Study Loan

New proposal in the pipeline...PTPTN or study loans might be abolished soon and only to cater for those who really in need.

Is this the right move???

Earlier I've heard few comments from parents whose kids study in boarding schools that the hostels' fees are based on parents' salaries.

On top of that, they have to pay RM25 for weekends as the food allowance has been cut off. Else, the kids can opt to return to their homes.

Even, the contract lecturers services will not be extended at the public universities.

I wonder what is going on with the current financial developments that force our Government to come up with all sorts of nuisance proposals to curb expenses.

Spooky Story

It was reported that the Bukit Jalil School Hostel had been attacked with spirits.

20 athletes experienced hysteria for the past 2 months.

In one incident, 23 years old, Era, claimed that she was possessed and pinned to the wall. She screamed loudly for 20 minutes till fainted.

She only regained consciousness when an ustaz came to her aid.

National Sports Council's management service department director Abdul Rashid Yaakub said such 'disturbances' happened since the complex opened in 1996.

The intensity increased over the past 2 months.

Fuel alternatives

A lot of studies have been conducted on renewable energy since the cost of petroleum based fuels hike up.

The latest was researched conducted on E.coli.

Researchers found that E.coli, the most common bacteria, able to digest simple sugars from plant waste and turn it into biofuel.

The technology could lead to low-cost, low-carbon and high performance renewable fuels.

Biofuels, made from plants and animal fat are alternatives to petroleum-based fuel.

It was anticipated that the company would begin commercial production over the next 2years in Brazil.

Animal Conservation

Charla Nash was attacked by 90kg chimpanzee when she was helping the owner to lure it back into her house. It happened in February 2009.

The berserk chimpanzee had ripped off Nash's hand, nose, lips and eyelids.

Now, she is looking for the face and hand transplants after Cleveland Clinic rejected to perform one.

I just could not imagine what would happen when Indonesia really carry out the tigers conservation plan as pets...

May be later, they need to reintroduce 'human conservation plan'...

Safety

It was still early in the morning and as usual I was busy with the chores after sending off my kids to school.

Suddenly, I heard a noise came from behind my house. I peeped through the kitchen door and saw my neighbour was talking to her maid.

Wondering what was going, I went out to find out.

The maid pointed to the big hole on the chain link fence and the flung open grill of her neighbour's house.

She noticed the condition while she was hanging clothes and informed the employer.

It was the third house that was broken in this week within my neighbourhood.

The break-ins have increased lately in my area after the neighbourhood decided to fence up the area.

Security guards are hired and the conditions worsen...

I still believe what I wrote earlier on the responsibilities of being good neighbour.

We need a good channel of communication within the communities to keep us update on the surrounding issues and not to rely totally on the gated and guarded security system.

Efforts and corporations from the entire neighbourhood are crucial to ensure the safety...

The Fantasy

Could not believe of what I read in today's newspaper...To me all sane and mentally sound people will always pray for good things especially on health related matter as it is the most precious gift as a handsome good fortune will not be able to buy it..

However, I was wrong as a mother in Britain had an awkward fantasy and was willing to take all the hassle just to pretend that her healthy son was 'the sickest boy in Britain' and needed to be fed through tube and be taken to school in a wheelchair.

As a result of her sadistic fabrication of non-existant symptoms, she successfully achieved publicity and national attention including encounters with royalty and the then prime minister.

Not bad actors of mother and son afterall...

However, all the glamours did not last long when she was sentenced to three years and three months in prison after admitting to charges of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.

The Breaks

A bit frustrated as I have to put all my plans on KIV since my primary schooling kids have to replace the forth coming Chinese New Year breaks.

6 days a week schooling really piss me off...mean extra workloads and working hours for me.

Sometimes, I wonder, why not the ministries just out do with replacements for non gazetted public holidays as more schools are opting to extend the holidays anyway.

Notice that the Government is trying very hard to establish the 1 Malaysia and by extending the school holidays during the festival seasons will benefit everyone...

Furthermore, I was made to understand that the Government has slashed off the privilege of settling the 'electricity bills' to all government full aided schools.

Hence, by omitting the replacement classes will lighten the schools' burden to fork up the extra expenses as normally the days are less productive as less kids turn up to attend the classes.

Well, this is solely my opinion and may be somebody out there has better suggestions or solutions...

