My Daily Nuggets: October 2005

A citizens' victory ... (3)

Be inspired by the residents of Taman Desaria in Petaling Jaya, the Malaysian heroes for standing up for their rights. They are ordinary people who lead ordinary lives and if they can do it, why not the others? Why not us?

Related stories, also from TheSun:

Everything

Everything helps, everything hurts, everything counts!

Happy DeepaRaya

The balik kampung rush is about to begin. Those of you who will be leaving your homes empty during the festive holidays are encouraged to register your absence with the police so that they can help keep an eye for you. Residents of USJ can do so at the USJ 8 balai polis.

Happy DeepaRaya to all friends and neighbours.

FREE AdvantEdge

For those who are interested, the AdvantEdge magazine is offering a FREE TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION of 6 backdated issues. I have been a happy online subscriber since its Premier issue in January 2004. This magazine prides itself as a lighthouse of proven business development and self-improvement strategies and information, whereby the most successful business development experts and teachers will be as close as your coffee table.

A full subscription is at US$13.95 per annum with unlimited access and downloadables in pdf formats. Try it, I say.

Broken heart

I learned tonight that imposing my standards or expectations too high on others bring only heart breaking results. Sheesh ... have to take life a little easy from now on.

Make time for the family

Imagine a man at his death bed. What do you think would be his consuming thought?

I wish I had spent more time in the office.
I wish I had spent more time finishing off the fund-raising project.
I wish I had spent more time with my friends.
I wish I had spent more time with my family.

Focus on the Family will be organising a seminar, entitled “The Heart of Success: Loving Work and Living Life,” at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort on Nov 10 from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

The seminar, which will be discussing topics like practical tips to build up family relationships and key factors to outstanding performance, will help participants to make a difference at work and at home in order to live life to the fullest.

Registration fee is RM35 per person. Closing date for registration is next Friday. Those who are interested can call 03-5882 3343. Details here.

Season of crime

Festive and holiday seasons are also seasons to be wary of burglars, thieves, pickpockets, and other holiday grinches.

While you prepare for your balik kampung holidays, be mindful that nothing can ruin the spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime. Do visit the Neighbourhood Watch for some crime prevention tips before you leave.

BANG and snatch

A new form of distraction crime appears to have reared an ugly head whereby the victim's attention is diverted by setting off a fire cracker. In a recent case on Monday, two snatch thieves used this method on a woman in Putra Heights before escaping with her handbag containing RM9,000 (she had just withdrawn from a bank) and valuables.

You better be suspicious that the next bang or deflated tyre might just be a ruse, especially when you have just wihdrawn a large sum of money from the bank.

A citizens' victory ... (2)

A citizens' victory is BIG news, but why is TheSun the only paper running the story, my good friend Robert posed this question at the Neighbourhood Watch Forum.

Also in TheSun today - Stand up for your rights: Kayveas.

Sign the online petition: "NO TO THE BATU 3 - USJ 3 FLYOVER!" here or do it at the Double A Copy Centre in USJ 17. Stand up for your rights!

The Four Oxen and the Lion

Chances are you have heard of this tale from the ageless and timeless wisdom of Aesop and his Fables. Lest we forget, let's remember that without concerted effort, it could be our heads ending up cracked instead of the wall. Think about it, won't you?

A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.

United we stand, divided we fall.

The wall will one day crack

"Complaining against the wrong-doings of the local government must sound like banging one's head against the wall. But if you bang long enough, the wall will one day crack." ~ Screenshots

More on Citizen vs. MPPJ: 2 Goals so far and Development Order, MTES & Khir Toyo

A citizens' victory ... (1)

SHAH ALAM: In a landmark ruling, the High Court yesterday held that local authorities must hear views of affected residents before a development order is issued. Judge Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin held that meetings to hear residents' opinions cannot be treated as a formality but instead, should be viewed as a genuine platform for people to voice their opinions.

Full report in TheSun.

This decision is an indictment on local councils, writes Citizen Nades.

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: SAY NO!

