WIL YEO or WIL YEO NOT?

ALL IS NOT LOST

2010-05-01T15:52:00.003+08:00

Dear Friends,

My blog is currently under 'SEDATION'.

I am suffering under the influence of maximal TWITTERSCLEROSIS. To understand the severity of my 'disease', please follow me at www.twitter.com/9w2wil

Will blog again when I receive the calling.

ALL IS NOT LOST.

My Arse 'Colon-ised'

2010-01-17T20:48:00.026+08:00

Dear Friends,

Last week, I travelled up north to Malaysia's - 'Pomelo Town'. The town of TAMBUN resides in the state of Perak; is notable for the largest citrus fruit that taste pretty similar to the Grapefruit. Apart from this current fame, Tambun can now also boasts of having Malaysia's first self - contained 'Health Village Retreat' in the country. http://www.thebanjaran.com/

The journey took me close to two hours along the North South Highway, northbound. Exiting at Ipoh Selatan, the remaining journey to the resort took another fifteen minutes. Upon my arrival, I was taken aback by the surroundings. I felt that I have entered into a SPIRITUAL realm of calmness and a total cut-off from the outside world. A little less of a monastery. Healing music was playing continuously from all over the resort. Hypnotising, if you may but I could feel that my REJUVENATION has begun.

After checking in, my butler escorted me to Villa 4. There are a total of 25 luxury villas here equipped with personal plunge pools in them. As I stroll down the path of serenity, I couldn't help but notice the surrounding tropical jungles and also the many LIMESTONE HILLS and caves. I was struck by the sounds of incessant waters all round. Out of all the amenities in my Villa, I was personally intrigued with the Bose sound system installed. The 'digital' healing tunes exuded an escape of the senses. I may be able to escape the city but I guess the 'city' in me remained.

The resort is built on a 17 acre valley fronting a cluster of geothermal hot springs. The natural spring waters are heated enough to make your legs 'de-feather', if you would excuse the exaggeration. I did not get a chance to experiment with them but I had fun having my legs nibbled at the Garra Ruffa pool. (For better understanding on the Garra Ruffas, please refer to http://wilfred-yeo.blogspot.com/2008/09/something-fishy.html) Meals at the resort were mainly organic. I have never felt so healthy. I was beginning to feel the balance of my yin and yang. I was there seeking for physical TRANQUILITY and bit by bit, all my weariness depleted.

The highlight of my visit would have to be the COLONIC HYDROTHERAPY. I have heard so much about this alternative medicating treatment prior. It is a procedure of cleansing the large intestines and lower bowels of waste. Imagine, four decades of toxins accumulated in me being flushed out. A self confessed health freak, I did it for good health reasons. I must admit that I had apprehensions and I was quite fearful. I had visuals flashing in my head, of a big 'rod' being shafted up my rectum and 'de-virginising' me in the process. I kept reminding myself of this once in a lifetime opportunity; of restoring and maintaining optimum colon health, since I am at this wellness retreat. I will not be explaining the procedure chronologically here, as it may sound faecal to you and 'painful' to me. In very simple theory; it involved eight gallons of low pressured water at 37.5 degrees, pumped up my rectum for about 45 minutes. I had a bloated feeling in the gut which made me want to 'pooh'. The CLEANSING began when I saw little 'jewels or treasures' as the therapist called them being evacuated out of my arse. It was like 'them' screaming for rapture, saying finally 'we are out of this hell hole'. I could actually see 'them' from a mirror positioned such for that purpose.

*Aileen, my Colon Therapist who was with me the entire time, Ouch!

* Water temperature regulated. Eight gallons pumped up, mind you. 'Jeweled' Mirror.

* I had to personally shaft the first left quarter up my rectum

* Lubricating the nozzle with KY Jelly

After the treatment, I must say that my colon, liver, kidney and lymphatics felt cleaner and detoxified. Okay, I am hallucinating but I know one thing is for sure, my health has benefited. I also feel lighter, thinner and trimmer. Okay, I maybe hallucinating again.

To sum up the entire colonic experience,

I FELT LIKE I WAS HAVING A BABY.

I have intentionally 'blanco-ed' my face, to save you the agony of 'pain'.

Not a Resolution

2009-12-30T13:49:00.014+08:00

Dear Friends,

I know that I have not been blogging as frequently as I should this month. December has always been a busy month for me. The closing of the year, the Christmas festivities and the endless rush of running errands for the coming New Year. Tomorrow is a HISTORIC day. The last day of 2009 before we usher in another year. I know it is going to be another busy day tomorrow, so I decided to pen down my New Year thoughts today.

2009 has been a year that zoomed in and zoomed out for me; in a flash of an eye. It was a year of the impossibles. Just reflecting, it has been a 'coloured' year. A first black President of the United States was inaugurated in January, a much adored black but 'bleached' Michael Jackson died in June and a once respected black golf legend, Tiger Woods who fell from grace because of his many 'holes in one'. I would equate this to a BLACKENED year. The sluggish economy, high inflation, the H1N1 epidemic; has pitched tremendous darkness to our once clear horizons.

Throughout the years, I have not taken long breaks and decided to do so this year. All in all, I would have rested for eleven days before returning to the salt mine again this Monday, in a New Year that is. It was nice waking up in the morning and just sitting serene in my garden. I can't remember the last time I did that. I just realised that I now have squirrels as inhabitants. I never saw them there before. As I was sitting, I realised that LIFE for me has always been a RUSH. I talk fast, I eat fast, I work fast and I like taking the shortest cuts possible; All I cared about was results. I started pondering on what was I grateful and thankful for in 2009.

I am one who do not believe in setting New Year resolutions. Why set them when I am not going to attain them. For me, not having resolutions are fine but what is important is to set aside a time for REFLECTIONS. I believe that if I do not reflect, I am almost sure of repeating the same mistakes in the coming New Year. I have always not planned in making big changes or improvements at any one go. My belief has always been making small improvements monthly and accumulative, a major improvement in twelve months. This will be my New Year's belief and not a RESOLUTION.

For 2010, I am not going to underestimate myself. The way trends are moving, I believe it is going to be an exhilarating year. I am aspiring to make changes albeit RADICAL ones; in both my personal and professional life. I want to BELIEVE big and achieving bigger. My challenge will be paced against Mother Theresa. A poor unknown nun who believed in that change for the impossible. When she died, her native Albania and her home India fought for her body's custody. She made a living impact that led to a bigger impact in her death. Good changes will impact lives better. That is what I would want. In all that I do, I would also do it out of LOVE. By so doing, I believe that I would influence and impact the people and the environment around me. This will be my New Year's belief and not a RESOLUTION.

For 2010, I am going to take time to count my BLESSINGS. I am going to expect less and to appreciate every goodness in people around me. How often in our busy lives, we have learned to make a living but not a life? We have added years to life and not life to years. I am going to learn to wait and not rush.

When 'Auld Lang Syne' is sung tomorrow night, I am no longer going to keep anything for that special occasion because everyday I live will be a special occasion. Life is a chain of moments of enjoyment and not only about survival. Don't save your best perfume for that 'special occasion'; go ahead and spray it on everyday. I challenge all of us to not delay anything that adds laughter and joy to our lives in 2010. FORGIVE that person and FORGET that bad deed. Let's start on a clean slate, as the saying goes. I will sit in my garden more and admire the view without paying much attention to my needs.

THANK YOU for visiting my blog this year. I will continue to write on topics that are dear to me and I will aim to be as prolific as I can. I am grateful for your encouragement and criticism shared.

"CARPE DIEM" Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; and live it to the fullest. On that parting note for 2009, I wish you and your family much blessings for 2010. GOD BLESS!

We Were The Reason

2009-12-24T22:09:00.006+08:00

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from Christmas Eve Dinner with the family. This year was a little out of normalcy. Almost every year, we would be feasting on a Christmas turkey and the other accompaniments. We normally would gather as a FAMILY at home and the children would be opening their presents at the stroke of midnight. This year, we broke TRADITION. We decided that Christmas is family time even if we had rib eye, pork belly, lamb, chicken with a lot of Kimchi. We decided to go Korean this time.

The kids are now all downstairs, with much EXCITEMENT as I am blogging this. Charmaine was especially excited clicking away during dinner. She wanted pictures with everyone at dinner. Looking at her and Eugene now, I realised how fast they have grown and matured. They are no longer the little babies I once knew. I remember the time fifteen years ago when Eugene was born. I was in the delivery room with my wife, watching the BIRTH of a life.

CHRISTMAS is the same. It is a reason for celebration, for a baby born 2000 years ago in a manger. In a town called Bethlehem (it still exist today, near Jerusalem, at the West Bank), the baby was named Jesus. The Lord JESUS CHRIST is the real reason why we celebrate Christmas. I have come to know him as my SAVIOUR and HE is my reason for living.

During this celebration, I have always loved the carols sung, the glowing lights on the Christmas tree and all the other pretty decorations. I can hear Eugene playing 'Felix Navidad' on the piano now and I want to go join in the sing along. We would be going to church for the Christmas service tomorrow. In breaking tradition again, I am DEDICATING this song and not a traditional carol for your viewing and enjoyment. I know this song for over 25 years and it holds much meaning to my heart. For indeed, HE is our reason for living.

I take this opportunity in wishing YOU and your loved ones a very "BLESSED CHRISTMAS". Have a wonderful time of celebration and may you be blessed with much PEACE, LOVE AND JOY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Who is Santa Claus?

2009-12-12T20:27:00.014+08:00

Dear Friends,

Time has passed on so quickly this year that I did not even realised that we are already into December. Over dinner a few nights ago, I casually asked the family, "Where is the Christmas Tree?" Excuses after excuses were flung across the table with Charmaine reluctantly admitting, "Dad, EASY to put up but LAZY to tear down". My Mum added, "Everybody is BUSY this year". Even though she is retired, she went 'back to work' in the family's online florist business this year; which explains her reason. Nobody pursued the matter in their 'busyness'.

I guess unanimously the family has agreed that there will NOT BE a tree this year. The putting up of the tree only started with my family the last ten years. When I was young, I remember how my Dad would have a Christmas party every year in the house. It was more a night of gathering for his Mason brothers at that time. After his passing, Mum would not put a tree up because it was like a reminder of those GOOD TIMES when Dad was around. I must agree with Charmaine that setting the tree up, decorating it and lighting it was exciting. However, dismantling it after the New Year was another story all together.

Without the tree, will this year's Christmas be any different? In my family, we are all Christians. I was born into a CHRISTIAN family and I attended Sunday School at a very young age. I was never exposed to any other beliefs and I grew up knowing the TRUE MEANING of Christmas. It is a day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, historians somehow told us that Christ was not actually born on the 25 December. So, I guess it is just like an 'Official Birthday'. In church, we always refer HIS birth to be 2000 years ago. Year after year, it is still 2000 years ago. I chuckle at that fact sometimes.

The BIRTH of Christ is the real meaning of Christmas. Besides that, it is also a time to spread good tidings and joy as the Christmas carol goes. It is also a time of extending compassion and goodwill to all mankind. But, today however, the world has TWISTED this Christmas fact. I find the world using this season as purely commercial. It is largely based on MATERIALISM with no more compassion and goodwill. Children are 'taught' that the bigger their presents the better.

These days, in everybody's busyness; the shorter things are, the better. How can this season be now also known as X'MAS? How can CHRIST be removed from the true meaning of Christ-mas? Ever thought how Santa Claus is now the substitute of 'Christ'-mas? I never taught my children Santa Claus. What does a burly old man in a fur trimmed red suit, who supposedly lives in the North Pole, got to do with the birth of Christ? I never told them how this FICTITIOUS character would come down the chimney at night and leave them presents. They wouldn't believe me either because we have no chimneys in our house. What I have taught them was GRATITUDE. That they should celebrate this season with appreciation for all that they do have.

As for me, I am FOREVER GRATEFUL for:

GOD's love and how he allows me to be successful in all that I do.

My FAMILY's support and how they stand by me and bring joy whenever I am home.

My good HEALTH for I know what stress and depression can bring.

My few good close FRIENDS who are by my side whenever I need them.

My TEAM at work for striving hard with me to ensure that our business objectives are met.

My BOSSES who constantly allows me the chance to prove my worth to be better.

This blog piece is not meant to be religious or judgemental. It is written to stress my belief that Christmas is not about GREED and fiction. Please spell CHRIST-MAS in it's entirety and not take the real meaning out of it. I will now go speak to the kids to reconsider putting up our Christmas tree.

80s Nostalgia

2009-12-06T16:12:00.013+08:00

Dear Friends,

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend EARTH WIND AND FIRE's 40th Anniversary World Tour Concert at Sunway Lagoon. The weather has been unpredictable lately with the monsoon season. It has been raining and on concert night itself it was drizzling. It was a case of, what if the rain continues to pour down on EARTH with great nautical WINDs that would really put out the FIRE that everyone has come to watch. This American R&B group founded in 1969 still has the three original founding members; percussionist Maurice White, falsetto Philip Bailey and funny long haired expressive bassist Verdine White. I had the pleasure of receiving them upon their arrival from Singapore. We had a little conversation that surrounded around their repertoire and I told them I GREW UP listening to them. Maurice jokingly said, "That makes us in the same age group".

Growing up in the EIGHTIES was fun. I never knew the PlayStation nor the Internet. When entertainment was sourced, it was a gathering among friends playing MARBLES or flying kites. I remember how I would crush fluorescent light tubes into pounded powder and soaking them into starch. I would then soak the many feet of kite string into it and put them to dry. I would always emerge winner when my kite string would 'cut' my opponent's and literally sending them 'flying kites'. WHAT INTERNET? If information was needed, the only source were the ENCYCLOPEDIAS. Volumes and volumes that would stand in line on a book rack. I presume it is not cool to purchase encyclopedias today. To improve my command of the language, I read the Reader's Digest.

There were no flat screen plasma televisions then. The bigger and bulkier the TV set signified better social status. We had a BLACK AND WHITE set then. I was excited whenever I went to the granny's because of her coloured set. I still remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer that was telecast live in 1981. Cool TV brands at that time were Graetz and Telefunken. The only 'cool' thing we possessed was a Sanyo VINYL player. It was cool because it had a cassette player built with it too. It was in 1980, when the world stood still literally, eager to know who actually shot JR EWING. If you know what I am talking about, you are either a Baby Boomer or a Gen X like me. If not, JR was a character out of the series 'DALLAS' whom you either hate or love. Remember; the High Chaparral, Starsky and Hutch, The Man from Atlantis, what about Little House on the Prairie?

As teenagers in the 80s, I detested my mum driving me in her Datsun 120Y to gallivant. I found it more cool to borrow a friend's MOTORCYCLE to ride around. I was caught numerous times riding without a license in my neighbourhood. Even during those years, it was normal for 'them' to ask for a 'kautim', whenever I was stopped. They are happy to literally 'extort' five ringgit from me. And, I would happily ride off. Until today, I can visualise the Dark Blue Mitsubishi Sigma patrol car bearing registration WB* 9402. I never forget bad things that happened to me.

When I needed to go further, the 'SRI JAYA' bus was reliable. Fifty cents would take me from my enclave in SS2 to the Klang bus station. I love frequenting PERTAMA COMPLEX in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman because it had my favorite shops. One was 'WEST POINT 'and the other was 'VICTORIA MUSIC'. If you don't know West Point, what about Edmund Ser, familiar now? It was really cool to wear tailored apparels by Edmund Ser who has just returned from learning fashion design in London. How I would walk around in my fifty ringgit BAGGY PANTS, with the West Point logo prominently sewn to the back of the trousers. I also loved those shirts studded with RING BUTTONS.

BRITISH POP was the way to go then. Victoria Music was the hippest music store. There were no CDs then. I would write the title of the songs that I favorite on a piece of paper, purchase a TDK cassette from them, they would record them for me and I picked it up in five days. Now, I have my own selected compilation of songs from UK's Top of the Pops. My favorite bands were all British. Heard of Adam and the Ants, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Haircut 100, Bronski Beat, Madness, Spandau Ballet or Ultravox? Nobody listened to American stuff unlike now. Earth Wind and Fire was then. Songs like 'Let's Groove', 'Fantasy' and 'After the Love has Gone' are now all CLASSICS. Songs like these were never spun at clubs because there weren't any. They were played at house parties, where teenagers like us were GROOVING away with fruit punches mixed with a little Anchor beer. Not because we couldn't consume the alcohol, it was more the case that we could not afford it with our MENIAL weekly allowance.

Don't Be So Emo-Lah!

2009-11-28T21:32:00.015+08:00

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from dinner at the newly opened, Happy Days Diner located in USJ, Taipan. The entrance at the restaurant is impressive with a RM 70K classic car hanging in mid-air giving it an aura of the old Fonzie days. Food served here is typically American with sections of entrees, pastas, burgers etc. Portioning of food is NOT fantastic as price clearly does not commensurate value. Chips as an accompaniment is plentiful, to enhance the space of the over sized serving plates. The service was kind of IRRITATING as the staff was eagerly trying hard to impress. Every twenty seconds or so, I was constantly being harassed with, "Sir, can I take your orders?" I was not even given a chance to look at the offerings and had to practically tell them, to LEAVE ME ALONE to call them when I was ready.

When I was working part time, to support my expenses as a student abroad, I was taught to always check with my customers, to ensure that their dining experience was PLEASANT. I have always had a passion with food and beverage hospitality. I never dreamt that I was going to be a doctor like how every parent would envision their children to be when they grew up. While abroad, I have tried my hands grilling burger patties, waiting on tables in Oriental restaurants and also as a petrol pump attendant. Unlike here in Malaysia, TIPPING is almost mandatory in restaurants where I was studying overseas. Those days, I had to constantly go, "I hope everything is pleasant, please call me if I can do anything better"; that is said to the diners every fifteen minutes or so, by me deliberately 'walking pass' their tables. The reason is; I am inadvertently reminding them to leave me a tip. During their dining experience, if they did not call me at anytime means that all has been well. If all is well, LEAVE ME A TIP. Tips accumulated in a four day work week is able to feed me my meals and also pay my bus fares to college and around town. I always ensured tip-topped service.

When tipping is 'mandatory', it certainly does not mean a right to bad service? How about services that do not require tipping? My twitter account www.twitter.com/9w2wil was 'spammed' by twits of Nuffnang's Timothy Tiah yesterday. He purchased a ticket on Firefly for Penang to depart at 11.40am. In today's Star, Firefly apologised 'nationwide' for their delay yesterday attributing it to one of their aircraft's being temporarily out of service. And because of that, it caused a domino effect on all scheduled flights, resulting in multiple delays. The flight to Penang finally departed at 7.40pm. After eight hours, for crying out loud! If Timothy had driven, he would have arrived Penang, made a turn-around and could also be back in Kuala Lumpur in that time. Operating a BUDGET airline like Firefly, does that mean a right to 'COMPROMISED' service because as the maxim goes, 'You pay peanuts, you get monkeys'?

Gone are those days when you would see individuals saying grace before their meals. I still do till today. I still thank 'My Father' for providing food on the table for me and asking for HIS blessings for the nourishment of my body. But these days, there is another NEW 'religion' that has emerged. A 'religion' where they actually SWEEP their cameras out and start snapping pictures of their food before partaking them. This 'religion' is called the 'VIRAL EFFECTS' of the social media. I seriously took pity on Firefly yesterday. The worst thing that can happen to any bad service providers these days, is when a dissatisfied customer takes a mobile phone and 'social media out' the news fast about their experience. Once that is out, service providers have no choice but to learn their lessons hard. It takes a long while to rebuild a customer's EMOTIONAL BONDING all over again. With Timothy's, #fu*kfirefly on Twitter yesterday, I could only think that Firefly has further reinforced the branding of Air Asia.

'DON'T PLAY-PLAY' with the power of the Social Media. And to the 'TEH TARIK GROUP'; please get real and understand, in order to be effective and competitive globally, we must be able to stand tall and accept all sorts of criticisms, be they good or bad. Our infamous, NAMEWEE is at it again. The previous time, I could not agree with his 'Negarakuku' controversy as I am a proud Malaysian. However this time, I am in full agreement with his latest CURSINGS on TNB. Why should we be sympathetic with bad service providers? This is a REAL world. Consumers expects nothing less than the best for what we pay for. So, Mr. Exco Member, 'Rise Yet Steam', don't overreact by saying that the 'Teh Tarik Group' would examine NameWee's doing of poking fun at TNB. 'PUNISHING' him would not change things when it came to TNB's bad services.

"DON'T BE SO EMO-LAH!"

Forever Grateful

2009-11-19T21:26:00.008+08:00

Dear Friends,

A little out of the paradigm today. I am feeling poetic out of gratefulness.

"Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be for you to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something.
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations.
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
For they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary.
Because it means you have made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative to a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles.
And they become your blessings".

I am blessed with both Eugene and Charmaine.

Pictured when they were younger

I am thankful for Eugene
Who is on the sofa being a couch potato
Because he is home with me
And not at the Mall

I am thankful for Charmaine
Who is complaining about practising the piano
Because it means she is at home
And not on the streets

I am thankful for the mess to clean
After Charmaine's farewell party last week
Because it means she has friends

I am thankful for Eugene's shadow
That watches him play
Because it means he is out healthy physically
In the sunshine with his basketball

OUT OF ALL

I am thankful for Charmaine's SIX As and ONE B

In today's UPSR results

Because it means

ALL THE MONEY THAT I HAVE INVESTED IN HER STUDIES, TUITION AND BOOKS

HAS PAID OFF!!

Want Me to ONE You

2009-11-15T17:39:00.010+08:00

Dear Friends,

Have you ever wondered what the number ONE truly signifies? Did you know that if you multiply any number with the number one, it is itself? Being number one simply means being the BEST. Consider our local surroundings, wouldn't it sound funny if the renowned mall was named Two Utama instead of One Utama or the other, Jaya Three instead of Jaya One. Near where I work, the popular One Academy is indeed a famous Communication Design institution.

I had a 'wicked' neighbour while growing up. How she would boast to my mum how her daughter was always number ONE in class. Pressurising you know? Our neighbours across our southern border has always inculcated amongst their citizens, that a city state as small as theirs; to stay SIGNIFICANT, they have to always be number One and the best. Thus rising the spirit of 'Kiasu-ism'. Must always win, losing was not an option. Supremacy, it is.

Reading the Star this morning, I was amused how we Malaysians, aka 'advertisers' in this instance, are using the 'ONE MALAYSIA' term much to their advantage. So much so, it is beginning to sound vulgar. Today is World Diabetes Day. Can you explain what 'One Malaysia Brings Diabetes to Light Campaign' means in terms of ONENESS? Other crossings I came about the past week were, 'My One Malaysia Expo', 'One Malaysia Book Fair', 'One Malaysia Formula One Team', 'One Malaysia Holidays'? Suddenly, we Malaysians are all so 'fired' up with the number ONE?

