An excellent article on the state of affairs in Malaysia

The missing plane and our Mulla Nasrudins - http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/article/the-missing-plane-and-our-mulla-nasrudins

Malaysia has everything going for it ...

But we have elected politicians to ruin it. If only there are politicians in the ruling coalition who can empathise with the poor fellow countrymen and women who are of Indian and Chinese origins -

An excellent write-up, "A Malay’s perspective on Hindraf’s plight by Firdaus Alam can be found here: 

Up-side Down Shop Signage

A good friend of mine sent a series of photographs taken in Malaysia. Here's one:

Malaysian Logic?

Notice that the authorities placed cones and tapes around the marked area, but let drivers block the access road?

Guess only find this type of logic in Malaysia.

Seat vs Sit

Seen on a designer chair during the Designers' week in Kuala Lumpur. Either the lecturer can't be bothered to help correct bad English, or the lecturer did not know any different.

I sure hope someone will alert me to the mistakes I make in my posts.

Penang Island and the burning of CM's effigy

Was very disturbed when I heard the TV1 propaganda this morning on the above. Not only was the analysis leading to the demonstration one sided, it is pure racism at its worst, disguised as 'analysis'.

This blogger, as an individual, seems to tower over our well-paid newsmen. I hope these facts gets disseminated to as many people as possible because our government controlled media will not touch facts, only stories spun by our government's spinners.

This is what the blogger wrote:

"The protesters provided no statistics to back their claim of discrimination by the state government against Malays in the state of Penang. Instead it was MPPP who provided the statistics that showed no racial discrimination took place when they acted against illegal hawkers.


2008 - MPPP took action against 2,063 illegal hawkers for non-compliance of the law. Malays - 785 cases (38%), Chinese - 1,082 cases (52%), and Indians - 196 cases (10%).

2009 - MPPP took action against 2,789 illegal hawkers for non-compliance of the law. Malays - 815 cases (29%), Chinese - 1,727 cases (62%), and Indians - 247 cases (9%).

Where is the discrimination except against those who refuse to comply with the law irrespective of race?"

Price of Proton cars in Saudi Arabia

I received an email where there is an image. Let's see if I can get it uploaded...

Nope... cannot do so. Anyway, it is an image of an advertisement where the price and contact numbers in Saudi Arabia is listed. In summary, what the author says is that Malaysians pay twice the amount paid by Saudi Arabians. If it is true, I just wonder how this can continue.

The message reads,

"Kenapa Proton tak jual harga macam kat Arab Saudi?
Apa istimewanya orang Arab?
Kata ”Rakyat didahulukan”…..
Kenapa orang Arab lebih diutamakan?

Harga Persona kat Saudi = SR 36,100
Harga Gen2 kat Saudi = SR 33,600
Harga Waja kat Saudi = SR 37,950

1 Saudi Riyal = RM 0.94

Maknanya harga Persona kat Saudi = RM 33,934 aje
Maknanya harga Proton Gen2 kat Saudi = RM 32,256 aje
Maknanya harga Waja kat Saudi = RM 35,673 aje

1 Malaysia bayar RM 66,799.97 untuk 1 Waja di Msia!

RM31,126.97 lebih MAHAL!

Syed Idris B. Kamaruddin"

When you are asked to switch off your mobile phone!

Just received this message. Thought it is useful knowledge to share (copied and pasted wholesale):
I cannot stop myself from sharing this with all of you.

Its all started when I received a call from someone claiming that he was from Maxis and he asked me to shutdown my phone for 2 hours for 3g update to take place. As I was rushing for a meeting, I did not question and shutdown my cell phone.

After 45 minutes I felt very suspicious since the caller did not even introduce his name. I quickly turned on my cell phone and I received several calls from my family members and the others were from the number that had called me earlier - 3954380.

I called my parents and I was shocked that they sounded very worried asking me whether I am safe.

My parents told me that they had received a call from someone claiming that they had me with them and asking for money to let me free. The call was so real and my parents even heard 'my voice' crying out loud asking for help.

My parent was at the bank waiting for next call to proceed for money transfer. I told my parents that I am safe and asked them to lodge a police report.

Right after that I received another call from the guy asking me to shutdown my cell phone for another 1 hour which I refused to do and hung up. They keep calling my cell phone until the battery had run down.

I myself lodged a police report and I was informed by the officer that there were many such scams reported.

MOST of the cases reported that the victim had already transferred the money! And it is impossible to get back the money.

Be careful as this kind of scam might happen to any one of us!!! Those guys are so professional and very convincing during calls.

If you are asked to shut down your cell phone for updates by the service provider, ASK AROUND!

Your family or friends might receive the same call...

Be Safe and Stay Alert!

Proud of our Malay compatriots

Penang Malays winning majority of Penang open tender jobs. This is the kind of statistics and news I had been looking forward to seeing.

In my association with fellow Malaysians, there really isn't any distinguishing features between the different races when it comes to brain matter, hard work, and creativity.

Penang shows the way forward, and show us that our government's propaganda about the need to implement policies that favour class 'F' contractors is just that, baseless propaganda.

More food - apam balik

One of my favourite breakfast item. It really is a pancake topped with peanut, isn't it? This stall that I frequent is located just off Imbi Road, in KL

Be a better Malaysian?

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall had just introduced their 24-hour call centre. Just curious how much it cost, and whether any actions will be taken on reports made. This scepticism is brought by years of 'nurturing'. e.g. the numbers at the rear of public transport are probably placed there to enrich paint manufacturers and those contractors who affix those numeral there.

Anyway, hope this is for real. I may just place my call (1-800-883-255) to register one of the many woes in KL city that need some magical touch from our City Hall masters.

