FUEL PRICE INCREASE (WHAT'S NEW?)

My car will no longer be enjoying the RON97 petrol pump after today. Read the old news and you find that the price is being adjusted from what is promised. It was promised RON95 to be sold at RM1.75/litre and RON97 to be sold at RM2.00/litre.

RON95 petrol 'good for all vehicles'

PUTRAJAYA, May 13 - Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the RON95 petrol to be introduced on Sept 1 is good for all vehicles.

"Motorists are urged to switch to RON95 as it is good for any type of vehicle, from cheap cars to luxury ones. You don't need to use RON97," he told reporters at his office here today.

Ismail Sabri however said it was up to motorists if they wanted to use RON97 petrol.

He announced yesterday that RON95 will be sold at RM1.75 per litre on Sept 1 as an alternative to RON97 which will be raised to RM2 per litre.

RON97 petrol will become a premium product while RON92 will be removed from the market. - Bernama

When the crude oil price go down as low as USD32.41, they told us they could not lower the price any longer while we subsidize them. When the crude oil price goes up, they need to increase the fuel price because they say they are subsidizing us. They said they will improve public transport with the money. Where is the improvement?

Head they win, tail you lose!
1Malaysia!
Rakyat Didahulukan (you pay first), Pencapaian Diutamakan (others profit prioritized)!
HAPPY NATIONAL DAY, MALAYA!

Published: Monday August 31, 2009 MYT 5:50:00 PM
Updated: Monday August 31, 2009 MYT 7:38:33 PM
Price of RON 95 at RM1.80 from Tuesday (Update)
By NURBAITI HAMDAN and TEH ENG HOCK

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly introduced RON 95 fuel is now priced at RM1.80 - five sen higher than the previous RM1.75.

Meanwhile, RON 97 is upgraded as a premium product and has gone up to RM2.05 from RM1.80.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new prices were decided based on the current method of Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM).

“Although the price is now 5 sen higher, the Government is still subsidising 33.81 sen per litre (of RON 95) which is equivalent to RM304mil monthly,” he told reporters after the launch of Primax 95 by Petronas here on Monday.

Currently, the Government is subsidising RON 97 by 42.72 sen per litre.

The cost for RON 95 went up 102% from USD$ 40.75 per barrel to USD$ 82.30 in December last year and August respectively.

“If there is any changes in the global prices, we would revise it accordingly. It is up to the Economic Council to decide.

“RON 95 also adheres to the EURO2M specification where it can lessen pollution,” said Ismail Sabri, adding that consumers would get quality petroleum at a subsidised price.

With the new pricing, Ismail Sabri added that RON 92 was phased out from the market as the usage was only 5% from total petrol sale in the country.

In April last year, then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the Government was considering the use of petrol with higher research octane number (RON) to reduce fuel subsidies without hurting the lower-and-medium income groups.

A higher octane number means higher resistance to engine “knocking”. “Knocking” could possibly damage the engine over time.

Petrol Dealers Association of Malaysia president Datuk Hashim Othman said petrol stations could easily recalibrate their pumps to adjust to the new price.

“With technology, all you need to do is push some buttons. It is almost automatic in most stations now, except for a few in the rural areas which are still using the manual system,” he told The Star.

He added that petrol dealers would make a slight gain with the price increase as they had bought their current stock at the old price.

“It is only a little as the price increase is small,” he said.

ONE WEEK DRIVING SUMMARY

I have never driven so much in a week in my entire life! Of course when I got tired or sick of driving, I asked my wife to take over. The most tiring routes are the ones going Fraser Hill and Cameron Highlands. Man, I will think twice to drive through those routes again. One of the steepest roads in Malaysia, we even encountered a vehicle plunging down the hill on our way down from Cameron Highlands. The firemen were at the location to use the stretcher to bring the victims up. Bukit Fraser road was a nightmare as it was incredibly steep and narrow. A moment of concentration loss will mean you going down the hill.

I will provide posts of the entire trip after I settle down. I am extremely exhausted. Luckily, I had my sunglasses with me which makes driving in the sun less tiring.


View 2009 August Trip in a larger map

Travelled Route:
1. Johor Bahru-Rawang-Batang Kali-Rasa-Fraser Hill
2. Fraser Hill-Kerling-Ipoh
3. Ipoh-Simpang Pulai-Kampung Raja-Kampung Trinkap-Berinchang-Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands)
4. Tanah Rata-Berinchang-Kampung Trinkap-Kampung Raja (Cameron Highlands)-Simpang Pulai-Ipoh-Menglembu-Ayer Tawar-Sitiawan
5. Sitiawan-Kampung Koh-Kampung Cina-Kampung Acheh-Lumut
6. Lumut-Pangkor Island
7. Sitiawan-Teluk Intan-Kuala Lumpur
8. Kuala Lumpur-Seremban-Port Dickson
9. Port Dickson-Lubok Cina-Alor Gajah-Malacca
10. Malacca-Johor Bahru

