Book - Best-sellers

For the week ending Feb 22, 2009

Non-Fiction

1. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog (Movie Tie-in) by John Grogan

2. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

3. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want by John Gray

4. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow

5. Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t by Michael J. Losier

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

7. He’s Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo

8. One Hundred Philosophers by Peter J. King

9. Love In a Torn Land by Jean Sasson

10. Why Mars & Venus Collide (Value Buy Bundle) by John Gray

Fiction

1. A Place Called Here / Where Rainbows End / If You Could See Me Now (3-in-1 Box Set) by Cecelia Ahern

2. Shadow Music: A Novel by Julie Garwood

3. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

4. Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

5. Slumdog Millionaire (Movie Tie-in) by Vikas Swarup

6. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

7. Brida by Paulo Coelho

8. The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer

9. State of Fear by Michael Crichton

10. PS, I Love You (Movie Tie-In) by Cecelia Ahern

■ Weekly list compiled by MPH Bookstores, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur; www.mphonline.com

Village in the Kuala Lumpur city

Kampung Baru really needs no introduction – despite the rapid development in Kuala Lumpur, it remains untouched and reminds us of what used to be.


Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru

This mosque is famous for its annual Bubur Lambuk that is prepared in tens of cauldrons on a daily basis during the holy month of Ramadan. It is also one of the religious landmarks in the city and remains the anchor of the closely-knit community here.

Jalan Raja Muda Stadium

Formerly known as the TPCA Stadium, it was the venue for hockey matches before a national hockey stadium was built at Jalan Duta. It is also home to many historical events during the 1950s and also one of the venues where rallies were held during periods of political upheaval.

Chow Kit Road Market

Having been around for more than 50 years, the Chow Kit Road market is a landmark that has not changed much over the years. Most cityfolk come here to do their daily or weekly shopping and most of the traders are on a first-name basis with their customers. Naturally, discounts are aplenty if you know the traders and buy wholesale.

Old Malay homes

With many homes more than a century old, Kampung Baru has retained its quaint surroundings. One only needs to stroll within Kampung Baru to feel the ambience that prevailed during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Kuala Lumpur Hospital

This hospital was established in 1870 with only three wards and in more than 100 years, it has expanded to over 38 departments and units with a staff of about 7,000. It is also the biggest hospital in South-East Asia. It provided over 700,000 with outpatient treatment and had 124,000 warded patients last year.

Nasi Bubur Berlauk

One thing you will notice in Kampung Baru is its numerous food outlets. You will find porridge with an endless variety of accompanying dishes. Kampung Baru is also a melting pot of the cuisines of all the country’s Malay states.

Kuala Lumpur International Hotel

With almost 500 rooms, it is no wonder that this was once the most-sought after hotel for seminars and meetings as the reasonably priced hotel offers convenience and comfort, right in the heart of the city.

Universiti Kuala Lumpur City Campus

This landmark marks the end of Kampung Baru, where it joins into the elite Jalan Sultan Ismail where five-star hotels are situated. The university itself is an impressive building and is self-contained.


Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa

This is where you head to for authentic nasi lemak. One taste and you’ll be back to savour every dish that accompanies the rice cooked in coconut milk.

Sultan Sulaiman Club

Established in 1909, this club was named after the then Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Alaidin Sulaiman Shah ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa and became the club for the residents in Kampung Baru. This club has seen many historical events and is one of the oldest existing clubs today.

25 things about Malaysia and me

By HUZIR SULAIMAN

In the last few days, on the social networking website Facebook, people I know have been sharing lists of 25 facts about themselves and eliciting similar disclosures from 25 of their friends.

At first I had no intention of joining this particular confessional chain letter, because I am generally uncomfortable talking about myself, and because I cannot imagine that anyone would be interested.

But after looking at my friends’ lists of seemingly random facts, I realised that many of their 25 things tended to cluster around a central issue uppermost on their minds: family, religion, hobbies, ideology, travel, etc. These lists were not disclosures so much as credos.

So then I realised I might just write 25 things about how I feel about Malaysia. In doing so, of course, I’d be talking about myself, for which I apologise. But here goes:

1. The idea of Malaysia seems to be a central issue for Malaysians from all walks of life. What is the nature of this country? What sort of a place is it?

2. Malaysians are very like Americans in this respect: we have strongly held and wildly differing ideas about what our country is and isn’t, and what our country should and shouldn’t be, and we invest a lot of emotional energy in maintaining and defending our beliefs against competing notions.

3. On one level, therefore, how we talk about Malaysia says far more about ourselves than it does about Malaysia.

4. And yet, paradoxically, this thing called Malaysia only exists as the sum total of the ideologies, policies, manifestos, acts of resistance, assertions and negations of identity, arguments, negotiations, trends, and unfettered enthusiasms that we have as a people.

5. In short, Malaysia only exists as the sum total of our feelings about Malaysia.

6. So what do I feel about Malaysia? For the purposes of this exercise, let me pick one thing: Malaysia’s racialist policies distress me. This might not be for the reasons some people assume.

7. Any strong feeling I might have is undercut by having to examine the historical context of the situation. I understand, economically, the need for affirmative action. I recognise how our ethnic divisions were codified and enforced by British colonial rule. I acknowledge that citizenship for non-Malays was something that the departing British pressured Tunku Abdul Rahman into accepting, despite enormous resistance from Umno. I note with regret how the imperfect execution of the New Economic Policy has led to deep social and political divisions in our society.

8. So I understand why people whose rallying cries and buzzwords are, variously, “the social contract”, “ketuanan Melayu” (Malay supremacy), “ketuanan rakyat” (supremacy of the people), “cronyism” and “Bangsa Malaysia” are all perfectly correct and justified, in their own way. I do understand the historical context for things, and the emotions involved.

9. My reason for being distressed by our racialist policies is purely personal. It’s because I’ve had to make conscious decisions about race my whole life. Race, for me, has had to be a performance.

