Thursday, May 31, 2007

Comprehension - My Family

This is a malay language comprehension homework passed up to the class teacher. The humourous side is best read in its original written language.


Translated version:
My Family
Everyone in this world has a family. The word Keluarga is family in white skinned people's language. Family has father, mother, elder brother, elder sister, younger siblings, grandma, grandad, uncle, auntie and etc etc.

For the first time I would like to tell everyone in this world that having a peaceful family and doesn't go to war but there are also some that has no peace because having war.

I would like to tell a story about my family. I have a mother and a father but my mother had said she has slept with 3 other men in hotel hence it's confirmed that I was born out of wedlock as my blood group is different from my father who is in this house. My dad doesn't care when my mother went out with another guy.

Elder sister and brother do not go to school anymore because they have stopped. My elder sister is beautiful with a similar face of Marilyn Monroe who is dead. She died because knocked into grandad's car which has an engine capacity of 500cc. (teacher put a remark that this para was out of topic)

My elder brother is handsome or smart like Amitabh Bachan or Sunjay Dutt, sometimes his face changed to Aacapan when he woke up from his sleep. When he finished bathing, his face would be himself. That's my elder brother's advantageous.

Further to this, I would like to talk about my younger siblings. Even though I do not have younger siblings but I bluffed you saying that I have younger siblings.

That's all for now about my family a happy one even though not. Regards.

Yours sincerely:-
Bob
Tags: Education, Malay Language, Comprehension, Karangan, Funny, Humour, My Family

Women's Decisions

男人最怕的三个答案 (Three answers most scared by men)

(1)随 便 (Whatever)
男:今天 晚上咱们吃什么? Man: What to have for dinner?
女:随便。 Woman: Whatever..
男:吃火锅吧。Man: Why not we have steamboat?
女:不行,吃火锅脸上要长痘痘。Woman: Don't want la, eat steamboat later got pimples in my face
男:要不咱们吃川菜。Man: Alright, why not we have Si Chuan cuisine
女:昨天刚吃的川菜,今天又吃....... Woman: Yesterday ate Si Chuan, today eat again?
男:那咱们吃海鲜去? Man: Hmm..... I suggest we have seafood
女:海鲜不好,吃了拉肚子。Woman: Seafood no good la, later I got diarrhoea
男:那你说吃什么? Man: Then what you suggest?
女:随便。Woman: Whatever..

(2)都行 (Anything)
男:那咱们现在到底做什么? Man: So what should we do now?
女:都行。Woman: Anything
男:看电影怎么样?很久没看电影了。Man: How about watching movie? Long time we didn't watch movie
女:电影有啥好看的,耽误时间。Woman: Watching movie no good la, waste time only
男:那打保龄球,运动运动? Man: How about we play bowling, do some exercises?
女:大热天的运什么动啊,不嫌累啊? Woman: Exercise in such hot day? You not feel tired meh?男:那找个咖啡店坐坐,喝点水。Man: Then find a café and have drink
女:喝咖啡影响睡眠。Woman: Drink coffee will affect my sleep
男:那你说干什么? Man: Then what you suggest?
女:都行! Woman: Anything

(3)看你 (You decide)
男:那咱们干脆回家好了。 Man: Then we just go home lo
女:看你。Woman: You decide
男:坐公车吧,我送你。 Man: Let take bus, I will accompany you
女:公车又脏又挤,算了吧。Woman: Bus is dirty and crowded. Don't want la
男:那就打车走。Man: Ok we will take taxi
女:这么近的路不划算。 Woman: Not worth it la... for such a short distance
男:那走路好了,散散步? Man: Alright, then we walk lo. Take a slow walk
女:空着肚子散哪门子步啊? Woman: What to walk with empty stomach woh?
男:那你想怎么着啊? Man: Then what you suggest?
女:看你。Woman: You decide
男:那就先吃饭? Man: Let's have dinner first
女:随便。Woman: Whatever...
男:吃什么? Man: Eat what?
女:都行 Woman: Anything
(看看四下无人,杀了她......) (Look around... no one here, gonna kill her....)

I seem to be getting lots of jokes on women........
Tags: Jokes, Funny, Humour, Man, Woman, Broken English

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Baby Blues

Tags: Baby Blue, Extortion, Rick Kirkman, Jerry Scott, Cartoon, Funny, Humour

Late Christmas Celebration

Normally some events were postponed due to unforeseen circumstances but to go against the world's calender to celebrate a worldwide event was too much.

In Democratic Republic of Congo, a particular sect celebrates Christmas Day itself on 25 May, yeah just 5 days back only. Weird????? Why is that so?

Main Reason: Members of the Kimbanguist Church believe Jesus Christ was born on 25 May and not 25 December. I'm not confused by them but I'm confused by the World Council of Churches ("WCC")

Kimbanguist Church is a member of WCC and I wasn't able to verify their membership status as todate as WCC has questioned Kimbanguist Church's teachings (under Membership paragraph in the linked website) in one of their Executive Committee meeting held in Aug 2004.