Whichever way you look at it and whoever uses it; be they motorists from Shah Alam or Subang Jaya or USJ or Puchong, this flyover (if built) is only going to bring more chaos to the already horrendous traffic congestion in USJ. Especially the stretch of Persiaran Tujuan. Simply because all users will have to bypass this stretch to arrive at their destinations!

Do you want that? Can we do anything about it? Yes, we can. Provided each and everyone of you steps forward and do your part by supporting our campaign and say NO TO THE BATU 3 - USJ 3 FLYOVER!

Sign the online petition: "NO TO THE BATU 3 - USJ 3 FLYOVER!" here or do it at the Double A Copy Centre in USJ 17.

Change

Mahatma Gandhi's Monday morning wake up call:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: Ante Upped

The proponents for the flyover are all over and aggresively collecting signatures. Are we not?

They offered 5 reasons why the flyover should be built. PCYeoh rebuts here.

Say No to Batu 3 Flyover Link into USJ3!

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Think and Grow Rich was an instant success when it was first published in 1937 in the midst of the Great Depression.

Having since sold more than 100 million copies, it is still considered the first and finest book ever written about the "secrets" to achieving wealth. In coming up with this book, Napoleon Hill distilled the wisdom from Andrew Carnegie, a great legend of the Industrial Age; as well as many others'.

This book should be in everyone’s success library. But know and remember this challenge before you - what you begin by reading, you must finish by doing - DECISIVELY, FAITHFULLY and PERSISTENTLY.

Read Peter Ting's book review here.

The joy of reading

Reading can a joy. You just need to know what it offers and how to get the most out of it.

Read on.

Kids say the darnedest things!

Kids say the darnedest things!

When asked what his father did for a living;

"My dad's a policeman. He catches bad people and puts them in jail!"

"Wow, I'll bet your mother gets worried about his work, doesn't she?"

"Heck no, he brings her lots of watches and rings and jewelry. She doesn't mind his work at all!"

Kisah benar or not, I'm not supposed to tell but your kids, teach them well if you don't want to pecah lobang.

First Month

Yesterday marked my first 30 days in blogging as Mack did his first anniversary. Happy birthday, bro and thanks a zillion for guiding. It has been fun journey thus far.

Condolence

The Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, passed away this morning. My deepest condolence to Pak Lah and his family.

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: Persiaran Setia

The traffic conditions along Persiaran Setia at present time - this shot was taken by Chermaine from the junction with Persiaran Tujuan. See the group of school children walking across the road? More photos here.

Now fast forward 12 months. Will this situation improve or get worse if the Batu 3 - USJ3ABCD flyover is built?

Sign the online petition: "No to Batu 3 Flyover Link into USJ3".

Aperture Priority

Lye Hock's Aperture Priority keeps reminding me how much I have missed in Taiping. The food, especially. At the thought of which, I salivate. So this coming trip up north during DeepaRaya, I will be stopping by to visit some of the places he blogged about.

If you are also travelling the same direction, why not? Food is still cheap in good ole' Taiping.

Walking in another's moccasins

An old Sioux Indian's prayer:

"Oh Great Spirit, grant me the wisdom to walk in another's moccasins before I criticize or pass judgement."

Have to admit that I am still struggling to grasp this pearl.

CEO Dad

Enjoy more of such comic strips at CEO Dad.

Seeds of Greatness

I got this book - Seeds of Greatness - for a steal at Atria's PayLess shop while out shopping Sunday.

Only RM10.90.

Denis Waitley is another of my favourite authors.

Update: Book review here.

Ready for Retirement? ... (2)

Reported in the NST, 17 Oct 2005: A recent EPF-Universiti Malaya study revealed that a contributor would only have an average RM99,000 in his savings with the EPF upon retirement. Other findings:

Of the EPF’s 10.7 million members, less than half or 5.07 million are active.
2,661 members have at least RM1 million in their accounts - collectively have RM4.09 billion, representing a mere 0.025 per cent of the fund’s 10.7 million members.
Only 291 of the 2,661 millionaire club members are women.
Another 864 members had savings between RM900,001 and RM1 million. Of these, 110 were women.
The average contributor would only have about RM99,000 in his savings with the EPF upon retirement. This, the EPF said, is insufficient simply because Malaysians live an average of 20 years after they retire. The study also said retirees would use up the money within a couple of years.
For the record, the EPF paid dividends of between eight and 8.5 per cent between 1980 and 1994. Last year, it paid only 4.75 per cent.
EPF board submitted several proposals to the Treasury to help members maximise their savings. Among the measures proposed were to limit withdrawals.

