Two days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak admitted that even though Malaysia has excellent sports facilities, but most athletes still lack the mentality and attitude to excel into sport greats like Vijay Singh. Quote:

"It’s fortunate that Vijay Singh was not granted the PR status, otherwise he would not have become the world’s number one golfer. That’s the truth."

If I’m not mistaken, this would be the first time admission that officially heard from a senior level politician like Datuk Seri Najib regarding the wrong mentality and bad attitude of Malaysia athletes.

The star created a poll for its readers to cast their vote on this issue on Friday. Today only I blog about this as I want to see how people respond to Datuk Seri Najib. More than half in favour of him and I’m one of them too.

I remembered the thrill of watching Thomas Cup while I was small, shouting for "Malaysia Malaysia Malaysia" when the service is on Malaysia side, imitated my father voice of support though I wasn’t sure what is it about besides only knowing it’s a badminton competition.

Throughtout the years, I still watch Thomas Cup and support Malaysia, of course!

But, it’s all about disappointment.

Lacksture performances by some players really pure hot cold water onto me. And I realised that, athletes nowadays not exactly the players that fought for country that we saw back then.
It’s all about the benefits, rewards and prizes that matters. Loyalty next.

Now, Datuk Seri Najib already spotted and confessed the wrong mentality and attitude of certain athletes who are still representing the country. Either for the sake of sports development in Malaysia or to guarantee Malaysia’s goals in the next Olympic Games, I hope government, sports’ bodies, NGOs, public and of course athletes will work together to make sure Negaraku would be heard all over the world, again and again.

I feel proud listening to it. Do you?

Let’s make this a dream come true, a reality.

UPDATED: At last, I got all the photos taken during my visit to Kota Kuala Muda with Jeff.

Destructed homeland

Kampung Sungai Muda

Semi-fallen

Gone ….

Sunset at KKM

Kuala Muda (Seberang Perai, Penang)

Appreciation banner by UMNO Sungai
Petani

Temporary settlement

Temporary settlement’s entrance

Signboard: Project Penempatan Baru
Mangsa Tsunami

Thanks Lao Er for sharing.

Hundreds of hotspots spotted throughout Penisular Malaysia, plus the fire at Raja Muda Musa forest reserve situated at Kuala Selangor seriously deteriorate the air quality around Klang Valley and Melacca.

It was reported that although the fire had been temporarily contained, it is believe that it will still take two weeks to a month to be completely extinguished.

Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) area had been badly affected, being surrounded with thick haze. But people were seen moving around, didn’t seeam to be bothered by that.

I was walking down the lane during lunch time, feeling really uncomfortable with this, especially since I started to work here. Visibility level is very low, even Wisma Central which is just opposite the Maxis Tower appeared to be so blur.

But really, hazy surrounding happends so frequently that I used to complain to colleagues that The Day After Tomorrow was coming.

Moreover, it always remind me of Indonesia forest fire which happened regularly over the last few years. The impact was quite huge as environment was deeply affected. Healthy level being disrupted. Subsequently, a lot of people fell sick.

However, most Malaysian as usual, the tidak apa attitude remain while those who are so-called self-conscious people will choose to remain intact at home, resting comfortably in home sweet home equipped with full air-conditioned environment. Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) must be laughing all the way as every degree celcious increase in temperature above 34°C will result in demand escalating up to 400MW.

In the end of the day, it’s time for us to experience self-made rude awakening and understand that, the world is getting hotter and hotter. Definitely, this is not a not a good sign though.

With this forest burning at Kuala Selangor, there is no more excuse to put the blame on our neighbourhood countries as it happened to be at our very own backyard. We better do our little bit by not contributing to the global warming, needless for me to mention how and what you might as well already known.

After all, it’s only 2005. I was thinking, what would happend to Malaysia alone, by 2020?

Now, it’s true that the feeling of anxiety permeates throughtout myself.

After considering all views on Subang airport on whether it’s still suitable to function as a low-cost carriers (LCCs) hub, Government decided to do away with the AirAsia’s proposal to operate from Subang. Instead, a new terminal for budget airlines will be built at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said yesterday that he had consulted several parties before decided with the move and promise to fasten the construction of the new terminal to lower the turnaround time for LCCs. Quote:

"The decision is made as a strategic move to ensure the aviation industry in Malaysia continues to grow, and suits the country’s objective to develop KLIA as a regional aviation hub in the long term. "

This time, Government had made a correct choice.

