raya...eh?

Realities of life do suck sometimes. And they tend to suck you under as well.
But am not complaining. It could have been worse.
And for that I'm always thankful to Allah.

A month of sacrifice should not be enjoyed in a day.
Spread them days. Spread them love with all.
Enjoy them holidays, enjoy them dishes and enjoy them driving.
Safely.

Life shouldn't be a chore.

happy teacher's day...eh?

Happy Teacher's Day to all teachers, formal and informal. Especially those who had contributed in shaping me life.

But are teachers happy?

Well, save that for another day. Am in me writer's block mode.
Stay safe y'all teech. For better or worse, your contributions are priceless.

limit my butt...eh?

Reckon the country is so entrenched with subsidies that the very thought of going without scare even them ministers senseless.

I can imagine the frantic discussions being held regarding the fuel shit. And these are high level meetings attended by VVIPs. Imagine the amount of claims made by them attendees. Just to discuss whether:
To use MYKAD or permits or fuel coupons.
For one car or more cars.
To use special lanes or calibrated pumps.
For Malaysians only or permanent residents or permit holders or their non Malaysian spouses.
In other words, to segregate people.

Not unlike South Africa during apartheid.

Wouldn't it be easier to sell at market prices? If you really want to help Malaysians, use that extra to built better schools, better universities or better public infrastructures. And yes, a few cronies or hundreds could get a share of the pie. And maybe the suffering Rakyat would finally be able to enjoy First World amenities here in their own backyard. Not just when they are in Bangsar. Wouldn't that be good and wholesome.

And if the minister still insist on giving subsidies back to the Rakyat, reimburse them fairly. Not with car registration numbers as was formulated by the previous minister that led to his downfall but use that piece of plastic that identify Malaysians, the MYKAD. One claim per MYKAD holder with a car regardless how many Ferraris they have. Subsidy is a direct pecuniary aid, and AID is the keyword. Aid should be given to those who needs it and not for those who wants it. For those without cars, well, better and cheaper public transportation would be nice.

Reckon Malaysians ministers just love to complicate matters while enriching themselves, their cronies and proxies in the process. And we the majority, peace loving Rakyat must go along for the ride. Knowing that we've been had but who are we to complain. And knowing complains would do us more harm than good.

Not unlike Iraq during Saddam Hussin.

sleeping on the job...eh?

Don't ask what the Company have done for you?
Ask what you have done for the Company?
I can live with that.
But I don't see you walking the talk Mister Management.
Are you not employees too?
Albeit with much fatter wages.
Duh...

And don't you dare disturb me beauty sleep!

rat race...eh?

oh it's a disgrace to see the...
human-race in a rat race, rat race...
you got the horse race...
you got the dog race...
you got the human-race...
but this is a rat race, rat race...

bob marley

And sadly I'm a part of that race. Sigh.
Am resigned to the hard fact that early retirement is not for the meek.

well...eh?

Life, most often than not, does not work according to plan.
We can only plan, but He's the One.
And whether we like it or not, concurrence is sometime the better option.



Drive safe.
Eat safe.
Remember those who had gone before us.
Say a little prayer for them now.
Families and friends.

what's in it for us...eh?

Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman (BN-Puteri Wangsa) claimed that Iskandar Investment Bhd and Iskandar Regional Development Authority were mostly seen as only carrying out projects that did not provide much direct benefit to Johoreans.

"They carry out multi-million ringgit housing projects and elevated highways on roads that are not suffering from traffic jams.

"The people are likely to see such projects as have nothing to do with them. Is Iskandar Malaysia only for the rich? Where is the improved transport system?

"Where are the projects for houses that can be owned by the low-income groups?"

Yeah...where indeed. I dunno but reckon most government would have their citizens' interest as a priority. Hey ministers! You dumbasses! What's in it for us? Why should everything being built here must have Singapore and Singaporeans in the equation? By the look of it, they too are not doing too good now. And they know that they don't have that many alternatives. But hey, what did those dumbasses we vote into power do? They sell us cheap and gave them a lifeline. Before long, there'll be signs that read, No Dogs and Malaysians Allowed! That would be the day.

