Aston Martin DBS Watch

In a James Bond movie, the Aston Martin prestigious sports car manufacturer will sponsor certain accessories and even the sports car in filming the James Bond movie.

But will James Bond get to wear an Aston Martin watch in future James Bond movies?




Jaeger-LeCoultre, the renowned watchmaker based in Switzerland, has teamed up with Aston Martin to manufacture an out of this world luxury timepiece known as the Amvox2 DBS Transponder. Very cheap to invest (yeah, it's known as investment) - US$37,900. There are ready investors waiting for this watch to be retailed.

This Amvox2 watch is outstanding as it could be programmed to lock and unlock your car. Just give a soft press in between the numeric 8 and 9, your Aston Martin DBS car door will unlock. By pressing between numeric 3 and 4, you will lock your car door. FYI, the luxury watch's dial resembles the Aston Martin DBS dashboard.

Now the tricky part is this ........................... you have to own an Aston Martin DBS car .......... no point buying this watch and make it redundant. Talk about car lock, this is really good cool. Fit James Bond's style indeed.

Aston Martin has a close tie-up with the James Bond movies and even has the Aston Martin 007 accessories range for people to buy their stuff for collection purpose.

Who owns Aston Martin?
* David Richards, founder and chairman of Prodrive
* John Sinders, banker & car collector (Aston Martin of course)
* Investment Dar, a Kuwaiti company
* Adeem Investment, a Kuwaiti company
* Ford Motor Company (who sold 91.68% interest to the above four investors at a value of US$848 million in 2007)

Who owns Jaeger-LeCoultre?
* Cie. Financiere Richemont SA - a luxury jewellery, luxury watches and writing instruments manufacturer (see list of businesses)

Tags: Switzerland, James Bond, James Bond Movies, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Aston Martin, Aston Martin DBS, Amvox2 DBS Transponder, Luxury Watch, Timepiece, David Richards, Prodrive, John Sinders, Investment Dar, Adeem Investment, Ford Motor Company, Cie. Financiere Richemont SA

What Goes Around Comes Around!

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, "And think of me."

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant.

Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: "You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you." Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whis per ed soft and low, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson."
Tags: Inspiration, Mercedes, Pontiac, St. Louis, Bryan Anderson

Jailed For Being Idle

The title is straightforward ......... you will be jailed if you were proven that you were idling your time away. This is happening in Nigeria. According to its Sharia penal code, a person found idling around without any work or even school will be sentenced to jail time and be given strokes of cane.

Of course the court officials won't go out hunting for such people. A dad of the muslim community has reported his son to a Sharia court out of love for him. His son was mixing with bad hats and one way to save his son was to send him to jail and hoping that the jail term will wake his son up. Will his son wake up after getting six months jail and 30 strokes of cane? I will even before a single stroke of cane.

This strict penalty is being practised in Bauchi state that adopts the Islamic Sharia law. Is this law good and effective which can be considered in the land of milk and honey - Malaysia?

Reading: Nigerian man jailed for idleness - BBC News/Africa
Tags: Nigeria, Bauchi, Sharia Court, Sharia Penal Code, Islamic Sharia Law

Japanese Food Being Recalled

We have heard of many food products being recalled especially those being produced / manufactured in China. Their QA/QC methods could be totally skipped or neglected. Long and tough road ahed for the Chinese producers / manufacturers to regain the customers' confidence and trust.

When you talk about QA/QC, the Japanese seems to be excellent in this area as their electrical goods / products are being exported worldwide. But the food aspect has its doubt now.

I'm sure many people have tried the Japanese noodles where it could be bought in almost any convenience store or supermarket. One of the famous brands is the Nissin Cup Noodles. It has been made known that Nissin Food Products Co Ltd ("Nissin Food") has recalled their 500,000 Nissin Cup Noodles in wake of detecting paradichlorobenzene, a key chemical in bug repellent.

Apparently this batch of Cup Noodles has not been exported and all of the products were being sold in Tokyo and neighbouring areas. Has Nissin Food's extensive Food Safety Research Institute has somehow failed to detect this insecticide chemical found in the Cup Noodles?

A similar food producer / manufacturer by the name of Myojo Foods Co Ltd was implicated with the food scare as well. The same kind of chemical has been detected in their products. It was noted that this company has been bought over by Nissin Food in 2007.

Reading: Japan's Nissin recalls 500,000 noodles over insecticide fears - AFP
Tags: Nissin Food Holdings Co Ltd, Nissin Food Products Co Ltd, Nissin Cup Noodles, Food Safety Research Institute, Myojo Foods Co Ltd, Paradichlorobenzene, Bug Repellent

Cheapest Airline Started Operations

The cheapest airline has started its operations. Malaysians will enjoy the cuisine served in the airline that will make you feel at home.The airline's name? Kerala Airways ................ a guaranteed low cost carrier Tags: United Kerala Airlines, UK, Airlines, Travel, Kerala, Kerala Airways, Low Cost Carrier

Hugo Boss Has New Product Name

This brand name of Boss Babi is found in China's departmental stores. Could this be Hugo Boss' latest brand name for their handbags.
The word Babi in my malay language is actually pig. The animal pig is somehow off limit to the muslims. I guess this handbag section is non-halal then ........ hehe but maybe not. Co-incidentally it was named as such but the material couldn't have been sourced from the pigs.