I respect my Prime Minister's vision on 'ONE MALAYSIA'. He stressed that this vision will embark on EQUALITY, HARMONY and PROSPERITY for our nation. Finally, a true vision for all Malaysians. This means my beloved PM will represent all Malaysians and not just a particular; this means that he believes in meritocracy and he will also not be bias; this means that he will have every Malaysian blend together in one melting pot instead of being factioned. He will also ensure that the nation's wealth be sustained for all. My Prime Minister's vision cannot be realised by him alone. It must be a vision PRACTICED by all.

I dislike being a pessimist. As much as I am giving 'One Malaysia' a true chance, I don't think it will work 'ONE' hundred percent. HOW-LAH to succeed when there are morons who do not even try practising it. My PM said that One Malaysia is for all. If that is the case, then WHY a learned institution such as this is challenging what my PM is tirelessly preaching. You think what? Living and governing your own mini territorial kingdom ka?

Today, a major GLC placed an advertisement in the Star. Publishing names of their so called educational loan defaulters. I am not condoning to "borrow my money, study - graduate and now don't want to pay me back". What was puzzling; out of all the 122 names published, only 10% reflected not the 'majority' that loans were given to, this is SO NOT One Malaysia.

My true One Malaysia idol is the late Yasmin Ahmad. If you watch all her work, you will understand that she truly understood the 'ONE' concept much earlier than anybody else. As for me, I want a One Malaysia that will OVERCOME racism and all prejudices. "So funny right?", when overseas and being asked, I always say I am Malaysian; but when I am here back home, I am always known to be a Chinese; I am still trying to comprehend that. Let us as ONE realise the real meaning of ONE MALAYSIA. I am hoping that we will take many steps forward and not ONE step forward and two steps backwards. You play your role and I will play mine. IT IS REALLY FOR YOU TO WANT ME TO ONE YOU.

I think it was mentioned that EQUALITY was a One Malaysia trait? Means all are equal right? Means LAWS are applicable and justified for all?

Aiyoh, then this One, HOW -LAH?

Uncle Dee Pee Am, you TAK PAKAI topi keledar. So how, KENA SAMAN ka?

Fat Lard

2009-11-08T18:21:00.016+08:00

Dear Friends,

Writer's block this week. Since my last post, I couldn't find a topic to blog on. For those who follow me on Twitter, www.twitter.com/9w2wil ,you would know that I spent my Sunday today at the gym. My twits were mainly on my 'step by step' workouts and what I accomplished. I frequent the gym at least three times weekly. When there, besides the 'eye cleansing', I spend time on cardiovascular exercises and also train on weights. Exercising to me now is LIFESTYLE.

I love cycling as an exercise. A particular group exercise class that I do at least three times a week is 'SPINNING'. http://www.spinning.com/ At today's class, a 'regular' fella that I recognise who weighs at least 250lbs was exhibiting his Casanova charms on the ladies in class. He was telling Amy, the instructor that he was expecting her to not 'bore' him with slow paced numbers but to 'excite' him with heavy pumping beats. I am enclosing a Spinning video here for you to understand what is Spinning.

To cut a long story short, our 'Fat Man' could not even last through half the class and was panting away. It was 90 minutes of vigorous cycling up and down different terrains. I could see his 'multiple orgasms' despite needing to hold on as not to injure his MACHOISM. Not wanting to die on the ladies literally, 'Fat Man' relented and walked out. Without the initial ego, we would have understood.

It is terrible being fat. Where I gym, for crying out loud, I have seen FAT LADIES with the most minimum amount of clothes on. Don't they realise that by dressing like that, they symbolise an exercise ball that is ready to be sat on? I try to mind my own business; but in the male locker room, a really GROTESQUE sight, is to have a 'Fat Man' stand beside me in only his big parachute brief with no shirt on. Worst still, he actually looked like he had breasts. While smiling at me with heavy breathing, I wish somebody would tell him that it is not the exercises that is wearing him out but the inches of LARD around his waist that is making him overheat.

Please don't get me wrong. I have NOTHING AGAINST fat people. I was once fat myself. I loved my beers and pizzas. I had a beer gut and a face of an 8" Domino's Hawaiian Delight. Honestly, in a world like this, who would like a fat and overweight person? At a job interview down to the hedge, both with similar qualifications and experience, who will get the job; the fat or the thin? Fat people are normally POKED and made fun at. Heard of this one? A rather fat and overweight lady was boarding a flight and gave the flight steward two boarding passes. "Where is your companion?" asked the steward. She said in a blush, "Well, you see, one seat is too small and uncomfortable for me, so I decided to get two. But, they are both really for me". The flight steward replied, "Fine with me Ma'am, there is just a slight problem. You see, your seats are numbers 32 and 43".

I work out because at 'mid - life' I need to be HEALTHY. Consistent exercising and the releasing of endorphins would ENERGISE me, make me LESS stressed and LIVE life better. If ever I am fat again, I would probably:

* Scare children when they see me as some big ugly OGRE from Shrek.

* Take too much space in pictures even with wide angled lens.

* Be liked by only fat people and detested by the rest.

* Breathe with a loud Darth Vader echoing sound in the background.

* Smell terrible like some Hokkien Mee lard.

* Confining to only the missionary position when making love.

Worst still, she has to be on top all the time to avoid me crushing her.

I don't want to be fat ever again. I don't want a piece of lard wrapped around so big that I can't see 'HIM' while I am taking a PEE. If temptation is great when supper, chocolates, sweet Coke comes a calling, say this prayer:

Lord, my soul is ripped with riot,

Incited by my wicked diet,

We are what we eat, said a wise old man,

And Lord, if that is true, I am a garbage can,

I want to rise on Judgement Day, that's plain,

But at my present weight, I'll need a crane.

AMEN

Hot Male

2009-11-01T11:07:00.017+08:00

Dear Friends,

The last time I was in London was many years back. I remember it vaguely. What comes to mind is the freezing cold weather in NOVEMBER staying in an area called Putney. Taking a black cab to Shaftesbury Avenue where Chinatown begins was expensive. I remember strolling down Oxford Street shopping and renting a tuxedo for a dinner in Kensington. Piccadilly Circus rings a bell but I can't remember what I did there.I enjoyed watching Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Cats the Musical. That was the LONGEST time ago. Yesterday also marked the 1000 days before the 2012 London Olympics begin.

Yesterday morning, I was woken up from bed with a phone call. It was my sister in law. Grace spoke to me and asked if I was in town. In anticipation, she said that there was news that I have been 'KIDNAPPED'. She said her brother received an e-mail a few hours ago which was forwarded to her. The e-mail read:

"From: wilfred.yeo@hotmail.com
To: klz**@gmail.com
Date: Oct 31, 2009 at 12.57am
Subject: Hello
Hello. How you doing? Hope all is well with you. I'm sorry that I didn't inform you of my travelling to England for a conference. I need a favour from you as soon as you receive this
e-mail because I misplaced my wallet while on the way to my hotel where my money and other valuable things are kept. I will like you to assist me with a loan urgently. I will be needing the sum of $2500 to sort out my hotel bills and to get myself back home. I will appreciate whatever sum you can help me with. I'll pay you back as soon as I return. Kindly let me know if you can be of help? So that I can send you the details to use when sending the money through Western Union money transfer. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Wilfred"

I sprung out of bed in disbelief and turned on my laptop immediately. I tried logging onto my MSN but it wouldn't. My Blackberry messenger had a 'chat' appear from another concerned Ken, "Wil, are you in town?" I just realised that my e-mail account had been HACKED and that 'Bus-Third' had send all my contacts this note hoping to strike richness.

You stupid good for nothing retarded 'Ask-Whole', first of all; I do not write e-mails like that. I choose to think that I have better writing skills. Secondly, do your homework. If I was stranded in England, I have a neurosurgeon uncle living in London and another anaesthetist uncle in Birmingham. Thirdly, the English currency is the POUND STERLING. Why the heck should I be asking for American dollars and later having to convert, if I really was in dire-straits. Fourthly, with technology these days, I would have used my mobile to call home and asked for help and ignore the inconvenience of sending e-mails. Lastly, there is a place called 'MALAYSIA HALL' in London. Worst case is, I could ask to spend nights there and feed on expired lemangs from the recent Hari Raya Open House. You dumb pea-brain, I wish upon you now; that you will have haemorrhoid starting today, for the rest of your life and die when the 'LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN'.

I am sure you have experienced receiving mails telling you how rich you have become. How a wealthy uncle had died in Africa and the coincidence of you sharing the same family name, you are now an heir to estates and riches. I really wonder how people actually fall into these scams. Out of ignorance, greed or STUPIDITY?

The issue really pissed me off yesterday, not so much the 'tragedy that befell me in England' but the agony of losing pertinent contacts and information stored in my hotmail account. To my dismay, I realised that there are web pages on the net, that actually TEACHES you how to hack into personal e-mail accounts. http://www.gohacking.com/

I guess out of all the billions in the world, I have been the 'ONE IN A MILLION'. To have me selected as a 'HOT MALE' victim out of all is 'gratifying'. "GOOD LUCK, BAD LUCK, WHO CARES?". Now that I have been so 'lucky', I should go punt for numbers today being a Sunday, buy a lottery and maybe WIN some real money. The 'England Trip' is within reach after all. And, November has approached, how ironic. Don't worry friends, if I really misplace my wallet, I will CALL you, by phone that is.

If I can't get you or if both my uncles are out of town, the other Malaysian that I could think of will be;

"Hello, can I speak to 'UNCLE' JIMMY CHOO?

Charisma or Dilemma?

2009-10-28T21:39:00.005+08:00

Dear Friends,

I don't normally blog on politics. After all the 'ruckus' and comedy that has been going around recently, I thought I would just jab the clowns a little.

This is after all BOLEHLAND politics. It is funny how we are driving the "ONE MALAYSIA" concept with a "TWO PERAK" 'legality' of government. Today, was the second assembly sitting of the Perak Legislative Assembly. Surely parliamentary behaviour must be expected of leaders elected into public office. But, not today. It was a day of, "You don't play-play with me ar !", "Your face like 'Lanun Pirate'-lah, better go die", "Give me back my speaker's robe, don't tear it - lah". The best of it all was, "Get out - Get out, You don't get out I squeeze your BALLS!" For crying out loud, an assemblyman had his private part fondled and squeezed in the august house today.

All is not well in current politics. In the, "M ust C hange A ll", one would never expect the reconciliation of Ah Keat and Ah Lek. For their survival, Ah Lai from HERO is now ZERO. A real CHANGE in the cards. In the, "P lease K autow R epeatedly"; charismatic Zai Zaid is suffering 'exhaustion' and has gone on leave; better still in Sabah, Jeff KittyCat has quit citing lost of confidence. Who lost confidence in who - lah? I guess he will be 'KATAK-ING' again looking for a bigger pond. The Talibanias didn't want to be left out either. Out of boredom, they have joined in the game of "Let's call an EGM" like their 'friends' in "M ust C hange A ll" to wallop fellow Talibanias who are pro - "U M ust N ot O bject".

So, HOW-LAH? Is our political situation reflecting a "Charisma or Dilemma ?"

THIS IS CHARISMA

THIS IS DILEMMA

No Money No Talk

2009-10-24T20:00:00.002+08:00

Dear Friends,

There were some differences. When we had that fella that was sleeping in the 'TEH TARIK GROUP', we had a sleepy budget. He was imaging that every Malaysian will be laid back. With a 'Serunai' in our hands, blowing to the tunes of 'Lanchang Kuning' and sipping 'Kopi Tongkat Ali' in the opened padi fields. Much importance was put into the agriculture sector in last year's budget.

This time around; from a SLEEPING economy, we are hopefully going to emerge number "ONE". Everything converge around the numeric number "1". From "1 Malaysia", "1 Malaysia- 1 Voice", "1 Malaysia Fund", "1 Malaysia Unit Trust" and yesterday, "1 Malaysia, Together We Prosper"- Budget 2010.

It reasoned to be a budget for the 'RAKYAT' aiming to make it a high income economy. In simple words, Ah Jeep was saying, "I will not be able to do this alone, to transform this economy, every ONE of us had better work our ASS OFF and sacrifice". Reflecting the budget, nothing clear was mentioned on how are we going to arrive at a SERVICE economy from the previous sleeping 'serunai blowing' economy. When I learned Economics during my tertiary years, I was taught that a human's want is never satisfied. Thus, only a few proposals; either PERSONAL or PROFESSIONAL struck me in the budget that was tabled yesterday.

I was ELATED to learn that RM899 million had been allocated for tourism spending, which in return will secure 24 million proposed visitors to Malaysia. I trust Ah Yen will spend the money wisely and not have another 'PEMPENA' which only prospered a few individuals instead of '1 Malaysia'.

I was NEUTRAL when sin taxes remained. Not that I condone to burning Samy's lungs and stoning his head out. But, if we are really serious about visitors to our shores, we have to be 'human' and know what the world wants instead of hiding behind our so PIOUS beliefs. "We have really ARRIVED", the day Beyonce is allowed on stage sexily and the Talibanias not having to worry, that their 'skull heads' wetting their beds in their dreams.

I was not IMPRESSED with the imposition of service tax on credit cards. The truth of the matter is, if the 'teh tarik group' really wants to encourage prudent spending, it is education that is needed. If Ahmad has already maxed out his credit limit, do you really think RM50 is going to deter him from spending? Sufferers in the end, both Ahmad and the 'teh tarik group'.

I say THANK YOU for the SLIGHT cut in personal income tax. A 'ONE' percent cut from 27 - 26%? I hope this is not due again to the "1 Malaysia" conceptual numeric campaign. I felt that the cut should be applicable to all instead of only those in the higher income bracket. With calculations done, an estimated RM 150 - 200 per month is 'earned'. Enough for two extra bowling nights.

I am RELIEVED for the RM500 on broadband services. Now, I pledge to BLOG more frequently and TWEET at every minute that I can. If Streamyx continues with their crap service, I will 'SUNAT' them off with P1 Wimax ("1" again?). Their "You CUT already ar?", struck me in amusement.

I am INTIMIDATED these days with the lack of security. Crimes are similar to a full time job, especially so with the many permanent residencies approved for the 'boat arrivals' at our borders. The budget has allocated a BILLION ringgit for the police coffers.

I am IMPRESSED with our ROBOCOP, he mentioned today in the Star; that he is going on a spending spree to purchase more police vehicles, to combat crime besides ensuring that crime rates will be reduced. Mr. RoboCop, allow me to demonstrate to you:

As a proud Malaysian, we now have this:
AUSTRALIA HAS THE ALFA ROMEO GT

AUSTRIA HAS THE PORSCHE 911: CANADA HAS THE JAGUAR S TYPE GERMANY HAS THE BRABUS CLS ROCKET

ITALY HAS THE LAMBORGHINNI GALLARDO

SINGAPORE HAS THE SUBARU WRX

SOUTH AFRICA HAS THE LAMBORGHINNI GALLARDO

UNITED KINGDOM HAS THE BMW M3

UNITED STATES HAS THE CORVETTE C6

While 'shopping' please be bold in your spending. But, spend wisely ok? Buy something that is reliable, fast and furious. While you boys are at it, please SCRAP THIS BLARDY METAL.

It may help improve the economy with the price of steel rising.

Tell Tale Signs

2009-10-21T21:00:00.009+08:00

Dear Friends,

While reading the newspapers these few weeks, I have concluded that there are more BAD than good news daily. In today's Star headlines, a 'Millionaire' Director of a government agency was arrested for accepting a bribe of more than a hundred thousand ringgit. The trial of the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock took a new twist; now there is a 80% chance the death could be classified homicide instead of suicide. With the ongoing MCA crisis, President OTK is feeling 'hurt' that his once comrades had now turn their backs on him. The recent strong Padang earthquake has caused mass destruction killing at least a thousand people.

A tell-tale is a sign that clearly signals that something is true or is about to happen. The BIBLE affirms that wars, food shortages, earthquakes, hatred, crime, a lack of love, would all be markings of the time of the end. Are these TELL TALE SIGNS of the end times in comparison to the above headlines?

With age catching up, I respond to the slightest tell tale sign. Call me a hypochondriac if you want. I was at lunch today and for no obvious reason, I felt like blacking out. Could it be the weather, hunger, the 'teh-see' that I drank? I don't know. I am always 'over-reacting' because I had scores of friends who have DIED from various causes. Chris Oh was 44 years old and died in his sleep due to heart failure. Another friend was Ace. We had dinner a night before his death and he was only 29 years old. In my previous 'Scarlet Sheets' blog posting; my gym friend Sam, died cycling next to me in a group exercise class and he was only 47 years old, also due to heart failure.

Back in the year 2000, I was managing a business as a co-partner. It was an Italian restaurant and a bistroteque in Melaka. Food and drinks were in abundance. The hours were long and the daily lifestyle of wining and dining took a TOLL on me. I could still connect with that evening; I had dinner with a friend, DSP Baldev Singh from the district Police. We also had the friendly 'Johnnie Walker' for company. Baldev was alone on secondment in Melaka while his family was in Johor. It was similar in my case with my family in KL. We were accompanying buddies by default. Going into the night with our conversation, I suddenly felt that I had breathing difficulties. There was a tingling feeling from my ankles, later gripping my knees and tightening up at my thighs. My feet became WOBBLY, I felt nausea and I let off a scream amidst Kenny G's Song Bird, saxophonist Din was serenading. Baldev a trained policeman wasted no time and with the help of my staff assisted me to his official vehicle (my first time in a police car with sirens blaring :D) to be sent to the medical center. The feeling was horrendous. I buckled under to a panic attack because I thought it was a heart FAILURE. At Accidents and Emergencies, I was wheel chaired and they hurriedly took my pulse and blood pressure readings. It was a 170/115, remembering vaguely now. Nearly a stroke, I think. They vaccinated me with muscle relaxant and the numbness eased. The attending doctor recommended that I take various tests the following morning. That night, I had my blood pressure monitored every hour by the nurse and I was wondering if it was a tell tale sign. Morning came; I did the ECG, heart scan and some other tests. I met with the cardiologist and he was DUMB STRUCKED that they could not diagnose a cause to my admission. Despite some high readings, there was nothing abnormal. I was discharged after being given a clean bill of health. What actually happened? Clueless.
Since then, it is approaching ten years now. What were the TELL TALE SIGNS telling me then? Was it stress or was it over exhaustion? Was it loneliness or was it sacrifice chasing after my entrepreneurial dreams? CLUELESS again. I guess the body always has a way of telling us enough is enough. There is only so much a worn out body can take. Our human problem is we tend to think that we are smarter than our CREATOR, when we choose to ignore the signs.

My last medical check up in August was reassuring. My heart is strong and I EXCELLED in the stress test. My lungs are at its optimum coupled with a very positive 120/80 blood pressure. Since then, I told myself to be forever GRATEFUL, to APPRECIATE life and to live it HAPPILY. My three times a week to the gym; exercising and releasing endorphins accelerates this happy process.

Please remember to be MINDFUL of how much our body can take. Every part of our body has an 'expiry date'. The more we use it, the earlier it will 'EXPIRE'. Now, when did I lose my virginity?

I came across this video recently. Is this really the end times? Now, you INTERPRET the tell tale signs.

Jekyll & Hyde

2009-10-17T10:40:00.008+08:00

Dear Friends,

Today is DIWALI, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus around the world. I woke up today thinking of my Indian friends both celebrating near and far. One of them that came to mind was my ex-hotel General Manager whom I worked with in the late eighties. He is Mr. NSP. We shall call him 'Jekyll'. He is an Indian national who has now recognized Malaysia as home. Jekyll was every hotel owner's dream. He produced the numbers, turned around difficult situations and was every customers' gem.

Situations that I remember of Jekyll:

BEFORE -Dining period at the Swiss restaurant. He was on his rounds and came across a discontented guest. The subject was concerning a bread roll that was too hard to be consumed. He immediately asked the Maitre D' to mobilize the Pastry Chef while he was making small talk with the guest. Before the Chef could even make it to the table, Jekyll FLUNG the roll towards the Chef in the presence of the other guests and cautioned him; "Never-Ever!! serve this piece of shit to any of my guest again" - word for word.
AFTER - He would then move along to the 'back of the house' with the Chef and with EMPATHY apologizing profusely hoping that he didn't hurt him.

BEFORE - As a young Sales Executive, I used to be TERRIFIED by Jekyll. Our work stations were located almost fronting the General Manager's office. 'Judgement Time' was 9.30am SHARP. We needed to exit the office for the marketplace or be exited. I recall that I was caught on the telephone with a client (there were no mobilephones then, sales people carried pagers). Five minutes after 'Judgement Time', I had Jekyll standing in front of his door and screaming at me; "F**k Off, F**k Off, F**k Off!!" Not realising that my brief case was still open, I grabbed it and it further delayed my exit, with all my sales documents sprawled on the floor.
AFTER - He would then approach me while I am 'shitting bricks' with empathy and apologizing repeatedly hoping that he didn't scare me.

I remember of another person today. Let's just call this person Hyde. A person with terrible mood swings. The swings are mostly severe, long lasting and hinders the person’s ability to function normally. This person suffering from this condition, however, would feel intensely elated, energetic, and irritable at most times and then experience painful sadness, negative thinking, and complete indifference.

Similarities on Jeckyll and Hyde? People like that are not in control of their EMOTIONS and their rapid mood change. There could also be complementing indifferent disorders like stealing, perpetual lying and yet they do not realise. Situations as these are called 'BIPOLAR'. My interest in this subject arose when I came across these videos recently, with the spate concerning Ex- Miss Singapore, Ris Low. She is a Bipolar sufferer which has resulted in her losing her crown.

Today is Diwali. It is a celebration of the VICTORY of good over evil; the uplifting of spiritual darkness. I pray that sufferers of this disorder with medication and support would be victorious. During this festival, some empathy on people that we know are Bipolar would be good. Check this blog on empathy, "Have A Meaningful Deepavali" by my friend Anas Zubedy. http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/

To Mr. NSP, you are probably in your seventies now. Despite your stern leadership and erratic mood swings, I have learnt a lot about hotel success from you. I have always thought of you as the 'Last Escaped MAHARAJA' that arrived our shores. To 'HYDE', I wish you well. To my other Indian friends, "HAPPY DIWALI AND MAY YOUR HOUSEHOLD BE BLESSED".

By the way, my current hotel CHIEF, is a Frenchman. He has also started blogging his thoughts and I liked his recent insertion on 'The Law of the Garbage Trucks', which somehow adds value to this posting. http://gruhier.blogspot.com/

It was said, "So.. LOVE the people who treat you right. FORGET about the ones who don't. BELIEVE that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance , TAKE IT! If it changes your life , LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy".

Laughter - The Best Medicine

2009-10-13T14:19:00.022+08:00

Dear Friends,

'DOCTORS' don't like me very much and that is because I hardly allow them to prosper from me.

I rarely fall ill and if I do, I self medicate. 'Polaramine' for colds, 'Lozenges' for sore throats, 'Xelox' for gastric and 'Paracetamol' for fevers. If I ever need to visit a clinic, I must be in pretty bad shape. I contracted a cold last Thursday and I obviously self medicated. By Friday morning, my nose was running the marathon. Sunday came and I felt hoarse with a bad throat. Lozenges didn't help and I was stubbornly at work yesterday. With the blaring aircondition at my workplace, I knew shit has hit the ceiling.