10. Let me start at the beginning. My birth certificate declares my race to be Malay.

11. However, as far as I can ascertain, out of my 16 great-great-grandparents, 15 were born in India. They were from all over: Kerala, Tamil Na-du, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

12. The other great-great-grandparent – my mother’s mother’s mother’s father – was a Chinese Muslim from Yarkand, an old Silk Road town in what is now Xinjiang Province.

13. How all that makes me Malay I don’t know.

14. Of course there’s the three-point definition in the Federal Constitution, but even then I’m not sure I’m totally covered. Yes, I’m definitely Muslim – but I could always be a better Muslim. Yes, I speak Malay – but my English is a lot better. And yes, I practise some Malay customs – but how many customs do I need to practise before I’m considered Malay? How many is enough?

15. When I was a little kid I wasn’t really in a position to do anything about it. But in my teens, when I became socially and politically aware, I began to find this situation really strange. The identity crisis grew and deepened.

16. I was never comfortable with my bumiputra status – partly because I had problems with the New Economic Policy but mostly because I felt my status as a bumi was erroneous.

17. My more conventionally Malay friends – those whose great-great-grandparents were all born here, or nearby – tried to reassure me: “What is a Malay, after all? Malay-ness only exists in the minds of the Malays. If you think you are a Malay, you are a Malay.”

18. Another more cynical Malay friend put it this way: “A Malay is someone who is too polite to challenge someone who claims to be Malay.”

19. But I was still troubled, and so I never took advantage of my bumiputera status. As a consequence I have received no IPO share allocations, no unit trusts, no bank loans, no Malay Reserve land, no scholarships, and no government contracts. I don’t know whether I am proud of this, or whether it was just stupid, self-defeating stubbornness. If a clerk decided to classify me as Malay, why should I make my life needlessly harder by denying it – and for what? A principle?

20. Anyway, when I started working in Singapore, I had to go and get my Identity Card there. I had to fill in a form. Under “Citizenship” – Malaysian of course – there was a slot for “Race”. Suddenly I realised that I could choose what I wanted to be. I could tick any box I liked.

21. In 2003, at the age of 30, and in another country, I became Indian.

22. For the next few years, as I travelled back and forth between KL and Singapore, my race would change at the border. I was Malay in Malaysia, and Indian in Singapore.

23. Finally, when I updated my Malaysian IC to the MyKad, in the very last week that one could do it without penalty, I put down Indian as my “Bangsa”.

24. So now I am Indian everywhere. Or am I? I ask myself: how am I Indian? How can I justify calling myself Indian? Am I Indian just because 15 of my 16 great-great-grandparents were born in India? I’ve only been there once. I speak no Indian language. I love Indian food – but I love Malay food equally. What Indian customs do I practise? Does spending hours in bookshops count? Having a heavy lunch and then a nap? Arguing just for the sheer pleasure of it? Is that why I am Indian? If that’s the basis for it, I might as well be Malay. Or Chinese. Or – here’s a thought – just Malaysian.

25. Above all, I ask myself: how would my life have been different if my country had not made me spend so much time and energy agonising over these questions? And how much more could I have given to my country if I had not been so distracted by these questions of identity?

* Huzir Sulaiman writes for theatre, film, television, and newspapers.

- THE STAR

Interesting facts!

-When glass breaks, the cracks move faster than 3,000 miles per hour.

-Your body is creating and killing 15 million red blood cells per second

-Cats cannot taste sweet things

-Antarctica is a desert.

-An apple, potato, and onion all taste the same if you eat them with your nose plugged.

-Fine-grained volcanic ash can be found as an ingredient in some toothpastes.

-25% of your bones are located in your feet.

-When a person dies, hearing is usually the last sense to go.

-The warmest temperature ever recorded on Antarctica was 3 degrees F.

-A snail can sleep for three years.

-Your brain is 80% water.

-The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body.

-The best diamonds are colored blue-white

-There are 92 known cases of nuclear bombs lost at sea.

-One quarter of the human brain is used to control the eyes.

-In what country will you find the most Universities? India

-Extremely high pressured water can easily cut through a steel beam

-The best time for a person to buy shoes is in the afternoon. This is because the foot tends to swell a bit around this time

-Every three seconds, a new baby is born.

-A polar bear's skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.

-The volume of the Earth's moon is the same as the volume of the Pacific Ocean

-One 75-watt bulb gives more light than three 25-watt bulbs.

-It takes 17 muscles to smile, 43 to frown

-When you walk down a steep hill, the pressure on your knees is equal to three times your body weight.

-If you unfolded your brain, it would cover an ironing board.

-All of the Earth's continents are wider at the north than in the south - and nobody knows why.

-Your skeleton keeps growing until you are about 35, then you start to shrink.

-The human brain is insensitive to pain.

-The average human body contains .1 mg of uranium, .2 mg of gold, and 7 mg of arsenic!

The language of race

By DINA ZAMAN
dzawriterslife@gmail.com

Unity and Malaysian friendships are based on respect, honesty and the like, but it is not easy to be politically correct and sensitive at all times.

An opinion editorial written by Murad Ahmed in The London Times caught my eye and sparked this week’s piece. Ahmed had recounted the good Prince Harry’s politically incorrect blunder when he called a colleague a “Paki”.

Ahmed stated: “Paki’ is a word from a different age – one that would be spat out just before an Asian received a swift Doc Marten boot to the head.

“It was more often heard in the phrase ‘Go home, Paki’ than ‘My Paki friend’. It was intended to be a form of violence and intimidation towards immigrants who had come to these shores from the Indian subcontinent. It became, through its very use, racist.

“To put it politely, anyone who thinks that the word ‘Paki’ is acceptable is unaware of this sordid history or unable to understand its significance. Put another way, if you think that it’s all right to call someone a ‘Paki’ you’re ignorant or stupid.

“See how using words in a certain way can come across as insulting or cruel? That’s the point. Words are powerful, and we should take care how we use them.”