Be careful when you purchase this as a present for your lady boss as you wouldn't want to insult her with brand name of Boss Babi = Pig Boss!

This Boss Babi brand is owned by Guangzhou Lankai Leather Development Co Ltd and they produced various types of high end leather goods. If you are interested to market their goods, give them a call as they are looking for joint-venture partners. But I think this products won't make it in Malaysia and Indonesia for sure.
Tags: Boss Babi, China, Hugo Boss, Guangzhou Lankai Leather Development Co Ltd, Leather Goods

Lower Price for Goods & Services?

With the looming threat of a recession in Malaysia, the cost of living in the capital city is still high. Majority would agree that their salaries do not move in tandem with the cost of living (it's always never enough though).

The government did the unthinkable by raising the petrol price by a whopping 40% at one go in June 2008 and immediately after the increase, providers of various goods and services took the opportunity to raise their fees, fares or prices.

Subsequently, we saw prices being increased for food ....... where the general public has to purchase no matter what. Secondly, the materials used for the housing industry went up in tandem which caused getting a roof over our head even harder to achieve. Thirdly, transporters have no qualms in increasing their charges.

The Malaysian government, in seeing that petrol price has dropped as much as 60% from its highest level of US$147 per barrel, has decided to reduce the price of petrol down to the current pricing of RM2.30 per litre. With this lower petrol price, the government would be thinking that generally all other products and services would see a lower pricing and curb the inflation one way or another.

The government did mention that price will be adjusted if the world crude oil price has stayed below US$72. It did but government is always slow in reacting.

I guess the politicians sitting in those top level government ministries are not well equipped with the happenings around the world. Professionals in their respective fields are finding it hard to adjust to the current financial meltdown. Cost is rising but economy is dwindling. Don't tell me that our government has not heard of this quote before - "when the prices for goods and services go up, it will stay up forever".

Then the Prime Minister has the guts to tell us, the citizens and the consumer associations / groups, to assisnt the government in reducing the prices for the goods and services. How in the world do you think we can do that? If your government ministries are not functioning as it should be in enforcing the right price to be transacted, how do you expect the poor citizens to command that?

A company where the government has a strong say has not even buck in decreasing their charges. That company is Tenaga Nasional Berhad ("TNB"). Their recent price increase effected in July 2008 was due to higher generation cost especially with the increase in the price of fuel and gas. Now that both of this energy products' prices have reduced significantly, we are still waiting for the government to get TNB to reduce the electricity charges.

Everyone is already complaining that prices are still going up or staying where they are despite the reduction in petrol price. What's happening?

When food and retail outlets were questioned as to why their prices were maintained and do not reflect the reduction in petrol price, the reason given was - "suppliers didn't reduce their prices". You see! Short, sweet and simple reply. That's all they will tell you and the government can't do anything.

The Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association and Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association had already mentioned that they can't absorb the cost of other goods and services and therefore unable to pass down the savings in terms of petrol price. The government didn't foresee this?

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association has mentioned that there is nothing to celebrate on this petrol price reduction as they don't think the prices of other goods will also be reduced. These three associations are telling truth and it's a fact.

When I heard about complaints of high prices and that it will go up even higher, I will give a them a reprieve. I will say don't worry, the prices will definitely come down. To which they will respond "How can? It won't already". That will be the typical respond.

But it will go down definitely. Come recession, where demand for goods and services will reduce, the economics law will set in. Lesser demand will cause the lowering of prices. In order to see the prices going down, are you prepared for a bad recession? It will go down but our life will be affected as well. Some people you know will be retrenched, deemed redundant, put into 'cold storage' and so forth during a recession, maybe you.
Tags: Recession, Financial Meltdown, Economics Law, Malaysia, Petrol Price, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, TNB, Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association, Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association, FOMCA

Ten Reasons You Aren't Rich

Here are ten possible reasons you aren't a millionaire:-

1. You Care What Your Neighbors Think: If you're competing against them and their material possessions, you're wasting your hard-earned money on toys to impress them instead of building your wealth.

- This is what we called 'envy'. Envy could even make you go bankrupt without you knowing.


2. You Aren't Patient: Until the era of credit cards, it was difficult to spend more than you had. That is not the case today. If you have credit card debt because you couldn't wait until you had enough money to purchase something in cash, you are making others wealthy while keeping yourself in debt.

- Lots of people spent beyond what they could afford to pay. They are not worried that they are owing the banks due to the excessive usage of their credit cards. Such consumers thought that being able to pay the minimum monthly payment and interest charged are considered good enough and they considered themselves 'risk takers'.


3. You Have Bad Habits: Whether it's smoking, drinking, gambling or some other bad habit, the habit is using up a lot of money that could go toward building wealth. Most people don't realize that the cost of their bad habits extends far beyond the immediate cost. Take smoking, for example, it costs a lot more than the pack of cigarettes purchased. It also negatively affects your wealth in the form of higher insurance rates and decreased value of your home.

- Will consumers realise this? Or the related advertisings are so good that it continued to draw more attention.


