Arrogance in Corruption

What used to be by stealth now becomes blatant corruption. When allegations were made, there was no need to deny. What can be more obvious than living beyond one's means? And not only that, but by buying high profile properties here and abroad. It seems it was Tun Dr. Mahathir who changed the law to stop ACA then from going after those with questionable ability to own expensive properties. With the Official Secrets Act, even those with the information are unable to disclose what they know and which they cannot without getting into trouble with the law. What irony! Apparently, if you are with them, everything is above board.

It does not take rocket science to seek out those who are corrupted because they are also proud to display their wealth. Lately, we have cases of costs overrun not in terms of percentage but by multiples. Lop-sided agreements between government and private sector could be signed with impunity, again and again. There are no obvious controls judging from the recurrence of such mega projects.

Common sense and reasonableness tests seem to escape those in authority which led to buying overpriced defence equipment added with ludicrously overgenerous commissions (under whatever guise or description), unnecessary government guarantees which bound us to pay regardless of circumstances, down to procurements of the most basic items at multiples of market prices. To the average layman, the absurdity of it all makes him wonder why no actions seem to be taken by our MACC! It is a case of culprits carrying out their illegal activities recklessly, yet MACC seem to turn a blind eye!

The chain starts from perpetrator, his immediate superior, internal auditor, his overall head of department, the Auditor General or external auditor, the Minister, and ultimately the Prime Minister. Surely if the lower rungs have been effective, unreasonable expenditure would have been stopped before they got out of hand. But the bureaucracy is such that it would take at least one year before anything could be discovered by the AG, and even that does not guarantee prompt action to correct the situation.

Any mega projects could be secretly contracted by direct negotiations without open tender. They might be discussed after the event because of the huge cost overruns, in Parliament. But we can see how ineffective this has been, with questions being disallowed or only allowed a few minutes. The Public Accounts Committee are headed by people without audit experience and apparently without real powers, as we have seen how ineffective it has been.

The whole thing seems like a charade at the end of which no culprits would be found guilty for whatever inappropriate or illegal actions they have done. Now the people are getting fed up of the situation and hope and even demand for a change of government, knowing the present seems beyond redemption.

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Sorry Guys, these are effective retorts from Gals...

He said to me: I don't know why you wear a bra; you've got nothing to put in it.
I said to him: You wear pants don't you?

He said to me: Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
I said: That's a good idea - you stand by the stove & sink while I sit on the sofa and do nothing but fart.

He said to me: What have you been doing with all the grocery money I gave you?
I said to him: Turn sideways and look in the mirror!

He said to me: Why don't women blink during foreplay?
I said to him: They don't have time.

He said to me: How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?
I said to him: I don't know; it has never happened.

He said to me: Why is it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and Good- looking?
I said to him: They already have boyfriends.

He said: What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every night?
I said: A widow.

He said to me: Why are married women heavier than single women?
I said to him: Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and go to bed.
Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.

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"Why can't a lady be more like a man?"

asked Prof. Higgins in My Fair Lady. Well, now they can!

Even in the Gents if necessary:

in the bush like what men used to:
with a little help from this:
or this:
No problem, with this, even in our notoriously dirty public toilets! :

Well, 'necessity is the mother of all inventions' as the saying goes. I first came across someone who designed something meant for those caught in traffic jams. But now, designers have finally come out with something practical enough to be sold in the convenience stores.

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Safety helmets: exception to the rule...

I can understand Sultan is above the law, but MCA President?

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/29/nation/6566707&sec=nation

Will he receive a 'saman ekor' highlighted in Lawan Kuda some years back?

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Malaysia can win in the World Cup...

if only we can host the game... with an uneven playing field!

We are masters in this type of competitions... be it politics, business or education!
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Having a soft spot for Maastricht

At the Lorong Kulit Sunday flea market, SP saw 3 small porcelain plates with the name, 'Maastricht' on it. She bargained with the older woman with an offer of Rm10 for 3 but she said that she bought them when she visited her daughter in Holland at a cost of 5 Euros each. She has one daughter married to a Dutch and another daughter married to a German. Suddenly she laughed and told us that she actually pretended to be disabled and went on a wheelchair with a notice that she could not understand English which normally means none of the European languages as well. She said because of that, even Customs did not bother looking into her luggage! Just as souvenir, SP paid Rm20 for one. The brand name is Mosa, and other details include 'Ter Herinnering', 'AAN UW BEZOEK BIJ' and 'MOSA N.V. MAASTRICHT' whatever that means!