The church has around 3 million believers, mainly concentrated in central Africa. It was founded in 1921 by Simon Kimbangu, a self-styled healer and prophet, who was educated by Baptist church missionaries in the west of what was then the Congo Free State. In 1999 the leaders of the Kimbanguist church decided that after several prophetic "revelations", Christmas should be celebrated on 25 May instead of in December. (source: BBC News/Africa)
Tags: Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Sect, Christmas Day, Kimbanguist Church, World Council of Churches, Simon Kimbangu, Christianity

Female Hormones in Beer

Last month, the scientists from the National University of Lesotho released the results of a recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer.

Men should take a concerned look at their beer consumption. The theory is
that beer contains female hormones (contain oestrogens) and that
by drinking enough beer, men turn into women. To test the theory, 100 men
drank 8 pints of beer each within a 1 hour period. It was then observed
that 100% of the test subjects:

1) Argued over nothing.
2) Refused to apologize when obviously wrong.
3) Gained weight.
4) Talked excessively without making sense.
5) Became overly emotional.
6) Couldn't drive.
7) Failed to think rationally.
8) Had to sit down while urinating.

No further testing was considered necessary.
Tags: Female, Hormones, Beer, Funny, Humour, Joke

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Advertlets

A new blog advertiser has entered the blogosphere to grab its own slice of the cake. Who's that?Advertlets has made the advertising interesting where the host blogger can comment on those featured ad/polls. For blog readers, they could participate in polls. Please do participate. My Advertlets is located on the left column of my blog, just below my profile.

As for bloggers, we would be able to generate some returns too. Besides that, bloggers could also be paid to review products and services from advertisers. At the same time, Advertlets would make the advertisements relevant to our blog readers. This would be a good way for bloggers to link with Advertlets where we could earn additional income while blogging away daily.

With this link to Advertlets, I hope that it could generate more traffic to my blog and allow blog readers to have some interactive time while reading my blog.


Those who wish to participate, please e-mail: info@advertlets.com with the subject “Advertlets Review!” Advertlets is giving RM50 each away to 300 Malaysian Advertlets Bloggers, just for you to review our service on your blog!
Tags: Blog, Blogosphere, Advertiser, Advertisement, Blogger, Blog Readers, Money, Advertlets

Malaysian Youth Music Fest

Looking for 20 volunteers to help out at an event:-

Event: Malaysian Youth Music Fest
Date: 1st Sept 2007
Time: 9am - 6pm
Venue: Palace of the Golden Horses
Transport allowance: RM30 including tea breaks & buffet lunch

Contact person: emily@myof.org.my

Tags: Malaysian Youth Music Fest, Palace of the Golden Horses, Youth, Music

Bible - An Indecent/Violent Book?

At first, the Bible was used as an assault item in a fight.

Now, the Bible has been cited in the Hong Kong's court calling for the book to be labelled as an obscene/indecent/violent book that those below 18 years old could not buy. In Hong Kong, when a book is listed in such category, it has to be wrapped up (similar to Playboys magazine) to prevent people from flipping through it.

An anonymous website known as Truthbible, has placed the following banner:-
Can't understand the rest of the website's content (bananaman!). I'm sure it did mention more about the reason behind the said banner. From other readings, Truthbible did mention that the Bible contains "rape, cannibalism and violence in both the Old and New Testament" and so it was deemed obscene/indecent/violent.

The above situation could have arose from the situation where a Hong Kong univeristy's student magazine had published certain indecent stories. Subsequently, the Obscene Articles Tribunal ’s (OAT) has called for a ban on the student magazine. Thereafter, OAT and Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) have received more than 2,300 complaints about the Bible calling for similar ban describing a number text or verses that depicts obscenity.

The 2,300 people would have been the students from that particular university. A uniformity displayed here just to fight for their cause but dragged the religious book into controversy. Does the Quran book and other faiths' religious books depict similar text/verses?
Reading: From Indecent Student Magazine to Indecent Bible - Global Voices
Reading: The Hong Kong Monkey Trials - One Man Bandwidth

Tags: Bible, Hong Kong, Obscene, Indecent, Violent, Obscene Articles Tribunal, OAT, Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, TELA, Quran

Airbus A380

Airbus A380 - first flight opened to selected public, mainly reporters, travel critics, potential/existing airlines customers and cronies...hehe

Wondering which class are they showing us in this pictures.
This is definitely the Business Class. Would be very sure that the people in this section would have given a good rating. Most of the airlines would advertise how good are their First/Business classes, the sort of comfort, design, space or service available for their passengers. What about the Economy Class passengers? They didn't pay for their airfares?
The food selection should be nice especially when you are being watched on the first flight. Must keep their mouth 'shut'.
ah.........makes me sleepy now....yawnnnnn
Just as the first flight was being monitored by stakeholders, another A380 unit is being re-designed and re-decorated internally by a rich magnate. Imagine an A380 could fit in hundreds of passengers but this rich magnate was trying to cater this airplane for his entourage only.
First class furnitures & fittings! You won't feel the jet lag in this plane.
Really exclusive. Just like the Flying Palace that I was blogging about.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Energy Pod

