This debate on the teaching of Science and Maths in English may carry on and on without any fair conclusion.
Whilst our passion in fighting for the already elevated position of English in the "Hall of Language" should receive positive response from every corner of the society, please bear with my humble opinion that our purposeful actions should also be predicated on practicality and effectuality of the original purpose itself.
If teaching English is meant to improve the proficiency of our students in Science and Maths, mainly those in the areas where English is hardly spoken, and produce our new generations who with their English proficiency can easily access technical knowledge and know-hows, and eventually contribute massively to our economic growth especially amid the unprecedented kinda global economic challenges, then forgive me to say that we should also teach our school students Accounting, Finance, Economics and other subjects in English. The reason being, there are lotsa subjects contributing to our economic growth, not just Science and Maths.
When we continue teaching Science and Maths in English yet the expected proficient level of our students still leave much to be desired, we start blaming those who champion the status, importance and usage of Bahasa Melayu (BM) despite their noble cause being well guarded by our most supreme law, the Federal Constitution re its Article 152. My humble opinion again, the cause to promote the wide usage of BM must not be condoned by all means mainly in the current of discontent among certain quarters with regard to certain provisions in the Constitution and in the undercurrent parallel to it. And some of us are taking the opportunity to blame the policy as a wrong move by the Government. There a vast difference between using BM at home and in formal communications. At home, our Malay students speak their mother-tongue in a casual way with slangs and dialects intertwined more often than not. This way of using BM got no place at work or when they attend classes, hence the reason to preserve and promote the usage of BM as an official teaching medium. Failing which, BM will one day become a dead language.
Promoting the teaching of Science and Maths in English is a good cause. The Government just sowed the seeds a few years back, but most of us seem to expect the fruits overnight, which sounds a bit unfair as the policy could only yield the expected results when those students who joined the program at its inception begin to demonstrate their proficiency in the job market, or earlier at their tertiary training grounds. Correct me if I’m wrong, but now most of us are arguing based on complaints in the job market where our university grads speak poor English during interviews or at work. Question, were these bunches part of the program? A KPI must be established at the tertiary level to gauge the success of the said program. Of course those who are left behind due to their bad results in school will not be scoped en. Let the market assess them, while we focus on those who start with the program from the beginning and assess them through our national examinations ie SPM, PMR and UPSR (although the third one may not provide the adequate testing grounds.)
In my early days, I always tell my friends or juniors or anyone who wanna know that language is what one uses to communicate and it develops along with the frequency of using it in one’s daily life. Consider Tarzan’s ability to speak the language of the monkeys. Although Tarzan is only a fiction, the lesson we could learn from his life is that when we use a language everyday, our brain will dictate the words of the language to flow through our mouth as quick a speed as the brain controlling our endocrine system in producing saliva in our mouth. Doctors here, please correct my fact. Try leave a Malay baby with a Chinese family, and the baby will speak fluent Chinese subject to the family’s dialect and usage of the Chinese language.
In all, I contend that we may continue the program with the notion at the back of our mind that teaching Science and Maths in English does not solely contribute to our nation’s economic growth, nor will it deprive our national language of any efforts to promote its usage and protect it position at its rightful pedestal. I’m not expert in this area. My tots over here are of my personal views, and they have no association whatsoever with my organizations and those professionally connected with me. And.. owh.. Forgive me for breaking my promise to compress my views. The subject matter is just too important to ignore.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Old is gold
David Beckham's on loan transfer to AC Milan has been received with mixed reactions.
My humble opinion is not intended to favor Beckham, but throughout the years all of us have known Mr. Golden Right Foot, sometimes it's not wrong to appreciate such a rare talent like him. He may not be the same we had expected and got of him in his heydays; nevertheless, he is still in his own league in certain aspects of football and is definitely from a different planet when we talk about cross-pitch deliveries.
Remember baby-face predator Solkjaer only needed to run towards the goal and Mr. Becks calculated the distance so perfectly his long ball fell right in front of running Solkjaer. And the rest is another goal from the man you think is only needed to sell shirts. I bet he got As for all his Calculus exam papers. And who else but the great Zidane acknowledged Beckham's delivery is perfect where in many instances spectators' jaws dropped seeing the ball flying to Zidane's chest out of nowhere.
From Becks' boot, that is. He arrived at Real Madrid with mixed perceptions - goals or shirts. He managed both successfully, helping Real Madrid out of 4 barren years to lift their domestic trophy as well as pulling the club out of the red to rake in millions of profits. Kewl... Albeit a year plus older, he is not useless. And Milan's manager may have the last laugh.
And to England - they need to find a new Beckham, and a new Scholes too...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tanda-tanda kemalasan menulis, so salin dari laman saya yang lain - yang pernah bacanya (Wira etc) jangan maraa arr...
On my way back from Santiago back in October 2007, I was blessed with meeting nice people who helped me out of near-miseries although it’s their first time seeing this ordinary bloke. What and how they helped me may feature later in my future postings. But now, I just wanna zero in on people’s niceness and kindness to others in general, no matter how they look and what language they originally speak, and the lasting power these 2 mahmudahs possess.
Don’t think about ageing sign yet. These days, people complain about a growing concern of individualism in the society. When I flash back 15 years back during the final lapse of my secondary education, images of nice people would evoke in my mind. They are either my relatives, teachers, dorm-mates, friends or even passers-by merely smiling at me at bus-stops or in restrooms. Perhaps, as life then was less dictated by the breackneck pace, people would tend to accomodate more time for others.