In fact, I strongly believe that those who still insist and argue on the re-opening of Subang airport for LCCs should do a ride back on the evolvement of Asia’s aviation industry.

After hefty spending on KLIA airport with the most advance architecture and infrastructure, as well as the vision to develop it into one of the Asia Pacific primary hub, Subang airport is no longer relevant with so many issues and concerns around.

Let’s take a look down-south. Neighbourhood factor like Singapore’s Changi Airport had been identified as the biggest threat to Malaysia in becoming an Asia-Paficif hub for LCCs. Currently, two terminals there are almost being fully utilised, now in the midst of constructing the third and a new LCC terminal.

And what so interesting about this is that, three LCCs are currently operating out of Changi Airport. They are Valuair, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia.

So, it means that, when everything falls into places, Changi Airport is definitely going to enjoy the fruit out of it.

Not to mention then, even now too, KLIA is trailing Changi Airport and Bangkok Airport in the race to be crowned as the king of regional hub.

From zero at the start of 2004, to three at the end, not bad at all though. This, no doubt contributed to the growth of the travel industry in Singapore.

While it remains to be seen if the small market can sustain three LCCs in long run, the traffic these airlines have brought and will bring has put a smile on the faces of the Changi Airport. This, Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) must take a closer attention to it.

In the end of the day, the decision has been made to position KLIA as the premier air hub in Malaysia. Now, It’s all on how MAB going to tag along with Government, airlines, LCCs, NGO as well as various feedbacks from public to woo traffics inward and put in some shines into the Malaysia aviation industry.

I wish them the very best.

“Lack of proper system” - main reason on why students decided to defer the loan-repayment, according to Hafizah Kamaruddin of Bernama.

Difficulty in contacting PTPTN staff for information on loan repayment and lack of payment methods are among the concerns.

While some are seriously putting real effort into seeking ways on how to service back their loans, some gave lame excuses.

“Being unemployed”, “too burdensome”, “unprepared yet” are among the groused heard.

Well, let us take a ride back.

First thing first, before students signed the contract, every rules and regulations, terms and conditions had been made known to them, including on how much they need to do installment after a certain period starting from their graduation date. They should have known and realised that they must be held accountable once the signatures are on the black and white agreement.

And also during that time, no one is complaining though. Everyone seems like commending PTPTN for understanding their plights.

Now, they are turning their back on PTPTN, complaining donkey and monkey though!

Definitely, there is neither any arguement nor any issue can be arisen pertaining to that.

Simple, some common sense, ask yourself: Can you raise those complaints to the banks where you signed the loan agreement but not able to pay back the installment or loan within the stipulated time? Read more …

“Unemployed lah, how to pay?”

“Too burdensome lah, how to pay?”

“Unprepared yet lah, how to pay?”

Say it to the bank and see how do they deal with you? Will they plead you to pay? Will they think of a way for you on how to pay? Will they induce you to pay, just like what you do to your love one?

Yes, it’s very much agreed that students’ mentalities and attitudes are part to blame for that RM9 billion deficit, undenieable though.

But really, aren’t PTPTN themselves are the root of evils?

As a creditor, they should have gone after those debtors fast and furious to recover the loans, just like how the normal banking practise works.

Anyone who breach the contract, legal punishment must be meted out immediately.

However, before those actions come into picture, a thorough study into new and more convenience re-payment methods must be conducted. Serious attention should be given on how to come out with a resilient re-payment period too, if this can help solve some of the real concerns among the students.

After all, who to blame when the lender don’t really show that kind of enthusiasm towards Ringgit Malaysia (RM) sign?

Once again, Higher Education Minister Shafie Mohd Salleh stood out on behalf of PTPTN and responded to the loan repayments instruction by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

However, very unfortunately, he is no more a friendly guy. This time, he means business, real one. Quote:

"Reply within 14 days of receiving the final reminder or face legal action."