Reluctantly, I had to go see a doctor. I arrived the clinic at about 4PM and waited. I was dazed and started to lose patience. I asked the nurse why the wait. I was told, "Doktor belum sampai", literally translated as the Doctor has not arrived. WHAT THE GOONIEGOOGOOS?!!

I was fortunate that I was no accident victim or I would have died from profused bleeding.

After a while, a 'witchy' looking Indian lady, probably retired from government service a decade ago walked in. She donned her white coat, took her time releasing herself in the backroom, washed her hands, went in her consultation room and rang a bell. My name was called and I entered.

The same customary questions on what was 'irritating' me that I was at her clinic. I was allured to say, "Besides the throat and my lungs wanting to pop out, it is your LACKADAISICAL attitude in treating sick patients like me!" Clearly remembering that I am a sick man, I applied tolerance. She further said, "You also have a temperature, 37.8 C which means you are having fever". That was probably because I was furious of the service. Being sick, I know that I do not enjoy the prerogative of losing my temper and forgetting my manners. She then asked me, "Are you working today?" I said yes. She was so 'sympathetic' and replied, "Okay, I will give you HALF DAY MC today so you can rest". I was like, 'WHAT THE GOONIEGOOGOOS?' again; it was already four plus in the evening and the day was coming to an end. No MC tomorrow? I am home today recovering from my atrocious body aches, a subsiding fever but I am still coughing my lungs out. The dreadful part is, I am recovering not with an official 'sick leave' but personal annual leave. I must thank the Doctor for her HALF 'GENEROSITY'.

As I was reading the papers today, I came across my favorite 'Doctor'. He is Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. At his age, he is still looking healthy despite his heart bypass history. This old man is still so vocal when it comes to matters of his heart. He was still at it during the recent Bagan Pinang by-elections, UMNO and other national matters. There are still many nagging issues where he is concerned about even though he is now just a commoner. In the article he expressed, "Speaking out is not something I enjoy doing. It is something I must do. If everything is fine, I don't think there is a need for me to OPEN MY MOUTH". My true Statesman :)

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/13/nation/4891422&sec=nation

During the interview with the journalist, Dr. Mahathir signalled that it was time for his lunch. A HEALTHY spread of curry chicken, stir-fried french beans, salted fish, green salad and rice. It was also known that Dr. Mahathir was specific about not being photographed during his meals when he was the Prime Minister.

Dr. Mahathir does not mind opening his mouth to speak out but he dislikes being photographed with his MOUTH OPEN.

UNLIKE HIS PREVIOUS MINISTER.

To me, "LAUGHTER IS STILL THE BEST MEDICINE".

Sounds of Music

2009-10-10T21:22:00.018+08:00

Dear Friends,

As the Swedish band, ABBA would sing in the seventies, "THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, THE SONGS I AM SINGING".

I have always been passionate about music and regretted that I was not given the chance to learn it during my childhood. Hempen growing up years, I had to just contend with tuition as 'extra curricular' at that time. When I grew up and with assurance,I would put myself through music classes. As my maxim goes, the spirit was willing but the head was not. It was because I am always 'So Busy' that I 'assured' myself that I DO NOT HAVE THE TIME.

If only we have more than 24 hours in a day, many would say. Apart from the eight hours of sleeping time, are we really exploiting the remaining 16 hours of our awaken time? Are we really busy or do we think we are busy doing the wrong things? We tend to flow with the rat race motion that we have forgotten to value LIFE.

Recently, I came across a TRUE STORY.

This happened in Washington DC's Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes, a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 Minutes Later:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw the money in the hat and without stopping, continued to walk.

6 Minutes Later:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 Minutes Later:

A three year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent without exception forced their children to move on quickly.

45 Minutes Later:

The musician played continuously. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty gave a tip but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32 dollars.

An Hour Later:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was JOSHUA BELL, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell had a sold out theater in Boston, where the seats averaged a hundred bucks.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about PERCEPTION, TASTE and PEOPLE'S PRIORITIES.
The questions raised is this. In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we PERCEIVE beauty? Do we stop to APPRECIATE it? Do we RECOGNIZE talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this; If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made; How many other things are we MISSING in life?

Not wanting a repetition of history , my junior is able to play the piano and my princess both the piano and the violin. May I suggest you take some time today to breathe, to smell the flowers and to appreciate a loved one.

And me; NO, I CAN'T PLAY THE VIOLIN. Maybe, a Joshua Bell wannabe?

Eighth Day of October

2009-10-07T21:24:00.013+08:00

Dear Friends,

"TOMORROW IS THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER".

I acquired a real taste for Indonesian cuisine when I was living in Jakarta. In particular, 'NASI PADANG'. My personal favorites were their 'Cabe Ijao' (Green Chilli), 'Sop Buntut' (Oxtail Soup), 'Perkedel' (Potato Patty), 'Ayam Goreng Kalasan' (Fried Chicken) just to name a few. To top it off, I will savour the 'Jus Alpukat' (Avocado Juice with Chocolate Syrup). Nasi Padang is the epitome of Minangkabau cuisine with no less than 20 dishes being offered and served with white rice. The Nasi Padang moniker actually pays tribute to the origin of the food; whereby Padang is in fact a city in West Sumatra of Indonesia.

Last week 30th September, while I was practicing some dance moves to a hip-hop number, I could suddenly hear a Carole King's rendition of "I feel the earth move under my feet, I feel the sky tumbling down". Only to realise later, Padang in West Sumatra was hit by a huge earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale. Almost immediately, Malaysian relief teams sprung into action. MERCY MALAYSIA sent a surgical and a medical team to treat the earthquake victims, the SMART team was sent to assist in searching for victims and survivors."TOMORROW IS THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER".

I envision all Air Asia flights into the LCCT from Indonesia will experience full load factors. Why? It is 'GANYANG* MALAYSIA' (Crush*) invasion day. A self vigilante group calling itself 'Bendera' is planning to attack my beloved homeland with sharpened bamboo sticks. I don't know whether should I laugh or cry, should I flee or fear? This is the same group of fellas which set roadblocks in Jakarta some weeks back SWEEPING out Malaysians.

"WHY SO RADICAL-LAH?" You said we stole your folk songs and dances, you said we abused your maids, you said we exported terrorists to you. Please don't forget that we are 'SERUMPUN'. You eat rice, we eat rice; you eat 'Ayam Goreng', we also eat 'Ayam Goreng'. Folk songs like 'Rasa Sayang' and 'Burung Kakak Tua' ; "WE SHARE SHARE - LAH'".

Your country has 'GEMPA' (earthquake), ours do not. Yet, we were compassionate. We sent teams to help in your disasters. Plane loads of food and supplies were sent but yet you said that we sent you expired items. We have also spearheaded donation drives for cash to be dispersed to your country for rebuilding. If this is not help, what is?

"WE GIVE AND TAKE-LAH". You have almost 1.5 million of your citizens 'Cari Makan' in my beloved homeland. Some have stayed here long enough that they have been given permanent residency. You don't 'Salah' you know, I am talking about your construction workers. Year on year, we have many foreign applicants for residency; many of them foreign doctors, engineers and professionals. But, yet 'we feel' your construction citizens deserve them more. It still puzzles me.

My family had Bak Mira, Bak Soli, Bak Uhn, Bak Kampi and many that I now can't remember worked for us. We cared for them, fed them well and treated them like family. We also came across one of them, taking our belongings without permission and keeping it in her bag. I think that is called stealing. I was taught from young that I must FORGIVE & FORGET. Bak Kampi was best of them all; after returning to Indonesia, she sent us a picture of her all 'dolled up' resembling a 'Datin'. She was standing in front of her newly built house with money she earned here. She repeatedly, 'TERIMAKASIH PAK' in her letter to us. We were happy for her.

"TOMORROW IS THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER".

I really pray that the 'warning' issued to us was just for funs. Both our countries have come a long way. A little GIVE & TAKE and FORGIVE & FORGET would do the trick. Let us loosen up a little. Geographically, we have no choice but to be neighbours.

"TOMORROW IS THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER", I hope to wake up and know that the sun will still rise from the East. I am planning to have my 'Nasi Padang' for lunch at Sari Ratu with my favorite 'Teh Botol'. So, please - please do not ruin my plans tomorrow.

If you are still really at it, I hope you will at least specify the time you are planning to invade; since I will be quite busy tomorrow.

And The Power Goes To...

2009-10-03T13:17:00.026+08:00

Dear Friends,

The Miss World Malaysia pageant is the most prestigious and glamorous event staged annually in the country. A worthy candidate is selected each year to represent Malaysia at various international platforms. Adopting the motto of “BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE”, the Miss World Malaysia pageant has contributed and assisted in raising over RM10 million for various charity organisations across the country. In line with the motto, the pageant strives to make the country a better place.

"WE HAVE DECIDED THEY HAVE THE POWER"

THANUJA ANANTHAN, 23 years old
MISS WORLD MALAYSIA 2009
Student
Height:5’11”
Weight:54
Vitals:34-25-34
Hobbies:Reading, yoga, swimming, pet enthusiast
Long-term Ambition:To be a Criminal lawyer

STEFANIE CHUA, 21 years old
FIRST RUNNER UP
Student
Height:5’8”
Weight:55
Vitals:33-24-35.5
Hobbies:Playing tennis, swimming, playing piano
Long-term Ambition:To be a successful Businesswoman

CHRISTY YEOH, 23 years old
SECOND RUNNER UP
PR Executive / Musician
Height:5’6”
Weight:52 Vitals:34-25-36
Hobbies:Music, photography, reading, movies
Long-term Ambition:To be an Ambassador of orphanages as well as a photojournalist

BEAUTY IS POWER, USE WITH CAUTION!

'X' Factor or 'X'-treme Factor?

2009-10-03T02:00:00.023+08:00

Dear Friends,

The pre-judging for the Miss World Malaysia 2009 pageant took place on Thursday. It was so cool to meet Jaslene Gonzalez, the winner of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, Season 8. Strutting down the runways in New York City, she is in town to execute photo shoots and casting. Capitalising on the situation, Models.Com invited her to be part of this years' pageant judging panel.
In the panel, there were eight of us. Apart from Jaselyn and yours truly, the others were Pietro Felix who host the 'Morning Show' on MIX FM, Engku Emran - Chief Operating Officer of Suria FM (also husband of actress, Erra Fazira), Rubin Khoo - Editor from August Man, TV personality - Joanne Rozario and Miko Au - founder of Salon Espirit.

We were given a judging synopsis by Amin Hussein; the Executive Producer of Miss World Malaysia, also General Manager of Beyond Events. Our assignment was complex; to identify a winner from this pool of nineteen finalists. The girls will take on the panel individually; as they enter the room they will remove their robes and catwalk in their bikini. It was quite a DISTRACTING moment. They will then be seated in front of the panel. They are then given two minutes to convince the panel on why they should be our next Miss World Malaysia. Upon completing their 'hard sell', the panel will then field questions which will ascertain their spontaneity, knowledge and communication skills.

I took the role of 'Simon Cowell' being the intelligent nasty one. Most of the girls had their introduction so well rehearsed that it sounded politically correct and 'plastic'. There was one particular finalist who was trying to impress with a 'twang' that got her sounding neither Australian nor American. She was asked why she spoke in that manner. She said that it was required to, if she wanted to sound 'internationally' professional and not too Malaysian. All of us in the panel were like, "What??" But she 'swore' that she was proud to be Malaysian.

BLUNDER 1
Finalist: "If I win the crown and represent Malaysia, I will promote our food, culture and the '1 Malaysia' concept in South Africa".
Judge: "Name me three Malaysian Cabinet Ministers and their portfolios"
Finalist: "Errr...Ahhh...Sorry, I don't know"

BLUNDER 2
Judge: "I say you are young, you are not ready and you are not what we are looking for. What do you say to that?"
Finalist: "Huh, really ah? PLEASE LAH, I really want to win this"

The youngest finalist was 19 and the oldest 24. Most of them had really good intentions to win. So much so, that they have forgotten to be human. Most of them made over a SUPERFICIAL persona of a beauty queen for themselves.

I liked Stefanie Chua . Despite being only 21, she carried herself confidently, she is elegant and she is poised. During the 'Question & Answer' session, I asked her what was her take on the recent controversy surrounding ex-Miss Singapore, Ris Low. She was composed in her answer and she was convincing. Okay, she had a 'melting' smile too :) *Pictured below
I also liked Renee Erin from Melaka. She had the most natural answers and she has personality. I could feel her genuine in her spirit.

Thanuja Ananthan was really confident despite reassuring the panel that she was nervous a few times. Who wouldn't be with a panel of eight? Before the pre-judging, I had the opportunity to speak with Tiong Su Lynn whom I found knowledgeable and friendly. She is a FOOD BLOGGER http://bangsar-babe.blogspot.com/ and also write food reviews in a local daily. I also liked Christy Yeoh http://simplicitacious.wordpress.com/ whom I found sincere and real.

Being a pageant judge for a competition of this stature is no easy task. I had the responsibility of selecting a REAL WINNER to represent this land in South Africa. I constantly reminded myself that our Miss World Malaysia must stand out, she must stand tall and she must be intelligent.

One thing is for sure, I could not locate the 'X-FACTOR', not in anyone of them.

Beauties With a Purpose

2009-09-29T22:28:00.025+08:00

Dear Friends,

Allow me to tell you a secret. 25 years ago, I had the HOTS for my tuition teacher. I think her name was Florence Yong. She was this tall, sweet 20 something (She must be in her 50's now). She was really, 'YOUNG AND CRISPY'. If my memory serves me right, she had a pretty face with her hair always tied in a pony tail. What struck the boys among us, was when we found out that she was a titleholder of a Miss Malaysia contest at that time (in the early 1980s). No shit! We were being coached by a MISS MALAYSIA. I was so infatuated that I paid more attention during tuition classes. I looked forward going to tuition more than school. How she would play table tennis in her flare skirt with us, after class while we were waiting for transport home. She was my real beauty queen.

I have been appointed, I have really been APPOINTED. To be a judge. Not for the courts but for the land. The land of BEAUTY and POISE. Come this Friday, I will be one of the judges that will decide who amongst the 19 finalists of Miss World Malaysia 2009/2010 will represent our land in Johannesburg , South Africa.

I pledge to be a FAIR judge. With the 'power' invested in me, I will ensure that our Miss World Malaysia will not be 'exploding' into the rhythms of 'BOOMS' or befriending the 'RATS' when she feels NAUGHTY. I will ensure that she looks elegant when she is parading in her BIGINI but I will also remind her that BIGINI wrongly worn, she will be 'shooting down AWKWARD ROAD'. I will make sure that she will not be colour blind. She must be able to differentiate that in the Pantone colour chart, khaki is khaki and green is green.

What I will be sourcing for will be CONFIDENCE. While standing in front of the mirror every morning, a picture of PRIDE must be reflected. I shall detest OVER CONFIDENCE. If you look like Deborah Henry, then be proud and SAY SO. If you look like Camilla Parker Bowles , just smile with much 'HORSEPOWER' and say nothing. The ability to sing or dance will be advantageous. But, the choice of song is of importance. The 'TITANIC' song is a no-no. History will tell us that the vessel sank so CHOOSE-LAH something like the once controversial 'NEGARA-KUKU'. If you really can't sing, at least score some brownie points for patriotism.

I am looking forward to all these BEAUTIES WITH A PURPOSE. I have spoken my beliefs, so please come prepared. I shall endeavor to stick to the 'law' without allowing any of my 'FLORENCE YONG' emotions to change the interpretation of the pageant.
I am so proud to do BEAUTY NATIONAL SERVICE. If ever, I inadvertently select a 'RID-SECT LOW', find a canister and spray me dead.

P/S: After posting this awhile ago, I came across www.dailychilli.com

It was stated, "Miss Singapore World 2009 Ris Low has given up her throne.
This comes days after her past conviction for credit card fraud was exposed.
The organiser of the local beauty pageant, ERM World Marketing, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon she will no longer represent Singapore at Miss World 2009 in South Africa.

Ladies: Body or Bulge?

2009-09-26T14:06:00.027+08:00

Dear Friends,

I used to question myself, what if I was endowed with a body like this?

I used to think that:

a) I could be the HONEY that could attract the bees.

b) I could be a model on Men's Review.

c) I could be featured on YouTube and disgrace myself like Ms. Singapore, Ris Low.

Having a body like this could also be TOUGH, excuse the pun. I used to marvel how would it be for the ladies touching me. Will they leave me after the first date? Caressing me would be akin to lifting barbells hence developing muscles of their own during the intimacy.

Sucking grapes in my mouth, I am glad that my body is not that. This picture was taken three years back. Imagine this; if I were to have breasts and wearing a push up bra, I wouldn't be able to cypher which was breasts and which was the double chin.

Out of the blues, I settled that I wanted to feel good and healthy about myself and most importantly to live life. My objective - TO LOSE WEIGHT. Having been a health freak for a few years now, I know skipping meals was not an option. So, I decided to eat balanced and healthy. Those who knows me will tell you, that I do not have a sweet tooth and I swallow up to six supplements a day. Most importantly and taboo to some, EXERCISE. I do both cardiovacular and weights training at the gym twice a week, swim once a week and some bowling to de-stress.

Once, I read about this American bloke called Jared Forgle. This guy was overweight and if he continued eating, he needed to reconstruct a new door to his house for his entrance(*exaggeration*). Hang on, by consuming SUBWAY SANDWICHES and exercising, he shed the pounds. By 'accident', I chanced upon SUBWAY at the mall where Celebrity Fitness is located. I decided that I was going to be a 'test product' of this assertion and decide if it was for real.

3 MONTHS AND NO MORE!

My favorite bread is WHEAT and occasionally PARMESAN OREGANO. I only go for the specials of the day - where they are priced at only RM 7.50 compared to the normal prices, which ranges from RM10.50 and more. You have a choice of either the 6-inch or the one foot - mine is always the former. As I was eating this on a frequent basis, it doesn't really matter when I eat what and on what day. If I devour them one a day at RM 7.50, I would have completed the entire menu in a week. So, the 'specials' it is. Once in line and my choice of bread selected, I will then decide on the 'meat special' or fillings of the day. I was told that their meats contain less than 6g of fat. My favorites would have to be the ITALIAN BMT which means 'BIGGEST, MEATIEST and TASTIEST'. Secondly, it would have to be the TUNA. Both of these are 'SPECIALS' on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively. Once the 'meats' are stuffed, I will be greeted with the freshest vegetables. Mine will always be, "EVERYTHING except OLIVES". To top it up, I will ask for a doze of olive oil, vinegar and a sprinkle of pepper for taste. The vegetables are crunchy but at times, the moisture of it could make the sandwich a little marshy to handle (especially the 'MEATBALLS' - special on Wednesdays).

Consuming this diet three times a week, I have graduated from my third month now. I am beaming with hope realising the double chin has now CHISELED.

I will proceed to eat 'SUBWAY SANDWICHES' and also to uphold burning a minimum of a thousand calories per gym session. Moving ahead, I am aspiring to attain the body that every man fantasises of.

If I am still a let down, maybe I could instead canvass to be an:

*
*

UNDERWEAR MODEL, No face and body contours needed.

ONLY A HUGE BULGE!

* This is not written as an ADVERTORIAL. However, I will not SAY NO if Subway decides to reward this blog with FREE sandwiches. :)

Beyond then Say-lah

2009-09-24T20:04:00.008+08:00

Dear Friends,

So, Beyonce is coming after all. At least, up until now.
Her inaugural show here in Malaysia is scheduled on October 25, 2009 at the Bukit Jalil Indoor Stadium. I still remember back in 2007, this R&B star axed her concert in Malaysia in protest on some strict dress code over some 'Talibanic opposition religious' outcry.

These 'Morality Talibanias' I was told, were going to send a protest note to the authorities but they do not plan to disrupt the show. Simply said, "I BARK ONLY-LAH - WON'T BITE WAN". They also said that they were not against entertainment as long as it is within the framework of their culture and their 'Talibaniaism'. They further added that they were against Western sexy performances and they don't think Malaysians need that. "THANK YOU YOU-LAH", but do not speak on behalf of ALL Malaysians because I can decide what is immoral and what is not.

I really do not think that Beyonce is going to 'POP A NIPPLE OUT' knowing that her performance is in a moderate Muslim country. I believe she would want to come back and do a repeat performance and not want to run foul with our authorities. I feel Malaysians have come of age and we no longer have this third world mentality. Music and star concerts are part of globalisation and we should not continue to be some 'katak di bawah tempurung'. If in the coming concert, she really goes "BEYOND, then SAY-LAH". If this simple theory be not understood, "HOW-LAH" are we going to be Truly Asia? Our southern 'Kiasuland' would only be delighted to hijack all these 'SEXY' star performers and tell the world that they are the actual 'TRULY ASIA' and their northern neigbours 'TRULY KIASU'. We won't want to 'KANASAI' by them right? Luckily enough, the Hainanese Chicken Rice issue did not reach the Hague's International Court of Justice.

Star concerts are not just about songs and dances. Without the mini skirts, the tubes and the exposing of some 'flesh', we should just watch 'The Sound of Music'. Beyonce is an icon with fashion taste and restricting her is a real pity.

Let Beyonce perform in her finesse. Don't stop her from running and jumping around the stage. If we really want a Julie Andrews performance (even she was running and jumping around), we should just have a 'somebody' to stand in front of the microphone, open her mouth, sing and "I SAY YOU CANNOT MOVE AR!!".

With her, even the 'Talibanias' will protest. Over the hair, maybe?

Facts or Myths?

2009-09-21T17:39:00.051+08:00

Dear Friends,
This Hari Raya, I was hoping for it to be somewhat 'One Malaysia'. Along the 'People First, Performance Now' notion; I was looking forward so much to a 'Ketupat First, Rendang Now' festivity but it was hampered. I had not one open house invite this year; either a diminishing popularity or vanishing Malay friends.

Bored to my bones, I decided to embark on a mission - 'Around the Mall in 180 minutes'. Destination - Sunway Pyramid Mall. www.sunway.com.my/pyramid The mall was sardine packed with visitors both young and old with accents from near and far. As I was walking about, I realised that without a competitive edge, retailers will not endure in this business. I released my Canon Isus 860IS from its holster and distinctly pursued a crash course in 'Retailing Competitiveness 101'. Enjoy my discoveries.

DISCOVERY 1
MYTH: We are always disguised outwardly for the others.

FACT: Only we know our naked truth.

DISCOVERY 2

MYTH: Doing more is perceived as being enterprising.

FACT: Constantly minding your own business is intelligence.
DISCOVERY 3

MYTH: Going slow and steady will win you the race FACT: In any race, it is either hero or zero.
DISCOVERY 4
MYTH: Fiery hotness equals goodness.

FACT: Uglyness equals demise. Looks does matter.
DISCOVERY 5
MYTH: A virgin's experience is always painful.

FACT: Practice makes perfect pleasure.
DISCOVERY 6
MYTH: Being hairy means being horny.

