It is always amazing to see an outdoor exhibition especially like this one in Piazza Del Nettuno in Bologna, Italy. When I visited Bologna back in 2010, I did not expect much as I did not planned properly where to go and what to see as I was  busy completing my illustrations to be taken and displayed at [...]

From Vancouver Sun

A Paris court of inquiry has started an investigation which may finally link the dots between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, his country’s purchase of two French submarines, bribes worth nearly $200 million and the murder of a Mongolian model by his bodyguards.

The in camera inquiry by judges Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire, who are highly experienced investigators in corruption and human rights cases, will try to discover if the French defence company DCNS and its project partner Thales International paid the bribes to secure the 2002 contract to supply two Scorpene submarines to the Malaysian navy.

Their inquiry will build on two years of investigation and evidence-gathering by French police.

The deal was done while Najib was defence minister and attention is focused on the role played by Najib’s close friend and policy adviser, Abdul Razak Baginda.

French officials have let it be known they are especially interested in two payments by the French arms dealers.

One was for 114 million euros ($148 million) and went to a Malaysian company called Perimekar for “logistical support.”

Perimekar was at the time wholly owned by a company which was controlled by Razak Baginda and his wife, Mazalinda.

The examining magistrates also want to hunt down the story behind payments worth $46 million to a company called Terasasi, which was originally incorporated in Malaysia, but then registered itself in Hong Kong where, according to the online magazine Asia Sentinel, it is listed among 142 companies at a convenience address in the Wan Chai district.

The registered directors of Terasasi are Razak Baginda and his father Abdul Malim Baginda.

Questions about the submarine deal became more intense and sharp in October 2006 after the body of Mongolian model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu was discovered in the jungle outside Kuala Lumpur.

She had been shot in the head and an attempt then made to destroy her body with military C4 explosive.

Altantuya was the jilted lower of Razal Baginda and she had last been seen causing a scene outside his house.

A few years before she had been a model in France and in 2004 she accompanied Razal Baginda to act as translator when he was negotiating the Scorpene deal.

In a handwritten letter found after her death she said she intended to confront Razak Baginda and demand $500,000 as the price of her silence on the details of the Scorpene agreement.

Even the politically attuned Malaysian courts could not avoid this case.

But although Razak Baginda and two of then-defence minister Najib’s bodyguards, Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, were charged with murder the outcome was deftly finessed.

In an astonishing piece of courtroom stage management, Razak Baginda, was not required to answer to the charges of abetting Altantuya’s murder, was released and now lives in exile in Britain.

The bodyguards took the fall and have been sentenced to death. They are appealing the verdict, but that hearing has been delayed.

It is widely predicted that appeal will not be heard until after the next elections, expected in June, when, if Najib and his governing coalition are returned to power, a way may be found to acknowledge the bodyguards’ loyalty.

After failing to get a full investigation of the Scorpene affair in Malaysia, many Malaysian human rights advocates and Altantuya’s family put a lot of faith in the French investigation.

However, there was initial disappointment when it appeared that judges Le Loire and Tournaire would investigate only the bribery allegations and not look at the murder of Altantuya.

But 10 days ago the Malaysian human rights group Suaram was allowed to give the judges a private briefing. Spokesmen for the group said afterward they described the political context of the affair from the Malaysian point of view and gave the judges a list of potential witnesses.

Among them is Razak Baginda, and there are reports the judges may attempt to subpoena him from Britain.

Others on the list, such as Prime Minister Najib, are unlikely to take any notice.

But Altantuya’s father, Setev Shaariibuu, says he intends to go to Paris from Mongolia and that from his last conversation with his daughter he can “connect the dots” for the judges.

— Aliran The Malaysian Insider May 17, 2012 MAY 17 — Aliran is shocked by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s glib reaction to the May 10 protest by Malaysian Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Alliance (Iklas) members outside Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s home. “What offence? If you want to sit in front of her house [...]

— Galvin Wong The Malaysian Insider May 17, 2012 MAY 17 — The last two weeks have been filled with events that have displayed violence, disrespect and the true character of politics. On April 28, we experienced Bersih 3.0, the biggest protest in our country’s history that started off on a good note but quickly [...]

Selalu Abang Nara keluarkan luahan daripada pembaca yang tidak menyokong tindakan Zed Zaidi terhadap kemasukan pelakon daripada negara luar. Namun kali ini, untuk berlaku adil, Abang Nara sertakan kata-kata seorang pembaca yang menyokong apa yang dilakukan oleh Zed Zaidi. Mari … Continue reading →

Harakah

KUALA LUMPUR: Inkuiri di mahkamah Perancis telah memulakan siasatan yang bakal menghubungkan segala titik mengenai Perdana Menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak, pembelian dua kapal selam Perancis, rasuah sebanyak RM500 juta dan pembunuhan terhadap model Mongolia oleh para pengawal beliau.

Inkuiri berkamera yang diketuai hakim Roger Le Loire dan Serge Tournaire, yang cukup berpengalaman dalam kes korupsi dan hak asasi manusia, akan cuba membongkar samada syarikat pertahanan Perancis, DCNS dan rakan projeknya Thales International telah membayar rasuah untuk mendapat kontrak pada 2002 untuk membekal dua kapal selam Scorpene kepada tentera laut Malaysia.

Inkuiri tersebut adalah berdasarkan penyiasatan selama dua tahun dan pengumpulan bukti oleh polis Perancis.

Kontrak tersebut dimeterai ketika Najib masih menjadi Menteri Pertahanan dan perhatian khusus diberikan kepada peranan yang dimainkan oleh kawan karib dan penasihat politik beliau, Abdul Razak Baginda.

Pegawai berkuasa Perancis telah memaklumkan bahawa mereka sangat berminat terhadap dua bayaran yang dibuat oleh pembuat senjata Perancis.

Satunya berjumlah Euro 114 juta yang dibayar kepada syarikat Malaysia bernama Perimekar untuk kemudahan pengangkutan.

Pada waktu itu, Perimekar dalah dimiliki sepenuhnya oleh Razak Baginda dan isterinya Mazalinda.

Pihak majistret Perancis juga ingin mencari kebenaran di sebalik pembayaran Euro 36 juta kepada sebuah syarikat bernama Terasasi, yang pada asalnya dikorporatkan di Malaysia sebelum dipindahkan pendaftarannya ke Hong Kong, di mana berdasarkan Asia Sentinel adalah antara 142 syarikat yang mendaftar di Wan Chai.

Pengarah berdaftar Terasasi adalah Razak Baginda dan ayahnya Abdul Malim Baginda.

Persoalan mengenai pembelian kapal selam menjadi hangat dan tajam pada Oktober 2006 selepas cebisan mayat model Mongolia dan penterjemah Altantuya Shaariibuu dijumpai di hutan di luar Kuala Lumpur.

Beliau telah ditembak di kepala dan terdapat cubaan untuk memusnah mayat beliau dengan bom C4 milik tentera.

Altantuya merupakan bekas kekasih Razak Baginda dan beliau kali terakhir dilihat di luar rumah kekasihnya yang menimbulkan situasi tidak senang.

Beberapa tahun yang lalu, Altantuya merupakan seorang model di Perancis dan pada2004 beliau mengiringi Razak Baginda sebagai penterjemah semasa beliau merunding kontrak Scorpene.

