Pempena's Biz Venture

Today when I read theSun paper, it really makes my blood boiled. It's big headline that can't be missed "RM18million failed Taxi Venture" with the RM18m in bold red print sure attracts attention!

Now the RM18m wasted by Pempena Sdn Bhd who is the investing arm of Tourism Malaysia, is either because they're really stupid and dumb in business dealings or rampant corruption is the main cause. RM18m reads OUR MONEY! Taxpayer's hard-earned money that goes to the Government coffers are meant for building and developing the country; not for self-enrichment programmes!

For details or the story of this screwed up venture, get a copy of theSun or surf the net. There's details and mind boggling numbers hard for someone like me to digest. From what I read, most probably some smart Alec got duped on a 'sure fire' money making venture with Dalamasa Sdn Bhd.

One of the listed figures are to purchase 5 cars with RM7mil! Yes.... you read it right! A cool RM7mil to be 'invested' in 5 cars (average RM1.4mil/car); most probably a Rolls, Beemer or a S-Class Merc as taxi/limo. Well, to those who are lucky enough to catch a high-end cab to the airport, good for you. The rest of the population like myself, I have never even seen or know such high-end models to be use as cab in other parts of the world I've been to. Maybe we want foreign tourists to know that we are so rich we can afford to ferry passengers in such cars; never mind there are still some poor souls living in poverty! Maybe Pempena carried the 'Malaysia Boleh' motto a bit too far..... Only them can answer.

If you go to PWTC and park your car opposite (at the bus station), you'll see some Naza painted as taxis lying there in sorry state. Some are with puntured tires. Some looked like scraps though you know these cars are quite new. These taxis are painted with blue and with Pempena's permits. A look at these 'junks' tells you how well Pempena can be in business dealings.

Being stupid and duped is one thing. To use taxpayer's monies and be stupid and duped needs to be answerable. Maybe to some, its tidak-apalah.... not my money ma. I suspect, someone might have siphoned part of the mils to their Swiss Bank account. If not for corruption, then what else? I really want to see MACC take some 'real' action on this.

Just hope the MACC can shed some light on this. The rakyat has the right to know. We want someone to be accountable for all these shoddy business dealings. Don't just go after cows and cars....

Rakyat IS demanding answers!

What's Next after Earth Hour?

Mac 28, 8:30p.m is the day where we're all urged to vote for mother earth by switching off all unessential lights and power. well, I did that and my kids had loads of fun playing with candles. I think we did something good for the environment but the question is... what's next?

To me, the follow through is just as important as the 'publicity stunt'. Yeah, you can call EH just that; a publicity stunt but to me if the stunt can do something and means well, then why not?

So what have we learn from this stunt? It shows that if the people around the world were to be united and stand up for something, we can do and achieve something massive. What begins in Australia has now gone global. For this, I salute all who have actually had made a decision to switched off and spend an hour of their night in darkness.

Global warming is a real threat to mankind. We see droughts destroying crops and lives. Flash floods take away lives. We need to wake up and take heed to all this warning. Putting the blame on God is so unfair to Him. So, the next time when you hear politicians telling us that a landslide is 'An act of God', tell him to fuck off! God is compassionate not like dirty and corrupted politicians!

Here, I vowed to at least switch-off the lights at my home once a month; the 1st Saturday of each month. I want to have at least 720 Earth Minutes in a year. I can save a little money, my kids can learn something about going green and hopefully Mother Earth can smile back to me again. Let's us all do a small part for Earth. After all, we have only one real home.

I hope I'll Never Walk Alone in this.

Earth Hour

Heard of this Earth Hour thing? Well, it's a effort by cities around the world to make a statement on global warming by switching off lights for 1 hour at 8:30pm, 28th March 2009. This global effort has been dubbed as part of the worlds first global election between Earth and global warming when 1,429 cities and towns in 80 countries have pledged to VOTE FOR EARTH in Earth Hour 2009.

Below is a brief history and write up about how the Earth Hour started: (www.earthhour.org)

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness. In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday. We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations. VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour. Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

So, people.... tell your families, tell your neighbours and friends to VOTE for EARTH! We can make a difference. Use our votes, use our switch!

MOTHER EARTH DESERVES OUR VOTES!

Gangsterism in Parliament!

Parliament under Attack!

What I saw on TV yesterday night was plain disgusting and shameful to our sacred institution; the Parliament. A group of thugs claiming to be Permuda UMNO acted like hooligans swarmed Karpal Singh and demanded his apology for claiming in the House that Permuda UMNO celaka sent him 2 live bullets and a note for his intention to sue the Perak Sultan.

Now, what Karpal said might not be nice or true. He might think and be convinced that it was UMNO Youth's doing since they're so vocal and daring in their protest against his 'derhaka' against the Perak Sultan. Karpal most probably just said that out of frustration over the incident and also the lack of police actions to safe guard his safety. But what he said is inside the Dewan. It might not be right, might not be true but he can say whatever he wants! It's a allegation and remains that; and I rate the racist and sexist remarks by some of BN MPs more disgusting. Did the Youth came and confront the 'Bocor' MP?

No one is above the law; BN or PR members. To act 'Taiko' in the Parliament; making it like your own kampung backyard shows how kampung you are! What even more worrying is the state of security in the Parliament. When Karpal was confronted it was said the securities did nothing. Where were the Police. Double standard perhaps. It was said that the security members did nothing when things were getting physically.

