Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bye Bye 2010

Bye bye 2010....thnx for the memories!!!

Hello 2011......many challenges ahead!!!

Enjoy your holidays!!

Yes!!! We did it...


Yeap...

The Young Tigers won the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time since 1996!!

Congratulations boys!!

Proud of you boys!!

It's been awhile since the nation last saw their national team win a cup.........

Now we are the ASEAN champions!!!

The victory was made sweeter when it was won at Indonesia...........

Now go and qualify for the Asia Cup 2015 on merit!!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

What the ...........??


I can't believe my eyes when I saw this article earlier today:

''Insiden Laser Bisa Ganggu Hubungan Indonesia-Malaysia

Jakarta - Insiden penembakan laser oleh suporter Malaysia ke arah pemain Timnas Indonesia bisa membuat retak hubungan kedua negara. Untuk itu harus ada penyelesaian yang baik menyikapi insiden itu. Indonesia harus tetap sportif.

"Tindakan suporter Malaysia menembakkan sinar laser ke arah pemain Indonesia, bila tidak dikelola dengan baik berpotensi untuk menjadi sumber ketegangan hubungan Indonesia-Malaysia ketika pertandingan leg kedua digelar 29 Desember nanti," kata Guru Besar Hukum Internasional UI, Hikmahanto Juwana, dalam siaran pers, Senin (27/12/2010).

Pemerintah dan para tokoh harus terus mengimbau para suporter Indonesia hingga menjelang pertandingan, agar tidak melakukan tindakan tidak terpuji seperti suporter Malaysia.

"Pelatih dan para pemain pun bila perlu melakukan imbauan yang sama. Mereka bisa menyampaikan tidak membutuhkan suport yang dilakukan oleh pendukung Malaysia. Pendukung Indonesia diminta untuk percaya pada kemampuan para pemain dan pelatih untuk mengalahkan Timnas Malaysia," jelasnya.

Presiden SBY, menurutnya, sudah melakukan tindakan tepat dengan meminta Menpora untuk melakukan protes atas tindakan Malaysia, agar masyarakat tidak bertindak liar dan mempercayai pemerintah dalam mengatasi masalah yang dihadapi.

"Pendukung Timnas Indonesia diharapkan agar benar-benar menghayati sportivitas. Menang atau kalah Timnas Indonesia tidak diciderai dengan kecurangan ataupun tindakan memalukan," urainya.

Indonesia, harus bisa menunjukkan pada Malaysia bahwa permainan sepakbola cukup diselesaikan di lapangan. "Dan tidak perlu merambah pada ketegangan hubungan diplomatik, bahkan hubungan antar masyarakat," tutup Hikmahanto.

Ramadhian Fadillah - detikNews''

What a bunch of sore losers they are....just because of bloody lasers??

Kasihan dehh kamu!!!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

85,000 smiles

Last night....I was at the stadium witnessing a history...

An historical event indeed...

Who would expect that the young national team would beat the Indonesians by 3-0...

Yep....3-0....

Beating a team that consist of an Uruguayan and a half baked dutch descent, is not an easy task...Funny, a country of almost 270 million people, they need to import some dude from Uruguay to lead the line for them..

Our boys last night played rather well.....To be honest, it's been a long time since I last seen a Malaysian team that can pass and move the ball so well....

Totally different from the Vietnam second leg semi final in Hanoi....

It seems that the Indonesian people, including their President, and some of the Indonesian players blamed the lasers for their loss, but I would think that reason is so lame.....Don't forget, it was them who started all those lasers pointing in their first match at Jakarta.....

I enjoyed watching the team played at the match to be frank....Made some new friends....few seats away from us, there was a group who came all the way from Kuala Ketil, Kedah......On our right side, was a group of fans from Muar, Johor. At least, from what I saw last night, no matter where we came from, all of us were there for the country.....Saw some flags from Terengganu, Kelantan and as far as Sabah.....

I do wonder, why must we give 15,000 seats to the visiting team....just give 'em 5000 tickets would be enough....after all, I'm pretty sure we can fill in the stadium quite easily!!!

Anyways, there's another 90 minutes to play in Jakarta. The young tigers need to be mentally strong to overcome the fanatical Indonesian supporters....

It can be done I believe....but whatever the result in Jakarta, be it win or lose, at least, the boys showed that they can play....

Focus....focus...focus boys.....


The Malaysian Nike polo shirt that I bought for RM119


At 5.30pm outside the stadium....



At 7pm in the stand....



At 7,45pm.......


Another view taken from a friend from the other side of the stadia...


Ultras???


Taken from Ajaque: The indonesian fans.....


Taken by ajaque: I was seated to the left of the score board........!!


Yeap.....3-0!!!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

ASB..........FD

Since it's already known to many that we can no longer use ASB to pledge for overdraft purposes, I was thinking of using Fixed Deposit instead....

I was at the bank the other day signing some document for my ASB loan, and I took the opportunity to enquire about pledging the FD for O/D purposes.

First and foremost, we all know that the FD return is low. Seriously low. About 3% if I'm not mistaken.

Secondly, the bank will give you 1:1 for the overdraft. So if you have RM30k in your FD, you can pledge the amount for your od.

Third, why would anyone wanna do that? Well...for some and for me, OD has helped me a lot in 'enhancing' my financial being. It has helped me in diversifying my investment. So, I was just thinking, if I have some cash to 'spare', I'll put it in FD and then pledge it for OD.

To be honest, my OD account is not ''big'' but it is enough for me to use to spread my investments and my risk in different baskets.....

Hence, I believe, by 'expanding' my OD, I could have some 'ready' cash with me at any one time.

I've yet to determine whether to go ahead with this small 'project' of mine or not.....

Let's see how it goes lah....

2011.....

In a few days time,......we'll 'celebrate' a new year....

New aim....new purpose....new resolution.....bla bla bla....

Just like anyone else in this world......I got my own resolutions.....

Some of it will be...........

1. To add another property that values RM400k
2. To boost wifey's personal savings to six figures....
3. To enhance my diving skills and maybe take up the PADI rescue diver course. Once I got my rescue license, I might go for the intensive 2 weeks Dive Master Program...
4. Play golf consistently as a 10 handicapper.
5. To boost our 'Haji'' trip account.
6. Change a new car.......:p
7. To start buying 'Gold' as investment....

There you go.....some of it though.....not all.....

Achieveable?.....I think so.....obviously it'll take time....

I've decided the target date for achieving each of those aims but anything can happen......Usaha sahaja....yang lain I leave it to the Almighty....

Have a nice day!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Negaraku...





Never been so proud singing 'Negaraku' last night...

Almost bringing tears to my eyes.....

Almost 50,000 fans turn up at the stadium...(funny though...when Manyoos came over last year, the stadium was full to the brim)

Imagine...almost 50,000 peeps singing Negaraku....it's been a long, long time since I last heard the national anthem was sung with such passion by the fans....

Perhaps, the next time the national team plays at the National Stadium, we could see a full house....100,000 united Malaysians....Now, that would be some 'scene' eh....

Anyways.......we won!! Yey!!!

The first half was.....errrrr.....bad.....I mean really bad. The team just couldn't pass, couldn't hold the ball....It was like watching my school's Under-15 playing in the inter-zone. Vietnam, on the other hand, played like real pros. Pass and move. Crosses. Nice little touches......So i guess, we were lucky that they left their shooting boots at Hanoi!!

Our midfields were non-existent. Our rightback (Number 18),....... how he managed to get into the national squad is beyond me. Hehehehe...