Ever thought of taking a nap in office especially those minutes after a heavy lunch? Well, Metronaps has came out with a superb invention to allow people to be rejuvenated in a short 20 minutes powernap. It's called the EnergyPod.
Thought of getting one for your home? Forget it, get a bed instead for your house. It would be nice if the office has the EnergyPod but I guessed every colleague would be making a beeline at the EnergyPod too.
It will cost you (most probably not you) or your office a small dent, US$8,000 to own it. You won't oversleep in this EnergyPod as after 20 minutes, it will trigger a vibration and acoustic alarm.

Spiderman at the Rescue Again

What will happen if Spiderman was not around. He's in Malaysia too.

Voice Message from "Malaysian High Court"

Received this via an email where it tells us of suspicious calls from the Malaysian High Court and Malaysia's police headquarters asking for your personal banking details relating it to a scam purportedly linked to your banking accounts. Is it another scam? Or one of those Urban Legends?

Dear family members and friends,
I am writing this e-mail to warn all of you. This is what happen to me on 18th May 2007 at 10.00am. The phone rang and I answer, a voice message stated that the call is from the Malaysian High Court mentioning that i have a case to attend at the KL High Court.

Rather curious of what sort of case i have, so i press 9 to talk to the operator. The operator speaks very 'slow english' if you know what i mean. She insist that i must give her my name and ic (identity card) no. in order for her to check what sort of case i have. I hold on for a few seconds and she ask me if that is really my ic no. I confirmed and she also confirmed that i have a case to attend. She says that she will faxed the document over to Bukit Aman Police station and the officer will call me in 3 minutes.

So i hung up, through enough i received the call less than 2 minutes. He announced himself as Yeoh Long Wah from Bukit Aman police station. He ask me a lot of questions and say the criminal have use my ic detail to open bank account in Maybank and Public Bank in Negeri Sembilan.

He then ask me whether i have a bank account in Maybank and Public Bank. I told him that i have a Public Bank a/c. He says that i have to answer his questions honestly so that he can help me with my case. The questions he ask like have you lost yr ic before, did you hand over yr ic to anybody for documentaion and how much money u have in yr a/c I told him i cannot reveal the amount in my account and that i will meet him in Bukit Aman police station.

He says fine and meet him before 4pm and gave me the phone no 03-77826222. I rang my lawyer and ask for advise. She ask me to fix the appointment with the so call police on Sat or Monday since today is Friday and mosque day. I called the no 77826222 and the police answer telling me that this is not Bukit Aman police station but police station in Old Klang Road. I told the police the problem and he told me to launch a police report in Subang Jaya police station because they have been receiving a lot of these calls from people.

I went to Public Bank to freeze all my a/c for the time being. I am sharing all these with you so that you will not go through the trauma i went through.

From: Kam Yuen Chan
18/5/07
Tags: Scam, Hoax, High Court, Bukit Aman, Kam Yuen Chan, Yeoh Long Wah

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Controversial Penalty on Subway Users

With the merging of both MTR Corporation (urban mass transit railway system) and Kowloon-Canton Railway (railway service between Hong Kong and southern China), the new management for the new entity (upon merger) may issue new by-laws for commuters. Both MTR and KCRC control a large section of the public transportation. By merging these 2 transportation companies, economics of scale will benefit them.

The lawmakers in Hong Kong are now worried with the new proposal as it may cause lots of Honkies to be jailed and this may 'derail' the merger plan. I think the new by-laws should be implemented in Malaysia as well but the same issue will arise - many Malaysians will be jailed/penalised as Malaysians' conduct are not as good also. What are the new by-laws like????

Here goes the list (exchange rate approx. HK$1,000 = US$130):-
* HK$5,000 plus 6 months' imprisonment for use of foul language;
* HK$5,000 plus 3 months in jail for loitering, busking or transporting pets;
* maximum fine of HK$2,000 for queue jumping;
* HK$5,000 fine and 6 months' imprisonment for unauthorized structures;
* HK$5,000 fine for the wrong use of ticket-vending machines;
* HK$5,000 fine for failure to obey directions inside a train carriage;
* HK$5,000 fine for placing feet on seats;
* HK$5,000 fine and 6 months' imprisonment for causing a fire hazard;
* HK$5,000 fine for playing a musical instrument or radio or cassette recorder;
* HK$5,000 for taking on board prohibited items;
* HK$5,000 for entering or exiting by improper means;
* HK$5,000 and 6 months' jail for soliciting for handling goods or luggage;
* HK$5,000 and 3 months' jail for displaying unauthorized materials or loitering; and
* HK$5,000 and 6 months' jail for flying objects endangering operations.