NST, 17 Oct 2005: EPF’s ‘millionaire club’ members
MM, 17 Oct 2005: 2,661 EPF members in ‘millionaires club’
Previous blog: Ready for retirement?

We all make our own lunch each day

A Monday morning wake up call from "Author Unknown", but greatly appreciated.

Two construction workers were having lunch.

As they open up their lunch boxes, Joe totally "flips out" that his lunch is a sardine sandwich and goes on about how much he hates sardine sandwiches. In turn, Bob offers to share his tuna sandwich with Joe, but Joe insists it will be okay; but he just can't stand sardine sandwiches.

Well, the next day at lunch as they open their lunch boxes, Joe again gets upset that his lunch is a sardine sandwich. He can't believe it since he hates sardine sandwiches!

Then, believe it or not, on the third day as they open up their lunch box, again there it is, a sardine sandwich.

By now Bob has had it and says to Joe "If you hate sardine sandwiches so much tell your wife to quit making them and to give you something else," at which time Joe then tells Bob, "Oh, I'm not married, I make my own lunch every day."

Uh huh, we all get the point, we all make our own lunch each day.

What's planting, MPSJ?

This is among the many flower pots that were placed along Jalan USJ 10/1, just opposite McDonalds, more than a month ago. To beautify Taipan, needless to say. MPSJ was notified 2 weeks ago. This evening, I drove by after dinner.

More weeds and still no flowers. Duh?

The Sun, 10 Oct 2005: Blatant waste of taxpayers' money by local council

Cause and Effect

Drug Bust Jails 22 Innocents is one piece that you most likely will not get to read in the mass media. Malaysiakini has picked up the story and bylined it "A story of corruption and police abuse." Really, we don't need Aisehman's blog entry "Whining Malaysians" to jolt us into some soul searching, do we?

How did we all end up so f***ed up? The Law of Cause and Effect in operation, no?

Deprived Proverb ... (3)

Here is another popular proverb, treated the same way as the previous puzzles.

MNSK NWNB YTHC MPNY HKPS

Very adorable

Very adorable, yes. But good lord, is this for real? A Lilliputian-sized baby? Not making any comments but you should take a peek here.

Psst ... up for adoption at US$1,000 each!

Tigers Book Club

Old Edwardians of Taiping King Edward VII, my alma mater, have just started Tigers Book Club, a blog on book reviews of sorts.

Taking this opportunity to also call upon Taiping OEs to subscribe to our mailing list to keep abreast with current happenings.

MAGNI NOMINIS UMBRA.

Single Parent ... Day 4

The boys earned their lunch at McD but they opted for KFC, which was fine with me.

Mum arrived in the evening at 6.22pm, 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled ETA. Kah Ming, the sanguine that he is, was happy to no end.

"Mummy, mummy, I got one thousand things to tell you," he shouted the moment mum appeared at the arrival hall. "Wa ... so many ah," I chipped in.

"No, no, I got one thousand, thousand, infinity things to tell you," he corrected himself.

"OK, Ok, I'm famished. Let's go for dinner now and talk later tonight," mum said.

Kah Chern, meanwhile was waiting with the one piece of chicken nugget that he had saved from lunch. For mummy one, he already declared earlier.

What would you do with RM1.5 million?

What is the first thing you would do if you win the jackpot of RM1.5 million from the next Big Sweep draw?

Spend it
Donate to charities
Invest
Pay off debts and bills
Save it
Not sure

If you are still undecided after 60 seconds, you probably do not need the money. True? No?

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Book Review

In this easy to read book, John Maxwell takes us beyond the 'what to do' and shows us the 'how' of leadership; all based on his and other real life personalities' experiences in success and failures.

These 21 laws of leadership are, indeed, irrefutable.

