Too Busy To Realize We Are Sick?

Did not blog for the past few days as I was just not up to it or to put simply; I really was just not in the mood. Too much had happened, that blogging had to take a short break while I go about tackling some urgent personal matters.

Incidentally after having read this news article, it made me realized that how one handle his or her personal live and problems, will somehow affects his health too.

So be sure that our daily hectic activities does not somehow make us forget in how to take good care of ourselves. A good personal crisis management regime, will help us in handling our personal lives in a more efficient and orderly manner. That I think will prevent the thing mentioned in the paragraph below from happening. To quote from that article:

"However, the ministry's greatest concern is that many of them are not seeking treatment simply because they are unaware that they have hypertension."

Now that is something, I really think that to forget in taking good care of oneself or health, to me, is the most irresponsible thing that a person can do.

The Banning.

With the banning of Harakah and Suara Keadilan, am wondering what's next or rather, whose next? Although there may be lots and make sense reason that may be given, am of the opinion that this is one way to make the coming transition of power to be a smooth one.

Smooth one in the sense without the dissenting and "kacau-kacau" voices in the background. Still, there is the Internet. How? Hmm..

Copy and Paste Culture.

It was only yesterday that the lecturer for the course that I've enrolled in gave a stern warning to the class against the tendency to completely "copy and paste" from the Net when completing our assignments. Today I came across this article.

Has it really came to a point, that with the availability of so much information and data made available on the Net that we have become lazy in doing real research works? That we have lost our originality? Will our universities will be producing low quality graduates? How then will they perform as they enter the real world? I shudder to think about it.

Yes, I may have surfed the Net and sloughed through research books at the library. However, there is one thing I will never do is to plagiarize. If there is one thing that the Universities will never tolerate is plagiarizing.

Unfortunately some may not agree with this line of thinking and thought that they could get away with it and thus may find out the harsh way, to being penalized or worst still, expelled.

Dr. Mohd. Asri : Orang Politik! Berbaloikah Ini Semua

Orang Politik! Berbaloikah Ini Semua

Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Arifin

Malas rasanya hendak mengulas keserabutan politik negara kita. Saya yang berada jauh di cerok Lampeter, Wales ini pun terasa betapa serabutnya kerenah politik dalam negara. Kadang-kala rasa letih perasaan hendak membaca berita-berita negara kebelakangan ini. Semuanya tentang kekeliruan politik.

Selanjutnya ...

Liverpool vs Chelsea At Champions League Quarter Finals

My heart jumped when I found out Liverpool will meet Chelsea in the coming Champions League quarter finals this April. How exciting indeed.

Pity that these two had to meet so early. By looking at the latest match fixture, every other European teams will have their chance to enter the final. But still, maybe this year, we may yet get the chance to see an all English teams in the final? Time will tell.

Still, am a die-hard Liverpool fan and am confident (sorry to Chelsea fans out there :P) that they will make to the semis, final and win. ;)

More info here.

LIVERPOOL BOLEH!!

More Salvos From Tun M.

More salvos from Tun M. To quote him from the front page of the Daily Express this morning;

On Rustam - "I'm not a member of Umno. If I had been involved, I would have him thrown out from the very beginning."

On Mat Taib - "I think what is left is somebody who is... well, could not read English and therefore he did something wrong in Australia. So my choice is Muhyiddin."

Related article : The Malaysian Insider.

They Are Much Younger Here.

They were shocked to find a 10 year old glue sniffer in Sarawak? Well, don't be.

You should try and scouts about the streets and alleys of the Sinsuran shoplots area or the Central Market here in Kota Kinabalu, and to see for yourself how the immigrant "street kids" here are much younger than their counterparts in Sarawak anytime. Some of them could be as young as 8 or 9, but then again maybe due to neglect, their physical appearance does not reflects their true age.

But that is not the point. They are still children and the authorities must look and find a solution to this social ill among the young, regardless whether they are local or otherwise. To see them lose their innocence at such young age is a pitiful sight to behold.

Source : The Malaysian Insider.

Taking A Few Days Rest.