4. You Have No Goals: It's difficult to build wealth if you haven't taken the time to know what you want. If you haven't set wealth goals, you aren't likely to attain them. You need to do more than state, "I want to be a millionaire." You need to take the time to set saving and investing goals on a yearly basis and come up with a plan for how to achieve those goals.

- Most people will tell you that they barely survive with their current salaries especially with the higher cost of living nowadays. Besides the cost of living, some have to squeeze out from somewhere to pay for their 'bad habits' as above.


5. You Haven't Prepare: Bad things happen to the best of people from time to time, and if you haven't prepared for such a thing to happen to you through insurance, any wealth that you might have built can be gone in an instant.

- At times, we may have to acquire the right kind of insurance that meets our needs.


6. You Try to Make a Quick Buck: For the vast majority of us, wealth doesn't come instantly. You may believe that people winning the lottery are a dime a dozen, but the truth is you're far more likely to get struck by lightning than win the lottery. This desire to get rich quickly likely extends into the way you invest, with similar results.

- Many people who have fell for those quick bucks scheme are easily susceptible to another scheme if not careful. Why lotteries can afford high pay outs to one in a million winner is because it's very rare to win.


7. You Rely on Others to Take Care of Your Money: You believe that others have more knowledge about money matters, and you rely exclusively on their judgment when deciding where you should invest your money. Unfortunately, most people want to make money themselves, and this is their primary objective when they tell you how to invest your money. Listen to other people's advice to get new ideas, but in the end you should know enough to make your own investing decisions.

- You need to know what kind of investments is suitable for yourself as others won't know what sort of commitment you have.


8. You Invest in Things You Don't Understand: Your hear that Bob has made a lot of money doing it, and you want to get in on the gravy train. If Bob really did make money, he did so because he understood how the investment worked. Throwing in your money because someone else has made money without fully understanding how the investment works will keep you from being wealthy.

- In any investments, it's good that you know how it operates and you have to keep track of its performances as it's your hard earned money.


9. You're Financially Afraid: You are so scared of risk that you keep all your money in a savings account that is actually losing money when inflation is put into the equation, yet you refuse to move it to a place where higher rates of return are possible because you're afraid that you will lose money.

- Put it this way, this group of people is not risk takers. On the other hand, they build their financial wealth slowly slowly ........ can't be millionaires but can live a moderate life without much worries.


10. You Ignore Your Finances: You take the attitude that if you make enough, the finances will take care of themselves. If you currently have debt, it will somehow resolve itself in the future. Unfortunately, it takes planning to become wealthy. It doesn't magically happen to the vast majority of people.

- Lots of people failed to plan. They couldn't care less about obtaining the easiest financing schemes and would pay more for services compared to others.

(extracted from TheStreet.com)
Tags: Millionaire, Finance, No Goals, Credit Card Debt, Building Wealth, Financial Health

Honda's Latest MPV in Malaysia

Honda Malaysia will provide the toughest challenge to Malaysia's local car manufacturer, Proton. Proton has in their plans a new MPV model on their drawing board and rumours are saying that it will be launched in 2009.

Honda is one step ahead of them now, with the launching of their new MPV model that could seat twelve persons and the price is even more shocking .......... retailing at RM56,000 ...........

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.....

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Tags: Proton, Honda, Car, MPV

Michelangelo Finally Back in Italy

After a two year visit to the United States, Michelangelo's David is now returning to Italy . .. .



Tags: Michelangelo, McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, Starbucks Coffee, Funny, Humour, Italy, United States

Theft at Coronade Hotel, KL

Received this via email about a theft that happened while the guests were sleeping in their hotel room.
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Dear Friends and travel colleques and travel partners,

As you all know I am an experienced traveler and this is my 15th year in the tourism industry. My company has expanded from a travel agent to sea sports, river cruise, rainforest resort. The following incident happened to me personally, not a story I heard from someone. I DON'T want this to happen to anyone else. Please let your friends, colleques, love ones know about it.

I booked into: THE CORONADE HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR, (Achi Jaya Properties Sdn Bhd), Jalan Walter Grenier, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA (located next to Lot 10) from 6th Sept to 9th Sept 2008.

We (me and a friend) have stayed in this hotel 2-3 times this year. It is in a good location and the cost is reasonable. I booked for "The Summit Room" as they have free internet and a bigger room.

We were busy right from day 1 as we have a long "to do list". On the 8th Septemper morning, when I came out of the toilet, I saw the latch and the lock switch in the "open position. The door is closed. I was sure I closed the latch and lock the security lock. I ask my friend to check if there's anything missing and there wasn't, so we thought its just us being forgetful. After a busy day from 830am to 10pm, we arrived back to the hotel tired and packed up as we are leaving the next day in the morning. We counted the monies and packed everything accordingly. I personally made sure this time the door is locked on the security lock and the latch. we were so tired and went to sleep. I dozed off around 11pm.

At around 7.00-7.20 am, I woke up and went to the toilet. I remember my phone alarm going off at 730am. Coming out of the toilet, I notice again the latch and the lock in the open position (the door is closed). I immediately ask myfriend to check the bags and found our brunei and Malaysian dollars gone except for 30 plus Malaysian ringgit.

