Google puts up special Raya-Merdeka doodle. Why no mention of Raya?!

Google puts up special Raya-Merdeka doodle

2011-08-31 12:05

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -– Browsers of the Google website today found a very special Merdeka Day present from Google Malaysia which has come up with its very own decorative logo or doodle to commemorate the unique double celebration -– Aidilfitri and Malaysia's National Day.
Visitors to google.com.my today will see the Google logo decorated with a "ketupat" and a Malaysian flag to reflect "Merdeka Raya."
"We are delighted to add a special Malaysian design to our doodle list, especially since it is a rare double celebration this year.
"While Google is a global brand, we want to be as local as we can in our own Googley way. We wish all Malaysians a Selamat Hari Raya and Merdeka Day " said Sajith Sivanandan, the country head of Google Malaysia in a statement.
Google doodles have delighted users over the years and have proven to be an endearing part of the whole Google experience.
Many Malaysians, obviously delighted to see the "Merdeka Raya" doodle, flooded the social media site with their commendation.
While some regarded it as "cute," others were more expressive, like the following remark: "Google's logo today is on Malaysia's independence and Hari Raya. Awesomesauce!!!"
One tweeted that "this Merdeka Raya concept from Google is very simple, yet attractive ... at least for me" while another said, "Memang ada style lah." (It's stylish.)
Google has celebrated and marked everything from Alfred Hitchcock's birthday to leap years, where a team of designers are employed to come up with these doodles.
Said one tweet: "Happy Merdeka, folks! Nice of Google to do this."

Certainly, nice of Google to do a 'twin' doodle but mouse over "ketupat" or Malaysian flag, why no mention of Raya? If you click on either one, you'll get the About 2,700,000 results for 'Malaysian Independence Day'.

We can't take opinion polls, especially if by Merdeka Centre, too seriously!

PUTRAJAYA: Opinion polls do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the people, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

“We can’t take the results too seriously and it depends on who the people interviewed were.

“It may not be the view of most Malaysians,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Hari Raya open house here yesterday.

He was commenting on a Merdeka Centre poll that reported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s approval rating as having dipped to 59% in August from 65% previously.
(Source: The Star Online)

So, if we can't take opinion polls too seriously, should we also not take the opinions and statements from Umno ministers who 'tell the truth and nothing but the truth' too seriously?

Singapore electoral roll is clean. Bersih says vindicated by new poll

Had a catch-up session with an old friend yesterday. This friend is a PR of Singapore and soon-to-be Singaporean.

He had this to say when we talked about the the recent general election in Singapore:

One thing for sure is that the Singapore electoral roll is clean!

Of course, he made the above statement in response to our 'Bersih 2.0' talk. ;-)

Today, The Malaysian Insider reported: Bersih says vindicated by new poll.

Obviously, every right-thinking Malaysian wants a free-and-fair election!

Thailand has her 'Dr Death'. Malaysia has her 'killer' DNA expert, Dr. Seah

Aussie DNA expert says local scientist could have ‘killed’ someone

UPDATED @ 04:44:43 PM 25-08-2011

By Debra Chong

August 25, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — Government scientist Dr Seah Lay Hong would have lost her job if she worked in Australia, a foreign DNA expert told Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trial today.
Consultant molecular geneticist Dr Brian McDonald told the High Court that Dr Seah’s casual attitude in learning that two containers holding DNA samples that were likely mislabelled and doing nothing about it was a “sackable offence”.
Dr Seah is the government’s DNA expert who had allegedly told the court to give the benefit of the doubt when questions were raised over the dates on two containers holding DNA samples sent to her for analysis.
Both containers bore labels that were dated June 26, 2008.
Anwar is charged with sodomising former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in a Damansara Heights condominium on the same date.
The court has been told the complainant was swabbed for test samples of his DNA only after seeing doctors two days later, on June 28, 2008.
Dr McDonald, who was briefed of the history of the case, said such a labelling meant one of two things, either the samples were indeed taken on June 28, 2008; or the samples were labelled wrongly.
“This is a sackable offence,” he testified.
“You could kill someone. If you change something on a medical result, you could kill someone,” he said.
Dr McDonald explained that the proper thing to do would be to verify with the source if there has been a mistake and move quickly to correct it and have those steps recorded.
The Australian scientist, who is a witness for Anwar’s defence, was replying to questions from lawyer Ramkarpal Singh Deo.
“If it’s a mistake, you have to correct it and document it. You have to do something. It’s not an option that is open to the recipient,” he stressed.
The court was told there was no record of any such correction made.
Dr McDonald also appeared surprised by the high sperm count recorded during the laboratory analysis of the swab samples collected from the complainant.
He explained to the court that such density is normal only if recorded within the first six to eight hours after ejaculation.
He said he had expected to see a very low sperm count, if any, because the samples were collected close to 100 hours after and stored in less than optimal conditions.
The defence had highlighted the samples swabbed from Saiful’s anus were also stored in an airtight receptacle and kept in a locker at room temperature, which Dr McDonald said went against fundamental laboratory practices.
He said the samples should have been smeared onto a glass slide, air-dried and immediately frozen at -20 degrees Centrigrade, to stop the growth of bacteria from destroying the sperm cells.
Ramkarpal then asked if it was “reasonable to infer that the samples collected from the complainant were not the same as the samples analysed by Dr Seah?”
“The bells would be ringing to me as a scientist. I would be alerted to the results that are inconsistent with the history [of this case],” Dr McDonald replied.
The trial will resume tomorrow with the Australian back in the witness box.

Aloo Paratha @ Ravi's, 3 Two Square, PJ: Price increase by 30 sen. Why?

