Local To Be Appointed Head Of Sabah IRB.

So I am supposed to feel damn proud when they announced something like this? Appointing someone who has already reached the twilight of his career. Why, is it really that hard to find someone as capable but also younger?

To me, this is only a window dressing appointment and nothing more. It is akin to a farewell present given in advance prior to retirement. And it could be also something to pacify the grumbling here in Sabah that has became louder by the day ever since March 2008.

Still, my heartiest congratulation to En. Kamaruzzaman on this appointment. Good luck to him.

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 27 (Bernama) - Kamaruzzaman Abdul Salleh from Semporna, wrote a new chapter in Sabah history by becoming the first local born to be appointed Sabah Inland Revenue Board (IRB) director, starting March 1.

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Windfall that was not to be.

Swedish woman finds 1.13-bln-dollar windfall

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - A Swedish woman received the shock of a lifetime when she found 1.13 billion dollars (883 million euros) more than expected in her bank account, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

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If I were that woman, I would have sued the bank for negligence which could had caused me to have a heart attack. Yep, I guess that is what would happen to me if I were to suddenly discovered a large sum of money parked in my savings account.

So hopefully our bank tellers would not be as careless.

Cowboy MPs?

There were times when people will look forward to every upcoming Dewan Rakyat sitting. Issues that concerns the welfare of the country and its people will be discussed by all the elected representatives in a civil manner regardless whether they are from the Government or Oppositions.

That was before, but now as described by the MP here , things were not as they used to be. I won't compare it to a cowboy town though but, the Dewan Rakyat sessions did lately, have became boring and a source of embarrassment to the people by the antics of the MPs.

Oscar Winners For 2009.

Listed below are some of the winners for the 2009 Academy Awards.

Despite a lot of movies that are produced yearly, my all time favourite movie still is the horror thriller "Silence Of The Lamb". That was almost 20 years ago and I still could not find any other movie that had the same effect as SOTL did to me back then.

I just love the way Ted Levine acted his character in the movie as the cold blooded serial killer Buffalo Bill. In that movie, Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his protayal as Hanibal Lecter and so did Jodie Foster as Special Agent Clarice Starling.

Still as for the list below, I would say Dark Knight is my favourite.

Picture: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Actor: Sean Penn, "Milk"

Actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader"

Director: Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

Foreign-Language Film: "Departures," Japan

Original Song: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Original Score: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis

Film Editing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Sound Mixing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight"

Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Documentary, Short Subject: "Smile Pinki"

Documentary Feature: "Man on Wire"

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"

Short Film: "Spielzeugland"

Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Costume: "The Duchess"

Art Direction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes"

Animated Feature: "WALL-E"

Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"

Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"

Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Related article : Oscar Winners 2009: Full List Of Oscar Winners.

KS Is Right This Time.

Karpal Singh strikes me as an eccentric and very controversial politician but I had to agree with his press statement below.

Even though the MACC have collected enough evidence as claimed, the MACC chief however, should not have made a 'revealing' public announcement about the case. It is akin to drop sentence on the MB even before he was proven guilty by a court of law.

It reeks of political conspiracy if you ask me.

Karpal condemns MACC chief’s statement

(BERNAMA) PENANG: DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has condemned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief for publicly announcing there was “good and strong evidence” against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, even before obtaining the Attorney-General’s consent.

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Related article : BN Nothing To Do With MACC's Disclosure - Muhyiddin

Vote For Sipadan.

To all Malaysian and especially Sabahan, please vote for Sipadan Island to be listed as one of the New Seven Wonder of Nature.

To cast your vote, please log on to this website here and you may also log here for the Island latest ranking. At the time of this posting, Sipadan is ranked 17th in the island category in Group B.

Details on how to go about the whole process are stated therein.

Volvos For Sabah Ministers.

Sabah will be the second BN controlled State after Trengganu D.I. to use other than that of the Proton Perdana in their pool of official cars although, in Sabah, the imported cars are limited for the Ministers use only.

If they preferred the Mercedes in Trengganu, then Sabah on the other hand opts for the Volvo. Almost abang-adik (Volvo and Mercedes) and very foreign model of cars. Wonder what their counterparts from the other BN States will have to say about this, and if the Pakatan Rakyat will manipulate this latest news for their political advantage.

And there must be something very wrong with the Proton models that both the State Government gave similar reason on why they decided to change from using the Perdanas. The reason? Cost of maintenance among others.