During the 2nd half, the coach changed the rightback. It was a bloody good move. At least the subsitute showed some passion in his play. Their play was much more intense and pressure further up the field.

That resulted the vietnamese to make mistakes which the team then scored. To be honest, the first goal was a 'given' goal by the Vietnamese keeper. A schoolboy error....hehehehe

The second goal was a result of constant pressue play by the team. You gotta pressure them to make mistakes....hehehe....

Anyways.....up till the 85th minute....we can see that the boys has run out of steam. Basically, not fit lah....but a least they tried and not afraid of pressuring the opposition. That's the most important thing. I wouldn't mind if we go down fighting but I'd be angry if we lost without a fight!!

Well done boys....you make me & the rest of 49,999 fans last night proud.....All the best in Hanoi!!







Malaysia vs Vietnam

It's been awhile since I last saw the national football team play at the National Stadium

It's Malaysia vs Vietnam tonight.

A semi-final match for the AFF Suzuki Cup...

After being walloped by the Indonesians in the opening game, I thought the team did well to be in the semis. Too bad Singapore and Thailand is not in the semi final....

My thoughts....considering the fact the national team at this moment consist of 'young' players, they have surprassed their target. Hehehehe.

Maybe....just maybe...they could bring more suprises to the country by going to the final...If we can win tonight....then we have a big chance.....

Anyways....hope i'm gonna enjoy the outing tonight with some friends....

Have a nice day...

Monday, December 13, 2010

2010................

Another 2 weeks plus, 2010 will come to a close...

Perhaps, it's a good time to reflect what we've done for the past year..

Be it good or bad....I realised that there are things that I should've done earlier and there are also things that I shouldn't have done...

2010 has taught me a lot of things...emotionally, mentally & spiritually....

I'm currently in the midst of planning for 2011....

Most of it will obviously include my finances....This is an area that I would like to improve by reading more finance related stuff....Need to be more aware of what's happening around me lahh...

I do hope to purchase another property in 2011 though....

Later on today, I'm signing up for the PRU BSN thingy...which gonna 'costs' me RM50 per month. Perhaps, wifey would also join me in this thing...

I've yet to open up that education plan by PM as yet.....Perhaps, later in the week lah...

Let's see lah how it goes......

Have a nice day...

hrrmmmmmmm..........investment lagi?

Spoke to a friend about gold investment earlier today....

She introduced me to Public Dinar....& PRU BSN sUmmah

Spoke at length about the advantages of investing in gold & the PRU BSN thingy

Haven't decided anything as yet.....

Need to do some calculation first...& of course some thinking....

Obviously need to choose the right 'instrument' at the right time.....

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Barcodes...

The barcodes won 3-1 against Liverpool

No passion, no heart, no grit & no soul seen from the performance last Saturday...

The team is fast becoming a mid table team managed by a mid-table manager...

From competing in the Champions League to not qualifying in the League having lost to Northampton...

Dear Mr Manager...please do the needful and just leave....


Anyways....I found an 'open-letter' written by a Liverpool fan dedicated specifically at Mr Roy Hodgson....

Here goes....

Dear Mr Hodgson,

Let me begin by saying that I think you are a very nice and decent man. I have nothing against you personally, and have the utmost respect for what you have done in football over the last 30 years. I’d give my right arm to have been involved in football at the level that you have for so many years.

But having said that, this is not the point of this note so let’s get to the point. Mr Hodgson, sir, you are out of your depth. Not just a little. You are so far out of your depth that you are drowning. Your record managing teams in the premier league reads 7 wins in 55 premier league away games. That is a success rate that ranks with the worst managers in premier league history.

Today, you sent out a team that had dismantled Aston Villa a week ago. With only one change, replacing Babel with the ‘world class’ Torres there was a sense of optimism, playing against a team in turmoil. Not only had they sacked their highly popular manger, they were also 5 games without a win. The general consensus was that they were there for the taking.

But, Mr Hodgson, with your approach to away games, Newcastle ladies under-12s aren’t there for the taking, never mind their first team. Your approach to EVERY away game is absolutely shocking. You send a team out so fearful of losing, they have no idea how to win. How do you explain a team so powerful at home, being so dismal away, unless it’s approach, tactics and mindset?

In your last 55 premier league games (17 this season and 38 last season) your teams have won 16 out of 27 at home, and 2 out of 28 away. A 59% success rate at home, a 7% success rate away from home. It is why your team last season finished 12th, and your current team is languishing in 9th. It is why, in your last 28 away games, your teams have scored a total of 18 goals, conceded 47 and thus have a goal difference of -29.

Of the 84 points on offer in those 28 away games, you sir, have racked up a grand total of 15 points.

Quite simply Mr Hodgson, your approach to games away from home is shambolic. There isn’t a team in the premier league who does not believe they can defeat any team managed by you in their own stadium. In your last 4 away games – against perennial strugglers Wigan and Stoke, newly promoted Newcastle, and Harry’s Spurs, you have collected 1 point out of a possible 12. You have achieved 5 points in 9 away games so far this season. Your team has scored 6 goals. Only the bottom 3 have scored less.

In all of my years watching my beloved Liverpool Football Club, this is the first time I can claim to feel embarrassed and humiliated by the shocking displays on offer week in, week out, away from home. I watch my team bullied off the park by teams and players who are still pinching themselves that they are even playing at this level. I see a mass of millionaire Red shirts hanging on in desperation hoping against hope they can hang on to a draw against players I’ve hardly heard of. As the clock ticks ominously towards 90 minutes, I watch my team retreat deeper and deeper, hanging on in desperation, hoping against hope they can snatch a point. Inevitably, in what is now a theme, the opposition twist the knife with 10 minutes or so to go. Today, at 75 minutes, I texted a friend. My text read this: ‘best we can hope for is 1-1. Worst is 2-1 or even 3-1.’ Now I’m no Nostradamus or fortune teller. It’s just so BLOODY obvious what is going to happen. If it’s obvious to me, why isn’t it to you? WHY do you not use your substitutes to freshen things up and offer alternatives? WHY? I sometimes think that you’re so wrapped up in your own sulk, you forget you have a job to do.

Your tactics are abject. Your mindset breeds mediocrity. Your body language is cringe worthy. Forgive me, but what was that face-rubbing thing today? What do you hope to achieve by being slumped in your chair while your team is being battered in to eventual submission? You have no plan B, and you have no idea when and how to make substitutions. You continue to play an abject performer called Paul Konchesky, simply because you signed him from your previous team. You are slumped in your chair, radiating negativity. Rubbing your chin and your face, with a dazed “what the hell do I do next” look which is being observed by a watching world is the body language of desperate man. A man who does not even understand the questions being posed, never mind the answers.

It is highly unlikely you will ever see this message, but if you do, I urge you to resign. Please relinquish the position for a man more suited to manage a club of the stature of Liverpool. It is in everyone’s best interests that you ply your trade back at a club more suited to your tactics and methods. A team where mediocrity is considered a form of success.

Let me finish by reminding you of a basic fact. You are managing the most successful team in the history of English Football – ever. You are managing a team supported by the greatest fans in the world – ever. With that comes immense expectation, responsibility and pressure. It is my opinion, and the opinion of many Liverpool fans worldwide, that you are incapable of living up to the expectations required of a Liverpool manager.

Please, I implore you. Do the dignified thing and resign your post. Let Liverpool rebuild with a manager of the stature required for club of this size. You won’t have any trouble regaining employment. Wolves, West Ham, Wigan and Fulham will all be looking for a manager soon.

