Roaring Forties

The Race Continues from Ep 2

Marc and Rovilson is turning the Amazing Race into a one horse race. They were absolutely strong, competitive and focused in the 3rd episode. They looked awesome at the rock climb and appeared to have enjoyed themselves very much.

Adrian and Colin came charging strongly in this race to finish second while Malaysian mums Ann and Dianne continued their 3rd placing streak, three times third in a row.

Scream queen Terri did an excellent bungee jump even though she was  initially terrified. She and Henry came from behind to finish fifth. They provided the drama of the episode with Terri doing her usual screaming antics and Henry cried like a giant baby.

Sawaka and Daichi performed beyond my expectation in this episode showing more enthusiasm for the race.

The race has taken its toll on the rest of the competitors with Paula and Natasha slipping to fifth. Pam and Van had a car accident which delayed them for about 25 minutes and ultimately caused a drop to seventh position. But they did provide the most memorable part of the episode where some of the other teams were screaming away in the “haunted house” but Pam just brushed “ghost” aside and said “get out of my way“.

Sophie and Aurelia fared equally bad with Sophie losing her cool and provided one of the most memorable the quote of the episode when she scolded Aurelia “Can you please keep quiet for one hour?“

The biggest loser of the race were Brett and Kinar. They were absolutely lost. Nothing went right for them. At the end of the race, they were so far behind, that they couldn’t finish the last two tasks because one of the venues was already closed. There was no dispute at all, that they had to be eliminated from the race.

Farewell Brett and Kinar. The best looking couple and Kinar, undoubtedly the best looking girl in the race.

If there was a contest for Ms TARA 2, she will win in by a mile.

More in Episode 4

Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad was finally confirmed as the Chief Justice on 5th December 2007 while Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi was appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal which is traditionally regarded as the second highest position in the Judicial system. 

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who made the announcement in a statement, said both appointments had been consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin upon his advice after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.  

The appointments would only serve to weaken the public confidence in the already tarnished image of the Judicial System which is currently facing its worst crisis since the days of Tun Salleh Abbas especially with the Lingam tapes controversy still remained unsolved. 

My previous blog on the matter questioned the decision of the government in appointing a lawyer who closely associated with the ruling party directly to be a Federal Court judge without undergoing the normal due process of service and experience as a High Court Judge. My earlier fear that the government will take it a step further by appointing Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi as the second in command to pave the way for him to be the next Chief Justice when Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad retires in 2008 has now turned to reality. 

The facts are:- 

Fact 1 – Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi made history on 5th September, 2007 by being the first lawyer to be appointed directly to the Federal Court without serving as a Judge in any capacity by passing at total 48 High Court Judges and 21 Court of Appeal Judges.   

Fact 2 – Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi was appointed the President of the Court of Appeals on 5th December, 2007 exactly 2 months after being appointed as a Federal Court Judge, by passing the Chief Judge of the High Court for Peninsular Malaysia, the Chief Judge of the High Court for Sabah & Sarawak and 7 other Federal Court Judges. 

Fact 3 – With the appointment as the President of the Court of Appeal, Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi will be the next in line to succeed Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad who is due to retire on 17th April 2008. If the inevitable (as far as the government is concerned) happens, then we will have a new Chief Justice on 18th April 2008 who became a Judge for only 7 months 15 days.  

Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi may have proven him-self to be an excellent lawyer but is the experience of two months as a Judge sufficient for someone to be promoted to be the number two position in the country’s Judicial System. 

If the inevitable happens on 18th April 2008, then will an experience of 7 months 15 days as a Judge, be good enough for someone to be appointed as the Chief Justice of the country? 

No matter how much P.R. work is being done by the government, the appointment just does not make sense.  

What about the feelings of the other 57 Judges who were bypassed, some of whom may have served their life time on the bench. Would they give Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi the respect necessary for the position?  

Where would justice stand when there are such questionable appointments? 

Thanks to May, I now have to attempt to answer these 10 questions, some of which I have to dig deep into my memory to find the answers. 

1. A movie that made you laugh.
My classic was “The Naked Gun“

2. A book that made you cry.

No books made my cry but one which touched my heart as a kid was “Shike” by Robert Shea.

I almost cried when the hero stood injured in the middle of the battle field with the bodies of the enemies all arround him. All the soldiers sent to fight him in a sword duel perished. In the end, the General had no choice but lined up an army of archers and sent a sea of arrows to kill the hero.

3. A best friend.
I have had many friends over the years but the one who has been with me and stood by me all these 19 years is my better half and my soul mate, May.

4. A favourite childhood memory.
Playing house by myself during rainy days with pillows and blankets.

5. Your favourite animal.
I love animals but I have not taken up the responsibility to take care of them. So I steal little moments whenever I have the chance to share with an animal.

 ”Popeye” a dog belonging to my niece would be my favorite living animal.

I also loved “Lucky” a dog (she is dead now) which belonged to an ex-girlfriend’s family. Lucky adored me but she was very fierce and she would barked at everyone, strangers and family members alike. But whenever she saw me, she will come wagging her tail. 

6. Your favourite food.
A difficult choice because I love to eat. It would be a battle between sashimi, char keow teow and KFC.

If I had to choose, it would be char keow teow.

7. An item of clothing you can’t do without.
My shorts with many pockets.

I prefer shorts in our crumming weather and the many pockets are essential for my mobile phone, my camera, my wallet, my keys and my loose change. 

8. Something you collect.
Pictures of the places I have been, the people I met, the events I have attended, the things I have seen.

9. Your favourite store to shop in.
Bookstores. Can’t live without it.

10. Your favourite flower.
Chrysanthemum. I love it as a drink.

I have not tagged anyone. I am reserving the tag for some worthy frens to come on the blogwagon. If Ms Han start blogging, I am definitely going to tag her.