However, what I found intriguing though is the missing hoohaah from very patriotic groups that normally followed when announcement such as this were made. Hmm ...

Kota Kinabalu: All 12 Sabah Ministers will be using imported Volvos for official use while senior government officers will continue to use the Proton Perdana, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said, Wednesday.

"We are not reverting, changing the use of official car is a normal thing.

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Conduct Frequent Checks On Business Establishements.

I can only describe it as downright unethical for those businessmen who took advantage of the current economic crunch by increasing the prices of their goods indiscriminately.

I was at the Penampang Baru township this afternoon when I decided to go for a kopi tarik break. I parked my car in front of the Firdaus Curry House when I spotted a small sundry shop located just beside it. My guess is that the sundry shop is an extension to the existing restaurant business as it is also ran by a Mamak.

I then went to take a look inside out of curiosity when I saw six packets the Beras Nasional available for sale. I then informed the shop assistant that I wanted two packets when she told me that the selling price is at RM 19.00 each instead of the fixed price of RM 18.00. Taken aback, I asked her why is this so but she just shrugged her shoulders.

I decided not to buy but instead called a friend from the Kementerian Hal Ehwal Pengguna to complain about this malpractice. This type of people should be taught a lesson. It is no wonder that same type of rice is still available when normally it will sell like hot cakes.

I suspected other consumers goods are also sold above the normal rates not only at this same shop but elsewhere.

Incidentally, the following news article will be just empty air if practises of those unscrupulous businessmen are not periodically checked and monitored. If it goes unchecked then the unsuspecting losers on the receiving end is none other but the consumers themselves.

NEW SABAH TIMES - KOTA KINABALU: The state government is committed to ensuring that Sabah has enough food supply at affordable prices.

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It's alright to be PARANOID.

Several recent high profile and scandalous incident across the country involving politicians and government officials will see them, from now on, exercising extra care in whatever they do. This is especially so in those extra curricular activities as one will never know that their activities will soon be exposed and spread across the Internet.

It may be advisable to be savvy in the espionage techniques and know how as this may greatly help in avoiding one from getting into hot soup should one's discreet romp turns out to be indiscreet indeed. The recent incident involving a certain lady and also the case of a former minister should be good example enough.

So beware! It helps to be a bit paranoid from now on. One should scan one's place of residence, workplace and phone line for hidden bugs and cameras. Oh yes, one never know and being paranoid may help after all.

The Tingkayu Incident.

I felt saddened and outraged of the recent incident in Kunak. It is already a known fact that the issue of land matters in that particular area has been on going for quite some time now, with several reported incidents of fights and confrontations in the past, to the most recent and unfortunate incident which involves the loss of two lives and several seriously injured.

Maybe there are some behind-the-scene facts about this whole issues which we may not be aware of but lives for me are too precious to be lost on matters which could be easily resolved by other means such as through the process of the court of law.

This is after all Malaysia. We do have law and order here. Or if this is already a Bolehland as some claimed it to be.

As it is, I found it to be totally outrageous that the authorities concerned still could not expedite their investigations and put a quick end to the matter of land ownerships in that area. How many more lives had to be needlessly scarified until they really decided to act?

If what has been reported in the tabloids are found to be true, then the hiring and involvement of PTIs or illegal immigrants as thugs, to instills fear and caused injury towards the smallholders of Tingkayu, by parties with vested interest, is totally unacceptable.

How could this be happening here, in Malaysia? Then again if this is already a Bolehland as some claimed it to be, then may God help us.

Maybe it is a good idea that they should just send in a special team from Bukit Aman and involves the MACC too in their latst investigation towards the incident for as I see it, the local authorities there had failed miserably.

Perhaps if they had the time, they should also pore over the land ownership in areas with high density of immigrants (legal or otherwise). Maybe if they look hard enough, they will find something.

(Read more about the incident here.)

Valentine Day, Roses And Gaza.

For most of the younger generation anywhere, tomorrow is a special day for them. I am referring to the day known popularly as lovers day or Valentine Day, which also falls on every 14th of February .

I am not going to talk in detail the history of this date as I believe there are more than enough about it that can be found across the Net. I also never celebrate, not once, a Valentine Day and therefore won't be able to give you a first hand "feel" of the special significances about it.

However, we all know that Valentine Day won't be perfect without this "one thing". This "one thing" of course is the flower, ROSE. The one item that never over looked on that day. Florists will also have their hands full on this particular day.

