Selected as AMBP Travel Ambassador

Was invited by Star newspaper to attend an event for the launching ceremony of a travel tool (domestic travel) administered by Mayflower ACME Tours Sdn Bhd ("Mayflower"). This travel tool, found in AllMalaysia.info and Mayflower's websites, shall make your holiday planning much easier. The travel tool will assist in booking flight tickets, accommodations, cars and tour packages.

In this travel tool, it will publish write-ups by bloggers on various local holiday destinations so that travellers will know what to expect. What bloggers? These bloggers are known as Travel Ambassadors.

I was selected by Star's All Malaysian Bloggers Project ("AMBP") after applying to become one of their Travel Ambassadors. AMBP has selected forty bloggers out of two hundred plus applicants. Thanks to Star for selecting me. Now I get to blog for a publication as well. Who told me that blogging was a waste of time? It's payback time now.

For a start, we were given Mayflower's Privilege Card, two vouchers for 2 days/1 night hotel stay at Terengganu and Sabah beaches respectively and limo transfers to/fro KLIA.

Michael Aeria, COO Multimedia, Star Publication gave an opening speech, followed by Mayflower's GM, Chin Ten Hoy.

Michael said one sentence which I will remember - we (Star) view bloggers as our partners, not as rivals! Solid statement coming from a mainstream media.
Datuk Rashid Khan, the commercial director of Malaysia Airlines was there too to grace the event. Michael, Chin and Rashid were actually putting their hands onto a button visualised on the white screen to imitate pressing a button to start a video clip.

Got to know some bloggers in the process. From left - Quachee, Thomas Yap, Soon Seng, Hurley, Teckiee and Samantha Poh.
We were treated to a buffet dinner and the same group of us sat at the cafe chit chatting till 9pm. What a start! We even got the AMBP Editor, Michael Fredericks, to sit with us talking about the Travel Ambassador programme. Got to know Tammy who was seated beside the editor.





We are excited about the programme. We will be getting all fully-paid holidays to local destinations at the expense of Star/Mayflower where in turn, we shall do a write-up on our travel experience.

It won't be restricted to travels alone but we will be invited to festival events, cultural events and food promotions too. All this in return for write-ups. What's so hard about it? It's all fun.

Reading: Holiday planning made easy - Star
Tags: AMBP, All Malaysia Bloggers Project, Travel Ambassador, Event, Star, Mayflower, Mayflower ACME Tours Sdn Bhd, Travel

Weird Animal in Local Fishing Village

Local travellers were shocked when they were walking around a fishing village in coastal area of Selangor. They thought aliens have landed when they saw three giant figures right in from of them. After cooling themselves, they noticed that the 'aliens' were none other than big octopuses being hanged out to dry.
Tags: Alien, Weird Animal, Octopus

Malaysian Taxis - Worst in the World?

International news are highlighting that Malaysian taxis are the worst in the world. It's definitely not a propaganda by any parties but it's a fact. Though not all taxi drivers are terrible but majority of them are good enough to tarnish Malaysia's image.

Even though Malaysia has imposed that all taxis be fixed with a meter to determine a journey's fee, majority of the taxis won't be using it but will quote a fixed fare instead.

I seldom board a taxi as I own a car but I do here horrible experiences from many friends. The taxi drivers could smell whether you are desperate to reach another destination. Once he knew, he would quote you a fixed fee which would be way above the usual fare. Since you need to be there on time, you have got no choice but to pay that exhorbitant fare.

What is the authority doing about this? Nothing!
They will tell you that they are short of staff, not enough evidence or there are not many of such taxi drivers as claimed.

I'm not blogging about this to backstab my country but this is a fact. Moreover, this could be an information that out of town travellers could rely on and know what to expect instead of receiving a shock of their lifes.

There are dozens of taxi drivers who would park alongside the roads near the Puduraya and KL Sentral bus stations awaiting the arrivals of bus passengers from various places in Malaysia.

Most bus passengers would be burdened with numerous baggages or kids and wouldn't mind paying or forced to pay additional fares just to get home immediately without getting into any hassle to bargain with the unscrupulous taxi drivers.

There are taxi drivers waiting outside hotels and once there are hotel guests who have indicated for a taxi at the hotel concierge, such taxis would be called. The fare for such taxis would definitely be higher than usual as the reason given would "We have sacrificially without getting any other passengers". The hotels are collaborating with such scam or are the hotels providing fast service in this case?


The Suria KLCC management, has put up a signboard warning travellers about taxi touts who don't use the taxi meters but will charge unauthorised flat fare. That's the truth about Kuala Lumpur taxis.