School children are becoming statistics while crossing roads in front of their schools. Roads that should have an overhead bridge. The government would say that it could not afford to built an overhead bridge for every school in the country. Reckon the monthly remuneration they pay all those IRDA execs could build three or ten overhead bridges for school crossings. Are the IRDA execs contributing to the well being of the nation? Or are they in fact the agents for national disaster, despite being paid handsomely by the taxpayers? And with the amount they pay to foreign advertising & marketing agents, do you see FDI coming to Iskandar in droves?


But take heart. At least, the good old Gelang Patah durian can now be called Durian Iskandar. Rotflmao...

err...err...eh?

(this is definitely a stolen item...)

heartless...eh?

Image nicked here.

Had a teh tarik session with 2 buddies from old on Wednesday.

The three of us are like siblings. Despite being from different backgrounds. She's 35, a Chinese. He's 36, a brute of a dude. Both are still single. Both had their hearts broken more than a decade ago. Both are still reeling from the pain after all these years. Wanted to suggest that they love each other instead but being like brother and sister all their adult lives, I already know what their answer would be.

I dunno. First love could be a testing ground for some. Juvenile fun for them naughty few. Something to cherish for a few others. But for some, it is the one and only love they want and they work hard to keep it. Unfortunately love takes two to tango. No matter how hard one party worked it would be to no avail if the other decided to call it quits. And to make it worse, her heartbreaker was a very close friend of mine, part of the old gang. Maybe some are just not ready to cross the racial lines even in matters of the heart. What a pity. That was indeed one bitter pill to swallow for all of us back then.

Fortunately the both of them are never bitter. Life must go on even if she's a bitch. They just don't have the will to pursue any meaningful relationship. Imagine carrying a pain for 13 or so years. Damn!

And we're just glad that we can still have these occasional lepak sessions. To sooth old wounds if nothing much else.

To the both of you, live life and just be happy. It'd be a waste to carry regrets to the grave.

don't be cruel...eh?

Maybe...cruelty is the answer.

Maybe MARA could think along this line on what to do to its thousands of defaulters. And also to encourage more to repay their dues not only to MARA, but to all them other agencies that use money from the public purse.

Imagine being a Muslim. And not paying your dues when you're more than capable of doing so. And in neglecting to do that, is also depriving others who really need the assistance. Rezeki halal? That's for you to find out. And don't go blaming others when your offspring walk on the wild side. When you're feeding them with what you reckon is not haram?

Be glad to urinate on your grave should I know which one. Maybe it'll help cool you some.

still got them blues...eh?

To them band of brothers who were together then...

...and who are still in this together, this one is for you.

air piano...eh?

Image nicked here, without any permission whatsoever.

elephantiasis...eh?

Kuman di seberang lautan tampak, gajah di pelupuk mata tiada tampak. The saying goes and had nothing to do with the title above. And this can only happen elsewhere.

Record fine for restaurant that hired illegals from Malaysia

The Temptations Chinese Restaurant in Colchester has been slapped with a £96,000 (RM526,000) fine – the biggest ever handed down by a court in Britain – for employing illegal workers from Malaysia, China and Indonesia.

The Harwich magistrates court had last week found Bo & Sum Ltd directors Phing Woon Pun and Anthony Lam guilty of six offences contrary to Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, said a press statement by the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

The UK Border Agency Immigration officers had raided the restaurant on Nov 29, 2007, and detained the illegal workers. According to the statement, at least 10 Malaysians were deported following the raid.

Pun was also charged with conspiracy to facilitate breaches of Britain’s immigration laws, an offence that carried a maximum 14-year imprisonment. The charges would be heard separately.

Gail Adams, the UK Border Agency regional director for the Midlands and East of England, said the record fine sent a clear message that both the agency and the court would not tolerate hiring of illegal workers.

All foreigners, foreign workers and expatriates, are all legit here. All our employers, be they mega multinationals or those fly by night metal recyclers, have legally obtain all the necessary legal papers for all their legally acquired expats and workers. No qualms about that. Irregularities can only happen in the first world, where everything and anything gets reported. Nothing bad can happen in Malaysia. Our government will ensure to that.

