19-month boy praying in Maha Vihara Temple

Obama's Historic White House Victory

Barack Obama's victory in the 44th presidency of United States has send 2 important messages to the world:

1. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, It can achieve." - Napoleon Hill

It is encouraging to know that when Obama was still a student in Indonesia, he had written down a big goal and his goal is to become a president one day. His amazing belief system has made his big dream come true.

2. Leadership should not be judged based on the color of skin.

I hope that Abdullah on anyone can be PM will turn into a reality one day in Malaysia.

Scenery at Parkroyal Penang Hotel

During my Penang trip, we stayed in Parkroyal Penang Hotel. What I like about this hotel is that it's located by beach of Batu Ferringhi where you can have a good sea view, and the night markets are just right outside the hotel. I don't mind to stay in this hotel again for my next Penang trip.

Toy Museum in Penang

During my penang trip, I have also visited Penang's Toy Museum. This is another interesting place you may consider visiting if you are a fan of toys or you have kids. Some said Penang Toy Museum is the first and largest museum in Asia which comprising of more than 100000 toys, dolls, models and other collectibles.

Butterflies in Penang Butterfly Farm

I have just visited Penang Butterfly Farm last week with my family. This place is really a place worth visiting as we could see a lot of free-flying butterflies. Frankly speaking, I didn't get a chance to see this much butterflies in other butterfly farms. I would consider Penang Butterfly Farm is one of the main attractions if you want to visit Penang. Below are some of the photos and video that I took using Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX10 camera.

Homemade cake for my wife's birthday by a Doctor

This is a homemade cake for my wife's birthday celebration. This all must thank Dr Siew Nee for her effort of making such a wonderful cake! Your cake was not only looked great but also tasted yummy.

Reporter creates ISA history

Again, things should not happen had happened. It is ridiculous to hear Home Minister explaining that Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested under ISA and detained under Section 73(1) in order to ensure her safety because her life was under threat. I thought The Internal Security Act (ISA) is used to capture those suspected terrorist or communist? Can ISA be used to protect a person? No matter what, Tan had created ISA history by becoming the shortest ISA detainee in Malaysia record - 18 hours. What make me most irritating is that why those who are telling the truth are being arrested, instead of those who uttered the seditious statements? Furthermore, Tan was just carrying out her duty as a reporter and reporting the truth. I thought the PM and DPM had already acknowleged who was wrong and had apologized to the public. In my opinion, it is another 'flip-flop decision' by the government to arrest and then released the reporter. The explanation given to detain the reporter under ISA was to ensure her safety is totally unacceptable.

Malaysia-Today unblocked

Things should not happen in the first place had happened. The most popular political portal Malaysia-Today which was blocked on Aug 27 by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has been unblocked. I think the government probably has realised that there are no effective ways to block a website. Again, this is another flip-flop decisions and 'goblok' move by government. They really shot themselves in the foot!

My 16-month boy talking over the phone

This photo was taken by my sister-in-law with her handphone and this is definately one of the best. I really like this photo a lot as my 16-month boy looks so natural and lively. It is also not easy to take this kind of photo in the car while it's still moving. Many thanks to Siew Nee.

Hong Kong TVB on Lim Guan Eng

After watching these 3 video clips on Lim Guan Eng, I have started to know him better and in fact I have a lot respect for him. He had sacrificed his dream as an accountant and gone into politics to serve the people regardless pf race or religion. He even went to jail twice. The second time he was jailed just because he defended the grandma of an under-aged Malay girl who claimed having affair with a former chief minister. What I am amazed is that he didn't give up after came out from jail for the second time and continue with his journey in politics and today he is a Penang Chief Minister.

