So The Haze Is Back!!

So The Haze Is Back...

This is read from the 1/7/2007 news. No wonder my wife told me that the area around her office is so 'cloudy' that she can't see the other buildings from her office.

Then we are told that the number of hotspots in Sumatra has almost doubled within 24 hours

According to Meteorological Services Department environmental studies director Lim Sze Fook, satellite images showed 171 hotspots in Sumatra as at 2.58pm yesterday compared to 91 at 3.05pm on Saturday.

Today, we see that the Hazy days expected to continue.

So, people. Please take good care of your health. Drink more water and don't engage in outdoor games so much (hmmm... I sound more and more like my mom ...... )

GT Babes Too Racy

Are they really that racy??

(pictures courtesy of TV Smith)

Our government backbenchers are commenting on the Sexy Models At Super GT Grand Prix from here and here.

Why are they so upset over the attire of those models at the Grand Prix?

Really don't understand....




First of all, do you go to the Grand Prix, or any other "races" for the race or for the "something else"?

For goodness sake, this has been the trend since time in memorial that scantily clad models will be there before a race starts.

Ya.. Ya.. I know....... there will be argument that girls should not be 'paraded' with such 'less clothes' in public here.. blah blah blah..

But, have they not wearing their apparels appropriately? Or have they not acting 'inappropriately' in public 'parading' their 'assets'? These events are INTERNATIONAL events, you know.. There seems not any qualms from the other organizers, and why you.

I know that we have our culture to secure and not allow such an 'exposure' to be in public, and that there were events that had been organised where the models wore the "baju kebaya" attire in their promotion and also to argue that we need to ensure that the nation's image was not undermined.

On this point on not undermining the nation's image, I'd like to give my two cents here.

Why do we bother with this slight 'exposure' matter, when there are bigger 'exposure' that needs to be resolved.

What about the current theft, rape, or whatever crime that are happening in our country? I think our country has been 'well known' by many other countries for that... How about the news on the leakage that happens in our Parliament building? Why not find ways to resolve the flood issue that seems to be rampant here recently.

Why not solve these 'big' issues which are in the people's eye first before you proceed to solve others.

It's like you go to the hospital to treat your headache when you are suffering from a brain cancer.

Business Trip To Hong Kong

With my project implementing to another country, that is Macau, after Hong Kong, now is my second trip after November 2005 to Hong Kong.

You’ll definitely ask why go Hong Kong when the project is to implement in Macau. To make the long story short, Macau business is currently run in Hong Kong as Macau’s “market” is pretty small that it can be managed by the Hong Kong counterpart.

My flight is scheduled at 6:45pm. And, Guna, my colleague who will be traveling with me, has made arrangement to go to the KLIA at about 3pm, so that we can check in at 4 ++ pm. However, towards about 2:30pm in the afternoon, the traveling agency called to inform that the flight is delayed. And guess what. It’s delayed to 8pm..!!!

And the reason being there is some technical problem/complication with the plane.

So, plan has to be changed.

Guna then informed that he will come over the office to pick me up at 4pm

When we reached KLIA, it was about 5:05pm. After checking in, we realised that we have more that 3 hours to spend there in the airport.

Damn.. It was a long wait there.

Went for a walk in the Satellite Terminal. Honestly, this is the first time that I have the chance to go around the airport so completely.. hahahaha

After the long wait in the terminal, it was finally the time to board the plane. Our flight number is MH0074 and according to Guna, it is usual that the boarding gate will be designated to C35, which I realised that it is the last boarding gate to the right of the Satellite Terminal. It was a long walk from the shuttle train stop to C35.

Anyway, I was pretty glad that our flight is finally here.

After we have found our seats in the plane, an Airbus A330, I noticed that Guna is sitting in front of me as his seat number is 18C and mine is 19C.

I was quite happy, though, that I didn’t have to sit with him. And happier when I noticed that there is nobody occupying as my neighbour. So, there, I have 2 seats for myself.

When I was in the plane, I can see that the airport is lit with lights and it’s very beautiful from the angle that I am sitting. Then I am proud of my own country that we have such a magnificent international airport. And I am proud as a Malaysian.