After reading the above, am I correct that lots of Malaysians will cry if such by-laws are implemented here as well. At times, people will only act properly when they know that they'll be penalised heavily otherwise who cares! The above new by-laws will require Hong Kong's lawmakers' approval before it can be implemented that will affect the general public. 6 June 2007 - the D-day for the decision.
Tags: Hong Kong, MTR Corporation, Kowloon-Canton Railway, KCRC, Urban Transport, Mass Transit Railway, Railway, Lawmakers, Economics of Scale

Broadway Parodies Lah!

Another broadyway show in store for Malaysia? Yeah, why not. This broadway performance will be staged from 24 May to 3 June. Catch it when you can at The Actors Studio, Bangsar Shopping Centre.

Malaysian Spoofs of Songs from the Musicals. With sikit pinjam konsep from the Western "Forbidden Broadway" spoofshow, The Actors Studio proudly presents "Broadway Parodies Lah!", a rich rojak of slices of Malaysian life garnished with a big splash of humour and served up on a platter of great songs. And with a hugely talented cast, fantastic Broadway style choregraphy and both live and computer sequenced musical backing, BPL is a Malaysian feast of spoofs that is sure to fill your stomachs with laughter!

Sample Song Titles:-
Chicken with the Chili on Top ("Surrey with the Fringe") / Bodoh Lah ("Do Re Mi")
Damansara ("Oklahoma!") / Hello Datin ("Hello Dolly")
The Bomoh of the Bursa ("The Phantom of the Opera") / We Must Play Golf All Day ("I Could Have Danced All Night")

Musicals Production Director and Writer: Brian McIntyre
Conceived by: Jason Cheong and Edna Tan / Executive Producer: Datuk Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham / Choreography: Farah Sulaiman
Featuring: *Douglas Lim (actor, comedian - Kopitiam, Broken Bridges)
*Joanne Kam Poh Poh (veteran performer and comedienne, Broken Bridges)
*Doreen Tang (delightful voice! M! The Opera, numerous shows)
*Ho Soon Yoon (actor, singer [Broken Bridges], conductor [In The Mood])
*Sabrina Hassan (TV and stage performer - Anjung Budi, PGL)
*Kyra Dani (TV and stage actress - Each Other, Forum)
*Glamorique Arshad (veteran performer - Mikado, Stand and Deliver, Jalan Impian)
*Cheryl Tan (terrific young talent, huge voice - Six Characters in Search)
*Ivan Choong (tremendous new vocal talent)

Friday, May 25, 2007

Virtual Cops

A local county in Chengdu of China has set up a Virtual Cop Department just to monitor the citizen's daily internet access to ensure that no dissident group will go against the government or any violation of speech/write up against the constitution or too much of pornography. Below is the Dujiangyan county 's advertisement in search for Virtual Cops that will sit in front of pc monitors day in day out to catch such people. The respective cop will be known as Skynet Monitory Manager. (source: Danwei)

Dujiangyan, locatedin Dujiangyan Personnel Bureau
Dujiangyan Public Security Bureau
Notice about recruitment of professional "Skynet" monitoring managers

Work needs require the recruitment of 96 professional "Skynet" monitor manager; pertinent information is included below:-
1. Position name
Professional 'Skynet' monitoring manager, 96 individuals (10 women)

2. Recruitment scope and target
Any individuals with a vocational diploma or higher (recognized by the State Education Commission), who is a long-term resident of Dujiangyan and who fits the position requirements and the registration conditions may apply.

3. Basic conditions for the candidate
(a) Possess PRC citizenship and a citizen's political rights;
(b) Support CPC leaders; love socialism;
(c) Respect the law, have an upright character, dedicated to work, and possessed of a spirit of serving the people;
(d) Men must be at least 1.68 meters tall; women at least 1.55 meters. In good health with all five senses; no communicable diseases; not hard of hearing; no internal hemorrhoids; age between 20 and 30; unassisted vision at least 4.8;
(e) Must know Mandarin, be able to use a calculator;
(f) Individuals who fit any of the following may not apply:-
i. Been subject to criminal punishment, public security penalties, reform through labor, or juvenile discipline;
ii. Been subject to administrative discipline or who have had their status revoked;
iii. Currently the subject of an unresolved criminal investigation;
iv. Immoral, or have engaged in improper acts such as hooliganism or peeping;
v. Have a close relative, or a distant relative who has been a major life influence, who has been sentenced to death or who has engaged in overseas activities to topple the government;
vi. Have a close relative, or a distant relative who has been a major life influence, who is the subject of an unresolved criminal investigation.

4. Registration and review of qualifications
(a) Registration time and placeRegistration time: 2007/04/16-20; place: PSB reception room
(b) Registration materialsApplicants must bring their residential ID card, their household registration, their diploma, unemployment card, discharge certificate (original), two photos (bare-headed 1 cm) to the designated place at the designated time and must fill in the Contractual Professional "Skynet" Monitoring Manager Qualification Inspection Form (two copies) for review.