You may not want to admit to it, but we practise the language of bigotry right here in Malaysia.

I have been told many times by friends of every race that when they call or joke with friends using terms like ‘Melayu’, ‘Cine’ ‘Keling’ ‘Dayak’ and so forth, it was only in jest and comradeship.

“But Dina, we’re Malaysians. We have a rude sense of humour. We insult each other all the time and it means nothing!”

Perhaps, in print, words look rather still and motionless. But language is not just alphabets of a person’s ethnic community; language is sound. Phonetics, linguistics and pronunciation.

An example. Say the word ‘Melayu’ devoid of feelings and history. It remains that: just a word and sound.

Add the following context to the word ‘Melayu’. What ‘Melayu’ means – a race and its rich history – and another meaning, which is, to wilt.

Add emotions to the word ‘Melayu’: sadness. Anger. Happiness. Joy. The word ‘Melayu’ now takes on a different meaning to the reader and listener.

Now try that with words like ‘Apek’. ‘Keling’. ‘Orang Hutan’. These are not words of love. These are words uttered to hurt.

The God honest truth is it is not easy to be politically correct and sensitive at all times. In a rage, or behind closed doors and with like-minded sympathetic souls, we confess how terrible or good the Malays/Chinese/Indians are.

This is the reality we live in. How many of us are truly magnanimous? We tell each other the truths which may not sit very well with our neighbours and friends that we meet and socialise with, and put up a façade of liberal and open views.

But it is leading double lives that will destroy us, as we whisper and promote bigotry.

When we do try to mend fences, meet halfway, we are defeated by insurmountable barriers such as religious conversion, fraught inter-racial relationships, and glass ceilings that cannot be broken.

But no, I am reminded all the time, all of us do have friends of all races. See, I have three Indian friends and one Malay friend. See?

Perhaps I am simplistic. Unity and Malaysian friendships are not based on how many friends of each race we have, know and work with.

You do not have a token Malay friend, for the sake of looking liberal and being oh-so-open-minded.

Allow me to quote writer Leslie Lau: “Unity cannot be taught in classrooms.” Nor at work. Not even home.

Seeing ourselves and others as human beings who share the same values, dreams, have to be encouraged by our parents, and we ourselves. We are not frogs living under coconut shells, so to speak.

The thing with race in this country is that it is not about equal numbers of a community in class or at work. Giving scholarships to deserving non-Malays will definitely make their lives better, but will it enhance inter-racial relationships with the Malays? Or anyone for that matter?

In our bid to be correct, we sensitise ourselves so much to the real issue that we not see the forest for the trees. Perhaps it’s time that we admit to ourselves that while we are all Malaysians, we are different. And it is accepting our differences that we find commonalities with each other.

I receive many emails from readers. When it comes to race, there is anger, bitterness and sadness. When I do communicate with some of the readers to say that not all Malaysians are what they think, more vitriol is hurled.

It is this anger, and the language used, that will be inherited by the younger generation. Is this what we want?

The first thing we need to do to heal is to stop using language as a tool of hatred. Then we can begin on the rest later. We must also remember that we, to quote Malcom Gladwell, “… are not prisoners of our ethnic histories”.

Chinese Food during Chinese New Year

Yee sang (raw fish salad)

In Chinese culture ... Yee and Sang also means “abundance” and “rising” in many Chinese dialects. This dish symbolises the increase of abundance – a wish that most aspire for in the New Year.

Before eating, everyone at the table will trade good wishes and mix the salad together with chopsticks.

Nutrition wise ... As this dish is vegetable based, it is rich in fibre and vitamins.

To eat healthfully ... For those who need to watch their sugar levels, take it easy with the sesame oil and plum sauce. Pour just enough to get the flavour.


Mee suah (rice noodles)

In Chinese culture ... Noodles symbolise longevity. Usually taken for breakfast on the first day of Chinese New Year, the Chinese believe that this is a meal not to be missed if you want to live a long, healthy life.

Nutrition wise ... It contains complex carbohydrates and protein that comes from minced meat with no added oil.

To eat healthfully ... You can add some vegetables to the noodles for a more balanced meal.


Nien gao (sticky cake)

In Chinese culture ... Nien and Gao also means “year” and “high”. It symbolises the increase of success and prosperity. Usually offered to the Kitchen God before Chinese New Year, it is often steamed and eaten in its original form (as shown in picture on the right), or fried after the sticky cake is sandwiched between sliced yam.

Nutrition wise ... These tasty sweet cakes are sugar and calorie-rich. To eat healthfully ... As nien gao has a high glycemic index, people who are diabetic need to be mindful with the amount they take.


Kuih kapit (love letters)

In Chinese culture ... These love letters are either folded into a quarter round shape or rolled to resemble love letters. Emblazoned with auspicious words and symbols, it is a popular Chinese New Year cookie in Malaysia and Singapore.

Nutrition wise ... These crispy snacks can be high in sugar and calories. It is possible to overeat as we tend to eat it while we are watching TV or visiting other people’s houses.

To eat healthfully ... Be mindful of how many you are eating from every house you visit. The calories can accumulate!


Popiah or chun juan (spring rolls)

In Chinese culture ... Besides its resemblance to gold bars, popiah symbolises unity and prosperity. It is usually taken by Chinese of Hokkien descent.

Nutrition wise ... Its fillings are vegetablebased is fibre-rich, and additions of protein sources such as tofu, prawns and shredded omelette makes it a nutritious dish.

To eat healthfully ... Instead of fried popiah, go for fresh ones.


Seafood

In Chinese culture ... Fish is a must as it symbolises abundance, and it must be served whole during the reunion dinner. Prawns (Ha in Cantonese) symbolises happiness and the way Chinese pronounce the Mandarin word for oysters (Hao) is the homophone for “good”.

Nutrition wise ... Seafood are good protein sources, but they can also contain high levels of cholesterol.