Total distance covered: over 1,800km (average over 257km a day)
Total flat:hilly:seaside ratio covered: roughly 60:30:10
Total weight gained: easily 5 kgs
Total local food and drinks consumed: probably more than 5 kgs / litres
Most favourite place: Ipoh for the nice mix of good food and local climate
Most tiring drive: road up and down Bukit Fraser
Most satisfying drive: reaching the top of Gunung Brinchang, the highest road in Peninsular Malaysia at 2,000 metres above sea level
Most ugly scenery: rubbish hills at Cameron Highlands and Pangkor Island to the full glory view of the public and the amount of swiftlet farming in Sitiawan loaded with shit even next to the kopitiam / coffeeshop
Most beautiful scenery: top of Brinchang Hill and Palas Hill tea plantations
Most devastating moment: finding a dugong dead at Pangkor Island, accident victims at Kuala Lumpur highway and on the road down from Cameron Highlands
Most regretful moment: inability to find the exact Perak Democracy Tree
Most exciting find: the lighthouse and bald eagle at Port Dickson
Most hottest place: Pangkor Island, Malacca
Most coldest place: Cameron Highlands
Most greatest accommodation: Ipoh
Most lousiest accommodation: Sitiawan
Most exciting food place: Ipoh
Most interesting food: tiger nuts and preserved guava
Most sickening food: strawberry
Most lousiest food: strawberry cream cakes and scorns
Most boring place: Fraser Hill
Worst drivers ever: Express bus drivers who suddenly overtake in high speed when you are already less than 1 metre away trying to overtake it. I got used to it after a while, anticipating crazy overtaking whenever I am near a bus. Now I know why highway accident counts involving buses are high in Malaysia.
Worst overtakers ever: Sitiawan-Teluk Intan-Kuala Lumpur stretch of small single lane roads where you need to be on full alert to signal highlights whenever the opposite side is overtaking lorries and buses. They dare to do high speed overtaking eventhough you are less than 10 metres away. After a while, I gave up signaling my highlights because they didn't care and just drove slower and to the extreme left edge of the road to avoid them.
Most exciting purchase: MlesnA porcelain tea mug and loose Ceylon Tea

A word or phrase to summarize each place:
Bukit Fraser: birds watching
Ipoh: small chickens
Cameron Highlands: sour strawberry
Sitiawan: salted eggs
Pangkor Island: mighty waves
Kuala Lumpur: horrific jams
Port Dickson: oily beach
Malacca: Peranakan cendol

Now, I have to think of how to get rid of the kilograms. Since this is a leisure + food trip, it is not surprising that I had gained lots of weight.

MAN. UTD. 2-1 ARSENAL

AC Milan 0-4 Internazionale. I am not surprised if Inter Milan will rule the Serie A this season. AC Milan have zero effort at the transfer window to come up with any reputable signings.

I went down to watch in the 2nd half of the Manchester United VS. Arsenal match at the good mamak store opposite where I live now. Damn, it's fully packed so they have to especially set up more tables for us. It is clear that many Man. Utd. fans were around wearing the jersey. I have to be more observant to be able to detect the Arsenal fans who would automatically react in disgust every time the offence failed to find the back of the net.

I glanced at the huge projector screen and it showed 0-1 with Arsenal leading from an Arshvin goal. I watched the replay and it was a great scorcher from outside the penalty box. I expected a more urgent game in the 2nd half since Manchester United were trailing. They needed to draw at least. I ordered my drinks and my roti tissue and off we went to enjoy the match with the new table and chairs set up in front of the giant projector screen.

Arsenal started the half displaying their nice passing skill as always and expected of them. Manchester United were just able to steal some balls and went for high balls. The Gunners had more chances to score while The Red Devils went for quick set pieces. Wayne Rooney went into the penalty box and fell and a penalty was called. This match suddenly gave me the flashback back to the unbeaten run days of Arsenal. It was also Rooney who went down but at that time it was surely a diving. This time however, it looked more realistic and I would not say it was a dive. He converted the penalty in the 59th minute to level the score.

Although it seemed appropriate for the award of a penalty but people around me had been cursing since a more obvious contact earlier upon Arshavin did not materialize for penalty. Suddenly I heard fireworks being released just 10 metres away from my seat. The Devils fans were celebrating the equalizer. It is very near to the Hari Raya celebration so you will not be surprised with the ability of hearing and witnessing fireworks at this time of the year.

Arsenal's defence started to look disorganized, at times opening up so much space for the passes from Giggs to go through. It was really scary as at times it looked non-existent. They seemed to be panicking under pressure. In the 64th minute, Diaby scored an own goal as he headed the free kick into the Arsenal's goal mouth. Again a second fireworks exploded near us as the fans were celebrating yet again. After that, Arsenal did not look to give much pressure to equalize back the match. 5 minutes were added and until the final 10 seconds in the final offensive attack, Arsenal found the back of the net but Robin van Persie was alleged to be offside. I watched the replays and it seemed to be true. Fireworks erupted again at least 3 times to celebrate the win.

Wenger was frustrated and went to argue for the decision of the referee. He was sent off too. I guess he must be extremely angry with the way the match had gone. Arsenal was denied a penalty kick, got a penalty kick against them, an own goal, a goal denied in the final moments of the match for an offside. Who won't? I saw many frustrated Gunners fans around leaving in disgust when the final goal was denied. Well, I guess it was true bad luck, inexperience and the inability to take the pressure which lose the match for Arsenal. They need to learn from this and move on. The season is still very young so there is still plenty of matches to go.

NORTH MALAYSIA TOUR

I will be away for about a week.

22 Aug 2009 - Fraser Hill
23 Aug 2009 - Ipoh
24-25 Aug 2009 - Cameron Highlands
26 Aug 2009 - Sitiawan
27 Aug 2009 - Pangkor Island
28 Aug 2009 - Kuala Lumpur

The distance I cover just to reach all those places will be 1,500km. The total amount is definitely higher as I drive around sightseeing. This will be a food and leisure trip. The Fraser Hill and Cameron Highlands long winding mountain roads are tiring.

