Nasi Lemak & Nescafe Tarik

From NST Online. 

SINGAPORE wants to claim a territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Pedra Branca — going back on its word to discuss with Malaysia territorial issues and activities around the rocky outcrop .

I expected something like this will happen. And honestly I dont blame Singapore. Its logical thinking to capitalize on a presented opportunity, what more if it were given on a silver platter.

The sad thing is, why is that we dont at least think like them. Middle Rock was declared ours, why then we cannot also claim the the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone around it? The answer lies within this next paragraph.

“It is believed that the committee will also have to agree on whether the three features are merely rocks or islands. This is because an island, defined as being able to support habitation and sustain economic life, can claim its own territorial seas and EEZ, whereas other marine features can only claim territorial sea.”

Seriously, do we honestly think Singapore will agree to declare Pedra Branca only as a marine feature and not an island? We can set up hundreds of joint committee, but looking back at the history of negotiation (water, The Tambak Johor, The Bridge, etc) with Singapore, I dont think they will agree to that. And try as we might, Middle Rock will never be an island, and we can forget about claiming an EEZ around it.

The Malaysian FM was reported saying `Its a win-win situation’ after the ICJ judgement. I wonder who’s losing now?

Dah terantuk baru nak tengadah.

ooooooooooOOoooooooooo

July 22, Malaysian Insider;

The former deputy prime minister spoke to diplomats at the PKR head office in Tropicana to clear his name over fresh allegations of sodomy, a repeat of events 10 years ago that stopped him from succeeding former mentor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

July 23, Malaysian Insider

A day after the former deputy prime minister briefed 38 foreign diplomats on the alleged conspiracy by the government to scuttle his political comeback, the Abdullah administration struck back. The Home Ministry gave a briefing on the sodomy case to 96 diplomats.

Again, why cant they think of doing it first? Cant anybody in the Government at least anticipate what would happen?

After all, I am sure it would not be difficult for the Home Ministry to anticipate such things. Compare that to the fact which they acted on intelligence sources and made us suffer with the traffic jam by putting up roadblocks and barb wires all around KL a few weeks back.

Dah terantuk baru nak tengadah.

ooooooooooOOoooooooooo

 What la, never read Sun Tzu’s Art of War, huh?

What la Sungai Pinang? Cant even think of one original question?

And please blame yourself before blaming your staff. 

Claiming ignorance is clearly not a responsible action.

For more, read this in Malaysiakini.

I was in my office when a colleague of mine called from a hospital where her recently born baby boy was treated for demam kuning. Her husband was away on a business trip.

Colleague : Akula, I need you to do me a big favour.
Akula: Sure, what you need?
Colleague : I need to buy ….( I cant hear anything since there was so much noise in my office)….. susuibu.com.
Akula : Hmmm, ok….. sure.

Now, at that particular time, I dont want to ask more information about it since I cant hear much what she was saying anyway because of the loud noise in the background. I ended the conversation.

Without giving it much thought, I asked another colleague to help me in my quest.

Akula : Kak S, Mrs A asked me to buy susu ibu something for her baby. Do you have any idea where to get it?
Kak S: Susu Ibu? Hoi, susu ibu mana ada jual. Susu ibu kat ibu lah. ( They dont sell breast milk, its with the mothers!)
Akula : Laaa, betul gak tu. (Thats right!).

After a phone call to Mrs A, apparently she wanted to buy baby’s stuff from susuibu.com shop and definately not the susu ibu itself.

Fuuuh! Nasib baik.

Note:

To fathers, husbands and all man, I swear that susuibu.com exist. Check out its website, here.

Whatever next………

Watched Debat Agenda Daily `Hari Ini Bentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak’ on TV just now.

Here is what I think.

Anwar Ibrahim was rather rhetoric in his presentation while Ahmad Shabery Chik basically attacked the ex TPM at every opportunity.

