’s Arts Camp

By Anak Anak Kota , ARTS-ED

When: 20 Nov 2008 (Thursday), 1 -3pm

Venue: Youth Center, Acheh Street

Featuring children and youth work process and creative products
with heritage theme from 4 workshops

1) Silkscreen Printing

2) Handmade Rubberstamp

3) Heritage Conservation Board Game

4) Traditional Costume Plaque

Any inquiries please call fidel at 012- 4565867

Arts_ed_penang@yahoo.com

So, remember to keep the date in mind and check out the event if you have the time. Otherwise, here are some other events over the weekend:

Blood donation campaign

by

Amata Free Medical and Diabetic Centre

Venue: Mahindarama Buddhist Temple

When: Sunday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Tel: 04-2825944

Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Talk

Venue: LohGuanLye Specialists Centre, Penang

When: Saturday, 2pm to 4pm

Admission is free.

Tel: 04-238 8888 ext 8087/8088

Enzyme water workshop

by

Friends of Penang Botanic Garden Society

Venue: Botanika Outreach, 673-A, Jalan Kebun Bunga

When: Sat, 9.30am to 11.30am

Fees: RM3 for member and RM5 for non-member.

Tel: 04-2279915

On another note, I wonder what's wrong with some people who could be so blind to the faults of others due to absolute devotion and hero-worshiping? It really boggles my mind over how naive and gullible some people are over the promises made by people they DO NOT EVEN KNOW personally.

All they know is through the newspapers and at some public functions where they may have heard them talk. And they presume they KNOW everything about their 'heroes' and anyone else who dared criticise their so-called 'heroes' must either be supporters of other groups.

Well, let me state clearly here again. This blog nor any of my other blogs nor me in particular DOES NOT have any ties or affiliations to any political parties, good or bad. I blog what I see and what I know. I can criticise whomever I want BECAUSE IT IS MY BLARDY BLOG.

I don't blardy care what you think about what I blog here.

Don't like it, then, blardy eff off and go set up your own blog to rant all you want.

I may have a lot of friends in the political field but this does not mean I have to support and trust whatever they say blindly and without using my brains to think about what their actions mean. And yes, politicians ARE humans too. They make mistakes and and yes, they too HAVE weaknesses. The sooner the public sees this, the better. No human is perfect and much more, no single politician should be SO perfect that he is above reproach.

See? This government is just like the previous one

2008-11-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

It is obvious.

They'd rather have George Town be taken off the Unesco's World Heritage Site list than to review the approved high rise building projects within the inner city. 'Legal repercussions' is merely an excuse.

And a simple 'We were not aware about the new heritage guidelines' is NOT GOOD ENOUGH to explain why the state government had rushed into approving those four projects mere weeks before the Unesco inscription.

Coincidence?

HAH. Yeah, right.

Didn't I say all politicians are crooks? And yes, to all you LGE fans and faithful followers out there, he is no different. He may have a clean front but still, there are things that he could not do because his hands are tied. And there are things that he had to do because he had some 'debt' to pay. This is the fact of life. It is the same with any politician. He can be from BN, DAP, PKR, whatever. He is still the same. They all have 'debts' to pay and some 'parties' to please.

And those four projects? We do really need towering buildings right in the middle of the old city of George Town? Do you think tourists came all the way here to look at high rise buildings towering over and shadowing pre-war buildings?

Seriously, why can't they just build five-storey boutique hotels instead of high rise buildings?

And to Lim Guan Eng, yeah, sure now you have the excuse of saying that you can't cancel the planning approval now. But I only have two simple questions dear Chief Minister:

Why the hell did you approve those four projects WITHOUT checking what was within the new guidelines KNOWING FULL WELL that the decision on the Unesco inscription is just 10 days away?

Why can't you wait till after the inscription but you had to rush the approvals?

So, yep. This government is just like the previous one. Just as the previous one would simply approve any development project (which caused the landslides in Tanjung Bungah), now this government had obviously rushed the approval of FOUR high rise projects within the Heritage zone and risking George Town's listing in the Unesco's World Heritage Site.

Brilliant move, Lim Guan Eng. Absolutely brilliant. While you are at it, why don't you just approve plans to knock down all of the pre-war buildings? Or better still, just take a bulldozer to all those decrepit buildings.

It is rather pointless to have so many pre-war and heritage buildings around anyway since so many of you seem to think that high rise buildings are more important.

The tourism exco and his many 'failures'

2008-11-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

First it is the absolute failure of the Asean Culture Centre event over at Pesta site.

And if that is not bad enough, Mr Absolutely Ball-less Idiot of the World is not man enough to admit his failure.

Instead, he gave this stupid, ridiculous excuse.

Maybe he should learn to grow some of these?

Now, it is the Kings of Tennis event failure.

Of course, once again, he tai-chi'd it away...

He said the state had merely endorsed the Kings of Tennis event but was not a sponsor or co-organiser.

"We did all we could to help the event organiser. We waived the RM2 million deposit they would need to pay to use the Esplanade field and offered them a special rental rate," he said.
- The Sun

Okay, so maybe the state government is not the organiser nor the sponsor. So the failure is not its fault.

But why endorse such an event without any background check just like the Asean Culture centre thing where he admitted to being cheated?

I mean, come on...use some brains lar.

From insider information, it seems that Mr Ball-less is actually more Clueless than anything. Being ultra-blur and not very bright, it seems that he had simply approve and endorse any project that came his way.

He probably thought the Asean Culture Centre thing is great so he endorsed it. Then it failed.

He then thought the Kings of Tennis event sounds great, so he endorsed it. Then it failed.

Oh my, he sure do have the failure touch, doesn't he?

And people wonder why he suffered such a setback at the DAP state elections...

Oh whoopee, free wireless internet is on!

2008-11-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

I know there's been countless grouses about the Penang Free Wireless project by some private company which is fully supported by the state government until some groups start going all up in arms about the harmfulness of WiFi.

So, looks like the recent forum on this project has left the government with the decision to continue supporting this project.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi said the state would proceed with the project as long as there was no conclusive evidence of health risks posed by the initiative.

I don't know about its harmfulness (or not) but I sure do know how handy it'd be IF the project do take off.

Heck, they have just only started it and the first spot to have free WiFi in Komtar does NOT even work properly. It is SLOW, it is HARD to connect and yep, damn lousy.

But then, what do we expect from freebies, eh?

Sigh. Oh well. So, even if we eventually have free WiFi at public places, don't put your hopes up that you'd get speedy internet connection.

Just think about it lar. Free + high usage + low speed = Turtle pace

It'd probably beat Streamyx in a race of the slowest!

Of course, I am just saying lar. We won't know for sure yet since they are still installing all those thingamajics needed for wireless internet connection everywhere. Just don't put your hopes up, okay?

In Malaysia, we must look upon any GRAND project with scepticism, regardless of who is doing it. Anything could happen.

A legal suit over signboards of all things - Malaysiakini

2008-11-04T18:26:00.000-08:00

It is obvious that some people have nothing better to do than to treat this frivolous, non-issue as a big huge ISSUE and then blow it ALL out of proportions (over at Malaysiakini).

Will multilingual signboards cause the country's economy to nosedive?

Errr...NO.

Will multilingual signboards cause prices of things to increase?

Errr... NO.

Will multilingual signboards cause petrol prices to increase?

Errr...NO.

Will multilingual signboards (with the BM boards STILL up and NOT removed) cause Malaysians forget that BM is the national language?

Errr...NO.

Does multilingual signboards control the world?

Errr....NO.

Does multilingual signboards cause poverty?

Errr...NO.

Does multilingual signboards cause people to lose their jobs?

Errr...NO.

Does multilingual signboards cause increase in crimes such as robberies and rape and murders?

Errr...NO.

You get my point.

Methinks this group of people are probably too free and have nothing better to do with their time than to go through with this...

A newly-formed NGO comprising Malay graduates today filed a suit seeking a High Court injunction against both the state government and the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) from erecting the signboards.
- Malaysiakini

Oh wait. I forgot. This is DEFINITELY another CHEAP PUBLICITY STUNT. Want to know what the silly suit is about? Check out the full news over at Malaysiakini.

All the fuss over the multilingual road signs

2008-10-30T01:11:00.000-07:00

There's this recent furore over the use of different languages for road signs over here in Penang. I just don't see what all the blardy fuss is about.

For one thing, why can't the state government just maintain it at BM with an English translation for the tourists?

Why must be have so many different language road signs anyway?

I mean, when I go overseas, to say, Thailand, I don't see them going out of their way to include BM or even English in their road signs. It is all strange symbols to me. Only sometimes I'd see shop signboards with English on it.

And to think, Malaysians probably made up one of their largest number of tourists each year.

English is a universal language. So, add that in if you must but WTF do we need Chinese, Tamil, etc, etc, in the roadsigns? For what? Just to prove that your party is all for ALL the races? And in the process make us look like a joke?

Also the reaction from various fractions is really ridiculous. Here we are in an impending economy crisis and them leaders are crying foul over one state government's plan to place roadsigns in various languages.

I don't know about you but putting additional languages on a roadsign does not insult another language. The idea of it is stupid.

Hmm..look at the funny road names above. How do you translate those? Lemme try:

Cowshit Lane

Lorong Tahi Lembu

Gu Sai Lor (Hokkien)

Err...sorry, no tamil available, I've not taken that up yet.

Zzyzx Road

Jalan Zzyzx

Zzyzx Lor (Hokkien)

Okay. So, the conclusion is that we should name all our roads with strange unpronounceable alphabet combinations so that there is no need for translation because in the end, it'd be the same!

So, here's to:

Jalan Wtfwtt

Jalan Bsgvt

Jalan Shtbn

Jalan Wth

Easier, only problem is that people will forget how to spell the road names since they can't even pronounce it....heheheheh..

Deepavali at Little Penang Street Market

2008-10-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

The monthly Little Penang Street Market is this weekend and in conjunction with the Festival of Lights coming up this Monday, it is themed 'Deepavali' naturally.

So, there's going to be some Deepavali cultural shows from a talk on the origins of the festival to some performances.

The Little Penang Street Market is a pretty cool bazaar full of artsy stuff and handicrafts. If you are looking for some great souvenirs, gifts, decorative items or pretty knick knacks, it's one of the best places you can check out.

However, prices are fixed so there's no bargaining here. Some of the prices here are pretty steep too but there are quite a few charity stalls so I usually buy from these knowing that the money goes to charity.

Now that they have a food section there too so you can even eat lunch there. Worth checking it out.

Where: Upper Penang Road

When: Sunday, 11am - 6pm (Every last Sunday of the month)

What: Handicrafts, art works, food, cultural events

Penangites beware of possible floods

2008-10-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Looks like we have wet, wet days ahead of us.

According to the meteorological department, we should expect more rain for the next week or so. Rain and thunderstorms are expected in the evenings so, be prepared.

And that's not the worse of it. Kuala Muda Dam is releasing its water periodically so the rivers on the mainland are swollen and threaten to flood nearby villages with very little rainfall.

Also, due to the wet weather in recent days, the lands in Penang are already highly saturated so it can no longer absorb water.

This means, whenever it rains, the water will flow on the surface and not be absorbed into the ground. Yes, that means, floods!

For those of you staying in the lowlands, well, remember to be on the alert and get your belongings up on high ground. Of course there is a possibility that it may not happen at all but we never know, right?

Do remember, the Air Itam Dam is also filled to capacity so even if they don't release water, there is bound to be an overflow due to this system they have had for decades (or else the dam might burst which will be worse, right?).

So, bring around an umbrella with you okay? Oh, yeah. Go buy a boat too if you stay in easily flooded areas. It would be a better mode of transport.

Looks like the second Penang bridge may be delayed AGAIN

2008-10-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

But then I am not in the least surprised even if it is true that the second Penang bridge project were to be delayed.

In fact, I had been waiting for this announcement for quite a while already.

Lim said China Harbour had agreed to start building the foundation in November while UEM disagreed with the quoted price.

The government had offered the project to UEM for RM1.3bil but the latter asked for RM1.5bil, he added.

“With UEM enjoying close ties with political parties, it should be accepting the offer price,” he said, adding that if UEM can’t accept the offer, an open tender should be called quickly. [source]

Isn't that usual for any local mega projects especially the second Penang bridge project?

First there's this big huge hoo ha about it and loads of publicity.

They talk about the project as if it will be completed within days.

They paint pretty pictures of what the project may bring to the state and the people.

The second Penang bridge has suddenly develop this special super power where it will transform Penang's economy into a busy, bustling, growing state.

Suddenly, this structure of concrete and steel will be able to bring in investments.

It will be able to solve all traffic problems on the current bridge.

It will make all Penangites' lives better.

Short of being called the Super bridge of Penang, there is nothing this bridge won't do!

Yeah, right.

If you fell for all that crap, I guess you also believed in Superman and Spiderman and that there is really a Clark Kent working in the Daily Planet, and that grown men would dare to be seen prancing around in skintight red and blue costumes.

A bridge is a bridge is a bridge. All it will do is to let people go to the mainland. And we already have one such bridge. I don't deny that the current Penang bridge is not able to sustain the amount of traffic anymore but really, does building a second bridge actually solve the problem?

I don't know. I'm not an expert on that but say the traffic conditions increased over the years and ten years down the line, both bridges are always jammed. Then what? We build a third bridge? A fourth bridge? A fifth?

Or better still, since we are already reclaiming so many blardy foreshore land, we might as well reclaim all the way to the mainland and connect the island to the mainland for good. Then Penang will no longer be an island but a peninsular. Then we won't need anymore billion ringgit bridges.

Then the whole island will just be choked up with traffic because of easy access and an urgent lack of sustainable public transportation system.

What about the ecological impact, you ask? Heck, them politicians don't care about ecological impact. If they cared, why'd you think so much seabed land have been reclaimed? Why do you think there are so many hillslope developments causing landslides everywhere? Why do you think there are so many flash flood incidences the moment there's heavy rain?

It is all in the name of development, my friend.

As for the second Penang bridge, I don't blardy care anymore if it is delayed AGAIN. Please, tell me something new.

Here are some events and activities happening in Penang

2008-10-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

If you are into some art and looking at paintings is your thing, do check out:

Darussalam Spaces 2008 Art Exhibition

@ The Penang Art Gallery, Dewan Sri Pinang

When: now till Oct 31

What: 60 paintings by Brunei artists

Contact: 04-2613144

Reflex exhibition

@ Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

When: Oct 18 till Nov 8, 9am - 5pm.

Not your thing? What about food? Why not enjoy some by the chefs on Sunday (oct19):

5th International Chef Day

@ Penang Municipal Park

When: Sunday, Oct 19, 9am - 3pm.

Contact: 04-2268659

Here are some other activities you may be interested in:

Pesta Cahaya Deepavali

@ The Summit BM Plaza

When: Sunday (Oct 19), 5pm - 8pm

Alzheirmer Disease Caregivers Forum

@ Penang Caring Society Complex

When: Sunday (Oct 19), 3pm - 5pm

Contact: 04-6565291

A night of beer and oompah-pah, it's Octoberfest!

2008-10-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Wilkomen! (That's welcome in German)

It is the time of the month again for a spot of alcoholic indulgence, great German food and German music!

Yep, it is time for Octoberfest and it is happening this weekend, Saturday to be exact, and it is bound to be great fun!

Catch this band:

Over at this year's Octoberfest and enjoy some original German music!

Now, here are the details:

Where: Malaysian-German Society and here's the map to its location:

When: Oct 18, Saturday, from 6.45pm onwards

What: German food, beer, contests, dancing, music, prizes, great fun!

How: Entrance is by donation of RM10 per person (members) & RM20 p.p. (non-members) for those who pay before that day and RM15 p.p. (members) & RM25 p.p (non-members) for those who pay at the entrance on that day.

Contact: 04- 2296853 / office@mgs-penang.com / website: www.mgs-penang.com

The Asean Culture Centre at Pesta Site Sungai Nibong is a failure!

2008-10-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

If you planned to check out the Asean Culture Centre at the Pesta Site in Sungai Nibong, let me tell you, don't waste your time because it is an absolute, total failure.

It is really, really bad.

Boring.

Less than 30 stalls open.

The worst Pesta EVER!

And I have proof too. Look:

Looks like some normal night market except that it is WORST. What Asean culture? Oh, they must have meant this stall:

There are maybe two or three Thai stalls selling stuffs that you can find in night markets.

Only thing that remained the same is the funfair. The same old rickety, don't look safe, rides and 'games' are there. Though the entrance to the Pesta is free, remember they charge you damn expensive for the rides in the lousy funfair. A ride in the kiddy train is RM3 per child! A ride in the merry-go-round costs RM2 and it does not even have any music and the horses and vehicles in it are dusty and in bad condition too. It is RM4 PER PERSON to sit in the Ferris Wheels but no thanks, it looks even more dangerous than walking into the middle of a busy highway while blindfolded. Who knows how well they maintain these things.

The one attraction in the whole so-called Asean Culture Centre is this air-inflated playground for children. Yep, only my son enjoyed going there because of this playground but then toddlers are pretty easy to please.

Entry is RM2 per child.

My verdict: It is the worst ever Pesta Pulau Pinang I have ever been to. It is even worse than a night market. Going to a night market is infinitely more interesting than going to the Pesta site for the Asean Culture Centre. It is practically like a dead town with a few stalls selling worse than night market quality stuffs.

If you think last year's Pesta Pulau Pinang is bad and looks like a night market, well, you'd think last year's event was like Disneyland compared to the travesty of this so-called Asean Culture Centre.

Seriously. The exco in charge, Danny Law, needs to buck up and DO HIS JOB. This is obviously an absolute failure.

Entrance free, so what? To walk around empty stalls? Hell, they charge you parking for RM2 per entry okay, so it is not entirely free.

Tomorrow is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival

2008-10-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

After a whole nine days of going on full strict vegetarian, devotees will see the culmination of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival tomorrow on Tuesday.

This festival which is held from the first day of the ninth lunar month until the ninth day of the ninth lunar month annually is in honour of the Nine Brother deities.

There are different versions to the origins of this festival and one of the more popular ones is that these nine brothers were like Robin Hoods who robbed the rich to help the poor. At least, that's what I heard.

It is believed that they will only get to come back to Earth for nine days each year and being strict vegetarians, those who pray to them will need to be on full vegetarian diets for the nine days. It seemed that devotees will receive more blessings if they go on the strict vegetarian diet. The vegetarian diet is so strict that all utensils used to cook the food must not have touched meat before and no garlic and onions are allowed to be used too. Even the forks and spoons and plates must be new or have not been used to serve meat before.

Also, devotees must wear light coloured clothing when going to the temples to offer their prayers during this period. Women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the temples.

