The craving started even before Ramadhan.....

.

I went to Jusco after a BIG BUFFET lunch with a few Proton dealers at the One World Hotel to replenished my organic oat bran that I consumed for breakfast daily as staple food... soon for 'Sahur' too. I was distracted away from the organic oat counter by the strong Durian aroma which unhesitatingly, I grabbed 2 boxes of their best durian... I have low resistant for Durian. "I want to eat now!!" ...I said to the sales attendance. He laughed, passed me the price sticker and asked me to pay first at the counter which I did and I ended up eating the whole RM50 per pack durian instantly.

Perhaps I was hungry.. again.. although lunch was extraordinarily a bigger portion barely 4 hours ago. This cravings are common as it get nearer to the Fasting month and it gets worse during the fasting month.. but I reckon its worth craving for Durian now than during fasting. It didnt help when my cousin Ervin, earlier today, happily listed all the food he ate in preparation to Ramadhan.

As though the Durian did not satisfy the cravings, we drove 2 hours to the Sepang Gold Coast for more food.....

Well of course, the 2 hours drive was for an initial site-visit to see our investment there. The development was expected to be completed this year end... and so far, everything on schedule.

It is a beautiful piece of development barely 1 hour drive from KLIA.

The developer's price was barely RM1 million per unit but the current market price had appreciated to almost RM2million.

At the Sepang Gold Coast, I was informed the development was 95% sold and 80% was sold to foreigner. Only 15% buyer were local Malaysian.

I was bored with all the updates and my thought went wild when I saw the sign that read "The Sunset Beach Restaurant".... cravings!! cravings!! cravings!!

We sat and I had one of the best medium-well cooked Lamb Rack, button mushroom and other varieties.... The official photographer my sis Emi, took so many photos but then being under training (forever).. and almost a week later, those photos are still comfortably sleeping in the camera SD memory card.

This was only the synopsis of the various cravings I had.. a friend of mine was highly recommending Horse Meat in Rawang... I am quite adventurous with food but Horse meat? I wanted to try until I was told the Horse that was slaughtered were all "RETIRED-RACE" horses... I would rather have a young, fresh & virgin horse... but daging Kuda Pencen? :-D


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Once upon a time a decade ago with umno.........

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I attended the launching of Prof Khairil Anas's first book of a series of 4, on the Evolution of Leadership Theories & studies by the Deputy Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Shangri La Hotel, Putrajaya today on 18 August 2009.

At the function, I met some old and made many new friends, mostly from UMNO. I also met many 'Facebook Friends' for the first time although we regularly interacted on Facebook.

I discovered many politicians whom are my regular blog followers... thank you for the support.

Everybody at the function are UMNO loyalist and being a loyalist, some were quite offended with some of my blog posting... which I am grateful for the sincere remark... unlike some hypocritical politicians whom acted as a 'bro' in front.. then back-stabbed or threw stone then hide akin of anonymous blogger.

I am glad those that knew me (although for the first time), approached, spoke and clarified with me on some of my sensitive blog posts. My blog post was never meant to be offensive and if taken positively, it can be in capitalised in our favour.

A more diplomatic friends that came forward, asked which UMNO division am I attached to? but a more blunt question threw at me was... "if I am for or against UMNO?" "Reading through my blog, I do not sounded UMNO..." A few friends further added. Looking at both the defensive and offensive mode of some friends, I will avoid mentioning their name and will only refer to him as HE or Them.

There are so many questions and issues that needed clarification but to understand, we have to travel a decade back. I never thought of becoming active in UMNO until I met Dato Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo whom was then the Selangor Chief Minister and his aide Datuk Dr Karim Hj Mansor at an official Proton function almost a decade ago. A day after that function, I received a call from Dr Karim, whom asked me to meet him at the Chief Minister's office the following day.

At the Chief Minister's office, I was asked to be actively involved in politic which I hesitated as I knew little about politic but after an hour, I was made to belief that UMNO needed younger leaders and barely 26 years old then, I fit his criteria... and so said Dr Karim but I declined diplomatically citing lack of exposure in politic as the main reason and asked for a grace period to deliberate.

I called and met a good friend, Dato Farid Ariffin (President MAKNA) and seek his advice. Farid strongly advised against going into Politic and asked to concentrate in business instead. I spoke to other close friends and other politicians as well as my dad and many encourages it though some strongly objected.....

After much deliberation, I called, met and spoke over and over again with Dr Karim. I said, I do not have any ambition in politic but I want to serve UMNO which Dr Karim explained the many ways to serve. Being in UMNO branch is a long process to be in power, explained Dr Karim. There are shorter way but I needed to be at the division level which again I hesitated. I did not want to create any unnecessary enemy, I did not have any ambition to be a politician. I just wanted to serve UMNO being a product of UMNO/Barisan Nasional government's policies.