Semua Barang Naik. So, maybe Ravi's has no choice but to make harga naik. Yes, thanks to BN=Barang Naik!

Frankly, an increase by 20 sen is still acceptable but 30 sen? I'm not sure when the price increase took effect. My best guess is a month to two months ago. The last time I had it was in mid-June. Yes, the price hike means that from today onward, I will most probably have my Aloo Paratha once in every three months.

I blogged about Aloo Paratha for the first time in February this year. Despite the increase in price, I still recommend that you try out this special capathi if you haven't already done so. ;)

Check out:

Aloo Paratha @ Ravi's, 3 Two Square, Petaling Jaya: Capathi with stuffing!

Dr M pernah kata Umno parti perasuah, makan rasuah macam makan babi. Sekarang, Babi nak Rasuah!

Babi nak Rasuah

{youtube}wOFXYyxTCWM{/youtube} 
Or watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOFXYyxTCWM
By steadyaku47
I saw this video on MIMPI SENJA blog site. Anger, shame and an overwhelming sense of betrayal overcame me as I see this BABI (or Policeman if you want to be polite and give him his due) bring shame to me as a Malay, embarrassment to me as Malaysian by asking for bribes from a Singaporean and most of all a confirmation that corruption and SAYA NAK RASUAH is alive and well in the BABI community...or as you all know it...PDRM!
Read more at: http://steadyaku-steadyaku-husseinhamid.blogspot.com/2011/08/babi-nak-rasuah.html 

Adakah tidak mustahil – ugutan bunuh terhadap Hisham dilakukan sendiri?

In more than two months, three prominent personalities received a death threat each. They say ladies first. So, Ambiga got it first. Next, Khairy. Now, Hisham.

Using the same twisted logic applied by Umno Reformed 2 on the death threat that Ambiga got, is it also not possible that the death threat that Hisham received is his own doing? I blogged about the same on Khairy's death threat. Wuahahahaha!

Web Surfing Helps at Work, Study Says - from WSJ.com: US Business

By RACHEL EMMA SILVERMAN

Don't feel guilty about browsing the Internet at work—turns out it may actually improve your performance.

According to a new study, Web browsing can actually refresh tired workers and enhance their productivity, compared to other activities such as making personal calls, texts or emails, let alone working straight through with no rest at all.

The study, "Impact of Cyberloafing on Psychological Engagement," by Don J.Q. Chen and Vivien K.G Lim of the National University of Singapore, was presented last week in San Antonio, Texas, at the annual meeting of the Academy of Management, an association of management scholars.

Click here to read more.

Pakatan gives Najib one last chance to guarantee election reforms b4 GE!

Pakatan Rakyat today gave the prime minister and the Election Commission one last chance to prove their commitment to electoral reform before the coalition decides whether or not to boycott the parliamentary select committee on the matter.

Speaking to reporters today, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said, "The final decision will be made by October. We have not made a decision to boycott, but are making it clear that it is the onus of the government to show good faith, with the Election Commission taking immediate measures, and the PM categorically showing that he means business by guaranteeing that elections will only be held after the EC has taken the necessary measures. We have a few weeks, after Ramadan, with the goodwill of Aidilfitri... one or two weeks to consider. By next month, we will decide once and for all."

Harussani, you should know better that once a dictator decides, it is FINAL!

Harussani: I asked Dr M not to sack Anwar

UPDATED @ 04:03:36 PM 24-08-2011

By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

August 24, 2011

The Perak Mufti said he warned Dr Mahathir of the consequences that would come with sacking Anwar. — File pic

SHAH ALAM, Aug 24 — Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria today revealed he had attempted to meet Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed 13 years ago to advise him against sacking then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also wanted to ask Dr Mahathir not charge the current Pakatan Rakyat (PR) defacto leader for sodomy.

The Perak Mufti said he was concerned back then that Anwar’s sacking would bring about split Malays, and that he had repeatedly cautioned the former prime minister to think about an alternative solution.

A child's hobby? Average gamer is 37 years old. Parents play games too!!

A child's hobby? Average gamer is 37 years old

By: Don Reisinger June 7, 2011 11:08 AM PDT

Though playing video games is often called a child's activity, a new study from the Entertainment Software Association has found that that perception couldn't be further from the truth.
According to the organization, which represents the game industry, the average gamer today is 37 years old. Moreover, the average game buyer is 41 years old. Because of that, a greater number of parents are playing games with their children. The ESA said that 45 percent of parents play games with their kids "at least weekly.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20069682-17/a-childs-hobby-average-gamer-is-37-years-old/#ixzz1VwMyDpGH

Part of BN's plan to recapture Selangor is to have Khir Toyo jailed for graft!

Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo claims that three federal ministers have conspired to have him jailed for graft.

In a blog post today on forgiveness in the spirit of Ramadan, Khir said he would not name them because he does not have proof of their involvement, but said his source was highly reliable.

He said that in this blessed month, he would like to remind the three friends who were ministers in the federal cabinet to not go overboard in their attempts to get him and alluded that word about the conspiracy spread after one of the three told two other ministers that this was part of BN's plan to recapture Selangor.

Recently, Khir was called to defend himself against charges of accepting inducements in the form of hefty discounts for a mansion.

In the blog post, Khir wrote, “A minister was said to have told two other ministers that to get back Selangor, Khir must be charged. Now, the same minister has said that to win in Selangor, Khir must be jailed. Are they powerful enough to control a judge? I don't believe they can direct a judge nor will a judge listen to this group.”

Sodomy II: Prosecution grills foreign expert: The kangaroo court resumes...