As in most of his books that I have read, Maxwell describes LEADERSHIP as INFLUENCE that cannot be mandated but must be earned - nothing more, nothing less. This form of purest leadership can normally be found in voluntary organisations where leaders have only their influence to aid them. Nothing comes close to this truth. This Law of INFLUENCE should have been the 1st Law. Surprisingly, it isn't.

In the Law of the LID, Maxwell suggested that leaders who wish to reach the highest level of effectiveness have to raise the lid (raise the bar), one way or another. He related this law to the early days of the McDonalds, who were happy to earn just $100,000 until Ray Kroc came along and took the company to new heights. The rest was history, as they say. Leadership ability - or more specifically the lack of leadership - was the lid on the McDonalds brothers' effectiveness.

Maxwell is clearly a strong advocate of RELATIONSHIPS. Since relationships involve people; those who are able to connect on both levels with individuals and with an audience are said to have understood the nature of the Law of CONNECTION, i.e. always touch a person's heart before you ask for his hand. He aptly ended this chapter with an old saying: To lead yourself, use your head; to lead others, use your heart.

In 1911, two groups of explorers set off on a mission to be the first to reach the South Pole. Amundsen's group survived because he painstakingly planned and charted his course. The other group led by Scott violated the Law of NAVIGATION and perished. First rate leaders are like navigators and they always have in mind that other people are depending on them and their ability to chart a good course.

A leader is often described as visionary. Maxwell, however, warns that if he has not built his credibility with his people, it really doesn't matter how great a vision he has. People just don't always follow worthy causes. They follow worthy leaders who promote worthy causes. People buy into the leader first, then the leader's vision. Remember Gandhi and how India gained its independence? That's how the Law of BUY-IN works.

Now, how do you identify and know who is a leader in a group? He doesn't need to advertise himself. The proof of his leadership can be found in the followers because whenever he speaks, everybody listens. Maxwell calls this the Law of E.F. HUTTON. When the real leader speaks, people listen.

The above are just six of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership that I can relate to. If you are in any leadership or managerial position or if you are looking to improving your leadership skills, I would strongly recommend that you head for the nearest book store to grab your personal copy of this great book to read up the other laws. It retails for only RM24.90. A value buy.

Ready for Retirement?

Mac's blog on "Retirees turning their back on EPF" prompted me to look into my news archive for this article "Retirees using up EPF savings within 3 years", which was carried by The Star on 10 May 2005.

Quoting the Utusan Malaysia, The Star was reported that:

Over 60% of retirees used up their EPF savings within 3 years of retiring,.
More than half of the active contributors withdrew 40% of their savings while they were still working.
The average savings of the contributors was about RM90,000.
Most of them have only a monthly average of RM370 to spend until the age of 75.

Also read Utusan Malaysia 9 Mei 2005: 60 peratus pesara kehabisan wang KWSP sebelum 3 tahun.

Something to ponder upon this weekend. Are you ready? If not, what are you doing about it?

Sam Lloyd Puzzles ... (3)

It is told that 3 neighbors who shared a small park, as shown in the sketch, had a falling out. The owners of the large house, complaining that his neighbor's chickens annoyed him, built an enclosed pathway from his door to the gate at the bottom of the picture.

Then the man on the right built a path to the gate on the left, and the man on the left built a path to the gate on the right.

None of the paths crossed. Can you draw the lines correctly?

A Surat Layang in Circulation?

Reproduced from ADUN Subang Dato Lee Hwa Beng's website - The Real Reason for Dato Lee to object to the Bridge that is link USJ to Batu 3. A surat layang written by a desperado who pretends to be Rusman Raihan, protem chairman of USJ3ABCD RA.

Single Parent ... Day 3

Yahoo .... I survived Day 3! If I do another day, the boys get a McD treat for lunch tomorrow.

Single Parent ... Day 2
Single Parent ... Day 1

Deprived Proverb ... (2)

Bob, here is another popular proverb, treated the same way as the previous puzzle but a little tougher.

FLND HSMN YRSN PRTD

Nine Emperor Gods Festival

Some nice photos on the Nine Emperor Gods Festival's street procession in Taiping which we hardly get to see around anymore. TV Smith also has some shots from his annual pilgrimage to the famous Ampang temple.

