Mr Carlos Arredondo

By now everyone would have heard about the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon.  So tragic. So sad.  Many victims lost their lower limbs, some were children as young as two.  An eight year old was killed. His sister and mother was seriously injured.  They were there as a family cheering at the finishing line watching their father completing the run.


I twitted a story about a 78 year old runner who was just about to cross the finishing line when the the explosion happened, he fell on the floor due to the impact.  Fortunately, he wasn't hurt, a few personnel helped him up, and he instinctively ran on to complete the run.

Many gruesome photos were shared across facebook and twitter.  One of the most widely circulated was of a young man with both legs badly shattered being wheeled away.  Besides paramedics, the pictures captured a man in a cowboy hat by his side.  Reporters managed to track down this hero of the day, he was labeled as the Hero of Boston Bombings.

Read the full story HERE

In short, he was just a humble immigrant from Costa Rica. His own son died while serving in Iraq.  His other son committed suicide due to depression after the brother's death.  He tried killing himself once..before becoming a peace activist eventually.

He was at the scene to cheer for a runner who dedicated his run to his son.  After the explosion, he was one of the first responders who rushed to help the victims.

"So many asking for help, but I can only help one at a time.." he said, his hands trembling, badly shaken by the aftermath.





Amidst of all sadness, it's comforting to know about Heroes like Mr Carlos Arredondo, and it's good to have some coverage on these instead of bombarding our news feed with bloody and gory images.

So..here's to Humanity.

SOPA

Find out more, go  HERE

Breaking News..which is Fastest

At about 18.35 hours, we (in Pen M'sia) experienced the strongest tremors ever. Almost instantly dozens of Facebook status updates were up. Nobody knew exactly what was the cause..though we suspected earthquake in Indonesia.

I aborted my online banking task and started to scan all the main online news sites I could think of. Below were my results as at 1900 hours.

Guess?? Which news portal was the fastest (by M'sian standard?)

CNN

Star Online

 Star Online @ Twitter

 

NST Online - don't bother looking..no updates on the Quake...unless I missed it.

NST @ Twitter...(??)

Malaysian Insider @ Twitter..(no updates)

Malaysian Insider site..mentioned under Breaking News

Btw..Staronline @Twitter was the first that gave me update. Well done!

Heading home now..no more tremors..but I'm still slightly dizzy. Most of my freinds in bigger buildings had evacuated immediately ..lol!

Yasmin Ahmad in ICU

THE STAR:
Internationally-acclaimed movie director Yasmin Ahmad, also renowned for her advertisements capturing the multiracial essence of Malaysia, suffered a stroke while attending a meeting at Sri Pentas here Thursday.

The 51-year-old creative director at Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur was immediately rushed to the Damansara Specialist Centre where she underwent brain surgery.

At an emergency press conference at about 7pm at hospital, Yasmin’s brother-in-law Datuk Dr Zakaria Zahari, a paediatric surgeon, said that Yasmin was in stable but critical condition.

Read more HERE

Hope she will survive & recover. It will be a pity for the industry and the country to have one less extremely talented indivudual. While reading the news I discovered her blogs.

First blog - The storyteller
Recent blog - The storyteller, Part 2

I shall spend some time reading her them. Her last post was done on Wednesday, July 22. Let's hope to see another post from her soon ...when she recovers.

Read between Lines

I gotta learn to read in between the lines when reading mainstream Malaysian news. By now, in the headlines in all mainstream newspapers...e.g. The Star:

The Cabinet has agreed to set up an inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock as well as a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the interrogation methods used on him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

At one glance, I thought.."ok..good..there will be a Royal Commission" An ignorant layman like me (for example) actually thought this is fine...and this what everyone wanted. However..

Thanks to the many alternative media and blogs that I ocassionally glance through for counter balance.

Lesson # 1:

It actually is a Royal Commission Of Inquiry that isn't! - from Jeff Ooi

Beng Hock's death will now be investigated by an inquest that will be presided by a magistrate, meaning a junior officer of the Malaysian Judiciary, and Correct Correct Correct, you know its track record.

The Cabinet has only agreed to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the interrogation methods used on him by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).

With the inquest, police papers and evidence will be depended upon heavily by the magistrate in conducting the investigation.

This is a huge deficit of the People's trust and public expectations.

Lesson # 2:

Cabinet decision on Royal Commission of Inquiry falls far short of public expectation, unsatisfactory and unacceptable..from lim kit siang


There will be no Royal Commission of Inquiry into the causes of Teoh’s death although an inquest would be held.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry will be set up, but only to look into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigative procedures and to determine if there were any human right violations when Teoh Beng Hock was being interrogated

How did Teoh Beng Hock die?

