I logged into FIFA.com today and posted this comment -

Dear FIFA

on the basis of FIFA Motto - FAIRPLAY...it's imperative that FIFA lives by what it preaches.

Injustice has been done - a player not only handled the ball, once BUT twice before it was knocked into goal. Furthermore, there were not one BUT TWO offside offences just prior to that goal.

The match officials had not picked these up, FIFA till todate refuses to introduce technology into the game by implementing Video referees, but states it's progressive.

And to add insult to injury, the player who offended claimed after the game he has committed the offence of handball.

Given this outcome has affected a critical game, and more so goes against FIFA core values - the best outcome would be to call for a rematch.

90 minutes, from where it was left off from the 1st leg.

Don't sit there and ignore this ...do something about it!

Else, you will risk your credibility.

(Ravi)

 

Fellow Bloggers - if you think this is worthwhile cause, I suggest you log on to FIFA.com and send your views about this ...don't just sit back and allow FIFA to dictate how the world game has to be played...

 

 

Are there non halal kitchens in 5 star hotels in Malaysia? Hotels should have a non-halal kitchen to serve the foreigners who are into non-halal food.

 

Unless you have non-halal kitchen in Saudi, then it’s understood that it's wrong but in Malaysia, I guess this should be allowed. We have tourists all over the world and We can’t impose a law which is one sided especially in the name of faith.

 

 

I’m drained of energy today. I just swam upstream, against the current and I didn’t even get into the water. Or least that is how it felt trying to access through the rapidly expanding ‘united teachers force.’  

 

Year end exams in my kid’s started 26^th October and finished 4 days later. The following week, students from other local schools received their marked papers but nothing from my kid’s school.

Three weeks later, last Wednesday (16^th Nov) the school called the parents to get the report cards. My kids is no. 1 by the way, but wait a minute, why is her English paper score unusually low? Teacher A giving the report said she made grammar mistakes. Ok la, my kid is not perfect but I also know a bit about what types of mistakes she has tendency to make and grammar was not it. At 9 years old, she asked to work on Form 3 English workbooks. She likes books, you know.. and TViQ, experimenting with her grandmother’s kitchen supplies and solving problems. I thanked my lucky star many times that I don’t have to force her to study.

 

Back to topic, since the teacher giving out the report card was not class teacher (who was on leave) she didn’t have the exam papers. Nevermind. She assured me the papers will be given to students after some ‘filing’ procedure. Nevermind. Meanwhile my mother asked teacher B (lives nearby) who marked her English paper what was wrong. She said kid made careless mistakes. Not again. I made careless mistakes, plenty, during my school years, but kid, I doubt. This one has eye for detail, sometimes too precise for her own good. Sometimes she ‘irritates’ me when she pinpoints my mistakes. Ok parent ego la. The kid  scored 100 in Science, 100 in Math, 100 in BM penulisan. Where can careless la? Nevermind.

 

18^th Nov, prize giving ceremony is over. No sign of exam papers. So today, my mother (also worked up now) on her way back from morning walk, stopped by school and asked for the English paper again. Teacher C told her the paper is with Teacher D who apparently left on a school trip earlier that morning. So mother who is buddy-buddy with  Headmaster asked him who said, ‘I thought your grandkid got 100 for English?’ and disappeared. By the way, this Headmaster is never in school, maybe less than 10 days out of every month because he is pursuing his Ph.D or something. So my mother didn’t want to press further.

 

But you know me by now la, where can let go these things. So I got into my car and rushed to school by 12pm. I caught the class teacher, Teacher D,  in the meeting room. Can I please see my daughter’s English paper? She said she didn’t have them and Teacher E was in charge who left on school trip that morning. I asked where they kept the exam papers? She said Teacher F (the assistant head) kept them.  He also on school trip, meh? Yes.

 

So I pleaded to the ‘United Teachers’ Force’, could I at least take a peek at it for a while. She said she needed teacher F's permission to show me. What the heck, I’m Malaysian and I learnt to dance to different tunes since tadika la. So I called Teacher F on his mobile phone. I said I needed his permission …blah blah blah the whole story. He was taken aback and asked me to pass the phone to teacher D. Teacher D went back into same meeting room and came out in two minutes later with the elusive English paper.

 

Here it is.

 

Simple Math

Fish can be singular and plural, right?

Only this rabbit eats carrot?

 

Now, I understand very well that teachers need to have a united front to build credibility. I also understand sometimes even when teachers might not know the answer to a question, they don't let on to the students in case the students lose their regard for the teachers. I understand teachers are humans too and have egos.  I understand about teachers having favouritism and wanting another student to be top. I  understand teachers are overworked, underpaid and sometimes when they do really care for students, it backfires. I understand that some parents who can step over the line of authority. But cutting 6 marks and covering it up seemed a bit too much la.