Fish, sea cucumber and oysters are generally low in cholesterol while prawns contain higher levels.

To eat healthfully ... Instead of fried or butter prawns, try baking them with garlic and chili, steaming them with egg white or even poaching them with Chinese rice wine (‘drunken prawns’).

Meat

In Chinese culture ... Meaty dishes symbolise wealth. Popular ones include pork, chicken and duck dishes. Nutrition wise ... Taken moderately, meat is a good source of protein and fat.

To eat healthfully ... Choose lean meat and try to braise, roast or grill. You can also remove chicken skin and fat before cooking.


Mandarin Oranges

In Chinese culture ... Mandarin oranges symbolise gold. It makes a good gift for friends and family during house visits. Nutrition wise ... They are high in dietary fibre and vitamins.

To eat healthfully ... Taking more of a good food does not mean there will be extra benefits. Although it is not likely you can overdose on mandarin oranges, it is always wise to eat moderately.

Video - Chinese New Year (Feng Sui The Year of Ox)

The Star Online

A study finds people still spending on beauty

That dream holiday may have been shelved by the economic downturn, but consumers worldwide say they will still be spending on some things that count more — beauty and health-care products.

An international survey by market research firm Synovate showed spending on cosmetics and health care appears resilient in the face of the downturn, which has altered consumer attitudes worldwide.

It found 41% of people plan to spend the same amount on cosmetics as they did before the downturn began, while only 27% said they would cut down.

For health-care products, 55% said they would spend the same amount, while only 17% would spend less.

The survey questioned 11,500 people in more than a dozen countries including Brazil, Greece, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Britain and the US.

Despite grim economic forecasts, respondents from Denmark, Brazil and Malaysia were the most optimistic about the strength of their economies while those from the US and Britain were the most pessimistic, it said.

The US is already in recession, and data in December showed Britain edging closer, after a crisis in the US housing sector hammered global financial markets and spilled over into the broader economy.

Overall, consumers said they are spending less on luxuries.

However, 10% of Brazilians indicated they will spend more while 49% of Hong Kong residents and 72% of Danes said their spending on luxuries remains the same.

More consumers, led by Brazilians, Britons, French, Greeks and Americans, said they scrutinise prices more closely before filling the grocery cart.

But “for some reason” Asian markets — Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong — had the most people who said they are checking prices less.

Buying on impulse has become a thing of the past for 82% of Americans, 76% of Britons, 78% of Belgians and 70% of the French.

However, 55% of Hong Kong people and 72% of Danes said they do the same amount of impulse buying.

Holidays and branded goods are the first to go when family budgets are cut, but choices varied across markets.

For Americans and Greeks, restaurant meals with the family and friends were the first items given up, while Romanians put off buying high-tech gadgets.

Serbians said they gave up leisure travel, but 81% of Danes said they had not cut spending on any of the items specified in the survey.

Twenty percent of respondents said they will spend less on bottled water, while a quarter of them said they will trim their budgets on alcoholic drinks.

For alcohol, 48% of French people and 46% of Britons said they will spend less.

Among smokers, 24% said they will spend the same on cigarettes, with respondents from Mexico, France and Turkey leading those who will spend less to light up.

— AFP

Article of Law - Costly litigation

By BHAG SINGH

Litigation should be pursued based on careful consideration of legal principles and available evidence, or one might end up being burdened with costs.

I SOMETIMES come across persons who have been sued, who want to know what their rights are if the claim against them fails. Would it be possible to counter sue the person who has unsuccessfully sued them?

The simple answer is that this is not an available option. Of course, one can file a counter claim but that would be on the basis of some other obligations owed by the plaintiff, and not merely for having sued. Of course, a person who sues another unsuccessfully cannot just walk away. Such a person will be liable to pay his opponent costs which can be substantial in certain circumstances.

In the magistrates court and Sessions Court which are collectively referred to as the Subordinate Courts, the costs payable where a matter is fully pursued could be in the region of about 15% of the amount claimed.

This is because there is a scale of fixed costs. The jurisdiction of the Sessions Court covers subject matters whose value does not exceed RM250,000 while the limit for the magistrates court is RM25,000. Claims for higher amounts end up in the High Court.

The measure of costs in the High Court is a different matter altogether. This is because apart from the generally higher value of the subject matter, costs are not on a fixed scale relative to the transaction or matter in dispute but are worked out based on criteria laid down for work done and time spent.

The value of the subject matter is no doubt an important element but it can transpire that a plaintiff could end up getting compensation or damages in the sum of RM5,000 but costs in the region of RM75,000.

On the other hand, if the party that has brought the action in the High Court fails, it may also by the same token end up paying the other party costs in the region of RM75,000 or so when all elements relating to costs are taken into account.

This may appear absurd but this is the way in which the award of costs in the High Court works. Thus a person who commences action in the High Court should know that it could turn out to be a matter of not only spending money and not getting anything, but also paying heavy costs to the other party.

A person should resort to the courts only when a wrongdoing recognised by law has been committed. Thus where money is owed and not paid on account of a loan granted, goods supplied or services rendered and evidence to establish this is available, there is reason to proceed.

On other occasions, there may be clear evidence of wrongdoing. Such would be the case where a vehicle has collided into the aggrieved person for no fault on his part. Here again the right to relief may be clear and evidence to establish this readily available.

In such cases the party that establishes and pursues legal action is likely to succeed in its claim. There is the possibility of recovering not only the amount sought but also interest on such sum from the date of the event and also the costs in part, if not in full.

In the context of commercial transactions, the resources used are part of the business operation. Even when the debt many not be recoverable, action may be taken to signal to other debtors that they cannot get away easily from fulfilling their obligations.

However, in some cases people get upset over something that has happened. It may be statements made or a failure to honour a promise made earlier. In some cases, certain individuals embark on litigation to teach the other party a lesson.