As usual, I have not been reading paying much attention to the news especially local ones. Seems like they have been harping about same same issues for ages.

..what language to teach Maths & Science - DUH..
..and then..some hoo hah about Khir Toyo's mega expensive mansion..that he claimed was built using his own funds -- YA RITE.
..and then..the Port Klang issues which had been in debate for as long as I learnt how to read -- hehe..EXAGGERATED.

Yesterday, apparently was a black day for Malaysia.

Teoh Beng Hock, only 30 years old, political secretary to Selangor's Executive Councillor was found dead nine floors below the MACC office (M'sia's equivalent of ICAC). He was taken in to 'assist' the MACC's probe on allegations of misuse of allocations by several state assemblymen. So efficient..so fast to act when it comes to the opposition. It's too obvious not to notice the bias-ness isn't it??

The issue now is not just a matter of bias-ness or unfair-ness. A man has died. A young man with a bright future. A man who is suppose to get married today itself.

How did he die?

Excerpt from a somewhat neutral report from The Star:

MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said Teoh, a former journalist with Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh, was released after his officers had finished recording his statement.

He said Teoh did not leave the building and was seen loitering about, and had asked to rest for a while in the pantry.

“No one saw him after that until we were alerted about a body found on the fifth floor at about 1.30pm,” he said, adding that Teoh was a witness in the investigation.

It is learnt that the MACC office does not have any CCTV installed>>>WHAT NONSENSE??


Read alternative report at Malaysian Insider HERE

Or follow Malaysian Insider Twitter updates on latest on-going at the MACC office HERE

And a from a totally different perpective from Malaysia Today:

He tried to explain that he is not being stubborn.

He tried to explain that no crime had been committed. He tried to explain that he could not possibly implicate his comrades in the opposition for various crimes if these crimes are merely a figment of the MACC’s imagination.

So they continued to torture him. And he could no longer stand the torture. After all, he is not the macho type of man. He is but a gentle man who only wanted to get married this weekend. That was all that he wanted...read more HERE

Just like in the movies. Not sure what the truth is. Judge at your own discretion.

About H1N1 - What can we do?

W.H.O has this to say :

What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?
The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing.

You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

• avoid touching your mouth and nose;
• clean hands thoroughly with soap and water,
• or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
• avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
• reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
• practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

Malaysia's Health Minister has this to say :

“During such moments of medical crisis, it is okay to not shake hands. People can instead bow their heads or place a right hand on the upper left chest to show respect,”

Full news report from The Star - HERE

Shall I laff or faint?

Source : The Star
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is surprised to learn that English is not a “must pass” subject for SPM and wants public feedback on the matter.

The Education Minister said it was a revelation to him as he had always thought that it was a prerequisite since students had to learn English in school.

Let's bet..tomorrow he will say.."that's not what I meant"

Why am I not surprise??

Why am I not surprise by the sudden turn of events?
If only ..they are so efficient in other court cases ..

Why do I have a feeling that the world is laughing at these clowns?

sigh...

READ ON -- Perak has no one who can legitimately occupy the MB’s office if you are wondering what I am rambling about.

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Interest rates for car loans raised

Phew! I signed the hire purchase agreeent with the blik blik bank two weekends ago at 2.36% interest rate.

Today's news reported ...Hire purchase interest rates for new non-national cars (such as Toyota and Nissan) have increased to 3.25% for loan tenures of five years and below, 3.4% for six to seven years and 3.5% for eight- to nine-year loans.

Stupid.
Can't they make up their mind? Encourage spending with lower borrowing rates? Or protect 'Malysia Products' by raising borrowing rates of foreign makes??

Official news article HERE

PM Najib visits Chinatown, Kerinchi and Brickfields

Source: The Staronline

Caught this in the headlines just as I was about to log off for bed.

Why do they only do this everytime they take over an office?

Isn't there something more important to do?

And why does it have to be such a big deal?

International Women of Courage Award to M'sia 's Ambiga Sreenevasan

Just received an email about this..just in time for a little tea break :)
The picture above shows US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama giving away the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage to Malaysia 's Ambiga Sreenevasan at the State Department in Washington , DC.

Have you seen this in our local Malaysian news? NOPE! Have you heard about this news? I must admit I didn't really pay attention although I may have heard / read some mentions about Ambiga. Nor did I pay any attention the subject matter. Apparently, this picture made it to India Times!

Ok..I am ignorant, I admit. Can I blame it on the system? Why is there such little coverage on such a proud ocassion? It was said that only The Sun published the news ..in a very small column with no pictures. Can I blame the system for not educating us to pay attention to greater issues? Rather than focusing on minute matters like say...picture of MP sleeping in her own bedroom?

