Black And 52nd National Day

I just knew that there is a campaign to wear black on the 52nd National day today, only in the evening. That also after reading Screenshots and routed to this news. Proud Malaysians who love this country are voicing the displeasure by wearing black as a sign to leaders (first) that enough is enough.

Will black be another banned colour besides green / white and light blue? Colour too has been a victim of short sighted politics.

Its hilarious...the first department to fail in its KPI is.......

Malaysian Insider run a poll "So now we have a new minister in charge of KPI's..... Do you think Idris Jala will be able to make a change? Three options were given and I answered. The result of the survey as on 31 August is as below.

50.2% responded that its hilarious....the first department to fail in its KPI is the department in charge of it.

So, its very difficult to convince Malaysians to change damage done for the last 52 years.

Are we going to have two ministers just to look into KPIs? Does Koh Tsu Khoon fail in his duty and another businessman has to be roped in to save the sinking ship? What a waste of the rakyats money to pay for another minister.

Read also Another Brick in the wall's posting HERE.

The Decapitated Cow Head

The picture below accompanied an article in Harakahdaily about a demonstration in front of the Selangor Chief Minister's office.

What is the purpose of the demonstration? What does the head of the cow with fresh blood and decapitated from the body symbolise? One of the reason for the May 1969 tragedy is the DAP carries a broom symbolising of sweeping the Malays. Is it legal because it is done by UNMO?

Pakatan Rakyat deemed it as a new effort from UMNO exrtemist to topple the Selangor government, legally chosen by the people of Selangor. It is strange that the police did not take any action. Oh.....I forgot. Its 1Malaysia.

If the police were to take the wait and see attitude, it will be too late if racial struggle takes place. The ripples can be seen now.

Please, not another May 13.

Just Fun- The Amazing Mind

Some of you might have seen or receive this in your email. I am sharing it because of this sentence.

ONLY FORWARD IF YOU CAN READ THIS!!!

Give it a try. I am nor forwarding this using my email but through this blog because I can reach more readers. Just see how amazing God created the human mind.

I CAN READ IT! CAN YOU


fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too.
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.




ONLY FORWARD IF YOU CAN READ THIS!!!

Public Enemy?

I never blog about movies before but tonite while blog hopping I saw this movie poster and decided to write something about it. I am not a movie fan nor I am a graphic designer. Wonder what I am going to blog about?

The placing of the tittle Public Enemies catch my eyes (and my dirty mind?) That this is really an enemy to innocent victims if that 'thing' belongs to a maniac. You see what I mean?

You Are Not Patriotic, So Am I: Because U Do Not Fly The JG

Yes!!, you are NOT patriotic because you do not fly the Jalur Gemilang. That is the benchmark to gauge one's patriotism to the country. What a bullshit accusation. Read HERE.

I never fly the JG since 1998. So it means I am not patriotic. Huh.......

I was taught how to respect flags when I was in the cub and then scout movement. And that education still persist in my heart and I still do respect flags as my cubmaster and scoutmaster taught me. However I do not fly the JG on my car come every August because of my respect to Jalur Gemilang. So if I do not fly Jalur Gemilang, it does not mean I am not patriotic. There are thousands of way to be patriotic and not by flying Jalur Gemilang only.

PAS Won Permatang Pasir Again

At the time I write this post the result of Permatang Pasir by election show that PAS won the seat again with a smaller majority compared to 8th March 2008.

Live coverage from bloggers on the ground using coveritlive and Pakatan Bloggers in Permatang Pasir reported that the unofficial result is known. As at 7.30 report, PAS candidate Hj Salleh Man garnered 9618 votes while Rohaizat Man 5067 with 83 spoilt votes. This means PAS won with a majority of 4551 votes. During the last election 11,004 voters voted for PAS Mohammad Hamdan Abdul Rahman while another 5571 voted for Ahmad Sahar Shuib from UMNO. Majority was 5433 votes. Pas Mohammad Hamdan also won the 2004 election with 8,057 votes compared to BN's 7378. Majority was 679.

