A New Year's Greeting

May you be as handsome as your mother thinks, as rich as your child believes, and may you have as many women as your wife suspects!
Kidding aside, I wish that you may have the courage of David, the meekness of Joseph, the faithfulness of Moses, the obedience of Abraham, the wisdom of Solomon, and the penis of Goliath! A prosperous 2009!!!

MalaysiaKini SMS 30/12/08 (2)

30/12: Israel warned the blitz against Gaza Strip that has killed 360 people could last for weeks, as Hamas fired back with deadly rockets./MKINI

Bernama SMS 30/12/08 (4)

Kl30/12: The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd (NSTP) today announced that its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan has resign/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 30/12/08 (3)

Kl30/12: Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh has been appointed as Proton Group chairman effective Jan 1, 2009/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 30/12/08 (2)

Kl30/12: The sole distributor of Subaru in Malaysia, Motor Image Sdn Bhd has reduced the price of Subaru's WRX STi 2.5 by 13 percent/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 30/12/08

Kl30/12: Low-cost carrier, AirAsia expects its world-class integrated call centre to be ready for service by Feb 15/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 30/12/08

30/12: About 500 people protested outside US embassy in KL against the deadly Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip that have killed 360 people./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 29/12/08

29/12: Tunku Mukhriz was today picked by a four-member council of chiefs as new NS ruler following the death of his uncle, Tuanku Ja'afar./MKINI

Gray

4 more days to New Year.

So how do one wraps up 2008? I don't want to talk about March 8 and the events that followed after its groundbreaking results. Instead I would like to reflect, as a person, on how has 2008 helped shaped me.

Well for one; I'm opening to the idea of a gray world oppose to the acceptable black and white world. As far as I understand the world wasn't born yesterday especially about the topic of ethics. Mankind has struggled about right and wrong since before the biblical ages. And the outcome has always ended up in conflict because both sides had insisted that they were both right. I tried to be understanding towards the opposition when I myself faced with such situations. In the end I find myself being beaten just because I chosen not go for blow for blow ( in this case petty dramatic debates). I just can't see the point to the whole thing.

Anyway.

Recently a friend (former) called on me one day to purchase some dinner tickets for some Christmas dinner event. I obliged and told him that I'd be there. Few days before the event, while he was drunk at another event where my wife was part of the organizing committee. My wife reported to me that this friend (former) was trying to hit on her. Upon hearing this naturally I became upset but instead of coming up to the lowlife and give him a piece of my mind (and fist), I decided to opt out from the Christmas dinner without telling him. He did try to call both my wife and I but we simply didn't answer. So I stood him up that night leaving him to ponder on how to pay for that other half of the table. I guess he is pissed off with me right now because I was told that he didn't know the purpose of my actions. I'm sure he has already forgotten that episode with my wife due to his drunkenness. When the time comes, I will inform him of the reasons of my last minute withdrawal from the Christmas dinner. 

My point in this tale is that mankind is forever struggling in morality. Normally I wouldn't do such a thing to friends but when a so-called friend starts disturbing a family member, I become very defensive. I will have my reasons and he would have his own. So how would we settle this? Usually people with lots of clout and money does stupid things like this. To vermin like these, a meeting won't have any effect. He'd just say that he was drunk and has conveniently forgotten his actions during his drunken stupor.

Anyway, I'm letting this one go. Its not worth my time to brood over this issue. That zygote will meet the consequences of his actions. Let nature run its course.

What have I gained this year? Plenty. But I don't feel like writing about them at the moment.

Only this one... I'm already figuring out about how the world works.

It is going to be an interesting 2009.

MalaysiaKini SMS 27/12/08

27/12: Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was the nation's 10th Agong, died at about 11.45am. He was 86./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 26/12/08 (3)

26/12: Sarawak BN state assemblyman Wong Judat from SPDP has wanted to defect to PKR but appeared to change his mind, say sources./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 26/12/08 (2)

26/12: Japanese production in Nov fell at the fastest rate in history as firms closed factories and cut jobs due to slumping global demand./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 26/12/08

26/12: There are fears S'wak may use its immigration powers to deny entry to Peninsula-based politicians, including PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/12/08 (3)

24/12: In an unprecedented move, FT MCA Youth went to PAS HQ in KL to submit a memo to protest the Islamic party's plan to implement hudud./MKINI

Christmas Wisecracks

What's the difference between Snowmen and Snowwomen?

Snowballs.

Merry christmas !

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/12/08 (2)

24/12: Lawyer Karpal Singh filed application in High Court to compel prosecution to appeal against analyst Abdul Razak Baginda's acquittal./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/12/08

24/12: Ex-Umno PJ Selatan division leader Abu Zahar Hashim, who had alleged discrepancies in the RM1.6 bil Eurocopter deal, joined PAS today/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 23/12/08 (4)

23/12: Othman Omar named as new GM of Selangor state agency PKNS to replace controversial acting head, Low Siew Moi, a Chinese, starting Feb/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 23/12/08 (3)

23/12: Selangor exco and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok filed RM30 mil lawsuit against ex-Sgor MB Mohd Khir Toyo and Utusan Msia over the azan issue./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 23/12/08 (2)

23/12: MCA sec-gen Wong Foon Meng warned Chinese community will lose out if they do not help keep Kuala Terengganu seat in BN hands./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 23/12/08

23/12: High Court ordered Umno-owned Utusan M'sia to pay RM120,000 in damages to PAS info chief Mahfuz Omar for a defamatory article in 2001/MKINI

PHILIPPINES: Sixty two families of farmer face threats of losing land

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION   URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-267-2008

 <http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/support.php?ua=UAC-267-2008>

 2008>

22 December 2008

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

PHILIPPINES: Sixty two families of farmer face threats of losing land

ISSUES: Right to land; right to property; right to housing; right to
food; agriculture

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

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern
over the plight of sixty two farming families who face the threat of
losing their land in the province of Bukidnon after they were
excluded as beneficiaries for land distribution despite the fact that
they have been farming the land for at least 15 years. Their names
were replaced with persons who have never cultivated the land.

CASE DETAILS: (According to information received from the Task Force
Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP-Mindanao))

The Don Carlos Bukidnon United Farmers Association, Incorporated
(DCBUFAI), where the 62 families affected farmers are attached, was
formerly the defunct BFI-Carlos Bukidnon Farmers Association. It was
first registered in 22 April 1997 with 224 members. After changing
their name, they had also obtained a new Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) registration no. H1999-00214.

However, their membership has reduced to 109, including the 62
families mentioned above who now face threats of losing the land they
cultivate and from which they get their means of subsistence.

Even before they became an association, these farmers had already
entered the landholdings of Bukidnon Farmers, Inc. (BFI) on
individual capacity from 1986. It lasted for succeeding years until
the management of the BFI had them recruited into planting corn and
other crops in between the coconut trees the BFI had planted
purposely to maintain its cultivation. But when the BFI close down
after having been sequestered, the farmers have not been given any
compensation.

At present, each of these farmers had been able to cultivate about
one hectare each. The period by which each of them had been
cultivating the land ranging from fifteen to twenty years
respectively which they planted sugarcane, corn and rice.

However, of the 109 members of farmer, it is learned that sixty-two
of them have not been included in the list as beneficiaries for land
distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme
(CARP), a law which provides distribution of land to landless
farmers, which is being implemented by the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR). This is despite them having been included in the list
during a pre-screening in 1996.

They were said to have been excluded from the list for reasons that
they were not in the original list which is not true. The reality
that the farmers have been actually possessing and since cultivating
the land for many years was also ignored. They, however, learned that
the new list of names of the beneficiaries recently issued are persons
who are either not residents of Don Carlos or have never cultivated
the land.

They have also learned that the land these farmers had been
cultivating have in fact already been covered by a Certificate of
Land Ownership Award (CLOA), which means the occupants have already
have the legal right to claim ownership under the CARP. However, they
only came to be aware of this until recently.

