LeBoey's Adventures & Mis-Adventures

Please raise your Flag correctly !

2010-08-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

Each one of us must have that Spirit of Patriotism in us.
Literally, thousand liters of blood were spilt before we achieved our freedom, our Independence.

During our National Day, we proudly raise our National Flag up high. It makes us proud with its achievements, proud that we have a place, proud to have A Homeland!

When we look surrounding us, we hear news of war. We saw people coming to our shores seeking refuge from war. What a pitiful sight.

Talking about raising a flag again, at least we must do it right! The Right Way up!

Recently, I caught this picture somewhere along Jalan Tun Openg, in Kuching.

The persons must have liked it to want to show (to) themselves the “right side” of the flag instead of the other way around.

Please lah brothers.

It should be the other way around, don’t be selfish, share and spread the joy amongst us.
After all, we’re Malaysians.

Malaysia Boleh, ma!

Imported from Australia

2010-08-07T01:53:00.000-07:00

The name OMO is so popular way back in the 70s. It's a household name when it comes to a cleaning detergent

This product is no more in Malaysia, unless you buy the imported OMO from Australia.

We found this at the Green Height Plaza recently, and a box costs well over RM15.

DAP won in Sibu By Election

2010-05-17T01:35:00.000-07:00

Congratulations! Finally, Wong Ho Leng clinched it.

Still the Ibans is faithful to BN, even though the tide is changing fast!
But at least they got something out of it.

Why are the Ibans so gullible? For ages I have been trying to study them why they are so easily pleased and contented unlike others around them.

By Election in Sibu

2010-05-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

(Picture shows from the left Robert Lau and Wong Ho Leng)

Its Elections time or rather By-Election time here in Sarawak, the "Land of the Hornbills."

After the Hulu Selangor episode, this time we move to Sibu.

This is due to the death of the incumbent, Robert Lau, a Federal Minister of SUPP/Barisan Nasional.

The flag bearer is his cousin, also known as Robert, a greenhorn in politics.

He is pitted against Wong Ho Leng of the DAP (Democratic Action Party) who has a pact with the Pakatan Rakyat. Both are respectable lawyers in their own right.

There are more than 54,000 eligible voters in this constituency and BN really need to show good results by winning with a big margin.

I expect as BN to mobilise their machinery fast and polling is in a week's time.

"Durian runtuh" is expected as always when you go against any BN candidate.

I'm hoping for DAP to create a big upset here.

I hope the Ibans of Sibu know who should lead them, I think that this is very important to make their stand known now.

Barisan Nasional's Kamal wins the Hulu Selangor ...

2010-04-25T06:40:00.001-07:00

Sunday 25 Apr: HULU SELANGOR:- Barisan Nasional's P. Kamalanathan has won the Hulu Selangor Parliamentary by-election with a 1,725 votes.

He received 24,997 votes to beat Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of Parti Keadilan Rakyat who got 23,272 votes

The voters turn out were only 75% according to the Election Commission.

So its “official” now the Winner is “Mr.1Malaysia” as described by his political masters.

Well, all I can say is Congratulations, P. Kamalanathan. You probably didn’t deserve it but you still won, thanks to your political masters!

Please savor the victory, because the next fight won’t be the same anymore. The Gov’t of the Day had all the machinery in their hands to fight Pakatan Rakyat.

There were some questions which needed to be answered by relevant authorities but I guess since BN won, the issues is best laid to rest. No point raising them as the answers to the questions posed is best answered when we go polling again soon!

For now, let us watch and see the “sugar and candy gifts” as promised to the Hulu Selangor folks during the BN campaign. May it all materialized. If the Barisan Nasional Gov’t is sincere in helping the rakyat, better start this very moment. Or forever be cursed for bluffing to all of us.

After all, the money used belongs to the tax payers and rightly so it should be given back to where it came!

To the losers, don’t lose hope. Our/your chance will come. “They can fool us sometimes, but not all the time.” Our victory will soon come if God wills it.

And the truth will be known sooner or later. Remember, we lost this battle but the war is still not over yet. Fight for Justice and Truth, and God will bless your struggles.

To Kamal, work while its still day. You won on this day. So remember it well.

Votes for Zaid Ibrahim

2010-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

In less than 3 hours from now, the Hulu Selangor voters will have their say in the By-Elections.

Who will win is everyone's question & guess. Barisan Nasional is going all out with the Prime Minister leading his coalition of partners. And its not often we get to see both the PM & Deputy joining hands to achieve 1 goal, and that is to win convincingly!

Even ex-PM Mahathir is in his element, joining in the fray. He did as expected of an elderly statesman except for the time he started criticizing his successor, Pak Lah. I wonder why he chose that fella in the 1st place? It was his prerogative then.

Personally, I hope the HS voters will vote in Zaid. Please rally around him. We must get Pakatan Rakyat in at some point in time soon.

Let us start with Hulu Selangor. After this, we must score more wins especially in Sarawak, starting in Sibu! Then Sabah, then the whole of Malaysia, under Pakatan Rakyat's rule!

AS voters, the power is in our hands to decide our fate, our destiny. I think we need fresh faces with newest ideas to lead us into the next century.

BN has been there for as long as I can remember. Are you willing to take the risk by voting for PR? Actually, there is nothing to fear because another five years will soon come where we will start to evaluate whoever rules us?

The “promises and the candies” mentioned by the PM and people will only be given if and when Selangor is returned to BN? Is that fair and what is the Election Commission or MACC doing about it?

These supposed to be independent bodies are being used as their tools against the basic rights of democracy.

So to the folks in Hulu Selangor, your time has arrived! Go show us what you’re made of. Show BN you can’t be bought with promises or with a thousand ringgit.

Best Wishes to Zaid Ibrahim.

Sir, you’re The Man of the Hour!

And it’s yours to win.

Kerusi Parliament Hulu Selangor

2010-04-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

Pemayuh pengundi sitak tu bisi 63,000 urang.

Pengawa bepilih tu nyadi laban pemati Dr. Zainal Abidin Ahmad, pengari ari PKR ti ngalah ke G.Palanivel ari BN/MIC ba pengawa bepilih 2008 tu suba.

Kediatu, bala ari BN (Barisan Nasional) benung ia angat kimpin ke Calon sida taja bedau nemu sapa ti patut ngari ke sida tu ila.

Ngari ke PKR kenu ku jaku bala mayuh, sigi Zaid Ibrahim, siku ari Menteri ti ngemadu ke diri maya agi dipegai Pak Lah tu tadi alu tama nyadi kaban PKR.

Ba bepilih 2004 suba, G.Palanivel menang kerusi tu enggau majoriti ti amat besai enda ngalah ke raban PAS, Ismail Kamus.

Kerusi tu asal ia sigi kubu kuat BN, alu ke sekali tu pan BN di sangka ke ulih ngambi penuduk tu pulai.

Ari ti udah ditetapka maya tau nganjung nama ianya 17hb April tu.

Sapa kah nyadi pengari BN/MIC tu ila?

Sama-sama mih kitai nganti maya nganjung nama tu ila.

Nama issues ti nyadi pekara tau ngasuh menang/alah pan bedau temu kitai jam diatu.

Arapke bala pengundi bela sampal nurun muai undi jam nya ila.

Bejimat jimat maya di ....

2010-04-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

Pekara tu nyadi kira 2 minggu ti lalu.

LadyJenn maya nya ba counter Am Bank, Jalai Haji Taha ka "bank in" duit lalu handset iya di letak ke iya ba counter alai nulis slip.

Maya nya urang ti bisi semak iya Officer ari Bank nya empu, alu nadai urang bukai ti di kingat ke iya.

Kami duai sama enggai ngemanjai ke cerita tu, laban enti aku ki'h ati, aku tau minta Management meri ari meda closed circuit TV recordings sida.

Si-penchuri tetap di temu. Bisi Jen madah ke bala staf ba counter pasal pengelenyau fon iya nya, sida amat tekenyit endar ninga rita tu laban Jen sigi regular ngagai Bank tu.

Nyu meli baru tang ke murah agi kena nganti iya ke lenyau.

Kasih amat tudah Indai Mau.

Konsert Lagu Iban Tebilang 10/04/2010

2010-03-31T07:32:00.001-07:00

Pweeet!! Tu baru ia wai kaban, Konsert ti di anti kita, nyu udah datai ba negri Kuching.

Aku minta kita bebala mayuh sampal datai ngulu Konsert tu ila. Tiket enda mar, semina RM20 aja.

Kita tau meli tiket tu ari kami ba Merekah Fajar Sdn. Bhd. muak lemai lepas jam dua sampai enam lemai.

Enti kita ka "booking" pan tau talipaun ngagai lumur tu: 082-663 100.

Aram mih kitai sama ngulu pengawa tu.

Sukung mih industri muzik Iban/Dayak!

Chinese New Year & Lion Dance

2010-02-19T21:03:00.000-08:00

Its synonymous, Lion Dance & Chinese New Year! Both must come together when it comes to the Celebrations.

I took this lovely pictures during my visit to Desa Wira, Batu Kawa; my favourite haunt!

Folks, for the next 15 days we will be entertained by this dance troupe and they are seen almost everywhere especially at shopping complexes, coffeeshops or offices and businesses.

And the one thing thats puzzling me, the "dancers" are mostly Dayak youths instead of Chinese, I wonder why? Dayaks doing the Lion dance?

Could that be the 1Malaysia our present Prime Minister is howling about?

running out of places?

2010-01-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

Where are the West Malaysian Ibans? Why did they (locals) have to waste these "babi hutan" by gunning them down mercilessly?

Those make good "kasam babi" but I guess they don't know the goodness of kasam.

If in Sarawak, the natives will have a fun-filled day hunting them down for food and game. A kilo of wild pig meat costs RM16 in Kuching.

The market is big and the demand plenty but the supply is never enough.

Sayau amat enti tak dibasau timbak pia aja. Enti bala kitai bisi, sigi 'q' on the spot sida jani tu!

Tang kati ka enggau, di menua urang.

Dubai Tower, the Burj Khalifa Tower

2010-01-05T00:55:00.000-08:00

The World's Tallest Building, the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai.
It was opened on the 4th Jan of 2010 by Sheik Mohamad Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai.

Long known as Burj Dubai, Arabic for 'Dubai Tower' the Tower rises 2,717 feet (828 meters) from the desert.

Rindu amat meda peninggi skyscraper gaga sida Arabs tu ti kaya, kaya ari penatai minyak sida. Taja ekonomi sida taun siti tu tadi enda manah, sida agi ulih nyiap ke Burj Khalifa Tower enggau temegah ati.

Siti ari penatai pemisi menua tu ari "tourism."

Menua kitai suba temegah laban Menara Petronas ti bempu juluk "The Tallest Building in the World" maya pegai Tun Mahathir.

Taja bala mayuh enda setuju laban kenu ku jaku masau duit rakyat, project tu sigi dikemdar ke sida ti megai kitai maya nya. (agi megai kitai maya aku nulis tu)

Nama juluk ati mensia ngaga rumahrega bejuta ringgit, telah baka cerita kitai kelia sida "Beji ti nanga ari" lalu dalam Bup Kudus pan bisi cerita ti nyau sebaka munyi.

Mayuh endar guna duit enti dikena enggau betul tang kitai ti "urang mit" enggai nyadi bejaku laban kukuk tua enda ingar.

Nyadi menyadi, what can be said when its already done?

Sama kia mih enti bisi belanja nemuai meda Burj Khalifa Tower nya kitai sabuat.

Happy Reading, wai kaban.

Selamat Taun Baru 2010 wai kaban

2009-12-29T03:54:00.000-08:00

Terima Kasih kelebih agi ngagai Tuhan ti udah ngibun kitai sepanjai Taun 2009 tu, ti nyau ka datai ba pengujung ia.

Ngajihka Tuhan semampai merkat ke kaul kitai serta di lindung Iya dalam pengasih Yesus Kristus belama ia.

Enggau awak tu, aku ka madah ke pengaga ati laban dalam Taun tu, aku ngasai ke mayuh amat bala ti nyau tau dikangau ke aku "pangan" kategal pengawa Blogging.

Aku ukai semina ngintu Blog tu aja, tang nyau nyengkaum ke 2 iti agi ianya
http://merekahfajar.blogspot.com enggau http://www.merekahfajarmotors.com

Aku ngasai ke pengawa tu bisi meri reti dalam pengidup aku serta dunya ti besai ngelama tu nyau sepi aku majak mit! (jaku tundi)

Readers, fellow bloggers & friends; I praise Almighty God as this 2009 draws to a close.

This Year has truly been a very fruitful as well as a challenging one for me but I really enjoy the fruits of our labour as well as making new friends throughout this Year.

We visited Miri & Bintulu this year, and hopefully other places in 2010!

Although our global economy is I should say slow, but God is still in control of our lives and from His Blessings we're still moving in the right direction because of our faith in him.

I pray the New Year will bring in joy & happiness for all of us, especially fellow Malaysians/Sawakians.

WE have truly been blessed this Year. And abundantly!

Local Fruits

2009-12-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

Aku enda enggau urang belandik ke buah ti di-impot. Buah menua kitai ditu pan nadai kurang ia ba penyamai, vitamin contents.

Aku deka ngambar sekeda agi bansa buah ti dikemisi kitai.

Arapka kitai nguji, serta muji buah menua diri empu.

Mushroom

2009-11-17T23:37:00.000-08:00

"Bagaikan cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan" is a Malay saying describing a situation where everyone tries to duplicate one another like opening a Coffeeshop, a laundry outlet, perhaps?

BUT this is a "poisonous" mushroom, NOT to be eaten!

I took this picture outside my house before my wife quickly get rid of it.

Looks harmless if you're not knowledgeable about the species, so be very careful before you think of cooking them.

2009-10-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

Picture: Beef Noodle

Picture: Chicken Mushroom Noodle

Picture: All-time favorite, our infamous Kolo Mee with pork char siew, pork balls etc

Yum yum .....

Glorious food for your picking. No one can live without them, or is that a poor statement?

Hawkers really know how to come up with great recipes. These days, many countries are claiming these recipes to be theirs, thus creating a "war" about who's first and who's the "copycat" in this case?

Personally, I dont give a care, why waste time fighting over them. They are to be savour, to be enjoyed especially when you're on an empty stomach.

Forget the dieting once in a while. Food is heavenly.

My pick? If for a bowl of kolo mee, I prefer those in Green Road, especially the stall along Gold Jade Road. It has that "original" taste from the 70s, the authentic taste for me.

Nay, I'm not endorsing anyone of them, just sharing.

About Penyabung GameFarm

2009-10-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

Picture: Penyabung Game Farm's Logo

This is one sport that I love which may be cruel to animal lovers.
I was introduced so many years ago that I lost track when I got into it.
No, I won't pass it on to my kids, mind you?
WE have our own small "farm" the outskirts of Kuching, where we breed our own fighting birds.
Their sizes are between 2kgs to 2.6kgs each. And each have developed their own fighting techniques.
Many people have placed their trust in our specially-trained fighting birds and many have come back for more.
We have sold uncountable number of "gladiators" and the selling price are NOT fixed.
Penyabung GameFarm's handler is Mr. Ben Ujai, who is very dedicated towards producing in every bird that "winning edge."
I dont encourage gambling folks, and for us its just a hobby!

LAKSA

2009-10-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hmmm............ what can I say? Simply loving it!

I know some people will talk about its cholesterol contents, some prefer using milk and some coconut milk, whatever the ingredients being used here, no one can say LAKSA is not "sedap di makan."

I usually drop by the stall operating in Palm Road, my 1st choice , my 2nd choice the one in Stutong Baru, and another outlet somewhere along the Ban Hock Road.

I prefer mine without prawns, but with thin sliced of omelette and of course, the condiments (sambal) to go with it must be spicy!

Need I say much more to tempt your taste bud guys, I dont think so?

So, try it out and get back to me on that.

Happy days are back again ..............

Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Iban Kpg Stutong, Kuching

2009-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

We've moved into this NEW Church 2 weeks already. The "old" Church was a shophouse which was rented to us for nearly 20 years, somewhere in BDC housing estate.

This building was built at a cost of RM100,000+ through donations and its about 90% completed.

Our elder is The Rev.Daniel Ngilek and our Pastor is Ambrose Liap.

The congregation is mainly made up of Ibans from Kpg.Stutong, Kpg.Stampin, some PTPL students and those residing in BDC.

This Church now can accomodate about 400 people and we are thankful to Almighty God for granting our wish and vision which was finally realised after 5 years of praying and seeking.

We hope to be a beacon to those living near the vicinity and to reach out to more people for Christ.

Najib turns blind eye to anti-Malaysian protests

2009-09-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani (The Malaysian Insider)

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 2 - Datuk Seri Najib Razak played down today anti-Malaysian protests the past few days by Indonesians in Jakarta, insisting the apparent strain would not affect ties between the two countries.

Yesterday, Indonesian television showed a group of students from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta protesting against the presence of Malaysian students and burning the Malaysian flag.

Today, Indonesian students reportedly pelted the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta with rotten eggs. They also tried to raise an Indonesian flag at the embassy gates.

The latest attack was sparked by apparent anger over a belief in Indonesia that Malaysia’s national anthem had been copied from an Indonesian song, Terang Bulan.

The protests come on the back of the recent controversy over a Balinese dance being used to promote a satellite television show about Malaysia.

“The president SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) has told me that he wants a close and friendly relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia. The president also calls me personally about any issues regarding the two countries,” Najib said today.

But, despite the prime minister’s remarks, it has been apparent that Indonesia-Malaysia ties have been strained in recent months, especially over the Ambalat issue.

Indonesia claimed that Malaysian warships had entered the Ambalat area in the Sulawesi sea in early June.

Soon after that, Indonesia also stopped allowing its citizens from being sent to work as maids in Malaysia after reports of abuse by Malaysian employers.

***What is this, adding more tension after the Ambalat issue.

Being "serumpun" and so many similarities between these two "friendly" neigbors, naturally people from the West will have wonderin' thoughts why these is happening again after the Confrontation back in the 60s?

I hope our generations will be able to live by side with one another instead of always "playing with fire."

The world is big enough for all of us. Go find your own playground.***
SDass

Malaysia blames Discovery Channel in dance flap

2009-09-04T20:06:00.000-07:00

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia sought Friday to allay anger in Indonesia over the use of a Balinese dance in a promotional spot for a TV documentary series on Malaysia, with officials laying the blame on cable network Discovery Channel.

The clip sparked outrage in Indonesia, with hundreds staging rallies and accusing Malaysia of stealing the "Pendet" dance from the Indonesian resort island of Bali, in the latest cultural dispute between the neighbors.

Cultural Minister Rais Yatim said the mistake was committed by Discovery Channel, which produced the 30-second clip to promote its series "Enigmatic Malaysia."

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said it regretted using the image of the Balinese dancer, which it said was sourced from an independent third party.

"The promotional clip has been removed from all feeds," it said in a statement, adding that it had no intention of causing any misunderstanding or distress.

Rais said the clip had nothing to do with any film producers in Malaysia and "there is no need to fight in public or be emotional."

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged Indonesians to end their protests and accept the apology by Discovery Channel.

The two countries share Islam as their main religion and have similar national languages, but have had a history of testy relations.

In late 2007, Indonesia threatened to sue Malaysia for using traditional Indonesian songs and dances in its national tourism campaign. The two countries established a high-level panel to resolve the dispute.

On Tuesday, about 30 Indonesians pelted the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta with rotten eggs and attempted to hoist an Indonesian flag at the gate to protest the video, The Star newspaper said. Hundreds of art students also staged theatrical protests on campuses nationwide, and rallies have been held in Bali.

Indonesian Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said Friday he wrote a protest note last week to Malaysia saying it had violated a 2007 agreement to honor each other's cultural heritage.

Malaysia has "promised to reprimand the production house" which created the clip, he said.

Last updated September 4, 2009 3:58 a.m. PT

Another embarrassing moment for Malaysians is how I put it, I wonder who should shoulder the blame this time around for this great "blunder" if I may say it as such ?

Our Authorities say Discovery Channel is the "culprit."

Shouldn't they have somebody or some department officials monitoring this before they are shown to members of the public ?

Why is it, an important programme like that could go undetected , maybe someone is sleeping on the job ??

We will never know if they keep covering up for one another.

Comment made by: S Dass

Wed. Aug 26th >The Permatang Pasir By-Elections<

2009-08-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

PAS maintains Chinese support, Umno race tactics a flop

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 26 — If the Permatang Pasir by-election was to gauge the effectiveness of Umno’s communal politicking, the results point to only one conclusion: failure.

Mohd Salleh Man, PAS Penang commissioner, beat Rohaizat Othman, the scandal-hit Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, with a majority of 4,551. The former garnered 9,618 votes against the latter’s 5,067.

PAS won in all Chinese dominated areas throughout the state constituency. From the suburbs of Sama Gagah and Cross Street to the semi-rural town of Permatang Pauh, the Islamist party thumped their Umno rivals with big majorities.

In Sama Gagah, where Umno and its allies in Barisan Nasional spent most of their time campaigning, PAS edged out its old foe by raking in 1,397 votes against Umno’s 594. In Cross Street, a DAP stronghold, Umno fell behind PAS with a 642 majority and in Permatang Pauh, the former gained 875 votes against Umno’s 354.

Campaigning materials depicted PAS as an extremist group; focussing on Chinese-sensitive issues like the pig abbattoir closure in Kedah and the beer sale issue in Selangor to regain much of the lost Chinese votes that went to Pakatan Rakyat in last year’s general elections.

But the Permatang Pasir results have shown that Umno’s racial attacks have not been effective, said PAS vice-president and Permatang Pasir by-election director Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

“The voters have completely rejected the kind of racist politics played by Umno and BN,” Mahfuz told a post-victory press conference in Permatang Pasir.

Mahfuz claimed observations made by the party indicate a similar voting trend from the 2008 general elections, where Chinese votes mainly went to PR and the Malay votes are equally spread among supporters from both sides of the fence.

“Just as what had happened in the general elections, it has happened again here which shows that the people want change and transparent governance, a government with integrity, something that Umno and BN cannot provide,” he added.

The continued support shown by the Chinese voters here is not the only barometer of Umno’s ineptitude at communal politics. Umno sang a different tune in Malay majority areas, portraying PAS as a party that has compromised Islamic values by being a stooge to a Chinese dominated party, the DAP.

This approach has also proven to be a failure. If Permatang Pasir is any gauge, Umno’s attacks have not gained much traction on the ground except among its own core supporters.

The results of yesterday’s by-election suggests a hardening of support on both sides of the political divide as PAS’s relentless attacks on Rohaizat’s candidacy also did not seem to have gained the party more votes.

Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin, the leading man behind the party’s ongoing racial attack, yesterday admitted that there were no significant changes in Malay voting trend.

Rohaizat, on the other hand, hinted that his defeat was caused by “the failure of the Chinese community here to fulfill its vows of support” which is an indirect admission that the race card has not worked its magic for Umno and BN.

Source: The Malaysian Insider

O'boy! This is not good at all for the parties in the Barisan Nasional!

They should be the ones doing the "drubbing" instead these days, they are the ones being "clobbered senseless" by the Opposition led by Pakatan Rakyat.

I was thinking, should IF the Pakatan were not a Unit, would they be able to withstand the onslaught by the BN??

And how long before Pakatan takes over at Federal level then state level?

They lost Perak and "won" it back through some dubious means, and from what I gathered the voters are left fuming because of these dirty tactics in winning it back.

Now there is something brewing in Selangor, next is Kedah.

I love Sarawak, my homestate. Always peaceful, always Barisan Nasional in thoughts and spirits, no matter what others may say.

That shows Sarawakians have "maturity" or is it otherwise? I can't interpret it.

Come the next Elections, over in Semenanjung, we will see a "sea change" unlike in our homestate, its always lovey-dovey for us here, no matter what may come.

Sabah may spring a surprise, yet again? You'll never know their thoughts till its too late to say "cheez."

Hmmm..... Forgive me. I'm a lousy political commentator. I just don't like politics but I love how that is being run in my country of Malaysia.

Malaysian politics, that is, Malaysian styled!

Not like those in Great Britain, in the US of A. Our stylelah!! Cara kita ....

Tak samakan? But BN is a washout soon by the look of things to come. The shape of things to come is not too smooth sailing for those supporting Barisan Nasional and its component parties.

I hope so. The wind of change is blowing near and it maybe here already!