I could not resist a 'Mandarin' orange plant with two fruits on it, one almost the size of an orange, for Rm18. I could have bought one with very small fruit for Rm10 but I always reason that for a few ringgit more, I do not have to wait for months at least, to get to that size!

One thing about SP is that I cannot easily find her in a street market. She would disappear and later turned out that she was squatting while looking at some stuff, or among some hanging clothes or other items out of view. My interest for such things are more superficial unless I have something in mind which I have been looking for, normally to do with DIY.

By the way, SP reckons that the Malay stall opposite the public toilet (no pun intended) has the best belacan sauce for salads!

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Independent MPs?

in what sense? Only in terms of 'without joining a formal party', but by joining together, they cannot be independent in the true sense, not that we ever believe them to be independent in the first place.

The Malaysian Insider's 'Ex-PKR MPs form Independent Bloc':

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ex-pkr-mps-form-independent-bloc

Last night, I had the displeasure of having to watch Zulkifli Nordin on national television, having his opinions on PKR Selangor's problems broadcast. Who is he to be given such wide publicity if not because he is BN friendly?

Watching TV1 on parliamentary session, any question by opposition MPs are not shown their faces, for fear of them getting undue publicity?

One of the things I will find interesting in the next General Election will be whether these so-called Independents will be fielded by BN, or at least sponsored by BN, and how they will fare in it. Will their unpopular moves be shown at the polls?

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Malaysia Boleh...

baca bersama-sama lah!

Sorry, Danny Ooi (sorry, should be Datuk Ooi, a school junior who founded Malaysia Book of Records), but this seems one of the silliest shows to put on record. Does that make us the most literate?

The Star's Reading their way into the record book:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/27/nation/6558524&sec=nation
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For women's attention...

men are simple and easy to please, please don't complicate matters.

His and Her Diary

Her Diary:

Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it.

Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much. I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it.

On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you, too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent.

Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. To my surprise, he responded to my caress, and we made love. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep - I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else.

My life is a disaster.


His Diary:

Boat wouldn't start today. Can't figure it out, but at least I got laid.
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World Cup getting more interesting... even to me!

Like the next General Election when my wish is for Pakatan to take over the federal government; if not, to control more states than previous election; if not, to at least retain Penang, Perak and Selangor; if not, to retain those MPs and ADUNs whom I admire; if not, those whom I know personally!

I was having a meal in a restaurant nearby when a couple of workers from an electrical shop came to discuss with the boss where he wanted to fix the television, to be ready for the start of the World Cup matches. Till today, I have not been there to watch any matches (no Astro at home) and it was after the first few days of World Cup matches, that he was arrested together with another friend for betting! I have been checking on late results to see which national teams are still in competition.

Since Malaysia was never a contender, I chose Japan and Korea (Asians) to support (by way of hope), followed by England (my one time favourite country but not any more since their strict requirements), then Holland, and so on.

I actually watched the match between Korea Republic and Uruguay and was disappointed when during the last 10 minutes Uruguay scored another goal to knock Korea out.

Then, I read about England being knocked out by Germany (1-4) and there goes the hype but hopeless actions. Apparently, at each World Cup tournament, they changed the ball and Germany had the most practice of this new one!

Now, I am left with Japan and Holland to hope for! I know Cheng is doing that too (for Holland at least), being in Holland itself. No, I am not wearing the red dot on white or orange to show my support. I noticed at the Lorong Kulit street market in Penang, imitation Croc sandals in World Cup national colours were all over the place. You can just imagine the atmosphere if your own country is still in competition! When Japan qualified for the knock-out stage, a supporter actually jumped immediately into the river!