If I do need to board a taxi during office hours, I will take my time in getting a taxi that will use the meter to determine the taxi fare. How am I going to explain during my claim for travelling expenses if I was charged exhorbitantly?

The moment a taxi fella opens his mouth by mentioning a figure after hearing my destination. I will just shut the door and move behind the taxi to look for another one.

Read and heard a lot of bad stuff about other taxis around Malaysian's cities and towns. Any experience to share?

Reading: Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish national image - France 24 (source of pics)

Related post - Taxi Scam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Tags: Malaysia, Taxi, Cab, Metered Taxi, Taxi Touts

Proton's Latest Model?

Malaysia's Proton Holdings Berhad ("Proton"), the manufacturer of Proton brand cars, is moving into the higher range of motor vehicles sector, the Multi Purpose Vehicle or MPV and could be challenging the likes of Porsche Cayenne S, BMW X6 or Nissan Murano as shown in the picture below.This new Proton model has not been named yet but the prototype MPV model was given the name of Proton MSX. You can't see it in the showrooms yet but lots of people have been invited to see the prototype model.
Proton can't even match the likes of Toyota Wish, Honda CRV or Nissan Grand Livina but now have thought of matching those of the top range. What kind of strategy is this? How much will this car be priced at? If I have RM500,000, I'll rather buy those the imported cars rather than a local model of the same specifications.



Another two blogs by the name of Automotive News and Kereta Dot Info have pictures of Proton's alternative prototype MPV models. Which model will be finally chosen as the Proton MPV that is targetted to be launched in year 2009?

By the way, Proton has not decided on the name for the new MPV model. Proton has set up a competition in naming the MPV model. The grand prize is the said MPV model and followed by two consolation prizes of overseas trips worth RM15,000. Give it a shot.
Tags: Car, Proton, Proton Holdings Berhad, Proton MSX, Proton MPV, Porsche Cayenne S, BMW X6, Nissan Murano, Multi Purpose Vehicle, MPV, Toyota Wish, Honda CRV, Nissan Grand Livina

What To Do If Stopped By Malaysian Police

This is very useful information. Please pass it on to your friends and family ............. especially the women folk!

The next time you are stopped by persons who claimed they are plainclothes police, you are under no obligation to answer their questions or follow their orders, lawyers told Malaysiakini today. 'Policeman who is not wearing his uniform does not have the authority to stop anyone,' lawyer and human rights activist Sivarasa Rasiah said.

Sivarasa was commenting on the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-old Uni student by four men claiming to be police officers on New Year's Eve. The girl said that her car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur and were asked by the men to open the car bonnet. She was then told that she had committed an offence and ordered to follow the men 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.

This incident, and many others, have sparked confusion over the procedures which motorists must follow when flagged down by the police. The most common problem is that most people take instructions without determining if the other person is really a cop,' lawyer Annie Santiago said.

However, if you are stopped by a uniformed policeman, then you are required to stop. But you need not get out of the car because you are not expected to do so, Santiago said. The other rule to follow is to provide your identity card only when you are asked to do so. 'Even then, you should get his ID first to confirm if he is a cop. There is no harm in calling the relevant police station to verify if he issupposed to be on duty that day,' Sivarasa said.

Both lawyers said that motorists should never follow an officer to the police station unless one is under arrest. 'If you are not sure, and your instincts tell you that something is wrong, then drive off to the nearest police station and lodge areport,' Sivarasa said.

In response to the alleged gang-rape of the 18-year-old, Women's Aid Organisation executive-secretary Ivy Josiah called on the police to launch an education program to teach the public about their rights to prevent them from being victimised by bogus police officers.

Procedures to follow in the event you are stopped by uniformed police officers while driving:-
1. Stop the car and wind down your window.
2. If the police officers ask for your documents, request to see their IDs first.
3. If you are satisfied about their identity, ask them if you are being summoned, and for what offence.
4. Produce your identity card and driver's license and wait to collect your summon ticket.

In the event that the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:-
1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.
2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave.

In the event you are flagged down by persons you believe could be plain clothes police:-
1. Do not stop because plain clothes police officers do not have the authority to stop you.
2. Drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report. (The same procedure applies to pedestrians)

In the event the police come to your house:-
1. Do not let them in before checking their IDs.
2. If you are not satisfied, phone the nearest police station and confirm if they had been sent to your house.
3. You are under no obligation to allow them into the house if they don't have a search warrant.
4. Do not go with them if you are not under arrest.

In the event persons who claimed to be plain clothes police come to your house:-
1. Do not let him in because they do not have the authority to do so.
2. Lodge a report at the nearest police station.

