V Day 8-3-2008. I was Part of History

The 12th General Election produced unprecedented results for the Oppositions. The opposition managed to deny BN 2/3 majority and managed to wrestle control of Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor in addition of retaining Kelantan. Gerakan was virtually wiped out. Barisan strongholds like Negeri Sembilan were won with simple majority. Senior figures in the ruling party were scratching their head on what had happen. In the face of defeat, certain Barisan leaders are still so arrogant as saying that they are baffled at how all this happened, as if a landslide victory is their birth right.

For those who are still not sure how did the opposition managed to obtain such a victory, let me list down the downfall of BN in this GE:

1) The BN led government had isolated minority groups. First, it was Hindraf. The high handed way the government handled the Hindraf rally had led to a lot of dissatisfactions among the Indian Community. Then it was the usage of "Allah" in Christian publications. This is related to a point which I will explain soon. Next, there are those young UMNO punks who started to spit our racist sentiments in order to garner support within their own ranks (remember a certain someone who waived a dagger around during a certain general assembly?). These might be minority groups but a lot of minority groups, simple maths will say that it will hurt you when many small amounts are added together.

2) Corruption. Do I have to say more about this? The Zakaria Palace, the Auditor General's report (RM400 for a set of "Made in China" Screwdrivers?), the Linggam tape (looks like me, sounds like me but its not me). The Linggam tape, in my opinion, had indeed caused a lot damage among the educated professional voters especially lawyers. The Linggam tape was solid, tangible prove of violation of our country's constitution and a disrespect of the Judiciary. And when this tape came out, a panel was not set to investigate the contents of the tape, but it is to determine the "authenticity" of the tape. You go figure.

3) Barisan leaders underestimated the power of the new information age. The opposition understood that to reach out to swing votes consisting of young educated adults, the best way is through the internet. DAP manage to pull off the coup of the season when Jeff Ooi joined the party and was fielded as a candidate for the Jelutong Constituency. Besides Jeff, bloggers like Raja Petra, Rocky and Malik Imtaz was an oasis for information deprived young voters. BN components were still relying on old school, state-controlled mass media to send out their message not realizing that the new generation of voters are more educated, more well informed to see through the misinformation that is being disseminated.

4) Rising fuel prices, cost of living. A deeper analysis will show that Malay votes played a very big part in the oppositions success story. Look at Cheras, YB Tan Kok Wai won by 28,300 majority. Teresa Kuok won by 30,000 odd majority. This proves that Malays in urban areas did not hesitate to give their "ayes" to DAP which traditionally is implied as a Chinese party. What caused this change of wind among the urban Malay voters? I was on a Taxi to a clients office on Thursday and the sentiments of the cabbie says it all," Tak kisah, siapa lah. Asalkan dapat turun harga bagus. Itu UMNO cakap tolong Melayu, aku cakap sama dia l*n j*ao la!!! Dia tolong sama dia punya krony saje. Minyak naik, toll naik, tepung naik apa pun naik. Macam mana orang kita ni nak hidup?"

5) The PM Pak Lah. BN won by a landslide during the last election mainly is due to Pak Lah. After the authoritarian rule of Dr M, Pak Lah was indeed a breath of fresh air. A Islamic Scholar with a squeeky clean image who vowed to fight graft. After 4 years, he did not live up to his promises. What had he done on the Zakaria case? The Auditor General's Report? Linggam? Altantuya? His performance even makes people wonder who is really in charge of the country (the U-turn on the usage of the word "Allah" issue is a prime example). Is Najib in charge or is it the prodigal Son-in-Law??? Some might argue that Pak Lah did make spot checks on governement departments to ensure efficiency and reduce red tape. This might look good on camera but this is the job of his ministers and secretary generals of various departments, not a job a PM should be concern with. This might sound cliche but PM has bigger fishes to fry.

After all that is said, it can be concluded that Malaysia is at the dawn of a new era. The opposition is in control of the 2 most industrialized state in the country (Lim Guan Eng addressed as Y.A.B., i really had to pinch myself to make sure that i am not dreaming). BN does not have the 2/3 majority in parliament. Where will this lead the nation to? Will BN try to sabotage whatever effort that the opposition do to deliver on its promises? Or will BN work with the opposition to redeemed the confidence of Malaysians? These are questions that can only be answered in time. All we can do know is that this new political landscape will be a catalyst for a better future for all Malaysians.

