watch to sleep
live to eat
last call to MP?
Government fed by the people
Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.
Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?
When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.
Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)
Monday, August 04, 2008
A reminder to ambitious new DAP leaders to be humble
I have just read 'A new era for DAP?' in Malaysia Today http://us3.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/10699/84/
Excerpts:
"Will the new enthusiasm change the face and outlook of DAP?
About 900 delegates will deliberate on the future of the party on Aug 23 and 24 at the party congress expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
Whether they will argue about positions in the new-found power base of Penang, Perak and Selangor, or find a more pragmatic way to promote transparency, freedom, equal opportunity, local-level democracy and freer, open market, the congress is expected to be a turning point for a new DAP.
Even if most of the old guards retain their respective position, they too should be able to embrace transformation. Failing that, the party will forever be doomed with the old bickering politics; similar to that of their sworn political enemy BN."
If my memory serves me right, it was about 10 years ago when I started attending forums organised by DAP in connection with the then impending Lim Guan Eng’s case. I even attended one at Federal Hotel, KL where it was aborted before it even started when the strong police presence led to a warning for us to disperse ‘within 8 minutes’!
Like many people, from a distance, I admired Lim Kit Siang for his unwavering and consistent stand for justice, which was emulated by his son. The climate of fear was such that the general public could not support openly for fear of being identified by Special Branch, which might complicate their lives.
For those young leaders who are now MPs and ADUNs, many first-timers, I wish to congratulate them for their success but wish to remind them that the old-timers like LKS and Karpal Singh, have been through thick and thin to build up DAP to what it is today and was lucky to be part of the political tsunami which swept the country on March 8, 2008. I am sure they can honestly acknowledge that they were just as surprised to be part of the state governments ruled by Pakatan, and to have YAB Lim Guan Eng as Chief Minister!
Last night, when Guan Eng walked into the Perak State HQ, someone commented that he was so casual, in other words, very down to earth. The meeting was brought forward by an hour because he was scheduled to join Anwar’s campaign in Permatang Pauh.
YB Lim Kit Siang was the last speaker and he related to us how he was in Sauk one night to try their fresh water fish. It so happened there was a ‘pasar malam’ or night market. He was approached by a young man who was distributing forms. When questioned, he said they were application forms for Parti Keadilan Rakyat!
The way I see it, I am more taken by his humility in being able to mingle with the crowd and remain in cognito after so many years as an MP and even as Mr. Opposition in Parliament.
The new Speaker for Perak State Assembly, YB Sivakumar, is now provided with a Proton Executive with driver. Exco member, YB Thomas Su has an official car too. It would appear state leaders in Pakatan ruled states are better off than old timer MPs like LKS, Karpal Singh, Kula Segaran and Fong Po Kuan!
While I was waiting outside for my wife to fetch me, I shook hands with LKS on his way to his car, and reminded him, ‘Ai peah thak eh nyeah’ to which he acknowledged with a smile. Honestly, even though I have sat next to him at lunch before and he is one of my friends in Facebook, I doubt he knew who I was as I am only one of his over a thousand friends in the social connectivity site!
I still remember when I attended a forum (in support of LGE’s case) in St. John’s Ambulance’s Hall in Ipoh and I was looking at him, deciding whether to greet him. He looked at me with suspicion. It was only when I read the newspaper the next day that I knew the reason – he was robbed earlier in Petaling Jaya, outside their HQ in SS2!
Anyway, at night, outside DAP's HQ in Ipoh can be scary, especially having read about the molotov cocktail incident. While everybody left in their cars except for a handful of Indians (incl. YB Sivanesan, I think), I was waiting for my wife from Batu Gajah! Earlier, she dropped me off after our trip back from Kedah.
Note: I hope The Malaysian Insider got it wrong as I would prefer the party congress to be in Penang!
Excerpts:
"Will the new enthusiasm change the face and outlook of DAP?
About 900 delegates will deliberate on the future of the party on Aug 23 and 24 at the party congress expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
Whether they will argue about positions in the new-found power base of Penang, Perak and Selangor, or find a more pragmatic way to promote transparency, freedom, equal opportunity, local-level democracy and freer, open market, the congress is expected to be a turning point for a new DAP.
Even if most of the old guards retain their respective position, they too should be able to embrace transformation. Failing that, the party will forever be doomed with the old bickering politics; similar to that of their sworn political enemy BN."