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's defence enters its third day today with the prosecution cross-examining forensic pathologist Dr David Wells.

The Australian expert, who is the third defence witness, has yesterday told the court that the alleged semen sample retrieved from sodomy complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan could not have revealed the desired results.

This was because the sample was taken more than two days after the alleged incident.

The alleged sodomy incident happened in the afternoon of June 26, 2008, and the sample was retrieved from Saiful between 9pm and midnight on June 28, 2008.

In addition, he said that the sample was not properly stored in the police station and it was given to chemist for testing two days later.

Dr Wells, who is an expert in the field of sexual assault cases, also testified yesterday that when retrieving samples from alleged victims, he would be working alone and only assisted by nurses. This, he said, was to prevent contamination.

In the case of Saiful, four doctors attended to complainant in retrieving samples in the present of investigating officer Supt Jude Blacious Pereira.

It expected that the prosecution will question Wells on Saiful's Hospital Kuala Lumpur medical report, which the doctor had described as inaccurate.

After Wells, another Australian expert hired by Anwar, DNA specialist Dr Brian McDonald, is expected to take the witness stand.

LIVE REPORTS

8.46am: It is learnt that former Malacca police chief Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof, who has been subpoenaed to testify, is also in the witness room.

He was the aide de camp for then deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who met Saiful in a hotel a day after the complainant met Najib.

8.50am: The prosecution team led by solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden are in court.

8.55am: Defence lawyer Sankara Nair arrives with Dr David Wells in tow.

8.59am: Anwar arrives with his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Also present in the courtroom is Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng.

9.03am: Court called into session with High Court justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah presiding...

Prasarana WORSE than piranhas - eat everything, leave nothing. Suckers!

With the MRT, it is the end of the line for historic Jalan Sultan

By Yow Hong Chieh

August 23, 2011

The Petaling Street end which opens up to Jalan Tun Cheng Lock. — Picture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 23 — Khong Kim Lyew’s father used to make suits for British High Commissioners Sir Edward Gent, Sir Henry Gurney and Sir Gerald Templer during the British Military Administration, when Malaya was already deep in the throes of an independence struggle.

The intrepid Taishanese, who honed his bespoke tailoring skills at Robinsons on Jawa Street (now Jalan Tun Perak) after picking up the trade from his own father, had originally wanted to join the civil service but was unable to secure a place after Malaya was hit by the Great Depression of the 1920s.

After Merdeka in 1957, Khong himself hand-stitched suits for Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar, Malaysia’s second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, his deputy Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and even the fourth King, Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah of Terengganu.

Khong Kim Lyew hand-stitched the suit Tun Abdul Razak Hussein wore to seal ties with China. — Picture by Jack Ooi

“Everybody who was somebody came to the shop to have their clothes made,” he said.

“The suit [Abdul Razak] was wearing when he shook hands with Chairman Mao, which was used in the election manifesto for the 1974 election, was also made by me.”

Khong still provides custom-made suits to Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Kedah, including the one the latter wore when he called on Queen Elizabeth II of Britain in 1974 as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, all well as ceremonial gowns for judges, among others.

He remains committed to his craft and says he will carry on the trade for as long as he is physically able, even though he admits he will likely be the last in his line.

But Kwong Fook Hing Tailor on Jalan Sultan, where three generations of his family have plied their trade since 1915, will soon be torn down along 15 other shophouses to make way for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT), Malaysia’s most ambitious construction project to date.

Outgoing project owner Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) has said it needs to acquire the land above the KVMRT tunnel that will run along Jalan Sultan and demolish existing buildings in the interest of public safety.

Richard Han says SPNB should not profit by building commercial developments on land acquired for public use. — Picture by Jack Ooi

“The buildings in Jalan Sultan are very old so it is not safe for the public,” SPNB project development director Zulkifli Mohd Yusof said yesterday.

“Moreover, the area consists of limestone and (tunnel) construction in an area like that can cause sinkholes.”

Khong, however, remains unconvinced of the argument.

While stressing that he did not object to development, the 63-year-old said he did not see why SPNB had to demolish the buildings above the tunnel that will link the Pasar Seni and Merdeka stations when similar subsurface work carried out in Hong Kong and Singapore had left street-level buildings intact.

“They’re worse than piranhas. Piranhas only eat the flesh, they leave the bones behind. These guys seem to want to take everything,” the Victoria Institution alumnus said.
(Click here to read more)

Finally, KL Chinatown spared! That's the true spirit of 1Malaysia: People 1st

Published: Tuesday August 23, 2011 MYT 5:09:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday August 23, 2011 MYT 9:16:57 PM

KL Chinatown traders can stay on

By YUEN MEIKENG

KUALA LUMPUR: The 31 shop lots near Jalan Sultan will not be demolished for the construction of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (MRT) project, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.

He said the shops would remain as they are an important part of KL Chinatown's identity.

"During the six months of constructing the MRT tunnel underneath the area, the occupants will have to evacuate their property but will be told to return after that.

"Buildings affected by the construction will be strengthened," he told reporters after attending a dialogue between the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), representatives of the Jalan Sultan traders and others at the SPAD headquarters here Tuesday.

Guan Eng: Pakatan Rakyat has to remain humble and continue to deliver

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng last night cautioned that Pakatan Rakyat has to remain humble and continue to deliver as even he is not absolutely certain of retaining the state.

He said, “There is no certainty in politics. I'm not 100 percent sure that we will win Penang again. I would like to think so, but I think we should err on the side of caution. Even though many people have said it is likely we will win in Penang, we have to put in a lot of work, put our heads down and not get carried away, make sure we deliver what the people expect.”