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At the Little Penang Street Market...

it was almost like Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli singing 'Time to Say Goodbye'.
But they were Stefan (tenor) and Marlene Fox (soprano) in a duet. I was attracted by the song sung by Il Divo and bought their Essential Voices some time ago when it was popular over our radio network.

When we arrived after lunch, a group from St. Nicholas were performing, using the most basic of everyday items like plastic liquid containers as drums, wok and other metal items like scrapers and rice in plastic tubs (shakers) as percussion instruments! If you have the talent, there is no need for proper instruments.

After Stefan, Moses Chuah and his two talented sons, Dexter and Melvin, performed a few jazz numbers (keyboard, drums and bass... not sure if I got the names of his sons right in terms of who played drums or bass!). But seeing the bassist, I felt like giving up bass, knowing full well that I can never achieve the standard of play. It is hard to teach an old dog like me how to play proper bass, though I have yet to start on a course on it.

SP was attracted to this particular Sunday by a kimono demonstration but she was so engrossed in checking out the stalls that I had to call her so that she would not miss it. A Japanese lady, with a model and a good commentator, showed the proper way to wear a kimono. As Cheng mentioned to us before, a kimono costs between Rm35,000 to Rm70,000! Even the younger Japanese themselves have never worn one because of the high costs. Just imagine having one for each of the four seasons! Competitors for the kimono contests would have to be millionaires to be able to take part. Cheng brought back one given to her by her host, Fujioka, and it is kept in a camphor chest!

Towards the end, I almost join an expatriate couple (on keyboard and recorder) playing a few tunes to teach people how to dance. I was tempted to take up the offer of playing the tambourine but even for such a simple instrument, not knowing the tunes could be a problem. I was more interested in the drums but did not see any drumsticks, so did not offer! But I knew they were such sporting people that they would not mind if you do not play properly, which is what jamming is all about. Marlene played tambourine instead and a few young girls tried dancing to the tunes.

Marlene seemed to enjoy singing Chinese songs too, like The moon represents my heart, and Rose, Rose, I love you, in Mandarin which effectively put us to shame.

It was almost a year since we last visited Little Penang because it has always been held on the last Sunday of the month. There were times, like recently, when we were in Penang but not on such a day.
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Why Australians are upset...

A Somalian arrives in Australia as a new immigrant. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and says...

'Thank you Mr. Australian for letting me into this country, giving me housing, money for food, free medical care, free education and no taxes!'

The passer-by says, 'You are mistaken, I am Afghani!'

The man goes on and encounters another passer-by. 'Thank you for having such a beautiful country here in Australia!'

The person says, 'I not Australian, I Iraqi!'

The new arrival walks further and the next person he sees he stops, shakes his hand and says, 'Thank you for the wonderful Australia! '

That person puts up his hand and says, 'I am from Pakistan, I am not from Australia!'

He finally sees a nice lady and asks, 'Are you an Australian?' She says, 'No, I am from India!'

Puzzled, he asks her, 'Where are all the Australians?'

The Indian lady checks her watch and says .

'Probably at work'.

The British are upset too, I suppose:


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Answers that were close enough...

which would make you feel like intellectuals...

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE (BBC2)

Jeremy Paxman:

What is another name for 'cherrypickers' and 'cheesemongers'?

Contestant: Homosexuals..

Jeremy Paxman: No. They're regiments in the British Army who will be very upset with you.


BEG, BORROW OR STEAL (BBC2)

Jamie Theakston: Where do you think Cambridge University is?

Contestant: Geography isn't my strong point.

Jamie Theakston: There's a clue in the title.

Contestant: Leicester


BBC NORFOLK

Stewart White: Who had a worldwide hit with What A Wonderful World?

Contestant: I don't know.

Stewart White: I'll give you some clues: what do you call the part between your hand and your elbow?

Contestant: Arm

Stewart White: Correct. And if you're not weak, you're...?

Contestant: Strong.

Stewart White: Correct - and what was Lord Mountbatten's first name?

Contestant: Louis

Stewart White: Well, there we are then. So who had a worldwide hit with the song What A Wonderful World?

Contestant: Frank Sinatra?



LATE SHOW (BBC MIDLANDS )

Alex Trelinski: What is the capital of Italy ?

Contestant: France.

