The Simple And Extravagant

A super exposed picture but nevertheless caught the essence of it. Friends partaking Sudanese style food.

We had this at the Kandahar market area.

That's the grilled lamb in the middle of the lot. Fresh vege salad right in front of me. The one of the right is a mixture of tomatoes, cucumber with mayonnaise, pepper and a mixture of some local spice. Really good taste. The one at the top is fried lamb liver.

This is the simple meal. It comes with a concocted mixture of local yoghurt / 7-Up that made it nice and soothing after a heavy meal. It cost about 90 SDG (US$1 = 2.60 SDG). Yeah, you wouldn't believe the cost of living here.

The extravagant has to be tasted at a much more stylo place. It has to be in a local hotel. We chose the better hotel known as the Burj Al-Fateh Hotel. A new hotel owned by Libyans.

Even this swing door (forgotten the name used for this kind of door lah) is nicely decorated with animals (made of wood) placed in between glass panels.

The internal architectural design while looking up.











We went to the Mugran Restaurant which serves buffet dinner. What else man.










About thirteen colleagues were together for the once in a while gathering. Need to de-stress at times. Not de-stress from work but more of the life here.








The colleague who can't hide her excitement in seeing so much food. The food, in terms of choices, being served is akin to those 4 stars hotel in Malaysia.








Saw this floor guide in the lift and I seldom see people use "negative one" to signify a floor level.

You can tell it has links to Libya by the names there.











The nice facade taken outside the hotel.











This hotel is really quite grand with its architectural design and it shows that Sudan is progressing towards a better lifestyle.

Albeit, at a higher cost of living as well.

Exposed picture again. Took this from within the car as we were leaving.
Tags: Kandahar, Burj Al-Fateh Hotel, Buffet Dinner In Khartoum

I Know Our PM's Travel Itinerary

I think Malaysia's PM will be very busy travelling this year.

How do I know? Inside information?

Not really but I can give a good guess after reading the following news report - Najib Visits Chennai To Thank Malaysian Indians For Nation-Building

To me personally, I find this trip to Chennai really wasteful. If you are so grateful to the Indians that originated from Chennai (no offence to the Indians), why don't you / the government put up more benefits that are easily accessible (without red tapes) to all Malaysian Indians who are residing in Malaysia now.

This is what was reported, claimed to be mentioned by the PM:-
"My trip ends in Chennai, it is not coincidental but intentional because Chennai, Tamil Nadu is the original state where many Malaysian Indians originated from.

Eighty-five per cent of Malaysian Indians are ethnic Tamils and my visit was to recognise the Malaysian Indian contributions to the development of Malaysia," said Najib."

Why do you need to be grateful in India when all the Indian ancestors that originated from India have passed away? The descendents are all now in Malaysia. If the government is so sincere on the honouring and recognition part, honouring those that are still alive right in Malaysia.

All talk is no use! I can also talk but then I'm not the PM and the press won't be interested to listen also haha.

In that case, the PM may have to travel to all related places from now onwards, to please (I mean honour and recognise) the various people.

Firstly, he has to travel to Hainan Island in China .......... lots of Hainanese in Malaysia. My paternal grandparents migrated from there. Maybe some Malaysians may challenge me into asking why must he visit Hainan Island first .......... hehe. Well, is the PM going to be grateful to the Hainan authorities for my ancestors?

Then he has to travel to Guangzhou because lots of Chinese migrated to Malaysia from that area too. My maternal grandparents were from there.

For the folks staying at the Portuguese settlement in Malacca, they will get to see the PM travelling all the way to Portugal to be grateful to the yesteryears' Portuguese people for conquering Malacca and created many historical facts.

Where else?

Oh yeah, the Fujian province in China .... because lots of Hokkien people in Malaysia where their grandparents or great grandparents that came from Fujian area.

Indonesia without fail but he has to visit specific places where the majority comes from. Have to thank Indonesia for their contribution. A former chief minister who is also a doctor has a link there.

The PM will have to visit southern Philipines because the government has issued so many Malaysian idenfication papers to the Filipinos because they resided in Sabah for so many years.

That's how our population grew, not internally, but receiving external contributions.
Tags: India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Malaysian Indian, Hainan Island, Fujian, Guangzhou, China, Philippines, Filipino, Indonesia

RM3.70 Per Litre for RON95 in May 2010?

The following report has caught many Malaysians by surprised. If you were to google "RM3.70 per litre for RON95", you'll get lots of websites talking about it already. Still blur? Read on .....

