Bee Stung Lips

A few months ago the price of petrol and diesel were raised drastically from RM 1.92/L and RM 1.50/L to RM 2.78/L and RM 2.50/L, respectively. These overnight price increases created a chain reaction which led to price increases of everything including basic goods and essential items. Ordinary folks suffered the most while trying to cope with earning an honest income and surviving on the ever-shrinking purchasing power of our ringgit.

Our caring government then came up with mechanism to help us ordinary folks by giving rebates when we renew our road tax. Car owners of 2000 cc capacity and below are entitled to collect RM 625 each whereas motorcycles owners are entitled to RM 150 each.

Some might have wondered why those in power didn’t consider floating the price of petrol and diesel like our immediate neighbour down south – open up the market and let demand/supply dictate the actual price consumers are willing to pay. It makes little sense to revise petrol and diesel prices once every month, once every 3 weeks, once every 2 weeks or even once a week.

And there’s the fiasco where consumers faced short or even no supply at petrol stations in certain states. Reasons given include (1) most tanker drivers were on Deepavali holiday, (2) petrol station operators did not submit their orders earlier for payment clearance, (3) petrol station operators bought less amounts than usual to avoid losses when prices drop. The Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Minister reminded the operators it’s just part and parcel of running a business when they face losses. Heck, who in their right mind would do business knowing that each time the authorities control/drop the price of the goods they’re selling, they face (big) losses?

While the petrol station operators continue to lose money, who gains? It’s like a zero sum game. The authorities repeatedly assures the public that we’re still getting a 30-sen/L subsidy for our petrol. But with each delay in price adjustments when global oil price drops, who pockets the extras? Are we getting more rebates soon? Will petrol pump prices drop below RM 1.92/L if the global oil price drop further?

Image taken from here.

A couple of months ago a newspaper reporter was detained under the draconian ISA for reporting actual events that happened during a local by-election campaign. Her detention was for her best interest and safety, explained the Home Minister, as there were threats to take her life. This reporter was later released.

Almost at the same time, a hugely popular opposition MP was also taken into custody via ISA for her alleged attempts to get local mosques to tone down their loud speaker during prayers. We later learned there was no substance in the allegation and this MP walked free after spending 1 week in Kamunting.

Today, the infamous blogger RPK walks free from Kamunting after a high court judge ruled that the grounds for the detention order by the Home Minister did not fall under the scope of Section 8(1) of the ISA.

Justice & common sense vs ISA:   3-0

Barack Hussein Obama II has made history after the people of United States of America voted him as their 1st black President. Indeed the Americans have voiced their desire for change after living the past 8 years under W’s disastrous governance. And I think the Americans didn’t want Sarah Palin assume presidency if John McCain should one day drop dead while in office. We might see a female version of W running the country and global issues with unsound ideas.

Closer home, we’ll definitely have a new Prime Minister in a few months’ time. Even before he assumes office, we’re already reading news of ”questionable” financial dealings: billion-dollar purchase of helicopters without test drives, billion-dollar injections into a fund most people have not heard of using rakyat’s retirement monies, a U-turn of previous statement saying our country won’t be hit by the current financial crisis due to our strong fundamentals… what’s next?

How will change affect us in 2009? 

I’m proud to say I exercised my right to vote last March 8, 2008. This was my third time voting in the constituency where a famous opposition leader’s daughter was contesting for the first time ever.

Not only did my family vote for a change, the entire nation basically did the same. The rakyat’s choice was formidable enough to unlock the iron-clad grip the ruling party had on the country.

Waiting for the general elections results was as exciting as watching Arsenal defeat AC Milan during the recent Champions League match. We had our first taste of the change in directions when we heard big names tumbling down one by one. Before we know it, the ruling party lost state after state. If not for Sabah and Sarawak, the ruling party would be the opposition today.

So now it’s time for the newly elected (opposition) leaders to prove their worth. All these years they have asked for a chance to serve us better… they’ve gotten their wish this time. Don’t fail us, or it’s bye bye in 5 years’ time.

Here are my top ten wishlist for the new leaders:

1. Lower income tax for individuals without business income

2. All deserving students should receive full scholarships to local institutions of higher learning. Only exceptionally bright & well-deserving students should receive full scholarships to foreign institutions of higher learning

3. Lower price of petrol, lower toll rates across all major highways, lower electricity rates

4. Build more child-care centres for working patients (model after Singapore’s community child-care centres)

5. Enforce the criminal law – more police officers to nab hardcore criminals rather than traffic offenders (Sharlinie is still missing!)

6. Freedom of speech in all media

7. Complete all public projects – I hope the half-built flyover near my place will not remain as it is until the next elections

8. Transparency in everything – abolishing Official Secrets Act?

9. Un-peg the ringgit… we can survive the global market

10. Replace underperforming national athletes – Olympics 2008 is just around the corner

I must be the Nth person to blog about this scandal… a prominent senior VIP - well-respected, capable & no-nonsense - brought down from his hot seat all because he was weak for the fairer sex.

He is not the first and definitely won’t be the last VIP in the country to get caught red-handed. But he is definitely the first to stand up and admit his involvement with a ‘personal friend’. This is new! How many others have the guts to do what this guy did?