And all those foreigners are well treated here. Especially them expats. Especially caucasian expats. You would bash a Bangladeshi or a Myanmarese to death sometimes even though they're legal aliens. But nobody will even try being disrespectful to caucasian expats even though they're here illegally. Being colonised all those centuries ago can do that to your collective psyché. And being further misled and misinformed by the government of the day and its media(whose investigative reporting expertise is either on the opposition stupidities or sports. Else they'll be concentrating on them tabloid pieces or which foreign news to include to further distract the already distracted masses) don't help either.

But we don't need help. We're cool with it.

noose jaya...eh?

Major security risk at Nusajaya
By NELSON BENJAMIN and MEERA VIJAYAN

Kota Iskandar, the sprawling new state administrative capital in Nusajaya, faces a major security risk as it is located near a Singapore firing range.

The range, inside the Sarimbun Camp, is operated by the Singapore Armed Forces and involves the use of live ammunition from tanks and aircraft including helicopter gunships.

Sarimbun is located about 1km away from Lim Chu Kang Road in Singapore where Japanese soldiers crossed the Johor Straits in a fleet of small boats and successfully landed on the island around midnight on Feb 8, 1942.

There have been instances when the explosions at the range have caused vibrations on the Malaysian side less than 2km away.

Too close for comfort: An aerial view of Nusajaya showing the close proximity of Kota Iskandar(foreground) to the Sarimbun firing range,marked X.

Government servants, who have been moving into buildings at Kota Iskandar in recent weeks, have also expressed worries about stray bullets or shells.

Nusajaya assemblyman Datuk Aziz Sapian said he was aware of the risks posed by the firing range and had raised the security issue at the Johor State Assembly even before the area was developed.

He hoped the Government would discuss the matter with Singapore and set up a military base on Pulau Merabong to beef up security around Kota Iskandar.

“The situation has gotten worse as over the past two days, the Singapore planes have been flying too low, and this is a nuisance to the people,” he said, adding that he had received many complaints from residents.

A check at the site showed an area surrounded by perimeter fencing with a guard post overlooking the Straits of Johor. There is also a large board with a picture of a skull at the site.

It is learnt that sirens go off to warn boats to stay away when they venture too close to the camp.

A security source said it was not a good idea to have state leaders all in one spot next to a military camp or firing range.

A diplomatic source said there have been no formal discussions between Malaysia and Singapore to relocate the firing range but it might be discussed in future.

“We must realise that the camp was there even before Nusajaya was developed,” he said, adding that it would not be easy to persuade Singapore to relocate the firing range.

Money can definitely make your world go round. Or it can make you stupid.

I don't know what were these monkeys high on when they conceived to conceit with all these mega stupidities of theirs. Yeah...them monkeys would be calling them mega developments. Worthy of an hour slot in that yellow rectangle. And reckon each monkey that had a hand in coming up with these grandiose scams, from them initial concepts to them drawings to them displacements of the poor to them constructions, would be loaded with more than bananas till the day they drop dead. Which hopefully will either be from a very tall tree or something high.

And them state politicians? It's their fucking backyard for crying out loud. And knowing that the matter was raised even before the first stone was turned. Make your blood kinda boil some ain't it. Mebbe them confetti of kickbacks coming their way temporary blinded them then. But now when the reality of stray shells could actually rip their anuses apart, they are beginning to see some light. If only God grants a wish when enough people wish for it....

Well...at least Singapore can now commit murder by misadventure.

our own enemy...eh?

Malaysian chef underpaid, restaurant owner fined

MELBOURNE, THURSDAY: A restaurant owner who brought a Malaysian to Melbourne to work as a chef and paid him less than A$10,000 over 18 months has been fined A$180,000.
Businessman Hong Poh Meng and his company, Penang Kayu Nasi Kander Ltd, which traded as Kayu@Boxhill, admitted breaching 11 workplace laws, including underpaying a full-time cook $76,000, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reports.

Two 19-year-old casual waitresses were underpaid A$4,876 and A$899 respectively.