Dalam satu surat tulisan beliau yang dijumpai selepas beliau dibunuh, menyatakan beliau ingin berdepan dengan Razak Baginda dan menuntut USD 500 juta sebagai harga untuk menutup mulut beliau dalam kontrak pembelian Scorpene.
 

(Aktivis Suaram dan peguam mereka [kanan sekali] di Perancis)
 
Kes ini tidak dapat diendahkan oleh mahkamah Malaysia, yang dikuasai golongan politik.

Walaupun Razak Baginda dan dua orang bekas pengawal Najib, Azilah Hadri dan Sirul Azhar Umar didakwa dengan pembunuhan, keputusan kes tersebut adalah pincang dan tidak menjawab banyak persoalan.

Dalam satu drama mahkamah yang menakjubkan, Razak Baginda tidak dipanggil untuk menjawab tuduhan bersubahat membunuh Altantuya, dan dilepaskan dan kini tinggal di Britain.

Para pengawal peribadi Najib telah menerima padah dan telah dijatuhkan hukuman mati. Mereka sedang dalam proses rayuan tetapi pendengaran telah ditangguhkan.

Spekulasi berkata pendengaran itu tidak akan berlaku sehingga lepas pilihanraya umum yang bakal tiba, dijangka Jun, di mana jika Najib dan kerajaannya mengekalkan kuasa, dijangka satu cara akan difikirkan untuk membalas kesetiaan pengawalnya.

Selepas gagal mendapat penyiasatan penuh ke atas skandal Scorpene di Malaysia, ramai aktivis hak asasi manusia dan keluarga Altantuya telah meletakkan harapan kepada penyiasatan Perancis.

Namun demikian, terdapat sedikit kekecewaan apabila mengetahui bahawa hakim Le Loire dan Tournaire hanya boleh menyiasat tuduhan rasuah dan bukan pembunuhan Altantuya.

Akan tetapi, 10 hari yang lepas, Suaram Malaysia telah diberikan kebenaran untuk memberikan penerangan kepada hakim secara peribadi.

Jurucakap Suaram berkata mereka telah menceritakan skandal Scorpene ini daripada konteks politik Malaysia dan memberikan hakim senarai saksi-saksi yang dikehendaki.

Antara senarai itu ialah Razak Baginda, dan telah ada laporan bahawa hakim akan cuba mengeluarkan subpoena terhadap beliau daripada Britain.

Tetapi akan ada yang tidak mengendahkan senarai itu, termasuk nama Najib.

Namun begitu, ayah Altantuya, Setev Shaariibuu berkata beliau ingin ke Perancis daripada Mongolia dan percaya perbualan terakhir bersama anak perempuannya akan dapat menghubungkan segala titik yang tergantung dalam skandal Scorpene ini kepada hakim di sana.

Abang Nara mengkagumi sifat keusahawanan yang ada di dalam diri Neelofa. Walaupun baru sahaja menceburkan diri di dalam bidang lakonan, namun Neelofa sedar yang kepopularitian tidak akan bertahan selama-lamanya. Dan semalam, Neelofa telah pun melancarkan produk kecantikan terbaru miliknya yang … Continue reading →

Y.B S.Manikavasagam telah memberi sumbangan wang kepada Cik.Lee Sui Leng.

东姑阿兹早前表态不认同净选盟3.0坚持在独立广场静坐，行动党高层立即划清界限，指东姑阿兹的言论不是行动党的立场，简言之，就是不符党意。

行动党当时的党意其实很明确，就是支持净选盟集会，东姑阿兹当然不可能不知道，但他仍然表达了自己与党不一致的意见，这是他对本身原则的坚持。

事实上，别说东姑阿兹曾作为行动党人，而对行动党党意有充分掌握，即使是局外人，也不难猜想行动党在每一个课题上的立场取向。说穿了，行动党的所谓党意其实就是民意，但更正确的说，是愤怒群众的意见——人民骂的，行动党就骂；人民赞的，行动党就赞。

东姑阿兹只不过对净选盟集会表达了自己的看法，当时也完全没表露过一丁点要退党的意思，但是网络上的群众和行动党支持者立马就群起挞伐，诸如“巫统走狗”、“叛徒”、“被收买”等等帽子，一顶一顶凶狠的套到了东姑阿兹头上。

当时并没有一个行动党领袖声援东姑阿兹，连行动党纪委会也传出风声可能要立案调查，之后就是东姑阿兹的上议员职遭撤换。为什么事情总是照本宣科、没有任何意外惊喜的发展下去？因为我们都知道，行动党不可能违逆所谓的民意，正确而言，是不可能违逆愤怒群众的民意。

更早之前，行动党大选备战委员会文宣组组长丘光耀发表“部分地方记者跟国阵援交”言论，虽招致一些媒体人的非议，但在网络上得到许多网民的欢呼叫好——其实只要你有骂到国阵，肯定有那么一大票人欢呼叫好。所以这个显然会开罪媒体的“援交论”，行动党不仅没有划清界限，还得到纪委会主席陈国伟的力挺。

因为得罪部分小记者不是大问题，重要的是绝不能违逆愤怒群众的民意，还要顺着这股民意而行。这就是行动党的党意。

董总抗议华小师资短缺问题的325集会，当时魏家祥一到场，全场嘘声四起，甚至有人试图向魏家祥挥拳，从现场照片所见，在场的行动党领袖欧阳捍华和郭素沁等，似是幸灾乐祸，郭素沁甚至和群众一起向魏家祥出示喝倒彩手势。愤怒群众代表了民意，而民意就是行动党的党意。

今时今日的政治人物不太敢说出领导群众这种不够民主的话，只好凡事都说看民意，而民意又往往被愤怒群众所代表。以民意为党意的行动党，就这样被愤怒群众领导着。


（本文刊登于5月17日《中国报》人人咖啡店）

Ekoran Aidil membuat tuntutan supaya Rita Rudaini berpindah ke rumah miliknya di USJ1 sebagai tanda taat setia, Rita Rudaini melabelkan tuntutan suaminya itu seperti budak-budak. Bagi Rita, tuntutan tersebut tidak masuk akal kerana selama ini dia tidak pernah melanggar perintah … Continue reading →

This is the sad state of affairs in Sabah, and possibly even in other states in Malaysia. Is it that the workload is suddenly so bad despite the “glut” of housemen or that the housemen can’t cope for various reasons perhaps e.g. being the Strawberry generation or if inadequately trained in sub-standard medical schools.