Are we ready for the change of guard? Its too long overdue. About time we give it some thought.

"Rakyat di dahulukan" for now. Its has always been the rakyat, though the Elected ones may object to the comment.

SDass

Celebrity Business: Kenny Rogers Roasters

2009-08-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

A Chicken Only Kramer Could Love

Country musician Kenny Rogers has won numerous platinum records for crooning about losing love but it was chicken - roasted chicken - that caused him to lose a bundle in the late '90s. Even an entire Seinfeld episode devoted to Rogers' fast food chicken restaurant, Kenny Rogers Roasters, couldn't save the business from failing in 1998. It probably didn't help that Rogers failed to recognize his own chicken in a blind taste test between Kenny Rogers Roasters and NBC cafeteria chicken on The Late Show with Conan O'Brian in 1997.

Source: yahoo! Finance

I have never been to one, from the outside it looks very tempting.

The wide-array of food on offer must be good, and one of these days, I'm going over to one of these franchised-outlet to have my chicken.

Its kind of funny reading the post about Mr.Kenny Rogers who cant distinguished his Kenny Rogers Roasters and NBC's cafeteria chicken!

How embarassing moment it must have been for Mr. Rogers himself.

Bintulu: on the 25th of July

2009-08-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

My children together with their auntie Cath made this trip, their 1st to Bintulu,
the Gas Town!

They/we spent 3 days there. These guys got to see and visited many places, even managed to take a swim along the beaches here.

Myself & LadyJenn left them in the tender care of another sister, now a Bintulu resident, Indai Marina, who took them on board.

We will be coming back soon.

Stephen Dass

Going Bankrupt ?

2009-07-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

When you're afraid you might lose your job, triple-milled soap, $18 body lotion and aromatherapy spa treatments tend to become less of a priority. The domestic portion of Crabtree & Evelyn filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July with between $10 million and $50 million in assets -- and just as much in debts.

The Woodstock, Conn., company was founded in 1973 and built its brand on natural products that feature herbs, fruits and fresh flowers. But as consumers watched Wall Street spiral lower, they reigned in spending on consumer luxuries. Crabtree & Evelyn's 126 stores, mostly sprinkled in malls throughout the country, have seen a sharp sales pullback.

The real-estate portfolio of the company will go under the microscope as part of its bankruptcy filing, but for now, the stores remain open. Crabtree & Evelyn also operates a Web site, which is unaffected by the filing, and distributes products to thousands of wholesalers.

Crabtree & Evelyn is owned by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, a Malaysian company that is publicly traded there and invests in a grab-bag of industries, including manufacturing, real estate and retail.

Source: CNNMoney.Com

Only today, did I know that Crabtree & Evelyn belongs to Kepong Bhd, a Malaysian registered and Public-Listed company.

All the while, I thought C&E is a brand name from some countries in Europe!

A pity, the economic crisis is having the "strangled-hold" over so many established companies and surely the smaller Companies will soon wind-up due to the effect and impact of the economy.

Comment made by: SDass

No place for top STPM scorer - The Star Monday July 13, 2009

2009-07-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Chai Wei Xiong graduated as top STPM special needs student in 2008 and hopes to teach deaf and mute children. He is deaf and mute himself.

But after checking online, he discovered that his application to a local university to study special education had been rejected.

Chai has appealed but has not received any response so far.

He was told by officers in the Ministry of Higher Education that his application was rejected because he did not attend an interview. But Chai maintained he did not receive any notice to attend any interview.

Higher Education Deputy Minister Dr Hou Kok Chung and Transport Minister’s private secretary Woon Yong Teai have written to the Higher Education Ministry and the Department of Higher Education to help Chai.

Chai told The Star through writing that he was hopeful of getting a place in the university during the next intake. He has been giving home tuition to deaf and mute students in Malay, English, Mathematics, Science and History since April last year.

Chai has been deaf since he was three years old and started his special education at SKPK Jalan Peel.

He had his secondary education at SMK Dato Ibrahim Yaacob and did Form 6 at Methodist Boys School.

In Form Five, he studied in the United States for about 6 months at the Alabama School for Deaf and Blind as part of a cultural exchange programme.

Another sad episode. Who is really to blame or which Department when it comes to this, this boy lost his opportunity when the letter he was expecting didn't arrive at all. And he missed the interview because of that.

I won't point my finger at anyone but who is supposed to do the delivery service?
Or these days we have other agencies doing that now of which I'm not aware off?

I think this is more of our fellow Malaysians' attitude, the "tidak apa/itu dia punya hal" attitude.

I hope this boy be given another chance at the interview. We don't want to lose this kind of "gifted" person to our neighbouring country, do we?

We have lost quite a number of professionals, "smart" students down the years due to our attitude, if I may say that.

SDass AKA Merekah Fajar

About Bottled Water

2009-07-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

Stricter labeling urged for bottled water
By EMILY FREDRIX, AP Food Industry Writer Emily Fredrix, Ap Food Industry Writer
Wed Jul 8, 7:41 pm ET

Consumers know less about the water they pay dearly for in bottles than what they can drink almost for free from the tap because the two are regulated differently, congressional investigators and nonprofit researchers say in new reports.

Both the Government Accountability Office and the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, recommend in reports released Wednesday that bottled water be labeled with the same level of information municipal water providers must disclose.

The researchers urged Americans to make bottled water "a distant second choice" to filtered tap water because there isn't enough information about bottled water. The working group recommends purifying tap water with a commercial filter, however.

Both reports were released at a congressional subcommittee Wednesday morning.

Bottled water — an industry worth about $16 billion in sales last year — has been suffering lately as colleges, communities and some governments take measures to limit or ban its consumption. As employers, they are motivated by cost savings and environmental concern because the bottles often are not recycled.

Bottled water sales were growing by double-digit percentages for years and were helping buoy the U.S. beverage industry overall. But they were flat last year, according to trade publication Beverage Digest.

Beverage Digest editor John Sicher said some consumers are turning on the tap during the recession simply because it's cheaper.

From 1997 to 2007, the amount of bottled water consumed per person in the U.S. more than doubled, from 13.4 gallons to 29.3 gallons, the GAO report said.

The issue before a subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee was less about waste and water quality concerns and more about the mechanics of regulating bottled water.

As a food product, bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and required to show nutrition information and ingredients on its labels. Municipal water is under the control of the Environmental Protection Agency.

The two agencies have similar standards for water quality, but the FDA has less authority to enforce them, the GAO said, and the environmental agency requires much more testing.

Subcommittee chairman Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said the subcommittee was requesting information Wednesday from a dozen bottled water companies on their water sources, treatment methods and two years' results of contaminant testing. It was not immediately clear which companies were being contacted.

"Consumers may not realize that many regulations that apply to municipalities responsible for tap water do not apply to companies that produce bottled water," he said in statements opening the hearing.

The GAO noted the FDA has yet to set standards for DEHP, one of several chemicals known as phthalates that are found in many household products, while the EPA limits the presence of phthalates in tap water.

In a survey of officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the GAO found they think consumers are misinformed about bottled water.

"Many replied that consumers often believe that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap water," according to the GAO report.

The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group said in its report that consumers do not get enough information to determine which water is best for them.

Both groups said some bottled water brands include the same information required of tap water providers on either labels or company Web sites.

The GAO called for more research but said the FDA should start by requiring that bottled water labels tell consumers where to find out more.

Community water systems must distribute annual reports about their water's source, contaminants and possible health concerns.

Consumers should know where all their water comes from, how it is treated and what is found in it, said Richard Wiles, senior vice president for policy and communications for the Environmental Working Group.

"If the municipal tap water systems can tell their customers this information, you would think that bottled water companies that charge 1,000 times more for this water could also let consumers know the same thing," he told The Associated Press.

The bottled water industry's trade group, the International Bottled Water Association, planned to testify Wednesday that the product, — subject to the same regulation as other soft drinks, teas, juices and other beverages — is safe. Additional standards apply for bottled water products labeled as "purified water" or "spring water," among other labels, because they must prove a connection to those sources, according to planned testimony from Joseph Doss, president and chief executive of the International Bottled Water Association.

Doss said consumers can learn about bottled water by contacting the company, reading its Web site and visiting sites run by state governments.

State safeguards for bottled water often exceed the federal, though they are less stringent than for tap water, the GAO wrote.

The trade group declined to comment on the reports before they are released.

House Trade-In?

2009-07-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

I saw this Ad during my maiden trip to Bintulu 30th of June.

It sort of "caught my eye" as I didn't know that these days this arrangement can actually be done.

I kept thinking and wondering how they do it, because I'm doing car trading since the last 5 years.

Well folks, if you're not happy with your "dream" home, think about that offer.

I heard somebody say it many months back, "rumah ku, syurga ku" and I agree, it can be very hellish if you had a bad experience staying in one?

Cheerio.

The "Hanging Chicken of BDC"

2009-06-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to utilise spaces. And there are also many ways to make use of a signboard!

Actually, these are very smart "food" people. You see folks, when they hang out the chicken to dry, not only is the chicken when fried is crispy, those driving by will take a glance and their tastebuds tempted to give the chicken a try or rather a bite!

So for both you and I its a "win win" situation in the end.

Poor chickens, left out to dry in the sun.

Comment made by: SDass AKA Merekah Fajar

Coconut water!

2009-06-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

This is where I quench my thirst, nearly everyday of the week.

These guys are operating in Kota Samarahan, the road leading into the Desa Ilmu Housing Estate.

The coconut water is so refreshing every time especially during a hot and humid weather. A cup of costs RM1 only. They sell sugarcane juice as well.

The "nyiur pandan" is so tasty. I tried planting it at the backyard of our home in Desa Ilmu but it failed me.

By the way, do you guys remember the song sung by the late Nat King Cole? I'm sure you do. I could use that tune as a Theme Song to promote that nyiur pandan?

How about that?

Comment made by: SDass

Bloody in-considerate!

2009-06-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

I hate whenever our roads are congested. There is always some "smart-alecs" trying to pull off a stunt right before your very eyes.

No wonder our accident cases are amongst the highest in the world! And that is reported.

We should respect each other's rights to be on the road. And if you "honk" at somebody, make sure you're very sure about what you just did, because you'll get that "scary monster, super creep stare" from that particular person.

And you could end up in a bad shape, if you know what I mean?

Malaysians these days are very impatient, very inconsiderate lot. Maybe they absorb then radiate the (too much) heat, just like the solar energy cells that store the energy derived from the sunlight. They store all their "heatiness" and if you cross their path, "kaboom" they go!

I hope every person reading post this will learn to tolerate one another. It is bad enough as it is, so dont add fuel to fire.

Comment By: SD

Searching for the Origin of Father's Day by Mike Krumboltz

2009-06-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

Searchers have a question they'd like answered: Who started Father's Day? Who do they have to thank for the mandatory bonding time they're spending with dear ol' dad this weekend? Lookups on "father's day origin" and "who started father's day" inspired us to investigate. The results of our research shook us to our very core.

OK, maybe not to our core, exactly. But the story of how Father's Day came to be is still pretty interesting. A blog from a Detroit church explains that most historians credit a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd with creating the holiday. Ms. Smart Dodd was "inspired by her father, a widower and Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart." She wanted to do something to honor his memory while paying respect to all fathers.

Clearly she was a woman with a plan. Alas, not everybody agreed with her pleas to "give it up for the papas" (our words, not hers). In fact, Ms. Smart Dodd's proposal was often mocked when it first made the rounds. Folks felt it unnecessary. And the all-male United States Congress felt that having a holiday for fathers might look like they were trying to give themselves "a pat on the back."

Additionally, many just plain didn't want the holiday. An article from Inspiration Line explains that, according to an article in The Spokesman-Review, "one group of men conventioneers laughed and said they didn't want a Father's Day. A National Fishing Day would be better, they told her."

Though many scoffed, the holiday was eventually accepted. In 1910, the first local Father’s Day was held. It wasn’t until 1924 that President Calvin Coolidge "made it a national event." Then, in 1966, President Johnson signed a proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Nixon made it law in 1972.

It's hard to imagine a time when the idea of Father's Day was mocked and dismissed as ridiculous. If it weren't for the tenacity of a grateful daughter, it may never have come to pass.

From: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92699/?fp=1

"Selamat Ari Apai" & Happy Father's Day to all the lovin' dads in the world. You've been a pillar of strength in your family. I pray that Almighty God will continue to shower His blessings upon you and through His Holy Spirit acting as a guide in every steps and every moves that you make.

Comment made by: SDass

What the ...

2009-06-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we followed behind a lorry ladened with earth. It was not covered and being a hot and dusty day, some of the contents were spilled on the road which makes the road more messier than it should.

Sometimes, the operators were stopped by the roadside or roadblocks either by the Police or JPJ and some of them were asked to pay a compound for the offenses made.

Some are still "thick-skulled" like the fellow I followed yesterday.

I guess he won't mind paying the fine if business is peaking up?

Posted by: SD

PENUTUP GAWAI DI DYNASTY HOTEL MIRI

2009-06-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Ngiling Bidai Ruaikitai.Com 27 Jun, di Dynasty Hotel, Miri
Jam : 5 Lemai – 12 Malam
Bayar : RM30.00 siku (Orang Miri) RM15.00 siku (Orang luar Miri)
Hari Penudi Nganjung Nama : 21 Jun, 2009

Enti bisi tanya pasal bayar tau PM Johnny anak Chuat & Temenggung
Gari dikena - Smart/Night Gown lalu enti ulih mesti bisi lambang Dayak (JEANS ENDA TAU DIKENA)
Diperansang mai bala kaban bukai ke ukai raban RK
Ai ke diirup kitai bela besaup mai dikena berami
Bisi 'live' band (Dipelabaka bisi mega penanyi tebilang)
Mayuh 'award' deka diberi ngagai raban/Perais anak raban/Hamper
Mayuh macham program diatur malam nya
Arapka mayuh raban baru tauka raban ari luar Miri ulih datai

Source:http://ruaikitai.com/forum/portal.php

** Arapke baka raban serta kaban mayuh datai ngulu pengawa tu ila.

Jen & myself has made plans to attend this gathering. We hope to make it this year. We would also like to invite our friends to attend this "Ngiling Tikai/Bidai" to be held at Miri's Dynasty Hotel on the 27th of June, 2009.

As you can read above, the requirements by the organisers. Let us make it more merrier this year in the spirit of Gawai, the unity of Ibans in Sarawak, regardless of where you're from. **

Posted by: Stephen Dass AKA Merekah Fajar

RELA Corps

2009-06-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"RELA" is the acronym of Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia (in English: Volunteers of Malaysian People). Rela Corps is a paramilitary civil volunteer corps formed by the Malaysian government. Their main duty is to check the traveling documents and immigration permits of foreigners in Malaysian cities, including tourists, visitors and migrants to reduce the increasing rate of illegal immigrants in Malaysia. RELA has the authority to deal with situations like policemen, such as raiding suspected streets or places such as factories, restaurants and even hotels. They are also fully authorized to conduct the interrogation and even detaining people who forgot to bring their traveling documents, like passports and/or working permits. Besides that they are also tasked with security works at times. During times of war, they are absorbed into the Malaysian Army as support groups despite their law enforcing duties. They are also tasked to do SAR works if needed.

Given only basic training, this civil corps is sometimes equipped with firearms, making many cases of power abuse by this civil corps such as killing people in the street and beheading foreigners. Many cases in Malaysia the RELA volunteers, abused their power, which created trauma for foreign visitors in Malaysia, have caused RELA Corps to be listed in the Human Rights Watch.

Our neighborhood is RELA-guarded area. They called it a "neighborhood watch" force and the team is made up from those that stay within the neighborhood.

I encountered them tonite as I was on my way out for a late supper with my family.
I feel safer with those guys around. Not too long ago, my mum was "snatched' of her necklace infront of our own house. No one was around during the material time, so the "good looking" guy got away with the loot. He got lucky that day.

Somehow, they followed my mum from somewhere before pulling off the daring robbery in broad daylight.

There was one time, our next door neighbor's house was broken into by thieves but they got away with nothing. The folks were away at another house, hard luck thieves!

I have not join them till now but I intend to do so if required as part of my commitment towards a safer and a more friendlier neighborhood where everyone of us could bring up our children in a better environment.

Posted by SD

Most Dayak VCD contents not ‘TV-friendly’

2009-06-08T17:06:00.000-07:00

Posted By rajlira On 8th June 2009 @ 00:00 In Local

KUCHING: Most Dayak music videos will have to be re-shot because their contents are not “TV-friendly” for Muzik Aktif, a 24-hour music channel of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Astro.

WELL DONE: Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan who is Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management (fifth left, first row) poses for a group photograph with the finalists including first-placed winners Manaf and Nurhamimah (fourth and third right respectively). Also in the photo are Monshi (second right) and Kuching City North Datuk Bandar Abang Mohd Atei Abang Medaan (right).

The state acting broadcasting director Monshi Abdullah said because of this only few Dayak music videos could be aired on the 30-minute slot for Sarawak over Muzik Aktif or Channel 180 every fortnight.

Monshi said starting next month, the Sarawak slot would be increased to one hour from 3pm to 4pm every Sunday and that RTM is now discussing with the artistes and production companies to re-shoot the videos to suit the VCDs to the system used by Muzik Aktif and for appropriate contents.

“(The problem now is) most of the Sarawak ethnic music videos are in karaoke format and not in the format that is right for TV,” he said when met after the finals of the state-level RTM Bintang Klasik Nasional 2009 at Auditorium P Ramlee here yesterday.

He was earlier asked on the lack of Dayak music videos on Muzik Aktif, especially during the Sarawak slot. The issue was hot topic of discussions during the Gawai festival and was even discussed on Internet forums.

The slot for Sarawak and Sabah was launched by the then Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek in early April, with plans to turn it into a one-hour slot dedicated to music from ethnic races of both states in July.

At present, the slot is only for 30 minutes and features either Sabah or Sarawak on alternate weeks. But by next month, each state will have a slot solely dedicated to them if the materials are ready.

According to Monshi, RTM as the government-owned broadcasting station could not just simply air any music videos on television.

As the standard-bearer, he said it was RTM’s duty to ensure that the artistes dress decently and act appropriately on TV shows.

“RTM has a certain ethical standard which the artistes have to follow,” he said.

Once this could be achieved, he was confident that the target to have an all-Sarawak ethic music slot could be achieved.

Meanwhile, 12 contestants took part in the finals of state-level RTM Bintang Klasik National 2009, which was divided into men and women categories.

Twenty-seven-year old Abdul Manaf Seron from Kuching won the men’s category, while Samarahan lass Nurhamimah Bohan won the women’s.

Both Abdul Manaf and Nurhamimah will represent Sarawak in the national-level competition of RTM Bintang Klasik Nasional, featuring only songs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, in August.

Article printed from The Borneo Post Online: http://www.theborneopost.com

URL to article: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=52938

Hah! This caught my eye this morning. "Dayak VCDs NOT TV-friendly" they say? Kan Ibans like be-Karaoke?? That is why that disc format is used.

I follow closely the Clips, those by Jenny Tan, Andrewson Ngalai, Antonio Jawi and Co.

So far, I have not come across any that display "something" obscene except for some pretty "sweet young things" dancing & prancing around in their short skirts. But that is not why our VCDs are not that "user-friendly" I hope? To the ladies, I say WOW!! They are gorgeous looking "creatures."

Not trying to be sexist there, folks.

Maybe that is too hot to handle by our small community, our local folks but "sex" sells you know that for a fact .....

Not sex of the rated-kind, mind you? I don't know the criteria needed to pass FINAS test or those guidelines provided by our RTM or Information ministry. I must check it out, should be very interesting. I guess Malaysians are gullible.

Maybe we just skip showing our Iban Clips on National TV, just simply like that?
Our "girls" are not decently dressed in those Clips by not wearing a purdah, covered from head to toe?? But I watch those Arab-based TVs, their singers tak pun pakai tutup habis-habisan ... Nay, no double standard here, DON"T TIRU CARA BARAT, folks!

I'm thinking, Claudia AF7 wearing those and singing a tune by Beyonce Knowles hahaha!
Kinda cute lookin' folks, don't you think so?

So those thinking of producing VCDs or whatever, better be very sure the guidelines already given. Or else "kena gam" by the relevant authorities and your investment down the drain!

Actually, I have thought about producing one in the near future, testing water? (nguji ai, ko Iban wai)

So funny. Ibans doing not exactly x-rated stuff but quite dekat dekat,perhaps?
Who is the producer involved? And VCDs by whom, who are the singers mentioned???

This piece of news I got to share with a friend or two, surely will make our day.

Maybe I'll try DVD instead of VCD. Lebih canggihkan? Try telling it to our Dayak producers to change the format soon or else NO TV Appearance for our artistes ... kasian ia.

Cheerio,

Comment by: Stephen Dass AKA Merekah Fajar

ANTI - ALONG Campaign by our Gov't ?

2009-06-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

(The Great White Shark)

After seeing so much misery, finally our Gov't is doing something about the alongs' menace. Recently, we read about the stories in our local papers how some of the "loan defaulters" were made to pay the price for their inability to settle their debts.

The pictures is so sickening when we saw what our fellow civilized human could do to another human being. It's totally unacceptable how the "victims" were treated when their pictures were posted.

I don't know how far the Gov't are willing to go to curb this menace to society.

With our global economic crisis, do they have much of a choice?

Since I'm also a small time businessman and I know the problems these people are having. To get a soft loan from any financial institutions is not as simple as 1, 2 and 3! And when you reached your wit end, there is nothing much to do except to engage an "along" for help. The rest is history.

So, what are we to do as to evade these problems from arising?

It is easier said than done. Banks need collateral, guarantors. Along?? The process is fast, not much paperwork is needed to secure a small loan. And no waiting period.

I hope our society will share their knowledge on these matters, their experience with us. Some are ill-advised on this matter.

Posted by Stephen Dass

LoansharKiNG! Neraka along:- Peminjam tak bayar hutang dikurung, dilayan macam hamba

2009-05-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

(DUA dari tiga peminjam yang dirantai leher dikurung along di Seri Kembangan, Serdang sebelum diselamatkan polis, petang semalam.)

Oleh Petah Wazzan Iskandar/Thurs 28/May/2009/Source: Berita Harian On-Line
Peminjam tak bayar hutang dirantai, dilayan macam hamba

SUBANG: Bagaikan hamba abdi - demikian keadaan tiga lelaki mangsa along yang dirantai dan dikurung dalam dua 'lokap' di tingkat bawah sebuah rumah kedai empat tingkat di Jalan PBS 14/2, Pusat Perindustrian Bukit Serdang di sini, sebelum diselamatkan polis petang semalam.

Seorang daripada 'banduan' along itu ditahan sejak dua bulan lalu, seorang lebih sebulan manakala seorang lagi kira-kira 10 hari. Ketiga-tiga mereka diikat dengan rantai besi pada leher, tangan dan kaki ke sebatang tiang dalam 'neraka' itu.

Tiga lelaki itu, yang amat lemah dengan kesan lebam dan luka, dipercayai dirotan di beberapa bahagian badan kerana membuat bising atau cuba menarik perhatian orang ramai di luar bangunan supaya menyedari mereka dikurung.

Mereka hanya diberi sebuku roti seorang sebagai makanan selama seminggu, manakala air minuman disalurkan dari paip tandas yang dibina khusus untuk lokap berkenaan.

Ketua Polis Daerah Gombak, Asisten Komisioner Abdul Rahim Abdullah, berkata serbuan ke bangunan itu dibuat pada jam 2.30 petang susulan penahanan dua along di depan sebuah bank di Desa Jaya, Kepong kira-kira tiga jam sebelum itu.

Ketika ditahan kedua-dua suspek berusia 30 dan 33 tahun itu dipercayai baru selesai menjalankan urus niaga berkaitan pinjaman.

"Selepas disoal siasat, mereka membawa polis ke premis rahsia itu, yang dipercayai digunakan sebagai lokap untuk menahan dan mendera peminjam yang gagal membayar hutang. Ketiga-tiga mangsa itu ditemui dengan tangan, kaki dan leher mereka dirantai dalam sebuah bilik di belakang premis itu. Keadaan mereka amat teruk selepas dibelasah tanpa perikemanusiaan.

"Kami terpaksa meminta bantuan anggota bomba dan penyelamat kerana tidak mempunyai peralatan untuk memotong rantai mereka," katanya ketika ditemui di tempat kejadian di sini, semalam. Hadir sama Ketua Polis Daerah Subang Jaya, Asisten Komisioner Zainal Rashid Abu Bakar.

