They felt the pinch

HA! So now the people are getting fed-up with the political turmoil infested in our society. Lies, deceive and prejudice. That's just the very few of what is and had happened since 8th March 2008. Well I had to admit, it was pretty entertaining hearing hearsay about how politicians react to allegations flung at them. But somewhere in the middle, things need to stop like what others had been saying for the past two (2) days and I don't have to repeat them. Its too much at stake to stall the economy, furthermore we are at the brink of facing a recession at a global scale anytime amid the United States subprime mortgage crisis still looming around. Danger is just by a stone throw away.

Since the liberalisation of the price ceiling for steel and other building materials, beginning of the year by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), the price has fluctuated to historical high figures. Another gigantic atomic bomb released on the construction industries (First was the petrol & diesel price). Everyone wants a free market, to be able to play at a pace without the intervention of government policies. But that had cause a stall in the construction industries. Contractors and sub-contractors are now facing a tough time trying to adapt to the change of price climate. Some had even abandoned their projects because the cost is just unbearable. Their economies of scale had been threaten. Moreover with the recent mid-term review of the 9th Malaysian Plan by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Mohammad Nor Yakcop, Second Finance Minister, more government projects are bound to be put on hold or scrap, besides those listed by the Finance Ministry. If so, with the shocking increase in petrol & diesel price (by 40% and 63% respectively), scraping of government mega projects and increase in electricity tarrif (up by 30%), our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2008 will definitely experience a fall out from our current position (38th) with an amount of 186,482 million of $USD (186,482,000,000), not to mention our purchasing power is now already cranked up. Politics are based on perception but economics are based on numbers that do not lie. Therefore, we are in for a deep shit!

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Malacca 3D/2N & Genting Highlands 2D/1N

This will be one of those long post. I've been out for a week non-stop, so the stories are quite alot. So to start, is about the Malacca trip from 30th June 2008 till 2nd June 2008. I joined the engineering people from Monash for a 3D/2N to A Famosa Resort near Alor Gajah. Our mode of transportation was simple, cars. Three (3) cars drove by undeniably experienced drivers (Lam, Yong Hao & Kok Bing). Fourteen (14) people went for this trip, which are consist of thirteen (13) engineering undergrads and one (1) business undergrade (Thats me). Quite pathetic to see it this way, on the other hand out of fourteen undergrads, six (6) are from S7. Anyway those who were there are Jo Wee, Kar Kien, Lam, me, Chen Siang, Chou Xie, Carryn, Pei Chern, Andrew, Yong Hao, Daniel, Chieh Ai, Tom, and Kok Bing.

Monday, 30th June 2008

Early Monday morning around 9.55 a.m., 30th June, Chen Siang came to my house and we followed Lam to fetch Carryn, Andrew and Pei Chern. Met the rest infront of Monash free parking zone. Then the route to Malacca was decided, using the Elite Highway straight up to Alor Gajah, lead by Kok Bing. After entering Alor Gajah, Lam took the lead to A Famosa Resort. I was in Yong Hao's MyVi, "BJU XXXX" along with Chou Xie, Carryn and Andrew. Slept in the car and discuss about "someone's" "sum xi" ("Someone" is to protect the anonymity of that person). Anyway the journey wasn't really long, approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes. Reached to A Famosa resort then was told that the bungalow is yet to be available, so waited for awhile, then checked-in, unload the baggages. The bungalow has one (1) medium size swimming pool, 4 rooms and a kitchen without any cooking utensils-no pots and pans & stove. Only an electric water boiler like those seen in hotels was provided and a medium size fridge and of coarse with a sink as well. After admiring the bungalow, we headed out to Tampin for some food, however to our dismay we payed a visit to a horrible taste and overly charged hawker centre. In my mind, the food is just "to fill up my growling stomach". I ordered a "chao mien" (fried noodle) and I (including Kar Kien) expected the mee to be dried because it stated the word "fried", but it came out to be wet "fried noodle". Anyway just eat only, then next I ordered "Chao Kueh Tiaw" (Fried kueh tiaw). I ordered small and it came out to be damn small and damn costly-for both fried noodle and fried kueh tiaw. Again its just to "fill up my growling stomach". After that hurried back-to the bungalow cause the weather doesn't seems to pleasing (was drizzling). Reached back then changed to comfortable clothes to play some sports. Well everyone was pratically unsure of what to play. Ideas ranging from football, monkey ball and even "water & ice" we tried. To be honest, first round of water & ice, most of us were already exhausted like hell. Though its childish but the amount of energy used up while running really was tiresome. After that back to the bungalow for some cards game and later changed/ bathed (Some didn't bath caused lack of time, as the dinner buffet starts at 7p.m.-9.30p.m. and I was one (1) of them) to go for dinner buffet. The buffet is not very far from our bungalow but still requires some driving. Reached there, was told the price is approx. RM45 plus. But Lam bought some RM50 vouchers for half price, practically the dinner buffet cost only half the price which is RM23 plus. The spread was simple, typical & ununique. Being the typical Malaysian, we took only the most expensive food that can be seen, mussels, salmon and lamb. Example of how cheap we are, is when the new and freshly prepared mussels came out from the kitchen, I told them and myself took about 2 of it, the rest Andrew "pau-ed" leaving nothing behind. Anyway the mussels came out like around ten (10) at one time. Doesn't taste good at all. The best is only the black paper marinated lamb chop served together with springy carbonara spaghetti. As far as I know, Lam and I shared the same opinion of going with black paper lamb chop with carbonara spaghetti. We ate till 9 p.m. and make our way back to the bungalow. Overall the buffet that in actual price cost RM45 plus is totally not worth it but after discount till half price, ok la. Back in bungalow, the remaining bathed and it was time for cards game ranging from "Big Two (2)" or popularly known as "Cho Tai Di" in Cantonese till the famous S7 "Murderer". The game "murderer" is already assimilated into S7 culture (The other is having to wait and stand for a very long time before making any decision of where to eat EVERYTIME!- S7 dudes will understand this). Every trip since the August 2007 Genting trip, January 2008 Langkawi trip and now June/July 2008 Malacca trip, we played the "murderer" game.