Coming back to 2007, my recent experience is supposed to negate any notion that mankind is dealing with a growing number of individualists. Well, whilst still many beg to differ, I think I hafta be comfy with a preconceived notion that wherever I go, there will always be kind-hearted people who won’t hesitate to lend a helping hand in unavoidable circumstances where I need help.
Come to think of it - I mean that we should still be able to roam the planet conscious that we may not be left alone in the dark - one should also wonder how the society’s tolerance level against individualism is gonna take shape 20 years from now. Okey, this time lapse may be a bit too far ahead for you guys, but hey, if you can still visualise your life 20 years back, that means life is so short and probably, in a blink of an eye, blink blink blink, you are 20 years older, you see. So then, will there be nice people in 2027? I bet there will, do you?
Hehe, is looking to far ahead a sign of ageing process in me?
Bye
Don’t think about ageing sign yet. These days, people complain about a growing concern of individualism in the society. When I flash back 15 years back during the final lapse of my secondary education, images of nice people would evoke in my mind. They are either my relatives, teachers, dorm-mates, friends or even passers-by merely smiling at me at bus-stops or in restrooms. Perhaps, as life then was less dictated by the breackneck pace, people would tend to accomodate more time for others.
Coming back to 2007, my recent experience is supposed to negate any notion that mankind is dealing with a growing number of individualists. Well, whilst still many beg to differ, I think I hafta be comfy with a preconceived notion that wherever I go, there will always be kind-hearted people who won’t hesitate to lend a helping hand in unavoidable circumstances where I need help.
Come to think of it - I mean that we should still be able to roam the planet conscious that we may not be left alone in the dark - one should also wonder how the society’s tolerance level against individualism is gonna take shape 20 years from now. Okey, this time lapse may be a bit too far ahead for you guys, but hey, if you can still visualise your life 20 years back, that means life is so short and probably, in a blink of an eye, blink blink blink, you are 20 years older, you see. So then, will there be nice people in 2027? I bet there will, do you?
Hehe, is looking to far ahead a sign of ageing process in me?
Bye
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Ramadhan sudah berlalu, so has Syawal 1,2 and 3...
Time has never flown this fast, that's what I perceive at least. For the umpteenth time, I left Ramadhan or, perhaps more precisely, Ramadhan left me unfulfilled with the best endevour to achieve the zenith of 'ibadah to the Almighty, granted on a night known as Lailatul Qadr, which is singled out in His holy words. Truly, where else can I get something worth a thousand times more without spending a single cent, with just a limited amount of energy and time needed in the final third of the night. Which night is the night, only He knows and only they who put concerted efforts to find it will find it.
This year's Syawal to me is different in many ways. Still, I celebrated it in Malaysia, unlike some of my ex-schoolmates and blogger friends who are away in Berlin, Cork, Al-Hambra etc. Lucky eh? And for the first time, I bought 3 shirts for the first 3 days (pants, recycle from Syawal 1 lah). This shows Luck 2. And because my wheel-chaired mother could only celebrate the festival at my brother's house in Senawang where she's been staying since her discharge from Seremban Specialist Hospital on 19 August, for the first time in my entire life had I had my Aidilfitri celebration outside my hometown in Kuantan. Blessing in disguise, all my nephews and nieces were there, and I treated them as if they were my own blood. so, this year I had longer time with them. Luck 3. My ol'time buddy Dr Fariz the physician, sorry we can't celebrate Raya together this year.
Jintian ji hao? Syawal 5. October 5 (timekeeper Tissot still shows Oct 4, but it's not from Petaling St. maa). Back home in Kajang, the mood to return to work has not returned. Fingers crossed, most are feeling the same. Tomorrow my office will look like a deserted curved monument as some continue their leaves and others are overseas for meetings or preparing for such meetings (leaving me grounded to do the most boring and least glamorous jobs).
And owh, an issue that I need to solve is whether our Federal Constitution has successfully achieved the separation of powers in our country.
This year's Syawal to me is different in many ways. Still, I celebrated it in Malaysia, unlike some of my ex-schoolmates and blogger friends who are away in Berlin, Cork, Al-Hambra etc. Lucky eh? And for the first time, I bought 3 shirts for the first 3 days (pants, recycle from Syawal 1 lah). This shows Luck 2. And because my wheel-chaired mother could only celebrate the festival at my brother's house in Senawang where she's been staying since her discharge from Seremban Specialist Hospital on 19 August, for the first time in my entire life had I had my Aidilfitri celebration outside my hometown in Kuantan. Blessing in disguise, all my nephews and nieces were there, and I treated them as if they were my own blood. so, this year I had longer time with them. Luck 3. My ol'time buddy Dr Fariz the physician, sorry we can't celebrate Raya together this year.
Jintian ji hao? Syawal 5. October 5 (timekeeper Tissot still shows Oct 4, but it's not from Petaling St. maa). Back home in Kajang, the mood to return to work has not returned. Fingers crossed, most are feeling the same. Tomorrow my office will look like a deserted curved monument as some continue their leaves and others are overseas for meetings or preparing for such meetings (leaving me grounded to do the most boring and least glamorous jobs).