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Malaysia-Today got blocked

Yesterday I received an update from Astro News that the most popular political portal Malaysia-Today operated by brave Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been censored by the Malaysia Government and is blocked by country’s largest internet service provider - TMNet. I think the government has most probably overlooked the Multimedia Super Corridor Bill of Guarantees which has promised no internet censorship and is too desperate to implement this without thinking much about the effectiveness, impact and consequences. No matter what, with the information technology, the website still can be assessed via the mirror site at http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com/. Therefore, it is a silly waste of time to block a website. You will only discourage investors to invest in Multimedia Super Corridor and encourage more people to this website.

Anwar wins big in Permatang Pauh

I had received a news about Permatang Pauh By-Election that had been won by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with a bigger majority than his wife, who obtained a vote-majority of 13,388 at 82% voter turnout rate during 8 March 2008 General Election.

The Permatang Pauh by-election results are as follows:
- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: 31,195 votes (Majority: 15,671 votes)
- Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah: 15,524 votes
- Hanafi Hamat: 92 votes

Earlier, I have received a news saying that only 62.25% of 58,459 registered voters turned out in this by-election. Another words, only 38,144 voters cast their ballots. Based on the result above, what have confused me was that how can the total votes of the 3 candidates (31,195 + 15,524 + 92 = 46811) can be more than 38,144 ??? There must be something wrong somewhere. If were to base on the above results, the turnout rate should be more than 80%.

Well, no matter what, Anwar is still a big winner with the resouding majority. Congratulations!

Singapore PM National Day Rally Speech

I am very impressed and inspired with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's speech in 3 languages (English, Mandarin and Malay) in his National Day Rally on August 17. He is really a world class leader. We really have a lot to learn from them. The videos can be viewed by clicking the banner below.

In his speech in English, he did touch about how blogging had changed Malaysia politics. He had also given the blogger, Jeff Ooi the 15 seconds of fame.

Condom Ringtone Launched in India

A cellphone ringtone that chants "condom, condom!" has been launched in India to encourage safe sex and tackle the growing HIV/AIDS. I have doubt their society will accept this idea but what I know is that it definately can give us a good laugh when the ringtone is played. It can be downloaded at http://www.ziddu.com/download/1969255/condom-a-cappella.mp3.html.

World champions failed to qualify for final

It is very sad to see both world champions, Tyson Gay and Liu Xiang failed to qualify for final in 100m and 110m hurdles respectively.

During the 100m final, I wonder why I didn't see Tyson Gay in the final list. At first, I thought that he most probably pulled out from the race due to injury. The reason why I was thinking that way is because I have never see any world champions failed to qualify for 100m final in Olympic Games unless injury. I only found out later that he actually only finished fifth in his semi-final with a poor time of 10.05 seconds. However, Jamaican Usain Bolt had again make the world crazy as he made his sprint looked so ridiculously easy in the final with the world record of 9.69 seconds.

Things also didn't go so well with Liu Xiang as Liu slipped off the blocks himself and later pulled out from the event entirely. This is most probably the biggest upset of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games for host country China.

The greatest Olympian of all time born in Beijing Olympic

Michael Phelps became the greatest Olympian of all time yesterday (13 Aug 2008) in Beijing Olympic Games, capturing his 10th and 11th gold medals which also moved past Olympic icons Paavo Nurmi (middle and long distance runner from Finland), Carl Lewis (sprinter and long jumper from USA), Mark Spitz (swimmer from USA) and Larysa Latynina (gymnast from Ukraine), who all won nine golds in their careers.

One thing I have observed and learned from Phelps on how to become champion is to learn from other champions and implement some of their qualities in his professional lives. The reason i am saying this is because according to him, he had spent some time with Carl Lewis and had a few words with Mark Spitz and had begun to learn what 'champion' means.

It will be amazing if he still can maintain his 'unstoppable' form and win all eight of his Beijing events to surpass the record of seven gold medals at one Games set by Mark Spitz in Munich in 1972. He is expected to be the best sportsman in this 29th Beijing Olympic Games. Well done Phelps!