To affirm the farmer's claims, on 24 January 2000, the office of the
Barangay Reform Council (BARC) issued a certification which affirms
that the 62 families of farmers are residents of the place and has
since been cultivating the land reform for many yeas.

On 8 October 2008, the farmers filed a petition to have their names
included as beneficiaries with the regional officer of the Department
of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Region X, in Cagayan de Oro City. The
certification that the BARC has issued was also included in the
farmer's petition which the farmers filed.

Nine days later, October 17, John Maruhom, DAR regional director,
forwarded the farmers' petition to Norberto R. Amora, provincial
agrarian reform officer in South Bukidnon. The endorsement has had a
notation and called for the attention of Adones Obsioma, chairman of
the Task Force BFI, for him to evaluate and take appropriate action.

On 6 November 2008, the farmers once again followed-up their petition
at Obsioma's office. Though his secretary has already confirmed of
having received the DAR communication but she was not aware of what
action he had taken, if there is any. His secretary also could not
tell exactly when Obsioma would return to his office.

On 7 November 2008, they made another follow up again by going to the
office of the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office (MARO) but they were
told that Obsioma was on leave.

On 9 December 2008, they wrote a letter to John Maruhom, DAR regional
director, informing him that for several occasions that they made
follow-up with Obsioma's office they have not been able to meet him
and always been told by his secretary he is not around. This prompted
the farmers to proceed to several offices of DAR in Maramag and Don
Carlos municipalities respectively hoping they could meet Obsioma to
do follow-up on their case. However their efforts failed to show
substantial progress.

On 15 December 2008, the farmers were once again told that Obsioma
was in Manila. Thus, at the time this appeal is being written,
Obsioma is yet to take action into concluding the farmer's petition
to have their names included in the list of beneficiaries. Under the
law, only the beneficiaries of the CARP upon DAR's assessment could
have the possibility of owning the land they cultivating under the
land reform.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please write letters to concerned authorities, in particular the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), requesting for their immediate
intervention into their farmers' plight. The farmers' petition should
be acted upon without delay and that inquiries into the irregularities
in the exclusion of the farmers are beneficiaries; and the inclusion
of the names of the persons who are not actually farmers.

The AHRC has also written letters to the UN Special Rapporteurs on
the right to food and on adequate housing calling for their
intervention.

To support this appeal, please click here:
<http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/support.php?ua=UAC-267-2008>

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ___________,

PHILIPPINES: Sixty two families of farmer face threats of losing land

Affected families: Sixty two families of farmers; residents of San
Roque and San Ramon, Don Carlos, Bukidnon; members of Don Carlos
Bukidnon United Farmers Association, Incorporated (DCBUFAI), an
organization of actual tiller farmers

Name of the responsible government agency: Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR), the government agency responsible for implementation of
the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme (CARP)

Status of the case: The farmers have already filed a petition with
the DAR to have their names included as the beneficiaries for the
distribution of the land reform. However, the failure of Adones
Obsioma, chairman of the Task Force BFI, to evaluate and take
appropriate action to have the petition resolve promptly aggravated
the farmer's plight of facing the threats of losing the land.

I am writing to express my grave concern about the plight of the
sixty families of farmers mentioned above who faces threats of losing
the land where they have since been cultivating at least for 15 years.

It is extremely disappointing that these farmers, despite them having
actually possessed the land and cultivating them for at least 15
years, their names have not been included in the list of
beneficiaries for land distribution.

Instead, the name of persons who are either not residents of the
place and never actually cultivated the land were included in the
list of beneficiaries which is completely high questionable. I could
not comprehend why the farmers who are supposed to benefit this land
are in fact facing threats of being deprived or lose their land. Not
only did this procedures questionable but also legally incoherent.

The farmer's plight, too, had been aggravated by the government's
failure, in particular chairman of the Task Force BFI, Adones
Obsioma; and the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) office' to
have the farmers' petition to have their names included in the list
of beneficiaries be resolved without delay.

I have learned that since November 6 of this year, the farmers could
either not locate Obsioma at his office for several occasion as they
make follow up for their petition. Also Obsioma also failed to take
immediate action to respond the DAR regional office endorsement in
Cagayan de Oro for him to take action on the petition. It is
disappointing that Obsioma have continuously fails perform duties he
is obliged of doing and is expected from him.

Apart from that, the expansion of a pineapple and banana plantation
in their area has aggravated the scenario that would lose their land
unless the government responsible in dealing with their case takes
prompt action. The lack of concern to have the farmer's plight
resolve promptly as what is being shown by the public officials is
unacceptable.

It is disappointing that these farmers have had to endure threats of
losing the land they cultivated which would eventually have a
tremendous effect in their families as they would lose their means of
subsistence.

I fail to comprehend that although details and the evidences in this
case have provided that these families of farmers should have had
benefited this land under CARP; however, in the implementation of
this programme is otherwise. And even though were DAR itself have
identified these farmers as beneficiaries during their initial
screening it fails to upheld these farmers right by failing to act on
their petition promptly.

I therefore urge you to take an effective and adequate action in this
case.

Yours sincerely,

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

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

President

Republic of the Philippines

Malacanang Palace

JP Laurel Street, San Miguel

Manila 1005

PHILIPPINES

Fax: +63 2 736 1010

Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80

E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph corres@op.gov.ph>

2. Ms. Leila De Lima

Commissioner

Commission on Human Rights

SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue

U.P. Complex, Diliman

Quezon City

PHILIPPINES

Fax: +63 2 929 0102

Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188

E-mail: chr.delima@yahoo.com chr.delima@yahoo.com>
 or mtm_rodulfo@yahoo.com mtm_rodulfo@yahoo.com>

3. Datu Nasser C. Pangandaman, Al Hadj

Secretary

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

Eliptical Road, Diliman

Quezon City 1104, Metro Manila

PHILIPPINES

Fax: +63 2 929 3088

Tel: +63 2 929 3460 / 930 0380

Email: busysquare@yahoo.com busysquare@yahoo.com>

4. John M. Maruhom, CESO, IV

Regional Director

Department of Agrarian Reform, Region X

Macaranhan, Carmen

Cagayan de Oro City

PHILIPPINES

Tel: +6388 723727/726 422

Fax: +63 88 858 2674

5. Mr. Norberto R. Amora, MPA

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II

Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office

South Bukidnon

PHILIPPINES

Tel: +63 88 8131 387

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme

Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org ua@ahrchk.org>
)

 2008>

 <http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/support.php?ua=UAC-267-2008>



-----------------------------
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367

Heroes Season 3 : Villains

Since we had kids, the TV Channels in the house has officially became their territory. So hence the alternative for me to catch up with my favourite series Heroes, I can either wait for the entire Season 3 DVD collection or watch it on YouTube. 

Well I suppose I can do both.

When I first saw the show I thought it was one of best shows about superheroes on TV. These are superheroes minus the dorky and colorful tight-suits-underpants-outside. So in my books they're rather cool. Plus the story-line is excellent and makes me go,"so what's gonna happen next"?

Probably I should also catch up with other shows like The Ghost Whisperer and... hmm... I've forgotten what that other is called! Anyway the show is about a small town with lots of science experiments events and I will look it up once I remember what's show's name.

MalaysiaKini SMS 22/12/08 (2)

22/12: Hindraf, outlawed since Oct, has embarked on a new campaign to seek release of its five leaders under ISA, by petitioning the sultans/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 22/12/08

22/12: DAP Lim Kit Siang wants PAS VP Husam Musa to clarify his remark the Islamic party will implement hudud as this is not Pakatan policy./MKINI

The Grumbling Chinese? The John Gandhi Ramblings...

I just finished scanning through RPK latest 'No Holds Barred' posting. Recent complaints made by DAP and PKR triggered this post especially about the vernacular schools issue.

My bewilderment over West Malaysian politics will never cease. They spent so much time and energy fighting and complaining against each other over matters that is almost alien here. I believe that Sabahans in general don't take racial issues too seriously. In the end of the day, we tend to value friendship more and to forgive (maybe not forget) without conditions. By nature I think we are egalitarians. However this is rapidly changing.