This result brings the margin 7-1 for Pakatan Rakyat. This is also a scene never seen before in during by election when opposition can't win due to BN using all government machinery. Dawn of New Malaysia is on the way.

UPDATE

Official PAS won the seat

As usual Buletin Utama portrays Pakatan Rakyat as being at fault on all untoward incidents during the by election. To then BN and their supporters are angels who abide by all rules and law. In the morning I was following the coveritlive sessions from a blogger on the ground and he reported about the incident whereny "mat rempits" from Kepala UMNO met with a minor accident and one reader responded that the incident will be manipulated by the media. He was right as what was aired over Buletin Utama.

SPR chairman was interviewed and one point he made was trying to implement the NO CAMPAIGN on polling day. Of course Pakatan Rakyat will have to obey but what about BN. They still have the electronic media to do so. Will it be fair?

Picture credit: Berita Harian Online.

Permatang Pasir 25 August 2009

Today is polling day for the Permatang Pasir by election. Two candidate will be vying for the N11 state seat which was previously held by PAS. Today's poll is between PAS Hj. Salleh Man and opposition BN Rohaizat Osman.

This blog will be trying to be online and updated throughout the day based on reports and information I receive online from other bloggers or sources on site. I am now keeping track on two coveritlive sessions. At the moment I am following two live coverage from the constituency through coveritlive. One from NST and another from an unknown blogger covering from Summit Hotel in Seberang Perai.

Below will be copy and paste informations from the coveritlive at Permatang Pasir. Looi Sui-Chern and Badrolhisham Bidin are from NST.

2009/08/25

As of 11am, 7894 voters or 38.91% have turned up to cast their vote.

More hourly updates will be brought to you straight from Permatang Pasir, Pulau Pinang. Keep updated with updates at www.nst.com.my

10:56

adie: pakatan crowd is bigger but can not describe the ratio now since BN crowd has been asked to leave from this site.

11:00

[Comment From KFTANG] How big is the crowd? Say, Pakatan 5,000 and BN 2,000.

11:00

[Comment From VJ China] 26 August 2008 - 1 year Anniversary of DSAI won the By Election at Permatang Pauh.

11:03

Looi Sue-Chern: Dap leaders Ronnie Liu and Chow Kon Yeow are also at Lay Keow.

11:07

Looi Sue-Chern: the crowd of BN and Pas supporters are getting a little rowdy at Lay Keow. Nothing untoward has happened as the police are keeping the situation under control.

Pic from NST CIL

Photo downloaded from NST coveritlife.

Looi Sue-Chern: it rained a little while ago but the sky looks quite clear for now. Voters should take advantage of the clear weather now in case the dark clouds return

Badrolhisham Bidin:

Good morning everyone. Just passed Sama Gagah and at 7.50am, there were about 20 eager voters waiting outside the polling centre.

Comment From KFTANG]
It has been reported that PKR supremo, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR president, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, will cast their votes at SK Seri Penanti at 8.00am. Have they been spotted so far?

9:18

Rain is spoiling the fun. From ground, voter turnout will be slow and we expect the action will start when the sky clear up probably around noon FROM NST Coveritlife 10:15 adie: things are under control here at SK Sri Penanti in Kubang Semang with the presence of FRU. 10:18 adie: the traffic flow which reduced to a standstill for about 20 minute has resumed. Most of roads leading to polling centres are slow moving. 10:18 adie: the traffic flow which reduced to a standstill for about 20 minute has resumed. Most of roads leading to polling centres are slow moving.

Nuffnang and Asia-Pacific Blog Awards

Nuggnang a local blog advertising generator will be hosting the the first regional blog awards viz Asia-Pacific Blog Arawds in conjunction to their second anniversary. The award will be partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board and Pringles.

This award ceremony will also give the opportunity for 400 bloggers and guest to walk the red carpet and entertained by celebrity hostand top local and regional acts.

The Gala Night will be held at

Pan Pacific Singapore,

23rd October 2009

5.30 p.m.

