Malaysia’s second pay-television operator MiTV will begin operations on 5th September 2005, as reported by Yahoo.

For real? I think so.

Umno Youth chief Hishammudin Hussein merely puking fun on Chinese community by reminding them not to scare and have misconception of the keris wielding session. Quote:

"If the community (Chinese) is still afraid of the keris, then, I believe they are not able to compete in today’s globalised world, which is talking about atomic bomb, nuclear and scud missile." […]

Last week, he was critisized by Malacca MCA delegate Tai Boon Hock for holding up the keris during the MCA Youth annual general assembly.

Is this a joke or what?

You better tell me.

[UPDATED VERSION] Multimedia University (MMU) is in the wrong limelight, again.

This time, student ELKJ complained about the terrible condition in MMU while student MJL is not satisfied with staff sub-standard service.

However, one good samaritan, who is also an MMU student (or probably one of the MMU staff) wrote in and refuted their allegations.

As for me, I choose to believe that this is a very much case-to-case basic. Afterall, we can’t expect perfect service from every staff in MMU.

You might be right to say that the condition is terrible or probably feel irked by the personal experience, however to undermine MMU reputation in such an irresponsible way is unacceptable, at least in my definition.

As a graduate of MMU, I would like to propose a simple suggestion to the above duo, which is to lodge formal email complaints to the president Ghauth Jasmon, who can be reached here.

Reason wise

Previously during the Bosch scholarship fiasco and wrong faculty admission issue, I commmunicated with the president through email and he responded almost immediately, a privilege which you’ll hardly get to experience in public university.

I’ve to compliment him on his handling over those issues and I believe he will take their complaints seriously if its proven to be true. Afterall, I have trust into president Ghauth that he has the heart,vision and sincerity in working towards creating one of the best university in Malaysia.

As a graduate, I’m proud of him, for the fact that, not even the Government is as spontaneous as him and this is something that they must learn from him.

Less selfish

Now, back to my junior, just be less selfish, will do?

By all means, I really mean it.

*************************

I decided to email the president for further clarification dated Friday, August 26, 2005 1:38 AM. Below is the reply that I received, published with his consent:

From: Ghauth Jasmon (Cyberjaya)
To: SK
Date: 26-Aug-2005 14:52
Subject: Re: Student complaints at Malaysiakini (URGENT)

SK,

Thank you so much for your efforts to assist MMU in the onslaught. I deeply appreciate your good heart.

As you might know, I will do anything to put right what is wrong. I will also do my utmost best to give more to the student community. If the complainant would see there is an ongoing RM150 million physical development project in Cyberjaya which when completed will give students more eating places, more gym, more rest areas, swimming pool, more library space etc. Not only that, we keep purchasing new text books and subscribe to new journals costing us millions each year. Do they wonder where we get the money from, it is our reserve and bank borrowings!

There are problems in the toilets but the origin of the problems are known. Vandalism remains a big headache for us. However I must admit that our staff are far from perfect, neither are all great. But we do go after the underperforming if evidence is given.

But be rest assured that despite all the criticisms, we will go on to maintain and make better the facilities for students. We will not be disheartened. It may interest you to know that after nine years running this university I discovered one thing about humans i.e. take one thousand humans and you will find at least one but not more than two that will have reason to be unhappy about anything and they will shout real loud, and sound loudest. At the same time, you will find at least ten who will report the same problem at a courteous decibel level. However, the most interesting about all this is that if you are lucky enough to get the one who shout loudest to sit and talk with you for half an hour, they will at the end of the conversation, leave probably shaking hand with you, smiling a little and thinking much more.

Above all, thank you so much for your explanation. The management is not very keen to reply as it may be misconstrued like we like to defend ourselves whenever there is a complaint.

Best wishes.

Ghauth.

With this reply, I believe the matter should have been laid to rest.

What you think?

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi instructed the Gerakan duo to stop the dispute and refrain launching personal attacks. Quote:

“I hope they stop their dispute and leave it to the party members to decide. That is the best thing.”