I was quite elated therefore, to know that although not in a large quantity, the Palestinians in Gaza are involved for this year's Valentine Day and are allowed to export their Roses to Europe.

At least in the midst of all the miseries surrounding them, they have not lost their fighting spirit to survive and at the same time showcase to the world their special Roses. Pity that the flowers could not made it to Malaysia.

P/S: Wonder if someone can pen a poem about the red Roses and blood of the fallen Palestinians.

Israel opens the Gaza border for 25,000 carnations, bound for Europe

By ISABEL KERSHNER

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Israel allowed the export of a shipment of flowers from Hamas-run Gaza on Thursday for the first time in about a year.

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Source : International Herald Tribune

Strange Tale: Urine As A Health Therapy?

Sure is a strange world we lived in. Can you believe it? Urine are now considered as a form of health therapy? I wonder whether they will call it Urinetheraphy one day.

People kept coming up with new health products everyday but I never did expected urine to be one of them. A life was lost because of this new "alternative treatment". Hope this madness will never reach our shores.

Prosecutor: Urine Injection Kills Bolivian Woman

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 11, 2009

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- A Bolivian woman has died from an injection of urine allegedly administered by her friend as a form of health therapy, a prosecutor said Tuesday. Investigating prosecutor Oscar Flores told The Associated Press that 35-year-old Gabriela Ascarrunz died Saturday of an ''infection caused by urine that was injected by fashion designer Monica Schultz.''

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Source : The New York Times

Akedemi Fantasia - Season 7th.

The much famous reality TV show "Akedemi Fantasia - Season 7th" will starts off with its first concert this coming 14th March. Although the previous seasons did showcased several real talents from Sabah and had produced a winner last year, I solemnly wish that for this year, participants from Sabah will give it a miss.

Those aspiring talents should only participate if they are really ready to face the harsh reality and false pretences of the showbiz world.

They should also read the sad tale of this unfortunate lass.

Rihanna's Concert Postponed.

Heard over the radio that the Rihanna concert were postponed to a new date yet to be confirmed. She was also missing from the Grammy award ceremony recently and maybe the reason is explained here.

The boys of the Pas Youth wing must be feeling very happy indeed about this latest turn of event.

Ini Cerita Betul Ke Ni?

Tak nak komen banyak sekarang cuma kena tunggu pengesahan oleh RPK sendiri samada melalui blog beliau ataupun saluran yang lain. Perkara yang dimaksudkan adalah mengenai satu tajuk berita The Star Online seperti yang tertera di bawah ini.

RPK: Anwar, Kit Siang and Hadi should quit

Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has called for the resignations of three senior Opposition leaders for the loss of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government to Barisan Nasional.

Sumber : The Star Online

JOKE.

I've received this e-mail from a friend and after reading and having a good laugh, decided to post it here in my blog.

Please remember that this is only a joke and not meant to demean anybody.

Enjoy.

Raman: Narain, I've been attending night classes for 5 months now and I have an exam next week.

Narayan: oh!

Raman: For example, do you know who is Alexander Graham Bell?

Narayan: No

Raman: He's the inventor of the phone in 1876; if you take night courses you would know this.

The next day, the same discussion took place:

Raman: Do you know who Alexander Dumas is?

Narayan: No

Raman: He's the author of "The 3 Musketeers", if you take night courses, you would know this.

The next day, once again:

Raman: And do you know who Jean Jacques Rousseau is?

Narayan: No

Raman: He's the author of "Confessions", if you take night courses, you would know this.

This time, Narayan got irritated and asked

Narayan: And you, do you know who is Balakrishnan Kuppuswamy?

Raman: No

Narayan: He's the guy sleeping with your wife!! If you stop night courses, you would know.


"Rule: There are some things more important in life than Work and General Knowledge".

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau @ Tip Of Borneo.

What a terrible week that we all had. Some of the events that I have witnessed really made me wonder whether there is still justice, ethics, patriotism etc. left in this world.

Well enough about politics for the time being. I was determined that whatever happened or will happen will not dampen my weekend so off I go to Kudat for some unfinished business plus some sightseeing of course.I had always wanted to visit the Tip Of Borneo or locally known as Tanjung Simpang Mengayau.

I left Kota Kinabalu at 10.00 am and reached there at 12.40 pm. I was quite pleased to finally reached and see the northernmost of Sabah or Borneo Island itself with my own eyes. I had a nice view of the South China Sea and it was quite windy when I reached there.

No need to worry about food as there a canteen nearby and also a chalet for those who wished to stay overnight. For security, there is a Police Station situated not far away from the canteen.