Disappointed with my decision, Dr Karim suggested that I should at least open up my own UMNO branch, which although reluctant, I said yes. Dr Karim said, 'if I have no immediate ambition to be at division, then I should be in Puchong and support YB Dato Satim Diman whom was a very established Division chief, and controls one of the most stable division'. Dato Satim is a legend in UMNO and undefeated for many years in Serdang/Puchong and I should support him. Having a small business in Puchong, I agree to support Dato Satim.

And so the birth of my first direct exposure in political circle... via Dr Karim & Dr Khir Toyo whom first adopted me into UMNO circle almost a decade ago. I quickly gathered most of my family members, relatives, staff and business associates in Puchong to be registered as an UMNO member under my soon to be established UMNO branch with a simple resolution to eradicate 'Unemployment' in Puchong. Within less than a month, I submitted the application to set-up a new branch with the list of 111 young and eager professionals as a new members at the new proposed branch. Their membership was fully paid with the application. 90% of the names submitted was not yet an UMNO member.

Until today, I cant find any UMNO division that could stood proud to claim their division or constituency has zero unemployment. In fact, I do not think the division even had or monitors the unemployment statistic. I brainstormed and completed a 1-5 year plan to achieve the resolution. I cannot disappoint Dr Karim whom had invested alot of his time then to make me understand politic, I thought to myself... and thought further, it was the least that I could do for UMNO.

Being eager and enthusiastic, within less than a month later, with the help of Amir Shafi I met almost all of Dato Satim's Division & Youth exco members and communicated the plan to achieve the 'zero unemployment' resolution under my proposed UMNO branch... via business and employment opportunity capitalising from the government assistant for SMEs.

Unfounded rumours quickly spread and existing exco felt unease and threatened. I only wanted my own small umno branch having agreed with Dr Karim to serve umno. The rumours brought a few division, youth exco members and supporters seeking for my clarifation if I had any intention to go forward to division. Some unnecessarily pledged support which I immediately brushed out but some too came to threat, pre-warned and re-clarified my stand (again and again), including the Deputy Division chief then, Dato Hasnan Wahid. I re-clarified and re-iterate my only interest is in my small umno branch and none at division.

After various inquiries and follow up on the status of my new branch formation without success, Ir Rosly who was then in-charge of new branch application and membership (now Dato Satim's division Vice-Chief) ran out of reasoning to give.. At one junture, he said the division had endorsed my application and my Branch file was forwarded to UMNO State office and a week later he changed his statement and said my application was still under review....? Weeks and months passed by and finally, a year after submission, I was informed that both the application file and the membership fees submitted to formed the new branch went missing and dissappeared. I spoke again to both Dr karim and Dato Satim without success and gathered mine and the new members as well as the establishment of my new branch was not welcome. I did not re-submit my application but that marked the end of that episode. Since then, it has been all about business and had lost contact with all friends from UMNO Serdang/Puchong including Dr Karim... except for Ariffin Osman and Amir Shafi whom I occasionally contacted.

Now, almost a decade later, and for already a decade, I became an enthusiast observer and a strong 'external' supporter instead. I am still passionate with UMNO and Barisan National election manifest and resolutions. If there existed any weaknesses within UMNO, it should be debated within UMNO and should not be politicized by the opposition whom standalone, does not even have any pragmatic future direction.

So to answer those inquires from many friend's email, on Facebook and those that I met at Prof Anas's book launching.... yes, there is no doubt of my support for UMNO and will not join any other party although I had my share of very bad experiences with setting up an UMNO branch... but bygones remain bygones. It is a decade later but I am with UMNO and always will. There is no future in the opposition... they are good at picking on UMNO's weaknesses without any pragmatic or own vision... unlike the Vision 2020 that I am still very passionate about.

and again, my apology for almost a decade of silence to those whom supported me in opening up the UMNO branch way back in 2002... I never had the opportunity to clarify and apologized individually to all. When I check @ UMNO ONLINE REGISTRATION via the IC number submitted during the branch application submission, majority are still a non-umno member. I trust you have remained neutral and did not join the opposition.... or did you?