FACT: 'FCUK' is not vulgarism but a need.

DISCOVERY 7
MYTH: Flashing is a crime.

FACT: If you are cat cute, you could even lay a crocodile.
DISCOVERY 8
MYTH: Life is beautiful.
FACT: It is beautiful only if you have legs to kick ass.

DISCOVERY 9
MYTH: Being not 'good enough' is humility.

FACT: Being humble, you would be eaten alive.

DISCOVERY 10

MYTH: The truth always hurts.

FACT: Then repent, the Gospel message in John 3:16 says, "For GOD so loved the world, He gave his only begotten son..."

DISCOVERY 11

MYTH: Beauty + Boobies = Body Perfect

FACT: A perfect body means no implants and staying original.

DISCOVERY 12
MYTH: Dogs are not kosher (halal).

FACT: Being circumcised is.

By the way, 'ketupats' and 'rendangs' are still welcomed.

Talking Cock

2009-09-19T10:47:00.027+08:00

Dear Friends,

I am partially Hainanese and my childhood years were mostly with my maternal grandma, who originated from Hainan Island, China. After my father's passing when I was seven, I spent weekdays at my 'Popo's house and would only return to my mum on the weekends.

Those were polar days. The old house was situated in a 'Hainanese enclave' in Old Town, Petaling Jaya. All the neighbours were Hainanese. We all spoke Hainanese. If I was screamed at by my 'Popo', the entire neighbourhood would know the transgressions I have committed because they understood.

One of the things that I grew up with was having chickens raised at the backyard. 'Popo' would purchase them as little chicks from the market and ingest them with corn feed and dried pounded bread until they were big enough to be our 'feed' on the dining table.

Until today, I still have the image in my head on the slaughtered chicken, blood dripping until it laid there motionless and lifeless. Then , it would be put through a 'hotbath' process in boiling hot water for the feathers to be stripped. All these for a luscious meal of 'HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE'.

The chicken is prepared in traditional Hainanese methods which involve the boiling of the entire chicken in a stock, reusing the broth over and over. This stock is not used for rice preparation, which instead involves chicken stock created specifically for that purpose, producing an oily flavourful rice. The Hainanese prefer using older and plumper birds to maximise the amount of oil extracted, thus creating a more flavourful dish. The bird is dipped in ice after cooking to produce a jelly-like skin finishing. The dish is usually served with several dips, including chilli sauce and pounded ginger. It is common in Hainan Island to also offer a third sauce involving oyster sauce mixed with garlic, while dark soy sauce is more commonly served in Malaysia and Singapore.

I also remember moisturising my hands making those chicken rice balls better known in Hainanese as 'Pui Cin'. My 'Popo' told me during her China times, the rice was originally shaped into balls because it needed to be kept warm from the time it was cooked (often earlier in the day) until mealtime. Eating 'Pui Cin' at my 'Popo's house was more a novelty than anything else.

In the newspaper this week, our beloved Tourism Minister was quoted as saying, "Chilli Crab is Malaysian. Hainanese Chicken Rice is Malaysian. We have to lay claim to our food”, unquote. She was clearly upset that 'OUR' food was being claimed by others, in this case Singapore. Needless to say how the Indonesians were upset when they claimed that Malaysia 'hijacked' their Bali Pendet dance. A little "do what you want others to do unto you" here?

Some points for consideration here, Auntie Yen. Did you know?

* Hainanese Chicken Rice is the 'national' dish of Singapore. During my former travels abroad for international trade shows, the Singapore trade delegation would always serve it as a delicacy during their 'Singapore Night' dinners. On the contrary with our 'Malaysian Night' dinners, we would be serving 'Satay' and other local Malaysian delicacies that I know are 'Truly Malaysian'.

* Hainanese Chicken Rice is also one of the few local dishes served on board Singapore Airlines flights. I have flown umpteen times with Malaysia Airlines and not once have I experienced 'flying chicks' in the Malaysian air.

* There are more Hainanese owned coffee shops and restaurants in Purvis Street and Seah Street, Singapore that serves the Chicken Rice compared to any other streets in Malaysia. But, in terms of our Ramadhan Bazaars, we win hands down. Singapore can't even come near.

Our learned Minister should forget her strategies of going about labelling 'Malaysian' dishes like the Hainanese Chicken Rice after identifying them. Hainanese Chicken Rice is 'discovered' to be a Singaporean original. We Malaysians should continue preaching about how good our 'Satays' or 'Lemangs' are and leave the Hainanese Chicken Rice to the respective 'ownership'.

Since we are at this topic of wanting to draw the line of what is others and what is ours; I would appreciate if measures are drawn to keep 'our people' from being 'their people'. In recent months, an honourable Singapore school, the ST. NICHOLAS GIRLS SCHOOL came to offer secondary education places, to deserving students where my daughter was studying. I am proud that Charmaine was chosen to be accessed as a deserving student. Being 'my' daughter, I reckoned she should be closer to me. The choice was made to pay for her education at a local private school here instead of earmarking her to receive 'free education' in Singapore. Which means; I was also declining the allowance that was to be given to Charmaine, by the Singapore government for living expenses should the offer be accepted (I am not going to regret this now :D). The draining of Malaysian brains by our smart intelligent neighbours should be managed, instead of who actually 'owns' the Hainanese Chicken Rice.

By the way, I heard the CEO of Singapore Airlines is actually Malaysian. So is their Traffic Chief in the Police Force. And also, the many heads at their Government Investment Corporation (GIC). Now, we should be claiming all that instead of all these 'TALKING COCK"!

Oops, I meant the adult male bird.

F1 or Effing One?

2009-09-16T20:42:00.019+08:00

Dear Friends,

For those who knows me, will know that Motorsports is one of my passions. Fiery motorsports blood flows in my family. In the early 1970s, my dad was attached to Nissan. In his capacity, he was instrumental in developing the potency of a famed car racer at that time, Harvey Yap.

My brother, Eric Yeo is an occurrent champion in several saloon cars racing classes since the early 1990s.(Pictured above - Second from left) He has emerged champion in races for Proton cars, Malaysian Super Saloon Championship - racing a Honda Integra, Merdeka Millenium Races - racing a Nissan Skyline, Porsche Carrera Cup races in China and was also the champ at the Asian Festival of Speed in 2008 - racing in various Asian cities completing a full racing season. He also represented Malaysia at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2008. Personally, I was also involved in varied rallying competitions in the mid 1990s and won second place, as co-driver for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Malaysia, competing in the Singapore Rally in 1998.

In Formula One, I have always be a fervent supporter of the McLaren Mercedes team of Mika Hakkinen and David Coultard. During those years, it was real Formula One supremacy. The domination was so competitive between McLaren Mercedes and Ferrari's Michael Shumacher and Ruebens Barrichelo.

When I got word that Malaysia will be featuring our own F1 team to compete in the 2010 Formula One Championships, I was dumbfounded. Our own F1 team? 'Made in Malaysia'? The team will incorporate Proton who will be Lotus boosted, Air Asia and the Naza Group. This team will be based at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) which makes it the first to be located outside Europe. I am still dumbfounded. Proton? "Get out of town"!! With difficulties like overheating, which consequence in damaged gearboxes for their Perdana V6 and prevailing distorted power windows in their Waja models, I guess basic fundamentals for real customer's satisfaction has taken a step back. Until that be addressed correctly, I could only imagine our 'Made in Malaysia' F1 car be classified as 'DNF' (Did Not Finish - in racing terminology) in most if not all the races telecast 'live' on Star Sports. Can we really compete alongside the giants of Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes or even Renault? As the saying goes, "Tepuk dada tanya selera".

It was also cited, that the intent of boasting our very own team in the coming F1 Championship is to raise our country's profile on the world stage.

Didn't this man on the far left of this picture try to do that?

Pitiful and wretched Alex Yoong, he had no sustenance at all for his drives with Minardi in 2001/2002. He had to personally raise funds for his racing passage into Formula One. (And, I thought racing drivers were paid to race?) But, we got 'partially' famous anyway; for the wrong reasons of either causing accidents in the races or the many of Alex's DNFs.

Our featured team at the F1 Championship for 2010, will be known as '1 Malaysia F1 Team'. A stimulating name. If I decode that correctly, it means that all will have equal opportunities. Now, we have the financial support of 'RAJU' of Air Asia and the technical support of 'AHMAD' of Proton; so it means we could have an 'AH MENG' as the driver. That being the case, why don't we consider this bloke? He is young, fast and has got guts to manoeuvre corners. Allow me to list down three reasons why I think TIMOTHY YEO should be considered as Malaysia's 'potential' F1 driver.

One: He is the current National Cadet Karting Champion in the 2008 Micromax Championships

Two: He is my nephew and he takes after his uncle's good looks (racing drivers are supposed to be good looking).

Three: He has rubbed shoulders with former F1 champion, Mika Hakkinen.

With that alliance, it will truly be a '1 Malaysia F1 Team'. I am so looking forward to cheering for my own 'Made in Malaysia' F1 team next year. Let us truly make this a proud moment for Malaysia and the F1 fraternity. The worse it can get, if nothing goes right will be; 'We really made it an EFFING ONE'.

'SERUMPUN'?

2009-09-13T01:29:00.040+08:00

Dear Friends,

In recent weeks, much has been said between Malaysia and Indonesia. On the current tension, on Malaysian and Indonesian relations, following an outrage by some Indonesians accusing Malaysia of ‘stealing’ Indonesian culture, a sweep against Malaysian nationals done by a certain group of people in Jakarta was pathetic. The security of Malaysian nationals in Indonesia is at risk. A group of Indonesians who carried sharpened bamboo sticks and sought out Malaysians along Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta, last September 8 in a “Sweep Malaysia” activity was uncalled for. The group claimed they were dissatisfied over the Indonesian government’s so-called soft stand against Malaysia over the alleged Malaysian ‘theft’ of the Balinese Pendet dance.

This was somewhat nostalgic. What happened recently happened to me back in 1997. I was an expatriate in Jakarta. I remember travelling in the car chauffeured by my then driver, Pak Suminta. We were driving along Jl. Gadjah Mada when suddenly we were stranded in a 'macet' or traffic jam. This was during the impending fall of the then President, Suharto. A group of unruly men and young boys had barricades on the two lane road narrowing it into one. Every car that passed their 'sentry' had to chant some religious verses before they would let through. I was anxious in the car as I was not their 'own kind'. Now I understand why most, if not all cars in Indonesia have fully tinted windows. This is to prevent outsiders from viewing the inside occupants, in case you may not be their 'own kind'. When our turn came, Pak Suminta alighted from the car and chanted the 'password' for clearance.

The ‘cultural’ disputes perhaps are unnecessary given the historical fact that Indonesia and Malaysia are two nations that share the same cultural roots. During those times, my colleagues and friends would always agree that between them and me, we were 'SERUMPUN'. We spoke 'Bahasa' even though most of the words that I used they didn't quite understand at times. I remember travelling in a Bluebird taxi. I was constantly telling the driver to 'pusing kiri' or 'pusing kanan' and he would chuckle. I was not amused only to be told later that 'pusing' (turn in Malaysian) in the Indonesian language is having a headache (kepala pusing). The correct saying was to 'belok'. So, even though we were 'SERUMPUN', we had our differences.

One of the 'cultures' of Indonesia that was 'acceptable' was most things were 'ATURABLE'. The word 'ATUR' means arranged; when put together, it literally means to be 'Arranged under the TABLE'. I remember that my drivers' license was 'arranged' for me by my employer without me having to even go to the Road Transport Department. I remember that when driving and if I was stopped by the cops, all I had to do was to flash my 'authority card' which was signed by a retired four star general in the Army. Thanks to my employer again. The card states, 'To allow the bearer to pass safely and without any hindrances'. It was like a 'license to kill' so to speak. I remember upon my arrival at the airport from any of my travels, I would be escorted from the aircraft right through immigration, through customs, all in a jiffy. No need to queue, no hassles with my passport and luggages brought to me at the arrival hall. This is what 'ATURABLE' means, all arranged under the table; for a small fee of course. I had employers who ensured that we were protected against bureaucracy from the authorities.

Where I used to work - Omni Batavia Hotel, Jakarta

Life as an expatriate in Indonesia was exhilarating. I enjoyed weekends in Bali. I enjoyed Sundanese meals at the Pondok Laguna restaurant. I enjoyed chilling out at the Pit Stop, Sari Pan Pacific. I enjoyed golfing at the Karawaci Golf and Country Club. I enjoyed karaoking at the Hai Lai Executive Club. I enjoyed grocery shopping at Sogo. I enjoyed having a haircut at Rudy Hardisuwarno. I enjoyed the cool air at the peak of Punchak. I enjoyed buying designer wear at Plaza Indonesia. I enjoyed drinking 'Bir Itam' with 'Kraeteng Daeng'. I enjoyed eating 'Nasi Padang' at Sari Ratu. I enjoyed 'Mie Bakso' at Bakmi Gadjah Mada. What more is there not to enjoy?

I was also toughened by an earthquake there. I was in my office when I suddenly felt nausea. My desk slided a little to the side and everyone was evacuating. This naive Malaysian joined them in the evacuation, only having to run up again realising that I left my mobile phone in the office. When I asked them what was the commotion about, they replied with much cheer, 'Gempa Pak' (Earthquake, Sir).

'Gempa'? We are blessed from that here in Malaysia. And no, I don't agree in paying maids the suggested wage of a minimum RM 800 by your government. We maybe 'SERUMPUN' but we really do have a lot of differences.

Boobie Traps

2009-09-12T22:46:00.003+08:00

Dear Friends,

Kiwi researchers have found that 80 per cent of men glance at a woman's chest before looking anywhere else and they look at breasts longer than any other body part.

Researchers at the University of Wellington believe men look at breasts because they are physically pleasing on the eye, regardless of the size.

Amazingly, less than 20 per cent of men look at the female face before scanning other areas of her body.

The study also found that guys began to gaze at the “components of the hourglass figure” within 0.2 seconds and there were only a few glances directed at the arms, face, lower legs and feet.

Subjects tested were presented with six images of the same woman, digitally altered to increase or decrease the size of her bust, waist and hips.

What part of the body do you look at first?

It Was Never Them But YOU!

2009-09-06T14:07:00.031+08:00

Dear Friends,

The video you have just watched says it all.

Why is is never ourselves but it is always "the others"? Today is a reflection Sunday. Following my previous post, I started to ponder on individual habits on why certain people are the way they are.

When shit hits the ceiling, it will always be "the others' " fault. Not vividly, I can still remember all the quaint of her. When the budget is not met, it will always be, "It is the sales people, they are not doing enough". When group arrivals are not produced despite all the overseas travelling, it will always be, "Our overseas sales agents are sleeping". Mind you, if those are genuine reasons, then what are you doing about it? You are the Shepherd of the flock, for crying out loud! Another one I 'like', is how our Creator is always brought into the discussions; "GOD will guide me and help me from hereon, whatever I do is done for His glory"..."I always do them for the company and not for me"..."I have always worked from the heart and not the head". Wow, if these are anything to live by, then I proclaim you the working SAINT. The next 'National Workers Day' event on May 1, an award of excellence must be bestowed upon you.

People who behave like this have only themselves to blame. It could be due to their upbringing, experiences in life - bitter or sweet which have moulded them to their being. They like to be portrayed as experienced, perfect, over glorified and indispensable. The truth is they are living in a pretentious shell, constantly hiding behind a wall of shame - camouflaged in the name of 'perfectionism'. Their negative consequences of perfectionism could be seen in these signs:

Low Self Esteem - Because they never feel good enough about their own personal performances.

Pessimism - Since they are convinced that it will be extremely difficult to achieve an ideal goal, they can easily become discouraged.

Rigidity - Needing to have everything in their life perfect can lead them to an extreme case of being inflexible, non-spontaneous and rigid.

Obsessiveness - Being in need of an excessive amount of order, pattern or structure in life can lead them to become finicky or obsessive in an effort to maintain a certain order.

Lack of motivation - Believing that the goal of change will never be able to be ideally or perfectly achieved can often give them a lack of motivation to attempt change in the first place, or to persevere if change has already begun.

Lack of belief in self - Knowing that one will never be able to achieve an idyllic goal can lead them to lose the belief that they will ever be able to improve their life significantly.

Sounds like someone we know already? How do we help them? We can only encourage them to be open to the idea that they will be successful in their efforts to change, even if they are not "first," "the best," "the model," "the star pupil," "the exemplar" or "the finest". An example would be, "Why feel inferior if the house you are staying in is not as posh as your colleague's?" They must learn to love themselves and to believe that they deserve good things.

The truth about personal change could be summed up by these mighty words of wisdom.

Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye - THE BIBLE - Matthew 7:5

To conquer others need strength; To conquer oneself is harder - TAO TE CHING, Chapter 33

Conquer your own mind and you conquer the world - GURU NANAK (SGGS, page 6)

Verily never will GOD change the fate of a people until they change it themselves. QURAN 13:11

Though one should conquer a million men in battlefield, yet he, indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself - THE BUDDHA (Dhammapada 103)

All our actions come from within. The external forces may have an effect on our thinking and feelings. But, the willingness to respond comes from ourselves.

It was never 'Them' but YOU!

Miss World - Malaysia vs Singapore

2009-09-02T22:40:00.026+08:00

Dear Friends,

A few weeks back, I was personally introduced to the current Miss World Malaysia 2008/09. Her name is Soo Wincci. This beauty queen is not as 'bimbo' as you may think. She read Law at the University of Reading, United Kingdom . She also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Sunshine Coast in Australia. She is conversant in English, the Malay language and various Chinese dialects. She gets away in conversational Japanese, Korean and French too.

A beauty contest or beauty pageant is a competition based mainly though not always entirely; on the physical beauty of its contestants and often incorporates personality, talent demonstration, and question responses as judged criteria.

If that is the case, then what happened to this one?

I feel that she is in need of major speech therapy or a good 'Singlish' teacher. Take a gun and shoot me dead, she sounds so robotic and rehearsed.

In instances like this, I am so proud to be Malaysian. And, if you were wondering what Soo Wincci was thanking me for in the picture above, I am so not telling you :)

As the Singaporeans would say, "Walau eh, kanasai!"

Blog or Blocked?

2009-08-31T21:08:00.036+08:00

Dear Friends,

Did you know that Malaysia has about 500,000 active bloggers, ranking the country among the highest in the world after Indonesia and the European Union? Today is exactly a year, 'WILYEO OR WILYEO NOT' is into its' blogging being. My inaugural blog, 'Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka?', (meaning Independence for my international readers - it is Malaysia's Independence Day today) was somehow nostalgic. In that post, I mull over my younger schooling years, of landing a crush on a Malay girlfriend in school. A Petronas, 'Tan Hong Ming' commercial, if you may.

People blog for various reasons. I blog for my love for linguistics. I blog to express my opinions, have them contested and allow it to be responded in an orderly manner. There are no limits to what I can and can’t blog about. No matter what, I will always love what I am writing about because I get to decide. However, I do not blog about delicate issues which may spark debates and disputes.

If you would observe on the right of this page, I have a bloglist of people whom I follow. I have always had respects for people who can write. The pen is mightier than the sword, if you may. I have a special admiration for KENNY SIA http://www.kennysia.com/ Kenny hails from Kuching, Sarawak in East Malaysia. He is very health conscious and runs marathons. He does not look it as he appears plump in most of his pictures. He spent close to 8 years of his youth growing up in Perth, Australia. Apart from the similarities that I possess with Kenny (being health conscious and being in Perth), I am nowhere near his blogging fame. (todate, he has close to 18 million visitors to his blog) His blogging style is humorous and original.

Another blogger who is impulsive, takes risks, unpredictable and a daredevil is Poh Huai Bin http://www.sixthseal.com/ Huai Bin is probably the first blogger in the world who publicly admits to taking drugs. He has photos and videos to attest to this in his blog doing them. He marvels at why he was never caught, especially when all his personal particulars were open to all and sunder to view on his blog. He was a safe drug user and he always encouraged existing users to practice safer drug use. He has been in and out of rehab and he has been clean for the past two years. By blogging, he is making a difference by bringing harm reduction and knowledge to the masses for dubious knowledge of the substances.

Last week I was invited to the press conference of 'Project Alpha', Malaysia's first online TV show about bloggers. It is a fast paced, fast cut, lifestyle driven online TV show featuring the real faces and lives of Malaysia's top bloggers. This show will take a sneak peek into their lives, who they are, where they live, how they tick and how they derive inspiration to capture the attention of so many online readers to their blogs on a daily basis. Every blogger is unique and they are opinion leaders on celebrity news, fashion trends, travel, entertainment and etc. Every episode will be 3 minutes in length and will air daily for seven weeks on http://www.hitz.fm/ (Hitz Radio Station's website), http://www.nuffnang.com.my/ (Asia Pacific's First Blog Advertising Community) and also YouTube. This will commence September 18, 2009. This project taps into the massive potential of the online market, at a time when the world has become increasingly familiar with YouTube videos and social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.

At the press conference, a question was posed and I addressed the issue on how quickly brands are evolving in the present. I further reiterated that it is not enough to just rely on above-the-line advertising these days. I was asked if it was risky to have bloggers write about a brand when we are not in control of their writings. The answer is this. Every business decision is a risky decision. In this era of blogosphere, can a brand not afford to flow with the bandwagon? With the emergence of digital communications, blogging denotes not just a fun activity for some but also a significant potential marketing solution. Apart from revealing the lifestyles and real faces behind these top bloggers, the purpose of this show is also to inspire up and coming bloggers and encourage them to start their own blog.

If you observed the top and bottom right of this blog, you would realise that I subscribed to Nuffnang and GoogleAds. I recognized that blogging has some income opportunities. Chances are I won’t make millions, or even thousands of dollars blogging. In all likelihood, with real resolve and desire I will make some money to pay for some of my bowling games.

By the way, it was really nice meeting Jojo Struys http://www.jojostruys.com/ , the Producer for Project Alpha and Timothy Tiah http://www.timothytiah.blogspot.com/ , the Co-founder of Nuffnang.

Happy Blogging :)

P/S: It is 1.20am now as I am posting this blog. I started blogging at 9.1opm. For no apparent reason, my entire posting was erased and wiped out as I was loading the pictures. Just imagine the anger and frustration. Such is a life of a blogger, sometimes.

I need to Fart!

2009-08-23T10:08:00.009+08:00

Dear Friends,

I am one of those who is real careful with what I eat and drink. A little 'over the top' sometimes with restrictions to better things in life; I don't even drink Coke, for crying out loud! I decided to break rules yesterday morning and decided on a 'cheat day'. I gobbled down three glorious 'Roti Canai Empat Segi' with Dhall curry almost instantly. The taste was just beyond description, kind of like a mouthful orgasm.

As I was facebooking on my laptop in the afternoon, my daughter Charmaine went, "Dad, is that you...AGAIN? - Disgusting!". I love it when I irritate her - 'farting in her face', so to speak. This is my home for goodness sake. I can fart wherever and whenever I want. I find it unnatural if I have to go, "Charmaine, excuse me ar, Daddy is going to fart". Having to 'request for permission' from the few around me, I would have needed to shit by then. In the office, it is similar. Whenever the 'Mamas' are told to stand outside my door to speak to me, they understand and appreciate the 'punishment' of standing at the door.