After waiting for about 15 to 20 minutes, the plane started to back down the hangar. However, from the minute it started moving till the take off, it was such a long ride that, before the take off, I realised that we have ridden so far away from the main terminal that the plane took off. Then the weird feeling struck me.

I started to miss my wife, my family and my country.

“I love you, Yvonne. I miss you, Yvonne... Goodbye Malaysia...” I said in my heart.

Sh*tty Joke

Ah......... It's Friday again...

The weekend mood is here lingering in our mind. With some of us taking this as an excuse not to 'work so hard', and some just call in sick.. hahahaha

Since it's Friday, let's forget all about the politics, jam, the water leaking.. hehehe

Would like to share a joke which I like very much.. Here goes...

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the Stranger turned to her and said, "Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.

"The little girl, who had just opened her book,

closed it slowly and said to The stranger, "What would you like to talk about?"

Oh, I don't know", said the stranger. "How about nuclear power?"

"OK," she said. "That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first.

A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat grass, the same Stuff.

Yet a deer excretes little pellets,

while a cow turns out a flat Patty,

And A horse produces clumps of dried grass.

Why do you suppose that is?"

The stranger thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea,"

To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don't know sh!t?"

Please Don't Do That.............

Walking along the city street, and one thing that you'll definitely notice is how 'clean' our streets are...

We have high-tech equipments to help us with our daily routine, we have fast moving vehicles, we have internationally acclaimed airport, race track and so forth. But, WE are the problem to this country. It is not the vehicle, not the technologies, etc. It is WE.

WE fought for the independence of this country. WE set the law and regulations. WE sends out advises, fliers, leaflets and even post advertisements on TVs to advise our good-selves to take good care of our surrounding, our country and our mother nature. WE, theoretically, wish to have a 'perfect' country to live in. We admire the cleanliness of other countries as we see in TV.

But, do WE heed the advise? Nope. Don't think so.

Most of the time, I can see people will throw out rubbish from their vehicles onto the highway. I can see people throwing food wrappers on the road when there is a rubbish bin readily available not far away.

What's more saddening is when the local authority put up a "No Littering" sign at a specific location, but yet INCONSIDERATE people still litter their dumps right at that specific spot. WHY!!?

If everybody thinks "It's not gonna harm anything if I just dump this little piece..." then how can our country be as what WE dream our country to be.....!!!!

What have gone wrong with all the teaching since you were young when your parents and teachers teach us not to litter/throw rubbish. Have you all ''Give Back All That Has Been Teach To Your Teachers??"

Come on. This land can't sustain the amount of rubbish that you have dumped despite all those cleared by the rubbishman everyday..

What to do!!? What to do!!?

Have you been put in a position where you don't even know where or what or how to do something that is urgent? What do you do about it?

During my college time, studying has put some stress(now I can say 'some' compared to the stress I am going through here at work) on you. However, this stress is so small if you compare it with the situation now after you step out of the comfort of your 'school' environment and go out into the 'wild'

But, what are those kids (I mean college kids) doing to cope with the 'stress' they are facing?
They SMOKE it out, man... (and I mean cigarette)

You and I can see this everyday at restaurants, mamak stall and even on the road. You can go and ask why they started smoking.

For sure they will tell you, "Stress lor".

So, as you press further and ask, "Do you really need to smoke when you are stress?" "Ya, more relax and not stress after smoke" will be the answer.

Do they know the consequences of smoking one, and just one, cigarette? Do they know how long does your body need to take to filter and neutralize this little ONE cigarette?

If you are reading this, and you are a young college 'ladies or gentlemen', please do some reading about this and if possible, please for your own good, QUIT!!!

Busy!! Busy!!

Been very busy lately with my project work loads.

Have you been pushed by your immediate supervisor till the brim of craziness. Till you don't know what to do next. Till you don't know what to expect. Don't even know what comes next. Plainly, 'brain dead'

That's what happened to me for the past 2 weeks.

In this new era of "slavery" system, what you are expected to do don't really equal to what you get out of it.