Of Outstation Client Visit and Powderful England

Today went to Ipoh for a client meeting. Nothing much but just a review of some outstanding claims. Client given us some opportunity to do some quotes too. As I had always say, the things that i learn in 3 months with this new job is more than what i learned in my previous 2 and half years with JLT. There might be a big arse survey on the plant for this coming renewal on the plant if all goes well...can't wait for that day to come.

We had heard a lot of jokes and ah beng and ah lian and their powderful england. But what do you do when your aspiring MP (and most probably he will be the MP for the next 4 years) England is Powderful too?? Well, nothing surprising when ur Minister of Mis-information is happy to have his first Erection in 4 years...LMAO

Of Burgers and Lessons

Yesterday after Bolton game (yippie!!! back to winning ways) a bit hungry...so dropped by Ramly Burger Stall and got myself a burger ayam special. Tried out my Tammy 70-300 tele-macro. Then remembered that i took photos of Carl's Junior burger last week too...so had an inspiration to do a burger version of Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Rich Burger...Carl's Junior RM17.90 for a set













Poor Burger...RM3.90...got egg summore...but heart attack inducing

Today last minute got called to a meeting at client's place at 5pm..siao one.....

on the way back Selvyn dispense some valuable lessons...always know what the client wants...know their needs...don't just go there and present the proposal like giving lecture..

Well..just say that BIB is really a very good training ground for young execs....

Malaysian Overseas Can't Vote..Nuts

Read on The Star today that Malaysians residing in London are allowed to vote for the coming mayor elections. And our beloved EC is forcing Malaysians residing overseas to fly all the way home just to vote. What kind of madness is this. They could have set up polling booths in embassies . What's freakin' so difficult about this. Maybe the EC is scared that the overseas swing votes will work against their paymasters.

Talking about swing votes, i don't think the candidates are doing enough to woe young voters. I have a feeling that youths between 21-35 years old will have a big say in this GE. We will see how it goes this coming weekend. On another note i have to say it again that i am terribly disappointed with the political ignorance of the Chinese youths. I ain't even to get started.

On the football front, Liverpool is taking on Bolton at the Reebok today. Self proclaimed Liverpool fan Kevin Nolan had came out to critisize rafa for being to soft. Hope Nando can shut his trap up on the pitch later.

You'll Never Walk Alone

More Boleh-ness in Boleh Land

Our beloved Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation refuted NASA's claim that our Angkasawan is not merely a space tourist. in NASA's website, they list our beloved Angkasawan as a space flight participant aka space tourist, but our genius Minister tells NASA to go fly kite (no pun intended) coz the Ruskies label our Angkasawan as Cosmonauts. If i were half well versed in business, i would definitely not label a country who had just bought a squadron of Su-30MKM from me as merely a "space tourist".

Instead of being humble by saying something like "we are taking this opportunity as a learning experience as a stepping stone towards our own space programme", this genius in our cabinet have to talk cock to the agency that is planning to build a moon base by year 2020 as a launch pad to Mars. Ini panggil shiok sendiri...so hai betul...

So our angkasawan will be contemplating on what is the best trajectory yo flip a Roti Canai in space while NASA will continue to calculate the best trajectory to Mars...

A Good Chef Brings Joy to People

Grandpop was admitted to Putra Hospital in Melaka on Saturday. So, yesterday dad, mum and I decided to drive down to Melaka to check on him. I would scoot to KL straight from Melaka. We started off from Segamat quite late at around 6.30pm. Half way at Jementah, we decided to stop by this restaurant called Seng Kee Seafood Sharkfin Restaurant.

This dude, i presume he's the boss, came and took our order. He started off by asking what fish we want. Dad said we don't want fish, we just want some simple dishes. This dude's friendly demenour turned into contempt immediatelly. Starting from that moment, his attitude was down right disrespectful.

Cooks or restaurant owners like these destroyed the whole meaning of cooking for others. Yes, restaurants are to make money. But at the sametime, these ppl should not forget that cooks are suppose to bring joy to ppl through their cooking. Again, i this dude obviouslly doesn't know the true spirit of cooking...to me, its nothing for a chef to cook up a storm using top of the range ingredients...but if u make a mean dish out of bitter gourd and eggs...i will say that u r something....

Please pray for the 21 South Korean Hostages in Afghanistan

After Pastor Bae Hyung-Kyu, the friggin' Taliban made true their threats by killing another hostage, Shim Sung-min, on Tuesday when their demands were ignored by the Afghan government.