Local govts get loud wake-up call

Ha ... ha ... ha ... this is a good one from Goh Ban Lee who suggested that some leaders of secret societies are also not happy with Kayveas. Why ah? Becos he thinks the local authorities got same standard as secret societies mah. That's why people angry loh. Cannot simply talk like this one mah.

Read Local govts get loud wake-up call here.

First class service

I had an online transaction with PayPal last night about 9.03pm using my HSBC credit card. Within 20 seconds I received a call from HSBC Bank, to verify. They did the same thing the previous time but not as fast. This is what I would rate as first class service.

Single Parent ... Day 2

Managed to drag myself out of bed at 5.40am this morning and did what needed to be done, including doing the laundry which I overlooked last night. Kah Chern has just left for school after finishing the promised breakfast. No point going back to bed now. Just waiting for Kah Ming to wake up while I update this.

Single Parent ... Day 1

The boys have been surprisingly well-behaved today, without mum around. Uneventful, I must add. You see, Sock Whan flew off to Taipei this morning for company business. Will be back only on Friday. Guess what? Already got 2 calls from her reminding me of the chores I must do. Which left me wondering; are all women the same or is it only her?

I picked up the boys from school about 6pm this evening and proceeded straight for dinner. We had vegetarian since today marks the last day of the Nine Emperor Gods' celebration. Reached home at 7.00pm. They then had their usual dose of TV for 30 minutes before I ushered them upstairs for their shower. Then, homework and revision until 10pm.

I suppose the challenge starts tomorrow morning when I will have to wake up at 5.30am to prepare Kah Chern for school. Can you believe this ... he has even placed an order for breakfast; he wants fried eggs with sausage!

Kah Ming then goes to kindy at 8am.

At 9.30am, I will have to be at Kah Chern's school to find out why two of his classmates are asking RM1 from him. Not making any assumptions here but he is only in Standard 2.

At 11.45am, having a signature drive with Jayen, PC, Nina, Adzaman, Jason, Bob Kee and Peter in USJ 12 school for Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: The Signature Campaign

Phew ... what a day it's going to be!

Deprived Proverb ... (1)

The following proverb has had all of the vowels taken out, and the remaining letters broken up into groups of four letters each. Replace the vowels and find the proverb.

BRDS FFTH RFLC KTGT HR

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: Press Reports

Updated 11 Oct 2005

Malay Mail, 11 Oct 2005: Objections to proposed flyover: Council to meet developers
Malay Mail, 10 Oct 2005: Subang Jaya folk against flyover project
Berita Harian, 10 Oct 2005: Penduduk bantah pembinaan jejambat

Asian solidarity

Mack blogged on Asian solidarity and ~~offers you a~~ FREE airtickets to Bali.

Tiger Recipes

Old Edwardians of KEVII brings you Tiger Recipes. Don't expect to get a free recipe on cooking tiger meat though.

Fingerprints don’t match MyKad prints

Are the banks going to start using MyKad to verify fingerprints for withdrawal of monies? Maybank Mid Valley is reported to be doing this.

Sitting on the fence

Have you signed the online petition "No to Batu 3 Flyover Link into USJ3"?

Just so that you know, sitting on the fence (eeekk ... look at the sharp spikes) can be a very painful experience.

More ... Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: The Signature Campaign

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: Online Petition

The signature campaign was launched Saturday, 8 October 2005. Here comes the online petition: "No to Batu 3 Flyover Link into USJ3". Do what you gotta do, folks.

Come to the edge

A Monday morning wake up call from French Poet & Philosopher, Guillaume Apollinaire (1880-1918).

"Come to the edge."
"We can't. We're afraid."
"Come to the edge."
"We can't. We will fall!"
"Come to the edge."
And they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.

Sam Lloyd Puzzles ... (2)

This was an advertisement card from the 19th century for an insurance company. The text says : "Push up the handle (on back of card) and you will find EIGHT JAPS and NINE LANTERNS. Move the handle down and there are NINE JAPS and EIGHT LANTERNS. The BEST explanation wins the prize."

Unfortunately you are more than a century late for the prize, but you can still try.