Anwar Ibrahim proposed to cut the petrol price by 50 cents by restructuring IPP’s contract, doing away with a government company (I didnt manage to get the name and function of this company) and by appropriating RM 1 billion Petronas 2008 special divident paid to the government. This, he said will be enough to offset the projected RM 5 billion petroleum subsidy expenses by the government if the 50 cents petroleum price cut is to be introduced.

It was interesting to note that Anwar equated the incentives of building infrastructures for foreign investment with subsidy. In which he elaborated that these two are actually the same thing, differed only by whom it is enjoyed.  

Ahmad Shabery Chik was relying solely on the global petroleum price increase factor to counter Anwar’s proposal which I think didnt contribute any positive input to the debate. I really wish he had presented the government’s views and arguments based on local economic facts rather than ranting about petroleum prices and inflation figures of some faraway countries.

And what is with his repeated personal attacks on Anwar Ibrahim anyway? Thinking back, I wonder if this debate was specially held for Ahmad Shabery Chik’s personal glory rather than being a venue for a healthy and serious discussions.

Despite that, I applaud his effort to debate and take Anwar head on and in a live coverage.

So whats next?

Gila babi betul !

Thats the first though in my mind when I read about the arrest of the Immigration Department DG, Deputy DG and the rest of their gang by ACA.

Its beyond me to think that these guys who were entrusted with the job of vetting visitors (legal or otherwise) to Malaysia could do such things. Amount involved were huge and based on what were reported it could could easily run into millions of RM.

ACA director-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said: “It (the allegations) connects right to the top. It involves members of the public, foreigners, government officers and syndicates.” (Read more here).

I might be wrong, but I could not help thinking that maybe the never ending problems of illegal immigrants could be related to this. I mean, its the DG of Immigration himself, the one with all the powers to act on immigration matters. Surely, when money is involved, such matters could also become cash cows too ?

The consequences of this arrests reaches way beyond the Immigration Department and the impact, in my opinion will be felt by all civil servants, the ruling government and the Malaysian public in general. Its the failure of the system itself.

The thing is this, while its convenient to blame those involved for their alleged wrongdoings, I do think that the problems are embedded much deeper in our society. Its an accepted norms in Malaysia for our politicians to dangle  developement carrots and promises in exchange for votes. To top that, its an accepted norms as well for voters to receive goodies distributed by political parties during election campaigns. Why its not classified as bribes, I havent the slightest idea.

Oh, and dont forget the `duit kopi’ practices too.

Its not how many wrinkles you have under the eyes. Nor the receding hairlines. And its definately not those gained weight either.

We are reminded of growing old by our birthdays. Without fail, annually.

Yeap, its that day again for me. A year older.

Happy Birthday to me.

Note: Akula accepts hard cash for his birthday present. Preferably in EURO’s. He discarded his believe in the USD not so long ago.

What?
Another 2 years to go?
Cant it be tomorrow?
Are you sure?
No flip flop this time?
Did KJ cry?
Rosmah happy?
So, will you be breeding goats?

Note: Click here to read more.

I delayed this review long enough. 

Its much better than Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003). Thats for sure.  This time its simply amazing.

Edward Norton succesfully potrayed the struggling and guilt ridden Dr. Bruce Banner while fighting to stay in control of himself. But of course, this is ‘the’ Edward Norton we are talking about. Expect only the best.

The CGI effect is incredible to say the least. The action is non stop and keeps the audience at the edge of their seat through out the movie.

I think this time around, the Hulk have more human sense than simply being potrayed as a dumb ass monster who wants nothing other than to smash puny humans head. Dont get me wrong, he still pummelled and smashed stuff too, just like in the comic book.

The ever lovely Liv Tyler takes on the role of Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s love interest. The love affair between them injected the much needed soul in this one, unlike the 2003 version.

Tim Roth is ruthless and unstoppable as the villain and provide an excellent match for the Hulk.

I have to say that the monster he mutated into is really one ugly SOB.

Those who still didnt have a chance to watch it, waste no more time. You will not be disappointed. Appropriate for all ages.