A Tall Order But One That Is Noble

Najib has unleashed his own battle cry in his quest to win the minds and hearts of all Malaysians. Hence "1 Malaysia" is his appeal to fellow Malaysians to regroup towards creating a better Malaysia in terms of racial harmony, economic strength, social integration, cultural interaction and political stability.

After the 2008 General Elections and the ensuing episodes especially on the country's political stage, this is indeed a tall order, but one that is worth pursuing.

"1 Malaysia" is a timely wake-up call for Malaysians to preserve the peace, harmony, tolerance, progress and stability which we have enjoyed for so long.

A Leader Who Will Hopefully Inspire

Our PM has just announced that the new Information, Communication, Arts and Culture Minister is Dato'Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim.

A veteran politician and an articulate speaker with a doctorate in law, he is, in my opinion an appropriate choice. I attended a few briefings in which he took centre stage and I must say, the man was quite impressive.

His sense of dressing hence his attire is quite different from his peers, I notice.

Am looking forward to his leadership as I believe he has the potential to inspire.

Let's Guess What Najib Will Be Fondly Called

Datuk Seri Najib is hours away from taking office as our sixth PM. Surely someone somehow will come up with a favorite "petname".

Tun Mahathir was popular with Dr M. Datuk Seri Abdullah was Pak Lah.

Najib?

Mebbe Rosmah has a name just waiting to be revealed to the press. Or mebbe the media people themselves already has a name waiting for the right moment to publish it to the world. Who knows a childhood name might surface.

If you ask me, I would call him Mr Red Lips.

How about that?

Nam menjunam halimunam!

That's More Like It!

I think few would disagree when Alleycat's David Arumugam (DA) was recently conferred the Datukship by the Sultan of Pahang.

For Datuk DA (and his late brother) was the crooner who belted love ballads which had enligthened our lives esp in the 80's. Remember Jika Kau Bercinta Lagi, Seribu Bintang, Kerana Kau, Andainya Ku Pergi Dulu... These songs meant so much to us.

Therefore the Datukship is appropriate.

Tima kasehhh, Datuk!

Tuah & Jebat Spirit Rekindled in SUKMA XIII

At last the mascot for SUKMA XIII Melaka 2010 is revealed - officially that it is. As widely anticipated, the so-called cunning kancil which symbolises Melaka's rich history is the obvious choice. And it is named "Tuah". Why? Kau fikirlah sendiri .....!!!!!!!

The official logo also depicts the sang kancil. Its theme song is beautiful too. All these were launched at the concourse of the Dataran Pahlawan on February 5th.

The main venue for this 13th Malaysia Games is Stadium Hang Jebat at Paya Rumput.

SUKMA XIII Melaka 2010 is accessible at http://www.sukma2010.com.my/.

Hey! Leave My Helmet Alone!

As if harga barang in town is not enough to drive you crazy, now they want us to buy new helmets! Why? Because some smart alec says that half-shell helmets (conveniently called tortoise) are not safe anymore. Excuse me! Have been wearing mine (coveted SGV brand and approved by SIRIM some more) since time immemorial.

And worse still this guy from the Road Safety Dept has the nerve to compare it with the toy helmet for kids! Memanglah helmet toy (yang sama shape) ya sik boleh pakei! Yang diapprove SIRIM lainlah, bodo!!!

Aiya! Why do some people in authority can be so s*****?

After this don't be surprised if the same guy asks car drivers to wear helmet too. That will be the day.

Take It Or Leave It

Fewer days of annual leave = higher productivity.

Doesn't seem to be quite a sound theory, even to a simple layman like me.

But that seems to be the idea behind the decision by the PSD to slash the number of annual leave of civil servants from the current 30 days to 25 though they are given options either to stick to their current entitlement of 30 days or sacrifice the five days. Newly recruited officers are automatically given 25 days.

A head-spinning decision. Funny still, a deadline of December 31st is given to those who are thinking about opting to let go the five days.

There will be lots of intepretation on this after news about its implementation come January 1st 2009 was published in the local media yesterday and today. But it is still an awkward decison to me.

Datuk Shahrukh Khan - Anak Warisan Melaka

Hey! What r u guys doing to Shahrukh Khan? Be careful, he is a Datuk yunno!

A candid picture of SRK at the Villa Istana moments before heading for the majlis of his Datukship conferment at Seri Negeri, Melaka.