And owh, an issue that I need to solve is whether our Federal Constitution has successfully achieved the separation of powers in our country.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ramadhan di Samudera
Ramadhan di Samudera
Semalam aku buka puasa kat pejabat, jamah kurma yang nampak berlendir (I don't know why) dan minum air mineral yang Akram (my colleague) beri. Memang bengangla sebab kena sambung discussion dengan bos. Nak buat macamana, kerja punya pasal. Kalau tak, tak dapatla cuti harini untuk bawa mak jumpa ahli fisioterapi di Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban.
Balik rumah lebih kurang 10.00 malam, baru dapat shoru sambil tengok tv. TV1 tayang dokumentari orang-orang kita buka puasa kat tempat kerja. Yang paling menginsafkan, Ramadhan di Samudera. Mereka adalah para nelayan kita yang kerja tangkap ikan di laut lepas, yang adakalanya beberapa hari baru balik rumah mendakap isteri dan memegang kepala anak.
Di bulan puasa, nelayan masih terus bekerja macam biasa, tangkap ikan yang kita makan. Best juga jadi nelayan sebab ikan paling segar masuk perut diorang dulu. Yang kita makan tu mungkin dah beberapa hari dalam kapal, tapi masih segarlah. Dalam kapal nelayan, mereka seolah-olah hidup macam biasa, namun dalam hati Tuhan saja yang tahu. Sesekali, kapal beroleng diusik ombak. Mujur masa dokumentari tu dibuat, cuaca nampak mesra. Tapi tu pada mata kita. Berat lagi bahu yang pikul. Anak isteri kat rumah tak lekang bibir dengan doa agar sang suami selamat pergi dan balik. Go out one piece, come back one piece.
Sambil sedap kunyah ikan goreng masak kicap yang rasanya masih manis, mata ni tak lepas dari suasana berbuka dalam kapal di tengah laut. Lepas berbuka, diorang solat Maghrib dan rehat sekejap sebelum sambung kerja. Kerja yang tak sama dengan kita di pejabat yang ada air-cond, kerusi empuk, PC HP, printer, siap ada sofa dalam bilik. Waima dalam bulan puasa, nelayan kerja macam biasa. Maknanya, sahur tak boleh miss langsung, nanti takde tenaga nak tarik jala yang penuh ikan. Kalau di siang hari matahari terik mencengkam kulit, ada risiko dehidrasi. Boleh mati kalau tak sempat ganti air dan garam yang hilang. Tapi muka diorang selamba saja.
Nelayan banting tulang tangkap ikan, kalau tak, bekalan protein kita tak cukup; ikan tu sumber utama protein, ayam jatuh nombor dua.
Sampai di jeti, peraih tunggu dengan tawaran harga tak seberapa. Nelayan bagai tercabut nyawa di samudera, peraih senang-senang untung atas angin. Daylight robbery. Hidup nelayan tak sama macam kebanyakan dari kita. Langkah kerajaan nak beri RM200 sebulan kepada mereka memang kena pada masanya. Walaupun zaman le ni banyak mana la sangat RM200, tapi bolehlah nak bagi dapur berasap.
Nelayan zaman sekarang lagi bertuah berbanding nelayan dulu-dulu.
Dulu lain, sekarang lain. Zaman dah berubah..
Semalam aku buka puasa kat pejabat, jamah kurma yang nampak berlendir (I don't know why) dan minum air mineral yang Akram (my colleague) beri. Memang bengangla sebab kena sambung discussion dengan bos. Nak buat macamana, kerja punya pasal. Kalau tak, tak dapatla cuti harini untuk bawa mak jumpa ahli fisioterapi di Hospital Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban.
Balik rumah lebih kurang 10.00 malam, baru dapat shoru sambil tengok tv. TV1 tayang dokumentari orang-orang kita buka puasa kat tempat kerja. Yang paling menginsafkan, Ramadhan di Samudera. Mereka adalah para nelayan kita yang kerja tangkap ikan di laut lepas, yang adakalanya beberapa hari baru balik rumah mendakap isteri dan memegang kepala anak.
Di bulan puasa, nelayan masih terus bekerja macam biasa, tangkap ikan yang kita makan. Best juga jadi nelayan sebab ikan paling segar masuk perut diorang dulu. Yang kita makan tu mungkin dah beberapa hari dalam kapal, tapi masih segarlah. Dalam kapal nelayan, mereka seolah-olah hidup macam biasa, namun dalam hati Tuhan saja yang tahu. Sesekali, kapal beroleng diusik ombak. Mujur masa dokumentari tu dibuat, cuaca nampak mesra. Tapi tu pada mata kita. Berat lagi bahu yang pikul. Anak isteri kat rumah tak lekang bibir dengan doa agar sang suami selamat pergi dan balik. Go out one piece, come back one piece.
Sambil sedap kunyah ikan goreng masak kicap yang rasanya masih manis, mata ni tak lepas dari suasana berbuka dalam kapal di tengah laut. Lepas berbuka, diorang solat Maghrib dan rehat sekejap sebelum sambung kerja. Kerja yang tak sama dengan kita di pejabat yang ada air-cond, kerusi empuk, PC HP, printer, siap ada sofa dalam bilik. Waima dalam bulan puasa, nelayan kerja macam biasa. Maknanya, sahur tak boleh miss langsung, nanti takde tenaga nak tarik jala yang penuh ikan. Kalau di siang hari matahari terik mencengkam kulit, ada risiko dehidrasi. Boleh mati kalau tak sempat ganti air dan garam yang hilang. Tapi muka diorang selamba saja.
