In Corruption We Lose

I have not been able to articulate the impact of the corruption in this country despite wanting to write a piece about it. So, when I read about this article by Raja Petra, it is clear to us why we should take the issue of corruption more seriously and there is no difference between paying off a traffic cop RM30.00 to avoid traffic summons and the hassles, and the corruption scandal as huge as PKFZ that involved billions. We, the rakyat biasa, have to pay the price of allowing corruption pervailing in the country. So, please read the article.

Are You The Crappy Driver?

Does it spoil your day when someone does something to his / her convenience but ignore yours?

The fact is that the story I am going to relate to you did not happen to me but being the third party, I can feel the agitation and anger of the victims.

So here is the story…

At 6.40pm, I was approaching home after work and about 50 meter right outside my house, I spotted two Intrakota buses and a police car parked right at the middle of the road and some people encircled the road. Just as I though it could be an accident or something, it wasn’t.

I parked my car, went up to my room and observed the situation from the balcony and my housemate was already there telling me that a stupid inconsiderate driver had parked his car where it should not parked and caused the massive traffic jam at LRT Station.

There were people wanted to go home as soon as possible but stuck in the bus. There were people needed to be at home cooking meals for their loved ones but stuck in the bus. There were people wanted to break fast after whole day fasting but could not do so because the bus couldn’t move at all. Look at the photo below.









As you can see, the Proton Gen II in silver grey colour was parking at the road side where it blocked the Intrakota bus (behind Proton Gen II) from going out. Take note that it is a one-way road going up a slope and the width of the road is just nice for a bus to go through giving its long body.

The police car was there to wait for the driver and serve him good with a traffic summon.

It beats me to think that why would the driver park his car there at all at the first place? Doesn’t he any common sense that a bus would not be able to pass by with his car occupying part of the road? It is pretty obvious to any road user but there you have it, a selfish driver thinking only of his convenience.

At the first place, he could have parked his car at the parking space provided by LRT station with a small charge. But he didn’t. I always wonder, if you can’t afford the small parking charge why bother to have a car or to drive a car? If he has to park his car at that very spot due to emergency, he should have left a note and mobile number to call. Be considerate! That’s all.

The driver was no-show up to 7.40pm The public was getting really annoyed and decided to move his car to the left side of the road by manual force to make more room for the bus. Then the bus tried it was successful. I was glad that the passengers could go home finally.

Of course, a traffic summon was served and a small note (with nasty words courtesy of one of the irate passengers I supposed) was attached to the car wiper.

I got an update from my housemate that the culprit did show up at about 11pm to retrieve his car and he was immediately confronted by the LRT station worker for his ignorant way of parking that had caused all the troubles.

To Indonesia With Love

Gess, I never know that we - Malaysian - could be so hatable in the eyes of Indonesians! I read in the Malay Mail couple of days ago with total shock that there is a 'We Hate Malaysian' group in Facebook with a whopping 400,000 members! In addition, the anti-malaysian sentiment is on the rise in Jakarta all because of a Balinese dance was put in a Visit Malaysia video. So the Indonesians are all worked up because we have stolen their national dance. It was not known how the dance was ended up / featured in a Malaysia video but I was thinking that you can't expect much from a group of scambugs or barbarians who went on senseless killings, rapings, robbings and did all the god-forbidden acts on its citizens in 1998. Leopard can't change its spots, as the saying goes.

Of course, I don't mean all the Indonesians are scumbags/barbarians in my statement above. There are Indonesians (Most of them I mean) who are well-educated, behaved, enlighten, courteous and friendly toward Malaysians and the statement is not directed at them.

Now, where is this going to go? They hate us and we hate them back? To those Malaysians out there, we should start treating our Indonesian friends with more respect, right?

Scratch And Win Scams

I would like to share with you what I have heard recently about a victim of scratch-and-win scam which, if you have been following news closely, the scam is nothing new in our country as it is quite common nowadays. We have news that people were schemed, cheated, and duped and by the time they know it, it is too late. Anyway, I hope you all out there be extra careful when approached by strangers. The thing is while under normal circumstances, we all thought it would be unlikely one would be fallen prey - can you believe those prizes come as easy as just scratch and you win! 100% win all the time. But many have been fallen prey and it makes you ask - Why? How come? How could this happen? Is Malaysian generally gullible? The scam has been around for 15 years! It is the greedy nature of human or there is something else that makes the scheme so ‘successful’?

The victim was a young female friend. She was making her way to Pudu Raya to take a bus to hometown. While on her way, she was stopped by two strangers – Chinese, male – and she was presented with scratch-and-win coupon. One guy was cajoling her into scratching the coupon while the other was standing behind her. She scratched and she won and then the coaxing continued to the extent that she finally convinced that she did win something special. In order to claim the prizes, she followed one of the young guys to his office by taxi. The office is located in Old Klang road Kuchai Lama.