You’ll do fine there.

Regards, Alex

Alex Malone is exiled to Southern California having been brought up in Huyton. He represented TIA in Istanbul on national breakfast television show GM:TV.

Pulau 9



Went to Pulau Sembilan during the weekend.

It was a 'short' diving trip with some friends...

TO be honest, I don't even know that Pulau Sembilan existed before..shame on me eh?

Not much info can be gathered from net, but you may browse here about it.

The thing that I dread most about diving trips is the journey to the jety. It took us about 3 hours to reach Lumut town from KL on Saturday.

Decided to sleep over in a cheap hotel in Lumut called Orchard Inn or something. OK lh for RM20 per person.

From Lumut jety to the Island, it took us about 45 mins. Not the best of journey I have to admit though. The sea was choppy. I really thought that I would throw up during the 'ride'

Reached the first dive spot called White Rock. Descended till 10 meters and the visibility was so bad. Maybe about 1m-2m. There was no guide for us during the trip and were left on our own.

Intially when I checked my dive comp, my depth was at 12meters. Barely 2 minutes later when I checked, we were at 19 meters. I thought to myself that this is not good, so made a hand signal to my friends that we should level at 10 meters. Can actually feel the current is pushing us away to the open sea.

Managed to get to the 10 meter level and still the visibility was bad. We then decided to end the dive. We surfaced after the normal 3 mins safety stop. And yes...we surfaced quite far a way from the spot we descended.

Once on the boat, some of my friends threw up. Don't know whether it was the choppy seas or the not-so-interesting dive we had, but yeah...I felt sick too....hehehe

The boatman the decided that we should head to one of the island for a break and some lunch. The crew were good enough to cook us some delicious tom yam and friend fish. Ohhh...by the way, they 'caught' the fishes when we were diving at White Rock. To be honest, they can actually dive alone and spear those fishes for us.

After lunch, it was back on the boat for us, but I aborted the 2nd dive as the boatman told me that the vis was more or less the same like the 1st dive.

So nothing interesting happen there. We then went to our 3rd and last dive for the day. I decided to join the dive and was a bit regreted with my decision. My max depth during that dive was only 3meters. Vis was again very bad. It was like diving in a sea of air tebu. Hahahahaha

We went up after only 25 mins of diving. Was a bit disappointed as there was nothing much to see. Anyways, right after the dive, we head straight back to mainland.

Reached mainland about half past six in the evening. After washing our gears and mandi2, we head the road. Stopped at not-so-sedap nasi beriyani ayam madu somewhere after lumut town.

COntinued the journey and reached home at 1230 this morning!!. Hahahah

Anyways...would I go there again?....Maybe Not in the near future.

hehehehehe....

Interesting dive trip with a difference indeed....



The pics above were taken from: Ajaque

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Hari bersejarah.........Part Duex

After several nights of thinking...and some calculating....

I finally decided (after my visit to Maybank earlier today) that I wanna maximise my ASB account to RM200k.

I took up the ASB loan of RM100k for 25 years. Monthly payment is slightly less then RM600.

Since ASB is 'closing' tomorrow, the money (if all goes well) will only be disbursed next year.

Let's see how it goes....

I read somewhere about this ASB loan thingy. Lots of comments about it to be frank. Some said that it's good...and some said it's not wise...

For me though....it's another 'vehicle' that I can use to enhance my 'wealth' and boost my financial planning....Who knows, when the time comes, I might sell the loan amount back to Maybank....hehehe

I think...i've mentioned somewhere in my previous entries that I've yet to make any savings to my ASB account since the start of the year. So I guess, with this...I'm somewhat 'forced' to make the monthly payments...

After all....that RM600 is taken from the income from my rental properties. It's a good start for 2011 eh?

Alright then...one by one things are start to look clearer to me....

Next one is setting up the trust fund in Public Mutual (I know...I mentioned this earlier) and of course...my Haji Trip fund....hehehehe

Have a good day....

Hari bersejarah.........

Hehehe...

ya ke bersejarah?

Well...to be honest...it's not a big deal at all....

What I did today was I went to Maybank and open up the new Amanah Hartanah Berhad (AHB) account for my daughter.

'Entry' fee was RM500 (500 units)

Maximum Investment is RM200,000 (200,000 units).

I'm planning to save RM100 (100 units) per month and save that amount into AHB account monthly.

During the brief conversation I had with the rather cute bank officer, I was made to understand that the dividend is given twice in a year. The dividend is projected to be at 6% per annum. So it means, 3% for 6 months.

I like what I saw in the AHB brochure. It states:

''The fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the beneficial ownership of real estate in Malaysia from the Sponsor in particular commercial properties including but not limited to office buildings, shopping complexes, commercial centers, logistics and industrial complexes. The fund will also invest in Syariah-compliant money market instruments and equivalent and hold cast to meet its liquidity requirements''

TO be honest, I'm not expecting any mega returns as it is a new fund and a new investment. What I do hope is I can be discipline enough to constantly save some money into this account....Where there is no doubt that kecik do have her own education fund with Prudential, I think it's not wrong to save into something else....

I guess...it's not a sin when you are putting your 'eggs' in different baskets kan??

Maybe...the next step before the end of the year will be...setting up another Trust fund with public mutual....

Friday, December 3, 2010

God's Gifts

Sometimes, there are people out there who are born stupid.....

There are people who likes to belittle others....

People who doesn't care about anything else except for him or herself....

Presumably...it's a god's gifts eh?

Hhehehe

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Another new investment 'vehicle'-AHB

Amanah Hartanah Berhad

Initial Entry to invest: RM500

Monthly Contributions: RM100 p.m

Bumiputeras will have the opportunity to own equities in properties

It's another 'form' of unit trust(REIT)-Real Estate Investment Trusts (correct me if I'm wrong yaa)

Targeted Dividend: N/A (I would assume between 6%-8%...:p)

My thoughts: I think it's great that we have another opportunity to invest. A plus point would be the low capital entry of RM500....With a contribution of RM100 a month, I would think that everyone is able to do it.

I might consider this myself for next year and for kecik's education fund.

I thought the timing of the launch of AHB is very good and perhaps, our financial plan for 2011 can include this as well...Maybe I would go to Maybank's office tomorrow and ask more about this. You know, I'm always on the look out for something that can give good returns in the future....

Oh by the way....it's the last month of 2010. I'm excited to see my ASB bonus. Hehehehehe...

I'm also starting an education fund with Public Bank this month. Actually, I'm doing it to save for my haj...hopefully in 15 years time. Hehehehe....

Have a good day

Monday, November 29, 2010

What's in my bag....

I've been playing golf for about 2 years now. I think it was in early 2008 lah. The story was, I met an old friend of mine through YM and we chatted about golf a wee bit. And he told me that another friend of ours wanted to sell his iron sets. TO be honest, I didn't know what made me bought those irons and I did. I'm still using that faithful Titleist 804OS with me at times.


Of course, just like any other things in life, I have to start the game from the basics. I went to see a local pro at Saujana. Of course, he had taught me the basics of the golf swing, the short game and of course,...putting...

From there on...it was one heck of journey. Sometimes, I would enjoy the game but at times, the game can be so frustrating. Hehehe. I need to have a stronger mental approach lah to play the game....I tried to play at least once a week. Since I'm not blessed with endless pot of money, I would only play at cheap courses around KL. At times, I'll play at difficult courses like Sri Selangor, Danau or Impian.