To honour the best blogs in the blogosphere within Asia and The Pacifics, Nuffnang will be running a two month nomination and campaigning which will lead to a Grand blogger affair in Singapore. Read MORE.....For enquiries or details about the Awards, contact at awards@nuffnang.com

Whats in store for bloggers?

Bloggers can start nominating their favourite bloggers within the Asia-Pacific region in 12 categories;

Blogs of subject interest:

1. Best Blog Shop
2. Best Food Blog
3. Best Fashion Blog
4. Best Parenting Blog
5. Best Travel Blog
6. Best Geek Blog
7. Best Celebrity Blog
8. Best Entertainment Blog

Overall blog Categories:

1. Best Original Blog Design
2. Most Influential Blog
3. Best Hidden Blog
4. Region's Best Blog

Go HERE to nominate

Nuffnang is also giving out inclusive invites but to date details have not been released yet.

Face Mask : To Wear Or Not To Wear

Ever since the outbreak of Infurenza A (H1N1) people using face mask has been a normal practice. However there are still majority of them who are not wearing them despite the number of death in Malaysia escalated . Berita Minggu today frontpaged picture of Tun Dr Mahathir wearing the face mask while shopping for 'buka puasa' cuisine at Kampung Baru Bazar Ramadhan. Following the picture Tun advises "Pakai topeng mulut dan tutup hidung". So this means and advice to the public. Why there still many people who do not wear the face mask? Are they not afraid of being infected and not scared at all with the spread of the virus?

My view is that whether wearing the face mask or not will not stop the spread of the virus. It is awareness that must be put into place. The public need to know very well the characteristics of the virus. The how and why it can spread. Campaigning to wear face mask will just increase sales of mask and profit certain quaters. That lead to the government setting the ceiling price of face mask. This leads to home made face mask being worn.

I think the Health Ministry must carry out more than just wearing mask and washing hands campaign (leading to increase sales of hand sanitizers) but also to educate the public about the virus Influenza A (H1N1). The more the public understand about the virus, the more safety precaution they can take. I once read that the virus is not airborne and if it is not airborne, then wearing the wearing the mask alone is not a successful preventive measure. Read also Advice onuse of mask in the community setting in Influenza A (H1N1) outbreaks

I read the FAQ at WHO website the answer to this question:

" How do people become infected with the virus?"

The answer is:

The virus is spread from person-to-person. It is transmitted as easily as the normal seasonal flu and can be passed to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.

To prevent spread, people who are ill should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, stay home when they are unwell, clean their hands regularly, and keep some distance from healthy people, as much as possible.

If one wears a mask but never take precaution with what they touched and immediately put thei hands on their face, still the virus can spread.

I copied this from the WHO website:

What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?

If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.

If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.

So do you still need to wear the face mask?

How To Protect Yourself?

WHO advises this,

What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?

The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

• avoid touching your mouth and nose;
• clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
• avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
• reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
• practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

Ramadhan 1430 Hijrah Begins

Today the dirst day of Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان‎) begins. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Muslim Calendar. During Ramadhan, Muslims all over the world starts fasting from dawn till sunset. By fasting one has to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and undulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured. The purpose of fasting is to teach patience, modesty and spirituality.

During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims asks for forgiveness from sins done in the past and purifying the inner self. After fasting during the day, Muslims will congregate to mosques and surau to perform the daily prayers (Isya') and the Tarawih, the only prayer done during the month of Ramadhan. Recital of the Quran or Tadarus in groups also being done.

Ramadhan is actually the month whereby Muslims do extra religuous rites because this is the month where Allah will convey rewards (pahala) in multiples compared to normal months.

Firman Allah S.W.T...

"Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, telah diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana telah diwajibkan ke atas umat-umat sebelum kamu, semoga kamu menjadi orang yang bertaqwa. "

Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 183.

Fasting is wajib (compulsory) for every Muslims who fulfilled the requirements to fast. It is one of the pillar of Islam.

This evening I went out kuih shopping to the usual location since a dew years back that it at Seri Petaling. It is at Jalan Radin in front of SRK Seri Petaling on one side a Seri Petaling Mosque on the other side. Sometimes I use to go to Sungai Besi where there are more stalls and of course more choice of dishes.

