Only 40 turned out?

TheSun newspaper reported there were about 60 people attended a ceramah by BN MCA's incumbent Wangsa Maju parliamentary candidate Yew Teong Look. It also reported that 20 of the 60 people were from Umno's Gerak Gempur (aka Mat Rempits?).

When I first saw the news, I couldn't help to notice that there were only 40 people turned up. His colleague did slightly better. PJ Utara parliamentary candidate from MCA, Chew Mei Fun had around 50 people turned up on her ceramah in SS2 recently. DAP Tony Pua, however, drew around 200 people (3-4 times) in his ceramah held just 50 meters where Chew had hers.

I don't know if this is a case of being his skin thicker than an elephant's sole. Yew highlighted that some of the development that he brought to Wangsa Maju for the last four years. One of his highlights was, and i quote from the newspaper "With the help from the Federal Territories Ministry and City Hall, two CCTVs have been installed in Wangsa Maju .This has somewhat reduced the crime rate in that area." Kinda laughable isn't it? All these four years and he is bragging about installing 2 CCTVs!!! What more, he gives out a perception that there were reduced crime rate! If you read further on the article, a lot of it has "will do this and do that" sort of a report card. That is not what he did for last four years. He did almost nothing! MCA reported (in their own words) they are going to build a soon-to-be-constructed Chinese school in Wangsa Maju as announced by the Education Ministry in January 2008. Again, what took it so long? The school will not be in operation for about 2-3 years?

According to Sentul OCPD ACP K. Kumaran, he said in October 2007 in referring to Wangsa Maju crime index, "There was approximately 15% increase in crime index in the first nine months of this year compared to the corresponding period last year." But Yew said there was somewhat reduced crime. Yeah, do you believe what he said? Just google "Crime Rate Index Wangsa Maju" and you'll find that there are some killers out there that are yet to be caught by the law. This Yew guys is just beating around the bush.

Take a look what this guy has to say about Yew. http://hygen.net/blog/?p=135

To debate or not

Lim Si Pin, son of Lim Keng Yiak, is a BN candidate from Gerakan running for Batu parliamentary seat. He was recently quoted by TheSun newspaper that debate is a waste of time and energy. He was also quoted that debate is a western culture. He quoted this as a response to his opposition Tian Chua of PKR on holding a public debate.

I find his reply odd. I read that he is a double degree holder in economics and law from Yale University, and holds masters in finance and banking from Wales University. I thought debate exists as long as language does. Even in my secondary school, we all had debates. Not to mention in university too. Debates can sharpen one's mind. To say debate is a waste of time is wrong. How many degrees does this guy holds? Does this mean that he'll going to sit quiet in Dewan Rakyat and be a 'yes' man? It is either this guy is (1) too arrogant (2) his manhood is smaller than my 2B pencil (3) no idea where he stands (4) all the above, to present himself and argue his point across intelligently. A person as 'intelligent' as he, should know better. To say that debate is a waste of time and energy is really an insult to voters' intelligence, at least that is how i felt. To say debate is a western culture is also wrong. Television comes from western culture too, does this mean that we shouldn't watch the idiot box? What about handshakes?

To reject a public debate is to deny public access to his person's thoughts/direction for the voters in this constituency.

On another hand, MCA candidate for Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat, Dr Lee Chong Meng agrees to hold a public debate with incumbent DAP candidate Fong Kui Lun. Taken from TheEdgeDaily, Dr Lee said debate is not publicity seeking but a forum for voters to judge the candidates based on their ability, achievements and ability to tackle tough issues. He added, “The debate will not only save people’s time but it will also provide an avenue for the candidates to answer all questions raised by their opponent."

Now Si Pin, that is what I call leadership. One that doesn't shrink on responsibility. No one said election is a smooth-sailing-walk-in-the-park even though this seat seems to be a shoe-in for you. Now please go all out and be the man of the hour and stop hiding behind someone's shadow.

Batteries Recycling & Disposal

I have been saving some unused batteries alkaline/NiMH/NiCd/Li-ion/PB for recycling but couldn't find a place (that is, except for a dustbin) to dispose them. The problem is these batteries contains mercury and it is toxic, more so if it gets to ec0system. These batteries should be properly disposed of so that mercury does not get in to anyone's food chain. Mercury poisoning may lead to death.

Ever wondered where to dispose these batteries for recycling? All I could find was just paper/glass/plastic types of bins. Sometimes I feel like slapping that dude at working as a Minister at Housing and Local Government for his lacking leadership.

Anyone? No, I am not asking you to slap him but if you want to, please by all means. I am asking if you know where to dispose these batteries. Really felt like wanna kitar semula this minister. At least he is still of some use if you know what I mean.

Click here and read why batteries are harmful to environment.

Starbucks and WiFi

Coffee and WiFi seems to be a pair that are hard to be separated, especially when you're in Starbucks. Kinda pisses me off when you walked in, bought your favorite coffee and when you're about to enjoy the coffee with some internet surfing, there is no internet connection. Yes, there was WiFi in this Starbucks but not today. It is like being caught pissing in your pants, you know? You wanna relieve yourself but you kind of forgetten to remove your zippers/pants.

Well, that's what happened today when my wife decided to go to Starbucks to do her work on a great and breezy morning, only to find that there is no WiFi. What a bump!

Starbucks should hire people not only great in making beverages but also needs to know how WiFi works. When you ask where/what happened to the WiFi, they'll give you a standard answer, it's down... period. No, they don't tell you that they are putting an effort to make it work. I did ask them if they could do a simple reset to the access point by turning off and on it again. Their reply was that the access point does not belong to them but to timezone and they have 'no authority' to do anything about it.