A Man and A Crocodile

As a kid and lived in an era of 'black and white' idiot box back then, most of my time was filled playing with mates. TV set was a luxury and available at one or two homes for the whole villagers to watch.

I remembered that my father bought one when I was about 9 years old and since then quite a crowd of villagers would gather at my house to watch favourite programs at night.

Prior to this, I only managed to watch TV at my uncle's house with my cousins on friday nights as the RTM 1 channel would air malay movies.

It was a privileged nights and the excitement filled the air as if going out for a new movie.

Other than this, I loved to visit my grandparents house which only a walking distant from my house.

I shared the most enjoyable moment with my favourite auntie, Mak Ndak, who was still single.

She would prepare my favourite 'cucur kodok' and I would force her to tell me stories.

One of the stories that she kept on telling from time to time was on 'Sang kancil and the Crocodile'. Her story never bored me even an inch...

It was reported that a lorry driver from Kampung Semada Belatok, was spared his life after being attack by a 5m long crocodile.

The crocodile bit his legs and he managed to escape immediately after he played the famous 'Sang Kancil' trick...

Oh no, definitely no...he got no time to play the trick as he had to struggle for 10 minutes to release himself from the animal.

What he did was more brilliant than 'Sang Kancil', he poked its eyes.....

May be, I should tell this new version of 'Sang Kancil and the Crocodile' to my kids...

Cheated

Never trust anyone especially in dollar and cent matter...

It was reported that a lawyer only gave a portion of RM40 000 out of RM250 000, from the insurance money awarded to a mother whose 9 year old son was paralysed from waist down in an accident in 1992.

According to sources, the lawyer also informed the mother that she had placed RM17 000 in Amanah Raya so the boy would eligible to withdraw the money when he reached 21 years old.

However, that was never materialised as the public trustee revealed that there was no transaction on the deposit.

Police investigations showed that the firm was closed down several years ago and the lawyer had disappeared ever since.

The idiot Box

Earlier, there was an article in the Star about the bad of the idiot box or TV.

Today, the idiot box proved that it also could cause fatal after a freaky mishap.

A 3 year-old girl,Cindy Yeo, was crushed to death by a bulky 21 inch TV at her home in Johor.

The little girl pleaded to watch a video recording herself in a kindergarten talentime last year.

She might accidentally pulled the wires to the appliance which cause the TV set to crash on her.

Well, parents and care givers, pay extra attention on this tragedy. Even though, it is fated, this is an example of negligence accident which is avoidable.

Child proof your house is the best. Other areas need due consideration is the kitchen as this is the kids favourite spots.

They love to imitate adults and play with sharp and dangerous utensils/appliances.

Blind installation also need to be cautious as the dangling cord might cause strangulation.

The Bicentennial Maid

Reading 'Walking robot maid at your service' in the Star today, makes me recall the movie 'Bicentennial Man'.

May be this is the answer to the current maid affairs...

South Korean scientists have developed a walking robot maid which can clean a home, dump clothes in a washing machine and even heat food in microwave.

Known as Mahru-Z, the robot has human features with rotating head, arms, legs and six fingers plus three dimensional vision to recognise chores that are assigned.

However, the mass production for commercial use is still far away.

So, for the time being, we still have to bear with the current maids availability.....

The Guilt

Refer to November 2009 entry under 'Is it a Blessing' .

Just to recapture, Adi Putra was reported to make RM6000 per hour for lecturing and becoming CEO for 2 companies.

What an overwhelming career and income of being a 10 year old kid. Too good to be true?

May be the Sunday Metro report answered the doubt.....

Health supplements worth RM600 000 were confiscated from his house following the raid conducted by the Health Ministry's pharmaceutical services division.

However, neither him nor his family were at home during the raid.

Among the items seized was a healing remedy for joints priced at RM25 per bottle.

Clinical tests confirmed that the products contain steroids which were hazard to health.

Contents of other six supplements confiscated still pending on the test report.

I pity this little fellow as his strength has been manipulated and deceived by non other than his own parents...it is such a waste as he has been exposed to such vice activities at a very tender age ...

I wonder whether his parents have any guilt conscious of being the mastermind...

Malaysian Style

Again, the issue of fuel subsidy resurface with lots of uncertainties...Well, to me this is Malaysian style...

Get things done first and then only think...

Grrr...this is one of the nursery rhymes that my little one loves...