Although my branch file was lost with Dato Satim's official, copies of all documentations are still intact. Am I still interested to open an umno branch..? No, I am not interested but I will be a strong and aggressive supporter to UMNO though I wont blindly agree on everything. Some of the members in the proposed branch was unknown to me but was brought in by other pro-tem committee members. The list of 111 members that was previously submitted is as follows:

	PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF UMNO CAWANGAN PUSAT BANDAR PUCHONG 2002
1	ARMIN BANIAZ PAHAMIN
2	NOOR ARMAN PUTRA MAHADI
3	NOOR ERVIN SHAHRIZ DATUK NORDIN
4	F. R. RAZDEAN
5	KHAIRUL ANNUAR HASHIM
6	AHMAD KHAIRIE ZULKIFLI
7	JOHAN NASIR
8	AL JAZZURA KHAN
9	MOHD SOBRI BIN JAAFAR
10	AHMAD NAZMI BIN ABDUL RAHMAN
11	AZHAR SULAIMAN
12	AZAIDI BIN MOHD LAZIM
13	ZARIR SALLEH
14	IZHAM BIN ISMAIL
15	OSNY SHU-HARRY SHUIB
16	YUSRI NASIR
17	MOHD IDHAM BIN ISMAIL
18	SHARFATEN ANIZA BINTI MD KASSIM (via Apeq)
19	AZIZAN BIN ABDUL AZIZ (via Apeq)
20	CHEMPAKA EMALIN
21	SHARIFAH RAFIAH BINTI SYED YAHYA
22	NAWAL RAFEZA BINTI ZULKIFLI
23	HAFIZ BIN KAMMEL RIZA
24	MOHD KHAIRUL ANUAR
25	ROSE EMINI
26	JUNAIDAH BINTI YUSOF
27	ZAINAB MOHAMAD
28	MUZAFIQ AFFYULZAIFUZAN BIN MUHAMMAD (via Apeq)
29	DATO' PAHAMIN A RAJAB
30	AZHAR SULAIMAN
31	NORKIYAH IBRAHIM
32	MAHMUD BIN ABDULLAH
33	ISKANDAR ZULFIKAR ALI BHUTTO
34	TERATAI EDITHY
35	JEFFRI OSMAN
36	TREESNA AZURA DATO' JOHAR
37	MALYANNA ABDUL MALIK
38	MASWADY RAKION
.
39	JAILANI MAMAT
40	ZAHARAH BINTI ABU JOHAN
41	TG MUZZAMMIL TG MAKRAM
42	JAMAL BIN JOHARI
43	MOHD FAIZUL SIDI AHMAD
44	TENGKU FAIRA EDNA TENGKU ISKANDAR
45	BISRAFEL BIJURI
46	ROSMAZA RAMLI
47	NORAZLIA BINTI AHMAD
48	MOHAMED @ MAHMOOD BIN MOHD NOR
49	WAN ZAHARI BIN HANAF
50	MOHD NAZRUL IZAM BIN MANSOR
51	WAN ROSMADIY BIN WAN YUSOF
52	MOHAMAD AZAM BIN YUNUS
53	AZMI BIN MOHAMAD
54	ENA NOOR RASHIDA BIN ABDUL RASHID
55	FAKIRUDDIN ALI AHMAD BIN ABU BAKAR
56	NORHAIZAN BINTI ABD SHUKOR
57	ABDUL MUHAIMIN BIN NASIR
58	MOHAIZAR BIN MOHAMAD
59	NIK IZYAN BT NIK ISMAIL
60	MARWAN BIN MOHD NOOR
61	MOHD FAIDZHIR IDRIS
62	MOHD LUQMAN HAKIM BIN ABDULLAH
63	NAWAL AINI BINTI ZULKIFLI
64	NURAZURA BINTI KHALILI
65	HUSIN JALI
66	ADNAN JALANI
67	NIK MOHD IZAFIZAL BIN HAJI NIK ISMAIL
68	JOHAR MOHD YUSOFF
69	MOHD ANAZIM
70	SYED HASRIL ALYAHYA BIN SYED SAPIAA
71	MOHD RHIZA DATO' GHAZI
72	CHE NOR HAYATI BTE CHE BACHIK
73	NOOR SYAHIRA SURYA DATO' NOORDIN
74	HAR ZANI AZMI PROBITAS
75	AHMAD RAFIQ ZULKIFLI
76	AZLIN AZIZ
77	ED SIMOR KHAN
78	MOHD HAZLI ZAKARIA
79	ZAHARI BIN HANAFI
80	TG ASMARUL
81	DR AZHAR ISHAK
82	MOHD AZMI HJ SIDEK
83	MOHD AIDIL BIN DAUD
84	RAZI KHAN BIN RASHID
85	MOHD ZULKIFLI ABD JALIL (MENS REVIEW)
86	RIZAL CIMB
87	MOHD ZAIDI BIN ALI (via arman)
88	MOHD ZAKI ALIAS (via ARMAN)
89	RAFIQ KHAN BIN AKBAR KHAN (via DR AZHAR)
90	TABIRA BIN TAHIR (via DR AZHAR)
91	NIK SAZHANI RAJA ABDULLAH (cia DR AZHAR)
92	AZLI BIN NORDIN (via dr azhar)
93	MOHD AINUL HAKEEM BIN RAMLEE
94	ZAI MUNIRA ABDUL RASHID
95	NURIN MOHD NOOR (via osny)
96	ADE KADRIS ABDUL RAHMAN
97	KHUSAINI ZAKARIA
98	NIK AIDIL MARIA NIK SAPEIA
99	FARIHAN HATMI BIJURI
100	MUHAMMAD FARID SULAIMAN
101	NOOR HISYAM B. SABRALMULISI
102	MOHD ZAINI AHMAD
103	ANIS HAFIZA HASSAN
104	NOREEN RASLINDA RASHID
105	ROSMAN MUSA
106	MOHD KHAIRI HASSAN
107	ABDULLAH ABDUL WAHAB
108	KHAIRUL AMRIE
109	MOHD HAFIZOL OMAR
110	NURUL HISHAM B. ISMAIL
111	GHAZALAINI BIN GHAZALI