I called the manager on duty immediately and he arrived with a security officer to make a report. The Manager on duty, Raj and the security officer, Harun did not apologise nor was symphtatic. They took my report and looked around and leave. After they leave, I realize, my diamond ring, goldchain and watch which was placed on the table is gone, my mobile phone placed on the table is luckily still there.

I called the manager to make the additional report. They called the police and we found out we had to go to the tourist police station which we went to make the report by Sergeant Shahar. As we had to go get our medical report, we went after we got our report. By the time we came back to the hotel, it was already 1140hrs, we have a flght to catch at 1440hrs.

I expect the hotel to act professionally and to clear this matter up but they didn't not even apologise as our lives and safety was compromised. Someone can enter our room even when we latch it and security lock it!!!!

Imagine if the person had a knife or it's a single woman alone in the room. I am still shocked and thank god no harm came to me and my friend. I overheard the police man asking for the security camera and I AM SHOCKED TO KNOW THERE IS NO CCTV CAMERA ON THE HALLWAY ONLY IN THE LIFT AND STAIRWAYS FOR A 4 STAR HOTEL.

Has the hotel compromise cost at the risk of hotel guest's safety/security. Today is the 11th September 2008, I have no response from The CORONADE hotel and also I tried to call the General Manager and was informed he is on leave from 10th sept for a few days!!!!!

I was not put through to anyone else and the Executive secretary Siti hajah Yusof who answered the phone says I can email to her. I fond this strange as there is the security manager and other top management whom usually will be referred to.

HOW SAFE ARE HOTELS IN MALAYSIA, ESPECIALLY THE CORONADE HOTEL? IF SOMEONE CAN ENTER MY ROOM WHEN IT IS DOUBLE LOCKED, I DO NOT WANT TO STAY IN THAT HOTEL. PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS, I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH. BE SAFE AND MAKE SURE THE HOTEL YOU STAY IN HAS ADEQUATE SECURITY FACILITIES.

SINCERELY,
ANTHONY CHIENG
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF Sunshine Borneo Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd

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All I can say that the thief was very brave indeed to venture into a room with the guests asleep. Surely the thief was armed as the thief could be overpowered with two guys in the room.
Tags: Coronade Hotel, Achi Jaya Properties Sdn Bhd, Anthony Chieng, Sunshine Borneo Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, Hotel Room Theft

Corruption in China Countryside

There was a landmark decision made at the plenary session of the Party Congress this week: The Chinese government decided to give lease rights on the land to the peasants. No one knows how exactly this act will work; apparently it aims to narrow the income gap between the rich in the cities and the poor in the rural areas. For those of us who have had a little experience with rural land issues, we are a bit skeptical.

Here is my story.

About 10 years ago, we visited a painter friend who moved to the countryside and leased an abandoned schoolyard for 50 years to be his studio and home.

It was a charming residence. He had a vegetable garden and even tried to raise pigs. Compared with the compact living in 100 square meters in the city, his life seemed so much more spacious and connected with nature. My husband and I were immediately attracted to the idea and inquired about whether other lots were available in the village.

A rough and drunk party secretary for the village called us soon and said there is a persimmon orchard that has been retired, and that if we wanted to, we can lease some land there. It all sounded charming and rather inexpensive. We paid the money, got a piece of paper which said that the land was leased to us for 50 years — what is known as “Zhai Ji Di” in China. The party secretary said that we could build a house on the land, but we could not conduct any commercial activity. And, if during the 50 years, the government wanted to appropriate the land, we would be reimbursed for only the lease fee, not what we have built.

This was fine. We built the house and started to use it as a weekend place. Then the first scare came. The party secretary came at dinnertime one evening and announced that we have to demolish our house because it was in the middle of a road that would be built for the Beijing Olympics. We got a little panicky, fed him some more wine, and tried to get him to help us to keep the house. He said he could probably help us. After all, there are three families whose houses sit in the middle of the road. Maybe the road should take a detour.

We heartily agreed, and told him that he was the best party secretary. He drank some more wine, commented about how he likes this foreign liquor called X.O., and told us that a getting a detour would cost us. We stuffed two bottles of X.O. (cognac) in his bag and paid him $10,000 and sent him on his way to make the road bend.

About four months later, the party secretary came again at dinner, and announced triumphantly that the road would be detoured and that we would get to keep our house. We were happy, so we gave him some wine and food, and as he was wiping his mouth with his shirt sleeves, he said, “But there is another problem.”

“What?” we asked, mouths gaping.

“The county decided to re-issue all the land lease papers. The chop [license] used on the last one was not properly fixed.”

“Oh, what does that mean?” we asked. “Well, it should be chopped by the land appropriation bureau, not the agricultural bureau,” he said, waving his glass for more wine. I poured dutifully. “You see, the government got confused. This was an orchard, so they thought, agricultural land. But then the land bureau said since it is no longer used as a working orchard, they need to get their chop on it as well.”

“OK,” we said, “so how much?” “Oh, maybe just 30,000 renminbi,” he said, referring to about $3,500. “Cash?” my husband asked.