It is funny that farting has become such a part of our lives that we take this practice for granted. I bet you that when asked why do you fart, you wouldn't have an answer. Did you know that the average person farts 14 times every day? The amount of actual gas released ranges from as little as one cup to as much as one half gallon per day. Gas is made primarily of odorless vapors such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. The unpleasant noxious odor of flatulence comes from bacteria in the large intestine that release small amounts of gases that contain hydrogen sulfide.(smells like sulphur) Contrary to popular belief, women have just as many passages as men, and older people, have no more gas than younger individuals. As much as 80 to 90 percent of rectal gas (flatulence) is formed by bacteria. Eventually these gases exit through the rectum. (arsehole to some:D) Certain foods produce more flatulence than others because they contain more indigestible carbohydrates. Beans are well known gas producers. (Damn, the lentils I ate!) The beans pass through the small intestine and arrive in the large intestine without being digested, which causes flatulence to occur.

Fart - we all have it, and it is a normal part of life. It is a natural result of good digestion. Farting is a more familiar term to many people.(flatulence to the refined educated ones) Most of us try to make light of it so as to not be embarrassed by its occurrence.

So, it is alright to fart. If you have to do it the next time, don't be shy. Among family in your house, you just fart and don't even bother explaining. Around friends, you tell them you just farted and ask, "Why, you don't fart meh?". In the company of strangers, be polite and ask, "Do you mind excusing me, for I need to break wind, as I can feel some intestinal gas aka flatus coming through my rectum? Please don't mind the sound and smell that is coming your way without any sight."

Farting is Embarrassing, but it doesn't have to be!

Long live the sounds of life..."POOOOOOT....!!!"

Gay? I am Not

2009-08-19T20:13:00.014+08:00

Dear Friends,

"Amboi, Amboi, Amboi"!!

This is the 'trademarked' salutations TV personality Azwan Ali repeatedly recites. In the newspapers today, he denied being a homosexual.

It sprung up following postings putatively about his gay tendencies he made on his blog. http://silaserazwanali.blogspot.com/

Quote, "Only GOD and my mother knows my sexuality, it is not for me to answer if I am gay or not", unquote. His feeblemindedness for not explicating to the speculation has created even thicker speculations.

Homosexuality is a sexual inclination or tendencies directed towards a person of one's own sex. The prevalence of homosexuality among humans is difficult to determine accurately; studies suggest between two and twenty percent of the population exhibit some degree of homosexual tendency, though in many earlier cultures homosexual relations were highly prevalent. Many homosexuals hide their feelings and activities out of fear of disapproval or violence; they are commonly said to be closeted.

In many cultures, homosexuals are frequently subject to prejudice and discrimination. Closer to home - in Thailand; Kathoey, or "ladyboys," have been a feature of Thai society for many centuries. While Kathoey may encompass simple effeminacy or transvestism, it is most commonly treated in Thai culture as a third gender. They are generally accepted by society, and Thailand has never had legal prohibitions against homosexuality or behavior. There also exists a widely-believed stereotype, even perpetuated within gay culture, that gay men can be identified by a certain accent or way of walking, both of which are perceived as less masculine.

So, Azwan Ali, stop personifying yourself as 'Mak Hayam Gebuss' or 'Azwana Alia'. Personal or imaginary characterizing, you have created an avenue for your own character bashing. You are known in the industry as 'laser mouth' and it is difficult for perpetrators to differentiate what is true and what is over the top.

Can the public accept homosexuality if they are convinced that it is inborn and immutable?

As for me, I think I am 'lesbian' because I still feel for the opposite sex.

Trek Me Down

2009-07-11T13:21:00.021+08:00

Dear Friends,

It rained this morning and I thought to myself, the treks are going to be slippery. A group - my hotel mates and I, in a five car convoy made our way to Gasing Hill for jungle trekking. In the spirit of camaraderie, we came in all sizes. Tall, short, fit, unfit, with and without love handles; we came all.

Most city-bred dwellers know this Hill as having phenomenal surroundings for burning calories, toning up and promoting cardiovascular benefits. But uncharted to many too, the potpourri of terrains in the Hill offers much more than merely routine exercise. I am talking about real 'hardcore' trails in the forest. Unless, you are merely seeking for inner 'Qi Gung' potency, practiced by a platoon at a field across the entrance to the Hill. Gasing Hill has been gazetted as a forest reserve for over 44 years spanning more than 36-hectares. This secondary jungle, which was once a rubber plantation has more than 32 species of plants ranging from tropical timber to wild flowers and ferns.

There are variations between brisk walking exercises and jungle trekking for real cardiovascular workouts. Walking needs no concentration unlike jungle trekking. The concept of walking on uneven terrains requires diligence, discernment and ability to negotiate. This constitutes to mental strain on the mind and body to perform well and not getting hurt. When it comes to jungle trekking, the accomplishment needed increases, brought about by the terrain. Out of all the terrains we attempted today, the most challenging I would say will be the 'Stairway to Heaven' which was very steep. This is a climb up a continuous 45 degrees slope and will draw all your imagination, durability and to some even self esteem. At this stage, I was particularly proud of Adele Ang who performed beyond her calibre, even if she was the last to arrive.

During jungle trekking, a pair of specialized hiking boots could help along the way. Nature can be unforgivable at times, so when technology prevails, go for it. Hiking boots are specialized pieces of equipment that allows traversing the most daunting of landscapes. Because of its thick soles and increased ankle support, it absorbs the impact of jumping down terrains or stepping unevenly on stones. It will also prevent sand and thorns from getting into the boots, while also being waterproof for times when crossing swamps or streams. The sole of the boots reflect threads of a car tyre to ensure every probable grip. I use a pair of 'Hi-Tec' hiking boots and it has proven its' worth for many years. http://www.hi-tec.com/

On the average, I burn about 2300 calories after a two and a half hours jungle trekking session. This is complemented with a burn of at least 45% fats. I gather these readings from the heart rate monitor which I wear while jungle trekking. This monitor checks and guides me to a suitable intensity while jungle trekking. For maximum fat burn, I keep my intensity at an average 80% of my maximum heart rate per minute which is also classified as aerobic. At times, it does escalate to over 90% of my maximum heart rate per minute which enters the anaerobic zone. This is when the heart is pushed to its' maximum for strength and heavy panting could be experienced. This level should only be attained at times and not practiced often as it could be strenuous and detrimental. I normally experience this when I trek on the 'Stairway to Heaven' - 45 degrees continuous slope. For reliable and effective heart rate monitors, I recommend http://www.polar.fi/

Good jungle trekking tips are needed to ensure a soothing and successful hike. Amongst them are to use good judgement on personal fitness levels required for a particular trek and know personal physical limits. Take plenty of water and pack easy to eat snacks to keep energy levels high. Cover legs with long trousers to ward off mosquitoes and to provide protection against thorny plants. Choose sturdy footwear with proper ankle support and good traction.

In the jungle trekking activity today, I realised that the common goal my team has is to succeed. But, I also recognize that each individual has different competency levels, in terms of physical fitness and mental strength. As long as the need to excel be actualized with much determination, we will go far.

Remember this; when jungle trekking, we only take memories and photographs from the treks out with us and the only thing we leave behind are our footprints.

King of POP-ping Pills

2009-07-05T20:37:00.008+08:00

Dear Friends,

The initial post-mortem of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

--------------------------------------------

8st 1oz, no food just pills in his stomach, bald, bruised, his ribs broken by CPR, 4 needle wounds near his heart ... THE horrifying state of pop superstar Michael Jackson in his final days can be revealed by The Sun today. Harrowing leaked autopsy details show the singer was a virtual skeleton — barely eating and with only pills in his stomach at the time he died. His hips, thighs and shoulders were riddled with needle wounds — believed to be the result of injections of narcotic painkillers, given three times a day for years. And a mass of surgery scars were thought to be the legacy of at least 13 cosmetic operations. Experts found the distressing evidence of Jacko’s physical decline while investigating his startling death in Los Angeles last week. The examination showed the 5ft 10in star — once famed for his on-stage athleticism — had: PLUNGED to a “severely emaciated” 8st 1oz. It is understood anorexic Jackson had been eating just one meagre meal a day. Pathologists found his stomach empty aside from partially-dissolved pills he took before the painkiller injection which stopped his heart. Samples were sent for toxicology tests. LOST virtually all his hair. The pop pin-up was wearing a wig when he died and pathologists said little more than “peach fuzz” covered his scalp. A scarred section of skin above his left ear was entirely bald — apparently the result of a 1984 accident when his hair caught fire as he filmed an ad for Pepsi. SUFFERED several broken ribs as frantic rescuers pumped his chest after he collapsed in cardiac arrest. Four injection sites were found above or near to Jacko’s heart. All appeared to result from attempts to pump adrenaline directly into the organ in a failed bit to restart it. Three of the injections had penetrated the heart wall — causing damage — but a fourth missed and hit one of the 50-year-old star’s ribs. The autopsy also found unexplained BRUISING on Jackson’s knees and on the fronts of both shins. And there were CUTS on his back, indicating a recent fall. The King of Pop’s once handsome face bore a network of plastic surgery scars, while the bridge to his nose had vanished and its right side had partially collapsed. As inquiries into the tragedy last night focused on the star’s personal physician Dr Conrad Murray, a source close to the Jackson entourage said: “Michael’s family and fans will be horrified when they realise the appalling state he was in. “He was skin and bone, his hair had fallen out and had been eating nothing but pills when he died. Injection marks all over his body and the disfigurement caused by years of plastic surgery show he’d been in terminal decline for years. “His doctors and the hangers-on stood by as he self-destructed. Somebody is going to have to pay.” Cardiologist Dr Murray was thought to have given Jackson the final injection of painkiller Demerol. He is facing serious questions about his resuscitation attempts, which began when he started CPR as Jacko lay unconscious on a bed. Basic first aid guidance says patients must be face-up on a hard surface before compressions.

Scarlet Sheets

2009-06-13T15:45:00.036+08:00

Dear Friends,

Sacred as it may sound, there is no eluding when death comes a knocking. As a noun, it means the time at which life ends. My colleague, Luan Luan Joey during the recent first year memorial service of her mother in law, mull over how she wanted her wake to be, if she were to pass on before her time. To quote her composition on Facebook - "Not trying to curse myself here either; life and death are unquantifiable abstracts and part and parcel of nature’s course, which we often don’t have control over. This may sound eerie and 'pantang' to some but death shouldn't be a taboo topic because only when we start acknowledging it can we embrace life wholeheartedly - which I’m trying to, besides being grumpy, naggy and full of complaints on certain occasions. Ignorance is definitely not blissful in this matter." - unquote.

The past month has been 'traumatising' for me. Sam, a gym friend I have acquainted recently, in my 'Spinning' cycling class at California Fitness collapsed without regaining consciousness, just 15 minutes into the session. We cycle at least three times a week in a group under the watchful eyes of an instructor. And yet it happened. The night before his death, he was just boasting with me on how he managed to push his heart rate up to 90% of it's maximum. The post mortem revealed that it was heart failure and he was just 47.

As I am blogging this, I see a hype of activities happening at my neighbour's. Later to find out, this 'irritating' neighbour that constantly parks his car at the fringe of the road, has just passed away.

In the news, David Carradine, who became a TV icon in the early 1970s starring as an enigmatic Buddhist monk with a flair for martial arts in "Kung Fu" and more recently played the head of a group of assassins in the "Kill Bill" movies, has been found dead in Bangkok, Thailand. He was 72. Carradine was found hanged in his luxury hotel suite, Thai newspaper - the Nation reported on its website, citing unidentified police sources. They claimed it was suicide.

What constitutes death? It is clear enough that people die when their lives end, but less clear what represents the ending of a person's life. One of the saddest way to initiate that is suicide. Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with hurt. Suicide victims are not bad people, or crazy, or weak, or flawed; just because they feel suicidal. It does not even mean that they really want to die - it only means that they have more pain than they can contend with. It was just two weeks ago that I was told of the suicide of a 29 year old Thai lady in a renowned hotel in my vicinity. Married to a Swedish expatriate with a son, she swallowed ninety painkillers with beers, gripping a picture of her son and sliding into the deepest sleep she had ever knew.

I remember a suicide case that I had to deal with in 1996. I was in Jakarta, Indonesia as a hotel expatriate. We were in the midst of an early morning meeting when a panic-stricken front office staff burst into the conference room. “A guest slashed her wrist!” she exclaimed in Bahasa Indonesia.

Blood drained from the faces of those in the room. With a sickening fear creeping up my spine, I hurriedly dialed for Security. Together with the General Manager who was present at the meeting, we made our way to the guest’s room. The 65-year-old General Manager of Dutch descent, Rudy Schouten, was an experienced hotelier and must have seen much in his time, but even he was visibly quaking. The walk down the corridor towards Room 839 was the longest I have ever experienced.

The Security Manager, had arrived there with 2 of his men just moments before us. One of them was trying to calm the hysterical maid sobbing at the doorway. She must have been the one who discovered the guest. We had been forewarned of the sight that awaited us, but the limp body tangled in scarlet-soaked sheets and the smell of blood that permeated the room brought me to the brink of nausea.

We approached the bed cautiously to see a Chinese girl in her late-20s. Her lifeless demeanor led us to presume that we were too late. But suddenly, a twitch of her eye! Pandemonium broke loose. “She’s alive! Call an ambulance!” “Her wrist is still bleeding! We need to stop it!”

Someone grabbed a towel from the toilet and pressed it against her slashed wrist. The blood adamantly soaked through the towel. In desperation, I pulled off my tie and tied it around her wrist. Slowly, the blood ceased to flow.

Calm soon resumed after that. We suddenly realized that she was only clad scantily in a T-shirt and panty. The security personnel spotted a pair of shorts and gently pulled it on her, an attempt to return some measure of dignity. No one spoke much, but the unspoken question that ran through our minds were ‘what could possibly drive a young, pretty woman to such desperation that the only way out was death?’

We decided it was faster for a hotel van to send her to the hospital than an ambulance, so we arranged for one to wait at the back of the hotel. We bundled her up in a clean blanket, and gently led her, semi-conscious, through the service corridors to the van. The official statement would be that she was suffering from acute food poisoning.

Once she was safely en route to the nearest hospital, I began checking our hotel records for her reservation. She had been living in the hotel for six months but the room was booked under a gentleman’s name – Aming. We called him and he rushed over in a panic, claiming she was his friend. We directed him to the hospital to which she had been taken. Before he left the hotel, he paid the bill in full and requested that we throw away all her belongings.

The bloodied room underwent a major cleanup. For many months after, I could not look at our clean white sheets without imagining it decked with dirty scarlet stains.

It was very much later that I found out who Aming really was – a human trafficker who brings in women from China illegally. But Aming fell in love with one of his ‘goods’ and set her up at the hotel, promising her that a better life laid ahead for them. Somehow, she found out that he was already married and she decided to end her life.

Did she do it because she honestly loved him? Because she was in a foreign land, dependent on a man who would eventually sell her on the streets?

No matter what the reason, I pray she is living the better life that she hoped for.

"Harro , I am GeeTee Queen"

2009-05-31T00:41:00.047+08:00

Dear Friends,

Hajimemashite!
(It's my pleasure)

I had to labour last weekend and I didn't complain. I turned chaperon to two Japanese ladies who spoke no English. I could get along with some conversational Japanese but I was perpetually relying on my I-Phone's translator feature. These 'babes' are young and were selected from amongst 200 entries in Japan to be laureled this years 'GT Queens'. The 'Queens' have a huge following in Japan and some have proven to be even more favourable in comparison to the GT race drivers.

Last week, Sepang International Circuit (SIC), the event organizers for the Super GT International Series Malaysia 2009, had their event launch at the Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa. During the launch they also acquainted their promotional 'materials' – 'GT Queens' Sana Yuki and Nana Shibata. I am humbled to say that I was instrumental in securing 'Official Hotel' status for the GT event this year. For the foregone six years, the teams had always stayed in the city centre. My acknowledgement to my friend, Razlan Razali who was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Sepang International Circuit. He made this possible by introducing the management of GTA, Japan to me early this year. And the rest, as they say is history.

Established in 1994 by the Japanese Automobile Federation, the Super GT series is a grand touring car race series promoted by the GT-Association (GTA) and recognized by the Federal Internationale Automobile. (FIA). Races are held as part of a yearly series and take place on well known Japanese race tracks like Twin Ring Motegi, Fuji Speedway, and Suzuka Circuit.

The race cars and racing equipments; the drivers and teams, and their 'GT Babes' will be arriving at the Sepang International Circuit during race week. I am told that the teams and drivers are all exhilarated to come to Sepang for the race. Sepang has always been special to them because it is the only round outside Japan. More importantly, it is the most challenging race in the entire GT racing calendar. Sepang is the mother of all the GT battles every year. The cars are fractioned into two groups: GT500 and GT300 (cars with no more than 500 and 300 horsepower). They race simultaneously, with a total of 34 souped up cars on the grid for the race engaging plenty of adrenalin throughout the 54-lap race. A unequaled event combining mean machines and gorgeous 'GT Babes' in bringing a truly Japanese carnival-like atmosphere to the circuit. Malaysia will host Round 4 of the 2009 championship, which will also feature some of the best regional races as supporting events. To be held from June 19 to 21, Sepang International Circuit hosts the only international round of the championship, which provides a sexy combination of stylish sports cars and gorgeous Japanese grid babes. The babes will be dressed in skimpy outfits emblazoned with logos identifying the respective teams and their sponsors. Their roles are to add 'spice' on race day and also to meet spectators. These Japanese babes are gorgeous, friendly and some are current top models in Japan. 'GT Queens' 2009 - Sana Uki is currently an actress whilst Nana Shibata is a businesswoman.

Incomparable to the GT championships, race fans are allowed to visit the paddocks on qualifying and race day to mingle with the various team's 'GT Babes' and drivers. They are also allowed on the starting grid on race day by purchasing special pit walkabout passes. Tickets for the Main Grandstand can be purchased at RM100. SIC is also offering a special family package at RM250 for four Main Grandstand tickets. It is free for children below seven years old. Passes for the main race day pit walkabout, where fans not only can get up-close to the racing cars and drivers, but the 'GT Babes' as well, are sold at RM100.

There will be a Japan Super GT celebration on the 19 June 2009 from 9.00pm onwards at Ministry of Sound - Euphoria at Bandar Sunway. For further information, call Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa at +60 3 7492 8000.

The 'GT Queens' repetitive singing of, 'Anatano Sekshi' (You are sexy) is still lingering and rewinding in my mind. "Dozo Yoroshiku" (Nice Meeting You)

Sparkling Korea

2009-05-17T16:02:00.026+08:00

Dear Friends

"Anyonheseyo"

Last month, I flew into Incheon International Airport on a chilly spring Monday morning. The temperature was about seven degrees celsius and it was graceful with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. This was my second trip to Seoul after a sixteen years lapse.

Korea is difficult to depict - to experience it is to understand it. It is an inhabited nation of about 48 million people. Koreans are primarily from one ethnic family and they only speak one language - Korean. With distinct physical features, they are believed to be descendants of several Mongol tribes that migrated to the Korean Peninsula from Central Asia. I found it hard to converse as English was rarely spoken. I found the Koreans to have very solid cultural traditions. Everyone bow to their elders and superiors. Not only listening to them, but doing exactly as the last word was spoken. No questions asked. I was amused at one of their traditions. Kim Jong Eun (state coach for the Penang bowling team) my translator, taught me the proper way of pouring and toasting a drink. It is rude not to take a sip when being toasted by a peer.

Seoul is a busy city. It doesn't matter what time of the day it is, the streets are jam-packed with vehicles and people everywhere. This is one of the cleanest cities I have ever been to. Not having much of a chance to explore it on my own, my itinerary was packed as the host wanted me to see the best the city could offer. One of the tourist attractions that I visited was the 'Gyeong Bok Gung' Palace or also known as the 'Palace Greatly Blessed by the Heavens'. It was built in 1935 and served as the main palace. This was a symbol of national sovereignty and was demolished during the Japanese occupation. Other than this national heritage, I also visited the Korean Folk Village. In a natural environment of 243 acres, I saw the different traditional houses and cultures of the Koreans. I could feel the ancestral experience from the many performances watched.
I flew to Korea for one reason and that was to bowl. At the invitation of Seong Nam City, a total of 21 of us made the trip. I found the lanes and the alleys different compared to home. The conditions were brutal with exceptionally slippery approaches. My team member, Chloe Tay slipped and fell next to me and I was mentally affected. With a high score of only 196 and a piteous low of 120, it was devastating. We bowled for two consecutive days and all I wanted was to at least bowl my average (of 185). It was not the winning or losing. I thought about it and realised that this was part of bowling. To be strong mentally and psyched up is needed for game maturity.They had some great talents which included bowlers from the Korean Professional Bowlers Association (KPBA).

Each day that we were there, our meals were provided. At local restaurants, we were served 'Korean' for all three daily meals . It was alright for the first two days but it got to me after that. Dishes are served at the same time. A typical meal normally includes rice, soup, and several side dishes, the number of which vary. 'Bap' or rice is the staple food for Koreans, it is eaten with almost every meal.(breakfast included) Korean rice is often sticky in texture, and sometimes it is combined with beans, chestnuts, sorghum, red beans, barley or other cereals for added flavor. Another must have at every meal is 'Gui'. It is marinated meat barbecued over a charcoal fire. The most popular gui dishes are meats, such as bulgogi and galbi. At every meal, a must have is definitely 'Kimchi'. Kimchi has been scientifically proven to be high in nutrition and is always eaten as a side dish. Cabbages and other vegetables are soaked in salt water, then seasoned with different spices before being fermented. There are many different types of kimchi, such as cabbage kimchi (the most common), cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, cubed radish kimchi, green onion kimchi, and more. One of the lunches, we were served 'Samgyetang'. A young chicken is cleaned out then stuffed with various ingredients before being boiled to draw out a delicious broth.

On the last evening of my visit, I had some time to do last minute shopping. We were brought to a market area called Dongdaemun. Dongdaemun Market has been one of the major markets in Korea. Specializing in wholesale clothing, the market has grown large, having more than 20 shopping malls. The main street seperates Dongdaemun Market into two sections. Section 1 is on the side where Doosan Tower is found, and Section 2 is on the side of Dongdaemun Stadium. Huge shopping malls in Section 1 basically sell wholesale and retail goods, but mostly deal with general customers and tourists at retail prices.

Seoul is filled with wonderful scenery, from the brightest lights to the pretty cherry blossoms. The five days spent here was magical. I truly enjoyed the spring and the people. After all, it is a "Sparkling Korea".

Pictures of places I saw and friends I met could be found below this post; Scenic Seoul and Faces of Korea.