Although it has been almost a decade, it is never too late to apologize... I hope. I apologized to the above friends for that time wasted.

Last but not least, a special CONGRATULATION to Prof. Hj Khairil Anas on a well written book. The launching was smooth, well-planned and well-organised. It is great to meet old friends from the same circle. I had known Anas for almost 15 years since we were in United Kingdom and although successful, he remained as humble. I am always proud to see my friends and peers succeed in their field and specialty. I am still writting my books but was delayed by endless work and business schedule.... ya ya yaa... i know.. same reason.

The "educational background" of other politicial party Youth exco members are still a "Work In Progress" but is on my list of priority.

Stay Tune..........

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Bvlgary....? Burglary..... burglarrrriiii... BURRRGLAAARY!!!! ...... its not funny!

Bvlgary....? Burglary..... burglarrrriiii... BURRRGLAAARY!!!! ...... its not funny!

My first experience being burglared was during teen.... I rented a small 180 sq ft hostel room during undergraduate study at the University of Buckingham for STR230 a month paid with a STR291 MARA scholarship a month. I entered my room after a good clubbing night out to discover all the new assets that I still owe my credit card were all missing... HiFi stereo, notebook, alarm clock (the reason why I missed so many lectures since), watches, rings, even my brand new socks.....

16 years later... todate, I have been burglared and robbed (even with parangs) more than 20 times. All the burglaries except for that teenage student life, was within the last 2 years at Fasfik outlets at various locations in Petaling Jaya except today. Today, Fasfik Corporate Office and my office at Damansara Perdana was burglared.... a clean sweep sort of speak, the 49" plasma TVs that connects and displayed all realtime cctv videos of all my businesses, about a dozen Computers and other items including various foreign currencies that I safe-kept at office for travelling.

The day before my office was hit, the Mamak store below my office was robbed by a few Indians with Parangs. A few months ago, my dad's law firm Pahamin & Pahamin (Advocate & Solicitor) was burglared.. also at Damansara Perdana.

Barely 3 weeks ago, on the 27th July 2009, Home Ministry via its website started a poll to gauge the public's view on the Country's level of safety and the government's performance in safe guarding the people's safety and security. According to the poll, 97% of the total respondence felt unsafe due to the current high crime rate and 95% respondent felt the government had not done their best to ensure the best safety to the public (see: the Star).

I consider myself part of the 95% statistics that felt more could be done to combat crime and part of the 97% statistic that do not feel safe.

But bitching alone would not reduce the crime rate... thinking outloud and brainstorming on counter measures ... I like the recommendation from my Fasfik Head of Manpower Development, Kamarul Arifin Zainal's suggestion to enrol 100 of fasfik crew as part of People's Volunteer Corporation (RELA)... in fact, I might volunteer to be one too.


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A few people is a year older this weekend...

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TGI Friday... or was it Thank God Its Friday...? or more appropriately Oh My God its Friday... again!! ..........and its the last weekend before the fasting month.

I did not just forget that its already the weekend and the fasting month is next week but I forgot too that this weekend was my youngest niece's birthday...... Raisa Myrin Jasmine.... and my brother in law's birthday.. Rhiza Ghazi ..... and another brother in law's birthday......... Rafiq Zulkifli..... Ashraf's Birthday.... Brandon's Birthday and... I hope I did not forget any others... sometimes too I forget that I am many many years old too.




So many are a year older this weekend but there is only ONE that I knew that will turn ONE year old this weekend... my youngest niece, the adorable Raisa.











The theme for Raisa's birthday was 'Princess" and she became a ONE year old Princess...











The cake was the shape of a princess's crown and Melor's house was decorated into a party play ground...

The Birthday girl's eldest cousin Kasih Leia Ixora...








On the right: is Raisa's elder sister Raina & her cousin Aaraf..





And of course... Princess Raisa's TWO and ONLY uncles.. (one that 'maintain-macho' with a long hair), and TOk POK.....





and we sang the traditional 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PRINCESS RAISA.. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....
LA... LA..... LA......