Seems that the price on some items had increase but consumers have no choice. Bought Roti John as my son ordered for it. A large size filled with chicken costs RM 3.50 while a small one RM 1.80. Bought one large Roti John. Then I decided to walk to the stalls across the road. Its a new addition this year. Saw one stall selling Roti John too and the price is just RM 2.50 for chicken with black pepper sauce. On the first day of Ramadhan I was shortchanged for one ringgit already. Also saw a juga of sugar cane juice also increased from RM 2.50 to RM 3.00 this year. However the price of Murtabak Chicken or Beef at the stalls I use to buy still remains RM 2.00 a piece.

Among the popular stall at Seri Petaling is the popia either wet or fried and being sold for 5 at RM 3.00. However I was shortchanged last year for buying there. TodayI bought three for RM 1.00 at another stall. So if I buy RM3.00, I would have got 9 popiahs comparedof only 5 at the particular stall. The morale is, don't make a hasty decision before doing some calculation. Today's businessmen are clever in hoodwinking customers.

Golden Child

A very simple poster but yet making a fool of the Permatang Pasir voters. All facilities listed are responsibilities of the government not the ADUN. This poster shows a desperate attempt by UNMO and telling the people of Permatang Pasir they are blind and stupid to vote PAS into office. Read HERE where I downloaded the picture of the poster.

If the people of Permatang Pasir vote the BN candidate into office, also what can he do because he is the opposition?

Manek Urai had already been an adopted child for the Federal Government and now Permatang Pasir will be their Golden Child. What child will other polling district be if there's more by election? So it means that other constuencies in the country are mere step sons. Now the concept of 1 Malaysia (I don't subscribe to it) is getting clearer.

The Opposition In Permatang Pasir

For so many years during elections and by elections, the element of phantom voters crops out and its the opposition were the ones accusing of it. In Permatang Pasir too, issue of phantom voters has cropped and this time too by the opposition. Its UMNO now pointing out about the presence of phantom voters. So now UMNO had learnt a lesson about phantom voters. They always broadcast to the world that phantom voters were brought out by the opposition as an excuse if they loose in the election. So now, as the opposition BN and UMNO feels what PAS, DAP and PKR felt all this while. Therefore, phantom voters is a reality in Malaysian elections.

TPM who has adviced voters in Permatang Pasir not to listen to oppositions false accusations and propagandas. It good for him to remind that to the people because he meant do not listen to BN and UMNO's. In Penang BN is not the government but an opposition. Therefore his advice is timely. So for Permatang Pasir's voter it will be best to choose a candidate that can represent the government of the day and not someone who will sit in the opposition's corner.

P1 Still Sucks In Bukit Jalil

When I came back from Kuching on the evening of 19August, I saw the P1 Wimax light is blinking red. So that means that I can't log on to the internet. Everytime before due date P1 will send me a reminder email about my due date. They are so quick when it comes to collecting money from customers but customer service is going down the drain. Now until April 2011, I'll be paying P1 without getting the services form them.

When I started to face the signal problem with P1 , I sent am email to careline on 3rd of July after they sent me a reminder about my bill due date. Untill today there is NO RESPONSE from careline.

Their billboard is boasting of there is no jam on the broadband highway but here I am experiencing a tortoise pace using P1 Wimax. And at times can't even get the connection at all. It has been more than one month since I am experiencing this tortoise speed with P1 Wimax and now can't even get a signal at all from their base station even though my area, as was explained during the promotion at April's 09 PC Fair, has an overlapping coverage from two base station. What more my house just sits next to the Technology Park Fence where I can see the Jaring building and their two antaneas clearly.

So beginning from today I put up a banner on my blog to let Green Packet know that their P1 Wimax service is in deep shit. The banner will be there until I get back the speed during the first month I subscribe and before I pay my first bill. You Tube will be my benchmark since the promoters claimed such. NO BUFFERING WHEN WATCHING U TUBE. I am aq consumer and I have the right to vioce out my dissatisfaction for services NOT UP TO THE MARK.

