Crazy Saturday Traffic

Was required to be at PJ Old Town this morning by 10.30am. When I got to the roads within my Taman Desa garden, I found that the traffic was a bit too heavy. The next thought that came was "don't tell me the roadblocks caused the traffic to overflow into my garden area?".

Very true indeed!

The moment I exit Taman Desa heading to PJ via Old Klang Road ("OKR"), the opposite traffic heading to KL was totally chaotic. My way of traffic going to PJ was also caught in it. How come? Traffic coming out from Kuchai Lama, United Garden and OUG into OKR stopped in the middle of the traffic junction causing cars heading to PJ unable to move across. Oh my ......

As my car crawled slowly heading to PJ Old Town, I noticed a police roadblock on the opposite traffic just after the Taman Sentosa traffic light junction. No cars were being stopped for suspicious characters.

In Malaysia or maybe in KL only???? the traffic on my side will slow down to see what's going on on the other side of the road. It was smooth right after I managed to turn right into Jalan Othman from OKR .... phew .... it took me almost one hour.

By the time I have to leave PJ Old Town, I headed back to the Jalan Othman roundabout. The traffic jam started from the town itself with no sight of the roundabout ...... my my. All because of that same road block. By the time I passed the roadblock, six police personnel just stood there beautifully (female police) and handsomely ....... no cars were stopped for suspicious characters too.

From there, I need to head to Happy Garden. Traffic was smooth till the OUG traffic light junction. Still as chaotic. Traffic heading down to KL literally stops right after this traffic light junction. My assignment done by 11am plus. Now to head back to Taman Desa. Few roads to take.

Exit via OUG traffic - out!
Exit via Pearl Point - out!

Exit via Kuchai Lama - the jam started from within Happy Garden itself right from the morning market area so - out too!

Exit via Kuchai Entrepreneurs' Park - I took the new uphill road to this area thinking it could be smooth ....... nope, the traffic jam started from the flats area - out!

Turned into the flats area and connected with the new road that is parallel with the new Putrajaya highway ..... yeah I'm smart I'm smart. No jam no jam all the way to the traffic light. I can connect to the Salak South highway and then up to the Federal Highway from there.

The moment I turned into the highway heading to Federal Highway, the jam started from there. How did the jam end up here??????????

It took me about twenty five minutes to turn into Taman Desa area.

Heard from friends about their experiences in other police roadblocks.

My conclusion on this police roadblocks - the police personnel were not looking for thieves or robbers today but are occupied with their best efforts in trying to identify common people who wants to go to the city centre to join the pro or anti ISA campaign.

Were the roadblocks successful? Total failure as news reported that up to 20,000 people managed to gather in the city centre causing total road closure. The roadblocks caused hundreds of thousands of people to be stuck for no reason when the people they intended to stop are already inside the city centre.

Did the police stop all the commuter trains, the LRT and public buses heading into the city centre? The roadblocks only delayed people heading into various places but it didn't manage to stop people from gathering for the campaign.

This is really crazy!
Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Traffic Jam, Police Roadblock

Investment Banking Explained

Young Chuck moved to Texas and bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.

The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry Chuck, but I have some bad news. The donkey died.'"

Chuck replied, "Well then, just give me my money back."

The farmer said," 'Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

Chuck said, "OK, then, just bring me the dead donkey."

The farmer asked, "What ya gonna do with a dead donkey?"

Chuck said, "I'm going to raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead donkey!"

Chuck said, "Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead."

A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked, "What happened with that dead donkey?"

Chuck said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00."

The farmer said, "Didn't anyone complain?"

Chuck said, "Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back."

Chuck now works for one of the major investment banks.
Tags: Investment Banking, Raffle, Texas, Farmer, Donkey

Observations at Man Utd Match

Can't watch the first match due to body system breakdown after coming back from overseas. As Manchester United was staying in put in KL for a few more days, another match was arranged last minute. Yahooooooo at least can watch.

Was sick on that Monday but forced myself and drove over to the Bukit Jalil football stadium at 3pm and bought the tickets. Two counters were opened at the green ticket area and only five persons in front of me.

At first, I thought of giving up after reading the Monday Star newspaper that showed a long queue on Sunday afternoon where fans queued for long long time to purchase their tickets. Well, never try never know. So, I was rewarded.

When I reached home, I was planning on the route to the stadium. Seremban highway - out! Through Sri Petaling - out! From Puchong - out! I have to squeeze through an unknown route (not known to many) that is via OUG to Bukit Jalil via Vista Komanwel condos. I parked there and walked slowly for about fifteen minutes to the stadium. No jams.