KOTA KINABALU: About 50 per cent of some 500 housemen in Sabah have to undergo retraining after being found to be unable to cope with work-related stress, while some of them were suffering from depression, according Sabah Health Director Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim.
He said the new generation of housemen or medicine graduates undergoing supervised practical experience is not the same as the housemen many years back.
“My personal opinion, the new generation does not having the ability to cope with stress and their field of training, especially those who graduated from overseas, are unable to face the same situation in our country,” he said.
“Under the new system, housemen are only required to work for an average of 60 hours in a five-day week with two days off, which is even better compared to our times when we didn’t have days off,” he told the press after launching the Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 (QEH1) 8th State Clinical Conference on Sports Medicine.
Yusof said that apart from failing to cope with stress, those trained outside Malaysia experienced culture shock when facing the situations in the country.
Some claimed they are overworked, but most doctors were trained like that in order to be good doctors, he said.
Yusof said that apart from the hospital authorities, parents should explain to their children that working as a doctor is tough as it involves saving lives.
He stressed that the two-year training they received is not enough for the new generation housemen because it is very common to see many of them having to repeat their training before their posting to district hospitals.

from the Malaysian Medical Resources

50% of housemen in Sabah can’t cope, need retraining

By Clara Chooi The Malaysian Insider May 17, 2012 KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — Despite their initial shock at Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim’s resignation, DAP leaders believe his sudden departure would not affect the party’s appeal to the Malay electorate. DAP Socialist Youth chief Anthony Loke told The Malaysian Insider that the DAP has been [...]

Eric Loo | May 14, 2012 Malaysiakini ‘Oh Carol, I’m a bloody fool; darling I love you, so you treat me cool.’ That was what I thought I heard from the radio. That was how, as a kid, I sang Neil Sedaka’s 60s hit until I checked out the lyrics in an old musty songbook. [...]

Rasanya baru saja  membuat entri tentang ulangtahun perkahwinan Ady Putra dan isterinya yang ke-enam. Namun hari ini Harian Metro melaporkan yang pelakon Ady Putra mengesahkan yang dia telah memfailkan permohonan cerai terhadap isterinya, Aida Yusof, di Mahkamah Syariah, 11 Mei … Continue reading →

Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz | May 17, 2012 Free Malaysia Today Malays today unite for causes and for ideals that are beyond what our prime minister and Umno can muster. COMMENT Umno thinks Malays are a herd of cows which they can herd into submission. How do my criticisms on what Umno has done to [...]

The NEJM which previously had a generic mobile website, is once again mobile friendly – for iOS and Android.
According to this tweet from NEJM

NEJM now optimized for iPhone and Android. Visitors to http://NEJM.org running iOS/Android will receive mobile version of site.

If you are a Windows phone, Blackberry or webOS user then I guess you are out of luck. While I suppose it is normal to support the major mobile platforms i.e. iOS and Android, surely the web programmers can also push the mobile site to others like Windows and webOS users? Unless I am mistaken it is a question of recognising the user agent accessing the website.

In any case, I have included the NEJM link to our list of Mobile friendly Medical websites

Here’s what the page looks like on my Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 running Android 3.2:

iOS users can also install the free iOS NEJM This Week app

from the Palmdoc Chronicles

NEJM is mobile friendly again

Merdeka Rakyat – Pasca Bersih 3.0

19 & 20 Mei 2012 (Sabtu & Ahad)

19 Mei 2012 (Sabtu)

1)    3.00 ptg – Ceramah Perdana – 1

       Lokasi: RH Ungey, Sangan, Anap-Tatau, Bintulu

2)    6.00 ptg – Ceramah Perdana – 2

       Lokasi : Pekan Tatau

3)    7.00 – 12.00 mlm  – PKR Gawai Dinner 1 – 2012

       Lokasi : Mandarin Restaurant , Bintulu

4)    Penceramah:

i.                    YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

ii.                  YB Baru Bian

iii.                YB Ali Biju

iv.               YB Tian Chua

v.                 YB Elizabeth Wong

vi.               YB Manikavasagam

20 Mei 2012 (Ahad)

1)    11.30 pagi – Ceramah Perdana – 3

        Lokasi: RH Uching, Ng.  Bawan, Jln Dada, Ngemah,

2)    1.30 ptg – Ceramah Perdana  - 4

        Lokasi : RH Jugah,  Sg Maong, Jln Durin Kanowit, Machan

3)    6.00 ptg – Ceramah Perdana – 5

        Lokasi : Kampong Stenggang, Opar,

4)    7.30 ptg – PKR Gawai Dinner 2 – 2012

       Lokasi : Singai Sport & Recreation Club, Kg Sudoh, Singai

5)    8.00 – 11.00 mlm – Ceramah Perdana – 6

       Lokasi:  Sungai Maong Bazaar, Batu 3 Jalan Rock, Kucing

6)    Penceramah:                    .

i.                    YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

ii.                  YB Dato’ Mahfuz Omar

iii.                YB Wong Ho Leng

iv.               YB Baru Bian

v.                 YB See Chee How

vi.               YB Ali Biju

vii.             YB Chong Jien Lieng

viii.           YBhg Haji Adam Ahed

Have you ever thought of analyzing your Facebook activities and see what kind of person you are?

Ever wondered who are the people you check interact the most on Facebook? NOW YOU CAN!

PUMA came out with the new innovative Facebook app called PUMA Social Dream Team. It’s an app that calculates the user’s social activities that are engaged on the facebook platform. So, from the calculation it helps to identify the user’s social team role.

I tried the app and after analysing, it tells me that I’m a VIP, with 212 photo tagged in the last 3 months and attended 7 events invited via Facebook.

There are 6 social activities (Gig Night, The Night on the Town, The Big Feast, Ten Pin Action, Bar Games and K-Night) to choose from to create the Social Dream Teams, each with different Teammate roles to be filled. Every teammate plays a different role that bonds the social team and make them unique.

Check out my Social Dream Team! lol

Find out what type of teammate are you and start creating your dream team now! http://go.puma.com/ST or find out more at www.facebook.com/PumaMalaysia

To promote the PUMA Social Dream Team app, a series of interactive team mate photo booths will be available at Golden Screen Cinemas, One Utama, Bandar Utama from 18 May till 8 June 2012; the PUMA Store, Sunway Pyramid from 18 May till 1 June 2012; the PUMA Store in Suria KLCC from 2 June till 13 June 2012; and finally, at the Beer Factory, Sunway Giza from 8 June till 14 June 2012. You’re all welcome to take picture at the photo booth!

dtsv.dtse_post_5774_permalink = 'http://www.smashpop.net/my-social-dream-team'; dtsv.dtse_post_5774_title = 'My Social Dream Team!';

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Overview This is a Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou walkthrough also known as Reincarnation BB walkthrough. Players who do not know how to beat Reincarnation BB may want to refer to this Reincarnation BB guide. This is a detailed Reincarnation BB guide complete with images and text description.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Shack

1. Examine guy.
2. Get opossum.
3. Get poison.
4. Go left to swamp area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Swamp

1. Get lantern.
2. Use opossum to get flies.
3. Go right back to shack area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Shack

1. Put moss into bell. Get bell.
2. Go left back to swamp area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Swamp

1. Put bell onto lantern hanger.
2. Remove moss from bell. Ring bell.
3. Go right back to shack area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Shack

1. Get key before dog comes back.
2. Unlock car door with key.
3. Open car door. Get knife.
4. Go left back to swamp area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Swamp

1. Combine poison and flies.
2. Use poisoned flies on frog. Get frog.
3. Cut the rope. Tie frog onto rope.
4. Sink frog to summon crocodile.
5. Go right back to shack area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Shack