Nelayan banting tulang tangkap ikan, kalau tak, bekalan protein kita tak cukup; ikan tu sumber utama protein, ayam jatuh nombor dua.
Sampai di jeti, peraih tunggu dengan tawaran harga tak seberapa. Nelayan bagai tercabut nyawa di samudera, peraih senang-senang untung atas angin. Daylight robbery. Hidup nelayan tak sama macam kebanyakan dari kita. Langkah kerajaan nak beri RM200 sebulan kepada mereka memang kena pada masanya. Walaupun zaman le ni banyak mana la sangat RM200, tapi bolehlah nak bagi dapur berasap.
Nelayan zaman sekarang lagi bertuah berbanding nelayan dulu-dulu.
Dulu lain, sekarang lain. Zaman dah berubah..
Saturday, August 23, 2008
like a rock falling on my head..
On 3 August 08, my mom was being prepared for the hemiarthroplasty operation scheduled the following day.
The x-ray taken two days earlier showed the crack detected on Saturday, 19 July 08, had developed into a complete fracture. Such cases of fractured neck of femur are common to women, especially those with ostheoporosis. My mom is 71 yrs old, so chances are very high. The best option for her would be hemiarthroplasty, a kinda hip replacement suitable for old infirm patients with a fractured neck of femoral bone like my mom.
If the ops was not done, mom would be bed-ridden for a minimum of 6 months, and this could only invite more harmful risks like pneumonia, backsore etc. My family had discussed and we agreed to the ops as scheduled by the specialist attending to mom.
Then (at the time of writing), I saw the nurse pushing the ECG device into the room to start assessing mom's condition to ensure she's fit for the ops. Later on, her blood would be checked to ensure there's no infection and it's sufficient for the ops.
I was the first of my family to be briefed by the specialist about the condition of my mom's fractured neck of femur. Then, I returned to the room, looked at my mom, and went to the toilet inside the room. My eyes were shedding tears. I just felt very difficult to accept the news. Tears not voice was pouring out when I was explaining it to my father and family members.
The x-ray taken two days earlier showed the crack detected on Saturday, 19 July 08, had developed into a complete fracture. Such cases of fractured neck of femur are common to women, especially those with ostheoporosis. My mom is 71 yrs old, so chances are very high. The best option for her would be hemiarthroplasty, a kinda hip replacement suitable for old infirm patients with a fractured neck of femoral bone like my mom.
If the ops was not done, mom would be bed-ridden for a minimum of 6 months, and this could only invite more harmful risks like pneumonia, backsore etc. My family had discussed and we agreed to the ops as scheduled by the specialist attending to mom.
Then (at the time of writing), I saw the nurse pushing the ECG device into the room to start assessing mom's condition to ensure she's fit for the ops. Later on, her blood would be checked to ensure there's no infection and it's sufficient for the ops.
I was the first of my family to be briefed by the specialist about the condition of my mom's fractured neck of femur. Then, I returned to the room, looked at my mom, and went to the toilet inside the room. My eyes were shedding tears. I just felt very difficult to accept the news. Tears not voice was pouring out when I was explaining it to my father and family members.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dear Allah the Almighty, please heal my mother
Today is the 8th day since my mom has been admitted. What I can say is the Seremban Specialist Hospital (SSH) serves extremely well in terms of services rendered by the specialist and nurses. My outright observation is public hospital service is a far cry from what we expect for medical treatment. Nevertheless, credit should also be given to the government for efforts to improve the medical service deliverables, such as waiting time, ccomfortable wards and nice staff. But still, some areas remain deplorable and need a gentle kick in the you-know-where.
My mom was admitted to the General Hospital in Seremban on Friday, 18 July 2008, the day she complained feeling screechingly painful in her right thigh whenever she wanted to walk. The hospital SOP tells that every patient (really?) will be admitted to the 3rd class ward before he/she goes to a higher class subject to entitlement. At the Seremban GH, patients may have to wait in a long queue to get a 1st or 2nd class room despite their entitlements. Maybe, there's an exception to those with "big cables". This is what had happened to us. Because all the 1st class rooms were occupied (no 2nd class for ortopedic cases at this GH!!), we're told to wait in the long queue, which would take days before my mom's turn. What made me so restless was the 3rd class condition where its toilet was far from my mom's bed. Worsestill, it stinked and almost made me puke. Being a toilet is never a warrant to be smelly, especially if an outside party is paid to clean the toilet. Where did they disappear? It's not an isolated case because another toilet at the same level with the cafetaria at the lower ground was also not properly maintained, as was evident with its bowl clogged with that yellowish you-know-what. Despicable!
So, we all decided that enough was enough and our mom deserved a better place. Not trying to be overly demanding, we just wanted the best for a woman who has sacrificed a lot in our upbringing. That's basically how SSH came into the picture. A few hours ago, I had the chance to discuss my mom's situation with the specialist, an ortopedic surgeon. He showed us the result of CT scan my mom had 2 days ago, and from the film, we could see the crack area looked obvious. Encouraging words from him were that my mom would need a rest for 2 weeks and undergo physioteraphy everyday in order to recover on time. Which means another week to go. Hopefully by then, my mom would get stronger and be able to walk again.
May all our prayers for mom's fast recovery be granted by the Almighty, and may He bestow those praying for my mom with eternal happiness.