But litigation should not be embarked upon merely to carry out a vendetta. To succeed in a claim made, it is not enough that the initiator of the action is unhappy with what has been said or has happened.

Lawyers have a role to play in giving pertinent advice, especially when a client wants to involve himself in litigation based on emotional grounds rather than strictly factual and legal considerations.

As a general rule, where a person is driven into litigation because he is emotionally upset, it would be in the interest of such person to seek guidance on whether there is a genuine basis to institute action with a measure of success.

Any advice so sought should include a prior examination of available evidence, the nature of the alleged wrong as well as the financial implications in terms of liability and costs, if such a party is unsuccessful at the end of the day. This will enable a more informed decision.

Of course, there are cases where despite contrary advice, a party may insist on pursuing litigation. There are occasions where despite being made aware of the consequences, a party may still want to proceed with litigation. This happens for a variety of reasons. There are litigants who have deep pockets and are willing to use them. Or it may be that the individual is pursuing a principle to the exclusion of all else. Of course, there are occasions when emotions overwhelm objectivity.

Whatever the reasons, the end result could be a costly affair if the proper considerations are not taken into account. Where a measure of practicality and rationality is not present, the person embarking on unnecessary litigation may, instead of teaching others a lessons, learn one himself.

- The Star

Some Intersting Facts!

I don't know how many of these are true, but they're pretty funny!

SOME ALMOST INTERESTING FACTS!!!!


� All porcupines float in water.

� Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks otherwise it will digest itself.

� Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.

� If NASA sent birds into space they would soon die, they need gravity to swallow.

� A pig's orgasm lasts for 30 minutes.

� Studies show that if a cat falls off the 7th floor of a building, it has about 30% less chance of surviving than a cat that falls off the 20th floor. It supposedly takes about eight floors for the cat to realize what is occurring, relax and correct itself.

� Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the Australian coat of arms for that reason.

� Norvelle Rogers is the real name of 'Shaggy' in Scooby Doo.

� More people are killed annually by donkeys than die in air crashes.

� Certain frogs can be frozen solid, then thawed, and survive.

� Cat's urine glows under UV light.

� Every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

� Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2-6 years of age.

� In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.

� Many hamsters only blink one eye at a time.

� A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

� The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.

� A whale's penis is called a dork.

� If a statue in a park is of a person on a horse that has both front legs in the air, then the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle; the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

� Sherlock Holmes never said "Elementary, my dear Watson".

� In "Casablanca", Humphrey Bogart never said, "Play it again, Sam".

� The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

� A 'jiffy' is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

� The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

� A cockroach will live nine days without its head, before it starves to death.

� Starfish have no brains.

� Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.

MERCY Malaysia appeals to the public to donate to the PALESTINE RELIEF FUND

MERCY Malaysia has initiated an emergency response assessment team on the 30th December 2008 to Egypt in response to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 300 people and wounded more than 1,500 people.

The team, aimed at conducting a rapid assessment of the humanitarian needs, will be led by MERCY Malaysia President Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood and EXCO Member Norazam Ab Samah.

We appeal to concerned Malaysians to send in cash donations.

MERCY Malaysia's basis of assistance to the beneficiaries relies on the support and generosity of individuals such as you to contribute to the PALESTINE RELIEF FUND.

It will support our efforts to procure emergency surgical kits, additional medicine and hospital equipment which will be channeled to the affected communities in Gaza.

PALESTINE RELIEF FUND

Cheque payable to MERCY MALAYSIA
CIMB Account No : 1424-000-6561053

MERCY MALAYSIA WEBSITE:
www.mercy.org.my

Malaysia wants UN action against Israel

Malaysia will push for a special UN General Assembly session to discuss Israel’s brutal attacks against Palestine, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said Wisma Putra would get Malaysia’s permanent representative to the United Nations to get the ball rolling.

He said the push for such a session could be done through the six members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) contact group set up recently to bring effective and positive influence for the peace of Palestine and Israel.

“We are doing this under the banner of uniting for peace,” he said while addressing the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department during its monthly gathering yesterday.

Israel invaded Palestine’s Gaza Strip on Sunday after eight days of air strikes, resulting in the deaths of several hundred people.

Abdullah said he hoped the United States and its allies would not attempt to prevent such a special assembly from taking place.

“The world needs to voice out as we cannot accept the cruelty that is happening in the Middle East,” he said.

He criticised the United States for not playing its role and using its influence to prevent Israel’s aggression.

Instead the United States had vetoed a security council’s resolution to condemn the aggression.

“The United States can show the world that it is a responsible superpower but it chooses to ignore the situation and allow Israel to do whatever it likes against Palestine,” he said.

Abdullah, meanwhile, said in a statement that Malaysia was contributing US$1mil (RM3.4mil) worth of relief supplies to Palestine.

He said the Government was also reopening the Fund For Palestine to receive and co-ordinate donations for the people of Gaza.

He said the aid was being channelled through Mercy Malaysia.

“I am also writing to various world leaders to request them to use their good offices and personal influence to convince Israeli leaders to agree to a ceasefire.

“Malaysia continues to hold the view that durable peace and stability in Gaza can only be secured through peaceful negotiations,” he said.

He added that Malaysia was gravely concern over Israel’s continuous bombardment of Gaza without any regard for human lives or the world community’s opinion.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said letters would be sent to leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), OIC, Asean and other international bodies calling for their support for the special session.

“We hope they will take the same stand

to call for a special session of the United Nations General Assembly and the ceasefire of such atrocities,” he told a press conference later.

On the executive committee meeting of the OIC in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia recently, Dr Rais said it decided to call for a United Nations peacekeeping team to be placed at the border of Gaza and Israel.

“A humanitarian foundation under the OIC will be set up to help victims of the attacks,” he said.

- The Star

Boycott US goods and currency - Dr M

The world community should boycott the United States’ currency and products to pressure the superpower to stop supporting the violent attacks by Israel against Palestine, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

The former prime minister said while governments might not be able to support the move as many were “scared stiff” of the superpower, the people could play their part to “save Palestine.”