.......... and all the cousins except for the birthday.. girl blew the cake......









After the party ended.. all of the Princess's guests... a wonderful party pack was given... ALL GUESTS except for the UNCLE!!!! grrrr..









Although it was a fantasy came true for Princess Raisa on her birthday...... and after we finished eating the cake.. the crown, part of the cake made of icing, was presented to the birthday girl's sister, Raiqa...

Raiqa too wanted to be a Princess!!!!


BUT WAIT the 'Cheeky' Aunt Chik too wanted to be a princess....








and goodness... Raisa's mummy too wanted to be Princess Mummy......!!!

oh well I thought... since everybody is in the mood, I mind as well be a Prince too....

OOoo NO NO No noooo...... Raisa's Daddy cant be a Prince............ it is his birthday too!!!!!

Raisa's daddy... aka Uncle Ja.. aka Rhiza is too old to be a Prince.. and 1 cake is not enough for candles equivalent to his age.. so, Rhiza needed too many cakes ...




















and a Birthday song is by default... even for an old man... :-p

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIZA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIZA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIZA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIZA

and you can see Rhiza's face turned red........






and rhiza puff and he puff....
and oh no............... so many candles....



















Dont worry Tok.. there is enough cake for everybody.. Rhiza is 34 years old.. there should be more than 34 cakes available... uhuks...







.......and of course, there are Party pack for all Rhiza's Guests too....







Rhiza's birthday party was suppose to be a karoeke party... having received a Karoeke and Home theatre set for his birthday!! but being the shy-guy............. he never invited any of his guests to sing!!! ................ in fear of being asked to sing!! he did not have enough practice yet... and he practice all day till dawn.... maybe he will sing for next year's birthday.......... anyhow..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIZA....

Last but not least.......... my brother in law Rafiq's birthday......... my thousand apology !!!! ......that I could not attend... sorry. I wanted to go.... but was soooo exhausted and mentally drained but your birthday was not forgotten... and dont worry about adding another candle on your cake.. I am sure it wont add up any more white hair to your lovely groomed hair.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAFIQ..........

There were 2 more Birthday parties this weekend which my deputy Aaraf Pahamin aka Armin JR attended representing the family..... hopefully soon Armin JR can start attending meetings on my behalf too...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHRAF

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON

Sorry didnt have any pictures at the time of posting....

and that is the end of my 'eating-full' weekend... next weekend, I am sure there wont be any more parties to attend, everybody will be busy trying to stay awake while fasting or busy eating in hiding... either way........ good luck & all the best! Selamat Menyambut RAMADHAN.



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Blog, Facebook & DAP Youth.. (part vii)

Update:

12/09/09 Edward Ling Sieak Meeng was earlier listed without any blog page. Correction: Edward has both an FB account as well as a Blogger. His Blog details has been ammended below. (Note: thank you for the update Edward).

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


This is the 7th series of various political parties youth exco members 'presence-analysis' on cyber & Blogosphere. I've completed the list of Cabinet Minister on Facebook (FB) & personal Blog, UMNO Youth, MCA Youth, Gerakan Youth, PAS Youth and PKR Youth (AMK). I am not bothered to seek and search for the list of MIC Youth exco when both their MIC website and MIC Youth Website are not even bothered to list their youth exco members and googling them seems futile.

The list of DAP Youth executive committee or known as DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) committee members was obtained from DAP main website.

DAPSY seems to be the most active on cyber with 70% of their exco are connected on cyber via either FB or Blog or both compared to 53% UMNO Youth, 23% MCA, 22% Gerakan Youth, 52% PAS Youth, 49% AMK (PKR Youth).


12 of DAPSY, 8 PAS Youth and 5 AMK owns both FB and Blog compared to 7 UMNO Youth, 3 MCA Youth and 1 Gerakan Youth despite having a smaller number of exco members.

1) Chairman (& Political Bureau) : Loke Siew Fook (See: Fook FB, Fook Blog)
2) Dep (& Members Recruitment Bureau) : Jenice Lee Ying Ha (see: Jenice FB, Jenice Blog)
3) Vice: Wong Kah Woh (see: Woh FB, Wong Blog)
4) National Sec (Voters Reg Bureau) : Loh Chee Heng (see: Loh FB, Loh Blog)
5) Nat Publicity Sect: Ng Wei Aik (see: Ng FB, Ng Blog)
6) Asst Nat Pub Sect: Ong Boon Piow (see: Ong FB, Ong Blog)
7) Teo Kok Seong (see: Seong FB, Seong Blog)
8) Gobind Singh Deo (Legal Affair Bureau) (see: Gobind FB, Gobind Blog)
9) Khoo Poay Tiong (see: Tiong FB, Tiong Blog)
10) Choong Siew Onn (see: Onn FB, Onn Blog)
11) Political Education Affair Director: Ooi Leng Hang (see: Ooi FB, Ooi Blog)
12) Ling Sieak Meeng, Edward (see: Meeng FB, No Blog)

5 DAPSY, 10 AMK, 5 PAS Youth are registered ONLY on FB but without any Blog compared to 14 UMNO Youth, 4 MCA and 1 Gerakan Youth.