Whatever the believes, one thing is for sure. It will usually rain a lot during this period. As can be seen, the first day itself there was a heavy downpour causing flash floods in the state.

So, as is 'tradition' it will definitely rain during the street parade of the festival tomorrow (Oct 7) evening. It won't necessarily be heavy rain but will probably be some light drizzle around 7pm or 8pm.

So, if you are interested to check out the street parade which will promise quite a good show with some people going into trance (yes, and with piercing of the cheeks, tongue, whateva), do head on over to:

Junction of Hong Kong Street and Carnavon Street from 7pm onwards

Normally, the parade is to 'send off' the brothers back at the end of the festival. So, the parade will start off at Hong Kong Street and may pass through Burmah Road and then head to Gurney Drive to send the brothers off in a boat out to sea.

Sorry

2008-09-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long silence here... I've been so overwhelmed with recent events that I do not even know what I could or could not post here anymore.

At the risk of showing the idiots that I am frightened by the scare tactics, I've been careful in some of my blog postings but sometimes it is not so easy to control one's urge to just rant, rant and rant! I had a few parodies in mind but somehow didn't get around to typing it all down and it all got lost along the way....

In my quest to make money blogging and make money online, I've been experimenting with some new stuffs and reading up more things that I could do other than blogging. Much as I love to blog here and in all my other blogs, I always felt that there must be something more than this....surely, there are other ways to earn money online, right?

Yep, there are quite a lot of ways and I am slowly exploring some which I find interesting, though a bit time consuming. So, sorry first if I somehow neglect this blog and my other Penang Views and News blog a bit.

However, I am still updating my personal blog on a daily basis and my food blog every other day. So, you can also drop by there for any recent updates (not necessarily on Penang stuffs only)...

Anyway, here are some things coming up this weekend...

Help the poor unwanted doggies and kitties in SPCA by attending the

SPCA Charity Food Fair 2008

Where: Sungai Dua Silver Jubilee Hall, Jalan Sungai Dua

When: Sunday, Sept 28, 2008

Time: 10am - 3pm

What: It's a food fair so go and stuff yourself silly while doing charity!

The fair is to collect funds for SPCA to purchase a bigger piece of land so that it could really house all the animals they had saved. They need RM3mil to buy an acre or two of land and build the necessary buildings and kennels and cattery for the animals.

After that, you can also make a beeline to the monthly Little Penang Street Market which is also this Sunday. The bazaar of arts and crafts and food is open from 11am to about 7pm. It is located along the Upper Penang Road stretch.

On Monday, it is the week-long vegetarian fest!

Yep, it's the start of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival come Monday and some of the vegetarian stalls will probably start selling vegetarian food on Sunday evening. The usual spots to look for is along Lorong Madras and all the other vegetarian restaurants all over the island and mainland. If you see makeshift stalls with the yellow flag, it is most probably vegetarian fare for the festival.

The festival is from Sept 29 to Oct 7.

Support the Release the ISA detainees even on Sunday!

2008-09-13T00:40:00.001-07:00

I am sure by now everyone knows about RPK, Tan Hoon Cheng (Sin Chew reporter) and Teresa Kok being detained under ISA on Friday night.

Suaram is holding an Anti-ISA night here in Penang. Here are the details:

Event: Anti-ISA Night

Where: Dewan Sri Pinang

When: 9pm, Sept 14, 2008, Sunday

What: Wear black to support the cause

For details, call this number: 012-8756179

Dark clouds are looming

2008-09-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

When the sky is dark with heavy clouds looming in the horizon...

Always remember to look beyond the clouds and you will find that there is always a silver lining to it.

In life, there are good moments and there are bad moments. Thus, it is very much like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes it will be filled with excitement and laughter but sometimes, everything will appear so down and dark that it would seem that all is lost.

In the wheel of life, when things are down in the dumps as it is now in our country, it is bound to go up once it hit rock bottom. It is really up to us to see for ourselves whether the glass is really half full or half empty.

I know, optimism will not fill our pockets, fill our stomachs and keep a roof over our heads. But it will definitely spare us some heartache, stress and tension from worrying over things we have no control over.

Also, remember the silver lining. It is right there behind the dark clouds and since it is hidden, you will have to search for it and make the best out of it.

Things happen for a reason, be it good or bad. The good brings us joy and fulfillment and the bad brings us challenges that will only make us stronger and more able to rise up above it all. So, let us all face the bad times together and we shall all rise up above it all.

Soon. Very soon the wheel will turn and perhaps, we will see the good times come rolling in again.

Okay, I admit

2008-09-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

It is a fact, really. My grandfather came from Canton, China and that is my heritage which is undeniable.

So, yeah, I fully agree that...

The rest of this post was deleted and cleared to save blogger's butt from being taken in for free lodging and curry rice.

Ahmad Ismail suspended for three years

2008-09-10T02:40:00.000-07:00

This post is also deleted to save bloggers' butt from free lodging and curry rice.

The political turmoil of Malaysia

2008-09-10T01:52:00.000-07:00

Is costing us the investors' confidence and pulling our economy down. But nobody notices because all the politicians are too busy with their petty petty fights and quarrels and power struggles.

But the outsiders, the investors, the foreigners are watching. They are listening. Those considering our MM2H scheme will probably drop it and go for another tropical country. In the words of one of them:

"Better we don't come here,"

Yep. Those considering choosing Malaysia as a second home are dropping their plans. The risk of being treated like mere sampah is good enough to drive them away.

And what about investors? Similarly, they look at the political situation like this:

"They are fighting for the government. Who knows if it won't end in political clashes and violence like in Thailand? Better I don't invest here or else my money will all go down the drain. China is a better bet,"

Yep, that is also from a foreign investor I know. These may be mere individuals but do remember, all businessmen think alike. They choose a stable place to invest in. Nobody throw their money into a place full of turmoil where their business and operations may be affected. It is what we call business sense.

What is driving the bearish sentiment of our local economy is the current uncertainty of the future of Malaysia. Malaysians simply are losing hope that this country will recover from its continuous slide. Then again, we cannot blame them from losing hope when many of us are actually losing sleep over our own job security amid soaring cost of living. Inflation last quarter has shot up to 8.6% which is the highest in 26 years.

- Malaysiakini

I hereby rest my case. The politicians in our country must wake up and stop all this bickering or soon, all of us will suffer the consequences of their actions.

The full Datuk Ahmad Ismail's speech 'explaining' his racist remarks

2008-09-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

As promised, below are the scanned copies of the written speech by Ahmad Ismail when he finally came out to explain his racist remarks and defiantly say that he refused to apologise with the backing of all 13 Umno divisions:

Backed by all 13 Umno divisions from Penang, the embattled Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail today fervently defended his stand not to apologise for his alleged racist remarks against the Chinese community.
MCPX
- Malaysiakini

Here are the pages after pages of the speech:

Of course, if you just can't be bothered to read all those, you can always go to Malaysiakini for the brief version.

Now that PGCC project is dead, what next?

2008-09-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

As we all know, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has announced that the Penang Global City Centre project is as good as dead since its application was rejected when the developer failed to follow the council's schedule.

So, the question now is what happens to the Penang Turf Club land? What will happen to the land which was converted by the previous government to allow the developer to build residential properties there?
The land was initially slotted for recreational use and has since been converted for residential and commercial development.

So, will the state government be able to convert the land back to open recreational land?

Don't ask me. I wouldn't know but if you want to know, Penang Heritage Trust is organising a forum to talk about the future of the Penang Turf Club land. Here are the details:

Venue: Dewan Sri Pinang

Time: 9am - noon

Date: Sept 14

Getting links and traffic from blog directories

2008-09-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

When I first started blogging, a couple of years ago, I practically don't know anything about blogging.

I only knew how to sign up for a free blog in blogspot. And I blogged. And blogged. And blogged. However, traffic was at a bare minimal. I stalked other blogs and wondered why they are getting loads of traffic.

Then I found out about linking and getting traffic from blog directories. Although it is no substitute for original and quality posts, linking and registering with blog directories could prove a great help to give your blog some exposure.

I registered with BlogCatalog.

Then I signed up with Penang Bloggers.

Also Blog Malaysi a.

Later, I found out about PPS.

I also have Entrecard, as you can see on the side here.

And recently, I discovered Blog Explosion.

Of course, there are a lot of other blog directories that you could submit to and it would probably take me several lengthy posts to list them all out.

My point here is that these blog directories / communities / whateveryoucallit are quite useful to get your blog known out there in the vast expense of the blogosphere.

It also helps to gain you some faithful following and some readers. But please, don't be like me. I joined Entrecard and seldom go around dropping...heheheh...thus the dismal traffic to my blog till now.

However, at least I am getting some traffic as opposed to almost ZERO in the past. So, yeah, it does help to be listed in those blog communities / directories/ whatever.

Get your blogs registered now and you will see what I mean!

Blogging and truth

2008-08-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

***recently edited to save blogger's butt***

Let me get this straight.

There is this huge furore over the brainless utterings of an Umno leader.

While political leaders could get away with that, we, bloggers and website owners, are not allowed to express what we feel honestly, truthfully and with no holds barred (in the likes of RPK).

Cyberlaw expert Deepak Pillai warns: "Anything that is not allowed in the real world, in most cases, is also an offence in cyberspace."

- NST

But it is perfectly alright for that politician, whose name I refuse to write here except in the excerpts, to mouth off in front of a huge crowd at a public place.

Now, based on the cyberlaw expert who said that anything that is not allowed in the real world means it is also an offence in cyber world, so now that it is allowed to talk nonsense in public?

After all, that politician is getting off scot-free with a mere tap on the wrist, not even a firm slap. So, it surely means it is perfectly alright to say bad things. In public. In front of a huge crowd.

But then I forgot. Malaysia has two sets of laws. One for BN and one for the commoners. The BN leaders can do whatever, say whatever they want and they are never in the wrong. While us, commoners can't do whatever or say whatever we want or be brought to Kamunting for free board and sand-laced food or get threatened with the:

"Don't play with fire"

phrase.

Seriously. Things are getting really sickening. If this goes on any longer, I have no doubt that we will end up like Malaysiakini's interesting 'a look at the future' story.

Merdeka celebrations in Penang

2008-08-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

This will be the first year that our new state government celebrates Merdeka in Penang as the state government. If you are wondering what's going on this weekend in line with our 51st Merdeka celebrations, here are the details:

Merdeka Countdown 2008

@ Komtar

On Merdeka eve (duh!)

9pm onwards

To include

@ Auto-City Juru

Time: 6pm onwards

Events to include live concerts and also fireworks

Unless you really have nothing better to do on a Saturday night, I'd advise that you try not to go in too many cars to Komtar. It's gonna be jammed worse than a can of tunas. Best to carpool or better still, stay home. Heh.

If it's fireworks, you wanna see, can go where you can see Komtar to watch it as I heard that the fireworks will be released from the top of Komtar for all to see.

Now, for Merdeka Day:

National Day Parade

@ Queensbay Mall

Time: 8am onwards

Events: Parade and cultural shows

Now, go enjoy Merdeka!

The Anwar Ibrahim Factor

2008-08-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

When the BN kept going on and on about winning back Permatang Pauh in the recently ended by-election, they forgot about the Anwar Ibrahim factor. Or perhaps they decided to ignore it or possibly, they were blind to it.

So, what's an Anwar Ibrahim factor?

Well, it is quite easy to explain.

It is....

...the need for change

...the need to get rid of marginalisation

...the need for corruption to be reduced and eradicated if possible

...the need for the true Malaysian spirit instead of a nation divided by different ideals

...the need for true justice

...the need for real improvement to the country

...the need for a really clean, fair and wise government able to lead the country to better economic standing

...the need for freedom from various means of gagging and control and dictatorship

...the need for the people's needs to be cared for

...the need for a better governance of the country's resources

Now, I am not saying that Anwar Ibrahim can fulfill all these needs. Sure, he made a lot of promises in his campaign and prior to that too. But that's what politicians do. They make promises. They promise you the sky, the moon, the sun, everything they can think of. That does not mean they can keep these promises.

Now, I am not saying that Anwar won't keep his promises but don't forget, he is human after all. He is not God. There are things that even the 'great' Anwar Ibrahim could not do. So, do please keep your feet firmly rooted to the ground and your mind thinking logically.

Sure, if Anwar Ibrahim do manage to wrest the government from BN, he may go about keeping his promises. Somehow, there may be obstacles to some of it that stop him from doing it. Or possibly, he found out that it is not possible to do so.

Just look at Penang's DAP-PKR (now PR) state government. They have been promising local council elections in their campaign but now that they are the state government, they are not able to implement it now due to legalities. Their hands are tied, at least for several years before they could change the law to make it happen.

See?

So, Anwar Ibrahim won the by-election with such a high majority due to the Anwar Ibrahim factor. It is this factor that had the people all riled up and voting against BN. Not so much of the people wanting Anwar Ibrahim to be Prime Minister (although quite a number do want it) but it is more of votes against BN due to the Anwar Ibrahim factor.

Now, we shall see if the Anwar Ibrahim factor will be fulfilled.

The much awaited debate is disappointing to say the least

2008-08-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

It must be all the hype leading up to the debate. I was expecting real exposures and real answers on the land scams that our Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been going on and on about but all the debate revealed was a stalemate.

Lim fired off his opening salvo by naming five cases of ‘land scandals' - which he claimed would cost losses of up to RM1.5 billion to the state - allegedly due to faults by the former Barisan Nasional administration led by Koh.

- Malaysiakini

It got off to an okay but hardly surprising start as there is really nothing new with what Lim Guan Eng said since he has been harping on the issues and repeated the details of the land scams numerous times over the last few weeks (or is it months?).

What was even more disappointing was that Koh Tsu Koon did not really provide the answers to any of the issues raised by Guan Eng. All he did was beat around the bush and skirt around the issue and give a really general answer.

Koh replied that the matter had been probed internally and by the Anti-Corruption Agency twice where no concrete evidence can be found to take action on anyone.

- Malaysiakini

So, it looks like nothing was revealed and Guan Eng did not get to the bottom of all these shady land deals. What a waste of that one hour watching these two regurgitating statements they've already made via the press over the last few weeks.

The only difference is that it is verbalised and there are panelists who did not even ask any intelligent, probing questions to make any of them sweat under the collar. If you missed the debate, go read the brief report on it here (Malaysiakini).

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng exposes another land scam even as the debate draw near

2008-08-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know, I just feel that the current 'hero' amongst many Penangites is getting really annoying.

Yes, I am referring to the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. He may be preaching a lot of CAT (competency, accountability and transparency) but he should just shut up and start doing what he was elected to do.

Now that he and his predecessor have agreed to go at each other on live TV, shouldn't he just concentrate on running the state or even helping Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his Permatang Pauh by-election instead of continuing with this childish quibble with Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon?

They will be engaging on a live debate on Wednesday which will be shown on live TV at 8pm. The title is supposed to be on the truth of land scams in Penang. So, why the heck is Guan Eng revealing yet another scam just mere days before the debate?

Here's his most recent revelation:

Former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon should explain why when he was the Chairman of PDC, he gave special favours to a private company, Business Focus Sdn Bhd (BFSB), that resulted in PDC losing at least RM 9 million without being able to get its land back. PDC sold shares in PSC to BFSB by an agreement dated 27th April 1992 for the price of RM29 million, which included land in Pulau Jerejak.

Instead of full payment being given over a normal period, BFSB were given until 6 years till 31 May 2008 to pay the RM 29 million. Unfortunately, BFSB defaulted on the final RM 9 million payment and to date has still not paid up this sum. BFSB has since being wound up. Most disturbing is that BFSB has now being sold and the land transferred to another company.

The whole transaction reveals not only the losses to PDC of at least RM 9 million but also irregularities, failure to follow basic financial and management procedures as well as lack of compliance with legal documentation to protect the interests of PDC. The failure of Koh and the top management of PDC to follow up and protect the interests of PDC is most disturbing and a glaring failure to perform their statutory duties as Chairman and Board members in a competent and professional manner.

The public has lost at least RM 9 million over the sale of PSC and the land in Pulau Jerejak and Koh should give a full explanation in the public interests to uphold accountability and transparency. Worse a preliminary investigation revealed that BFSB enjoyed special favours not given to other companies, and Koh is responsible to explain how the public benefited and why he gave such preferential treatment.

So, my question to the honorable Chief Minister is this. Why the hurry? Why not reveal all your cards on the debate itself? If you are trying to keep KTK on his toes and able to reply to all your questions, why stop here?

Why not just give him all the whole list of land scams instead of doing it one at a time every few days? Are you merely demanding attention or really doing this for Penang?

KTK's responses to Guan Eng so far also left much to be desired. This two really brings to mind two quibbling children who are two busy calling each other names to look at the big picture.

So, do keep your Wednesday evening open and free to watch them quibble in real life. Perhaps it would be even more interesting than in words read in the news.

I just hope that they really thrash it all out and get it over and done with.

The battle has started

2008-08-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Or so it seemed but it is bound to be the dirtiest ever in the history of Bodohland.

Of that I am very, very sure.

It started way before the signs of the battle could be seen. That was then. And now, here we are again.

I wonder if it will ever really end. Sigh.

Enough about that. I have been neglecting this blog on updates on Penang. Well, I've been meaning to post a very nasty post on the current favourites, DAP and PKR and PR.

No, not because I am taking the BN side. Or the Gerakan side. Or any political side.

Being non-political and mostly a politician-hater, I have always been able to look at any party objectively. No biasness, just plain observations and my own point of view.

So, sure, sometimes I may seem very pro-DAP or even pro-PKR or even pro-PR but let me reaffirm my statements in some of my posts, I hate politics and thus, I do not root for one party or another just because I think they are good. No political party is good. All are flawed. That's my opinion. Don't like it, too bad. Go rant about it in your own blog.

I will bash them if I deem it fit. I am certain I will get a lot of flack for bashing them here, now. But I feel it is time I let out some pent up feelings over the way they are doing things in recent times.

To the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng,

I think it is time that you start remembering you ARE the state government's top leadership. So, stop the finger pointing already. It is getting darn sickening. Seriously. I mean, it is okay if you let the cat out of the bag about the land deals and all but harping on it EVERY SINGLE BLARDY time is not going to cut it.

And this childish to and fro statements between you and your predecessor. Enough already. You are the Chief Minister now. Act like one and stop acting like the blardy Opposition.

And what's with the repetition of CAT every single blardy day?

Stop preaching and start practising, okay.

To the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon,

Woi. You don't know how to be an Opposition leader kah? Go take some lessons lar. Don't even know how to taruh the current CM kau kau wan. Ceh. Pussy.