*The rules of this game is simple and can also be hard and it requires good skills of deceive and talking*
~Lets take the amount of players to be thirteen (13) in my case with one (1) game master. The game master's role is to guide the entire game whereby issuing the time for assassins, spies, doctor and the civilians to arrise. Out of the thirteen (13) players, there will be 3 assassins, 2 spies and 1 doctor with 7 normal civilians randomly selected based on the card one receives. Occasionally, there will be three (3) As card representing the assassins, two (2) Kings card representing the spies, one (1) Jack card representing the sole doctor and the rest numbered cards representing normal civilians. The game is devided into the normal civilians team (consist of normal civilians, spies & doctor) against the assassins team (consist of the tree assassins). Assassins aim is to kill at least 5/6 victims (includes spies and doctor) and the civilians team aim is to eliminate all three (3) assassins. The game starts by the game master distributing a card each to every player. Without revealing to anyone, the players will now know their role based on the cards received (As,Kings,Jack or numbered cards). The game master announces everyone to sleep (close their eyes untill told to open by the game master) . Then the game master again announce only the assassins to wake (open their eyes) to decide without uttering a single word to chose whom their victim is (only one is selected per round). Then assassins will sleep and spies will wake to chose who to spy on (only one is selected and the game master will show a hand sign representing whether the targeted suspect is an assassin or not). The spies sleep and the doctor awake to chose who to heal. The objective of the doctor is to heal the targeted victim of the assassins. Therefore the role of a doctor is quite stressful especially when he/she fails to save a victim and later heavily criticised. After that the doctor sleeps and the game master announce everyone to wake and declare whether it is "a bloordy night for someone had died and it is ..." or "it is a safe night for nobody is dead". If the doctor manages to safe the correct person (most probably by chance) then no one is dead. Then it will be discussion time by all thirteen (13)- (13 players, if no one is killed by the assassins or not it'll be only twelve (12) players left) players to decide who the suspected assassins might be. This is where the act of deceive and convincing skills are heavily required to debate who the suspect might be and finally a vote is conducted to declare that the chosen player is out of the game and will remain silence for the rest of the game untill a winning team (normal civilians or assassins) is decided by the game master depending on who reaches their respective objective faster.~
So during that game, first few round nearly all the veteran players was kicked out (me, Lam, and Chen Siang). Finally at the end of that game, Kar Kien was one (1) of the killer and he orchestrated to take all veteran players out to solidifies his position to achieve his objective- (killing 5/6 victims). As you can see this game is not as simple as it seems, players might play a psychological warfare, and I have to admit that whether Chen Siang is or not a spy, he can really deceive people alot. Anyway, the reason I identify the aspect of this game is to give an inlook on the fun ways of trainning one skills that might be usefull in life, deceiveness!. Anyway I slept early that night, second to Carryn only. Then out of nowhere, around 3.30 a.m. , Andrew called me up to tell me its morning. Got fooled by him, lol. Next morning got "char-ed" by Lam. Ahaha!.

Tuesday, 1st July 2008
We planned to have breakfast in the Water Park in A Famosa Resort's 520 hectares of land. The price was RM10 per additional person, so in the end an additional of RM60 was payed because the bungalow itself included 8 pax of breakfast meals. The choices are typical Malaysia's nasi lemak, Western style (sausages, eggs,bread & baked beans) or congee (porridge). I chosed nasi lemak to suit my appetite of having spiced up food though its bad to have it early in the morning but wth right! Then we move on to enjoy the sunny day in water park, played at the wave swimming pool like the ones in Sunway Lagoon although Lagoon is much bigger, easily trice the size of the former. Then moving on to those slides. Nearly everyone easily got at least one mosquito bite. I got eight (8) swelling on my back, itchiness. Then there was this slide which is the famous nearly six (6) stories high one. There was two (2) way of coming down the six (6) story high structure, first is the open air one and the other sem-covered-tube which ended with a three (3) story vertically free fall (I was the first to try the latter and it was the BOMB!). Most of the rides are closed due to unpeak season. Only Middle Eastern populated the park because it was their semester school holidays. After that we ate lunch in the area as it was provided along with the entrance fee. As we were eating, we were occupied by friendly by seriously irritating flies and bees. One of the latter one entered into Chou Xie's cincau drink. By the way, the shower room has no doors, only a layer of curtain with no hooks to hook, so people can just easily peep into while you're bathing. Not hinting anything, just disseminating information out. Anyway it was back to the bungalow for a good rest for the day. Dinner we had junk food to satisfy ourselves, cause Kar Kien brought junk food (Maggi cup, Oreo biscuit, Tiger biscuit and other chips) that causenearly Rm95. Yeap we had that for dinner. Then a round of blackjack using UNO cards as chips (no money was really used) and also a few games of Speed. Suprisingly although we slept in the afternoon, but then everyone was so exhausted, so early to bed right after discussion on the plans for tomorrow. Visiting the Safari Park.