If my memory serves me right, it was about 10 years ago when I started attending forums organised by DAP in connection with the then impending Lim Guan Eng’s case. I even attended one at Federal Hotel, KL where it was aborted before it even started when the strong police presence led to a warning for us to disperse ‘within 8 minutes’!
Like many people, from a distance, I admired Lim Kit Siang for his unwavering and consistent stand for justice, which was emulated by his son. The climate of fear was such that the general public could not support openly for fear of being identified by Special Branch, which might complicate their lives.
For those young leaders who are now MPs and ADUNs, many first-timers, I wish to congratulate them for their success but wish to remind them that the old-timers like LKS and Karpal Singh, have been through thick and thin to build up DAP to what it is today and was lucky to be part of the political tsunami which swept the country on March 8, 2008. I am sure they can honestly acknowledge that they were just as surprised to be part of the state governments ruled by Pakatan, and to have YAB Lim Guan Eng as Chief Minister!
Last night, when Guan Eng walked into the Perak State HQ, someone commented that he was so casual, in other words, very down to earth. The meeting was brought forward by an hour because he was scheduled to join Anwar’s campaign in Permatang Pauh.
YB Lim Kit Siang was the last speaker and he related to us how he was in Sauk one night to try their fresh water fish. It so happened there was a ‘pasar malam’ or night market. He was approached by a young man who was distributing forms. When questioned, he said they were application forms for Parti Keadilan Rakyat!
The way I see it, I am more taken by his humility in being able to mingle with the crowd and remain in cognito after so many years as an MP and even as Mr. Opposition in Parliament.
The new Speaker for Perak State Assembly, YB Sivakumar, is now provided with a Proton Executive with driver. Exco member, YB Thomas Su has an official car too. It would appear state leaders in Pakatan ruled states are better off than old timer MPs like LKS, Karpal Singh, Kula Segaran and Fong Po Kuan!
While I was waiting outside for my wife to fetch me, I shook hands with LKS on his way to his car, and reminded him, ‘Ai peah thak eh nyeah’ to which he acknowledged with a smile. Honestly, even though I have sat next to him at lunch before and he is one of my friends in Facebook, I doubt he knew who I was as I am only one of his over a thousand friends in the social connectivity site!
I still remember when I attended a forum (in support of LGE’s case) in St. John’s Ambulance’s Hall in Ipoh and I was looking at him, deciding whether to greet him. He looked at me with suspicion. It was only when I read the newspaper the next day that I knew the reason – he was robbed earlier in Petaling Jaya, outside their HQ in SS2!
Anyway, at night, outside DAP's HQ in Ipoh can be scary, especially having read about the molotov cocktail incident. While everybody left in their cars except for a handful of Indians (incl. YB Sivanesan, I think), I was waiting for my wife from Batu Gajah! Earlier, she dropped me off after our trip back from Kedah.
Note: I hope The Malaysian Insider got it wrong as I would prefer the party congress to be in Penang!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
New National Monument?
My suggested new national monument of a national hero for saving BN and signifying ‘we have nothing to hide’ for posteriority.
He has the backing of not only our DPM but our PM.
According to YB Lim Kit Siang's post in his blog: Anwar’s Sodomy II - has it become Abdullah’s personal crusade?
"Yesterday, in an interview with Associated Press, Abdullah went public on the Sodomy II allegations against Anwar Ibrahim in a manner which could only mean that he was in the thick of the decision-making process as to whether Anwar Ibrahim, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser would be hauled to court for a second sodomy charge in a decade, when the Prime Minister has no business to be involved in the exercise of the discretionary power by the Attorney-General on matters of prosecution or otherwise."
How else could one interpret the following remarks by Abdullah yesterday:
“This man pleads for justice. We care about (Anwar) more than we care about this man? That is very odd. He needs justice; that is what he is crying for. We cannot ignore that.”
I am verily surprised that Abdullah had today repeated this obsession of “justice for Saiful” when he returned to the same subject today.
As reported by Bernama, Abdullah told reporters at his office in Putrajaya:
“The complainant is (Mohd) Saiful (Bukhari Azlan). He wants to seek justice in a court of law. We cannot ignore him (Saiful), as though he is unimportant. Everyone is important. The process of law is important. Everyone has the right to seek justice.”