A wise old owl
sat in an oak

The more he heard
the less he spoke

The less he spoke
the more he heard

Why aren't we all like
that wise old bird?

Does anybody has an answer to this?

Beautiful Ending

Sandra Wong May, was 21 years old, died in car collision on Thursday left a very memorable memory to her family and others.

The cheerful and bubbly teenager was known to make others happy. Despite passing on, her jovial spirit continued.

Her cornea and marrow were harvested to benefit those who in need.

This was her last wished as her mother, who was in deep sorrow, recalled.

It was such a very beautiful ending...

Haiti

Last Tuesday, the first tragedy of earthquake had struck Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude had claimed life between 45 000 to 50 000 people and left one third of the populations hurt or homeless.

The earthquake was the worst in 200 years.

Small miracle happened when 2 year old Redjeson Hausteen Claude was rescued from the collapse after 48 hours of the tragedy.

The situation in Haiti was still havoc as bodies were still lying everywhere...

Everything that happen has it reason(s), so it is up to us to learn the lessons and improve ourselves to be good human beings than previously...It is like a reminder that we don't have much time to waste...

Honesty

Honesty is the best policy.

Applaud to Muhammmad Asadujjaman, a 28 years old Bangladeshi taxi driver in New York, who had been so honest by returning a sum of money (more than US21 000) and expensive jewellery (worth few thousands).

He found the purse left by Italy tourists in his cab after dropping them off at Penn Station on Christmas Eve.

He opened the purse to look for the address and was not bother to count on the rolls of euros in the bag. This was something hard to resist but he managed to overcome the temptation.

What was more beautiful was his willingness to called his friend with a car and drove over 80km to a Long Island address that he found in the purse.

He reached the place but nobody was at home. He left his cellphone number and a note.

His phone rang a while later and he made another trip just to return the purse.

All he said was that his mother was his inspiration and followed his mother advise to be honest and work hard.

So, to all mothers out there, start to instill all positive values to youngsters and remind them from time to time as this is proven mechanism.

Credit to this 'good hearted' man for willingly take the hassle in returning the purse. He really makes his mother proud and happy...

The Curse

Utusan Malaysia reported that the 1988 non-Muslim Enactment already prohibits non-Muslims from using the word 'Allah' and should no be dispute anymore.

Sultan Sharafuddin wants the state to abide by the fatwa by MAIS that the word 'Allah' is exclusive to Muslims in order to preserve the Muslims faith and inter religion harmony in the state.

Infact in Star today, there are 2 columns discussing on the similar issues. One is 'Reflecting on the Law' column by Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi and the other one is 'Comment' column by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf.

Both cover and touch between laws, rights and implications.

Anyway, I am attracted in the latter, when he raises on the Hadith 'Curse is the one who curses his own parents'.

He goes on by explaining that based on the above Hadith, if Muslims curse the Christians, then the Christians will curse the Muslims. And people will curse Allah, and Allah will hold us responsibility for that.

He also highlights that there is an explicit phrase in the Quran on this point 'Do not curse the gods of those who do not believe in Allah, lest they unknowingly curse Allah out of their hostile feelings.'

Hopefully, Allah will guide us to the correct path and not divert our faith forever...

Metal Jewellery

Sparkling and shinning jewelleries are most attractive and fascinating.

Nice to see and wear but dangerous to health as exposed by investigations in the United States on the jewellery products manufactured in China.

Lead has been barred in children's jewellery due to its toxicity. The Chinese manufacturers have opted more dangerous heavy metal 'cadmium' as substitutions.

The contamination products contain between 84% to 91% of cadmium by weight.

However, cadmium is a known carcinogen which has similar effect as lead which can hinder brain development in youngsters.

Children don't have to swallow an item to be exposed as they can get persistent, low-level doses by regular sucking or biting jewellery with a high cadmium content.

So, for now it is better to eyeing for non metal jewelleries to be on the save side...

Faith and Sanity

After series of unwanted incidents including a mother who lost temper and judgement due to stressful life she's leading, trigger me to share on this wonderful story.

One day, Allah sent Jibrail to see a buffalo and asked the buffalo of his conditions of being a buffalo.

So, went off Jibrail to meet the buffalo and sought the answer.

The buffalo responded that he was very thankful and proud to be one as his life was not as bad as a bat who bathe with its own urine.

Jibrail then went to look for a bat who was sleeping and demanded an answer.

The bat was happy with his condition as his life was much better than that of a worm.