Wednesday,2nd July 2008
Didn't went for breakfast because it doesn't worth the price, besides, we still have plenty of Maggi cup unfinished. So Maggi cup again for breakfast. Mingle around till 12 p.m. then checked-out. Headed to Safari Park and enjoyed some repeated show that I saw some years ago with family. The bird show, multi animal show, cowboy show, etc. My perception of it is just so..so... . Went to monkey island, chicken farm & safari ride (all inside the sarfari park). Everything is typical stuff. Around 4.30 p.m. we left for Seremban highway rest and recreational stop. Ate some stuff there, by the way the food there was horrible. Then headed back to Monash. Departed. Followed Lam's car along with the same group who came with me, Chen Siang, Pei Chern, Carynn and Andrew. Reached home around 9 p.m. Exhausted!

Friday, 4th July 2008 (American independence day)
Went to Genting Highlands with Adrian, Kuan, Da Qiang and Hsiao Yinn for 2D/1N staying in First World hotel. Travelled there by bus from 1 Utama to Genting Skyway, then took the cable car up to Genting Highlands. Reached there find First World checked-in, then out we go jalan-jalan cari makan found Pizza Hut and ate there cost RM16 per person, tried a stupid shooting stimulation game that cost RM18 for 40 bullets- shoot wind only, and also a quite expensive RM12 per ride flying coaster only lasted one round totally not worth it and finally some arcade. Tried the Daytona in First World, Funtasy World, can't linked with other players. Got pissed and played some other games untill we got hooked with this basketball game. We played non-stop till hand like going to die. Then dinner went around seeking the price and ending eating at OldTown Kopitiam where the price is controlled (same as those found in Petaling Jaya) because other restaurant fluctuate their price uncontrollably. After that jalan around First World, then went back to hotel to continue gambling. Overall I lost nearly RM30, Da Qiang lost more then RM30, Hsiao Yinn & Adrian won like hell without any capital, and Kuan took the final sweeping. This trip although is only 1 night but spent like RM230.

Saturday, 5h July 2008
Went to breakfast with Kuan and Da Qiang, Hsiao Yinn & Adrian malas so never go down. The spread was simple, nasi lemak, mihun, red bean paste pao, orange and mango juice and typical bread. Wasn't impressive to me. After that went another round of arcade and finally stopping in Coffee Terrace for buffet lunch. The spread wasn't bad, quite impressive especially the desserts! Around 2.45p.m. went to take the Genting Skyway and waited for the bus till 3.30 p.m. Adrian fetch me back first. That was it. Actually the Genting promotion was really missleading, cause the Rm42 was suppose to include one-way trip for the bus and skyway and a choice of all park ticket or lunch buffet in Coffee Terrace. But the transportation and the lunch/all park ride must be on the same day. So we still got to forked out an additional RM8.50 for our transportation (bus from 1 Utama to Genting Skyway) to Genting, and the RM42 offer we purchased was for validity on 5th July 2008. All in all transportation for one (1) journey plus one (1) buffet lunch is RM42, additional fare to Genting (bus and skyway to Genting from 1 Utama) RM8.50, Pizza Hut lunch upon arrival RM16, Accomadation for one (1) night plus breakfast RM45, Shooting simulation RM18, Flying Coaster RM12, arcade easily approx. RM50 and gambling lost rounded to nearest is RM30, all in all RM221.50 spent. Quite expensive lo compare to what last year James Chai spent only RM20 to Genting Highlands for 1 night. XD. Not long after reaching home, around 6.45p.m. drove to Puchong to Bay's house for his farewell party, Adrian can't make it cause he got terrible headache (It started since we reached 1 Utama) and Da Qiang got urgency to do. So in the end I met there, Soo Gee, Ting Yu, and Loh. Left about 9.25p.m. One week out, totally exhausted. Pictures are abundant, later post la, lazy now. Planning to go mamak or kopitiam mayby sometime around this week, calling as usual Bay and Adrian and mayby Da Qiang, Ji Yung, Ross,etc.