Fast forward in 2010, after all that playing and seeing not one but 3 pros for the last 2 years, I'm now playing at 13 handicap. Well...that's what it says in my handicap card. I'm pretty happy with it to be honest. But, I still need to improve on my game. I hope to play 'single' before I reach 35.

Anyways, as time goes by, I've added some new/used equipment to help me improving my game. So what's in my bag currently?


Taylor Made R7 425 (Bought it dirt cheap from a friend)


Maruman Conductor Fairway Wood 3 (recently purchased for a 50% discount)


Taylor Made R5 Wood 5 -Bought it used from a friend...dirt cheap as well....


Nike CPR 22'-I can't hit long irons so this club helps me a lot in hitting 175-185 meters. (at times it can go only 50 meters...heheh) Bought it for only RM95. What a wonderful investment it was....heheh


Callaway X-Forged
Again...it was a used set. Bought it reasonably priced for a very good sets of irons. Heheheh. I only use 5i-PW so the 3's and the 4's is kept at home.


I've tried so many wedges and I found that Cleveland suits my game. Although, at times it's bloody difficult to be accurate especially when we are talking about short games (100 meters and below). I have the 52 Degress and 58 degrees with me. These 2 clubs probably costs more than my driver (R7) since I bought it new.


Odyssey 'Megatron'
A good putter with a very good deal. Bought it from a friend for a dirt cheap price again. Hehehe.

The only thing with me is...I always make it a point to play with new sets of golf balls. I'm not a fan with used balls as golf is already difficult game. I will need the help of new balls to get my game going. Heheheh. But...I'm not into those titleist Pro-V that costs RM180 per dozen type of balls. My choice would be the Noodle-Easy Distance. Costs about RM54 per dozen.


At times, I will play the E6-Bridgestone balls.



There you go. The equipments that I bring along everytime I play. Like I said....even though the handicap card states that my handicap is 13 but I'm struggling to play like a 13 handicapper. More like a 16 or 17 handicapper lah. Hehehe. Sometimes, my score was so bad that I thought of giving up the game for good...:p

Anyways....have a nice day.........

p/s: Thnx to Uncle Google for the pics....

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Ireland....



I have a soft spot for Ireland.

It was in this country, that I learnt to be independent and made me what I am today.

I spent a number of years in Dublin. Studying & working.


This is Christ Church Cathedral. My apartment was situated barely 100 mtrs away from the church. In fact, this place is a tourist attraction. We took Hari Raya pictures at this church. Hehehehe

It was also in this lovely country that I met my ex girlfriend who now became the mother to my beautiful daughter.

Some of my friends are still there in Ireland, reaping some good Irish money. Hehehehe

Lately, I've been hearing the news that the country is heading for bankruptcy.



Certainly hope it's not true as the country as a whole was called The Celtic Tiger barely a decade ago.

Obviously I'm not there anymore so I wouldn't know the real story or the real reason why it happened.

Maybe, Malaysia can learn a thing or two from what happened to Ireland.

More on Irish news here....

Liverpool FC : Famous Quotes

Just to whet the appetite here is a selection of some truly wonderful quotes.

1 "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly

2 "If Everton were playing at the bottom of the garden, I'd pull the curtains." Bill Shankly

3 "The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game." Bill Shankly

4 "A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe that you are the best and then make sure that you are. In my time at Liverpool we always said we had the best two teams in Merseyside, Liverpool and Liverpool reserves." Bill Shankly

5 "If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." Bob Paisley

6 "Liverpool was made for me and I was made for Liverpool." Bill Shankly

7 "Liverpool without European football is like a banquet without wine." Roy Evans

8 "Mind you, I've been here during the bad times too - one year we came second." Bob Paisley

9 "I hate talking about football. I just do it, you know?" Robbie Fowler

10 "Sometimes I feel I'm hardly wanted in this Liverpool team. If I get two or three saves to make, I've had a busy day." Ray Clemence

11 "Anyone who doesn't learn from Ian Rush needs shooting." Robbie Fowler

12 "Liverpool are magic, Everton are tragic." Emlyn Hughes

13 "I'd kick my own brother if necessary... it's what being a professional footballer is all about." Steve McMahon

14 "It was like playing in a foreign country." Ian Rush on his time with Juventus in Italy

15 "I said to Kevin (Keegan), 'I'll go near post' and he replied, 'No, just go for the ball.'" Tommy Smith

16 "Anybody who plays for me should be a bad loser." Graeme Souness.

17 "It's best being a striker. If you miss five then score the winner, you're a hero. The goalkeeper can play a blinder, then let one in… and he's a villain." Ian Rush

18 "Of course I didn't take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present, it was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale reserves." Bill Shankly

19 "They compare Steve McManaman to Steve Heighway and he's nothing like him, but I can see why - it's because he's a bit different." Kevin Keegan

20 "Bruce Grobbelaar will play on until he is 40 - and at the top level." Bruce Grobbelaar

21 "He's better than Brian Lara because he's 600 not out. What a guy." Roy Evans on Ian Rush's 600th appearance for Liverpool

22 "Should the aggregate score be level after 90 minutes, extra time will be played." Fulham's matchday programme for the second leg of the Littlewoods Cup tie in 1986-87. Liverpool were 10-0 up from the first leg

23 "There are those who say maybe I should forget about football. Maybe I should forget about breathing." Gerard Houllier

24 "Nobody likes being criticised, particularly by players who will be in Disneyland this summer on their holidays rather than the World Cup in Japan." Phil Thompson responding to criticism from Frank de Boer of Barcelona who said Liverpool were boring

25 "Son, you'll do well here as long as you remember two things. Don't over-eat and don't lose your accent." Bill Shankly to Ian St John

26 "If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing." Bill Shankly

27 "Don't worry Alan. At least you'll be able to play close to a great team!" Bill Shankly to Alan Ball after he signed for Everton

28 "Shanks was the father figure but Roger Hunt was something special. It might sound daft but just picking up his sweaty kit gave me satisfaction.” Phil Thompson

29 "As Arnold Schwarzenegger said, 'I'll be back." Gerard Houllier

30 "There is no way the second half can be as entertaining as the first." Alan Hansen during the UEFA Cup Final v Alaves with Liverpool leading 3-1 at half time

31 "We don't have any splits here. The players country is Liverpool Football Club and their language is football." Gerard Houllier

32 "It's there to remind our lads who they're playing for, and to remind the opposition who they're playing against." Bill Shankly about the 'This is Anfield' plaque

33 "Just go out and drop a few hand grenades all over the place son." Bill Shankly to Kevin Keegan


34 "It broke my heart to leave Liverpool." Kenny Dalglish


35 "Ay, here we are with problems at the top of the league." Bill Shankly suggesting to a journalist that Liverpool were in difficulties

36 "Where are you from?" "I'm a Liverpool fan from London." "Well laddie, what's it like to be in heaven?" Bill Shankly to a Liverpool fan

37 "Yes Roger Hunt misses a few, but he gets in the right place to miss them." Bill Shankly to a reporter

38 "With him in defence, we could play Arthur Askey in goal." Bill Shankly after signing Ron Yeats

39 "Steve Nicol never gives more than 120 per cent." Kevin Keegan

40 "At Liverpool we never accept second best." Kenny Dalglish

41 "Bill was so strong it was unbelievable. You couldn't shake him off the ball. It didn't matter where he was playing, though I suppose his best position was outside-left. He could go round you, or past you, or even straight through you sometimes!" Bob Paisley on Billy Liddell

42 "We will beat them one day, I can promise you that!" Gerard Houllier on Manchester United

43 "If anybody thinks either myself or my team are afraid of Liverpool, they can think again. I believe I've got a team that can go out and do the business against them." Coventry manager John Sillett before a match with Liverpool in 1987. Liverpool won 4-1 with Sillett declaring them champions elect in August.