Anyway, I had a chat with a colleague of mind and I was relating to him about an incident where I lent some money to a friend. Now this friend, I can tell you, is a person that I haven't yet known yet for a long time. But this person needed the cash badly and I haven't any excuses to offer, I finally agreed to help out against my better judgement which is to say "piss off". In fact after I gave the person the money I was already mentally playing out the event that money would have simply vanished along with the person. I had a good reason for being suspicious and skeptical because I was played 2 years earlier by a different, well, player which then resulted me of being poorer. But I always tell myself many times "I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they'll pay me back because at the end of the day they can't say that I never helped them and besides they might really need the money and I don't want to have sleepless nights over regrets that can be avoided if I had given my help." 

So I lent the money to my friend and the person delivered back the money, in cash, on the day that when the repayment was promised. I was happy not only because I got my money back (no interest charged by the way) but also that it is pleasant to know that there are few people left in this world that are still honest and true. I would never forget that day.

That action alone convinced me that there is still hope for goodness in the human heart.

Anyway after telling that tale to my colleague, he said that out of 10 people in the world only 3 people would still be good. I laughed and asked, "Just 3 people? If you asked me it would be at least 5 good people left in the world!"

Coming back to RPK's article about the grumbling Chinese, I just don't understand why people can't just come together and sit down to meet and discuss about issues of the day and to solve things together. The racial polarization over at West Malaysia has widen and it looks like it's here to stay.

Sabah, I believe is already heading towards that same racial (and religious) polarization and the camaraderie that we used to enjoy is now quickly depleting. Sabahans, in general, blame the influence of West Malaysian for causing this changes by the introduction of UMNO to the State roughly 15 years ago.

With all these bullshits happening around I still have faith in God and in the human race that things will work out just fine to those who seek peace and harmony between all races.

Anyway this is just my own opinion. 

Corruption : An Ordinary Joe's Take

It has been a lousy 2 weeks.

This time is different from the rest of the challenges that I have to face. My project is dragging because we were doing it the ‘right way’. We are behind because we don’t play money with a certain government department.

Yes I am talking about corruption in our government system. Government servants won’t move to help unless there’s something in it for them. No matter how disgusting it may be in the end, we all still would have to pay certain ‘consultation’ fees just so that we can keep up with project development.

Coming back to our project; well it seems that we have no choice but to speed things up and that means we have to finally play money. Or else nothing will move.

I was in a moral dilemma over this issue. I didn’t want to get involved with this fucking corrupt practices. I wanted to go about it through merit because my team and I are capable and efficient to get things moving. 

But in Malaysia this will never happen. Government servants are now so entrenched with corrupt practices that corruption has become an institution in our country.

When running a business, a business leader has to consider and manage employees salaries, bank loan installments, office rentals, telephone, electricity and water bills etc, just to ensure that the business survives its daily rigors.

And the bastards from the government departments would also expect their share in forms of money, women and booze.

Even with the MACC and JAC bills passed in parliament, I still doubt that we would observe any real changes yet in the current administration.

So I have decided to play along with the current government practices with minimal involvement at least for a while. Too many commitments and lives are at stake and we have to press forward to complete this project.

Anyway that’s the plan. The rest I will leave for God to decide...

MalaysiaKini SMS 20/12/08

20/12: Deputy Home Minister Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh is BN candidate for Jan 17 Kuala T'ganu by-election, announced DPM Najib Razak./MKINI

Erecterius Trouserius

World's most dangerous snake:
ERECTERIUS TROUSERIUS (Trouser Snake)
Description-Varies from pink to black, fangless with highly venomous spit that can cause prolonged swelling lasting 9 months. Size varies from 3 to 9 inches depending on subspecies. Usually found in bedrooms but is known to appear in unusual places from time to time. Attacks women in the lower frontal abdomenal area but on occasions is known to attack men in the lower posterior area also.

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/12/08 (4)

17/12: Sgor will hold public inquiry to probe contributions of 6 GLCs to defunct charity organisation helmed by the ex-MB's wife./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/12/08 (3)

17/12: 21 rights groups urged police not to stop 'Ride for Change' cyclists as they end their 16-day nationwide tour in Parliament tomorrow./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/12/08 (2)

17/12: MIC polls: Despite being the underdog, ex-VP M Muthupalaniappan is confident that he can oust S Samy Vellu as party president./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/12/08

17/12: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said the JAC Bill 'roars loudly, but crawls slowly' in addressing grievances about the judiciary./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 16/12/08 (3)

16/12: Sgor police chief said Jerit cyclists stopped in Rawang to 'save children from being misused and exploited by irresponsible adults'./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 16/12/08 (2)

16/12: The Witness Protection Bill was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat by Minister in the PM?s Dept Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 16/12/08

16/12: MAS said it has begun talks with Australia's Qantas to form tie-ups including joint ventures as carriers face tough economic times./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 15/12/08 (3)

15/12: Petrol and diesel prices will be reduced by another 10 sen per litre effective tomorrow, announced the government today./MKINI

Bernama SMS 15/12/08 (2)

KL 15/12: The govt cut retail price of petrol and diesel by 10 sen a litre from Dec 16. Petrol Ron97 now RM1.80, Ron92 RM1.70 and disel RM1.70/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 15/12/08 (2)

KL 12/15: EPF filed 157 civil cases and 1,582 criminal cases against employers for defaulting on their employees's EPF contributions in q3/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 15/12/08

KL 15/12: MAS give four fare options to its economy class domestic travellers. It will be expanded to international travellers in Feb 2009/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 15/12/08

15/12: Anwar backed the proposed Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission but at the same time also expressed several reservations./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 13/12/08

13/12: Swak CM Abdul Taib Mahmud said RM3 bil smelter plant in Bintulu to proceed despite major foreign partner Rio Tinto Alcan in deep debt/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 12/12/08 (2)

12/12: Minister in PM's Dept Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has launched a verbal tirade against PPP, describing the BN component party as 'beggars'./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 12/12/08

12/12: 'Assassination of YB J': Sgor exco, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok filed RM30 mil suit against Umno-owned Utusan Msia, writer Chamil Wariya./MKINI

Friday Night Laugh

I was reading RPK's latest posting in No Holds Barred over at Malaysia Today. I had a good laugh after I read this excerpt...

Talking about PAS-Semangat 46 and the 1990 election, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen (Ku Din), the current Chairman of the Umno Disciplinary Committee, was the Umno candidate for Kota Bharu in that election. He went around town to hand over RM50 notes to all the voters and they took the money but handed him back RM4.00.

Ku Din was puzzled as to why they took the RM50 but handed him back RM4.00 until one voter said, “Lima puloh tak seh. Amboh nak pat puloh neh.” (I don’t want 50. I want 46.)

MalaysiaKini SMS 11/12/08 (2)

11/12: Ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia might not be able to achieve Vision 2020 of becoming a developed nation in 12 years' time./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 11/12/08

11/12: PPP supreme council, which held an emergency meeting this afternoon, unanimously expressed full support for party chief M Kayveas./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/12/08 (3)

10/12: Yazid Sufaat, held under ISA in 2001 after being connected with Sept 11 attacks, freed on Nov 24. Govt said he is no longer a threat./MKINI

Bernama SMS 10/12/08

10/12: Biodiesel will become mandatory for transport and industrial sectors by Jan 2010 and petrol stations will only sell biodiesel then/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/12/08 (3)

10/12: House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, in a rare move, accepted opposition?s emergency motion to debate Bkt A'bangsa landslide at 4.30pm./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/12/08 (2)

10/12: PM tabled the much-awaited Msian Commission on Anti-Corruption (MCAC) and Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) bills in Parliament./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/12/08

10/12: Senator Lee Sing Chooi, who was Sgor MCA secretary and central committee member, passed away at 11pm after suffering a heart attack./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 09/12/08 (2)

9/12: Johor and Perak cops arrested 4 activists and detained 6 others in Jerit?s ?Ride for Change? tour, including Sg Siput MP D Jeyakumar./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 09/12/08