So, it's a big worry that if these kind of behaviour are allowed in the Parliament compound, what can be said of them when they are outside? Sending live bullet is certainly within them; I must say.... Karpal has valid reason to be worried.

If the Youth were not happy with Karpal' remark, get Khairy or Hishamuddin to ask for a apology from Karpal. You might not get one, but that doesn't give you the right to act like real dumb ass and makes our Parliament a laughing stock. Now, Khairy being their hero has issue a challenge or ultimatum for Karpal to submit proof that UMNO Youth sent those bullets. I'd say, proof submission is to be done by the Police.......

Anyway, a investigation committee is being set up to investigate this incident. A good move but to me the Head of Security in Parliament must be hauled up and answerable to this sad episode. Karpal Singh, proposed in the Dewan that the House issue a warrant of arrest against Serdang Umno Youth chief Ungku Mat Salleh and Gombak Umno Youth chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin to be brought before the House to explain why they should not be imprisoned under Section 11 of Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers ) Act.

This 'show' will only get more interesting!

MACC... Will it bites?

MACC

One of the much awaited reform promised by our out-going PM has been officially launched yesterday. The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has been given more power to fight corruption in this country.

Whether or not the MACC can perform without fear or favour remains to be seen but it has certainly begin on a wrong foot. It's Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan has been criticised for his comment on the probe on the Selangor Mentri Besar on the purchase of cows and maintenance of his private car. As such some of the bloggers mocked the agency as Malaysian Agency for Cows and Cars.

There are weaknesses in the former ACA. According to Pak Lah, the government is aware of the perception that the ACA was not independent, a “toothless tiger”, selective in prosecution, slow in taking action and unprofessional in investigating. The public has no faith in the ACA because perception is a very powerful tool. Once it's seen as biased, nothing it does will have the approval of the public. Even big fish caught will always be seen as a 'sandiwara'.

Anyway, it must be seen a right move to take our fight on corruption to another level. Nothing is perfect. It's just a beginning and I think it'll take quite a few years and numerous modification before we can even be seen or talked in the same breath as the HK's ICAC. The fight must go on no matter what. Just keep our fingers crossed that this is not just another re-branding exercise.

Let the fight on corruption be real!

How Low & Dirty Can Our Politics Go?

It seems now that someone from somewhere, belonging to some political party is hell-bent to see the PR state government crumble.... by hook or by crook. By crook more like it!

Just after the fall of Perak to the hands of BN; after 3 'traitors'/frogs/kangaroos/rabbits (anything that jumps will fit the bill) became "friendly" to them, it now seems to put in some extra effort to take Selangor head on. Maybe there's an extra incentive since we're getting a new PM come March. Well, good for you if you get friendly traitors jumping to your side but nude photos? Well, that's a big big shame on our politics.

It was widely reported that Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong's nude photos were circulated to the public and this has created an uproar among PR leaders and supporters. I haven't seen any of them but it was reported that the photos were taken before the 308 tsunami and while she were sleeping; most probably unaware. Now, this is different from what we saw from the "Soi Lek's leaked VCD". Those were something unacceptable, because SL is a married man. Having sex with a woman in a hotel is all pre-planned.

Now, the Selangor opposition leader, Khir has called for Liza to resign. So he can have another shot for a by-election to reclaim S'gor? “This is about morality, whether the pictures were taken with or without consent is another matter, I cannot accept a lawmaker whose morality is questionable,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider. Since when is it immoral to go naked in your own private place? Maybe Khir never go naked before? So.... now I'm expecting all the leaders in the country to take shower with their clothes on. Sleep fully covered with thick dark blanket covered from head to toe. Even have sex fully covered! Is this what you mean Toyol?

I'm really sorry for Elizabeth Wong for this whole incident. Be strong. From now on the fight might just be even more dirtier. The assassination of the opposition has begun. Everyone knows that there are no such things as clean politics, but we Malaysian redefined the word DIRTY.

What a Beginning!

Wow! What a way to begin the year 2009, Year of the Ox in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is my year, yeap... I was born 36 years ago; 3 round trips of the Chinese Zodiac.

Well, the year 2009 certainly begins with a bang for me.... literally! 1st, I lost my hand phone; thus all my contacts. Maybe it was destined, since it was a old phone and I was actually talking of getting a new one on the day I lost it. Maybe the phone got ears and got angry and ran away! Then things got worst. A few days later, my car was knocked from behind! Now the real mystery here is that no one actually knew when the car was hit or by what! It was parked in front of our house......

Then my pc crashed for the 1st time! It was infested with maybe 14-15 type of viruses/worms! Never happened before because usually the anti-virus software will take care of it. So, I got to copy all my photos and videos before formatting my pc. Screwed up big time!

So, I was quite happy to see the end of the Year of the Rat. New Year came and I've got 2 assignments from GTC. I really do feel that my luck for this year has changed. Many of GTC's groups has encountered problems with the tourist/guests but mine was plain smooth sailing! Made some money, sent-off some very satisfied guests.....

Even my fav footie club, Liverpool must be happy to see off the Rat and welcome the Ox. Prior to that we can only manage draws against lowly opponents and let Manure overtook us in the league table. Then suddenly, we banged in 2 goals (albeit last minute goals) by Torres to secure our 1st league double against Chelsea and closed the gap. Maybe things can be better after all.

I take this great opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Ox brings us great health and wisdom to encounter all challenges. Peace to all and Good Luck Everyone!