The stupidity of Malaysian government

Are we viable enough to achieve Vision 2020 like what Mahathir Mohammad had promised during his tenure as Malaysia's 4th Prime Minister. To me, its becoming more of a vague promise. Oh my my, the act of heroism by Mahathir when he save us from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis by refusing delibrately to receive immediate financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank seems to be forgotten by time. His influence is just not that powerfull anymore, no more the ohmm in him. With the recent 12th General Election just passed when our "beloved" Malaysia's 5th Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rejected the speculated date of the dissolvement of Parliament only to give us a shock the next day by announcing the dissolvement of Parliament. Contradicting his own words and I have no bloordy idea does he even realised that. Secondly after the election, was the sudden announcement of "harga petrol naik" again when all along they fooled us by publicly declaring that petrol price will increase only in the month of August by earliest. Another so-called suprise action being taken by Badawi. Not bad, he got potential to be a liar. (Psst..., I haven't even touch on the issue of how he got Jeanne Danker to be Puan Abdullah, but I won't come to that because that is his private life) Then came to this issue about having to change the uniform of female school students, who the PAS people convey their disgust on how old man are being turn-on by these younger girls. To be honest with you, I felt like laughing loudly the moment I read that even now while typing this up. How stupid can a stupid person be? I wonder have they ever listen to Frank Sinatra's "My Way". A little freedom in spirit of democracy here perhaps would be vital to ensure that we are still on track to achieve Vision 2020 to be a developed country. The key difference why we are facing a mountain of task to accomplish Vision 2020 when other countries without Vision 2020 can achieve developed country status is because of people like them who talk bullshit and walk on cow shit. Oh ya i forgot, there is also the Lingam case "judge fixing scandal" with the Royal Commision of Inquiry being established to evaluate the authencity of the video clip taken by Loh Gwo Burne (MP of Kelana Jaya) and produce to the government and media by Anwar Ibrahim (de facto PKR leader). The whole scenario was just to prove that the person in the video clip is indeed Lingam himself and not another person who "looks like him, sounded like him but not him". If you take a stroll at the highest floor in Pyramid Subang Jaya new wing, you'll notice there is a Radioactive shop that sells shirts with those words printed on it. Nothing unique, but I think Radioactive is quite a popular brand (can be argue or counter-argue) and they are taking this new pick-up line from Lingam. I wonder do they pay him royalty? Next was the newly announcement to bar media into the Parliament. Is that called a move to promote transparent governance?
Some of these things might sound trivial (media barred) while some are seriously important (petrol price increase), but what I'm trying to shine here is that how can a government make such stupid moves in the first place. In my humble opinion, aren't every action done had been past through a series of check and scrutinisation before commiting to it. If a government policy is to be question massively by so many non-political parties, then what are they doing in the Parliament? Something must not be right for that to happen right? If things goes on like this how is it possible to see Malaysia achieve a developed country status via Vision 2020.

Was it a right decision to select business as my field game?

Exactly like the title says; Have I taken the correct move by picking up the business field as my game? Well many people had asked me or perhaps some "concern" people had asked me that why did I ever divert myself away from what I had been aspiring to do since my childhood days till the year 2007, which is engineering to business. Mayby "you" are blinded by pure naivism or you just can't see through my plans clearly. Nevertheless, my reason of coming to this particular conclusion is simple, I've predicted the future prospect of the business field. Lets take it down one by one;

• Firstly, engineering was indeed my first choice of profession since age 10 (I guess so). All this time I've been brainwashed by my father and mother to pick up engineering as my future profession, till the days when I'm done with SAM (South Australia Matriculation) at Taylors in 2007. The results of it, I have to admit wasn't really good, because of my foolishness of forgetting my responsibilities to study. Thats is totally my fault.
• Secondly, the papers that I had taken was English as a Second Language, Mathematics (first two are compulsary), Specialist Mathermatics (This is the killer of all), Physics and Accounting Studies. I fair terribly when it comes to Specialist Mathermatics, and I have to say that I'm pretty affraid now to handle sophisticated maths problem because that particular paper (Specialist Mathematics) really pulled me down real hard. On the other hand, I found out that Accounting Studies wasn't that bad at all, though I didn't scored well cause of the same reason, foolishness of forgetting my responsibilities to study (playful). That scenario had distanced myself from taking up engineering coarses. That was the catalyst of my change.
• Thirdly, was the given opportunity to work in my uncle's company, KJ Engineering Bhd. During those times, can't say much that I've done alot of things, but it was certainly an eye opener to the corporate world of business. Given the opportunity to see the difference of working requirements, conditions and payment (salary) between an engineer and an accountant. In the engineering field, I followed my ex-colleague-cum-mentor, Jenson a qualified electrical & electronic engineer, to several selected working sites, such as the refurbishment of the water cooling tank in UNITEN (University Tenaga Nasional) and also with Mr. Wong, manager of Tender Department (Roughly guess so, can't recall that much detail) at Precint 1, Putrajaya to see the instalation of the District Cooling System (DCS). This two (2) places was a major opporation for me because it was my first opportunity to see hands-on work especially at UNITEN with Jenson. But it also gave me a rough idea of what kind of working conditions that suit my style, because it was really frustrating to be working in a piping system room for chillers in UNITEN. The sound generated by the pumps was irritating my ears. Jenson told me that, this was not bad compared to working in a transformer room whereby the sound generated by the transformers sounded more like a whistling kettle, really make you doze off kind of sound. Therefore at that point of time, I drew a line that engineering was really way out of my league. But instead of questioning the reasons behind the functionality of the piping mechanism, I was more interested with the method that the dealings were made, because, Jenson told me that they want to obtain the project of installing a new water tank chiller for UNITEN, and if so why refurbishing the old ones. I ask him "is it a plan to show to UNITEN that KJ Engineering Bhd. has the capabilities of refurbishing the existing water tank, therefore making it a good impression to UNITEN that if they were to be awarded with that project, they could have performed better". He can't answer my question so I went and ask my cousin who is working there too, Melvin and he says "yes, thats what they are trying to do". Therefore that had further strengthen my reason for selecting the business field instead of the engineering field. My interest can be seen clearly towards business.
• Fourthly, I was more interested in reading through business articles then flipping technical booklets about engineering "substances". At first I was resentful with my decision of taking Prinsip Perakaunan (Principle of Accounts) during the end of form 4, but I guess passion drives me further to another step.
• Finally, anything in the world includes business, everything! Alright lets say you mayby becomes an engineer, but as you get promotion, you'll start to loose your technical skills and acquaire more conceptualise skills (which includes business management). As time passes by, you will be overlooking the entire department/organisation/ mulitple companies. If one was to be given an early background in business studies, wouldn't you say he/she would excell further. I'm looking at the long run prospect. The future.