Talking about getting 'things' out of what you do as a slave (oops... i mean work)

1) Headache!!!
2) Headache!!!

and

3) Headache!!!


And, does your boss know about it? NO!! (that's the "best" part of it..... damn!!!)

Really tired of all this.

Couldn't even find time for my family, my wife, my parents and my friends.

Bloggers should always write the truth

The Star

Thursday April 19, 2007

Dr M: Bloggers should always write the truth

PUTRAJAYA: Blogs are relevant because they are another source of information and different from that provided by the mainstream media, but bloggers should be responsible on what they highlight, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister said bloggers should not tell lies and untruths, and because there were no laws governing them, their freedom to write anything could negatively affect the development of the country.

“Although bloggers are not subject to the same laws governing the mainstream media, they should write the truth all the same.

“I believe there should be press freedom but there should be a certain amount of limit to ensure that the information provided does not destroy the country,” he told reporters here after opening the Perdana Leadership Foundation's sixth discourse series titled “Media and National Development” yesterday.

On the planned registration of bloggers by the Government, Dr Mahathir said it was similar to licensing of the mainstream media.

He said it was good, provided it is not used to threaten bloggers when they write the truth.

Dr Mahathir also apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for accusing him of owning a house in Perth, Australia.

He said he got carried away when he mentioned it at a talk in Kulai, Johor, on March 29 recently and added it was based on a rumour.

He was responding after web portal Malaysia Today's Raja Petra Kamaruddin pointed out to him at yesterday's press conference that through an independent search, it was discovered that the house belonged to the wife of a prominent Malaysian businessman.

Inflation!!! Price Up!!!

Inflation..

According to Wikipedia, 'the word “inflation” refers to a general rise in prices measured against a standard level of purchasing power...(and)...Inflation is measured by comparing two sets of goods at two points in time, and computing the increase in cost not reflected by an increase in quality.'

Here goes.. Petrol price up.. Cement price up.. and now it's the price for steel is going up as well as other stuff that will/might go shooting up as a result (consequence) of these price height.

What has our country become in these few years? You and I hear from here and there that prices are going up. Needless to say, you do understand what I am talking about.

We have been living here earning our meager salary and trying to cope with all the things that are "price height". Not to think of buying a house. Even considering buying a car will post a headache to us with the salary that we are earning every month.

Now, with this price increase in everything around us, how are we to even think of buying things for ourselves, even shoes, shirts, shampoo, etc.

Can we demand that our bosses to give us a pay raise? (Dream On, Babe)

If not, then what were we to do to cope with the price increase, and any other "upcoming price increase" that will definitely be welcomed by those manufacturers.

What are we, as an ordinary (and I emphasize "Low Pay") citizen, to do with these? So, now, I need to strike out some of the items in my 'to-be purchased' list.

Ok, better do it now before I forget.. hahahahaha

Why Do I Blog?

Been thinking this for a while lately.. Though just a while, but I think it's worth writing this down since our learned (and unfortunately 'blogosphobic') ministers been harping on this "bloggers" thing lately.

No need to say or attach any link here, and all of you will know what I am talking about..

So.. Back to the main topic here. Why I start blogging?

Is it because I want to be famous? No. Is it that I want to make more friends? No (though I don't have many). Is it that I want to make money through blogging? No (and I don't even know how even if there is such a possibility).

It has been raining here since 5pm. Not heavy, though. But sufficient to cause some traffic jam around here in town. Wonder why or what or how rain can cause traffic jam.?

The rain is not to be blamed. It could be our country's drainage system is not good enough to make sure that the rain has sufficient 'exit'.

There is another thing that perplexes me here. It's the jam that caused by accidents.

Hey..traffic jam can happen even though the accident occurred on the opposite side of the road. What on earth are these people here thinking of? Are they so courteous that they slowed down to pay 'respect' to the victim of the incident? Or is it because the accident has blocked the highway, which I doubt most of the time..

Why on earth those people slowed down and "watch" the aftermath of the accident where in fact they can't, or won't, offer any help? Some even stopped in the middle of the road, for a few seconds, just to watch and see the wreckage and then continues his/her journey.