Back to be a better Malaysian. The first step that many had taken, ie register as a voter, need to be taken by those who have not. And those who have registered, it is now more important than ever for you to make yourself counted, not just heard (through your complaints).

And for the reason why, do read this blog posting by masterwordsmith

Go for it!

Goodbye 2009; Good year, 2010

If you have the time, read the various article in malaysia today, and malaysia insider websites. Lots of the things that had gone wrong in Malaysia (yes, at the moment, only looking at the issues in Malaysia) and the various authors had given good accessments to those issues close to their hearts.

The most serious issue that probably is the basis of all the other wrongs is the issue of corruption and the perception of corruption in Malaysia. Over time, most of us have become immune to, if not subscribing to corruption.

In fact a most recent example is this PhD Muslim convert (no bigot) is not only corrupt. He tries to corrupt fellow Malaysians too with his half-baked thesis. Since this fellow can teach at the University of Defense, I wonder how many Malaysians had been moulded into idiots by this chap. Fortunately we have people like blogger 'Art Harun' who writes really well. You should take a peek at his Open Reply to this bigot.

On why I think 2010 will a good year, at least in the political arena. It is the growing support of the opposition as is cleverly worded in my favourite article for today, The indispensable Opposition by blogger 'masterwordsmith'.

Have a great new year.

Malaysia slides 9 places to 56th spot in 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index

Today's hot topic in various media. Have not read the government controlled print media. To think that Malaysia really, really, Boleh slide to this level...

To a large extent, we are collectively guilty in lending a hand to this.

Most motorist would, at one time or another (or still doing it), give a couple of tens of Ringgit to a traffic police if they are stopped for committing a traffic offence.

For those who complain about corruption in Malaysia, do reflect upon this. Do you, or do you not, give in to corruption by paying of a traffic police. If you do, then STOP. They will then focus on doing their job, rather than looking out for easy money.

Yes, I will ask, if I am stopped, to be given a chance. Failing which, I will just ask them to issue a summons.

Don't know who coined this, I subscribe to the fact that we should "not complain about the dark, but light a candle".

What happens when you discard oldies

I was faced with a very interesting situation with this club - Photographic Society of Petaling Jaya (PSPJ).

I have engaged a model from Europe to pose 'artistically' for photo enthusiast. The organiser and I decided to open up a second session to cater for more enthusiasts and a member of this club where I was once the president (2007) asked that I post in their forum.

Within a couple of days of posting, it mysteriously disappeared. I did not bother to enquire as I am of the opinion that the committee members did not like their members to progress if they are not the people organising such outing.

Today, a member noticed that it is missing, and made some enquiries. Guess what. The reason for removing my posting is that I have not paid my dues, and that forum is for the public. How childish. Does not matter to me, anyway.

My committee would not have acted this way. In fact, most of us (except for some very unreliable, undependable members who is in the current committee - who would then be dozing, anyway) would have welcomed such a posting. In fact, I would look forward to being part of the organising team.

I did not stand for re-election due to the opening of my gallery. Otherwise, I believe my committee would continue to pursue alliances with equipment manufacturers (sponsor $$), giving token prizes for the monthly contest (maybe continue with RM50 each), organise talks by prominent members of the community, etc. Alas, this is not happening.

I guess this is very Malaysian? New team wants credit. Erase the past. Continue with the minimal. PSPJ back to the good old social club.

What is most surprising is that they have not removed this message that was written by me.

"About PSPJ



PSPJ’s core objectives, since its formation in September 7, 1987 are to promote, improve and set the standards of photography among our members. We have, this year, highlighted another very important element, enjoy photography.



The Society was founded by several photography enthusiasts. They are Jennifer Wong, Anis A. Ahmad, Tengku Yunus, Jegathiswari, Wong Loke Lee, Eric Peris and C. C. Liang, and the first president was Arthur Teng.



Over the years, the Society has seen many faces, including some renowned photographers. It went through many changes and has been a source of guidance to many photographers of various backgrounds and interests in the local photography fraternity. Today, it is still one of the most recognized home to photographers in the Klang Valley.



The committee of 2007 has embarked on several changes to the operation of the Society. We have, through Alex Moh, secured financial support from Nikon Malaysia. We tweaked some of its activities, programs and have planned long term continuous projects to meet PSPJ’s core objectives.



We have revived the program of Guest Speakers of different disciplines and interests to speak to our members at our monthly meetings. We have also started working on workshops and mentoring programs for beginners, which in the past has been neglected.



The Society has invited, and now has on board many Advisors and Coordinators who assist in providing directions to the members and committee members.


It is of paramount importance that members continue to participate and be active in contributing towards these objectives of the Society.



Enjoy photography!"

Malaysia's 52nd National Day? (2009)

I have placed a question mark on the heading as I now wonder if 31st August is the right date. Ever since I went to school and understand the need to be nationalistic, we never question the date, until recent years.

It was only on 16th September, 1963 that Sarawak and Sabah became part of Malaysia. As we now have 13 states, including Sabah and Sarawak, should the date be moved? I wonder.

This photo was taken last year. Not much to see. This year's worse. Confined to a very small space at Parliament Building, there just isn't too much room to move. Therefore, did not bother taking any photographs this year.

I guess this article will shed some light for those who wants to know why many Malaysians are not happy - 'The Myth of a Modern Malaysia'

Where are we in relation to other ASEAN countries?

Inviting comments and views on this.

Feedback that I hear indicate that Singapore is miles ahead of Malaysia in both the production and sale of paintings. Everytime there is an art festival in Singapore, we hear of visitors and purchaser from all over the world.

We had a couple of major exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur and Johor and Penang. Not much written in the media about the success of these events.