USAIN BOLT'S CONTINUOUS IMMORTALITY

Can somebody stop him? 200 metres in 19:19 seconds! Look at how he runs, so effortless, so casual, so relaxed. My goodness!



Even Michael Johnson astonished by Bolt's progress
Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:57pm EDT
By Mitch Phillips

BERLIN (Reuters) - A year ago Michael Johnson predicted Usain Bolt would probably break his then 12-year-old 200 meters world record, but not yet. An hour later he was eating his words as his 19.32 was taken by the Jamaican's 19.30.

Johnson, this time working as an analyst for the BBC at the world championships, said on Thursday he thought Bolt was too tired to take it down further, only to watch stupefied as he took 11 hundredths off to complete a clean sweep of world and Olympic sprint titles, all secured with world record runs.

"Unbelievable -- a ridiculous race," Johnson said. "The bend is unbelievable. No one has ever run a bend like this and probably never will. He ran hard and tried as hard as possible. He was up on (Wallace) Spearmon 15 meters into the race.

"This is the most incredible bend ever. He doesn't run with technique -- he's rocking all over the place -- and then he's already got a big smile on his face at the end."

Compared to Johnson, everyone is rocking all over the place as the American brought a previously-unseen upright style to the 200 and 400.

Italian Pietro Mennea's altitude-set 19.72 had stood for 17 years before Johnson broke it with 19.66 in the 1996 U.S. trials and then flew his golden spikes round half the track for what seemed a magical 19.32 to take Olympic gold in Atlanta.

Bolt, just as he did in the 100 on Sunday, has taken the event to a whole new level still. It took 30 years to drop a tenth from the 10-second mark but Bolt has raced through the '9.6s' in 12 months.

Likewise, the 200 dropped less than three 10ths in the 30 years before Johnson and Bolt each took their monster bites.

And, after all the strutting and staring that characterized much of the world of sprinting in the last 20 years, Bolt has done it while looking as if he is preparing for a jog on the beach with his friends.

"He has a feel for the moment," said Spearmon, whose 19.85 seconds for third would have won all but two of the previous 11 world championship finals.

"If you watch him before the race he is loving every bit of everyone screaming his name. He takes it all in, he feeds off the crowd and it shows on the track.

"He's a great competitor. He's fast and he's what the world of track and field needs right now."

(Editing by Sonia Oxley)

DNA BILL

Malaysian parliament has been trying so hard to get the DNA Bill passed in conjunction with the Sodomy II trial. However, scientists in Israel demonstrated that the DNA can be fabricated. Therefore, will DNA be used as the ultimate evidence in Malaysian court trial now?

DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show

By ANDREW POLLACK
Published: August 17, 2009

Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases.

The scientists fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA from a person other than the donor of the blood and saliva. They also showed that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person.

“You can just engineer a crime scene,” said Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which has been published online by the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics. “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”

Dr. Frumkin is a founder of Nucleix, a company based in Tel Aviv that has developed a test to distinguish real DNA samples from fake ones that it hopes to sell to forensics laboratories.

The planting of fabricated DNA evidence at a crime scene is only one implication of the findings. A potential invasion of personal privacy is another.

Using some of the same techniques, it may be possible to scavenge anyone’s DNA from a discarded drinking cup or cigarette butt and turn it into a saliva sample that could be submitted to a genetic testing company that measures ancestry or the risk of getting various diseases. Celebrities might have to fear “genetic paparazzi,” said Gail H. Javitt of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University.

Tania Simoncelli, science adviser to the American Civil Liberties Union, said the findings were worrisome.

“DNA is a lot easier to plant at a crime scene than fingerprints,” she said. “We’re creating a criminal justice system that is increasingly relying on this technology.”

John M. Butler, leader of the human identity testing project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, said he was “impressed at how well they were able to fabricate the fake DNA profiles.” However, he added, “I think your average criminal wouldn’t be able to do something like that.”

The scientists fabricated DNA samples two ways. One required a real, if tiny, DNA sample, perhaps from a strand of hair or drinking cup. They amplified the tiny sample into a large quantity of DNA using a standard technique called whole genome amplification.

Of course, a drinking cup or piece of hair might itself be left at a crime scene to frame someone, but blood or saliva may be more believable.

The authors of the paper took blood from a woman and centrifuged it to remove the white cells, which contain DNA. To the remaining red cells they added DNA that had been amplified from a man’s hair.

Since red cells do not contain DNA, all of the genetic material in the blood sample was from the man. The authors sent it to a leading American forensics laboratory, which analyzed it as if it were a normal sample of a man’s blood.

The other technique relied on DNA profiles, stored in law enforcement databases as a series of numbers and letters corresponding to variations at 13 spots in a person’s genome.

From a pooled sample of many people’s DNA, the scientists cloned tiny DNA snippets representing the common variants at each spot, creating a library of such snippets. To prepare a DNA sample matching any profile, they just mixed the proper snippets together. They said that a library of 425 different DNA snippets would be enough to cover every conceivable profile.

Nucleix’s test to tell if a sample has been fabricated relies on the fact that amplified DNA — which would be used in either deception — is not methylated, meaning it lacks certain molecules that are attached to the DNA at specific points, usually to inactivate genes.