Abdul Rahim mengesahkan semua mangsa yang ditahan itu dilaporkan hilang oleh keluarga masing-masing di Kajang, Gombak dan Segamat, Johor, termasuk seorang sejak 10 April lalu.

"Siasatan awal mendapati mangsa itu hanya berhutang antara RM1,500 dan RM4,000, tetapi mereka dilayan seperti anjing hanya kerana gagal menjelaskan pinjaman," katanya. Semua mangsa dihantar ke Hospital Serdang untuk pemeriksaan kesihatan.

Tinjauan Berita Harian mendapati anggota bomba dan penyelamat terpaksa menggunakan mesin pemotong besi serta masa kira-kira dua jam untuk menyelamatkan semua mangsa dari lokap di dalam premis yang tidak mempunyai sistem pengudaraan sempurna itu.

Mangsa pertama hanya dapat diselamatkan kira-kira jam 6.30 petang, kira-kira empat jam selepas mereka dijumpai manakala dua lagi dilihat keluar bangunan itu 10 minit kemudian sambil diiringi pasukan perubatan.

Salah seorang mangsa yang dikenali sebagai Lim, 49, dari Kajang, berkata dia diculik along di sebuah pasar raya di Semenyih, selepas perbincangan untuk menyelesaikan hutangnya tidak dapat diselesaikan, pada 10 April lalu.

"Sejak hari itu, saya sering dipukul malah diperlakukan seperti anjing kurap hanya kerana hutang sebanyak RM800," katanya sambil menangis dan terlalu lemah hingga tidak berdaya untuk berdiri sendiri.

** Believe it, coz it's a true story, readers. We have come across many "stories" such as these highlighted in our local papers of late but still there are people going to this sort of personality known locally as "alongs" for a small term loan and ended up paying a massive amount of personal debt or else they might end up like what had happened in this photo shown above. What are we doing to put a stop to this uncivilized act? It may happen to you and your loved ones, even me? The Gov't have done all they can to help especially the petty traders. There are Gov't Agencies like MARA, Smidec who offer many types of loans to help out these traders. I pity those caught using alongs' services. The loans are easy to apply, but the interests will "kill" the joy after a short while. The person may end up paying triple amount for a small loan and you have no say and there is no use "bargaining" as the interests will keep on generating itself. It's a hard lesson to learn, folks, so be very wary and careful or else you'll be caught in a trap which offers you no option except to pay whatever amount (interests) they impose on you. **

Comment made by: SD

Claudia Fay Geres meets LeBoey in person!

2009-05-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

We took this after the "Trek Selebriti" shooting ended. This is her latest looks after the Akademi Fantasia 7 ended more than a week ago.

It was taken at their home.

I manage her Blog along with her dad, Jimmy Geres.

Posted By SD

Trek Selebriti

2009-05-23T03:04:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Shanley along with his crew were in town yesterday to do the "Trek Selebriti" a programme made for ASTRO. When we arrived at Claudia's house after 6:30pm, they were just about to start shooting some scenes. We were asked to join in and I was even interviewed by Jimmy regarding Claudia's Blog which is still being managed by myself along with her dad, Jimmy Geres.

The whole thing was over in less than 2 hours. That night, they were supposed to do some shooting ast The Steppes, Simpang Tiga, a well-known place for local entertainment.

On Saturday, Claudia will be with them to the Sarawak Cultural Village to do some more shooting before they round it up later that evening.

It caught us by surprise but a pleasant meeting in the end. After all, these guys are our Local Celebrities and you dont get to meet them often!

We took some pictures, of course. My daughter, Stef was certainly impressed.

Posted By Stephen Dass

Zambry kekal MB

2009-05-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

AHLI Umno Cawangan Tanjung Malim menjulang Zambry sebaik saja mengetahui keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan memihak kepadanya ketika merasmikan persidangan serentak mesyuarat Umno Cawangan Tanjung Malim di Slim River, semalam.

Tiga hakim Mahkamah Rayuan ketepi keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir kekal sebagai Menteri Besar Perak apabila Mahkamah Rayuan semalam membenarkan rayuannya bagi mengetepikan keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi 11 Mei lalu yang mengisytiharkan Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin pemegang sah jawatan itu.

Dalam keputusan sebulat suara, tiga panel hakim Mahkamah Rayuan yang bersidang mendapati Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk Abdul Aziz Rahim salah dalam membuat tafsiran peruntukan relevan terhadap Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Perak (UTNP).

“Yang Arif Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi berkenaan gagal menilai dengan betul dan secukupnya semua keterangan yang ada padanya sehingga membuat keputusan

yang salah,” kata Hakim Datuk Md Raus Shariff, yang bersidang bersama Hakim Datuk Zainun Ali dan Hakim Datuk Ahmad Maarop.

Mohd Raus dalam keputusan lisannya juga memutuskan Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah membuat keputusan betul melantik Zambry sebagai Menteri Besar selepas mendapati Mohammad Nizar kehilangan sokongan majoriti Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Perak pada Februari lalu.

“Kami juga berpendapat bahawa keputusan sama ada membenarkan atau tidak permohonan pembubaran Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) adalah dalam bidang kuasa Sultan,” katanya. Mohd Raus memberitahu peguam Mohammad Nizar, Sulaiman Abdullah pihaknya akan menulis alasan penghakiman dalam tempoh seminggu.

Sulaiman memberitahu mahkamah, anak guamnya akan memfailkan rayuan dalam tempoh 30 hari dan memohon mahkamah menyiapkan alasan penghakiman bertulis secepat mungkin bagi membolehkan rayuan mereka didengar Mahkamah Persekutuan.

Mahkamah itu juga membatalkan permohonan Mohammad Nizar untuk mengetepikan keputusan Hakim Mahkamah Rayuan, Datuk Ramly Ali, menangguhkan pelaksanaan keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi selepas diberitahu pemohon ingin menarik balik permohonannya.

Mohd Raus berkata, mereka sependapat bahawa mengikut hak istimewa Sultan Perak, apabila permohonan Mohammad Nizar yang dibuat mengikut Perkara 16 (6) UTNP untuk pembubaran DUN ditolak, beliau mesti meletak jawatan.

“Tiada peruntukan khusus atau mandatori dalam UTNP untuk diadakan undi sokongan majoriti di DUN Perak. Malah, kehilangan sokongan majoriti Mohammad Nizar boleh ditentukan dengan cara lain (tidak hanya melalui undi).

“Sultan Perak betul untuk menjalankan siasatan dan adalah jelas bahawa Mohammad Nizar kehilangan sokongan majoriti di DUN Perak. Oleh itu, Sultan mempunyai hak untuk melantik Zambry sebagai Menteri Besar,” katanya.

Peguam Zambry, Datuk Cecil Abraham, berkata anak guamnya akan meneruskan tugas seperti biasa selepas rayuannya dibenarkan.

Pada 11 Mei lalu, Mahkamah Tinggi mengisytiharkan Mohammad Nizar sebagai Menteri Besar Perak yang sah selepas membenarkan permohonan semakan kehakimannya.

Bagaimanapun sehari kemudian, Mahkamah Rayuan membenarkan permohonan Zambry menangguhkan pelaksanaan keputusan itu sehingga rayuannya diputuskan. Mohammad Nizar kemudian mengemukakan permohonan bagi mengetepikan keputusan Mahkamah Rayuan itu.

Mohammad Nizar memfailkan semakan kehakiman itu pada 13 Februari lalu, memohon perintah injunksi bagi menghalang Zambry, yang dilantik Menteri Besar pada 6 Februari lalu, atau ejennya daripada menjalankan tugas sebagai Menteri Besar.

Oleh Khirul Bahri Basaruddin dan Saufi Hamzah
bhnews@bharian.com.my

** The controversy continues in the state of Perak about who is the "rightful Menteri Besar." So, what is the next move from Nizar? Another appeal like what Zambry did, perhaps?

So when will this end if ever? When will the "Government" get down to work to bring more development to the state? Who are the losers at the end of the day? So many Questions that someone like Najib has to address one day.

Why are the Perakians being punished when their "rightful government of the day" lost out when the "3 political frogs" left Pakatan in a lurch?

I think the right and most sensible thing to do is to go back deep to the electorates for votes of confident. Looking at when Nizar was re-instated back as MB many weeks ago, I'm pretty sure Nizar will WIN it handsdown again maybe with a better showing than the last time?

I don't know, but it should be justice done at the end! **

Posted by: Stephen Dass

Insurance News

2009-05-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

Rebates for direct insurance
18 May 2009, By The Star
PETALING JAYA: Come July 1, car owners who buy motor insurance directly from insurance companies without using the services of an agent will qualify for mandatory rebates, a move that could render agents redundant. The move would see new customers being given a 5% rebate on their insurance if they buy it via channels such as the Internet, telemarketing, direct mailing or by walking into the insurance company. These customers would also get a 10% rebate for renewals in the second year. In a circular sent to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) dated April 17, Bank Negara said the rebates would only apply to actual owners of the vehicles. The circular added that Bank Negara had “no objections” to PIAM’s proposal for the mandatory rebates. This is understood to mean that the move would more likely be implemented than not. Veteran insurance agent Hardyal Singh hit out at PIAM, saying the association did not take the views of 40,000 agents (15,000 of them full-time) into consideration. “It will clearly affect the livelihood of the agents. Full-time agents hire at least three to 30 employees at their agencies and these people will also be affected. “Our main source of income is the 10% commission, so the 10% rebate is actually our commission being given to the customer. It offers no benefit to the insurance company but instead creates a socio-economic crisis by making people jobless.” Hardyal, who was formerly Perak General Insurance Agents Association president, said he would be forming an ad hoc committee with some larger agents in Kuala Lumpur to speak out more on the matter. It is understood that the circular was the outcome of correspondence and meetings between PIAM and Bank Negara on the association’s proposals towards self-regulation of the industry. In the circular, the central bank said the rationale for mandatory rebates was to “promote the promulgation of alternative channels of distribution so as to increase the penetration of insurance to the masses”. An industry source said the industry was heavily regulated, especially towards the ability of insurance companies to reward agents, and that PIAM’s proposals were for Bank Negara to allow some self-regulation. “When Bank Negara came back to the table, it seemed that they were saying if insurance companies were willing to reward agents, then they could also provide this benefit to policyholders.” The source added that the central bank’s move could be seen as a way to reduce the number of part-time agents but said full-time agents would now have to work harder and think up new ways to get business. Consumer advocate Billy Toh said he was strongly against the move as he felt that agents could still play a role by explaining the insurance policy details to customers. However, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said “the move would reduce the opportunity for agents who try to get customers to buy other types of insurance together with motor insurance.”

Third-party motor cover from MMIP
16 May 2009, By The Star
PETALING JAYA: Members of the public who are unable to get third-party insurance coverage from individual insurance companies are advised to obtain coverage from the Malaysian Motor Insurance Pool (MMIP). MMIP is a pool contributed by all insurance companies and deemed as the insurer of last resort. Recently, there had been reports that motor vehicle owners had experienced some difficulties in obtaining third-party motor vehicle coverage. Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung met officials from the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara and representatives from Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) yesterday to discuss issues regarding motor vehicle insurance, especially the issuance of third-party motor vehicle insurance. In a statement, the ministry said that Chor subsequently instructed Bank Negara to resolve the matter together with PIAM. Chor wants both parties to jointly come up with balanced short and long-term resolutions which would be amicable to all stakeholders, namely insurance companies, consumers and regulators. PIAM said that insurance companies were willing to issue coverage but hefty losses due to large claims from third-party coverage had resulted in it being a non-viable business.

Source:http://www.piam.org.my/news/insnews/ins_news.asp

HOLO: The Game

2009-05-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

I caught these pictures when we attended a funeral sometime last week. Some people may not agree with this sort of practice, but nonetheless people tend to think this is one of the ways to shorten the night.

A "friendly game" between neighbors and friends though not everyone is happy about it. :)

I can't say I agree with this opinion, so I'll just refrain myself from saying something controversial and stir up the hornet's nest!

But please, keep the young ones away from it.

Posted By Stephen KU Dass

Man Utd are worthy champions

2009-05-17T05:38:00.001-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson - in what has become his customary Premier League title-winning address to his Old Trafford subjects - asked: "Does it get better than this?"

Ferguson delivered this poser amid the pyrotechnics and partying to mark a third successive title win, a feat that ensured Manchester United hit the hugely-significant landmark of 18 championships, drawing level with Liverpool at the pinnacle of the domestic game.

This statistic alone underscores the scale of Ferguson's achievements and perhaps prompted him to pose a question he answered himself within seconds when he insisted United would return from "a nice trip to Rome" as the first club to defend the Champions League.

So yes, it could get better than this for Manchester United and Ferguson. In fact it could get better very quickly - on 27 May to be precise if they beat Barcelona.

For now, however, another title triumph and another demonstration of the unique drive, hunger and longevity of Ferguson will suffice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk

Rafael Benítez refuses to accept Manchester United's superiority

2009-05-17T05:32:00.000-07:00

Rafael Benítez has confronted the unpalatable prospect of Manchester United equalling Liverpool's record of 18 league titles by refusing to recognise the champions-elect as the finest team in the country. In a begrudging assessment of his fiercest rivals, he also claimed Sir Alex Ferguson is on course for a third successive Premier League crown thanks only to the financial advantage he enjoys over Liverpool.

There was an element of pragmatism in Benítez's modest appraisal of United yesterday, with Liverpool able to take the title race to the final day should Arsenal triumph at Old Trafford this afternoon and West Bromwich Albion be defeated at The Hawthorns tomorrow. His refusal to concede defeat was secondary to a refusal to offer any credit to Ferguson, however, following a campaign that has fractured the once respectful relationship between the managers at Anfield and Old Trafford.

Liverpool will become the first team to lose only two matches and not win the title should they remain undefeated for the rest of the season and United gain the point they require. Asked if the best team always wins the league, Benítez responded: "It just means they have more points.

"If United win the league it means they will have more points, clearly, but there are some very good teams in different positions in the table. It depends on the time of the season. I don't think I ever said we were playing the best out of everyone, maybe just at certain moments. I do have a lot of respect for the other teams, but to say who is the best at one moment is not easy."

The Liverpool manager added: "There are a lot of good teams in the Premier League. Without putting them in any order, I'd say Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal are the best. This year we have shown we are improving and that we are a better team than before. We can still get better but we are in this position because we are winning a lot, have played good football, scored a lot of goals and not conceded many. Eighty points is good, 86 could be much better, and we will try to get there and see what happens. If United have more points, it only means they have more points, that's all, nothing else."

Benítez insisted the only difference this season between Liverpool and United, whom they have beaten home and away, lies not on the pitch but on the balance sheet, with Old Trafford's greater resources providing Ferguson with a deeper and more experienced squad.

"For me, United have a bigger squad with top-class players, but always they spend more than we can spend," said the Liverpool manager. "If they make mistakes they can use different players, but the level of the two teams is more or less the same. Maybe we have to bring in some young players without the experience at this level, and that could be the difference. United are a top side that is spending big money every year on improving its squad and that is the main difference between them and the other teams."

While Benítez takes pride in Liverpool's creditable pursuit of United, the club's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso has insisted the season cannot be classed a success should it end without a trophy. "In terms of the Premier League it has been better than it has before but if you don't win anything you can't consider it to be a good season," said Alonso, who is likely to be the subject of several transfer enquiries this summer.

"We have to be disappointed with ourselves, try to be critics and try to analyse the things that we haven't done properly. Of course you also have to think that we have made progress in the Premier League and we have to keep working on this basis, but you also know that success means winning trophies for Liverpool. It's very painful to look back and think of the draws that we had and the two defeats we have had also."

Benítez again revisited a disallowed goal in the opening minutes of the home game against Stoke City as an example of the fine margins that have worked against Liverpool this season. "It's only natural to think where would we be if we had managed to get another good result?" admitted Alonso. "But then all the teams in the Premier League can say the same thing."

http://www.guardian.co.uk

A case of sour grapes?
SD

Man Utd 0-0 Arsenal/Friday, 15 May 2009 (Sat night in M'sia)

2009-05-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Old Trafford

(Anderson, Giggs and Rooney celebrate winning the title)

Manchester United sealed a third successive Premier League title by getting the point they needed against Arsenal - but the Old Trafford celebrations only started after an afternoon gripped by tension.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side knew a draw would ensure they equalled Liverpool's long-time record of 18 titles, but Arsenal ensured they did not earn their prize without a fight.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both wasted opportunities to drag the title race into its final week and leave United with more work to do at Hull City on the last day of the season as nerves jangled in the closing stages.

But United's defence, so often the bedrock of their success this season, delivered another clean sheet when Ferguson needed it most and Old Trafford erupted in ecstasy at the final whistle as an 11th Premier League success was confirmed.

Wayne Rooney missed United's best chance with a first-half header, and there was an intriguing cameo when Old Trafford voiced its resounding disapproval when the popular Carlos Tevez was substituted in what could prove to be his final home appearance.

But nothing could overshadow United's achievement - or the joy of players, fans and management - as the presentations were made after the final whistle with club captain Gary Neville lifting the Barclays Premier League trophy.

United saw off a stirring challenge from an improving Liverpool this season to once again set the standards their rivals must meet, despite a stumble when defeats against Rafael Benitez's side and Fulham threatened to undermine their challenge.

And as so often during this campaign, United got the result they needed when not at their most fluent, with the industry of Darren Fletcher and the defensive solidity of Nemanja Vidic taking centre stage as Arsenal kept Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo on the margins.

United's squad were introduced individually as the presentations began, but the biggest ovation of all was reserved for Ferguson, whose hunger, drive and desire have again been the inspiration for this triumph.

And as the pyrotechnics flashed around Old Trafford, Ferguson could start the preparations for further glory as he attempts to make United the first club to successfully defend the Champions League when they meet Barcelona in the final in Rome.

Tevez's spectacular equaliser at Wigan earned him a starting place ahead of Dimitar Berbatov - with Ferguson clearly unmoved by continued speculation surrounding the Argentine's future.

Andrey Arshavin was restored to Arsenal's side after illness, and he saw plenty of possession in a first 45 minutes that saw Arsene Wenger's side acquit themselves far better than when the pressure was on in the recent Champions League semi-final against United.

The Russian provided an inviting cross for Van Persie after 13 minutes, but he headed off target with United's defence unlocked.

United's response was a Rooney header from John O'Shea's cross four minutes later. He should have at least tested Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski, but directed a low header just wide.

Arsenal had a foothold in the game without putting United's defence under concerted pressure, but there was enough on show to subdue the atmosphere of anticipation inside Old Trafford.

United had one final opportunity as the interval approached, but Ryan Giggs, who would later collect his 11th Premier League title medal, shot well over the top after good work on the left flank by Rooney.

Van Persie had already been booked for a reckless challenge on Ronaldo, and he was fortunate to escape with a lecture from referee Mike Dean early in the second half for another poor tackle, this time on Patrice Evra.

United had struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, but Fabianski had to be alert on the hour to block Tevez, with Ronaldo firing the loose ball yards over the bar.

It was the final contribution for Tevez, who was replaced by Ji-Sung Park. Ferguson's decision was not well received by Old Trafford, in fact it was met with open derision as the popular striker made his way to the touchline.

Tevez milked the situation for all it was worth, waving to all sides of the ground in apparent farewell - going a step further by acknowledging the fans after taking his place on the bench.

Ronaldo thought he had scored the goal that rubber-stamped the title with 12 minutes left, but his 20-yard angled free-kick dipped just wide with Fabianski beaten.

Fabregas almost stunned Old Trafford with seven minutes left and the clock ticking down towards the title triumph. He found space inside the penalty area but, to widespread relief from the home support, could only find the side-netting.

Van Persie then shot straight at Van der Sar as United looked to have settled for the stalemate that would see them retain their crown.

The Dutch striker gave Old Trafford one final scare when his free-kick was bravely blocked by Michael Carrick.

Seconds later, referee Dean sounded the final whistle and United were crowned champions again.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney (Anderson 90), Tevez (Park 67).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Berbatov, Scholes, Rafael Da Silva.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Song Billong, Gibbs (Eboue 76), Nasri (Bendtner 69), Denilson, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin (Walcott 69), van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre.

Booked: van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri, Song Billong.

Att: 75,468

Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

Source: BBC Sport

Congratulations to Manchester United, its Management Team, its players, its fans & followers world-wide!

You've achived what you set out to do at the beginning of every Season, and that is at becoming the Premier League Champions.

The NEXT "Trophy" is the UEFA Champions League against FC Barcelona in May.

Surely, that 2 Trophies left is within sight, having clinched that Premier League Championship earlier than expected.

Let us hope the "star" players can stay clear from injuries ahead of the Finals.

MU equalled the record set by Liverpool, winning it for the 18th times.

Again, Liverpool "missed" the chance even at one time the The Reds were leading the Table for quite sometime.

Maybe another year to come, perhaps??

I hope Tevez and Ronaldo will stay put for another Season, at least?

At the presenty moment, MU's engine room (the midfielders) are doing well with their contributions this Season. The yougsters are slowly showing their potential and learning the ropes under the present "seniors" like Scholes.

Giggs is still enjoying his game, same goes for Neville.

Discipline must be uphold and Ferguson is a strict taskmaster at that.

He won the pyschology handsomely again Benitez who initially started it. Fergie is a "Master" at those games, being playing that game for over 18 years. (correct me if I'm wrong)

For next Season, I dont see the needs to add anymore "new" players into the Team. But I like Kaka.

But, I want to know your opinion.

Please drop me a note, even to those that are not fans of MU.

Posted by: Stephen Dass

WiMAX challenges Wi-Fi By Chris Gaylord

2009-05-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

When most people hear “wireless Internet,” they think “Wi-Fi.” The technology has allowed millions of computers and mobile devices to browse the Web without the snarl of cords.

But there’s another wireless standard out there – one that’s arguably more tempting if it can get its act together.

WiMAX delivers the Web similar to Wi-Fi, but covers wide areas like a cellphone tower. While the range of a Wi-Fi router is measured in yards – enough to blanket a house or office – WiMAX can broadcast for miles.

This added range has attracted interest from local governments looking into citywide wireless networks.

Several early citywide Wi-Fi plans were abandoned because they underestimated the cost of installing enough hot spots. But with WiMAX, “Instead of needing 20 or 30 Wi-Fi access points per square mile, you need one,” says Craig Settles, an independent wireless analyst. And many cities won’t need to brainstorm creative places to stick a WiMAX antenna, because it can be attached to current cellphone towers.

Sprint rolled out a pilot WiMAX program in Baltimore last year. The network delivers average download speeds of two to four megabits per second, half the rate of cable Internet but several times faster than the 3G mobile service used by many of today’s smart phones, according to Sprint’s tests. The company plans to introduce WiMAX in 10 American cities this year and five more in 2010.

“But here’s the big problem,” says Mr. Settles. “How many iPhones have a WiMAX chip in them? None.”

In fact, barely any devices understand a WiMAX signal because it uses different frequencies from Wi-Fi. This incompatibility issue has exacerbated the normal chicken-and-egg problem that plagues new technology: People won’t buy WiMAX devices until there are more WiMAX networks, but why build the network when Wi-Fi is doing so well?

Sprint’s plan requires a proprietary antenna that plugs into laptops, similar to the early Wi-Fi cards that have since been built into computers.

If WiMAX takes off, its performance could drop off quickly, says Settles, because fewer towers means that each station needs to juggle more requests.

“Some testers were stunned at the difference in reliability as more people join,” he says. “3G has about a 90 percent uptime. WiMAX is around 70 [percent].”

In the US, WiMAX has an additional hurdle because it relies on frequencies that are regulated by the government, so companies will need to pay extra for broadcast rights.

While Settles questions WiMAX’s chances, he says there’s a middle solution. “Locally owned” service provider B2X Online harnesses WiMAX-like towers to deliver broadband Internet to Franklin County, Va. The towers, which transmit over an unlicensed frequency, allow the small company to circumvent the expensive process of laying Internet cables to rural areas.

Coming soon: World's first solar-powered mobile phone

2009-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Wed, Apr 22

( Picture as illustrations purpose. The BlackBerry Curve 8900 Mobile Phone )

London, Apr 14 (ANI): A Japanese firm is launching a solar-powered waterproof mobile phone that can be entirely operated by exposure to sunlight.