-----------------------------------
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 ­
The mechanism for fuel pricing in Malaysia has finally
been finalized and controlled under one mechanism, which also takes the
high and lower income group people into consideration, according to Finance
Trade Minister Tan Sri Anuar Ali.

³From May 1, the fuel will be pegged at RM 3.90 per litre for RON97, while
RON95 will increase to RM 3.70 per litre. However, the prices of
national-made vehicles will be lowered by at least 40 percent. For example,
a full-spec family sedan Proton Persona 1.6 litre engine will cost around
RM 23,000.00 excluding road tax and insurance. Import tax and excise duty
will be revised to only 30 percent, from the current 200 percent. Imported
vehicles such as the new Toyota Camry 2.4 litre engine will cost around RM
65,000.00.² he said.

The mechanics has been said to be undertaken by a team of experts from
Australia and Canada who were earlier briefed on the issue of subsidy in
this country, whereas after consideration by the transport minister, they
have signed the constitution that the system will be made on May 1, the day
it goes into effect.

Under the new system, there will be a major effect on the existing
consumers who have already purchased a vehicle and to those who are in the
midst of repaying the loan of their vehicle to their financial
institutions.

Ahmad Tajuddin said the government might also re-introduce a cash return
annually to Malaysians who own a 1,500 cc and below vehicle. The amount
have yet to be decided but he assured that the amount will compensate the
price of fuel by at least half to eligible Malaysians based on bumi quota.
SkyNet News Asia

-----------------------------------
Anomalies noted as follows:-
1) There is no such news agency by the name of SkyNet News Asia.
2) Who is this Finance Trade Minister Tan Sri Anuar Ali??
3) Since when Malaysia government has this Finance Trade Ministry?
Tags: SkyNet News Asia, Finance Trade Minister, Tan Sri Anuar Ali, RON95, RON97

Playing With Religious Fire

Two surau (place dedicated for muslims to pray) have been the target of arsonists. This month itself, various churches were aimed at and a cabinet minister said naughty boys could be involved. Are these committed by naughty boys again?

I'm saying that they are not naugthy boys but there are people out there who do not want peace to happen in Malaysia. These people wanted some chaos for reasons only known to them. These culprits behind the scene are definitely cowards.

But I know nothing would change their course even after being called a coward. Their motives are very desperate and firm about creating disturbances via the sensitive topic of race and religion.

Attacking the churches didn't stir the anger out of the Christians' (usually Chinese and Indians) hearts lately. What's their alternative?

Their aim - do the same thing but this time it's the mosques and suraus. For sure, the Muslims (the Malays) will react.

What I can say is that whoever is taking this route, be prepared for God's fury later on.

I definitely condemn these attacks on the two suraus located in Muar. All Malaysians who read about such attacks on religious places should not fall for these cowards' games. No right minded Malaysians will want to see chaos in Malaysia.
Tags: Arsonist, Surau Attack, Muar

Pricey Drink & Weird Food Name

As I was walking around the Dubai airport duty free area, I noticed a large glass casing at the area where alcohol is being sold.

Went nearer to see what it was.

Oh ..... the Remy Martin brand.

I wonder who will buy this bottle at a price of 142,200 Dirham or at US$39,500.

At a Dubai hotel, I saw this meal by the name of Ratatouille. Basically it's just mixed vegetables.
Tags: Dubai Duty Free, Dubai, Ratatouille, Remy Martin, Grande Champagne Cognac, Black Pearl Magnum

Survival in Dubai Airport

These pictures were taken about two weeks back when I was in transit at Dubai airport. Good thing I could rest in the Emirates Business Class Lounge at Terminal 3.

Once in it, it was to hunt down a good place to sit. Found a quiet spot. At 1.30am, every spot is a quiet spot.

On my right was a food counter, eat or drink all you can. This is one of the four food counters you can find around the lounge. A large lounge indeed. The main counter is where people will take their main meals such as lunch or dinner.

This one here mainly serves simple food e.g. snacks, fruits, titbits, drinks and ice-cream (stored in a small refrigerator located on right side of the counter).

And it is Haagen-Dazs ice-cream ........... eat all you can too.















There's a limit to the free ice-cream and the next best food found ...... all kinds of berries.

And the smoked salmon was fresh too.

After feeling my stomach, it's time to entertain myself since I can't sleep. Hopped over to the games corner.

There you go, a driver's seat with steering wheel all well placed for you to drive to your heart's satisfaction.

With three 42 inch monitors fronting you, what more can you ask for.