Related post - Can Cops Take Our SIM Cards?
Tags: Malaysia, Police, Police Officer, Plainclothes Police, Uniformed Policeman

Plaza Ampang Rooftop Blown Off

Strong wind has blown off the rooftop of Plaza Ampang, located next to Empire Tower ... hehe
Actualy, Plaza Ampang (previously known as Yow Chuan Plaza) is undergoing full re-furbishment right from the top down to the bottom. I saw four heavy machineries on the rooftop and were knocking down the walls.

In the first place, how did the four vehicles got up to the rooftop? Hooked up by a much bigger heavyweight crane?
Tags: Plaza Ampang, Yow Chuan Plaza, Kuala Lumpur, Empire Tower, Shopping Centre, Rooftop

Melamine Poisoning in Children

Melamine resin or melamine formaldehyde (also shortened to melamine) is a hard, plastic made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization. This plastic is often used in kitchen utensils and plates, often called melamine wares. It may also used as table lining such as formica. Being fire resistant, it has been made into fibres of fire resistant clothes that firemen use.

Aside from common commercial uses, melamine became a topic of much discussion in early 2007, when veterinary scientists determined it to be the cause of hundreds of pet deaths, because of pet food contamination. Prior to these reports, melamine had been regarded as non-toxic or minimally toxic. However, because of the unexplained presence of melamine in wheat gluten added to mass-produced dog and cat foods, it is the most likely cause. Pet owners report symptoms that are commonly associated with renal failure, which could be explained by the ammonia that may result from the digestion of the melamine.

Time magazine 17 September 2008 mentions “the material — in powdered form — has also come into use by certain unscrupulous food companies as a cheap and abundant filler substance for products ranging from livestock feed to pet food — and now, apparently, to baby formula. In some tests used to determine the nutritional value of a foodstuff, melamine shows up as a protein — so manufacturers can use the compound to make their products appear more nutritious. Melamine is not toxic, but inside the body it can cause kidney stones and renal failure.” The FDA database concurs.

Another Time report 16 September 2008 states that “On September 17, Chinese Health Ministry authorities announced that over 6200 babies had fallen ill, many developing kidney stones, from drinking milk made from toxic powder. At least three have died, and more than 50 remain in serious condition. Officials have said the number of victims could climb, the China Daily reported. Chinese authorities say the milk powder, produced by Chinese dairy giant Sanlu Group, was contaminated with melamine, a chemical used in making plastics. Melamine has been illegally added to food products in China to boost their apparent protein content.” The company started recalling its product on 11 September 2008, a too little, too late to save those who have died and countless others who will suffer kidney problems now or in the future. It was suspected that the company has received complaints about their milk in December 2007.

Sanlu Group has issued an apology statement (English version-google translation) and shut down their website till further notice.

The World Health Organisation has this to say:-
What are the health effects of melamine consumptions in humans?

While there are no direct human studies on the effect of melamine data from animal studies can be used to predict adverse health effects. Melamine alone causes bladder stones in animal tests. When combined with cyanuric acid, which may also be present in melamine powder, melamine can form crystals that can give rise to kidney stones.

These small crystals can also block the small tubes in the kidney potentially stoppingthe production of urine, causing kidney failure and, in some cases, death. Melamine has also been shown to have carcinogenic effects in animals in certain circumstances, but there is insufficient evidence to make a judgment on carcinogenic risk in humans.

What are the symptoms and signs of melamine poisoning?

Irritability, blood in urine, little or no urine, signs of kidney infection, high blood pressure.

What is the treatment for kidney stones and kidney failure?

Patients may receive various types of treatment, depending on the severity of the kidney effects. Treatment may include infusion of fluids and urine alkalinisation, correction of electrolyte and acid-base disturbance, haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or surgical removal of kidney stones.

Dr Alex Tang has seen a few children brought in by parents who are afraid their children has melamine poisoning (he practises paediatrics in Malaysia).

His advice is:-
(1) There is no need to panic. Most infant formula in Malaysia are sourced from Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Check with the local papers to see if your children have been drinking milk that are on the banned item list.

(2) Eating from melamine plates and bowls do not cause melamine poisoning.

(3) Bring your child to see a doctor only if your child has been drinking milk on these banned list in the last twelve months. It is not necessary for you to bring your child if your child has drunk a glass of the ‘banned’ milk or eaten a White Rabbit candy ten years ago! (Johnny Ong has eaten this candy many times before too ............ aaaaarrrrggghhh!!)

(4) Your doctor may suggest a urine test if he or she suspects anything. The urine test is a good screening for injury to the kidneys.

Keep up with the latest with google news.