“The people can act and they have the capacity to act,” he said, saying that the people need not consume US-branded soft drinks and that the government can’t force them to drink it.

“ If we need to buy weapons, we can always buy them from Russia instead of the United States.

“The boycott will have to be a universal effort. If confined to Malaysia alone, it is not gong to be effective, but Malaysians must also play their part.

“We must not allow ourselves to be cowed. Even if we do little things, I think we can achieve quite a lot,” he told a press conference Monday to talk on the latest developments in the Middle East.

Dr Mahathir, who is also the chairman of the Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War, however acknowledged that there would be a price to pay if countries stopped trading with the world’s major trading nation.

“There is a price to pay for everything. If we want to do something good, then there will be a price to pay. I think if you whittle down involvement with the United States, slowly we will get used to it,” he said.

He said the best and the quickest solution to the Palestine issue was for the United States to stop supporting Israel’s atrocities, adding that while Israel was to be blamed for the deaths and maiming of thousands of Palestinians including women and children, the US and British governments should also be blamed for their “supportive role.”

“The United States is already paying the price for this. Their embassies have to have high walls and barbed wire all around. People hate the United States, but if they want to be hated by people it’s their business. But the support (for Israel) must stop,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia’s effort to initiate the convening of a special United Nations general assembly should be supported, adding the assembly should meet and seek a resolution for Israel to pull out of Gaza and stop the atrocities.

“There are opinions that the fight between Israelis and Palestinians is about religion. The crisis is not a religious struggle between Muslims and Jews. It is a fight about territorial issues,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said he would talk with local non-governmental organisations on boycotting US products and would also write to several leaders to urge them to play their part in putting a stop to the killings in Palestine.

ISA not invoked to punish

The Internal Security Act (ISA) is a preventive law used by the Government, not to punish detainees but to reform them, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

“ISA detention is meant to safeguard the security of the country, not to punish anyone for any criminal offence,” he said yesterday at a forum titled “Is ISA still relevant?”, organised by non-governmental organisation Shah Alam Free Speech and the ministry.

Syed Hamid said detainees under the ISA were not marred by a criminal record that prevented them from contributing to the nation later.

“They can contest in elections, become Members of Parliament and move freely as long as they don’t threaten the safety and security of the country.”

He added that ISA detainees were granted several rights during their detention.

These included the right to habeas corpus (legal action against unlawful detention), the right to be told the reasons for their detention and the right to appeal or challenge the decision of an advisory board to detain them, as well as a review by the board every six months.

“It also gives room for reform of the detainee,” he said.

He said the Government would not be apologetic over the use of the ISA as it protected the nation from elements that jeopardised peace and stability.

Syed Hamid also said studies by the Government had shown that the majority of Malaysians were still in favour of retaining the ISA.

Former ISA detainee Lokman Noor Adam also spoke at the forum and related his experience during his detention in 1998 and 2001.

Travel Tips to Terengganu, Malaysia

Clothing

Travel light is the best advice. You can travel casually with lightweight cotton shirt and shorts, if possible short-sleeve and sweat absorbed fabric. Bring along a light jacket or sweater and waterproofing raincoat too if you plan to go for trekking or mountain climbing. Hat and sunglasses are necessary especially when you head to islands and beaches. Do not forget always have a bottle of water with you to cure the thirst.

If you are to attend any formal occasion that requires a formal dress code but do not have any proper formal costume with you, perhaps a batik shirt or skirt is the most convenience and best choice.


Do's and Dont's

Generally there are no written rules and regulations for the social conduct in Malaysia but visitors are to advised to do as the Romans do as to ensure you are widely welcome and do not offence the local costume. Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts for your references:


Do's

1. Do take off your shoes when entering a religion site or Malaysian house.

2. Do bend your back a little when passing by official, elderly or dignitary.

3. Do greet before entering a house.

4. Do drink a lot of fluid as to avoid dehydration. Do wait until your are invited during a eating gathering especially when there are senior persons presence.

5. Do learn some basic Malay language. It helps a lot when communicating with the locals.

6. Do ask for permission when taking photos of others.

7. Do received and give anything with right hand while the left hand is holding the right wrist area.


Dont's

1. Don’t neck or kiss in the public. Shaking hand is acceptable but avoid kissing the hand or cheek. The Muslim ladies normally nod their head and smile as a note of welcome, unless they offer their hand otherwise.

2. Don’t go nude or topless at the beach or anytime. It is also considered impolite to wear shorts to places of worship such as temple and mosque.

3. Don’t pass in front of anyone offering prayer. Don’t use your left hand to give or receive thing instead use your right hand.

4. Don’t use the forefinger to point at place, objects or person, it is considered as insulting and impolite. Use right thumb resting on a clenched fist or beckon your whole hand instead.

5. Don’t touch the arms of waitresses or salesmen to catch their attention. Touching between strangers of opposite sex is frowned upon. Don’t touch one’s head without prior permission.

6. Don’t show the sole of your foot especially in front of elderly or official. Don’t cross the chopsticks or stick them vertically into the rice bowl when eating in a Chinese way. Don’t gesture your chopsticks.

7. Don’t ask or offer pork to Muslim and beef to Hindus.

8. Don’t ask silly questions while in the jungle, for example ‘where are the tigers’, ‘is there any ghost or spirit in this jungle? It is prohibited and is a tribal belief for the Malaysian that one should pay their higher respect to the Divine creatures in the jungle when enter into their territories.

9. Don’t simply pluck or touch or bring home any marine fishes and corals when diving or snorkeling. Keep them for others.

10. Don’t smoke in some public places such as buses, taxis, lifts, cinemas, shopping malls, banks and air-conditioned restaurant.