My mom was admitted to the General Hospital in Seremban on Friday, 18 July 2008, the day she complained feeling screechingly painful in her right thigh whenever she wanted to walk. The hospital SOP tells that every patient (really?) will be admitted to the 3rd class ward before he/she goes to a higher class subject to entitlement. At the Seremban GH, patients may have to wait in a long queue to get a 1st or 2nd class room despite their entitlements. Maybe, there's an exception to those with "big cables". This is what had happened to us. Because all the 1st class rooms were occupied (no 2nd class for ortopedic cases at this GH!!), we're told to wait in the long queue, which would take days before my mom's turn. What made me so restless was the 3rd class condition where its toilet was far from my mom's bed. Worsestill, it stinked and almost made me puke. Being a toilet is never a warrant to be smelly, especially if an outside party is paid to clean the toilet. Where did they disappear? It's not an isolated case because another toilet at the same level with the cafetaria at the lower ground was also not properly maintained, as was evident with its bowl clogged with that yellowish you-know-what. Despicable!
So, we all decided that enough was enough and our mom deserved a better place. Not trying to be overly demanding, we just wanted the best for a woman who has sacrificed a lot in our upbringing. That's basically how SSH came into the picture. A few hours ago, I had the chance to discuss my mom's situation with the specialist, an ortopedic surgeon. He showed us the result of CT scan my mom had 2 days ago, and from the film, we could see the crack area looked obvious. Encouraging words from him were that my mom would need a rest for 2 weeks and undergo physioteraphy everyday in order to recover on time. Which means another week to go. Hopefully by then, my mom would get stronger and be able to walk again.
May all our prayers for mom's fast recovery be granted by the Almighty, and may He bestow those praying for my mom with eternal happiness.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My mum is in SSH
Dear all,
For the time being, I won't be able to remain an active blogger since my mother's admission into the Seremban Specialist Hospital last Saturday. Early diagnosis from the specialist attending to her, Dr. Wan Hazmy, the cause that has disabled my mom from walking is lombosacral stenosis, ie something to do with her spine. Everyday, mom undergoes her physiotherapy training, and she's showing some progress.
All I need is your prayers so mom will recover fast and can walk again.
Only Allah SWT will return the favor to ye all.
For the time being, I won't be able to remain an active blogger since my mother's admission into the Seremban Specialist Hospital last Saturday. Early diagnosis from the specialist attending to her, Dr. Wan Hazmy, the cause that has disabled my mom from walking is lombosacral stenosis, ie something to do with her spine. Everyday, mom undergoes her physiotherapy training, and she's showing some progress.
All I need is your prayers so mom will recover fast and can walk again.
Only Allah SWT will return the favor to ye all.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Kriss 1904
Finally, my Kriss is back to life, resuscitated by a few hundred bucks and a bit of patience. It also has a semi-new look, after more than a year of injustice done by its master, myself that is. But more importantly, it can now take me to the nearby surau or shops. There have been requests by orang kampung to buy my Kriss for one k. So, my decision to not accept the offer seems to pay off. Hehe... After the recent fuel price hike at the local pumps, one could anticipate less people driving their gas-guzzling machines especially those of big cc. Alternatively, people may start considering riding motorcycles so as to reduce fuel consumption. A good sign for bike sales. I may be thinking towards riding to my office and class too although my Kriss hardly pretends like a safe ride. Or maybe, just maybe, I trade my bike in for a bigger and safer two-wheeler. Virago? Vulcan? Or Harley-Davidson? Hmm... Anyone wanna joyride with me?
Coming back to the record high fuel price, yesterday saw the highest level yet for the global crude oil price - USD141 pb is triggering more fears into almost all sectors of the economy. If the runaway increase of oil price becomes unstoppable, many economies will be badly hit, with Malaysia not excluded. Such dreadful scenario will spell disaster to Malaysia's economic plans, notably the Ninth Malaysia Plan of which Mid-term Review has been tabled by the Prime Minister at the Parliament. Already beleaguered with pressure after pressure, the last thing he would want is escalating costs of living due to higher price of food and fuel that is certain to hurt the rakyat. The question is, how well the Government is responding to mountains of challenges emanating from risks such as the 3F (finance, food and fuel), global imbalances, geopolitical uncertainties and other risks. Finance risk refers to the the international financial market turmoil which started with the US subprime mortgage crisis and the ensuing credit crunch.
The most immediate measures should also encompass finding an equally reliable alternative to petrol and diesel as the source of energy. It's heart-warming to learn that Proton, as announced by my ex-boss the MD/CEO, will roll out from its production line in Shah Alam its first car factory-fitted with the NGV tank latest by this October. In the other part of the world, Nissan is chasing Toyota and Honda in producing hybrid cars. Toyota will be, or probably has been, celebrating its 1,000,000th car running on a hybrid engine. Now its R&D is working very hard to perfect the lithium-ion battery technology to suit the need for economics of scale. You know that's the battery you see in your handphone or laptop.
Perhaps, as far as the global foreign direct investment is concerned, investors are now more sensitised to our ageing world, and environmental technologies will be the in-thing.
And for my Kriss, selling it off may not be a good idea after all if I still have my sentimental value - my Kriss 1904 is my first vehicle which, bought using my first salary, is a huge contribution to what I am today.
I love you Kriss 1904, muuuaaaarrrggghhh.