To the ultra lame current line up of excos and DAP-PKR assemblymen,

Woi. You are NO LONGER the opposition in Penang. Can you get that blardy idea into your thick heads already? It's coming to a freaking five month of you being in power already. Blaming the previous government is getting really, really old.

FFS. We all know that the previous administration blardy screwed up. Don't have to harp on it every single blardy time.

Why don't you use your time constructively, like GOVERNING the blardy state for once?

And what's with this 'We want the PORR, the Monorail' nonsense? Wei, go ask most of the Penangites and see if they want the PORR or not! And you said you are for the people.

And monorail, sure we need some mode of public transportation but have you conducted a thorough study on it at all? Is it even suitable for tiny Penang island? Did you noticed how narrow our streets are?

To the Umno losers,

***too darn fed up to list out grievances here***

What else can I say, like a friend always told me. Stupidity can't be cured.

Also, to the PKR fellas,

Hell, I know you are all excited that your hero is coming to town and could possibly win the seat but please, don't be such hooligans, okay?

Five to seven men surrounding a single woman with the intention to beat her up is the act of ball-less cowards.

What you did will only tarnish you hero's image. Use your brain next time, or at least go borrow some before you attend any other functions of your hero's.

Next time when you go shopping

2008-08-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

In times of escalating prices of things due to the global hike in fuel prices, it is very important that we are very careful with how we spend our money especially on shopping excursions. Spending over our limits is really not very advisable especially when many people are relying on credit cards to sign for stuffs.

So, I decided to include here a list of ways to cut down on your spending especially when you go shopping. Hopefully, it helps!

Check the house before going shopping – as in check all your consumables, toiletries and groceries and take note of what you already have. No point buying more stuffs that you have plenty of stock of.
Prepare a detailed shopping list – this is a must so that you will know beforehand what you plan to purchase instead of going to the shopping complex / hypermarket / grocery store and blindly selecting things that you may or may not need.
Practice some will-power – yes, you must stick to your shopping list at all cost. Avoid grabbing a pack of junk food on a whim or other equally unimportant things that you do not need. It may only cost $2 per packet but if each time you go grocery shopping, you take a packet or two, it could amount to $20 to $30! And you can use that money for other essentials.
Leave your credit card at home – it is really best to pay by cash and to ensure you have a 'strong willpower' just bring enough to pay for the groceries you intend to buy, perhaps with about $10 or $20 extra for emergencies.
Practice comparison shopping – yes, do you homework before you blindly head to a grocery store to buy a whole load of stuff which could have been 20% cheaper at another store.
Go shopping only once a week – it is best to keep a list of what you need and go buy it all at once at the end of the week so that you don't have to make numerous trips to the supermarket. This way, you save time, petrol and definitely save yourself from any temptations to splurge!

Since we have to be really careful with our spending, we have been practising this way of shopping for awhile and it really do help. It has saved me hundreds on credit card bills and definitely saved me a lot from spending money on things I don't need.

Try it and enjoy the savings. I will include tips on how to reduce your credit card debts (or to avoid it) soon.

Lose weight and have great hair for better sex appeal!

2008-08-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

People say beauty is skin deep and I absolutely agree but even so, every normal person wants to appear attractive and importantly, with a healthy glow.

A lot of people have weight issues and fighting this weighty problem could be a real challenge sometimes especially when it is difficult to find time for proper exercise and it also takes a lot of will power to stick to nutritious food with all sorts of unhealthy temptations out there.

I have always maintained that the best way to lose weight is by exercise and eating balanced, healthy meals instead of stringent fad diets. Exercise is also good for optimum health. However, for some people, it is not enough. They may exercise and control their food intake as much as they want and still, the needle on the weighing machine won't budge. So, in cases like this, especially for those who are on the obese side and their weight are posing a health hazard to them, then taking some slimming pills to aid in weight loss do help.

You don’t have to lose your hair over this (and if you are really losing hair, there’s always Propecia) whole weighty issue at all.

But if you want to lose weight because you think it affects your sex appeal. Well, you are wrong. It is all about confidence and the way you carry yourself. Charisma is more than looks and weight or even a full head of hair. It is about you and how you carry yourself.

So, go out there with your head held high and maybe, you might strike a pot of gold. With your new found health and confidence, heck, you won’t even need Cialis.

Becoming rich and famous the billionaires' way

2008-07-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

We all have dreams of striking it rich and becoming an overnight millionaire to join the ranks of the Nouveau Riche (that's French for 'New rich') since most of us do not have the luxury of inheriting millions from our family fortune.

However, we can always take a leaf from the experiences of billionaires who have time after time add on to their fortunes faster than you could pronounce the words Nouveau Riche! There are, in fact, a lot of self-made millionaires and billionaires who came into their own wealth due to their entrepreneurship and very wise investing.

One of the world's top ranking billionaires, Tsai Wan-Lin is a really good example of the Nouveau Riche because he started life as a poor rice farmer's son in Taiwan. However, this enterprising and determined man turned his life around by selling insurance. He founded Cathay Life Insurance and has since stepped down for his son to take over. This humble man also lived simply and is very publicity shy despite his billions.

Another self-made billionaire we all know is, of course, William Gates III, or more commonly known as Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft. He is proof that you can be a Harvard dropout and still become a billionaire, as long as you persistently fight to achieve your dreams.

So, if you plan to join the list of billionaires of the world, start reaching out to your dreams now and be persistent. Just remember to also use some wisdom and learn to be humble because it is in humbleness that we learn.

Breastfeeding versus formula milk

2008-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I made a lot of research into breastfeeding and the benefits of breast milk. I have long made up my mind that I will give my child breast milk and nothing else until he starts on solids at six months old.

However, the journey to breastfeeding is not easy. It is filled with obstacles and a lot of negativity from people who do not understand my conviction that breast milk the best for baby. They have been bought over by all those advertisements on milk powder boasting of this nutrient or that nutrient.

What most people do not know is that breast milk is nature's complete and perfect food for baby. It is the benchmark used by milk powder companies. Why else the claims 'As good as breast milk' or 'As nutritious as breast milk' or even 'almost like breast milk'? If infant formula are really so good why does it even need to promote itself as almost on par with breast milk?

Well, August is just a few days away and the first week is World Breastfeeding Week, thus this post.

To those in Penang, especially new mothers struggling to breastfeed their babies against all negativity and lack of support, there's a Mother Support breastfeeding campaign at the City Bayview Hotel on Aug 2.

For more details of the event, call Deborah at 017-4259378 or Dr Balkees at 012-4551551.

Watch them in action LIVE

2008-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

To those of you who have never even been to the Penang state assembly before, well, you don't have to go there to watch our elected leaders slinging insults..err...approving policies and acts and whateveritistheydothere live over the internet!

From this year onwards, the Penang state assembly is definitely going to be fun, fun and more fun!

Why?

Simple. It is now full of the DAP and PKR fellas instead of only the BN fellas with one DAP and one PAS fella to provide the check and balance needed to keep the state government in check.

Yep, it is now the DAP and PKR against the Umnos. Too bad, no Gerakan or MCA or MIC fellas will be in there since all of them got 'kicked' out by Penangites on March 8.

It will be a great show this Monday to see how the Umnos are at being the Opposition while at the same time, it will be 'showtime' for the DAP and PKR fellas to prove how good they are at policy making.

I remember in previous sessions, Phee Boon Poh the Sungai Puyu assemblyman was the sole DAP representative who stood up and argued with the BN fellas. It was indeed a losing battle because there is only so much that one man can do. However, credit do go to him for being darn persistent!

So, now, we will see how Azhar Ibrahim (the guy who insisted that ALL mega projects in Penang be cancelled and the guy who organised the street demonstration in Komtar) fare as the Opposition considering how brainless he and his gang of buffoons are...

Oh well, if you intend to watch it live, go here or here from 10am onwards on Monday.

Enjoy the show!

All work and no play....

2008-07-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

One of my most favourite homeworks during my schooldays was essay writing because it does not involve any calculations and well, I can just use my imagination and write anything I want and still get marks from it.

No guesses why I am now a blogger, huh?

Of course, it was not always like that. At one point, especially in college, I find that it takes up too much time to be producing writing assignments while still enjoying some ME time...after all, college is all about finding myself, right?

I remember being made to write a summary essay on a thick boring book and I was struggling like mad over the whole thing. In the end, I did a thoroughly lousy job and got really lousy marks for it. I darn well deserved that since I was too occupied with..err..other diversions to be concentrating on a summary essay.

And then, can you just imagine the amount of time is wasted on writing assignments? Just think, there you are, with a hot date lined up and several parties to go to over the weekend and you have an essay on Shakespeare to complete. That sure does cramp your time a bit...Shakespeare is definitely not an easy subject to be writing about, I can tell you.

Luckily in this age and time, students writing essays on their own at all odd hours of the day to make the deadline is a thing of the past. There are plenty of writing services available on the internet and all you need to do is to hire someone to do the work for you in as fast as 6 hours' time!

Amazing, isn't it? For a small sum of moolah and you could go party all night through and have someone do your homework for you. And it is done professionally too. You can do a google search or even check out Custom Writing which offers rather great writing services.

Do we need so many commercial complexes?

2008-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

I feel that there are just too many commercial complexes coming up all over the island recently. Okay, just look at the existing shopping and commercial complexes:

1. Island Plaza in Tanjung Tokong - it is pretty much a dying place with most of the shops closing down and moving out. Having Metrojaya there did not really help it much. It was destined to suffer this setback the moment Gurney Plaza opened years ago. Right opposite it is a huge commercial complex which is also turning out to be quite a failure. Many of the shoplots are vacant and only those on the ground floor are occupied. Even the hawker centre within it are barely surviving.

2. Gurney Plaza - it is now expanding in preparation for the fierce competition it may face from the soon-to-be-opened Penang Times Square complex. It is fortunate that it is still pretty much packed on weekends and public holidays.

3. Midlands Park, One Stop Centre - This is another dying behemoth. It is destined to be a white elephant soon because many shops have closed down and those few that are left are practically struggling to survive. The only shops with brisk business are the DVD / VCD shops on the ground level.

4. Penang Plaza (Fima) - Now, this plaza only has Giant to keep it alive or else it would probably end up abandoned like the white elephant it is soon to become. About 70% of the shops on the upper levels are all vacant.

5. Komtar - although they are upgrading this grand old lady of Penang, it is pretty much a very dark and dinky place. Much more like a covered bazaar than anything else. I wouldn't want to walk the empty corridors even in broad daylight. There are way too many suspicious characters hanging around those dark, secluded corners. The Penang state government has plans to revive it and I am waiting to see what they could do.

6. Prangin Mall - it is like the Sungai Wang Plaza of Penang and although most of the shoplots are occupied, it is also a fire trap with most of the shops placing their wares along the corridors and walkways, obstructing the way. As for the tech section near Parkson, it is like a dead town there. Many shops have closed and only a few strong ones remained.

7. Gama - this is a very old supermarket that has been around for decades. Though old, it is still enjoying brisk business and has sales all the time to draw in shoppers.

8. Sunshine Farlim - this is a hypermarket selling mostly groceries so it does not really qualify as a shopping complex and yes, business is still quite brisk there.

9. Bukit Jambul complex - this is another soon to be white elephant. There is an ongoing legal battle or something between shop owners and management or something. And also, many shops are closing down. And it is pretty much run down.

10. Sunshine Square - it is a departmental store under the same group as Sunshine Farlim and though business is slower it is not dying yet.

11. Queensbay Mall - the newest shopping complex in town and the largest in the state for now. It is so new that many of its shoplots are still vacant. However, it is one of the latest 'in' place to be until a new mall opens up.

Commercial complexes / office lots:

12. Wisma Central along Macalister Road - it is practically a white elephant with only a few shops left open.

13. Axis Plazone in Pulau Tikus - another white elephant in the making. It currently has the Bandar Baru supermarket on the ground floor to keep it alive.

14. Bangunan KWSP - although newly built, most of its office lots are still vacant.

15. Bangunan Umno (along Macalister Road) - the shiny blue building is also soon to be another white elephant as it also has a lot of vacant lots within.

There are actually plenty more office buildings and commercial complexes all over the island and most of it are not even fully occupied. There are so many I actually lost count!

The worst of all is that residential houses are being turned into shops while there are so many of such complexes with plenty vacant lots. AND more are being built even as I type up this list.

Every single new development coming up on the island has a commercial complex or an office building or retail lots. It is all very well and good if ALL those buildings I mentioned above are filled and above their capacity.

However, that is not the case at all. There are plenty of vacant units in the older buildings and some new ones too and now, they are building even more. Shouldn't something be done about those older buildings first before the government approve more commercial complexes?

Seriously. I remember some DAP fella would point at some decrepit building or other (in the newspapers) and declare that the state government should do something about those white elephants in the past.

So, now, my question is, will the DAP-PKR state government do what they preach?

Bored with nothing to do?

2008-07-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some events happening over the weekend for you to spend your time constructively:

For Single Mothers

What : Free handicraft / sewing lessons by the Women's Centre for Change

Where: Surau Al-Islah, near Botanic Gardens

When: Saturday, 10am - 12.30pm (also available on Aug 9 & 16)

Call: 04-2280342.

For Everyone

What : Charity Jumble Sale by Penang YMCA Deaf Club

Where: YMCA Courtyard, 211 Macalister Road

When: Sunday, 10am - 4pm.

Call: Rahela at 04-2298276 / 04-2288211

What: Bon Odori Festival

Where: Esplanade

When: Saturday, 6pm - midnight

What: USM Astronomy Convention & Expo 2008 - “Astronomy and Space - Open Your Heart”

Where: USM’s main examination hall and Padang Kawad

When: Friday to Sunday

Call: Dr Chong Hon Yew at 016-3157318

For mental patients caregivers and family

What: National Family Link education programme by D'Home Mental Health Association

Where: D'Home Premises, 11A-6-5, New Bob Place, Jalan Gottlieb

When: Saturday, 10am - 3pm

Call: 04-2291111

For the artsy people

What: A Poetry Exhibition by Marzuki Ali

Where: The Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

When: Now till Sept 15, 9am-6pm. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

Call: 04-6533888 ext 3261

What: Budding Artists exhibition

Where: @ The Sun at Sun Yat-Sen Centre, 65, Macalister Road

When: Now till July 26

Call: 04-2265181

What: The Sketch Artist solo art exhibition by Ng Bee

Where: Galeri Seni Mutiara, 118, Armenian Street

When: Now till Sunday (July 20), 11am to 6pm.

Call: 04-2620167

Time for state government to start WORK

2008-07-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

They are new at governing a state, that I know.

They are still grappling with the heavy responsibility of running a state. That also I know.

Most of the state executive councillors are new and one or two barely held any positions within their party, DAP and PKR. So, they are mostly inexperienced and are pretty much like lost kittens mewling and bewildered.

However, it is now July. It has been four months. True, four months is not enough time for them to be experts at running the Penang state government but it is enough time for them to know their facts, to at least have an inkling of what their responsibilities are now.

It is also enough time for them to LEAVE behind this 'BLAMING' mindset. Why do I say this? Well, they have been blaming the federal government this and that. And before this, they are blaming the previous administration for this and that.

My opinion is: GET OVER IT already.

So, the previous state government screwed up. They squandered state funds (allegedly). They drive investors away (allegedly). They sanctioned land scams (allegedly). We all heard and read about it all the time in the news. Heck, we stay in Penang, we blardy well know what the previous state government did or did not do. So, stop this finger pointing already.

And yes, the federal government is holding out. They have stopped the mega projects. Boo-hoo. Bawl all you want but the federal government is not going to pander to your every whim and fancy. So, blardy hell stop wasting so much time bawling and blaming and demanding for just treatment when you blardy well know it is not forthcoming.

Why don't you start acting on your own? Why not make your own decisions now? There are still things that you could control and have jurisdiction over. Like what Phua Chu Kang always likes to say,

"Use your brain!"

Is that so hard? So, no monorail project. Can't you find other alternatives? Why not get corporates to propose other ideas with corporate sponsorship thrown in? Better still, why not just do away with the monorail and concentrate on providing a complete network of public bus covering every possible area and then supplement that with taxis by getting the taxi drivers' cooperation.

Also, what the heck is the state government doing about those rogue taxi drivers who insist of cutting the throat of passengers? They still do not use the meter. And what is the state government doing about it? Yes, I know, you are putting the onus on CVLB again to take action.

So, are you saying there is nothing the state government could do about it?

Seriously. Stop pushing the buck around. Stop finger pointing. And most importantly, STOP going down the same path as the previous state government of pushing things around and not getting anything done.

Time to act. So, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, my call to you is to get your excos to start solving problems and change this 'Opposition' mentality of blaming everything on Barisan Nasional. DAP and PKR was not voted into power in Penang merely to blame others but to turn the state around.

So, please, just fulfill your promises and forget about finger pointing. Really.

Penang Bon Odori Festival

2008-07-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

The annual Japanese festival featuring Japanese music and dances, Japanese food and fireworks will be held on July 19.

From my previous years' experience, it was really fun and a really great place to spend a Saturday evening. It is free to enjoy the performances on stage and although the food being sold are quite expensive, there are a lot of varieties and if you love Japanese food, all the more better!

Also, do remember to bring an umbrella and raincoat because it is bound to rain as it did EVERY year. Trust me. And don't wear high heels, unless you want to sink into muddy grounds. Wear something that you can tramp over muddy wet grounds easily.

Here are the details:

What: Bon Odori Festival

Where: Esplanade

When: July 19, Saturday, 6pm - midnight

Fireworks is set to be lighting up the skies at 8pm so go early.

So, enjoy!

Penang Hill funicular train service temporarily stopped

2008-07-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

(Picture borrowed from Keny Neo Penang Travel Page)

If you plan to go up to Penang Hill for some cool respite, think again because the funicular train service has stopped taking tourists up in the past few weeks.

There was some problems or faults with the cables and despite numerous repair works over the past months, similar problems kept cropping up, thus causing frequent service interruptions. So, in the most recent problem, they decided to just shut the whole thing and stop taking tourists up that way rather than leaving tourists stranded for hours.

However, residents still get to take the train up midway if they do not stay higher up. Those living further up would need to take a jeep up all the way. It seems that the state government is really at a loss over what to do to solve this problem.

The federal government had promised RM40mil to upgrade the whole funicular train service and guess what? Yep, the project has been 'deferred'. Apparently, this project is also not people-centric enough.

I guess cutting off tourists from one the major tourist sites in Penang will not affect Penangites that much. I mean, after all, Penang Hill is only one of Penang's major landmark. It is nothing. Tourists do not need to go up. And the funicular trains. Those are also another of Penang's landmark. Nothing great. Not important at all. Tourists do not even bother going there anymore. (sarcasm, people, sarcasm...)