Tun Mahathir Statement - Israel Must Be Stopped From Committing Further War Crimes

THE KUALA LUMPUR FOUNDATION TO CRIMINALISE

WAR

AND THE PERDANA GLOBAL PEACE ORGANISATION

AT ITS MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 2ND 2009


The barbaric and wanton massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza which started some days ago and is now still continuing is yet another example of the blatant war crimes committed by Zionist Israel since its establishment in 1948.

Supported and encouraged by the United States and Britain, Israel has ignored international condemnation and insists that she has the unfettered right to murder innocent men, women and children on account of some rocket attacks by Palestinians who were retaliating against the blockade of Gaza. The blockade over the last 9 months has brought starvation and untold suffering to the Palestinians. The heroic Palestinian people have every right to take action in self-defence to break this inhuman siege.

The United Nations has condemned this attempt to starve and deny the medical needs of the Palestinians in order to force them into submission, but as usual, Israel backed by the United States has ignored international opinion and international law.

The peace loving peoples of the world must not just sympathise with the Palestinians but must take concrete action to bring the war criminals to justice.

For various reasons Governments will not do anything to put a stop to Israeli intransigence. It remains for the people to take positive action individually or through their Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO).

We propose that the peoples of the world boycott Israeli products and stop all trade with Israel.

Secondly we call upon the international community to abandon the use of the US Dollar in international trade, and to stop buying United States' bonds. Such purchases have enabled the United States to grant substantial aid to Israel and to supply it with the weapons now being used against the people in Gaza and elsewhere. The concerned peace loving peoples of the world must not, even if it is in a small way, be the participants and financiers in the massacre of the Palestinians, the Iraqis and the Afghans.

Finally we call upon the United Nations General Assembly to condemn Israel the same way that the Security Council condemns Darfur, Rwanda and Burundi and to set up a Tribunal to try Israeli war criminals.

Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

Chairman
Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War and Perdana Global Peace Organisation

Source : www.chedet.cc

Great expectations in 2009

By M. VEERA PANDIYAN

Malaysians must expect and demand more changes for the better from those elected to serve them.

It may not promise to look anything like it, but here’s wishing all a Happy New Year. Despite the gloomy global economic scenario, there is much euphoria and hope that things will change for the better.

The past year, after all, showed that Malaysians can bring about change if they really want to, as seen by the altered political landscape.

But it has also proved that some things are almost impossible to change, at least in the near future.

Deep-rooted suspicions and visceral sentiments linked to race, religion and language continue to keep us further away from achieving real nationhood, no thanks to an endless barrage of drivel from the usual suspects playing to the gallery.

Realistically, what can we look forward to this year?

For a start, we should demand and expect more from those who are elected and are paid by us to run this country.

With Parliament having passed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Com­mission (MACC) Bill and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, no time should be lost in restoring confidence in the judiciary, the legal system, the police, the Anti-Cor­ruption Agency and other enforcement bodies.

Now that the net has been stretched and widened, make this the Year of the Big Fish.

Malaysians are tired of seeing only the ikan bilis (anchovies) brought out to dry.

They want the sharks, snappers, groupers and moray eels taxidermied and mounted on the walls in good measure for all to see.

People want the crooks to be punished, not the hypocrisy of more lip service. The MACC should lead the way towards transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

Isn’t it also about time that democracy is brought back to the grassroots? Taxation without representation in local government should end. So must the unfettered powers of “little Napoleons” who run many of these councils.

Selective persecution still persists, with small-time traders bearing the brunt of enforcement while a blind eye is turned to others who blatantly flout the law.

In several councils, including KL’s City Hall and MBPJ, enforcement is extra efficient when it comes to hawkers and coffee-shop operators, but the “close-one-eye” attitude is obvious in the case of illegal signs put up by loan sharks, quacks peddling aphrodisiacs and irresponsible real estate agents.

Who hasn’t seen these signs plastered on pillars of elevated highways and on street corners and nailed to trees: Ubat lelaki kuat (Strength medicine for men), Pinjaman: Kami boleh tolong orang yang kena blacklist (Loans: We can help even those who are blacklisted), Bank lelong (Bank auction)?

While on the subject of enforcement, the Road Transport Depart­ment’s latest focus on rear seat belts is a yet another one of its bizarre campaigns.

You can be fined for not wearing a safety belt if you are one of three (in a five-passenger vehicle) seated in the back of the car, but the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh passengers are exempted from the rule.

No too long ago, there was much hoo-ha over vehicles fitted with high-intensity Xenon headlights. Zilch came out of it.

A night drive on our roads and highways will show so many vehicles are now equipped with these blinding bluish lights, posing a danger to other motorists.

One could say the same for past campaigns against heavily tinted windscreens, fancy number plates and modified exhaust pipes.

But there are more serious threats that need to be tackled by the JPJ immediately – express buses (and, in some cases, trailers and trucks) speeding on the highways.

As someone who uses the Sungai Besi-Air Keroh stretch of the North-South expressway weekly, I can vouch that almost all express buses break the maximum 90kmh speed limit for commercial vehicles.

Many whiz past at up to 140kmph or tailgate menacingly behind cars in the fast and middle lanes.

There is always a predictable hue and cry each time a bus crash tragedy occurs, but the truth is nothing has been done to effectively prevent the next one from taking place.

Why can’t there be better monitoring of errant bus drivers, using unmarked vehicles on the highways, for instance?

As for Parliament, let’s hope to see less raffish behaviour among MPs in the Dewan Rakyat in 2009.

The august House should not be abused as a place to earn notoriety for racist rhetoric, sexist remarks and ribaldry.

- The Star

Chinatown in Terengganu

Chinatown is actually a row of prewar old building at Jalan Kg Cina, Kuala Terengganu. These buildings are believed to be the residence for the chinese from China mainland who arrived in Peninsular Malaysia in the 19th century. Most of the houses are 2 stories, with brick or concrete structure and wooden flooring in the second storey. Some still keep its wood carving on the windows and huge heavy wooden front door whereas some were turned into the renewed modern concrete building.