This machine was not easy to handle and I found that the steering control was so sensitive. A 1mm movement could trigger your car to move a lot on the track.













Once bored with the driving, I jumped onto the next game available. Xbox 360 it is. Football game, what else.

Picked Man Utd over many other teams and set it to a lower standard to get myself accustomed to the control gadget first.

Felt so nice in trashing many other teams, one of them is Liverpool.







The internet room was where I updated my facebook and blog at the same time.

Stayed at the lounge from 1.30am till around 9.30am while waiting for my connecting flight.

Ate, played games, surf internet, ate, played games, surf internet, ate (full breakfast too), played games, surf internet ......something like that till I left the lounge. Thanks to Emirates Airlines.
Tags: Emirates Business Class Lounge, Emirates Airlines, Haagen-Dazs, Xbox 360

Malaysians Told Not To Use Facebook and Twitter

This has to be the biggest joke of the century ...... or was it a serious statement.

Who said what?

Of all people, it was Malaysia's Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim ......... ain't he the right person to speak forth. Yeah! Bravo!

What did he say? (extracted from Star newspaper)

"Malaysians, especially Muslims, must avoid being totally immersed in the internet culture, especially Facebook and Twitter.

That facilities like internet could not be accepted wholly because it was a form of business introduced by the West and "Malaysians were just users.

We should not be quick to condemn or look down on those who do not use Facebook. Newspapers are still relevant, so is Facebook, but do not be carried away with everything and disregard the old system."

There is this #yorais thingy going on in the tweetfeed world that is pushing this joke up the no.1 ranking. Have you contributed yours?

Firstly, I want all cabinet ministers and parliamentarians to log out and delete all their blogs, facebook accounts and stop twitters. Only then the whole nation will follow by example. Otherwise, don't even mention it anywhere anytime as you like.


What was mentioned by the ancient Rais Yatim has now been picked up throughout the world.

My humble advice to the Prime Minister - please change Rais Yatim's ministry portfolio immediately. He's not fit to be sitting in that ministry.

Reading: Malaysia warns users of excessive Internet use - AFP
Tags: Facebook, Twitter, Internet, Yorais, Tweetfeed, Information Communication and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim

Christmas Day Event

Yeah ...... it took me almost three weeks to blog about this because I just realised it.

One of the local hip-hip singer, Liang, was invited to perform in my church's Christmas service held at International Youth Centre at Bandar Tun Razak.

He's not only good in singing but a fantastic emcee too. I was there when he emceed at a few events.




He was fantastic with his songs. Belted few songs and he was able to get the crowd to participate as well. Incredible.

At the end of the service, many many people actually took pictures with him. He became a star amongst my church members.










Well attended Christmas service.

This blogpost should have more pictures but due to my involvement in the Christmas drama, I was too occupied with the preparations.

It was either this or that that was missing, not connected, not found, not the right one .... wow, really interesting.


This choir group, named the Praise International Choir, comprise of members from various countries. One of the countries is Malaysia and I'm sure Nigeria was represented. I wonder which African nation was represented too.

They have done exceptionally well way because of their hours spent practising their songs. Bravo!!

This is where I operated from on that day. Helped an Indonesian performance to play their songs via laptop ...... good thing I brought mine along otherwise another hiccup.

Mainly, my laptop was used to play the songs used for my drama entitled "1King". Yeah, I caught the fever of using the "1". Influenced by whom? I'm sure you know who.
Tags: Liang, Hip-Hop, Christmas Service, International Youth Centre,
Praise International Choir, 1King

Who's Confused Now?

In the past few weeks, Malaysia was in the world limelight for the wrong reasons. The nation is still in the limelight .................. for the controversial Allah word issue.

Few days back, a cabinet minister has announced that the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak states can use the word Allah now. Why the sudden change of heart? Afraid that the voters in both of these two states may turn against the ruling government? That's for sure. The ruling government (under UMNO) came into power owing a lot to those political parties based in these two states.

Aren't the government going to wait for the court to decide now? There was a stay of execution that the Herald magazine can now use the word Allah in their magazine since the government has appealed against the court decision.

The government has decided to overturn the court decision? The government became the judge? What's the use of the judiciary system in our nation then? The executive government and judicial system is under one body? By announcing such ruling, isn't it a contempt of court?

Please note that this blogpost is not stirring any racial or religious issue but more so of the independency of the judicial system.