Lemme do a little homework now..who is Ambiga Sreenevasan?

GOOGLING.......................

Malaysian Bar Council President Ambiga Sreenevasan is a high-powered, high-profile advocate for good governance, democracy, and human rights.
Elected in March, 2007, Ms. Ambiga is the second female Bar Council president in that organization’s history. Six months after assuming her leadership, she organized the “March for Justice,” in Malaysia’s administrative capital, calling for judicial reform and investigation of a tape allegedly showing a key lawyer fixing judicial appointments and judges’ case assignments. Her public actions, and an intense lobbying campaign, led to a Royal Commission and a finding of need for corrective action...READ MORE


Hmm..now..I know why she wasn't popular in M'sian media scene. Such....*out of words to express my disgust* towards M'sia's one-sided media scene.

Perak Government Collapses

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/

In case you are wondering...or in case you've been like me..ignoring the ever so uninteresting m'sian politics and such....

after much hoo haa...think i'd better (at least) get an overview of what the heck is happening in Perak...reluctantly..i clicked on Malaysiakini...here goes..a little summary ..

5.08pm: 'PERAK GOVERNMENT FALLS'.
Najib said at his press conference that the Barisan Nasional has the support of the four former Pakatan Perak assemblypersons - three will be "BN-friendly" Independents, while Nasarudin will rejoin Umno.
Najib will meet the Perak Sultan as soon as possible. He said it is up to the sultan to decide on Nizar's request for dissolution of the assembly.
"All three state representatives - Jamaluddin, Osman and Hee - have submitted resignation letters to their former parties and have informed the sultan of their resignation."They have also given BN the mandate to select a new menteri besar for Perak," he said.

Nasarudin has denied the claim that he had been abducted. Najib added that under Article 16(6) of the Perak constitution, if the menteri besar loses the confidence of the assembly members, he is required to resign, together with all the exco members under him.
However the final decision now hinges on the Sultan of Perak - if he accedes to a Pakatan request for dissolution or allows BN to form the new government.


..can't bear to go into details (I've no patience for 'wayang kulit' I shall just wait for the final outcome..so what say you - can BN re-claim Perak)...

..read more HERE as you wish.

Now..it's ok to yoga (as long as you don't chant)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Muslims who performed yoga without chanting any mantra can carry on with their activity as it was good for their health.
He urged all quarters to understand the content of the yoga fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council and not twist facts and cause confusion among the public...READ MORE @ THE STAR

Reference for previous report - here. Since Saturday, there has been numerous reactions to Saturday's annoucement.

Ermm..don't think there is any need to say much here. It is self explanatory. Moral of the story is Think Hard Before Saying Anything. Think A Few Steps Ahead & Consider Further Consequences Before Acting.

When I first joined the S company...we had this fearful MD (Mr RP). When we need to speak to him about issues..we'd always make sure we have all our facts justified and ready at our finger tips for his QUESTIONS! No such thing as reporting a problem without proper solution. No such thing as giving unclear half past six updates. That's how all responsible Executives should behave!

Btw, Mr PM...there wasn't any need to twist facts and cause confusion because the first annoucement made on Saturday wasn't clear in the first place.

Yoga is Haram!

Suddenly so many things in my mind. A few things I wanna pour out here. Some happy some not so happy stuff. Been "busy" on cyberworld since an hour ago. Lost my cool (again) towards dad just now ... I know I shouldn't but ....

Anyway..first let me note down this latest piece national news update (as usual..news in M'sia can be quite mind boggling:

The Star Online (6.09pm):
Fatwa Council says yoga with worshipping, chanting is prohibited..

The 1st paragraph says:
The National Fatwa council has declared that the yoga practice which involves three elements of physical movements, worshipping and chanting as haram (prohibited) in Islam
My Q: So....yoga is allowed if not all 3 elements is practiced?



And following paragraph says:
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said although merely doing the physical movements of yoga minus the worshipping and chanting might not be wrong in the eyes of the religion, it should be avoided as “doing one would lead to another”.

He said yoga has been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporates physical and religious elements and chants and worshipping, with the aim at “being one with God”.

“Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga and the council has declared that practising yoga when it comes all together with the three elements as haram.

My Q: Err...so......yoga is still allowed if either one element is practiced?

Still confused...I read on:
“We discourage Muslims to do yoga as a form of exercise because it will ultimately lead to religious worshipping and chanting which is against Islam.

“In Islam, one must not do things which can erode one’s aqidah or faith. Doing yoga, even just the physical movements is a step towards an erosion of one’s faith in the religion, hence Muslims should avoid it,” he told a press conference.
My Q: Ah..so ne. So can practice or not?