13) Asst Nat Tresurer: Lau Keng Ee (see: Ee FB, NO Blog)
14) Yeoh Soon Hin (see: Hin FB, NO Blog)
15) Cheong Chee Khing (see: Khing FB, No Blog)
16) V. Sivakumar (see: Siva FB, NO Blog)
17) Int Affair Bureau Director: Medaline Chang She Yun (see: Medaline FB, NO Blog)

3 DAPSY, 4 PAS Youth, 6 AMK only owns a Blog without any FB compared to 2 UMNO Youth, 4 MCA Youth and 3 Gerakan Youth.

18) Asst. Nat. Sec: Tey Kok Kiew (see: NO FB, Tey Blog)
19) National Org Sect: Eddie Chang Teck Chee (see: NO FB, Eddie Blog)
20) Asst Nat Org Sect: Carmen Leong ooi Kuan (see: NO FB, Carmen Blog)

ONLY 10 DAPSY, 19 PAS Youth, 25 AMK are WITHOUT any FB or Blog compared to 20 UMNO Youth, 22 MCA Youth and 18 Gerakan Youth.

21) Vice Chairman: Violet Yong Wui Wui
22) Varsity Affair Bereau Director: Tan Hong Pin (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
23) Nat Treasurer: Leong Ooi Yee (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
24) Ng Suee Lim (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
25) Teo Eng Ching (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
26) Tiew Way Keng (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
27) Chan Su Sann (see: NO FB, NO Blog)
28) Kuan Perk Siong (see: NO FB, NO Blog)

As a conclusion to the series of "Blog, Facebook & all youth component Party", the youth opposition are more active and strongly support their alliance (and maybe confusing the public on various remark and allegation) on cyber compared to our youth alliance.

If our youth exco continue to be inactive, the cyber-sphere will continue to be dominated by the opposition. With the advancement of technology, communication via cyber-sphere is the cheapest and most effective...

Next series will be to list the educational background of all youth exco member. Todate, although I have emailed to the respective youth chief for their exco member's education background but I have not received any reply. Perhaps, even the youth council too does not keep any record or verify their exco members educational background. Surprisingly, education does not seem to be a priority in the selection or election of youth exco members... or does it?

Stay Tune...


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Blog, Facebook & Gerakan Youth and MIC Youth.. (part vi)

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Searching for Gerakan Youth and MIC Youth latest exco members list was the hardest. Both the Gerakan main website and MIC main website or MIC Youth Website DO NOT DISPLAY THEIR YOUTH COMMITTEE members.. so much for recognising their youth Wing... so much for solidarity... or maybe they do not recognise their youth wing?

Their 2008-2011 exco members list is not even available on google search except announcement for both parties' Youth Chief Lim Si pin and MIC Youth Chief T. Mohan; unlike UMNO Youth, PAS Youth and PKR Youth (AMK). So much time wasted just to search for the list of Gerakan and MIC youth exco members..... After browsing the few hundred thousand google search result, I finally found Gerakan exco list from the star newspaper dated 11 October 2008 (see: the Star).

Gerakan Youth Chief Lim Si Pin has his own blog (see below) but wrote and displayed nothing of his elected executive committee members. In fact, Gerakan Youth does not even have any official website.... When Si Pin was elected as the Youth Chief, his main agenda was to convert the youth wing into an ISO 9000 quality.... but maybe a 'syiiok sendiri' election manifesto since his exco list is even non-existence...

I cant believe such an important 26 years old Gerakan Youth wing without their own website.

... and ONLY 4 of GERAKAN EXCO owns a blog BUT 3 Blogs are written in Chinese... so much for Gerakan Youth's stand being a party for ALL MALAYSIAN (irrespective of race) ?..... and ONLY 2 Exco registered on Facebook (FB). There are more cabinet minister on Facebook (see: Minister FB) than the the total Gerakan Youth exco.