9/12: DCM George Chan, who has led Swak United People's Party since 1996, not likely to quit despite his 2006 promise to do so by this year/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 05/12/08 (4)

5/12: PAS Selangor did not demand the state govt to impose a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol beverages, said party chief Hasan Ali./MKINI

Bernama SMS 05/12/08 (2)

Kl5/12: International Reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia stood at RM336.4 billion (US¿97.7 bil) as at Nov 28, 2008/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 05/12/08 (3)

5/12: Five Pakatan Rakyat-led states have today agreed to work together in the bid to survive the impending global economic crisis./MKINI

Bernama SMS 05/12/08

5/12: Scomi Engineering will soon complete its feasibility study for Bangalore monorail project/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 05/12/08 (2)

5/12: Proton announced it has inked an agreement to develop a new vehicle with its former Japanese partner, Mitsubishi Motors/MKINI

FW: MalaysiaKini SMS 05/12/08

-original message-
Subject: MalaysiaKini SMS 05/12/08
From: jongandhi@gmail.com
Date: 05/12/2008 11:58 AM

5/12: EC: Nomination for Kuala Terengganu by-election will be Jan 6, polling day is on Jan 17. The campaign period will be 11 days./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 04/12/08 (3)

4/12: Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat says investigation report on RM4.6 bil Port Klang Free Zone scandal will be released in three weeks./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 04/12/08 (2)

4/12: Hishammuddin Hussein said Mukhriz Mahathir's statement on integrating vernacular schools with national schools was misinterpreted./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 04/12/08

4/12: Zaid Ibrahim says he has no intentions to join any political party. Wants to concentrate on his foundation to promote race relations./MKINI

Fail! :D 7

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

Fail! :D 6

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

see more pwn and owned pictures

Fail! :D 5

This is so wrong! :p

Fail! :D 4

see more pwn and owned pictures

Fail! :D 3

see more pwn and owned pictures

Fail! :D 2

see more pwn and owned pictures

Fail! :D

I was going through Sabah Forum and I came across some pictures they had taken from FailBlog. 

They are so funny! :) I couldn't stop laughing!

Anyway here are 3 of my favourites. You can check them out through the links I've provided above.

Enjoy! :D

MalaysiaKini SMS 04/12/08

4/12: Zaid Ibrahim says he has no intentions to join any political party. Wants to concentrate on his foundation to promote race relations./MKINI

Bernama SMS 04/12/08

4/12 KL: Najib assures that RM5 bln increase in allocation for Valuecap will not be used to bail out politically connected individuals or GLCs/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 03/12/08 (3)

3/12: Anwar Ibrahim said it was up to sacked Umno member Zaid Ibrahim to decide if he wanted to join PKR or any other opposition party./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 03/12/08 (2)

3/12: MCA No 2 Chua Soi Lek was questioned by police for 40 minutes relating to his controversial remarks on 'Ketuanan Melayu'./MKINI

U-Turn

The nation's political intrigue has become increasingly irritating and tiresome. There should be other aspects of life that we should be cherishing instead of just politics. After saying that, I will be looking to change the tone of this blog site. I will still update this site with SMSes from MalaysiaKini and Bernama but I shall also add other topics of which I may find interesting.

I suppose when one grows older, the interests too will change. 

It is nearly Christmas and soon we will be celebrating New Year's Day with family and friends. 

It has been a tough and an eventful year. Everybody deserves a break. Even this blog. 

When I first started this blog, I wanted it to be about "A FEW PIECES ABOUT HERE,THERE AND EVERYWHERE".

However due to the turn of events, like the rest of Malaysia I too got caught up with the political turbulence. Now I feel I want to move on. So what if Pakatan Rakyat finally takes over? Will it change my world?

Anyway, I want to explore other aspects of life like environment awarenesses, business opportunities like tourism industries, the arts etc.

So okay now I shall begin, casually, selecting the topics of which I want to write about.

Bernama SMS 03/12/08 (2)

3/12: EPF's investment income down 60.4% to RM2.06 bln in Q3 compared to Q2 as equity income fell to RM1.26 bln from RM2.54 bln/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 03/12/08

3/12: Petronas has no plan to cut back its exploration activities despite volatile economic environment/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 03/12/08

3/12: Federal Court put off habeas corpus appeal by Hindraf 5 under ISA as their lawyer, Karpal Singh, was suffering from food poisoning./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 02/12/08 (4)

2/12: Mukhriz Mahathir, under fire for proposing closing down of vernacular schools, clarified he only asked for schools to be integrated./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 02/12/08 (3)

2/12: Govt has cut petrol prices by another 10 sen, bringing pump prices down to RM1.90 per litre, with RON95 and diesel at RM1.80./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 02/12/08 (2)

2/12: Govt should not wait until the economy fulfills all the technical requirements of a recession before taking emergency measures: PSM./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 02/12/08

2/12: Lim Kit Siang said Umno Youth chief aspirant Mukhriz Mahathir had committed sedition in calling for closure of Tamil, Chinese schools/MKINI

Bernama SMS 01/12/08 (3)

1/12: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd is exploring the possibility of undertaking CKD (completely-knocked down) operations in Egypt/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 01/12/08 (2)

1/12: EPF members who wish to maintain the employee's monthly contribution rate at 11 pct from Jan 2009 may obtain the forms beginning today/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 01/12/08 (2)

1/12: MCA has backed PPP president M Kayveas who yesterday called on the govt to amend the ISA before the next general election./MKINI

Bernama SMS 01/12/08

1/12: MAS MD Datuk Seri Idris Jala named Orient Aviation Person of the Year 2008 for being the driving force behind MAS's amazing comeback/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 01/12/08

1/12: DAP Karpal Singh called on Bar Council leaders to resign for silence on chief justice's alleged corruption and dinner paid by govt./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 29/11/08 (2)

29/11: Ex-minister Zaid Ibrahim and Sapp president Yong Teck Lee were among more than 4,000 people at the opening of the PKR annual congress/MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 29/11/08

29/11: PKR Congress: Anwar Ibrahim did not offer any explanation over his aborted plan to topple the govt in his much-awaited speech today./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 28/11/08 (3)

28/11: Sessions Court has let the High Court decide which court - sessions or magistrate's - RPK's criminal defamation case should be heard./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 28/11/08 (2)

28/11: Yim Pek Ha, 40, who was found guilty of inflicting grievous hurt on maid Nirmala Bonat, is freed on RM200,000 bail pending appeal./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 28/11/08

28/11: MAS, which cancelled all flights to and from Bangkok since Wed, has restored partial flights from U-Tapao airport 190km from Bangkok./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 27/11/08 (Delayed 3)

27/11: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who accused Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising him, has expressed his disappointment with delay in sodomy trial./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 27/11/08 (Delayed 2)

27/11: Ex-air stewardess Yim Pek Ha, who was found guilty of grievously hurting maid Nirmala Bonat, has been sentenced to 18 years' jail./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 27/11/08 (Delayed)

27/11: Sessions Court found housewife Yim Pek Ha, 40, guilty on 3 counts of grievously hurting Indonesian maid Nirmala Bonat./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 26/11/08

26/11: MAS and AirAsia have cancelled flights into and out of Bangkok after Suvarnabhumi airport closed for 2nd day by anti-govt protestors./MKINI

Bernama SMS 25/11/08 (2)

25/11: AirAsia X's London Stansted-KL service to take off on March 11, 2009, with fares starting from as low as 99 pounds (RM499)/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 25/11/08 (3)

25/11: Hindraf has criticised the police for warning Hindus not to join tonight's prayers to commemorate last year's Nov 25 rally./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 25/11/08 (2)

25/11: The KL Sessions Court will decide on Friday whether it has jurisdiction to hear Raja Petra Kamarudin's criminal defamation./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 25/11/08

25/11: Minister Nazri will not be referred to the privileges committee as he had no intention to lie to the House, rules deputy speaker./MKINI

Bernama SMS 25/11/08

25/11: Inflation will dip to 7 pct or below this month or Dec based on decline in prices of raw materials and basic commodities, says Shahrir/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 24/11/08 (2)