Precious word 'Mum' from my boy

Today is a special day for my wife as for the very first time, my boy, after more than 15th months, has began to call his mother 'Mum'. What I don't really understand is that the word 'Mum' only came out from his mouth after he knew how to pronounce 1-10, A-Z in sequence and the name of over 100 objects shown to him using flash cards.

08.08.08: Beijing Olympic Games

I am so excited and happy that the auspicious date of 08.08.08 has finally arrived. It marks the arrival of Beijing Olympic. 08.08.08 also happens to be on the 8th day of the lunar calendar too. Today is really a special day for the world chinese community. Thanks China! You have make us proud. I wish you have the best ever Olympic Games. I can't wait to watch the opening ceremony of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at home with my family tonight.

Why Anwar was charged under Section 377B (consensual sodomy)?

As reported by rocky's bru, the following police report was made by Mohd Saiful Bukhari bin Azlan on 28 June 2008 at 5.45 PM.

Saya Mohd Saiful Bukhari b Azlan ingin melaporkan bahawa saya telah diliwat oleh majikan saya. Perkara ini berlaku tanpa kerelaan saya. Kejadian terakhir berlaku 26/6/08 di Unit 1151, Kondominium Desa Damansara, Jln Setia Kasih, KL. Oleh itu, tujuan laporan ini dibuat untuk mendapat pembelaan dan keadilan keatas diri saya. Saya juga berasa bimbang dengan keselamatan diri dan keluarga saya jika perkara ini tersebar luas di khalayak ramai. Majikan saya Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim - Ketua Umum PKR."

With the above report, it makes me wonder why Anwar was charged under Section 377B (consensual sodomy), but not under Section 377C (sodomy rape)? Was it a mistake? Or how can this kind of thing happens in our country? Malaysia is really a Bolehland.

'Last Lecture' Professor Randy Pausch Died

Today, I received a news from Astro that Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor who delivered his last lecture called "Really Acheiving You Childhood Dreams", passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. It is very sad to lose someone who has inspired so many people.

My son's wheezing is back

From last nite till this morning, my son could not sleep due to very bad cough and wheezing. This morning, he was also vomittig several times which most probably due to phlegm. He started to be very week and had no appetite to eat. We afraid that he might need to be hospitalised again because we can hear his wheezing from a distance. But, we took him to child clinic first, to let the doctor to decide whether need to hospitalise him. In the clinic, my boy was given nebulizer, followed by medication. Doctor had also confirmed that my son is an asthmatic and need to use Seretide Evohaler regularly to prevent him from asthma attacks. Fortunately, my boy's health condition got so much better in the afternoon and his wheezing sound is also reducing. He started to be active again and his appetite is back.

Anwar's first speech in my hometown after lockup

This is Anwar's first ceramah in my hometown, malacca a day after he was released from 1-day's lockup for questioning into recent sodomy allegation against him. His speech had attracted thousands of people.

I personally felt that he is really a superman. Despite so many setbacks, he still has so much energy to travel and deliver speeches. No matter what, one thing very clear that he has come out a winner in public perception especially after the debate with Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

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Part 4

Shocking: Anwar arrested outside his house before deadline

While we were still talking about yesterday's fuel price debate between Anwar and Shaberry Cheek, I had a shock to hear that Anwar was arrested outside his house by police at 12:55pm despite the deadline set at 2pm today. I have also stunned with the reason given by Federal CID director Commissioner on why Anwar was arrested earlier. How could he give the public the reason for not believing that Anwar would show up at the KL police headquarters by 2pm. Why couldn't they arrest Anwar after 2pm if he really failed to show up?

Debate: Anwar Ibrahim vs Ahmad Shabery Cheek

I have watched the debate between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim vs Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on TV yesterday. I personally felt they are good debaters. However, in my opinon, Anwar was more professional as compared to Shaberry. Anwar was more focused on the issues and explained the reasoning with facts and figures whereas Shaberry rather used his precious time going for unnecessary personal attack towards Anwar wihch would not benefit the rakyat.

These videos are for those who have missed the debate yesterday.