In my opinion, medical volunteers are amongst the most noble people on Earth, especially those serving in war torn countries. Saving people who you have never met in a foreign land. All of this is done out of love. At the other spectrum, people who claim to be true followers of God could kidnap and slaughter these volunteers 1 by 1 just because thier demands are not met. Who knows that one of these volunteers might have saved one of thier relatives. Reading the newspapers and watching CNN had made me so worked up. The 23 might be denominational Christians but they are still Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

How i wished i could do something about it. All i can do is pray that that the Lord will strengthen them in this hour of darkness. Give them the strenght to face their enemies. May the wrath of God fall on the perpetrators in all Its fury. I urge all, regardless of religion, to pray for the safe return of the remaining 21 hostages.

How i wished i could had done more. How wish i am one of the members of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, itching to storm in with all its fury and rescue the hostages. All i can do know is pray......

Bali...here i come....

I'll be off to Bali for 5 days starting from tomorrow...stay tuned for pics :D

Malaysia Boleh! Yeah Right!

Malaysia was given the honour of co-hosting the 2007 Asia Cup Tournament. By virtue of being a host, we were given a chance to play in the tournament proper. Drawn with China, Uzbekistan and forgot another one is who...i know they don't really stand much chance. So, with low expectations, i switch on the TV, hoping that they would just give a good account of themselves i would be damn happy. But no, they have to make a complete fool of themselves, i was so worked up after they went 2 down....i decided i have had enuf.

Don't get me wrong. I am not expecting them to beat China. What i was hoping for is some sense of pride when wearing the yellow jersey. Show some commitment lar...don't they realize that Malaysia was one of the top teams where we slugged it out with the like of Saudi Arabia and beat South Korea on a regualr basis 20 years ago. That was the time when Malaysia still runs a semi-pro league. Mokhtar Dahari, Santok Singh and Soh Chin Aun and co should go into the dressing room and give each bugger a kick in thier nuts.

I will give you a rundown on each area of the filed for the malaysian team:

Attack - No Pace, No Movement, No Flair, Flat, Shoots like a gal. Watched too much European football and think they are Ronaldinho or Luis Garcia doing flicks and turns. But to be fair, they didn't performed particularly bad. It's their usual self.

Midfield - Thinks they are Stevie G. All shoots from 30 yards out. Dumb. Lack of ideas, no creativity, passing sucks. Thinks they have Micheal Owen as strikers, keep on sending balls behind the defence. I went to check the score a moment (it was 0-4) and one dude even tried a xabi alonso.

Defense - My oh my....where should i start? Firstly, the back four punya tactical awareness is zero. They call themselves professional. Yes, ur boss say keep it compact, but be aware of runners from midfield lar...abang...stay compact doesn't mean u follow wherever the ball is lar...the ball go near post and all go to near post leaving the far post area open wide like the prairie plains...the best part is when balls are played in from the flank...all stand and watch...MARK ur man lar!!!!! ADUI!!!!! duh....some more ur couch nvr teach what is staying goalside of the attacker is it???....na beh....use ur head use ur head use ur head.....

As a conclusion, really all hope is gone for Malaysian judging by the performance of our Malaysia Boleh team. Heigh days of Soh Chin Aun and co is long long gone and nvr to come back unless drastic shakeup is done.....starting with a major revamp of the FAM (that's for another story)

Bladi...i tell u if i was in bukit jalil i would have thrown my shoes at the malaysian bench if i was close enuff...and get Teng Teng to bail me from police station....

Finally...Fernando Torres is Red

When the yanks bought over Liverpool FC, they started off yaking about their future plans. After the defeat to AC Milan, Rafa spell it out loud to the desk jockeys, money man and accountants at Anfield. We need the american dough for the transfer kitty.

Since the heart break at Athens (i won't exactly say it is a hearbreak, we did well to reach the finals), there was rumoured mounting tensions in the boardroom, false moves in the transfer market (screw u Florent Malouda, i meludah sama lu....chelshit lover) and some signings of obscure young talent (who the hack is Nikolay Mihaylov??), we finally have our own 27 million pound man. Rafa smashed the Anfield transfer record by paying 26.5 million pounds for Fernando Torres.

As a reds fan, i am definitely excited by the prospect of one the world's best young striker teaming up with Stevie, Carra and Co. I have to admit it, our strike force for the last 2 seasons isn't just good enough to challenge for the title. Face it, no matter how Kuyt and Crouchy work thier socks off, they just don't look anywhere near like 20 goals a season strikers. Bellamy, well, he is fast, but he also love his golf clubs, if you get what i mean. Fowler was a pale shadow of his former god like self. However, before we scousers get too optimistic, we must remind ourselves of the other Fernando. Coming with a huge reputation from his time at Monaca and Real Madrid, he literally sank like a stone in the English game.