Remember hearing from my parents when I was a kid, that people here tend to slow down on the scene of accident "to take number". I didn't believed this and dismissed it as silly, until I see it myself where this driver literally stopped his car to look at the front of the wreck of the accident. What else that guy could have been doing besides taking down the "number".

Is it a pleasure by slowing down and looking at people at the scene of accident, and then drove away not offering any help?

Come on everyone!! Be more courteous and drive; and not to cause a massive traffic jam just because of a small accident and you want to 'take down the number plate'.

I belief all Malaysian drivers do encounter with such situation, and it seems that this is a tolerated "value" here.

Alright, a little side tracking here. Now, now.. I know why I started blogging. I don't want to be famous. Ok, I want to make more friends but don't know how. And obviously everyone wants to make more money too. But making money while blogging? Sorry, I don't know how, too.

I started blogging is because my interest in writing. Since I was very young, I was, and still is, facinated by authors of books, magazines, journals and articles who can write with such fluency, beautifully put and grammatically perfect.

So I has been writing short (and I mean real short) articles in my school, but never get published anywhere because my 'half past six' command in English. I was particularly happy when my teacher assigned us with essay writing. I could think of a story out of no where but not able to put it into words since I didn't know where or how to word them. Then this 'wierd' interest of mine was dropped after I went into college, as I need to complete assignments and more assignments.

So, before the end of year 2006, I made myself a resolution. That is to start a blog. A blog of my own where I can write whatever I want and like. About my life. My daily events and happenings. And more. I don't side any of the political parties. I am not a politician. Just wanting to write my thoughts and comments.. (and hope I don't get sued for my own thoughts)

And, it has been 3 months since I started blogging here in January 2007.

From what I have written here, looking back, I have not done much writing, though. Looks like I have been reading and reading and putting up articles here without writing anything of which associated to why I started this blog.

I think this article will be the first ever that I have properly written here. Hope that I can give my readers more interesting things to read, rather than some boring newspaper write-up.

Crime Rate Increase

You and I can hear this from the national radio stations and also read this from the media on the increase of crime rate in our country. This state increases by 118%, that state increases by 41.1%, and so forth.

Reading this has ticked my mind. Is that an explanation or merely an excuse made by the Federal CID director Comm Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee.

Yes. You can say that public’s confidence in the police is one of the reasons for the increase in the crime index. However, what we, the citizens, wish to see is that the criminal conducts be reduced as we get news everywhere that snatch theft is still rampant in this and that township, etc..

So, please our trusted police do to reduce the criminal conducts so as to make this country for us to live in.

The Sun

Believe it or not? MyKad not recognised by govt departments!

R.Manirajan

April 9, 2007: Getting the National Registration Department's nod for a name change in your MyKad doesn't make it any easier to do the same for your driving licence and passport.

A Muslim convert who tried to do this recently has uncovered yet another example of poor public service delivery, with government agencies sticking to their own rules, no matter what the NRD has approved.

The convert, a Singhalese, had converted to Islam in 2003 and recently asked the NRD change the name on his MyKad.

The applicant wanted to remove his "anak lelaki" and his grandfather's name from his name. At the same time, he opted not to have "bin Abdullah" after his name as was normally done by other converts.

As required, he submitted his original birth certificate, photocopies of his conversion cards from the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (Perkim) and Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) and a commissioner of oath affidavit declaring his conversion to Islam.

The department approved his application in one week and he got his MyKad with the new name he wanted.

Next on his "to do" list was to change his name in his passport and driving licence. That was where his frustration started.

At the Immigration Department in Putrajaya, he was told by a counter staff to bring certified copies of his new MyKad with the NRD approval letter, conversion cards from Perkim and Jawi, birth certificate and another commissioner of oath affidavit declaring his new religious status.

"I asked the staff why I needed to bring all these documents again when NRD had already approved the name change?

"She said it was their rule as Immigration needed to make its own verification with the religious departments and other agencies before approving the name change in my passport," said the applicant who spoke to theSun on condition of anonymity.