Read more - HERE
Marina Mahathir's views - HERE

Well, this is of no relevance ot me lar..as I have not been doing yoga for quite some time and I am not a Muslim nor do I operate a yoga centre. But I just find the declaration so confusing...do you?

Writer's Block

SOURCE

Writer's block today....had to click on the news pages to get some inspiration...and voila!

Finally..something worth noting in the news...Court frees Raja Petra...I like this part the most...The judge ruled that the Home Minister had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued the two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA...THE STAR

This is even better...The Shah Alam High Court this morning ruled that the detention of well-known blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the ISA was illegal and ordered his immediate release...MALAYSIA KINI

Check this out too...TYPICAL OF M'SIAN MINISTERS' WAY OF TAI CI-ING: Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said yesterday the written reply he had made to a question in Parliament that the police beat base in Lorong Haji Taib had been closed for security reasons was "not accurate and clear".
The home minister said the reason the beat base was closed was because the owner of the land wanted it back, and not for security and health reasons...NST

(RECAP: On Oct 17, It was reported in the news that ....Syed Hamid said in his written reply to Titiwangsa member of parliament Dr Lo' Lo' Mohamad Ghazali, that the Lorong Haji Taib beat base had to be closed as the police found the location no longer suitable or safe for the police personnel on duty)

Okie la..enough crap. Have a good weekend everyone!

Datukship

Picture Souce: Wikipedia

Shah Rukh Khan according to the wikipedia:

... is a highly acclaimed Indian actor who works in Bollywood films, as well as producer and television host...won thirteen awards, seven of which are in the best actor category.



Datukship on the other hand (according to knowledgerush.com) ... is a federal title has been conferred since 1965 and limited to recipients of PJN (Panglima Jasa Negara) of which there may be up to 200 living at any one time, and PSD (Panglima Setia Diraja) of which there may be up to 70 living at any one time. The PJN and PSN rank 9th and 10th respectively in the rank of federal awards.


The numerical limits apply only to Malaysian subjects.

Foreigners may receive the award in a supernumerary and honorary capacity and use the title locally.

WHERE IS THE CONNECTION HUH??

I would love to find out more about 'how and why the Datukships are awarded" but I don't have the luxury of time here.



I am joining 99% of Malaysian Adults (may be even the World) in wondering aloud...Who in the Right Mind Would Award A Federal Title to A Bollywood Actor??



MELAKA, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Leading Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was conferred a Datukship because he has helped promote Melaka as a tourist destination through one of his movies, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said Saturday.He said the actor had shot scenes of the "One Two Ka Four" Hindi movie at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah several years ago



P/S Do a quick google on Datuk Shah Rukh Khan ..you will see tons of blogs, comments, articles, forums about this latest Joke from our very own Boleh-Land.

2008 Budget Highlights

I don't know about you..BUT..I really don't see anything beneficial to me here *sulking again*

Source NST Online

• Some 100,000 tax payers to be out of the tax net as rebate for taxable income of RM35,000 and below will be increased to RM400 from RM350 - BIG DEAL..

• Tax exemption for all interest income for individuals - DON'T SEE THE SIGNIFICANCE
  
• Reduction of import duties for consumer durables (examples: blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle- HUH!!!!) to between 5 percent and 30 percent from 10 percent and 60 percent
  
• Import duty exemption on several food items including vermicelli, biscuits, fruit juices and canned sweet corn - DOUBLE HUH!!!!
  
• Road tax for passenger vehicles with diesel engines to be similar with petrol engines effective Sept 1, 2008 - DIESEL ONLY??
  
• Tax exemption for employees on staff benefits such as subsidised interest on housing, motor vehicles and education loans - MUST CHECK ON THIS
  
• Bills of mobile and fixed line phones as well as internet paid by employers to be tax-exempted - HOW TO MAKE SURE MY BOSS ADHERES??
  
• Government to provide RM3 billion soft loan facility under public transportation to finance acquisition of buses and rail assets to be administered by bank pembangunan malaysia bhd - WAIT N SEE LAR

• 50 percent reduction in toll charges for all buses, except at border entry points, for two years effective Sept 15, 2008 - NOTHING TO DO WITH ME
  
• Efficiency of public transportation to be improved via rm35 billion expenditure from 2009 to 2014 - DITTO
  
• Farmers to benefit from proposal to abolish import duty on fertilizers and pesticides - CHEAPER FRUITS/ VEGE??
  