“Hey,” he said with a bit annoyance in his voice, “I don’t want your money. We are friends now, but it’s for ‘them.’ ”

This was eight and half years ago. We have stopped using the house as a weekend place and only went back to the village once or twice a year. This year we decided to start using the house again for our 3-year-old daughter. When we asked to see the party secretary, we were told he was in jail. Apparently, he took all the cash that we paid for the land and the road and the chop and deposited it into his own bank account. During a village election, his actions were exposed by his nephew, who stole his bank statement.

Right now, his nephew is the new party secretary. We saw him and explained that we still don’t have our lease paper back. He said he will see what he can do. Then his driver (who drives a BMW) showed up and said to get our paper all sorted out would cost 50,000 renminbi (about $5,833). We got a bit smarter and said we would pay 20 percent now, and the rest upon getting the papers.

We have not gotten our papers, and we are not the only ones. For those of us who participated in the “gentrification” of the rural areas, the rampant corruption is the real problem plaguing the countryside. When we first paid the fee for the land, we were told it would go to finance a school for children in the village. Obviously, it never happened. The new legislation was intended to give the land to individual peasants, but given the workings of the Chinese government, it will most likely take many “chops” and red tape before a peasant is allowed to do what he wants on the land. Each chop will have a price on it. The law might have just given corrupt officials a series of good excuses to take bribes.

It is good that the legislation is moving toward privatizing land-use rights, but I am rather doubtful whether it will work out as the government had envisioned. Most Chinese regulations get terribly distorted in the process of execution.

As for that Olympic Road, it was actually an imaginary road on the part of our old party secretary.

(Extracted from New York Times)

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These things happen in Malaysia too? I found similar things in Malaysia as in when the government announces certain rulings which were opened to corruptions. For example, catching cars that are heavily tinted and at the same time, the measuring devices are not up to date. Who will have the final say in determining who's right or wrong ....... the final deal - money it is!

Tags: China, Corruption In China, China Countryside, Party Congress, Peasant

'Melamined' Malaysian Food

I thought those melamine fear factor has been restricted to China but it has found its way to Malaysian shore.

As Malaysia's permissible level for melamine content is 2.5 parts per million ("ppm"), it has found various types of biscuits produced by Khong Guan Biscuit Factory Sdn Bhd and Khian Guan Biscuit Manufacturing Co Sdn Bhd (same group of companies) to be contaminated with too much melamine.

Initial tests have revealed that the ammonium carbonate found in their biscuits to have exceeded 33.4 ppm up to 508 ppm. That's terrible man. Failure of QA/QC department? Or just don't bother to check.

Hong Kong government's Centre For Food Safety has announced that the Munchy biscuits brand from Malaysia have exceeded the tolerable daily intake of melamine:-
1) Munchy’s Mini Crackers with Peanut Butter - level of melamine detected was 5.4 ppm
2) Munchy’s Mini Crackers with Cheese Cream - level of melamine detected was 3.8 ppm

In Munchy's website, there is a notice that states all milk and dairy ingredients are being sourced from France and Australia ......... hmmmmmm now melamine has invaded another two more countries. Besides that, two independent certification agencies, Chemical Laboratory (M) Sdn Bhd and Pacific Lab Services of Zagro Asia Ltd, have certified Munchy's products to be safe for consumption.

When I read about the melamine story, I thought it was really some sort of chemical product that somehow is being added into milk products to make those end products smell or taste better.

Lo and behold, it is the same kind of melamine material that is being used in the making of a kitchen cabinet or wardrobe. Such melamine material used, if taken care, could withstand years of wear and tear. Now, imagine it being mixed into the food ingredient. IMHO, whatever permissible level, if consumed, won't be helpful at all for our human body.

Reading: Too much melamine found in 18 types of biscuits - Star

Related post - Sudden Fear of Melamine
Tags: Melamine, Khong Guan Biscuit Factory Sdn Bhd, Khian Guan Biscuit Manufacturing Co Sdn Bhd, Biscuits, Centre For Food Safety, Munchy, Munchy Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Mini Crackers with Peanut Butter, Mini Crackers with Cheese Cream, Chemical Laboratory (M) Sdn Bhd, Pacific Lab Services, Zagro Asia Ltd

Government Guarantees 100% of Bank Accounts

With the global financial markets going havoc in USA and Europe, governments in countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand have provided guarantees on all bank accounts.

To safeguard Malaysian bank accounts, there is this deposit insurance system that was established since Sept 2005 to protect Malaysian bank accounts up to RM60,000 per depositor per bank. This insurance scheme is protected via a scheme arranged by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia ("PIDM"). To see how much your bank account is protected in case your bank fold up, you can refer to PIDM's insurance coverage on the respective bank accounts.

In providing further assurance to all bank account holders, the Malaysian government has now announced that a blanket guarantee will be provided for all ringgit and foreign currency deposits with commercial, Islamic and investment banks, and deposit taking development financial institutions that are regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank. Now everyone can breathe easily up to 31 Dec 2010, the last day of the blanket guarantee by PIDM.

Why did the Malaysian government give such a blanket guarantee? Something wrong somewhere that we, the bank depositors, have not been made aware of?

The Association of Banks in Malaysia gave an assuring statement that Malaysian banks are safe and sound.