1. Open door to summon Reincarny.
2. Go left back to swamp area.

Reincarnation: Bloody Bayou – Walkthrough – Swamp

1. Knock Reincarny into water with lantern hanger.
2. Summon crocodile to eat Reincarny.

Masih tidak banyak gambar berbulan madu yang dikongsi oleh pasangan pengantin baru Awal Ashaari dan Scha Al Yahya. Mungkin mereka berdua ingin berkongsi kegembiraan menghabiskan masa bersama di New York selepas selamat pulang ke Malaysia kelak. Buat masa ini, Abang … Continue reading →

Anda yang menggemari artis antarabangsa seharusnya gembira kerana hampir setiap bulan mereka turun ke Malaysia untuk membuat persembahan. Selain daripada Jason Mraz pada 19 Jun ini, Pixie Lott yang popular dengan lagu All About Tonight bakal membuat persembahan di KL … Continue reading →

Selepas berjaya dengan single Penerang Hati bersama Saujana, 6ixth Sense kembali dengan lagu-lagu berunsur islamik, kali ini dengan single Cintaku Padamu Seluas Angkasa. Lagu berbentuk selawat ini merupakan single terbaru yang bakal dimuatkan dalam album terbaru 6ixth Sense, Damai Yang … Continue reading →

Akhirnya berita gembira tiba jua untuk Rita Rudaini yang sangat tabah menempuh segala ranjau dalam rumah tangganya. Hari ini, di Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Shah Alam, Aidil Zafuan telah pun menarik balik permohonan cerai yang dilakukan sebelum ini dan memohon Rita … Continue reading →

I would have been the first to welcome any change of mind by Tunku Abdul Aziz about his resignation as DAP National Vice Chairman and DAP member but I fully respect his decision if his mind is set on resignation. Over the decades, I have known Tunku Aziz as a man of principle and integrity [...]

— Dennis Ignatius The Malaysian Insider May 16, 2012 MAY 16 — Marina Mahathir, one of our nation’s most inspiring figures, recently wrote how her article in The Star was spiked for fear of incurring the wrath of the powers that be. As a columnist for the same newspaper myself, I understand Marina’s angst. Recently, [...]

Malaysiakini

Mahkamah Perancis yang menjalankan inkuiri berhubung urusniaga kapal selam Scorpene Malaysia-Perancis mempunyai kuasa memanggil semua pihak untuk membuat pengakuan dalam prosiding di negara itu.

“Mahkamah Perancis mempunyai bidang kuasa terhadap semua orang, tidak kira orang Perancis atau tidak, selagi mereka terlibat dalam perkara melibatkan inkuiri sedia ada.

“Dakwaan sebaliknya salah dan mengelirukan,” kata peguam Perancis Joseph Breham dalam kenyataan yang keluarkan Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).

Breham (kiri) mewakili NGO hak asasi itu, yang merujuk kepada mahkamah Perancis.

Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sebelum ini berkata, mahkamah Perancis tidak mempunyai kuasa mengarahkan rakyat Malaysia membuat pengakuan dalam inkuiri yang sedang berlangsung itu.

Rakyat Malaysia tidak tertakluk kepada undung-undang negara itu, katanya dalam sidang media selepas lawatan ketua tentara Thailand di kementeriannya, seperti disiarkan oleh Mob.tv.

Zahid antara saksi yang disenaraikan Suaram kepada mahkamah Perancis.

Malaysiakini May 16, 2012 Despite the personal attacks launched by former senator and DAP vice-chairperson Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has chosen not to retaliate. Lim, in a press statement, said that he had received Tunku’s resignation letter from the DAP yesterday, and has attempted to contact the latter [...]

— Aspan Alias The Malaysian Insider May 16, 2012 16 MEI — Saya berasa geli hati dengan gelagat Umno yang kian hari kian memalukan. Pagi semalam sekumpulan penyokong parti itu telah berbaris dihadapan kediaman Ambiga Sreenevasan, Pengerusi Bersih, dengan menonggeng dan menunjukkan bontot kepada rumah Ambiga. Umno sudah menjadi parti lawak dan telah benar-benar jatuh [...]

Saya menerima aduan dari penduduk-penduduk Kampung Perepat,Batu 8 1/2,Jalan Kapar,Klang berkenaan tekanan bekalan air. Ini adalah lampiran-lampiran aduan tersebut.

JD Lovrenciear | May 15, 2012 Malaysiakini Do you laugh or do you lose sleep? Do you cry or do you spit venom? Indeed the antics staged by the followers of their political patrons clearly indicate that the very party leadership of these stooges who are into burger protests and butt protests in front of [...]

Pada 18 Oktober 2011 jam 11 pagi, pengurusan Felda Global Ventures Holdings Sdn Bhd (FGV) telah mengadakan Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Penyenaraian FGV yang ketiga dipengerusikan oleh Tan Sri Isa Samad. Antara lainnya, mesyuarat tersebut membincangkan kesediaan pengurusan Felda dan pandangan mereka mengenai penyenaraian FGV dan penstrukturan korporat yang akan berlaku berikutan penyenaraian tersebut.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) adalah salah satu daripada juru runding yang dilantik untuk menerajui proses penyenaraian ini. Selain menyediakan pelan langkah-langkah penyenaraian, BCG juga bertanggungjawab menilai kesediaan dan pandangan pengurusan Felda mengenai tindakan Barisan Nasional menyenaraikan FGV dan aset-aset berkaitan Felda.

KEADILAN telah berjaya mendapatkan salinan laporan yang dibentangkan oleh BCG kepada pengurusan Felda dan FGV di dalam mesyuarat tersebut.

Mukasurat 4 dari laporan tersebut yang menyentuh mengenai kesediaan dan pandangan pengurusan Felda ada disertakan bersama.

Kesimpulan yang dibuat oleh BCG setelah menemuramah dan mengadakan kajiselidik melibatkan 30 orang pengurusan tertinggi Felda dalam bulan Oktober 2011 adalah seperti berikut:
 
1.      Cabaran terbesar untuk menjayakan proses penyenaraian ini adalah pandangan pengurusan tertinggi Felda sendiri yang menentang keputusan tersebut;
 
2.      Lebih separuh dari pengurusan Felda (55%) tidak bersedia untuk melalui proses penyenaraian ini;
 
3.      Hanya 20% dari pengurusan tertinggi Felda yang benar-benar menyokong proses penyenaraian; dan
 
4.       65% dari pengurusan tertinggi Felda percaya proses penyenaraian ini akan gagal kerana Felda masih belum bersedia.

Pendedahan ini mengesahkan bahawa proses penyenaraian yang cuba dilakukan Barisan Nasional mendapat tentangan hebat dari kalangan pimpinan tertinggi Felda sendiri. Ini memberi gambaran bahawa mereka yang lebih arif dan mengikuti proses dalaman sepanjang keputusan menyenaraikan Felda berpandangan penyenaraian ini lebih membawa keburukan daripada kebaikan kepada Felda dan peneroka.
Tentangan pengurusan tertinggi Felda ini akan menyulitkan proses penyenaraian dan membawa risiko bahawa ia akan gagal kerana tidak mendapat kerjasama kakitangan Felda.
Makanya, adalah menjadi tanggungjawab Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak dan Tan Sri Isa Samad untuk memberikan penjelasan kenapa pandangan dan tentangan pengurusan tertinggi Felda ini tidak diambil kira dan penyenaraian Felda diteruskan jua.
Mereka juga perlu memberi jaminan bahawa pengurusan Felda sedia ada tidak diketepikan dan muka-muka baru yang lebih akur dengan kehendak Barisan Nasional akan dilantik mengisi sebahagian besar jawatan baru di dalam Felda.
 