Hong was fined A$25,000 and the company was penalised A$158,400 in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday for the breaches, which occurred between 2005 and 2007.

Workplace Ombudsman executive director Michael Campbell said Hong admitted bringing the Malaysian national to Melbourne and then paying him just A$9,650 for 18 months'' work in his restaurant.
"This was less than 12 per cent of the minimum amount the man was entitled to receive," Campbell said in a statement.

"This sort of blatant exploitation is completely unacceptable."

AAP said the company repaid the cook A$10,600 and the two waitresses a combined amount of A$805 after the Workplace Ombudsman began investigating the case in 2007.

But Magistrate Kate Hawkins ordered the company to pay the chef A$65,341 in outstanding wages and another A$4,128 and A$841 to the waitresses.

She said the cook was subjected to a "pattern of exploitation" and was particularly vulnerable because of his immigration status.

The underpayments were "staggering" and "defied belief", Hawkins said.

______________________________________________________________________

Kayu @ Boxhill? Ya bluming bafoon! Talk about being a kayu!

Well...what can I say. The first to discriminate us. The first to exploit us. The first to enslave us for profit will always be one of our own.

Fortunately there's the Workplace Ombudsman on the prowl there. And I believe their personnel are not too tempted with that thick envelopes the way their minimum pay is structured over there. We have our own Jabatan Buruh. But will our protectors of workers' rights be able to resist them temptations dangle by unscrupulous employers here? What with their lousy pay. I bet there are more than a few takers.

At least that chef or cook can now look forward towards maybe opening his own nasi kandar joint with that A$65k. Good on you mate.

déjà vu...eh?

Guess some peeps are born just to be spat at...

happy mama...eh?

Cliché? Maybe. Especially when this is the only day in the year some people shower their mothers with love and gifts and forget about them the very next day.

So to all Mothers, this is your day. As all them other days too. Wishing y'all the best of health, happiness and most important of all, caring and loving children that shower you love and affection all year round.

To Mothers who had preceded us, al-Fatihah and may your souls be among His beloved.

time after time...eh?

Ahhh...how time flies. And what time can do to you. The first tomboy that stirred something within me before Nasha and then Melissa. Seems like a million years ago though me buds and me feel that we are cursed to be eternally seventeen. We stop aging the year we left Sikamat. Guess we never grow up. Hahaha.

Will Sinead feel the same way? Is the rebel still lurking inside? Will she tear iconic photos? Guess it's for her to know and for us to find out eh.

Have a happy life, Sinead dear.
Thanks for all them nice songs, nice memories.

idiots but stupid...eh?

Robbery suspect beaten to death

KLANG: A robbery suspect was handcuffed and left at the mercy of his would be victims while police went looking for his accomplice in a case of misplaced priorities on Friday.
I'm with the police on this. What priorities? You got one bagged and cuffed. The priority is to get the other shithead, stupid. If the police let the accomplice escaped, and that shithead in turn robbed and raped your wife, would you be talking priorities Mr V. Shankar Ganesh?
Mohd Azrul Ishak was found lying on the road in a semi-conscious state by the arresting officers when they returned minutes later with the second robbery suspect.
Guess he got what he deserved.

The injured man was rushed to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital here but died a day later without regaining consciousness.

A post-mortem revealed he died of head injuries.

Azrul's elder brother Mohd Hazar Ishak, 39, is now crying for justice, claiming his brother was defenseless as he was beaten to death by a mob when he should have been protected by the policemen who had handcuffed him.
You should be protecting him. Scums like him are taxing our society. We don't want our tax ringgits go to protecting scums. We are the ones who need protection. Too bad Mohd Hazar dude. You should've known.
The incident occurred last Friday at Tanjung Harapan in Port Klang, when Azrul was arrested by four policemen about 1am after an attempted robbery report.

Two men allegedly tried to rob a group of motorcyclists at knifepoint but failed. The suspects fled the scene but the policemen, who were on patrol in the area, nabbed Azrul and handcuffed him.

While interrogating him, the policemen received word that the second suspect was spotted nearby.

