Thursday, May 17, 2007

YouTube / MySpace Banned

YouTube / MySpace are banned???? Why? By Whom? Don't worry, it's not banned in Malaysia.
USA's Ministry of Defence ("MOD") has called for an indefinite ban on the following websites:-
* Video-sharing sites YouTube, Metacafe, IFilm, StupidVideos and FileCabi;
* Social networking sites MySpace, BlackPlanet and Hi5;
* Music sites Pandora, MTV, 1.fm and live365; and
* Photo-sharing site Photobucket.

Reason: Traffic to such websites is hurting system performance thus hampering fast info being relayed on urgent issues (like getting the President's thumb's up to launch a missile to another country??)

Must be very disheartening on such ban as soldiers being based overseas do rely on such software to communicate with their respective family members back home. Sharing of videos or blogging of family's life back home could be viewed by solders based faraway. Sort of a motivation in a way.

The other worry that the MOD has is that weaponary or military secrets could leaked out to the general public at ease. Guess that's the same reason various companies denied access to such websites too where corporate secrets being leaked could be detrimental.

Reading: Pentagon Bans YouTube, MySpace -CBS

Reading: Military puts MySpace, other sites off limits -CNN

Tags:

Pentagon, Ministry of Defence, USA, Military, Soldier, YouTube, Metacafe, IFilm, StupidVideos, FileCabi, Social Networking, MySpace, BlackPlanet, Hi5, Pandora, MTV, 1.fm, live365, Photobucket, Ban

Securities Commission's Blacklist

Due to greed, scrupulous companies have been set-up to meet the needs of the greedy people.....hehehe.

The Securities Commission has issued a list of companies or websites that has no authority/approval to deal in securities, provide investment advice and/or fund management services related to securities or futures. And if you do come across such companies or representatives of such companies, do inform SC at 603-62048999 or e-mail: aduan@seccom.com.my. Generally, people's tendency is to dabble with such companies even after reading this posting. Never try never know and what if it really works for them..............bad bad.

ABFund (www.abfund.us)
Al-Arabic Fund (www.al-arabic.com)
ABB Fund (www.abbfund.com)
Artemis Wealth Management
Asia Wallet/ASWtrader/Splitindex Inc (www.splitindex.com)
AM Global Management (www.nypoe.com)

BHG e-investment (www.bhg-corp.com)
Bidvask Investment Ltd (www.bidvask.com)
Buy-e-barrel (www.buyebarrel.com)
Brentwood Trust Company (www.brentwoodtrust.com)
Belton Market (www.beltonmarkets.com)

Cambridge Capital Trading(www.cambridgecapitaltrading.com, www.dubaiex.com) * (Press Release)
Capital Enhancement Club/ CEC
CB.IRAQ
Capital Glory Holdings Ltd

Data Saham (www.datasaham.com)
Dragon Gold Sdn Bhd / Dr Iain Gray
Duit Wayang
Dana Futures (www.danafutures.com)
Dana Modal (www.angelfire.com/journal2/danamodal)
Debenture Petal Trust

eUK Gold (www.eukgold.com)
Eubond.com (www.eubond.com)
Eduit2u.com (www.eduit2u.com)
E-suisse Fund (www.esuissefund.com)
Euro America Index (www.eaindex.com)
E-Barrel (www.ebarrel.com)

Fical (www.fical.net / www.fical.us)

GC Group Asset Management
Good Credit Asset Management
Goldmill Wagner Ltd / GWA Worldwide (www.goldmillwagner.com)
Global Investment Network System (http://ginsystem.com)

Hibah Funds

IPC Shopping Services Sdn Bhd/Empay (www.ipcshopping.com)

Jai Network System Sdn Bhd

Lexworth Prestige

Mercury Acquisition Associates (www.mercuryacquisitionassociates.com)
Montego Finance & Securities Berhad (www.montegofs.official.ws)
My Dinar (www.mydinar.net)
Mind-X Solutions Sdn Bhd (www.betonmarkets.com)
My Share (www.myshare2u.com)

Oregon Invest (www.oregoninvest.com)
Ocean Balance Ltd

Pure Investor / PIPS (www.pureinvestor.com, www.gopips.com)
Prowealth Solutions (www.prowealthsolutions.com)

Remisier (www.remisier.com)

Sunshine Empire (www.sunshine-empire.com)
Swiss Mutual Fund (www.swisscash.com, www.swisscash.biz) *(Press Release)
Sweden Fund (www.swedenfund.com)
Solid Investment (www.solidinvestment.com)
Smartcash (www.smartcash.com)
Sime Securities (www.simesecurities.net)
Starr-Bradley Associates Inc (www.starrbradleyinc.com)

Tian Ping (www.tianping2u.com)

UeBond (www.uebond.com)
United Capital Management Inc (www.brentwoodtrust.com)
Universe Asset Management Inc / Tony So

Win Li Fund (www.winlifund.com)
Whitman Pearce & Partners (www.whitmanpearce.com)

3A Consulting Group Sdn Bhd

If you had invested in the above schemes, all the best to you then!
Tags: Securities Commission, SC, Blacklist, Fund Management, Asset Management, Fund, Securities, Futures, Investment

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Mission 2057 in Malaysia?

First we have the Vision 2020, which was Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister's (Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) idea. Not long after taking over the PM's position in 2003, Abdullah Badawi's office has issued the Mission 2057 as stated below:-

Mission 2057 Will Be Formulated As Continuation Of Vision 2020
Kuala Lumpur, March 12 2007 (Bernama)

The Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council agreed that the country embark on a new challenge, "Mission 2057", to ensure continued development in all aspects since independence and after Vision 2020 had been achieved. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said "Mission 2057" (Misi 2057) would become the development guideline for another 50 years.