Many of us had complained that the standard of English in the country had gone down the drains. "Datuk killed fleeing robbers" on most viewed (TheStar online) is further proof of that.

After reading the title you would haved thought that the robbers were killed. But it was the datuk who was killed while fleeing from the robbers.

 

 

Refering to the news article
"http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26367834-23109,00.html"

I gotta say.. which planet does this "Mohd Puad Zarkashi" think he's on...

We're already almost 2010 yet we have..
1. Ministers with such mindset in power...
2. Ministers with such mindset in power and say it out in public news..
3. Ministers with such mindset in power and say it out in public news yet feel no shame whatsoever...
4. Ministers with such mindset in power and say it out in public news yet feel no shame whatsoever and yet.. he's suppose  to be our deputy EDUCATION minister..

Maybe someone should educate him what world he lives in..
As if by simply speaking english would "polute" our culture and pride for the nation.. is our culture that shallow that by simply speaking another language would polute it? Infact it's because of people like this that makes my pride for my nation waver... Oh malaysia... i weep for you... ..

 

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/11/20/nation/aptitude201109.jpg

The table is taken from Star Online.

This is a clear indication that our pupils lack problem solving skills and decisions making skills!  Also to be noted is the fact that 24.62% have below average (Band 1 and 2) skills in thinking!

This definately is a reflection of the education system we now have!  Our children are taught to memorize facts and regurgitate them out for examinations!  It is time we change this type of teaching and evaluation!

While at the topic of the UPSR results, one should also note that improvement in performances by pupils in Science and Mathematics, although taught in English shows that the Minister of Education in deciding to revert to teaching these two subjects is premature and wrong!  The results speaks volumes!  However, I doubt he will change for his decision is a political one and one social and econmic based!

Education in Malaysia had suffered because lots of decisions made on policy was political rather than social economic needs!  For 52 years we suffered and will continue to suffer if leaders make educational policies based on politics!  Changes that are now slowly coming along are too slow and would face further reverting in future when new political leaders take over!

The following are my observations for changes:

1. The approach of teaching our children must have a thorough overhaul!  We need to be pupil-centric and train them in skills of thinking and decision making!  Thus, teacher training must also be overhaul and better teachers recruited and weak ones sacked or given early retirement!

2. The whole examination system (I know it is slowly being changed) must be revamped!  More emphasis must be given to research papers rather than regurgitating of facts!

3.  Education must be for the economic and social needs rather than for narrow nationalistic needs!  It must be global in outlook and the more foreign languages we encourage our students to learn the better.

4.  In this persepective, all students, including Malays should be encouraged to learn English and one more language like Chinese, Tamil, Hindi, French, Spanish, etc. besides the National Language from Primary level!  Science and Mathematics, at least at secondary school level should be taught in English or the students language of choice!  This will allow students in secondary schools to use their second choice language more!

5.  Schools must allow for fast and slow learners.  Thus, better pupils must be allowed to finish school earlier and weaker ones retained and take a slower pace in completing formal education!

6.  All schools must be given similar facilities (no more step-child schools syndrome where Mission and non-national schools are not given infrastructure of similar type).  The arguement that the land and buildings do not belong to the government is not valid.  Students and all if not mostly Malaysians and should have the same facilities and opportunities!

I hope others will comment on this and press for more stirring changes in our education system.

A life for a hat...
 
Just came across this story as I was searching for another where a man was beaten up for confronting some youths in Scotland.

"A man who told off a group of youths who were causing a disturbance has been badly beaten with a golf club and baseball bat, police said.

The 31-year-old man was returning home from local shops when he confronted the group in an underpass in Livingston between 1900 and 1930 GMT on Wednesday."

"http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8357679.stm"


This is the story about the man who lost his life for a hat:

"An insurance worker on a Halloween night out was kicked to death after confronting a gang that stole his girlfriend's witch's hat.

Ben Gardner, 30, apparently asked for it back but one of the thugs responded by spitting in it.

Seconds later Mr Gardner was allegedly punched to the ground and kicked senseless."

"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1224709/Man-beaten-death-confronting-gang-stole-girlfriends-Halloween-hat.html"

Victim

Crime scene

May the family find peace and comfort during this difficult time.


As the party season approaches and daylight gets shorter, there will be more drunken and "high" people around, especially late at night in the UK.

For those of you over here, do be extra careful when you are out and about.

A hat is not worth your life. Neither are most things.

In situations like this, just smile like a fool and continue to walk on and away.