Lim was speaking at a Selangor DAP fundraising dinner in Petaling Jaya last night, which was attended by top DAP leaders from the state and over a thousand other supporters.

Also present were PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu (left in photo), popularly known as Mat Sabu, and Selangor state exco members Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu.

In making his case for donations, Lim stressed that even though Pakatan were in the government (in Selangor and Penang), such fundraising dinners were necessary as Pakatan did not use state funds for party purposes.

“We have to ask help from you (for money) because we don't steal from the government. If you go to MCA dinners, they don't ask money from you, they pay you to come instead,” he quipped.

Uncle BERSIH claims badly treated by Kotor cops. Polis Raja di Malaysia

Hii: I was kicked, and cop farted in my face, 10 times

In his complaint to human rights commission Suhakam this morning, businessman Hii Tiong Huat complained today that a cop's buttock was shoved at his face and the cop farted on his face 10 times during his arrest on July 22 while another plainclothes policeman also kicked him, 10 times after he told Hii to "go back to China", and said his parents were immigrants from that country.

The Sarawakian was initially arrested on July 8 and held till the next day, for his lone picket with homemade placards at Petaling Street, in the police crackdown in the run-up to the Bersih rally. Hii was arrested again on July 21 and another arrest and detention on July 22-23 by police in relation to his alleged participation in the outlawed Bersih 2.0 rally for clean and fair elections.

Video clips of his arrest have elevated him to the status of folk hero, with members of the public dubbing him 'Uncle Bersih'.

Did Najib and Anwar REALLY BONK Altantuya and Saiful respectively?

'Anwar is a gay,' someone told me today.

I thought to myself, 'Well, the Government has indeed done a good job in producing the sequel 'Sodomy II'.'

How can this someone hold the view that Anwar is a gay?

Well, I think Raja Petra's article today really sums it all up!
Raja Petra Kamarudin:
So, never mind what happens during Anwar’s trial. And never mind whether they do or do not put Najib on trial. Everyone’s mind is already set. They already believe what they believe. And whatever you or the court may say is not going to change this belief.

One-Eyed Albino Shark Caught In Baja, Scientists Baffled

The recent discovery in Mexico of a one-eyed albino baby shark has created a stir among scientists and piqued the interest of thousands who have seen the images and questioned the authenticity of the find. The three-foot-long fetus was removed from the body of a large bull shark captured by a commercial fisherman in the Sea of Cortez beyond La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur.

The story broke late last week on the Pisces Sportfishing blog, under the headline, “Freak Shark Puzzles Scientists.”

Pete Thomas Outdoors then shared the top right image with two well-known shark experts in California. Both were skeptical at first, suggesting it was some kind of hoax.

One of them jokingly identified the species as a “Cycloptomus” because of a perfectly centered eye located just above the mouth.

(Click here to read more)

Ban on designer labels Prada, Gucci, Versace etc in popular prison in Italy

Italy's jailed mobsters 'humiliated' by clampdown on designer clothing

Silk-suited godfathers languishing in Palermo's Ucciardone prison hit out at governor's ban on high-end labels

PappaRich 3 Two Square: Family dinner @ www.papparich.com.my. Nice!

Fried Rice with Fried Egg & Teh C Hot!

 

Janson's favourite drink, Pappa 100+ Energy Booster!

Far left: Fried Rice Special with Fried Egg, Chicken.

...And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. Steve Jobs

(Source)

Discount for M'sians visiting Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari!

Published: Thursday August 11, 2011 MYT 1:42:00 PM
Updated: Thursday August 11, 2011 MYT 1:44:56 PM

Discount for M'sians visiting S'pore parks

KUALA LUMPUR: Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is offering Malaysians a 50% discount on admission fees to the Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo.

WRS said in a statement Thursday this was in conjunction with Malaysia's 54th Merdeka Day and Aidilfitri celebrations at the end of this month.

The offer is valid for the period of Aug 27 to Sept 4 at all three attractions.

Malaysian visitors only need to show their immigration cards at the park entrances to claim the 50% discount. - Bernama

Ex-CM 'sleep talking' on Penang investment. Koh Tsu Koon omong kosong

Embattled Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon has received another blow over his taking credit for Penang's recent economic successes, this time from former Penang party stalwart, Lee Kah Choon, who said that Koh may be "sleep talking" when the latter said that investment decisions takes time to be made, implying that he was responsible for the state's current economic success.

Lee (left), who is Invest Penang chairperson and former Gerakan Jelutong MP, said, "It's "ridiculous" to suggest that investment decision takes years to make in this modern age. By then the technology will be obsolete, the product will not fit into the supply chain for the overall manufacturing process."

In a press statement today, Lee said, "Taking years to make a decision) is against the Just In Time (JIT) philosophy the manufacturing world is practising currently."

Lee added, saying, "All in all, if any deal is to be struck, it will be done within12 months."

Yesterday, an online news site quoted Koh, the four term Penang CM prior to 2008, accusing his successor, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for "unfairly" claiming credit that should be rightly attributed to Barisan Nasional, complaining that the "solid foundation" of various projects initiated by his administration was handed over to Lim when Pakatan Rakyat took over the state and blaming Lim for “skilfully using” the media to claim credit for the success handed down from the former Gerakan administration.

FBC admitted it worked for M'sian gov't but Najib mum about FBC claims!

International broadcaster BBC has admitted that it has aired to millions of people worldwide, programmes made by a public relations company hired by the Malaysian government.

According to an investigative report by Britain's The Independent newspaper, the BBC said in a statement that "FBC has now admitted to the BBC that it has worked for the Malaysian government" and it has suspended all programming from the London-based public relations company, FBC Media Ltd, which since 2009 has made at least four documentaries dealing with Malaysia. .