"We discussed what we need to do until 2057, some 50 years from now. Those who fought for independence in 1957 but have had lots of things to achieve for the future generation." Similarly, as a strong and influential government we have to seize the opportunity to look forward to 50 years from now," he told reporters after chairing the BN Supreme Council meeting here today.

The BN Chairman stressed that in formulating "Mission 2057", the government would not sideline Vision 2020. "We are clear about Vision 2020 and it is included in the book on the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). It will be implemented but after that what hopes can we harbour," he added. Abdullah said the government hoped to formulate a mission taking into account current changes so that younger generation to play a role in spurring national development to a higher plane.

The government would continue to ensure that culture, harmony, unity, cooperation and tolerance in religion be continued as value-added to the country's achievement. "Attention will also be on human capital development and ensure that the development will not leave out culture and arts as this is what makes the people. This is a reminder to future generations," he added.

Abdullah added in formulating the long-term mission, the government wanted the people including opposition parties, women, youths, professionals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss and provide views for the country's future.

"Fifty years is not that far off that we cannot see things ahead. The mission will continue from where Vision 2020 left off. That is the development process in Malaysia since the Alliance Party and BN ruled." He urged the people including party members to assist by giving their views and aspirations for the future. (source: Office of Prime Minister/Bernama)

After reading the above, I have to grapple with the meaning of Vision and Mission. From the Oxford Dictionary, the definitions are stated as:-
* Vision - the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. A mental image of what the future will or could be like.
* Mission - an organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment

So, in this case, before an imagination could be realised, we will start long-term planning for things beyond that imagination. Wow! 50 years from today - hmmmm....interesting plans.
Tags: Vision 2020, Mission 2057, Misi 2057, Malaysia, Barisan Nasional Supreme Council

Local Film Productions

Local films have been produced by a Malaysian director, James Lee, with his first film being called "Before We Fall In Love Again". It's currently being shown at GSC International Screens.

This film has participated at the World Premiere Pusan International Film Festival 2006 and Tokyo International Film Festival 2006.

James Lee's films being blogged here were produced by Da Huang Pictures.






Another film by James Lee is also being shown at the same time, entitled "Things We Do When We Fall In Love".

Both films depicts about love, unfaithfulness and faithlessness.

Tags: James Lee, Before We Fall In Love Again, Things We Do When We Fall In Love, Film, Movie, GSC, Golden Screen Cinema, Da Huang Pictures

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

PSD Scholarships

Scholarships: PSD must tell students why they were left out
Being the third best student in Penang (12 1As) and among the top 100 scorers in Malaysia, I find it absurd that the Public Service Department has rejected my application for a scholarship.
Being active in extra-curricular activities and topping exams regularly in my school, which is one of the country’s premier schools, the least I deserve from the PSD is an explanation. I am a school tennis player, vice-president of my school’s Red Cross Society and, for your information, I even received an award from the king for my contribution to society. I am also a school prefect and a committee member of clubs in my school. It was a real surprise for me to find out that individuals whose results were no better than mine and who hardly had any extra-curricular achievements received the scholarship.
BENJAMIN LIM, Penang

Scholarships: It’s not fair
I finished my SPM examination last year. I am an ex-student of Methodist Girls School, Ipoh. Recently, I applied for the PSD scholarship, but sadly, PSD rejected my application. I am one of the top scorers in my school since I got 10 1As in my examination. I even scored an A1 for my GCE-O (1119). I was an active student in terms of co-curricular activities.I meet all the requirements underlined by PSD. In fact, I have the maximum requirement. I am 100 per cent confident that I did very well during my interview. I didn’t even get the university of my choice in the Unit Pusat Universiti application. What went wrong? What upsets me most is that there are students who didn’t even score straight As in their SPM examination but still get scholarship offers. I rang the PSD hotline to seek an explanation but the officers failed to give me a satisfactory answer. It was frustrating for me when I realised that the only option I had was to go for matriculation. I have appealed for the scholarship and I hope the PSD will give it due consideration. It proves that no matter how good you are, there is a possibility that you might not get what you have worked for.
S.A.K., Ipoh

I think I know the answer for the above 2 applicants. Maybe they should ask their parents or relatives, surely someone will also know what I know.
Reading: Malaysia 2007 - export brains, import brawns

Tags: PSD, Public Service Department, Scholarship, School, Unit Pusat Universiti, SPM

Malay-Style Village by Dutch Couple

A village resort is available at Kampung Banggol (Banggol Village) at Pantai Cahaya Bulan in the state the Kelantan. Kelantan is currently governed by the Islamist opposition party, PAS. Due to that alcohol is not being served in hotels/resorts located in Kelantan. Not that I care.

In spite of that, a dutch couple - Harry and Annemieke Mulder, could still set-up a malay-style village resort under the management of Pasir Belanda Resort and Travel Sdn Bhd.
The resort has opened only last year and tourists from Holland, America, Britain, Germany have been there already besides the Malaysians.
Guests could request for a Batik workshop or a Malay-style cooking workshop while staying there. Interesting place - will be there when time permits.

8 Monkeys

Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.

One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder. All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why. However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.

A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the stuffing out of him. This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates inthe beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.

One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.

This is how many companies' policies get established and entrenched!

Tags: Human Resource, Teamwork, Monkey

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

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