We Will Vote!!

It is nearly a month since i my last post. Tunisia and Egypt successfully revolted. Libya is on their way and other Arab states... attempting.

In Arab world, their previous democracy can be seen with more than 90% vote for the Presidents. Syria is hereditary presidency with Libya following suit. We can say the democracy practiced there is a sham with no opposition whatsoever being tolerated.

The Government treated their people like trash, slave and minions, the people are poor while the elites lives fabulously. In Jordan for example, people are tired with special treatment given to the clan of Queen Rania.

The burning flame of Jasmine Revolution can be felt across the world, and oppressed people elsewhere cheered seeing the tyrants, dictators, corruptors and others of the same kind trembling in fear.

Since what is happening in the Middle East is understandable, i don't see any need for me to elaborate much on the matter.

Back to our homeland, Malaysia.. Do we need one? I think if any of us doesn't agree with the Government, they can voice up their opinion via ballot box. Anwar Ibrahim recent promise that the change of government shall be done through electoral process, is a huge relief for me. That sort of assurance is a guarantee that if there is a change of government, it is done with proper mandate in peaceful transition. No life and property is threatened.

This can be related to the fact that people are generally angry seeing their legitimately elected government being replaced against their wishes as in Perak. This might remind our Opposition Leader that his 16 September 2008 attempt to overthrow via party hopping the government is not the best idea.

This is also a tacit acknowledgement that the electoral process in this country is relatively trustworthy. You might disagree with me on many thing, but whatever you're saying would render it impossible for BN to lose Terengganu in 1998, losing 2/3 majority and 5 states in 2008 election or even losing Kelantan 20 years ago where the voters are mostly relying on mainstream media. What say you?

Whether you need "pembangunan" or "corrupt free government", "islamic state or secular state".. it is your choice.

I strongly urge every qualified and eligible Malaysians to register yourself as a voter and make sure your voice is heard. Your choice determine our future.

The Year of Rabbit & My Bunny!

I just realized that I have not formally wished my Chinese friends for a "Happy New Year"

I would like to wish it now.. i am sorry for being late, but then, late is better than never. Right?

Happy Chinese New Year!

May it be a Happy, Joyous and Prosperous year for all of us!!

I miss the kuih bakul that my teacher usually gave me, as well as the person herself,

Cikgu Gok Poh Suan

On the other note, this furry ball is one of my source for happiness and joy!! This is my little miss bunny named Ban Gebu. When i first saw it, it look like a furry pao as in kuih pao. Comel!! Now, she's 2 years old. Everyone else in the family have their own name for the cute little creature. I am proud to be the owner of this cuddly creature.

So, anyone wants to give angpow for her? Hahaha!!

Companions A Driver Should Have!

"The mid-term break is over, it is time to come back to KL. Sigh!"

Starting my journey at 2.40pm, I fetch my 1st passenger, Nadzri. The journey continues when i fetch my lil brother Fairuz and lastly Hazmida at her home in Alma. This Alma is not "the spinach capital of the world" which located in Arkansas, USA. This Alma of her's is nearby Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Since it was in the end of a holiday season, it isa custom for us Penangite to avoid Juru Toll Booth due to the heavy traffic surrounding those area. We entered the North South Highway via Nibong Tebal. The large amount of vehicle plying the road makes us moves at an average speed of 60KM/H

A few friends whom in the same highway warned me that the traffic from Taping-Ipoh barely moved. I decided to use the old trunk road from Changkat Jering and the traffic moved at average speed of 10-20KM/H

We made a few stop for prayers and washroom break and fortunately we keep the engine running! From Changkat Jeering, we travelled thru Padang Rengas-Kuala Kangsar-Sungai Siput-Chemor and Ipoh, where i really, really need to make a stop due to hunger and foot pain. It is more or less 10pm already. It cost me 9 hours for a 152KM journey. What a mess!

After withdrawing money, eating and whatnot, it was confirmed that the car could not be started. The security guard of CIMB Tasek's branch chip in to help. Nadzri's cousin, who is a member of PDRM chip in to help. Nothing work!

The current equation now is, [2 law student + 1 architecture student + 1 clerk + 2 security guard + 1 policeman] = dead car. 1 of them is freaking out. Yeah! Luckily I am a member of AAM (Automobile Association of Malaysia.. i guess), I called them and the problem solved within 2 hours.

