Thursday, October 04, 2007

Student Blogger Exposed Cheats

As reported in the local Star newspaper:-

A young blogger caused a storm in her school after she wrote that some fellow students had exchanged notes during a recent examination. The Form Four girl said the copycats were unfair to others, adding that those who cheated eventually scored high marks while those who did not, got low grades.

She further claimed that the teachers who knew what was going on during the examination deliberately ignored the incident. Her grouses prompted the school authorities to order her to remove her entry in the blog.

A schoolmate of the 16-year-old girl said she broke down and felt she had been victimised merely because she wanted justice to prevail. The friend said the blogger had named the alleged copycat students and the teachers, and this had probably upset the school authorities.

It is learnt that the matter came to light when the named students told their parents about the blog entry. The parents then went to the school, demanding action against the young blogger.

“The school authorities called her up for questioning and asked her to remove the entry in front of them. “They told her what she did would damage the image of the school and the students,” said the girl’s friend.

The school’s senior assistant, Adilayah Ramli, said they did not mean to punish the young blogger or victimise her. “We asked her to remove the entry from the blog as it was slanderous and damaging to the teachers and students who were named.

“She is a good student and she scored straight As in her PMR exam last year. We understand her frustration,” Adilayah said, adding that the postings were mere allegations. However, she said the school was investigating the girl’s claims and would seek an explanation from those named in the blog. “We want to know their side of the story before resorting to any action.”
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What would you have done if you were the young blogger's parents? If you were the blogger, would you make your stand in what you have blogged? (bearing in mind legal suits may arise)

It would be considered slanderous if no other students dare to stand up for this young blogger. Since students were not allowed to bring mobile camera phones to school, they can't take a picture or video shoot to proof the situation. This student is known as a 'Whistleblower' by putting up that blog posting.

In other words - "don't voice out if you see injustice, keep it to yourself because it's not worth the effort and worse still, you will be known as a person who wants to stir up a peaceful situation."

If this is being taught and made known to students, that would be their mentality when they go out to work and their social life would be shaped according to their previous experience.
Tags: Student Blogger, School Authorities, Education, Exam Cheats, Copycat, Whistleblower

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

United Nation Convention Against Corruption

Just found that 140 countries have signed up under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. And surprisingly, my country was one of them!!!

But with the absurdities that have been reported in the Auditor-General's 2006 Report about fund mis-management, what is Malaysia government's next step? Keep quiet and just accept various Ministers' plain explanation that everything's alright???? Sign the convention but without actions??? SO, it was just a show by putting the country's name there.

Maybe someone from the government can explain to us what are Malaysia government's plans in eradicating corruption.
Tags: United Nations, United Nations Convention Against Corruption, Office on Drugs and Crime, Corruption

Customer's Reaction on Customer Service

How would you have reacted if Customer Service provided at a restaurant was not what you had expected even though you have been a regular customer of that restaurant?

Many companies, shops and services have avenues for customers to lodge complains against bad treatments/services received/provided by their staff but what about avenue for staff who had been treated unfairly by a customer instead.

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Following is what happened at a restaurant which was about to open for business:-

It was just after 11am, and a female customer walked into the restaurant with her two children. She is a regular customer who often comes with her husband, who was parking the car today. The woman said: "I want my usual seat."

The receptionist explained: "This is just after 11am, and we do not have a full staff yet. Your usual seat is back in the farthest corner of the restaurant, and we will not be able to serve your properly." The customer said, "I don't get it. I am a good customer and you won't give me my usual seat. Well, if that's how it is, then I want this other table in front here."

At that particular table, the waiters and waitresses were quickly eating their lunch at the time so that they can start work soon. The receptionist explained: "Our workers are eating right now. We cannot just tell them not to eat anymore and make way for your party. I am sure that you appreciate the difficulty. We will be happy with any of your other choice of table in the front of the restaurant."

The customer huffed and puffed a bit, and sat down near the front entrance. Several minutes later, her husband showed up and asked her: "Why are you sitting here? Why can't we get our usual table?" The same explanation was offered, and there were some more rounds of abuse heaped upon the receptionist.

Then the husband decided that he was wasting his time in talking to a receptionist. He said, "There is no point in talking to you. I need to speak to the highest level of management in this restaurant." So the restaurant manager was summoned, and another round of explanation was made.

Here are some choice words from the husband to the manager: "You don't look like a restaurant manager ... you have a haircut in the style of street punks (="teddy boys") ... I cannot believe this restaurant chain would hire a street punk as the manager ... if this restaurant chain hires people like you as managers, they will be bankrupt before too long ... "

And then there was the final threat: "I had signed up for a frequent diner club before, but I want to cancel the card immediately." The manager explained that he was willing to oblige. However, club membership was premised upon paying HK$300 in cash in exchange for HK$300 in coupons.

If a customer wishes to cancel club membership, he needs to return the coupons before he receives the HK$300 in cash back. This particular customer had already used his coupons. When he heard the explanation, the customer said: "Give me the telephone number of your company headquarters right now because I intend to file a complaint against you and your restaurant ... do you know that I am a solicitor? ... you should be expecting to receive a legal letter from my office shortly ..."