24/11: Bank Negara reduces overnight policy rates to 3.25 pct. Ceiling and floor rates reduced to 3.50 pct and 3.00 pct/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/11/08 (4)

24/11: Unesco warned Penang could lose its newly-acquired world heritage status because of a row over plans for four high-rise hotels./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/11/08 (3)

24/11: Parliament deputy speaker denied Anwar Ibrahim's motion to discuss the problem of negative foreign investment inflow into Malaysia./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/11/08 (2)

24/11: Police bail on 24 people arrested at Nov 9 candlelight vigil in PJ has been cancelled - an indication that no action will be taken./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 24/11/08

24/11: High Court acquitted Irene Fernandez for maliciously publishing false news on deaths of illegal immigrants in detention camps in 1995/MKINI

Bernama SMS 24/11/08

24/11: ASN declares 7 sen income distribution for asn 3 for financial year ending Nov 30, 2008. It have 10,511 unitholders/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 21/11/08 (2)

21/11: M'sia inflation retreated to 7.6 pct in Oct from 8.2 pct in Sept with cut in fuel prices among the contributor to downtrend/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 21/11/08 (3)

21/11: Rafidah pens her disappointment with Shahrizat for turning her back on the transition plan in a 10-page handwritten statement./MKINI

Bernama SMS 21/11/08

21/11:Bank Negara Malaysia's international reserves stands at RM343.8 bil (US$99.7 bil) as at Nov 14, 2008/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 21/11/08 (2)

21/11: Wanita UMNO chief Rafidah has accepted the challenge from Shahrizat and said she would stay on for another three years if successful./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 21/11/08

21/11: Videotape recording of the Nov 9 candlelight vigil in Petaling Jaya which wasseized by police has been found to have been tampered./MKINI

Mobile Evolution And Beyond!

I was scanning through the Nut Graph and came across this piece. This piece also included a video about the evolution of the mobile phone. I got a kick watching it especially the cool bad-assed looking ATUR models! It certainly brought back memories.

Anyway, have fun going down memory lane... you might see yourselves in this chronology of mobile events.

Have a great weekend everybody!

MalaysiaKini SMS 20/11/08 (4)

20/11: Wanita Umno deputy chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil announces that she will contest against incumbent Rafidah Aziz in March party polls./MKINI

Bernama SMS 20/11/08 (2)

20/11: Sabah aims to be largest aquaculture producer in the country by 2010 with production of 207,292 tonnes, or 26 pct of the total/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 20/11/08 (3)

20/11: Shahrir: Govt justified in earning revenue from recent drop of global oil prices as it had given out subsidies when prices were high./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 20/11/08 (2)

20/11: The Kuala Lumpur High Court today fixed Feb 5 and 6 to review a Sessions' Court decision to hear Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 20/11/08

20/11: DPM Najib Abdul Razak is not involved in the Altantuya murder case at all, claimed former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda./MKINI

Bernama SMS 20/11/08

Lima(Peru)20/11: APEC countries call for quick conclusion of the World Trade Organisation Doha Round negotiations amid global economic turmoil/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 19/11/08 (2)

18/11: Sime Darby in JV with Dongguan Sinograin Oils & Grains Company Limited of China in downstream palm oil business in China/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 19/11/08 (3)

19/11: Wanita dep chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is expected to announce tomorrow that she is challenging Rafidah Aziz for the wing's No 1 post/MKINI

MalaysiaKin SMS 19/11/08 (2)

19/11: MCA chief Ong Tee Keat today refused to confirm or deny rumours that defeated party candidate Ong Ka Chuan has resigned as minister./MKINI

Bernama SMS 19/11/08

19/11: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop says unemployment rate at managebale rate 4 pct or below this year and next year/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 19/11/08

19/11: Govt may dump petrol subsidy scheme altogether as consumers already pay more than full cost at the pumps at current global oil price./MKINI

Bernama SMS 18/11/08 (3)

18/11: Govt may fix floor price for petrol and do away with subsidy if crude oil price dip way below US$65 per barrel/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 18/11/08 (3)

18/11: Shahrir Samad: The govt has ceased petrol subsidies since beginning of Nov as global crude oil price dipped below US¿65 per barrel./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 18/11/08 (2)

18/11: Axed UM VC Rafiah Salim said she had to put up with political interferences when she was in charge of country's premier university./MKINI

Bernama SMS 18/11/08 (2)

18/11: M'sia will continue FTA talks with US to bilateral expand trade and investment, says Dep MITI Dtl Jacob/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 18/11/08

18/11: The govt may introduce more measures to stimulate economic growth and counter the worsening global financial crisis: DPM Najib Razak./MKINI

Bernama SMS 18/11/08

18/11: Govt will decide on price mechanism for petrol in upcoming Economic Council meeting as early as this month, says Shahrir/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/11/08 (3)

17/11: Deputy House Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has denied an email allegation that he had obtained a 'fake' doctoral degree./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/11/08 (2)

17/11: Govt announced another 15 sen cut in petrol prices. Effective tomorrow - new price for RON97 is RM2, RON 92 RM1.90, diesel RM1.90./MKINI

Bernama SMS 17/11/08

KL 17/11: Petrol price reduced by 15 sen a litre effective Nov 18. New price for RON97 at RM2.00 per litre, RON92 at RM1.90 and diesel at RM1.90/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 17/11/08

17/11: Ronnie Liu was charged with abettment in obstructing a MPSJ enforcement officer in closing down a hotel last year. He claimed trial./MKINI

Who Is Tun?

..our PM asked the other day. Many may not be aware of this but Tun Dr M clearly demonstrated his sharp mind not long ago when Anwar Ibrahim himself decided to send Pak Lah a letter, in his own handwriting, to let Pak Lah know he was still a major player in the political game. Pak Lah opened the letter and it appeared to contain a single line of coded message: 370HSSV - 0773H

Pak Lah was baffled. So, he e-mailed to KJ. KJ and his sidekicks had no clue either. Pak Lah then sent it to MCA, MIC, Gerakan. No one could solve it.

With no clue to the meaning, Pak Lah eventually turned to Tun Dr M for help. Within seconds Tun Dr M answered: "You are holding Anwar's message upside down!"

Political Jokes

General Musharraf, Dr Mahathir, Gloria Arroyo & Lee Kuan Yew were sitting in a train. The train goes through a tunnel and it gets completely dark for the next 8 seconds.Suddenly there is a loud kissing sound and then a slap !The train comes out of the tunnel.

Arroyo and Musharraf are seated across each other, both looking perplexed. 
Mahathir, seated across LKY, is bent over holding his face, which is very red from an apparent big slap.

All of them remain diplomatic and nobody says anything. 
Musharraf is thinking : ‘ These Malaysians are all crazy after Arroyo. Mahathir must have tried to kiss her in the tunnel. Very proper that she slapped him ! ‘

Arroyo is thinking : ‘ Mahathir must have moved to kiss me, 
but kissed Musharraf instead and got slapped. ‘

Mahathir is thinking : ‘ Damn it, Musharraf must have tried to kiss Arroyo ; 
she thought it was me and slapped me instead. Shit !! ‘

Lee Kuan Yew is thinking : ‘ If this train goes through one more tunnel, 
I could make another kissing sound and slap Mahathir again !! ‘

Bernama SMS 16/11/08

16/11 KL: Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti appointed to U.N. task force to examine possible reform of IMF & World Bank/BERNAMA

Clearing The Air Over Sabah Gas

I found this piece over at Malaysia Today. I wonder if this explanation is enough for Sabah. Whatever it is, I am glad in a way that now Sabahan leaders from various parties are making a strong stance against this project. 

Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican's views in this interview has a sprinkle of  arrogance especially on his last comment about Sabahans were given scholarships when asked about directorships. In this industry, to train Sabahans as a workforce is necessary because 1) Petronas has to give way to natives and 2) Sabahans can be trained to do the grunt-work. Its the situation of masters training their slaves to expertly perform their duties so to increase their own net value. The funny thing here in Sabah is that the masters are the now slaves.