Sunday June 28, 2009
DNA Bill scrapes through
By LEE YUK PENG

THE controversial Deoxyribo-nucleic Acid (DNA) Identifica-tion Bill was nearly thrown out at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat on Mon-day. It only managed to scrape through with one majority, the smallest margin recorded in history.

The verdict was decided through the bloc division voting, with 48 votes from the Barisan Nasional MPs vs 47 from Opposition MPs.

So far, the Opposition has yet to succeed in embarrassing the Government despite requests for bloc division made previously.

Those present in the Dewan during the voting process include most of the Oppo-sition’s heavyweights like Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP - Bagan), Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (PKR - Bandar Tun Razak), Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR - Gombak) and Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS - Tumput).

A bloc division was called for after the sound of tidak setuju was louder than setuju.

As the bell rang for two minutes to alert MPs to enter the chamber, it was obvious that there were many empty chairs on Barisan’s side, which include three senators – Minister in the Prime Minis-ter’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, deputy ministers Heng Seai Kie and Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussain.

Being senators, they cannot vote as they are not elected representatives.

There was only a handful of ministers and deputy ministers in the Dewan then. Minister in the Prime Minis-ter’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz was the 48th Barisan representative to enter the house, giving the one-vote majority before counting closed.

He was furious when the result was announced, and his feelings clearly showed on his face. So angry was he that nobody dared go near the usually jovial minister.

It would have been a terrible slap on the face for Barisan if the Bill had been thrown out due to the shortage of MPs in the house.

The next day, another first was recorded in the House when the Barisan side had to request for a bloc division.

This happened when oblivious Barisan MPs, who were so used to shouting setuju in the House, had given their loud aye to a motion to amend the DNA Bill. Problem was, the motion was tabled by Lim Lip Eng (DAP - Segambut).

Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee had to give several broad hints before the MPs realised their boo-boo. Khairy Jamaluddin (BN - Rembau) was the first to respond by standing up to request for a bloc division to clear the confusion.

This is the first ever bloc division request made by the Barisan side.

This time, the BN representatives came in full force, entering the chamber from all doors.

A beaming Nazri then raised both hands as a sign of victory to Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timor) and Datuk Mahfuz Omar ( PAS - Pokok Sena) even before the result was announced. The motion was dismissed by 99 vs 57 votes.

Debates on the Bill then continued with the Opposition MPs going all out to have several clauses amended, but to no avail except for one. Only the proposal forwarded by Teo Nie Ching (DAP - Serdang) was accepted.

The end result was a clause stating that DNA evidence introduced in court is conclusive was dropped from the final version. This means a judge can now use his discretion over the matter.

On Thursday, a war of words broke out between Kit Siang and Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussain during the debate on the Finance Bill when the Ipoh Timor MP kept throwing questions about the Port Klang Free Zone project, prompting Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to tick him off for raising old issues.

War of words aside, both Barisan and Opposition MPs, however, held a truce when they sat together to enjoy a durian feast hosted by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry at the Parliament building during lunch break on Thursday.

A deputy minister was heard remarking that it was a “unity government”, a topic which was hot last week, but which has since taken a back seat.

Missing in action was Nasharudin Mat Isa (PAS - Bachok), who did not turn up for the entire week, prompting Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi to ask whether a missing person report should be lodged.

After questioning the Tourism Ministry on the money allocated to newly appointed Malaysian tourism ambassador Datuk Seri Jean Todt and his fiancee Datuk Michelle Yeoh to promote Malaysia, Azmin Ali (PKR - Gombak) had promised to divulge details about a piece of land in Terengganu supposedly given to the couple later.

The Dewan Rakyat sits again tomorrow.

USAIN BOLT'S IMMORTAL PERFORMANCE

Age: 22
Latest record achieved: 2009 Berlin World Championships
Records:
100 m: 9.58 (2009)
200 m: 19.30 (2008)
400 m: 45.28 (2007)



100metres in 9.58 seconds? He is unbelievable and inhuman! We know he has recorded the unofficial run at 9.52 seconds. He seems to be slowing down towards the last few metres. The question now is how much further he can go?

MALAYSIA H1N1 DEATH CASES RANKING

When it comes to the Olympics, the World Cup, the university rankings or any good rankings, we are nowhere to be found. When it comes to bad things like H1N1 deaths, we are always somewhere at the top. With a population ranking of 45th biggest in the world, we can reach the rank of 9th highest death in the world. Today's death toll stands at 62. Singapore records the 11th death recently. We have a death rate of 2.148% from the total population, higher than five countries of the Top 8 list. We will soon overtake Canada!

1st – USA (436 deaths), Population:307,167,000 (3rd), 1.419%
2nd – Agentina (404 deaths), Population:40,482,000 (32nd), 9.980%
3rd – Brazil (192 deaths), Population:191,714,000 (5th), 1.001%
4th – Mexico (163 deaths), Population:107,550,697 (11th), 1.516%
5th – Chile (105 deaths), Population:16,951,000 (60th), 6.194%
6th – Australia (102 deaths), Population:21,880,000 (53rd), 4.661%
7th – Thailand (97 deaths), Population:63,389,730 (21st), 1.530%
8th – Canada (66 deaths), Population:33,749,000 (36th),1.956%
9th – Malaysia (59 deaths), Population:27,468,000 (45th), 2.148%

THE PRICE TO PAY FOR HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY

Is it worth it? Well, the locals will suffer. Mother nature will suffer.