Did not do any posting the last few days as my mind was on other more important matters. Oh yes, I have been busy. Busy looking for a job that is. Beside that my back is also killing me. Not my lower back but at my mid riff. :) Could not sit straight. The aching could be so distracting. Must be having one of those mid life crisis that they used to talk about. Anyway, wish me luck and hope to be back soon.

Jabu to 'outsiders'- "Don't mess around with Ibans."

(The Borneo Post) - Kuching : Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang warned ‘outsiders’ not to mess around with the Ibans.

Foremost, he said, these outsiders must never show disrespect for the community’s tradition and culture.

Read more ...

‘Stop being inhumane to us’

“Whether they are with the government parties or not, they are still legitimate citizens and human beings. If the government can extend help even to illegal immigrants, I cannot understand why they are being victimised simply because of their political allegiance,” he said.

(New Sabah Times) - KOTA KINABALU: Attempts to lure members of the opposition Sabah Progressive Party SAPP) to join the Barisan Nasional shows the weakness and desperation of the coalition, and the often inhumane mentality of some government political leaders.

Read more ...

Golden Words For You.

Reproduced these 'golden words' from a friend's e-mail. Who is Dr. Kalam anyway? Haven't had the time to 'Google' the name yet. Been so busy these few days. Trying my best utilizing my time between finding a new job and to complete my study assignment. Tak lama lagi 100% berubanlah rambut ana.

Anyway back to the golden words, it is absolutely apt in times like the present economic crunch. It had happened to me and maybe it may be an eye opener to some of you.

Enjoy.

Love your job but don't love your Company because you may not know when your company stops loving you.

Dr. ABDUL KALAM

Youtube Block Video In UK.

Both parties may have their own reasons for the on-going feud between them with the present worldwide economic crunch may well be one of the contributing factors.

Nevertheless, both parties will lose out too if they couldn't reach to a workable compromise soon, as there are loads of illegal sites out there where people can have access and make virtually unlimited, not to mention unauthorised downloads.

Will the the same thing ever going to happen here? Nahh...but maybe after we are able to solve the illegal cd/dvd rackets in our own backyards.

PRS Outraged by Youtube UK Video Block
by John Lister

(Infopackets) - YouTube has exterminated all legally uploaded music videos viewable to British users. The move, which revolves around licensing disagreements, has sparked a public relations war with the music industry and fans.

Read more ...

Latest From Dr. Mohd Asri.

Below is a statement from Dr. Mohd Asri the former Mufti of Perlis with regard to the controversial issue about the usage of the name Allah by non-muslims.

Kenyataan Dr Mohd Asri Berhubung Isu Nama Allah

Mar 10, 2009

Saya bukan jawatankuasa PAS, atau orang Kelantan, namun bagi saya sesiapa yang menempelak kenyataan YAB MB Kelantan tentang isu nama Allah adalah mereka yang kurang jelas tentang akidah Islam, atau mempertahankan apa yang mereka tidak faham.

Saya telah tulis isu ini lebih setahun yang lalu dalam artikel saya yang disiarkan dalam MM bertajuk BEZA ANTARA MEREBUT NAMA ALLAH DAN MEMPERTAHANKAN AKIDAH. Saya telah kemukakan hujah dan alasan bahawa mereka boleh memanggil Tuhan dengan ‘Allah’. Al-Quran dan Sunnah membenarkannya. Akidah bukan diukur dengan panggilan, tetapi dengan membezakan antara tauhid dan syirik.

Majlis Fatwa Perlis semasa saya menjadi mufti membuat keputusan sebulat suara keharusan bukan muslim memanggil Tuhan dengan panggilan Allah. Jangan kita nak divert isu politik, kita bangkit isu agama, nanti agama menjadi mangsa permainan manusia.

Saya nasihat kepada yang bising isu ini, jika nak berjihad, biarlah kena pada tempatnya.. Ini bukan isu yang patut kita bertarung kerananya. Jika ingin melarang bukan muslim guna nama Allah jangan sebut Islam melarang tetapi beritahu mereka peraturan Kerajaan Malaysia melarangnya atas sebab-sebab tertentu.