Anyway that is my own opinion as usual. Everybody's entitled to theirs. However if everyone's opinions are the same, well that would already become the law...

Read on, read on...

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

Controversies have surfaced on the oil and gas development in Sabah, especially with regards to the RM1.6 billion Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline project. Certain Sabah politicians are in no mood to share the gas with Sarawak, even though there may be an excess. There have also been questions raised over the role of the state government. There are even voices that since the gas belongs to Sabah and if the state cannot use it right away, it should be kept for future generations. Questions have also been thrown at Petronas on how the oil and gas industry in Sabah will benefit the local people. Petronas president and chief executive officerCEO Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican speaks to gives his view and explanation in this exclusive interview with JONISTON BANGKUAI of the New Sunday Times and Sabah-based Daily Express chief editor JAMES SARDA. The following are excerpts of from the interview. are as follows:

Q: There have been numerous questions raised about the oil and gas industries in Sabah, particularly the 500km multi-billion ringgit Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline project and the setting up of a petrochemical complex in Sabah. How do you deal with this? 

A: We have to put this in perspective. I am only going to deal with facts because I am a technocrat. You have to go back to history. The oil and gas industry in Sabah started many years ago, even before the incorporation of Petronas. But Sabah has small resources and therefore small production. But it has been a producer for a long time. The oil and gas industry in Sabah was based in Labuan and this included the Labuan Crude Oil Terminal, Asian Supply Base and methanol plant. Labuan became a federal territory in 1984. But the development of oil and gas continued. The first methanol plant was developed by the Sabah Gas Industries which was bailed out by Petronas in 1992. Even though Labuan became a federal territory, Sabah continued to enjoy royalty from the production of oil and gas offshore Sabah. In the last six years, there have been discoveries of oil and gas, particularly in the deepwaters off Sabah. The first major development of this new discovery of oil is Kikeh which came into production in August last year. With that production, Sabah's royalty value went up. The reserves of gas offshore Sabah are small, about 10 trillion cubic feet, and they are scattered in reservoirs that are not very large. This is different from the reservoirs in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia which contain huge reserves. Because they are small and scattered, the viability of developing the oil and gas is quite limited until such time when we discover sufficient volume to develop. So what we came up with is this: The development of offshore Sabah gas is going to be undertaken in two clusters -- the northern and southern clusters. What the clusters mean is that there will be a central facility which will gather the gas from various reservoirs and it will be brought to Sabah. So you have two big pipelines coming in from the north and south. And they will end up in Kimanis at the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT). That is for gas. The future development of oil that has been discovered, starting with the Gumusut development, which is ultra deep, will also be landed in Kimanis. There will be crude oil tanks with a capacity for three billion barrels and the oil will be exported from there. Hence, the combined Kimanis facility will be called the SOGT. It took us 30 years to develop Bintulu which is today one of the single largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) complexes in the world. It has taken us 35 years to develop Kerteh. In order for gas to be developed, there has to be a base load to make it commercially viable. In the case of Peninsular Malaysia, the base load was provided by the export to Singapore. Only when you have this base load can downstream gas industries proceed. We are bringing gas from offshore Sabah to onshore Sabah. A portion of it, as we design this, will be piped to Bintulu. That gives us the base to provide the economic viability to develop the gas offshore Sabah. Bear in mind that the gas reserves are not all Petronas' but they also belong to production-sharing contractors who would only develop it if there is economic return.

Q: When did discussion with the Sabah government on the petrochemical plant begin?

A: The first discussion was in 2006 when the whole concept was deliberated. At that discussion, we (Petronas) said we will embark on a masterplan for downstream gas industries which would include petrochemicals. In fact, we conducted a joint feasibility study with Yayasan Sabah for a world-scale fertiliser plant or urea plant. But it was not commercially viable because the cost of construction was very high. We have not given up and we will revisit the proposed project when the cost and market environment changes. In the meantime, we are in the process of completing the integrated petrochemical masterplan which will then be presented to the state government when it is ready. To have a downstream integrated petrochemical complex also requires a lot of other things such as infrastructure -- meaning not only roads but also marine facilities and water. For example, in Kerteh, we use 30 million gallons of water every day. We also need power and human resources. All these need to be taken into account if we are going to attract world-class companies. This is a global business. We need to attract and bring in the "big boys" as partners. We have not been keeping quiet. We have held discussions with key petrochemical companies and identified potential sites. We have been very quiet about this because we don't want any speculation, especially where land is concerned. We are in a competitive global business environment. If you make an announcement prematurely about what project you want to embark on, you will be alerting the competitors who can then be ahead of you. The industry is such that you cannot build little plants here and there. It is not viable. That is why all the facilities we have built are of world-scale capacities.

Q: Can you elaborate on what the SOGT entails?

A: As part of the development of the SOGT, the immediate thing that has happened is the joint venture between the state government and Wah Seong Corp Bhd which is a listed company operating pipe welding and coating plant in KKIP (Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park) which employs 250 Sabahans. The plant is not built just for the SOGT but also for other projects in Malaysia and outside Malaysia. We are also training close to 500 Sabahans in various skills and not just for this development. But again, the expectation of the oil and gas industry as a large provider of jobs is also not correct. It is a highly skilled, highly technical job with few vacancies. But the spillover effect for small-and medium-size industries to provide services is huge. We have been in communication with the state government to encourage Sabahans in this. What is important is that this is a long-term industry and we have to look at the success of the Sarawak service providers because they have been very focused. They have been able to look at the long-term to the extent that they have been able to export their services. If the expectation is for all this to happen overnight, it is wrong. Another key consideration is when we talk about having a gas-based industry, any investor who wants to invest in a petrochemical facility will want to see the sustainability of production and reserves for at least 20 years. You do not invest billions of dollars and find that there is no gas after six or seven years. As the gas owner, you have to give that commitment that you will be able to provide the resource for at least 20 years.

Q: How long will Sabah be able to produce gas?

A: The offshore Sabah resources compared with Sarawak and the peninsula is very small. Sarawak's gas reserve is 45 trillion cubic feet and in the peninsula, it is about 39 trillion. Sabah has about 10 trillion to 12 trillion, if you include associated gas, and it is scattered and in small reservoirs making it expensive to develop. The important thing is developing the gas the way we have conceptualised and planned to help maximise value to the state government because the state will receive royalty from the gas production.

Q: Is the setting up of the proposed petrochemical plant in Sabah something new?

A: It has been ongoing and the methanol plant in Labuan is also a petrochemical plant. Many competent and capable Sabahans are actually located in Labuan where they are the service providers. The chief minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman) and some state officials visited Kerteh in 2006 to see the operation there.

Q: Some Sabah leaders want a gas plant to be set up in the state, instead of spending RM1.6 billion to build the gas pipeline to Bintulu.

A: The proposal was considered but it was not viable because we cannot sustain it for 30 years. In the end, if you look at it in the national context, we will be wasting resources because we already have a complex in Bintulu. The reason we are sending the gas to Bintulu is because of the base. The cost of an LNG plant today is about US$1,200 (RM4,224) per tonne. The third plant in Bintulu which was completed in 2002 cost US$200 a tonne.

Q: Does this mean that the only option is to send the gas to Bintulu?

A: Yes, but we will still pay Sabah the royalty. We don't plan to take everything to Bintulu. We keep a certain amount to support the downstream gas industry in Sabah. This will provide the base to develop the resources.

Q: When do you expect the masterplan on the proposed petrochemical complex in Sabah and the urea plant to be completed?

A: By early next year we will be able to complete the petrochemical masterplan. As for now, the urea plant is out because the cost is too high.

Q: What about the proposed gas-powered plant that is to be built in Sabah?

A: Petronas Gas Bhd has already entered into a joint venture with Yayasan Sabah for a 300 megawatt combined cycle power plant in Kimanis. It should be fully on stream in early 2011, which is when the gas is expected to land. We have a joint committee chaired by the state secretary to oversee this.

Q: The public has the impression that the state government had not been playing an active or participatory role in the project.