If you can, always travel in a group when its dark for everyones security. Don't confront any groups when you are on your own.

Get away and contact the police when you are safe and secure, out of harms way.

Take care and keep safe.
 

As I read the news today about the death of Peter Wong due to armed robbers, it is the last straw that pushed me to voice out. Mat Rempits, snatch thieves in broad daylight, armed robberies and kidnapping. It saddens me that such rampant acts are going on daily that effects all the citizens in Malaysia. Well, maybe except the politicians - are so that's the way it seems.

News of MCA, UMNO, PKR and constant political bickering covers the front page and headlines everyday. Malaysian news are now known to the nation and the rest of the country for it's ugly politics. The nation doesn't revolve around politics but the way it is portrayed in the media and news, it does seems like it. The nation should revolve around the citizens and the welfare of its people. Politics and government should play the role in supporting the nation in that way.

Things that touches everyone, like public safety, are taking a backseat and there are no news or demonstration by the government to make it better. How many more uncivilised acts of armed robberies, mat rempits, and collapsed structures that causes senseless loss of lifes before we realised that "Hey, maybe we should focus less on the bickering within political parties and focus on doing things that DO matter to the people".

I am speaking from a jaded and disheartened citizen perspective that I am getting sick and frustrated with the political situation in Malaysia while fearing for my personal safety everyday while in the country. If the powers that be do not act to the cries of the people, don't be surprised with the increased occurrences of brain-drain, rapid deterioration of public safety and welfare that reduced us to a struggling developing country.

You Know you are having a bad day when...

Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. 

You call the suicide prevention hotline and they put you on hold.

Everyone avoids you the morning after the company office party.

The bird singing outside your window is a vulture.

 

You wake up and your braces are stuck together.

Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife/husband.

You have to borrow from your Visa card to pay your MasterCard.

Nothing you own is actually paid for.

The Gypsy fortune teller offers to refund your money when she sees your future.

People think that you're 40 and you're only 25.

The doctor says you are in fine health for someone twice your age.

TRY TO HAVE A GOOD DAY!

 

Once again a handball not seen by a referee has caused injustice to a team!  This time it is the Irish Team!  Henry of France has admitted to handling the ball before scoring and what is FIFA waiting for?

Teams that cheat to win must be disqualified to discourage such acts!

At the very least, there should be a replay and the referee suspended for 5 years!

It is time FIFA keep up to date by allowing for instant replay to view cases where the result of a match can be decided on should a referee make a wrong decision.  Soccer is as fast a game as any others and so why shouldn't it use the replay?  This goes for badminton too!  It is time we take away the frialty of the human eye and let it be aided by electronics!

If there is nothing done to correct this injustice, I for one will boycott watching the games played by France and maybe the whole World Cup!  I hope others will join me to make a point to FIFA that millions will boycott if they do nothing!

The Bishop and the donkey

The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.  The pastor was so  pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again, and it won  again.   The local paper read: .....

PASTOR'S A** OUT FRONT.

 

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race. The next day, the local paper headline read:

BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S A**.

 

This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey.  The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day:

NUN HAS BEST A** IN TOWN.

 

The Bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10. The next day the paper read:

NUN SELLS A** FOR $10.

 

This was too much for the Bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild. The next day the headlines read:

NUN ANNOUNCES HER A** IS WILD AND FREE.

 

 

Alas, the Bishop was buried the next day.

MORAL OF THE STORY?

Being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery and even shorten your life. So, be yourself and enjoy life .. stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll  live longer and be a lot happier!

when there is a resistant to change, then the country would not achieve a global standard in everything..perhaps we might have "Yang Terpanjang" "Tertinggi", Terbesar" Tercantik" ..My question is whether that could be a real performance indicator of one nation's scuccess...we, the rakyat paying out of our tax money for all this developments and whom get the credits..ofcourse the leaders of this country...but in reality our country moved to a worse spot in the corruption index in the world..why? if the group which govern this country is corrupted, of course the country will label as a corrupted one. everyone wants to make money......no doubt about it...It wont change until we change the goverment. every politician will throw money or non-monetary gift to protect their seats or place and that will be followed by its cronies...it will never change .... the practice will go on and on as nobody would come up in a hard way..they have been brought up in this way...easy way to climb up...

No politics, no religious posting… it’s a Friday, the kids are on their last day of school… it’s another good weekend ahead of us.

 

I’m planning to start a family, and it's only right for me to start learning about pregnancy. I’ve been reading this book entitled, “Pregnancy and Birth Book” by Dr. Miriam Stoppard and I found the following advice to fathers-to-be meaningful.