Batu 3 - USJ 3 Flyover: The Signature Campaign

More than 200 residents and community leaders from USJ came out in support of the USJRA's signature campaign in protest against the proposed flyover link from Batu 3 - USJ 3. Let the pictures speak for themselves!

Clockwise from right: MP Kelana Jaya Loh Seng Kok, Rusman, ADUN Subang Jaya Dato' Lee Hwa Beng, P. Jayendran and PC Yeoh.

Residents say NO to Batu 3 Link into USJ!

Never mind the hot morning as the residents wait for their turns to sign the petition.

More residents say NO! More Traffic = More Jam = Less Safety! The opening of this flyover link will bring more traffic into Persiaran Setia where two schools are located.

No to Flyover! Flyover Tak Nak! MPSJ Please Help Us! YDP Tolong lah Kami!

USJRA Press Statement
Bob Kee: The Signature Campaign Begins!
Malaysiakini: USJ flyover - Residents launch signature campaign
A crying shame

A crying shame

The Signature Campaign Begins!

It's a crying shame that our politicians would not put aside partisan politics and be seen to be standing and fighting together for the rakyat. The brief stand-off (on being photographed together) that caused some tense moments for the organisers can only be described as outrageous, silly and comical.

The MCA team, MP Kelana Jaya Loh Seng Kok and ADUN Subang Jaya Dato' Lee Hwa Beng at one corner.

ADUN Sungei Pinang Teng Chang Kim (DAP), also a resident of USJ 3 at another corner.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) team, Kelana Jaya Chairman Syed Shahir Mohamud (also president of the Malaysian Trade Union Congress) and Vice President, Sivarasa Rasiah at yet another corner.

But signed the petition against the USJ3-Batu 3 Link, they did.

On secret societies, little emperors and war lords

Has the Local Agenda 21 been successfully implemented? R. Nadeswaran asks again in his weekly column No Punches Pulled.

Say NO to Proposed Batu 3-USJ 3 Flyover

Received the following via email from the Secretary of the Action Committee:

Dear All

Please do attend the Launch of the SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN "Say 'No' to Proposed Flyover from Batu 3 into USJ 3".

Details as below:

Date: Saturday, October 08, 2005
Time: 10.00am
Venue: Jalan Persiaran Setia, USJ 3
(right up to dead-end of road, near USJ 3D housing area)

(Directional access information):

* From the Subang Jaya-USJ direction, drive along Jalan Tujuan/Persiaran Tujuan
* Turn right at traffic lights to main entry road (Persiaran Setia) to USJ 12
* Follow road (Persiaran Setia) right up to the end of the road which leads to Sime UEP's USJ 3A-B-C-D

Landmarks:

- SMK USJ 12 school on left immediately after traffic light junction
- Taman Perindustrian area on left (about 1.5km from main traffic light junction)
- Follow road that forks to right, pass oxidation pond on left, go past USJ 3A housing area on left, go straight on past USJ 3B, 3C until 3D at dead-end of Persiaran Setia.

Both Subang Jaya ADUN and Kelana Jaya MP will be present to launch the Signature Campaign and be the first signatories.

Please pass the word around to your respective JKP/NW/resident groups' committee members, friends and neighbours and encourage them to also attend.

The event will take no longer than one hour of your time.

Please come and sign up your support for the "No FLyover" campaign.

Copies of the Signature campaign form will be emailed later today. Also available at the launch venue tomorrow.

Thank you and see you there.

Girl born without legs seeks aid

I do not believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens for a reason.

Just a few day's ago, Tiger Cheah who is the moderator of Edwardian Tigers pointed the group to an online version of Khalil Gilbran's all time classic, The Prophet. Along some ongoing discussions, the chapter on Giving was reproduced and posted this morning. Reading it over a couple of times, the following lines got stuck on me.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.

Meaningful and profound insight, don't you find them?

Wait, there is more .... somehow, after I read the posting, I did what I normally do not do. I scrolled through the NST Online as I waited for the maids to clean up the house. And there, right on my screen was this byline - Girl born without legs seeks aid.