Worm was too small and weak creeping creature. Hearing this, Jibrail went to look for a worm.

The worm responded that he was very thankful with his conditions which was better than that of humans without faith in Allah.

So, from the story, mankind are supposed to be the greatest creatures in this world but we also would be the most disgusting creatures if we lost our faith and sanity...

Goodwill Gesture

I felt relieve after reading news that a group of youths from different races and backgrounds got together in the city center and handed flowers to passers-by in a gesture of goodwill in the wake of the arson attacks on churches.

They even carried placards and banners with the message 'Everything's gonna be alright'.

This is very positive attitude and a good move for the nations.

Hopefully, things will get back as normal and all underlying issues should be resolved rationally and not emotionally...

Arson Attacks

I read through the Facebook and surprised to hear about arson attacked in Klang Valley churches.

I browsed through the paper today and only understood what was going on.

Metro Tabernacle Church in Kuala Lumpur, The Assumption Church and The Life Chapel Church, both in Petaling Jaya were involved in arson attacks.

The Metro Tabernacle's ground floor administration office was badly burnt.

Late last year, the issue of 'cow head' aroused followed by disagreement to relocate Hindu temple within majority of Muslims community.

It was believed that the arson attacks came after the High Court ruled that Catholic weekly 'The Herald' has the constitutional right to use the word 'Allah' to describe the Cristian God in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

To me, this is very sad as both incidents really tarnish the image of Muslims irrespective of the real agendas or who are behind the scenes.

I still remembered when I was in my primary years, I noticed that mostly the Chinese community would refer 'Tuhan Allah' when expressing their gratitude towards Muslims.

I am still puzzle why they used such term. Does it mean that they accepted the existence of Allah and trusted His power at some point but at other point they rejected Him...

Similarly, at my level, I wonder why the word 'Allah' is preferred by 'The Herald' in its Bahasa Malaysia versions.

But the word will be replaced by 'Lord' or 'God' in English versions.

I can see the inconsistency and not clear on the real intentions...is it part of the missionary or is there any hidden agenda.

The issue has to be resolved once for all to ensure harmony between the races and that no party misuses the term for its own benefit.

New Fuel Subsidy

New Year means new policies. The government has declared the new sugar pricing which follows with mix reactions, as normal.

But what ones afraid of the raise has turned to reality. The result is shortage in sugar supply . Soon we will see some adjustments been made on foods and drinks pricing.

Latest, the Government has announced that a new fuel subsidy is in the pipeline and will be implemented sometimes in May this year.

The Government has sounded innovative and come up with 'brainstorming' that the fuel subsidy will be based on the vehicles cc.

Is this fair justification? Very subjective. It might be true that lower income groups will consume vehicles with lower cc but it is not always true. Some people will opt for smaller capacity based on the basic needs as well.

Some people just make enough to utilize bigger capacity vehicles either they really need or based on social status.

Some who earn quite some hefty incomes might not feel the pinch as they are equipped with companies cars.

So, hopefully, the Government will do further studies to ensure the distributions of subsidies are considered in every aspects.

Maids

It was reported two days ago about a Filipino maid who abused the employer toddler was caught on CCTV.

Today, another incident involved maid was reported in Trengganu. This time, a teenager Indonesian maid had fled the employer's house with goods after set the house on fire.

I don't know what to say, but the sure thing is that these people are very ungrateful...

The Heritage

It was disappointed to learn that the largest site for Rajah Brooke butterflies in Ulu Geroh was destroyed in pipeline removal works.

Once, the area was a major tourist attraction and now turn into muddy ground.

It was such a waste that we are unable to view the beauty of nature as the heritage habitat had been damaged.

It was a place where Rajah Brooke butterflies used to congregate in thousands to sip water rich in minerals.

We should preserve nature as 'we do not inherit them but borrow it from our next generations.'

Shock

A Singaporean businessman was given a new lease of life after receiving a kidney transplant.

He was touched when his wife told him that her friend was willing to donate one of his kidney.

His overjoyed had turned into shock when he found out that the generous donor was his wife's lover.

He also choked of the news that his child was actually belonged to the lover.

He got his health at the mercy of his wife's lover or was it reimbursement of exchanging ownership of his wife?

Back to School

The kids are very eager to meet their friends as today is the first day of back to school.

Today, my third is getting his first day start as a new student in Year 1. It is all new experience to him as I had to tuck him to bed early last night.