That's how good service industry in Malaysia is. Yes, be prepared. We thought Starbucks was different - premium coffee, premium service. But we're wrong.

Bapak's Country

Another stumping incident when i read this article.

I always thought that the role/responsibilities of a wakil rakyat were among the following :
1) represent the wishes of the people who elected you.
2) takes care of the welfare of the constituency that you elected upon.
3) solve problems and issues relating to the Government policies and constituency that you represent.
4) ensure public order and make laws that benefits the people who elected you.

But to say your job as a wakil rakyat is to make life miserable for the opposition is a real shallow thought. It is like 'I've got nothing else better to do, so I'll go mess up opposition's life and make them miserable.'.

I just find it a case of misplaced priorities. Even so, when the father-in-law doesn't rebuke him and remind him the roles/responsibilities of a wakil rakyat. His father was after all a diplomat and the father in law was a foreign minister for many donkey years. Yet, diplomacy manners is in non-existent.

If this dude really want to be the 'popular', go out and win the minds of the critics. Otherwise, this dude is just another Mat Rempit wannabe. This guy doesn't even dare to sky jump at the north pole.

I'll say if this dude really want to make life miserable for the opposition, try contesting a hot seat against any opposition leaders in Kelantan/Terengganu/Penang. This dude made a heck of a noise about these states. Why contest in that safe seat in Rembau and make noise like a spoil child?

He must be thinking that this country belongs to his adopted bapak. He thinks that the country is his backyard playground. He believes he does, and it's no laughing matter.

* check this youtube out.

All Portable Line(s)?

Got this page from SPR website.Although my english is bad, but this is something else.

"All Portable Line(s)"? I was kind of stumped when I read that.

*Anyway, remember to go out and vote! Check your eligibility and polling center by entering your IC here.

CNY Greetings

(click at the picture to see a larger version)

Which of these two posters is sincere in greeting you on this auspicious CNY festive occasion? The only time i see a poster with many faces is when direct-selling companies bragging about their millionaire sales team. Certainly turns my stomach upside down.

Employees Plundering Funds

Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera ("LTAT"), the company that manages the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund recently declared a dividend of 16% for the year 2007. EPF, however, declared a dividend of 5.8%.

Check this out.

Dividend Year 2007; EPF 5.80%, LTAT 16%
Dividend Year 2006; EPF 5.15%, LTAT 15%
Dividend Year 2005; EPF 5.00%,
Dividend Year 2004; EPF 4.75%, LTAT 15.75%
Dividend Year 2003; EPF 4.50%, LTAT 10%
Dividend Year 2002; EPF 4.25%

I cant find some of the years where LTAT declared their dividends, but you'll get the picture.

Result speaks for itself. Which of these two fund managers are more efficient, profit-driven and acts for the benefit of their beneficiaries? Yeah, I personally thinks that LTAT fund managers should be managing our EPF too. Don't you want to retire comfortably?

*EPF used to be consistently giving out dividends of 8.5% between 1983-1987 and highest dividend payout before the dip was 6.84% in 1999. If you have not known, EPF is only obligated to provide 2.5% dividends (as per Section 25 of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991).

Employees Poverty Funds

The year is 2008. EPF dividend for year 2007 was announced at 5.8% on the 22nd of January 2008.



I logged on to my EPF online account today. The date is 14th February 2008. Still no sight of 2008 EPF statement account. The webpage held up with a notice 'Statement for 2008 will be made available after dividend 2007 has been declared". (click on the picture).

It's almost a month since it was announced yet I cant get hold of my 2008 Statement to date. Billions of money spent on IT infrastructure yet same lousy service, same sh*t. They might as well put up a notice "We are in dire need of 5.8% donations to make this happen." to put some humor in it or at least "Since we have declared 2007 dividends,we are now 5.8% short of budget to make 2008 statement available."

Disappointing KimGary

I have been going to KimGary during this CNY at least four times within a week. While the food is great, I cant accord the same to the premise environment and service.

KimGary at MidValley is infested with flies. You can't really eat with peace without the flies dipping in your food or drinks. I am sure the branch managers realize this and they just choose to ignore them. Surprisingly, no one complained about the flies and they're still operating without problems.

Secondly, I have been eating the same meal (hot stone grill set-b) in my last three visits. It always come with two baby octopus. My last visit was at KimGary AvenueK, the meal came with one baby octopus. I complained and the waiter insisted that the set meal always come with one. I just felt being ripped off. Even the picture on the menu had two.

Well to summarize, if you gonna live in Malaysia, these are what you have to put up with. Flies and lousy service.

Tak PUAS!

Pipe burst, pipe burst, pipe burst, pipe burst, pipe burst.

What are the chances of having five pipe bursts in a week at the same housing area? That's five awful lot of pipe bursts in a week!

First it was on 30th Jan.
Twice on 31st Jan.
Again on 4th Feb.
Happens today on 5th Feb.
And counting.

Each disruption last approximately five hours.
Each time I call PUAS hotline, they tell me it's pipe burst.

What is wrong with them?
The people who manages our water supply have this acronym name in SYABAS and PUAS, which doesn't reflect the consumer sentiments towards them at all, not at least at where I stay in.

Such frequent water disrupt has caused tremendous inconvenience for the households, which came unexpected and uninformed every time.

It's a awful whole lot of crap we're getting from SYABAS and PUAS.