Before the customer even made that telephone call, the manager had already called the company headquarters about the incident. This occurred several days ago, but the solicitor's letter has not been sent yet.
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Is the customer always right?
Tags: Customer Service, The Customer Is Always Right, Regular Customer

Zapping Life Became Life Sapping

Yesterday's work schedule was too tiring. I talked/negotiate non-stop with another company on the figures from 10am till almost 7pm. Lunch break in between of course.

The brain went dead by the time I reached home and knocked off to bed around midnite. Haven't had this feeling for quite some time.

Thought of watching the live Champions League game between Man Utd and AS Roma but just couldn't wake up ....... sigh!

Another round today and hopefully get to settle it too.
Tags: Negotiation, Zapping, Sapping

Monday, October 01, 2007

Religion Conversion Case in Egypt

To change your religion from Islam to Christianity (or others) in Egypt, you will need a court approval. This is similar to Malaysia's case for Lina Joy.

The Egyptian courts are handling a number of cases where former Christians are intending to convert back to Christianity after having taken up Islamic faith earlier on. What a pressure on the courts. This kind of cases are quite common but most Egyptians would convert to Christianity quietly instead as in Malaysia. Indonesia, being a country populated with majority muslims, do not require such permission to do so. You are free to practise any religion.

The weird one is when a group of citizens from the Baha’i tribe wanted their religion to be left blank in their official documents but Egyptian laws require each citizen to state that they are either Muslim, Christian or Jewish. I guess the judges must be having sleepless nights lately.
Tags: Religion, Islam, Christianity, Egypt, Baha'i

How Will a Judge Judge a Case?

Malaysian legal fraternity has been very excited about the video exposing a prominent lawyer which somehow fixed judiciary positions or case outcome. Thereafter, lawyers organised a walk for justice. This showed that the lawyers wanted justice to be carried out.

In China, the wife from Han family (left pic) was charged by the court for pouring acid on a girl from the Zhang family due to Zhang family's failure in paying compensation imposed by the court for causing death to a boy from Han family earler.

Zhang himself stated that he wanted to pay off the compensation slowly (this was his own planning) and thus incurred the wrath of the Han family. The court found that the Zhang family is quite well off in financial terms.

After hearing explanation from both parties, the judge who was hearing the court case couldn't take the Zhang family's testimony anymore and she took off a judge's robe and took the witness' stand to speak against the Zhang family. What a shock!

Will our Malaysian lawyers/judges stand up for unjust and unfair trials? Or money/status are worth more than integrity?
Tags: Legal Fraternity, Lawyer, Judge, Witness

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Hunting for Food at Mid Valley

dit dit doot doot ...... played with the interactive digital touch screen board that could help you check out what was available in The Gardens. The place was big so need some help to look for food selection.

Ahhhhhhhhh found one, let's go to Din Tai Fung. Seems to be serving dim sum, a kind of breakfast made famous in Hong Kong. Lots of such restaurants serving dim sum in Malaysia also.

But be warned!!!!! Din Tai Fung, a restaurant located at the lower ground floor of The Gardens looks packed from the outside, one of the few restaurants that has opened for business. So, of course seeing that it was packed we went in.

Went in and saw that the prices of the menu were exhorbitant. I have always said that I don't mind paying for good food but when the price is way above board, I would not bow to such prices. Four pieces of shrimp 'siew mai' would cost you RM11.00 (no tax yet). Small serving of a plate of taufu would hit your wallet with a RM18.00 bill.

We walked out of the restaurant without ordering. Too bad. Our prediction - this restaurant will close down in time to come. They were just insulting my brilliance by putting those prices there. Insult a blogger, this is the kind of negative advert lah especially one who likes to eat.

Walked back towards Mid Valley instead and saw this new cafe opened by Seed, a local fashion house. Why not? If don't like, not obligated and can walk out again....hehe

From the front view of Seed's shop, you wouldn't have noticed the cafe which was fronting the Boulevard offices, same row as Maybank.

Walking further into the shop, you would notice a cafe behind some doors.

I came from the other end. Wouldn't have noticed it if I was inside Mid Valley.

Have to take brunch by now after the long hunt and a 'walk out'. We ordered a nasi lemak (how do you call this in english??)

This was RM14.90 and believe me, this plate of rice was indeed spicy. And when I said spicy, you will cry for sure and normally friends won't order it if I mention that it's spicy. My tongue is sort of immune to chili, whatever and however spicy.

A penne pasta with cheese, fattenning but close your eyes while eating it. Forget about those fats/diets, enjoy first.
This serving of Hainanese chicken rice was bountiful. Big plate of chicken breast. Unbelievable. The price also a bit unbelievable but much much better than that Din Tai Fung (yeah, repeating the name again in case you have forgotten)
Tags: The Gardens, Mid Valley, Din Tai Fung, Dim Sum, Seed, Nasi Lemak, Penne Pasta, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Food

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 ...