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Part 6:

My hometown, Malacca wins UNESCO world heritage status

I am very proud to hear that my hometown, Malacca has made it to the UNESCO's World Heritage List.

The World Heritage Sites in Malacca covers:
>> St Paul’s Hill civic zone with St Paul’s Church, Porta de Santiago (A Famosa) fortress and Stadhuys complex,
>> Residential and commercial areas of Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street), Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Walk) and adjacent streets, including Harmony Street, and
>> The Malacca River.

So now state government need to put necessary efforts to make sure this world heritage city status will remain with us, if possible, forever. It will be shameful if we lost the status only after a few years of attaining it.

A small girl who sings beautifully

I am amazed by this little girl's voice and cuteness. Her name is Connie Talbot and she was only 6 year old. She could sing so beautifully and make some of us crying. She even wowed Simon Cowell. Let's enjoy!





When she turned 7-year-old, she was invited to sing in the Taiwan's Talented Show (超級星光大道). She also sung one of my favourite songs - 'I Will Always Love You'.

Shell responds to queries about fuel prices

Why are gasoline prices so high? If oil companies are making record profits, why can’t they give drivers a break and reduce prices at the pump?

Chances are you’ve been asked those questions by customers, friends or family members in recent months – and you may feel you have not been able to give them a good enough answer. That’s because gasoline pricing is both an emotional and poorly understood subject for consumers. It’s a reputation issue for Shell and the oil industry as a whole, made worse when high crude oil and gasoline prices coincide with record financial results.

Consumers find it difficult or impossible to accept that when crude prices are high, energy companies continue to reap large profits without reducing pump prices. In fact, despite record profits, the price at the pump continues to rise. Another criticism is that oil companies are seen to be quick to raise gasoline prices following crude increases, but slow to pass on price decreases, frequently leading to accusations of “profiteering.”

Shell recognises that customers across the globe are concerned and affected by the price of fuel. In every country where Shell operates, Shell strives to provide customers with a consistent supply of competitively priced fuel.

Here are Shell's answers to some frequently asked questions about fuel prices:

Why does the price of gasoline continue to rise?
Gasoline prices are determined by a set of unique conditions within different localities and vary widely around the world. In many countries, the largest single element is not the cost of crude oil, but rather government taxes. In some European countries, taxes can represent as much as 75% of the price the customer pays at the pump.

Nevertheless, the cost of crude is significant and, in countries where gasoline taxes are lower, it is the major factor in the cost of gasoline. Crude oil is trading well above $100 per barrel on the open market, and is being driven by the world’s growing demand for energy. Finally, the price of gasoline also needs to include refining, distribution and operating costs. So the margin left for oil companies is usually a small percentage of the pump price – much lower than most customers realize.

Worldwide demand for crude oil and refined products has increased rapidly in recent years, led by the explosive growth of the economies in China, India and other Pacific Rim nations, and the supply of crude has been hard put to keep pace with that demand. Some people suggest that crude prices also are being elevated by geopolitical tensions and, possibly, by financial speculators. To whatever extent these factors exist, they are beyond our control. We must deal with the market as it is, and in this regard, supply and demand prevail.

Don’t the major oil companies control the crude market?
There are more than 3,500 oil companies in the world. Shell produces only 3% of the world’s crude, and we refine more crude oil than we produce. Shell, therefore, must purchase oil on the spot market to meet refining and retail demands. As a result, Shell is subject to market fluctuations in price and supply, as are other oil companies. Crude prices in each country are set by supply and demand, and are influenced by such factors as OPEC supply restrictions, weather, stock levels and the sentiment of financial markets.

Oil companies continue to report record earnings. Aren’t they just profiteering from high crude oil and gasoline prices?
The energy industry is one of the world’s largest and most complex industries. Profits are large because the business is large, with very large investments. Strong earnings among all the major oil companies enable reinvestment in both the upstream and downstream parts of their businesses. The industry is spending at record levels to increase supply to meet the growing global demand for energy.