5. Tests and administrative review
(a) Recruits should come to the registration location on 24 April 2007 to confirm their review status and obtain a test certificate.
(b) Computer exam will be held on 25 April 2007.
(c) Culture exam will be held on 28 April 2007.
(d) Physical checkup will be held on 8 May 2007.
(e) Interview will be held in one session on 11 May 2007.
(f) Group inspection will be held on 16 May 2007.
(g) Interviews, administrative review, and test results will be announced on 21 May 2007.

6. Contract signing
(a) For candidates who pass review by the administrators, the test, and the interview, a contract will be signed between the employer and the recruit.
(b) The probationary contract will last three months. At the end of the three month probation, satisfactory recruits will sign a formal employment contract. If within the probationary period there are violations, the employer may refuse the offer contingent on the specific situation.
(c) The contract comes in three copies and is prepared by the municipal personnel bureau. The contract lasts for one year; at the end of the contract period the employer will determine on the basis of work conditions whether to extend the contract; should the employer decide not to extend the contract, or should the employee wish to resign, then things will be handled according to the contract stipulations. Disputes will be resolved according to state law and relevant departmental regulations.

7. Salary and benefits (interesting part!)
Monthly salary; retirement, medical, and unemployment insurance (according to relevant national regulations, paid by the employer).
Salary: wages contingent on performance assessment; holiday and overtime wages; uniform fees.
Total: 1,300 per person per month. [96 x 1,300 x 12 mths = 1,497,600 yuan per county. If China was to implement this in all their 2,000 counties, it would cost China 1,497,600 x 2,000 = 2,995,200,000 yuan (equivalent to abt US$440.0 million) per annum]

For the latest information, please inquire at the Dujiangyan Municipal Personnel Bureau and Public Security Bureau: Tel: 87110896, 87112383, 87132216
2007.04.13 (seals of Dujiangyan Personnel Bureau, Dujiangyan Public Security Bureau)
Tags: China, Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Virtual Cop, Dujiangyan Personnel Bureau, Dujiangyan Public Security Bureau

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Pizzas in Malaysia

The Malaysian fast food industry has drawn another new competitor recently. The current pizza restaurants in Malaysia, Pizza Hut, Shakey's Pizza & Domino's Pizza (did I miss others) are currently enjoying their big piece of the cake but seeing that the cake was still big enough, a new entrant moved in real fast.

In a short period, this pizza chain has opened up 6 outlets within the Klang Valley area. It's none other than Canadian Pizza from Canada.

FYI, it's not from Canada but from down south of Malaysia, Singapore. Surprised? It started with one outlet in Singapore in 1995, having up to 25 outlets now and expanded into the Indonesian market. Haven't try it yet but I have received its pamphlet already. They have delivery service too but their delivery timing is minimum 1 hour compared to Pizza Hut's maximum of 1 hour.

Want to see how to order a pizza in 2010? Click the link as below and see. Turn up the volume. Listen closely and watch the screen and pointer carefully. You may laugh and say this is funny, but it could happen. The technology is already there. Not as far fetched as it seems. The only thing which makes it seem unreal is that the telephonist hasn't got an Asian accent. Go on, check it out - http://www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf.

Tags: Food, Fast Food, Pizza, Pizza Hut, Shakey's Pizza, Domino's Pizza, Canadian Pizza, Singapore

Comments Are Welcome

If you are reading this blog for the first time or had been frequenting this blog for a number of times, you are most welcome to comment on each of the blog posting. It can be constructive criticism OR to provide additional info which I have missed out OR to further update the info that I have blogged about OR you could agree/disagree with what have been posted.

Important thing to bear in mind, don't over do it until I'm being investigated by the authorities as what had happened to 2 prominent Malaysian bloggers (read: Malaysian Bloggers Sued)

Looking forward to your comments.
Tags: Blog, Blog Comments, Bloggers

Huge Ice Storm

Wondering where did this Ice Storm occur? Expensive clean up for the yachts. But I guess since they have the money to buy such big boys' toys, such expenses won't be a problem as well.
I'm still trying to figure out how did those water turned into ice on the spot especially on tree branches.
Tags: Ice Storm, Calamity, Weather, Climate

Speed Limit

I wonder why different speed for different sex? I think you know why precisely .....hehehe At times, I really respect/tabik lady drivers (pun intended but not discrimination - have to be careful with what you say nowadays).

Holiday Package

*Latest Update - Receive an email from Ministry of Tourism confirming that the companies stated below were not licensed. Email posted in under Unlicensed Travel Agencies.
----------------------------------
Received this via an email. Could anyone verify the email or whether any of you have suffered the same fate?

Dear All,
If you see anyone selling this membership, please do not apply membership or any trip from them.

Slyways Vacation will sell the membership card for Dynasty Vision (as in attachment) in a lot shopping complex (e.g. Carrefour, Jusco .....).