Friday, August 01, 2008
My phobia of Credit Card Companies
I received 2 letters attached to my June statement from UOB Card Centre:
June 2008
1. Enjoy Lower Interest Rates for Prompt Repayment
UOB is introducing a new Tiered Interest Rate Structure…Cardmembers who paid their minimum repayments promptly, that is on or before their payment due dates, will enjoy reduced finance charges.
2. Extension of Payment Due Date
…you are selected to enjoy an extended Payment Due Date by 7 days just for this statement period. Therefore your Payment Due Date will be 10 July 2008.
My statement details:
Statement Date: 13 Jun 08 Balance due Rm 168.91
Payment Due Date: 03 Jul 08
Date of receipt of statement (late) and cheque issued: 30 Jun 08 and posted (thinking there is still time with the extension).
For the past few years, I have had no problem with my method of payment by posting my cheque when the statements were received 8-10 days before Payment Due Date.
Yet, the first time, I am offered this ‘extension of payment due date’, I received my statement late and was under the mistaken impression that the extension was sufficient to cover the delay.
I cannot help thinking my cheque (supposedly lost in the post) was deliberately held back so that I am penalised Rm10.00 late payment fee and Rm10.86 finance charge which work out at 12.35% for roughly a month. As I have been ever vigilant since my son’s experience with HSBC (Visa & Mastercard) and recently Stanchart (Visa) I am not about to give them the benefit of the doubt. I am fortunate the balance happens to be relatively small. But I have decided to pay each month at their branch in Ipoh.
Statement Date: 13 Jul 08 Balance due Rm 1,289.02
Payment Due Date: 02 Aug 08
I managed to deposit cheque personally on 25 July (Friday) as ‘Late Local cheque’.
On Monday afternoon, I got a call from UOB enquiring about my unpaid Rm168.91 due by 03 Jul 08. When I enquired about this later, it was explained that it was supposed to be a polite reminder. But I felt insulted because I had been a good paymaster for a number of years and they are actually chasing me for such a small amount! I would not have been so annoyed if not for a fact that I had sent off the cheque in time. But of course it was my word against theirs and even if I had ‘proof of posting’ it does not mean ‘proof of receipt’. But under the circumstances I cannot help but feel it is a way to make me pay for some charges instead of the usual full payment each time.
Then on 31 Jul 08 I received a letter from Credit Control Dept, UOBM, dated 24 Jul 08 showing
Current Balance: Rm2,816.00
We are concerned that your credit card account is currently overdue…
Initially, I was concerned with the balance of Rm2816.00 as even for the fact that my cheque deposited on 25 Jul was obviously not cleared yet, based on my 13 Jul statement, it should have been 1,289.02. By right, for the purpose of informing me of the amount overdue, it should have been Rm168.91 only as the balance on 13 Jul was only due on 02 Aug! The person who took the call at Customer Service confirmed that my balance was actually Nil as at 31 Jul 08, on the day I complained.
To add insult to injury, there was a last paragraph:
Note: Bank Negara Malaysia has established Agensi Kaunselling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) to provide free service on money management, credit counselling, financial education and debt restructuring for individuals. For enquiry, please call 1-800-88-2575.
Wait a minute! Isn’t this to do with those having problems with ‘Ah Longs’ as advertised on television. Thank you very much indeed! I really took exception to this last paragraph which put me under the desperate category already.
So UOB gave me a Platinum Card and then insult me for owing Rm168.91 overdue a month through no fault of mine. For all the sales effort in trying to get people to sign up and this has put paid to any goodwill, if any, left in this cardmember.
My advice to Mr. Yap Kok Tee, General Manager, Credit Card Centre:
Please assign humans to check first before sending out computer-generated letters, which do not require signature.
June 2008
1. Enjoy Lower Interest Rates for Prompt Repayment
UOB is introducing a new Tiered Interest Rate Structure…Cardmembers who paid their minimum repayments promptly, that is on or before their payment due dates, will enjoy reduced finance charges.
2. Extension of Payment Due Date
…you are selected to enjoy an extended Payment Due Date by 7 days just for this statement period. Therefore your Payment Due Date will be 10 July 2008.
My statement details:
Statement Date: 13 Jun 08 Balance due Rm 168.91
Payment Due Date: 03 Jul 08
Date of receipt of statement (late) and cheque issued: 30 Jun 08 and posted (thinking there is still time with the extension).