I hope someone from Green Packet read my blog.

PKFZ sizzling

Datuk Tiong King Sing, the CEO of the main developer of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issued a statement that Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had received a RM 10 million donation from him which the latter denied. This led the latter lodged a police report for alleged criminal defamation.

The former said he stand by his remarks and will not retract what he said to the media. Things will get sizzling now.

"I donated the money to the party to unite their members and serve the people well. I offered a cheque but Ong asked for cash because it was faster. I am very sincere in my intentions," said Tiong. Read MORE.......

The question is whats the intention of the donation and why of all its MCA? PKFZ involves MCA big guns.

Malaysians are going to see how fast MACC will open up the files. Will it be as fast if not better than if it involves opposition figures? 1Malaysia.........

Al Fatihah To Dharmala NS

Pak Dharma (Dharmala NS) passed away at Selayang Hospital on 12th August 2009. Another blogger, laurette and cultural activist lost.

Al Fatihah to late Pak Dharma.

This Is OK? Not Haram?

Hope UMNO Youth protest to this as they protestedwhen PKR put up the same thing of Datuk Seri Anwar.

Some story HERE.

Telekom, Is This True?

Received through my email

Urgent Message from TELEKOM

To those who have a telekom home phone, please read. Here is the original text received from Telekom:

If you get a call from someone identifying himself as a phone technician performing a test, and this person asks you to touch nine( 9 ), zero( 0 ),hash sign ( # ) and then hang up... PleaseREFUSE TO DO SO! By pushing 90#, you are giving the individual, who called you, access to your telephone line and allowing them to place a long distance call with the charges appearing on your telephone bill.

We were further informed that line scam has been originating from many of the local jails/prisons.

Please pass the word around.

H1N1, No Masturbation No Homosexual Activities, Pleasee.

This is BERNAMA report

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

H1N1: Its 18 Already

Seems the statistics is rising. The Star today report the figure has gone to 18 with three new victims. This can be alarming.

How serious are we taking precautions?

I flew into Miri last month and in flight all passengers were given health declaration form for H1N1 to be filled. I believe all passengers filled their form. At Miri airport nobody was there to collect the forms. No health department staffs. All passengers walk through with the health declaration form with them. So it means the situation is NOT serious.

A few days later news reported that there are H1N1 cases in Miri and a school closed for quarantine purpose.

Flew back to KL through LCCT. No health declaration forms were given on board to be filled despite passengers flying in from Miri that has positive cases of H1N1. Passengers walk through without any health screening. Is there actually any screening done at entry points? My experience tells me that there in none (at LCCT) because I don't see any health personnel around.

WHO ARE IN HIGH RISK GROUPS?

Those in the high-risk group with symptoms of the Influenza-like illness (IU) should get assess ed immediately (preferably within two days of onset of the IU) by ANY doctor either in a government or private hospital/clinic. The ILI is defined as a sudden onset of fever with temperature >38 degree Celsius, cough and sore throat, in the absence of other diagnosis.

Those considered to be high-risk group category include:

• Children younger than five years old
• Persons aged 65 years and older
• Children and adolescents ( <18>
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, organ failure, obesity, cardiovascular disease and hepatic, heamatological, neurologic, neuromuscular or metabolic disorders such as Diabetes Mellitus
• Adults and children who suffer from Immuno deficiency disorders
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
  

A reader wrote in a local paper recently that H1N1 virus is not airborne. The virus remain in the air for a short while only and will deposit itself on objects nearby. So if it is not airborne then will wearing the mask is the best protection. We always hear advice to wash our hands especially after leaving the loo and before eating but since the spread of H1N1, we are also advice to do so after shaking hands with someone. I think this advice has something to do with the H1N1 virus that is not an airborne virus. (NB: this my perception) So now the best thing to do is after being in contact with anything suspicious, is not to rub the hands on the eyes, nose and mouth. Within a short distance, the virus (if present) will be easily infecting the the vulnerable organs (remember flu, cough and sore throat). Read also HERE.

Bloggin From Sports Industry Convention 2009

I am now at Starbucks Berjaya Times Square taking a lunch break from the Sports Industry Convention 2009, KISMAS 09.