The new phone is a sunlight-powered device, which will be sold by mobile phone company KDDI from June, reports The Telegraph.

Ten minutes of exposure to sunlight is sufficient for a one-minute call or to power the handset in standby mode for two hours.he handset's 80percent battery can be recharged entirely by sunlight as a result of storage technology embedded in the front face of the phone, according to manufacturers.

Marketed as a "green" eco-friendly alternative to conventional mobile phone handsets, the company claims that the device's lack of dependence on standard electricity will help reduce carbon dioxide emission levels. (ANI)
ANI

It's about time somebody comes up with this sort of innovation.
And its also high time I switch to something more "hi-tech" than the last unit I owned.
Just a thought! You have to be computer-savvy and I'm not one of those people yet.

Stephen KU Dass

PREMIER LEAGUE : Carrick fires Man Utd to brink of title

2009-05-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Thursday, 14 May 2009

(Man Utd need one point to claim a third successive Premier League title after Michael Carrick's late stunner gives Sir Alex Ferguson's side a 2-1 win at Wigan.)

Wigan 1-2 Man Utd
By Phil McNulty

Michael Carrick's late winner moved Manchester United to within a point of a third successive Premier League title with a battling victory at Wigan.

Hugo Rodallega brushed off Nemanja Vidic to give Wigan a shock lead after 28 minutes.

Substitute Carlos Tevez's outrageous flick diverted in Carrick's shot to level for United after 61 minutes.

And Carrick sealed a crucial win to put United on the brink of glory with a 20-yard finish four minutes from time.

United struggled in the face of Wigan's resilient challenge - but Sir Alex Ferguson's celebrations after Carrick's winner emphasised the importance of these three points and how close his side now are to drawing level with Liverpool's record tally of 18 titles.

Wigan counterpart Steve Bruce can be proud of his team's efforts, and United's closest rivals Liverpool can also have no complaints as they attempted to throw the title race open.

Ferguson restored Wayne Rooney in attack with Tevez - whose Old Trafford future is the subject of fevered debate - dropping down to the bench.

Wigan were forced to make a change in goal, with Richard Kingson coming in for Chris Kirkland, who failed to recover from the back injury that forced him off at West Brom on Saturday.

Latics' boss Bruce insisted his side would make every endeavour to stall United's title bandwagon and they made their intentions clear as early as the second minute when Valencia burst clear of Vidic but shot wide.

United soon posed a threat of their own when Dimitar Berbatov slipped away from Titus Bramble, but Rooney directed his header wildly off target from point-blank range.

Carrick then stole in on Cristiano Ronaldo's cross, only to lift a close-range effort over the top.

United were holding sway in possession, but Wigan's attackers were energetic and they were rewarded when Rodallega put them ahead after 28 minutes, out-muscling Vidic before recovering his composure to shoot low past Edwin van der Sar at the near post.

Rooney wasted another opportunity to level for United two minutes before the break when Ronaldo created an opening, as he side-footed over the top from eight yards.

But Wigan delivered another warning to the title favourites in first-half stoppage time when Rodellega shot wide after some slick approach play from Valencia and Lee Cattermole.

United struggled to make an impact after the break, and it was no surprise when Ferguson made a change after 57 minutes, sending on Tevez for Anderson.

And within four minutes the Argentine had put United level with a finish of instinctive brilliance, although there was also a sprinkling of good fortune in the creation of the goal.

Carrick's shot was flying off target, but Tevez turned it to his advantage with a stunning flick that completely wrong-footed Kingson.

United then had penalty appeals rejected when Ronaldo tumbled under challenge from Maynor Figueroa, but referee Rob Styles waved away their appeals.

Wigan, predictably, were placed under constant pressure in the closing stages and finally cracked with four minutes remaining. John O'Shea set up Carrick on the edge of the area and he flashed a rising left-foot drive high past Kingson.

United now just need a draw from the home game against Arsenal on Saturday or the trip to Hull City on the last day of the season to complete the formalities of another title triumph.

Source: BBC Sport

NIZAR IS MB By Debra Chong

2009-05-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Pakatan Rakyat’s Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is the real mentri besar of Perak , the Kuala Lumpur High Court decided today.

Judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim said in his ruling that the only way the mentri besar can be removed is through a vote of no-confidence that must be taken in the state legislative assembly.
“Once a mentri besar is appointed, he is answerable only to the assembly,” he told the court, noting both political factions, PR and Barisan Nasional (BN) each had an equal number of 28 seats in the Perak State Assembly.

Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin and supporters celebrating the court ruling that he is the rightful mentri besar of Perak. – Picture by Choo Choy May

“Therefore, based on democratic practice, any measure of loss of confidence in the mentri besar of Perak leadership should be taken by vote of no-confidence against him on the floor of the state legislative assembly. Only in this manner can the mentri besar be forced to resign,” he added.

The judge noted that the provisions under Article 16 of the Perak Constitution – specifically under Articles 16(2) and 16(6) respectively – dealing with the ruler’s royal right to appoint an MB and to dissolve or not to dissolve the assembly were “plain and obvious” and did not give the ruler any right to sack the MB.

Justice Abdul Aziz pointed out that because of the “lacuna” (Latin for “loophole”) in the law, the court could not read it to mean something that did not exist.

He added that the only way to correct the loophole was for the law to be amended.

He also noted Nizar was not challenging the Sultan’s royal rights as a constitutional monarch but was suing Zambry for usurping his post as MB when he had not quit or been dismissed by the assembly.

Turning his attention to Zambry, the respondent in the lawsuit, the judge explained there had been a clear way out.

“If the respondent’s claim in this case is truly undeniable, that he has 31 majority, after the three ADUN expressed support, commanded the confidence of the majority and His Royal Highness had refused to consent to the request of the applicant to dissolve the assembly, why the BN did not request His Royal Highness to summon the assembly for a special sitting so that a motion of no-confidence can be made to pass against the applicant?” quizzed Justice Abdul Aziz.

“That would have been in accordance with the democratic process,” he highlighted.

The High Court also rejected an oral appeal from Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir to suspend the declaration as he was planning to file an appeal with the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

But Justice Abdul Aziz told Zambry’s chief counsel Datuk Cecil Abraham he could still make a written application to the High Court after checking with the authorities.

Nizar’s chief counsel Sulaiman Abdullah explained to reporters later that if the High Court had granted Zambry’s request for a stay of the declaration, Nizar would not be able to immediately seek an audience with the Sultan and as the lawful MB ask for a dissolution of the assembly.

Nizar, who attended the court hearing today, looked stunned when he heard the judge decide in his favour.

He was immediately engulfed in hugs and congratulatory handshakes from his wife Fatimah Taat and peers from the three-party PR alliance, including Pas election director Datuk Mustafa Ali, PKR’s vice-president Azmin Ali and Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham.

Speaking to reporters after disentangling himself from the multiple arms around his neck, Nizar said he was going to seek an audience with the Perak sultan and ask for the assembly to be dissolved, paving the way for fresh statewide elections.

“I’ll be approaching the palace for dissolution almost immediately on arrival to Ipoh. I will seek an audience with Tuanku,” he said.

But Nga Kor King of the DAP believes Sultan Azlan Shah is now in the United States. He told The Malaysian Insider the Perak PR alliance will hold a meeting tonight to discuss the next step while waiting for an audience with the ruler.

“We must give the Sultan time,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the police have warned the public not to gather near the state secretariat here to prevent any untoward incident.

Perak police chief Datuk Zulkefli Abdulah said police would take action against those who defied the order.

The police, including the Federal Reserve Unit, have been stationed at the building, he said when contacted today, and insisted that the situation was under control.

Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/26112-nizar-is-mb

Justice is done. The "usurpers" have lost it in the court of law. Democracy is in checked again. The planning and the scheming have now been exposed.

This augurs well for Malaysia especially for those that follow our pollitical development after the recent debacle regarding our judiciary system that had been "touched" by Tun Mahathir.

Posted SD

Man Utd 2-0 Man City/Sunday, 10 May 2009

2009-05-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

By Mandeep Sanghera
Manchester United moved a step closer to retaining the Premier League title after beating rivals Manchester City.

Cristiano Ronaldo's deflected free-kick put United ahead after wrong-footing keeper Shay Given, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Carlos Tevez struck the City woodwork before powering in a 20-yard strike off the post to extend United's advantage.

Robinho wasted City's best chance when he shot wide from eight yards as the home side eased to victory.

United had gone into the game having seen Liverpool draw level with them at the Premier League summit with a win at West Ham on Saturday

Rafael Benitez's side were hoping the pressure would produce a wobble from the Old Trafford side but, instead, United's pace, power and passing was too much for City.

United have a habit of timing their good form for the end of season run in and, even though this was their 62nd match of the season, they showed little sign of letting the league title slip from their grasp.

The hosts quickly set about City and Ronaldo teed up Ji-Sung Park, who dragged his angled shot wide of the far post.

United had slipped into their slick passing game and it did not take long for their pressure to be rewarded with a goal after City midfielder Vincent Kompany lost possession.

United broke and a back-tracking Stephen Ireland fouled Berbatov to leave Ronaldo to score from the type of 25-yard free-kick he excels at.

Robinho tried to respond for City when the ball broke kindly for him just outside the United area only for the Brazilian to shoot wide.

Too many of City's passes were going awry and left their defence straining as they gave United the chance to continually launch attacks.

Tevez almost made them pay when he shifted inside and curled a strike which came off the angle of the woodwork.

But the Argentine made no mistake when Berbatov sublimely controlled a long Darren Fletcher ball and squared the ball for him to smash in a shot off the inside of the post.

City came out with more ambition after the break and Robinho had a great chance to pull one back.

He latched on to a Nigel de Jong through ball and showed excellent control only to shoot horribly wide from eight yards.

That was a rare chance for a City side who were unable to exert any concerted pressure on a resolute United defence led by the towering presence of Nemanja Vidic.

United were even able to step off the gas and conserve some energy ahead of playing again on Wednesday against Wigan.

Martin Petrov did force United keeper Edwin van der Sar into a full-length diving save to turn his shot round the post, while at the other end Tevez again hit the post, this time with a close-range header.

The only slight on United's win was the angry reaction of Ronaldo to being substituted but they now need four points from their remaining three games - with the others against Arsenal and Hull - to clinch the title.

Source: BBC Sport

B2, a BDC Coffee Shop at 6:45am

2009-05-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

Almost routine to stop here everyday, well almost anyway. From Mon till Fri, from 6:30 to 7am, after dropping off the kids at their respective schools.

The scenes are like this everyday. People having their breakfast, a cup of coffee with local cakes. Roti Canai is also ready after 6:45am, porridge, laksa, kuey chap and kolo mee. There is also steaming hot paus & sio bee to go with your cuppa!

It's between FC Barcelona VS Manchester Utd for The UEFA Champions League Cup Finals

2009-05-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

It's decided! Manchester United will meet FC Barcelona in the Finals of the UEFA Champions League. This should be very interesting to watch, both Teams playing beautiful game of football.

I, of course being a "Red Devil" lend my support to MU to win the coveted Trophy at hand. Sir Alex has helped MU to become to phenomenal team in England today.

His record is truly astounding and few managers in the English League is on equal par with him when it comes to winning Trophies.

Should Fergie hands over the reins to others in the coming years, I doubt very much anyone of them could emulate Fergie's finesse and style!

He is ONE of The Kind!

Mr. Manager, Extraordinaire!

As a ardent follower of MU down the years, I hope the "head honcho" at MU will soon find a suitable successor and get down to business especially at winning more Trophies for Manchester United.

Posted By: Stephen Dass

Ruthless Man Utd cruise into final/Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd (agg 1-4)

2009-05-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 6 May 2009
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at the Emirates

Manchester United produced a virtuoso display to remain on course to become the first team to retain the Champions League - and destroyed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's dream of winning his first European trophy.

Arsenal's hopes of wiping out a single-goal deficit from the first leg were all over inside 11 minutes as United struck twice to silence an expectant crowd inside the Emirates.

Ji-Sung Park pounced on Kieran Gibbs' slip for a close-range finish after eight minutes, while Cristiano Ronaldo fired a 40-yard free-kick past startled keeper Manuel Almunia three minutes later.

It left Arsenal's plans, plus Wenger's bold promise of a "magnificent" performance from his players, in tatters as they were simply unable to cope with the power, pace and energy produced by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Ronaldo's second goal of the game after 61 minutes summed up their display in the space of a few devastating seconds.

Arsenal were undone from their own corner by a superb sweeping move that also involved starring roles for Park and Wayne Rooney before Ronaldo completed the formalities with a flourish.

It rubber-stamped United's passage into a final against Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome later this month - and on this evidence they will take some stopping.

The only blot on United's otherwise perfect night came 16 minutes from time when Darren Fletcher was sent off by referee Roberto Rosetti, who ruled he had fouled Cesc Fabregas as he raced in on goal.

Robin van Persie's penalty will not cause United as much pain as Fletcher's suspension for the final.

If United's first-leg performance did not bring the margin of victory it deserved, they were full value for this triumph.

And as Ferguson and United's players celebrated, Wenger was left to contemplate the stark statistic that Arsenal have not won a trophy since they beat these same opponents in the 2005 FA Cup final - and looked light years behind them on the evidence of these two games.

United will now press on to seal another Premier League title, safe in the knowledge that they can take a tilt at winning this trophy for the fourth time.

Arsenal attempted to crank up the atmosphere inside the Emirates by placing thousands of flags on seats around the stadium - but two early blows from United ensured they were swiftly lowered.

United were desperate for the away goal that would leave Arsenal facing a mountainous task, and they were gifted it via an error from Gibbs.

He looked comfortably positioned to clear Ronaldo's routine cross, but he slipped and Park was on hand to take advantage by sliding in to lift a finish over Almunia.

Arsenal's plight became virtually impossible three minutes later when another mistake, this time from Almunia, allowed United to double their advantage and leave the Gunners requiring four goals.

Van Persie fouled Ronaldo 40 yards out, and while his strike was sweetly-struck and dipping, Almunia must take responsibility for moving too late to save an effort that arrived at a comfortable height.

Arsenal's players - and their thousands of followers - were visibly shell-shocked and Rooney almost made it three after 18 minutes.

Playing with great discipline in a left-flank role, he cut in dangerously to test Almunia with a shot the keeper was just able to turn to safety.

United were in complete control and Ronaldo was just off target with a header from Anderson's resulting corner.

Arsenal had been dominated to such an extent that they were reduced to ignoring Wenger's long-held philosophies as they launched aimless balls in the direction of Emmanuel Adebayor and Van Persie.

Their only response was a tame header from Fabregas that provided little more than catching practice for Edwin Van der Sar.

If Arsenal hoped the interval would inspire some remarkable transformation in a one-sided encounter, they were to be disappointed as United simply resumed with the same air of superiority.

Ronaldo tested Almunia with a low shot at his near post before he added United's third with a goal that summed up the quality of their performance.

From an Arsenal corner, Ronaldo found Park just 20 yards from his own penalty area. He played in Rooney, and when he served up a perfect pass, there was Ronaldo to complete a picture goal with a finish high past Almunia.

It afforded Ferguson the luxury of being able to remove Rooney and Patrice Evra, players who would have missed the final had they had picked up another yellow card.

Fletcher did, however, suffer that fate when he was shown a straight red card by referee Rosetti 14 minutes from time when Fabregas tumbled as the pair collided in the penalty area.

Rosetti awarded a penalty, which Van Persie duly scored, but replays showed Fletcher appearing to get a clean touch on the ball before Fabregas fell to the ground - although there was no suggestion the Arsenal captain dived.

United then simply played out time before taking deserved acclaim at the conclusion of a magnificent team effort - as Europe's elite trophy came into sight for Ferguson and his men once more.

source: BBC Sport

LAST CALL FOR THIS SEASON!

2009-05-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

Come Sat 8th May, before 9pm, just as Akademi Fantasia Konsert Minggu Ke-9 is about to start, the voting process will ceased immediately.

This AFMASUK is entirely meant for those who had been eliminated earlier from the 1st to the 8th Concerts last week end.

I appeal to all of Claudia Fay Geres' fans & followers of her Blog
http://claudiafaygeres.blogspot.com to concentrate voting her in, in this final push to get her counted in for the Grand Finale Concert.

Let us not procrastinate on this matter, but to start our voting from now onwards till Sat. night, the 8th of May.

Posted by: Stephen Dass

Thank God. Its finally over! Another beginning ....

2009-05-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

It was a sad night for all of us especially myself through marriage ties to the Geres Family. I was "glued" to the TV set awaiting the final announcement from AC Mizal. Who is going and who is staying was making my palm sweaty.

By then, the small slip of paper was already in AC Mizal's hands. Then the announcement we have all been waiting for!

I can't believe what I was hearing, it took me a moment or two to finally understand what came out of AC Mizal's mouth.

Two "precious" people had been eliminated!

1. Aishah 2. Claudia

My family and I were at Claudia's house that fateful night. All was "rosy" until that stunning decision from the voters.

We accept it gracefully. It was their call, and the votes have spoken!

And now back to the real world. "All good things must come to an end," I say?

Well, it most certainly did. They shed a tear or two. I know I almost did. Her mum took it bravely. Her dad was not around, attending to an equally important kampung matters.

And that is show business y'all! Until next Akademi Fantasia Musim Ke-8?

I would like to take this opportunity to "Thank" each and everyone of you for your effort, sharing our dreams, the words of encouragement given us, I'm sure all of us in one way or another share that Dream and desire of a fellow Sarawakian as a AF Winner, at least we still have Hafiz as our flag bearer in this AF?

Thank you, thank you.

Stephen Dass

Man Utd ease to win over Middlesbrough

2009-05-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

( Man Utd move a step closer to retaining their Premier League title with a comfortable 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough 0-2 Man Utd

By Saj Chowdhury Saturday, 2 May 2009

Manchester United took a step closer to retaining the Premier League title with a comfortable victory at relegation-threatened Middlesbrough.

Ryan Giggs gave the visitors the lead in the first half when his low drive found Brad Jones' bottom left corner.

Ji-Sung Park scored United's second when he smashed in Wayne Rooney's neat pass following a delightful move.

Boro's best chance fell to Jeremie Aliadiere whose low shot was saved by the legs of Ben Foster early on.

The league leaders will have been delighted to have come away from the Riverside with three points having performed below the high standards they are used to.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rested key players with Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal in mind and, surprisingly, Middlesbrough rarely forced United to increase their tempo.

Boro, who remain second from bottom in the table, were bereft of ideas and relied on hopeful high balls into the area, which centre-backs Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans coped with admirably.

The home side did have one clear chance when Marlon King played in Aliadiere but Foster was alert to make the save.

At the other end, United's front pairing of Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda were largely ineffective in a 4-4-2 formation.

So when United scored, it was no surprise it came from the boot of the PFA Player of the Year, who is as desperate for his 11th league title as some of his team-mates are for their first.

Rooney found Vidic, who had been forward for a set-piece, who in turn laid the ball to Giggs. The 35-year-old Welshman steadied himself before placing his low effort wide of Jones' left from the edge of the area.

His veteran partner in the middle, Paul Scholes, 34, should have tested Jones after the break, but uncharacteristically failed to find the target with both of his long-range efforts.

Luckily for Scholes, United are not short of sharp-shooters. Their second came after a sublime move that saw Giggs and Macheda play a one-two before the fabulous Rooney threaded the ball to Park, who powered in a low drive.

It was the highlight of the match and underlined that gulf in quality between the two squads.

Manager Gareth Southgate brought on £13m striker Afonso Alves and Didier Digard, but neither could ignite a Boro side flattened by United's double strike.

Southgate's side have three fixtures remaining to save their season, and are three points behind fourth-from-bottom Hull, who play at Aston Villa on Monday.

They now travel to fellow strugglers Newcastle a week on Monday, 11 May, in what promises to be a tension-filled clash, knowing they will have to improve tenfold in their remaining three games if they want to stay in the division.

Source: BBC Sport

1hb Mei Hari Pekerja Sedunia/1st of May Labour Day

2009-04-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

1st of May is acknowledged by every walks of life throughout the world as "Labor Day."

The day where we pay our "Tribute" to those working in the various sectors, be it in production, distribution or manufacturing industries.

This ONE DAY, where we give them recognition for their contributions to all of us.

Today, we stand united with them, because without them our lives seem bleak.
You may live in your comfort zone for now, but if these guys were to start demanding their dues, you'll experience discomfort almost immediately.

Imagine your life without electricity, to name but one necessity....just think about it.

HAPPY LABOUR DAY to everyone of you reading this. They deserve a pat on their backs. Let us give thanks to our Creator for what we have today. Good things may not last forever.

Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal

2009-04-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Old Trafford

Manchester United hold the edge in the battle for a place in the Champions League final after John O'Shea's early goal gave them victory in an absorbing encounter with Arsenal.

O'Shea scored from close range after Arsenal failed to clear a corner - giving United a slender but fully deserved advantage to take into the semi-final second leg at the Emirates next Tuesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson has made it his mission to make United the first side to successfully defend the Champions League title and they set about their old Premier League adversaries with relish from the first whistle.

And, while United will be happy to go to Arsenal in the ascendancy and having prevented Arsene Wenger's side from scoring a crucial away goal, they will have regrets that they failed to capitalise on the superiority they exerted throughout.

Arsenal were penned in for long periods as United played at the high tempo that suits them best, and it was only a mixture of the excellence of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and good fortune that kept the deficit within manageable proportions.

Almunia saved superbly from Wayne Rooney, denied Carlos Tevez with a double block and turned away Cristiano Ronaldo's header from six yards as United turned on the style in a dazzling first 45 minutes.

Arsenal managed to steady the ship after the interval, but they never seriously threatened United apart from a tame Cesc Fabregas shot and a volley from Emmanuel Adebayor after the break.

Ronaldo struck the bar from 30 yards with 20 minutes remaining as United continued to press for what could have proved a decisive second goal, but Arsenal survived and will still feel there is life in the tie yet, despite delivering a disappointing performance.

United never allowed Arsenal to get into their trademark passing rhythm, playing with more drive and energy than the Gunners, who were overrun in midfield at times and struggled to cope with the pace and variety of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo in attack.

Ferguson prefaced the game by suggesting it could be the "perfect semi-final" - it was not quite that for United, but you suspect they will be highly satisfied with the outcome.

United's fans certainly celebrated at the final whistle in a manner that suggested they feel they have taken a significant stride towards retaining the trophy they won so dramatically on penalties against Chelsea in Moscow last May.

Wenger, however, will harbour hopes that the undoubted talent in his side, kept under wraps for so long here, can turn things around on home territory.

Ferguson's selection of Tevez ahead of Dimitar Berbatov suggested he wanted an energetic, high-tempo approach against an Arsenal defence undermined by injuries to influential pair William Gallas and Gael Clichy.
Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia was in action inside the first 90 seconds, retreating desperately towards his goal to claw out Rooney's looping header.

And youngster Kieran Gibbs then showed early nerves as he slipped to let in Ronaldo, but United's winger flashed the ball across the face of goal with no-one on hand to apply the crucial final touch.

Arsenal were on the ropes, and it took a superb double save from Alumnia to deny Tevez after a slick exchange with O'Shea as United swarmed all over a Gunners side struggling to come to terms with the pace of the game.

Wenger's players never looked like surviving this fierce early barrage, and so it proved as United took a deserved lead in the 18th minute.

Arsenal failed to clear a corner, and when Michael Carrick's cross was deflected into his path by Mikael Silvestre, O'Shea lashed a finish high past Almunia.

Arsenal's only response was a low 20-yard shot from Fabregas that was comfortably collected by Edwin van der Sar.

Almunia was the keeper in constant action, and he performed heroics again after 28 minutes to keep out Ronaldo's header from an inviting cross by the industrious Tevez.

The only black spot in the opening 45 minutes for United - apart from not capitalising fully on their outstanding approach play - was a yellow card for Tevez after he collided with Almunia in a chase for possession.

Arsenal looked to have settled more after the break, and even felt bold enough to pose another brief threat after 62 minutes when Adebayor's volley flew over the top, although Van der Sar had the effort well covered.

United made a double substitution with 25 minutes left, sending on Ryan Giggs - making his 800th appearance for the club - and Berbatov for Anderson and Tevez.

And Ronaldo almost marked their arrival with United's second as he sent a thunderous right-foot shot against the crossbar with Almunia motionless.