For the past few years, I have had no problem with my method of payment by posting my cheque when the statements were received 8-10 days before Payment Due Date.
Yet, the first time, I am offered this ‘extension of payment due date’, I received my statement late and was under the mistaken impression that the extension was sufficient to cover the delay.
I cannot help thinking my cheque (supposedly lost in the post) was deliberately held back so that I am penalised Rm10.00 late payment fee and Rm10.86 finance charge which work out at 12.35% for roughly a month. As I have been ever vigilant since my son’s experience with HSBC (Visa & Mastercard) and recently Stanchart (Visa) I am not about to give them the benefit of the doubt. I am fortunate the balance happens to be relatively small. But I have decided to pay each month at their branch in Ipoh.
Statement Date: 13 Jul 08 Balance due Rm 1,289.02
Payment Due Date: 02 Aug 08
I managed to deposit cheque personally on 25 July (Friday) as ‘Late Local cheque’.
On Monday afternoon, I got a call from UOB enquiring about my unpaid Rm168.91 due by 03 Jul 08. When I enquired about this later, it was explained that it was supposed to be a polite reminder. But I felt insulted because I had been a good paymaster for a number of years and they are actually chasing me for such a small amount! I would not have been so annoyed if not for a fact that I had sent off the cheque in time. But of course it was my word against theirs and even if I had ‘proof of posting’ it does not mean ‘proof of receipt’. But under the circumstances I cannot help but feel it is a way to make me pay for some charges instead of the usual full payment each time.
Then on 31 Jul 08 I received a letter from Credit Control Dept, UOBM, dated 24 Jul 08 showing
Current Balance: Rm2,816.00
We are concerned that your credit card account is currently overdue…
Initially, I was concerned with the balance of Rm2816.00 as even for the fact that my cheque deposited on 25 Jul was obviously not cleared yet, based on my 13 Jul statement, it should have been 1,289.02. By right, for the purpose of informing me of the amount overdue, it should have been Rm168.91 only as the balance on 13 Jul was only due on 02 Aug! The person who took the call at Customer Service confirmed that my balance was actually Nil as at 31 Jul 08, on the day I complained.
To add insult to injury, there was a last paragraph:
Note: Bank Negara Malaysia has established Agensi Kaunselling Dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) to provide free service on money management, credit counselling, financial education and debt restructuring for individuals. For enquiry, please call 1-800-88-2575.
Wait a minute! Isn’t this to do with those having problems with ‘Ah Longs’ as advertised on television. Thank you very much indeed! I really took exception to this last paragraph which put me under the desperate category already.
So UOB gave me a Platinum Card and then insult me for owing Rm168.91 overdue a month through no fault of mine. For all the sales effort in trying to get people to sign up and this has put paid to any goodwill, if any, left in this cardmember.
My advice to Mr. Yap Kok Tee, General Manager, Credit Card Centre:
Please assign humans to check first before sending out computer-generated letters, which do not require signature.
Meritocracy is the key to success
At 84, the fire still burns
With a title like that, most people including myself, would be curious as to who is the person referred to. I started reading the article and because it appeared in Lim Kit Siang’s blog, I was under the impression it was written by him. Recently, there were some readers of his blog who mistook him for Azly Rahman and/or vice versa!
Having read and found the author is actually Ahmad Mustapha (I am sure some cynics would be questioning ‘does this person exist?’ or ‘is LKS writing under a Malay pseudonym?’ Cannot blame them under our present climate of distrust of all institutions and all people. But we should also be hopeful and optimistic sometimes and the proverbial ‘the truth will prevail’ comes to mind. But in this case, it is difficult to ignore Singapore's success despite the lack of natural resources - even its human resources are imported from Malaysia!
With a title like that, most people including myself, would be curious as to who is the person referred to. I started reading the article and because it appeared in Lim Kit Siang’s blog, I was under the impression it was written by him. Recently, there were some readers of his blog who mistook him for Azly Rahman and/or vice versa!
Having read and found the author is actually Ahmad Mustapha (I am sure some cynics would be questioning ‘does this person exist?’ or ‘is LKS writing under a Malay pseudonym?’ Cannot blame them under our present climate of distrust of all institutions and all people. But we should also be hopeful and optimistic sometimes and the proverbial ‘the truth will prevail’ comes to mind. But in this case, it is difficult to ignore Singapore's success despite the lack of natural resources - even its human resources are imported from Malaysia!
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