An early morning breakfast and bath time are new experience to him as well.

With new school attires and bag, he is set to start the day.

I have not much problem with him on the first day compared to my eldest who kept an eye on me all the time...

Well, the back to school is not only meant to pupils but also for teachers.

They have to keep their spirits up as to face new comers and face new challenges in career...

Wish to share a joke to break the tensions extracted from Reader's Digest, January 2010.

The headmaster at my secondary school asked for a moment's silence in the staff room while he addressed the teachers.

"Can I asked you all to be more careful when writing comments?" he said.

He held aloft a book that belonged to a pupil called Susan Crabbe.

A colleague had written encouragingly, "Susan is beginning to come out of her shell..."

Just Me

I read in today Starmag, a write-up by Nurul Lee on Tears and Fears.

I am a person who has go against the current education development in silence and classify most parents as ultra kiasu.

It all started from the day, my eldest daughter was 4 years old. I found that it was not easy to find good well balanced kindergarten which will develop kids on overall rather than focus on academic achievement solely.

I was really interested in Montessori approach but sadly to say in my area, most kindergartens which specified 'Montessori Method' was only on the surface and the fees were exorbitant.

The principals or owners, normally would have the same kind of feedback. Montessori only applicable for kids below 4 years old.

It was no longer applicable to 'older kids' (5 & 6 years old) as the current syllabus was too high and the kids would not be competitive. I sighed.

Despite all the dissatisfaction, I still had to make the choice with all the non conformance...

My anxiety was not ended there, as more inputs were stuffed into my brain when she started her first day of standard one.

All the concerned parents, would tell me that they already enrolled their kids into Kumon, Cambridge and other tuition centers...even some started at 5 years old besides attending kindergartens.

I was more confused, when one of the parents mentioned that the kids would not learn anything from the school due to big volume classrooms and shortage of teachers.

"Was it that bad?" I kept on asking myself.

Some parents opted to put their kids into private schools as to overcome the problems.

I had to calm myself for a while and pulled up myself to reality.

With all the inspirations and motivational talks I input to my daughter, she had survived and competed well with her peers who attended multitude of extra classes.

This year, she's going to seat for her UPSR and rejects tuition, I wish her all the best of luck...

Sometimes, I wonder is it just me or anybody else out there share the same opinion as me...

Final Farewell

Tok Mat bade the final farewell closed to 72 years at the New Year's gateway. It was also a couple of days after Gus Dur bade his final farewell.

He served 5 prime ministers in various capacities including as ambassador to Indonesia.

This is something that journalist Megawati Zulfakar wish to share about Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat in her Star Comment column.

Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat came from a family of 17 siblings in Kampung Mohd Amin, Johor Baru.

His mother died when he was 12. Later, he went on to hold the record of being the longest serving Member of Parliament for Pulai between 1969 to 1999.

Not bad achievement for a boy who had to sell kuih until he was in Form 3.

To her, there was no halfway with Tok Mat (as he was well known). You either liked him or hated him.

Many politicians despised him - several got suspended by Umno when he was party secretary-general and alleged he had abused his position - as did members of the public who disliked his propaganda over RTM.

However, for many journalists covering Umno politics, Tok Mat was the perfect source for news and for those who worked with him in Umno headquarters, this politician was a caring boss.

For those close to him, he was a good friend. He could understand their needs. For he was a poor boy who had made good.

But he had his failings. One abuse he would later admit to was using the government machinery to get to the rakyat to support Umno again.

During the Umno general assembly, he would allow journalist to mingle freely with Supreme Councilmembers during their tea break. There was no restrictions.

Sadly, the tradition died when he was no longer held the position.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. 2010...is already here. Last night, I had the opportunity to watch beautiful fireworks from my bedroom window.

This is the time, we will make resolutions as a day start.

However, not many would achieve the resolutions at the end of the year as normally people are only excited at the initial stage. When mid way through, the intentions and discipline will be lesser and lesser.

Soon, it will die slowly towards the end of the year.

Wish to quote Carl Zuckmeyer "Half of life is luck, the other half is discipline - and that's the important half, for without discipline you would not know what to do with luck."

The 2010 curtain has been opened nationally with the increase in sugar price by 20 cents.

The increment was due to the raise in sugar price internationally.

Hopefully, the raise will not be manipulated by certain parties to sabotage or increase food prices.