I was trying to live blog from the hall but my Maxis Broadband let me down. I was unable to run my coveritlive panel. This is my first experience to cover an event live. Quite difficult because of internet connection and there's no power outlet around. So have to come down to Starbucks and blog while charging the battery at the same time.

This blogging and charging my netbook battery costs me RM 12.10 which also come with a small glass of blended blackberry juice.

To read what the PM said in his opening speech go HERE.

My Value

Is this my value? If I can sell than can buy full set paintball equipment and the high end marker.

One Malaysia; People First

People first? Read HERE. One reason why I don't subscribe to 1 Malaysia which is just a slogan.

P1 Really Changed My Surfing Experience

Yes it changed from bad to worse. Even dial up is faster then Wimax. Thanks to P1. See after 1 hr 37 minutes how much packets did I get?

Now compare with this 45 minutes of connection on Maxis

This post is uploaded using Maxis Broadband and I am wasting RM 99 a month to Green Packet.

I am one unsatisfied subscriber of P1 wimax.

Attending Sports Hydration and Nutrition Seminar

I will be attending a Sports Hydration and Nutrition Seminar at Sime Darby Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 4th July 2009. This will be a first official seminar on sports science for me this year.

All these years, I have been organising sports science courses for coaches and sports people but myself had not attended any such related courses. This seminar will be a good opportunity for me to increase my knowledge in hydration since I get involved in extreme sports and the duration of games played during tournaments sometimes takes the whole day and rehydration is important for players. I hope I can gather as much knowledge about sports hydration as possible and can share with other paintball players besides sports coaches that I get in touch inthe course of my work.

The program will be asfollow:

and the highlight of the program is at 1.00p.m. LOL

Abstracts

1. The importance of Hydration for Optimal Performance: When, What and How
2. The Efficacy of Commercially available sportsdrinks i improving endurance performance in a warm and humid environment.
3. Hydration Management for Individual and Team Sports
4. Ergonomic Aids in Sports Performance: Effectiveness, Legalitite and Enhancement.

1st August - Why They March?

As usual TV3 Buletin Utama wasted about 20 minutes of airtime last night trying to explain the effects of Anti ISA demonstration that turned rowdy. I am confident those explaination goes through the right ear and flow out the left ear. Me included.

Nobody like the peace to be disturbed, me inclusive. What was supposed to be a peaceful march to Istana Negara to hand a memorandum will not turn up havoc if the police force did their duty to see that the march was peaceful. If not for the provocation as will usually be the tactic to smear a bad image on the protestors, everything will be peaceful. Information about the march to those who are going to attend were advised on the ethics as not to create any mess. These people come with peace in their mind the provocation changed it.

What is the security personnel control the crowd wisely. Let them march in an orderly manner. I am sure everything will be normal except for a big crowd.

BTW, I was not in Klang Valley during the march but busy shooting my opponents in a paintball tournament.

Found this article in The Sun and share it here because not many will read the "Free" paper.

Why do Malaysians march?

By: Yeo Yang Poh (Sun, 02 Aug 2009)

On the move ... a section of anti-ISA protesters near the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?

One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?

Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them.

Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won’t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.

Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful.

Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears.

Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented. Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people’s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse.

The proponents in “Su Qiu” (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than “su qiu”, because the term means “present and request” or “inform and request”. In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness. Yet they were labelled “extremists” – they who did not march.

And now you ask, why march?

Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the “silent majority”, who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections. You claimed to be protecting the interest of the “silent majority”. Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why?

Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.

Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly “for their benefit”.

Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is – a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.

Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere.

Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.

Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched.

Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.

Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs.

Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.

And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household.

They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained.

And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall

obviously not.

I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:

“It isn’t nice to block the doorway

It isn’t nice to go to jail

There are nicer ways to do it

But the nice ways have all failed

It isn’t nice; it isn’t nice

You’ve told us once, you’ve told us twice

But if that’s freedom’s price

We don’t mind ...”

Yeo Yang Poh is a former Bar Council president. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com.

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