The colourful long roof has created a unique and beautiful photographing spot for photo taking especially in evening before the sun disappears from the sky.
These century old building are now sundry shops, local coffee shops, offices for several tour operators, batik and souvenir shops, restaurants etc. Recently there are people who buy over the house from the original owners and turn it a ‘swiftlet house’ for their bird nest business.

Two old Chinese temples, namely Ho Ann Kiong (1801) and Tien Hok Kong (1896) have been recognised by UNICEF as Heritage Attractions. The local believe that ‘Goddess’ of the temple has given them very accurate guidance and ‘protection’ during the hard time, therefore there is always worshipers redeem their vow to the God.

Bring back the real spirit of unity

We are fortunate that the country’s unity remains anchored to a bedrock of religious tolerance, mutual understanding and respect among the various races.

It has not been seriously threatened by ethnic and religious tensions created by provocations of irresponsible politicians or biased implementation of policies.

We may have succeeded in effectively managing racial rifts over the decades but there is a dire need for long-term solutions to ensure real harmony.

One obvious obstacle towards this is our ineptitude to hold frank and open dialogues over religious issues without getting all riled up.

As such, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s final mission as Prime Minister before leaving office – to ease racial and religious tensions – should indeed be lauded and supported.

It is never too late for political players and policy makers to realise that the future of Malay­sia hinges on its continued religious and inter-racial harmony.

As the PM said at the Chris­tian Federation of Malaysia’s Christ­mas open house on Thurs­day, our children must be raised without any sense of prejudice.

Differences in religion should not be a hindrance to developing and maintaining friendships.

The sad reality is that a large segment of Malaysians, especially among the young, can only mingle within the comfort of their own race groups. They do not show any interest in or concern for other communities.

It is obvious that inexpedient educational policies and failures in promoting multi-racial interactions have contributed to the regretful situation.

But the mess can still be untangled to free the original spirit of unity.

The country, after all, was born and nurtured on such a foundation.

We have proven in the past that the core values inherent in our faiths, cultures and customs are enough to unite us as Malay­sians.

The coming new year offers hope for renewed focus on unity based on respect for multi-ethnicity and religious tolerance.

Focus on the economy in 2009

2009 should be a year for Malaysians to put aside political trivialities and focus on economic issues.

The year will go down as a roller-coaster in history with extraordinary dramas that have altered the country’s political landscape.

It has left many of us in the media exhausted and dazed. With days before the year finally closes, it won’t be a surprise if there are more dramas waiting to unfold.

The year opened with the resignation of MCA senior politician Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek from all party posts for his involvement in the sex DVD scandal.

It was one of the biggest scandals to hit the country but it was more stunning when Dr Chua made a strong comeback as MCA deputy president after his political obituary was written.

It appears that the story hasn’t quite ended and political analysts peering into their crystal balls have not ruled out related political turbulence in 2009.

Ringing in changes

The year saw the election of a new MCA president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. History was also created when his predecessor Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting stepped down under a system which limits the tenure of a party chief.

Tee Keat, who is known for his outspokenness, is expected to bring dynamic changes to the party.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was another big newsmaker for 2008. He found himself embroiled in yet another sex controversy but got himself elected and returned to Parlia­ment in spite of it.

The comeback kid had led an opposition coalition in the March 8 general election, winning an impressive number of seats in Parlia­ment, with his Pakatan Rakyat capturing Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Kelantan.

For the first time in the country’s history, the Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. Even during the 1969 election, the results were not this bad for the ruling party.

This year’s general election witnessed the booting out of many big names, in some cases by mere unknowns from the Opposition.

The biggest victors were our democracy and electoral system. Despite questions raised by the Opposition against the Elections Com­mission, the results showed that any party can win an election and that outcomes can be accepted, no matter how painful.

Like it or not, Anwar is certainly a dominant force in Malaysian politics today. But his political fortune and future will be on the edge in 2009 when the trial for his alleged homo­sexual acts begins.

It will certainly be one of the most explosive court dramas. Malaysians will be looking out to see whether the prosecution can put up a stronger and tighter case against the opposition leader in Round Two of the battle. The stakes are high because it could mean Anwar going back to jail.

If the prosecution fails and he walks away, the political backlash would be disastrous for the Barisan.

Passing the baton

The 2008 political tsunami also signalled the premature exit of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In a case of hero to zero, he led the coalition to its worst results despite having won the biggest victory for the Barisan in 2004.

Pressure mounted within the ranks of Umno and 2009 will see the leadership baton passed on to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib is expected to take over the helm in April after Umno’s general assembly in March. The results of the party’s polls will also reflect Umno’s new leadership profile.

A new Cabinet line-up is also expected when Najib becomes the Prime Minister. Eyebrows won’t be raised if certain personalities make way for new appointees.

But it waits to be seen whether he will cut down the size of the administration as it would not be easy.

Battling crisis

The main story for 2009 will be the impact of the global financial crisis on Malaysians. No other issues, however much they grab the headlines, deserve more attention.

Malaysians are already feeling the effects of the shocking oil price hikes and the subprime mortgage fallouts that led to the financial crisis in 2008, The impact will certainly be felt much harder in 2009.

Jobs will be cut along with retrenchment of workers in the electronic sector. Many employers are also expected to give only mini­mal increments or none at all, as they brace for the tough year ahead.

But taking strong decisions to cut wastage will help keep companies intact and save jobs during hard times.

As we celebrate the year end, let’s reflect and review its lessons. If 2008 was a nerve-wracking year, 2009 looks like a year for which we need plenty of prayers.

It should be a year for Malaysians to put aside political trivialities and focus on economic issues.

More than ever before, political stability is of paramount importance to the survival of Malaysia.

With the elections of the major parties set to be concluded by the first quarter of 2009, let’s hope that we can finally see the end of communal heroes who are only good at playing to the gallery.

It’s time that political leaders focus on what matters most – enabling ordinary Malaysians to put food on the table for their families.