Jangan jadikan isu agama nanti mereka hairan lain al-Quran cakap, lain pihak yang memakai jenama agama cakap. Apa yang patut JAKIM fikirkan adalah bagaimana cara agar bukan muslim dalam negara kita lebih faham dan suka dengan Islam”

-Dr. Mohd Asri,
Lampeter, UK.

Akedemi Fantasia Season 7th - (2).

Lately, I have been getting some traffics enquiring about the popular reality tv show Akedemi Fantasia Season 7th - which will kicks off this coming Saturday the 14th of March. So, after doing bit of Google on the Net, this is the latest updates that I can come up with so far.

Compliment should be given to apacerita - acap.blogspot.com whom have posted a video clip at Youtube complete with the particulars of each of the 20 contestants who made it to the final.

The breakdown of the contestants are:

Johor - 5, Kuala Lumpur -2, Perak - 1, Sabah - 6, Sarawak - 4, Selangor - 2.

As can be seen, Sabahans form the bulk of the contestants for this year with 6 followed by Johor with 5 respectively. Just wondering, whatever happened to the other states? Well, good luck to all the contestants.

The Other Arms Race.

This will be my second posting for the day and which also concerns with women. Why? Today is Women's Day of course.

I shall not go for the boring stuff but more on the lighter side of life but which could also be the serious side to some ladies.

Yes, especially those with the flabby upper arms. So guys, be careful when you are about to comments about your partner's arms or any women's arms. The upper side that is. If it's flabby, keep it to yourself. However, if it's those beautifully fine toned ones, then compliment all you will. Who knows, you will be given a bonus. ;)

(THE DAILY MAIL) - On women's websites the world over, there are acres of comments this week about Michelle Obama's look.

When not comparing her style to that of Jackie Kennedy or reflecting on the price of her dresses (which are, incidentally, a million miles down the food chain from what Jackie O paid for hers), they focus on her arms.

Read more ...

Deadly Handbags.

If I didn't read the article below, I would have never thought that ladies handbags could be so dirty and maybe deadly too. Come to think of it, it does however make sense after going through the article. The same goes for school bags too I guess.

Anyway, for all the ladies and women readers of this blog, Happy International Women's day.

Killer handbags?

The next time you have a bout of food poisoning, the ‘culprit’ could well be your handbag.

(THE STAR) - I NEVER gave it a thought. Who would have thought? Have you ever noticed girls who sit their handbags on public toilet floors then go directly to their dining tables and set it on the table?

It’s not always the restaurant food that causes stomach distress. Sometimes, what you don’t know willhurt you.

Read more ...

PPSMI - My Say.

PM mahu kementerian segera selesai isu PPSMI

(BERTA HARIAN) - PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mahu Kementerian Pelajaran menyelesaikan segera isu Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sain dan Metematik Dalam bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) sebelum masalah itu menjadi lebih besar. (Memang dah cukup besar pun. Dan sini nak tanya sikit, salah siapakah dalam hal ini?)

Perdana Menteri berkata, isu PPSMI itu sudah menjadi besar dan sensitif dan banyak desakan kuat dibuat rakyat, khususnya orang Melayu, supaya tindakan segera diambil.

"Kerajaan akan mengambil perhatian isu itu dan mahu Kementerian Pelajaran selesaikan segera," katanya pada sidang media selepas melancarkan buku Dragonfire Hammer di sini, hari ini.

If it too troublesome and not to mention the endless oppostion to this policy, then I think they should just scrapped it.

Although there were some good results that this policy has brought about (my children are living proof) but at the same time that it can be politicised and the thousands other reason to oppose it, then the easiest way to make everyone happy save for a few, is to just do away with it.

The important thing is everyone will be happy. The teachers will be happy that they won't go mad having to teach the two subjects in this foreign language, the students will be happy, the parents will be happy and don't know whether the politicians will be happy since they will be one tool short in their political arsenal to play arround with.