Trelinski: France is another country. Try again.

Contestant: Oh, um, Benidorm.

Trelinski: Wrong, sorry, let's try another question. In which country is the Parthenon?

Contestant: Sorry, I don't know.

Trelinski: Just guess a country then.

Contestant: Paris.


THE WEAKEST LINK (BBC2)

Anne Robinson: Oscar Wilde, Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Archer have all written books about their experiences in what: - Prison, or the Conservative Party?

Contestant: The Conservative Party..


BEACON RADIO ( WOLVERHAMPTON )

DJ Mark: For 10, what is the nationality of the Pope?

Ruth from Rowley Regis: I think I know that one. Is it Jewish?


UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

Bamber Gascoyne: What was Gandhi's first name?

Contestant: Goosey?


GWR FM ( Bristol )

Presenter: What happened in Dallas on November 22, 1963?

Contestant: I don't know, I wasn't watching it then.


PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC RADIO? MANCHESTER )

Phil: What's 11 squared?

Contestant: I don't know.

Phil: I'll give you a clue. It's two ones with a two in the middle.

Contestant: Is it five?


RICHARD AND JUDY

Richard: Which American actor is married to Nicole Kidman?

Contestant: Forrest Gump.


RICHARD AND JUDY

Richard: On which street did Sherlock Holmes live?

Contestant: Er. ... ...

Richard: He makes bread . . .

Contestant: Er .. .......

Richard: He makes cakes . . .

Contestant: Kipling Street?


LINCS FM PHONE-IN

Presenter: Which is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world?

Contestant: Barcelona.

Presenter: I was really after the name of a country.

Contestant: I'm sorry, I don't know the names of any countries in Spain ..


NATIONAL LOTTERY (BBC1)

Question: What is the world's largest continent?

Contestant: The Pacific..


ROCK FM ( PRESTON )

Presenter: Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the name of a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Contestant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?


THE BIGGEST GAME IN TOWN (ITV)

Steve Le Fevre: What was signed, to bring World War I to an end in 1918?

Contestant: Magna Carta?


JAMES O'BRIEN SHOW (LBC)

James O'Brien: How many kings of England have been called Henry?

Contestant: Er, well, I know there was a Henry the Eighth .. ER. ER ... Three?


CHRIS SEARLE SHOW (BBC RADIO BRISTOL )

Chris Searle: In which European country is Mount Etna ?

Caller: Japan.

Chris Searle: I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I can let you try again.

Caller: Er ........... Mexico ?


PAUL WAPPAT (BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE )

Paul Wappat: How long did the Six-Day War between Egypt and Israel last?

Contestant (long pause): Fourteen days.


DARYL DENHAM'S DRIVETIME (VIRGIN RADIO)

Daryl Denham: In which country would you spend shekels?

Contestant: Holland?

Daryl Denham: Try the next letter of the alphabet..

Contestant: Iceland? Ireland ?

Daryl Denham: (helpfully) It's a bad line. Did you say Israel ?

Contestant: No.


PHIL WOOD SHOW (BBC GMR)

Phil Wood: What 'K' could be described as the Islamic Bible?

Contestant: Er... ..... ..

Phil Wood: It's got two syllables . . . Kor .

Contestant: Blimey?

Phil Wood: Ha ha ha ha, no. The past participle of run . .

Contestant: (Silence)

Phil Wood: OK, try it another way.. Today I run, yesterday I . . ..

Contestant: Walked?


THE VAULT

Melanie Sykes: What is the name given to the condition where the sufferer can fall asleep at any time?

Contestant: Nostalgia.


LUNCHTIME SHOW (BRMB)

Presenter: What religion was Guy Fawkes?

Contestant: Jewish.

Presenter: That's close enough.


STEVE WRIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON (BBC RADIO 2)

Wright: Johnny Weissmuller died on this day.. Which jungle-swinging character clad only in a loin cloth did he play?

Contestant: Jesus.

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The crux of the problem

When the opposition parties were in the opposition, both at Federal and State levels, aspiring people's representatives worked hard to convince their leaders for an opportunity to stand for election. Being a first-timer, not much thought about what to expect, some stood and won as State Assemblymen, some even as Members of Parliament. The initial euphoria soon dissipated when they were expected to work hard, within limited personal budgets and without development funds from the government.