44 "For me Liverpool can have Everton's title right now! Everton are good but Liverpool are better. They are the best in England – the side we can all learn from." Coventry boss John Sillett on Liverpool's title chances after Kenny Dalglish's new look team's second match of the season. Sillett was to be proved right as the 1987-88 Reds side of course went on to win the league

45 "You can't build a cathedral in a day. A look at the club's history tells you these things take time." Gerard Houllier

46. "Barnes did what we expected him to do. He made a goal, scored one, and entertained. You remember that." Kenny Dalglish after John Barnes Anfield debut for Liverpool in a 2-0 win over Oxford in 1987

46 "He couldn't play anyway. I only wanted him for the reserve team!" Bill Shankly upon hearing Celtic's Lou Macari had snubbed Liverpool in favour of a move to Manchester United."

47 "Laddie, I never drop players, I only make changes." Bill Shankly to a journalist who criticised his team selection

48 "I don't believe everything Bill tells me about his players. Had they been that good, they'd not only have won the European Cup but the Ryder Cup, the Boat Race and even the Grand National!" Celtic manager Jock Stein on Bill Shankly

49 "We’ve got a lot of Cockneys in the team, but really, it doesn’t matter where they’re from – we’re all playing for Liverpool.” Robbie Fowler

50 "It's great grass at Anfield, professional grass!" Bill Shankly comparing the Anfield pitch to other grounds

51 "I owe Bob more than I owe anybody else in the game. There will never be another like him." Kenny Dalglish on Bob Paisley

52 "I go by records and Bob Paisley is the No 1 manager ever!" Alan Hansen.

53 "Liverpool wouldn't be the club it is today without Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley and the players who played there. When I first went there it was a typical Second Division ground and look at it now!" Ian Callaghan

54 "If Shankly was the Anfield foreman, Paisley was the brickie, ready to build an empire with his own hands." Tommy Smith

55 "I was Bob's first signing. He changed my life, as he did so many others. He gave us great memories and you can't put a price on that. He made me an adopted scouser." Phil Neal

56 "Bob's knowledge of players and the game in general is unsurpassed. Football has known no equal in management or prize-winning, but his modesty and dignity were overwhelming as he led this club from one triumph to another. His name will always be synonymous with Liverpool." Liverpool chairman David Moores on Bob Paisley

57 "Hold on a minute, John Wayne hasn't arrived yet." Bill Shankly to the awaiting TV crews and journalists for the press conference to announce he was retiring from football


58 "Liverpool had such a marvellous group of players. It was no surprise the trophies kept coming." Kenny Dalglish

59 "I may have left Liverpool but the city and club will always be part of me." Kenny Dalglish

60 "If Liverpool had waited until the summer, and then asked me to go back as manager, I would have gone back." Kenny Dalglish, having had time to reflect on standing down as Liverpool manager in 1990

61 "He was the greatest person I know." Ron Yeats on Bill Shankly

62 "I always carry a picture of him, he comes into my conversation a lot; I learned a lot from him and owe the man a great deal." Kevin Keegan on Shankly

63 "The difference between Everton and the Queen Mary is that Everton carry more passengers!" Bill Shankly

64 On awaiting Everton's arrival for a derby game at Anfield, Bill Shankly gave a box of toilet rolls to the doorman and said: "Give them these when they arrive – they'll need them!"

65 "If Shankly had been paid overtime, he'd have been a millionaire." Tommy Docherty on Bill Shankly

66 "He's better than Platini, certainly better than Rumminegge and Maradona. For me he is the greatest footballer in the world." Graeme Souness on Kenny Dalglish

67 "I used to stand on the Kop when I was here in 1969. The atmosphere and passion on the pitch as well as the terraces was intoxicating and Liverpool became part of me from that day on." Gerard Houllier

68 "Our job is to make the fans happy. When we win, 45,000 people go home happy. When we lose, it not only affects them, it affects their cats." Gerard Houllier

69 "We don't destroy our heroes today when we worshipped them yesterday." Gerard Houllier.

70 'The only pleasure I take is that the fans are happy with the team. But I don’t believe in anything other than my team." Gerard Houllier.

71 "I notice a former captain of ours said recently that this squad is so good that we don’t need a manager. I took this as a great compliment. He must have changed his mind since leaving as he said at the time that Phil Thompson and I would drag the club down. On that point I suppose he was right - we dragged the club down to Cardiff three times in the last 10 months." Gerard Houllier referring to comments made by Paul Ince

72 “We scored 127 goals - the third highest total in the club's history. Although, if you believe everything you read in the papers, 126 probably came from a breakaway from the edge of our penalty area. The other one was probably an own goal.” Gerard Houllier

73 "Liverpool players must play like a lion, give his all. There must be determination, commitment and resolve to be a Liverpool player." Gerard Houllier

74 "These players are my true heroes." Gerard Houllier

75 "Players have responsibilities, because, whether they like it or not, they are public figures. They have to be aware that the people who come to the ground spend fortunes in relation to what they earn." Gerard Houllier

76 "When I see the Bill Shankly statue, I look at the sentiment on the base. It says: 'He made the people happy’. Well now the modern Liverpool is making the fans and the city happy. And that makes me so proud." Gerard Houllier

77 "To me, the team is more important than any individual member of the squad, and the players have to realise that and accept that my priority is to pick a side with the best possible chance of winning each match." Gerard Houllier

78 "I want to keep an English heart to the team. I believe in that. Michael Owen is that. Never think Michael is afraid of anything." Gerard Houllier

79 "At a football club, there's a holy trinity - the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don't come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques". Bill Shankly on boardroom meetings

80 "I'm just one of the people who stands on the kop. They think the same as I do, and I think the same as they do. It's a kind of marriage of people who like each other." Bill Shankly on the fans

81 "If he isn't named Footballer of the Year, football should be stopped and the men who picked any other player should be sent to the Kremlin" Bill Shankly on Tommy Smith

82 "It was the most difficult thing in the world, when I went to tell the chairman. It was like walking to the electric chair. That's the way it felt." Bill Shankly on the leaving of Liverpool

84 "The only thing I fear is missing an open goal in front of the Kop. I would die if that were to happen. When they start singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' my eyes start to water. There have been times when I've actually been crying while I've been playing". Kevin Keegan

85 The goal looked as big as the Mersey Tunnel." Ian St John after his winning goal in the 1965 FA Cup Final against Leeds.

