Traffic Fines Reduced?????

Lower traffic fines in Malaysia as announced by the M'sian police force yesterday. Why, you may asked? My good guess could be that the top 2 Malaysian government officials may not have settled their fines yet (as reported earlier here and here). Maybe it was reduced to accommodate our top 2 government officials as they earn government salaries only. It's a good offer for both of themFto settle the traffic summonses now.

The best part was that the Transport Ministry said it was not consulted over the reduction of traffic fines. One of Transport Ministry's functions is to coordinate with the various government departments and agencies, including the police, to implement measures to reduce road accidents. Simple co-ordination but ended up like this?????

* Latest update - The Cabinet has decided to postpone the reduction of traffic fines by the police (read more in 6 Sept, STAR)
Tags: Traffic Fine, Police, Transport Ministry, Government, Cabinet

SME Bank Loans

Just when the Prime Minister said (as reported on 28 Aug, STAR) that the SME (small & medium enterprises) Bank Loans are opened for all races, rigid requirements imposed by SME Bank Berhad itself really baffles certain group of people who were not amused by it.

Though opened to all races, these are the following requirements on potential borrowers (as reported on 5 Sept, STAR):-

• must be a degree holder;
• must have at least a 51% bumiputra ownership; or
• provide collateral and have fixed deposits.

By imposing item 2, business owners of other races may have to relinquish 51% of their ownership to the bumiputra race in the end making that business becoming bumiputra-owned. Where are we heading to right now? On the front page, the story seems so nice and accommodative to all races but when it comes to the nitty gritty of the application, the real picture unfolds. Anyone has the right scenario now?

Tags: SME Bank Berhad, Loans, Malaysia, Small & Medium Enterprise

Filming of Lust, Caution (Se Jie)

Ang Lee, the Taiwanese-born and Oscar-winning director for Brokeback Mountain is filming his latest chinese movie called Lust, Caution (Se Jie in chinese) in the city of Ipoh in Malaysia, due out in the cinema in 2007.

A row of dilapidated pre-war buildings along Jalan Chung On Siew in Ipoh has been transformed into a World War II street scene of Shanghai. Prop signboards, street lamps of bygone days and a replica of a double-decker tram have been put up for use during the filming.
Lust, Caution is based on a short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang, Lust, Caution will star Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung, Chinese-American pop star Wang Lee-Hom and mainland newcomer Tang Wei.

The story revolves around a group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate an intelligence chief in the Japan-backed Chinese government during World War II.
Tags: Lust Caution, Movie, Ang Lee, Ipoh, Malaysia, Eileen Chang, Tony Leung, Wang Lee-Hom, Tang Wei

Atheist

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself. As he continued, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder, he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.

At that instant the atheist cried out: "Oh my God!..." Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying: "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?" The atheist looked directly into the light. "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the bear a Christian?". "Very well" said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed.

And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful, Amen".

Tags: Jokes, Funny, Humour, Atheist, God, Christian, Grizzly Bear

Crocodile Hunter Killed

Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and environmentalist known as the "Crocodile Hunter" was killed Monday by a stingray during a diving expedition. He was 44.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when he was stung. Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchword "Crikey!" in his television program "Crocodile Hunter" which was first broadcast in Australia in 1992 and has aired around the world on the Discovery channel.

Tags: Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, Australia, Great Barrier Reef, Crikey, Discovery

Food Connoisseur or Mystery Shopper

Always my dream to be able to contribute write-ups for my travels, experiencing extraordinaire food at niche restaurants or enjoying the splendid services provided at a hotel/resort.

Thus far, have registered myself under Coyle Hospitality Group, USA and the famed ViaMichelin, France. Hopefully I get a good respond from them. It's fun to be a mystery shopper or traveller. I have some experience before being a mystery shopper for a local Malaysian company that markets a number of famous perfumes. Well, of course at the end of the venture, you need to produce a report.
Tags: Travel, Restaurant, Hotel, Coyle Hospitality Group, ViaMichelin, Mystery Shopper, Food Connoisseur

Hong Kong TVB series

Finished another TV series in the shortest span of time.

Always Ready - starring Cheng Ekin, Lam Bowie & Charmaine Sheh with a host of new talents gave us a monotonous series. Nothing which will warrant you to sit tight in order not to miss a horrendous or extreme dangerous stunts.

Lots of the situation which required the GFS (Government Flying Services) team for rescue have super-imposed fire or a fake background of clear sky while lowering or lifting up rescuer or victims.

The main stars, at the meantime, are also having personal relationship problems which sometimes do not play along with human logical thinking. You decide on your own when you view it. I have 1 more TV series to go before I pack my bags for my home leave next week.
Tags: Hong Kong, TVB Series, Review, Always Ready, Cheng Ekin