I would say that it is a good step taken by the government to prevent any unwanted panic situation. Imagine receiving this message via sms or emails - "this xxxx bank will be closing its operations in the next few days and you are advised to withdraw all your money before other depositors do it". It may cause mayhem in Malaysia.

There are exceptions and they are as follow:-
- Deposits not payable in Malaysia
- Foreign currency deposits
- Negotiable instruments of deposit (NIDs) and other bearer deposits
- Repurchase agreements
- Money market deposits
- Stocks and bonds
- Unit trusts

If, I'm saying a big IF, your bank was to fold up in Jan 2009 ............ like the Origami Bank in Japan, what are your chances in retrieving all those monies in the bank? Well, it's guaranteed till 31 Dec 2010 for now and you will get all your money back within three months ........ starting from which particular date, that I don't know.

Reading: Malaysia and Singapore to guarantee all bank deposits - Star
Tags: Malaysia, PIDM, Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia, Malaysian Banks, Bank Negara Malaysia, Association of Banks in Malaysia, BNM, Bank Account, Individual Depositor Account, Joint Account, Trust Account, Sole Proprietor Account, Partnership Account, Professional Practice Account, Savings Account, Fixed Deposit Account, Ringgit Currency Deposit, Foreign Currency Deposit

Plenty to Think About for Renovation

New house should be ready by Dec '08 or Jan '09. By then the housing developer will deliver the vacant possession letter to allow me to occupy the house. Give and take, hopefully one to two months to rectify whatever defects not done properly in constructing the house. That will be end Feb '09 or early Mar '09.

Need to apply to the City Hall Council for the need to obtain a permit before the commencement of the renovation. That may take two weeks (I heard and if everything is smooth).

I'm already cracking my head on how to decorate up the house, where to put the respective furnitures, how to light up the house, what sort of cabinets be it for the rooms or kitchen and the most important is the matching of colours throughout the whole house.

Yesterday was on leave and settled some documents with my financier and hopped on to my new house with a contractor, husband and wife team (the wife seems to be very good with her interior ideas). Told / explained on how I wanted to renovate ...... don't know whether they are going to have a good laugh after we went our separate ways ...... haha. Did I make sense to them?

How did I paint my dream house to them? It's all hard works by reading many magazines in the last few months.

The problem now is after reading soooooooo many of these magazines, I'm still quite confused. Reason is - each time you flip through a magazine, you'll be fascinated with a particular design or setting and you'll tell your brain to scan that and keep it in memory.

Few days later, you see another good design and thought it would be good to have this and now my brain has two designs for the same spot .......... it went on and on. Headache! Headache! Headache!

Those are the tags which I have placed on relevant pages which have captured my brain. Now, how am I going to put all of this into only one house.

Now you can imagine what I have told the contractor. I gave many options with money as the main factor. Told them not to build something fit for a king when the finance comes from a servant.

With the world financial market crumbling one by one, would it be safer to spend it and get a nice place to live in. How much to spend for a house renovation? What should be done now and which one that can be deferred? Headache! Headache! Headache!

There was once I gathered a number of recommendations for interior designers or contractors from friends. Haven't called any of them but will do so any time now. Get all of them to meet at the new house and tell once and for all????

The thought of getting so many quotes will also put me in a quandary. How to tell them "Thanks for your quotation but I think I'm getting another person to do it".

Waaaaaah, initially you pressed for the best price and then opt for someone else ............. this is the business world and the best shall win ...... not necessary the one with the lowest pricing.

With this list (plus four more at hand), I should be getting at least ten quotations. Good enough or too many?

Now, whom to choose and based on what? Headache! Headache! Headache!

Did drop by at Goodrich at Sri Hartamas which has lots of wallpaper selections. Confused as well.

Anyone of you used their materials before? Recommended?

A big piece of wallpaper measuring 9' by 9' will cost you RM2,000 plus. I was shocked indeed but it was a nice piece ......... should I? Headache! Headache! Headache!

Just when you thought buying a new house is so easy. Buy, settle loan, house ready then move in with current furnishings. My my my .......
Tags: House Renovation, Interior Designer, Renovation Contractor, Wallpaper, Wallcovering, City Hall Council of Kuala Lumpur, DBKL

Talented Enoch Fernando

On Sunday, a talented musician from USA paid a visit to my church. Enoch Fernando's the name. Doesn't ring a bell? He serves at the Saddleback Church located at Southern California.

He is actually from East India. When he was young, someone sponsored him to study music in the USA, who bought him a grand piano to start it off when he first arrived in USA those days.

One of Enoch's piano teachers (Lazlo ............ missed out the second word) was also the piano teacher for Richard Carpenters (together with sibling Karen Carpenters formed The Carpenters).

His talents on the keyboard is so marvellous. The way he played those music pieces was so enchanting and people were fascinated. Some of those music pieces were accompanied with music videos.

He has been nominated before in the Grammy awards under the Best Instrumental for Christian Country Music ........ he was surprised on how he got under this category - country music.

This round, he stopped by at Kuala Lumpur while on his way back to East India to minister to the people who are going through tough times in the state of Orissa.

Upon the end of the service, people went straight to a counter set up for selling his CDs and DVDs. It could have pushed his music up the Christian chart on that Sunday morning.