She was brought to the office and there are two office staff – one male and one female – waiting for her and she was being cajoled into signing an agreement with the company of which she has to pay RM5,600 advertising fees in exchange for the prizes that she won. To cut the story short, she did what most people would think they would not do - She signed it.

She did not carry much cash with her at that time so they conveniently suggested to her that there is an ATM machine downstairs. Now, you have to understand that we are talking about a young female person who do not spend money unnecessarily and has a long history of saving all her hard-earned money into bank account. A young female person who is not naïve with her young age and who has been taught not to trust complete strangers. She followed a young guy to downstairs to ATM machine. Withdrawn RM4,000 from her bank account and in the process, shown the young guy her account balance and tell the young guy that this is the maximum that she can withdrawn because of the daily withdrawal limit. She wanted to call her sister to get the balance RM1,600 but the young guy conveniently told her that that is no need to trouble your sister and he would pay for her the RM1,600. I am so damn sure this young fellow will go to heaven for his 'good' deed.

While in the office, she was told to pay RM80 transport charges for the prizes to be delivered to the designated address. She paid it. At the same time, the young man who was standing behind her when she was approached in Pudu Raya asked her for an Ang Pow for such good luck he has brought her. She gave him RM50.00 and then another RM50 as the first RM50 was not enough according to that young guy.

She was promised that the prizes would be delivered but a copy of signed agreement was not even given to her. When this was done, a young guy accompanied her to downstairs and got her a cab. While she was in the taxi on the way from Kuchai Lama to Pudu Raya, she regained her consciousness and knew there and then that something was not right. She called her brother-in-law and asked for help and then she called her sister.

She made a u-turn to the Kuchai Lama office and waited for her brother-in-law and sister to arrive.

Again, to cut the story short, they managed to get a copy of the agreement and there was argument ensued on dubious contents of the agreement signed and et cetera… the thing is, the scammers that they were dealing are no average human being. In the best interest of personal safety, they left the office without any success in recovering the RM4,000 from the scammers. It is believed that these scammers have backup nearby and they are not the type of people that we want to mess up with.

It puzzles me to think that how easy one can be fallen prey to something that obviously a scam but then I realized that these victims are not fully conscious or not in the right frame of mind as the incident unfolds right before them. They know what is happening – who they meet, that they are signing an agreement and giving out money to a stranger – but yet they easily comply with the requests of the stranger. Somebody says it is the greediness and black magic or jumpi that make the scam works. Something must have been ‘done’ to the victim to confuse judgment but yet not totally in confusion.

I don’t know how it works but I am sharing this story with you so that you are alert whenever come into contact with strangers, lucky draw, scratch-and-win, and whatever scams that you may come across. You may not believe in spell, jumpi or whatever we call it but it does not hurt you a bit to avoid strangers as much as possible so that you are not ‘spelled’.

Google the term scratch and win scam, you will find stories of victim and the modus operandi of the scam. Let us be wise and be alert. Don’t be too sure that you can outsmart those scammers easily. Well, there have been victims from professions that you think would not be easily fooled and coned.

If you are wondering what happened to the girl. Police report was made and complaint lodged with tribunal (Kementerian Hal-Ehwal Pengguna). According to my research in the internet, good chance you can get back the money through tribunal. I hope the girl would get back her hard-earned money at the end of the day.

On the other hand, why do you think that scratch-and-win scams can never be eradicated from Malaysia? What have the law enforcement teams done in this aspect? Don’t just alert the public through news! Do you jobs!

To those scammers out there, there is such thing called bad karma. Let the bad karma be fallen on you!

52

Happy birthday Malaysia! You are 52 now.

Place That I Needn't Welcome

I hated coming here yet I had no choice but to show up. The last time I was here, it was an unpleasant memory.

The irony was the sign that greeted me. It reads: Selamat Datang ke Wad AG. Selamat Datang! Do you think I like to be here? And everybody else for that matter. You do not have to welcome me here. Hospital is not a place I really like to visit. It is a greeting used in the wrong place. Totally unnecessary I think.

I was there to see my father and he was warded for the last few weeks. His condition had improved compared to the weeks before. His face was not as pale before but his knee was painful. He limped and moved slowly. Anyway, I was glad to see the progress he made.

Well, one good thing was that he was well taken care of here. The conditions of the ward are not bad at all - well-ventilated, well-lit, proper facilities and the staff are friendly. It was obvious that father missed home but he could not rush. He wanted to talk to someone and I am glad that I was there. I had the time so I kept him company. I accompanied him to the X-ray room. Took this photo from his back while he was waiting for his turn. Noticed that his shoulder had shrunken. He used to have broad shoulder.

I left after 2 1/2 hours. Mum was waiting for me at home.

Not a place I like to visit. I was wondering how long they are keeping my father here. That day was 21 June 2009.

He was discharged on 25 June 2009. I am sure he was happy finally at home. He missed home.

Thank You Michael Jackson, For The Sweet Memories

There isn't much that I can do for you so I dedicate this song - Smile - in my blog to you.