I guess chosing this field wasn't a very bad idea afterall. At least I'm really confident of my goals. Its simple, to earn my first five digit salary by the age of thirty (30) in Australian Dollars, it may sound easy but to be really commited to it, that is a real challenge. After that, moving up to the position of CFO (Chief Financial Officer) by the age of forty (40) or by latest forty-five (45) -10 to 15 years time span for me to climb the corporate ladder. My wish is that to be one of the few youngest CFO for a/few huge multinational companies. After five (5) years then I hope to be the legitimate CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the current multinasional company. Its a dream yes it mayby, but a man lives by his dream. Salary wise, the end journey would be at large stake, either you get all or you loose all. Becoming a billionaire, it would be simple to purchase anything from hospitals to other companies to include into the companies subsidiaries lists. The long run prospect is definitely good. By chosing these field, it would be a tough road, because they are so many accountants in the world and only the best can make, it. For every one successful accountant, there will always be ten (10) who will fail and I am going to be THE ONE who will succeed.

Another statement that I wish to clarrify was a friend of mine who always convince me to study locally. I had made a stand to study abroad (Australia). Leaving a counrty to further study doesn't implies that I had forgotten my motherland. This is an opportunity that appears once in a live time, how could I let it slip through my fingers?! If my parents have the financial capacity to do so and I have the will to deliver, I would go for it. Learning in a foreign land, gives a person the understandibility to know different cultures. Lets put my case to the discussion; with me having the opportunity to study and graduate in Australia, that leaves me with the understandibility of not only my one county, Malaysia's culture but to also learn and perhaps to assimilate with the Australian culture as well. Upon graduation, would you as an employer wish to hire a locally fresh graduate or a fresh graduate from other countries. There is a higher chance that a fresh graduate from other countries would be able to perform better then the local one, that is already a fact. My job prospect is to be able to travel around for years before returning back to Malaysia to set up a family. Throw me anywhere, India, China, Vietnam, Dubai, Turkey, America, Australia, Saudi Arabia etc. I will be glad that my employer does that to me. Globalisation is the key to sucess. Therefore the benefits of exploting this once in a life time opportunity to study abroad MUST NOT! in anyway to be allow to slip through my fingers. Its not just about Malaysia, its about the world. Integration among members of the world. So I hope now that my "dear friend" could understand the reasons that I chosed my path for both the business field and the decision to study abroad. I will put everything at stake for me to forge this road into reality, you can have my word for that! UPSR, PMR, SPM and SAM are all play time, I guess the real game begins now. I have to confess, that during those times; well I never really put much effort into real studying but I still get quite good results (except SAM) : ) . Guess this is the real game. Call me naive if you want, but I'm just penning down (typing down) my true interior expectations of myself. "To exceed the capabilities and expectations of others" (Thum, 2008).

The heat is up once more (Round 2 FIGHT!)

By now I'm sure YOU've read the suprising breaking news announce momentarily ago. SAPP two (2) Member of Parliament planning to announce a vote of no-confidence to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on early Monday Parliament seating. This will (definitely) be a huge setback not only for the Barisan National regime but worst of all our economy. Foreign investors will immedietly pull out massive amount of capital investment upon the distability of our political landscape and the next think you know, KLCI drop again, FDIs drop all time low and worst still we'll be in the headlines in global news (CNN, BBC, CNBC, Financial Times, Al Jazeera News, ABC Australian News). It seems this would be a once and for all a predicted downfall for UMNO/BN. To an extend that they might just fall back to take the opposition seats for the current term till the 13th GE. But I'll said that all I want from UMNO is two (2) things in order for me to classify them as a relevant political party; eliminate all the members holding the top seats-positions (President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President,Secretary-General,etc)because they are all, irregardless of past contributions toward the country are now all considered to be corrupted-squandering on our country's rich and bountiful resources indiscriminately as you all know. Secondly would be to immediately remove the Malay agenda that had been playing on since the very existence of it. Merge MCA and MIC with UMNO into one party and NOT! a coallition party. Collectively proclaim the word bangsa Malaysia. We never need to segregate our own people. For goodness sake, would you discriminate your own children in the future? These two actions are insurmountable only because of certain quarters harbouring the benefits of reaping the richness of our nation through a divide and rule conquering style. To those bigot who question the likeliness of establishing a BANGSA MALAYSIA; what is there to fear when it has not been tested out yet. I see Malays eating in an Indian restaurants, Chinese in Malays restaurants, Indians in Kadazan restaurants, Iban in Punjabi restaurants, so where is the problem of having the bangsa Malaysia agenda.
At times of a global economy price crisis, more people are fearing of the sustainability of their family income, so if it takes a united political party to withstand the economical tsunami, I'll bet with my head on the table that everyone will give a "yes" to establish a purely Bangsa Malaysia political party. And I double dare my head on the table that we could utterly withstand this economical tsunami. The move by SAPP members is just the beginning of the change taking place. From what I've heard, members of UMNO are painstakingly suffering from the reformation taking place on our judiciary system and other economical mechanism that was tilled to enchance the flow of money in our country's economy. They have warned Badawi and Zaid Ibrahim (De facto law minister) that the move had caused their "money" to decline. This make Badawi to fall into a dilemma whether to gain the support of the people but loose the support of UMNO members or loose the people's support and risk being taken over by Pakatan rakyat and remain his position as the President of UMNO in future. Its disgusting to hear that despite the outcome of the 12th General Election results that there are still a number of UMNO pathetic so-called hero of the people members make such demand in light of a downturn in the world economy. That means all along our economy benefits were never distributed equitably and the people are the ones supporting the setback of the global economy despite Malaysia being an oil producing country. 650,000 barrels of crude oil are being produced daily by Petronas and 250,000 are sold at global market price above USD$130 and yet the profit harvested are still insufficient to cushion the impact. At times like this we need a calibre leader to eliminate the so-called hypocrites of the people saviour icon, through the use of politics as the medium of exchange. The world is talking about economy stability and we are still squandering here talking about races? How pathetic are our politiciants ; so called hero of the people. Anyhow with the change of perception among the SAPP people, its time for round two (2) for "Barisan Nasional Vs Pakatan Rakyat". The spilling effect from the 12th GE.