Reached the stadium car park compound at 7.15pm and it was already full ...... knew it. When I was there at 3pm plus to buy the tickets, people are already hanging around the entrance gate and cars were streaming into the car park. Beat that.

The atmosphere there was fantastic ...... all red and not only ladies prefer red nowadays. There are exceptions hehe.

Lots of people were still queueing up for the tickets to the re-match. Bought mine at RM58, a steal from Saturday's match ticket prices.

Even the police joined in the atmosphere of feeling red. They sent their riot police squads in red trucks and buses.

Got a seat the second tier of the stadium. First tier went to those fellas that were at the entrance gate at 3pm plus. They must have been burnt by then.

Manchester United's Asia Tour 2009 being shown on the screen.

This was the crowd at 7.30pm. Already half full.

The Malaysian national team players came out first for their warm up and they received a great applause from the fans.

But when this Man Utd team just came out from the tunnel, the stadium almost came down with the thunderous greeting from the fans.

When the team acknowledged the crowd, the crowd went wild.

Man Utd going through their usual warm up for a match. Seen warming up were three referees for the match, dressed in red track suits.

While both teams were warming up, the crowd got themselves excited by doing the Mexican wave.

By 8.45pm, both teams came out with loud cheers from all supporters. At long last, my butt was getting upset with me for sitting so long on a hardened plastic chair.

Only one guy in front was smoking away, he was happy, but others frowned at him because lots brought their kids along. Very inconsiderate. I saw many smokers actually got out from their seats to walk up further for their ciggy but not this fella.

Kick-off at almost 9pm after the Crown Prince of Pahang state and Sir Bobby Charlton were introduced to the football players.

At one point, I noticed that the reporters/cameramen were all crowded at Malaysia's goal area. Why ah?

When I turned to the opposing's goal area, even the goalie was missing.

He backtracked a short while when Malaysia started to attack but it didn't work out. Maybe that's why the lesser number of reporters/cameramen on this side of the field. Must be boring for them.






At the end of the match, you'll be thankful that you have parked far away from the stadium. At 7.15pm, there were lots of parking attendants directing the cars here and there.

After the match, all the attendants disappeared totally leaving the poor car owners struggling to get out of the car park compound.

There were more than a dozen of other lines cutting into this line of cars trying to leave the car park. It took me a slow fifteen minutes walk and another ten minutes to reach home.

I wonder what time did the last driver got home? Hopefully he won't get into trouble with his wife which happened to another guy in the first match held on Saturday, when he reached home at 2am. What happened? He got stabbed!

Another eight years to wait before Man Utd comes round this corner of the earth? Or I'll be at Old Trafford witnessing it from its stand?
Tags: Manchester United, Man Utd, Asia Tour 2009, Bukit Jalil Football Stadium, Football, Soccer

Most Frighteningest Story Ever

One of the reason why implementation of english language under science and math was revised?????

Tags: English Language, Science, Maths

Malaysian School Band Took World No.1

Malaysian newspapers are being used by the government in propaganda news and not many has picked up news that are really encouraging to the whole nation.

A group of students from Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur went through many challenges in winning the world's grand prize, that is the grand prize at the World Band Challenge 2009 that was held in Modena, Italy about two weeks back.

Didn't know about it?

Congrats to the 90 members of the cadet corps band and the headmistress, Pn. Azizah Othman, for bringing some positive stuff back to the land that is going boinkers.

Their victory is not just pure luck.

On many occasions, I have heard of many comments from Malaysians that some people are rich because they were lucky. Some say that they won that competition because they were lucky in having better players.

People who are successful have went through many hardships, challenges, commitments, practises, arguments, sicknesses, objections or ridicules but they hanged on.

To this group of 90 band members, I salute you!

Reading: VI school band world's best - New Straits Times
Tags: Victoria Institution, VI, World Band Challenge 2009, Modena, Italy

Surviving in KL

Back in KL after a tiring long flight from Khartoum to KL. Checked into airport at 6pm after a meeting for my 7.20pm flight. At the meeting, I was able to log in to check in online - thanks to technology.

The Emirates flight was not full and I got a seat at the back of the plane with nobody on the same row with me i.e. two other empty seats on my left. But it was spoilt by the food tray in front of me. It kept falling down as the hook was loose and couldn't keep the food tray at its place. When the plane shakes a bit, the food tray will fall ..... have to stuff some newspapers at the pouch in front to stop it from falling. Disturbed me for four hours and in between watched Race to Witch Mountain movie.

