A few days after Digi came out with the latest promotion, Maxis doesn’t seem and of course not in the mood of losing out too!

Digi, brands itself as the #1st in rolling out zero monthly fee (only for usage above RM100), one flat rate nationwide (intra-Digi number) and free value added services (Free CLIP, Call Hold, Call Waiting, Call Divert and Multi Party Conferencing).

On the other hand, Maxis promotes real no access fees, semi-real no hidden cost (mind you, hidden cost RM50 will prevail post 31st March), flat-rate nationwide (by informing you that maxis contacts are everywhere) and free value added services (Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Hold, Voice Mail, GPRS), too?

How about you, Celcom? Still feeling proud with this or in the midst of observing the dog fight?

I’m thrilled, to see such a rigid rivalry among them.

This time, I’m so sure that, the ball is with you now, my dear users.

Ex-MAS stewardess Beatrice Fernandez, who had served MAS for 11 years, was terminated by the national carrier in 1991 after she refused to resign for becoming pregnant.

On Friday, the Federal Court dismissed Fernandez’s application to appeal against various provisions in the Collective Agreement (CA) with the MAS. Back then, she lost her appeal in 2004.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that MAS’s maternity policy is not in tandem with the spirit in Article (8)2 of Federal Constitution and already violated women rights. Quote:

“Although when women sign up as stewardesses they agree to have only two babies and retire at 45, it is archaic to stop them from having the number of babies they want as well as to tell them that they cannot function after 45.” […]

“Women shouldn’t be treated like objects and there cannot be different retirement ages for men and women.”

I want everyone to take a look at Article 11.2(a) of the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, very clearly stated that there must be no discrimination against women on the grounds of marriage or maternity and to ensure their effective right to work.

I feel sick to read this fuss. Discrimination towards women prenancy’s right still exist in Malaysia, worse it happended to be at national courier.

What irritate me the most is, if it’s against the Federal Constitution, why is it this rule still eligible to appear in the agreement to be signed by stewardess?

OK, to be fair, Article 8(2) was amended by Parliament after 2001, it shouldn’t to be seen on those papers anymore.

But then again, my question, why Minister still need to sit down, discuss and compromise while it’s already 4 years post-amendment?

This is intolerable!

What say you now, Datuk?

It’s very interesting to find out that Wi-Fi LAN is feasible on airplane now.

Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), provides high-speed in-flight internet service, where users can choose from a flat rate of US $29.95 dollars for the entire flight or a metered option of US $9.95 for 30 minutes and 25 cents per minute thereafter.

Surfing 10,000 meters up, another huge leap in connexion world.

Undeniable, Malaysia is a boleh-land being blessed with all-time sense of humours and abundance of hillarious remarks from those so-called rakyat’s representative.

Yesterday, Kelantan MB Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat accused that sexy appearance is a cause of crime, by giving others the impression that they are selling their bodies. Quote:

“Women who wear such clothes are contributing to the rise in sex crimes and that is why I am in favour of any move to curb such dressing.”

Wanite MCA Chief, Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen rebuked by saying that Nik Aziz is bias against gender issues. Quote:

“Doesn’t he realise that most sex crime victims are fully dressed from head to toe and some of them are children?” […]

“Someone with that kind of mindset on gender issues is an obstacle to the progress of women.”

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Rais Yatim condemned this measure as “outrageous”. Quote:

“It is not an easy thing because this is also a matter which touches on the basic rights of non-Muslims.”

“They have their own rights which are clearly spelled out in the Constitution, and this issue also involves other religions as well.”

Meanwhile, a contradicting statement by Kota Baru Local Council’s President Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman really put me into a very dumb state by saying that:

“Under the trade, commerce and industry by-laws, non-Muslim business owners were required to ensure that their non-Muslim workers were decently dressed.” […]

“But we cannot force them to adhere to the code or impose a fine if they are caught wearing improper attire.”

Being label as insensible towards women rights, I have to believe that he will remain unperturbed, given that his past tracks had been tainted badly with his anti-woman image.

If non-Muslims rights which as spelled out in the constituition by Rais Yatim is true enough, why don’t he delivered firm caveat against Kelantan government right away? This is unbending!

But then, if we look through again, maybe Nik Aziz is too old to realise that, the world is changing all the while, so do the social and cultural value.

Sometimes, I really feel like craving every politician to at least listen to rakyat judgement and justify the suitability and availability in order to come out with better measures.

After all, I believe this will create an even more respected bilateral relationship between the high and low, isn’t it?

Like what common sense always say: If you don’t learn how to respect others, don’t expect the same from others too?