MOHD RAFIZI RAMLI
PENGARAH STRATEGI KEADILAN

Semakin lama semakin lantang suara Zed Zaidi mempertikaikan kewujudan Aaron Aziz mencari rezeki di bumi Malaysia. Baru-baru ini Aaron Aziz menyatakan kesediaanya untuk menunjukkan permit kerja yang diperolehi. Tanpa berlengah, Zed Zaidi meluahkan perasaannya di Twitter. Diharap Aaron Aziz menyahut … Continue reading →

Ahli Parlimen Kapar bersama Cabang Kapar telah mengadakan satu ceramah yang berkenaan isu-isu semasa.Beliau menerangkan isu-isu semasa yang berkaitan masalah ekonomi,kebajikan masayarakat serta lain-lain lagi.

Adakah anda tahu bahawa penyanyi Awi Rafael kini sedang bercinta dengan pelakon Hanez Suraya? Kalau anda tidak tahu, ini Abang Nara nak bagitau. Walaupun kecoh baru-baru ini dikaitkan dengan pertengkaran yang wujud antara Shila Amzah dan Shaarnaz, sebenarnya hati Awi … Continue reading →

Lots of things occupying my time recently. Besides, the hot and dry weather is giving me a constant headache and hence I’m going to keep this short.

***

Painting is an expensive hobby. It definitely isn’t for those with a very tight budget. We’re talking about actual paints, medium, brushes, canvas, varnuish, etc. Poor exchange rate and limited brands here means we pay a lot for something that’s affordable overseas.

***

Sushi Zanmai has great sushi! I’ve always wondered what the fuss was with this place – people lining up at all hours of the day just to eat shopping mall sushi. Now i know. Of course, you can’t compare it with high end places like Kampachi or Sagano, but for that kind of pricing, well worth the wait in the line. So its bye-bye, Sakae.

***

10K is really far. I’m sure for my friends who run 21k and 42k regularly, 10k must seem like a warm up jog. I’m currently doing 7k (on a good day), so I’m getting there. As a personal challenge, i signed up for the Adidas King of the Road in September. Life’s all about trying new things, right?

***

iPad is cool! Hasn’t frozen on me once yet, so they’ve one up on my Android device.

***

They’ve apparently stopped manufacturing LCD monitors in favour of LED. And they cost more, too.

***

A new UK-based chain of gyms is coming to Malaysia in a big way. That will surely give some healthy competition to the 3 big boys here.

Y.B S.Manikavasagam mengucapkan Selamat Hari Guru kepada semua guru-guru di kawasan Parlimen Kapar. Seorang insan ditabir malam Tersenyum di balik kepayahan Tidakkan layu mencurah ilmu Luas lautan baktimu guru Kau membentuk akhlak diri Agar menjadi insan berbudi Menyuluh gelita malam Terangi kehidupan Sayup dihatimu Walau pedih jalanmu Kau mendidik tanpa jemu Hanya mengharapkan Sinar kejayaan [...]

Sarawak Report

The Malaysian Prime Minister got a flavour of genuine democracy, when he ventured onto the stage in London’s O2 Arena last night and was promptly drowned out by the sound of protest!

This is not something he would ever expect to have to put up with at home, in ‘the world’s most perfect democracy’, where BN’s events are brutally controlled.

Indeed, even in the UK it is not often that an audience is impolite to someone as senior as a Prime Minister.

However, it does sometimes happen when that PM has made himself extremely unpopular. Tony Blair famously received a noisy rebuff from ladies of the Women’s Institute back in 2000 and last night it was Najib’s turn to be overwhelmed by the chant of “Bersih, Bersih”, as he made his speech.

“Can you please stop it?”

According to attendees, the audience of around 500 people was already fairly disgruntled, after arriving at the Dome and discovering themselves in the dark chewing unappetising sandwiches and spring rolls. The poor quality of the refreshments may have saved money, but were a poor reward for those who had been bussed in from as far away as Edinburgh!

The protest was clearly pre-planned and extremely predictable. Many believed that the lack of light was an attempt to hide it as much as possible. If so it didn’t work, as numerous videos have recorded the event.

Cosy chat – but instead of staying as promised to “mingle” the PM dashed off early!
The moment the PM stepped onto the podium, under a single dazzling spotlight, the chanting began from a small but extremely loud group!

Others from the audience said they had felt intimidated by the strong presence of Special Branch officers, who had been taking photographs of the people there and recorded the personal details of people arriving.

However, many laughed and took pictures of the braver protestors.

Bersih demands in London

How did Najib ever imagine he was not going to face something like this at a public event in London? Malaysians abroad are furious at the refusal to prevent all one million of them from being entitled to a postal vote, which is allowed to people in other countries across the world.

At first, the PM tried to carry on, talking on some theme about a train having left the station and him wanting all Malaysians to be on it (despite it having already left). However, Najib soon wilted and gave up against the din:

“Can you stop it?” he pleaded rather timidly.

“Bersih! We want our vote!” retorted the chanters, getting louder!

“Can you PLEASE stop it” the PM asked, even more desperately, “I can talk to you about this afterwards”, a suggestion that was met with laughter.

Having left early, the PM was later spotted eating in a restaurant with safer company!
Eventually and after a few more attempts by the floundering PM to take control of the situation, the noisiest protestors were finally strong-armed out of the Dome by security guards. Najib carried on with relief and boredom descended once more, as he got on with delivering the rest of the speech.

If this was meant as a PR event for the PM it will have done his image little good, either as a strong leader or as a reformer and democrat.

Once again the main message that got out was that it is time for Malaysia to respond to the Bersih movement and clean up its elections.

Malaysiakini

The selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers.

‘If they don’t have anything to hide, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t respond positively to the French court’s request.‘

Paris court can’t touch us, says Zahid Hamidi

Starr: As leaders in the government, Premier Najib Abdul Razak and Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have the moral responsibility to respond in the affirmative and attend the court proceedings in Paris.

Refusal to attend is tantamount to perverting the course of justice. If they don’t have anything to hide, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t respond positively to the French court’s request.

To argue otherwise would be seen in a bad light, which could also affect the international standing of the country and the credibility of its leaders.

Freemsia: Why are you so worried about being called up to testify in a Paris court? If you are innocent, you do not have anything to fear or be so defensive. Unless, of course…?

HangTuah: This is the minister who once said he was prepared to lay down his life for the PM but did not have the balls to go down in the Scorpene submarine with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Maybe the French can’t legally touch Najib and Abdul Razak Baginda but that does not exonerate them from having committed graft in this particular case.

If they did no wrong why should they be scared to testify? You know why and I know why and everybody knows why. The 100-plus million euros ‘commission’ to Perimekar is clear evidence of a hefty kickback.

You know what, when it comes to matters of such import, our former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has nothing to say. I wonder why. I really cannot wait for the beans to be spilled.

Confused: “Who are they to issue a warrant of arrest? We are not subjected to French laws,” said Zahid.