As I was alone, I did not stay long and after about fourty minutes I left but determined to bring along my family with me on my next trip here.

Engraving on the wall of the "globe" describing a brief history of the place.

Perak - My Wishful Thingking ...

A friend asked me this evening while watching the news at a mamak shop, for my opinion about the present situation in Perak. The paragraphs below was my simple reply to him.

It would be fair to all parties concerned and especially so to the people for the state of Perak, that a fresh state election should be held to solve the messy political situation there and also to gauge whom the rakyat really supports.

As we Sabahans had gone through a similar experience in the past, no matter what kind of excuses given by the BN leading to their taking over the rein of power which was through the crossing over by members from the opposition parties, I still think that this as most unethical thing to do.

Then again this is Malaysian politics and the word ethic almost non-existence.

A fresh election would involves huge sum of money and not feasible considering the present global economic crunch but it is really still a small amount in comparison to political stability and for the well being for the people of Perak. Then again I think this is only wishful thinking on my part which will never see the light of day.

I sincerely hope the present political scenario in Perak will somehow jog the memory of DSAI of what had happened in Sabah years ago. He will now have some idea on what Pairin had gone through back then. I half suspecting that he is having the last laugh now.

That's when I noticed my friend's face suddenly turned almost the same colour of the kicap on the table and I take that as the cue for me stop.

Wet Day For KK.

It's been raining from early this morning till now (at 2.25pm). From light to heavy rainfall, it's quite an inconvenience to most of us in going about our daily tasks. I mentioned " to most of us" as those involved in the construction line are fortunate enough to have an off day today.

I am supposed to report for duty today on a job, which I had second thought of, which is in Kudat. Had to cancel the trip due to the bad weather. Maybe this a divine sign telling me not to take up this job. :)

Still, I'm a bit disappointed as I had planned to visit the tip of Borneo. Then again I can always go there next time.

Now comes the part to write an email to turn down the offer.

Daily Express : 'Dr M, Anwar not qualified to comment'

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth said Thursday that both former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR Adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are not qualified to comment on the four Perak assemblymen who quit the opposition.

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Source : Daily Express

Finally ...

Well, had been expecting this for quite sometime. I finally got a call from the office this afternoon where the receptionist asked me to collect the "With regret we had to.." notice. During lunch even. What a way to spoil a good meal. (Sigh)

Actually there are already several openings available for me at the moment. Had to really think this out. Don't know whether it is a good time to embark on my own in the construction line during these economic uncertainties. Ah well, like the good old song " Que sera sera...", wish me luck. (Going to need it.)

Checking Of Luggage.

I for one agree that checking on luggage should be implemented at all our airports. Although they will conduct this search on random basis and initially at Kuching International Airport, it's a good start. It does caused inconveniences but I feel it's safer this way. If airports around the world are doing as such, why shouldn't we?

Perak o Perak.

Frankly, I don't even give a hoot who form the State Government over there tomorrow. It's almost like a replay over what had happened here years ago when the PBS State Government fell after some of its assemblymen kataked over to the BN.

If that is the case for the Pakatan State Government, then they may consider themselves lucky that they managed to last 11 months. PBS survived even less than that.

Student Whacked Because Of Bomoh.

It is very disheartening and disappointing to read article such as the one below. Being students of higher learning, this incident should not have happened at all. They should have let the experts, which in this case the police to handle the case.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Angkara percaya tilikan bomoh, seorang pelajar Universiti IndustriSelangor (Unisel) trauma akibat dibelasah dan ‘ditawan’ sekumpulan rakan senior selama tiga jam kerana dituduh mencuri dompet, jam tangan, telefon bimbit dan kasut mereka.

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Source: Harian Metro

To trust a bomoh for a case such as the above should be the last thing they should do. What if that bomoh is a fake and the information he has been giving are all bullshits.

No wonder people have been lamenting the quality of our local grads lately.

Me Not One Of Them.

I am happy to announce that I have renewed my international passport earlier this month for an anticipated travel in mid year and that I am not in one of the 500,000 mentioned below.

Not that I have anything wrong to be included in this exclusive list. Me always been an abiding citizen. Laws and all. (I hope) :P

500,000 Malaysians banned from travelling overseas

SIN CHEW DAILY - PUTRAJAYA, Jan 31 — Thirteen per cent of Malaysians holding valid international passports have been put on the list of individuals banned from travelling overseas by the Immigration Department

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