If you understand what I am getting at (you do, don't you?), nine-year-old Fatihah Sewah, who was born without legs, needs needs a bilateral child below-knee prosthesis, with cushion heel ankle foot, that costs about RM11,000. Zulfadzliza Ibrahim, 21, is also appealing for help to get prosthesis for both legs. The cost of her medical package is estimated at RM17,300.

The Prophet happened for a reason and I'm glad be be part of this reason today.

My golden nuggets

My three golden nuggets: Kah Ming (5), Sock Whan and Kah Chern (8). Ain't they golden?

12 Things that Science Can't Explain...

A new book, The Synchronized Universe, reveals that the tapestry of modern science is showing a few tatters...There are many things modern science cannot explain, and yet they occur anyway. This includes phenomena in the "hard sciences" as well as in the paranormal. Interesting read.

The Governor of Kgovjni

The Governor of Kgovjni wants to give a very small dinner party, and invites his father's brother-in-law, his brother's father-in-law, his father-in-law's brother, and his brother-in-law's father. Find the smallest possible number of guests.

It's YB's birthday today!

I just learned from Robert Chan that today is ADUN Kinrara YB Dr Kow Cheong Wei's birthday.

Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns, YB.

My wish is to see you connect more with your constituents in USJ. Not too much to ask for, I hope.

Neighbourhood Watch is back

After a slight technical hitch, neighbourhood watch is back online.

Two wolves...

A native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt.

He said 'I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.'

The grandson asked him, 'Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?'

The grandfather answered: 'The one I feed.'

Peace Poster Contest 2005/06

Lions Club of PJ Metro organising a "Peace Poster Contest 2005/06":

Theme: PEACE WITHOUT BORDERS

Date : 23rd October 2005 (Sunday)
Venue: RT Centre, Section 14A, Jalan 14/26, 46100 Petaling Jaya
Time: 10am - 3.00pm

Please contact Shirley for further information.

CCTV cameras in Subang Jaya soon

From The Star Metro (5 October): MPSJ president Mohd Arif Abdul Rahman said the council had set aside an allocation for the pilot project that would take off next month.

He said, though the details of the venues were still being worked out, the council was keen to include Taipan Business Triangle as one of them.

For the system to be effective, there has to be monitoring, enforcement and maintainance and I hope all these issues have already been resolved among the agencies concerned.

IPD Subang Jaya Police to Population Ratio

From The Star Metro (5 October): Supt Kamal Rosli Skymmar said the Subang Jaya police district covered an area of 161sq km with about 1.2 million people and it was difficult to monitor the safety of everyone everywhere. “We have only 963 police personnel to do the job,” he said.

Which puts the district's police to population ratio at 1:1,246 against the nation's average of 1:300.

From Screenshot's entry on 3 July 2003 - The 1:275 police to population ratio is, in fact, better than major developed countries such as Germany (1:343), England (1:429), United States (1:410), Australia (1:457), France (1:474) and Japan (1:550).

In USJ, it was something like 1:7,500 the last time I checked!

Related blog: Some crime indices

Sam Lloyd Puzzles ... (1)

This book - The Geatest Puzzles of all Time - which I bought many years back ~~has~~ had been gathering cob webs on my book shelf until yesterday evening. Truly, I am still fascinated, especially with Sam Lloyd's creations.

The "Get off the Earth" puzzle (above) is one of his most popular creation. The original was made of cardboard, with a rotating disk in the middle. The Chinese warriors are partly inside, partly outside the disk. If you turn the disk, one of the thirteen warriors mysteriously disappears! Where did he go?

The platinum rule

The Golden Rule is recorded in the world's main religions and so much has been heard of it - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This rule implies that other people would like to be treated the way that you would like to be treated.

The relevancy of this rule in current times has now come into question, at least to me; with the introduction of the Platinum Rule which espouses quite the opposite - "Treat others the way they want to be treated." The Platinum Rule accomodates the feelings of others; a key principle in the building of relationships.

Hope to learn more and blog about this later.

An easy puzzle

A Russian had three sons. The first, named Rab, became a lawyer; the second, Ymra, became a soldier. The third became a sailor. What was his name?

Ramadhan

To all our Muslim brethren who begins their fasting month tomorrow, Selamat Menyambut Bulan Ramadhan.