Red Cliff

Wow! Semester 1 finals done. 4 papers gone. what should I say...hmm...freedom? Exactly wow! At 11.45am, went to Taylor Business School with Esther and Melisa to fetch Gun, Wei Liang and Joseph to go to Pyramid for lunch. Ate KFC, actually was supposed to eat at Wendy's but there were so many people in there, majority was busines students from Monash. Yeap right after exam they too went for their celebration. Anwyay spent sometime in KFC, till we waited for the engineering students to come and join us. BUT later they said they don't want to come, cause too expensive to go to Pyramid, crisis. Anyway at last only Kar Kien came. So 7 of us was the official amount of S7 present there. After lunch, Gun took us go to the "In Q Box" shop, cause Esther and Melisa was talking about it while we're in KFC, and I never knew such shop existed in Pyramid. The concept is ; the items in the shop were supposedly to be custome made -individuals who modified a presented object based on their creativity, so every thing in there suposed to be different. The whole thing is that when you created something new and you want to sell it but you don't have a platform to promote your product so you go in to that shop, rent a box and let it be promoted by the shop itself. Then get paid for it and also pay a little amount of commission to the owner of the shop (the commission part I think got la, no idea just wild guess).
Anyway after that we went for a few rounds of Daytona, RM3 finish in like seconds of playing only. Money value had became so..so..so small nowadays. After that go home. Finish.
John Woo's film coming out on 31 July 2008. Battle of Red Cliff/ Romance of the Three Kingdoms/The Great Battle of Red Cliff/ Chi Bi; those are the titles of the movie. Watch the trailer a few times, cause it looks freaking good. Anyway in order for one to understand this show, one must posses a historical background knowledge of the entire show because there will be so many names to remember and each with its own distinct role to play for this particular battle.
To cut short, here is my simplified characteristics of each of the main character;
Cao Cao: Last Chancellor (Prime Minister) of China, he initiated the invasion to the South to unite the Southern Land (The Wu Kingdom). Therefore the whole battle of Red Cliff is about the battle that had taken place for Cao Cao's unfication plan. He summoned a naval armada consist of nearly 100,000 troops.
Zhou Yu: Viceroy, naval commander, external affairs minister, Supreme Grand Commander of the forces of Wu in the batlle of Red Cliff. He was supposed to withstand the attacks from Cao's army. He plan with Zhuge Liang to use fire as their superweapon during the war. He is married to Xiao Qiao.
Zhuge Liang: Future Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Shu, ,military advisor to Liu Bei. He was the envoy sent by Liu Bei to the Kingdom of Wu to form an alliance to takedown Cao Cao. He was bitterly jealoused by Zhou Yu for his astounding abilities in warfare. He had predicted the change of the South East wind during the battle whereby the wind had assist to spread the fire that he and Zhou Yu had planned to burn Cao's own armada.
Huang Gai: Veteran General that is currently serving under Zhou Yu's command. Loyalty towards the Wu Kingdom. He faked his surrender to Cao Cao, and instead he lead about 100 ships carrying dried hays and oil to be set aflame before knocking Cao Cao's chain ships.
Zhao Yun: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu. Close bodyguard to Liu Bei. He plays a vital role in securing the victory at Chi Bi and also later attempted to catch the fleeing Cao Cao under the orders of Zhuge Liang.
Lu Su: Main advisor to Zhou Yu. He plays a special role to bring together Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu who are both bitterly hatred against each other. He administered the stay of Zhuge Liang in the Kingdom of Wu. he would be the future successor of Zhou Yu to lead the Kingdom of Wu.
Sun Quan: Ruler of the Kingdom of Wu. Brother to SunShangXiang. He gave the entire naval command to Zhou Yu under the pretext of securing a victory in the battle of Chi Bi.
SunShangXiang: Youngest sister to Sun Quan. She attempted to join the battle against Cao Cao. She is later to be married to Liu Bei as a form of conspiracy to assasinate Liu Bei, but fail. She was living with Liu Bei untill one day her brother lied about the death of her mother (Dowager of Wu) to force her return to the Kingdom of Wu. After that, she never got the opportunity to meet Liu Bei forever as the kingdom of Shu and Wu was in constantly at war.
Xiao Qiao: Wife of Zhou Yu. She was greatly admired by Cao Cao who wanted her so much that, she was one of the coarse the battle of Chi Bi had taken place.
Ling Tong: Another calibre general under Zhou Yu.
Liu Bei: Imperial Uncle to the current Emperor. Future Emperor of the Kingdom of Shu. Husband of SunShangXiang. Sworn brothers of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
Guan Yu: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu. Sworn brother of Liu Bei and Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei: One of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu. Sworn brothers of Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