"They must respond immediately upon receiving their notice which was being sent to the students."

"We have decided to take 200 students to court in April after they failed to respond to their final reminder."

"As such, we advise other students to act immediately or face court action."

Merely 2 days ago, he was reported as saying that a friendly chat would be held with students or so-called loan defaulters to open their hearts so that they can start their repayment.

Now, warning being issued. What a dramatical U-Turn?

How can a politician cum minister level people play switching remarks games in such an uninteresting way?

Sometimes, we just can’t blame people for not picking up fellow ministers advises or good wishes. The sense of betrayal is so strong.

Or afterall, should I take this as another sidesplitter?

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi already instructed the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to initiate effort to make sure loan defaulters pay up the outstanding arrears up to RM7 billion. Quote:

"Whatever the reasons of the loan defaulters, the corporation must identify them and try to recover the loans so that the funds does not disappear just like that."

"However, if the borrowers really cannot afford to pay back, the matter can be negotiated with the corporation to find the best solution."

"Perhaps , some of the students who took the study loans have yet to get a job, and needed time…wait for them to get a job…give them some time, that I understand."

Meanwhile, High Education Minister Shafie Salleh in his response, was quoted as saying:

"PTPTN will hold pep talk with students on repayment of their study loans and publish names of stubborn defaulters."

"The friendly chat was to open their hearts to service the loans they took from the corporation to finance their studies."

Honestly, when I read until the "friendly chat" phrase, I smiled. Next, even worse - open their hearts and what else, I just laugh straight-away.

I don’t know, maybe I’m over-reacting or over-sensitive, or maybe PTPTN had exhausted any possible ideas.

Don’t get me wrong, I truly appreciate the minister effort in trying to come out with this compromising approach while continuing to seek the best resolution, for the sake of poor students.

But, really, let’s get back to the reality, will this work?

Works Minister S. Samy Vellu, who is also the MIC president, when being reminded that Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan - second wealthiest malaysian who has a business empire that cuts across entertainment, space, oil, shipping, telecommunications, property and gaming globally; probably holds 1 percent of the Indians’ current 1.5 percent equity, he was quoted as saying:

"We hope he would gather more wealth so that the Indian equity would go up."

I was shocked when I came across this statement on yesterday TV3’s Buletin Utama. I hope that I was listening at the wrong end. But, unfortunately, not in the reality.

What’s the point in increasing the Indian equity portion while only an already rich individual tycoon benefits from it?

Will this make Malaysian’s Indian community achieve a better quality of life?

Or it’s only because of the feel good factor that will make Datuk Seri looks nicer beyond the eyes of Indian community?

No, no way lah, Datuk Seri.

Yesterday, The Star reported that Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon launched the "Polish the Pearl" campaign to clean up the state.

Well, I guess this theme was being chosen because Penang is also familiar with the name Pearl of Orient worldwide. Sounds sweet, nothing special, isn’t it?

However, a quick run through on Aisehman and Google leaded me to this page. Quote:

"Polish the pearl" is slang for female masturbation; specifically, rubbing the clitoris.

Koh should be a little bit more sensitive towards this as the campaign was being publicised on media.

I don’t want anyone to smear the already bad reputation of Penang or take this as a laughing-stock.

I was taken aback by a report on NST yesterday that teachers fight during a morning assembly on Wednesday at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Setia, KL.

According to the report, this is unprecendented in the history of Malaysia education. Well done, they must be admitted to Malaysia Book of Records soon.

Some pupils were seen asking the school principal whether those two teachers would be canned - a method of punishment normally leashed out to those indiscipline behaviour.

This is far too over-reacting. As teachers, they should have realise their responsibility and practise them well. The lack of co-existence of the least common sense between that two
scatterbrained teachers are totally absurd.

No matter how harsh their emotions are, they should be mature enough to hold on themselves well.

Now, a deep stain is definitely being printed on those youngsters. No point to cry over cooked rice. Stiff punishment must be meted out by the Education Department, no matter what’s the excuses given.

After all, only when extreme pain is being associated to their nervous system, the possibilty of re-occurence can be minimized.

Who knows, they might perform ‘free-show’ again in the future?

I don’t want to know, either.