Maybe a lot are too old to realise this, sad case.

End of Story.

Malaysia is always at the wrong mean on international radar. No exceptional to Dr. Mazlan Othman’s favourites too.

Jonathan Kent of BBC, on no self-respecting Malaysian.

Thanks to Dr. Mazlan brilliant idea, I was being condemned too.

Arghhh ….

Lately, quite a number of government sites were being defaced by some ill-minded international kiddies.

While the victim list grows, some so-called Ofichel Website of Gaverment departments/agencies remain intact.

But, for those which survive and strive on, whether they are being spared a chance to live in the future, it doesn’t seem to be bother me, even a bit. Reason why? Read on.

Teh tarik, roti canai, sambal belacan dan batik!

National Space Agency (NSA) Director General Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman said yesterday that those are the things that Malaysia first austronaut will bring along into the space by 2007. Quote:

“We will have a programme called Batik in Space and we will also launch a programme called Roti Canai in Space to see how we can bring Malaysian delicacies up to the space station.”

“We will research ways to bring our astronauts’ favourite food into space.”

“These we can bring to Houston, in the American state of Texas, where they will study how it can be brought into space.” […]

Yes, this is not a joke. HeShe insisted that he means business.

Well, if u think that this is not hillarious enough, read on in Malay version. Quote:

“Kita hanya mahu angkasawan kita menikmati makanan Malaysia di angkasa lepas dan ia akan membabitkan banyak aktiviti sains dalam menyediakan mereka.” […]

“Angkasawan Malaysia tidak semata-mata berperanan sebagai ‘penumpang’ pada misi angkasa lepas itu memandangkan mereka (lelaki atau wanita) akan menjalankan eksperimen saintifik sepanjang enam hingga lapan hari di Stesen Angkasa Lepas Antarabangsa berkenaan.”

“Ia bukan penjalanan yang glamour. Perjalanan itu juga bukan penamat kepada kerjaya seorang angkasawan (Malaysia)” […]

If this is not a joke, what else can this be?

It’s really unbelievable, yet it’s true enough for people like you and I to believe in.

Never mind, this so-called serious “joke” will add another entry into my 10 MOST HILLARIOUS REMARKS by MALAYSIA POLITICIANS which I’m compilling now.

Till then, do correct me if you think that, this is not a joke after all.

It’s confirmed.

Singapore investment arm, Temasek Holdings had signed an agreement to buy a stake in Malaysian Plantations Berhad (MPlant), which controls one of the country smallest lenders, Alliance Bank.

Under the deal, MPlant confirmed that shareholder Langkah Bahagia Sdn Bhd, a company linked to Former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, had agreed to sell at 15.37% stake, comprising 178.7 million shares and 59.58 million warrants, in MPlant to Vertical Theme Sdn Bhd.

Langkah Bahagia signed the agreement with Duxton Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Asia Financial Holdings, which in turn is wholly owned by Temasek. As a result, Duxton will hold 49% in Vertical Theme and Langkah Bahagia hold the balance 51%. The share sale to the venture ensures that Langkah Bahagia still holds majority control over the MPlant stake.

The transaction is yet another sign the relations between Singapore and Malaysia are improving. A few years ago, such a deal would have been blocked.

Subsequently, Temasek’s interest in MPlant first emerged in February 2004 as Malaysia-Singapore ties warmed following Malaysian Prime Minister’s Tun Mahathir Mohamed retirement.

Significantly, the deal is now materialized and marks Temasek’s entry into Malaysia’s banking sector.

It’s time for Made in Malaysia banks to buck up or else gradually losing market share to the competitors.

As I blog this at 11:21AM, USM website had been hacked yesterday, by someone who so-called himself “Indonesian Reformer”.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reminded Malaysian to be prepared to lose subsidies by government and pay more as government was experiencing heavy deficit due to fuel subsidy, higher health cost and poor repayment of education loans.

According to him, changed would be gradually, phase by phase in order not to shock the people. Quote:

“We have to condition the minds of the people first before doing any review.” […]

“These are among the financial challenges we have to deal with.”

When asked about healthcare system and higher education loan system, he was quoted as saying:

“The question now is whether we can continue with the present situation or have some sort of scheme.” […]

“Ideally, the outflow and inflow of these loans should be balanced. If these loans are not repaid, we will have to review the management of the loan system.”

See, this is the main problem in Malaysia. People in authority know the existence and roots of problems, but when comes to implemention, none becomes feasible.

I had lost my words, at least for the time being.

Or should I harbour and preserve my least hope on this?

What you think?