Bought two of his, Akustic Passion and Ageless Romance.
How could I not have a picture with a person who is so filled with God's talent.
This is his wife, Rebekah Jakab Fernando. She also goes by the name of Becky Jake. She has a powerful voice that could deliver and mesmerise you with the meaning of the songs with such an ease.

Her preference - country music.

May God bless both of your ministries that are touching people's hearts all over the world.

Tags: Enoch Fernando, Enoch Music, Rebekah Jakab Fernando, Becky Jake, Christian Music, Country Music, Instrumental Music, Saddleback Church, The Carpenters

Australians Are Migrating

Malaysians who wanted to migrate have listed Australia as one of the top destinations for migration. When you flip open the Star newspaper, you could see advertisements on provision of services to assist you to migrate overseas with the word 'Australia' splashed across it.

Why Australia? Knew a few friends that have migrated to Australia. Bumped into a schoolmate last year who was providing professional migration services in particular to Australia. If not mistaken, he should have migrated himself and family by now. He did tell me that I do qualify on merit and told me to try ............. yeah, he was sourcing for business at the same time. Anyway, I didn't.

Reasons for those friends that have migrated or some in the process - mainly for their children's education. Firstly, by being a resident there, the school or university fees would be much much lower than by sending them over from Malaysia as a foreign student. Of course, if your family is loaded it's not an issue at all. What's wrong with Malaysian education? You and I know very well.

Next thing people migrate would be for job opportunities. A young couple that I knew migrated owing to better work environment and of course higher salary. They are doing very well now. Malaysia is really suffering from the brain drain of professionals. All my friends who have migrated or in the process are truly professionals in their fields of work. They are bringing their experiences away from this land of Malaysia.

Just when people are migrating into Australia, not many people knew that Australians themselves are also migrating away from their land. How come?

For the record, 76,923 Australians became ex-Australians in year 2007 alone. Those who left were aged between 25 and 54. Out goes 76,923, in came 149,635 to become Australians in the same period .... hehe. I'm very sure that lots of well-to-do or professional Indonesians are flocking into Australia (heard from and verified with friends).

Do you know where did the 76,923 ex-Australians migrated to? Their top destinations were New Zealand (18.4%), United Kingdom (17.8%), USA (9.3%), Hong Kong (7.2%) and Singapore (6.4%). These top five countries have accounted for 59.1% of those who migrated.

Unfortunately, three of those countries - New Zealand, USA and Singapore - are already in recession. If you are migrating or have migrated, why?

Reading: Biggest annual exodus from Australia on record - News.com
Reading: "Weighing" Brain Drain - Education in Malaysia
Tags: Australia, Brain Drain, Migration, Professional Migration Services, Migrate To Australia

Record Inflation of 231,000,000%

When inflation sets in, many Third World countries will not be able to handle it. They are already considered poor nations but cost of living is rising daily.

Zimbabwe's economy has been spiralling downwards with no signs of any potential economy comeback.

Inflation rose from few hundred per cent up to an impossible rate of two hundred thirty one million per cent (231,000,000%). Many people will not be able to comprehend what kind of inflation is this. In layman example, a loaf of bread that was sold at 100 Zimbabwe Dollar in year January 2007 is now sold at 23,100,000,000 (that's hitting above Twenty Three Billion Zimbabwe Dollar).

The country tried to print bigger currency denomination to counter the increasing rate of inflation but to no avail. Then it changed the currency valuation by deleting the number of zeros. Is that the correct way to handle the economics? Whoever that gave this advise is really marvellous. Were they graduates from Cambridge UK or MIT, USA? Or local politicians that graduated from their local universities?

Hence, it decreases the value of the currency and on a positive note, it helped the citizens in the way of carrying lesser currency notes when they go for shopping. Effective Aug 2008, from the height of a 100,000,000,000 Zimbabwe Dollar (One Hundred Billion) currency note that equates to less than USD400.00, it now becomes 10 Zimdollar (at a rate of Z$10 billion = 1 Zimdollar).

As root of inflation was the political instability, inflation rate continued its climb. The nation needed to print bigger currency denomination notes again. Firstly, the 10,000 Zimdollar and now 20,000 Zimdollar (equivalent to US$20). You could only withdraw the maximum of 20,000 Zimdollar from your bank account ...... daily!

It will be neverending and by early next year, the 100,000 Zimdollar will be out on the street. By then, I would have lost count of the number of times it has printed new notes. Next level of inflation rate? This African nation is really one of a kind with the leaders in power, who are living in posh lifestyle, not considering the suffering citizens.

Reading: Zimbabwe inflation hits new high - BBC News/Africa

Related posts:-
* Zimbabwe's Growing the Wrong Way
* Just How Much is 500 Million Dollars?
Tags: Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Dollar, Zimdollar, Economics, Inflation, Africa

Busy Dataran Sunway Commercial Centre

Met up with a kitchen contractor, visited several shops selling housing materials and furnitures at Dataran Sunway commercial centre, Kota Damansara area, and was really surprised with the busy area. Didn't expect the place to be packed with cars and the shops available could just offer anything you needed and wanted.

As the stomach signalled its hunger for food, it was time to look for a food outlet. Saw this upbeat cafe and found it to be cooling. Need a good hideout from the hot weather.