Related posts -
* Malaysia Slow in Responding to Tainted Milk Products
* Food Linked to China's Milk Scandal
Tags: Melamine Poisoning, Melamine Resin, Melamine Formaldehyde, China, FDA, World Health Organisation, Baby Formula, Infant Formula, Protein, Sanlu Group, Kidney Failure, White Rabbit Candy

Rapid Train Crashed in Kuala Lumpur

This accident has now been recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first Light Rail Transit ("LRT") accident in Malaysia (LRT is only found in Kuala Lumpur).

A manned LRT can crash into another LRT which has stopped further in front at another LRT station. Time of accident - 6.30pm, which was still very bright. This is incredible!

Six poor souls were injured in the mishap. That operator in that train, if found to be reckless, should be penalised as if he was driving a car / bus. Otherwise there is no law against them besides being reprimanded by his employer, RapidKL. Will they tell us the truth?

Although RapidKL did provide buses from the Bandar Tasik Selatan station to the last three stations, affected passengers who would have alighted at the three remaining stations still have to pay for the bus services even though they were holding the monthly travel pass. No refund? And the bus was packed like sardines as experienced by a victim, Vialentino.

Our Malaysian Transport Minister said that immediate attention and treatment was provided as the injured passengers were brought to hospital. Somehow he was caught by his words again. Politicians!

Noticed that the picture is already showing us a night scene which was definitely way past 7.30pm. Mr. Minister, I think it's better that you wait for the investigation report before you say anything else.

Reading: Six injured in LRT accident - Star (source of pics too)
Tags: LRT, Light Rail Transit, Kuala Lumpur, LRT Accident, RapidKL, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Sungai Besi, Bukit Jalil, Sri Petaling, LRT Station

Your Dung Could Be Commercialised

Do you know that your dung / shit / human waste/ biosolids (look at that number of names) could be commercialised? Yeah, the shit that you poo-poo for the umpteenth years could make you rich.

The city of San Antonio in USA has found out that their residents could produce 140,000 tonnes of dung / shit / human waste/ biosolids a year.

After some research, the city's water system’s board of trustees found out that such useless thingy could actually generate income more than what you could have thought of. Such useless thingy could actually produce a by-product called methane gas.

From that 140,000 tonnes a year, it could generate 1.5 million cubic feet of methane gas per day. It doesn't stop there, this gas could be used to fuel furnaces, power plants and other combustion-based generators. My ... my .. what a discovery.

So, the city appointed Ameresco Inc to design, engineer, permit, construct, own, operate, manage and maintain the gas conditioning and distribution facility and the pipelines necessary to transfer and sell the gas to commercial natural gas pipelines. This is what I call innovation and creativity. Create something out of nothing that would have been flushed away down the sewerage system way out to the sea ............................. oops!

Now I have to start collecting my stuff ............ daily. Want to contribute? Joint-venture at the very least? It's a good venture as the price could be as high as US$9.00 per cubic feet.

After collecting it, need to find a safe place to keep it as smelling too much of your dung / shit / human waste/ biosolids could actually kill you besides making you rich - reading: Two kids among five killed by methane gas - MSNBC.

Reading: Ameresco Executes Historic Renewable Energy Contract
Tags: Dung, Shit, Human Waste, Biosolids, San Antonio, USA, Ameresco Inc, Methane Gas, Renewable Energy, Environment, Natural Gas, Biogas, Cubic Feet

Guess the Sports' Name

I think not many people can tell me the names of the two sports as shown below:-Tags: Sports

Handicap Driver Being Taken Advantage

Looks like Malaysia has many 'handicap' drivers (pun intended). The way they parked their cars render them to be mentioned as such. Taking advantage of the services provided for the real handicap people is really too much.
Related post - Handicap Driver
Tags: Handicap Driver, Car Park

Malaysia Slow in Responding to Tainted Milk Products

Malaysia's two main dairy products companies have issued statements with regards to the tainted milk / dairy products in China.

Nestle Malaysia Berhad - assures consumers and customers that all its products are safe for consumption. Mentioned that its powder based dairy products in Malaysia are sourced from Europe, Australia and New Zealand and USA.

Nestle headquarters in Switzerland - expresses confidence that none of its products in China is made from milk adulterated with melamine.

But it did qualify its statement with this paragraph -
In general terms, melamine is found throughout the food chain across the world in minute traces which do not represent any health risk for consumers. There is a generally accepted tolerable daily intake of melamine in food in the EU (0.5mg/kg of body weight/day) and in the US (0.63mg/kg of body weight/day). The lowest level of melamine traces which can be measured by commonly-used testing equipment (2 ppm) is 20 times below these internationally-recognised safety limits. In other words, based on this 2 ppm value, a three year-old child would have to consume over 40 litres of milk every day to exceed these safety limits.

Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad - gave assurance that products ranging from powders and liquid are safe for consumption and free from melamine contamination.

Both Tesco and Carrefour in Malaysia are still awaiting for directives from the Ministry of Health. As blogged earlier, there was nothing mentioned in the said ministry's website.

Latest product that could be affected is Mengniu's brand, Monmilk.

Reading: Supermarts to start clearing shelves - Star
Related post - Food Linked to China's Milk Scandal
Tags: Malaysia, Milk Product, Dairy Product, Mengniu, Monmilk, Nestle Malaysia Berhad, Nestle, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, Melamine Contamination, Tesco, Carrefour

Food Linked to China's Milk Scandal

For your information, the following items have been recalled in Singapore due to China's milk scandal:-
1. M&M
2. Snickers
3. Mento's Yoghurt Bottle
4. Dove Chocolate
5. Oreo Wafer Sticks
6. Dutch Lady Sterilised Milk
7. Wall's All Natural Mango
8. Mini Poppers Ice Cream
9. Magnum Ice Cream
10. Moo Sandwich Ice Cream
11. Mini Cornetto
12. You Can Ice Cream

Those products confirmed by Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority ("AVA") as being tainted with melamine are:-
1. White Rabbit Creamy Candy
2. Yili brand Choice Dairy Fruit Bar Yogurt Flavoured Ice Confection
3. Dutch Lady brand Strawberry Flavoured Milk

With effect from 19 Sept 2008, AVA has suspended the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China which include milk, ice-cream, yoghurt, confectionery such as chocolates, biscuits and sweets as well as any other products containing milk from China as an ingredient. As a precaution, consumers are also advised not to consume any milk or milk products from China.

In Malaysia, dairy products imported from China such as confectionary that contain milk, chocolate, chocolate milk, white chocolate and other foods that contain milk have been banned. But when you logged into Malaysia's Ministry of Health's website, there is no reference on this ban on dairy products. Even the department involved, Food Quality and Safety Department, has nothing on it.

How do you expect Malaysians to be updated on which food to avoid? Rely on the mainstream media (pun intended)?
Tags: China, Milk, Milk Product, Dairy Product, Singapore, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, AVA, Ministry of Health, Food Quality and Safety Department

Concept Ice Vehicle Built by Lotus

Malaysian-owned sports car maker, Lotus, has engineered a new creation known as the Lotus Concept Ice Vehicle. Its main purpose is to run on ice.

A one seater vehicle measuring 4.5m long and 4.5m wide with a weight of 350kg. Designed and built by Kieron Bradley, a former Formula One chassis designer but now with Lotus.

People has created nicknames for this vehicle already - Ice Buggy ....... Ski Buggy

I don't mind the name, just get me one.








It has an ice penetrating radar. Seems very hi-tech.
This vehicle was created in aid of the Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition team in South Pole. Meaning - it's not for commercial sale. After they have finished the expedition, the team will keep maintain the vehicle for me.
It runs on the E85 Bioethanol fuel, an environment friendly fuel.

Reading: Ice buggy takes 84mph route to the South Pole - Times Online

(Pictures source: Autoblog)
Tags: Lotus, Ice Buggy, Ski Buggy, Concept Ice Vehicle, South Pole, E85 Bioethanol, Kieron Bradley, Formula One Chassis Designer, Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition

Best Angles to Take a Picture

I'm sure photographers courted by the National Geographic organisation will do such thing in capturing the best pictures for readers to view.

Car racing enthusiasts will go all out to capture the best picture of a moving rally car.

A picture to be remembered for the rest of the life.

ahhhhhh was he taking the car's undercarriage or something else?

Yeap, you have to go beyond your comfort zone or even engage in dangerous situation to capture a certain scene.








To ensure that you are not within the view of the enemy, this is a safe bet.















My number one salutation goes to this guy (or girl?).
Tags: Best Photo Angle, Photography

Malaysia's Broken House

Once upon a time, three sworn brothers built a house together. There were three bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, a garage and a small courtyard.

"They could not be reconciled to move out from the house but they would have no backbone if they stay!" The sworn brothers were young and enthusiastic. They were having a common vision and goal. Thus, they were happy living together even they were poor and had to share the living room, dining room, garage and courtyard.

The house was expanded later and more people lived in the house. They had to build more bedrooms within the limited space. As more people were living together, there were more disputes.

Power corrupts a person, this is an irrefutable truth. The eldest brother's power and influence grew greater, which meant that the status of the other two brothers were getting lower.

What made the two younger brothers could not stand was the size of their bedrooms. The three sworn brothers each occupied a bedroom of equal size at the beginning. But the eldest brother's room became larger and larger while the other two brothers' became smaller and smaller in order to make ways for new tenants. Eventually, they had difficulties even to turn around in their tiny rooms.