Wenger made a change of his own, replacing the subdued Theo Walcott with Nicklas Bendtner, and then sent on Eduardo for Adebayor as the game entered its final 10 minutes.

The changes made little alteration to the pattern of the game, with Arsenal ultimately content not to concede a second after some harrowing moments.

It is advantage United - who suffered a scare late on when Rio Ferdinand went off after suffering a blow to the ribs - but the narrow lead still leaves the semi-final in the balance ahead of next week's return game.

And that was exactly what he got in thrilling opening exchanges completely controlled by United and played out in a vibrant Old Trafford atmosphere.

** Congratulations, Manchester United. You're at the moment "one leg" into the Finals.....who can stop your advances this year?

The "pretenders" are mostly, about to disappear, bring on Chelsea ??

That would provide a fitting Finals. **

Posted by SD

Source: BBC Sport

Giggs earns prestigious PFA award

2009-04-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

26th April 2009

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for the first time in his career.

The 35-year-old Welshman beat team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Despite winning a host of honours, including 10 Premier League titles, the PFA award had eluded Giggs until now.

Aston Villa forward Ashley Young took the Young Player of the Year award.

He beat his Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor, Manchester United duo Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva, Aaron Lennon of Spurs and Manchester City's Stephen Ireland.

Since making his League debut against Everton at Old Trafford in March 1991 aged 17, Giggs has been a key figure in Sir Alex Ferguson's teams.

As well as the league crowns, Giggs has also won four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League winner's medals as well as two PFA young player awards.

He has only started 12 league games this season but has been a regular in the squad for all competitions and if he lines up against Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, it will be his 800th club appearance.

"It's right up there with personal accolades - it's the best to have as it's voted by your fellow players," said Giggs.

"I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one."

United have already won two trophies this season and are still in the running for the Premier League and the Champions League.

"It's an exciting season," said Giggs. "I think it is going to go right to the wire, there's big game after big game now. That is what you want and need at a club like Manchester United."

Giggs paid tribute to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and also suggested he may play on beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.

"The manager has been massive in my career from when I first met him when I was 13," Giggs said. "That's over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets better.

"I've been so fortunate to have such a great career in so many great teams, it's not even worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager."

"As long as I'm getting picked, enjoying it and injury-free, I'll carry on as long as I can. At 35 you can't look too far into the distance, you just can't."

Giggs was also one of six United players named in the PFA divisional team of the year but Wayne Rooney missed out.

The team includes Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who was in goalscoring form until the votes were cast but has not found the net since February, and Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson.

John McDermott, the former Grimsby player who spent 20 years at the club, was given the Merit award for his services to the game.

"I thought it was one of the lads winding me up, a real shock," he said. "To still be recognised, I was flattered and honoured."

Source: BBC Sport

Food Toxins - By Puvaneswary Devindran & Zora Chan

2009-04-27T21:58:00.000-07:00

TheSundayPost/April 28, 2009

Preservatives are found in most processed and semi-processed food. But how many consumers take the trouble to find out the functions of these ingredients and whether they are really safe?

MONOSODIUM glutamate (MSG), benzoic acid, citric acid, synthetic and plant-based food additives, stabilisers and flavour enhancers.

These are some of the common (and less common) preservatives found in processed and semi-processed food we eat daily.

But as consumers, do we know or care about what the functions of these ingredients actually are and whether they are safe?

About three months ago, a local food manufacturer and supplier shocked many people by adding a large amount of the preservative, benzoic acid, into his food item.

Officers from the Divisional Health office in Kuching City detected this while carrying out food sampling at a mini department store. They took a piece of the food item sold there and sent it to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

The result showed the food item contained a high content of benzoic acid, an additive prohibited under Regulation 20 and Regulation 63 of Food Regulations 1985 read together with Section 13B(2)(d) of Food Act 1983.

The manufacturer was slapped with a hefty fine.

According to Public Health Law health inspector and prosecuting officer Samuil-Ashton Satu, who took charge of the case, three types of chemicals permitted and commonly used are sulphur dioxide, benzoic acid and sorbic acid.

But he pointed out that this did not mean the preservatives could be used for all types of food. “Take benzoic acid for instance. You can’t use it on cider because it causes negative chemical reactions.”

He said preservatives were used to inhibit or stop the fermentation process.

“Basically, it is for arresting the process of decomposition, fermentation and acidification in certain food. Herbs, spices or vinegar are not included.”

Samuil said some people tended to go overboard when using preservatives just to make their product last longer and look fresher without caring about the consequences.

He said there had been incidents where boric acid was used even though the chemical is banned worldwide.

“It is so powerful that if you go to a factory using boric acid, you won’t find any flies, cockroaches and ants around. Normally, if traders use the chemical in their products, it would probably be for yellow noodles or mee kuning.”

Samuil said the most common misuse of benzoic acid was found among traders who mixed it with certain food when they were not supposed to or used it over the permissible level.

He has come across high level of benzoic acid in many food items including soy sauce, fish cake, fish ball, preserved fruits, yellow noodles, salted raddish, kuey tiaw, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and cheese bits.

In 2007 alone, he witnessed cases of high benzoic acid level in noodle, preserved fruits and a certain chilli sauce, and also came across instances of boric acid found in some yellow noodles and ‘kolok’ mee.

In 2008, he revealed that the State Health Department took up 16 cases on preservatives misuse, of which six involved sorbic acid found in curry mix, prawn paste, cuttle fish and cincalok. Here, the chemical was used above the permissible level.

He said seven cases were brought to court, including one held over from 2007.

Samuil said the heaviest penalty for misusing preservatives is RM100,000 or not exceeding 10 years in prison or both. For this, however, the authorities would have to prove the food is injurious to human beings.

He said offenders could also be charged for serving or selling food unfit for human consumption. This entails a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment of eight years or both.

For adulterated food, he said the fine was RM20,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.

“So far in Sarawak, no one has been fined RM100,000 but there is one case (pesticides in vegetables) I took up in the Sessions Court where the judge said he could impose a heavy fine but the offender could still pay up. So instead, the judge gave him three months’ jail.”

For repeat offenders, the court will increase the penalty and can even order the business to shut down. Regular follow-up checks will also be carried out on past offenders.

According to Samuil, the State Health Department has a food safety and quality unit to collect samples for analysis from food premises and shops.

He said these checks were ongoing and done either through routine inspection or after public complaints.

“In Sarawak, the most dangerous substance we have ever come across is a non-nutritive substance such as saccharine and cyclamate which are banned.

Saccharine can only be used under a doctor’s supervision while cyclamate tends to be used in preserved fruits,” he added.

The department has found cyclamate in pudding jelly sticks, pudding cups, white papaya strips, sunflower seeds, ginseng lime and preserved fruits and if taken over a prolonged period, it can cause testicular atrophy (shrinking testes) and to a extent, infertility.

Another thing to watch out for is colouring substance and the ones normally detected by the department are tartrazine and sunset yellow FCF in tea, normally served in coffeeshops. The law does not permit colouring to be added to tea.The other type of colouring used is Orange 2 which is banned but often used in preserved fruits.

Samuil conceded it was difficult to stop people selling such food items because Malaysia had an open market - so the best prevention is regular inspection and sampling.

He said presently, the department rarely received public complaints, most probably because people were not aware of their rights to complain.

“Consumers might not know certain foods are adulterated with all sorts of chemicals but they should not hesitate to lodge a complaint if they found something suspicious.”

He stressed it was the consumer’s right to demand labelling and an explanation if the food served did not come up to the expected standard.

“Consumers have to be proactive and wise about what they eat,” Samuil said food manufacturers and suppliers must know which preservatives were permitted or banned.

“They should also know the requirements under the Food Act and Regulations. If they don’t, it’s high time they find out.”

Meanwhile, Sarawak Manufacturers Association (SMA) president Datuk Hii Ngo Sing advised manufacturers, particularly of food and drinks, to stick strictly to the permissible levels of chemicals used and avoid preservatives, artificial colouring and ingredients that could harm the health of consumers.

“Be responsible manufacturers, and if you aren’t sure about what is allowed or otherwise, check with the Health Department and Domestic Trade and Consumers’ Affairs Ministry,” he advised.

He called on the authorities to carry out regular surveillance on manufacturers to ensure they did not taint their food and drinks with harmful substances.

“None of our members is a kuey tiaw member but we have a few who manufacture biscuits, chilly or tomato sauce and instant noodles. The rest is into building materials for construction,” he said.

Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president SM Mohamed Idris urged the Health Ministry to conduct an immediate nationwide check and crackdown on the illegal use of benzoic acid in noodles and other food products.

“The ministry should institute more control over the sale of benzoic acid,” he said. Mohamed pointed out that the maximum fine and a jail term should be imposed on offenders and information on the action taken by the ministry widely disseminated to heighten public awareness and deter would-be offenders.

“Swift and firm action will demonstrate to errant traders that the government is serious in tackling the problem and will not tolerate abuse.”

Mohamed said in Penang last year, the association discovered a high level of benzoic acid in several samples of noodles or ‘hor fun’. CAP tested the noodles given by concerned members of the public and found they contained 2,291 parts per million (ppm) of benzoic acid.

According to the Food Act 1983 & Regulations, benzoic acid is permitted in only a very limited list of processed foods such as chilli paste, fermented soya products, belacan (shrimp paste), drink concentrates, some pickled or dried fruits and vegetables and sauces.

“Except for drink concentrates which require dilution, the maximum level permitted by law in these foods does not even exceed 1,000 ppm in any instance,” Mohamed explained.

“Benzoic acid is strictly prohibited in noodles. In fact, the Food Act makes no provision for preservatives to be added to any type of pasta which includes noodles, bee hoon (vermicelli), laksa, macaroni and spaghetti.”

“But not only is benzoic acid present where it should not even be, the levels detected in a great number of the samples are also extremely high — much more than even the highest permitted level under the Food Act,” he said.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, benzoic acid has been associated with asthma, rhinitis, urticaria and anaphylactic shock in sensitive individuals.

In one study where volunteers were administered with doses of benzoic acid over a few days, marked symptoms of discomfort and nausea, headache, weakness and burning of the oesophagus were reported.

Benzoic acid has also been linked to hyperactivity in children. This chemical is easily available in shops without any restrictions on its sale to the public.

According to online dictionary, Wikipedia, benzoic acid is a colourless crystalline solid and the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. This weak acid and its salts are used as a food preservative and it is an important precursor for the synthesis of many other organic substances.

Benzoic acid inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria. It is either added directly or created from reactions with its sodium, potassium or calcium salt.

Acidic food and beverage like fruit juices (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbon dioxide), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), pickles (vinegar) or other acidified food are preserved with benzoic acid and benzoates.

Typical levels of use for benzoic acid as a preservative in food are between 0.05 - 0.1 per cent. Foods in which benzoic acid may be used and maximum levels for its application are laid down in international food law.

Govt to come up with new approach on AP: Mukhriz

2009-04-27T21:48:00.001-07:00

April 28, 2009

JOHOR BAHARU: The government is to make a comprehensive decision on Approved Permit (AP) issuance, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said yesterday.

The approach would include doing away with the current policy of issuing APs or imposing levy or tax on AP holders, he said.

“Whatever it is, the basis is that if it’s going to be levy or tax, the government should benefit, not certain AP holders,” he said at the sidelines of the Malaysia Unit Trust Week 2009.

Mukhriz said the ministry would come up with a solution that would be amenable to all.

“The AP issue is high on the ministry’s agenda of deliberations to come up with a new mechanism. As you can see, the AP issue is quite a contentious one.

“Give us a bit more time before the minister makes a final decision. With the Cabinet approval, he will make the announcement,” he added when asked on the demand by certain parties for AP to be opened to all.

— Bernama

Income tax paid by AP owners confidential: Kong
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Income tax paid by owners of approved permits (APs) for the import of luxury cars cannot be revealed to the public, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, when winding up debate on the Income Tax Bill (Amendment) 2009, said the confidentiality of this information was provided for under Section 138 of the Income Tax Act 1967.

He said this in reply to a question on the matter from Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Ind-Pasir Mas).

To a supplementary question from Ibrahim as to why English was also used in the text of the bill besides Bahasa Malaysia, Kong said it was a continuation from the 1967 Act to preserve the precise meaning of the contents.

He further agreed to Ibrahim’s proposal that this should be rectified (having it completely in Bahasa Malaysia) as soon as possible.

To a proposal by Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) that income tax be reduced to alleviate the burden of workers, Kong said the government reviewed the situation from time to time and did provide tax exemptions and rebates.

He said of the 11 million workers in the country, only 1.1 million paid income tax, while of the 500,000 registered companies, tax revenue only came from 104,000.

— Bernama

Man Utd 5-2 Tottenham

2009-04-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

updated Saturday, 25 April 2009

By Mark Ashenden

A controversial penalty and sensational second-half fightback helped Manchester United beat Tottenham and retain their grip on top spot in the Premier League.

Darren Bent smashed home from close range and Luka Modric converted Aaron Lennon's cross as Spurs dominated.

But then Ronaldo scored from the spot after Heurelho Gomes was harshly ruled to have felled Michael Carrick.

Wayne Rooney quickly equalised before further goals for Ronaldo, Rooney and a Dimitar Berbatov secured the victory.

With Liverpool top of the table following their 3-1 win at Hull, United, who chose to leave Ryan Giggs out of their squad, created precious little early on.

Instead it was Spurs, hunting their first win at Old Trafford for 20 years, who had the first real sight of goal.

With striker Jermain Defoe back in London following the death of his half-brother, Bent led the frontline and should have done better with a header at the back post.

Ronaldo, who had been forced to skip a shocking double-footed challenge from Wilson Palacios early on, went close with a header from a Nani cross.

But, for all United's possession, it was Spurs who took the lead.

Vedran Corluka curled in a cross from the right and Bent got the better of Rio Ferdinand to crash home his 17th goal of the season from the six-yard line.

Just two minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead, Modric converting Aaron Lennon's cross at the far post after the winger had jinked his way past Patrice Evra on the right.

With half-time looming and the Old Trafford faithful sounding increasingly anxious, a Ronaldo volley came within a Gomes fingertip of pulling a goal back.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson replaced the lacklustre Nani with the far more industrious Carlos Tevez at the break.

And the Argentine, who could leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, tested Gomes when one-on-one inside the hour.

Two minutes later, Carrick burst into the box and nipped the ball around Gomes, who was ruled to have felled the midfielder as he dived at the ball.

The Tottenham players were incensed with Howard Webb's decision, as was Spurs manager Harry Redknapp on the touchline.

But they were powerless to stop Ronaldo from reducing the deficit from the penalty spot.

If there was any doubt about the first goal there was none about the equaliser.

Rooney blasted home from outside the box after Rafael and Berbatov had combined to set up the striker.

Just one minute later, United were in front, Rooney crossing from the left for Ronaldo to head home their third.

It was a phenomenal turnaround, although not quite as grand as the recovery in 2001 at White Hart Lane when United won 5-3 after trailing 3-0 at half-time.

The misery continued for the shell-shocked visitors.

Rooney made it 4-2 when his volley from Ronaldo's delicate cross crept over the line despite the scrambled efforts of Jonathan Woodgate.

Having scored four goals in just 14 minutes, United, perhaps sensing an urgent need to improve their goal difference, poured forward in search of a fifth.

Remarkably it arrived, courtesy of the boot of former Tottenham player Berbatov.

His initial header was saved by Gomes, but the Bulgarian stabbed home the loose ball to cap a remarkable afternoon.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the penalty:
"It was a bit fortunate. Football is funny like that. Last week we were knocked out of the FA Cup by not getting a penalty kick.

"It doesn't deflect from our second-half performance."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp:
"The turning point was definitely the penalty. It turned the game in their favour without a doubt.

"At that stage I couldn't see us getting beat. It was a gift which wasn't deserved. It was a terrible decision. Howard (Webb) is supposed to be our best ref, but if he's the best I'd hate to see the worst."

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (O'Shea 70), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher (Scholes 61), Nani (Tevez 46), Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Anderson, Evans, Macheda.

Booked: Tevez, Scholes, Ronaldo.

Goals: Ronaldo 57 pen, Rooney 67, Ronaldo 68, Rooney 71, Berbatov 79.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Jenas, Modric (Bale 86), Keane (Huddlestone 87), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Hutton, Zokora, Bentley, Chimbonda.

Booked: Woodgate, Jenas, Gomes.

Goals: Bent 29, Modric 32.

Att: 75,458

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Man United's Wayne Rooney (8.52 on 90 minutes).

Source: BBC Sport

Looks like MU is still leading the pack, and MU's fate is in their hands.

Eventhough Liverpool won tonight ( in a game played earlier) I think the "mountains" suddenly rose higher ..... personally, I dont think L'pool can scale it.

But, let us wait until the Season comes to an end to really shout at the top of our lungs, "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!"

Bear with me, folks.

Cheerio.
SD

Motorists: Beware The Speed Gun

2009-04-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken along Jalan Tun Jugah, the junction leading to BDC Housing areas. Those going down to KG City from KIAirport better be aware of this. This has been going on for quite sometime. So please do not exceed the speed limit when driving along both sides of these roads.

Speed kills! But your pockets will be emptied, first hahaha!

Ferguson tells Man Utd title race is not yet run

2009-04-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

by Graham Chase Apr 23

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United players they still have work to do to win the Premier League title despite enjoying some breathing space at the summit.

Wednesday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth here at Old Trafford moved United three points clear of second-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

Rafael Benitez's team lost ground with a 4-4 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday and Wednesday saw Chelsea also fail to keep the pressure on after their goalless stalemate against Everton.

United have six league games left, starting with Saturday's match at home to Tottenham Hotspur and they also have to contend with a Champions League semi-final against Premier League rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.

Ferguson's English and European champions created plenty of chances against Paul Hart's Pompey but, despite now being in a convincing position in the Premier League table, the United manager has told his players they must improve if they are to stay the course in the title race.

"We're in a better position than we were on Tuesday morning but having seen that second-half and how we got so casual, I'm not taking anything for granted and we've got to put the foot down all the time," Ferguson said.

"I don't even consider leeway in this situation and I don't think we have a leeway and we've got to keep performing properly."

Ferguson will be without Gary Neville and John O'Shea for "several weeks" after the duo limped out of the game against Pompey.

But the United manager expects Rio Ferdinand to return against Spurs at the weekend after resting him against Portsmouth.

The England centre-back had missed several weeks with a groin problem before returning in the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Everton at the weekend and was left out of the squad in midweek.

But Ferguson added: "The fact he played extra-time last weekend and that was his first game in two or three weeks, it was too big a risk.

"There was nothing wrong with his groin, it was just tiredness and with Jonny Evans being such a good performer, it was easy to do that.

"Gary and John (O'Shea) will be out for several weeks."

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring against Portsmouth with his tenth league goal of the season before Michael Carrick made the game safe eight minutes from full-time.

England midfielder Carrick said it had been important to United that they made the most of Liverpool's slip-up.

"It was a boost for us watching the Liverpool game and seeing that result and we were desperate to make up the points with a good win and we got the three points," Carrick explained.

"We're in a decent position and hopefully we can get the momentum up again in the next few games and put it to bed as quickly as we can."

Hart said Portsmouth's performance was a mark of their progress.

The south coast side are now six points above the relegation zone and have lost just two matches in nine games since Hart replaced the sacked Tony Adams.

"We have to remain resolute and difficult to beat until the end of the season," Hart insisted.

"We've been hard to beat in the last nine games or so. We've been more resolute and I thought we proved that against United.

"We were able to frustrate United a little bit and against the best team in the world, people don't realise how difficult that job is."

Source: yahoo!sports

Man Utd 2-0 Portsmouth/ Wednesday, 22 April 2009

2009-04-23T04:49:00.000-07:00

Carrick sealed United's victory with a neat finish on 82 minutes

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Old Trafford

Manchester United reasserted their authority over the race for the Premier League title with a crucial victory over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney - recalled after injury - put them on their way with a simple finish from Ryan Giggs's cross after nine minutes.

And substitute Michael Carrick wrapped up the win when he fired in an emphatic strike eight minutes from time after Paul Scholes delivered a trademark slide-rule pass on his 600th appearance for United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side produced a performance that was workmanlike rather than spectacular, but United's only objective was the victory that puts them three points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.

If there was a disappointment for United, it came in the shape of a missed opportunity to improve their goal difference against a Portsmouth side that rarely troubled keeper Edwin van der Sar.

Giggs was denied twice by England keeper David James, and also missed from close range as United dominated for long spells without emphasising their superiority until Carrick struck late on.

Rooney was United's main source of inspiration as they looked to capitalise on Liverpool's failure to beat Arsenal in Tuesday's 4-4 classic at Anfield.

This was no classic, indeed for long spells it was distinctly low-key, but the result mattered more than the performance and United boss Ferguson looked a happy man as he strode away at the final whistle, to receive further good news that rivals Chelsea had been held to a draw by Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson, predictably, made nine changes from the side that lost the FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley on Sunday.

And the significance of Rooney's return was emphasised when he enabled United to shake off early lethargy by putting them ahead after nine minutes.

Anderson started the move with a raking pass to Giggs on the left flank, and as Pompey appealed in vain for offside, he delivered an inviting cross for Rooney to slide home from point-blank range.

There was concern amid the celebrations as it became clear that Gary Neville, whose season has been dogged by recurring injury problems, was struggling again and he limped off, to be replaced by John O'Shea.

Rooney's goal deflated Portsmouth's early confidence, and the remainder of the first half was a tale of United creating - and wasting - a succession of presentable opportunities.

O'Shea's header was cleared off the line by Nadir Belhadj and James plunged bravely to block Giggs after he was cleverly played in by Rooney.

Giggs was the culprit again six minutes before the interval when Sol Campbell unwittingly set Cristiano Ronaldo free with a misplaced header but the veteran bundled the resulting cross wide from six yards.

There was one final opportunity for dominant United in the dying seconds of the half, when Darren Fletcher pulled his shot wide after being set up by Rooney.

The visitors, Peter Crouch apart, were showing little in attack and boss Paul Hart made a change during the interval, replacing David Nugent - who had been hobbling after a challenge that earned Nemanja Vidic a booking - with Jermaine Pennant.

O'Shea was caught by a poor challenge from Belhadj moments after the re-start, and he was replaced by Rafael da Silva after 52 minutes.

Rooney had been at the heart of all of United's best work, and an instinctive flick again released Giggs in the area, but James was swiftly off his line to make a decisive claim.

United had a rare anxious moment on the hour when Glen Johnson broke free in the area and forced the previously unemployed Van der Sar to push his low cross to safety.

Substitute Pennant then squandered a good opportunity when he arrived unmarked in the area, but instead of shooting he pulled a poor cross behind Crouch, who could only steer a volley wide.

The same pair then combined as Pennant's free-kick found Crouch, whose header was saved by Van der Sar.

United's second-half display had plunged into mediocrity, but it was Rooney again who almost lifted Old Trafford's spirits when he raced clear into the area, only for James to once again come to Pompey's rescue.

Ferguson's decision to replace Anderson with Carrick was something of a surprise, but it produced the required effect as the England midfield man sealed the points and United's return to the top of the league with eight minutes left.

Scholes must take huge credit, with a glorious pass that slid into the path of Carrick, who shot across the defiant figure of James into the bottom corner.

It allowed United to relax and enjoy the closing stages - safe in the knowledge that they are firmly in charge of their own title destiny.

Source:BBC Sports

Desa Wira, Batu Kawa where activities are aplenty!

2009-04-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

On most days, you'll find these bunch of people meeting at coffeeshops. What they talk about? Politics, today's happenings around them, about their succssful children and the best of all topics, the mother of all topics in Desa Wira, "cockfighting."

You see, most Dayak especially the Ibans just plain crazy about this sadistic sports. They can talk hours and hours without missing even their dinner hour.

How do I know? I'm sort of, a (half) part of these people, whom I call "friends."

How much is the bets? Not much, about a couple of hundreds, but the sheer thrill is what they go for. The thrill of winning and the agony of a defeated and dented pride if their "fighter" let them down!

On most weekends, that is where all walks of life will congregate, to Desa Wira. Do the authorities forget about the going-ons there?

No, no. Of course not. But who really cares about the warnings from the Police?

It's their passion. And they are very sensitive if you go against their wishes.
Maybe a Permit or two is what they are missing here, say once a month to say the least, perhaps that is the BEST way to curb illegal gambling in Desa Wira?? Just pondering... jangan mare' mare' gua, beb!

Take 5, readers, and share your thoughts on this subject.