After getting all the documentation done, he went back to Immigration, but this time, another counter staff said they could not accept his application in Putrajaya as the headquarters only issued approval and did not handle applications. He was told to go to the nearest immigration branch and it would take about two weeks to get approval from the headquarters.

"The NRD is a government department that gives Malaysians their identity card and even citizenship status. How come such an important document like this is not recognised by other government departments?" he asked.

The applicant faces the same problem with the Road Transport Department.

"Isn't there supposed to be a standing operating procedure and shouldn't there be greater respect for the MyKad?" he said.

Spokesmen for both the Immigration Department and the Road Transport Department confirmed the procedure of asking the applicant to bring all the relevant documents, saying it was a standard operating procedure.

They said documents could be forged and therefore thorough checking was required.

Asked why certified documents from the NRD were needed when the departments could verify the applicant's information by making a phone call to the NRD and citing the reference number given, they said this was being done but the applicant still needed to produce photocopies of the documents required.

--- end ---

With the advent of this technology era of our world,
you really don't know what is to be expected with
the things done in our government departments..

Preserve Unique Identity, Rich Cultural Heritage

BERNAMA

Preserve Unique Identity, Rich Cultural Heritage, M'sians Told

April 09, 2007 - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Monday reminded Malaysians to preserve their unique identity and rich cultural heritage from being swept away in the global changes brought about by globalisation.

"If we are not careful, we may probably lose our identity as a Malaysian. So be wary not to be swept away by the cultural wave sweeping through the globe.

"We must be firm in protecting our national identity and culture no matter how powerful is the sweeping changes," he said when opening the Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) campus, here Monday.

Abdullah said the government's human capital development policy was not merely to acquire knowledge in science and technology but also to create a vibrant and dynamic Malaysian society, preserving the Malaysian identity and its rich cultural heritage and values.

He said moulding a true Malaysian society by upholding the culture, arts and heritage must not be ignored as they are the pillars for the future generation to cherish.

"These are our features and values that will be followed by our children and grandchildren later," he said.

In the race for materialistic wealth, he said concerted efforts must be made to ensure the Malaysian race prospered in their own mould, maintaining their own identity "in soul and spirit".

"A race is identified by its culture and tradition...this is the features that must prevail. There must be something unique to be identified," he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Abdullah stressed that culture, arts and heritage must be nurtured at all times.

"In our pursuit to acquire wealth and knowledge, we must not forget our cultural heritage. We don't want to fade away in the western cultural wave sweeping through the globe now," he said.

The prime minister said some teenagers in Malaysia were aping the West in the way they dressed to the extent of their shirts and pants bearing pictures of flags of certain foreign countries.

He also said Malaysians should not only be fluent in the national language but also in its correct usage.

Abdullah hoped ASWARA would become an agency of excellence by forging academic collaborations with various parties overseas.

ASWARA is a public tertiary learning institution established for the learning and teaching, doing research, publishing academic materials and providing professional advisory services in culture, arts and heritage.

It offers courses and programmes at certificate, diploma, degree and post-degree levels in the three fields.


Quoting our PM "We must be firm in protecting our national identity and culture...", I am concern about the current issue that is prevailing in our country. Needless to say, it's the racial differences, or should I say racial misunderstanding.

One must bear in mind that our country is made up of different races and cultures, and one should respect each others' culture so as to make this land of Malaysia a prosperous and wealthy country.

It will definitely not be a win-win situation should there be any racial 'misunderstanding' amongst us all here.. We have been brought up here. We love this land.

No Plan To Compel Bloggers To Register

This is a more sensible after the remark made by the learned Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, when PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the Government has no plan to make it mandatory for bloggers to register

BERNAMA

April 09, 2007 -- The Government has no plan to make it mandatory for bloggers to register, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday.

He said existing laws and regulations were adequate to take action against bloggers who crossed the limits.

"Existing laws are sufficient to deal with them. The laws will be invoked when the need arises," he told reporters after opening the Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) campus.

Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said he did not believe requiring bloggers to register would solve the problem of posting baseless information in their websites.

The prime minister said many people were unhappy and had voiced their displeasure over the bloggers posting unverified information in their websites.