 

“Regardless of where the baby is being born, at home or in the hospital, be prepared to leave your sense of embarrassment somewhere else – you will soon realize that what is happening to your wife is the more real thing she’s ever experienced.  She may groan and moan softly or loudly, become totally uninterested in you, ask you questions you have no answers for (“How much longer?”).  So, since she’s putting her whole self into the labor, it will help her and you if you become totally involved as possible.  You can help her greatly by answering the questions the nurses ask and by making the decisions – she’s in no state to think about anything but what is happening to her body – and above all by being positive.  Never cast even a shadow of doubt into her mind.  Always tell her that she’s doing well, because no matter what she is doing, she’s doing the best she can.  Do not judge her – help her, give her some of your energy.  The amount of togetherness you discover during the birth of your child will remain with you and grow for the rest of your lives.” – Dr. Miriam Stoppard

 

Something for me and probably some of you to ponder :)

 

Will be away for the weekend and the whole of next week.  With that, I wish everyone a good weekend ahead, and for those bringing their family on a holiday, safe journey and be sure to have a good time.  And especially to all our Malay CB bloggers in here, Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Qurban, in advance.  Till 30/11, you all take care!!!

Interesting article below:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/20/nation/5148104&sec=nation

Dato.Samy Vellu claims credit for the success for Indian students. According to him, the success was due to 3 criterias:

1. The student
2. The parents
3. MIED - Dato's pet project

I would like to hear from the students themselves if MIED had helped them. Or else, people should stop trying to gain political mileage from the achievement of others.

I blame the Indian community who have become blind supporters of this man. Many Indians are striving towards good education but why do we still insist on having someone who cant even speak proper ENGLISH or MALAY at the helm ?

Visiting some  food stall sometimes made me recall the taste of my childhood and it also made me think back those good old days. Have you ever had this feeling when it comes to tasting some food that has been around for decades and even the chef knows how to use ingredients from traditional recipes?

One of the well-known mee goreng and mee rebus stalls which makes me recall my childhood is the one located at Jelutong Market Place where the cross junction between Jalan Jelutong and Jalan Penaga. The name of this stall is called Hussain Mee Goreng and Mee Rebus. It is very easy to locate this Noodle stall as it is just beside Bamboo Cafe just along Jalan Jelutong. If you are heading to town from Penang Bridge you will be able to see Bamboo Cafe just on your left after Caltex Petrol Station.

Hussain, the owner of this Mee Rebus and Mee Goreng stall has been operating at this place for 20 years. Hussain started his business with his small little cart and a very traditional stove. Until now, Hussain still sticks to his humble stall and stove although he has been using for decades. This might be the reason that makes people recall those olden days when visiting his little stall.

Mee Goreng – RM2.50, this is one of the classic and top standing mee goreng around in town. I just love the taste as the recipe used is traditional and the taste with wok fire makes this dish very desirable. The gravy was not too dry, it was just nice with some veggie, squids, bean curd and fried onion as finishing. Limes were served as well for some added sour taste.

Mee Rebus – RM3.00, I still love the mee goreng at this stall compared to mee rebus. The mee rebus is also one of the famous dishes around. The price of mee rebus is slightly higher compared to mee goreng. This is because the ingredients added to this mee is value for money, which included marinated curry squids, bean curd, potatoes, fried onions and veggie. It also comes with a slice of lime to go with the mee.

For more please visit: http://www.stevengoh.com

The reduction of special draws isn't the main problem but stopping such illegal collection of 4d bets is. How much REAL gaming taxes can we collect if the Government make better effort to curb the illegal sales of 4d.

Most of us have made complains after complains regarding illegal 4d & football bookies but the end result is they are all covered up. What's the point of having Rakan Cops and other sources of complaining including Bukit Aman when such illegal operators are not banished or caught.

Take for instance, a small kampong area in Bangi Lama, Kajang - where you can see muslim punters Q-up OPENLY to place their bets illegally in most of the shops including a chinese material prayer shop.

The shops there are using it as a frontage for business but conduct immortal services like bookies, massage and prositution.

No Muslim are allowed to be involved in the gaming of 4ds due to religious affairs  and either way legal or otherwise they still get caught by buying 4ds. Even chinese religious shop are using their shop as a 4d collection center, to escape from the authorites.

Can you imagine the collection of the Government on the gaming taxes can be double or triple if only action are taken instead of our local authorites just covering up and closing an eye.

Maybe they can get MACC personeel involved in the raids and banished these people dealing in such immortal activities.

We can channel such extra funds into the welfare or religious programs.

So are we going to co-operated with the men-in-blues to fight crime or we just also close an eye if there is such illegal activties in our kampong which is operated so openly without any fears.