Coming back to the record high fuel price, yesterday saw the highest level yet for the global crude oil price - USD141 pb is triggering more fears into almost all sectors of the economy. If the runaway increase of oil price becomes unstoppable, many economies will be badly hit, with Malaysia not excluded. Such dreadful scenario will spell disaster to Malaysia's economic plans, notably the Ninth Malaysia Plan of which Mid-term Review has been tabled by the Prime Minister at the Parliament. Already beleaguered with pressure after pressure, the last thing he would want is escalating costs of living due to higher price of food and fuel that is certain to hurt the rakyat. The question is, how well the Government is responding to mountains of challenges emanating from risks such as the 3F (finance, food and fuel), global imbalances, geopolitical uncertainties and other risks. Finance risk refers to the the international financial market turmoil which started with the US subprime mortgage crisis and the ensuing credit crunch.
The most immediate measures should also encompass finding an equally reliable alternative to petrol and diesel as the source of energy. It's heart-warming to learn that Proton, as announced by my ex-boss the MD/CEO, will roll out from its production line in Shah Alam its first car factory-fitted with the NGV tank latest by this October. In the other part of the world, Nissan is chasing Toyota and Honda in producing hybrid cars. Toyota will be, or probably has been, celebrating its 1,000,000th car running on a hybrid engine. Now its R&D is working very hard to perfect the lithium-ion battery technology to suit the need for economics of scale. You know that's the battery you see in your handphone or laptop.
Perhaps, as far as the global foreign direct investment is concerned, investors are now more sensitised to our ageing world, and environmental technologies will be the in-thing.
And for my Kriss, selling it off may not be a good idea after all if I still have my sentimental value - my Kriss 1904 is my first vehicle which, bought using my first salary, is a huge contribution to what I am today.
I love you Kriss 1904, muuuaaaarrrggghhh.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
maleh tollll
Hmmm... rasa maleh betol nak blogging lepas Pulau Batu Putih jatuh ke tangan Singapura dan jadi Pedra Branca. Lama gak lepas tarikh memilukan tu. Member2 cam Dr Fariz asyik dok provoke ajer. Aina lak maintain dengan posting nya yang soooo very the panjangggggg... Letih hendak kubaca... Tapi best...
I got soooooo much to write that now I don't know just where to start first. Should I write on my tot about the recent fuel price hike which is driving many crazy? Or about the stinking armpits in KTM commuter yesterday that almost made me puke (are people turning to public transports following the hike)? Or Pedra Branca? Or any other heavy stuff? Wait.. wait waddabout my commendable 1st sem result (hmmm.. A good start to complete my double degree as a friend of mine remarked)? Or should I for now just 'terjah' others' blogs like Dr Fariz said? Can be fun too...
Anyways, I'm sooooo sooooo bored and clueless. Period.
I got soooooo much to write that now I don't know just where to start first. Should I write on my tot about the recent fuel price hike which is driving many crazy? Or about the stinking armpits in KTM commuter yesterday that almost made me puke (are people turning to public transports following the hike)? Or Pedra Branca? Or any other heavy stuff? Wait.. wait waddabout my commendable 1st sem result (hmmm.. A good start to complete my double degree as a friend of mine remarked)? Or should I for now just 'terjah' others' blogs like Dr Fariz said? Can be fun too...
Anyways, I'm sooooo sooooo bored and clueless. Period.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Rintihan
Rintihan
Biar berlinangan air mata
Ku takkan hentikannya
Biarkan ia menyembuh luka
Hilanglah rasa duka
Tidak ku termampu merentasi liku-liku
Oh sungguh ku tak mampu menghadapi semua itu
Oh sungguh ku tak upaya
Jangan dibiarkan jerih perih kehidupan
Bisa meleraikan iman...
Kan hancur semuanya
Walaupun menitis air mata darah
Tak bisa merubah segalanya
Melainkan taubat nasuha
Moga kan diterima...
( korus )
Namun ku percaya
Masih ada kesudahannya
Kerana Allah itu
Maha kaya maha mendengar
Rintihan hamba-hambanya
Kerana sesiapa bertaqwa kepadanya
Pasti akan ada
Jalan keluarnya
Rezeki yang tidak disangka-sangka
Cukup Allah baginya berkuasa segala-galanya
Terima seadanya
Sumbangan Putera Izfiq & Maulana Nik
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
budung mudai
anak-anak sebenarnya satu hiburan yang tak terbanding kerana keletah mereka memang "pure", bukan dibuat-buat.
kanak-kanak perempuan dalam video ini sungguh comel, bijak dan petah. Tegas juga.
dia adalah impian saya.. bestnyer kalu dapat anak cenggitu..
Friday, May 23, 2008
ntah per ntah
pagi ni gue gi tampal gigi (huhu dah tak beghaper muda ni still)..
specialist tu, kat sepital gomen nih, kata kena injek jap..
gue kata, doc, letak itu paste aarrr.. (teringat strawberry paste yg my denist fwen kat kuantan sapu kat tempat nak injek dlm mulut nih). bila injek, tak rase per beb)
paste yg dentist gomen letak ni, cam tak jadi ja.. dia injek sakit uh..
paste per dia pakai? naper bukan strawberry paste?
ader saper tanya gigi saper ateh tu? ehem ehem
sekian, tima kaseh.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
TDM, AI and PBP
With reference to my e-mail in my alumni e-group 19-May, the market did react (KLCI dropped from 1,295 points 18-May to 1,281 yesterday) to TDM's decision to quit UMNO although that is not the sole reason share prices on Bursa Malaysia continued its downtrend since 16-May; the other reasons being the overnight Wall Street fall, as well as regional markets' slump due to investors taking profits on concerns over inflation resultant from the new record high crude oil price of USD134 pb as at today.