He was dressed in Baju Melayu with kain samping displaying motives in gold. Quite stunning given his Bollywood stature. Heard many Mak Datin were driven head over heels just looking at him that eventful morning. Can't blame them though, knowing some people.

After the ceremony, Datuk SRK went around visiting various places to meet fans, old and young. He was surrounded by local bodyguards who looked ready to even die for him.

Datuk Shahrukh Khan, you are one lucky chap!

Third Time Lucky

As I have posted news about Shahrukh Khan's planned arrival to Melaka for his Datukship conferment ceremony and then the postponement, I am compelled to inform here again that the Bollywood Datuk is coming after all.

He will be in Melaka for one day on December 6th to attend the special majlis penganugerahan.

Let's hope there will be no more postponement. Heard also that his main menu is tandoori chicken.

Datuk Shahrukh Can't Come Afterall...

Heard the latest news that Shahrukh Khan is not coming to Melaka to receive his Datukship planned for November 29 because of his busy work schedule.

Scores of his fans here will be disappointed. Many will be hoping that he will come on another date, that's for sure.

This guy is proving to be an elusive hero.

My Dream Machine

It's not a car. It's not exactly a motorbike. It's a combination of both. It is called the Spyder! And my Honda No Door is under threat by the launching of this masterpiece soon.

The Spyder is a three-wheeler, a gem of a bike, a dream of bikers anywhere in the world. With two front wheels and a rear one, the Spyder is so sporty you just can't help but admire it in awe. Powered by a 1000cc engine, it boasts the suspension of a sports car, state-of-the-art control panels and fine finishing touches. In short, the Spyder is to the bike world what Ferrari is to the motorcar fraternity.

Made in Canada, the Spyder demands a whopping (whipping?) RM96K! So even trading in my C70 and Modenas Elite 150 is still not enough to pay for its downpayment. Alas, the Spyder remains (and will remain for a long, long time) a beautiful dream...

If there is any consolation, the towkay at the dealer shop has kindly allowed me to pose by his prized possesion. And it was enough to make me feel like Spyderman!

So if you want to see the Spyder and inspect its full features, rush to the bike shop (only the big one selling big bikes) in case there is one on display!

Datuk Shahrukh Khan is definitely coming...

Yes, the man is coming at the end of the month to personally receive his Datukship from the TYT of Melaka. The majlis penganugerahan is exclusively for him.

After all the euphoria and haiya, the Bollywood heart throb is finally coming to this World Heritage City. Never mind the controversies surrounding the conferment, Shahrukh Khan is sure to draw in the crowd when he visits the many interesting places of Melaka.

Its true what they say. In the world of cinematography, everything is possible.

Who's next?

Sing Away The Blues The Feliciano Way...

As you would most probably agree, Monday is always blue. I am feeling semonel (emotional). So I have decided to layan that feeling by going down memory lane thru the beautiful songs of the blind Puerto Rican singer whom I adore, none other than Jose Feliciano.

So with the help of the savvy hands of my daugther Ika, I have created a minipod that contains Jose's songs. Golden numbers like "Once There Was A Love", "Love Comes From The Most Unexpected Places", "Angela" etc.

Though the buffering might be annoying, the pure magic of Jose and his love ballads (not to mention his guitar) will hopefully put the blues behind.

Enjoy!

Along Will Do Anything...

Saw this illegal sign on the way to the office this morning. Your guess is as good as mine. Its along's way of luring victims. Can see this at various spots especially at traffic lights where people can see clearly.

The pengguna authority should make their rounds and take these down. That's the least they could do if they really want to tolong. Are you with me?

Nam Menjunam Halimunam

Gambar Perhiasan - Matahari menjunam di pantai Port Dickson

(nothing to do with "menjunam" as in my new blog name)

Nam menjunam halimunam!

What on earth does that mean? I don't know myself. Heard it sometime ago in Sibu, uttered by someone and I thought it sounded very funny!

When I woke up this morning, I decide to post it in cyberspace for who knows someone out there might somehow know its meaning (if there is a meaning). So what is more appropriate than using it to rename my blog.

That's all there is to it.

Nam menjunam halimunam!

Mengaku Tidak Bersalah or Tidak Mengaku Salah

This phrase has been bugging me. We read it in the papers, we hear it on TV notably in news covering court cases. And its very agitating. Its the phrase mengaku tidak bersalah or in English pleaded not guilty. I am not an expert in Bahasa Malaysia but hearing or reading mengaku tidak bersalah is just not right. It just doesn't sound right.