I am not being pessimistic but you just look at Shevchenko. Even one of the best strikers in the world can't adapt to the premiership. Yes, we have the american bling, but i do not think Liverpool can afford a 27 million pound mistake. Coupled with the fact that Luis Garcia had went the other way for 4 million pounds, I feel that Rafa had taken a very very very big chance. Torres has huge shoes to fill and i only hope that he will have the mental strength to handle it. We are after all talking about the shoes of King Kenny, Rushie etc.

Well we scousers will only have one choice. Wait for August to come and in Rafa we trust. So, next up?? Simao Sabrossa??

MYTH CONFIRMED....Mentos + Coca Cola

Few weeks ago i got this e-mail a few times showing pictures of a bunch of brazilian kids doing a demonstartion with a bottle of 1.5L Coke and a Mentos....it seems that a concoction of mentos and Coke will coz a reaction that makes the cook shoot sky high...the e-mail even claims that 2 brazilian kid died after eating mentos and drinking coke together.....since the ingredients are easily available...i decided to play mythbuster today......

Results as follows :







It seems that mentos and coke really does not mix will...myth confirmed!!!

Kuala Lumpur Air Carnival '06 - The biggest rip off ever

Over the past week Mix FM had been talking about this Air Carnival going on in the former Subang Airport. In addition to that, i read in the paper that our DPM officiated the event on Friday and it was reportedly a kick ass event. Being the aviation fanboy that i am, i felt obliged to pay this place a visit
i forced myself up for at 8.00am even after Liverpool vs Man City until 1am and drove all the way from Sg Long to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (y they can't stick to the name Subang Airport) ....and boy, was i in for a bloody surprise :sweat:

I reached there, walked into Terminal 3 and was greated with various booths promoting Flying Clubs, Aeromodelling Busineses, Flying schools, TUDM recruitment booth etc etc etc...all still well and dandy...then i saw this information counter selling tix for RM10 a pop to the so called real deal where the aircrafts are...fine..i paid up and made my way to the air field......and wat the fark...


The only piece of military hardware on display was a Frenchie chopper (i don't even care to remember the name) born in 1963...double wat the fark

At least i got to see a Eurocopter in action...this is the most modern piece of hardware there...






Malaysia's Finest is not to be outdone by our Air Force who brought they 1963 old fart for show....they brought a piece off beat up, rusty, barely air worthy piece off flying machine too....

Later i did saw a demonstration of paragliding.....but for RM 10 for admission is just a blatant rip off...hack, there is less then 20 planes on display and they call it a farkin air carnival....and our DPM was singing his praises for the organizers...obviously he never heard of Farnsborough....

This is a bladi disgrace for Malaysian Aviation....

I Got Myself a PSP!!!

For those who knew me long enuff probably know's that i was quite a gamer back in my uni days...gowever, since my working life began...i had done very little gaming...firstly is that not much time for that and my gaming rig is back home in Segamat...

I really did miss my gaming quite a lot and that's y i got myself a Playstation Portable lately....since it is portable, i can with out the console and play games whenever i am free....for those who are uninitiated....the PSP is more then just a console...it can also play music, videos and even browse the net through wifi (guess it can do anything besides wash dishes :p)

There's No Place For Rasicm in Football

For those who knew me well enuff would know that i am a big fan of football (soccer for 'em yankees...duh!!). For all its beuaty and glory, football had benn tainted by numerous undesirable elements lately. Bungs, match fixing (Serie A), Zidane's Headbutt, diving (simulation)....etc etc etc....

To me, the one thing that really piss me off is racism in football...imagine you are enjoying Barcelona vs Seville...you are admiring the skills of E'too, Ronaldinho and co....then when everytime E'too touch the ball u hear monkey chants from a section of pea brained fans....can't they understand that God created everyone equel? Being different in skin colour does not make someone superior or inferior...it's all in a person's conduct that a person should be judged....

Racism is especially widespread in Spanish Football...and i am sad to say that the Spanish Football Authorities are not doing or i should say that they seemed to be not interested to curb this unhealthy trend. Clubs are only fined a nominal amount (in football standards) when their fans racially insult opposition players...for god's sake, dock their points, make them play all their homegames in an empty stadium...these penalties are sure to wake their pea-brained fans up....

Being a Liverpool FC fan, i am very glad to say that we Kopites do not behave so disgracefully...we admire players for their skill, their prowess on the field and also their commitment to the game. We onli give sticks to players from Old Toilet and also Chelski...and reserve the most grieve for certain team in blue who shares the same city with Liverpool FC...quoting the great Bill Shankly...there are 2 great teams in Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves :p YNWA....