A: Like I said, you cannot make a premature announcement on a project like this.

Q: What is the overall investment required for the petrochemical complex in Sabah?

A: Kertih's was RM70 billion. As for Sabah, developing the two gas clusters and the Gumusut field has already exceeded RM10 billion. Gumusut, which is being developed by Petronas, Shell Production Sharing Contractors and Conoco, is expected to start producing in 2011. We are working with the various training institutions in Sabah to train Sabahans.

Q: Some Sabah politicians are saying the gas belongs to Sabah and as such it must benefit the state.

A: I think this is a national resource. You cannot look at it in a parochial way. The focus should be on all the supporting industries. We have explained to the trade and business chambers in Sabah on many occasions that there will be many opportunities for them. When we talk of certain packages of contracts, we restrict it to Sabah contractors. For example, the site preparation work for the SOGT in Kimanis involves two Sabah Bumiputera contractors and the value of the contract is RM100 million. One consortium gets RM60 million and the other RM40 million. The first consortium is led by Montis and the other is Ribuan Gaya. The supply and coating of pipes is worth RM400 million, and it is a 60 per cent joint venture with the state government. The company is Petropaip Sabah Sdn Bhd.

Q: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had said that he was disappointed that the state government was not supporting his objection to the pipeline on grounds that the gas was most needed in Sabah. What is your view on this?

A: To be fair to the state, they know more about what had transpired. But we did not want to have a premature announcement. We are only a small reserve holder compared with Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. If we make too much noise, what happens if the Saudis say they want to do the plant first? You are in competition as a resource holder to attract the right investor to come into a joint venture with you. The competition from Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore that I went through to get Dow and BASF to come to Kertih and Kuantan was tremendous. We were on the same flight to New York with the chairman of EDB (Economic Development Board of Singapore) and we were going to see the same investor.

Q: Are you saying it is unfair for certain quarters to say the state government was hardly involved in the project?

A: What I can say is that they have been fully involved since 2006 when we presented and discussed the concept with them. Like I said, I am not a politician but a technocrat. I can give you facts, the history and how we've done it.

Q: Is it fair to say then that in the case of the state government, the chief minister was aggressively involved in the petrochemical plant project, contrary to the perception that has been created?

A: Yes. I think it is fair comment. And also together with him we even discussed this with the national leaders, both the prime minister and his deputy since 2006.

Q: In the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), one of the core focus is the development of an oil and gas industry in Sabah. Can you elaborate?

A: That is how it got lifted and included as part of the corridor's development. Not the other way around. Even before 1995, when we landed gas in Kg Gayang (Tuaran), for many years nobody used the gas. The independent power producer only used 20 per cent of the capacity that we landed.

Q: Sabah is facing an energy shortage and following the proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in the east coast, there is talk of using gas to produce electricity.

A: This (gas-powered electricity plant) is in our discussions with Tenaga Nasional. You cannot just land (the gas) here, there and everywhere. We are continuously discussing with Tenaga Nasional their requirements. I have always believed that Borneo should have its own power grid instead of having small power plants here and there. It makes economic sense.

Q: The published cost for the gas pipeline is RM1.6 billion but some politicians in Sabah think it will be RM3 billion.

A: The EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning) cost of the gas pipeline is RM1.6 billion. One of the members of the consortium is a Yayasan Sabah company, Petrosab. The others are India-based Punj Lloyd and Dialog E&C Sdn Bhd.

Q: Although you have outlined the reasons, the lingering feeling will still be why not a LNG plant in Sabah?

A: The Kertih plant was not cheap because you are talking about reactors. An urea plant today will cost a fortune. And all these products have a global market and the price will be determined accordingly. So when you do a feasibility study you are not only doing the technical feasibility study but also looking at the market, the future price.

Q: It is left to Sabah then to get a better deal in some other way, perhaps higher royalty?

A: That is not for me to comment.

Q: Another grouse of Sabah leaders is that Petronas has hundreds of subsidiaries and yet Sabahans are not benefiting in the form of directorships, etc.

A: Sabahans have got quite a number of our scholarships. And all these training is funded by us.

- nst

Watchmen 2009

The best graphic novel to be alive in 2009! When growing up I was hooked on this epic by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. I couldn't remember which came first for me either it was  Frank Miller's  Batman : The Dark Knight Returns or Watchmen. It was such an exciting time for me as a teenager when I kept re-reading these classics (to this day, mind you!). I even had aspirations in writing and drawing comic books. However, like dreaming to become an astronaut, that dream has now passed its time.

I might however attempt to create a graphic novel as part of my 'things-to-do-before-I-die list.'

Anyway coming back to the Watchmen 2nd movie trailer, I find myself now being impatient as I eagerly await for this movie to be released next year. 

 

Bernama SMS 14/11/08 (2)

14/11 KL: MITI: Automatic issuance for manufacturing licenses from Dec 1; full import duty exemption on raw materials & intermediate goods/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 14/11/08

14/11: Pos M'sia to reduce surcharge for PosLaju items to 23-25 pct from tomorrow in line with reduction in fuel prices/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 13/11/08 (2)

13/11: Home Ministry has filed an appeal against Shah Alam High Court's decision to release blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin from ISA detention./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 13/11/08

13/11: Nazri Abdul Aziz conceded his error in saying the six judges in the '88 judicial crisis were not sacked since they received pension./MKINI

Power Blackout 8

Power-cut started at 6:33pm. Called SESB. Again they tell me that their electricians are elsewhere anywhere but here. Must be because of the rain...

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UPDATE

The power came back at 9:30PM.

MalaysiaKini SMS 13/11/08

13/11: Sidelined MCA No 2 Dr Chua Soi Lek is predicting that new party boss Ong Tee Keat will not submit his name to PM for a cabinet post./MKINI

Bernama SMS 13/11/08 (2)

13/11 KL: Borrowers of CIMB car loans & housing mortgages facing cash flow problems can restructure their loans by extending repayment period/BERNAMA

Bernama SMS 13/11/08

13/11 KL: Government to use open tenders to offer the private sector to develop government-owned land, says Nor Md Takcop/BERNAMA

Regarding Power Blackout 7

We're still in the dark anxiously waiting for the electrcity to return. The house is warm without the fans and the children are restless. As you can see that this has already been 3 days in a row.

We are no longer bothered to call and lodge a complain with SESB...what's the point? They cannot do much anyway. They'd just tell us to switch off the power points and lights in the house. (We've done that; nada and zilch still pitch black)

So what are we doing now?

Wait lor...

Power Blackout 7

The blackout started at 7:08 PM. This is getting ridiculous.

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

UPDATE

The power came back on at 11:35 PM. SESB called at around 1 AM. I told him that the power's back on but it would be great if they can check on it the next day.

MalaysiaKini SMS 12/11/08 (3)

12/11: Dewan Rakyat speaker has rejected opposition MP Karpal Singh's emergency motion on the chief justice for the second time in 24 hours./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 12/11/08 (2)

12/11: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced the formation of a parliamentary caucus on the integrity and independence of the judiciary./MKINI

Bernama SMS 12/11/08

President Clinton to make first visit to Malaysia to receive BC Sekhar medal/BERNAMA

MalaysiaKini SMS 12/11/08

12/11: Lim Kit Siang has issued an ultimatum to Public Accounts Committee chief Azmi Khalid to table Eurocopter report in Parliament by Mon./MKINI

Power Blackout 6

The blackout occurred at 10:08 PM. Go figure. Hope it'll return soon after 30 minutes.

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Update:

The power came back on at 11:35 PM

MalaysiaKini SMS 11/11/08 (2)

11/11: At the first MCA central committee meeting, party boss Ong Tee Keat did not give his deputy, Chua Soi Lek, a key party post./MKINI

SMS Joke Just In...