Consider these sentences:

1. Ali mengaku tidak bersalah melanggar seekor lembu hingga mati.

2. Ali tidak mengaku salah melanggar seekor lembu hingga mati.

I still believe sentence number 2 sounds better. Can anybody prove me wrong? I am open to clarification and it better be good!

Honda No-Door

My old faithful, the Honda C70 which has served me for many years has recently been given a new name by a friend from Alor Gajah.

I was passing him by the other day when the old man shouted', "Look! here comes Honda no-door!"

Apparently this officer is driving a four-door Honda Accord. Another friend of his is driving a Honda two-door model. So on seeing my motorbike, he conveniently called it Honda no-door (for the obvious reason). Come to think about it, true also!

Hoping that the price of petrol will go lower. Enjoy the ride. Feel the breeze.

By the way the number is nice to look at but if used (for yunno what) got to pay ...%!

Cheers!

Remembering An Officer & A Gentleman

The late Robert Pasang Langot

I was flipping through the documents in my PDA the other day when I noticed a recital I wrote that was never read. It was for a good friend and colleague who had passed away about a year ago. He was a responsible officer always brave enough to give different views and opinions. He was firm and committed yet approachable.

I thought it was never too late to post it on my blog for all his loved ones and friends to ponder and remember him by. So here goes:

Robert Pasang Dalam Kenangan

Robert Pasang Langot
Namamu mengundang
Seribu ejekan
Kecekalanmu
Benteng tegap
Umpama benak
Yang sentiasa ofensif
Menghadapi cabaran dan ancaman

Sahabatku
Robert Pasang Langot
Memori saat-saat
Suka duka bersamamu
Akan sentiasa
Menggamit kisah-kisah
Yang bisa
Menjadi teladan
Kepada generasi baru
Yang tidak sempat berjuang
Di sisimu

Kerana kau
Robert Pasang Langot
Anak jati Penerangan
Wira pejuang bangsa
Yang tidak pernah
Mengaku kalah
Dalam menegak mertabat bangsa
Dan negara

Robert Pasang Langot
Sesungguhnya
Pada zamanmu
Kau sinonim dengan unit bergerak
Rangkaian sivik rohaniah, silaturahim
Dan juga sivik gong

Kau penggerak kuiz
Kau penghebah pidato
Dan hari-hari akhirmu
Kau juga penyumbang
Panel penceramah negara
Juga tidak kempunan
Memperjuang pengisahan
Yang mencabar kewibawaanmu

Robert Pasang Langot
Major Robert Pasang Langot
Pegawai Penerangan Daerah
Rakan juangku
Yang kaya budi pekerti
Terima kasih
Dan selamat jalai
Pemergianmu setahun sudah
Bukan pengakhiran
Malah pembakar semangat
Warga Penerangan generasi alaf baru
Generasi blog alam maya
Yang kehilangan tokoh
Pejuang akar umbi
Yang sukar dicari ganti

Selamat jalai wai
Amat rindu kami ka' nuan
Apai dom...

May his soul rest in peace.

all that matters is the number of a's you get

"we should not be telling students what is coming out

in examinations or how they should answer questions.

they must figure that out themselves."

- tan sri khoo kay kim (nst, 28.10.2008)

who will listen to tan sri khoo? the bottom line is how many a's you get. that matters most to students, teachers and many, many parents. and at the end of the day the education minister will proudly announce schools with the most a's. teachers who have marked exam papers regard themselves as the chosen ones cos they are the ultimate tutors who students (and parents) look up to since only they can guarantee students the correct way to answer questions.

try arguing this and chances are you will be the one odd out. that is why tan sri khoo will not win this battle. until those responsible for our education system change their "must-get-a-at-all-cost" mindset.

i hope i will be proven wrong.

internerd of a man...

a dear friend of mine is a telephonist. he is also an internerd (internet + nerd). he chats with people around the globe. he e-mails people of high office. and he has a special internet software that sounds like an alien talking. funny thing is, he understands it like his mother tongue.

the way he talks about global issues can easily put some of us to shame. try talking to him about obama's latest rating against mccain. ask him how the americans feel about the prospect of having a black first lady who stays in the white house. talk to him about the financial crisis and the subprime issues which has hit the usa hard. talk to him about malaysian politics. talk to him about anything. i tell you, he is good. he sounds good too because of the information he acquires from the internet. information is power, someone said this nearly two decades ago.

by the way, this friend of mine is blind.

what say you?