The nearby Station 1 Cafe offers food that varies from the western dishes to oriental dishes and fusion food. It has a wide range of beverages. It's quite common to see this kind of cafe mushrooming all over Klang Valley. Apparently, this was their 18th outlet, the latest.

Price wise - reasonable for such cafe.


Kampung Style Fried Rice. Not bad lah. Same taste all over Klang Valley also.

The fried egg really looked pathetic. Would you request them to fry another one?












This was my order, the Mixed Grill. Need big portion kind of dishes to feel my stomach after the long walk all over Dataran Sunway.

The accompanying black pepper sauce was excellent. The corn was prepared with the right sweetness required.
Chicken Chop with rice. Nice mushroom sauce that comes with it.
The Deep Fried Fish Fillet. The fish was fresh and soft. It melts in your mouth (not only M&M).
The Tom Yum soup has the sour taste that comes with the spicy tinkling. As I can endure hot and spicy stuff, it didn't meet my criteria for a good tom yup soup.








There was a stage within the premise but don't know when will they have performances or was it for customers like me that whenever I feel like it, I can sing anytime.

Understood that Chervie Ho Yee Mun (sorry, don't know who she is) was supposed to perform at this outlet on 13 Oct night.
Tags: Station 1 Cafe, Kota Damansara, Food, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Chervie Ho Yee Mun

No Inglish But Can Deputy Prime Minister

Traditionally, the top two ranking persons in the UMNO political party would also be the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

It's very important to see the outcome in each UMNO party election that could also decide the fate of Malaysia. The next UMNO party election will be held in March 2009. The present Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has offered himself for the position of UMNO President since the incumbent President, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has decided not to defend his position.

As Datuk Seri Najib Razak is moving up the political ladder, the number two position, Deputy President, will be empty. This position has been eyed by a number of aspirants who are as follows:-
* Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib
* Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
* Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
* Jazlan Mohamad

Nothing personal against Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib but this was the same guy that was acquitted in a Brisbane court of Australia in 1998 for failing to declare foreign cash when entering and leaving Australia. One of the reasons that he was acquitted - "I know no inglish so ahhhh I dunno and cannot read signs or rules that said must tell people how much I got."

Now, he's going for the number two position that could make him the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. His reason for offering himself, I like it lah - "because I want to help the party president strengthen and rebuild Umno.”

Uncle, we are talking about the nation here .......... not just your political party.

Reading: Umno may see big battle for No. 2 slot - Star
Tags: Muhammad Muhammad Taib, UMNO Party Election, UMNO Deputy President

Movie Stars Can Claim Datukship

In Malaysia, a person who has contributed significantly to the welfare of the nation would stand a chance of being recognised by the state government or the federal government, depending on the nature of contribution.

Recognition could come in the form of receiving honorary titles such Datuk, Datuk Seri, Tan Sri or Tun. Equivalent of a Tan Sri is the knighthood in United Kingdom ("UK") where the title is known as Sir. In rare cases, one would receive the Tunship, equivalent to a Lordship in UK.

As for a Datukship in Malaysia, it's supposed to be highly regarded. With the latest bestowing of this title to an individual who's a movie star in the land of India, in my humble opinion, it will downgrade the title.

Shah Rukh Khan, the indian actor to die for for many Malaysian ladies, would be bestowed with a Datukship. One would question his contribution(s) to our nation in entitlement for the honorary title of Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) to be awarded by the Malacca State Government.

In questioning the state government for the reason, the Malacca Chief Minister's political secretary Saadon Basirun gave this superb reason:-

*he was awarded the title for his contribution to the entertainment industry at international level and also contributed to our tourism industry when he acted in a movie filmed in Malaysia*

Now, this is the fun part. You should read Lim Kit Siang's blog posting of the same issue. Why only Shah Rukh Khan has been recognised for his role in a movie that was filmed in Malaysia?

What about the following international superstars that filmed their internationally known movies in Malaysia? They don't deserve any tiny weeny bit of recognition at all?
* Police Story starring Jackie Chan and Maggie Cheung
* Entrapment starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones
* Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yuen Fatt
* After This Our Exile starring Aaron Kwok
* Lust, Caution starring Tony Leung, Wang Lee Hom & Tang Wei with the movie director being Ang Lee
* The Touch starring Ben Chaplin and Datuk Michelle Yeoh
(can you name anymore?)

What about the people involved in our very own locally produced movie - Sepet. This movie has been garnered with awards in:-
* Best Asian Film Award at the 18th Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2005.
* Ninth Malaysian Video Awards
* 27th Creteil International Women Directors Festival in France
* 18th Malaysian Film Festival
* Global Chinese Golden Arts Awards
* Anugerah Era 2005

The Datuk title is supposed to be a prestige title which is to be bestowed on someone who has a tremendous record or contribution for the land of Malaysia. The best thing is Shah Rukh Khan won't be able to make it for the investiture ceremony. Somehow downgrades the Datukship title.

Reading: Shah Rukh Khan To Receive Datukship - Bernama
Tags: Shah Rukh Khan, Datukship, Malacca State Government, Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka, DMSM, Investiture Ceremony