The man who built an illegal mansion in his kampung gave excuses on why he built it. And that buidling is still standing today. I pity the poor squatters whose homes were demolished without second thoughts.

The high-profile case of a Mongolian woman who was blown to pieces is still unresolved. Who’s the real culprit?

And then there’re the gaffers who utter brainless, insensitive statements to the press, only to deny or claim being misquoted later when faced with public outcry. Such cowards!

One thing’s for sure, not many grandfathers in their late 50s & early 60s are capable of  vigorous physical activities like the man in the DVDs. Kudos to healthy eating & living!

She stood up for the weak & hungry.

She was the voice for those who could not speak up.

She was the enbodiment of girl power in a country rife with female oppression. 

She returned home after years of self-imposed exile in hopes of straightening out her country’s political system.

Benazir Bhutto’s house is surrounded by police and military personnel (File photo). (Reuters)

And like all (tragic) historical drama, legendary Pakistani figurehead Benazir Bhutto was assasinated after attending a pro-democracy rally in Rawalpindi.

Is it the end of the world? Don’t forget… Pakistan has nuclear arms.

I remember as it happened 6 years ago, my aunt shouting away “America under attack! America under attack!” and I thought she was too engrossed with the tv show.

It took a while for the enormity of the event to sink in. How was it possible that no one stopped the hijacked planes from smashing into the Twin Towers?

Now, 6 years on, the war on terror is nowhere near its end. In fact, more lives than that lost at Ground Zero have been taken when America sought to punish those she thought were responsible for this crime.

How will the saga end? George W Bush is leaving office soon. Tony Blair has stepped down. Allies who volunteered troops to aid America are pulling out one by one. Only time will tell…

My dream of watching Pavarotti perform live will never come true. The greatest tenor of our time has passed away, aged 71 years.

Tenor Luciano Pavarotti sings during a concert marking the 40th anniversary of his debut, in his native town of Modena, central Italy, in this April 29, 2001 file photo. [AP]

Transformers: The Movie revolved around good battling evil for the Allspark, which brings life to anything mechanical.

But this post isn’t about Allspark. It’s about sparks that fly when two people meet, fall in love & decide to spend the rest of their lives together (forever). What is it about these “sparks” that fire up the emotions within?

Personally I’ve experienced two types of “sparks” – one that combusts really quickly & cooled even quicker, and the other that burns slowly and leaves a lingering amber.

In case you’re wondering, this post is inspired by two separate phone calls I received yesterday. Both were unrelated to each other, and yet both were about “sparks”.

Case Study #1

Friend A called & invited me to her wedding, which is taking place sometime soon. I jokingly asked “what’s the hurry? are you pregnant?” and she said “yes” but that’s not the reason why they’re getting hitched.

Apparently Friend A met her husband-to-be earlier this year. After meeting up a few times, they decided to go steady & have a baby together out of wedlock. Only after a recent visit to the temple they decided to get married upon the advise of the temple (this year is better than next year).

When I probed her further, what was it that made her decide this guy is the one? How does she know he is reliable & responsible? We’ve seen/read/heard of so many stories where gullible females fall prey to smooth-talking casanovas. Friend A then told me about how she felt “sparks” fly between them, and how her gut feeling was so strong this time that she’s finally found The One.

Case Study #2

Friend B called and told me her wedding’s off. This is the second time she’s called off her own wedding, to two different suitors. I won’t talk about the first time, but this time round her ex-husband-to-be seems perfect: loving, responsible, dependable, just the type of guy you’d build a life & family with.

This guy was there for her when she nursed a broken heart. Perhaps they got together when she was on the rebound, a rebound that lasted so long.

She said she knows he loves her more than she loves him, but she’s also not feeling the “sparks” when she’s with him. Although “sparks” are not a prerequisite for long-lasting relationships, it is something for a good start, she said. And so, with this gnawing her gut feeling, they talked this through & decided not to tie the knot. 

Conclusion

So are “sparks” really necessary? It can be so exciting when everything’s new & thrilling. It can also cause much heartache when they fizzle out.

What are your stand(s)? Tell me, I’m curious.

Today my country celebrates her 50th Independence Day, a key milestone for a relatively young country who has progressed so much in a relatively short time.

Here are some tips to make our country a better place for us all, it will make a difference…

12 Simple Things You Can Do For Malaysia:

1. Ikutlah undang-undang jalan raya

2. Belilah barang buatan Malaysia dan bukan cetak rompak

3. Jagalah kebersihan tandas awam

4. Semasa berbual dengan orang asing (terutamanya pelawat asing) beritahulah mereka tentang kebaikan negara tercinta

5. Hormatilah orang tua-tua, guru, polis, tentera & semua kakitangan kerajaan yang lain

6. Buang sampah dalam tong sampah/tempat yang disediakan

7. Jelaskan semua cukai

8. Utamakan keluarga anda

9. Hulurkan derma kepada orang yang memerlukan pertolongan

10. Penuhilah tanggungjawab semasa mengundi

11. Jagalah kebajikan pekerja-pekerja

12. Senyum kepada semua