Monday August 17, 2009
Developer plans to use fire to clear Bakun dam area
By STEPHEN THEN

BAKUN: An environmental crisis may be looming in Sarawak following revelations that the developer of the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam plans to set fire to an area the size of Singapore.

Sarawak Conservation Action Network coordinator Raymond Abin told The Star yesterday that it had information that the burning of the leftovers in the 64,000ha area had begun as a prelude to the flooding of the reservoir.

“We are shocked that the entire reservoir area will be set on fire in order to clear all the leftovers.

“The reservoir is the size of Singapore. Imagine the havoc to the environment if the burning is allowed to be done in such a huge area.

“This is a shortcut for the developer as a way of getting rid of the debris instead of carting it away,” he said, adding that contractors were already setting fires to the debris and burning it to ashes at various locations within the reservoir area.

The developer, Abin pointed out, could have carted the debris out but such a measure would take a long time and is expensive.

“An environmental crisis is waiting to happen in Bakun if the authorities do not step in and stop this,” he said, adding that the burning could cause large-scale air pollution and destruction of whatever was left of the Bakun ecosystem.

“The recent fires and haze episode in Miri which have caused air pollution for a whole month showed how much damage such burning can cause to the environment and to humans,” he noted.

The network is a coalition of more than a dozen environmental and native rights action groups, including the Borneo Resources Institute, the Indigenous Peoples’ Deve-lopment Centre and the Customary Rights of Sarawak’s Indigenous People Network.

Abin said the dam developer, Sarawak Hidro, was rushing to clear the reservoir area of debris because the impoundment of the dam was set for October.

“They want to get the reservoir flooded as soon as possible so that power generation can start next year.

“We have information that the Bakun dam developer has not obtained any open burning permit. Why is the Department of Environ-ment and the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board so silent about this?” he asked.

The Star had entered the Bakun region between July 27 and 30 and found tracts of huge logged areas already being burned.

Sarawak Hidro managing director Zulkifle Osman acknowledged that the clearing of biomass in the Bakun reservoir had started, but he did not elaborate on the method.

However, he did say that efforts would be made to rescue as much of the wildlife and endangered plants as possible before the flooding.

THE 2009/2010 SEASON COMETH!

This season of course the attention of the entire English Premier League will be focusing on Manchester City. Steven Gerrard is probably the first person on earth who is not skeptical that Manchester City can win the league. Well, with Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz as the star attractions in the Qatar club, we have to be expecting something huge from them. Despite losing Elano to Galatasaray, I believe they still have enough fire power up front. However, it seems like they spent so much offensively but lacking in the defensive department, apart from Toure. Last season they ended quite far away from the top of the table because they leaked in too many goals, 50 to be exact as they scored 58. There are talks of getting Everton defender Joleon Lescott to beef up their defence further. If he is acquired, then maybe they will have the balance required to challenge the Top 4.

Will Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool become weaker this coming season as some of their key players were sold? It is interesting that all three seem to be confident that their teams have adequate replacements for the big names leaving the club. Wenger even boldly declared that this is their year as their youngsters have reached their maturity period to win titles. Chelsea perhaps have the most balanced team among the rest and it could be again their year. Aston Villa is looked upon as a dark horse to spring in a surprise or two. Tottenham, the ever underachievers and Everton were also expected to challenge the Big Four for an exciting season ahead.

Last season we have Hull City to give us some surprises at the start of the season but ended up just one place above the relegation zone. This season we hope for more surprises!

Enjoy football boys!

MALAYSIA'S A (H1N1) BORDER SCANS

Well, Malaysia is a third world country. We know that and everyone knows that. Therefore, when it implements anything, it is also having third world mentality. Some of the implementations defy logic that I wonder why they are still implementing it apart from for the sake of wasting time, money and energy.

I entered Johor Bahru late last night around 11pm because of a meeting with my relatives. As I had been saying, the scanning of all the human traffic entering into the Johor Bahru CIQ is only for vans and buses passengers. In other words, they believe that humans driving the buses and vans as well as everyone in cars, MPVs, bicycles, tricycles and motorbikes are immune to A (H1N1).

Well, I had complained it before but last night was the best. The human scanning stops already by 11+pm. In other words, any human beings traveling into Johor Bahru at the late nights and perhaps until early morning are also immune to A (H1N1) virus. It is incredible! Sometimes even if the two cameras scanning us is placed there, the people sitting there are either looking elsewhere or even not present!!!

The point I want to make here WHAT'S THE POINT? If you want to do it, do it seriously and wholeheartedly! If you can't, don't do it at all! It is a waste of time, money and energy. Those 'health officials' or nurses are just there to enjoy air-conditioning. There is no point doing the scans since the system is so flawed! It is extremely pointless! Argh, I can't stand them! (knocks head on the wall! they are destroying my intelligence! please help!!!)

ANOTHER COMEBACK?

Michael Schumacher's comeback was delayed / postponed. Now, it is Romario's turn. He's 43 and he wants to beat Paolo Maldini's record of 41 years old. Is the alleged 1,003 goals scored not enough? He will play for Brazilian second division, America. Let's sit back and watch!

G.I.JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA

Kicks asses! After Transformers, another one of those cartoons we boys watched during our young age came to life in the big screens. I never expected much since the reviews gave it a pretty low rating. I saw the trailers and was impressed. After watching the movie, I would boldly declare it to be better than Transformers. The rating given is because of the more clearer fight scenes and actions as well as a better storyline. They give each crucial character some airtime to get us to know them well. The fights from the sky to the land to the sea are all spectacular and exciting. Watch it boys or you will regret it!