Scenic Seoul

2009-05-17T15:46:00.018+08:00

Faces of Korea

2009-05-17T14:28:00.046+08:00

Hey Mama

2009-05-10T17:33:00.013+08:00

Dear Friends,

Today is Mother's Day. How ironic it is that our lives these days are conditioned to look out for dates to express gratitude and to express our feelings. It has become a norm for establishments to ignite our guilt conscience to spend lavishly, order the best in dishes and purchase the most expensive in presents. Today will come and go, tomorrow will return us to our normal practice of taking the old dame for granted.

I am thankful that my mum is still with me, knowing the bitter feelings of losing my dad when I was seven. She was just thirty and having been married for only 9 years. A man whom she so depended on for strength was taken away after nine months of pain and suffering. I recalled the times of travelling every week to Singapore where dad was warded because it seemed that he would have a chance to live if he went there. In the early 1970s, the word chemotherapy never existed. I still remember the tears that flowed from her eyes until they were no more. This innocent child was helpless let alone naive.

Thirty some years have come and gone. This lady of tenacity have blossomed well and has fended for her two off-springs. We became strong and what we are today is because of what we have received from this single parent. Mothers are special and one of the happiest moments in anyone's life is to be with them.

I admit that I now find her nagging and difficult as she grows old. Her demands are becoming demanding and sometimes my level of irritation reaches its peak. I chose to understand that due to circumstances she holds superior in her sacrifices all these years. Such is the love and strength of my mother. Mum, you have shown me the good values of life and because of you I am able to live it comfortable and happy now.

My mum, Vivian Tan Lai Kuan, thanks a million for all your guidance, teachings, patience and at times irritations. I may not have said it for a long time but I indeed love you. May GOD continue to enrich you and bless you with good health and much happiness. I pledge that I will be duty bound to take care of you till the last days, in sickness and in health.

Happy Mother's Day.

* Pictured above with her grandchildren, Eugene and Charmaine in 2008

A Malaysian Social Contract?

2009-05-03T14:16:00.012+08:00

Dear Friends,

I have been busy lately and have not found time to blog. It has been a laborious one month of work, travels and domestic obligations. I travelled to Seoul- Korea, for a week of bowling. I had wanted to indite the trip down but have not been inspired to do so.

In the meantime, my friend cum blogger Anas Zubedy has an interesting feature. This friend of mine is not afraid to verbalize his beliefs aloud. He is grounded, knows his mission and stays the course to accomplishment. Malaysians of the Buddhist faith will be celebrating Vesak day this coming Wednesday. And as tradition, Anas Zubedy will take a full page advertisement in the local daily to convey his well wishes and call for unity.

I have copied a portion of his blog here for all to harmonize a true call for a united Malaysia.

Quote, "I propose a Social Contract this Wesak Day

"This Wednesday May 6th, the message below will be advertised in The Star as a full page ad. Many Malaysians have debated about the social contract. Some say it exist, while others don’t. Some is for it, some against. But what is the social contract? Where is it? Does it really exist? Whether it exist or not, why not we come out with one?So, here are my thoughts. You can agree with my ideas, comment about them or simply agree to disagree. But, please use logic, love and wisdom. Because,Logic will make us fair with our minds; Love will make us fair with our hearts; and, Wisdom will lead us to combine our love and logic in the way of God and for the benefit of Mankind.

Thank you, cheers and peace, / anas zubedy"

To read further, log on to http://www.letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/

Pictured on the top right hand corner is, Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda ( 1918-2006) who has always been instrumental in "Do something for others"

My blog on 'Sparkling Korea' should be appearing soon...very very soon :) Until then, keep those hands clean and not be infected by the Influenza A H1N1 virus.

'Blacked Out'?

2009-03-28T23:22:00.027+08:00

Dear Friends,

I decided to assess the ballyhoo of 'Earth Hour' after dinner tonight. I drove around my surrounding neighbourhood, to witness how many buildings will be in total darkness, between 8.30pm for an hour tonight. Envisioning that there will be partial darkness in my wandering around, I was inaccurate in my judgement. Most of the surroundings were brightly ignited and it did not even reflect the slightest 'power failure'. Many showed non-support for this green effort.

This event began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when two million people switched off their lights. Came 2008, 50 million people around the world participated in this climate change initiative. Individuals like you and me, corporate businesses and the communities at large were invited to turn off lights to 'safe' Mother Earth. For this year, Earth Hour aims to reach out to one billion people in 1,000 cities.

Frankly, a venture like this will not be able to quantify the amount of energy this globe would save. What values is the green message content that will make a difference. It is conjuring the yardstick for public awareness on climate change. This in return will make a difference in our lifestyles as a whole.

As I departed away from my neighbourhood, I encountered the organisation I work for responded positively. I was encouraged. I drove pass Sunway Pyramid Mall and the soundtrack, 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' from the popular animated 'Lion King' was resounding in my mind. I am proud to be associated with an organisation that is enthusiastic about making a difference in preserving the environment. More of their intiatives at: http://www.sunway.com.my/

View video clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6qejT3ZPRc

A belief flashed by me on the journey home; reflections of this earth I am living in did not belong to me. My existence here is on borrowed time and borrowed land from my children. Time to come, I will dedicate my part in preserving this earth and restoring it to them unsurpassable.

And yes; during the hour,the lights on the external of my house were all turned off. (unlike my neighbours :p). In that one hour today coupled with all the 'moaning and groaning' in darkness; I sure hope this green initiative was communicated with much competence.

Otherwise, the least the consolation - the population will set to grow in nine months.

Fast and Furious Force

2009-03-26T01:35:00.024+08:00

Dear Friends,

Today I am blogging about 'cats and rats'. How cats always emerged victorious in their hunt down for rats. Never have I seen the reverse. Imagine Ratatouille pursuing Felix the Cat?

As quoted, criminals must be made to fear the strength and effectiveness of the police. They must show them they are able to match them especially now that criminals arm themselves with modern and sophisticated weapons. Fear must be instilled in criminals so that crimes could be combated in a professional and responsible manner, unquote.

Today the Royal Malaysian Police celebrated Police Day, the day the force was formed 202 years ago. It is, indeed, a mature and tested police force that is best remembered, together with other branches of the armed forces, for its contributions and sacrifices in the long battle against the Malayan Communist Party during the first and the second Emergencies (1948-1960 and 1967 to 1989).These days the men in blue face other hazards, which are no less challenging, of modern-day policing. In spite of various constraints, they have toiled tirelessly to maintain law and order. Their dedication to duty has been reflected in their recent successes in combating crime, curbing drug syndicates and the elimination of notorious armed gangs.It is the hope of every Malaysian that the police force will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour. And while they go about their duties, the police should remember that to be a really effective force, it cannot stand alone. It needs all the support it can muster from the public through activities such as community policing so that the police force becomes the people's force.

What interest me in the news is that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has acquired 25 units of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (10 - with manual transmission) which will be used alongside the Proton Wajas as patrolcars. High-performance models are nothing new to the force and even as far back as the 1970s, they had a fleet of 2-litre Alfa Romeo Alfettas, the first police force outside Italy to use the Italian cars. Marketed by City Motors at that time, they were assembled at the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant in Shah Alam, Selangor. Later on, during the 1980s, the force also purchased a small fleet of Ford TX3s which were used for undercover operations. The cars were unmarked and little was known about them other than that they existed. Around that time, other government agencies like the Customs also used models like the Citroen BX and BMW 318i in order to pursue criminals who had fast machines. In the 1990s, the Highway Patrol got the powerful Volvo 850 T5 stationwagons which were ideal for use on the North-South Highway. The stationwagons served for some time but today, the Highway Patrol uses Mitsubishi Pajeros, Nissan X-Trails and some Proton Satria GTIs. The force will be sending its Evo drivers for special training courses so that they will be able to make full use of the car’s performance so illegal racers had better think twice before trying to accelerate away when they see flashing blue lights behind them. The police also say that the cars may have other roles that require high-speed escorts. As these are government vehicles, the cost would be about half the showroom price of RM324,000 since they are purchased tax-free. Also, the Evo's 295 bhp engine is a thirsty powerplant but since the police also get tax-free petrol, that should not be a worry either!

Now, when we see these beasts roaring behind us in our mirrors, pull over - the chase is not worth it. Recline your windows down, smile and don't rehearse the ever popular, "Boleh settle ka?"

This blog is dedicated to a top cop in charge of Subang Jaya's USJ8 Police Station (my neighbourhood). Tuan Foo passed away in the course of duty during a raid on 30 December 2008.

Let The Show Begin

2009-03-23T22:53:00.014+08:00

Dear Friends,

I attended my budget presentation meeting two weeks back. The budget has been revised many times and I found it ambitious to write the assumptions. Revenues are declining, or flat at best. The last grounds if the business does not thrive, is to look for ways to reduce expenses. For some sanity, this is where the mindset of hoteliers turn from driving profits to basic survival. Having been there in 1997, I understand how tricky it is to operate a hotel in times like this. Making those decisions, what to cut, what to keep, is one of the hardest parts.

Through some friends,I had a chance to meet Jessie Phua, a Member of Parliament from Singapore last Saturday. We were discussing about lifestyles and this led to the topic of recession. My last trip to Singapore was a few months back. I was window shopping and I noticed droves of people trying to enter into designer outlets. Yes, they literally needed to queue and I wondered to myself where was the recession? I shared this with Jessie and she jokingly said that these were not Singaporeans but Mainland Chinese, when I said that they were mostly dressed in shorts. The point I am driving here is, our friends from Kiasuland acknowledges that the recession has hit their shores and they have been taking measures to overcome.

Recessions always result in compressing the marketplace; that Sheraton and Hilton, full service hotels down the street will now be after my business. As the business pie shrinks, the number of hotels in my competition set will increase; everyone wants to propagate their slice of the pie. Hotels which present the best value to consumers will succeed, not hotels with the lowest rates. I had a meeting with my hotel EXCO members recently and I suggested not to press the panic button yet and they agreed. Resist the overwhelming urge to just reduce rates; that has never worked and usually starts the dreaded downward spiral.

In my beloved Bolehland, I feel that we are still in rebuff. Never once has the authorities acknowledged that the recession has arrived. But, at least they apprehend that the economy needs to be stimulated. I find comfort reading in the papers today, that some RM3.2 billion worth of projects will be awarded this week. With this so soon after the mini budget, I guess the authorities are trying to demonstrate their seriousness in dealing with this crisis. I am also hopeful that they are really dignified about my well being rather than their own personal agendas. What struck me was when the Deputy Prime Minister said that he would make changes to the New Economic Policy (NEP) when he comes in power. Now, that is the true spirit of the NEP, which is to eradicate poverty among all races and not just the 'chosen ones'. At this moment, the policy is seen to profit only a certain thus the dissatisfaction amongst the rest.

I am hoping that the new 'Boss' will practice what he has preached. I am hoping to see a Cabinet that is credible and able to institute the reforms much needed. To the new 'Boss', please select a Cabinet that have the credentials to deliver the reforms and not some fanny licker that will probably do better as a Post Master. I am hoping that his government will wade through the current murky political scene with much meritocracy and not because it is some 'divine appointment' that it is now their turn.

'Enough - lah' with all these money politics, 'stop-lah' all the 'katak-ing' around, 'don't-lah' change-change the government that we have voted in. Like what Anas Zubedy has said, a truce is what is needed now.

A dim light at the end of the tunnel maybe visible if all that is 'affirmed' come true. I want to see clear directions for my beloved country and it will all be revealed this June, the 100 'litmus test' days of the new 'Boss'.

The basics never change and they never fail. Don't even think about going beyond the basics until they are learned and practiced until perfected. I see too many politicians who are anxious to get into the more sophisticated techniques without first nailing-down the most fundamental principles, first. Time is their most precious commodity; don't squander it.

Let the show begin.

Good Luck, Bad Luck, Who Knows?

2009-03-09T14:30:00.024+08:00

Dear Friends,

Today is a public holiday in Malaysia. The weather has been gloomy since the morning and I am finding it hard to progress today. I am seated on my reading chair with both my feet sunk in my newly purchased, 'U Squeeze Pro' by Osim. I have just drifted into a musing moment of reflection - a 'Depressed Mood' for no alarming reason. As I read the Star newspaper this morning, news published are just getting more atrocious these days. Was there ever a time when we came across upright news in the newspapers?

As I was reading, I stumbled upon a story of how a blind man walked tall and completed a charity walk to raise health awareness. He is an automotive engineer and is currently unemployed. I reflected at how blessed I am with my eyesight and my career.

I continued reading. I was astounded at how they are still demonstrating against the controversial policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in the English language. English has an economic value and anyone who hopes to do well has to have some proficiency in it. I reflected at how I was exposed to speaking the language at home during my growing up years. I appreciated my mothers' far sightedness.

I proceeded further. I emphatised with the family members of the clerk who died in a hotel fire. It was the clerk's first overseas trip. She died with two other Malaysian women at the White Snow Hotel, Taipei. I reflected at how difficult it was to lose a loved one especially my father at an untested age.

I went along flipping the pages. I was stirred reading at how the residents of Kuchai Brem Park Condominium demonstrated the spirit of 'Muhibbah'. The Chinese residents donated generously to a Malay couple whose son drowned at the condominium swimming pool last month. I reflected on how peaceful it was, to have all different races living in unity, unlike all the squabbling amongst the different races these days.

A letter to the editor wrote; quote, "There are people out there who lost their jobs or are taking pay cuts, who are unable to sleep at nights, thinking of how to settle their bills and support their families. These are the ordinary Malaysians who stand by this country even when she is at her lowest. But, we ask for unity; not for political reasons but for our sake, and the sake of the next generation. We need to wake up and remember who we were once upon a time.", unquote.

I then reiterated to myself that life couldn't be so bad. I remember a passage in the Bible (Matthew 6:34). This is a great story to remember when we are projecting way past the present moment. When we are worrying about what will happen tomorrow? It teaches us to be anxious about today and allow tomorrow to take care of itself.

The things we think are good fortune can often also have bad endings; and vice-versa. How many times have we looked back on what seemed like bad fortune and said, "Aren't we glad that happened, because it led us to where we are now." Losing our job might have sent us to school, or maybe to an even better job. Losing our relationship allowed us the freedom to find another, maybe even more satisfying.

I once came across this ancient Chinese fable.

There is an ancient Chinese story of a farmer who owned an old horse that till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbours sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbours congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?” Then, when the farmer's son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this was bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer's son with his broken leg, they let him off. Once again, the farmer's only reaction was, “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?

Friends, every single thing in this world is neutral unless we put a value to it. We can choose to make things better or make them worse. Wake up and remember who we were once upon a time.

So, Good luck, Bad Luck? It is entirely up to you.

Shut Up, Enough and Do The Significant!

2009-02-27T19:14:00.022+08:00

Dear Friends,

I had a chance of meeting the man behind the many unity advertisements that we encounter published in the Star newspaper during every festive or religious celebration in Malaysia. This approach taken has intrigued me and further provoked my emotions every time I run into them. What further triggered my being was his aspirations in wanting to unite the people or the many different races living in Malaysia. The advertisements will always headline, ZUBEDY. This is his family name and he is ANAS.

I met Anas Zubedy a few months ago. He presented a training module, 'Making a Difference' for my hotel sales team. He is 45 years old and is the Managing Director of Zubedy (M) Sdn. Bhd. a training and consultant company. He descented from an Arabian rootage and was born and bred in northern Penang. He attended the renowned Penang Free School and later graduated in Political Science, from Universiti Malaya in the late 1980's.(being the 'recalcitrant' that he was, he took four years to graduate for a three year degree :D) Although termed a recalcitrant in school, he has managed to stem his beliefs in 'Uniting Malaysia' through his many advertisements dating as far back as 8 years. Anas does not use a copywriter nor a graphic house to 'glamorise' his advertisements. Rather, all is done within and in his personal capacity.

I was just speaking to Anas Zubedy today and commended him on his BOLDNESS in his recent advertisement that was published in the Star newspaper yesterday. The message was just so true that my family and I could attest to it. The simple layman Malaysian on the streets could testify to it. I spoke to my colleagues and they could also affirm it. I have always been taught that if two or three can agree to a conception, it must be right. In my little circle, we have already taken a stand to it; what more the other 23 million Malaysians? I am so proud of you ANAS ZUBEDY. You portray the courage and the spirit to be a true 'Anak Malaysia'. The message to them is to 'SHUT UP, ENOUGH AND DO THE SIGNIFICANT!'

At least that is what I believe Anas meant.

You will find the enclosed advertisement that was published in the Star, 26 February 2009 below:

Please further visit http://www.letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/

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Dear Malaysian Politicians,

Please stop the power chase, call for a truce and focus on the economy.I do not claim to speak on behalf of all Malaysians, but I have strong convictions that many share my sentiments.
Our concern today is not who rules the country or heads the state governments but the looming bad economy.Whether Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat leads, it is meaningless if Malaysians have no job to go to, no money to pay rent and no means to put food on the table.

I am a business owner, like other business owners and managers of corporations I have a responsibility to ensure people under my care and payroll continue to have jobs and a decent income to take home. We work hard and willing to go the extra mile to make sure our nation not only survive this crisis but come out stronger and wiser. We need your help.
Let me explain. I am in the business of Training, Development and Consultancy and have 20 people in my team.

Saedah is 42. She keeps the office clean and helps organise the training rooms. She has four children and her husband is unemployed. She was first hired on a part time basis, because she is very hard working and has a great attitude, we offered her a full time job to help provide a stable income for her family. Even then, when her third child started school this year, it was a struggle for her to buy new school uniforms and other necessities. Saedah lives on a ‘kais bulan, makan bulan’ basis, so, if she is jobless, her tap runs dry.

Samsuri is 27 years old. He lives with his sister and her family in a low cost government flat in Sunway. He does our despatch, helps with various clerical works and occasionally acts as a driver. During the first week at zubedy, we learned that he not only did not have money to buy new clothes and shoes for work, he had no money for lunch. Like Saedah, if he has no job, his tap runs dry too.

Alicia in Client Servicing turns 26 this year. She lives with her dad who is 71 years old and retired. Her mom passed away when she was little. Alicia is a hard-working team member, has a gentle caring outlook and fun to be with. (We like to poke fun at her as she blushes easily). Last May her dad went through a major operation, thank God he has recovered well. Alicia needs a job, both for herself and her dad.

Sudesh, 38, is one of our facilitators. When his father passed away last year, he moved back and lives with his mother in Seremban. He shuttles between Kuala Lumpur and Seremban daily, leaving home sometimes as early as 4 in the morning and returning late at night. He is no stranger to hard work and sacrifice, he knows what he needs to do to survive and to care for his mother, but he too needs a job.

Like fellow Malaysians, every one of us in zubedy needs employment, those that live from hand to mouth like Saedah and Samsuri and others like Alicia and Sudesh with family to care for. We Malaysians need the Malaysian economy to be strong. We need you, our leaders, to work hard and to work together to make our economy viable.

So this is my plea.
Pakatan Rakyat, please stop your attempts to take over the federal government and persuade BN’s lawmakers to join you. Stop all legal proceedings, no more 916 and let go, just let go. The nation can wait till the next general elections if they want change. By doing so, Malaysians will see your party as caring, unselfish and gracious and give you their support in the next elections.
Barisan Nasional, please stop any attempts to take over PR states and win over PR’s lawmakers. You have proven your point with Perak. The nation can wait for the next general elections if they want your party. Focus all your talent, energy and hard work in steering the country out of an economic downturn. By doing so, Malaysians will see your party as caring, unselfish and smart and give you their support in the next elections.

BN and PR! Call for a truce. Get together and compromise. Someone has to give in. Or has hate consumed your heart till it blinds you? You can do it. You have enough intelligent people between you. I am sure you can find solutions. Take the nation to heart. That is why you are in politics in the first place.

Focus on the people.
Focus on the economy.

Anas Zubedy

Managing Director

Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd

Gong OX-i Fa Cai!!

2009-01-25T18:55:00.007+08:00

Dear Friends,

Today is the eve of the Lunar New Year. I have been told that this is the correct way of addressing this festival, as it will be bias calling it the Chinese New Year, as the people in Korea or for the matter Vietnam are also celebrants.

In the 12 year cycle of the Chinese calendar, 2009 signifies the Year of the OX. Is this an OX year of uncertainty and OX-terity? As I have been closely monitoring the dailies, it has been reported that this OXy-moron year is going to be tough, with half the world already in recession and the other half seriously affected by the fallout. The news of the macro environmental front remains mostly negative and continues to affect the real economy with people cautious about prospects ahead.

The OX’s main characters are fortitude and hard work as well as courage, resilience, determination and endurance. Coming to think of it, my daughter Charmaine possesses every part of this as she was born 12 years ago. Oxen often work in pairs or even larger groups for heavier work. This is because there is a need to support each other as a team in these tough times.

This morning alone, I have received numerous text message greetings wishing me well, wishing that I will prosper, wishing that I will have a fortune enveloping me from the heavens, wishing that I will not need to go visit the doctors and that I will have such a peaceful life this coming year. If wishes only came true, then there is no need for me to go slog like a herd of oxen in the fields under the scorching sun. I still believe in the maxim that GOD helps those who help themselves.

The Chinese are one bunch of superstitious folks. It is believed that if I place tonnes of pineapples in the house during this lunar year, heaps of wealth and fortune will be heralded into my habitat because in the Hokkien dialect, pineapples are called 'Ong Lai' which is directly translated as 'Luck Coming'. If that is not enough, I would need to buy crates of Mandarin oranges and sprawl them around because in the Cantonese dialect, it is called 'Kum' which means 'Gold' that represents riches.

Festive food and goodies are served all around, each with a deeper meaning than to tantalise the taste buds and fill the tummy. As I am blogging this, the gentler folks are busy preparing the annual family tradition of a reunion dinner for tonight. My only sibling and his family, my mum and a few relatives will be hogging my enclave for the only reason of me being the elder son. As today is a Sunday, we are blessed of preserving the tradition of doing it at home this year. With the busy rat race of the eve on weekdays the past years, we have been patronising restaurants thus commercialising the festival.

On the gastronomic spread tonight, there will be the traditional must have dishes with names suggesting happiness and prosperity. We must also feature things that are auspicious, good colours and anything that numerically equals '8'. And we must also not forget the premium ingredients like the ugly looking Black Moss or otherwise known as 'fatt choy' which means prospering. There will also be Tiger Prawns served even though my sister in-law is allergic to seafood. Prawns in the Cantonese dialect are 'har'. Descriptively pronounced, it will sound 'har har har har' as laughter and this will ensure happiness throughout this year. All this aside, I have always enjoyed the white steamed chicken with the chilli sauce only the original Hainanese can prepare. I am half a Hainanese thus giving me the privilege of only savouring the delicacy minus the preparation - 'har har har har'. On the palate will also find the famous festival dish, 'Yee Sang'. So famous that you won't even find this dish in the land of my forefathers. I later found out that this dish actually originated from Malaysia. Translated, it simply means a 'will that remains alive'. This dish has several options to choose from; salmon, jelly fish, lobster or even abalone. A mix of radishes, nuts, and sesame seeds with oil and plum sauce is mixed together in a large plate. It is believed that the higher the toss of the 'Yee Sang' around the table will eventually bring many blessings to the people tossing it.