Tuesday's Lunch @ Kota Samarahan

2009-04-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

On your left hand corner Shikin, adMF's cousin, adMF & LadyJenn

Sometimes, we wonder where to have our next meal. And sometimes, we ended up at exactly where we were at last night, or during yesterday's lunch hour.

It's so predictable if the food was superb!

Well today, we went to J & J Cafeteria to have our lunch, somewhere in Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan. Sometimes, people accused me for not opening our outlet Merekah Fajar Sdn Bhd and I feel bad because business hours is not over yet and the shop remains closed! Just to remind you folks, we try our best to keep it open but due to our commitment in KG we just cant have it opened according to the business hours given to you all. I apologise for our weaknesses, here.

J & J's ranges of food is excellent. From the pictures, I'm sure you can visualize what they have on their menu.

Cheerio.

Posted by MF/LeBoey

FA CUP: Everton beat Man Utd in shoot-out

2009-04-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson said comments from Everton boss David Moyes might have ultimately denied Manchester United a penalty in their FA Cup semi-final.

Referee Mike Riley did not give United a spot-kick when Danny Welbeck appeared to be fouled by Phil Jagielka, and Everton went on to win on penalties.

Everton boss David Moyes had queried the choice of Riley prior to Sunday.

Ferguson said: "I've no idea if it affected the decision, but it may have. It can prey on a referee's mind."

Riley's decision prompted Ferguson to storm angrily towards the pitch, but in his post-match media conference the United boss admitted there had been room for doubt over the decision.

"Why would Welbeck go down when he had the goalkeeper stranded out of his goal? It was a major decision and unfortunately it has gone against us. Nothing you can do about it. We have to move on now.

"When Riley sees it he'll probably realise he's made a mistake but I can't say that's the reason for us losing."

United captain Rio Ferdinand supported Ferguson's suggestion that referees are hesitating over giving the champions penalty decisions.

"We don't get many penalties these days," said Ferdinand. "Referees are reluctant to give them to us. Maybe they're are being put under pressure by people in the media."

Moyes had questioned the choice of Riley after it had been suggested he was a United supporter.

Riley was appointed to referee the match at Wembley after original choice Steve Bennett withdrew due to illness.

In January, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had claimed that Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished" for verbally attacking referees, a comment which has sparked an on-going feud between the two managers.

But Moyes admitted that United had been unlucky not to have been given the penalty.

"I thought it looked a penalty kick," said Moyes. "If I had been the manager I would have been calling for a penalty kick."

Moyes was too nervous to watch Jagielka score the decisive penalty as Everton reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 14 years.

"I'm really, really pleased. I'm pleased for myself and the team but, more importantly, the supporters. They were fantastic," Moyes told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I have got to praise Manchester United because they gave us a real hard game. I know on another day they could have put another team out and it could have been even harder.

"But my players have given everything again today and they have done all season."

Everton's final clash with Chelsea on 30 May will be their first FA Cup final since 1995 and Moyes outlined his desires for silverware.

"What we're doing at Everton is we are preparing for success and today was a preparation for a final," he added.

"We have not won anything yet but we have given ourselves a real chance of doing it now."

Captain Phil Neville was gushing with pride after leading Everton to victory over his former club.

"We've beaten the best side in the world - it's just a really proud moment," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

And praising manager Moyes, Neville added: "The boss has stepped up to the mark. He wanted us to go out there and express ourselves.

"He gave us that confidence - now we need to go and win the Cup final."

"I've seen the video and it looks a penalty kick but in the importance of the game the referee probably has to be dead sure," added Ferguson.

Source:BBC Sport

LeBoey's call: It's a bitterest pill to swallow losing in a penalty shoot-out.
But Everton deserved the victory. Winning is everything, eventhough by a penalty shoot-out. A win is still a win. How you won the game, that is how you interpret the story.

No case of sour grapes, here. Now we shall see the Blues meeting another team in a blue outfit, and that is Chelsea. I opt for Everton to win this one Final.

The red shirted teams both lost....maybe its a "blue" FA Cup Season this year?

Well, the wait is finally over! Till next year then. Another day to continue the struggles for supremacy, who is the the Best ?

Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea

2009-04-19T03:36:00.000-07:00

Drogba fires Chelsea into Final
Updated: April 18, 2009

Poland international Lukasz Fabianski had a birthday to forget as his error gifted Chelsea a 2-1 victory in their FA Cup semi-final defeat of Arsenal at Wembley.

Theo Walcott put the Gunners ahead after 18 minutes when his volley took a deflection off Ashley Cole and beat Petr Cech.

Chelsea fought back and levelled through Florent Malouda, and sealed a return to Wembley when Didier Drogba latched on to a long ball ahead of the on-rushing Fabianski, and slotted into a empty net six minutes from time.

Although Andrey Arshavin went close in stoppage time, there was no way back for the Gunners, allowing Chelsea to claim capital dominance, while also quietly keeping them on track for the Treble.

And, as almost a side issue, there is bound to be a further clamour for Guus Hiddink to stay on as manager beyond next month, although it had not looked too good for the Dutchman earlier on.

Having conceded seven goals in a week, the last thing Petr Cech needed was to see another flash past him in slightly dubious circumstances.

In fairness, Cech was not the only one culpable. Nicolas Anelka was caught on his heels as Kieran Gibbs nipped past to reach Emmanuel Adebayor's neat pass.

Gibbs' cross was decent, allowing Theo Walcott to let fly with a first-time volley that flicked off Ashley Cole's hand.

The deflection did alter the direction of the ball. Yet the feeling persisted that the Cech of three years ago would have kept it out.

Walcott's goal was just reward for a sparkling start. The young England star was the pick of an Arsenal side whose movement was a joy to watch, even if their end product was not always the best.

Denilson and Abou Diaby had been asked to anchor midfield. Yet they still found time to push forward. Indeed, with a bit more composure, Diaby might have found the net himself.

The Gunners' bench contained Arshavin, Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey. In other areas they were lacking, specifically goalkeeper.

In all probability Manuel Almunia would not have been involved at Wembley even if an ankle injury had kept him on the sidelines.

On Friday Wenger expressed his faith in Fabianski. It looked more like blind optimism judging by the Pole's first-half performance.

On his 24th birthday, Fabianski was the one handing out presents, setting the tone barely two minutes into the game when he lost out in an aerial duel with Drogba, Gibbs forced to chase back and hack off the line as the Ivorian's header was about to bounce in.

Fabianski was then fortunate to escape when he failed to get behind a fierce shot from Florent Malouda that skimmed under his body before flashing across goal.

It all pointed to an equaliser, which duly arrived when Malouda cut inside Emmanuel Eboue and beat Fabianski at his near post, although it was hard to quibble with the Frenchman's accuracy.

Anelka hit a post after robbing Diaby inside the Arsenal box just before half-time and Chelsea continued to look the more likely scorers after the break, even though their opponents were, in patches, the better team.

An acrobatic clearance by Alex may have denied Walcott, who was involved in a fascinating duel with England team-mate Cole, but it fell perfectly for Robin van Persie, who could only fire disappointingly over.

Anelka was off target with a header at the other end, before Lampard volleyed an excellent chance wide from Drogba's cross.

Through all this, Fabianski had been relatively stable.

All that changed six minutes from the end when he inexplicably raced out of his area as Drogba brushed off Mikael Silvestre to reach Lampard's long ball.

What should have been a 50-50 duel turned into a walkover as Drogba skipped round Fabianski and tapped Chelsea into the final, where they will meet either Manchester United or Everton on May 30.

After the match Frank Lampard refused to contemplate the possibility of a Champions League and FA Cup double.

Lampard told Setanta Sports: "It's going to be difficult - we are confident but we never get too far ahead of ourselves.

"It means loads, we take this competition very seriously. We came back strongly (after Tuesday) and I think we deserved it."

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal gave away "cheap" goals and also criticised the state of the pitch at Wembley, although he refused it as an excuse for the Gunners' defeat.

The Frenchman said: "It was a game where any mistake in the end could be costly.

"It is disappointing because we had a good start and after we dropped off.

"The game looked as through it would finish as a draw - I felt we gave two cheap goals away."

Goalkeeper Lukazs Fabianski appeared vulnerable throughout and should have done better with the goals.

Wenger went on: "I feel sorry for him because he is a great goalkeeper.

"But we have to take that on board."

He still showed his unwavering belief in his young side though saying: "When you are so close and you are 20 years of age I don't know why you would be desperate."

Source:soccernetESPN

LeBoey's Comment

It would be a "dream finals" if Man Utd were to meet Chelsea, but first MU must overcome the huddles which is in the way tonight, by beating Everton.

Evertonians must be dreaming of an elusive Cup success and their players wont take a backseat in this challenge.

Let us watch the game. Whatever the outcome from this match, I'll always be a Saint!

No devils, please.

Boss wary of Everton's hunger

2009-04-19T01:42:00.000-07:00

17/04/2009 12:53, Report by Ben Hibbs

Sir Alex Ferguson will not disregard Everton in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, insisting that if United cannot match the Merseysiders' will to win, the day could end in disappointment.

The boss is an admirer of the job David Moyes has done at Goodison, and insists the Toffees are primed to win silverware, with Sunday representing an ideal opportunity to reach a final. "My problem is that we're facing a very hungry team," he said.

"David wants to win a trophy, and this is a big opportunity for him. That’s what we’re facing: a very hungry team, and a very hungry manager. We know what we’re up against. He has a good young squad that will get better. The young players he has in the team, allied to the ones he's brought in, have a good future. He’s done a great job."

Sir Alex is well aware of Everton's history and refuses to accept any notion that they are a small club. "Moyes has been there for five years now and he has built a good club. Irrespective of what Rafael Benitez says – he called them a small club – they are a big club. That just points to [Benitez's] arrogance."

It isn't the only remark or gesture that has irked the United manager recently. “There’s one thing about the arrogance he has shown. But you can’t forgive his contempt for Sam Allardyce last week. When Liverpool scored their second goal against Blackburn, Benitez made a gesture that the game was finished. It was absolute contempt and Sam didn't deserve it.

"He is a guy who has worked so hard for the League Manager’s Association and looked after young players in the game. He didn’t deserve that. He had to play a team that was weakened, and to get that kind of contempt… I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would have done that."

LeBoey's Comment: Just keeping my fingers crossed.......

Another Project by SPNB ! > " Vista Ilmu "

2009-04-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

These rows and rows of Flats is built by SPNB, somewhere in Desa Ilmu. Behind these Flats is the UiTM Campus. If you intend to walk to UiTM, if timed, it' less than 8 minutes walk, a short stroll, indeed!

The recommended price was RM89k last year in 2008, this year I'm not sure if there is any price adjustment.

Fred & Juliet's Abode

2009-04-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

These "new" houses is located near the completed surau quite near to the Ph.11 shop houses where Merekah Fajar Sdn. Bhd. is housed!

Fred & Juliet booked the house through LadyJenn, who incidentally, bought a house somewhere in Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan, more than 3 yrs ago.

Fred is of course, Jen's younger brother, married to Juliet, who is from Kpg. Rembus, Kota Samarahan.

It is expected to be finished towards the end of the year.

What we had for dinner, the evening of 17th April 2009

2009-04-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

Jen AKA ladyjenn & myself, closed our office for the week end at around 6:30pm and headed down to Tabuan Jaya/Stutong Wet Market to have our dinner. It was drizzling but it didn't stop us enjoying our hearty meal. It was at a newly opened eatery and it serves quite a range of local dishes which is reasonably priced.

We paid RM10 for the food and the Asam Pedas came with a plateful of rice, which we shared, equally. NO cheating here when both are trying to lose the "spare tires" which we carry around our waists...

Ronaldo stunner thrills Ferguson

2009-04-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Page last updated at 20:39 GMT, Wednesday, 15 April 2009 21:39 UK

FC Porto 0-1 Man Utd (agg 2-3)

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a stunning winner as Manchester United saw off the threat of Porto to seal a Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal.

Ronaldo's thunderous early strike from just shy of 40 yards flew across goal and into the top corner.

Nemanja Vidic missed a great chance from five yards late in the first half and Dimitar Berbatov had a shot saved.

Lisandro Lopez might have scored a dramatic late goal for Porto, but Edwin van der Sar saved his weak shot.

It was United's first clean sheet since their Champions League victory over Inter Milan on 11 March and it could not have been more timely as United became the first English club to win at Porto in European competition.

With Rio Ferdinand restored to the side after a three-game absence there was an increased assuredness to the United backline and in truth Porto failed to create any clear-cut openings until Lisandro's 85th-minute chance.

However, United's failure to score a decisive second goal ensured a nervous final few minutes to the tie as Porto pushed for the equaliser that would have put them through on the away goals rule.

The first 20 minutes of the match must have been close to perfect for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was presiding over his 150th Champions League game.

Wayne Rooney started on the right with Ryan Giggs on the left and Ronaldo supporting Berbatov up front. This formation allowed Ronaldo to occasionally drop deep in search of possession, which he did after six minutes before smashing his amazing goal.

United dominated possession, allowing them to play the game at a steady, controlled tempo, and there were few alarms for Van der Sar, who allowed a free-kick from Bruno Alves to drift wide of his goal.

Porto gradually forced their way into the match, slowly pushing United towards their own goal, and Van der Sar was eventually forced into action to save Christian Sapanuru's shot on the turn while Bruno Alves headed wide from a free-kick.

The home team lost momentum when Lucho Gonzalez was stretchered off the field after a delay while he received treatment and United went on to create a brilliant chance to take full control of the match.

John O'Shea flicked on Giggs's corner and the ball dropped invitingly to the unmarked Vidic but the defender's effort flew wastefully over the crossbar.

Raul Meireles and Hulk shot over after the break while Berbatov collected a beautifully weighted pass from Rooney but his subsequent shot lacked power and Helton saved.

By this stage it was pouring down in Porto but Van der Sar made no mistake with a Hulk free-kick, while Rolando headed wide beyond the far post for the home side.

The visitors continued to press and the match became increasingly tense as United dropped deeper and deeper.

But it was United, who play Everton in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, who went close to a second goal, with Helton making a good low save to claw away Ronaldo's shot.

FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru (Costa 80), Rolando, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Lucho Gonzalez (Mariano Gonzalez 31), Fernando, Raul Meireles, Lopez, Hulk, Rodriguez (Farias 64).
Subs Not Used: Nuno, Stepanov, Guarin, Madrid.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Giggs, Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 78), Rooney, Berbatov (Nani 68), Ronaldo.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Neville, Evans, Tevez, Macheda.

Booked: Vidic, Evra.

Goals: Ronaldo 6.

Att: 50,000

Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo on 8.19 (on 90 minute

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's wonder strike, as Manchester United sealed a Champions League semi-final showdown against Arsenal.

Ronaldo's 40-yard strike earned Ferguson's side a 3-2 aggregate victory as United became the first English side to win in Porto.

"It was unbelievable. A magnificent hit. Absolutely unbelievable," Ferguson said of Ronaldo's sixth-minute goal.

"The goalkeeper's got no chance," added Ferguson.

"To do it at that point gave us a real platform to go into the game," added Ferguson, who became the first manager to reach his sixth Champions League semi-final.

"We wanted to start the game quickly with good tempo ... but to get a start like that, no-one can expect it, no-one can expect that type of goal."

Ronaldo himself described the goal as the best of his career, admitting he could not wait to watch it again.

"It is the best I have scored," he said.

"It was a fantastic strike and I can't wait to see it again on DVD. I am very happy with it."

United's victory was built on a solid defence with the returning Rio Ferdinand making a huge difference to the World, European and English champions.

Porto rarely looked like breaking through as United kept their first clean sheet since 11 March with Ferguson's side conceding 11 goals in the last five games.

And Ferguson, who was taking charge of his 150th Champions League clash, admitted the returning Ferdinand had made a huge difference to United.

"We defended very, very well and that was the key to it really, because if we get back to that foundation of not giving away goals then we can do well," Ferguson said.

"They had to chase. That early goal had them on the back foot. I don't think they made any chances in the match."

United have now stretched their unbeaten run in the Champions League to 23 games, winning a second leg away from home for the first time since the 1999 semi-final triumph in Turin against Juventus.

"We tried to change and spread the team around the field and hope Manchester would make some mistakes," Jose Gomes, who replaced suspended coach Jesualdo Ferreira, said.

"We feel very bad. You can understand our emotions. We feel that wasn't a very just result.

"They scored one goal today and it was scored by the best player in the world."

United semi-final with Arsenal will be the first time they have met English opposition in a two-legged European tie.

Arsenal beat United 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the season, and Ferguson is predicting another classic encounter.

"It would be tough no matter who we played but the fact it is another English side gives a different type of spice to it," said Ferguson.

"We are two good footballing sides, so it should be a terrific semi-final.

"Our game earlier in the season was fantastic. It was the way football should be played and we will look forward to it.

"The first leg is at home, so 1-0 would be perfect for us. But it is not going to be easy."

SD's comment: This should be a very thrilling encounter, Arsenal has played second fiddle to United for so many seasons now, and Arsene Wenger I'm sure is considering his chance of becoming the Next European Champions and that results should satisfy the hungry appetite of The Gunners' followers.

Know Your Right When Dealing With The Police -Malaysian Police Perspectives

2009-04-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 10, 2009

One day while you walk to a shopping mall, suddenly you are stop by two gentlemen who claiming they are the police personnel from CID. They ask you to follow them to their car. What will be your action ? All Malaysians should agree with me that if you have to confront with someone, the policemen would be the last person that you would like to confront with.

In this country where policemen are so powerful even to the extent of having the “shoot to kill” authority or in conducting interrogation they sometime use “admit or die” approach, therefore in the above case I am sure that majority of us will follow them to their car. The question of whether they are real police or impersonator is not important at this point of time , but what important to us is their authority and power....in this situation we will not be able to exercise our right unless you know them.

Ironically, the increased use of undercover policing seems to be contributing to the spread of police impersonation. Real cons and mass media dramas involving the undercover theme have accustomed citizens and culprits alike to the presence of non-uniformed police.

This can lead to a reverse version of the ‘who are you really’ question for those who are part of a genuine cover operation. In such a scenario, real police — undercover, plainclothes or off-duty — may occasionally also be perceived as imposters.

The question “are you real” becomes even more complex when individuals whose formal affiliation with a police agency is genuine but whose behavior is criminal.

Arguably, women seem more likely to be victimised by bogus cops, especially in traffic cases. Consider a female driver being harassed and coerced to sex by a rascal copy cat law enforcer. Beyond facing the trappings of official legal power, the women pulled over may additionally be vulnerable as a result of the impersonator’s behaviour.

An incident in Kuala Lumpur on New Year’s Eve is a good example. An 18-year-old university student’s car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and asked by four men, claiming to be cops, to open the bonnet. The men then told her she had committed an offence and ordered her to follow them to a police station.

The girl was driven in her car along the North-South expressway to the Tapah-Cameron Highlands Road before she was raped in an oil palm estate.

Consider too the case of girls window-shopping or waiting for a bus as what had happened in Kuching also on New Year’s Eve.

In one instance, a 16-year-old was reportedly window-shopping at a store in Jalan Ang Cheng Ho when a man in his 50s approached her. Claiming to be a police inspector, he told her he had a court warrant to check her for drugs possession.The man told the girl to follow him to a black Perodua Kenari. He then drove her to a lonely spot in Jalan Bako where he ordered her to unbutton her clothes because he wanted to check for drugs. When she undressed, the man grabbed her breasts and asked her to remove her trousers!

Foreigners, especially illegal immigrants, fearing deportation, seem more likely to be victimised. One such incident occurred in Johor in 2007. The 29-year-old victim had taken a short cut through a back alley to get to her hostel in Jalan Pelangi at 1.30pm when two men stopped her.
They showed her a pair a handcuffs and asked for her identification documents. When she could not produce the papers, they told her to get on one of their motorcycles.

Instead of taking her to the police station, they rode to a plantation where they raped her and took away her belongings. The woman, who managed to find her way out of the area, sought the help of passers-by to send her to the police station. She is probably the exception because most illegal immigrants do not report such incidents … for obvious reasons.

There are no national statistics but it’s likely incidents of such a nature account for the most unreported of violations partly because the victims may not realise they have been duped or may feel no great harm is done.

Regardless, the fact that there are such crimes being perpetrated against either citizens or illegal immigrants should alert motorists or individuals to the need to exercise extreme caution when flagged down or approached by people who claim to be plainclothes-policemen. The commonest problem is that most people take instructions without determining if the other person is really a cop.

So, what should people, especially women, do if stopped by the police? Many people think police officers have unlimited power of search and arrest. Not true.

While Section 3 of the Police Act 1967 appears to give police officers the authority to search and arrest where necessary to prevent and detect crime, this power is, however, subjected to the principle of “legality” — that is police officers could be made liable for damages for unlawful search and arrest of citizens in the street and inside premises.

Article 8 of the Federal Constitution protects the citizens from arbitrary power of the police and police officers are subjected to the rule of law, implying that all powers must be specifically conferred.

Both the Police and the Criminal Procedure Code do not provide specific powers to permit random stop and search of persons without an arrest. However, there are provisions in the law that allows police officers to stop and search vehicles suspected to have been used in committing a criminal offence.

The Police Act 1967 allows police officers to seize vehicles for the purpose of inspecting for incriminating goods and after the search has been completed, the vehicles must be returned to its rightful owner as soon as possible. These police officers are not to detain the seized vehicles without a court order for a period longer than that permitted by the Police Act 1967.

>How to Avoid Being A Victim of Police Impersonator<

There are steps you can take to help you identify a police impersonator and avoid becoming a victim.

Rule No 1. Stay Calm. If you do not do anything wrong …DON’T WORRY about the police. They are just doing their job.

Rule No 2. Ask for their Authority Cards. Every policeman is given with a Authority Card. You can ask the person in blue to produce his Authority Card and if he could not produce it for verification of identity, then there is reasonable suspicion the uniformed person is not a policeman. At the same time, if the person in blue showed a purported Authority Card but without you being properly given the chance to know whether or not that card refers to the person concerned, then, this also should give rise to the same suspicion and a report should immediately be lodge with the nearest police station.

Rule No 3. When facing with such a situation above, it is best not to follow the person’s instructions or him to the police station. Of course, if he is not in uniform, one may not know whether or not he is a policeman. But once he is not in uniform, we can always disregard him,” One point to note is that a policeman not wearing his uniform has no the authority to stop anyone.

Rule No 4. Women must also be aware that the law requires a female to be searched by a female and if a male policeman makes a bodily search on a female, complaints can be made for assault and battery.

Rule No 5. The police officer who conducts the search has no right to command a person being searched to go to police station with him without disclosing that the person is placed under arrest and without revealing the reasons of arrest. Means If you have not been informed of the purpose and reasons of your arrest, get someone to lodge a police report on your behalf first so that the matter can be investigated at the earliest opportunity.

Rule No 6. In the event that you are placed under arrest, make sure the police officer, conducting the arrest, does not bring you anywhere, except to the nearest police station. If he makes a detour, you need to warn him you will make a complaint against him to his senior officers.”

Malaysian Bar Council has published a Red Book Pamphlet No 24 on how to dealt with the police. The pamphlet is available and can be read here.

"Because we care, we're security aware"
Posted by Captain Rtd Ayong Entili at 11:51 PM
Labels: avoid police impersonator, Car Security Tips, malaysian police butality, PDRM, Personal Security, security slogan

The Source of information is from:

http://securexnet.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-avoid-from-become-victim-of.html

Folks, sometimes we are literally caught with our pants down when we come across these unforeseen consequences. After reading this article posted by Capt. (Rtd) Ayong, it sort of gave me a deeper understanding of my constitutional rights as a Malaysian
citizen. I hope you guys will take some of your precious time to read this very educational post. It's very important to know YOUR RIGHTS in the country you live in.

Have a blessed day, fellow Malaysians.

Toyota Cygnus is HERE!!

2009-04-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for this Toyota Cygnus model for nearly 2 months now and it has finally arrived at our shores.

This pictures I got it from the e-mail sent by the "importer" early this morning.

I've informed "the owner" of the arrival and he is pleased!

Thank God, it's here. The agony of waiting is almost over.

Easter in Pictures

2009-04-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

Sun Apr 12, 11:49 am ET

STOCKHOLM (AFP) – While most Christians mark Easter with prayers and song, one Swedish church opened its mass Sunday by unveiling a life-size Lego statue of Jesus Christ, its pastor told AFP.