At the same time, the originally shared living and dining rooms, as well as the courtyard had become the eldest brother's "personal zones". The second and third brothers would have to ask for the eldest brother's permission if they wanted to use the rooms and courtyard.

Also, the eldest borther bought himself more cars that occupied the whole garage and he even built another huge garage in the courtyard. As a result, the other two brothers had to park their old cars outside the house.

Recently, heavy wind and rain caused leakages in the half of a century old house. The eldest brother just ignored the leakages as usual. Over the years, the second and third brothers were the one who paid for property taxes, water and electricity bills. Thus, the eldest brother would not have to worry about the repairs, too.

The question was, the damage caused by the wind and rain was too great. The two younger brothers could not help but to complain about it, requesting the eldest brother to bear some of the responsibilities. Otherwise, they could not stand it any longer in the house.

Unexpectedly, the eldest brother said: "It's not your business whether to repair the house. Don't forget that the house is mine."

What a bolt from the blue! The two younger brothers looked at the broken house and thought hard about their identities and statuses.

They could not be reconciled to move out from the house but they would have no backbone if they stay!

What would you do if the situation applies to you?

(Extracted from Sin Chew Daily)
Tags: Sworn Brothers, Broken House

AIG Insurance in Trouble

American International Group Inc ("AIG"), with 89 years of history, is in deep financial problem back in USA. The Federal Reserve Board is pumping in US$85 billion to safeguard its operations otherwise it could be the worst corporate bankruptcy incident. With the fund injection, USA government will have a 80% stake in AIG. This fund injection, available for two years, is only to assist AIG to meet its obligations.

In the midst of financial chaos, AIG has to issue a press statement to cool down the concerns of policyholders and annuity holders.

Back home in Malaysia, AIG's presence has been localised since 1 June 2008. A local company by the name of AIG General Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad has taken over the general insurance operations from AIG, the American Home Assurance Company but would still remain as a subsidiary of AIG. Those days they were famously known as American International Assurance ("AIA").

Does AIG Malaysia has to issue a press statement to inform their policyholders that they are still financially sound? Why do I ask this question? Because AIG has ran out of cash! Rumour has it that AIG will be drawing funds from their overseas subsidiaries.

I remembered when I was approached by AIG Malaysia's insurance agent, they would proudly present to me that AIA (those days lah) is the number one in the world and Malaysia and did mention that their worldwide assets at hand exceeds US$xxx billions, larger than a number of countries' assets.

For now, they can't mention the assets as AIG has been completely wiped off and if not for the US$85 billion fund injection, AIG would have been liquidated.

American Home Assurance Company Singapore has seen policyholders / investors queuing up to cash out / redeem their insurance policies and investment products. Better safe than never approach? To allay fears, Monetary Authority of Singapore has issued a press statement to that effect.

In the first place, how could so many USA financial institutions got themselves into such deep shit? I thought they have the best corporate practices as being boasted all the time but now, American citizens aren't sure whether their banks could safeguard their savings kept with the banks. Who will be next?

Hopefully this unfortunate financial situation will not jeopardise their sponsorship for my favourite club, Manchester United ....... hehe

Reading: AIG rescue at hand, government to take stake - Reuters
Reading: AIG Employees on Edge as Once-Safe Company in Turmoil - Insurance Journal
Reading: Is Your Insurance Safe With AIG? - Wall Street Journal
Tags: AIG, AIA, American International Group Inc, American Home Assurance Company, American International Assurance, Corporate Bailout, Corporate Bankruptcy, Federal Reserve Board, Monetary Authority of Singapore

How Men Change

The Love Word:
After 6 weeks: I looo-ve you, I love you, I love you!
After 6 months: Of course, I love you.
After 6 years: GOD, if I didn't love you, then why did I marry you?


Back from Work:
After 6 weeks: Honey, I'm home!
After 6 months: I'm BACK!!!
After 6 years: Have you cooked yet?


Phone Ringing:
After 6 weeks: Baby, somebody wants you on the phone.
After 6 months: Here, it's for you.
After 6 years: ANSWER THE PHONE DAM*T!!


Cooking:
After 6 weeks: I never knew food could taste so good!
After 6 months: What are we having for dinner tonight?
After 6 years: DUMPLING AGAIN??


New Dress:
After 6 weeks: Wow, you look like an angel in that dress.
After 6 months: You bought a new dress again?
After 6 years: How much did THAT cost me?


TV:
After 6 weeks: Baby, what would you like us to watch tonight?
After 6 months: I like this movie.
After 6 years: I'm going to watch PIRATES play, if you're not in the mood, go to bed, I can stay up by myself!