Is it me or do I feel that the federal government has already started 'marginalising' Penang just because it is now under an Opposition government?

First they 'postponed' the Penang Outer Ring Road and Monorail projects and then this upgrading project too. Okay, so, I fully agree that PORR should be scrapped. But we do need an integrated public transportation system that THEY, BARISAN NASIONAL, HAD BLARDY PROMISED before the general elections.

This goes to show that the BN government NEVER EVER keep their promises, huh?

Anyway, blame and finger pointing aside, what is the state government doing about this? Well, it seems that they are still stuck in their Opposition party mindset. They are pointing fingers at the federal government for canceling, errr postponing, the projects.

Yeah, sure. We ALL know what the federal government did but what ARE you going to do? What is the DAP-PKR state government going to do about it?

I mean other than pointing fingers and blaming the federal government and urging the federal government to fulfill their promises. Heck, we ALL know the federal government couldn't care less about what the Opposition state government has to say or urge, right?

I think it is REALLY time that the DAP-PKR state government start thinking about solutions and solving problems like putting in place an integrated public transportation system and a way to replace the cables or upgrade the funicular train service FAST.

After all, George Town is now one of Unesco's World Heritage Sites. Soon, we will be having droves of tourists and it won't do that they find that they could not go up to one of the main landmarks in Penang that is, Penang Hill. Also, how are they going to get around the heritage city of George Town if the public transportation system is in a shamble?

It is just so wrong. So, to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, I think it is time that you stop pointing fingers and start working on solutions. Preferably NOW. And please, DON'T place any bets on help from the federal government because NONE is forthcoming.

Penang Matta Fair this weekend

2008-07-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for special travel deals and 'cheap' travel packages, the Penang Matta fair is here this weekend. The details:

What: Penang Matta Travel Fair

Where: Pisa

When: July 4, 5 & 6

Time: July 4 (5pm - 8pm), July 5 & 6 (10am - 8pm)

A note of warning, not all the deals are really great bargains because I have booked a few packages before and later realised that the rates aren't all that cheap compared to other times. AND they offer really crappy deals too. AND they tend to change the dates of travel or even cancel it if they don't get enough people to go on a certain trip.

Better to go to different tour agencies to check their special promotional rates on times when they are having 'sale' or discounts.

Updates on Penang second bridge

2008-07-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

It was all out on today's papers that the Penang second bridge is now even more expensive - RM4.585billion to be exact.

I know many people, including the state government, must be damn sceptical over the progress of the bridge and well, here are some of the facts/ claims I found in the papers by UEM Group (the contractor building the bridge).

It's a box-girder bridge - meaning a bridge made of box-girders (read all about box-girder bridge here)
It is right on schedule and will be completed by end of 2011
Costs - RM4.3bil (construction costs) + RM285million (development costs)
Connects Batu Kawan to Batu Maung - approximate 20 minutes drive
Length - 24 km of which length over water - 17km
Three lanes each side - 2 for cars, 1 for motorcycles (each)
Built by UEM and China Harbour.
Currently they are still building the casting yard (the factory) that produces the box girders that made up the bridge.
Piling works for the bridge is expected to start early next year.

Here are some things not so easily found in the press:

UEM has an agreement with the federal government (for the first Penang bridge which they are the concessionaire and also undertaking the expansion works now) that UEM is entitled compensation in the event of a second bridge being built for possible loss of concessionaire 'income' from toll collections.

UEM is making tonnes from the expansion of the first Penang bridge and now the second bridge.

UEM will be financing RM2.1bil (from the federal government) while China Harbour RM2.2bil of the costs for the bridge. The RM285mil will probably also be taken up by the federal government.

UEM will be in charge of producing the segmental box girders and assemble these while China Harbour will be doing the piling and the foundation.

UEM will tender for the concession of the second bridge and will probably impose a heavy toll like the first bridge.

Penangites are pretty well screwed because it may mean another bridge but toll charges will be cut-throat.

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

2008-06-26T01:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-23T00:26:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-06-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-19T02:18:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

...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

2008-06-13T02:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-13T02:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

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..

2008-06-09T02:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-06-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T01:39:00.001-07:00

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?

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung backs up the police over BMC incident

2008-05-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

What has this country come to that it is perfectly justified for the riot squad personnel to take the law into their own hands and beat up a person just because they think the person could have tried to run down one (or a few) of them?

Malaysiakini reported on the incident, complete with pictures, but it seems our Deputy Home Minister prefer not to believe the pictures and even said (excerpt from Malaysiakini):

"I can also say that Malaysiakini's report is incorrect. Don't just hear one side of the story. We have to hear the other side to know exactly what actually happened on May 27," he exclaimed.

So, is he saying that it is justified for the personnel to beat someone up even if the person did try to run them down? So, it is justified for a group of riot squad personnel armed with batons to drag ONE man out of his vehicle and then set upon him till he was bleeding from multiple injuries? Since when does police/ authority brutality become a justified action?

Even if the man did try to run one of the personnel down, couldn't they just arrest him and the passengers without resorting to any violence? Can you just explain that Mr Chor Chee Heung? According to Malaysiakini, he seemed think that whatever happened is due to the 'confusion' at the time:

"I believe in the confusion, many accusations have been made against the police and thugs. After that, residents were told to lodge police reports," he said.

Luckily the riot squad personnel were not armed with guns. God knows what would have happened if they were. Probably more people would be lying dead just because ' they thought that they are trying to run them down'. You can read the full article at Malaysiakini here.

Seems like people who demonstrate peacefully in peace walks could be arrested and charged with illegal assembly or sedition, people who blog the truth can be arrested and charged with sedition and people (on the 'right' side) can just openly beat up other people without any actions being taken against them.

What has this country become?

If nothing to do, you can go gawk at Japanese dolls

2008-05-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

I have always had this thing for porcelain dolls...especially the part where it could come alive and start terrorising people ala Chucky style...Damn cool, huh?

Okay, okay, my morbid sense for horror aside, there's this free Japanese doll exhibition at the Sun Gallery at Sun-Yat Sen Centre in Macalister Road. No, no, not the 'live' Japanese doll but the porcelain kind that you can see but can't touch.

For more info on this exhibition, here is the news about it taken from our community rag, The Star. By the way, the exhibition is only until May 31 so hurry if you really need to gawk at Japanese dolls in antique kimonos.

A JAPANESE doll maker is giving porcelain dolls an important role to play.

She is turning them into ambassadors of Japanese culture.

Doll maker and antique kimono collector Hiroko Hirano, 60, has been making the ‘ultimate’ porce-lain dolls and dressing them in priceless kimonos that are almost a century old, and more.

Impressive: Hirano holding a porcelain doll dressed in a kimono.

Breathing new life to the antique pieces, she modifies the kimonos and converts them into doll kimonos.

Commonly used for aesthetic purposes, the dolls dressed in kimonos will dazzle admirers with their beauty and more importantly, restore the people’s interest in Japanese culture and kimonos.

“Antique kimonos were very finely-made. In olden days, kimonos were widely worn so there were many skilled kimono makers in Japan. They have since passed on and such fine kimonos are very hard to come by now.

Hiroko with some more of her dressed up dolls.

“I have been collecting these kimonos for 20 years. They are priceless and I feel it would be a shame to just keep them in storage just because they have some holes and faded colours.

“Even in Japan, not many are interested in the kimono anymore. So I want more people to have the chance to admire the beauty of such rare pieces,” said Hirano, adding that her kimono teacher had discouraged her from taking the ‘treasures’ out of Japan.

Kimonos, she explained, were more than traditional costumes as they also represented the spirit of Japanese women.

Another doll, which was dressed up in a miniature antique kimono.

“We call it Yamato-nadeshiko, which refers to the ideal Japanese woman who is gentle on the outside but strong spirited inside,” she said in an interview at her Jalan Thomas home.

Hirano began doll making from a young age as a hobby but as she became more skilled over the years after taking lessons from professional doll makers and doll artists in Australia, United States and Japan, she was inspired to teach others the wonderful art.

She started teaching doll making in Japan last year.

She has been living in Penang for about 10 months and believing that all good things must be shared, she wants to teach doll making here too.

“I started with clay but it was not so interesting so I moved on to porcelain doll making in 1991 and my interest grew.

“I thought only professionals or specialists could make such dolls. I was surprised that I could also learn the art. Now I want to teach others,” she said.

Those who are curious to learn more about her Hiroko Dolls and antique kimonos, can visit her first solo exhibition in Malaysia at the Sun Gallery at Sun Yat-Sen Centre, Jalan Macalister, Penang, from May 17 to 31.

She will be putting up about 40 porcelain dolls clad from top to bottom in antique kimonos and dolls dressed in Western-style clothing made from old kimono fabrics.

Accessories for the dolls like ‘geta’ (Japanese clogs), ‘kinchaku’ (Japanese handbags to go with summer kimonos or yukata) and ‘hagoita’ (wooden bats for traditional bats) will also be on display.

The exhibition will open from 10.30am to 6pm. Admission is free.

Is Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon running scared?

2008-05-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

Our Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has been calling for our former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to go meet him to talk.

He had tried to make appointment. No response.

He had tried open invitations through the press. No response.

He continued in almost a pleading tone (but not begging) through the media again. Still no response.

So, finally the media got hold of Koh Tsu Koon and make him give an answer to all those invitations.

His response, according to Malaysiakini (you can read the full article here):

Former chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon is in ‘no hurry' to meet his successor Lim Guan Eng to discuss any administrative matters pertaining to the previous state administration.

Wah, do I sense some sour grapes here or what? Lim Guan Eng has been openly inviting him over to talk and discuss administration matters and he is in no hurry to talk?

Then some more have the cheek to say that he 'does not want to interfere with the current state's administration' and that he will let 'the current government do what it deemed fit first'.

Woi, you think Guan Eng wants to ask your advise kah? Please. You honestly flatter yourself too much. It is obvious that Guan Eng wants explanations from you and NOT to ask you how to run the state government. From the look of things, Guan Eng knows perfectly well how to run the state government without 'your interference'. Ceh, so berlagak.

It is obvious that Koh Tsu Koon screwed up somehow when he was Chief Minister and Guan Eng was being so gracious about it all by politely inviting his predecessor over to explain it behind closed doors.

So, Guan Eng has responded to that and said, according to Malaysiakini (the full article here),:

Lim said it would be unfair of the state government to reveal the previous administration’s wrongdoings without hearing Koh’s side of the story.

“However, if he refuses to meet me, I would say he is running away from his responsibility and attempting to cover up,” said Lim.

I guess Guan Eng just about sums it all up. Koh Tsu Koon is running scared. Being the coward that he is, he is probably in hiding somewhere. From what I heard, he is also not answering phone calls from strange numbers.

Talk about paranoia.

I wondered how we, Penangites, managed to allow this lily-livered coward to helm the state for so blardy long? 18 years to be exact.

Luckily we woke up from this long bad nightmare and chose another path.

I am not saying the current administration by the DAP-PKR alliance is going to be perfect and smooth-sailing. They are newbies after all and teething problems are inevitable. They have yet to prove themselves and I do hope, they won't go down the arrogant, corruptive and destructive path of their predecessors once the realisation that they are in power now sets in.

Should Kit Siang change his blog post?

2008-05-27T01:51:00.000-07:00

If you've been following the news, I am sure you will find that suddenly there is so much interest in bloggers and blogs that the police have a cyber crime unit just to check on blogs and websites to make sure they do not contain so-called seditious statements.

Even in parliament, MP Lim Kit Siang was warned and told to 'correct' his blog post on Kiandee which you can read in his blog. According to Malaysiakini:

Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has warned Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) to correct remarks in his blog which lambasted deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee for rejecting his motion on Sabah illegal immigrants.

Should Lim fail to do so, he could be liable to disciplinary action similar to that instituted in the past against fellow DAP parliamentarians Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah).

Pandikar also told Lim to make corrections to his press statement on the issue, which was similar to his blog posting.

So now it seems that stating your own opinions in your own personal blogs about the arseholes (you know who I am talking about here) could be construed as seditious or 'baseless organisations'.

Even now, the MCMC are 'investigating 22 websites and blogs' for airing false, pornographic and baseless allegations. According to Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum they will use the Sedition Act and Penal code in the investigations.

I say enough is enough already.

You lose the two third majority, so deal with it! What is with all this sudden interest to arrest bloggers and punish wakil rakyat bloggers for stating the obvious? Of course, through their skewed sense of right and wrong, what we see as true facts are labeled as 'baseless allegations'.

So, bloggers, you now have two choices. Blog the truth and face possible actions for writing 'baseless allegations' or lie through your teeth and present an even more skewed situation to the public.

Of course, you could always use the third and more popular choice that plagiarists often adopt. No, no, no, not copying other's blogs but use different names.

Say, instead of naming the person/ party you are blogging about, you can use monikers like Bodoh Numbskulls or Najis or Pakcik Kampung or Kerisman or Moron, etc. Unleash your creativity! Also use double meaning to the hilt.

Them morons may or may not know what you are about but heck, it makes it damn difficult for them to prove anything because you can always say that it is a piece of fiction you write for fun. Heh.

Me? I couldn't care less. I am only blogging the truth and what I think. This is my blog and I will blog whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want!

Yes, I am afraid that my big fat butt may get hauled in so I may adopt the third method once in a while if I venture into ultra-sensitive territory....

They are doing good work, so do chip in!

2008-05-27T01:34:00.001-07:00

I have heard quite a lot about the amazing good volunteer work by the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society, especially when the tsunami hit our shores years ago. How they personally go out to the ground and hand out aids in terms of food and cash direct to the victims.

And the wonderful thing about this is that all of the volunteers are very polite, kind and very professional in what they do. I have personally seen how they go from house to house in the tsunami aftermath in Tanjung Bungah to check on the victims, get their names and contact and then give them food on the spot. It is something I have never seen before.

So, in the recent disasters in China and Myanmar, Tzu-Chi volunteers have also moved into action and they are (reportedly) one of the only two charitable organisations allowed in to help cyclone victims in Myanmar. I am sure, over there, the volunteers also personally went down to the ground to distribute aids to the victims instead of just dumping the whole shipment of food and supplies on some local organisation or even the authorities there.

I spoke to some of the volunteers there and it seems that it is a Tzu-Chi policy for them to hand out donations in kind or in cash direct to the victims and not through any middlemen. This is to ensure that all donated items do really reach the victims.

Their first batch of volunteers to Myanmar just came back and now they are planning to go over again to provide free medical clinic to the victims there.

So, I am calling all who wish to help, to donate to Tzu-Chi in order to help the cyclone victims in Myanmar. They are also helping victims in China so, if you want to donate to the victims in China, you can too. Here are the details:

Make your cheques payable to:

BUDDHIST TZU-CHI MERITS SOCIETY MALAYSIA
Please write your particulars on reverse-side of your cheque such as: Name, I/C, Address, Tel no.,and Handphone

Please mail to:
316,Jalan Macalister,10450 Penang, Malaysia

To bank in the money:
Payable to: BUDDHIST TZU-CHI MERITS SOCIETY MALAYSIA

Please write your particulars on the bank-in slip such as: Name, I/C, Address, Tel no.,and Handphone and Fax to 604-2261013

Bank Name: Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank)
Account Number: 507013126489

Bank Name: Public Bank Berhad
Account Number: 3102212517

Alternatively, you can also use online banking to bank in the money to the two bank accounts.

To receive official receipts, please mail them your following information:
- Name
- IC No.
- Postal Address
- Transaction Date
- Donation Amount
- Donation Purpose :International Relief Fund

For more inquiries, please call
604-229 7021 or fax : 604-226 1013
Email: acc@tzuchi.org.my

Website: http://www.daai.com.my

The can of worms that is the PGCC controversy

2008-05-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

From all the furore over the controversial multi billion Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project to the disclosure that it was not even approved yet to hints that it may be one of the largest land scams ever and now legal battle in Penang Turf Club because of this project.

Looks like this project is doomed to be dragged through the courts and to also receive the most negative publicity over these two months after its grand launch back in Oct last year!

The latest update on Malaysiakini on this piece of prime land over at Batu Gantong sees a suit by Penang Turf Club ordinary members Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping and Datuk Lee Choon Hoe against the club committee members "over the deal made with developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd to develop the controversial PGCC" (read the news here) and the committee members refuting their claims.

I daren't write much more about this whole issue less I too get dragged into the courts for contempt or whatever, so here is the news and chronology of events regarding the whole PGCC debacle from Malaysiakini:

PGCC imbroglio: Turf Club breaks silence, refutes allegations
May 24, 08 5:23pm

Push has finally come to shove for the Penang Turf Club (PTC) when it broke its long silence today over numerous allegations made by several ordinary members.

In a statement today, the club’s assistant general manager and secretary Leow Khin Ming said PTC has decided to refute the allegations made against them by Tan Kok Ping over the proposed relocation of the club to Batu Kawan in order to prevent confusion among club members and the public.

“The decision to relocate the club from its present site to Batu Kawan was made by the majority of club members at a duly convened extraordinary general meeting held in November 2002.

“(Kok Ping) should not attempt to impose his personal views on the majority decision of club members,” he stated.

Yesterday, Kok Ping and fellow ordinary member Lee Choon Hoe in their own capacity and on behalf of all club members sued the PTC committee members and several others over the deal made with developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd to develop the controversial Penang Global City Centre (PGCC).

The suit named PTC committee members Ong Eng Khuan, Robert Chan Woot Khoon, Dr Henry Ooi Kwee Lim, Oon Chong Kie, John Alexander Rodgers, Seow Chin, Tan Phaik Guan, Teh Choon Beng, Ch’ng Chin Ghee, club consultant Muhammed Rizal Abdullah, club financial controller Tan Hock Lim and club assistant general manager and secretary Leow Khin Ming as defendants.

Prior to that, Kok Ping and 12 other ordinary members of the turf club lodged a police report on May 8 alleging that the PTC committee had abused its powers in its dealings with Abad Naluri.

In both actions, Kok Ping alluded that some 580 ordinary members of the well-established horse racing club had been kept in the dark over several agreements signed between the PTC and Abad Naluri.

In 2003, PTC and Abad Naluri signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of some 260 acres of the club’s land for RM488 million in order to develop the PGCC.

Abad Naluri was expected to raise that sum and manage the financing for several years before the PGCC project starts contributing back.

From the RM488 million, RM375 million was designated to build a new racecourse in Batu Kawan in the mainland, relocating PTC’s existing racecourse on the island's prime Batu Gantong land while the remaining RM113 million would be paid to PTC in cash.

However, this agreement had allegedly lapsed and Abad has paid only RM10 million in advances to PTC so far.

