Archive for February 2008
Listening to Anwar Ibrahim
February 27, 2008 – Mentakab was buzzing with anticipation of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit for an opposition rally. I am not a fan of Anwar but curiosity got the better of me and I just had to attend this rally.
There was no way that I could stay at home when the only man who had caused Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed endless nightmares, would be speaking blocks away.
Who Will Win In A General Election?
In the height of the campaigning for the 12th General Election, opposition politicians are trying desperately to win votes by speaking at 3 or 4 ceramahs in a day, traveling hundreds of kilometers, shaking thousands of hands and driving themselves to the ground in the process. But in reality, how many voters can they reach out in an average of 3 ceramahs a day given the limited period of campaigning? Reaching out to the voters is one thing but to convert a voter is another thing.
By scrutinising the Hillary Clinton versus Barak Obama campaign, why did Barak Obama gained so much momentum the past two months. The Oprah Winfrey endorsement of Obama in May 2007 catapulted him as a frontrunner for the Presidential candidate. But it was his ability to raise more campaign funds than Clinton that ultimately helped him to win the votes. Obama raised US$ 32 million in January 2008 versus Clinton’s US$ 13.5 million. With the superior resources of more than double the amount of campaign funds, Obama was able to reach out to the voters more effectively. It was reported that Obama had 80% more ads in the state of Ohio and 50% more ads in the state of Texas. The increased popularity of Obama in recent weeks was a clear indication that who ever has more media coverage, will have the upper hand.
Coming back to Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional can nominate anyone they want, regardless whether the candidates have the calibre or not. With the total control which they have over the local media and the amount of advertisements they have put in, the 2/3 victory for the government is a signed deal.
It is a sad but when money politics prevail, real democracy dies.
Oldest Man and Oldest Woman
The oldest person ever documented was Jeanne Calment who lived 122 years 164 days. Jeanne Calment was born in Arles, France. She lived from 21 February 1875 to 4 August 1997.
The oldest man known was Shigechiyo Izumi, born in the Amami Islands, Japan on 29 June 1865 and attained the age of 120 years 237 days when he died on 21 February 1986.
If the News Straits Times’ report on 28 February 2008 is accurate, Malaysia may have both the oldest man and the oldest woman in the world as the Election Commission has listed two 128 year olds in their voters’ list for the state of Selangor. It was also reported that Selangor has a total of 23 voters above the age of 100 years. The air in this state must be good for longevity
Jumper
The movie trailer was darn cool. Imagine a human who can travel to another location at the blink of an eye. It was a movie which I have been looking forward to for the past month and I finally got to catch it over the last weekend.
A long, long night not to remember
1915 hours - The notice said 7.30 pm 15 Feb 2008 but the warehouse was empty.
1930 hours - The Directors were amongst the first to arrive as the crowd trickled in.
1945 hours - The warehouse was still half empty.
1950 hours - Still not full. The emcee gave the stragglers another 10 minutes.
2000 hours - The emcee invited the General Manager No 1 to give a speech.
2015 hours - The emcee invited the General Manager No 2 to give a speech.
2020 hours - The crowd started eating the satay while enjoying the speech.
2030 hours - The emcee thanked General Manager No 2 for his wonderful speech.
2031 hours - The emcee asked the General Manager 2 to start the Annual Dinner.
2032 hours - The crowd started eating the Nasi Minyak, Tosai and Ikan Bakar
2033 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 1 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2035 hours - The warehouse was miraculously filled when the lucky draw started.
2040 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 2 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2050 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 3 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2100 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 4 to draw 10 lucky table draw prizes.
2110 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 5 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2120 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 6 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2130 hours - The emcee announced a game of “Limbo Rock”
2131 hours - Half the crowd left for the toilets.
2145 hours - The winner of the “Limbo Rock” competition was given a prize.
2150 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 7 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2200 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 8 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2210 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 9 to draw 10 lucky table draw prizes.
2220 hours - The emcee asked Manager No 10 to draw 30 lucky draw prizes.
2230 hours - The emcee asked the General Manager No 1 to draw 20 Grand prizes.