An Arab national interviewed at US Embassy...
CONSUL: Ur name, please?
ARAB: Abdul Aziz.
CONSUL: Sex?
ARAB: 3 times a day.
CONSUL: I mean, male or female?
ARAB: Both male n female.Sometimes even with camel.
CONSUL: Holy cow!
ARAB: Yes, cows n dogs, too.
CONSUL: Man, isn't dat hostile?
ARAB: Horse style, dog style, any style!
CONSUL: Oh dear!
ARAB: Deer? No deer! They run very fast !

MalaysiaKini SMS 11/11/08

11/11: EC head Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman will be replaced by Home Ministry secretary-general Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof effective this Dec 31./MKINI

Recent SMS Just In...

A friend sent this sms to me that's regarding the recent arrest of a Candle Light rally leader denouncing the ISA.

I wonder what would they think of next?
........................................................................
Doakan keadilan dan pembebasan bagi REV. FR. PAULINO MIRANDA, PADERI PAROKI GEREJA DIVINE MERCY SHAH ALAM, yg DI TANGKAP oleh Polis sebentar tadi dlm perarakan Candle Light menentang ISA, di Padang Amcorp Mall PJ. Sebarkan pada warga Katolik. Thanks.

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/11/08 (4)

10/11: 22 of 23 people detained during a candlelight vigil in front of the Petaling Jaya City Council last night were freed on police bail./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/11/08 (3)

10/11: DAP MP Tony Pua and state rep Lau Weng San alleged police roughed them up when dispersing participants at a vigil in PJ last night./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/11/08 (2)

10/11: Zaid Ibrahim has been issued with a show cause letter by Umno last week for his open letter to the PM on the ISA./MKINI

MalaysiaKini SMS 10/11/08

10/11: The Altantuya murder trial has been postponed to Jan 15 to give time for the defence lawyers to interview witnesses./MKINI

Power Blackout 5

The electricity went out again approximately at 10 PM. The worst thing about this is watching my kids trying to get to sleep. (Watching? Wait a minute... I can't even see anything since it so dark here right now!)

Thank goodness with my Nokia E71 that I can still blog.
........................................

The power came back on at 10:45 PM
Yahoo? Maybe. Anyway

Petrochemical Plant- Sabah State Cabinet Agrees

It is interesting to note that after the Minister of the PM Department Bernard Dompok voiced out his discontentment about the pipeline project at the Federal Cabinet Meeting and achieved (in spite of Jeffery Kitingan's claim) the Federal Cabinet's agreement in setting up a full-fledge petrochemical plant in Sabah , everybody wants a piece of the action. Who can blame them?

Though I am quite surprise that the entire Sabah State Cabinet sat down when Dompok stood up, alone, to voice out against Pak Lah's reversal in his decision of scrapping to Federal Cabinet. 

And because of one man's courage, everybody is suddenly speaking up!

If you can't call Bernard Dompok a true Sabahan leader then I don't know what else there is to say...

In line with Sabah's wishes: CM Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman hailed the decision of the Federal Government to set up a petrochemical industry in the State, saying it augurs well for the Sabah Development Corridor plan. "We are happy that the Federal Government has taken into account the views and interests of the people of Sabah by coming up with a plan that meets our aspirations as well," he said, Saturday. He said the Sabah Cabinet had also been pursuing other downstream oil and gas related activities. A study on the viability of these projects was actually supposed to have been completed by December. "But the fact that the Federal Cabinet had speeded up on making a decision showed that it is responsive to the wishes of Sabah," he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin welcomed the Federal Cabinet's decision to create a petrochemical industry in Sabah, saying it is a privilege the people in Sabah should enjoy given its natural resources. "The people in Sabah should have the privilege because we in the State also have problems like unemployment and so on," he said. "We do not want to just lose out on every natural resource we have in Sabah, without getting a bigger share," he said, after opening a course on swiftlet breeding at Tang Dynasty Hotel, Saturday. Yahya who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister is confident the oil and gas downstream industries that will come up alongside the petrochemical industry will provide more employment opportunities and income to the people of Sabah. He refuted claims by certain quarters that the State Government had not been wholeheartedly pursuing the creation of the petrochemical industry, saying State leaders have always tried their best like, for instance, meeting the country's supreme leaders and presenting views for consideration. "To me, presenting views or suggestions to our country's supreme leadership is not only through the media, which may be suitable for certain quarters ... we prefer to use the more formal and cordial method like through meetings, discussions and so on," he said.

Story Twisters

At the risk of making the blog-site more popular, I have to say to the owners to stop picking on the ministers' kids. They are just being boys. I'm sure they'll grow out of it. (They will once their parents caught hold of the pictures!)

Anyway, if anyone wishes to criticize, they should just stick with the issues instead of going personal by attacking the ministers' children. They're just kids; what do they know?

You want to attack anyone just go for the parents la... 

Don't tell me that the website owners never had fun before?

Talk about being self-righteous...sheesh.

This so sad.

The Might of the Pen (1)  

The Might of the Pen (2)

PKR's Displeasure Of Pipeline Project Decision

In my opinion...

The construction of the gas pipeline has already begun even before Pak Lah announced it being scrapped in May. Millions already have been spent. Nobody wanted to lose.

Therefore given the situation, a compromise has been agreed upon. I am sure a carefully laid out plan will be in the pipeline, :), to ensure that Sabah will be assured of her share and control of the petrochemical industry. The export of gas is also another source of revenue by the way. Nobody is stupid enough to give it away for free...

Wait a minute... heh, I nearly forgotten that we're Sabahans...

Anyway,

Because ultimately, it is all about providing jobs for Sabahans and boosting Sabah's sources of revenue apart from palm oil and tourism.

When will Sabah ever come across this opportunity again? From a PKR-led Sabah State Government? I seriously doubt it because Sabah's Opposition parties are not in tandem with one another. From observing the recent elections, PR Sabah were too busy fighting with each other which had caused them their certain victory. (No,no I haven't forgotten about the phantom voters and money politics factors)

Finally, I pray that the processes of the petrochemical industry set up shall be done properly and not leaving us open to another rip-off that we are famous of receiving whenever dealing with the Federal Government.

I hope Bernard Dompok won't waste this golden opportunity and will really bring this development home for Sabah.

PKR claims Dompok achieved nothing Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) does not see any sense in the Federal Government proceeding with the 500km Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline while at the same time wanting to build a full-fledged petrochemical plant in the State. Vice President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said it should scrap plans for the 500km pipeline and, instead, use the billions of ringgit to set up a real full-fledged petrochemical plant in Kimanis, and not have both. "How do you know there is an excess of gas? What is the use of a full-fledged petrochemical plant in Kimanis when at the same time you export the same raw material for this plant? It is illogical and a wastage," he said in a statement, Saturday. He was commenting on Tan Sri Bernard Dompok's statement that he had now agreed to the 500km gas pipeline project after the Federal Cabinet convinced him that a full-fledged petrochemical plant would also be built in Kimanis, and that only excess gas would be exported to Bintulu. Jeffrey, who is also PKR State Steering Committee Chairman, said it is unfortunate that Dompok is satisfied so easily and quickly with the new raw deal or promise by the Federal Government. "While it looks good to say that finally the Federal Government has agreed to build a petrochemical plant in Sabah, it is appalling and raises eyebrows because here at the same time you are killing the plant by building the pipeline to export Sabah's gas. "The idea is to scrap the 500km pipeline and build a full-fledged petrochemical plant here. Dompok now allowed the building of the pipeline. Dompok achieved nothing. The full-fledged plant may never take offÉ," he said. He also said Sabah leaders must examine why Barisan Nasional MPs like Datuk Ghapur Salleh are sceptical about pledges from the Federal Government to Sabah. "I still oppose this 500km gas pipeline project. To me it is tantamount to bullying Sabah and sabotaging her economy. "We want to create downstream industries in Sabah. Why must we export these opportunities to Sarawak, which has its own? Sabah is in dire need of this opportunity as this State is the poorest among the 13 states," Jeffrey said. News Source : Daily Express

MalaysiaKini SMS 09/11/08

9/11: It is a 3-cornered fight for the Umno deputy post with Muhd Muhd Taib checking in today. Others are Muhyiddin Yassin and Ali Rustam/MKINI