Why can’t oil companies use their upstream profits to subsidise pump prices?
Producing crude oil involves long-term and high-risk projects requiring billions of dollars in investment over 20-to-30 years. Higher profits in some periods help safeguard investments when oil prices -- and profits -- are lower at other times.

What is Shell doing to increase crude supplies?
In line with our strategy of “more upstream and profitable downstream,” we are directing about 80% of our $27 billion capital spending programme for 2008 into upstream projects. This is the largest capital spending programme in Shell history, and the largest in industry. In total, we have some 10 billion barrels of upstream resources under development, which will add around 1 million barrels per day of production.

Does Shell set the pump prices at its sites?
This varies according to country and the operating model of each site. In some countries, pump prices are set by the government, and Shell and other retailers must comply. In many countries, some sites are owned by Shell and some are owned by independent dealers. Shell works very hard to maintain competitive prices at the pump – it is not in our best interest to do otherwise. For dealer-operated sites, the dealers own the fuel on their sites and, by law, have the right to set prices as they see fit. Dealers also have to compete rigorously with competitors so it’s in their best interest to price competitively at the pump as well.

Throughout the world, the retail industry is extremely competitive. In most countries, companies have to display pump prices so customers can make a choice. Even where pump prices are set by governments, companies compete strongly in a range of other areas, including design, visibility, convenience/location, customer service, prices of other products and availability of other services.

Does Shell engage in price gouging at its retail sites?
Shell does not engage in or condone the practice of introducing excessive price increases, and will investigate any such allegations. If a customer feels that a gasoline station is charging a price that is excessive when contrasted to comparable sites, he or she should contact the relevant trading standards agency and provide them with the contact details.

So what can drivers do to save money on gasoline?
The way you drive and the way you maintain your vehicle can help reduce your fuel consumption and save you money. Here are some tips:
1. Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking.
2. Manual cars -- change up to a higher gear as early as possible as you accelerate.
3. Automatic cars -- shift up gears more quickly if you ease back on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
4. Keep your engine well tuned, check your oil and fix any problems immediately.
5. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure and not under- or over-inflated.
6. Keep your trunk/boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items that add weight.
7. If you are not using your roof rack or roof box, take it off.
8. Keep your windows closed, especially if you are driving at higher speeds.
9. Always use the recommended grade of oil in your engine.
10. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic.
11. Turn off your engine in heavy traffic to avoid excessive idling.

Where can I find out more about gasoline pricing?
You can find out more about gasoline pricing in your country or region by visiting your Shell country Internet site or by contacting your local Shell Communications advisor.

Misleading concept of Subsidy

I received an email about the "misleading concept of Subsidy" by Malaysia's BN-led government....

The word "subsidy" has been brandished by the BN government as if it has so generously helped the rakyat and in doing so incurred losses. This simple example will help to explain the fallacy:

Example:
Ahmad is a fisherman. He sells a fish to you at $10 which is below the market value of $15. Let's assume that he caught the fish from the abundance of the sea at little or no cost. Ahmad claims that since the market value of the fish is $15 and he sold you the fish for $10, he had subsidised you $5 and therefore made a loss of $5.

Question:
Did Ahmad actually make a profit of $10 or loss of $5 which he claimed is the subsidy?

Answer:
Ahmad makes a profit of $10 which is the difference of the selling price ($10) minus the cost price ($0 since the fish was caught from the abundance of the sea). There is no subsidy as claimed by Ahmad.

The government claims that it is a subsidy because the oil is kept and treated as somebody else's property (you know who). By right, the oil belongs to all citizens of the country and the government is a trustee for the citizens. So as in the above simple example, the BN government cannot claim that it has subsidised the citizen!

I've won 2 movie tickets for writing a blog article

Thank you Advertlets! I've won 2 movie tickets to watch Made of Honour at TGV One Utama on 17 June 2008, 2 days earlier before the movie actually opens! This is my first time winning free movie tickets.