This a Nike Wristband for the Stand Up, Speak Up Campaign. Top players like Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry are involved in this campaign. It's difficult to get this wrsitband in Malaysia. However, u still can shot your support to this campaign by wearing balck and white on a specified day...or u may even create your own black and white wristband or tie a black and white ribbon on your bag pack...



For more info on the fight against racism in football, you may want to pay http://standupspeakup.com a visit.

Dim Sum @ EeSt, Westin KL

So, we had seen the decor of EeSt. You must be wondering how does the food compare to the aesthetics of the restaurant. I'll put it this way. The taste of the food is nothing to shout about, but I am not saying its bad. It's acceptable but nothing special. The best dim sum I had ever eaten is still Celestial Court at Sheraton Inperial (i no need to pay one for that. Got ppl belanja) but the price also a lot of difference lar. However, true to the spirit of EeSt, the presentation of the food is really a sight to behold. The fried dim sums come in plates which are a few times bigger, garnished with various condiments at the edge of the plates. Eating the dim sum is like going to an art gallery and then eating the art pieces after admiring them.

The waiter brought us a plate of appertizers when we were looking through the menu. It consists of some chicken bits, fried eel skin and japanese baby squids





There is cheese, yes, cheddar to be exact wrap in this beancurd skin. The balck colour sauce is the regular dim sum sweet sauce used like olive oil to drizzle around the plate like in western cuisine. Garnished with Japanese seaweed. Fusion to its core.




See the "kei ji" arrange like flower petals at the edge of the plate? No wonder the food takes so long to serve





The desserts....

The brown colour one is Double Boiled Apple and Aloe Vera in Rock Sugar Syrup


Green tea ice cream with red bean paste...typical japanese fare...nothing out of the ordinary.


This pudding is so "mango"...it has fresh chunks of mango in it

EeSt @ Westin, KL - Fusion at its Best

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go for Dim Sum Buffett brunch at EeSt, a fushion restaurant located at Westin, KL. Prior to this, I had heard a lot about the kick ass interior design of this restaurant. This restaurant is designed by well known interior designe, Ed Poole. For more info can look into http://www.poole-associates.com/EEST.htm.



Well, this EeSt does not disappoint (I'll keep this post on the aesthetics of EeSt, food will come later). The design weaves traditional elements and modern elements into one seamlessly. Bottles of wines did not look out of place next to the sushi bar. Pieces of modern art sits side by side with giant cauldrons of ancient chinese design. Mini pools scattered around the restaurant creates a sense of Zen. Coupled with the new age music meandering across the restaurant, the atmosphere was indeed surreal.





One of the many mini ponds. The ponds and wooden floor panel is so Japanese and the Mirrired wall is so urban. Simply brilliant.






Heck, even the tea cups have a east meets west feel to it.

Guoman SWAT Camp

Before u get any ideas of Kevlar vest and H&K MP5 submachine guns or tactical shields or doing a dynamic breach on a terrorist invested building....SWAT here does not stand for Special Weapons and Tactics. It is instead the acronym of Superior Work Attitude Training Camp...u have to give it to them for the branding though ^_^"'

Our 2nd day was mainly spent onthis camp going through 5 obstacle courses.....this are not the most difficult i had experience b4 (The IOLTC that i attended back in Secondary School in Hutan Rekreasi Air Keroh was much tougher)...well, since this is not targeted at hormone raging teenagers, i guess they have to tone it down a bit.

Dunno y pik chui pointing at me??

Looking for Super man?





Husband and Wife SWAT Team(Mr and Mr Smith???)






Dunno which Heavyweight they pulling :D






Tai Ke Cheh damn High :D


Going Up....

JLT Training - Guoman Resort, Port Dickson (Part III)

Due to the friggin blogger server yesterday, i was cut short of giving a simple description of the rules for this Charade Game. Firstly, we divided ourselves into 2 teams. Since the number of guys and gals were equal....there was team Gal Power and team Macho Libre....

The game goes like this: Guys will send out a representative who will be given a movie title by the gals...then this guy will have to mime the title and get the other guys to get the correct answer within 2 minutes....the same holds true for the gals.....each correct answer one point...

Hui Peng was good....but not the other gals


Macho men were having a hard time too......


After a gallant fight, we still succumbed to the gals trickery....they even got "The Abyss" correct....damn....and our last question was "To Wong Foo With Love"....WTF??!!!


Of coz, the losing party will have to do some silly dance to entertain the gals....Like all boys in the world, we tried to wriggle ourselves out of it...but there was no escape.. : (




Sigh....in the end.....