Such an arrogant comment. Let’s see how they are going to enter the European Union when that warrants are issued. We shall see who laugh last.

Multi Racial: When this minister talks, you can get a good feel of his intelligence. Obviously, something must be wrong with the way BN selects its ministers.

Come to think of it, they might be using other criteria, other than being honest, hardworking, intelligent, knowledgeable, non-racist and having some experience.

Cantabrigian: Zahid, of course you are not subjected to French law, but the company in France is. Corruption is not a one-way crime. There has to be a giver and a taker.

It’s not about arresting and punishing you, but mostly to find the facts about the criminal act. If they can find a link that Umno proxies were the ones doing the unlawful stuff, it’s good enough for the rakyat.

And don’t blame them for pointing the finger at you later because you have already been given the chance to testify and defend yourself.

Dood: Sure, the Paris court can’t touch you, but wait till it gets turned into a Europe-wide arrest warrant or, better yet, Interpol arrest warrant, and then let’s see whether you can hide in Malaysia forever.

Up2U: Well said, Ahmad Zahid. In Malaysia, who can touch you and your Umno colleagues, including your BN cronies, until and unless Umno so decide.

So back in December, the department in my office had a Christmas house party cum present exchange dinner at a colleague’s house.

Everyone arrived at about 5pm… quite early so we just chilled in the living room

All the presents! Not sure which one was for who since it was all mysterious secret santa kinda thing

While waiting for dinner, we sing sang sung song in the karaoke room…. huahhh ada bilik karaoke lagi.. hebatnya

More people joined in the karaoke session!

Dinner! Audrey was waiting ready to put food inside her mouth it seems lol

Present exchange took place after dinner yo!

Some of us had other plans and I too.. had to leave early for another event ahahah so we took a group shot. Thats it!

dtsv.dtse_post_5769_permalink = 'http://www.smashpop.net/present-exchange-karaoke-party'; dtsv.dtse_post_5769_title = 'Present Exchange, Karaoke & Party!';

This is the promotional video for Saturday’s conference at which I will be speaking. Do attend the conference to support us. Read the previous post for my topic introduction.

See you this Saturday!

Harakah

Prime minister Najib Razak should protect the good name of the country and not avoid the on-going French probe into the alleged kickbacks linked to Malaysia’s purchase of the Scorpene submarines, said PAS’s Salahuddin Ayub.

“If the prime minister has integrity and wants to be seen as someone with dignity and morals, he should give full cooperation to all legal requirements,” said the PAS vice president.
 
Last month, rights group Suaram revealed that French public prosecutors had obtained evidence in the form of a fax page dated June 1, 2001, in which Najib, the then Defence minister, had sought a payment of US$1 billion for Perimekar, a company owned by Abdul Razak Baginda.

Razak had been acquitted of a charge of murdering Mongolian citizen Altantuya Shaariibuu, with whom he said he had an affair and whose murder was linked to the Scorpene purchase.

The ongoing tribunal in Paris has listed several top Malaysian officials, including Najib and Defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid had earlier questioned the tribunal’s powers to issue a subpoena and seek Interpol help if witnesses refused to attend.

“Who are they to issue a warrant of arrest? We are not subjected to French laws,” Zahid had said.

Salahuddin said Zahid’s remarks only raised more public suspicion over Najib’s role in the case.

He added that Najib should instead use the opportunity in the French probe to clear his name once and for all.

“If UMNO is out of power, the new government will definitely give full cooperation to Interpol to drag Najib to the inquiry,” said Salahuddin.

Raising a kid is expensive and raising more than one will cost tons of money. Parents have to provide a comfortable house, food, clothing, education, healthcare, entertainment, child care, gifts, etc. I have been tracking my household expenses for quite a long time with separate columns for my kid’s expenses. Hence, I have a pretty good idea on how much money was spent on each of my three kids, each month.

My spouse and I have been doing quite well coping with the cost of raising our three kids and we never really needed to analyze the total expenditure. Anyway, out of curiosity I decided to calculate how much money was spent on each kid as I have the data readily available. I used the two previous year’s data (2010 & 2011) to do my tallying-up. As expected, a large chunk of expenses went towards education and covers school fees, tuition cost, transportation cost, lunch or pocket money, school books, workbooks, uniforms, stationeries and other things that a student requires.

During the two years, the two older boys attended a Chinese primary school where their lessons start at 7.00 am until 3.00 pm in the afternoon. Each of them generally needs RM4 on average each day to spend on food during recess and lunch hour in school. They normally take breakfast at home and will sometimes bring food from home.

The figures I got for last year (2011) is as follows:

Each child has a health (cum education) insurance coverage. Therefore, about one-quarter of the cost above is due to payments of the insurance premiums. My daughter goes to a Chinese kindergarten and her school fees is RM140 a month and she does not get pocket money as the school provides food during recess. She had serious dental problems last year and that incurred a few hundred ringgits in treatment cost.

Below are the figures for the year 2010

My second son had a slightly higher expenditure compared to the rest due to dental treatments as well. He had to get a temporary brace to straighten out his front teeth. Similar to the previous year, one-quarter of the total expenses went towards their insurance premiums. The bulk of the expenses actually go to education related expenses.

From the two figures above, I can conclude that each kid requires RM4000 – RM5000 annually to support and cover his/her expenses. Annually, that comes up to RM12, 000 – RM15, 000 on raising three kids. I expect the figures to change as my kids continue to grow and develop. Their expenses will also change according to circumstances and in response to changing needs and wants.

Do you know how much you spend on your kid(s) each year?

Jacquelyn is the co-author of the books “Teaching Your Kids About Money” and “Top 93 Personal Finance FAQs in Malaysia” with KC Lau. Jacquelyn is the pseudonym used by Amy Sipagal.

This article is posted at: KCLau's Money Tips

Money Spent on Raising 3 Kids

Now that the secret MAS-AirAsia share swap has been unwound by YAB PM, YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak on 2-5-2012. It must follow suit that all the appointments that were made after the said secret share swap must also be terminated because those appointments were made under the ill thought out advice and [...]

The Unity launcher for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin has a bug. When auto hide is enabled, there is a lag when trying to get the panel to show. When working correctly the panel should show when the mouse cursor hits the edge but the bug requires you to move your mouse beyond the edge to get the panel to show. Feels heavy.

There’s no official fix out at the time of this post. Do you?

Currently, the workaround to get the panel working is through a config tweak using the “compizconfig-settings-manager” tool. Here’s how.

1. Download compizconfig-settings-manager tool. Command line or from the app store.

or

danesh@python:~$ sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

2. Launch the compizconfig-settings-manager. Go to “Desktop –>  Ubuntu Unity Plugin –> Experimental Tab”.

Change the value for “Launcher Reveal Pressure” to “1″ or what works for you. I have mine set at 10.

Enjoy.

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Every day there are hundreds of website and blogs being made and put up on the web. There is so much competition in every single niche today. If you plan on launching your own website or maybe if you already have; getting ahead of your competitors or at least of most of them will not [...] No related posts.

MALAYSIA – This is a public service announcement. I received an email from Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) asking help to spread the word about a recent email phishing scam that asks TM customers for their user account information.