I remember my childhood when I was a kid looking forward to the Lunar New Year. It only meant one thing - 'Ang Pows'. In all that we did; calling the elders, offering tea, visiting relatives - I just wanted my ‘Ang Pows’. Over the years the amount dwindled and eventually evaporated when I got married. Now, it is my turn to give away these money packets. To my children, my mum, other people's children and God forbid to an aunt who is senior to me and unmarried.

Now that I am entering my mid-life years, I have of course realised that this Lunar New Year is not just about money, prosperity and good wishes. I will not be gullible to believe that if I eat fish and prawns I will be laughing myself to the bank. I will not be bound by tradition that the more 'Ang Pows' I give the more my savings balance will be. However, I will believe that this festival will be a reason about spending quality time with the family, loved ones and trusted friends.

I am constantly reminded that life is unpredictable, short and precious. And while sacrifices are to be made, it must never be at the expense of health or for the coming generation.

To family and friends, near or far; here is wishing you a year where the OX will bull its' way through fast enough to get us all out of these doldrums. And also wishes of peace and health to you and your family as prosperity finds her way to you.

"GONG XI FA CAI!"

Living High or Living On The High?

2009-01-15T22:17:00.021+08:00

Dear Friends,

I came across this article written by Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew. Is life really more than just material possessions?

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In 2007, in an end-of-year message to the staff of the National Neuroscience Institute, I wrote: 'Whilst boom time in the public sector is never as booming as in the private sector, let us not forget that boom time is eventually followed by slump time. Slump time in the public sector is always less painful compared to the private sector.'Slump time has arrived with a bang.

While I worry about the poorer Singaporeans who will be hit hard, perhaps this recession has come at an opportune time for many of us. It will give us an incentive to reconsider our priorities in life.Decades of the good life have made us soft. The wealthy especially, but also the middle class in Singapore, have had it so good for so long, what they once considered luxuries, they now think of as necessities.A mobile phone, for instance, is now a statement about who you are, not just a piece of equipment for communication. Hence many people buy the latest model though their existing mobile phones are still in perfect working order. A Mercedes-Benz is no longer adequate as a status symbol. For millionaires who wish to show the world they have taste, a Ferrari or a Porsche is deemed more appropriate. The same attitude influences the choice of attire and accessories. I still find it hard to believe that there are people carrying handbags that cost more than thrice the monthly income of a bus driver, and many more times that of the foreign worker labouring in the hot sun, risking his life to construct luxury condominiums he will never have a chance to live in.

The media encourages and amplifies this ostentatious consumption. Perhaps it is good to encourage people to spend more because this will prevent the recession from getting worse. I am not an economist, but wasn't that the root cause of the current crisis - Americans spending more than they could afford to?I am not a particularly spiritual person. I don't believe in the supernatural and I don't think I have a soul that will survive my death. But as I view the crass materialism around me, I am reminded of what my mother once told me: 'Suffering and deprivation is good for the soul.'My family is not poor, but we have been brought up to be frugal. My parents and I live in the same house that my paternal grandparents and their children moved into after World War II in 1945. It is a big house by today's standards, but it is simple - in fact, almost to the point of being shabby. Those who see it for the first time are astonished that Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's home is so humble. But it is a comfortable house, a home we have got used to. Though it does look shabby compared to the new mansions on our street, we are not bothered by the comparison.

Most of the world and much of Singapore will lament the economic downturn. We have been told to tighten our belts. There will undoubtedly be suffering, which we must try our best to ameliorate. But I personally think the hard times will hold a timely lesson for many Singaporeans, especially those born after 1970 who have never lived through difficult times.No matter how poor you are in Singapore, the authorities and social groups do try to ensure you have shelter and food. Nobody starves in Singapore. Many of those who are currently living in mansions and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle will probably still be able to do so, even if they might have to downgrade from wines costing $20,000 a bottle to $10,000 a bottle. They would hardly notice the difference. Being wealthy is not a sin. It cannot be in a capitalist market economy. Enjoying the fruits of one's own labour is one's prerogative and I have no right to chastise those who choose to live luxuriously. But if one is blinded by materialism, there would be no end to wanting and hankering. After the Ferrari, what next? An Aston Martin? After the Hermes Birkin handbag, what can one upgrade to? Neither an Aston Martin nor an Hermes Birkin can make us truly happy or contented. They are like dust, a fog obscuring the true meaning of life, and can be blown away in the twinkling of an eye.When the end approaches and we look back on our lives, will we regret the latest mobile phone or luxury car that we did not acquire? Or would we prefer to die at peace with ourselves, knowing that we have lived lives filled with love, friendship and goodwill, that we have helped some of our fellow voyagers along the way and that we have tried our best to leave this world a slightly better place than how we found it? We know which is the correct choice - and it is within our power to make that choice. In this new year, burdened as it is with the problems of the year that has just ended, let us again try to choose wisely. To a considerable degree, our happiness is within our own control, and we should not follow the herd blindly.

Kiasu-ism

2009-01-06T13:55:00.029+08:00

Dear Friends,

The comments I have come across these days are, "Which island do they come from, why so authoritative? Why do they have no tact? The conclusion is, they may be having an inferiority complex. This could happen even to a man of status, successful, intelligent and still surrounded with loving friends. If a person gets into the habit of feeling inferior to others, then they can literally feel inferior about anything. This is linked to a sense of shame about not feeling up to mark.

People with inferiority complex tend to compensate for their feelings of inferiority by achieving elsewhere like excelling in their authority. They always have the need to achieve in order to compensate for their inferiority. One type of compensation is trying to act with superiority; by the way they speak, stressing on descriptions using their ranks and positions, they think and act as if they are superior to everyone else just to compensate their feelings of being inferior. This is also known as superiority complex.

The cause behind feeling inferior could be backdated to some past events especially during their growing up years. Having experienced these events, it has labeled them as inadequate or not worthy. Possible examples are being called names like stupid or lazy, being consciously and physically weaker than their peers, feeling ugly compared to their friends and in the case of the ladies - having smaller boobies compared to their competition. These could further lead to low self esteem which will result in being depressed, irritable and sometimes aggressive. They may also be more likely to have feelings of resentment, alienation and unhappiness.

They are likely to suffer from:

Hypercritical Attitude: They do not feel good about themselves and have trouble feeling good about others. They look hard for flaws and shortcomings of others by convincing themselves that they are not so bad after all.

Inappropriate Response to Flattery: They are desperate to hear good things about themselves and are constantly seeking compliments.

Tendency Towards Blaming: They project their perceived weaknesses onto others in order to lessen the pain of feeling inferior.

Feelings Of Persecution: They carry it into the extreme by blaming others. This extends to believing that others are seeking to ruin them.

Negative Feelings About Competition: They like to win games and contests every bit as anyone else. They tend to avoid such situations because deep down, they believe they cannot win.

Tendency Toward Seclusiveness and Timidity: They always believe that they are not as interesting or intelligent as others and they believe that others will feel the same way about them.

Sensitivity To Criticism: Although they know their shortcomings, they don't like others to point them out. They tend to perceive any form of criticism, regardless of how sensitively or constructively it is presented as a personal attack.

After acknowledging the root causes of this complexity, it must be overcome. Some methods that could be used are:

* Changing their thoughts by changing their negative self talk

* They are not to be blamed for the foolishness of others.

* Fix their corrupted self image.

* Remove the labels that they have acquired.

* Install new beliefs.

* Build their self confidence.

What they should know is that their current status in life has got nothing to do with them feeling inferior. A balanced person wouldn't feel inferior even if they have nothing in comparison to their peers. Inferiority is an internal feeling that comes due to internal factors not external ones. Fixing the inside is what should be done . Some people spend their lives collecting money, authority and power yet have an inferiority complex in spite all. Evidently, they are still suffering as they have not dealt with the root cause.
Remember, one does not need to use authority to compensate for their feelings of inferiority. They should make a conscious effort to pat themselves on the back for the things they do well.

Respect is earned and not demanded.

Pimp My Toxic Ride

2008-12-29T02:23:00.029+08:00

Dear Friends,

Your pick. Performance, style or comfort? Why not choose all three?

Let me recollect. To date; wheels and tyres, suspension, competition brakes, exhaust system, performance air filter, high indensity lights, voltage stabilizer, auto styling and I could also make do with a 5lb nitrous system which will add a shot of extra jooze.

I was looking at my ride the other day and realised that somehow boredom has begun to set in for me. I began to question the look of how 'small' the offset of the wheels looked and how distorted the front spoiler was. In denial that the recession was cashing in, I could not resist my prolific habit of splurting when it comes to pimping my ride. So, I thought I should pay a visit to the pimping guys called Nextlevel Customz. (http://www.nextlevelcustomz.com/) to see what is or indeed isn't possible.

I dread this guy called Kumerg who is the Creative Director. What is indeed isn't possible is made possible when he gets his hands 'photoshop'-ing on designs for my ride. It is made to look easy with technology these days. A little 'cut' from designs of renowned auto styles (my favorite being the Wald designs - http://www.wald.co.jp/) and later 'pasted' on an image of my ride and "VOILA", it sets me pocket back a couple of thousand bucks. I am vulnerable when it comes to my ride and I pray to repent against such temptations.

I chose Nextlevel Customz because it is a name that seems to regularly market itself contemporarily. They have appeared as a feature on television when they pimped the ride of Phat Fabes, a local television celebrity on 8TV emulating the way it is done on MTV's 'Pimp My Ride'. I found that advertising innovation if compared to advertising expenses incurred by their peers, if any. But what blew me away was their '17 Commandments' insribed on stone which they swear by on their website. The one I like best is Commandment No. Twelve. It assures like this:

Quote - "An unheard of, never before offered, we gotta be out of our minds, 90 DAYS VALUE FOR MONEY GUARANTEE. We are so confident we are able to deliver exceptional value to you and because we take your business seriously, Next Level Customz will give you 90 days before we will actually consider the sale final. In the event that after you have made the wise decision to invest in our products and services, and you are actually able to get better value elsewhere-and I’m not talking about price alone-but the entire package including product and workmanship quality, warranty, after sales support, follow up, no hassle guaranteed replacements and no questions asked exchange policy; Just provide us with documented proof stating all the above and we will pay that competitor to work on your ride-and refund you the price difference (if any)!"- unquote.

This styling outfit is managed by Aaaron Goh aka 'Botak' - the Chief Executive Officer, Shaiful aka 'Kumerg' - the Creative Director and assisted by Ryzal Assidiq aka 'Boy' - the Shop Representative who has a passion into cross dressing during the weekends, for crying out loud. (okay, I am kidding).

To me, Nextlevel Customz felt more like an enthusiast's 'home' rather than a workshop. From the comforts of the sofas in the showroom where designs are plentifully stored in a computer (they should consider a Mac for better brought to life visuals), the work areas and the oven baking spraying room - it is a complete 'complex', in every sense of the word. Drooling about designs; you can choose from Wald for luxurious and exotic designs, Caractere for the Audis and Volkswagons or be daring and opt for a West Coast custom built car.(they are the franchise holder for the brand which is made popular in America by pimping rides on MTV).

There are hundreds of designs to choose from with price range which are not for the average Joe. An instant reminder of the old maxim,"Good things no cheap - Cheap things no good". As a rough guide, a full body kit inclusive of a rear spoiler for a Honda Civic, to be converted to a Type R, will set you broke by about Ringgit Malaysia Five Thousand. Outside of this, it is probably best to call them at +60 3 5621 3617 or cruise down and visit them in person to get a better grasp of the potential cost of remodelling your ride. For the cost, some good negotiation and bargaining skills are required with Aaaron. If it is some out of the ordinary designs that you are after, ask Kumerg for some design advise. As for Boy, ask him for a good hang out place to solicit during the weekends. :p (Okay Boy, I shall repent from saying that) Another sort of pimping, come what may :D

I have come to realise that auto styling is not so much about a desire for luxury, it is the individuality aspect that appeals to me at least and most people. For luxury, I am still awaiting for my Lexus windfall. As for now, I will remain a wannabe. At least that is what I believe in.

P/s: Now that I have posted this and I was looking at constructing a rear diffuser, how much did you say it was again Aaaron? (tongue in cheek emoticon)

The Real Meaning of Christmas

2008-12-25T20:43:00.015+08:00

Dear Friends,

As the lyrics of the Christmas tune goes, "It is the most wonderful time of the year". How true, it has indeed been wonderful for me. I have always been taught that the real meaning of Christmas is the sharing of love and the giving of hope. This festival is shared meaningfully by Christians who believes that the true gift to mankind was the birth of Jesus Christ some two thousand years ago. This birth represents the giving of hope, "For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but will have everlasting life", as famously quoted in the gospel of John.

I read an article in the newspaper today with much conviction. It was about a Malaysian man called Clifford Leong who has been given a new lease of life. Clifford is celebrating Christmas for the very first time this year. This Christmas signifies a new beginning for him as he was a survivor of a tragic car accident which left him in a coma for two weeks in 2007. The accident damaged his speech and optical nerves as well as the motor skills on the right part of his body. He further adds, quote, "A friend took pictures of my wrecked car and while looking at them I realised why Jesus is called a saviour. The front part of my car was a total wreck and I survived such a terrible crash", unquote

To cut a long story short, Clifford prayed to the Lord Jesus and a miracle took place when he found that he recovered after about seven weeks. The doctors thought he could only start walking in six months with a full recovery only in three years. Miracles do happen if you have the faith to believe.

These are real life situations experienced by real people who will continue sharing their testimonies of love and hope until their dying day. I was in church this morning for the Christmas service. The message today was that the joy and the hope of Christmas is in the forgiveness, the fellowship and the generosity. The preacher did not at anytime assured me that the thought of Christmas conjured around the images of tall and decorated Christmas trees or the fat bloke from the North Pole ,wearing a red suit in his sleigh, with a red nose reindeer.

There is a special blessing in the Christmas message which is frequently missed by many. The birth of Christ is not simply an interesting fact of history. It is however, a gift given by God for all mankind. Have you ever thought that this birth was for you, as the Christmas carol goes, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let us receive her king".

As for me, I have known only the Christmas celebrations from birth and I do celebrate the Chinese New Year for cultural reasons. My Christmas tree is up and lit, we had our traditional turkey for dinner last night, we listened to carols being sung and we exchanged gifts with our loved ones. This special day was celebrated today with family and friends with reflections on how blessed this year has been for me.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mad Hatters Club

2008-12-21T14:19:00.064+08:00

Dear Friends,

Recently, I was appointed 'G.O' (Gullible Organizer) for the annual Management retreat. The comments that came across my desk then were; "Why not Ho Chi Minh City?", "What Club Med?", "Travelling to Cherating just for a night?". The initial plans of flying to Ho Chi Minh City and crawling into the Cu Chi tunnel sounded much more exciting but Murphy's Law came a striking. Final destination; Club Med, Cherating - Kuantan, Malaysia. A convoy of six cars with 23 hardworking or hardly working executives made our way along the East Coast Highway to this secluded village. A tiny 'Club Med' sign at a turn off hardly visible along the way to Kemaman- Terengganu, led us to this tropical resort after a three and a half hours drive from Kuala Lumpur. We further travelled along some mangroves before reaching the gates of this paradise.

Upon arrival, we were met by a 'GO' called Angie who is Malaysian. The acronym stands for 'Gentils Organisateurs' a French term similar to the likes of guest officers. Their main tasks are to ensure that all 'GM's also known as 'Gentils Membres' or guest members (which are us) are taken care of with the best possible stays. The special feature of Club Med is that the GOs and GMs play, dine, drink, and dance together anytime of the day. Along the lines of a communal party, if you like.

A particular institution is the communal dance or crazy signs led by the GOs at varying intervals during the day and evening (the frequency varies by village). The dance steps for each song are standard across the organisation with some new ones introduced each year. The evening shows,often requiring detailed choreography, are also standardised and include both new and established routines. GOs are moved between villages and many work both winter and summer seasons. All GOs, regardless of their specialism (a sport or administrative function), are expected to regularly participate in both the show and "crazy signs".

The Club Med concept offers an all inclusive package which means that you do not need to spend a cent around the village. Meals, booze which are mainly house pouring, (they differentiate this with a colour coding on the menus) activities and entertainment are all for you to enjoy 'with compliments'. The only setback with this resort in Cherating is that there are no facilities for water sports.Pic: The 'Island'

I feasted from their lavish buffets for dinner, breakfast and lunch and I must commend the quality of food and the layout of their restaurants. I could have played volleyball, tennis, do some rock climbing or for the matter bungee bouncing. But I guess it was all too much after the long drive, coupled with the fact that we were only going to be there for a night. The boys hung around 'the island' social interacting with Mai Tai, Bucks Fizz, Blue China and of course the pretty GOs, Aya and Romi both from Japan and Korea. They were shy but friendly and kept the boys amused with their pleasantries.

Pic: GO - Aya from Japan and GO - Romi from Korea

It has always been stigmatized that Club Med has its reputation to be a swinging singles getaway. Seen for so long for its wild parties, 'friendly' GMs looking for an 'adventure'; it was clearly not seen at this village. I found a lot of wholesome family fun here with many young ones running around. If you are planning to get hitched, think again. You will probably go home disappointed. In short, there is far more appeal for families compared to single desperadoes.

Pic: Hello, I am Hunk. Wanna hitch?

I don't know if everyone in my group enjoyed themselves. If you are there just for the relaxation and tranquility, you may not have come to the right place. If you are there to catch the nightly entertainment by the GOs, you are in for a treat. If you are there to 'score' or to get hitched, you may have to inflate the condom you brought and float it into the sea.

This is the first time in my many times of organising an outing, that people in the group were looking forward to going home. It could be the long journey by surface, it could be the short one night stay, it could be the different likes and dislikes or some the frustration of bringing the entire unopened box of contraceptives home.

As for me, I was glad that it was just a night. I couldn't have survived the second night. Most satisfying was that I held a table tennis bat after a lapse of 25 years. And I scored five times on that table.

A different kind of 'orgasm' I must say.

Porkie the Pig

2008-11-23T22:06:00.024+08:00

Dear Friends,

"Food, Glorious Food!", as the saying goes. Malaysia, the country where I come from is blessed with such diversity in culture that food varieties come in abundance. Ask any Malaysian - the first thing in any conversation will always begin with a foody connotation like, "Hi, have you eaten?" Malaysians who travel overseas will always be on the look out for the two most popular past time, Shopping and EATING.

As a continuation to my recent post on "Bali Hai", I once travelled on a day trip down to Ubud, a small village in the central of Bali. This village is about a 2 hours drive from Denpasar and is renowned for its arts and crafts. You will find silver crafts, wooden crafts and also bulkier master pieces carved on rocks and stones. Paintings are plentiful too with the many art galleries and museums.

Ubud is like a sleepy hollow - it is slow moving, tranquil and full of temperaments due to the arts. Apart from the arts, tourists travel all the way to feed on a delicacy called 'Babi Guling'. Literally translated as ' Turning Pig', it is a meal that is a must try whenever one is in Bali. It is a delicacy made from a pig similar to the Chinese roasted suckling pig. A whole pig is used for the roasting process. The inside of the pig is removed and is stuffed with spices and herbs. The mix consists of basic ingredients like ginger, garlic, shallots, chillies, lemongrass and much more. Once Porkie is stuffed, it is then roasted over an open fire ignited out of dried coconut husks up to five hours. It is slowly turned (thus the term 'guling') to ensure that Porkie gets an even tan and crisp.

In previous times, this delicacy is served during traditional rituals and religious ceremonies. These days, the 'Babi Guling' is available at all times as it can be found served in many restaurants in Bali. One of the most popular restaurant serving this in Bali is none other than "IBU OKA" in Ubud. This is no fancy restaurant as it is termed as a 'warung' or translated as stall from Bahasa Indonesia. This is also the wrong place to go to if you fancy an air conditioned environment with tables set with table cloths and high back chairs for you to lean on. "Ibu Oka" is an outlet with only wooden tables complemented with wooden benches. Tables come in two sizes - high or low. As you approach the entrance of the stall, the action of poor Porkie being diced, sliced and chopped up can be seen on the left via an 'open kitchen'. There is a flight of wooden steps ahead of you to enter the restaurant while the lower level near the entrance is alfresco with many people scrambling for seats.

There is not much on the menu as it is pretty much Porkie niche. I had the works known as 'Babi Guling Special'. Served with steam rice, vegetables, some inner spare parts like intestines and of course succulent tender Porkie meat. The crispiness of the skin was beyond description. The sweet and slightly spicy sambal was heavenly as accompaniment. To some, this may sound creepy and disgusting (the intestines I mean) but as the saying goes, "One man's meat is another man's poison".

I would suggest that this delicacy be eaten in moderation. I remember not being able to finish the dish completely as it was just too 'rich' with flavour and the oozing of the 'fattiness' from Porkie :p A good complement for sweetness after the entire gastronomic adventure would be an Indonesian Jasmine tea called 'Teh Botol'.

As George Bernard Shaw once quoted, "There is no love sincerer than the love of food"

"SELAMAT MAKAN" or better translated as "Bon Appetit" :)

Bali Hai

2008-11-09T21:46:00.043+08:00

Dear Friends,

The 'Islands of the Gods' as it is known, Bali has the reputation as being one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Indonesia has 17,000 islands that makes up the archipelago and this tourist spot lies in between the islands of Java and Lombok. The reason why tourists visit this island is probably for the sea, sand and sun. The seas surrounding this gem are the Indian Ocean and the Java sea.

I first got myself acquainted with this island in 1996. I was an expatriate in Jakarta and I remember that it was for a golfing weekend with Daniel Tan, Country Manager of Silkair at that time. From then until now, I have returned to Bali on numerous occasions mainly for short getaways. Once in Bali, there are many beaches that you can stay at. Amongst the few that I have experienced are Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta and Seminyak.

The golfing weekend in 1996 had me at Nusa Dua. It is located on the islands most southern tip. It has a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that offers excellent swimming conditions. Before leaving Jakarta for home in 1997, I booked a holiday to Bali and my supporting agent at that time, Padma Wijaya Travel made arrangements for me at the Inter Continental on Jimbaran Beach. This is a sleepy cove with the pace much slower with a very relaxed atmosphere. The waters are much calmer and this part of the beach is known for their spectacular sunsets and seafood restaurants.

Two years back on a company trip, I stayed at Kuta Beach the most popular spot for tourists because of its accessibility, liveliness and happenings. This beach is fenced by the airport's runway which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. It is well known for its party places, watering holes and it is an area to be seen and noticed. I stayed at the renowned Hard Rock Hotel. They have good live bands performing. We drank to the beats and rhythms and ended up at the supposedly most happening club which operates on weekends until 6.00AM called the Double Six.

A few months back, Jean Jacques Kiefer celebrated his birthday and I was invited to be part of it. The venue was none other than the Serene Villas (http://www.serenevilla.com/) which he co-owns. This concept is different than the normal hotels you would find in town. With eight private villas nestled in spacious designer tropical gardens, with your own private swimming pool. The design of the villas are modern and tropical in style, the decor is simple and yet luxurious. Seminyak is coming into its own as an area to be reckoned with. The area is termed luxurious and has attracted the 'well to do'. The restaurant scene here is vibrant and eclectic. This is where you want to go to after you have done too much in Kuta.

