Price War on Harry Potter's Book

* Latest update: Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs's Minister, Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said price war good for consumers.

Can you believe that 4 major bookstores in Malaysia are combining together and issued a press release stating that they won't be selling latest and final instalment of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Bookstores, namely MPH, Popular, Harris and Times said their actions were due to the heavy discounting action by 2 major hypermarkets, namely Tesco and Carrefour who were selling at RM69.90 way much lower than the RM109.90 made available at the 4 major bookstores.

I found that such practice by the 4 major bookstores sum up to being a cartel, hoarding the sale and maintaining a price in a monopolistic way. C'mon, is the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs realising this hoarding business tactic. No business ethics at all. It's up to Tesco and Carrefour to sell at a price they like even though at a loss. This is what we called BUSINESS!

It was important to note that the book distributor, Penguin, had sold at the same price to all buyers and the 4 major bookstores were trying to cover their exhorbitant pricing at RM109.90.

Can you imagine Golden Screen Cinemas closing its cinemas for the day if it found out that Cathay Cineplexes was selling its tickets at a much lower price. It's up to Cathay Cineplexes' management decision to market at a different pricing as they may have other business synergy too. I really found it so perplexed by the 4 major bookstores' decision to stop selling the books.

This is to confirm that their moves are monopolistic and hoarding the books to maintain a price. It's just the same actions by those companies who were selling sugar where they tried to hoard the goods and caused shortages in order to push up the market price. RIDICULOUS!

I really wish the 4 major bookstores would follow the examples of UK bookstores who faced similar scenario. Leading UK supermarkets were selling the books at 4.99 pounds compared to those being sold at 17.99 pounds by major bookstores. But did those major bookstores went on strike like ours in Malaysia? NO!
Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Penguin, JK Rowling, MPH, Popular, Harris, Times, Tesco, Carrefour

Death of Common Sense

Tags: Common Sense

US$660 Million Settlement for Sexual Abuse

A shocking US$660 million sum was decided as the settlement figure for the controversial sexual abuse case involving 508 individuals (plaintiffs) against the Los Angeles Roman Catholic diocese.

Apparently, those priests and members of Catholic orders, responsible for the sinful acts, may not be held accounted for it as the diocese would be the guilty party in the legal case. Wonder whether real justice was done.

Who's going to pay for that staggering US$660 million:-
- US$250 million would be paid by the archdiocese;
- US$227 million by insurers;
- US$60 million by religious orders whose priests and brothers are accused of perpetrating some of the abuse; and
- US$123 million from “other sources,” including religious orders “not yet participating” in the settlement.

But would the settlement soothe the victims' hearts? One of the victim attributed his alcoholism, aggression, depression and two broken marriages, in part, to the abuse and the years of suppressing the memories. It was not easy for the victims after all these years.

People really wondered how could so many religious persons at a single diocese could have committed such an act. The end time is really coming.
Reading: After Abuse Settlement, an Apology to Victims - New York Times

Tags: Roman Catholic, Catholic, Priest, Los Angeles, Archdiocese, Diocese, Sexual Abuse, Religious

Calling for Bounty Hunters

Yeah, as per the title, Bounty Hunters are required in China and if your stint is successful you can share your experience worldwide. Interested?

In Luoyang city, Henan province of China ....... bounty was set ....... for ........ DEAD FLIES!! Yeah, those pesky housefly flying around during your meals.... hehe

How much would you get per dead housefly? A bounty price of 0.5 yuan (approx. US$0.07) per dead fly turned in at the Xigong district office. Lucrative? But may not be that easy as it sounds. I should have taken those pictures when I was in Sudan. It was terrible scenario. Our fly traps, when left alone for 3 days, would have been full of those pesky insects.

So, before you start the hunt you may have to learn the art of catching it. There was this guy who has mastered the art of catching those pesky fellas ...... he's called the Fly Slayer.

The residents in the province wanted to know one thing - what was the government's plan in disposing those insects after buying in tons from the residents.
Tags: Housefly, Bounty Hunter, Luoyang, Henan Province, Xigong District, China, Fly Slayer

Never Leave Home Without VISA/Mastercard

This durian fruit stall located in Penang is ready with credit card facilities for your purchasing. Durians in Malaysia are known as the King of Fruits but are banned from almost all hotels and airports. Somehow most westerners can't stand the 'nice' smell it emits.

Personally, I have tried the latest crop known as 'Musang King'. It's even more tastier than the known D24. More costlier than D24 too (can't remember how much I bought it, will confirm again). Bought it at the Sri Kota supermarket near my home. Heard that it's about RM20 for 1kg in Kuala Lumpur. It's going for S$12 per kilogram in Singapore.

If you haven't try it, go grab a small serving of it. I guarantee that you'll go straight to a road side durian stall to buy a bundle of it.
Tags: Durian, Penang, Fruit, King of Fruits, Musang King, D24

How to Survive in the Office?

Tags: Office Survival, Harold's Planet, Cartoon, Funny, Humour

First Time Voter

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is prepared to offer RM500 to ANY PERSON in a congregation who brings in the highest number of FIRST TIME VOTER registrations.

Another RM500 will be given to the CHURCH with the highest number of FIRST TIME VOTER registrations.

Please inform CCM of your registrations. The CCM EXCO will decide the winner.

Dateline: 31st August 2007.

It is a small token but a positive step to encourage all Christians to exercise their right to vote. Thanks to our resident devil's advocate at Total Truth study group, YJ, I was alerted to the DPM's opinion on "Is Malaysia a secular state"? It reminds me of a thoughtful book review by Kian Ming back in 2004, hope that it would help us to think through this crucial issue as we approach the 50th anniversary of Merdeka!

Insight into the Malaysian constitution <<<< Read the book review here

Mon Jan 5, 2004

Review by Ong Kian Ming

MALAYSIAN CONSTITUTION: A Critical Introduction

By Abdul Aziz Bari

Publisher: The Other Press

250 pages

Tags: Malaysian Constitution, First Time Voter, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Secular State, Malaysia, Merdeka, CCM, Council of Churches of Malaysia, Ong Kian Ming, Church