This is only the main characters in the battle and as you can see its already overwhelming with the numbers of it and their individual distinct roles. Can you imagine what would happen in the show that consist of so many other characters.

Leaving and coming

You know; when you hear from time to time, even during our schooling days that Malaysia's homebreed graduates are leaving the country to work other places that they seem to be able to recognise their abilities, compared to their own countrymen. Well I would agree perhaps half of it. Call me naive if thats in your mind, but take a deeper look at it; doesn't it seems more like globalisation is taking its coarse. Not to be surprise, but even our neighbouring countries like Singapore and Thailand is experiencing the same situation. If other countries are having (suffering) the same problem (lack of professionals) as we, its more likely to become a global problem. Well at the moment I can only think of is two (2) countries. If local professionals are leaving the country and foreign expatriates moving in, the problem of employment does not arrise. What I think for how the problem of local breed graduates leaving the country arrises is more of a nasionalism problem. By saying nationalism, what I meant was the local working class is not too happy to work with foreigners or in other words is they dislike having foreigners as their superiors. This form of egoism, spurs the situation into a problem, therefore in truth, there wasn't even a problem at all. More of a globalisation opportunity the way I see it, because what the locals need to see is the opportunity to learn, as learning is a lifelong process undeniably. Not being a xeno worshiper, but having expatriates would give the companies opportunities to manage the economy at the global standards. For example, the introduction of ISO (International Sistem Organisation) into our local companies system have cause them to gain tremendous recognition among the world top companies. Therefore, the very fundamental elements that construct this problem was never even existed but more of being speculated. There wasn't any shortage of professionals, more of a national pride problem. Elimination of border lines is the best to equate to globalisation. Alright if you're unhappy with these expatriates, then think of our people working in other countries, but please do not flush me with the "they are not contributing to the country wert", mind you that they still bring a sense of pride to the country through their works. What we have here is no different from what other countries are facing. Australians never like Asians to work with them, so instead of harbouring this and that by as well accept the fact that the game of globalisation is on and we're part of it like it or not.

Is oil really facing a shortage. I'm a little naive in this part because yea I'm one of those peeps that gets fooled easily by reading the news therefore to counter it I read multiple source of information to get a more accurate picture of the whole. One thing I've went through is the case of developed countries having stockpiled oils around the world to inflate the price or in other words to get other to speculate the price up. How true is it, I don't no. As the demand and supply plays its game, we get the pinch in either way just like the fight between predator and aliens. Alright alright got carried away for that moment. Lol. If the oil price really manage to break through or even touch through USD$ 200 per barrel, I guess we're in for a deep shit. To further hasten the speed, I think OPEC is doing something nasty around. What deep shit is lurking between those "crude oil makers".

Anyway exam is just one (1) more to go on Tuesday (17th June) Introductory to Accounting A. After that is 3 weeks plus break. So far so good, mostly is good, not to be over confident but its good. I hope so!