In all, political defections stand out a main concern for the stock market. Just as I predicted. Now that our political dimension has shifted totally beyond the figment of our imagination, our politicians must respond swiftly and positively, be it with regard to TDM or AI or anything for that matter. Failing which, some of us will have to bail out our own stock portfolio in no time.
In another development, equally if not more important is the decision regarding the 30-year old territorial dispute on Pulau Batu Putih between Malaysia and Singapore that will be announced tomorrow, 4pm Malaysian time. We can watch it live on RTM1.
Just for the record, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision could see Singapore win all their claim ie PBP together with Middle Rocks and South Ledge, get one of the islands or leave the table empty-handed. Coin flipped, the status quo may remain with Malaysia resuming her authority over PBP and Singapore being allowed to operate their lighthouse there.
As Malaysians, let's pray we'll win our claim because that's what we deserve.
And the decision favoring Malaysia may yet be the Government's trump card in restoring confidence among the stakeholders, especially the rakyat, hence the much-awaited recovery of our stock market and also the economy as a whole.
In all, political defections stand out a main concern for the stock market. Just as I predicted. Now that our political dimension has shifted totally beyond the figment of our imagination, our politicians must respond swiftly and positively, be it with regard to TDM or AI or anything for that matter. Failing which, some of us will have to bail out our own stock portfolio in no time.
In another development, equally if not more important is the decision regarding the 30-year old territorial dispute on Pulau Batu Putih between Malaysia and Singapore that will be announced tomorrow, 4pm Malaysian time. We can watch it live on RTM1.
Just for the record, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision could see Singapore win all their claim ie PBP together with Middle Rocks and South Ledge, get one of the islands or leave the table empty-handed. Coin flipped, the status quo may remain with Malaysia resuming her authority over PBP and Singapore being allowed to operate their lighthouse there.
As Malaysians, let's pray we'll win our claim because that's what we deserve.
And the decision favoring Malaysia may yet be the Government's trump card in restoring confidence among the stakeholders, especially the rakyat, hence the much-awaited recovery of our stock market and also the economy as a whole.
Laughter the Best Medicine
Male or Female?
You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female.
Here are some examples:
FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; ittakes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong buttons.
TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated.
HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.
SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.
WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.
TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.
EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.
HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.
THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.
You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female.
Here are some examples:
FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; ittakes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong buttons.
TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated.
HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.
SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.
WEB PAGES: Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.
TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.
EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.
HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.
THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying.
The wind of change - for the good or bad?
The current development in our counrty's political landscape is
certainly not a good sign to our economic growth. Does TDM care about
it? Or does his action stem from his strong belief that unless he
does something dramatic such as relinquishing his party membership,
the party will not succeed in restoring people's confidence and will
fall to its knees in the next PRU, if not earlier.
There's always something behind a wise man's move; it's for the
remaining members to decipher the doctor's words. Has this got
something to do with Anwar Ibrahim's statement elsewhere that he's
ready to form a new federal government?
In Buletin TV3 19 May 2008, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz said if an internationally
acclaimed leader like the very wise TDM offers to join PAS, the party
will be riding on their luck. But where's TDM going after this? The
party which correctly anticipates TDM's next move will likely have the
extra edge to manouvre.
Whatever the outcome, the current scenario doesn't look good to our
economic growth. While other emerging markets like China, India,
Brazil, Viet Nam, and, ineterestingly, Thailand as well as Indonesia
are attracting more and more investors, Malaysia's image diminishing
in the investors' radar should remain our major concern. PRU12 result
itself drove most foreign investors' share sell-out on an
unprecedented scale to sink prices, mostly of government-linked
companies, further down where it's so difficult to recover. Any
subsequent unfavorable development in our politics certainly won't
help restore investors' confidence. Nor will both moves by TDM and
AI.
certainly not a good sign to our economic growth. Does TDM care about
it? Or does his action stem from his strong belief that unless he
does something dramatic such as relinquishing his party membership,
the party will not succeed in restoring people's confidence and will
fall to its knees in the next PRU, if not earlier.
There's always something behind a wise man's move; it's for the
remaining members to decipher the doctor's words. Has this got
something to do with Anwar Ibrahim's statement elsewhere that he's
ready to form a new federal government?
In Buletin TV3 19 May 2008, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz said if an internationally
acclaimed leader like the very wise TDM offers to join PAS, the party
will be riding on their luck. But where's TDM going after this? The
party which correctly anticipates TDM's next move will likely have the
extra edge to manouvre.
Whatever the outcome, the current scenario doesn't look good to our
economic growth. While other emerging markets like China, India,
Brazil, Viet Nam, and, ineterestingly, Thailand as well as Indonesia
are attracting more and more investors, Malaysia's image diminishing
in the investors' radar should remain our major concern. PRU12 result
itself drove most foreign investors' share sell-out on an
unprecedented scale to sink prices, mostly of government-linked
companies, further down where it's so difficult to recover. Any
subsequent unfavorable development in our politics certainly won't
help restore investors' confidence. Nor will both moves by TDM and
AI.