86 "If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be." Bill Shankly on the off-side rule

87 "Take that bandage off. And what do you mean about YOUR knee? It's Liverpool's knee!" Bill Shankly to Tommy Smith, who had a bandage on his injured knee

88 “Ladies and Gentlemen, yesterday at Wembley we might have lost the Cup but you the Liverpool people have won everything. You have won the admiration of the policemen in London and you have won the admiration of the public in London." Bill Shankly after losing the FA Cup in 1971 to Arsenal

89 "Chairman Mao has never seen a greater show of red strength." Bill Shankly

90 "It is our fifth trophy in just a matter of months and that shows what can be achieved when you have a united team who have great trust in each other." Gerard Houllier after Liverpool won the Super Cup in Monaco

91 "This was a special atmosphere only Anfield can produce. This was St Etienne part two and the fans cheered every tackle and it's one of the greatest nights in this football club's history." Phil Thompson after Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Roma in the Champions League 2002

92 "I will never forget today and I want to thank all the fans who gave me such a great ovation. They were immense. I thought I would get a decent reception but that surpassed all my wildest dreams. That sort of ovation is normally reserved for players who have won European Cups for a club. It was a brilliant day and it was nice to hear the Kop's humour at its best again when they were telling me to go back to Coventry." Gary McAllister after his last game for Liverpool at Anfield

93 "Playing Roma in Rome in the European Cup final and scoring a penalty in the shoot out to help us win it. That was my very last kick for Liverpool and it doesn't really get any better than that." Graeme Souness

94 "We are the real people's club." Sammy Lee

95 "He has not changed his religion." Gerard Houllier to a reporter when asked if Nick Barmby would become a recluse following his move from Everton to Liverpool

96 "I used to hate Ian Rush when I was young, because I was a devout Evertonian in those days, and he seemed to score every time Liverpool played against us. It's strange to think he used to support Everton too when he was a kid. He was brilliant to me at Anfield always giving me good advice." Robbie Fowler

97 "I was once offered Eric Cantona at Liverpool." Graeme Souness admitting he turned down the chance to sign the Frenchman during his reign as Liverpool manager

98 "You may have found me mean and thirsty in my search for trophies, but the bad news is the man who is taking my place is hungrier than me. Fagan's the name and I don't think he'll need any help from the Artful Dodger!" Bob Paisley on Joe Fagan

99 "If you can't make decisions in life, you're a bloody menace. You'd be better becoming an MP!" Bill Shankly

100 "I just hoped that after the trials and tribulations of my early years in management, someone up high would smile on me and guide my hand. My plea was answered when we got Kenny Dalglish. What a player, what a great professional!" Bob Paisley
101 "Rafa is a magician, a master tactician and a wonderful man. He is a great man, make no mistake about that." LFC Chairman David Moores.

102 "We just want to bring more trophies to the club for these amazing fans. They are the best. We have got just the right man to do that in Rafa." LFC Chairman David Moores.

103 "Rafa has the feel of this club, he knows the history of the club and he loves the people. I tell you what, we have got a good man." LFC Chairman David Moores.

104 "Rafa has brought the European Cup back to Liverpool and there was no doubts in our minds whatsoever that he would bring success to the club." LFC Chief Executive Rick Parry.

105 "How could I leave after a night like that? It was the greatest night of my life." Steven Gerrard after winning the Champions League in Istanbul.

106 "It was reported that we'd have 20,000 fans out here but there was much more than that. They are unbelievable and I dedicate this victory to them. We were a different team in the second half but by extra time we were running on empty and I'll admit were playing for penalties at the end." Steven Gerrard after winning the Champions League in Istanbul.

107 "I wanted to show everybody that I'm still a good footballer, that I still have something to say. I think I have succeeded with that goal and that penalty. It wasn't a nice view at half time, but we wanted to get a goal for our fans as we didn't want them to be sad. I'm spellbound by it all, this is maybe the greatest moment in my career." Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer.

108 "They have done the city proud, they performed brilliantly and I always knew they were going to win. I was proudly wearing my scarf in No 10." Prime Ministers wife and Liverpool fan Cherie Blair after seeing the Reds win the Champions League.

109 "Carra came up to me after extra time and said 'Remember Grobbelaar and the rubbery legs of 84 - and do the same. Dance, do anything, put them off'!" Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek after his penalty saving heroics.

110 "My brother phoned me the morning after the game and asked me had I seen the match again? I said no and he said you need to see it because your save from Schevchenko was the hand of the God. I told him I didn't know how I did it." Jerzy Dudek.

111 "This is the best moment of my career. The final was one of the greatest moments for all of us. We enjoyed that very much." Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek.

112 "We celebrated into the night and it was magnificent. We had a few drinks, well maybe a bit more than a few!" Jerzy Dudek after the epic Champions League win over AC Milan.

113 "It is one of the greatest finals of all time and the save Jerzy Dudek made from Shevchenko at the end was unbelievable. I can't believe we've won. He'll be a legend now, not just for the penalties but because of the Shevchenko saves in the game itself. They were unbelievable." Jamie Carragher on Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek.

114 "This is the best moment in my professional career. I am a European champion, and I cannot believe it." Xabi Alonso on the feeling of becoming a Champions League winner.

115 "This is without doubt my biggest night in football. At half-time we needed to do something and decided to make some changes. The early goal helped and with the backing of our wonderful supporters we went on from there. There is no way we could have went back out and lost by four or five goals in front of them. Once we started thinking and believing we could do it, anything was possible. In extra-time I was very proud of my players." Rafael Benitez after the epic Champions League victory.

116 "As a manager you are important sometimes and you make mistakes, but the most important people are your staff and your players. Never call me the special one!" Rafael Benitez.

117 "When you see the supporters and how the club works it is like a religion to them. We will try to do our best to bring more trophies back for them." Rafael Benitez.

118 "I didn't sleep with the European Cup but it was in my room! It was just special and I just had to have the cup with me, lifting the cup as Liverpool captain was just the best moment of my life." Steven Gerrard on who he spent the night with after the Istanbul final.

119 "Managers have to be like actors at times and Rafa Benitez deserves an Oscar for his half-time performance in the dressing room during the Champions League Final. His half-time performance when all was lost in Istanbul was the most astonishing of the whole amazing night." Sir Bobby Robson saluting Rafael Benitez after Liverpool's victory in Istanbul.

120 "I went so mad that I must have had a bit of a blackout. I just crashed to the floor somewhere and I can't remember a single thing that was going on around me for a few moments. What I do remember as I was lying on the floor was starting to cramp up again!" Jamie Carragher recalls how he felt after Dudek saved the decisive penalty from Schevchenko in Istanbul.

121 "The English club proved that miracles really do exist. I've now made Liverpool my English team. They showed that football is the most beautiful sport of all. The Liverpool supporters didn't let me go to sleep the night before, there were 10 of them to every three Milan supporters. They showed their unconditional support at half-time when they were losing 3-0 and still they didn't stop singing." World Cup legend Diego Maradona who was cheering for Liverpool in Istanbul.

122 There's not one club in Europe with an anthem like You'll Never Walk Alone. There's not one club in the world so united with the fans. I sat there watching the Liverpool fans and they sent shivers down my spine. A mass of 40,000 people became one force behind their team. That's something not many teams have. For that I admire Liverpool more than anything." Dutch legend Johan Cruyff aftr Istanbul.

123 "What Rafa has done this season surpasses, without any doubt, what any other manager has done. Jose Mourinho has won the league for Chelsea in his first season and made a real impact in England. But it doesn't come even close to winning the European Cup in your first season. Now Rafa can go and tell any press conference he likes, as Jose did, that he's the true champion. Mourinho can't say that any more. So is Rafa the special one too? Well, he is to Liverpool fans." Jamie Carragher.


124 "We were sitting in the dressing room and we could clearly hear thousands of fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone. Can you imagine how that felt? We were 3-0 down in the Champions League final and all we could hear were 45,000 people letting us know they still believed in us. We knew they had endured a long journey and made so many sacrifices to be there. It was at that point we started to believe too." Luis Garcia on what inspired the amazing comeback in Istanbul.

125 "Liverpool's fans are just amazing. The best feeling I have at away games is Anfield. It is just incredible. I love it. You get goose bumps when you see their supporters sing You'll Never Walk Alone." Arsenal and France star Thierry Henry.