The email claims to be from TM with subject titles such as “Verify Your TM Account” and threaten to shut down the user’s account if their account details are not “verified”.

TM would like to clarify that this email does NOT come from TM or any of its subsidiaries. TM would like to advice customers who receive the scam email message to delete it immediately, NOT to respond and DO NOT click links in the email.

If you have been contacted by anyone on this matter, please immediately report and verify this by calling TM UniFi Centre at 1–300–88–1221 for UniFi customers or call TM Customer Support Centre at 100 for TM Streamyx customers.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Beware of “Verify Your TM Account” Email Phishing Scam is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.

Feed Us 3 – Flash Games Download – Overview Play the role of some killer piranha fish once again in this Feed Us 3 skill collect flash game which is the sequel to the Feed Us 2 skill collect flash game with the original being original Feed Us skill collect flash game. Sink ships, collect blood, grow bigger and more powerful as ever yo!

Download Feed Us 3 (File Size ~ 4.64 MB)
Download the ZIP archive feed-us-3.zip from :
[ Hotfile.com | BADONGO | NowDownload | ifile.it | GameFront ]

Please contact Deimos if one of the links is broken or there is an updated version.

Feed Us 3 – Title!

Just like in the original Feed Us and sequel Feed Us 2 there is no title menu, only title.

Feed Us 3 – Menu!

The title vanishes rather quickly and the menu shows up next. Click go to start feeding yo!

Feed Us 3 – Weather?

It seems like weather and current are two newly added features. Just what do they do?

Feed Us 3 – Action?

Smash those ships up by jumping on top of them to break it with your body weight!

Feed Us 3 – Action!

Remember to feast on the humans until no flesh remains of them becoming a skeleton.

Feed Us 3 – Upgrades!

Sink ships, chew up humans, collect blood, upgrade! All in a days work of a killer piranha.

Feed Us 3 – Tip!

Various tips will show up before each round, introducing players to various useful tips!

Feed Us 3 – Jellyfish?

Them jellyfishes seems to be some kind of new addition too. Try not to touch them.

There’s already rumours going on about latest design of Malaysia national football team jerseys. Here they are, So, I asked Nike whether it’s true. And I received an expected answer, Apparently Nike Malaysia didn’t deny nor admit, they just said that the official version will only be revealed by them.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

— Jaleel Hameed The Malaysian Insider May 15, 2012 MAY 15 — All hail our army veterans. They only need their bottoms to defend the country from its enemies. Today, I read in The Malaysian Insider that 10 retired soldiers “exercised” their bums this morning outside Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s Bukit Damansara home against the April [...]

Love to read comic? I stumble a free Android comic application to read comic online ~ BuKa Comic 布卡漫画. And it is advertisement free. But the application is in Chinese because all the comics are in Chinese too. So you need to know to read Chinese in order to enjoy this free online comic application [...]

— Sakmongkol AK47 The Malaysian Insider May 15, 2012 MAY 15 — Readers who are interested in reading more vigorous analyses on FGVH are advised to read The Pirates of Putrajaya in the English language here and in Bahasa Malaysia here. I am offering a less rigorous analysis here as I feel not as competent [...]

连续两个星期天都在Ayukawa Japanese Buffet享用晚餐， 我真的是超爱日本餐的啦！ 五福城的Ayukawa大家应该很熟悉， 那么在Stulang Laut The Zon Regency Hotel（免税局）里的Ayukawa Grand Japanese & Italian Buffet大家是否知道呢？这次就把这两间一次介绍给大家。

by Lim Guan Eng DAP Secretary-General When announcing his resignation from DAP, Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim cited “irreconcilable differences” with the party leadership in dissenting with DAP’s official position to support Bersih 3.0 to conduct a peaceful sit-in protest in Dataran Merdeka to press for clean, free and fair elections. DAP is big [...]

(UPDATED: This blog post was initially a repost of an email on the Malaysian Cinema mailing list from Venice Film Festival programmer Paolo Bertolin asking for the means to contact FINAS (the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia). Was hoping that posting this in public would help him get a reply.

He got it, problem solved, so as per his request, I'll remove his email exchanges in the mailing list. And expand more on my last few paragraphs regarding my thoughts about film festivals. It's sort of a love letter for film festivals, perhaps.)


The Malaysian Cinema mailing list is a mailing list started by filmmaker Amir Muhammad back in 1999 that, miraculously, remains (rather) active until this very day. It is frequented by all kinds of film people, directors, actors, critics, fans and the like. Almost everyone is in this mailing list, from the late Yasmin Ahmad, to folks like Tan Chui Mui, Woo Ming Jin, Ho Yuhang, Liew Seng Tat etc.

I usually recommend this to aspiring filmmakers, film lovers, or other people with some sort of casual interest in Malaysian independent cinema, in case they want to find a place to contact these filmmakers, or know about certain film screenings and other events that are announced in the mailing list.

One of the members of this mailing list is Paolo Bertolin, film programmer of Venice Film Festival (and a few others, like Udine Film Festival). I've known Paolo for a couple of years and he is an ardent supporter of Malaysian cinema. Long has he tried to make sure foreign countries are exposed to Malaysian film directors and their works. And because of his efforts, I had the opportunity to have my short film KINGYO screened in competition at the Venice Film Festival back in 2009. For an unknown then-25 year old small fry Malaysian filmmaker like me, to have such a platform to present my work was quite a life-altering and mind-blowing experience (for starters, you get upgraded from "small fry" to "slightly bigger but still rather small fry"), especially when you know that only a handful of other Malaysian films before yours were shown in Venice during its nearly 70 year history.

(in case you were wondering about what other Malaysian films were shown in Venice before: the first was Saw Teong Hin's 2004 costume epic PUTERI GUNUNG LEDANG, still the most expensive Malaysian film to date, I think. Yeo Joon Han's 2006 short ADULTS ONLY and his 2008 debut feature SELL OUT! And then there's also Ho Yuhang's 2006 film RAIN DOGS). On the same year that KINGYO was shown, Woo Ming Jin's WOMAN ON FIRE LOOKS FOR WATER (which I produced), was also screened under the Orizzonti section at Venice.


Ming Jin and I with Paolo, at Cannes 2010 (along with THE TIGER FACTORY lead actress Moon Lai).


A few days ago, Paolo explained to a member of the mailing list why he had "rebeloftheneongod" on his email address. This was what he said:

"Rebels of the Neon God" is the title of the debut feature of your fellow national Tsai Ming-liang. You might not know it, but Mr. Tsai is the most widely known and internationally respected Malaysian-born film director - although, alas!, he has been almost entirely active in Taiwan. And I am very glad to add that in 1994 his second feature film, "Vive l'Amour!", was a winner of the Golden Lion at the festival I am working for (you might not know it, but this is one of the most important awards in the international festival circuit, and in the past directors like Andrei Tarkovski, Akira Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray, Robert Altman, Alain Resnais, etc won it).

I was excited to see these names being mentioned, names of my heroes like Tarkovsky (I wrote about him to commemorate his 80th birthday last month), Resnais, Altman (I wrote about his film, The Company, back in 2006, long before I knew I would really be making films for a living, and about him again later that year when he passed away). Their Golden Lion wins cemented their places in the Pantheon. I was actually quite glad that Alexander Sokurov joined the club last year with his latest film. Sokurov is a filmmaker whose films I had been watching quite a lot recently and might write about in the near future if I have the time or opportunity.