"Even if they are ordered to register, some of them may not comply and resort to using other channels through foreign servers," he said.

Asked to comment on a foreign wire agency report on a timber transaction implicating Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Abdullah said he was not aware of the report.

A foreign wire agency reported on March 29 that Taib has been implicated in a 1.1 billion yen (RM32 million) timber export kickbacks.

It said nine Japanese shipping companies, which transported timber from Sarawak, had allegedly failed to report some 1.1 billion yen in income over a period of up to seven years.

The report claimed the money was paid as kickbacks to Sarawak officials via a Hong Kong agent linked to Taib and his family.

Bloggers may have to register..!!!?

The Star

Bloggers may have to register

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT

BLOGGERS using locally hosted websites may be asked to register with the authorities, Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said.

He said registration was one of the measures the Government was considering to prevent the spread of negative or malicious content on the Internet.

Shaziman said this while winding up the debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address for his ministry.

He added that the ministry did not have any problem with bloggers who identified themselves, and he welcomed blogging activities.

However, he said there were about 50,000 websites registered under the .my suffix and there were a lot of avenues for anyone to host websites with malicious content which could harm the country’s security.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, who interjected when Shaziman was speaking, said the negative comments of several ministers about bloggers reflected their lack of understanding about information flow in cyberspace.

“They should be educated on the vast benefits of blogging, which will help them to interact more with the people. Many politicians overseas already have their own blogs,” he added.

Asked to comment on the matter, Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said bloggers were very aware of their own ethics and responsibility for content on their sites.

While agreeing that there were bloggers who had inflammatory content, he said unidentified bloggers could still be traced through their website addresses.

He added that the problem was also about inflammatory comments by unidentified visitors to the blogs.

Ahirudin Attan of Rocky's Bru said the move to compel local bloggers to register was effectively the Government trying to control what Malaysians were writing online.

“This violates the Government's no-censorship policy with regards to the Internet,” he said.

He added that the move would just create fear among the bloggers and would encourage them to host their blogs overseas.

Marina Mahathir, a blogger and activist, said the Government really should “get real.”

She said the move “is just going to make Malaysia look ridiculous in the eyes of the world.”

Blogger Jeff Ooi wondered why the Government was pursuing this course of action.

He said the Government had already set up the Content Forum to deliberate on complaints by any party.

Pit bull dog owner bites policeman

Damn.. I thought I read it wrongly.. (ok, here. Dog bites Policeman.. or Owner bites Policeman) hahahahaha

Reuters

Pit bull dog owner bites policeman
Tue Apr 3, 2007 10:02 AM BST

LISBON (Reuters) - The owner of a pit bull bit a policeman after his dog ran away during a confrontation with officers, daily Diario de Noticias reported on Tuesday.

Two policemen stopped the dog owner for walking the animal without a leash and a muzzle on Sunday in Cova da Moura -- a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lisbon.

The man threatened the officers with his dog, but the animal bolted leaving the 35-year-old to grapple with both policemen. The owner bit one of the policemen on the wrist while the other suffered a broken finger in the scuffles, the newspaper reported.

The owner is under house arrest while police are still looking for the pit bull, according to the daily.

Portuguese authorities are cracking down on what they call "dangerous" dogs after four rottweilers mauled a 60-year-old woman to death last month.

While not necessarily dangerous, pit bulls are sometimes used by gang members to intimidate and in dog fights.

What on earth has happened to those people out there..!!?

Here we blame the owners when their dogs bit anyone. Now, now. Who should we blame when the owner in turn bitten someone here? (The Dog, of course..) hahahahahahaha

M'sians Enjoying World's Best Public Health Facility

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

M'sians Enjoying World's Best Public Health Facility
Features
March 26, 2007 17:21 PM

By Zulkiple Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) - The curtains were tightly drawn around a patient's bed in a ward at a government hospital here recently.

The clinical part of a medical degree programme examination was in progress and a candidate was being intensely "grilled" by the examiners on a patient's health condition.

A bell rang, signalling that the candidate's time was up and as the relieved final year undergraduate walked out of the ward, the examiners decided to take a short break.