G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Here's the unforgettable theme song from the good old days!

MILKY CAKE HOUSE, KLUANG

Over the weekend, we went hiking at Mount Lambak at Kluang. Kluang is a town which is about 1 hour 30 minutes drive away to the north of Johor Bahru. There are about 4 mountains or hills near Johor Bahru, namely Mount Belumut, Mount Panti, Mount Pulai and Mount Lambak. Other mountains / hills in Johor state include Mount Arong and Mount Ledang. When we asked the female boss about their cakes, she told me they are equivalent and cheaper than the Lavender cake bakery franchise in Johor Bahru.



Kluang is famous for their coffee and buns, which are very traditional. We decided to try other things during this visit. Fruits are huge and fresh while the noodles and hor fun are definitely much better than Johor Bahru. We went walking around one of the 3 shopping centres we see around town. Finally, we bought some cakes from this bakery. They are alright, not really exceptionally good or bad. Above average I would say.


Four slices of cake


Pandan cake


Yam cake


Oreo cheese cake


Chocolate mousse hazelnut cake


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ONLY IN MALAYSIA YET AGAIN...

You get such a news report. This is the second post dedicated to ONLY IN MALAYSIA^TM series. The first post is here. Check the blog out for this edition. The doctor should publish and inform WHO of his great findings!

Unconventional Methods To Prevent Influenza

By Sajad Hussein

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Avoiding masturbation and homosexual activities are among preventive measures one could take against Influenza A (H1N1), according to an eminent practitioner of complimentary therapy.

Dr. V. M. Palaniappan said that such activities caused the body to develop friction heat which in turn, produced acid and made the body hyperacidised.

"Thus, the body becomes an easy target for H1N1 infection," he told Bernama, emphasising however, that normal sexual union between members of the opposite sex was absolutely safe.

The former associate professor of ecology at Universiti Malaya has authored several books on complementary therapy called, 'Ecological Healing System'.

Dr Palaniappan said his 33 years of research had shown that high acidity in the body resulted in loss of immunity, thus making people more susceptible to viral diseases like Influenza A (H1N1).

Hence, to prevent acidity, it was essential to consume alkaline food and drinks that could neutralise excess acid in the body.

Dr Palaniappan recommends coconut water, which is alkaline, and therefore could be used as a herbal medicine for the prevention of H1N1.

For example, he said, those who felt feverish and developed a burning sensation while attending to a call of nature because of extreme acidity, could neutralise it by drinking coconut water, twice a day, for three days.

He also recommended orange, lemon and pomelo which, despite containing citric acid, were very rich in potassium and therefore, would not disturb the body's immunity.

According to Dr Palaniappan, excessive physical activity like running a marathon should be avoided as it produced acid due to excessive metabolic activity.

Similarly, he said, keeping late nights without adequate sleep and working without proper rest could also increase the body's acidity which in turn, lowered immunity and made the body vulnerable to viral attacks.

Dr Palaniappan's blog: http://ecohealingsystem.blogspot.com/ discusses the therapy in more detail.

-- BERNAMA

VIVO AMERICAN PIZZA & PANINI



Vivo is a franchise selling western cuisine which is easily available all over Johor Bahru. So far the only thing I want to warn you all to avoid trying is their cakes. Apart from that, so far I have no complaints on the other dishes in their menu.

My wife loves the volcanic chocolate of Vivo so we decided to go there just for that!



Volcanic chocolate with ice-cream RM12.90
Chocolate brownies mallows Rm8.80


Very nice chocolate brownies drink mixed with marshmallows





Crispy chocolate shell on the outside and volcanic chocolate lava on the inside, this thing is damn good!




Mixed this hot stuff with the cold vanila ice-cream, you get the best fusion of dessert!




Good to the last spoonful!

Vivo American Pizza & Panini


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HAPPY 44TH BIRTHDAY, SINGAPORE!

May you keep going strong and resilient for all the obstacles / challenges you will face ahead!

May peace, prosperity and harmony be with you always!

LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

2009 English FA Community Shield this weekend
Chelsea VS. Manchester United @ Wembley Stadium

Here it comes! Well, officially, it starts next week but we will have the traditional curtain raiser match this weekend. Who shall win it? Manchester United to me have not strengthen their club enough for the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez but Sir Alex Ferguson thought otherwise. Drogba just signed a new contract and John Terry decided to stay. This at least give some stability to the team for the match although we still have many links in and out of the club including Pirlo, Deco, Carvalho and Cole. We will also see Carlo Ancelotti debuting for his first 'official' English Premier League match. Finally, thanks to the FA for having the one minute applause out of respect and a tribute to Sir Bobby Robson for all the opening matches of the season! He is someone important in the football world worth respecting, especially in England!

THE BEST OR CHIEN / OH CHIEN / OYSTER OMELETTE EVER!

Also known as 蚝煎 / 蚵仔煎

Well,this is a very common hawker and road side dish but it is very hard to make. The hidden skills is in the accurate timing of cooking. Oyster is a very delicate seafood, if you undercook it, it taste very raw. If you overcook it, the taste is gone and the flesh will be so reduced to just shrunk rubber. The fluid control is also essential, too much will make it soggy, too little will make it hard like rock. The mixture is equally important. Too much flour will make it into a pancake. Too much egg it will turn into a fried egg. The ratio of oyster to omelette is also important. Too many oysters and the balance of the taste of the nice omelette is gone. Too little oysters and people will never return again to try your omelette as you are too stingy. The oyster has to be fresh too because the quality of the whole dish will dive badly if it is not. Finally, the most important factor is the sauce, which has to compliment it well.

