British-Owned Malaysian Bank To Be Sold Off?

I have not heard of this bank before, The Royal Bank of Scotland, until it took over ABN AMRO Bank Berhad in Malaysia (and worldwide too) as part of the Fortis / RBS / Santander consortium in year 2007.

Now, the same bank in Britain has declared an annual loss of £24.14 billion (US$34.4 billion) for 2008 which has been regarded as the biggest in British corporate history. Yeah, worse than the Barings' collapse that involved only £1.3 billion.

Will it be hard for The Royal Bank of Scotland Berhad to convince their customers to stay with them after hearing about this humonguous loss.

Or will the Malaysian operation be reduced or sold off as it was indicated that out of 54 countries that they are in, 36 countries' operations would be affected. Is Malaysia one of the 36?

Reading: RBS reports record corporate loss - BBC News/Business
Tags: The Royal Bank of Scotland, The Royal Bank of Scotland Berhad, Barings' Collapse

Message In A Bottle?????

A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning; it's a bad one.

Both of their cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of them are hurt.

God works in mysterious ways. After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers; the woman says, 'So you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace for the rest of our days'.

Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree with you completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault ... women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'

The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune.'

Then she hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle, immediately puts the cork back on, and hands it back to the man.

The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'

The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police....'

Tags: Funny, Humour, Car Accident, Women Drivers

Singaporeans Caught Smuggling by Japanese

During the Japanese Occupation, 3 Singaporeans, Ah Meng, Ah Seng and Ah Beng were caught for smuggling. They were sentenced to death by firing squad. That night, Ah Meng came up with a plan. He told the others that the Japanese were afraid of natural disasters. So he would cause them to panic, and escape in the confusion.

The next morning, Ah Meng was led to the wall. The firing squad was lined up and the Captain commanded, "Ready.. Aim..", but before he could complete, Ah Meng shouted, "Earthquake!! Earthquake!" The Japanese soldiers panicked and Ah Meng made his escape.

Later, the soldiers took Ah Seng out and the firing squad were ready. The captain commanded, "Ready... Aim..." This time Ah Seng shouted. "Flood! Flood!!" Again, the Japanese soldiers panicked and this time, Ah Seng made his escape.

Observing all this, Ah Beng began to get the idea. "It's important to get the timing right."

Soon, it was Ah Beng's turn. "Timing, that's the key." Ah Beng kept saying to himself. The soldiers lined up in front of him.

The captain started, "Ready..."

"Timing," Ah Beng thought to himself.

"Aim..."

"Okay," thought Ah Beng, and shouted,

" FIRE!!! FIRE!!! "

Tags: Singaporean, Japanese, Japanese Occupation, Firing Squad, Ah Beng, Natural Disasters, Funny, Humour

Sinful Drinks Being Sold Publicly?

It was really funny when this picture was shown to me by a friend ............ the words in Malay language "Minuman Berdosa", if translated literally would mean "Sinful Drinks" instead of Carbonated Drinks.

The correct word should have been "Minuman Bersoda" ....... yeah, the mixed up of "so" and "da".

Only Malaysians or Indonesians who knew Malay language would find this humourous. In a way you could get anything you want in Carrefour, not in Malaysia though but available in Indonesia only.
Tags: Sinful Drink, Carbonated Drink, Minuman Berdosa, Minuman Bersoda, Carrefour, Funny, Humour

Ways To Impress in Renovation

I did a rough estimation on my renovation costs my new house which is expected to be released with the key and certificate of fitness altogether by next month. Looks like it's going to explode way beyond what I had expected.

Certainly need to delay and hold certain brilliant ideas of mine and forego certain items I have dreamt of having.

Thought of getting a professional Interior Designer but to my dismay, their quotes (approached three so far) right upfront put me off ............ RM8,000, RM10,000 and RM10,000.

Have gotten quotes from Rowenta Kitchen (based in Cheras) and Artset Design Sdn Bhd (based in Dataran Sunway) for my wardrobes, kitchen and various carpentry works which don't they come cheap at all. Am waiting for a family-owned business, Snaider Furniture (M) Sdn Bhd (based in TTDI), to provide me with the same quotes.

Awaiting three other contractors who would only provide me with the quotes when I get my house key.

When I saw the pictures below, I couldn't stop laughing. Some people do go great length just to give a good first hand imporession and it gave me a great ideas ........................ haha
Tags: Interior Designer, House Renovation

Join My Flight To Amsterdam

Always keen to travel? KLM Airlines has started a contest where you get to invite your friends to flock into the same plane. If that plane fills up really fast, that plane of yours will really fly off with you in it. Read more about it by clicking the "Join my plane" seen at the sticker below .....

Tags: Amsterdam, Holland, Europe, KLM Airlines, Fill A Plane

Respect Mercy Malaysia

I really have respect for those volunteer doctors that went into Gaza amidst the bombings from Israel front. They are the people that put words into action rather than just talk / protest / ridicule about it at their home sweet home here.

Through the persistency of Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, MERCY Malaysia was set up to provide medical care to people who need it be it locally or internationally. And their team was there when Gaza was bombarded by Israel.

Not only that they tried to provide medical assistance but now they are having a long term plan which is to build a rehabilitation centre that will cater to those war victims that have lost their limbs. The set up may require US$1 million (money involved politics could build mega hospitals).

This posting is dedicated to the MERCY Malaysia team members who risked their lifes to ensure others have a life.

Reading: Mercy aims to build rehabilitation centre - Star
Tags: MERCY Malaysia, Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Gaza