Just got the news that the government has approved for a 5 cent per litre increase for petrol starting from tomorrow. Someone has alerted Jeff Ooi about the increase at about 2 p.m and Malaysiakini posted to confirm the (sad) news at about 6 p.m. this evening.
I thought the last increase was as recent as last April.
Haiyo, need to fill up full tank on my way back from work tonite because this weekend I need to drive down south to Ayer Keroh to attend a wedding. This is the second time this year the government has quietly approved for the price increase. Mmm, need to tell/sms kawan2 about this....
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Help...Who did this?
I have not been doing justice to this Blog. Don't even have time to visit my own blog!!. That's terrible. When I checked out this morning, I realised that there was one comment from a visitor and were even more surprised that some of the words have been "linked" to a search page that was totally irrelevant.
How could that happened was a mystery for a guy with no IT knowledge like me.
Could any one help me to cancel or disable that "auto link" function before it starts to link every word in my blog?.
How could that happened was a mystery for a guy with no IT knowledge like me.
Could any one help me to cancel or disable that "auto link" function before it starts to link every word in my blog?.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
What? A free car for 276 people?!!!!
I was at home resting because I was not feeling well. My body was all aching. Maybe it's the effect of the massage that I had the day earlier. Called office to cancel two of my three appointments. Had no choice but to attend the meeting that needed me to finalise the terms for the Bridging Facility for a consortium of banks in the afternoon. And it was one hell of the meeting. Chaotic may be mild the describe the meeting that went on until quarter to 9.00 in the evening. Missed the dinner that I was suppose to attend at PWTC.
It was while having breakfast that I caught the picture of Oprah (Winfrey) sitting atop on a Pontiac G6 outside her Chicago Studio surrounded by some of the lucky 276 (yes, two hundred and seventy six!!!) audience who each received one of the new cars.
Apparently Oprah celebrated the 19th season of her talk show by giving every member of her audience a free car. The giveaway would have cost Oprah more than 3 million pound sterling (a whopping RM21 million). But it was reported that the cars were a gift from General Motors. Could not believe what I read.
I know that we also have Oprah-like talk show helmed by Anita Sarawak. Now in its third season, if I'm not mistaken. Didn't quite follow the program, but I know that it has the same format and it also gave out some freebies and surprises to the audience and guests.
I remember watching one of the series in its first season when topic of adoption was discussed. Anita invited a childless couple to talk about their longing for a child, the red tape involved in a lawful adoption process. The couple informed that they have spent about 4-5 years to adopt one particular child from an orphanage but was constrained by some technicalities. If I was not mistaken, the child did not have birth documents and the lawful parents could not be traced. For the past 4-5 years the couple had informally "adopted" the child by visiting the child at the orphanage as if the child was theirs. The only thing they could not do was they could not bring the child back home.
When Anita asked what was their wish, the couple said they just wanted to bring the child home like any other parents. And guess what, Anita (by then trying hard not to cry) said their wish has been granted and announced that the relevant authorites have sorted out all the required documents and told the couple that they could now bring back the child as they wished.
I almost cried when the child was introduced to the audience and were hugged by the couple.
Now, it may not be in million of dollars, but still, that gift was certainly precious.
**********
It was while having breakfast that I caught the picture of Oprah (Winfrey) sitting atop on a Pontiac G6 outside her Chicago Studio surrounded by some of the lucky 276 (yes, two hundred and seventy six!!!) audience who each received one of the new cars.
Apparently Oprah celebrated the 19th season of her talk show by giving every member of her audience a free car. The giveaway would have cost Oprah more than 3 million pound sterling (a whopping RM21 million). But it was reported that the cars were a gift from General Motors. Could not believe what I read.
**********
I know that we also have Oprah-like talk show helmed by Anita Sarawak. Now in its third season, if I'm not mistaken. Didn't quite follow the program, but I know that it has the same format and it also gave out some freebies and surprises to the audience and guests.
I remember watching one of the series in its first season when topic of adoption was discussed. Anita invited a childless couple to talk about their longing for a child, the red tape involved in a lawful adoption process. The couple informed that they have spent about 4-5 years to adopt one particular child from an orphanage but was constrained by some technicalities. If I was not mistaken, the child did not have birth documents and the lawful parents could not be traced. For the past 4-5 years the couple had informally "adopted" the child by visiting the child at the orphanage as if the child was theirs. The only thing they could not do was they could not bring the child back home.