• Home ownership among civil servants to be boosted by extension of housing loans tenure to 30 years from 25 years - NOTHNG TO DO WITH ME
  
• Government housing loan insurance panel to be expanded to all eligible insurance companies from only five insurance companies now - DITTO
  
• Excise duties on cigarattes up three sen to 18 sen per stick. Duty for 20-stick pack now up 60 sen - 3 CENTS??? HE MUST BE JOKING..
  
• Highest marginal tax rate for individuals to be cut to 27 percent from 28 percent effective year of assessment 2009 - DON'T UNDERSTAND FULLY..BUT 1 % POINT?? GOT DIFF MEH?
  
• Middle income group to benefit from cut in marginal tax rate to 12 percent from 13 percent - AGAIN..1%??
  
• Accelerated capital allowance for purchase of ICT equipment can be claimed over one year instead of two years (86) - APPLICABLE TO ME ?
  
• Import prohibition on cranes used at ports to be removed. Import duty for the cranes cut to 5 percent from 20 percent (88) - NOT RELEVANT TO ME
  
• New investments by operators of four-star & five-star hotels in sabah and Sarawak to enjoy pioneer status with 100 percent income tax exemption or investment tax allowance of 100 percent for five years. - DITTO
  
• Venture capital companies to enjoy five-year tax exemption for investing at least 30 percent of their funds in start-up, early stage financing or seed capital - DITTO
  
• Local shipping industry to be promoted via a new rm2 billion fund to finance the purchase of ships and upgrading of shipyards. - DITTO
  
• Plants and machinery acquired by SMEs in the years of assessment 2009 and 2010 to be accorded accelarated capital allowance to be claimed within one year. - DITTO

Big Deal..

I know..I know..I kept saying that I have nothing against him..but..this kind of news really irk me..

NST reports..As ironic as this may sound, Chong Wei has dethroned Lin Dan, who denied him Olympic gold, as the World No 1. It was a position the China star had held since Sept 28, 2006 but he drops to second in the latest ranking, released on Aug 21, due to his limited appearances on the international circuit this year...

It also says...The progress of Chong Wei will also be rewarded handsomely by the BA of Malaysia (BAM) as players ranked in the top two receive a quarterly incentive of RM45,000. Chong Wei, going by his current form, is likely to maintain his position in the top two bracket until the end of the year and earn RM180,000 on ranking bonuses alone this year.

*Sulking*..so rich liao..no need to play la.

Silver is enough?

Yesterday was a special day for Malaysians. Almost everyone from all walks of life made special arrangements to stay home or at least make sure they are in front of the TV to watch the Olympics Badminton Men Singles Finals between our very own Lee Chong Wei vs. China's fame player Lin Dan. My sister and husband decided to buy in dinner just to watch the game. I am sure many others also made special adjustments either by taking early dinner or eating at home instead.

Personally I am not a fan of LCW. Ok..it's a personal thing. As I confessed to WK...LD is so much more better looking and played so much better..I could not help but cheered for LD instead. And personally, I don't think winning the RM1mil incentive will do LCW or the sport any good. (FYI..he stil gets RM300K for the silver)

While waiting for the match, I watched the mixed doubles bronze & gold medals play offs. Even the bronze medal match was so exciting. The players really fought HARD. China already had accumulated over 30 gold medals, what is another bronze !! But..I must give credit to the players..they really fought hard...to the very end. The commentator spoke that.."if you think this is exciting..wait till you see the Men Singles match later on"

Unfortunately, he was wrong. The match turn out lopsided with LD playing like a tiger and left our LCW lost in the battle field. This is a very common phenomenon in Malaysian sports...beating the national record is good enough! Reaching the quarter/ semi-finals was our target and we have achieved it!

No doubt, LCW had work tremendously hard. We can see for ourselves how well toned his body is now. Compared to the doubles players..I think he is the most disciplined player in the team. The pressure must have been huge on him..so he crumbled. Malaysians are a forgiving lot...based on feedback from radio listeners and newspapers ..Malaysians seem happy with a Silver unlike most people I know..who were damn pissed that he didn't even put up a fight and lose with some pride.

Nevertheless, LCW is still a national Hero...for getting the Silver according to today's papers.

hmmm...so what is Michael Phelps? Look at the young korean boy (barely 20 yr old) and he fought to the very end to grab the Korea's first ever Badminton Gold. What about people like Lin Dan and Liu Xiang ..the whole nation expects them to deliver..not silver..but GOLD! The coach of Liu Xiang went to the extend of saying.."if he doesn't win in Beijing, all his past glory will be meaningless"

I admit that I am not fan of Chong Wei but this is not about Chong Wei alone. It's about Malaysia and its people including myself. It's time for us to start striving to be the best...instead of aiming to be second or third best all the time!