Subsequently, a formal agreement was signed on May 12, 2004 which restructured several clauses in the preliminary agreement. Another supplementary agreement was inked on April 1 this year that granted Abad Naluri a renewable extension of three years in fulfilling their contractual terms.

He claims that the committee - as trustees of the club - breached its fiduciary duties and abused their power in selling the premier land without considering its members' interest.

Allegations refuted

Despite the numerous allegations made by Kok Ping, Leow specifically refuted the following:

• Kok Ping recently stated that the Batu Gantang racecourse is a well-known landmark in Penang and that it was a real shame to destroy an iconic heritage.

PTC rebutted saying Kok Ping and his friends have attempted to convince members to develop bungalow units for sale at the club’s present site and use the new profits to build a new racecourse in Batu Kawan since April 2008.

“This is contrary to his public stance that the club should be maintained as an iconic heritage,” said Leow.

• Kok Ping said that he voted against the extraordinary general meeting resolution (to relocate the club) when it was mooted in 2002.

PTC noted that there are no records in the minutes of Kok Ping having spoken against the resolutions but there were other minority members who had opposed the move.

• Liew pointed out that one of the resolutions was to pay every ordinary member RM20,000 each for hardship when the racecourse is relocated to Batu Kawan.

“Three cheques amounting to RM20,000 were sent to Kok Ping in his name and according to the club’s bank statements, these cheques were cleared,” said Leow.

• Kok Ping alleged that the PTC president and two of his staff members signed a supplementary agreement which granted a renewable extension of three years till March 2011 for Abad Naluri to complete building the new racecourse in Batu Kawan.

PTC argued that the club committee did not renew the 2004 agreement with Abad Naluri by a supplementary agreement in 2008. Instead, they “merely imposed a definite time frame for the completion of the new race course in Batu Kawan by March 2011".

“If the PGCC project cannot be carried out for any reason by Abad Naluri, then the committee and members of the club can consider any new proposal for the development of the club by open tender,” said Leow.

• Kok Ping expressed he did not have the intention of running for the PTC presidency or for a committee post.

PTC noted that in 1992, Kok Ping tried unsuccessfully to get elected to the club’s committee. Also, in 1993, he was part of the ‘vision’ team that sought election to the club’s committee but he was defeated.

Leow explained that the club did not want to engage in a media war with Kok Ping because many of his accusations are subject matter of a police report which he lodged.

He said the PTC was also advised by its lawyers to respond fully to all the inaccuracies and disinformation once the police had completed the probe.

The RM25 billion PGCC project has been plagued by controversies after it was launched by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.

This include the revelation that the project has not been approved by local government agencies and locals protesting against the massive development in the already-dense island state.

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, now only you want to talk about ISA?

2008-05-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

This goes to show what a suck-up the Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is! (read the Malaysiakini news below…)

The DAP and PKR have been harping on abolishing the draconian ISA for years now. After all, the stupid act gives the government the absolute power to detain people without a fair trial indefinitely. It is an act against any basic human rights.

But have Gerakan ever issue any statement against it? Nope. Not a single peep.

Wah, then suddenly now, Dr Koh so supportive of the proposal to review the ISA. What the heck. Eh, you worried about Gerakan being relegated to being less than an office boy for Gerakan issit?

Of coz, we really have to give him credit. He managed to suck up to the BN leadership while at the same time act as if he really cared about the ISA detainees. This is what people call kill two birds with one stone, eh?

Pretty smart move you think?

But hor, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the people are not stupid okay? You think we are blind and stupid and deaf issit? You think we did not notice the deafening silence on the whole ISA issue from Gerakan all these years? You think we will forget all about it the moment you suddenly decided to say that the Hindraf 5 should be released now.

Woi, you might as well start supporting the Hindraf’s cause now while you are at it. What next? When the capricious BN decided to review the NEP, you will also jump in and say ‘ Yes, we welcome the move…etc…etc..***suck up, suck up, suck up***….’

Boy am I glad you were voted out of the state government!

News from Malaysiakini:

Gerakan welcomes ISA review
May 23, 08 3:18pm
Gerakan today urged the government to set up a parliamentary select committee to look into the review of the Internal Security Act, a proposal which was mooted by the government yesterday.

Hoping that the ISA review would eventually lead to some significant changes in the colonial-era security law, Gerakan’s acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that the parliamentary committee can play a role in identifying the changes.

This select committee consisting of members of Parliament from both the government and opposition benches can examine in depth various aspects of the Act and achieve some common ground before tabling for open debate in Parliament,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the proposed review of ISA should make it to be in compliance with basic principles of human rights.

“There should be enough safeguard against various possible and actual infringements on basic human rights.

“The review should also provide more specific definitions and listing of offences which relate to genuine threat to national security, including terrorism,” he added.

The former Penang chief minister said that with clear criteria and enough safeguards, the ISA “will less likely be subject to abuse and the perception that it has been used for political purposes to silence dissenters”.

PM was quite receptive

Yesterday the de facto law minister Mohd Zaid Ibrahim told Parliament that the government would review the law which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

He said that the review - to be undertaken by a study involving Zaid, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail - will “enhance and update provisions” in it.

“However, as a government that is sensitive towards the public’s demand, it is open to enhancing and updating provisions under the ISA as well as other laws,” he told Parliament.

“Preventive detention is actually still needed in this country. However, there is the possibility of reviewing the Act in future,” Zaid said, without giving a timeframe of when the review will take place.

Responding today, Koh said that Gerakan was one of several parties which have been calling for review or even repeal of the ISA since the 80s.

He also revealed that he has been pursuing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since April on the need for ISA review.

“The prime minister was quite receptive,” he said.

Release all ISA detainees

Koh also pointed to another parliamentary select committee which was formed in the 80s to look into changes to be made to the Dangerous Drugs Act which also provided preventive detention without trial, just like the ISA.

He said that committee, of which he was a member, was able to come up with some specific provisions to provide for safeguard and the bill was passed in Parliament.

“That committee which comprised opposition members such as Lee Lam Thye was given a very good insight into the various aspects relating to drug trafficking and preventive detention, including difficulties with respect to evidences and witnesses,” he said.

Koh also revealed that in January and February, and again in early April and May this year, he had appealed to Abdullah for the review and release of existing ISA detainees on health, humanitarian and other valid grounds, including the Hindraf 5.

Last week, the Federal Court refused to release five ethnic Indian activists - dubbed the Hindraf 5 - who were fighting for their freedom after being detained under the Act.

The five, including a newly sworn-in state lawmaker, were detained in December after enraging the government a month earlier by mounting a mass rally alleging discrimination against minority ethnic Indians.

That's right, blame the white blouse for social ills and sex crimes

2008-05-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

While you are at it, why not blame little children for daring to play in playgrounds as they are inviting perverted pedophiles to kidnap them by blatantly displaying themselves in such a public place.

Also, blame the women for even daring to step out of their homes as it could be construed as they are ‘inviting’ attention to themselves by blatantly displaying themselves in public places.

Don’t forget to blame all the clothes manufacturers for their audacity in producing clothes of any colour except for black such as yellow, blue, red, pink, purple, green or any other shades lighter than black could be construed as sexy.

While we are on a roll here, might as well reintroduce the chastity belt and impose laws to lock up all women and girls behind windowless rooms so that they do not tempt any men just by being there.

Finally, blame God for creating women in the first place to tempt men to commit evils of all kinds.

Seriously.

The root of social ills and sex crimes is more than just a white blouse. It is more than pirated porno materials available everywhere. It is more than the so-called negative western culture presented through the television, internet, etc.

Does this uptight, ignorant Munirah Bahari of the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia even know what nonsense she is spouting before opening her mouth?

Other bloggers, Lilian and PabloPabla, have already pointed out her foolishness and blatant ignorance.

I however wish to point out that she is but an example of many others in the society who tend to blame everyone and everything from clothing to the victims EXCEPT for the perpetrators and lack of education when it comes to sex crimes.

So, the rapist / pervert / sexual predator were not pinpointed for their sick aversions but the victims were pinpointed for their dressing and their looks.

No rape / sex crime victim ever ‘asked for it’ no matter how she looked like or dressed like. Do you think Nurin asked for it? Do you think the countless young children who were sexually abused and raped asked for it?

In rape cases, it is often about control and not about sex. Even in sexual abuse cases, it is often about control and less about sex. How could raping an eight year old be about sex when the poor child hardly have any breasts? Rape was also one of the main actions in times of war, again, it is about power and control. Not about sex.

It is sad indeed that despite efforts by womens’ organisations like Women’s Centre for Change to change the mindset of the people to think about educating the people to respect women to reduce sexual crime rates, there are still those in society who preferred to blame it all on the victims than on the lack of education to prevent the perps from doing this.

It is also the same for social ills. Education and religious teachings play an important part to curb these. It is not about clothing or lack thereof. If adults, parents and teachers alike, do not play their roles to teach the young and lead by example, what could a simple white blouse do?

If I remember correctly, the Sisters (nuns) in the convent school I went to were dressed in white habits too. I hardly think those are sexy in any way!

On another note, I wore white blouses throughout my schooling days. So did my classmates and schoolmates. Amazingly, none of us were raped or sexually assaulted because of our ’sexy’ attire.

Shucks, if we knew white blouses are sexy, we would not have bothered going to all that trouble smuggling our own clothes in our school bags to change into so that we could go lepak-ing after school in ‘cool’ attire!

Shiissshhhh…how come no one ever told us this all those years ago? Ceh, the guys then must have been blind while the guys now must probably have x-ray vision which can only be thwarted by black or darker coloured clothing.

Karpal Gets a Death Threat

2008-05-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

It looks like Karpal's worries will see no end.

What with all that fuss over his alleged seditious remark that the Sultan of Perak did not have any say in the decision made by the state government, now, he gets a death threat for uttering that remark.

It was not enough that he gets 20 police reports lodged against him for that remark, it was also not enough that other DAP members seemed to have 'abandoned' him by not saying anything in support of him and now some idiot has decided to send him a live bullet with a death threat.

According to Malaysiakini:

The live bullet was accompanied with a note warning him against speaking out on the controversial issues of Malay rights and the constitutional powers of the sultans.

“Kalau tak berhenti, peluru ini akan melekat pada kepala dahi kau!” (If you don’t stop, this bullet will be lodged in your forehead).

Here is an image of the death threat taken from Malaysiakini:

You can read the whole article about the death threat in Malaysiakini here. I seriously do not understand all this fuss over Karpal's remark which is simply:

“Sultan Azlan Shah did not have any say, as the Ruler of Perak, in the decision made by the state government and, by law, the palace cannot order the state government to reinstate Jamry.”

Heck, even Lilian aka 5xmom had pointed out in her blog post: Warkah untuk PM - Pak Lah pun sama dengan Karpal saja that Pak Lah had said about the same thing. But why is it okay for Pak Lah to say it but not okay for Karpal to say it?

Pak Lah had said (in March):

The appointment of anyone but Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as Terengganu Mentri Besar is unconstitutional, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“Most of the state assemblymen support Datuk Seri Idris. This fact remains unchanged. They are in agreement,” he told reporters after attending the 10th Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday.

“Therefore, appointing anyone else is not right constitutionally,” he said.

Abdullah was commenting on the Mentri Besar saga in which Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said received his letter of appointment as the new Mentri Besar from Regency Advisory Council (MPPR) chief Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman at a closed-door ceremony at Istana Tetamu in Kuala Terengganu at 8.20am yesterday.

It all boils down to the double standards practiced by all the Bumbling Numbskulls who are in charge of the federal government now where it is right for one leader to say it is unconstitutional for the royalty to decide on a political appointment while it is wrong for another to say that the royalty cannot order the state government around.

Isn't it all the same except in said in different words?

Sigh...what a bumbing mess those idiots are.

Don't eat at the fake Chang Kee Restaurant in Nibong Tebal

2008-05-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

If you have heard of the famous Teochew food especially crab porridge by Cheang Kee Restaurant in Nibong Tebal, make sure you do not go to the wrong one!

We went there recently and had a rude shock when we realised the real Cheang Kee Restaurant had moved to another location while another owner has taken over its old shoplot.

We did not even bother to take pictures of the place (the old shoplot where Cheang Kee used to be) after eating the very first dish, boiled baby octopus. I did not even want to bother with taking pictures of the food either. I do not want to waste camera battery and memory on this lousy restaurant.

The new restaurant, Law Chang Kee Restoran, was a far cry from the old Cheang Kee Restaurant. We ordered boiled baby octopus, butter prawns, fried fish, crab porridge, siau pai chye (green veg) and mantis prawn fried with dried chili.

The baby octopus, even though a simple dish which required literally little cooking skills to prepare as it is just boiled and served with chili sauce, were overcooked and stringy.

The butter prawns were oily, soggy and tasteless. They put some soya sauce over it to give it some taste which makes it worse.

Crab porridge- they obviously had it in with the crab because they smashed it to smithereens so we had to spend a whole hour picking out tiny, minute pieces of crab shell from the porridge. Oh, and the porridge was bland. Bleagghhh.

The green veg - nothing remarkable. I could have cooked better one at home.

Mantis prawn fried with dried chili - extremely soggy and too much of ketchup. It tasted like they fried the mantis prawn and pour in a whole bottle of ketchup and then add the dried chili for decoration. Ugghh.

Fried fish - well, again nothing remarkable. It is just the normal fried fish you can find at any economy rice stall.

Rating: 2/10

Now, if I had not eaten the real Cheang Kee Restaurant’s food, the rating for this faker restaurant would have been a tad higher, perhaps 4/ 10 but it definitely would not have me going back there ever again.

Price: $$$ (for that kind of food!!!)

Luckily, we found the real Cheang Kee Restaurant which had moved to a more prominent location right on the main road just after the toll plaza and with ample parking space too! After the toll plaza, turn left at the traffic lights and go straight. It is on your left at the first traffic light. You won’t be able to miss it since it is a corner lot with a huger signboard.

Here’s the new address for the famous Cheang Kee Restaurant (which I would have rated 8/10):

Restoran N.T.Cheang Kee

No. 60 & 62, Jalan Besar, Air Lintas, Taman Merbah, 14300 Nibong Tebal

Tel: 04-5943728

So, remember. The Restoran Law Chang Kee has lousy food so go only at your own risk! I will do a review of the Restoran N.T.Cheang Kee when we go there next and with loads of pictures too.

If you don't want people to read the report then don't sell it AT ALL!

2008-05-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

First they said the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the V.K. Lingam video clip will be made public. This means, anyone could read it right?

Wrong.

The moment some press made it public, they go and lodge police reports against the press.

That Ahmad Shabery Cheek some more have the cheek to say that this is not aimed at curbing press freedom and claimed that it was some sort of a 'leak'. Uh-huh. Yeah, definitely, there has been some sort of leak.

His brains are leaking from his head.

Just to think, a bare few weeks ago, this is the minister who went around talking about press freedom..ptui! What a load of hogwash and rubbish. Next time you want to lie, don't do it when you are going to be caught bare-faced and all.

I mean, do you even know the meaning of press freedom ah Mr Information Minister? Or do you need to get informed on the full meaning first?

It does not mean lodging police reports against the media to investigate the media under OSA for publishing a report that was to be made public anyway.

And then giving some stupid excuses that there might be some other 'leaks' on national secrets. Ooohhhh....why not bring in ISA while you are at it and say that by publishing the report, the media are now a threat to national security?

And this stupid statement:

“The Government has the right to protect certain classified information before making a public disclosure,” he (Ahmad Shabery Cheek) said.

It seems to me that you are contradicting yourself. First it is classified information and then making a public disclosure. Err, how can it be public disclosure if it is classified information? It is either classified information or information meant for public disclosure. Did your mother drop you on your head or something when you were a baby?

Or does it mean the government has no intention to make the FULL report public at all and only wished to expose some parts of it while others are 'classified information'? Heck, so this means, the blardy government has no intention to publicly disclose the whole sordid details of this judicial crap for all to see. Except that the media beat them to it and decided to make public details of it first before they could cover up the bits and pieces they want to cover.

Isn't that just typical of the Bumbling Numbskulls? Pretend to be all transparent and clean but then go behind the people's back to cover up all their dirty deeds.

For once, I am glad for the MSM. Biased they may be but at least once in a blue moon, they do present news that are sort-of unfiltered.

Although, of course, this so-called leak may just be a sanctioned one to get rid of the respect for Tun Dr M once and for all. And to put themselves as the innocent party, of course, they make full use of the bumbling idiots in the police force who'd bend over backwards for the Bumbling Numbskulls.

By the way, they are selling the report for over RM500++!!

Hmmm...perhaps they wanted to earn some fast bucks for it and were damn paik chek (frustrated) when the MSM published some of the details, rendering the full report quite valueless as when it was an 'exclusively available only at...' product.

You can read about the cheek of the mis-information minister in his opinion about the police report here.

The BN government is a cowardly big bully to resort to this!

2008-05-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

They had no other way to arrest Waythamoorthy (head of Hindraf) and now they have resorted to the dirty trick of canceling his passport in hopes that he would be sent back here by the British.

What a bunch of cowardly idiots.

According to Malaysiakini,

The activist (Waythamoorthy) had planned to visit Washington for talks with leaders of the US Congress and Amnesty and other rights groups, "but it has been put off because of his passport's cancelation"

He was going to talk about the discriminatory policies of this government there but looks like the cowards here decided to stop him by canceling his passport.

However, if the BN government thinks this is going to stop him and get the British to deport him back here so that he could join the Hindraf 5 in Kamunting, they will be sorely disappointed!

The British is set to hear his asylum application and Waythamoorthy is far from deterred but even more determined to fight on for Hindraf's cause and freedom! I say way to go Waythamoorthy and yes, Makkal Sakthi! I find his courage refreshing in the face of all this hurdles, just read his statement.

Here is Waythamoorthy's full statement taken from Malaysiakini:

I was travelling back to London from Geneva after the Hindraf briefing with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on April 21, 2008 and was totally shocked to be informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport thus making me de facto stateless.

I see only one purpose. The Malaysian government had intended that I be deported back to Malaysia by the British authorities so that I too could be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act and be detained for unspecified period of time without trial and be subject to torture and inhumane treatment for my political beliefs.

I have not committed any offence or crime other than to champion the cause of the systematically marginalised, discriminated and alienated ethnic Indian community in Malaysia who remained a permanently colonised community despite achieving independence 51 years ago.

It is most distressing to learn that, the land that my forefathers toiled as indentured labourers and one that I had been made citizen by the will of the unavoidable circumstances has decided to banish and exile me for speaking and advocating the truth that was never spoken off before.

The government has once again acted according to its whims and fancy without a second thought of the public or for the good of the public.