That's why it is so hard to find good oyster omelette. There is just too many factors to take into account. The ability to balance all these factors is tough based on the scarcity of finding top quality oyster omelette. Still, not all hopes are lost. The ability to find good oyster omelette is not an urban legend. I managed to find one which is the best I have ever tasted. Mark my words, this is the best oyster omelette I have ever tasted in the whole of Malaysia and Singapore. It achieves the best balance I have ever tasted, the most freshest and biggest oysters used and the quality is top class!











It is being cooked by an old uncle in a small store in an alley at the city centre of Johor Bahru. They normally start operating around 6pm or could be slightly earlier.


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2012 DECEMBER 21

Will it be the last day of our time? The famous 2012 movie trailer points to this prophecy based on the Mayan calendar. Many will just consider it as just another movie that is trying to show off the CG advancements of our time and the Christians can point out that God promised not to use water again to destroy life (Genesis 9: 8-17).

Genesis Chapter 9:
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."

According to the Wikipedia:
On this day the Long Count date at creation—written 13.0.0.0.0 in modern notation, equivalent to August 11, 3114 BC in the proleptic Gregorian calendar—is repeated for the first time in a span of a little over 5,125 solar years. The completion of this cycle and the repetition of the previous Creation's Long Count ending date have been central to various 2012 doomsday predictions since the 1960s. Academic researchers have not concluded that the ancient Maya themselves attached similar significance to this point in time.



History channel looks at the many religions in the world and how they are all linked with The Lost Book of Nostradamus. This is a documentary and you be the judge of that whether 21 December 2012 will be the doomsday. I seriously am no prophet but it is something that is worth watching. It also touches on astronomy, astrology, alchemy, Fulcanelli, Isaac Newton, Freemasonry, the bible code, the Hopi and the Egyptian civilizations apart from Nostradamus and Mayans. Check out the video!

Nostradamus - 2012



I also find the following websites to be interesting too. Check them out!
DoomsDay Information Guide

2012 Is the End....

UP WAS GOOD!



Finally, I get to watch the movie yesterday! This is by far the most emotional and touching movie by Pixar if I do recall the rest! The four main characters set you off to an adventure in South America. I won't spoil it for you but after Wall-E, I guess Pixar decided to try a different approach to get us to reflect on our lives. If Wall-E is about environment awareness, Up is about values and priorities which are worth upholding in our lives. Watch it and you won't regret! It was great also to watch this movie in the Lido Classic at the Shaw House, my first ever experience because this cinema (which turns into a cineplex later) is one of the most historic ones in Orchard Road and Singapore. We also managed to go for a short walk around the new ION Orchard.

Thanks NuffNang!

SIR BOBBY ROBSON 1933-2009

Farewell, rest in peace! Thanks for all those great years at Newcastle United! I will remember him as the most kindest and lovable character in the football world today. You have never in a second heard any comments, opinions, statements, speeches and actions by him that has ever threatened, intimidated, badmouthed, discouraged, insulted, belittled, let down or brought disrespect to anybody, even the referees, the linesmen and the opponents. He is like an ultimate saint in the football world. He has always only kind and good things to say about anyone despite living in a very competitive world of football. A manager like him is probably extinct in the football world today. This is why I have so much respect of him.

Personal information
Full name Robert William Robson
Date of birth 18 February 1933(1933-02-18)
Place of birth Sacriston, County Durham, England
Date of death 31 July 2009 (aged 76)
Place of death County Durham, England
Playing position Deep-lying forward
Senior career*
Years Club Apps† (Gls)†
1950–1956 Fulham 152 (68)
1956–1962 West Bromwich Albion 239 (56)
1962–1967 Fulham 192 (9)
1967–1968 Vancouver Royals
National team
1957–1962 England 20 (4)
Teams managed
1968 Fulham
1969–1982 Ipswich Town
1982–1990 England
1990–1992 PSV Eindhoven
1992–1994 Sporting Lisbon
1994–1996 FC Porto
1996–1997 FC Barcelona
1998–1999 PSV Eindhoven
1999–2004 Newcastle United
2006–2007 Republic of Ireland (Special Consultant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

English Angle: Goal.com Remembers The Legendary Sir Bobby Robson (1933-2009)
Legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson was finally beaten by cancer earlier today. Goal.com remembers his outstanding career...
31 Jul 2009 14:55:15

Sir Bobby Robson sadly passed away this morning, aged 76, after a long and tenacious battle against cancer. He holds a special place in English football as both the most successful national team manager since World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey, and its most successful coaching export at club level.

Most closely associated in his homeland with Newcastle United, Ipswich Town and the Three Lions, Robson won huge respect and acclaim on the continent for his work at PSV in Holland, Sporting and Porto in Portugal, and Barcelona in Spain. As a result, despite the Geordie roots of which he was so proud, Sir Bobby defied the image of the insular Englishman, and was an influence on the careers of the magical Brazilian pair Romario and Ronaldo, as well as being the man who nurtured Jose Mourinho's rise to prominence as a coach.