According to the daily, the BBC is conducting an investigation into whether any of the FBC material it broadcast was in breach of BBC guidelines on impartiality and BBC was quoted as saying, "That information was not disclosed to the BBC as we believe it should have been when the BBC contracted programming from FBC. Given this, the BBC has decided to transmit no more programming from FBC while it reviews its relationship with the company."

The broadcast of programmes produced by FBC may be against the BBC's guidelines on conflict of interest.

The BBC's guidelines on conflict of interest state: "Independent producers should not have inappropriate outside interests which could undermine the integrity and impartiality of the programmes and content they produce for the BBC."

Read more @ The Independent.

Najib mum about FBC Media allegations

By Shannon Teoh

August 19, 2011

How to avoid meeting ghosts: Read all these silly superstitious stuff and lol

How to avoid meeting ghosts

KUALA LUMPUR: Cutting hair, shaving, going for outings and hanging clothes outside the house are among the things people should avoid doing at night throughout the Hungry Ghost Festival.

People should also avoid moving house and getting a new vehicle, as it is believed that the chances of bumping into ghosts are higher by doing all these.

“Keep away from the walls because ghosts love sticking to it,” said Master Szeto Fat-ching, a famous exorcist and feng shui guru from Hong Kong.

He said although ghosts are around during daytime, they are more active at night.

Thus, precautions have to be taken during the month-long festival beginning July 31 when the Hell Gate is open and the spirits are allowed to return to the human realm.

Master Szeto also said women are more prone to seeing ghosts than men.

Woot! Oxford is keeping up with the times. Retweet, sexting officially words!

Woot! Retweet and sexting enter the dictionary

"Retweet", "sexting" and "cyberbullying" are officially words, according to the latest edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary. 

Photo: PHIL COBURN

By Matthew Holehouse

11:33AM BST 18 Aug 2011

Warren Buffett says, "Tax me more!": The super-rich pay LOWER tax rates!

The Truth-O-Meter Says:

The "mega-rich" pay about 15 percent in taxes, while the middle class "fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot."

Warren Buffett on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in a "New York Times" op-ed

Warren Buffett says the super-rich pay lower tax rates than others

It's not often you see someone stand up and say, "Tax me more!"
Yet that's just what famed investor Warren Buffett has done in an op-ed in the New York Times headlined, "Stop Coddling the Super-Rich." Buffett says that very wealthy people like himself pay lower tax rates than the middle class, thanks to special tax categories for investment income.

‘MCMC officers behaved like thugs’. MCMC does not follow the law in office

‘MCMC officers behaved like thugs’

Stephanie Sta Maria | August 19, 2011

LFL lawyer is outraged over MCMC's insinuation that it is above the law.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today questioned a journalist over a picture she had taken during the Bersih 2.0 rally.
But according to Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) coordinator, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, the officials had behaved like thugs in their intimidation and harassment of both her and her client.
Fadiah had accompanied her client, Yusriah Yusof, a photographer with opposition mouthpiece Suara Keadilan, to the MCMC headquarters earlier this afternoon.
Yusriah was being questioned over her picture of Anwar Ibrahim’s bodyguard, Fayyadh Afiq Albakqry, taken after he was hit in the face with a tear gas canister while shielding Anwar.
The picture of his bloodied face were among the many circulated online in the aftermath of the rally as evidence of police brutality.
When the investigating officer (IO) met them at the entrance, Fadiah introduced herself and said that she was accompanying her client into the investigation room. The IO denied her entry and an argument ensued.
“He said that lawyers were not allowed to be present during the questioning,” she told FMT. “I told him that under the Federal Constitution my client had the right to have her lawyer present and asked him what his basis was in disallowing that right.”
“I even asked him why she was being questioned and whether there was a report made against her. The IO said of course there is a report but he wasn’t going to divulge it to me.”
When Fadiah pointed out that even the police released reports to lawyers, the IO apparently shot back, “That is the police, we are MCMC.”
Shouting match
He, however, eventually reluctantly allowed Fadiah into the investigation room but then told her that he wanted to take her statement too.
“I refused and told him that I am merely accompanying my client and I’m not the party under investigation,” she said. “We continued arguing until he shouted ‘you’re a Malay, right? you’re a Muslim, right?… stop asking questions!’”
“I told him not to bring religion into this and to respect the law. He shouted back that if I wanted to talk about the law then I should go to the court because this was his office and he didn’t want to talk about it.”
Before a stunned Fadiah could respond, two more officers entered the room and shouted to her to leave. While she argued with them, the IO began taking Yusriah’s statement, disregarding the photographer’s obvious distress.
“I turned my back on the two and focus on my client,” Fadiah said. “These men were in the baju Melayu complete with the sampin and they were behaving like thugs. They were talking like the law didn’t apply to them.”
“I am shocked by MCMC’s arrogance and ignorance. Even when they called my client in for questioning they never sent her an official notice. Just a casual phone call.”
The two officers threatened to lodge a police report against her, but when she she asked for their names in return, they replied that she had no right to know as she was in their office.
Fadiah added that the line of questioning was to determine the authenticity of the picture and if copies had been distributed to other publications.
“It was obvious that they want to send out a warning that the public and journalists who take and distribute such pictures will be hauled in for quesitioning,” she said.
“It is pure harassment of journalists, particularly my client because they couldn’t even tell her the basis of the investigation or what law she had breached.”
Yusriah is the first journalist to be questioned over this picture. The Suara Keadilan editor is expected to be called in next as are the other media that have published the image.