When you walk in front to their counter, they will approach you. They will tell you that they are under government (KKKP). They are working for government so that they can get a lot cheap hotels for you. And they did a lot survey to get the cheapest travel ways in Malaysia. Just bullshit!!!!

Actually they are not working for government , their business is not related with government. They are private company. All the logo printed on the membership card is just display, they are not able to get cheap package.They just want to cheat your member fee - RM399.

The main things , their staffs are not qualify to become tour consultant. I had experience been cheated by an agent called Sankan. He is working for Slyways. When I get cheated then I called his leader (Idrus) and boss (Jimmy) for help. But they are irresponsible and they will only scold you and ignore your call. They just tell you that this staff already been terminated, your application is not in our system!

For Dynasty Vision, when you call to their service center, whatever question you ask they only have one answer. They don't even understand "English". Their boss is Encik Megat.

I hope nobody will be the next victim again. That's why I send this email to let all of you know DO NOT APPLY MEMBERSHIP OR TRIP PACKAGE with these two companies:-

Slyways Vacation
Suite 2-2-2A, 2nd Floor,
Wisma Rampai Town Centre,
Setapak
53300 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-41492122
Fax: 03-41493122

Dynasty Vision Resources
73-1, 1st Floor,
Jalan 3/23A,
Off Jalan Genting Kelang
Taman Danau Kota
Setapak
53300 Kuala Lumpur

When I did a search, this Dynasty Vision Resources is somehow linked to Best World Vacation. Under the terms and conditions, the definition of Cards - Card(s) means the Best World Vacation card(s) bearing the Dynasty Vision Resources mark/logo issued by the company or authorized sublicense(s). Closely linked indeed!

There was no mention of where this Best World was located but during the reading of Best World's website, it did state that Dynasty Vision Resources has another office located at Sri Dagangan Business Centre in Kuantan.

The above is surely another case of lousy customer service or miscommunication between both parties.
Tags: Slyways Vacation, Dynasty Vision Resources, Best World Vacation, Kuantan, Membership

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Man Utd - Asia Tour 2007

23/05/2007 13:12, Report by Press Department
Club statement on Malaysia match

Manchester United has had a series of meetings today with the Malaysian Youth and Sports Ministry, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) concerning the planned match in Kuala Lumpur on 27 July 2007.

This match is a key element of the Malaysian Government’s celebrations of its 50 years of independence and presents a marvellous opportunity for us to play in front of our many Malaysian fans. Unfortunately new information has come to the Club’s attention today concerning the FAM’s agreement with the AFC to act as host for the Asian Cup, which means the Club cannot play the game without the official approval of the AFC.

The Club hopes that the issues can be resolved by the relevant parties to ensure that this celebration match can take place as planned.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

SMS Scam

READ THIS SERIES if you are a mobile user!

Teaser: 3xxxx short code and SMS scam
SMS Scam ( 1 ): Explain this, Maxis
SMS Scam ( 2 ): It's an organised white-collar crime
SMS Scam ( 3 ): Let the suffering fools speak
SMS Scam ( 4 ): The bad boys... Celcos? CPs? MCMC?
SMS Scam ( 5 ): The 'Copy & Paste' version of Maxis Preventive Gateway
SMS Scam ( 6 ): Let the suffering fools speak, sgain
SMS Scam ( 7 ): Transcript - Rosli Shukor's parting shot at MPG on May 14
SMS Scam ( 8 ): MPG API - Now you see (May 15), now you don't (May 16)!
(source: Screenshots, 22 May)


Please do check your phone bills at month end to note the following:-



(source: Screenshots)
If you have been receiving SMS spams from your telcos or third party content providers via the 33xxx short codes, please be aware of your bills or check your prepaid balance (for those with prepaid numbers).


If you are having a prepaid number, sorry for you as you won't have any proof to say that you have received unwanted chargeable SMS as there are no bills/records.

Check to see what has been reported above is true or not.
Tags: SMS Spam, SMS Scam, Mobile Phone, Content Provider, Postpaid, Prepaid, Short Code

The Banker and the Fisherman

An investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, "Only a little while." The banker then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?"

The fisherman said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."

The banker then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, go for walks with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends. As you can see, I have a full and busy life."

The banker scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat! With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to the capital city. After that, who knows, maybe you could take on the world!"

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the banker replied, "I'd say about 15 to 20 years."

"But what then?" asked the fisherman.

The Banker laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions?...Then what?" the fisherman continued prodding.

The banker said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, go for romantic walks with your wife, and in the evenings you could sip wine, play guitar and sing songs with your friends!"

To which the fisherman mused, "Now isn't that strange? Isn't that what I'm doing now?"

Important thing is to know what you want in life right from the beginning and you won't go wrong with it. Begin your life with the end in mind.