When I arrived at the Dubai Airport, it's the usual of buying those pistachios and cashew nuts, my favourites. Hurried to the Emirates Lounge for my meal ..... nice meal definitely. A transit time of almost three hours wasn't that long since I was occupied by food ... hehe

The long flight of seven hours from Dubai to KL was occupied by three movies, Jerusalema, 12 Rounds and 17 Again. All are recommended movies to catch but I don't think Jerusalema will be shown in Malaysian cinemas owing to its violence. Good thing they have movies on board otherwise I'll be bored to death.

Reached KL at 2.20pm and reached home around 4pm. Here goes my jet lag issue again. I had dinner early and knocked off by 8pm plus but I woke up at 3am ...... very unfortunate indeed!

No point rolling on the bed and I got up looking at those contractors' quotations again. Reading those favourite websites again and time flies. Went out for breakfast about 7am plus and spent or waste my time at the mamak stall savouring my teh tarik and roti telur.

By noon, I went to check my new house and found that the developer has fixed most of the defects. Glad to see that.

On the same night, I knocked off early by 9pm plus but woke up again at 3am plus ..... what is this?????

To make things worse, I got flu and sore throat. H1N1 or swine flu as requested by our Ministry of Information??????? Went to see doctor and hoping for a 1 week quarantine hehhehehehhe but that was not to be. Just normal running nose.

Was tired upon eating those medications but I held on in taking a nap, hoping for a real knock down effect by night time. By 10pm plus, I couldn't tahan anymore and went to bed at last. 4am .... 4am. That was the time on the clock. I'm awake again. My my my.

Skipped church on Sunday morning as I know I was too tired and do not want to frighten people with my sneezing and so on. In case of anyone catching the H1N1 in church, I would not be the culprit then.

Looking at the last three days, I made a mistake in holding to my sleep when I was tired. I was trying to stay awake during day and sleep during night. But this worked against me. I should have slept when I was tired no matter what the time was as I was still having a break. It's Monday night now and I'm still having that flu coupled with bad 'heatiness' within my body due to insufficient sleep. Got to see doctor again during the afternoon and got two days of MC for me to rest on Tuesday as well.

Didn't meet any friends at all in the last few days as I just want to rest.

Need to recover by Tuesday evening in order to report at office on Wed morning .........
Tags: Kuala Lumpur, Emirates, Emirates Lounge, Dubai Airport, Jerusalema, 12 Rounds, 17 Again, Race to Witch Mountain, H1N1

Hanging On to Malaysian Politics

Posted by Hannah Yeoh, the state assemblywoman for Subang Jaya:-

So many people have been telling me just how frustrated they are with the current political situation in our country. Some have told me that they regretted voting for change because of the political instability now and would prefer returning to their old style of voting - vote for stability and forget about having a stronger opposition and greater check and balance. I shudder at the thought of this!

One needs to remember the reason why we are seeing such great resistance for change is simply because there is much to lose for those who have been in power for so long. For decades there has been so much abuse of power, unchecked misuse of public funds and plain dirty corruption. With a stronger opposition now, they stand to lose their illegal sources of income and some may even be charged and sent to prison if they are found guilty.

With this in mind, they will fight at all costs to reclaim back power and to ensure they can continue to steal public funds from the people for their own enrichment. We are not just dealing with differences in politics; we are combating evil forces who will not rest till they secure back their powers and illegal sources of income.

Sometimes I feel equally frustrated and disillusioned about the political situation too. Sometimes I lie awake thinking of how to effect change in this land. Some days I cry while driving in between meetings thinking of what's left for the future generation in this land if we give up now.

I have endured much verbal attack from political enemies, accusation after accusation of me not doing anything for my constituents and etc. No one truly understands the resistance we face daily in discharging our duties except for my fellow PR assemblymen.

Robert Kennedy once said ‘*Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator and change has its enemies.*’ Our enemies are resisting change but we must stand firm and continue to push for a competent, accountable and transparent government.

At the end of each day, as I lay myself to sleep, I ask God for strength, wisdom and protection to face the next. I look forward to the end of the term when I can tell the people of Subang Jaya that I have remained clean and have not stolen any of the taxpayers' funds.

As reminded by Raja Petra in his blog "*Please continue your struggle to make Malaysia a better place for our future generation. This country belongs to them and it is for them that we struggle.*" All hope is not lost. Come the next election, vote out the corrupt once and for all. Hang in there supporters and friends, the best is yet to come!
Tags: Malaysian Politics, Hannah Yeoh, Subang Jaya