2240 hours - The emcee asked the General Manager No 2 to draw Top Four prizes.
2245 hours - The crowd disappeared after the announcement of the Top Prize.
2250 hours - Only the organisers and a few volunteers remained to clean up.
The highlights of the dinner were the lucky draw prizes especially the Hitachi Fridge, the Hitachi Washing Machine and the Hitachi Air-Cond.
Nik Aziz Should Apologise.
Feb 19 – The Star has highly publicised today that an unrepentant Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat said he would not apologise for calling Umno members orangutans, as he had meant it.
I feel strongly that Datuk Seri Nik Aziz should apologise. Why demean the poor orangutans?
If Datuk Seri Nik Aziz felt so strongly against some of his political opponents, there are many appropriate words he could use such as idiots, morons, nincompoop, retards, barbarians.
But please don’t spoil the image of the orangutans. The orangutans have not done anything to deserve being associated with the bad things that we humans do.
Suicide or Foul Play
Feb 19 Breaking News – Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying’s alleged murderer Ong Chee Leong, 29 was found hung in a clinic at the Penang Prison.
Authorities reported that Ong was still alive when the warders found him. The warders brought him down and tried to resuscitate him but he died shortly after. It was also reported that Ong had been depressed for the past few days and had often cried while being kept in solitary confinement. Ong was led out of his prison cell early Feb 19 to seek treatment for a headache at the clinic.
Ong’s lawyer, S. Rethinakumar, said he last spoke to Ong on Feb 1 and Ong did not show any signs that he was experiencing emotional distress. On the contrary, S. Rethinakumar reported that Ong was in good spirits when he met him.
While the brutal killing of three-year-old Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying was most despicable and many would be joyous with Ong’s death but we need to remind ourselves that the court had not reach its verdict. We also need to consider the questionable circumstances how Ong Chee Leong died.
Unless there is a thorough and satisfactory investigation into the death of Ong Chee Leong, there will never be a disclosure to the murder of Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying.
As for Jess Teh Hooi Wen, Shearwey’s mother, no matter what happens after this, she would have to live with the guilt for the rest of her life and if Ong really did commit suicide, he took the easy way out.
Rest In Peace. May the Angels look after you.
Arsenal Thrashed
Feb 16 – After an embarassing outing with Manchester City a week ago, Manchester United got their game together and virtually thrashed Arsenal.
In a game where both managers made major changes to their teams and rested their players for the Champions League, Arsenal started the game without their star striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Manchester United had only one striker in Wayne Rooney with Park Ji Sung playing a supporting role. Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha were all rested.
Sir Alex Ferguson packed the midfield with Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Nani and Anderson and his gamble palyed off.
In the 16th minute, Anderson flicked the ball to Wayne Rooney to head it passed Jens Lehmann. Three minutes later, Nani centred the ball perfectly for Darren Fletcher to head in for a second goal. In the 38th minute, it was Michael Carrick’s turn to supply the pass to Nani who drove a low shot past a helpless Lehmann. The first half ended 3:0 in favour of Manchester United.
Arsenal tried to come back into the game by bringing in their star striker Emmanuel Adebayor but Manchester United continued to dominate in the second half. Darren Fletcher scored his second in the 74th minute.
The game ended 4:0 with Arsenal outplayed and thrashed.
The Amazing Race Asia 2 – Finale
The Amazing Race Asia 2 finally came to an end after 14 weeks of racing through 10 countries on 3 continents. It was a race of overwhelming favourites Marc & Rovilson against the underdogs, Adrian & Collin and an all girls team, Pamela & Vanessa.
Of Nyonya Cakes and Chinese New Year
15 Feb – Another Chinese New Year passed but I do not feel the festivities of the Chinese New Year anymore. Maybe it is because I have outgrown the innocence of youth like a kid outgrowing Christmas. Maybe it is because I have stopped practising the Taoist traditional prayers ever since I believed in Christ. Maybe it is because I have grown skeptical and neurotic over the years. Maybe it is not me.
Maybe it is time. Time changes things. Time changes everything.
So exactly what do I miss most about the Chinese New Year?