SMILE

By Nat King Cole

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

Thats the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

Thats the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

I remember (I read it somewhere) that Smile is one of the Michael Jackson's favourite songs. This track was included and covered by him in one of his albums (of which I can't remember now) and the melody stayed with me up until today. Needless to say, it has become one of my favourite songs too.

I thought you did not matter to me until I came to know about your passing from the news today. Well, I was shocked, a bit but very quickly I came out of it. That's just part of life isn't it. Funny it may sound to you but I had somehow predicted your death. For the last few years, whenever I come across your news I paid close attention. There was this feeling that "It's about time". No, I wasn't cursing you but... I was just feeling something wasn't right or more precisely, something bad was going to happen to you. Then I heard the news this morning...

Despite all the bad things that I heard about you over the years, I must say that your music has brought so much pleasure, happiness, and memorable moments in the early part and certain points of my life.

I remembered when I was knee-high and at that time, the word 'music' has no meaning to me. I got very excited seeing my brothers moonwalking across the hall, squealing, moving around with hands and body to the music. They were trying to imitate your moves. As a small child, it was exciting for me to watch my brothers did those moves and they did it sooooo often and so funny. I giggled and laughed while watching that. Sooner after that, I know the name of the music - Billy Jean.

Not so long after that, Thriller came and raided the airwave and followed by Beat it. These music did not fail to amuse me at my tender age. Whenever the beat came on, I would turn to my brother and they would immediately become 'Michael Jackson'. These are my memories of your music, Michael.

Your music created so much of excitements in the early part of my life. It was fun, it was amusing, it came to me with positive feelings and brought so much smiles to me. Everything about you was exciting! Did I mention that the whole Kampung was crazy about you too? Malay, India or Chinese. Everybody just loved your music.

I know that you were planning to make a come back. But you can't do that now. Just like the song that you sang - Gone too soon - You were gone, too soon.

GONE TOO SOON

By Micheal Jackson

Like A Comet

Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky

Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow

Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly

And Splendidly Bright

Here One Day

Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight

On A Cloudy Afternoon

Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle

Built Upon A Sandy Beach

Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower

That Is Just Beyond Your Reach

Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight

Here One Day

Gone One Night

Like A Sunset

Dying With The Rising Of The Moon

Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

May you rest in peace and find your Neverland. Thank you so much for your music.

Datuk Sudirman Arshad

Gees, why sooooooooooo late. That was my first reaction when I read about the news this morning that The Late Sudirman Arshad was conferred Datukship recently after 18 years of his passing.

Some might think that better late than never but I think the recognition should have come much sooner. It should have been given to him at the time that was matter to him most - when he was alive and made Malaysian proud. If my memory serves me right, he was famous, popular and a role model for all of us. He is a great entertainer / performer / actor and totally deserved the datukship. He sang the ever so famous song - Balik Kampung - the song that is truly a classic to me and would be remembered by everyone of us for a long long long long time. He is one of the artists that would make me glued to the TV for his concert show in RTM1.

Don't know about you but I feel it lacks the sincerity in conferring datukship to him after 18 years. I can understand the delay if it is late by 1 or 2 years but 18 years is just too far and irrelevant to me.

Anyway, congratulations to the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad and his family for the recognition that has finally come.

For the younger generation or those uninitiated, please click here for details about him.

Photo source: www.budiey.com/page/24/

Ain't No Human

Ah Long ar Ah Long.

Forced imprisonment. Inhumane treatment. Such devilish idea you are capable of!

Do you think you are greater, and better, than God?!

You should not be considered human because you are the one not deserving to be treated like human.

You should not be walking on your feet because it befits you to be crawling on the floor.

You should not be eating rice like one of us because you can't digest rice.

You should not be smoking like my human friend because your being can't smoke.

You should not be cutting your hair because you needn't one.

You should not be wearing cloth like me because like zombie, cloth is meaningless.

You needn't walk beneath the light because your being don't have shadow.

You should not have surname because you smear the very good name of the families carry that surname.

When The Fat Lady Sings

Damn! What have I been missing! This is like the hottest clip in YouTube for the past 2 months. This is one ordinary person with extraordinary talent and everybody get shocked and applauded!

Noticed her confidence and how audience reacted unfavourably to her when she proclaimed "I am trying to be a professional singer! But I haven't got the chance" Even Simon Cowell rolled his eyes on that. The minute she sangs, the atmosphere changed and everyone was mesmerized with her voice and exploded with cheers at the end.

This is what I call an inspiring moment! Susan Boyle.

Her situation is very much similar with Paul Potts!

Aging

Creased forehead
Lined chin
Light and whiter hair
Swollen bags under the eyes
Weakening sight and hearing
Bulging cheek
Softer voice
Shrunken figure
Wrinkled body
Fallen shoulder
Sagging muscle
Diminishing strength
Dragging steps and slower walk

Don't you think it is scary and saddening to see that your parents are growing old each and every passing day.