Some crime indices

Deputy OCPD Subang Jaya Supt Kamal Rosli Skymar Bin Abd Wahad Skymar represented IPD Subang Jaya at the Majlis Ramah Mesra in MPSJ, Sunday morning. I managed to take down some notes concerning my immediate neighbourhood, i.e. Subang Jaya & USJ.

IPD Subang Jaya has 8 balai polis under its jurisdiction; Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Puchong Jaya, Bukit Puchong, Putra Heights, USJ, Seri Kembangan and Serdang. Total population approximately 1.083m.

Reported crime index, from January - August 2005:

IPD Subang Jaya - 4,789
USJ - 987
Subang Jaya - 655

USJ walloped top spot, contributing 20.6% of the reported crime in the district followed by Subang Jaya (13.7%). The reason appears to be obvious. We have only a pondok polis of less than 50 personnel to serve our fast growing township of approximately 250,000!

Now that the money has been allocated, when are we having our balai polis please?

Residents, make your voices heard
Foodcourt: 'Overwhelming objection'
What's your action plan, Hakim?
USJ police station: Guessing game goes on
Sini ada lagi ...

An old Hindu legend

This is just a story credited to Eric Butterworth's book Discover the Power Within Yourself.

An old Hindu legend says there was a time when men were gods. But they abused their divine powers so much that Brahma, the master of all gods, decided to take these powers away and hide them in a place where they would be impossible to find. All that remained was to find a suitable hiding place.

A number of lesser gods were appointed to a council to deal with the issue. They suggested this: "Why not bury man's powers in the earth?" To which Brahma replied, " No, that will not do because man would dig deep and find it."

So the gods said, "In that case, we will send their divinity to the deepest depths of the ocean."

But Brahma replied again, "Sooner or later man will explore the depths of the ocean and it is certain he will find it and bring it to the surface."

So the lesser gods concluded, "Neither land nor sea is a place where man's divine powers will be safe, so we do not know where to hide it."

At that moment Brahma exclaimed, "This is what we will do with man's divinity! We will hide it deep within him because that is the only place he will not think to look."

From then on, according to the legend, man searched the world over; he explored, climbed, dove, and dug in search of something that was inside himself the whole time.

How about taking it up as a Monday morning wake up call? Have a great week ahead.

We already like him

The representatives from the JKPs and USJRA met him for the first time this morning at the Majlis Ramah Mesra. The general consensus describes him as much-much more approachable, friendly and down to earth compared to his predecessor.

Selamat datang ke Subang Jaya to the new YDP Mohd Arif Ab Rahman.

Who can be more dumberer ... (2)?

From Malaysiakini, 30 September 2005: Asked why the internal parking lots were not accessible to the public even on weekends and public holidays when staff do not occupy them, Deputy YDP Subang Jaya Abdul Ghani said it was a safety measure.

"This is a government building. It must be kept safe. We don't want people bringing in bombs or causing damage by lighting fires here during non-peak times. There are many mischievous people out there," he added.

Does it mean that the above can be done during peak times? Aiyoh ... give us a break lah!

See also Who can be more dumberer?

International Right to Know Day

I didn't know that 28 September is the International Right to Know Day, a day dedicated to creating awareness about the importance of the right to information and campaigning for more open, democratic societies in which there is full citizen empowerment and participation in government.

The strategy at this public hearing would have been different had we known.

The Hoot family

This is about my neighbour, the Hoot family. Somehow I just cannot comprehend why none of them carries their house keys with them.

Mum comes back; she hoots, hoots and hoots and the maid will run out to open the gate. Sons come back; they hoot, hoot and hoot and the maid will run out to open the gate.

The Hoots are really getting on my nerves.

Just this evening, the hooting lasted for about 20 minutes, to the extend that one of the boys had to climb over the gate to call out for the poor maid. I wanted to go over to have a chat with them but my wife stopped me - that is their business!

Hello, the maid is not an auto-gate lah. Carry the house keys with you very difficult meh? Very heavy meh? Have some thoughts for your neighbours can or not?

My Daily Nuggets

Monday, October 31, 2005