The PM had tai cheed the buck which is logical anyway, to the Education Minister to deal with. So all eyes will be on him to call the shot. To continue or discontinue? That is the question.

My honest opinion? Continue and I bet that I am not alone in this.

4 Malaysians In Forbes' List Of Generous Donors.

To me, these are the sort of news to look forward to and not the endless distressing news that have been plaguing this country lately.

Forbes Magazines had picked 4 Malaysians to be listed in the third issue of their annual Heroes Of Philanthropy. The list consisted of a group of 4 generous people each from 12 countries.

Of the 4 donors from Malaysia, 2 of them are Sabahans. While there are still lots of other generous Malaysians out there but for this issue, these 4 were the chosen ones.

Full detail of the list may be found here.

AHMADSHAH ABDULLAH 62
Governor of Sabah State and a small-scale landlord.

Started the Tun Ahmadshah Foundation in 2004 to help the needy and gives it roughly $13,000 a year. It awards scholarships and funds educational programs for underprivileged students. It also pays medical bills and picks up the cost of health care equipment, and helps single mothers, orphans and victims of tragedies.

JEFFREY CHEAH 63
Chairman of the Sunway Group.

Started the Sunway Education Trust Fund in 1997, which has awarded some $12 million in college scholarships over the years. He donated $3 million last year, mostly to build and repair primary and secondary schools. Plans to turn the trust fund into the Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Foundation by the middle of this year. The model is the Harvard Foundation, with donations going to the Cheah Foundation's international school, a medical school and 2 universities.

LIM KOK WING 62
Founded and serves as president of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

Has contributed and organized fundraising for everything from fighting AIDS to fighting apartheid. Mission is to "create learning pathways for needy individuals to fully develop their talent and skills so they can contribute to nation-building." Provides scholarships, disabled-student services. Gave $22,000 last year to the "Plight of Palestinians: From Grim to Bleak" fundraising event.

RAYA EROM 46
Inherited much of her money from her father-in-law, who was head of the State of Sabah, and invested in the property development, timber and travel sectors.

Aspired since her student days to help as many people as she can; she's taken up causes in child development, education, health, art, music, environmental protection and sportsmanship. Set up her Kebajikan Suria Foundation in 1996, and it's helped more than 1,000 children throughout Sabah. Donated $37,000 last year in money and goods. This year her foundation is setting up a women's counseling division to address career challenges, depression, infertility and abuse.

The Sad Tale About QEH.

The article below relates the pathetic condition that Sabahans had to endure while seeking treatment at the QEH ever since the main block was closed due to safety reasons.

Since then there have been lots of complaints about the cramped condition of the hospital. However, I do not blame the staff. On the contrary. I salute them for doing their best to dispense their services and assist the patients under the present condition of the hospital. Syabas!

Accounts of a silent sufferer

(New Sabah Times) - My brother in law was admitted into Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) 2 weeks ago due to heart attack. Unless you had been there yourself,you just cannot imagine how bad the condition is in QEH right now from reading the newspaper reports.

The beds are placed between whatever little space that they can find. The minute oxygen is not needed they will discharge you because they have to make the bed available for urgent cases. Patient did not have the chance of staying a few more days for observation.

My brother in law was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) after 2 days. There are only 5 beds in there and this is a newly set up intensive care unit. I must salute and applaud the doctors for their dedication and professionalism.

These doctors had to endure frustration as they can do so much more if only they can have better facilities. These doctors are highly qualified and trained from overseas but they are not able to apply their expertise here due to the present condition in QEH.

We Sabahans not only need our QEH back but also a heart centre. We are the only state that is furthest away from any heart centre.There are many Sabahans waiting desperately for heart treatment but just cannot afford to travel physically or financially to IJN KL or the Heart Centre in Sarawak General Hospital.

My brother in law needed an angioplasty surgery and I thank God that the same week the team from Institute Jantung Negara (IGN) was here for the QEH patients. The IJN team will only be here in KK once every four weeks. They arrived on Sunday afternoon and started operation on patients on the same evening. My brother in law had his done on Monday night at Sabah Medical Centre (SMC). There were so many patients waiting for the surgery and we knew of one patient who had waited 7 months for this surgery. I can only imagine what the family members had to go through for waiting so long.