The four then left Azrul by the roadside and went looking for the second suspect.
This part I'm not too proud off. All four left? Damn! Wanna ensure the loot if any is equally divided? Damn!

Hazar said when the policemen returned with the second suspect, they found his brother barely alive. He was rushed to hospital and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

"I rushed there and saw that he was in a coma. He died the next day without regaining consciousness."

He said his brother only had a small cut above the left eyebrow but doctors told him that he died of head injuries.

Hazar believed his brother was beaten up by a group of motorcyclists.

Hazar met the district police chief and other police officers on Monday.

"They admitted that the policemen were negligent to have left him alone. The police chief also promised that disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible."
Hazar said this Hazar said that. Where the hell did he got the information? And the police readily admitted to being negligent? I don't know about NST reporters but reckon interviewing someone who was not at the scene and in this case the brother of the victim, could be misinterpreted as bias reporting. And to think that the editor let the news through. But what do I know. I don't have a UiTM mass comm shit.

He said Azrul was a problematic person who was always in trouble with the law.
There, he's not such a bad loss. Your family would not even remember his name in a few months time. Especially if the police or the government, in this case us, is made to pay compensation. Got rid of a problematic family member and cash reimbursement to boot. That's a bloody good deal no?

"I had handed him to the police before, hoping he would be reformed.
Thick skulled Azrul? You should have done what them mob did. Bashed him with helmets. And his skull ain't that thick. Or this would not make it into them papers.

"All that now seems to have been in vain.
Not when the goverment hand out compensation. Or bribe money.

"I can't imagine what he went through. He was handcuffed and was bashed up.
Don't tell me that was his first attempt at robbery. He must have been doing it for a while. Can you imagine what his victims went through? He's dead and only needs to deal with his Maker. But his victims? Maybe they're one of those snatched victims who are now disfigured or paralysed for life. Or maybe even dead.

"He couldn't even defend himself.
So if he still had his knife, and was able to defend himself and escape, what then? He'd still be terrorising society. You don't want that do you?

"Nobody deserves to die like this. He was my younger brother and I wanted the best for him."
True. Nobody deserves to die like that. But God is fair don't you agree? Maybe that's the best for him. And us.

Hazar said his mother was devastated to learn that her son suffered such a cruel death.
I thought she was devastated to learn that her son was a robber and had been cruel to others. Damn! My mistake.

He urged an independent body to investigate the case.
You wanna pay for that Hazar?

Hazar lodged a police report on Monday in Shah Alam and would be lodging another report at the district police headquarters here today.

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

Police pick up nine over Azrul's death

Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Mat Yusop, Klang Police chief

KLANG: Nine suspects have been detained in connection with the death of Mohd Azrul Ishak.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Mat Yusop said they were from a group of motorcyclists.
Kill all them rempits.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 23, were rounded up on Saturday and were being investigated for murder.

"We believe the victim was beaten up with helmets," he said.
You believe? No need to go forensic? Damn! Way to go PDRM. That will save a bundle.

On why he was handcuffed and left alone, Mohamad said an inquiry would be held into the matter.
Why bother. Them policemen did not trust each other to divide any loot equally.
Satu untuk engkau satu untuk aku. Dua untuk engkau dua untuk aku...
He also agreed with the chronology of events as reported by the victim's elder brother Mohd Hazar Ishak.
So who's the police now? No need for investigation? Bloody hell! Way to go PDRM. That will also save a bundle.

He said disciplinary action would be taken against the policemen if they were found to be negligent as a suspect could not be left alone under such circumstances.
So they get to do desk jobs eh? No more untuk engkau, no more untuk aku...

Mohamad also said Azrul was released from prison six months ago for a drug offence while his accomplice had a record for several burglaries.

He said the public should not take the law into their own hands as it could result in incidents such as this
Yeah, we should have faith in our men in blue. Right! But where were you when we need you? The IGP said the police could not afford to be everywhere. And he needed the public to assist. Of course we would. We would be mighty glad to assist our men in blue. So that they would have more time to pursue other more pressing matters. Just give us the Heckler & Koch G11 Rifle that could fire some 2000 rounds per minute. We'll know what to do to assist.

facebook...eh?