Tags: Investment Banker, Fisherman

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Broadway Musical

In conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2007, two well known broadway musical productions have been arranged to be performed in Malaysia. My Fair Lady has just finished its performance from 15-20 May 2006 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The My Fair Lady production is a winner of 5 Olivier Awards.


Coming 13 July 2007, for 2 weeks, The King And I production will be performed at the Istana Budaya theatre. The production cost for this musical presentation will be around RM4.0 million (US$1.2 million). With such an investment, the production should be having world-class props and stage sets. Go to Axcess Tickets for reservation of tickets.

War on Ah Long

The Malaysian government has declared war on Ah Long (illegal moneylenders). After getting all mobile phone owners to register their prepaid phone numbers by 15 December 2006, the government thought that this time they'll be able to track down those slimy characters that gave the investigation team the slip each time. The registration exercise was done in the interest of national security.

With all prepaid phone numbers linked to a particular individual, the government will know who made those calls or those who hid behind a phone call.

Kidnappers can't use the mobile phone to contact their victim's family members else the police will know who are the kidnappers. Ah Longs will be unable to make threatening phone calls to their debtors while demanding their debtors to pay up. Stalkers can't send frightening messages to those persons they were stalking.

Just when the public thought that they would see the last of such things, then came the bombshell:-
"While the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are working hand in hand in this, there is a loophole in tracing them whereby the numbers could have been registered under a different name or even a ‘phantom’ owner." (source: The Star)

What does this mean? With the expensive exercise that got the whole world to register and then this loophole jumped up now that nobody had expected. Goodness me! So, the whole exercise has gone down the drain. With all the fake identity cards floating around the market, the dark world people would have known how to circumvent whatever rules that the government could have implemented including this farce.

All out war against Ah Longs? What war? Thus, national security is opened to attack????

Just read the following when national security was at stake:-
* In response to complaints from the public, The Star had recently noted down telephone numbers from posters at LRT stations and bus stands in Petaling Jaya and passed the information to the MCMC.
* However, the MCMC replied that it could not act without an official report.
* Subsequently, a report was lodged at the SEA Park police station here.
* The numbers were then forwarded to the MCMC to be traced.
* However, the MCMC replied a few days later that releasing the information to a third party would be a violation of privacy under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
* When asked about this, Fu (Ah Kiow) replied that it was the responsibility of the police to take action.
* Commercial crime director Datuk Ramli Yusof said they would look into all the “Ah Long matters.” However, he said that even with the phone numbers and with the public lodging reports, the police could not “just rush into action.” “We have to investigate first and it could take time,” he told reporter RASHITAH HAMID.
* He urged the public to come forward to make reports, adding that there had not been many such reports so far.


And Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the country's main power producer/provider, had complained that their electricity poles/electrical junction boxes have been vandalised when Ah Longs had posted their advertising stickers all over it. TNB could have just co-operate with the police and make a call to those telephone numbers and detect the culprits. So easy!!!! Or was TNB afraid to make those calls????? Request the police to do it then.........
Tags: Malaysian Government, Ah Long, Illegal Moneylender, Prepaid, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, TNB, Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, MCMC

See Thru Laptop

Another exciting Apple release? Apple's Macbook (or laptop/notebook) - with new technology where its screen is transparent even when it is fully operational. Interesting! Won't come cheap either. Apple is normally quite fast with its technology, just like the iPhone. Though their sales may not be high but there are still numerous buyers waiting for its latest release each time.


Tags: Laptop, Notebook, Apple, MacBook, iPhone, Technology

Unsung Malaysian Hero

Foo Leng Siew, a truly unsung Malaysian hero? Well, that's what the Star newspaper has reported on 14 May 2007. Foo was said to have participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics held at Berlin (yeah, during Adolf Hitler's time).

A bit sceptical on the report when I couldn't locate his name in the International Olympic Committee's ("IOC") officiall website's database.



Then I went to the World Olympians Association's official website to search for the Olympian's (Foo Leng Siew) details where database was available way back to the 1st Olympics held at Athens 1896. Still no records. How come?

Even 'weirder', an athletic can only represent a country after being selected by the National Olympic Committee ("NOC") of each country. Only a NOC was able to select and send teams and competitors for participation in the Olympic Games (source: IOC website). Why so weird? The Olympic Council of Malaysia was set-up in 1953 and only gained recognition from IOC in 1954.

With utmost respect to the late Foo Leng Siew, which organisation sent him to the 1936 Summer Olympics?
Tags: Foo Leng Siew, Malaysian, Athletics, Olympian, 1936 Summer Olympics, Berlin, Sports, Adolf Hitler, Olympic Council of Malaysia, National Olympic Committee

Monday, May 21, 2007

Volunteers for Beijing 2008

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said China had expressed its eagerness for Malaysian youths to help out as volunteers at the next summer Olympics in Beijing - as reported in Star newspaper.