I am calling the members of the public to write in to share what experiences you had with our hospital here in QEH. I had read so much from newspapers of what various politicians were saying but still there is no indication of what the Government or health ministry is doing to resolve our QEH problem.

How much longer do we need to wait to get our QEH back in operation like she used to. It is so sad to see that our beloved QEH is in such a state as she is now. We Sabahans deserve better than these. Unless we the Sabahans fight together for this cause,we will remain unheard of and be left behind in all areas in life. - MHNF / Sunny Garden, KK

3 Million Barred From Leaving Country.

According to the Immigration Department, they had blacklisted and barred three million Malaysians from leaving the country for various reasons. Latest to be added are the PTPTN defaulters. You may read about it here.

For those of you who wanted to check whether you in the list or not may do so by checking in here.

Sidang Dewan Di Bawah Pokok.

When reading the article about the "under the tree assembly session" held in Perak today, it reminded me of an old P. Ramlee movie. If I am not mistaken, the title of that movie is Laksamana Do Re Mi. The story line is about a kingdom being over ran by a mutinous warrior where everything was reduced to rubbles, and the Sultan's make shift palace is also located under a tree.

I sympathized with the Perak people who have to endure this "no end in sight " humiliating episodes which unlike in the movie, had a happy ending.

Suicide - A Crime In Malaysia?

An article I stumbled upon from the BBC :-

Malaysian plan to tackle suicides

Police in Malaysia are considering arresting people who attempt suicide as a deterrent to stem the rising number of people killing themselves, reports the BBC's Robin Brant.

Read more ...

I doubt whether it will work. It is not that I am supporting suicides but the people who had contemplated for this course of action in the first place, needs help. The last thing we want to impress upon them is that they will be arrested and will be jailed instead for attempting suicides.

This will only make them even more depressed resulting their attempts will be always swift and fatal. Japan is a good example.

I will not dwell on this subject too long for it's complicated and I am not that knowledgeable about it anyway. What I do know of is that, life is just too precious for one to end it prematurely.

Although life can be cruel sometimes but we still have our family and friends to turn to for help whenever the walls start cosing in on us. Then there's also the voluntary help groups such as the Brefrienders.

Finally, prayers too will help. Remember, it is sinful in Islam to take one's own life.

School Boy Caught For Rape.

I can only summed up that our teenagers today are not like what they were twenty years back. Not only they are much smarter and savvy nowadays but they are also becoming more indisciplined and morally unsound too.

If we were shocked and outraged of what a group of students in Sarawak are capable of doing with the disclosures of a recent video footage, then what would this latest incident involving a young school boy caught raping a full grown woman makes you feel?

KUANTAN: A Form Three student has been detained for allegedly raping a 35-year-old mentally-challenged woman.

Read more ...


Source : The StarOnline

US : Police Brutality Caught Live On Video.

(WARNING : FOOTAGE IN THE VIDEO MAY BE QUITE DISTRESSING TO SOME.)

It happened in the US but it can also happen anywhere in the world. Even here. So a periodical mental and physical assessment on all Police officers is not that really a bad idea.

Tok Guru Says.

Listed below are some of the most recent of Tok Guru Nik Aziz's comments and response to the current controversial issues plaguing the country lately.

By keeping an open mind, compare his views and that of the BN's.

Nik Aziz says ‘bumiputera’ term is racist

‘Allah’ is allowed for non-Muslims, says Nik Aziz

Be gracious in victory, Nik Aziz tells Pas, Pakatan


Source : The Malaysian Insider

Although the question of his sincerety over his statements is known only to him, I like to think he is sincere. That he had consider the implication before making any statement or commnet.

Save for a few glitches and shortcomings among the Pakatan ranks, it is not surprising on why and how they still managed to garner unfailing supports from the people.

Responses like the above coming from a person as respected as the Tok Guru, will win votes in contrast to that of the BN.