Some laughter to spill

The 2008 Beijing Olympics have put the spotlight on China, bringing attention to the conflict in Tibet and all the human rights abuses. Protesters disrupted Olympic torch relays in San Francisco and other western cities, many of them holding signs with stern messages for China such as "Free Tibet!" "Stop human rights abuses!" and "Give us cheaper TVs now!"
Indian soccer star Bhaichung Bhutia declined to run with the torch as "my way of standing by the people of Tibet," while actor Aamir Khan vowed to run with the torch "not in support of China" but "with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet."
Inspired by Khan, long jumper Anju Bobby George announced that she will protest China's human rights abuses by participating in the Beijing Olympics. "I am participating in the Olympics not in support of China," she said, "but with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet."
She pledged to lie on the ground before every jump, extending her legs outward to form a 'T.' "It may look like I'm stretching," she said. "But I'm showing my support for Tibet."
Just a day before the torch relay in India, cricket star Sachin Tendulkar pulled out of the event, saying that he had a groin injury. It's believed that he suffered the injury while running away from Tibetan activists.
Indian officials were so worried about protests that they drastically shortened the route of the torch relay, asking Khan to run with it from his bedroom to living room. He handed the torch to tennis star Leander Paes, who took it all the way to the kitchen. Other celebrities then did mini-runs from one appliance to another.
The video was doctored for Chinese television to show Khan and Paes running in front of the Taj Mahal, cheered on by thousands of people, including Mahatma Gandhi.
Meanwhile, CNN's Jack Cafferty is in trouble with the Chinese for calling them "goons and thugs," two of the worst insults that the FCC allows on American TV.
Saying that America imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food," Cafferty added: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu demanded an apology, saying, "We are shocked at and strongly condemn the evil attack by the CNN anchor on the Chinese people. How dare he call us goons and thugs? Not all of us are goons and thugs."
Indeed, a New York Times investigation has found that only 1 percent of Chinese are goons and thugs -- and all of them work for the government.
Cafferty's words have upset many of them, according to Jin Yao, president of the National Association of Goons and Thugs. "He say we same goons and thugs for last 50 years," Yao said. "Is not true. We better goons and thugs than before. We take government course."
In other news, some folks in Britain are trying their best to boycott everything from China. Harvey Wilson of London has stopped buying toys from China, John Rowling of Oxford has stopped buying electronics from China, and Linda Scott of Birmingham has dumped her boyfriend, Chang Lee.
In Winnipeg, Canada, Gerald Smith, a retired bus driver who spends most of his evenings at the local casino, said he's getting rid of everything he owns that's made in China, including all his appliances, furniture, clothes and teeth. Asked if he's protesting a particular Chinese policy, Smith nodded and pointed to the words on his T-shirt: "Free to bet!"



So this is the group picture taken during Pei Chern's suprise birthday
(left: Lam-in black; Jo Wee-in red; Chieh Ai- inblakc plus red; Andrew; Yong Hao; Chen Siang-in white all the way back; CX
bottom row: Lisa-in green; Carynn; Pei Chern-in white; Esther; gua; Kar Kien; Beng

Car being a money burner than a transport!

A little late, I noe, was busy with exam, neither i am free now yet, but just curi tulang abit. RM2.70 /litre. Crazy. I just went and pump up the MyVi at home when it still have 2 bar left before getting dry, and guess the price?? RM79.73 compare to previously was RM50 plus (holding the situation that the petrol bar still remain at 2 before getting dry) The car is being more like a money burner than a transport!. Haha lucky the car is small, but certainly not fuel efficient, but still better compare to those holding big cars la. Anyway the government is speaking foolish language. Why compare petrol prices with other non-petrol-producing countries. Take a look at the pic below.

Malaysia RM2.70/ litre ; Winner for the most expensive/ highly charge petrol for an oil-producing country/ and being ridiculously fool by the government. Tax here tax there, then telling us not enough money to subsidies. What the crap! Badawi (Finance Minister) and Yackop (Second Finance Minister) why are you both being such a bafoon in the cabinet, taking us for a ride? Syed Sharir how could you torture us like that? By far you are the most uncorrupted cabinet minister there is.

Badawi, table lah the account of Petronas collosal profits in the Parliament. I bet its more then what was recorded in Wikipedia 14.4 billion USD as per 2007. I believe is was an underdeclared profit. Hassan Marican doesn't care whether the money show up is important for the country's imej, cause all he cares is the siphoning of it into the cronies pockets.

Bloordy Bastards!

Touching on another issue that is somehow related...

Anyhow, if Badawi really wants to compare Malaysia with other countries , then lets put forth Singapore, the dragon and elephant of the world (China and India), mini giant of south east asia (Vietnam). Our Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) had been downsizing since the early 2000s. On the other hand Singapore, China, Vietnam and India is experienceing a boom of FDIs. I mean come'on! Singapore have no such thing as earthern materials for extraction and still champion up in term of FDIs and even their GDP is rising tremenodously. Failure of an unequitable distributing administration of scarce of resources to the people.

A brief history...

During the early 90s we were the most visited foreign land for investment by the Westerners, cause during that time other SEA countries are still experiencing political instability, unlike our country, but now China has gone through a new level, Vietnam does't experience the shock of the post-Vietnam War anymore, India is just like her counter-part China continuing to encourage international trade. So now they can offer what we can't offer and that is cheap labour. Seriously China's labour market is going through some change whereby the term 'cheap labour' is going to be eliminated since the Chinese are getting more aware of their surroundings and resist from being exploited, so the next target would be Vietnam and if Burma really manage to enjoy the fruit of democracy, then that would be the second mini giant of South East Asia.

Continuing...

Another thing, is about, the somehow strengthening of the Ringgit IN TERMS OF USD. Great news cause the greenbacks are now depreciating amid the speculation of a US recession. Great!!! comparing ourselves to a looser wannabee. We may see ourselves to be rising by comparing the greenbacks but the currency of other nations is rising too, wooping up our asses! Australia is experienceing a Boom especially the Western Australia (Perth for example) in their mininng industries. Therefore their FDis are in no question to be rising, GDP skyrocketing and other numerical digits will be increasing in fast pace, they are even experiencing a shortage in the labour market. Therefore they need people like you and me to contribute. Lets just hope it remains like that until a couple of years after i've graduated so that I would have time to not only find job easily but also change job till I find a suitable one. But hell! gotta dream on la and if that really happens, I'll be in wonderland. Woohoo.

People are fighting for survival eventhough this is not a World War 3 but its becoming more of a world war minus the guns and tanks and replace it by oil and food. What a sad world we're living in.