The Malaysian government repetitively had oppressed, suppressed and persecuted all causes of Hindraf by their act of totalitarianism from the very beginning but nevertheless the will and spirit of the Hindraf supporters have been the beacon of hope for the new strength founded upon our new found ‘Makkal Sakthi’ (people’s power).

The callous and cowardly acts of the government against me not only undermine their credibility domestically but also internationally. The government needs to realise that the Malaysian public can no longer be cowed as the public are no longer the sheep that begets the government wolves.

The government may use its best weapon in attempting to stall and break me but they fail to realise that I derive my strength from my ‘Makkal Sakthi’, and that is all that I need to carry on the torch and fight for the unjust cause of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia even if it means championing my cause from exile.

As much as I have been coerced, castigated by the Malaysian government, so have the Hindraf supporters. Hindraf supporters have shown unprecedented courage and character for the truth. It only motivates me further to pursue our goals.

They will never break my spirit

The revocation of my passport is probably the last ditch desperate effort by the Malaysian government in crippling my international lobby for the cause of the Indian Malaysians.

This unwarranted act has given me a greater "inner" strength to continue to fight for the struggle of Indian Malaysians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly in Kamunting.

The government can unleash all the man made mechanism to stifle and silence me, but I have the backing of ‘Makkal Sakthi’ and that alone is sufficient for me to continue my fight for the people.

In ‘Makkal Sakthi’, I have found the truthness of my cause for the people. In today's world, utterance of truth is seen as a revolutionary action, and my quest for the truth is considered as a hindrance for the government. My judge is the people not the government.

I will continue this struggle until my last breath. They may break me but they will never be able to break my will and spirit that is derived from the people for the truth is in it.

I shall continue the struggle for the "freedom" of the ethnic Indian Malaysians from London and urge all Hindraf supporters to remain calm as they have always been. I shall forever remain a loyal Malaysian and will return to Malaysia soon to continue and accomplish what I had started.

Fly to Perth cheap!

2008-05-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

So the airfare war between AirAsia and MAS continues which greatly benefits us, the consumers. Looks like AirAsia, the no-frills, low cost carrier, is flying to Perth! Read on about it at Malaysiakini. I have also place the excerpt here:

AirAsiaX to fly to Perth amid fare wars
May 15, 08 4:19pm

Malaysia's long-haul budget carrier AirAsiaX today announced an expansion of its Australian operations amid fears that a fare battle with the national carrier could lead to its demise.
MCPX

The launch comes as national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) announced that it would give-away airfares to 20 regional destinations a week after AirAsia airline similar offers for domestic flights.

AirAsia's group chief executive Tony Fernandes criticised MAS for copying the budget carrier's everyday low fares policy saying it was unclear how badly AirAsia would be hit by it, the New Straits Times reported.

"The government will never allow MAS to fail but a private company? Who is going to save us," Fernandes told the daily.

"I'm not against competition but it has to be a level-playing field. You can't send me into a boxing match with one hand tied behind my back," he said referring to a subsidy the government provides only to MAS for some of its international flights.

Six flights a week to Perth

AirAsia also wants to be given equal rights to fly the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air route, one of the region's most lucrative routes.

At present, MAS has 69 flights per week between the two neighbours while AirAsia is only allowed to mount 14 weekly flights.

AirAsiaX, a sister company of budget-carrier AirAsia, will offer six return flights per week between Perth and Kuala Lumpur starting Nov 2, the airline said in a statement.

Perth will be the airline's second destination in Australia after its four-weekly return flight to the Gold Coast which began in November last year.

"Looking at what we've done with these two routes, we are confident of creating a bigger market in Western Australia," Fernandes said.

According to The Star, AirAsiaX will offer 5,000 free seats for the travel period between Nov 2 to April 30 starting midnight today.

The airline said it plans to launch flights to Britain in the fourth quarter of 2008, with London and Manchester being considered. It is also eyeing more destinations in China as it expands its network.

Wow, with AirAsia, it is true that now, anyone can fly!

Koay Teow Th'ng

2008-05-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

When people talk about Penang hawker food, they often refer to the ones on the island while many really good food places on the mainland part of the state were forgotten or given a miss. So, I am introducing another great place for a local, common hawker fare, Koay Teow Th'ng at the mainland.

Restoran Lin is infamous for its wonderfully tasty Koay Teow Th'ng. So much so that the old-style coffee shop it is based at is now renovated into an air-conditioned, modern restaurant setting! Previously, it was more of a Koay Teow Th'ng stall but now it is a brand-new concept type restaurant.

People in Butterworth often talk about this place when it comes to Koay Teow Th'ng.

So, what is so good about the Koay Teow Th'ng here?

For one thing, the soup is really tasty and not so oily like most Koay Teow Th'ng usually are.

The flat rice noodles or koay teow used are smooth, soft and almost silky that it deliciously slides down your throat.

The fish balls are juicy, springy at the right consistency and does not taste like stale fish.

For someone who is not into soup-based food, I really do like the Koay Teow Th'ng here. Just so you know, I don't eat or order Koay Teow Th'ng much unless it is really, really good and fits my taste. In my experience, most Koay Teow Th'ng I tasted were either too bland or too oily. The one sold at this restaurant may not be a perfect 10 but it is good enough to warrant my nod of approval.

This restaurant also offers a variety of side dishes like steamed chicken (pak cham kai / pek cham kay), fishball soup, blanched vegetables (yau choi) and other types of noodles in place of the Koay Teow.

Prices are from RM2.50 each bowl/ RM5 per plate, they have a complete menu listing out the items they offer and the prices unlike most hawker stall-based coffee shops where you have to guess at the prices.

Rating: 7 /10

The venue:

Restoran Lin

8 & 10, Lorong Ceri 6,

Taman Aman Jaya

12300 Raja Uda

Tel: 04-3330216

Operating hours: Open daily - 7.30am - 5pm & 7.30pm - 1am.

Cook your own Koay Teow Th'ng

If you do not like to eat out, you can also make your own Koay Teow Th'ng as it isn't all that difficult.

Here is a simple Koay Teow Th'ng recipe:

Ingredients

1 whole chicken

500g pork ribs (optional)

salt to taste

packaged koay teow (flat noodles) which can be bought from supermarkets

garlic oil

fish balls

fish cake

spring onion, chopped

chili padi

chicken gizzards (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil water in a stock pot and place the chicken and the pork ribs in. Let it simmer over low fire for about 40 minutes or so.

2. Take out the chicken and pork ribs. Remove the meat from the bones and set aside. Place the bones back into the pot and let it simmer for another 30 minutes or so.

3. Dish out the bones and discard. Put in the gizzards, fishballs and fishcake. Remove it when cooked and set aside.

4. Remove pot from heat and sieve the soup with a muslin cloth (or cheese cloth) if you want a clear soup.

5. Rinse the pot and pour the soup back into it. Add salt according to taste (usually 1 tsp is good enough) and you can also add a dash of pepper and 1 tsp fish sauce. Keep it hot over low fire.

6. Shred the chicken meat and pork you had removed earlier. Slice the fish cake and chicken gizzards too.

7. Scald the flat noodles in a boiling pan of hot water and place it in a bowl. Add the meat, fish cake, fish balls and gizzards. Pour in the soup.

8. Garnish with spring onions, cut chili padi and add some of the garlic oil.

So there you are, your very own home cooked Koay Teow Th'ng. Alternatively, instead of pork ribs, you could use duck. Enjoy!

Dr Teng Hock Nan starts pointing fingers instead of giving answers

2008-05-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

So, one of the Chief Ministership hopefuls from Gerakan Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan has broken this deafening silence to answer allegations thrown by current Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

But, instead of giving legit answers and explanations, he went on a diatribe of mud-slinging and calling Lim Guan Eng names from naive to ignorant to playing politics. Do I sense some sour grapes because someone is sitting in the very post he was coveting during the general election?

It has been obvious that the physician-turned-politician Dr Teng Hock Nan has this burning desire to take over from Koh Tsu Koon the very moment KTK announced that he will no longer contest for a state seat. I even heard how his missus was all excited over it, went all out to equip her wardrobe with more official clothing and even took up etiquette classes to be sure that she knows how to act like a CM's wife...too bad, it all went down the drain la, because she, just like the arrogant Dr Teng and other BN fellars, had simply assumed it is a sure win for BN in the general election.

But I digress.

Let's get back to the name-calling. It all started when Dr Teng opened his big mouth to give some stupid explanation about the PGCC project. He had claimed that the formulation of the structure plan was according to procedure and that the council had not approved the planning permission for PGCC.

Guan Eng had talked about the controversial PGCC project quite a few times prior to this. So in response to Dr Teng, Guan Eng had questioned the previous government (on Sunday) on how 104ha of prime land was converted from open ground and recreation to new development under the Penang island structural plan which was gazetted in June 2007. The land, where the Penang Turf club is now, was earmarked for PGCC's mammoth project.

These are valid questions. He just want some answers. After all, this could be one of the biggest land impropriety in Penang.

So, what was the response?

A deafening silence for a day or two. Then on Wednesday (which means today's papers) Dr Teng comes out fully double-barreled armed. Not to explain his innocence (HAH!), not to explain how it could have happened (double HAH!! If he had not bothered to explain to the people on other issues when he was in the state government, fat chance he will start doing it now!) and certainly not to prove that there was no such impropriety.

Instead, he had called Guan Eng naive, ignorant and accused him of playing politics. His words (according to The Star online anyway):

“I am saying he is naive because all the questions he has been asking can be easily obtained because he has access to all the information,

“I do not know whether to call him Chief Minister or just Lim Guan Eng,”

Err, Dr Teng ah. Are you sure the so-called information still there ah? Sure, there are documentation to show that the land had been converted but Guan Eng's question was HOW THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT CONVERT A PUBLIC SPACE AND RECREATION LAND TO NEW DEVELOPMENT???

Let me put it in layman's term for you since you obviously do not understand. The Chief Minister wants to know why a public space and recreation land could be converted to new development. Meaning, the land is meant for recreation and public space. Recreation and public space usually means a park or a place for the people to relax. A land marked for this usually means no big huge blocks of residential condos are allowed to be built on it. A land marked for this means it is suppose to stay a recreational place for the public.

So, to convert this huge piece of land (and the last few of such large spaces earmarked for recreation and public spaces) to turn it into 'new development' is akin to tearing down the only children's playground in a large housing estate so that you could build luxurious bungalows for the filthy rich.

By converting this land, it means the previous government is saying out loud and clear 'To hell with sustainable development and to hell with recreation. To hell with the people's needs. All we want is to help Umno cronies to become richer and if it means chopping down all the trees on the island to make way for luxurious condos for the rich, so be it'

Now, do you understand Dr Teng?

So, back at you. Don't be naive, don't be ignorant and don't blardy play politics!

By the way, I think Guan Eng has been a real gentleman about this coz when asked to response to the name-calling he had said he regretted that Dr Teng has to resort to personal attacks. There was no attack in response. Apparently, Guan Eng will give his lengthy reply to Dr Teng today. So, keep your eyes peeled for it.

CM Lim Guan Eng talks about more issues

2008-05-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Looks like Malaysiakini has done a three part series interview with Lim Guan Eng about Penang, about DAP, about Pakatan Rakyat, about Umno and the NEP.

I have been hearing talks about how Guan Eng has been skirting the Pakatan Rakyat tag on the Penang state government for awhile. While many people has started calling Penang the Pakatan Rakyat state, Guan Eng himself still calls it a DAP-PKR state government.

I really wondered why and obviously, Malaysiakini also wondered why. Read it here and decide for yourself.

The excerpt from Malaysiakini here:

We understand that you prefer to call it a DAP-PKR state government rather than a Pakatan Rakyat state government in Penang?

At the moment. Because Pakatan Rakyat has not been formalised.

But elsewhere it has been known as the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

If that is what they want to call it but as I said, Pakatan Rakyat has not been formalised nationally. As the secretary-general (of DAP), I have to abide by that decision.

Does that reflect DAP's fear (of PAS) - that it is still there given the support you have from the Chinese community?

It’s just a question that it has not been formalised.

So the Penang state government is really no different from the one in Perak and Selangor?

When we formed the state government, it was a DAP-PKR joint coalition government. Of course, later we tried to bring in PAS through discussion indirectly ... but since PKR handled all these portfolios, we consider this question is to be decided by PAS and PKR.

So you are saying they will be included as part of the state government?

We want to include them in roles, to play their role in the Penang state government but this is subject to the discussion between PAS and PKR.

Do you think that DAP has somehow still been caught in this fear of the Islamic state when in fact quite a number of Chinese voters have voted for PAS?

They voted for PAS because they wanted to teach Barisan Nasional a lesson and PAS downplayed the question of Islamic state. If that is brought to the fore, it would have been a very different situation. Our role is to ensure that wouldn’t occur again.

Your fear is still there?

The people’s fear rather than our fear. We have to articulate their concerns. I think for instance Perak Menteri Besar (Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin) has done very well, in terms of taking a moderate approach but we want to see that reflected at the national level. Unfortunately, there are one or two statements from top PAS leaders which are not in accordance to the spirit that is agreed upon - that Pakatan Rakyat is not about Islamic state, now or in the future.

(Therefore, Pakatan) must be formalised so there is no discordant voices.

So, there you have it. You can read more of the Q & A on Malaysiakini.

Whether it is Pakatan Rakyat or DAP or PKR, I do not really care. As long as it is not the corrupted idiots of BN fellas, it is good enough!

I am keeping this blog

2008-05-13T01:17:00.000-07:00

I have decided to continue maintaining this blog after all!

So, keep a watch out for new blog posts coming soon.

Meanwhile, you can still go on over to my own domains:

Foong Speaks Her Mind

Penang Views and News

The Food Site

for more interesting reading.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

2008-04-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

Finally, this blog has MOVED!

My new homepage will be Foong Speaks Her Mind and for Penang news, you can go to this site: Penang Views and News.

Due to the new domain and Wordpress platform, I am still trying to figure out most of the Wordpress stuff and etc...So, please be patient if you find the blogs lacking...I am working at making it more presentable!

However, I will be blogging from there starting NOW!

So, go on over to my brand new sites:

Foong Speaks Her Mind

AND

Penang Views and News

Next time go dating, ask permission first before you touch!

2008-04-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

So a guy hugged and tried to kiss his girlfriend while on a date. The girl, for some reasons known only to her, rejected it eventhough he is her boyfriend but he probably didn't take no for an answer and continued with the hugging.

Luckily, she broke away and ran off to tell her brother who promptly brought reinforcement to catch the guy. They sent the amorous man to the police station and lodged a police report that he had molested his girlfriend.

I don't know...it sounds a bit strange that they are actually a couple and the guy was sent to jail for not accepting the fact that ice princess do not like being touched. Maybe its because the girl is only 19 and the guy is 29 and a rubber tapper at that. Maybe she thinks he is going too fast. Or maybe, she is trying to break off and he tried to persuade her otherwise.

Or were there underlying reasons behind all this? I guess we will never know... What we know is that it never pay to be too amorous, eh? So, guys listen up! Don't take the liberty to touch here touch there thinking your girlfriend won't mind. There are laws in this country and she may have your horny ass hauled in for molest if she doesn't like it! Ask properly and you shall not pay for it this way.

Now, back to the story. The guy got five months jail and today in High Court, where he had appealed against the sentence, the judge was scornful of the other judge who passed the sentence.

"Like this, people dare not go dating anymore," the judge reportedly said.

So, the judge reduced the guy's sentence and fined him RM1,500 instead.

Wah...RM1,500 he could even pay for two hours with the maths genius hooker in UK! And that is not only confined to touchy-feely all but the whole works!

Tsk..tsk..tsk... Although it may seem a mere slap on the wrist to those earning a lot, to this rubber tapper guy who is earning RM200 a month, it is 7 months of pay! Besides, if he can't pay it, he will have to spend 3 months in jail.

So, the moral of this story is, respect thy women be it girlfriends, sisters, mothers, cousins, grandmothers, etc for hell hath no fury than an angry woman out for vengeance!

Women power rules! Mwahahahaha...

Update:

Here's the full article from Star online:

Judge: Five months’ jail for hugging girlfriend is extreme

By PRISCILLA DIELENBERG

PENANG: A High Court judge found that the five-month sentence imposed on a rubber tapper for outraging the modesty of his girlfriend by hugging and kissing her as unwarranted because of the couple’s relationship.

“No one would dare to go dating again with such an excessive punishment, given the relationship. No man would want to ask our anak dara (young women) out anymore.

“This is the reality of life,” said Justice Abdul Rahim Uda

He was hearing an appeal by Mohamad Roslan Zainol, 29, against his conviction and sentence for outraging the modesty of an 18-year-old girl by hugging her at a beach in Telok Molek, Teluk Air Tawar, North Seberang Prai, at 9.30pm on Nov 29 last year.

According to the statement of facts, Mohamad Roslan was the girl’s boyfriend and they had sought shelter under a tree when it began to rain.

He then tried to kiss her and hugged her tight several times, but she struggled free and ran off.

The girl’s brother later took Mohamad Roslan to a police station and lodged a report.

A magistrate’s court in Butterworth had on Dec 3 last year jailed Mohamad Roslan five months after he pleaded guilty to the offence. His family later got him a lawyer and he was allowed stay of execution on the jail term pending the appeal.

Yesterday, Justice Abdul Rahim Uda said the sentence was unwarranted because of the couple’s relationship.

DPP Muna Mohamed Jaafar, who seemed to agree with the judge that the five-month jail term was excessive, said Mohamad Roslan had to be given appropriate punishment as a lesson for him and to those inclined towards such action.

Justice Abdul Rahim dismissed Mohamad Roslan’s appeal against his conviction, but allowed his appeal against his sentence.

In mitigation, Mohamad Roslan’s counsel A. Premanand said his client had repented and promised not to repeat such offences.

Justice Abdul Rahim fined Mohamad Roslan RM1,500 in default three months’ jail.

Update on the abandoned boy case

2008-04-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

With all that Datuk Lee Kah Choon episode, I am sure many people have forgotten about the 10-year-old boy, Yeap Jia Hui, who was left to stay alone for the past two years.

For those of you in the dark about this, I wrote about his case here and here.

Since all the MSM is too busy chasing after Kah Choon and the stupid ministers who were in town recently, I decided to check up on what's happening with the poor boy.

So, thanks to my very reliable sources, I found out that the boy is now staying with his grandmother temporarily.

Meanwhile, the exco in charge, Phee Boon Poh, is making sure that the Welfare Department is doing its job to settle all the documentations for the boy to be legally adopted by his grandaunt.

This is the process for now:

1. Welfare Department is preparing assessment reports on the grandaunt to make sure she can be the legal guardian for the boy (and not another adult out to make labourers out of children or some other more sinister things..)