Tsai Ming-Liang was a Golden Lion winner. Unfortunately, not many casual Malaysian film viewers (or Malaysians in general, really) have either heard of Tsai Ming-liang, let alone seen his films. But then, for those who have actually seen his films, not many of them knew that he's Malaysian either! (I wrote about his career advice for me in 2007, and also posted videos of his Q and A sessions for Visage at the Tokyo Filmex 2009.)

I guess that happens when your films are played more in festival circuits.

"Film festivals are meant to educate the audiences." Was a line from film critic Chris Fujiwara (currently the artistic director of Edinburgh International Film Festival) that buried itself deep in my heart when I first heard him say that during the CON-CAN awards ceremony. It really summed up for me one of the great joys of attending a film festival, it's not just about walking the red carpet or promoting my own films, but also (mostly) the fact that I can watch other films from countries I've never been to, by directors I've never heard of. Most of the time, they can be such pleasant discoveries!

I never heard of Nuri Bilge Ceylan until I saw 3 MONKEYS at the Dubai International Film Festival 2008. I heard of Theo Angelopoulos but had never seen any of his films until I saw DUST OF TIME at the Berlin Film Fest 2009 (which, sadly, would end up becoming his last film due to his untimely passing earlier this year). In Venice Film Festival 2009, I managed to catch Brillante Mendoza's LOLA, that was the first film of his that I ever saw.

Aside from providing long overdue introductions to the masters, they were also perfectly wonderful opportunities to discover new directors.

For example, last year at the Tokyo International Film Festival, I was absolutely enthralled by FIRST RAINS OF SPRING, a Japanese/ Kazakhstan production by Shinju Sano (from Japan) and Erlan Nurmuhambetov (from Kazakhstan). I liked it so much that when I bumped into the filmmakers at the closing party, I had to tell them about it. And because of that, I wanted to keep a look out for their future films. Shinju Sano had been in Kazakhstan for a long time, directing and producing many award-winning films in that country.

I always like to remember the time when I was rushing to AN EDUCATION screening at the Berlin Film Festival, I saw, a short distance away, that the film's young actress was walking excitedly down the red carpet with its director, smiling at the flashing cameras. I noticed how happy she seemed, to be there, how fresh and young she was. And just a few short years later, she, Carey Mulligan, would be delivering all kinds of wonderful performances in so many good films.

There are all kinds of similar examples I would love to give, from the film festivals that I managed to attend in the last 4-5 years. But I don't even know where to start, or where to end. I had wished so much to share these beautiful experiences with people I met, films I saw or discovered randomly. Yet I have to resign to the fact that those I can share this with back in my country is rare. And thus, when I tell stories of film festivals, I can only talk about famous directors or actors I met, instead of the films I actually saw.

The sad fact is, until this very day, most Malaysians don't know what a film festival is really about. Which is unsurprising, aside from the glorious Kuala Lumpur International Film Festival that lasted for a lengthy two years (2006-2007), we never really had an actual film festival. It is something entirely alien to the fabric of our culture, to our everyday lives. (there are some small festivals organized by foreign embassies or private bodies in multiplexes, like a "Hong Kong Movie Festival", "French Film Fest" or "Japanese Film Festival" where, in a span of a week, 5-6 films from one particular country are shown.

I am often asked by people back home whether I am flying to all these film festivals by parasiting on my family's fortunes. (and also that I was never truly regarded by most as a "filmmaker" because my films are shown in this weird thing called "film festival", instead of in multiplexes of their favourite shopping malls. So even though I have been producing and directing films for a few years, many friends from school back home still refer to me as "the future film director", because the existences of what I do now are denied.)

For many, going to the cinema is viewed only as a social thing to do (I know many who are unwilling to go to a cinema alone), a mode of entertainment to pass time and forget about after you exit the theaters. The fact that cinema can be more than just that is beyond comprehension... or it induces groans and eye-rolling with damning mutters of "artsy fartsy". (There is a stigma to "film festival films" that they are always boring. The word "art film" is mostly thrown at films that are inherently boring and slow-paced.)

I grew up being slightly self-conscious that I was a bit more passionate about cinema than people around me. It's a funny thing, growing up in Malaysia as a filmmaker.

But when I'm in a film festival screening, sitting and waiting comfortably in the dark for a film to start, the rest is forgotten.

An A-levels student details his experiences and the lessons learnt during the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally. By B Anand Free Malaysia Today May 15, 2012 COMMENT Admittedly, this article might be a bit overdue, however it was mainly due to the fact that I’ve been bogged down with my upcoming A-levels. As I sat [...]

Jeswan Kaur | May 15, 2012 Free Malaysia Today Can Najib help enlighten whatever happened to his promise that the government could only work best if it listened to the people? In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds [...]

Diablo 3 is an action role-playing game (RPG) by Blizzard Entertainment in 2012. The first Diablo game was released in 1996.

The game is available for pre-order [amz] before the release date: May 15, 2012. It has become the most pre-ordered PC game ever on Amazon.com and Blizzard.

“Today, it became the most pre-ordered PC game of all-time on Amazon.com – even exceeding pre-orders for Blizzard’s own StarCraft II and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm,” an Amazon rep said. [via]

What’s Diablo 3?

Diablo 3 is a mature content action RPG game. You choose one of the 5 character classes (Witch Doctor, Barbarian, Wizard, Monk, Demon Hunter) then kill evils you meet, complete missions, collect gold, equip your characters with armor, learn skills… Diablo 3 support single-player and multiplayer game mode.

Check out the video below:

Diablo 3 requirements

You don’t need cutting edge computer to play the Diablo 3 game. If your computer is not older than 3 years, most probably it matches Diablo 3 requirements. You need an Internet connection for single and multiplayer games.

The following is the Diablo 3 minimum and recommended system requirements:

Buy Diablo 3

Diablo 3 is available on Amazon for $60 USD. The DVD disc that comes in the box will work on both PC and Mac.

Diablo 3 collector’s edition

For Diablo fans, you may opt to buy the Diablo 3 Collectors Edition
when it is available. Beside the DVD game disc for PC/Mac, you also get:

• Behind the scenes DVD
• Collector’s Edition soundtrack
• The Art of Diablo art book
• Diablo Skull and 4 GB USB Soulstone
• Exclusive digital content:
  • Diablo III Aesthetic Artifacts
  • World of Warcraft Pet Fetish Shaman
  • Starcraft II Battle.net portraits

If you hate to wait for shipment, you may pre-order Diablo 3 (digital copy) on Blizzard website for $90 SGD.

My two cents

I am not a Diablo gamer nor a gamer. I played Diablo many years ago. It’s my teen-age-memory. Now I am tempting to buy Diablo 3. Plus, my old iMac meets the system requirement!

Any of you bought Diablo 3?

Update: Corrected the Diablo release year.

Diablo 3 is the Most Pre-ordered PC Game Ever (Release Date, Price, Requirements) is an article from: LiewCF Tech Blog. For more updates, please follow @liewcf on Twitter, join Facebook page and subscribe free newsletter.