When Anita asked what was their wish, the couple said they just wanted to bring the child home like any other parents. And guess what, Anita (by then trying hard not to cry) said their wish has been granted and announced that the relevant authorites have sorted out all the required documents and told the couple that they could now bring back the child as they wished.
I almost cried when the child was introduced to the audience and were hugged by the couple.
Now, it may not be in million of dollars, but still, that gift was certainly precious.
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Budget 2005
Pak Lah had revealed his first budget for the first time as the Prime Minister and Finance Minister on 10th September 2004.
As expected, smokers willl have to dig deeper into their pockets to sustain their habit. The tax have been announced to increase almost 40% per pack of 20 sticks. I am not a smoker but I found it interesting to note some of the reactions from the die hard smokers on the tax raise.
The Star on 11th September 2004 reported that many smokers interviewed would still continue smoking despite the increase. One male smoker said he would not quit smoking but will cut down on smoking [sounded too familiar?]. Another male interviewee said the increase would not stop him from smoking but he might opt for cheaper brands [again, had heard this somewhere before].
A female 21-year old college student said she would stop smoking if the price goes up to RM6.00 per pack. She said, health reasons are secondary to her. Her coursemate of 19 years old offerred an easy way out - she would be asking for extra pocket money from her parents!. Hmm.....clever girl.
Sometimes when someone asked me why I did not smoke, jokingly I would tell him that I forgot to learn it when I was in school. Yes, those schooling years were the most critical time. It's also the time when peer pressure to smoke were at its peak.
I know how difficult it was then. I studied in an all boys' boarding school where smoking was the "in-thing". It's a symbol of the coming-of-age, macho, bravery, seniority and rebel etc. I would say 80 - 85% of my batch smoked - and most of them still are.
As expected, smokers willl have to dig deeper into their pockets to sustain their habit. The tax have been announced to increase almost 40% per pack of 20 sticks. I am not a smoker but I found it interesting to note some of the reactions from the die hard smokers on the tax raise.
The Star on 11th September 2004 reported that many smokers interviewed would still continue smoking despite the increase. One male smoker said he would not quit smoking but will cut down on smoking [sounded too familiar?]. Another male interviewee said the increase would not stop him from smoking but he might opt for cheaper brands [again, had heard this somewhere before].
A female 21-year old college student said she would stop smoking if the price goes up to RM6.00 per pack. She said, health reasons are secondary to her. Her coursemate of 19 years old offerred an easy way out - she would be asking for extra pocket money from her parents!. Hmm.....clever girl.
***************
Sometimes when someone asked me why I did not smoke, jokingly I would tell him that I forgot to learn it when I was in school. Yes, those schooling years were the most critical time. It's also the time when peer pressure to smoke were at its peak.
I know how difficult it was then. I studied in an all boys' boarding school where smoking was the "in-thing". It's a symbol of the coming-of-age, macho, bravery, seniority and rebel etc. I would say 80 - 85% of my batch smoked - and most of them still are.
Blog, Blogging and Mindbogling
Managed only four posts since inception on 24 August. That's not good enough. Not that I did not have anything to share or blog about but honestly, I have been drowned with my works in the last two weeks. Got three big and urgent projects and a few advisory matters to attend by myself have forced me to sideline my urge to continue writing in this blog.
On several occassions I had brought back my laptop hoping that I could manage to spend some time to write and get off my mind from the office works but obviously I failed miserably. My body was too tired and my mind have been drained after long working hours.
No, I'm not giving up so soon. I'm gonna keep this blog alive. Just need to give more commitment and time....and a better work management.
My first encounter with a weblog and blogging was about one and a half year ago. Amongst my first and favourite blog is Screenshot - helmed by Jeff Ooi. Now also known as "Malaysia's Most Influential Blog". I salute Jeff for his dedication and tireless efforts to highlight and discuss on transparency, accountability and trying to make Malaysia a better place to live in.
However, it was Pak Adib aka The Reader - who had introduced me to the whole new world of blogging. From his blog, I realised that there are substantial numbers of blogs and bloggers in Malaysia. It was from there on I started bloghopping from one blog to another and currently I have a long list of blogs of fellow Malaysians that I have bookmarked and frequented. I must mention that there are a few of them that I visted several times a day for their updates.