2. The reports will be brought to court for a court order to grant the grandaunt the rights to be the boy's legal guardian and take care of him

3. Court decides and grant the order

4. Boy can legally move in with the grandaunt in Kuantan.

5. Welfare Department here will liaise with Welfare Department there to check on the boy occasionally to ensure that the boy is being well taken care of by the grandaunt - my guess is that normally they won't be bothered but with Phee Boon Poh breathing down their necks, they probably has to do it!

6. The boy will also be sent for professional counseling as he had suffered quite a lot of emotional trauma (of being left to fend for himself) so that he learns how to cope with all this.

Now, I have read somewhere that the boy is not a 'good, studious boy who does his homework' as reported by the MSM. Apparently the boy smokes and sometimes even ponteng school. I strongly feel that it is not the boy's fault at all. Hey, he is only 10!

He was abandoned when he was 8. So how many 8-year-old do you know who are responsible and know the difference between right and wrong without an adult to keep him in check?

So, criticisms against the boy is totally unwarranted. A child is born innocent and pure until he was corrupted by his environment and surroundings. We, as outsiders, would never know what type of environment or surroundings the boy went through in all his 10 years' life. We would never know what type of people or influences he was exposed to. We would also never know the psychological effects of being left alone to fend for himself for two years on a young child like him.

If you really want to criticise, the blame should be on the adults, the people who produced him and left him. They may have their reasons but to me, it is unforgivable for a parent to abandon their own child no matter what.

As a parent, I would rather die than leave my child to fend for himself at such a young age. If only every parent, fathers and mothers, can be like the father in the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, (acted by Will Smith and his son), we won't have anymore abandoned children in this world!

Changes on the way...

2008-04-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

In order to serve you better (HAH!), this site is changing and will be moving home to its very own domain very, very soon.

Well, actually, honestly, it is not to serve you better but to give me more headaches trying to figure out Wordpress and its plugins and widgets from hell....heheheh...

So, lookout for a brand new Penang Views and News site coming up near you. You can access and read it anywhere, everywhere and anytime as long as you have internet connection!

Oh, you can already do that now...

What's so different, you ask? Err... I dunno la. Been reading around other blogs and some auntie keep harping on how great it is to have own domain and etc and how great her hosting company is that I rushed and immediately signed up with Bryan.

What to do, I am a typical kiasu Penangite mah.

So, due to the pindah rumah, I may not be posting as much entries the next few days because I will be too busy struggling with Wordpress. Besides, all the MPs (including CM) are out of town in Parliament so probably not much going on in the political scene locally...

Remember, keep a lookout for the brand new, shinier website coming up soon!

Eating fish in a jungle

2008-04-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to the depths of an oil palm estate somewhere near the Kulim Hi-Tech Park and enjoyed some really great freshwater fishes!

We ate FOUR whole fishes! Each fish costs between RM20 and RM38. Not bad considering the size and how fresh it is.

I don't know what fish these are except that it is freshwater and darn fresh and very delicious, deep fried, covered in sweet and sour sauce and steamed.

The shack that passed as a restaurant where the delectable fishes are cooked and served.

There's a wooden rickety bridge from the shack over a bubbling river heading to large ponds where they rear the freshwater fishes.

A closer look at the wooden shack...

The fishes are really good and I would recommend this place if you have a hankering for fish. Also, the fishes are all very sweet without any muddy taste at all.

Rating: 8/10

Price: RM20 and above for each fish

Menu choices: Only fish, rice and one or two vegetables

Location: Sungai Kob, Kulim. Accessible through a small dirt road marked with only a small signboard with Restoran Kolam Ikan on it. Just take the turning to Kulim Hi Tech Park Phase 2, drive all the way to Sungai Kob and once you reach the tiny town, you will see Petronas on your left and right after that a row of shophouses. The small dirt road is on the right and right next to the Klinik Kesihatan. Otherwise, call the number in the picture above for more accurate directions!

One stupid minister after another

2008-04-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

It seems like stupid ministers are drawn to Penang like bees to honey as the fella who purportedly have some control over our money was also in town right after the dyke came and left after making some unsavoury announcements which involved a certain travel-happy fat lady.

Looks like the ministers are out to show and prove that Penangites do not matter to them regardless of the fact that the PM happens to be from Penang too. They are out to sabotage the Penang tourism and upcoming infrastructures.

First, the costs of the second bridge suddenly soared (I wonder why...must the infuriating fact that the prices for equipments like screwdrivers costs thousands now) so it has to be delayed and then the announcement that the MRT and PORR may not go on. All these just because Penangites chose to vote for Pakatan Rakyat.

Well, too bad to Nor Mohd Yakcop. I think many people would be celebrating that PORR may not be built! Hurray.

An another note, anyone wondered if Kerismuddin is even serious about his apology for wielding the keris and then make no promises that it won't happen again?

Then there are the calls for Sleepy Pak Lah to really go home and sleep instead of snoring in parliament and for Kerismuddin to get lost for something he has apologised for but didn't promise not to repeat.

All this finger-pointing and calls to this or that seems so very childish, don't you think? Methinks it is the internal party elections heating up, making everyone jittery and thus everyone shooting their mouths off without thinking.

All this fracas just confirmed one thing. Politicians, who are only in politics for their own benefits, are just a bunch of greedy sore-losers out to grab everything they can at the people's expense.

I think it is really time to get rid of ALL of them! Now, where is the big huge penyapu lurking around somewhere?

Illegal stuff and hawker food

2008-04-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have always been a Pasar Malam stalker...way back when we were dating also, we will go to pasar malam as a dating place, to jalan-jalan, to cari makan, to buy illegal stuffs like pirated things (we all know what things!!), etc...

So, recently, we went up to the Batu Ferringhi Night Market which is famous for all the illegal chio'ng ciplak things. We need to restock our...errr...movie collections...You know la, Heroes season two is already in, House season four already in and seems like Supernatural season three is on the way. These are my favourite series la and I don't have time to wait for stupid Astro.

Also, we have missed so many movies such The Water Horse, Alvin and The Chipmunks and even Transformers. Ever since having my toddler, it is difficult to find time to go pakthor and watch movies....so we go for cheaper, easier option of home theatre la.

Of course, the Batu Ferringhi Night Market offers a lot of other things and not only the...errr..entertainment stuff. They have trinkets, decor items, chio'ng branded handbags, chio'ng branded clothes and more decor items.

It was not easy trying to take pictures of the stalls there because the stall operators are mostly very hostile. Perhaps they are worried about being caught 'red-handed' with pictures of them selling chio'ng things...

As you can see, we stick to taking pictures of things that are not chio'ng at all....Just no-brand things, some local, some made in Thailand and some Made in China.

Now, along that stretch, there is Long Beach Cafe which offers local hawker fare. It is also quite near my favourite..err..chio'ng entertainment stall. Eh, the stall sell very cheap you know! Only RM4 each and the quality, VERY GOOD. Always no problem with the err...things.

Choices: 8/10

Quality: 8/10

Price: 9/10

Here's Long Beach Cafe along the Batu Feringghi Night Market. See the Spring Roll stall? That's my favourite! Their spring roll is very good.

Review of Spring Roll: Crunchy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. The vegetables inside are nicely cooked and tasty. It goes very well with the sauce consisting of cut chillies and Lea & Perrins sauce.

Price: A bit pricey for a single spring roll, RM3 each.

Rating: 7/10

There are a lot of other stalls there selling a variety of hawker fare. Some are good, some are not. I have not tried all so can't give any ratings on that. The prices are quite reasonable considering it being a tourist spot. A plate of food could be priced from between RM3 and RM5 depending on what you order.

Oh, there is also a stall selling presumably Haagen Daaz ice cream at RM7 a scoop. Well, trust me, it is ice cream but it is definitely NOT Haagen Daaz! It taste nothing like Haagen Daaz! It is either they use some other higher quality ice cream to pass it off as Haagen Daaz or it old stock taken at a cheaper price from Haagen Daaz, thus the taste a bit out.

The stupid minister opens her mouth again and syok sendiri

2008-04-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

So, the minister Azalina Othman was in town and gave some really strange, if not stupid, announcements....

Looks like she has appointed the person who screwed up tourism in the state in the past to be the chairman of Penang Tourism Action Council. Now, I am sure, all of you know Mdm Kee Phaik Cheen?

That woman is known to make long, long trips overseas in the pretext of promoting Penang and come back with expensive, designer items for herself. Ahhh...we all know who benefited the most from her trips, it was definitely NOT Penang!

So, now she is back. I guess, PTAC is in very good hands and will be organising more trips overseas huh?

Then the new tourism minister started babbling about getting rid of syok sendiri programmes in the country.

Wah, minister, we know you always do things syok sendiri but why lah you start potong stim for others who want to syok sendiri?

She seemed to think that certain tourism events are merely 'syok sendiri' so the ministry will no longer support nor organise such events.

"We are only interested in major events which bring in foreign tourists and benefit the whole industry." she reportedly said.

Ah, so. And who is the expert to know which programme bring in tourists and which does not?
Don't tell it's the minister who blew millions on a facility to 'train' Malaysian footballers in UK?

Oh right. That incident was a mistake and this time she has supposedly wised up by:

1.Cutting off the tourism action councils of five states from the state government

2. Announce new chairmen, who may or may not be good, for the councils

3. Announce no support for any tourism events except those sanctioned by her...err..the ministry with a 'syok sendiri' rating as the judging factor.

So, how do you see the tourism industry in Penang in future? Well, looks like the state's soon to be formed Penang Tourism Council will have to work doubly hard to promote tourism events, syok sendiri or otherwise, and raise their own funds. The dyke has spoken in no uncertain terms that there will not be any support from the federal.

Meanwhile, PTAC will probably become what it used to do before Teng Chang Yeow took over in 2004 and turned it around a bit. It will now serve as nothing but a front for Kee to travel worldwide to shop...err...promote Penang. As for funding channeled through PTAC, the state can probably say goodbye to all that and they are better off raising their own funds.

The fat lady has sung and she ain't parting with her money till 'she is certain that it is spent properly' - meaning masuk someone's pockets lar....

Hmmm....is it me or do I sense a foreboding looming in the horizon especially for the tourism industry in Penang? Sigh, poor tourism exco Danny Law, he has some interesting times ahead of him.

Looking for study options or looking for food?

2008-04-24T02:47:00.000-07:00

Well, there's a 'My Career and Education Fair 2008' at Pisa this weekend so if you are thinking of furthering your studies or wondering what you want to be other than being a blogger, head on over to the fair.

I won't know if it's any good because I haven't been to any of these things for ages! I am way beyond help when it comes to education...heheheh

Also, for those hungry ghosts out there, there's a charity food fair coming up this Sunday. It is a two-in-one event. You get to eat and you get to help cancer patients! What a deal. Seriously. Okay, okay, so the eats aren't free but hey, it is to help poor cancer patients and you have to eat right?

So, don't forget to go to:

Ho Chiak Charity Food and Fun Fair 2008

Venue: Mount Miriam Hospital

Date: Sunday, April 27

Time: 10am - 3pm

As a bonus, all of you who wants to meet the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng may get to see him there! I heard he is officiating the fair at 10am.

If you don't know how to go there, just call 04-8907044 for directions. Or check out their website at: www.mountmiriam.com.

Anwar Ibrahim to be Prime Minister on Malaysia Day...or not....

2008-04-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

I am wondering if Anwar Ibrahim has other things up his sleeves by making predictions like this one? Every so often, I kept reading that he has the numbers to take over the federal government and he will do it soon.

And now, out of the blue, he names a date. Sept 16 to be exact (read the news below).

I am beginning to doubt that if his words will ever come true. Now, before all the Anwar supporters start throwing stones at me, let me make this clear. I don't mind Anwar being Prime Minister. Heck, he would probably be a better one than the current fumbling mumbling one.

I am beginning to doubt that he is able to take over because all this time, he has said he had the frogs all ready. So, where are they? Why not make the jump now? Why wait for so many other months?

Or were the frogs getting jittery with second thoughts?

I guess all this will unravel in time but in the meantime, doesn't it just bug you that Anwar keeps harping on it but there were no real action?

Taken from The Star:

Anwar: We have the numbers, however, we’re in no rush to replace Barisan

By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: The Opposition coalition of Pakatan Rakyat is in a position to form the federal government and it will be done no later than Malaysia Day which falls on Sept 16, claimed Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Repeating that they have the numbers and were in no rush to replace Barisan Nasional, the former deputy prime minister said yesterday that it would all be in the timing of the announcement.

“God willing, we will be there. If not next month, the following month, then if not June or July, (it will be) on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not go beyond that,” he told reporters on arrival in Sabah.

As to when exactly the announcement will be made, Anwar said discussions with the Pakatan parties were needed because Umno and Barisan were known to be rough on those intending to move.

“They are using threats and intimidation. I am for example being monitored more closely now,” said Anwar, adding that he would not be discussing with the Barisan MPs interested to move while he was in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said he has his way of discussing with Barisan MPs who have given their commitment to team up with Pakatan.

“My discussions could be done in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong although it might sound like a joke,” added Anwar, who thanked the Barisan MPs for their commitment to cross over. He said Pakatan was ready to take in political parties from Barisan if they subscribed to the Opposition coalition agenda for the country.

On Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman’s claim that all state leaders were loyal to Barisan, Anwar said: “He (Musa) must know that he does not have all the members he claims to hold now. If he wants to know, I can meet him privately and tell him.”

He said Sabah and Sarawak MPs were keeping the Barisan afloat but were saddened that they were not given due recognition by Umno, which was dictating terms from Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar said he was not making offers of any monetary kind or of personal positions for anyone crossing over as claimed by Barisan but was here to assure PKR’s commitment to Sabahans in addressing issues ranging from higher royalty to problems of illegal immigrants.

Anwar later spoke to a gathering at a ceramah held at the Hongkod Koissan cultural hall here and is scheduled to fly to Sarawak today.

And so the blame game starts with Keng Yaik going first

2008-04-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

Why, why, why won't they just let this whole Datuk Lee Kah Choon-joins-PDC & InvestPenang-quits-Gerakan matter rest?

Just give the man a break la. I mean, you force him to quit your stupid party by giving him a show cause letter and now, you call him an opportunist. What a load of horse manure!

And that old man has the nerve to be angry. Woi, why don't you go back to whatever hellhole you came from and jaga cucu instead of butting your nose where it's not needed?

Read about KY's response here:

From Malaysiakini.com -

Angry Keng Yaik calls Kah Choon an opportunist

Andrew Ong | Apr 24, 08 2:16pm

Former Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik has criticised former protegé Lee Kah Choon for lacking principles by seeking greener pastures with the new Penang Pakatan Rakyat government.

“This young man (Lee) is not willing to struggle anymore. He is trying to take short cuts. Don’t tell me he is not in active politics anymore. He is still very much in it, but now, with a DAP agenda,” he said.

Speaking during a press conference after addressing a forum in Kuala Lumpur today, Keng Yaik dismissed suggestions that Lee’s resignation was a loss for the party.

“No. The sooner you can see the (real) face the better. No principles. No spirit of struggle and wants to take the easy way out,” said Keng Yaik.

Describing himself as a “disappointed and angry old man” over the matter, Keng Yaik said he shouldered the blame for grooming Lee as a prominent leader in the party.

“I’m disappointed and angry because he was picked by me. (Acting Gerakan president Dr Koh) Tsu Koon should not be blamed,” he said.

Lee left the party yesterday following the party’s decision to issue him a show-cause letter for accepting Pakatan’s’ offer to helm InvestPenang and Penang Development Corporation.

Previously, Lee had quit all his party posts, including that of deputy secretary-general, in view of the party’s disastrous performance in Penang in the March 8 polls.

Guan Eng cunning

Keng Yaik said Lee’s appointment to the two posts were glaring examples of how the Pakatan state government lacked capable leaders to run the state.

He described efforts by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to rope in Lee as a form of “poaching” which he also repeatedly described as “froggy politics”.

“And Guan Eng has the gall to say that this is a ‘new era’ of politics. My foot! He is a far more cunning politician than his father or Karpal Singh.

“I don‘t think his father or Karpal would approve of (Guan Eng‘s) effort. This was the kind of things (crossing over) they were shouting (in protest against) when we were in power,” said Keng Yaik.

Incidently, it was reported in the New Straits Times yesterday that Karpal had voiced disapproval of Guan Eng for offering the posts to Lee and that the move was “just not sound”.

And hurray to CM Lim Guan Eng for his ultra cool response to all this shitty shenanigans by the soreloser BN fellas. News also from Malaysiakini:

Penang CM unperturbed by uproar over Lee's appointment

Soon Li Tsin | Apr 24, 08 2:32pm

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today said he had not anticipated any controversy in offering former Gerakan top leader Lee Kah Choon a position to lead the state’s investment agencies.

He added that the Barisan Nasional leaders, including the prime minister and several Gerakan leaders, were acting like sour grapes by objecting to Lee’s decision to take up the appointment as director in the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and InvestPenang on Monday.

Lim, also the DAP secretary general, said that he was not perturbed by these objections, some of which came from within his own party, and will continue to keep welcoming people who share similar philosophy with the state government.

He also said that he never asked Lee to leave Gerakan in order to take up the appointment.

Yesterday Lee said that he was quitting Gerakan as it emerged that the party was contemplating action against him for working with the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

He had previously resigned from all party posts after Gerakan’s annihilation in Penang at the hands of the opposition in the March 8 general election.

Datuk Lee Kah Choon is no longer a Gerakan member!

2008-04-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, I guess the Gerakan fellas are now happy that Lee Kah Choon has been forced to resign as a member of Gerakan.

What I really do not understand about this whole debacle is the huge pointless fuss over Kah Choon's appointment as a director in InvestPenang and PDC.

He no longer holds any position in Gerakan. FFS! He is only a mere member and the stoolpit party wants to take disciplinary action against him for becoming a director in two corporations??

So, does this mean all Gerakan ordinary members are not allowed to work in the civil service? Hey, they are serving the state government also wat, why not issue show cause letters to them too?

You mean to say from now onwards, the party affiliations of people are more important than their abilities, capabilities and efficiency in helping the development of Penang?

All this crap by the BN losers may make good reading material and even received with glee by observers waiting to see fireworks happen but I feel that it is time for them (the BN) to wise up and mature!

I mean, come on. Use your brain and think. Shouldn't you as political leaders be concentrating on helping the people and the development of the state instead of waddling knee-deep in shit like this?

What is the point of all this furore anyway? What is so wrong about a person extending his hand out to help others or in this case, a capable leader like Lee Kah Choon extending his experience and capabilities to help the state?