126 "When you have the best player in the world in your side then you know that anything is possible. I was just praying for somebody to do something special and Stevie came up trumps again. When the ball hit the net I felt like running over to him to give him a big kiss but then I decided against it! Gerrard is the best for me. He is still young, he's got everything in his game and he can do whatever he wants in football. It was just brilliant to win the final. The odds were against us at one stage but there's a great belief in this team now and we never believe we are beaten." John Arne Riise hails FA Cup hero Steven Gerrard.

127 "We've got a great team spirit - It doesn't matter how many goals we go down, we'll keep fighting till the end." Steven Gerrard.

128 "Honest to God, I'm so happy it's frightening! I'm just so chuffed - that's all I can say. Obviously since I have left, deep down I have always wanted to come back and it has been a long time but I'm glad to say I'm back now." Robbie Fowler on his return to Anfield.

129 "Ever since I started at Liverpool as a kid the fans have taken to me and any player will tell you when the supporters of your club are behind you then that helps an awful lot. I just can't thank them enough. They've given me so much support over the years and I'm grateful for that." Kop hero Robbie Fowler.

130 "He is our talisman - I mean you just can't replace him. Thank goodness everything was sorted out last year! Everything's settled down now and I know he will be with us for life. He's an unbelievable player and I wouldn't swap him for anyone. He has got everything and never ceases to amaze. He has been magnificent, different class." LFC Chairman David Moores on Steven Gerrard.

131 "I'd put Steven in the top five or six players in the world. In my opinion, I would say he was probably the best. I don't think anyone else could play for Liverpool and do more than he does." Jamie Carragher on Steven Gerrard.

Pretty Quiet....

Errrmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

Things are pretty quiet these days....for me especially.

It's November and the year 2010 is closing in very fast.

There are things that I planned to do earlier but can't afford due to financial constraint...well...not constraint lah...more of a financial control....

I've yet to achieve six figures in my ASB...which disturbs me a lot. I'd hope to achieve it this year but it's kinda impossible now.

Nevermind lah, next will certainly make it and there's an outside chance I'll be able to maximise my ASB by Dec 2011.

Hopefully, by the end of this month, I'll be able to settle all my 'dues'. Some of them like LHDN has been kind enough to let me pay monthly installments. Phewwwwwss. Don't wanna stretch my OD to the limit. To be honest, I can but I don't think it's wise.

Anyways, there's still a month and a half to go before 2011. TIme for some planning for next year....heheheh

Have a nice day

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

On the Brink of a War?

North Korea vs South Korea. South Korea was attacked earlier today. It was believed that the North Koreans fired bombs to a South Korean Island.

Funny eh....they are both Koreans right?

Why aren't or can't they be united as United Korea?

Maybe Uncle Sam has a say in this issue...eh?

We are in the Final!!

Yup...Our hockey team is in the final beating India 4-3 for the Asia Games!!

Congrats boys!!!

Make us proud!!

Indonesian Maids in the news....

AKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — She arrived in Saudi Arabia a high-spirited 23-year-old, eager to start work as a maid to help support her family back home. Four months later, Sumiati was Indonesia's poster child for migrant abuse, alone and staring vacantly from a hospital bed, her face sliced and battered.

But while public anger has forced President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government to acknowledge the problem for the first time, few expect any firm action to be taken.

Gruesome images snapped of Sumiati, now recovering in the Saudi city of Medina, have been splashed on the front pages of local newspapers and led television newscasts for more than a week.

Her employer — who has been taken in for questioning by police — is accused of cutting off part of her lips with scissors, scalding her back with an iron, fracturing her middle finger, and beating her legs until she could hardly walk.

"It's hardly the first such case," said Wahyu Susilo, a policy analyst at Indonesia's advocacy group, Migrant Care. "Again and again we hear about slavery-like conditions, torture, sexual abuse and even death, but our government has chosen to ignore it. Why? Because migrant workers generate $7.5 billion of dollars in foreign exchange every year."

Workers from Asian countries dominate service industries in the Middle East and there have been many reports of abuse — including allegations in recent days that an employer in Kuwait drove 14 metal pins into the body of a Sri Lankan maid.

"The wanton brutality alleged in these cases is shocking," said Nisha Varia, senior women's rights researcher at the New York-based Human Rights Watch, which called on authorities to investigate claims promptly and bring those responsible to justice.

She and others called cases like that of Sumiati the "tip of the iceberg."

But countries that export labor have a responsibility as well, Nisha said.

Though Indonesia sends more than 6.5 million workers abroad every year, it has drawn much criticism for failing — despite repeated promises — to ratify a 1990 U.N. convention on the protection of migrant workers. It also has not signed a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia that would give workers a legal basis to challenge employers.

But Oon Kurniaputra, an adviser to Indonesia's Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, argued Tuesday that the problem is not the fault of governments.

It is with profit-hungry recruitment agencies that lure young men and women overseas without ensuring their safety when they get there, he said.

Sumiati's case prompted President Yudhoyono to call a Cabinet meeting late last week to discuss ways in which the government could — and would — do more.

It turned out to be a public relations disaster.

It emerged during the talks that another Indonesian maid, 36-year-old Kikim Komalasari, had allegedly been tortured to death by her Saudi employer, her body found in a trash bin on Nov. 11 in the town of Abha.

"It's shocking to hear this ... it's beyond inhumane," said Yudhoyono, as the government sent a team of diplomats to the scene to investigate. "I want the law to be upheld and to see an all-out diplomatic effort."

Some lawmakers suggested a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Saudi Arabia, something that is considered unlikely given the close economic and political ties between the predominantly Muslim countries.

It also comes at a sensitive time, with hundreds of thousands of Indonesians in Saudi Arabia performing in the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Yudhoyono, meanwhile, had a proposal of his own: Give all migrant workers cell phones so they can call family members or authorities if they need help.

"It just shows how little he understands the problems domestic workers abroad are facing," scoffed Rieke Dyah Pitaloka, an opposition lawmaker who is dealing with labor and domestic workers affairs.

"Their employers are locking them up and taking away their passports ... they aren't going to let them keep a phone."

Most people believe little will change until girls are better educated and prepared for better jobs in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelagic nation of 237 million people, where the average wage is less than $300 a month.

Sumiati, a recent high school graduate from a fishing village on Sumbawa island, was bouncing with enthusiasm when she left for Saudi Arabia on July 18 with the help of a local recruitment agency, according to family and friends.

She saw it as a chance to be able to help her three younger siblings through school.

When the family — together with the rest of the country — first saw the cell phone picture of their little girl on television, they "went crazy."

"Her mother ... started crying hysterically and lost consciousness," Sumiati's uncle, Zulkarnain, was quoted as saying in the English-language The Jakarta Globe.

When they got Sumiati on telephone in the hospital, she said in a voice almost unrecognizable: "Please come in the form of angels and take me back home to my village."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Source: AP

Hhrrmmmmmm.........maybe BENDERA should start demonstrating and throw human faeces at the Saudi Arabian embassy. No double standard ya please.

Talking about Indonesian maid, my latest indonesian maid has decided to 'run' away only after 6 months of working. I can't actually remember how many Indonesian maids that has been working with our family. A lot to be honest.

Initially they will work their ass off but as time went on, dia start buat perangai. Some decided to run away. I can't believe that they have such 'couldn't care less' attitude. Maybe, they know that some of them can find some job somewhere as the demand is there.

From my personal experience, some of them are just too lazy to work.

80 Months Bonus??

80 Months bonus?

Is it true that NUBE is demanding 80 months bonuses for MayBank Staff?