After that I learned that to create and own a blog may be as easy as - but to maintain and keep a blog alive and interesting, would be totally a different ball game altogether.
On several occassions I had brought back my laptop hoping that I could manage to spend some time to write and get off my mind from the office works but obviously I failed miserably. My body was too tired and my mind have been drained after long working hours.
No, I'm not giving up so soon. I'm gonna keep this blog alive. Just need to give more commitment and time....and a better work management.
**********************
My first encounter with a weblog and blogging was about one and a half year ago. Amongst my first and favourite blog is Screenshot - helmed by Jeff Ooi. Now also known as "Malaysia's Most Influential Blog". I salute Jeff for his dedication and tireless efforts to highlight and discuss on transparency, accountability and trying to make Malaysia a better place to live in.
However, it was Pak Adib aka The Reader - who had introduced me to the whole new world of blogging. From his blog, I realised that there are substantial numbers of blogs and bloggers in Malaysia. It was from there on I started bloghopping from one blog to another and currently I have a long list of blogs of fellow Malaysians that I have bookmarked and frequented. I must mention that there are a few of them that I visted several times a day for their updates.
After that I learned that to create and own a blog may be as easy as - but to maintain and keep a blog alive and interesting, would be totally a different ball game altogether.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Anwar is freed!
Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillha. Allahu Akbar
Thank You Allah, Thank You Allah, Thank You Allah. Allah is the greatest.
Yess! It is confirmed, it's official and it's not a cruel joke.
The Federal Court has finally redeemed itself and the judiciary in general when it allowed the appeal from Anwar on his conviction and sentence on sodomy charges.
I was expecting the verdict to be delivered during my meeting this morning and I knew the proceedings at the Federal Court has ended when SMSes and calls flooded my handphone. Luckily the phone was put on silent mode.
When one of the officer from my client's office who was sitting next to me showed the SMS that he had received, I could only managed to say Alhamdulillah and hope that it's not a bad joke. I know rumours have been circulating around since last few days that Anwar would be freed. I told myself not to be too gullible to believe until I could re-confirm with some other friends.
My sister called to confirm the news when I was driving back to office. Told her to wait 'till I check from Malaysiakini's website. Could not log into their website but managed to get confirmation from a news piece from BERNAMA's website. Some friends also e-mailed news from Bloomberg and Reuters.
So thank You God, You have answered our prayers. I just could not thank you enough. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
I am so happy that I could not construct a proper sentence. I am so delighted that I wanted to cry. I am happy for Anwar, I am happy for his family.
More importantly, I am very happy that the Court has finally have the courage to CORRECT what is WRONG and showed that all is not lost in the Malaysian Judiciary.
TAKBIIIIR. ALLAHU AKBAR.
Thank You Allah, Thank You Allah, Thank You Allah. Allah is the greatest.
Yess! It is confirmed, it's official and it's not a cruel joke.
The Federal Court has finally redeemed itself and the judiciary in general when it allowed the appeal from Anwar on his conviction and sentence on sodomy charges.
I was expecting the verdict to be delivered during my meeting this morning and I knew the proceedings at the Federal Court has ended when SMSes and calls flooded my handphone. Luckily the phone was put on silent mode.
When one of the officer from my client's office who was sitting next to me showed the SMS that he had received, I could only managed to say Alhamdulillah and hope that it's not a bad joke. I know rumours have been circulating around since last few days that Anwar would be freed. I told myself not to be too gullible to believe until I could re-confirm with some other friends.
My sister called to confirm the news when I was driving back to office. Told her to wait 'till I check from Malaysiakini's website. Could not log into their website but managed to get confirmation from a news piece from BERNAMA's website. Some friends also e-mailed news from Bloomberg and Reuters.
So thank You God, You have answered our prayers. I just could not thank you enough. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
I am so happy that I could not construct a proper sentence. I am so delighted that I wanted to cry. I am happy for Anwar, I am happy for his family.
More importantly, I am very happy that the Court has finally have the courage to CORRECT what is WRONG and showed that all is not lost in the Malaysian Judiciary.
TAKBIIIIR. ALLAHU AKBAR.
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