However, although it is as a coach that Robson will be best remembered - in particular as the manager who steered England to the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup, where eventual winners Germany needed a
penalty shoot-out to beat them - his achievements in that capacity should not eclipse a successful playing career. Bobby won 20 caps for his country, was included in two World Cup squads and made nearly 600
league appearances for Fulham (in two spells) and West Bromwich Albion, scoring 133 goals as an attacking wing-half or deep-lying inside-forward.

Having completed an FA coaching course while still a player, Robson began his managerial career with Fulham in January 1968. The Cottagers, though, were struggling at the time and he couldn't save them from relegation to the old Second Division that season. By November he'd been sacked, learning of his fate from a newspaper headline outside Putney station.

Yet the set-back proved to be a blessing in disguise, as his next appointment was at Ipswich Town in 1969, and the Suffolk club, with their enlightened board, provided him with the ideal environment to develop his managerial skills and build a club in his own image.

Over the course of the next 13 years, Ipswich were rarely out of the top six, twice finished as league runners-up, won the FA Cup for the first time in 1978 and made regular appearances in Europe, winning the UEFA Cup in 1981 with a 5–4 aggregate victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. Remarkably, throughout his time at Portman Road he bought only 14 players from other clubs, placing the emphasis instead on a highly successful youth development programme.

The affection in which he is still held at Ipswich was reflected by the making in 2002 of a life-size statue of Robson outside their Portman Road stadium. His achievements prompted the FA to offer him the England job in 1982, and in 28 qualifying matches as national team manager, he suffered only one defeat.

England were beaten by Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, and while their 1988 European Championship involvement was ignominious, two years later at Italia '90, Robson was a couple of penalty kicks away from a World Cup final.

Ironically, before that tournament, the FA had told Robson that they would not renew his contract as England manager, so after it he embarked upon his successful phase coaching in Europe. In 1990 he took over at PSV Eindhoven, describing the move as a 'culture shock' but instilling enough discipline into a fractious squad - which included the maverick Romario - to clinch the Dutch League title in both 1990-91 and 1991-92.

He moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal in July 1992, admitting they were in a terrible state and that their president was a "loose cannon", but still steering them to a third-place finish in his first season. They were sitting on top of the Portuguese League when Robson was sacked in December 1994. It was at Sporting that he first encountered the young Mourinho as his interpreter, and when Porto immediately hired Bobby as their coach, he took Jose with him as his assistant manager. Robson guided Porto to Portuguese Cup final success against Sporting, then followed up with successive league titles in 1994–95 and 1995–96.

Those achievements prompted Barcelona to offer him the role of head coach in July 1996, and he brought Ronaldo (as well as Mourinho) to Camp Nou; the Brazilian being a key figure in the team that won the Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996-97, as Robson was voted European Manager of the Year. Ronaldo hailed him as "without doubt one of the greatest [trainers] in the world".

Nevertheless, the following season Robson was moved 'upstairs' by Barca as general manager, as Louis van Gaal took over. After a year in that role, he returned to manage PSV on a short-term contract for the 1998–99 season, when he secured Champions League qualification for the Eindhoven club.

He'd gone back to England at the end of that season to take up a technical post with the FA when fate intervened again. Robson, a native of County Durham, had grown up watching Tyneside idols Jackie Milburn and Len Shackleton at his beloved Newcastle United, and in September 1999, when Ruud Gullit resigned, the Magpies invited him to become their manager. Robson was finally at his spiritual home, St James' Park; in his first match there he guided a struggling team to an 8-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Under Robson the Toon finished 11th, 11th, fourth, third and fifth in the Premier League in successive seasons, and qualified twice for the Champions League. But chairman Freddy Shepherd dismissed him in August 2004 amid dressing-room discontent that was reflected in a poor start to the season on the pitch. Robson himself was critical of the board's apparent neglect of important aspects of the club such as the training ground, youth development and the scouting network; Newcastle have steadily declined since his dismissal.

In January 2006, when Steve Staunton was appointed manager of the Republic of Ireland national team, Robson was named in a supporting consultancy capacity, but later had to relinquish that role because of failing health.

Sir Bobby, who was awarded the CBE in 1990 and a knighthood in 2002, had his first brush with cancer in 1992 when he defeated bowel cancer. He overcame malignant melanoma while at Porto in 1995, and then in 2006 battled through being diagnosed with tumours in his right lung and brain. He was left partially paralysed by a stroke caused by the brain tumour, and also with a partially prosthetic upper jaw after the melanoma was removed. When he was diagnosed for a fifth time with cancer in 2007, again in his lungs, and told it was terminal, Sir Bobby decided to devote the time remaining to him to help fight the disease. On March 25 2008 he launched the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which by November 2008 had raised £1 million.

Awarded the Freedom of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the City of Durham and Ipswich, Robson's numerous other awards included the UEFA President's Award for 'services to football', induction into the English Football Hall of Fame, the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year show in recognition of "his contribution as both player and manager in a career spanning more than half a century".

In March 2009, UEFA awarded Robson the Emerald UEFA Order of Merit award, reserved for "individuals who have dedicated their talents to the good of the game". Fittingly, in the week of his death, the award was presented to Sir Bobby at St James' Park last Sunday, before the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match between the England and Germany 1990 teams.

Sir Bobby is survived by Elsie, Lady Robson, whom he married in June 1955, and their three sons, Andrew, Paul and Mark.

Graham Lister, Goal.com