Fate has its say
Some people know the gain or pain at the psychological moment. The last people, to the knowledge and eye-witness of millions of watching spectators around the globe at least, who had their own psychological moment were the players in the famous red shirt of Man U and blue shirt of Chelsea battling for ultimate supremacy in the most loved most watched sport of all time to become the best club in world football.
I have to admit that my remark in my earlier post that Chelsea played like a Beast must be retracted. Even at Van der Saar's blocking pair of hands which effectively crowned Man U as champions of Europe for their third time, I really have to admire the beautiful side of Chelsea's brand of football with their slick passings and defence-splitting through-balls.
Both teams were by and large equally good and could deserve to win the final. Had Tevez not missed two clear-cut golden opportunities, no Man U supporters would have had their adrenalin pumped to the limit before Man U lifted the trophy, and had any one of three shots on goal by Chelsea (Drogba and Lampard) hit the net and not the posts, Chelsea could have denied Sir Alex's troop their claim as the best of all.
Whilst both sides of players' tiring legs and straining muscles could not capitalise on the 30 minutes extra time to score the defining goal, Drogba lost his temper, 'gently' slapped Vidic and was red-carded.
Uhh.. I hate penalty shoot-out but that's Man U's fate to become champions again. Ronaldo missed his spotkick, then I screamed "You better don't dream to be the world's best player". And he should be thankful to Terry the Chelsea captain for slipping at the spot to send the ball out of goal trajectory. Anelka's failure to repeat his scoring feat against Man U when he was a Gunner - this time at the penalty spot - meant Man U beat Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League final by 6-5 in the penalty shoot-out after the tie was even at 1-1 until the extra time.
Congrat to Man U and all their fans around the world.
Also congrat to Chelsea for they deserve to be in the final and do have the quality to become champions.
p/s: heard 'em say, were Drogba to stay and take one penalty kick, surely it'll be a complete turn of events.
UCL final again
The players are at half-time. Man U squandered 2 golden chances which should be taken in any other occasions, but of all moments, they chose the UCL final. And 2 minutes before half-time, one lapseof concentration caused Man U their early lead, and possibly the trophy.
The second half is about to start. Enjoy the game.
The second half is about to start. Enjoy the game.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
our ageing earth
She was trapped between 2 huge stone debris for 10 days. Only raindrops prolonged her life. The day she was rescued, the medic team diagnosed her with merely a crack in her thigh and a scratch on her face. This 60-year old woman cried in tears of joy mixed with endured pain. Imagine you lie down squeezed by 2 huge stones, unable to move left or right. Perhaps you can only move your fingers and mouth. And stay put for 10 days. Dare to?
I don't know how my body will react if i were in her situation; even half a day is a torture, let alone 10 bloody days.
This is but one morbid scenario in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake of 7.9 ritcher scale - only 1.0 less than that of Acheh - which totally wiped out the worst-hit Sichuan and killed to date 40,025 people and counting.
The quake is expected to trim China's soaring economic growth this year by at least 0.2 percentage points, lead to a one-month production stoppage and curb consumption in worst-hit Sichuan and neighbouring areas. The economic loss? About 67 billion yuan (RM31 billion).
How will this affect Malaysia?
After the US economy has been hit hard by its subprime mortgage crisis, and will likely fall into a recession, albeit mild, Malaysia has a cause for concern. The reason being, the US is Malaysia's main export market. So, when hopes are high for the US economic downturn to be offset by China's super robust growth, the China quake seems to steal the headline for the wrong reason.
And with the world oil price reaching a record USD130 per barrel, Malaysia should be more cautious and careful in its spending before it's too late.
UCL Final - Beauty and the Beast
the clock is ticking.. tik tok tik tok tik tok
At about 2.45am Malaysian time on Thursday morning, Man U will lock horns with Chelsea in what has been labelled as the Battle of Beauty and the Beast. Well, you know who's who.
For those Chelsea supporters, my advice is just take it as a learning experience playing in the UCL final. To win it, Man U is too good for your team, kay?
All the best Man U.
At about 2.45am Malaysian time on Thursday morning, Man U will lock horns with Chelsea in what has been labelled as the Battle of Beauty and the Beast. Well, you know who's who.
For those Chelsea supporters, my advice is just take it as a learning experience playing in the UCL final. To win it, Man U is too good for your team, kay?
All the best Man U.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
if time can stop..
hmmm... I'm still wondering whether men can really travel through time? The way things around me are going now, even our PM would say 'I wish I could' if asked about the possibility of time-travelling. Gosh! Next week when all our MPs swear in on the 1st day of their new term at Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), the watching nation can't wait to expect some kinda debates some have seen on tv between Gordon Brown and his opposition. This time, MPs from the much-weakened ruling coalition will hafta be on their toes all the time and expect enquiries and questions storming them across the aisle. Which also spells more work for civil servants, too, especially those who are required to be on duty during parliamentary sessions.
Big names like Hj Hadi, Mahfuz Omar, Chee Kiong and their cohorts will flex their muscles in powerful arguments during which many MPs surely will be forced to shrink into amateurs. Fingers crossed.
Politics aside, I also dream I could travel across the time dimension. Why?
Wait for my next posting...
Big names like Hj Hadi, Mahfuz Omar, Chee Kiong and their cohorts will flex their muscles in powerful arguments during which many MPs surely will be forced to shrink into amateurs. Fingers crossed.
Politics aside, I also dream I could travel across the time dimension. Why?
Wait for my next posting...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
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