Further to the allowance of the usage of Allah word by Christians in East Malaysia, the cabinet minister came out with another ruling ......... if you (an East Malaysian Christian) have been professing God in Bahasa Malaysia, thus using the word Allah to represent God ........... once you have moved your butts over to West Malaysia, you have to stop calling your God by using the word Allah. No more!

I was never inclined to touch on sensitive subjects but such rulings are getting more absurd each day. Do you call this ruling a 1Malaysia concept which has been promoted so much since Najib became a prime minister? 1Malaysia but with this and that ruling ........

Kept hitting my forehead and say "aiyoh, what is this?".

Is that to tell the East Malaysians who are based in West Malaysia now that they have to change since they are in West Malaysia? This will alienate the East Malaysians even more.

When the Allah controversy came up, the government kept harping that by using the word Allah, it may confuse the muslims about who's the real God and it might also convert the muslims into christians with that confusion. So, what's the point of allowing it now? That the confusion won't happen now?

All this fiasco that we have been exposed to, reading from the mainstream media are just government political propaganda ........ they are actually trying to confuse everyone and all this are just political games and the general public has been taken for a ride all this while (all these years in fact).

Another new ruling which may be implented will also confuse the whole nation especially on the subsidised petrol. You will only be allowed to purchase up to a certain amount of subsidised petrol per month. My ............ what a ruling. More to come .......

I'm confused now!

Reading: Minister: It’s okay to allow ‘Allah’ use in Sabah and Sarawak - Star

Related post: Churches Bombed in Malaysia

Tags: Allah, Muslim, Christian, Herald Magazine, Sabah, Sarawak, East Malaysia, West Malaysia

Poor Telecommunication Infrastructure

At last I moved into my new home and almost got all boxes unpacked. Not that I didn't do put efforts into clearing the boxes but having hard time to decide where to put my stuff now. I have to remember where I have put my stuff now. I can tell you that it's not easy. Don't tell me that age is catching up.

Still searching for some household stuff here and there and frequent overseas travel took up my weekends where I could only muster enough time to source for stuff.

One of it is my internet connection. Of late, lots of work in office coupled with no internet connection has lessen my blogging activities.

And when I have time to do so, I took time to read some internet forums on respective internet service providers and enquired on the transfer of existing fixed telephone line to my new place.

Thanks to the Packet 1 advertisement, I have decided to 'cut' or 'potong' the Telekom Malaysia Berhad's fixed telephone line, TM net service and also the Streamyx service.

Not that I have subscribed for Packet 1's internet service but that advertisement was really catchy in a way.

Found out that P1 WIMAX wireless broadband does not cover my housing area. After 'cut' you are left with nothing. So much for their big time advertisement but their coverage is so so poor in my area.

As for Telekom Malaysia or TM, it's a total failure on their part for being unable to provide the service at my new home.

The talk of spending RM1.3 billion on High Speed Broadband in Malaysia does not cover my new home area.









Then they have the urge to advertise "If it's not Streamyx, it's not good enough".

That I know.

What happened? How come I couldn't get a line for my Streamyx?


A close friend of mine who moved into the new area applied for the transfer of the fixed line and Streamyx service. Shockingly, TM told her that they can't connect her at the new home. Reason given was there isn't enough subscribers for TM to connect us. Fantastic, just fantastic. Excellent! Bravo!

I tried too and TM said I have to wait. So, now what? No internet, no fixed line?

When I went to TM Point to cancel all my TM services, the officer told me that Streamyx is having a promotion now and why do I want to cancel. I told her that I'm cancelling because TM does not want to serve at my new home.

She asked whether I have tried applying for it and I told her my friend has already done so and was not entertained (yeah, entertained actually but to tell "Sorry, we can't help you"). I told her my house is part of a new phase of which only three occupants have moved in. She did mention that new housing development may face such difficulties.

You mean to say that with so much of technology investments, TM still can't do it or chose not to do it?

The officer that entertained my close friend, when she went to apply for the transfer, said that in order for her line to be connected TM need more applicants. What does that mean? It's not economical to connect one line?

Our houses are located on the same row of the earlier phase 2 (ours - phase 2A), sharing the same road, drainage, electricity. Phase 1 and Phase 2 owners are having TM lines already.

What's the problem after all? If TM has to wait for more applicants to apply I have to wait for the remaining owners / tenants to move in. By when? In this technology era, we are told to wait by the main internet service provider in Malaysia.

My close friend is already using DiGi wireless broadband service. The neighbours along Phase 2 do subscribe to Maxis wireless broadband too.