For a while, we forget the previous hoo-haa and since then, all media-attention has been focused on them.

Politicians must be wise and old enough to understand and heed the PM advice.

Act like one.

My first time.

I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward this.

The real showtime is pending, however the warm-up session already took place.

Today, Kerk Choo Ting as one of the presidential candidate claimed that the president Lim Keng Yaik is cheating and set vice president Koh Tsu Koon up into a trap. Via Malaysiakini:

"If he (Lim) really wants Tsu Koon to be president, he should retire now and not say that ‘maybe I will retire in 2007 or 2008′. By that time I predict he will say to Tsu Koon ‘you wait for a while because the general election is near’." […]

"I have experienced the same thing. He told me the grassroots still wanted him, he still had to finish his work, the CC (central committee) asked him not to retire … all kinds of reasons. So this time I hope Tsu Koon is wise enough not to fall into this trap." […]

A few days ago, Keng Yaik was seen busy refuting allegations which were made against him. Today, he has to face another challenge of explaining this matter to the grassroots and his supporters.

At the same time, I start to doubt Choo Ting intention of raising the accusation at this particular time, though possibly this might be his survival strategy and putting all his effort to garner as much support as possible, some sympathy votes maybe.

However, this is a serious allegation. I mean, you might be right but how well he fares into this matter? Just because the president didn’t fulfill his promise which was made a decade ago? What I can see is that, the way that this fight is going on will not only undermine each of their reputations, but to put Gerakan reputation at stake too.

To critisize Keng Yaik by looking like as if he is safeguarding Tsu Koon, Choo Ting has either decreasing his chance of winning or seriously jeopardise his political career, lose-lose situation indeed. Worse, the only winner throughout this fiasco is only one, which is Tsu Koon, who became the deputy president uncontested, won by default.

I’m not sure about you, but from a Malaysian Chinese point of view, I feel really embarrassed, as if leaders who are supposedly to protect and fight for the Chinese rights are too indulge in open fighting.

In the end of the day, the sincerity in party leaders in promoting unity are being questioned and they are merely putting party harmony and integrity into intensive care unit. Probably, they might have forgotten that this is a party election, not a venue for them to make personal attacks.

Even the Gerakan Wanita Chief Rhina Bhar had said so. True but sad enough.

My question is: Tak tau malu ker?

[UPDATED VERSION] Maxis SMS alert at 2:46pm

Mykad holders eligible to win prizes ranging from motorcycle to electircal goods in contest organised by NRD to get more people to apply for Mykad

Should I compliment this as brilliant or what?

I’m out of words, this strategy as if informing every Malaysian to get a Mykad not because you’re proud of your Malaysia identity, but for the sake of standing a chance to win a present?

Meanwhile, Bernama confirmed that all MyKad holders and applicants before Nov 30 will have the chance to win a Perouda Myvi worth RM50,000.

What you think?

Menteri Hal-Ehwal Dalam Negeri Azmi Khalid is going to marry ex-TV3 personality Normala Shamsuddin soon.

Congratulations Pak Azmi!

Now, you can book your ticket on AirAsia through mobile reservation, so happend to be that national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) lost it wings just a few days ago.

Reason wise for the existence of this service:

“As Malaysia’s cellular penetration rate at 60% is much higher than its Internet penetration rate of 13%, AirAsia’s new delivery channel can reach out to even more customers while reducing operating cost,” AirAsia’s CEO Tony Fernandes said.

Next destination, Cambodia.

I can’t be less excited than anyone else.

[UPDATED VERSION] Khazanah Nasional and Telekom Malaysia have teamed up to acquire a stake in Singapore’s MobileOne Limited (M1).

Bernama reported a 12.06% stake while TheEdgeDaily reported 17.70%.

More updates here.

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Telekom Malaysia upped its stake in M1 to 18.45%, as reported here. Business Times also carries the same report here.

Apparently, Telekom is keen towards M1, given that the last purchase was done a week ago.