Making Love:
After 6 weeks: Baby, I want you tonight?
After 6 months: Lets make another baby, my mother just called!!!
After 6 years: Please MOVE over to your side, I'm suffocating here!!!!
Tags: Men, Jokes, Funny, Humour

Oil Price Dropped Drastically

World oil price has dropped drastically in the futures market from a high of US$147.27 on just 11 July 2008. On 15 Sept 2008 (2300 hrs), the current oil prices in various futures exchanges were:-
* Crude oil for October is trading at US$92.40 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange
* Brent crude oil for November is trading at US$90.40 a barrel on London's ICE Futures Europe
When our Malaysian government increased the fuel price on 6 June 2008 up to RM2.70 from RM1.92, the world oil price was trading at US$130 plus. When it was reduced to RM2.55 on 23 Aug 2008, the world oil price was at US$110 plus . It's already being traded at US$92 now, the fuel price should be re-priced to around RM1.92 (the fuel price before Jun 2008) or even lower.

Our faithful Prime Minister has said VERY LOUDLY that our fuel price would be priced according to world oil price and a price mechanism that would be effected every fifteen days. Excuse sir, the price has dropped way below all those oil prices you have mentioned. When will you wake up from your slumberland to review the fuel price again ........ to a much lower pricing.

Reading: Crude Oil Drops Below $92 as Lehman Adds to Demand Concern - Bloomberg
Tags: Oil Price, Crude Oil, Brent Crude Oil, New York Mercantile Exchange, ICE Futures Europe, Commodity, Futures

Lunch at Belanga

My love for food brought me to Belanga restaurant. Can't recall the meaning of this word, the waiter told me that it's a cooking utensil used in the kitchen. Actually wanted to go into the kitchen to take a picture of the Belanga ...... but after think think think think ..... sat there waiting for my food to come.

The restaurant is located at the walkway of the lower ground floor that connects The Gardens and Mid Valley.





This is their superb Nasi Lemak Ayam (chicken with coconut based white rice). The taste of the spices that was marinated into it were done very well. Ridiculously good. The size of the chicken surprised me. The price didn't.






This is the Nasi Belanga Ayam (nasi = rice). The gravy was filled with spicy chillis and if you are unable to withstand hot spice, don't pour the all the gravy onto the rice.

Exceptional in my case.











Appetite was there and couldn't resist this dish - Nasi Kunyit Rendang Daging. The calories taken shot up but I'll worry about that later.

The rendang curry was thick. Eating the nasi kunyit with the tender rendang daging, bit by bit, was just sheer estacy.









Their internal decor was nicely arranged. The preparation counter was filled with various condiments and food was prepared the moment you place the order (except for pre-packed food).

This restaurant do not charge you the 5% service tax. This restaurant owner has integrity.
Tags: Belanga, The Gardens, Mid Valley, Nasi Lemak Ayam, Nasi Belanga, Nasi Kunyit, Rendang Daging, Food

Try Forgetting Your Identity Card Number

Every single Malaysian, from the age of twelve years old onwards, is supposed to have an identity card which will state your fullname, an identity card number, residential address, date of birth, your sex and religion (for some).

When a police stops you at any authorised police check points, they could ask you for your identity card to verify who you are. If you don't have it, congratulations. For you will be questioned even more. Better make sure your explanations are good enough or else you will be thrown into jail.

A local lady was dealt with that when she couldn't even remember her identity card number and she was thrown into Kajang prison and subsequently ended up at the Lenggeng immigration depot, suspected for being a illegal Sri Lankan immigrant instead.

These are some of the police personnel you have right here in Malaysia coupled with the immigration fellas. She was held from Oct 2007 till this month. Her inability to remember the number and to speak the local malay language caused her to be holed up.

When a non-governmental organisation worker saw her situation, the NGO did a check with the National Registration Department and verified she was indeed a Malaysian. All this within one day. Really sick of these people who were involved in her case for not being humane at all in checking further. They could have gotten a person who could speak her language to understand her plight.

Reading: Inability to establish Rajeshvari ID baffling - Star
Tags: Identity Card, Malaysia, Kajang Prison, Lenggeng Immigration Depot, Non-Governmental Organisation, National Registration Department

Preservation of Heritage Building

Two of Malaysia's cities have been listed in UNESCO World Heritage List - namely, Malacca and George Town. Lots of historical backgrounds and we could still see buildings of yesteryears.

In China, even though not all cities are listed in the World Heritage List-China, the respective provincial governments are still doing their part in preserving historical buildings.