"Malaysians are very fortunate. They are enjoying among the best healthcare facility available in the world," said Dr K. Prataap of the Madras Medical College.

Dr Prataap is one of the external examiners invited by the teaching hospital to assess its candidates.

QUALITY BUT AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

Dr Prataap said the Malaysian government provides quality healthcare services that are affordable by the public.

"The Malaysian public should appreciate these healthcare services provided by the government as it obviously allocates a huge share of the country's annual budget for the health of its people," he said.

Dr Prataap said he was amazed by the number of public medical centres, hospitals and clinics in Malaysia.

"Malaysians are enjoying among the best healthcare services that the world can offer. The healthcare infrastructure in this country are better than those available in some developed nations".

He said Malaysia has healthcare clinics almost everywhere, even in the rural areas and its population receives treatment and medicines that is heavily subsidised by the government, something that is not readily available in other nations.

"Just look at the public outpatient clinics and healthcare centres that are available here (in Malaysia). The facilities are staffed by trained healthcare workers and well stocked with modern medicines, it is simply amazing," he told Bernama.

HOSPITAL, MEDICATION

Dr Prataap said in some other countries, the people can seek treatment at public outpatient clinics but that is as far as they can get.

"At this public outpatient clinics or district hospitals, the doctors will examine them and tell them of the diagnosis. They will refer those who are in bad shape to hospitals but the charges are sky-high".

In the other countries, those without medical insurance would face difficulties in getting hospital care as their respective government does not subsidise the costs, he said.

As for those with minor ailments, they are given prescriptions.

"But the medication is not available and has to be purchased at pharmacies. Malaysians are a fortunate lot as everything is available under one roof and almost free of charge.

"Even the foreigners like contract workers obtain their medicines at public hospitals at very cheap price," said the Madras Medical College lecturer.

SOCIAL WORKER

Social worker Lim Kui Seng agrees with Dr Prataap's views.

"Healthcare services in this country are among the best in the world. In other countries, if you are poor, it is highly likely that you would be deprived of medical treatment as the costs are high.

"But such things will not happen in Malaysia, at least not with the current government administration that places so much emphasis on the people's well being including their healthcare," said Lim.

He said Malaysians should not give the excuse of not having money if they deprive themselves and their family from the needed medical treatment.

"They can turn to charity organisations or Socso (Social Security Organisation). For Muslims they have bodies like the Baitulmal that can provide assistance to pay for the medical treatment," he said.

Dr Prataap said in other countries, especially the third world nations, if an individual does not have funds for the required medical treatment, it means like signing his own death warrant.

"No money means no medical treatment. The patient will ultimately suffer," he said.

HEAVILY SUBSIDISED

For medical practitioner Dr Hassan Eusofee, the cost for healthcare maintenance in Malaysia is heavily subsidised by the government.

"Take for example the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). It is heavily subsidising the cost of medications for those who seek treatment at its outpatient clinics".

It also caters to civil servants and government pensioners who pay almost "nothing" for their outpatient treatment and a token fee for any hospital stay.

Dr Hassan said he is surprised when some patients complained that the medicines at public hospitals are expensive.

"Try to get the medication elsewhere, like private clinics and hospitals, the price is definitely four to five times higher than that of UMMC's," said the bespectacled 46-year-old graduate of Universiti Malaya's (UM) medical faculty.

As for inpatients who incurred high bills for hospital stay, they can apply to pay in instalments," said Lim.

"Hence government hospitals like the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) or UMMC are not that bad, as thought by some members of the public. They provide among the best treatment available and are equipped with up-to-date facilities.

"However these healthcare institutions may lack funds as they are not earning any money.

Of course public health institutions cater to a high number of patients. If you wish to complain about the long waiting time and lack of beds, then nothing much can be done as the queue is quite long, Lim said.

"Almost all private hospitals provide air-conditioned rooms and television sets with Astro. But has the public ever think of the quality of medical personnel at some of these private hospitals, whether they are well trained or the otherwise".