We continue our journey via highway, we dropped Hazmida in Shah Alam at 4am (Fairuz drove from Ladang Bikam to Shah Alam.. Thanks adik!) From Shah Alam, after lingering in her apartment compound nearly 30 minutes, we resumed the journey to Kg Melayu Subang, where my friend Nadzri safely arrive his home and now... It is my turn to head for our final destination.

Before heading to Campus, i stop by at Mc Donalds for breakfast. It seems my little brother is pretty much hungry... so am I. We both safely arrived UIA at 7.07am with a salam greeted to our Pak Guard at the Main Entrance.

To summarize everything up, it is one hell of tiring journey. I really appreciate the helps given to us during this whole journey, from people in the equation mentioned above to people who gave way when my brother is speeding.. Thanks!

At the conclusion of this post, here are some stuff drivers like us all should have;

1. Security against breakdown

Be an AAM member, or Kurnia Auto Assist member or anything member that give you protection and security against breakdown.

These organizations provide reliable and... let say, slaughter free repair service. Imagine the ridiculous price charged by repairmen during such emergency. Paying RM75 per year against robbery of a few hundred ringgit a night really helps! I suggest every driver to have one.

2. Buy Touch and Go or Smart Tag!!

If you had thousands of ringgit to buy a car, why on earth you could not afford a card priced RM10 and a device priced RM100 for your own benefit?

Unnecessary queue at the toll booth could be avoided and reduce jam at the same time if people embrace the technology? With all the perks and discount given, you should really have these stuff. Seriously!

3. Tool Kit!!

Remember to bring with you a tool box with all the tools needed. You don't need all the items mechanics usually have. Just some essential tool is sufficient enough.

Thanks to God for saving us from all the dangers during our journey. That is all folks. The holiday is over, it is time for us to go back yo our daily routine. See you all again pretty much soon!

A General Reminder!

It is already 6.44am and I still can't sleep, and i have this long journey to go today. Bosan balik kampus. To kill some time, i decided to surf the realm of net kingdom, preying upon some useful info needed to make a living.

There is various forums speaking on stock trading but there is one particular forum, which i refuse to disclose so that they can continue to amuse me with what they call "optimism" and what i saw as "tomfoolery"

These bunch of self proclaimed experts in stock market talk gibberish, giving no technical evidence or fundamental reasoning to backup their opinion, only lead innocent and unexperienced investor into investing in some crappy counter for this crappy reasoning!

Why people tend to believe whatever crap written in the net? and risk all the hard earned income into something that might be a "ponzi scheme"

These are some basics rule on information you relied on for investment purpose;

1. Verify the rumours from a credible source.

Credible source here refers to mainstream media reports on economy up to the company very own website. Bursa Malaysia's website also offers good news.

Tabloids or forums on itself is not a good source, since they are experts at spreading rumours and hearsay.

2. Ask your broker, dealer or remiser.

For someone who make a living from the Stock Market itself, these people are at the forefront of any corporate news as well as credible rumours.

At least these people are experts than some kid who brag a lot with his RM500 worth stocks.

I am not insulting a person's purchasing power but a person irresponsible action for misleading the people. A newbie (also a noob) should act like one.

3. Make sure such rumours is supported with another source.

Here is a good example;

Company A was expected to get a timber contract from Company B

The rumors will be credible if Company B involves in logging industry, it wold be crazy to believe the rumours (read news) if the alleged Company B is KFC.

Company B would also made statement related to the said contract. This is a good indicator to the credibility of the said rumours.

Another example;

Government decide to build housing scheme for the poor

The beneficiary of this move would be a company or companies in construction sector, investing into some alleged plantation company obviously does not make any sense, unless the land belonging to the plantation company involved. That would be a good move.

This sort of thing happens because Malaysians tends to believe a rumours (and made their buying decisions) and lose a lot when the concrete news approaches (sells the shares at massive scale and some people surely make a huge loss)

People might ask, "who is dumb enough to do that?"

My answers is "people who is dumb enough to do that"

There is reason why people spend time, money and effort to make database that really helpful as a source of guidance in investing their hard earned money. You need to spend some money to make good money. Jangan kedekut dengan diri sendiri!

My experience have shown me that these sort of people often become prey of greed and laziness.

Greed. No explanation required. Laziness, too lazy for his own good. It just a few clicks anyway!

To an Auntie who spend RM6,000 on Spritzer because water tariff in Penang is expected to increase, good luck with that! :-) If you ask me earlier, i would have told you the right counter for that.

It is 7.11am.. and still awake. God, please save me from me.

Cooking is Easy, but...