Churchgoers had donated nearly 30,000 Lego bricks to build the 1.78 metre (5.8 foot) high statue, said Per Wilder, the pastor of the Oensta Gryta Church in Vaesteras, about 110 kilometres (70 miles) west of Stockholm.

"This work began a year and a half ago so we saw that the initiation date was fitting in well (with this year's Easter holiday)," Wilder said.

"It is a fantastic installation and it will be there as long as we think it is in a good spot," he said.

"All those I spoke with were full of praise, saying how fantastic the model looks and how much good work we put into this," Wilder said.

The model was based on Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsens's 19th century work Christus, which depicts the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Wilder said the statue would remain permanently at the church and there were no plans to sell it to raise funds.

And in New York the Armenian church released 12 doves to symbolise the apostles sent out to evangelise the world

In Gaza City, for example, Orthodox worshippers attended a Palm Sunday Mass.

Roman Catholics pray next to a poster of Christ during Easter Mass in Peshawar, Pakistan.

All over the world, people are "celebrating" Easter. From the pictures shown, even in Gaza Peninsula, Pakistan the Christians there still have time for worship though "troubles" is never far away. I pray God will continue to spread His message of Love to those that are oppressed, to deliver them from this "worldly" bondage, to bless (especially) their hearts. May peace be spread across this land of ours, where people learn to respect one another his/her reasons to live.

Comment: SD

What we did on Sunday 12/Apr/2009

2009-04-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

From your left Mr Tajam, Mdm Irene Remby & Mdm Menok (my in-laws)
Picture of: Mr. Tajam (my brother in-law from Kpg Emperoh Jambu, Padawan)
Picture shows on your left Uncle Geris and En.Nakis
This dish? Fried Bee Hoon.
This dish? Chicken Curry with Potatoes....enda entu pedas.
This dish?? Upa nyiur campur babi ...... Tau kini??

We were asked to help prepare some dishes for our brother in-law staying somewhere in Midway Crescent Kota Samarahan.

Stephen can cook...

Stef's 15th Birthday 08/Apr/09

2009-04-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Stef's 15th Birthday at this eatery near our house in BDC, so we just drive over to RH Plaza to Pandan Thai Restaurant to have our Thai cuisine, hosted by Stef's auntie Hjh Czarina. We started at 7:30m and finished before 9pm that night.
The restaurant is quite clean, the service is satisfactory, the prices of food I should say reasonable.

Don't Forget the Resurrection!

2009-04-11T18:05:00.001-07:00

By John MacArthur
In 1874, a Baptist minister named Robert Lowry penned one of the most stirring hymns to ever exalt the resurrection of Jesus Christ--"Low in the Grave He Lay." Notice how these verses contrast the impotence of death and suffering with the resurrection power of Christ:

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior;
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Death, man's most dread enemy, is powerless to reign over the Lord of life. And that truth has significance for you and me, here and now in the twenty-first century. You can see it in the most exciting and rousing part of Lowry's hymn, the refrain that punctuates each stanza:

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Do you see in those lines what Jesus' resurrection means to you? If you are a Christian, you can rejoice in the fact that Christ rose from the dead as a victor, a champion who lives forever to reign, "with His saints." That refers to the promise based on our baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ--it is our hope and the reason and ground of all we believe.

But what if there were no resurrection? What if the resurrection of Jesus Christ is just a first-century myth to be ignored or marginalized as a secondary issue? The implications of that approach are devastating to Christianity.

I want to draw your attention to what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 so that you can see what happens when you forget the resurrection.

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Without question, if Jesus is still in the grave, if He is perpetually the sufferer and never the Victor, then you and I are hopelessly lost. And though that is not the case, I want to focus on the hypothetical "what if" that Paul assumes temporarily in 1 Corinthians 15. "What if the resurrection were a myth? What if Jesus Christ were still dead and in the grave?"

First of all, you would still be in your sins, under the tyranny of death along with the most vile and unbelieving pagan. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then sin won the victory over Him and continues to be victorious over you too. If Jesus remained in the grave, then, when you die you would also stay dead. Furthermore, since "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), were you to remain dead, death and eternal punishment would be your future.

The purpose of trusting in Christ is for forgiveness of sins, because it is from sin that we need to be saved. "Christ died for our sins" and "was buried, and ... raised on the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). If Christ was not raised, His death was in vain, your faith in Him would be pointless, and your sins would still be counted against you with no hope of spiritual life.

Second, if there is no resurrection, then "those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." That means every Old Testament saint, every New Testament saint, and every saint since Paul wrote would be suffering in torment at this very moment. That would include Paul himself, the rest of the apostles, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Moody, and the faithful and prayerful saints you've known--every other believer in every age also would be in hell. Their faith would have been in vain, their sins would not have been forgiven, and their destiny would be damnation.

In light of the other consequences, the last is rather obvious. "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." Without Christ's resurrection, and the salvation and blessings it brings, Christianity would be pointless and pitiable. Without the resurrection we would have no Savior, no forgiveness, no gospel, no meaningful faith, no life, and we could never have hope for any of those things.

To have hoped in Christ alone in this life would be to teach, preach, suffer, sacrifice, and work entirely for nothing. If Christ is still dead, then He not only has no ability to save you in the future, but He can't help you now either. If He were not alive, where would be your source of peace, joy, or satisfaction now? The Christian life would be a mockery, a charade, a tragic and cruel joke. Christians who suffer and even die for the faith would be just as blind and pathetic as those "believers" who followed Jim Jones and the People's Temple, David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, and Marshall Applewhite and the Heaven's Gate cult.

Since a Christian has no Savior but Christ, no Redeemer but Christ, and no Lord but Christ, if Christ is not raised, He is not alive, and our Christian life is lifeless. We would have nothing to justify our faith, our Bible study, our preaching or witnessing, our service for Him or our worship of Him, and nothing to justify our hope in this life or the next. We would deserve nothing but the compassion reserved for fools.

But, God did raise "Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification" (Romans 4:24-25). Because Christ lives, we too shall live (John 14:19). "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:30-31).

We are NOT to be pitied, for Paul immediately ends the dreadful "what if" section by saying, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Paul said at the end of his life, "I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e. his life] until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).

Those who do not hope in Christ alone for salvation are the real fools; they are the ones who need to hear your compassionate testimony about the triumph of Christ's resurrection. So don't forget the resurrection; rejoice in it and glory in it, for He is risen indeed.

Comment by SD
Lord, my God my Savior. You've indeed risen and the world witnessed that through historical facts which can't be denied. I'll always be forever grateful Father, for what You did through your Begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Please take charge of my daily life, dear Father, I will forever praise Your Name, thank you Holy Spirit, your have always been there for me in my darkest hour, always my constant companion no matter how "bad" I've become and yet You're there for me.
Father God,thank you for Your undying Love.

Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United: Macheda glory

2009-04-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Updated: April 11, 2009,

Federico Macheda climbed off the bench to snatch victory for the second time in a week as Manchester United clawed their way back to the top of the table with a 2-1 win at Sunderland.

**Fergie praise for Macheda the saviour**

The 17-year-old Italian needed just seconds to claim three points for his side with a 76th-minute winner and send the reigning champions back above Liverpool, who had briefly headed them as a result of their 4-0 win over Blackburn.

His intervention could not have been more timely with the Black Cats having dragged themselves back into the game courtesy of Kenwyne Jones' 55th-minute equaliser, his first goal since February 7.

United looked to be in complete control when Paul Scholes capped a dominant start by heading the visitors into a 19th-minute lead, but they allowed the Wearsiders back into the game in front of a partisan crowd of 45,408.

Sir Alex Ferguson's troops will now regroup ahead of their testing Champions League quarter-final, second-leg trip to Porto on Wednesday evening knowing they remain a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand in the race for the Premier League title.

By contrast, Sunderland face a monumental home clash with fellow strugglers Hull at the Stadium of Light next weekend with their top-flight status very much in the balance.

For 20 minutes, United looked to be cruising with Scholes and Carrick in complete control in the middle of the park and Wayne Rooney a real menace wide on the left side of midfield.

Rooney fired a shot across the Black Cats' bows within 16 seconds of kick-off when he curled a right-foot effort just wide, but as the game unfolded, it seemed only a matter of time before his side took the lead.

They would have done just that with 17 minutes gone had Danny Collins not hacked Nemanja Vidic's towering header off the line and then looked on as the Serbia international sent an overhead kick just wide with United laying siege.

Ferguson's men did not have to wait much longer to edge their way in front when Rooney cut inside on to his right foot to deliver the perfect cross for the unmarked Scholes to glance a deft header past the stranded Craig Gordon and into the top corner.

Sunderland went close to an equaliser twice within seconds on the half-hour when first Djibril Cisse and then defender Calum Davenport, making his first start for the club, met Phil Bardsley crosses.

Then Jones fired just wide from another ball in from the right-back.

Keeper Ben Foster, deputising for Edwin van der Sar, had to tip Cisse's rasping 37th-minute effort from distance over, but he needed the help of the woodwork five minutes before the break.

Carlos Edwards, recalled on the right-wing, skipped past full-back John O'Shea and saw his driven cross flick off former team-mate Jonny Evans, only for the ball to come back off the foot of the post.

Park Ji-Sung smashed a shot across Gordon in first-half injury-time after United broke swiftly, but the visitors returned to the dressing room knowing the game was still very much alive.

United re-emerged looking as if they meant business with Rooney seemingly intent on securing the points single-handedly.

In the space of four minutes, he forced Davenport to cut out a cross and concede a corner, and also drilled a 25-yard effort inches wide.

The equaliser arrived with 55 minutes gone when Foster failed to claim Teemu Tainio's cross under pressure from Jones, and the striker stabbed the ball into the empty net to peg the visitors back.

Scholes smashed a volley wide and Carlos Tevez curled a free-kick over, and it took a fine block by Bardsley to keep out the Argentinean's 63rd-minute effort after Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov had combined to play him in.

The rested Cristiano Ronaldo eventually joined the fray as a 69th-minute replacement for Park, but Cisse shot into the side-netting within seconds of his arrival.

Berbatov had appeals for a penalty for handball against Grant Leadbitter waved away two minutes later, but it was Macheda's arrival as a 75th-minute replacement for the Bulgarian which changed the game.

The youngster had been on the pitch for just seconds when he steered Carrick's shot past the helpless Gordon to further enhance his blossoming reputation.

**Fergie praise for Macheda the saviour**

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed super-sub Federico Macheda after he came off the bench to fire Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League table.

The 17-year-old, who scored his first senior goal for the club last weekend to see off Aston Villa at the death, did the trick once again to kill off Sunderland's brave fightback at the Stadium of Light.

He was in the right place at the right time to deflect home Michael Carrick's shot as it sped through a crowded penalty area and clinch three precious points.

The win took United back to the top of the table after Liverpool briefly unseated them earlier with a 4-0 win over Blackburn.

Source:ESPN

SD's Comment

Looks like it's "gameball/gameover" again. MU still with that "slight" advantage over the rest of the title-chasers, but all is under controlled, there is NO WAY that others can chase this "runaway with title" pack.

Happy Easter to Every practising Christians from LeBoey & Co.

2009-04-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

The Day Death Died

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. . . For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 25-26

One day, a mother and her two children were in the park having a wonderful time. They were enjoying the outdoors until a big bumblebee landed on little Brother and then stung him! He began to cry and scream like any child would as the wound on his arm became swollen. The bee was still buzzing around, and his little sister was petrified. The mother comforted her daughter by saying, “Darling, wait a minute.” As she was wiping Brother’s tears away, she said, “Look down here on your brother’s arm.” Right in the middle of that swelling was the bumblebee’s stinger. “You see that, Sweetheart? That bee can buzz and fight you, but he can’t hurt you. You see, he can only sting once and he has left his stinger in your brother.”

While death is a decided fact, Death is also a defeated foe. We are able to laugh in the face of Death if we know the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to tell you, friend, Death may buzz around you and frighten you, but our elder brother, the Lord Jesus, bears that sting. Jesus took the sting out of Death, and He has given us a hope that is steadfast and sure.

Jesus told Death that he couldn’t keep Him. You see – Jesus willingly and vicariously laid down His life. The wages of sin is death, but Jesus was not a sinner and did not have to die. Jesus willingly, voluntarily, vicariously laid down His life.

Death thought he had a victory. Old King Death laid his icy, bony hands on the Lord Jesus Christ and shackled Him with the bonds of death. Jesus lay cold, stiff, and stark in that tomb. Old King Death possibly clapped his bony hands, shrieked a hoarse laugh and declared, “I have Him! He’s mine. I am going to keep Him.” But after three days, the Lord Jesus stirred, and He majestically rose from His resting place. Jesus did more than survive death. He defeated and decimated death in that tomb.

He got up from that stone slab. He turned around and folded the napkin that covered His face. There was no hurry. He was in complete control. I love that part -- when the disciples entered the tomb, they found that folded napkin placed over His face.

There was that cruel king of terrors, Death, sitting upon the throne. But this time Death had a terrified look on his face because no one had done this before. Jesus began to walk toward him. Jesus reached up and pulled him from the throne and cast him to the floor. Death cowered in the corner of that tomb that had become his dungeon. Jesus put His heel on the neck of Death and reached down and pulled the sting out of Death. Jesus put the crown upon His own head and walked out of that tomb a risen, living, victorious Savior. Hallelujah!

One of these days there’s going to come a shout from the lips of the Lord Jesus when He returns. And that shout will go into the tombs of those who have named Him as Lord and Savior. We’re going to hear the shout that Lazarus heard. Our Lord is going to step down from His majestic throne in glory, and I believe the shout will be: “Come forth, come forth.” The voice of the Savior will roll through the length and breadth of Satan’s ruined empire and bring it crashing down.

At the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, the seas will heave and give up the dead which are in them; the winding sheets of the deserts will give up the dead that are in them; the battlefields of this world will give up the dead that are in them and the graveyards will, perhaps, look like plowed fields as the Lord Jesus shouts, “Come forth.” “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

Comment made by LeBoey
As Christians, we are called "overcomers" Death has lost its sting when Jesus died and rose up again according to scriptures. Believe in Him & receive Him into your life with a simple prayer that goes like this, "God , I've sinned, please forgive me, I believe Christ Jesus died for me and I want Him to take charge of my life, please guide my daily walk with You Dear God that I may walk with You and to please only You, Thank you Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name I pray" and you have received Him into Your heart!

Yes! You're a "new creature" living for Christ.

No big changes in Najib’s Cabinet

2009-04-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

UPDATED
By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced his Cabinet of 28 ministers today, with many faces retained and Sabah emerging big winners with four members given senior portfolios.

But despite the expectations otherwise, there were only a sprinkling of new faces with many members of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s team retaining their jobs albeit with different ministries.

The Cabinet was also marginally trimmed down even though a leaner Cabinet was expected.

Among the ministers dropped were Datuk Azalina Aziz, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Tan Sri Amirsham Aziz, Datuk Ong Ka Chuan and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, newly elected as Umno deputy president, was made deputy prime minister.

Influential Sabah lawmaker Datuk Anifah Aman was the most prominent new member of the Cabinet and was given the plum Foreign Ministry portfolio.

Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, as expected, returned to the Cabinet as the new women’s affairs minister, as did Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was made minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. Both of them will be appointed senators.

Another new face in the Cabinet is Raja Nong Chik, who was appointed Federal Territories minister.

Among the other prominent appointments were Muhyiddin as education minister and Najib himself remains the first finance minister.

Datuk Husni Hanadzlah was made the second finance minister.

Besides Anifah, the other three Sabah ministers are Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Maximus Ongkili and Datuk Shafie Apdal.

Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein, who was elected Umno vice-president, was made the home minister while another Umno V-P Datuk Zahid Hamidi will be the defence minister.

Datuk Mustapa Mohamad was made the international trade and industry minister.

As expected, Khairy Jamaluddin, who was recently elected Umno Youth chief, was not offered a Cabinet post.

It was a major slap in the face for him as Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, whom he beat in the party polls, was made a deputy minister as was his deputy Youth chief Razali Ibrahim.

MCA also maintains its status quo of four ministers in the Cabinet with Datuk Kong Cho Ha as the new addition in place of Datuk Ong Ka Chuan.

In Najib's cabinet, two ministries were merged, one dissolved and another created today in order to streamline and make public service more effective.

Both the Information Ministry and the National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage ministry have been combined into the new Information, Communications, Arts and Culture Ministry under Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water has been established under Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui to replace the former Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication.

The former Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry has been dissolved.

The administration has 28 ministers and 40 deputies, a reduction of three ministers but an increase of two deputy ministers from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's cabinet.

Source from: The Malaysian Insider - Thursday April 09 2009

Grading Najib's Cabinet

2009-04-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 – There were some hit and misses when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak named his line-up of ministers and deputy ministers today.

Some were surprises but not all of them have unblemished records or pristine reputations. One of them was pilloried 10 years ago for being a crony of Anwar Ibrahim and for amassing several hundred million ringgit.

Another threatened to quit the Cabinet when former PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi insisted that his ministers declare their assets and another was caught in a sexual harassment case.

Will they satisfy Dr Mahathir Mohamad's insistence that Najib appoint clean ministers? Possibly. Can all of them stand up to public scrutiny? No.

The Malaysian Insider gives its view on the Cabinet.

• Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister and Finance Minister - He was always going to be in charge of the finance portfolio, with the turning around of the slowing Malaysian economy and finding new growth engines being his main KPIs.

Also, even since Dr Mahathir Mohamad accused Anwar Ibrahim of empire building as finance minister, it appears that no prime minister wants to outsource this important portfolio.

Senior civil servants say that Najib is more decisive than Abdullah and is likely to crack the whip harder to get the powerful civil servants at MOF to implement projects at a faster pace.

• Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister - Najib wants to chart an overhaul of the education system and he has put that task in his deputy's palms.

He served ably as Johor Mentri Besar but left under a cloud of allegations. Was even named as a defendant in a court case. Has been a competent minister and administrator.

• Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister - First came to national prominence in 1998 when Dr Mahathir exposed him as a crony of Anwar and newspapers carried reports about his wealth and mansion in Country Heights.

Was detained under the Internal Security Act, flirted with political oblivion before he was brought back to the mainstream by Abdullah as a deputy minister. Former political secretary to Najib.

His strong points are his oratory skills and strong network of support among Umno rank and file. Executed the takeover plan of the Perak state government by Barisan Nasional.

• Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Home Affairs Minister - Has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Did not distinguish himself as Education Minister after five years in the important portfolio but made a name for himself as a chauvinist with his keris wielding act at Umno general assemblies.

Strong points: rhetoric and lineage. Hishammuddin has defended the use of the ISA and has supported tough action by police to break up public assemblies. Not surprising that he was put in charge of the powerful Home Affairs Ministry, which oversees the police and Immigration.

Najib trusts his cousin.

• Datuk Shafie Apdal, Minister of Rural Development - Najib's trusted lieutenant performed well as the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs but got lost among the cobwebs as the Minister of Heritage.

His strong showing in the Umno elections meant only one thing: a more senior position in the Cabinet.

Worked quietly behind the scenes to try and improve unity among different religious groups but also tried to push through distributive trade law which would have made it necessary for all retail business owners to give up 30 per cent equity to Bumiputeras.

• Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Minister in Prime Minister Department - Businessmen think he did a decent job as the Second Finance Minister but Umno officials felt that he was an obstacle between them and government largesse.

Some believe that he was instrumental in the transformation of government-linked companies while others say that he molly-coddled the likes of UEM and MRCB.

He replaces Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz as the Economic Planning Unit Minister and is going to be involved in restructuring the economy, from manufacturing based to services-driven.

• Datuk Anifah Aman, Foreign Minister - Outspoken brother of Sabah Chief Minister, he refused a deputy minister's position after Election 2008, believing he deserved more.

He was identified as one of those Sabah politicians who was supposed to join Anwar Ibrahim's PKR but all along he was a Najib loyalist. Given the Foreign Ministry portfolio because of his command of English.

• Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department - Served Penang as the chief minister for nearly 18 years before he was booted out by voters who had grown weary of his indecisiveness and inability to bring development to the state.

He is a surprise inclusion given that even his party Gerakan is a light weight in the BN. Will be in charge of unity and key performance index for ministers.

• Datuk Husni Hanadzlah, Second Finance Minister - No surprise that the the Perak politician has been promoted to a full minister. He was earmarked as Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) after Election 2008 but his appointment was scuttled during the screening
process.

Umno officials wanted someone from the party to get this important position while Najib wanted someone competent who could get the projects moving and funds disbursed quickly.

• Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department - Not a stellar performer in the Cabinet over the years but a good corner man to have especially in a dog fight with a vibrant Opposition in Parliament.

Has a flashy lifestyle and has been seen driving top of the range cars. Only was told that he was in charge of Parliament and the Law at the eleventh hour.

• Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Transport Minister - retains the portfolio he held in the last administration.

Had to fend off controversy over the KLIA East project earlier this year but other wise had a trouble free time in the ministry. His main problems seem related to the party - how to patch up relations with his deputy, Datuk Chua Soi Lek, and ensure that the MCA regains the support and confidence of the Chinese community.

• Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Women and Community Development Ministry - She made the ministry her own during Abdullah's first term in office but lost her cabinet position and seat as Lembah Pantai MP after being defeated by Nurul Izzah.

A minister who believes that there is no such thing as over exposure in the media. She defeated Rafidah Aziz for the Wanita Umno position and was always a favourite for a recall to the Cabinet.

• Datuk Ng Yen Yen, Tourism Minister - This is one lucky woman. She was made a full minister after Election 2008 by virtue that she survived and the up and coming Datuk Chew Mei Fun lost her Petaling Utara seat.

The MCA has one Cabinet position for a woman and she was it. Aligned with the wrong camp in MCA, she was expected to be dropped this time around and her name was not on the list until this morning.

Not bad for someone who has not lit up Malaysia or her party with her performance.

• Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry - Ever since he topped the supreme council polls, there has been a clamour from Umno politicians for him to be appointed as the Second Finance Minister.

In the last few years, he has served as the Economic Planning Minister, Minister for Higher Education and Minister of Agriculture. Got into a spot of trouble recently when fishmongers revolted against his ministry's policy of getting them to buying containers from one supplier.

Enjoys the image of a clean politician but even his supporters say that he is too cautious to the point that it impedes implementation. Will have to oversee the overhauling of the controversial Approved Permits policy.

• Datuk Ismail Sabri, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister - Little-known politician from Pahang who was appointed Youth and Sports Minister by Abdullah after Election 2008. Has not done anything that has marked him out as special talent, a journeyman politician.

• Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Youth and Sports Minister - One of the few Umno politicians who actually understands the power of new media.

During his time as Information Minister, he courted bloggers and journalists from alternative media. A former protégé of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, he was expected to be dropped from the Cabinet because he was identified as an Abdullah loyalist.

• Datuk S Subramaniam, Human Resource Minister - The sole representative from the MIC in the Cabinet, he is respected by colleagues and civil servants as a hard worker.
He will need to bring his A game to the table with retrenchment numbers expected to reach record numbers this year.

• Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, Works Minister - Another one of the younger ministers brought into the Cabinet by Abdullah after the last general elections.

Was not expected to make a return as a minister but obviously he must have impressed Najib or somebody because he has been put in charge of an important ministry.

All Umno politicians crave to be in charge of Works because they can dish out contracts to 40,000 Class F contractors, many of whom are party members.

• Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin , Federal Territories Minister - He is independent non-executive director of Pharmaniaga and is the president of the Bumiputera Manufacturers and Service Industry Association of Malaysia.

• Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister - This is a promotion for the Sabah politician who has become a hero in state, especially with the Kadazandusun population for his willingness to call a spade a spade.

He antagonized several of his Muslim colleagues by his willingness to speak up for Christians in the Cabinet. Believes that the word Allah should be used by all.

• Datuk Maximus Ongkili, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation - Not a stellar performer but Najib has little choice but to reward Parti Bersatu Sabah and reward BN Sabah for its solid performance in Election 2008 so Maximus gets another shot at this ministry.

• Datuk Rais Yatim, Information Minister - He has to thank Dr Mahathir for his inclusion in the Cabinet. The former prime minister lobbied for him and Najib yielded to his request.

Did not shine as the foreign minister in his last tour. A man who once wrote a thesis slamming the ISA when on the outside but seemed to repudiate his own view about detention without trial when he rejoined the Cabinet in the Mahathir years.