I really hoped that the newspaper or Youth & Sports Ministry would do some homework before blurting anything out just to fill in the empty space in the newspaper. The newspaper stated that volunteers were required for the 14 days during the Olympic Games. Please note that all volunteers were required to be in China (at designated cities/venues/stadiums) for training/briefing prior to the Olympic Games. Therefore, more than 14 days are required. Importantly, age requirement - not younger than 17 years old as at 30 June 2008.

China has started the recruitement of volunteers since end of March 2007 and according to their website, recruitment will end by end May 2007. Yet the Deputy Minister mentioned that he would hold further discussions on the recruitment. More discussions with whom and on what? Deadline is end of this month!!! Volunteers could have applied on their own via the Beijing 2008's official website, don't need government's assistance.

The following was extracted from the Volunteer Recruitment page:-

Volunteers should meet the following basic requirements set forth in the General Policy for Volunteers for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. They should:-
1) be able to serve voluntarily for the Beijing Olympic and/or Paralympic Games;
2) have been born prior to (or on) June 30, 1990, and be in good health;
3) be willing to abide by China's laws and regulations;
4) be able to participate in the pre-Games trainings and other required activities;
5) be able to serve continuously for more than seven days during the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games;
6) be able to hold a conversation in basic Mandarin, if their first language is not Mandarin; native Mandarin speakers should be able to communicate in at least one important foreign language;
7) possess the professional knowledge and skills necessary for their posts.
Applicants fluent in both English and Mandarin and competent in a special area will be given priority, especially those who can speak minor languages and are skillful in certain trades.

It would be great if I get to go. Would be able to blog about the extraordinary city of Beijing, its food (slurp!!), the great athletics that will congregate in China, plenty of pictures, get to travel in China (never been there yet) ...... sadly, unable to access the particular site to register myself ........ maybe have to rely on the government......maybe this was the reason the government has to assist people like us.

If any of you from the Beijing 2008 organising committee is reading this blog, please do consider me!!!!! FYI, I meet all the above requirements. Informal application but strong enough.
Tags: Beijing, China, Beijing 2008, Beijing Olympics, Volunteer Recruitment, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games

Singing Contests

In USA, the highly followed American Idol has sent a craze throughout the world. Even in Malaysia has its own Malaysian Idol chapter.

In China, no Idol chapter but it has its own Idol equivalent singing contest for the girls and boys respectively. The girls' contest is known as the Super Girl while the boys' contest is known as the Happy Male Voice.

In winning the respective girls' or boys' contest, it will bring instant recognition and fame to the particular individual. Hence, parents or relatives for a particular contestant will usually get their friends/other relatives to vote for their beloved girl/boy.

In Happy Male Voice, a controversy arose:-
One of the contestant found out that the biggest problem is that the SMS voting can be manipulated. My understanding is that there are two ways to get votes. First, there are the big fan clubs in Changsha. If you can contact their leaders and pay them, they can make sure that your votes skyrocket in a short time. There are also many Internet voting companies who specialize in casting votes. When I was competing, my family organized friends to send SMS. But someone told me that it was useless to send a few thousand SMS votes! The other people are using fan clubs and Internet voting companies! I thought, what kind of stupid competition is this? Another industry insider asked me, Do you want to manipulate this? For 3 million yuan, I can make you number one in the nation. I turned them down. My family is not rich. If I can compete, I will compete; if not, I will back out." (source: Y Weekend)

Is this happening in Malaysia as well for both the Malaysian Idol and Akademi Fantasia? I have heard of one Datuk (a title bestowed by a Sultan in Malaysia) who bought the SMS top-up cards and pass around the company's staff for them to vote for his kin. He's rich enough to go round passing such top-up cards. But it would be a huge 'investment' for other contestants' relatives if they are not 'rich'.

The China Daily has been quoted as missing the point about Super Girl (after a publication on Super Girl) - it it was not about democracy, but audience participation. Super Girl contestants were taking part in a reality show. Whether they could sing was immaterial because such television programmes are about entertainment. Hype, drama and audience-pulling stunts are a staple of the genre to ensure viewers do not change channels. (source: South China Morning Post)

I agree on this point as the main criteria was how cute/beautiful they were instead of how in tune was their melody. Defeats the main purpose of getting a top notch singer.

In China, the SMS messages generated during the singing contests would generate a profit of 30% to 50% even after a 15% cut for the telecom provider. How about the Malaysian chapter? Great returns indeed! The main sponsor of China's Super Girl - Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, has risen from being the 3rd largest dairy company to the top of the league during the run of Super Girl show from year 2004 onwards. Great corporate strategy tie-up. Owing to China's large population, an estimated 400 million TV viewers tuned in one night to watch Super Girl 2005's final round. Can you imagine that!
Tags: American Idol, Malaysian Idol, Akademi Fantasia, Super Girl, Happy Male Voice, China, Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, SMS Message, SMS Vote

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

Pattaya is definitely firing up its presence internationally. Covid19 has hit many nations really hard and Pattaya wasn't exempted from ...