It was not a problem to those who were really committed to the opposition cause of ensuring the ruling coalition keep to proper administration. It was mainly finding faults with Barisan Nasional, each outdoing the other in exposing questionable and even corrupt deals.

Generally, standing for a state seat comes as a first test of popularity in the elections, before taking on a parliamentary seat, though there are exceptions of first timers given to stand for the latter and became highly successful in their roles as MPs.

The 12th General Election which saw Pakatan taking unprecedented control of 5 states brought with it new problems, particularly for PKR and DAP. They were taken by surprise at the huge success and were faced with finding the right people to be executive councillors in the state assemblies. PKR was particularly weak in terms of the calibre of some of their successful candidates who are now MPs and ADUNs, some of the latter even become Exco members.

By now, the more senior MPs seemed to be losing out to some new ADUNs who became State Exco members with positions, power and perks like official cars and drivers. Because Pakatan MPs are in the opposition at federal level, the development funds for their respective constituencies are still controlled by the federal government, so they continued under trying circumstances.

I believe this is the crux of the problem facing Selangor PKR, especially with allegations of MPs going against the Menteri Besar. By right, it is up to the ADUNs to decide on state matters, though some MPs are wearing Adun hats as well. There must be a certain order in any party, otherwise it will be chaotic. Decisions by leaders must be abided. Some supporters have made known that if indeed there were MPs planning revolt, they should join Umno for immediate gain instead of upsetting long term objectives. At least, the spring cleaning will do the party a lot of good.

For the coming general election, candidates should not only agree not to jump ship (even if not enforceable), but decide for sure whether they want parliamentary or state seats. They should know that unless there is a chance to form the federal government, MPs will remain as they are without any chance of ministerial positions. As it is, the chances of becoming a state exco member seem better than a federal minister's post.
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Do not believe everything in the net: 2

This video appeared to have been added with English subtitles to make it funny... poor folks...
(sorry 'La Boda' appears to be blocked because I was unable to upload it twice).

But anyway, imagine a woman photographer taking pictures of the newly weds. Then she called for sister of bride to join them; followed by 'those who wore jackets for the first time'; then 'drunken uncles'; then 'those who were not invited but came anyway'; then 'those who had sex with the bride' ( a group of men, easily more than 10 joined the couple, including a religious looking one, plus the woman photographer herself!); when she asked for 'those who had sex with the groom', even the bride walked away... and one very old and fragile woman came to take with him!

Though incredible, in case some people might still believe what they have seen or read, my point was proven when the last picture was taken!

(The text in italics were meant for the video, but you will have to imagine it)

Do not believe everything in the net: 1

'A mother is convinced that her son will never find a wife as good as his father did' comes to mind...

but do you believe the content of this wedding invitation?
I believe this picture (attached) was unrelated to the above prank:

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When rules are applied, without exceptions...

I have often seen traffic police, city or town council staff, issuing summons while their own vehicles were illegally parked. Can we, as private citizens, issue summons to them as well?
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Lisa Kudrow - Commencement Address 2010

This morning, I clicked on to view Lisa Kudrow (better known as Phoebe in Friends, who appeared in my video sidebar provided by Youtube) for over 20 minutes! She was giving a speech at a graduation ceremony at her Alma mater where she had graduated 25 years ago.

She described in reasonable detail, her trials and tribulations when in her twenties, going through university studies and how she felt when she switched from Biology (her major) to acting! It was not plain sailing with a lot of disappointments and honest opinions thrown at her before she landed in a role in Friends.

I would recommend those in their twenties to watch and listen to her speech because like her, they would be going through many crossroads where decisions have to be made which would finally shape their destinies. In her own words, 'there is a reason for everything'! The best thing about her is her down to earth and positive attitude in life and her willingness to accept everything she did as good regardless of what others think!
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We have come a long way since...

I have been watching Best of TVB's The Silver Chamber of Sorrows, a period Chinese serial, on 8TV.