So, it is more important for the party to 'save face' is it?

And please, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, you are way out of line to be hitting below the belt by name calling! Calling Lee inexperience is by far the worst thing you could have done!

May I ask you, Dr Koh, were you VERY EXPERIENCED when you took over as Chief Minister all those years ago?

Were you VERY EXPERIENCED when you took over the helm of PDC then?

I do not think so.

So, please, don't throw stones when you live in a glass house and another thing, Lee Kah Choon is a way better man than you ever could be because he graciously turned your criticism around by saying that he will use it to prove you wrong!

I didn't hear him calling you names.

Sigh...the state of maturity of our politicians, except for some Pakatan Rakyat fellas and the few BN fellas (or former BN) like Lee Kah Choon, leaves much to be desired.

When will they ever learn that politics is not about 'I would die for my party' but 'I would die serving the people'?

Tasty Spiced Fried Chicken

2008-04-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Spiced Fried Chicken

All the previous political posts had made me hungry so I binged on these succulent fried chicken! Although I used to be a fan of KFC, I now only eat hawker-style fried chicken or I-fry-it-myself-style fried chicken. Heck, the fried chicken pieces in KFC are shrinking so much I think the next time I go, the fried chicken will be no bigger than my thumb!

So, I went around trying quite a few roadside stalls and hawker stalls at hawker centres selling fried chicken till I find a few that I really like. Which is not many. Somehow, finding the perfect fried chicken is akin to the excuse people use for masturbation - it is better to do it yourself! Heh.

Anyway, I was very, very lazy to de-frost the chicken, season it, heat up the oil, fry it and clean up the whole oily kitchen after that so I had to rely on hawkers to get my fried chicken fix.

Again, TH, my number one foodie partner, recommended this fried chicken stall tucked away at the Hillside Astaka / food court. The guy's open only at night, from around 7pm onwards and sorry, I didn't know what day he tutup since TH is the one who went down to get the chicken for me while I...er...jaga kereta. And being a non-blogger, he didn't bother to ask the guy details, like operation time, days, address, etc...

Anyway, these spiced fried chicken should not be mistaken as the ciplak version of KFC's hot and spicy chicken. When I say spiced, it is in the context of spices, not chili. The fried chicken is crunchy on the outside although it don't look it and the flesh inside is just tender, soft, juicy and oh-so-tasty! Yummmm....

Prices aren't that cheap but it is quite reasonable, RM2 for each piece of chicken breast or wing, RM2.50 for the drumstick and if you are into chicken butt, it is five for RM2.

Rating: 8/10

Taste: Hint of spices, crunchy outside, juicy and soft inside, just salty enough to tingle the tastebuds

Definitely recommended as a side dish to whatever you are having, or just as a snack.

A Word of Warning: Contains fat and probably cholesterol too but for this saliva-inducing taste, I don't care!

The Datuk Lee Kah Choon saga continues with updates...

2008-04-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Latest Update:

Gerakan has issued a show cause letter to Lee Kah Choon to ask him to explain his decision in taking the two posts.

According to former CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Lee's actions 'are in contravention with the principle and spirit of this general directive of the party'.

Wah, so it was the principle and spirit of the party NOT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF PENANG lar? Ahhh...now I see the light. No wonder la, Gerakan didn't do shit for Penang!

This show cause letter was as I expected. I wouldn't put it past them sore losers to simply get rid of Kah Choon with flimsy excuses such as this. Everyone knows that Koh has a bone to pick with Kah Choon over some internal party squabbles not long ago.

Also, Kampung Pakcik Pak Lah must be very nyanyuk already as he seemed to either have changed his words or The Star decided to change his words. This is according to this blog entry. Thanks to LC Teh for the link!

AND underneath all this furore over the whole thing, there were rumours flying around that Kah Choon may be joining Pakatan Rakyat as it seemed the two posts he is sitting in were reserved for Pakatan Rakyat member. I don't know the truth of this rumour but I do know that Kah Choon has insisted that he is still a Gerakan member and that's that.

He had also insisted that 'Politics is history for me' so perhaps he is really giving up politics for good and moving into the corporate world. Who really knows?

Original post:

Why won't they just leave well alone? What's done is already done and why the heck must everything be dragged through the political mud? Can't a leader take a stand to serve the people no matter what?

Shiissshhh, it really makes me wonder at the mentality, intelligence and maturity of some of our politicans here.

So, it is quite shocking actually to hear Kampung Pakcik Pak Lah spouting something with more common sense than the likes of Lim Keng Yaik! Just look at the red bold lines of the quoted news from Malaysiakini below.

News From Malaysiakini:

PM: Up to Gerakan to decide on Lee

Andrew Ong | Apr 22, 08 10:37am

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would leave it to Gerakan to act against its former deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon, who has accepted a director’s post in the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and InvestPenang.

Gerakan, a component party in Barisan Nasional (BN), had been leading the Penang government up to the March 8 general election, when it fell into Pakatan Rakyat (PR) hands.

“It is for the party to decide. It is up to Penang BN to do what they want. For me, it’s okay as long as there is no clash in policy,” he said at a brief press conference after attending a function in Kuala Lumpur today.

“Perhaps this opens ways for cooperation (between BN and PR).”

Abdullah, who is also BN chairperson, was commenting on Lee’s acceptance of the offer to join the two key investment development agencies in the Penang government.

Yesterday Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the central committee would convene a meeting on Sunday to discuss Lee’s move.

Lee, formerly the member of Parliament for Jelutong, had resigned from all party posts after Gerakan’s humiliating defeat in Penang in the March 8 general election.

Abdullah’s response today was unexpected, given that his deputy Najib Abdul Razak had told the press yesterday that Lee’s action was “against the spirit of Barisan Nasional”.

Wow, it was almost unbelievable that the PM is talking about ***gasp!!*** cooperation between BN and Pakatan Rakyat!!!

So, will BN take disciplinary action against PM for even daring to voice such a statement which could almost equal to blasphemy????

Oh right. Forgot about the double standards here. It is perfectly alright for them to say whatever they want but for others, it is ISA and a threat to the national security!

On another note, WTF on the piece of news below! Anyone used the Penang bridge recently? The jams are much thicker than any homemade mixed fruit jam in all the world!

So, why the delay with the second bridge?

This really sucks big hairy pigs trotters!

They could have easily cut down the expenditure if they cut down all the middlemen, the middlemen of the middlemen and the coordinator of the middlemen of the middlemen! As with all mega projects, it is mostly over priced due to all this unnecessary commissions and mark-ups to shadows and stuffs....

Also taken from Malaysiakini:

Second Penang bridge delayed?

To another question, Abdullah said “a lot” of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan are undergoing review.

However, he would not confirm or deny reports that the construction of the second Penang bridge has been delayed for another nine months.

Instead, Abdullah said the federal government is reviewing the bridge design and looking at the increase in the cost of construction materials.

According to The Edge Daily, the cost of the project has ballooned from RM3.6 billion to RM4.3 billion and is being scrutinised by government-appointed consultants.

The report said the new state government, which oversees land matters, wants to bring down the cost to make it cheaper for motorists to use it eventually. This may include a possible realignment of the bridge.

Did Chow Kon Yeow screw up the local council appointments?

2008-04-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

I was reading a post (Powerful corporate interests penetrate Penang local councils) over at Anilnetto's blog on the appointment of the councillors for the local councils here and it reminded me of this whole ugly issue.

Initially, I was very reluctant to blog about it coz it seemed like a can of inedible worms that I do not feel like dealing with...however, the way the exco in charge, Chow Kon Yeow, reportedly reacted to all the negativity and criticisms made me change my mind.

He had reportedly said that all this criticisms about the choice of councillors are undermining the state government's efforts. It seemed that all these criticisms (mainly in the Chinese dailies) meant that (according to Kon Yeow) they (the Chinese dailies) are putting undue pressure on the new state government and are not providing the 'support' the state government needs at this early stage.

Furthermore, he compared the current system to the BN system and wondered why nobody complained about the BN's system which does not open up for NGOs at all.

Err...YB Chow Kon Yeow...are you high on drugs or were you just daft or plain stupid?

Weren't you the one to promise 10 councillors post to the NGOs but now there are only 7? And by NGOs, shouldn't you be thinking about a variety of NGOs and not just the business ones? Also, why the secrecy in the selection process?

So, is it so wrong for the public to demand for explanations when you did not fulfill your promises? Is it wrong for the public to demand for 'transparency and accountability', the very things the Pakatan Rakyat has always been harping on?

The people voted for Pakatan Rakyat for a reason and that is to see good and major changes. Not some half-hearted attempt!

Sure, you may say it is only for this term and that you had to rush through the selection process. These are just lame excuses that nobody could swallow.

Just think, your first chance to shine and you blew it, you think the people are just going to let this go?

Just admit that you screwed up this time and you won't do it again and perhaps, the people will be a tad more forgiving. They may even let this go. But no, you had to go on and on about how there are now 7 from NGOs as compared to none previously.

You see, Penangites aren't all that demanding and unforgiving. We aren't all that stupid too. We know how BN run things, you don't have to point that out repeatedly. What we want now is to know how you, the Pakatan Rakyat government, plan to run things.

A promise is a promise. Regardless of whether it is short of 3 or even 1 from the originally promised number of 10, it is still a promise. And didn't DAP always say that it will keep its promises made to the rakyat?

It has only been a month plus since you took over the helm and Pakatan Rakyat is still very green. Why don't you just come clean about how you selected the councillors and let the public be the judge of whether you did this in the interest of the people and council or in the interest of the party?

For isn't transparency and accountability the two main words you, the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat, have been preaching? Where is it now when criticisms and demands for explanations appear?

So, YB Chow Kon Yeow, I hope you have credible answers instead of the lame excuses you gave. It is the only way for you to redeem the respect you lost in this whole debacle.

Datuk Lee Kah Choon is a Superman!

2008-04-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

At least, that is what Gerakan's Lim Keng Yaik has called Lee Kah Choon after learning of Kah Choon's appointment as director of PDC and InvestPenang.

Of course, old man Keng Yaik being typical Keng Yaik, he was full of sarcasm over the whole thing and had even wished Kah Choon the best of luck sarcastically. He seemed to think that it is impossible for Kah Choon to remain loyal to Gerakan while serving the Pakatan Rakyat state government, thus the Superman tag.

Well, KY, here's some news for you. Kah Choon is making a decision to serve the people of Penang, NOT Pakatan Rakyat. Is that wrong?

Kah Choon hopes to bring development to Penang for Penangites, NOT because of Pakatan Rakyat. Again, is that wrong?

Just enlighten us, oh former minister, how is it wrong for a strong, capable, intelligent leader to want to serve the people of Penang? He did not become a frog. He did not hop over. He remained as a Gerakan member.

He had even said he planned to be the sole Opposition man within to keep a close eye on the way Pakatan Rakyat runs PDC and InvestPenang. And you think that requires Superman abilities?

It is too bad that the fools and idiots in BN never realised the concept of a Trojan Horse. True, Kah Choon may not be doing this to infiltrate and destroy PDC and InvestPenang but he is indeed going in to keep a watch on them. To ensure they do not do any hanky-panky in there. Surely this is a good way to infiltrate the enemy's base camp? To be amongst them and ensure they do not go wrong and if the moment they make a wrong step, to make it plain and announce to the world.

Now, this is what I call strategy!

You can read all about what Keng Yaik said at the Malaysiakini article I had pasted below (especially for those who do not subscribe to Malaysiakini).

From Malaysiakini:

PDC: Keng Yaik wishes Kah Choon 'best of luck'

Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Apr 21, 08 3:58pm

Gerakan advisor and former president Lim Keng Yaik is, though not showing it, is shocked by former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon’s move to accept directorship of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and InvestPenang.

Describing it as a ‘lump in my throat’, Lim, when asked to elaborate further on what he thought of Lee’s move to spearhead PDC which is now under the control of a Pakatan Rakyat government, said that he has ‘only pity’ for the latter.

He, however, also said that he wished Lee the ‘best of luck’.

"Just five days after the general election, Lee requested that I have dinner with him and when I met him, he was telling me of his grand plans to revive the party’s image as well as plans to make the party a watchdog on the new DAP-led state government.

lim keng yaik 02"Now (after his recent move) Lee will face great suspicion from DAP members as he still is a Gerakan member and BN as well as Gerakan will also doubt his loyalty," Keng Yaik (left) told reporters at a hastily-convened press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Lee surprised both DAP and Gerakan members when he accepted Penang Pakatan Rakyat chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s offer yesterday to helm the PDC. The PDC and InvestPenang are investment development agencies of the state government.

Media reports have quoted Guan Eng as saying that he may be in for heavy criticisms for accepting ‘an enemy into the fortress’ though he added he was ready to explain his move to his party members.

Keng Yaik, however, said the hiring of a Gerakan strongman was part of DAP’s political game and it would only be to Guan Eng’s loss as the act would be seen as a ‘politically selfish move’ instead of a sincere effort to help the people of Penang.

‘Still politics involved’

"Lee’s appointment also shows that DAP lacks the necessary skilled people to run Penang and that DAP had to get an experienced, clean and transparent local leader like Lee to do the job," he said.

"I am proud of Gerakan. Lee’s appointment reflects the calibre of our party to produce good local leaders, something DAP cannot afford to do," said Lim who added that most of the Penang executive councillors (exco) were not locals.

koh tsu koonAsked if he thought Lee’s resignation as Gerakan deputy secretary-general last month was a hint that party president Koh Tsu Koon (right) should follow suit, Lim said it was possible.

"Of course. But if you think Koh Tsu Koon is going to resign, no way!" stressed Lim.

Asked if disciplinary action would be taken against Lee for accepting a Pakatan Rakyat government offer, Lim said that he was not in the position to determine this as he was no longer part of the party’s central committee line-up.

"I am not the president anymore. The party’s central working committee and the central committee will decide on Lee’s future," said Lim who then disclosed that the party’s central committee would convene this Sunday and could ‘possibly’ discuss Lee’s future in the party.

Asked repeatedly what he felt personally about Lee’s action, the former Gerakan president remained reserved and refused to divulge his personal opinion on the matter.

"There is still politics involved. If Lee can perform his job without pushing Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda further and still remain loyal to Gerakan, he is a superman," added Lim.

Closing the half-an-hour press conference, Lim said that all he could say to Lee was ‘best of luck’ stressing that he was not being sarcastic about it.

Cheap mouthwatering tea-time treats

2008-04-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm.....Apple Pie

Chicken Pie and Apple Pie

I have this thing for pastries and nothing hits the spot more than a wonderfully baked, crumbly and perfect chicken pie or apple pie!

TH found this stall and bought some of it for me to try and since then, I was hooked! These pies may be tiny but it sure do pack a punch in taste, flavour and most importantly, it is cheap too!

This is where you get the yummy Apple and Chicken Pies

The pies are stored in airtight containers

The little stall is just outside a coffee shop along Jalan Sungai Kelian in Hillside, Tanjung Bungah. He also sells mini cream puffs with real cream, not custard. These little bite-size delights are all homemade by the stall owner's relative, thus the great taste!

Just look at these tempting pies!

My review for the Apple Pie
- pastry is crumbly, buttery and melts in your mouth
- fillings are generous, just sweet enough and tasty

The nice friendly stall owner packing the pies for me

My review for the Chicken Pie:
- pastry is the same as the apple pie, it is crumbly, buttery and melts in your mouth
- fillings contain a few tiny pieces of chicken, peas and carrots, just the right amount for such a tiny bite-size pie

My review for the Cream Puff:
- pastry is soft and just the right consistency
- filling is real cream, not too sweet and when you bite into it, if fills your mouth with its creamy taste.

Snack rating: 7/10 - definitely recommended for teatime or just for the heck of it!

Price: 6 for RM3 (cream puff) / 5 for RM3 (pies)

Venue: Outside Chew City Cafe, Jalan Sungai Kelian, Hillside

Open: 8.30am - 11pm daily, close on Tues

Is Datuk Lee Kah Choon committing political suicide?

2008-04-20T02:07:00.000-07:00

So, the rumours of the past two days that Lee Kah Choon has taken up a position in PDC and InvestPenang were true after all!

Today, he and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has confirmed that Kah Choon is now a director in PDC and InvestPenang. He is also the head of the executive committee of InvestPenang.

For a former top Gerakan leader, it is very surprising news indeed! One wonders at what he has planned to make such a move as I am sure it will definitely anger a lot of Gerakan faithfuls. After all, him going on board with two bodies under the current state government could only be termed as 'selling out' or worse, 'traitorous'.

Many said his move is akin to political suicide as it was almost a no-no for a Gerakan fella to be helping out the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which is now considered as the number one arch enemy of the party.

Just look at how many party members had started calling Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon, former exco, names and for not having principles just because he took part in a Pakatan Rakyat programme, which, mind you is organised for the public and not the party!!!

From a normal, apolitical citizen point of view, I personally feel that both what Kah Choon and Kin Woon did were by far the best things that a politician can do. After all, they are putting the people's interest first and foremost and not whatever party they belong to! Isn't that what we want in a political leader? To look out for our interests and not their party's interest?

Look at Kah Choon, he gave up all his posts in Gerakan a few weeks ago and when this offer came up, he considered it and took it in the interest of Penang.

I know, some may say he is in on it for the money but hey, he is a former lawyer. He could easily make more money practising as a lawyer than becoming a crummy director of a company. Also, since PDC and InvestPenang is now under Pakatan Rakyat, you think it is that easy to makan duit? I doubt it. He'd only get a monthly fix salary.

So, I feel that Kah Choon is sincere in wanting development for Penang. Of course, I also have an inkling of a suspicion that he did this to anger the Gerakan leadership. It is a known fact that he had a feud with the acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

On the other hand, Kah Choon could be doing this to build his grassroots base. He is still a Gerakan ordinary member. And he has said that he could still provide the check and balance as an opposition man within the two bodies. Meaning, he is inside the two profitable bodies and he is there to ensure no hanky panky went on in there.

There were also rumours that Kah Choon could be one of those within Gerakan who were really pissed off with the party for kowtowing too much to Umno. It was heard that this group had wanted the party to separate itself from BN and stand by itself but they failed miserably because those who wanted to remain as servants to Umno outnumbered them. However, I could not get any of my sources to confirm this rumour. If you know anything about this, I want to know!!

Kah Choon is one of the Gerakan leaders whom I have a modicum of respect for as he is hardworking, does not hold back in criticising the government and most of all, he is efficient in whatever he does.

So, in summary, I think Kah Choon has something more complicated up his sleeves than just settling down as a director for two investment bodies. We will have to wait and see just what it is before he reveals all his cards!

After all, Kah Choon is a well-known intelligent political strategist.