Let's say:-
If me and my friend decide to subscribe with other service providers, the next person from my phase 2A that goes to TM will still get the same reply ......... "When we get more applicants, we will inform you". This person will then opt for another service provider. The following person will do the same thing and will get the same response and so forth .......... when will the wheel end?

Not all houses may be occupied that soon as some are trying to dispose off the properties (maybe they are investors). If these houses are not occupied, there will be no applicant from that property then.

With people subscribing with other service providers, by the time TM thinks they have received lots of enquiries and start to call those earlier enquirers, we will tell TM that we don't need your Streamyx now because we have subscribed with other service providers.

In the end, who will lose out? It's TM!

This is what you call monopoly business. Never mind if they monopolised it but they still can't provide.

Reading: Investors put off by Malaysia’s high-cost, low-speed broadband - Malaysian Insider
Tags: Malaysia, Wireless Broadband, Fixed Line, Telekom Malaysia, Packet 1, P1 WIMAX, WIMAX, DiGi Wireless Broadband, Maxis Wireless Broadband

Churches Bombed in Malaysia

I was not inclined to blog about the issue on the usage of the word "Allah" but things have gotten out of hand and this is what I felt.

The reported 'bombing' of three churches in Klang Valley has escalated the situation where it has made people to be concerned about their lifes.

The 'bombing' of Metro Tabernacle of which I knew many people there is definitely a shocking news. After 52 years of independence, we are moving backwards.

No thanks to Najib (the Prime Minister) and his cousin, Hishamuddin (the Home Minister) for playing an indirect role in the 'bombing' cases. Both of them did mention that they can't stop the protests that were to be held today, allegedly to be organised by some so-called NGOs. When you say like this, there are people who may just tend to do things around it, bend it as much as you can just to do things to fit their own agendas.

Now, both of them sees the bigger picture and held press conferences to condemn the 'bombings'.

Personally, I think the national leaders didn't expect such bombing incidents to happen in a peaceful Malaysia.

Nowadays, we just have to be careful with our words or actions. There are so many foreigners living in our country, be it legally or illegally. There are so many possibilities, one of which could have been committed by foreigners who are extremists on one hand. They took it into their own hands. It's just an example.

The blame game is flying everywhere now. What have you heard?
1. Opposition blames the ruling party who has a role in instigating it.
2. Members of ruling party blames the Opposition for doing it to gain political miles.
3. Muslims blames the christians for their stubborness that caused it.
4. Muslims saying the christians deserved it.

Please stop the blame game / finger pointings at this point of time. There's nothing to gain.

All in all, it may not have been committed by Malaysians or if it was, it could have been out of the notorious side of it just to trigger something where those people could not imagined the bigger effect. It's being reported that police are keeping an eye on other churches. Please look after the mosques too as there are christian extremists around too who may not be thinking right right now. What if they were to act? The politicians didn't really see this part of the story. As said, taken for granted.

The political parties are now taking advantage of the situation by labelling each other of having a hand in the 'bombing'. My reading is that all this were due to politics, trying to outdo and win supports which has gone out of hand.

We who are learned do not want to see the Middle East conflicts happening in this land. I once remembered that an Indonesian muslim told me that respect and high tolerancy which are important factors when you are in a multi racial society.

Just stay put at where you are. If you were not affected by the usage of the word "Allah", just read what's going on, do not act. For those affected, do forgive one another as professed and practised in all faiths.

If you have received emails or smses stating that churches or mosques are being burnt or vandalised, call that sender to verify the news. Do not forward blindly. Even if it was real, act wisely so that it do not trigger mass panic.

The shameful thing is that it's going to be blown out of proportion by foreign medias with Australian news reporting about it already. Googled for "church bombed allah malaysia" and 174,000 website entries were found on the related words.

Reading: Malaysian churches attacked as Allah row worsens - Perth Now
Reading: Malaysian churches fire-bombed as 'Allah' row escalates - BBC News
Reading: Malaysian church fire-bombed ahead of Muslim protests - AFP
Reading: The Politics of Allah - Wall Street Journal

The foreign medias do not know the whole story but they will give it a full blast in their papers by now according to their own understanding.
Tags: Church Bombing, Metro Tabernacle

Grown Up Doggies

From little puppies way back in April 2009, our doggies have grown up a lot. Since most of us are not based in Sudan nowadays, we had to give it away to another Malaysian who is running a business there.

Once in a while, we will visit Leo ....... whose ears are always down.















Kujo will have one ear up only ........ that's how we differentiate them right from the first time.
Tags: Doggies, Puppies