Yesterday's episode showed a rich man's fourth wife caught with his brother's brother-in-law who was staying in the mansion. It was an elaborate plot by his third wife which involved a purported trip by train involving the whole family and servants. The penalty for adultery at the time was death by drowning while in a pig's cage. His brother had to forfeit his rights to the family business just to save his sister-in-law and his brother-in-law.

But in those days, the ultimate loss of face to the rich man made him secretly kidnapped his fourth wife when she was already in the train to go elsewhere. When asked, his reason was simply because she was his wife and he could not have her having affairs even though in other places. Because his third wife who was being divorced, begged him to take her back (she was in love with his brother-in-law but was tricked into marriage 8 years ago, and was just spurned by her ex-love because he was already married) and promised to do whatever he wished, she was given the chance to prove herself by cutting the rope which was holding the pig's cage with the fourth wife in it, letting it fall into a deep well!

Aren't we glad those honour killings were history, though we do come across cases in the news of father or male relatives killing a daughter because of bringing dishonour to her family, in places like Pakistan.

Raja Petra had recently highlighted a letter which showed how silly old rules could be to our present mindset:

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... end of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?...

For the rest of the article:
http://malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32659:switch-jew-for-muslim-and-it-would-remain-the-same&catid=20:no-holds-barred&Itemid=100087

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When we lose our common sense...

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About a century ago...

"Her mother had a cousin living in Niagara Falls that year.

She told the family that she and her neighbours woke up in the night feeling something was wrong. It took a while but they finally realized that it was the lack of noise.

They had all become so used to the roar of the falls that the silence was unusual enough to alert their senses. Of course, at that time nearly all the houses were near the falls.

Amazing picture! Almost 100 years old.

Can you imagine walking on Niagara Falls?"

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When animals fight back...

this is almost human...

this is natural and quite common...
this is unusual for a hippo...

this is fury!


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Pudu Jail was iconic?

I just wonder how those relatives of criminals found guilty of capital offences and subsequently executed in Pudu jail feel about this so-called iconic and historic place which warranted some to spare its demolition.

Though I am not against its demolition, I am not for certain developments on its site. Just like the proposed re-development of the Hokien and Kwantung cemeteries which met with strong opposition, I believe Malaysia in general and KL in particular, is not like Singapore or Hong Kong where the land is scarce and they had no alternative but to develop on former burial grounds. Just look around us, there are plenty of land for development, even for a new national capital in Putrajaya!

Pudu jail should be earmarked for a transport hub, instead of Puduraya, because of its location in a corner of the junction of Jalan Hang Tuah and Jalan Pudu. If not, it should be used as LRT terminal and/or mult-storey car park to serve the over-congested areas of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Bukit Bintang.

If I were a prospective investor or tenant in shops or apartments, a former burial ground or jail with a history of executions would be the last place I would be interested. This is simply because there are plenty of alternative places to choose from, why should I try my luck with a place that reminds me of creepy history?

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Why gambling is bad?

Because it encourages greed and the notion that one can expect a windfall from a small outlay. But more important, it is addictive and causes financial ruin, family hardships and broken homes.

There is a Hokien saying, 'pua kiau, ai nyah; su liau, ai pheah' which translates into 'gambling for winnings; when losing, wants to get back original sum lost'. This is basically the reason why people carry on and on, with the hope of the coming of good luck, or when losing, the change to good luck.

At a casino, one can put a minimum sum to try one's luck. There is a theory that if one lost and continue doubling the bet, there will come a time when one can win and get back what was lost!

I believe many golfers play golf more because of betting than the game itself! 'Otherwise there is no fun or incentive' as aptly said by one!

With football betting, the 'live' screening of the match and the chance to win, makes it more exciting to watch... almost like horse racing, if not better, to some.

Our stock market is known as a form of gambling by some retailers. When there is a bull run, one can literally buy and sell within the day and make enough for a month or even a year! But I have learned that unless one can sell all and call it a day, one cannot escape from any downturn, which was why the stock market reflects the mood of people who own shares in Bursa Saham Malaysia.