If electoral process legitimacy should NOT be questioned, why have PSC?

Najib: GE can be held anytime, not bound by committee on electoral reform

Written by Bernama

Friday, 19 August 2011 20:48

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today that the next general election can be held anytime and is not bound by the works of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms.

Najib said the government, however, would strive to implement any recommendation made by the committee before the coming election.

"We will try; there must be something that can be done immediately," he told a news conference after chairing the Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here today.

"What we can do immediately, we will do immediately," he added.

Najib, who is Umno president, said the committee, comprising representatives of political parties, would discuss and decide the types of improvements to be made to the electoral process.

Asked on the move by the opposition to wait for terms of reference before deciding on their participation in the committee, Najib said the committee was the government's sincere offer so that decisions can be made based on consensus.

"This is a sincere offer on our part because we need to have discussions across the aisle so that there will be a consensus," he said.

On the call by the opposition parties that the committee be headed by their representative, Najib said, it was impossible to accede to it because the committee must be headed by a leader from the majority party.

He also said that the request by the opposition for an equal representation in the committee could not be considered because the composition would depend on the strength of a party.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz announced on Wednesday that the cabinet had agreed to the setting up of the committee which would be responsible for strengthening the laws and regulations governing elections in the country.

It will comprise five Barisan Nasional members, three opposition members and an independent member.

Najib said the Umno Supreme Council had also agreed to the government's decision to set up the committee but said that this did not mean that it was an admission that there was a major weakness in the legitimacy of the country's elections.

He said the supreme council stressed that parliamentary democracy was a key principle in Umno's struggle all this while.

"The legitimacy of the electoral process should not be questioned because we have proven that there were no manipulation done either in terms of the ballots or the electoral roll," he said.

On claims made by the opposition that people with permanent resident status being listed as electors within a short period, Najib said the Election Commission should provide explanation on the matter in view of attempts by the opposition to highlight it. – Bernama

Syabas PAS! Rich vs poor: Umnoputras and cronies vs suffering rakyat! X(

PAS rallies urban Malays against BN under Barang Naik campaign

UPDATED @ 09:24:55 PM 20-08-2011

By Debra Chong

August 20, 2011

Mahfuz (left) handing out Protes BN flyers to a passing motorist at the Ramadan bazaar in Kampung Baru as the still recuperating Mohamad hobbles along with his walking stick. — Pictures by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — In branding an anti-price hike campaign Protes BN, PAS aims to win over urban Malay voters feeling the pinch of inflation and bleed the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government of Bumiputera support in the coming polls.

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu launched the campaign today in Kampung Baru, the urban Malay heartland in the shadow of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, by distributing several flyers depicting the BN’s lavish lifestyle at the cost of public money.

One of them showed a caricature of a man, supposed to be Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib, tipping over with his little finger a domino block marked as “petrol” on the side to touch the next block marked “sugar” and with a number of other blocks in a close arrangement.

Another carried a picture of the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s head next to a cut diamond and the headline “Bini Najib (BN): Ro$mah yang Membazir”.

Both flyers were printed with the Protes BN [this time standing for Barang Naik] logo and the slogan: “Change Now, Save Malaysia”.

A Protes BN flyer depicting a caricature of the prime minister as saying ‘A little raise and a huge outcry’.

Mohamad, popularly called Mat Sabu, explained that the campaign was to create awareness among the urban Malay Bumiputera community of the tie between government policies and the impact on their daily lives.

“The Malays, they are not sensitive to what goes on daily, for example, bribery, misappropriation [of money]... they grumble but not to the extent of protesting,” he said in a speech.

He compared the Malays to the ethnic Chinese whom he said “knew the value of money, the value of price”, as he related how Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally DAP allegedly beat former MCA president Tan Koon Swan at the height of the latter’s might in a 1986 contest.

But according to records, Tan had won the Gopeng parliamentary seat with a majority of 6,135 votes in the August 4 general election of that year.

He quit his post after being sentenced to jail for abetting in a criminal breach of trust involving Pan-Electric Industries, a Singapore-based conglomerate with a market capitalisation worth S$230 million, that collapsed in 1985 and forced both the Singapore and Malaysian stock exchanges to shut down for three days.

Mohamad said the awareness campaign was necessary because Malays are not “sensitive” and do not feel the loss of their consumer rights or their money as acutely as the ethnic Chinese.

Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar, who helms the Islamist party’s consumer affairs bureau, was also present and said the campaign was also taking place on Facebook.

Mahfuz said the party aims to enlist 5,000 members through Facebook in the next 10 days before the Aidilfitri celebration.

There were 154 likes on the Protes BN page at the time this article was written.

Just yesterday, Najib said that a system based fully on meritocracy would lead to inequality.

He also said focusing entirely on meritocracy would not be fair to those living in rural and suburban areas, claiming they would not be able to compete on a level playing field with their urban counterparts.

Today, the sentiment was echoed by his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who reassured unhappy Malays that safeguarding Bumiputera interests was still Putrajaya’s main agenda. 

Najib’s and Muhyiddin’s remarks come ahead of a general election that is expected to be held within a year.

Critics have accused Najib of diluting his New Economic Model (NEM) by creating agencies like the Bumiputera Agenda Driving Unit (Teraju) and failing to focus on needs and merit-based affirmative action policies.

But government officials said the move was necessary as Bumiputera equity in the economy remained low, despite the billions doled out since the New Economic Policy (NEP) began in 1971.

Zulkifeli, coming clean on fraud is an act of betrayal? Where is your moral?!

Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin today described those claiming that its rank-and-file had been involved in electoral fraud as an act of betrayal. Yesterday, four ex-military personnel confessed to committing poll fraud at a press conference organised by opposition party PAS.

In an emotional statement issued this afternoon, Zulkifeli slammed those making the allegations and questioned their “loyalty” to the Armed Forces of Malaysia (ATM) and said, “The actions can be interpreted as treachery and it should stop immediately. The ATM is the nation's wall of defence that should be supported by all levels of the people, regardless of ethnicity, religion and political position...It is hoped that the ATM is not made a scapegoat by those seeking to advance their own interests... the people should show their support and appreciation for the contributions of the ATM. In this context: 'How can we be loyal to you if you are disloyal to us'?"

Jeffrey: Project IC must be included in PSC probe. Illegal 'aliens' dominate!

The proposed parliamentary select committee on electoral reform must include the controversial 'Project IC', supposedly sanctioned by the federal government in the run-up to the 1994 Sabah state election, as one of its terms of reference if the government is sincere about cleaning up the country's electoral system.

The twin issues of 'Project IC' converting illegal immigrants into registered voters. illegal immigrants and phantom voters have long been a sore point among Sabahans, with opposition supporters blaming former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed for allegedly being the mastermind of 'Project IC'.

United Borneo Front (UBF) founder Jeffrey Kitingan (right) said today, this long-standing issue has to be included in the review of Malaysia's electoral system in the interest of Sabahans.

When asked if the larger issue of Sabah's burgeoning illegal immigrant population and the commensurate increase in the state's citizens should be included as well, the enigmatic politician-turned-activist said "yes"

In response to questions from Malaysiakini, Jeffrey, a fomer vice-president of PKR, said that civil society groups, such as the UBF that he launched last December, should be given a greater role to play in helping the committee fulfil its responsibilities.

Arson suspected in Penang DAP headquarters fire: Who are the culprits?

Four days after Penang DAP headquarters was splashed with red paint, a stack of newspapers, which was placed outside the building, was set on fire about 3am today.

Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik, who had been alerted to the fire, said in a Twitter message: “Someone tried 2 torch down DAP Penang HQ around 3am. All the newspapers put outside the HQ have been burnt down. 2nd attack after 4 days.”

According to Ng, the residents had contacted the fire fighters, who came to the scene about 15 minutes later.

Ng said, "A bottle was found, but we cannot determine whether the suspected arsonist had used kerosene to start the fire. The firemen took the bottle away for tests. A neighbour who lives opposite the building saw a person on a motorcycle leaving the area after the fire was lit."

Meanwhile, state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow said he was shocked and disgusted with the latest attack on DAP and the state government.

Chow described the early morning incident as not an accident but "an intentional coordinated act" by persons with political motives and took the police to task for failing to make a strong stand on such acts against the party.

He said at a press conference in Penang today, "I demand the police immediately investigate and take action on those responsible for this despicable and hateful act. The longer the police delay action, the more it will look like hate crimes against the DAP are permitted."
 

Chow (right), who is a state executive member, welcomed anyone dissatisfied with the party or state to voice out their issues through legitimate and civil channels.

He also said that the party and state were open to criticism and ready to engage citizens with genuine concerns and blamed the mainstream media controlled by the federal government and its ruling political parties, for ignoring their side of the story.

Chow said that they were being portrayed as racists and bullies, but they had never ever resorted to violence.

THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD KNOWS WHO BERSIH IS EXCEPT NAZRI ;)

"We don't consult Bersih, I don't know who is Bersih ...[sic]”

This was the response of Minister in Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz when asked to comment on the NGO coalition's demands for two reports from the proposed parliamentary select committee on electoral reform.

Nazri (left) hit out at Bersih 2.0, saying it has no reason to issue ultimatums, including setting deadlines, to the government in determining the select committee's work and told journalists at the Parliament lobby today, saying, “... As I said earlier, we will hold public hearings. During the hearings, they like anybody else, members of the public, they can come and give their views. We don't just consult them, we consult other members of the public who have something to contribute. Because they are nothing special, there is no reason they should set an ultimatum because it is not for them to tell us what to do,”

Yesterday, members of the Bersih 2.0 steering committee had said the select panel's first report on immediate reforms should be issued within three months, followed by another within a year and also outlined the areas for reform.

ELECTION FRAUD: Four more ex-soldiers coming clean. BN tak BERSIH

Postal vote manipulation has been a common practice in the military for many years - so it seems - now that more retired military personnel are speaking up.

Now, four ex-military personnel, namely Major (Rtd) Risman Mastor (below right), Kamarulzaman Ibrahim, Mohamed Nasir Ahmad and Mohd Kamil Omar, have confessed to committing election fraud - the same way an ex-army man said he did so earlier this month.

The four, who had served at army and air force bases across the country, said that they were ordered by their commanding officers to mark thousands of postal votes for the hundreds and thousands of personnel who were out in the field in three separate general elections between 1978 and 1999.

The expose by the four today is the second after an ex-army man came forward earlier this month, making a similar claim that he was ordered to mark postal votes for other personnel.

Kamarulzaman, who was a clerk working at the Terendak army camp in Malacca, said he was ordered to spend three days marking thousands of ballot papers and  given three pens of different colours, which he used alternately to sign the postal votes in the absence of the army personnel who were on their tour of duty during the 1986 general election.

Dinner, iced sake @ Tonkatsu Pavilion, then to Tokyo Street, Daiso Japan

Iced sake. It's refreshing!


The grinders and bowls for the DIY sesame seed sauce.


Yummy Chawan Mushi - smooth egg!

 
 EBI FURAI - crispy fried prawns!