Kentucky Fried Chicken in China even restored an old building to fit in their fast food restaurant. Wonder how it will look in the interior.
Tags: UNESCO World Heritage List, Malacca, George Town, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Building Preservation

Pornography and Violence in Paralympics

After the staging the successful Beijing Oylmpics last month, China is also hosting the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.







During the opening ceremony of the Paralympics, a lady spectator jumped onto the tracks and ran towards the Russian athletes who were parading. Was she a Georgian national?
Not wanting any embarrasing moments, the stadium officials caught up with her, whom they claimed was a mental patient who ran amok. It was not easy in handling her.
The rest of the people who were involved in the opening ceremony were professional enough to continue with what they were supposed to do, not letting the pornographic and violence scenario behind them to affect their performances.

I'm wondering whether our Malaysian Paralympics athletes will receive the same accolades like Lee Chong Wei if they were to win any medals. It's still a world meet event.

Source: EastSouthWestNorth
Tags: China, Beijing Paralympics, Paralympic Games, Pornography, Violence

People With a Difference

- Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.
- Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
- Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
- Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
- How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade's worth of World Series winners?

How did you do? I didn't do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well. Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what I've mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one.
- Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
- Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.
- Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
- List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
- Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.
(Take this Quiz by Max Lucado)

I wish to live a life that will impact the lifes of others in a positive manner.
Tags: People With A Difference, Positive Impact, Inspire, Worthwhile

Learning Agriculture in Taiwan

Forty nine Malaysian Members of Parliament ("MPs") have agreed to board their planes to Taiwan for a field trip to learn more about agriculture and industrial sectors.

It was fun reading the news when I first heard about this field trip. The places that cropped up were New Zealand then Australia, followed by Macao and China too. Lastly, all ended up in Taiwan as the visa requirement was much much easier. China ain't going to be happy with the Malaysian government for allowing forty nine lawmakers travelling to the land of their nemesis.

I have nothing against people who wanted to learn more stuff in beefing up their knowledge in all aspects of life especially when it was mentioned that the forty nine of them are paying for this trip out of their own pockets. True? Nobody can proof this but we give them the benefit of doubt.

In reading Taiwan - Agriculture, the agriculture sector from year 1973 to 1987 has only seen the crop production growth rate increased on average only 0.1% per year. In year 2001, the agriculture sector contributed only 2% to Taiwan's GDP. The agriculture industry's high cost of production and low returns have caused farm households to decrease by 6%.

Their top crop production is actually rice. The Taiwanese government is encouraging farmers to go for soybeans, wheat, and corn which are more profitable now owing to the growth in biotech industry. If rice was the main reason that the Malaysian MPs went for, ain't Thailand a better choice as they are the considered the main rice producer of the world.

Unless the government has better ideas in developing our nation into a world class flower producers in which Taiwan is embarking on it too. In reading Taiwan's Council of Agriculture, Taiwan is aiming to develop itself into a world–class flower island.

On the street itself, the general public is laughing at the MPs who are going for the field trip. The rumours of Pakatan Rakyat taking over the Malaysian government on 16 Sept 2008 could have prompted this last minute trip. But the organiser, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said it was not but just co-incidental. All of time, it has to be co-incidental with the 16 Sept date. And it's in the middle of the fasting month, the Ramadan period. I don't think you can find any halal certified dishes in Taiwan itself especially when you have to go for field trips.

Even though they are paying for the trip on their own, why did they choose Taiwan. I'm very sure that the agricultural plans put up by the Ministry of Agriculture was equally good or even world class standard. In a field trip of such importance to the nation as a whole, ministry staff were not called up to tag along??????? Will all the forty nine MPs give special lectures individually at all Ministry of Agriculture's offices throughout the nation when they come back?

The one statement that caused me to fall down from my chair while reading it was this -
"The trip was supposedly for MPs to update themselves with the latest information about agriculture and high-tech food production so that they could debate better on the Budget when Parliament sits again in October."

So after all the questionings about the trip in linking it with the 16 Sept 2008 defection of MPs from the ruling government to the oppositions was just a rumour. The MPs are equipping themselves in answering questions during debate time in the parliament. Told you to give them a benefit of doubt.

Looks like there will be lots of overseas trips in the year to come till the debate on the Budget is over. MPs will travel all over the world in order to understand the mechanisms of how those things functions before they can debate in the parliament. There will be issues like:-
* public transportation nationwide (Germany has autobahn and top train services)
* public amenities in rural of sabah and sarawak (Australia's rural is quite huge)
* food security (Argentina's national plan on providing food at stable prices)

Reading: 50 Barisan MPs begin eight-day study trip - Star
Tags: Agriculture, Taiwan, Malaysian Politics, Council of Agriculture, Tiong King Sing, Ministry of Agriculture