Gerakan Youth Exco:

1) Chief: Lim Si Pin (NO FB, SiPin Blog)
2) Deputy : Oh Tong Keong (NO FB, Keong Blog)
3) Vice 1: YB Liang Teck Meng, ( NO FB, NO Blog)
4) Vice 2: David Ang Chin Tat (NO FB, NO Blog)
5) Vice 3: Vincent Hooi Wy-Hon

6) Yap Chen Heng
7) Tan kok Seong
8) Hng Chee Wey (Wey FB, Wey Blog)
9) Alex Ong Yeok Leng
10) Jack Cheow Woon San
11) Khor Hock Peng
12) A. Kuhan
13) Lau Hoi Keong
14) Chong Chee Yen (there's a few FB account by this name & I could not verify which belongs to Gerakan Youth exco)
15) Cheah Chee Kuan
16) Ou Kwee hua
17) Khoo Kha Shin
18) Ong Teng Boon (Boon FB - I could verify if this account belong to the Gerakan EXCO)
19) Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai (NO FB,Dom Blog)
20) Ong Boon Hong
21) Tan Keit Hock
22) Chia Gim Tiong
23) Chang Shui Kiong

Gerakan Youth wing was set up in 1983 and Lim Si Pin was the first Youth Chief elected by delegate since establishment. There have never been any contest for the Youth Chief... perhaps the reason why Gerakan is still in Flinstone age but with the new Chief.... ?

Thus far, the PKR Youth alliance, PKR Youth (AMK) & PAS seemed to be more active with blogs and Facebook interaction compared to Barisan National Youth alliance, UMNO Youth, MCA Youth and Gerakan.

Our youth alliance under BN really needed to improve our presence on cyber and blogosphere. I gave up searching for MIC Youth exco list.... probably MIC Youth exco is so insignificant that even the MIC Youth Website doesnt display their exco members...

As per earlier series (part i-v), I stand corrected if the detail is inaccurate. Please advice and keep me posted of any inaccuracy. The source of information is accurate as far as the information available on cyber search.

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A productive Sunday......

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My ordinary Sunday usually began with a long distance of at least a 21km run training at Taman Tun Dr Ismail lakeside located beside the Women Institute of Malaysia at 6am. I broke the routine yesterday to be punctual at our fortnighly gathering with Dr Juanda Jaya, the Mufti of Perlis. I was always late for the gathering having participated in various running events that was always held on Sunday morning.

I first befriended Dr Juanda when we together performed our Haj in 2006... We (the members of our unofficial group called 'Zamrud' & Dr Juanda) were all alien to each other in Mecca. Gathered by Dr Juanda, we became so close and took a pledge whilst in Mecca to better understand the beauty of Islam and committed ourselves to regularly gather and learn from Dr Juanda whom voluntarily too committed himself in guiding us through the Quran & Hadith. We learn the translation of Quran and understand the Hadith from Dr Juanda Jaya at the fortnightly 'Halaqah' for more than 2 years now.

I missed Mecca, missed performing the pilgrimage and became more enthusiast in seeking deeper knowledge of Islam everytime I met Dr Juanda... My Mentor.

Unfortunately, the Zamrud gathering is a closed invitation only to our 2006, Zamrud haj group.. however, those whom are interested to get opinions from Dr Juanda.. can do so via his BLOG.. Dr Juanda Blog 1, Dr Juanda Blog 2.

Having spent half a day with Dr Juanda & the Zamrud group (a name borrowed from Tabung Haji package that we subscribed when we all first met), the other half sunday was spent at home and a father & son day out.

The usual father & son outing at the golf course or shopping or at some fine dining restaurants are too common. The sunday too was a break from that monotony outing. Instead, we went to One Utama Mall for a menicure and pedicure.

Grooming is always a choice. Many wanted to be groomed but avoided in fear of being teased or seen at the centre. Such is the stigma of many men... but nothing felt better than to have the feet and hand dead skin scrubbed and cuticles trimmed and nail buffed and polished.

We arrived early for our 5pm appointment and did not have to queue whilst others were impatiently queuing. We were comfortably seated and The menicure and pedicure took more than an hour to complete.

Dad had a good snore and was in dreamland for the whole period but quickly awoke for photos...

The sunday too was the wedding Yg Bhg Dato' Hanafi Mat Zin's daughter, Nurul Husna Hanafi & Azri which I could not attend as I attended the Zamrud gathering with Dr Juanda. My apology and congratulation to Dato Hanafi & family... and the newly wed Husna & Hery.

At the same time, my old schoolmates at Bukit Bintang Boys Secondary School held a get-together at the Chef & Brew restaurant, Damansara height that I could not attend for the same reason. My thousand apology.

Now... back to work.

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Ministry of Human Resouce prefer only PUBLIC BANK

Train & Place Scheme (TPS) or Skim Latihan & Penempatan (Ministry of Human Resource).

Train & Place programme was launched under the 2nd Financial Stimulus to eradicate if not reduce the number of unemployment due to the global recession.

Anybody who was retrenched, unemployed or graduates whom were not able to seek employment can qualify for the programme (see para 2.2 of the guideline attached below). Approved applicants will be paid between RM500 - RM600 per month for a 6 months training & placement programme.