 Our dinner spread! Yeah!

 

DAISO: The RM5 shop!

Why Public Bank boss mocked for being revered? All his money is HALAL

Public Bank boss mocked for anniversary video revering chairman Teh

By Shannon Teoh

August 16, 2011

Personally, I think Teh had no clue that he would be held in such adulation!

Come on, we all know that all a VVIP does is just to show up at an event.

Is there anything wrong to welcome Tan Sri Teh in such a pompous event?

He is the man behind Public Bank and certainly, all his money is HALAL!

Soi Lek, not everyone is a politician like you who read newspaper daily, ok

Soi Lek to set up SPAD meeting for Chinatown traders

By Melissa Chi

August 16, 2011

Chua speaking to tenants and shop owners after the press conference. — Picture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek promised Chinatown traders today a meeting with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to push for a realignment of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT).

The MCA president met with six of the 31 traders and shop owners who were served the acquisition orders less than a month ago, here at his party’s headquarters.

He also asked the traders to come up with a memorandum with their concerns to hand over the SPAD.

Dr Chua said the first option is to push for a realignment of the tunnel track.

The second to ensure the traders and shop owners get first priority to back in after the MRT project related development in the area is completed. Factored too is the time needed for them to move out.

“I understand for such businesses to move in such a short notice, it could affect their income,” he said.

Dr Chua also suggested the traders to choose three representatives to meet with SPAD.

Choy Foong Meng, 55, a tenant on Jalan Sultan,said she was only served the acquisition order on August 11, the day Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) briefed traders, and only when she enquired.

The hearing date with the land office commissioner was yesterday and she was given two weeks to come up with the land valuation report and list down losses that will incur if she had to move her business.

“I hope to get at least two months extension. The land office said it is within their power to do so and they said okay but they told me it was Prasarana who said no,” she said.

SPNB, the owner of the KVMRT project had said it expects to complete the Jalan Sultan land acquisition exercise in four to six months despite strong opposition from the Chinatown community, who say it is a heritage area.

The Malaysian Insider had previously reported that the traders and shop owners were unhappy with the late notice and the rush for the land acquisition.

Chua admitted that Chinatown is a tourist attraction and it is unique because it reflects the Chinese culture but he had also defended the mega project.

“If we do not overcome this problem (traffic jam), in five years time, the whole of KL will be worse off than Bangkok,” he said.

Dr Chua added that during an economic council meeting yesterday chaired by the prime minister, he said the SPAD chief executive officer agreed to look into whether they can build the track without acquiring the land there.

Choy Foong Meng (left) and Judy Tan voicing their concerns. — Picture by Jack Ooi

Judy Tan, 50, whose family owns Hotel Lok Ann, said the SPAD and Prasarana should make public their surveys and studies of the project, particularly on properties that they plan to acquire.

“I don’t run SPAD. Some people just don’t bother to read newspapers you see. There was adequate publicity, public display for three months, I don’t know why you all missed it,” Chua said in response.

Click here to read more.

I wonder if Judy Tan felt like giving Soi Lek a slap on his face.

Pity Judy.

I'm sure being the owner of a hotel, she is a very busy lady and certainly, not a busybody yet Soi Lek had the cheek to say that some people just don't bother to read newspapers.

Ambiga: Select committee must include civil society, No BERSIH, no TALK

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's announcement of a parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms is a “positive move”, but the eight demands raised by Bersih 2.0 must be taken into account, the movement's chief Ambiga Sreenevesan said.

She said that while the government's pledge to pursue free and fair elections is a “welcome” development, Najib must expand the scope of the committee to include civil society representatives.

In a text message from the UK, where she is on holiday, Ambiga said, “I believe that looking at the eight immediate demands of Bersih is (a) priority. We hope to see the involvement of civil society in this process. We are ready to help. There is much to be done before the 13th GE (general election).”

DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke agreed with Ambiga on the need for civil society involvement in the committee, stressing that public opinion is a necessary part of the its ability to carry out its responsibilities and said the eight demands laid out by Bersih 2.0 should be used as the terms of reference for the select committee.

In a statement, Loke said, “Najib's administration must call for a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat before Hari Raya Aidilfitri to form this select committee. Without a special sitting, Parliament will have to wait till Oct 3 to form the committee.”

Loke said that Najib should give a three-month timeframe to the select committee to carry out its responsibilities and a full report must be tabled and debated in Parliament after the deadline, stressing that Najib must publicly pledge not to dissolve Parliament until and unless the demands for a clean and fair electoral process are met and implemented.

Najib concedes Economist censorship ineffective. Damage done, too late!

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak conceded today that the government's censorship of The Economist's article on Bersih last month was ineffective and promised to review its censorship methods.

Najib said only a few lines were censored, but the act of censoring made more news than the actual story and added that such methods were no longer necessary, stating that if the government was unhappy with any reports, it could resort to legal proceedings.

he said.

The premier also acknowledged that censorship was no longer effective in a changing information landscape and said, “If the international media wants to criticise us, let them. If we need to, we engage them. We give our side of story, and if they have crossed the line, then we have to resort to legal means. If we feel we have been wronged by the media, if the media has published a story that is defamatory, then we take legal action. But censoring is no longer an effective means and (therefore) the government will review our policy towards censorship.”

Najib said the review was necessary so that the government would not be perceived as ignorant towards the changing information technology landscape and his comments come almost a month after the Home Ministry censored the July 16 edition of The Economist.

Following the order issued by the Home Ministry, several lines on the edition's article on Bersih 2.0 rally to be deleted with black ink, leaving readers puzzled over the black lines on the news magazine.