Being a foodie, (or glutton) i truly enjoy good food. Staying in Penang is a boon to my gluttony (or foodie) since the place is blessed with loads of delicious food.

Watching Asian Food Chanel frequently somewhat convince me that i too, could cook. During an outing, i tried to put this "can do" mood into good use and tried to cook some chicken curry myself. To my horror.. it ain't delicious as i am hoping. The taste is fine, but not as good as i hoped for.

This is the look of my first attempt chicken curry!

It doesn't look good. Right?

The conclusion to this post is that, cooking is easy but cooking great food is not! it requires lot of thing. From now onwards, i'll appreciate more all the good food. Thank God for giving me a mother with great cooking skills. Let's hope i'll get a capable wife to do the same. Hahaha!

Anyway, since i am hungry... let say it helps me to eat my own cooking. It is as if i am tormented by my own cooking. Fortunately my friend says it is "OK" for a 1st timer. Phew!!

Thanks Bonda for doing it tirelessly for us everyday.

Only God can repay you.

P/S: Going to hug my mom for this... certainly!!

My Concern: Food Issues

Food is a necessity for everyone, but it is not strong enough to attract people to participate in agricultural sector. This is very frightening... especially for a food lover like me. (Being a large sized person highlight the significance of food issues to me)

Most farmers in this country is at their 50's-late 60's. There is not any youngster who are interested with agriculture as it wasn't cool enough for us enroll. The problem can be contributed to our mindset that successful people only limited to those who work in big office... even as some fishy executive position with low pay. A friend of mine, make a living just from selling lemon grass (serai) and catfish (keli) makes around RM5,000 per month. He planted the lemon grass and rear the fish in a tank himself. Pretty awesome for a field job right? My law degree worth around RM2,300 if i am employed by the Government.

Agriculture is a business in its own right. All human beings is potential customer. Right? So this is a pretty darn good business but no.. no.. some people prefer to join some lousy Multi Level Marketing (MLM) which frequently employ some pyramid scheme with some hint of ponzi scheme. I don't understand why some people willing to walk door to door, visiting thousand home with probability being chased away by people or some naughty dog, rather than toil the land and get the results.

Currently we are having global food shortage, with number of people being denied to this basic necessity increasing each day. With agrarian economy shifting to an industrialized one, more fertile lands worldwide, along with its workforce shifting into manufacturing industry. Countries like India, China and Vietnam, used to be food exporter are now importing them (except for Vietnam, but exporting at a smaller scale)

All the shoes, cars, tyres, computer & cellphone produced could not replace a plate of rice in any scenario which involves starvation. This is the reason why we, as a nation, need to produce food sufficiently. Malaysia imports her food supply from her neighbour, but this position won't last forever especially when our food exporting neighbour are turning into industrial based economy themselves. The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam is heading towards industrialization rapidly.

Following above mentioned concerns, here is my proposal to bail us out from a potential hungry future;

1. Redistribute unused land to the people for agricultural activity.
2. Provide better financing terms for this sector.
3. Introduce a large scale farms, which is more efficient in productivity rather than small farm used by traditional farmers.
4. Put more artificial reefs in our seas to promote growth of our seafood resource.
5. Balance production of cash crops (palm oil & rubber) with food crops (paddy and vegetables)
6. Provide better seeds and breed to the farmer.
7. Spend more in R&D for food production. Thailand could have up to four Paddy planting season a year (translating that paddy could be harvested every 3 month while Malaysia, at best with two paddy planting season)
8. Reduce taxation for this sector to attract both investor and participation of youngster to make more money. I rather see our food producer getting hefty subsidy and trade protection than our Proton. Not all people use car but all people needs to eat.
9. Encourage people to be part of agricultural industry with better rewards.
10. Utilize unused land throughout the country. Sarawak, Sabah, Johor, Pahang & Kelantan have abundant of empty land. Use them!!

These are ideas i could think of at 4.02 am.. i could do better during daylight. I suppose. I really wished our Agricultural Minister could do something about these issue. I also hope that people agrees with me that being a farmer is way more rewarding then being chased by dogs just to sell some outdated encyclopedia. Why not we test our farming skills in reality since everyone could easily be a successful farmer in Farmville.

P/S: I wish i could toil on a piece of land, let say a few acres planting tomatoes. Juicy tomatoes i'll say. I missed the day when i plant my own vegetables for my family consumption in my little garden.

I miss Home!!

this is a picture taken during my journey back.

it was taken during sunset

it reminds me of home and food.

miss my family, friends

and..

the glorious food!!