Inveterate or incorrigible gamblers have the bad traits of putting their need for gambling as first priority before family needs. This must be the main reason for causing hardships to family finance. Along comes 'Ah Long' the apparent saviour, but as we all know, is a curse that will put a family in ruin!
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Suddenly Nazri and Rais are concerned about us...

quoting our rights under the Constitution! Our right to gamble is far more important than many other issues like equal rights and opportunities to education, employment and business.

Instead of being grateful, we should feel insulted for being branded as gamblers by custom and traditions.

I can still remember as a kid, my father was indignant when my eldest brother's father-in-law said that those who cannot play mahjong are stupid! The reason for his annoyance was not so much his disagreement that mahjong needs some intelligence to be able to play and more so to excel, but because at the time, gambling was causing financial and other problems to my brother.

As kids, we were not allowed to gamble but secretly played card games by making playing cards from cigarette packs! It was only later when our extended family grew with grandchildren that gambling was allowed during Chinese New Year period. I knew then that I will not be a good businessman when I was on a winning streak and did not enjoy the winnings from relatives who could ill afford to lose money. In other words, given the chance, I would not profiteer at the expense of others. In business, when one comes across an opportunity, one does not let it pass to someone else, even a relative or friend, but to grab it for oneself. To a certain extent, making business decisions involve taking risks, and some people associate Chinese to be good at it.

Just recently, my wife's friend sold her piece of land at Rm80,000 per acre instead of the market value of at least Rm120,000! She had gone senile and her adopted daughter arranged it through a broker who made extra commission while she pocketed a substantial sum off the record! There was no tax reason at all for selling officially at lower price. It was obvious that the buyer seized the opportunity even though he was a neighbour and supposedly a friend!


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Let's be realistic about who visit our blogsites

For a start, my wife does not use the computer and is definitely uninterested in what I write... which is noticeable from the freedom of what little I write concerning her. Even friends and relatives who use computers, do not necessary visit my site, especially Chinese educated ones.

Take it from me that unless they are also well versed in English as well, Chinese educated youngsters especially, find reading English a chore rather than something stimulating. If ever they visit an English blogsite, it is more for the pictures or videos. Just imagine, in Malaysia, around 90% of Chinese are attending Chinese medium schools! This would effectively take out at least half of them (internet surfers) as potential visitors, even if your site is as popular (in terms of hits) as Che Det! Similarly, Malay or Indian students who are not well versed in English are likely not to visit too. Anyway, a lot depends on the type of blog and the interest of the people. Sopo sites attract those who are interested in such subjects. Well known film stars and singers will naturally attract millions of fans. Sex or scandal will naturally attract visitors to any blogsite and I am sure they are the last thing to wish for, and certainly unstoppable when it happens!

I have also noticed how Astro has the effect of reducing the number of people watching mainstream television programmes, including news broadcasts. Most people are interested in watching serials and currently, the World Cup football matches.

I started from scratch and learned as I went along. I am sure someone savvy in IT can tell I have many limitations in the way I use the tools that are available. It is meant to be a journal of what interests me on each day and I felt it necessary to put it down for future reference by family members. Anything more is already a bonus.

A few friends like Bayi (who is not a baby nor a Punjabi), Man with two organs, and others have forwarded interesting stuff regularly to inspire me. What I enjoy most, if possible, is to be able to alter content or arrangement and come up with a different but more interesting title instead. It is nice to imagine myself as reporter, proof-reader, copywriter and editor rolled in one! Thanks to Blogger for giving me this opportunity and facility!

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Welcome to the Less Century!

Welcome to the 21st Century

Our communication	-	Wireless
Our phones	-	Cordless
Our cooking	-	Fireless
Our food	-	Fatless
Our Sweets	-	Sugarless
Our labor	-	Effortless
Our relations	-	Fruitless
Our attitude	-	Careless
Our feelings	-	Heartless
Our politics	-	Shameless
Our education	-	Worthless
Our Mistakes	-	Countless
Our arguments	-	Baseless
Our youth	-	Jobless
Our Ladies	-	Topless
Our Boss	-	Brainless
Our Jobs	-	Thankless
Our Needs	-	Endless
Our situation	-	Hopeless
Our Salaries	-	Less and less

And the above list? Priceless?

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