• Datuk Peter Chin, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister - Steady performer and has been rewarded with an important portfolio.

As the senior representative from Sarawak, he had to be given a top ministry in recognition of BN Sarawak's outstanding performance in Election 2008. Groundwater and even Petronas could be put under his ministry.

• Datuk Khaled Nordin. Higher Education Minister - He keeps his portfolio despite coming out fourth in the contest for the Umno vice-president post. One of only three ministers from Johor.

In the last administration, there were six Umno politicians from Johor who were appointed ministers. A good quiet worker but not someone who is going to create the wow factor.

Looking at this line-up, the first thing that comes to mind is this: it's not very different from the one rolled out by Abdullah.

Yes, their portfolios may have changed but these are still the same men and women who have been in Putrajaya before.

‘Allah’ part of Iban prayers

2009-04-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

By TAN SRI LEO MOGGIE ANAK IROK, Kuala Lumpur
Source: The New Straits Times 2009/04/06

VIEWS attributed to influential personalities, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, prohibiting the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims are very disturbing — including for those of us whose mother tongue is Iban. Islam is the official religion of this country. No one questions that. Similarly, the Constitution guarantees the right of religious freedom.

Followers of different faiths worship in their own ways and there is always some sensitivity attached to religious issues. Thus, I will not touch on matters of theology or religious doctrine. Moreover, this is more a question of language.

I am told that “Allah” is a standard Arabic word for God and is also widely used in the Middle East by non-Muslims.

Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) in the Sarawak government, noted that the word had been used by the followers of the Sidang Injil Borneo in Sarawak for more than 50 years.

Furthermore, the Majlis Islam Sarawak does not think that Muslims in Sarawak are confused when non-Muslims use the word “Allah” in their liturgy (Borneo Post — March 9).

My parents and family members were baptised into the Catholic faith in 1947. As a 6-year-old boy, I was taught to pray to “Allah Taala”. The Creed, the acclamation of faith in the Christian prayer, when rendered in Iban begins as follows: “Aku arap ke siko aja’ Allah Taala, Apai Ke besai Kuasa, Ke ngaga Seruga enggau dunia.”

In my own immediate family, through inter-marriage, there are Muslims, Christians and Hindus. Once a year, at Gawai Dayak, we visit the family longhouse. When the prayer leader reads excerpts from the Iban translation of the Bible, the words “Allah Taala” are an integral part of the prayers.

After the Gawai, when we return to Kuala Lumpur, the grandchildren continue to attend mengaji lessons. There is no hint of confusion among the Muslim members of the family.

Ahmad Zahid is no ordinary individual. He received the highest number of votes among the three newly elected vice-presidents in Umno. Going by tradition, it may be expected he will be appointed to a senior and important portfolio in the new cabinet line-up.

One hopes when he is given wider responsibility, as different from aspiring to a post in Umno, he will recognise that those of us who use the word “Allah” or “Allah Taala” in our Christian prayers and publications have no other agenda but to practise our faith in our own language.

How can that be made illegal?

The honeymoon is over - DAP

2009-04-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 08 April 2009

Najib Razak has his work cut out for him and it is quite clear that Malaysians will not give him a 100-day honeymoon period to perform, says Tony Pua, DAP national publicity secretary.

“He must hence immediately institute firm and resolute measures to eradicate corruption, overhaul archaic and repressive laws and dismantle discriminatory policy tools antithetical to his ‘One Malaysia’ agenda,” he said in a statement Wednesday (8 April).

Pua, who is also MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, said the most decisive and convincing manner by which Pakatan Rakyat have won the two by-elections in Peninsula Malaysia, particularly in Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat where the majority increased by nearly 80%, demonstrates without a doubt the aspirations of Malaysians.

He pointed out that together with the overwhelming results from Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu in the past few months, the people have sent a few messages to the Barisan Nasional government.

He said the results are a clear endorsements of the Pakatan Rakyat 10 month-old Perak government for its multi-racial and multi-cultural policies benefiting the rakyat from all segments of the community.

The Kuala Sepetang polling district where the Chinese community comprises 97% of the 2,311 electorate voted 84.3% for a PAS candidate. This is an earth-shaking result demonstrating that barriers to racial and communal politics are being torn down and are being replaced by the politics of good and quality governance, Pua added.

Source: MalaysiaToday

Loss For Words

2009-04-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 08 April 2009

ANY word on tonight’s results from THE MAHAJIB?

So far nothing yet.

Some illuminating comments from the defeated side.

MUHYIDDIN on Bukit Gantang:

“Maybe the people have a feel-good factor relating to Najib’s premiership, but they have yet to absorb the good feelings.”

Sure, dude. Maybe you should fly in James Brown to do a concert here and help things along.

HISHAMUDDIN on Bukit Selambau:

“You must understand, this is not our seat and not our state, we did not lose our own seat. So to look at it in such a defeated manner… I am not prepared to do that.”

Ok. Since you put it that way, we on this side will also not look at Batang Ai in such a defeated manner. After all, you must understand, it is not our seat and not our state, we did not lose our own seat.

In any case, please remember that the last time Bukit Selambau was “your” seat in “your” state, you comprehensively lost it to an independent candidate.

An independent candidate.

TSU KOON on the two losses:

“We should look at the results as a reminder to BN to effect reform more concretely.”

TEE KEAT on the two losses:

It is quite clear from tonight’s results that the people want much more from us. They do not want to hear promises of change but they want to experience real change.

It will take us a while before we regain their trust in our commitment to change our mindset about our relationship with them and accept the fact that there can only be one political master, the rakyat.

We have a long journey ahead and there is much to be done as well as undone before we can firmly say BN is well grounded with the people to know how to serve the people.

Dudes, you know that’s not gonna happen with UMNO getting ketuanan on your respective asses all the time.

Maybe what you people in Gerakan and MCA should do is disband and join either DAP or PKR.

Heck, you guys are welcome to join the Kelab Penyokong PAS if you want.

Read more at: http://aisehman.org/?p=1166

Source: MalaysiaToday

Man Utd held by Porto in thriller/07 th April 2009

2009-04-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ferguson rues late Porto strike
Sir Alex Ferguson criticised Manchester United's concentration after Porto's late strike earned a 2-2 draw in the their Champions League first-leg tie.

Carlos Tevez struck after 85 minutes to give United an undeserved lead in their quarter-final encounter but Mariano then scored a dramatic equaliser.

"To get a goal late on is quite a normal situation for us, but the one we gave away was terrible," said Ferguson.

"It's been a hard two days for them, but they were lacking concentration."

The fixture came two days after United's dramatic 2-1 win at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Porto have never lost a home match to a British team in the Champions League - but Ferguson is confident his side will progress to the semi-finals.

"We are used to being first and we need to be first again because we have to win," added the United boss.

And there was further bad news for Ferguson with the news that defender Jonny Evans will miss the Premier League match against Sunderland on Saturday after limping out of the Champions League tie.

The Northern Ireland international was replaced by Gary Neville after 72 minutes and joins fellow central defender Rio Ferdinand on the sidelines.

"Rio was nowhere near being fit for this match, so it is difficult to see him being fit for Saturday," added the United boss.

"Jonny should be OK in a week but he is a 21-year-old lad and this is what happens when you play two big games in three days."

United started the match poorly and Cristian Rodriguez put Porto in front after just four minutes.

Wayne Rooney capitalised on a terrible backpass from Bruno Alves to equalise before the break, while substitute Tevez put United ahead with five minutes of normal time left.

But Mariano struck after John O'Shea's attempted clearance diverted a cross into his path after 89 minutes.

And Ferguson added: "You get a 2-1 lead with four or five minutes left, you really should see it out.

"We only have ourselves to blame. You couldn't say it was a great goal or a manufactured goal but we just made the kind of mistake we are making at the moment.

"It will be a difficult game in Porto now, no question of that."

Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira felt that his team fully deserved to leave Old Trafford with at least a draw.

"In the first half we were the team that attacked more and had more corners. In the second half we were able to keep out United's attacks," said Ferreira.

"We had a good reaction to United's second goal. It is a joy to see my team play like this."

And he said that the result proved his team have the belief to go and win the tie.

"Much more than the result, the players showed a great confidence and optimism," he added.

"We never forgot we were playing the world and European champions, but we tried to make it difficult for them."

Source:BBC Sports

Fellow Reds, what is your opinion on this ? Do you think MU is slowly losing its grip or just another storm in a teacup? Or more troubles is brewing up ahead ?
Please share your comment with me.

10 possible Cabinet dropouts/Monday, April 6, 2009

2009-04-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

Within five days of Najib Abdul Razak’s ascension as prime minister, speculation about the upcoming cabinet reshuffle is already making the rounds.

Malaysiakini reports that 10 current Cabinet ministers may be dropped. The list are as follows:

1. Tourism Minister Azalina Othman
2. Rural and Regional Development Minister Muhammad Muhd Taib
3. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar
4. Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop
5. Energy, Water and Communications Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor
6. Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique
7. Foreign Affairs Minister Rais Yatim
8. Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek
9. Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin
10. Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Chuan

The Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Shahrir Samad has already tendered his resignation much earlier.

Is the New PM Najib doing his spring cleaning far too early?

We will soon know after the 7th April.

This is a very interesting development and all of us must be anxiously waiting for the final outcome of the New PM's decision, who is he going to drop-off from the present Cabinet line-up?

News source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/101753 ( comment not in its entirety)

2009-04-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

“The Batang Ai by-election will be the testing ground for the New Iban or Iban Baru. The opposition candidate (Jawah Gerang) is the agent for change. He is the Iban Baru. The Ibans of Batang Ai need to rise up and support the candidate for change.”
The system of tuai rumah (longhouse chiefs) is a system that has prevented the community from emerging as rulers.

The Ibans, and by extension the other Dayaks, need to re-think their politics if they are ever going to get out of the vicious cycle of poverty, according to the Sarawak DAP.

The state constitution has been amended to prevent an Iban from being the governor, unless he is a Muslim. Another amendment makes it extremely difficult for the post of Speaker to be held by an Iban (and other Dayaks) or Chinese.

Man Utd 3-2 Aston Villa

2009-04-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Man Utd go top with last-gasp win

Federico Macheda scored a stunning late winner as Manchester United regained top spot in the Premier League.

The 17-year-old substitute turned in the box and curled in a superb strike to make his debut the stuff of dreams.

Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring from an indirect free-kick after a James Milner backpass, before John Carew's header restored parity.

Gabriel Agbonlahor headed Villa in front only for Ronaldo to level with a low shot and Macheda to snatch victory.

It was an incredible finish to a match that twisted and turned - and had looked to be going the way of Villa rather than the champions.

But after digging deep, and finding inspiration from an untried teenager, United have leapfrogged Liverpool at the top of the table.

And they also avoided a third successive league defeat, which would have been more galling given that Villa were thumped 5-0 by Liverpool in their last match.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said his side's last-gasp 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday had placed the pressure on United, and he looked to be right from the way they started against Villa.

They struggled with an unfamiliar back four that was forced upon them because of Rio Ferdinand's injury and Nemanja Vidic's suspension.

Gary Neville, returning from injury, was brought in to partner John O'Shea in the heart of defence, but that proved to be a costly mistake.

Carew quickly served notice that he would enjoy the mismatch against Neville when his header was scrambled clear via Darren Fletcher and the post.

And the visitors were in the mood to expose United's vulnerabilities.

The pace of Agbonlahor, back in the side for the injured Emile Heskey, and the poise and passing of Gareth Barry was causing United all manner of problems.

But United were handed a lifeline when Milner passed the ball back to Brad Friedel, who picked the ball up, and the resulting free-kick in the area was cracked in by Ronaldo after Ryan Giggs had rolled the ball to him.

The goal settled United's nerves and they began to stroke the ball around with more confidence, but without really penetrating.

And Villa remained dangerous on the break, particularly through Agbonlahor, whose speed was a big problem for Neville.

Ashley Young's free-kick was tipped over by Edwin van der Sar as Villa threatened.

From another quick counter Villa deservedly restored parity, Barry's excellent right-wing cross powerfully headed into the bottom corner by Carew as Neville stood by helplessly.

Shortly after, Neville was switched with right-back Jonny Evans - but it had been a half-hour to forget for the United skipper.

He would have felt better if Ronaldo's glancing header had gone either side of Friedel rather than straight at the keeper and given United a half-time lead.

Instead, Villa struck again on 58 minutes when Ronaldo was caught in possession and Villa moved the ball quickly to Carew, and his cross was headed in by Agbonlahor.

United's response was to bring on Macheda for Nani.

The young Italian, who signed professional terms with United in August 2008, hit a hat-trick for the reserves against Newcastle on Monday.

He appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after he fell under challenge from Curtis Davies, then at the other end Davies was close to converting Ashley Young's free-kick.

United needed something special from somewhere and it came from Ronaldo, who picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a low drive into the bottom corner to drag his side level.

The impetus was all with the hosts now and it took a fine save from Friedel to deny Fletcher from 12 yards.

Substitute Danny Welbeck was next to be thwarted by Friedel as he saw his shot saved at point-blank range.

But United were not to be denied and Macheda produced a moment of magic to win the game when he turned and curled a peach of a shot into the far corner.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, O'Shea, Evans, Evra, Nani (Macheda 61), Carrick, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez (Welbeck 87).
Subs Not Used: Foster, Park, Gibson, Martin, Eckersley.

Booked: Macheda.

Goals: Ronaldo 14, 80, Macheda 90.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Luke Young, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Milner (Reo-Coker 76), Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Delfouneso, Knight, Salifou, Gardner, Albrighton.

Booked: Milner, Ashley Young.

Goals: Carew 30, Agbonlahor 58.

Att: 75,409

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

WOW!! This expected results surely make my day. This win is long overdue after the recent "hiccups" losing matches unexpectedly.
Now Man.Utd is still the team to beat in that land.
I think by now, those nearest challengers must accept that FACT this Season, MU will still be Champions, no doubt about it.....

SIB Satria Jaya BDC Fund Raising Dinner @ ACS 04/04/09

2009-04-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

I "missed" my Akademi Fantasia last night due to this commitment. SIB Satria Jaya (Iban) is located in BDC, where most of the congregation are Ibans, residing around Kpgs. Stutong/Stampin and the surrounding neighborhood housing areas.

At the present moment, the Church is renting a shophouse and the NEW Church is about 70% nearing completion.

The Patron didn't make it, maybe due to the on going By-Elections N29 Batang Ai. However, he donated generously RM20,000 and YB JJ Masing also donated quite a substancial amount towards the completion of the church building.

Thank you to all the donors, who made it possible. SIB SJ started renting the shophouse more than 15 years ago.

God, to You Father, the Glory in the Highest.

MAFREL (Malaysia for Fair & Free Election) statement

2009-04-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

I am now backed in Kuching after spending 8 days in Batang Ai observing the by-election conducts. And as far as our term of references (which is very limited) is concerned we are more or less done, 3 days before polling.

Why I said we are done, because there is nothing to observe anymore. What happen in the next few days will be of no different. Riggings in this by-election are rampant and sad to say that the words “CLEANS, FAIR & FREE ELECTION does not exist in Batang Ai by-election vocabulary.

Our report and photographs taken during our stint in Batang Ai have been compiled and submitted to our Head Quarters in KL.

MAFREL (Batang Ai) had reached a conclusion that Batang Ai by-election is where politic is at its worst. It’s here that money politics rear its ugly head. By all accounts I dared says that Batang Ai by-election is the dirtiest, most unfair & expensive in Malaysian election history.

We observed that:

1) During nomination day (29/3/09) we felt that the police should not have confisticated PAS flags, only returned after vehement protest from PKR. What puzzled us most was why the police allowed SUPP flags among the BN crowd. Report and photos taken during the incident has been submitted to HQ KL for further action.

2) BN candidate election posters were pestered a day before the nomination date. This is a gross defiance of the by-election conduct. We had taken photographs of those posters at Ng. Mepi longhouse. This was by no mean an isolated case because we found the same in other longhouses.

3) It was common sight to see BN giving away gifts of all sorts to the people in the constituency. We have pictorial evidences to that effect but I don’t think its wise me to disclose them here.

4) Misused of government vehicles (pic below) is very rampant and seem to be an acceptable norm among BN officials. We took photos of not less than 47 SG vehicles either parked near the BN “ceramah” or near their operation rooms since nomination. During the nomination day alone we sighted not less than 120 SG vehicles not far from the nomination centre.

5) Civil servants, Departmental heads, teachers appears to be parts and parcels of BN election machineries. They are being deployed and mobilized to every longhouses and corners of Batang Ai.

6) MAFREL (Batang Ai) hereby confirmed the talks that “Tuai Rumah” or longhouse chief are being “kidnapped” and held hostages at Batang Ai Hilton. Some of those whom I met reveal that they are given RM1,000.00 pocket money during the duration of their stay. Some who chose to go to Kuching for sight seeing are given more. We observed that this is indeed very effective tools deployed by BN politician to entice voters. If not money politics, bribery what then?

7) As expected BN ministers continuously poured in “instant noodle projects and other goodies” virtually to all 121 longhouses in Batang Ai. As far as MAFREL is concerned, this is a daylight bribery. Again we have more than enough evidence to support our claims. It’s now up to HQ to make the necessary discloser.

8) Our monitoring unit reported that BN campaigners have contravened particular section of the by-election Act whereby they placed BN flags on the bridge and other prohibited places.

9) We also received report that BN supporters/campaigners pulling down PKR flags at the entrance of a particular longhouse. At the time of reporting police report has been lodged.

10) By MAFREL (Batang Ai) estimation the cost of this by-election far acceded the allowable amount of RM150K by contending parties.

11) We also reported & recorded scares tactic employed by BN Ministers esp. by Jabu, Masing, Awang Tengah, Awang Asfia, Salang, Entulu , Gramong Juna , Fadillah and few others during their “ceramah”.

12) We had examined and scrutinized the voter lists, found out that 111 years old voter still appear in the electoral roll. We checked with NRD and our trip to a grave yard confirmed that this particular voter died some 30 years ago. We have communicated our findings to the EC and believed that this is by no mean an isolated case.

13) We also received complaints from the longhouse residents that some of the names are missing from the electoral rolls. We are still investigating their claims.

14) Intelligence information received from the ground suggested that there will be more longhouses after the by-election. Reasons: Batang Ai by-election will cause a split among longhouse folks leading to the formation of new residence/longhouse.

15) In 1996 election, Donald Lawan successfully challenged Mong Dagang in the court as a result of practicing money politics. Will the 2009 Batang Ai by-election provides another same scenario of Jawah Gerang Vs. Malcolm Mussen, not only in Batang Ai battle field but also in court battle? NOT impossible if MAFREL (Batang Ai) reports and findings are anything to go by.

16) I must say within our term of references, the 26 Mafrel observers have done a splendid job as an election watch dog despite the numerous hurdles and handicaps.

COMPILED BY A MEMBER OF THE MAFREL TEAM
For more info, go to MAFREL's website > http://mafrel.wordpress.com

5 Tips for Handling a Bad Waiter

2009-04-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

by Andrew Knowlton, BA Foodist, Bon Appetit Magazine

The number one complaint of restaurant diners is not the internal temperature of porterhouse, the crispness of fried calamari, or the martini's strength. Nor is it the soundtrack or banquettes color. It has nothing to do with food or décor. The top gripe among those who eat out is service.

As customers, how should we deal with poor service? (Hint: it has more to do with you than you think). Here are tips to dealing with that odd and mercurial species of restaurant employee known as The Server.
1. They're servers not servants. Smile. Be nice to them and they'll be nice to you. That's my number one tip for good service. You'd be amazed how terribly some customers treat servers. Anyone who has ever been a waiter or waitress (a job everyone should be forced to try at least once) knows how much a customers' attitude can dictate their overall dining experience. And if you've ever snapped your fingers, whistled, or yelled to get the attention of a waiter, shame on you.

2. Not everything that goes wrong in a restaurant is the servers' fault. Remember, they're just one cog in the wheel. The long wait for the food is most likely the kitchen's responsibility. Perhaps the host sat too many tables at once, which would explain why drinks are taking so long. So before you start mouthing off, remembers someone else may be to blame. Having said that, a good waiter will always apologize for delays and give you regular updates on the whereabouts of your food.

. One way to avoid bad service is to eat at the bar, a favorite tactic of restaurant insiders. The server/bartender never leaves your sight, which makes it really hard for them to ignore you.

4. If you do get a waiter-from-heck there are a few courses to take. You can grin and bear it, take the abuse, and eventually show your displeasure where it hurts the server the most--the tip. (Some restaurants pool tips so just know your financial penalty might not have the effect you intend.) Another option is to pull the manager (or whoever looks like they are in charge) aside and let them know what's going on. Politely ask for another server. Management at any restaurant worth returning to will oblige. If they don't, leave and tell every person you know about the experience. No need to make a scene.

5. If all else fails, write the restaurant (or, more specifically, the owner) a letter explaining the situation. During a busy service even the best restaurants have a difficult time addressing specific problems and issues. If you really want to be heard and, with any luck, improve the future dining experiences of others, it's best to put pen to paper a few days after the incident when you've had a few days to reflect on the experience. If it's a restaurant that cares about its reputation, its employees, and its customers, you'll most definitely hear back from them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who says working in a service line is easy? You get all sorts of complaint from diners, customers and yet we have to bear all that they give us, for that is where our "rice bowl" lies. I've spent more that 8 years working in this sector, believe me, it's not as easy as you think if you haven't try it out becoming a waiter before?

Anyone out there, care to share some of your ideas how to cope with these unnecessasry pressures from customers instead of from your Manager?

An updated guide to new Malaysian terms

2009-04-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

Ahh, don’t you miss the good old days, when life was simpler and words meant what everyone understood it to mean.
Things are much more difficult these days. But fret not, cos here’s a rough guide.

Mongolia Mari/That woman: refers to murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya.

Katak: a term used to describe elected MPs and state reps who jump parties.

Jelapang Whore: refers to a certain female state rep from Perak.

To be a Kugan: To die in police custody.

CAT: used to refer to the feline family. Now it’s an acronym of Competence, Accountability and Transparency.

Technical visit: Holidays and shopping trips by local politicians and their families to places like Disneyland, Dubai and Paris.

Old ways: Referring to a time when Umno was stronger; where every taxi permit had to be endorsed by and Umno division chief, among others.

Balkis: A Travel and Shopping Club for wives of Umno politicians. membership includes free luxury shopping, gifts and travel.

Bapak Koridor: the politician formerly known as Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Jimat: a term that used to mean savings or frugality. Now it means to “neutralise” a target. This is an internal code among the Police Special Forces (UTK).

Glokal: To rape country’s coffers and use the money for international visits.

BABI: formerly used to refer to the swine family. Now used in Umno circles as an acronym of Brother Anwar Bin Ibrahim.

Phantom voter: Dead people exercising their democratic right.

Democracy Tree: A certain tree underneath which a historic and unusual meeting took place.

Reservoir Dogs: Perak Assembly Speaker V.Sivakumar’s team of bodyguards.

Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd: The party that picks up the tab for political wives’ shopping and travel.

Kita kan Serumpun: the phrase used to justify how come a first generation Malaysian could be MB of a state when there are three generations of people still with Red IC.

Traitor: Anyone who questions Umno way of doing things.

Tempe: 1) A substance, the oral ingestion of which would make your sagging skin tight again. 2) A person who has successful treatment using above-mentioned substance.

Liposuction: A new way to die, for rich females of Malaysia.

Money politics: A whimsical way to describe buying your way into a political post. Ali Rustam still dunno what it means.

Merapatkan Saf: An Umno version of the huddle.

Kodomo Lion: The son of a guy once lauded as the Lion of Umno.

ISA: Ikut Suka Aku. The “Aku” refers to whoever’s in power.

To do a Bala: refers to an act where you make two contradicting statutory declaration, and then disappear.

Superpoke: To have allegedly anally violated someone against his will.

Katrina: A certain hotel in Batu Pahat with free CCTV coverage. Dunno if they offer breakfast.

2 Bukit, 1 Batang: Two hills and one river (what did you think??)

Destiny: refers to your firm conviction that it’s your hubby’s turn to be PM.

Specialist Instigators: what some insecure folks call bloggers.

Derhaka: a term to describe criticism of the sultans, when anyone other than Umno does it.

Now, feel better?

http://dansemacabre.wordpress.com

Can any of you guys add to this? I find it rather funny & amusing.
Come share your views on this.