AID NURSES

Dr Hassan said the public does not realise that some private medical centres employ untrained people to be their nurses.

"These people are actually aid nurses, unlike the well-trained staff nurses in government hospitals. Operating from shop houses, several of these so called private hospitals usually 'outsource' the treatment to visiting specialists".

Dr Hassan said the specialist would visit the private hospital once or twice a week and write down the treatment plan for the respective patients.

The application of treatment would be done by an in-house doctor or most of the times, the nurses.

Like what Dr Prataap said, Malaysians are fortunate to be provided with quality healthcare treatment.

Thanks to a caring government that leaves no stone unturned in subsidising the heavy medical costs for the wellbeing of Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA

Government Asked To Curb Bloggers

Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Government Asked To Curb Bloggers
General
March 29, 2007 22:39 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The government has to find ways to curtail bloggers from abusing the Internet to spread lies and defame the leaders, said Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera).

"We notice that a lot of bloggers have been sowing the seeds of discord among the races, religions... I believe there must be a limit," he said in a debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat here today.

He felt that there ought to be a law governing bloggers like those imposed on the print and broadcast media.

"The people believe more in the bloggers than the newspapers... I am aware that a newspaper was censured by the Internal Security Ministry for publishing a sensational story but the bloggers could continue churning out malicious stories," he said.

Ismail Sabri also proposed the promulgation of an aerospace policy and law like those of the United Kingdom, Russia, United States and South Africa to protect the government and industry.

"From what I understand, although microsatellites were launched by the private sector, if there were a mishap, the government has to bear the consequences as the application was made by the government," he said.

Datuk Hasni Mohamed (BN-Pontian) felt that cable television network Astro should come under the purview of the Broadcasting Act 1998 under the ambit of the Information Ministry and not under the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry.

He said this was to ensure that Astro would adhere to local values, culture and needs.

The sitting resumes on Monday.

-- BERNAMA

'Too lazy to treat sick kids'!!?

Reading this has jolted me from my seat this morning. Are we sending our children to participate in the National Service to be subjected to these "treatments"!!?

TheStar Online

'Too lazy to treat sick kids'

By ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: After just 10 days into the second session of national service this year, a parent has pulled his son out of the programme claiming the boy had not received proper medical attention.

T. Raja Mohan, 46, who went to Kem Paya Indah in Kuala Langat late on Wednesday to pick up his son Melvin Mohan, 17, lodged a police report yesterday claiming the camp had treated his son’s asthma attack with indifference.

“My son suffered an asthma attack during one of the evening physical training exercises. The trainers took him to the clinic at the camp but it was locked.

“When the chief trainer told a trainer to open the door and treat my son, the trainer said he was too lazy to treat sick kids and they should be left to die,” Raja Mohan, a product trainer, alleged in the police report.

Melvin said after this happened, he started gasping for air until the attack subsided.

At the family’s home in Puchong here yesterday, Melvin said that when he first arrived at the camp, the sergeant asked him about his asthma and whether it was serious.

“I explained to him that it would occur if the weather was too cold or if I over exerted myself. The sergeant then said it was nothing too serious and allowed me to join the programme,” he said.

Melvin also alleged that a number of the trainers at the camp were rude and intimidating.

“One of the trainers kept swearing at us (trainees) and constantly challenged us to question his authority.

“Some trainers also made veiled threats that they (trainers) could make our three months there a living hell,” he said.

Melvin said the food at the camp was also of poor quality.

When contacted, NS Training Department director-general Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said they were aware that Raja Mohan had removed his son from camp.

“We will investigate the matter once we receive a report from the camp commandant,” he said.

Abdul Hadi said trainers and camp commandants were made aware of the medical conditions of certain trainees and to take note of those who were not physically fit.

Camp commandant Nordin Abu declined to comment.

Threats!!? Challenge of authority!!?

Are these 'nonsense' what's being thought and practiced in the service!!?

So.. my skepticism over the National Service when it first launched is confirmed by all the 'happenings' here. Though there are assurances from friends and other people that this National Service scheme is good for our children, as it will make our children more responsible as well as disciplined. But.................. (I am lost of words now...)

Love