Unlike the many beaches and islands that I have visited, nothing compares to Bali. As I write this, I am now transported back to the serene journey along the road leading out of Ngurah Rai Airport, the sounds of the sea, the sight of the once stood Paddy Pub and the shopping along the Matahari Square. The time has come - I need to get back to this Paradise.

From Mild to Wild

2008-10-27T16:44:00.034+08:00

Dear Friends,

If ever you need reminding how strong our thriving scene is here in Malaysia, you need to get along to Bandar Sunway, where performance car tuners are in abundance. Previously a mining area in the 1960s, land was perceived to be of no value as it was 'mining' and comes with a lease hold tenure. Bandar Sunway is now a premier township with its' tag of "Resort Living within a City". It is also now a regular haunt for Subaru WRX Imprezas, Nissan 350Zs, Mazda RX8s and various other Japanese models. Beemers are also a common sight with the latest being the market for multi purpose vehicles (MPVs).

What is particularly impressive driving in this area are the taste, quality and creativity of the cars and their owners. Performance and exterior tuning shops such as Redzone, Racing Fit, Kakimotor, N 1 Racing, Racecraft; Hup Soon for their rims and tyres; Top Spray for their immaculate spray painting works and much more. This could be seen by most of the cars on 'display' along the main streets of PJS.

If you are into wide body kits with arches or a total modified make over, head on down to Nextlevelcustomz. (http://www.nextlevelcustomz.com/) I was driving pass one day and came across this company; I decided to give it a chance to conduct 'constructive surgery' on my Camry. Ask for Aaaron Goh who is the Chief Executive Officer, as his card says.(sounds too corporate for a tuning business :p) Fun, talkative and convincing describes this lad. As I am still waiting for a LEXUS WINDFALL, the best I can do for now is to be a LEXUS WANNABE.

This is definitely an unconventional Camry

A splitter to add profile

When I grow up, I just want to be like a Lexus

It says, TRD Racing Development

Looks like an eyelid

I have managed to maintain the subtleness and classiness of a JDM theme. Amongst the tuning aficionados, there seems to be a real desire to have something that no one else has got, or be sitting on a set of rims that nobody else has seen before and that can only be a good thing. This means that we may be able to start setting the standard, as opposed to our southern and northern neighbours leading the way.

Watch my back

Rear Spoiler

When I grow up, I just want to be like a Lexus.

Lexus IS F - "Intimate,Sexy and Fast"

2008-10-27T15:20:00.020+08:00

Dear Friends,

Many who knows me will agree that I have a passion for cars. Speed has always been exhilarating for me. I know of many who envies the European makes but I have always been an exception. To me it was none other than a LEXUS. In particular, the IS F.

The person instrumental for the birth of the LEXUS IS F is Yukihiko Yaguchi. For the 30 years that he has been with Toyota, he had always wanted to build a dream car he would love to own. When he moved to Lexus, he was dreaming of nothing less than an all wheel drive super car with huge horsepower, race track inspired handling and enormous stopping power. In short, a premium sports sedan that would offer comfort, sophistication and performance to equal and beat the best of European class.

The result was an engineering marvel with special aerodynamics, 8 speed sport direct shift transmission with paddle shifters and its own special performance profile, Brembo disc brakes that feature a huge 14.2 inch cross-drilled disc and six pistons per caliper up front, 19 inch wheels and a specially tuned suspension system.

The engine of the IS F is made by Yamaha which has a history of making engine component parts for Toyota and Lexus. It was worked on a Yamaha's Formula One engine program. The end result is a DOHC 5.0L V8, churning out 416 horsepower enough to blast through from 0 - 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.

The IS F has been tested at renowned race tracks around the world. This includes the legendary Nurburgring in Germany and the Fuji Speedway in Japan. This is indeed a super sedan that has been really inspired.

Are Reds Threats?

2008-10-12T16:00:00.056+08:00

Dear Friends,

The colour red is auspicious to the Chinese. Has it been a proven fact that red commands strength and power? The command that we stop at the traffic lights and the power it reflects in the likes of Manchester United and Formula One supreme Ferrari.

As I was reading the newspaper this morning, a full page advertisement in red flashed across me. It read, 'Absolutely comfortable, Absolutely innovative, Absolutely spacious cabins, Absolutely leather seats, Absolutely real 5-star and ABSOLUTE AIRBUS.' This is the carrier that has taken me to Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It said, 'AirAsia now operates a truly brand new Airbus fleet from Malaysia.

Being a supposedly no frills - budget airline, it has done well for herself. In a span of just six years, she has established herself as the largest budget airline in the Asian region. It has done well domestically and it has also experimented 'going the extra mile' by offering X-TRA long flights to Australia, China and soon to include India, Japan, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

I have special admiration for the founder, Tony Fernandes. ( I have even added him to my blog list - on the left of my blog page). Visionary, risk taker, absurd or however one might call it - he dares to dream. His main belief is to believe the unbelievable, dream the impossible and never take 'no' for an answer. Not that I have met him personally but the articles I have read about him, has reassured me that in life nothing is impossible. It took a lot of guts and b**ls to decide on a million ringgit debt ridden investment. As it is now, history has been carved.

I mentioned in my other blog, 'Time is like a river, you cannot touch the same water twice' that I share in the same beliefs of Tony Fernandes when it comes to work; which is to have fun. He has said that having the right people, focus and discipline will ensure success in a business. I guess having a partner like Sir Richard Branson helps. Tony was an employee of Warner Music and Richard was boss. Looking at it, they both sort of have similar personalities - flamboyance, music and parties of course. Not so sure if he shares same traits with Idris Jala, Managing Director of Malaysia Airlines.:p I have met Idris and I must say he is humble, down to earth and speaks with a wealth of experience. The 'lovers spate' between both cabin captains has just made air travel for us Malaysians more affordable :)

Having spent many years in hotel sales and marketing, I like the way how AirAsia emphasises on branding. The red baseball cap constantly worn, catchy slogans, free seats given away - these are all successful strategies. The link with Manchester United (electronic boards at Old Trafford), Formula One AT&T Williams team (official airline) and referees officiating in the English Premier League (AirAsia's crest on their left sleeves). Another would be how the cabin crew are allowed to 'experiment' with different hairstyles and colours unlike the traditional all black and bunned up imposed by their rivals.

I have travelled many times with AirAsia. I remember the wee hours of the mornings I awake myself for the first flight of the day; the long queues waiting to check -in at the LCCT; the annoying loud conversations of the cabin crew among themselves on board; the long walk along the tarmac to the aircraft and the cockpit crew walking down the cabin aisle to ensure 'presence', to name a few.

One of the most intolerable experience will definitely be their delays(or re-timed as the airlines call it). Most times, they will tell passengers that this is unavoidable as it deals with safety issues. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) classifies a delay to be when a flight exceeds its departing schedule by 15 minutes. However, I must say that it has improved tremendously. Their website indicated that in August, they achieved a 88% on time performance. Will we ever see a further 12% conversion?

One of the most memorable flights would be on board AK 760. I was seated on row 1 (upon paying for express boarding). As the aircraft was approaching Hanoi, a lady was calling for help in despair. Her infant was turning blue and was lacking oxygen. The crew immediately made a distress call over the public address system requesting for a doctor. There was none on board and I realised that they couldn't do much. The oxygen tank was brought down but was not administered. The entire cabin came to a stand still and I was just silently saying a prayer for the infant and the mother. We landed and an ambulance was on hand to assist the situation.

I can only see better days ahead for this home grown Malaysian brand. From the inception on 8 December 2001 for a mere RM 1 (Ringgit Malaysia), coupled that with a RM 40 million debt, it has a lot to be proud about today. Air travel will continue to grow and it will be inevitable to stop this red giant from flourishing.

They have a new destination launching soon called Tiruchirappalli (wherever that is), interested anyone?

As their tag goes, "Now everyone can fly".

And yes, Reds are threats!

You want brains, he's got brains.

2008-10-06T14:29:00.013+08:00

Dear Friends,

I have always been an ardent fan of Singapore's MM Lee Kuan Yew. I have read his memoirs a few years ago and have admired his styles and thoughts ever since. Below is an interview conducted with him recently.

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SINGAPORE'S MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW WAS INTERVIEWED ON CNN'S "FAREED ZAKARIA GPS"
SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
SPEAKERS: LEE KUAN YEW, MINISTER MENTOR OF SINGAPORE
HOST: FAREED ZAKARIA

ZAKARIA: When I first met Lee Kuan Yew in 1994, I was absolutely struck by him. Richard Nixon once compared him to legendary statesmen like Disraeli, Bismarck and Churchill. But, Nixon said, he occupies a small stage. That stage doesn't look so small anymore.
Lee Kuan Yew took a small spit of land in Southeast Asia, which became independent in 1965 after great struggle and anguish, with no resources and a polyglot population of Chinese, Malaysian and Indian workers, and turned it into one of the economic centers of the world.
To do this, Lee had to have smart economic policies, but also a shrewd foreign policy that, allied with America, kept China happy, kept Russia and Japan at bay.
This week I sat down with Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. His son now serves as prime minister, but Lee Kuan Yew is called "minister mentor." And he is still indisputably the father of Singapore.
I was struck by the depth of his understanding of the world -- China, Russia and the United States -- all at age 85.
Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAKARIA (on camera): You have achieved remarkable success for Singapore in your lifetime. You've seen it go from a tiny, poor, backward, Third World country to one of the richest countries in the world. But lots of people feel that you have been -- you have exercised too tight a control, that you should have opened things up more, that it has been too domineering and coercive a state. What do you say to that?

LEE: I say, ask my people. They are given the vote. It's secret. Nobody has ever alleged any chicanery -- no bribery, no coercion, no nothing. We have never won less than 60, two-thirds of the vote.

ZAKARIA: But it's difficult for opposition parties to form and...

LEE: It is not the business of the government to enable the opposition party to overturn us. Right? Do you expect the Republicans to help the Democrats to overturn them?

ZAKARIA: No, but leave aside even just the issue of political competition. I just mean you have laws, for example, that allow random testing of people for drugs. You have, you know, the famous ban against chewing gum, which exercised people's imagination. Do you feel that you should have let up a little bit?

LEE: No, not at all. Because of that, we are now a safe, secure, fun city. The night scene has been transformed in the last 10, 15 years -- any number of nightclubs, the night life, al fresco
dining by the riverside.

ZAKARIA: And people can even chew gum now.

LEE: You need to have a medical certificate to buy gum for those who want to give up smoking and have got to chew some nicotine. What is it I am trying to do? I am trying to create, in a Third World situation, a First World oasis. I am not following any prescription given me by any theoretician on democracy, or whatever. I work from first principles, what will get me there -- social peace and stability within the country, no fight between the races, between religions, whatever, fair shares for all, everybody is a homeowner. I want investments. I've got nothing except skilled manpower, infrastructure. I build up the infrastructure. I educate the people.
We have the best educated work force anywhere in Asia, and I would say, within another 10 years, anywhere in the world. They're all educated in English, which is our working language, and they keep their mother tongue, whether it's Chinese, Malay or Tamil, Urdu, or whatever. Must I follow your prescription to succeed? Do I want to be like America? Yes, in its inventiveness and its creativeness. But do I want to be with America, like America, with its inability to control the drug problem? No. Or the gun problem? No. These are my choices. I go by what is good governance. What are the things I aim to do? A healthy society that gives everybody a chance to achieve his maximum.

ZAKARIA: What do you think of the American campaign, watching it from Singapore?

LEE: What can I say? It's fascinating. Suddenly, Senator McCain produces this governor from Alaska, Palin, and is leading in the polls, and she's a hit. The first flush, she was a disaster.

ZAKARIA: What do you want from the next president?

LEE: Engagement with the world. Keep trade going. Don't backtrack, or you'll put yourself at a disadvantage and put the world at a disadvantage, and you make conflicts more likely. Try and maintain a balance, so that peace and stability is assured without more conflicts.

ZAKARIA: One thing you've been critical of the United States of in the past has been its efforts to spread democracy around the world. You were critical of it when it was Bill Clinton's America, leave alone the freedom agenda of George Bush. What do you object to in that push?

LEE: No, I don't -- I don't think it's doable. I'm a social Darwinist.

ZAKARIA: Survival of the fittest.

LEE: No. The survival requires you to change. If you don't change, then you are marginalized and you will become extinct.

ZAKARIA: But do you look at the way in which the United States has been trying to push democracy around the world...

LEE: Yes.

ZAKARIA: ... and you say...

LEE: Where have you succeeded? You went to Haiti in nation-building. And I was just listening to a BBC on Haiti recently. I mean, it's just undoable.

ZAKARIA: And we will be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ZAKARIA: What about Iraq? What do you think?

LEE: I was in favor of getting rid of Saddam Hussein. I did not believe it was possible to reconstitute Iraq as a democracy. I still do not believe that is possible.

ZAKARIA: So, what do you think will happen?

LEE: I think some compromise must be reached between the Shias and Sunnis and the Kurds to share the oil wealth and to share the country. And that is possible. But whether it is democracy, or whether it's a bargain between tribal chieftains, that's a different matter. You're going to bring democracy to Afghanistan? They have been warring with each other for hundreds of years. They enjoy warring with each other. Thirty-plus years ago they killed a king who was nominally holding the country together, and it's been shattered ever since.
How do you restore the writ of Kabul? By some 30,000 NATO troops, ISAF, and a few more brigades of Marines or special forces? The Russians had 140,000 boots on the ground with tanks, helicopters and the lot. And they left. I think nation-building is not doable. I mean, are you going to do nation-building in Pakistan? If you can't get Pakistan right, you will never get Afghanistan right. That Durand Line was arbitrarily drawn by the British between the Northwest Frontier Provinces and Afghanistan. They are the same tribes, brothers, cousins -- porous borders. They're in and out.
Now you've not only got Talibans, you've got Pakistanis joining the Talibans -- or that's the latest intelligence that I've been reading. It can go on for decades. Do we want to be in Afghanistan for decades?

ZAKARIA: A lot of people look at the Russian attack on Georgia and say this is the return of a kind of dark era of geopolitics. How do you view it?

LEE: The country is booming, has got enormous oil wealth. But the underlying problems are enormous. The system is no longer the Soviet system, where you press a button and things move across the country. The corruption will take quite some time to put right -- maybe a very long time. I don't know. The population is not on the increase, in spite of all kinds of incentives. And the incentives will only work in the cities. So, if you look at the long-term trends, it's 140 million Russians, who will go down to 120, 110 in 2050. How do you become a threat with just nuclear weapons?

ZAKARIA: Has America handled this crisis well?

LEE: It shouldn't have led to this crisis. You are dealing with a very adventurous leader in Georgia, and he acted in a very unwise fashion. It was just too silly for words. What was the point? What was he trying to score? And bad intelligence, because good intelligence -- what I read of the intelligence reports -- the Russian troops were there, ready. And if good intelligence, they would know what the reaction would be, and they would have blocked the tunnel, blown up the tunnel, and prevented the tanks from coming in. This is just bungling. And...

ZAKARIA: By Washington also, because we should have managed this better?

LEE: I do not want to guess why the Americans were so keen to bring Georgia into NATO. But at Bucharest, when the NATO meeting was held, Americans should have known that it wasn't warmly received by the people who would be on the front line, if ever there's a conflict. And the Russians know that.

ZAKARIA: And we will be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ZAKARIA: When the world saw the Beijing Olympics, and they saw the opening ceremonies, they saw a kind of birth of a new great power. How should we think about it? Should we be apprehensive?

LEE: What we saw -- and I was there with a lot of other of the VIPs -- was a reflection of their capabilities, their potential. It's not what they have achieved industrially or technologically. This was a show that they had seven years to prepare for. And they were carefully thoughtful about what they wanted to present to the world. They wanted to remind the world that they are an old civilization, 5,000 years. They discovered gun powder, paper, movable type, printing. They built the Great Wall. That's the kind of capabilities for disciplined effort that built the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, and eventually will build them a technological society.

ZAKARIA: So you don't worry about them.

LEE: What do they want? Every year they know they are closing the gap. That gap is a huge one.

ZAKARIA: Technologically between them and the West.

LEE: Technologically and industrially. I mean, what you see along the coastal provinces is just about 20, 30 percent of the population, the advantaged part of China. If you go to the inland parts, you will see a very different China. So they know that to catch up is 30, 40, 50 years. So, let's not quarrel with anybody. That would abort the whole process. Every year they grow stronger economically, industrially, catching up technologically. Any external problems will diminish their growth.
What do they have to worry about? Internal problems, social unrest, disparity in development, wages, farmers against the city dwellers, and so on. The danger comes when you have, say, in 20 years a new generation that didn't go through the Cultural Revolution, never went to the Long March, and who believe that China has arrived. So, this is a new phase they are moving into. And worldwide problems -- the biggest problem of all is climate change, energy.

ZAKARIA: Do you think the Chinese will be willing to reduce their own CO2 emissions, which would involve in some way placing limits on their growth? It doesn't seem that they are willing to do it.

LEE: For the time being, I think they are hoping it's not so bad. Per capita, their consumption is so low compared to the Americans. But when the glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau, in the Himalayas melt away, and they are doing it at about four meters per year, and the big rivers that feed off these glaciers become seasonal only with rain, and that affects their crops and their farmers along the river basin, I think they'll have to sit back and ask themselves, do you want this huge upset in your demography? Do you want Shanghai and their coastal cities to be inundated? So, I hope the message – the penny will drop within five to 10 years.
You look at the way the Chinese are spread across the world -- not just in Asia, you know, all over, Arabia -- all Chinese workers construct. What is it you want? New palace? New conference hall? New airport? They've got 1,300 million people. You've only got 300 million. So, they've got four times your number. So, and they are using those numbers. Every mission they have in Southeast Asia, their diplomats speak the language of the country. And in the Gulf, when I went there, I found that every mission, the Chinese mission speaks perfect Arabic.
And I'm sure they do the same in Latin America and in Africa.

ZAKARIA: This is sounding like a power to be feared.

LEE: No, no. This is an ancient power that kept its language skills. This is not a new power. This is an old power revived. That was the lesson I took from the opening of the Olympics.

ZAKARIA: You turn 85 tomorrow. Is there a lesson? What are the secrets to longevity and success?

LEE: Your life span depends on what you've inherited from the two helixes you got from your mother and father. My father lived to 94. My mother died at 74 with some heart problems. I had my first heart problem when I was 74 in 1996. Fortunately, unlike her time, they could do an angioplasty and a stent. So that solved it. The day before yesterday I had atrial flutter, so I don't think I'll reach my father's 94.

ZAKARIA: But you're going strong. I mean, you could...

LEE: But day after tomorrow, something could go wrong with the ticker, and then, that's that.

ZAKARIA: Do you have any regrets?

LEE: No. I've discharged what I had to do. As long as – every day is a bonus. I take every day as it comes. I see the sun rise, I see the sun set. I eat less than I want to. I swim and I cycle. I sleep well of nights, and I enjoy my work. But 70 to 80 percent is what I inherited from my parents.

ZAKARIA: Lee Kuan Yew, a great pleasure to see you.

LEE: Thank you.

Heaven on Earth

2008-10-02T15:42:00.038+08:00

Dear Friends,

Since my last post on Hanoi, I was taken on a nostalgic roller coaster. My thoughts were instantly reflected to a picturesque sight of a tranquil piece of 'HEAVEN ON EARTH'. This was 15 September 2007. Destination - HALONG BAY.

Halong Bay is recognised as a world heritage for many years. It is a large area which covers over 1,900 limestone islets coupled with a 120 kilometres coastline. Legend has it that on three occasions in the channels of the islands, the Vietnamese stopped the Chinese from invading. In 1288, they stopped the Mongol ships from sailing up the nearby Bach Dang river by placing steel-tipped wooden stakes at high tide, sinking the Mongol Kublai Khan's fleet. The legend is that a slew of dragons spat out jewels and jade into the sea resulting in the jewels turning into islands and islets that surrounds the bay today.

Our pick up point was from the Melia Hanoi at 7.30am. It was a slightly overcast morning and we were waiting for the tour guide and transport to arrive from Buffalo Tours. It was delayed by almost 45 minutes. The journey to Halong Town took about four hours by a packed Ford Transit. We passed villages, plantations and a view of mainly greenery.

We arrived at Halong Town after a brief 'pee' stop cum session of contributing to the Vietnamese economy at a handicraft centre. The packed vehicle we travelled in quickly dispersed it's passengers to the various tour handlers waiting. I, then realised that the others were not part of our package but were merely travelling together just to the pier. A sigh of relieve as I have always liked holidays that were not too 'busy'.

At the pier, there were many wooden junks, sailboats and bamboo boats all floating around. I was equally excited and yet 'disappointed' as we had paid for an exclusive package but none of the junks resembled exclusivity. We were then ushered into a speed boat and taken on a wind challenging journey for about 15 minutes. Lo and behold - there she was standing; tall, pretty and exclusive. She was none other than, 'INDOCHINA SAILS' - our exclusive junk.

She was 40 metres long and 9 metres wide and was indeed a beauty to behold. We were ushered into the junk immediately by the staff who spoke good English. There were a total of 12 cabins and we were impressed with what we saw thus far. There was a dining area next to our cabin where meals were served. Walking upstairs we found an open deck with sun loungers and seats to chill out at. We were lucky as we were told that on board was just another Caucasian couple. He works in a town close to Hue and she was visiting him from South Africa. This was fantastic, just them and us. A tour to a nearby fishing village was arranged as soon as lunch was completed. We spend the evening swimming in the bay with others from the nearby junks.

Meals served were delicious, mainly Vietnamese. We had lunch upon arrival and dinner was served at about 7.30pm. What was amazing was, with the handful of crew on board - all multi tasked. While waiting for dinner; at the deck, the sun was setting behind the surrounding islands as we sit in the dwindling twilight. After dinner, two of the crew put up a performance with musical instruments and singing. The lights in the dining area were dimmed to reflect a stage and though it was not really entertaining, it was a nice touch.

We later adjourned to the deck for some chill out drinks beneath the dark illuminated starry skies. You could literally hear a pin drop in the surroundings. The entire area was just so serene and peaceful, this was really heaven on earth. Sentimental Vietnamese melodies hung in the air as the junk went to 'sleep'.

The next day, tours were arranged to visit some caves. The walk up the caves was tiring. Not much to ramble about, we quickly made our way back to the boat after the obligatory visit. The Indochina Sails, slowly made its' way back to Halong Town. From peace and quiet, the hustle and bustle could be felt as we approached the pier.

The idea of travelling another four hours back to Hanoi was not even intimidating. The time spent relaxing in Halong Bay was just too magical. This was indeed 'HEAVEN ON EARTH', a destination so mysterious that one can just pass through in time.

If you ask me, I don't really care because this is like being cast in a spell right out of a Harry Potter series. I think this is called the spell of Halong Bay.