Imagine a workforce of 30,000 Maybank staff demanding 80 months bonuses.

The amount, presumably will be super huge eh???

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Puppets & Liars

I felt that there are far too many liars & puppets in the country nowadays!!!

What happened lah?

Stop bickering & focus on the important issues..........

Tu pun nak kena ajar kah?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Saya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha kepada semua yg mengenali diri ini...

Selamat Bercuti.....

The Old Enemies

Liverpool vs Everton

Rangers Vs Celtic

Newcastle vs Sunderland

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund

The list goes on and on.....until

Victoria Institution meets St John....hahahahahahha

Yup...last Saturday, I attended & played against St John batch 94. It was funny to see after all these years, some of us has grown in size but the attitude remains pretty much the same....

It was a nice gathering I must say. I thought, almost 30 of us from VI'94 came that day. So as you can see, we have a lot of players (and supporters too) at our disposal. During my schooldays, football were very much a culture and almost everyone can play.

Even my class can beat an Under 18 school team from Bukit Bandaraya. Hahaha.

Anyways, as expected. We won. 4-0 was the scoreline. Not bad eh?

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Cukai Tambahan Kena Bayar..

Errrrkkkkkkkk.....

Kena bayar tax lagi ka?

Dennnngggggggggg.......

I received a letter from LHDN about a month ago regarding cukai tambahan kena bayar.

A wee bit surprised with the amount stated that I have to pay. Almost RM3k. Urghhhh. Duit lagi tuh.....

Anyways....wrote a nice surat rayuan to them. Unfortunately, no reply was received by me until I decided to give 'em a call earlier today.

I spoke to Mr X who explained to me that they've yet to receive the letter (a bit surprised there) but since I've called him personally, he will 'entertain' my case.

So he said something that I need to settle the amount before the year end. Hence, I need to pay half of it this month and the other half next month. Phewwwww......I tried to suggest that why don't we split it to 6 or 12 months installments (I know I'm just trying my luck here).He mentioned if I don't mind paying the 10% interest on the principal amount then it's ok lah.

Anyways, I decided that the two payments option is better. I heard somewhere during a talk about personal financial that there are only 2 things certain in life i.e Death and Taxes. Hehehehe. I only got to know, in case of death, your assets will be 'frozen' until your outstanding taxes has been settled. Only then, your assets will be distributed according to your will(if any)....

Well...if LHDN proves that I owe them, I should just pay lah kan.....No questions ask....

Have a good weekend........

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Thoughts for today....

''Procrastinating can exact a costly price when it comes to retirement planning. As the saying goes, time is money''

So what are we waiting for?...start now....

How do I start you may ask...

No 1...first and foremost...determine how much you will want to have to retire comfortably in X numbers of years.

No 2: Determine the 'vehicle' you want to use to obtain the figure that you've set above.

No 3: Assess the risks involved (no matter whether you are investing into property, share or unit trusts)


No 4: Start savings NOW!! Heard of the word 'compounding'? Read it here to understand more of it...

No 5: Review your investments (if possible) at the end of every year.

There you go. Sounds and looks easy but it'll take time. Whether we like it or not. It'll will take time. But one thing for sure, it'll bear fruits in the future.

TO be honest....I would suggest ASB for a start. It's seriously good.....

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Education is business......eh??

I read something interesting over the BBC's website earlier today..

Here's the news...

Concern at University of Wales overseas degrees

The University of Wales announced it had suspended its involvement with Fazley International College, pending investigation

A Malaysian pop star with a bogus doctorate has been running a college offering University of Wales degree courses, a BBC investigation shows.

A Bangkok college that Thai authorities say has been operating illegally, is also offering courses leading to degrees from the Welsh institution.

Week in Week Out examined the way in which the University of Wales validated courses in overseas institutions.

The university said it was dealing "thoroughly" with the issues raised.

The programme revealed that Fazley Yaakob, who runs the Fazley International College (FICO) in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, was claiming to have both a masters and a doctorate in business administration.

But both came from a bogus university.

The pop star, who has four hit albums to his name, claimed the qualifications from the European Business School (Cambridge), an offshoot of the Irish International University, which was exposed as a sham by the BBC in 2008.

“We are not happy about what is happening, we are dealing with it and will deal with it very thoroughly and will learn lessons from what has happened”-Professor Nigel Palastanga University of Wales


He said the University of Wales did not ask about his credentials, which were displayed prominently on the college website until he was confronted by BBC Wales' education correspondent Ciaran Jenkins in Kuala Lumpur.
No new admissions

Professor Nigel Palastanga, pro vice chancellor at the University of Wales, said the university was "concerned" about the issues raised in the programme.

"We are not happy about what is happening, we are dealing with it and will deal with it very thoroughly and will learn lessons from what has happened," he said.

The University of Wales announced it had suspended its involvement with Fazley International College, and would take no new admissions to its business administration and MBA courses until the matter had been investigated.

Professor Palastanga said there were no concerns about academic standards at the college.

Meanwhile, Thai authorities said Accademia Italiana, a fashion college offering University of Wales validated courses in Bangkok, Thailand, had been operating illegally.

Dr Sumate Yammoon, Secretary General of the Commission on Higher Education in Thailand, said last week that the matter was in the hands of the police.

However, Professor Palastanga said the situation had now changed.
'Run its course'

"My information is that the college is now operating legally within the Thai system," he said.

Jenny Randerson AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, said she believed the University of Wales had now "run its course" and that its remaining accredited institutions in Wales - Swansea Metropolitan University, UWIC, Glyndwr University, Trinity Saint David and University of Wales, Newport - could operate independently.
Fazley Yaakob Fazley Yaakob has four hit albums to his name

Universities in Wales are bracing themselves for the outcome of a review into the governance of higher education, ordered by Education Minister Leighton Andrews.

He has now instructed the review to look at the issues raised in the Week In Week Out programme.

Cardiff University left the University of Wales in 2004 while the universities of Bangor, Swansea and Aberystwyth decided to offer their own degrees in 2008.
Severed ties

In November 2008, a BBC Wales Dragon's Eye investigation showed that the University of Wales validated courses run by a controversial bible college in the United States.

The university severed its ties with Trinity College of the Bible in Newburgh, Indiana shortly before the programme was broadcast.

Professor Palastanga said it was "not good" for the university's reputation when things went wrong, however he stressed it worked continually with its partners to uphold standards.

The University of Wales validates courses in more than 100 colleges in more than 40 countries.

There are currently 70,000 students studying for University of Wales degrees worldwide.

The university said the profits from its international validation programmes were invested in Welsh higher education.

Responding to a question from Jenny Randerson AM on the investigation, First Minister Carwyn Jones told the assembly the education minister has already asked the review of HE governance to look into this matter.

"Primarily, it's an issue for the University of Wales and its reputation," Mr Jones told AMs.

"So it's exceptionally important that the University of Wales takes note of the allegations that have been made, and then of course takes steps to ensure that if the allegations are correct, that there is no opportunity for anybody to use the name of the University of Wales in an inappropriate way."

Week In Week Out: University Challenged is on BBC One Wales at 2235 GMT on Tuesday, 9 November.

Taken from BBC News


If you read carefully on the news, the writer clearly stated that the actor involved has a bogus doctorate. So all this, some of us may have been duped by this 'Dr' eh??..

anyways...it seems that shit hits the fan for 'Dr Fazley'....To open up a college for a young man like Dr Fazley is something that I really admire...Where does he gets the money for start ups eh?.......Must be heriditary...ehehe...