Trainees will be trained and placed (depending on the chosen field) at the approved academy for training and placed at the participated company akin of being employed.

It is a noble program launched by the Government in March 2009 to cushion the impact and sufferings of the retrenched and unemployed public due to the economic downturn. However, Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam expressed on 20 May 2009 his dissappointed with the poor response (see: Ministry Website).

My company participated in the scheme in June as a small social contribution during this economic downturn and trained 100 unemployed workforce. The unemployed being unemployed do not have much disposable income and the administrative nature of registering the trainees had led to various delay in both submission and approval. As a result, on humanitarian ground, my company advanced the payment to the respective trainee allowance (that the Ministry suppose to pay for them) and is currently awaiting the Ministry approval for the advance payment claim appeal. The advance payment is over and above the lodging and transportation that we provide to outstation trainees at our own cost.

BUT this is not what I wanted to highlight but instead the Ministry of Human Resource requirement for ALL TRAINEES to have an active PUBLIC BANK SAVINGS ACCOUNT for the government training allowance payment to be made.

Why does the GOVERNMENT PREFER ONLY PUBLIC BANK when there are Maybank, CIMB, AMBANK and other banks. Trainee without active Public Bank Account will not receive the allowance from the Government (see the two attached guidelines below). Officials from the Ministry of Human Resource whom did not want to be name, said the regulation was made during Dato Seri Fong Chan Onn's tenure as the Minister of Human Resouce.

Our 100 trainees approached various Public Bank branches namely, Damansara Utama Uptown, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, , Jalan Pasir Puteh (Ipoh), Kelana Jaya and Sungai Chua, (Kajang) but many applications to open the Saving Bank Account was declined due to error in reading the MyKad chip. Public Bank had also refused to accept birth certificate or temporary letter from National Registration Department (for lost of MyKad) as an alernative. This had created alot of strain to the already very stressed unemployed.

Public Bank too refused to accept a minimum savings of RM10 although the Trainees’ Information Form KSM/TPS/1/09 was attached (see attached Guidelines on Claims below). Public Bank insisted a minimum of RM250 and took a minimum of 45minutes to even the whole day to open a simple saving account as oppose to 15 minutes at CIMB.

Yesterday, we wrote to the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) highlighting the trainee's predicament with Public Bank and was pleased when the issue was immediately resolved. The trainee were able to open the saving account without further problem. This problem could have been easily avoided if the trainee were given an option of available Banks to choose instead of only one, Public Bank.

I would like to also appeal for the MyKad quality to be improved given the various problem associated with Mykad chip and reader.

Enclosed below the extraction from the Ministry of Human Resource guidelines: (1) Guidelines on Implementation of the train & Place and (2) Guidelines on claim under the Train & Place Scheme( para 3 pertaining to the trainee) .


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GUIDELINES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF

THE TRAIN AND PLACE SCHEME

1. Objective
The objective of these guidelines is to explain the procedures for the implementation of the Train and Place Scheme (TPS) for retrenched workers and unemployed graduates seeking employment.

2. Target Group
2.1 Malaysian who have graduated with a diploma, degree or equivalent qualifications and have remained unemployed.
2.2 Malaysian workers who have been retrenched by the employers from all economic sectors including those who have been retrenched under voluntary separation scheme (VSS) and any person unemployed seeking jobs.

3. Training Providers Requirements Under The Train and Place Scheme
3.1 Training providers who are eligible to participate under the scheme must be approved by Ministry Of Human Resources (MOHR). They must register with PSMB and pay an administration fee of RM500.00 for each centre and appointed branches.
3.2 Training providers must attend briefings to be conducted by PSMB.

4. Procedure to Submit Trainees Information Form
4.1 Training providers are required to key-in information of the trainees from the Trainee Information Form (KSM/TPS/1/09) as per Appendix A, for trainees who have registered in JobsMalaysia and endorsed for placement by JTK. The information should be key-in through the PSMB’s online system at www.hrdf.com.my. Training providers must ensure that all particulars of the trainees are accurate especially name, IC number and bank accounts number. Trainees Summary Report is to be submitted to PSMB after information on trainees have been keyed into the system.

4.2 Trainees Information Form (KSM/TPS/1/09) and Trainees Summary Report must be submitted to PSMB by training providers at least one day before commencement of training and attached with the following supporting documents:
(i) A copy of new identity card;
(ii) A copy of an active Public Bank’s account book showing the name of the trainee, account number and latest transaction;
(iii) Training Session Plan;
(iv) For retrenched workers, a copy of marriage certificate for married trainees and copies of birth certificates for every child (if applicable).

4.3 If festives celeberations e.g. Hari Raya Aidil Fitri dan Adha, Hari Natal, Deepavali, Tahun Baru Cina or other public holidays falls during the training session, training providers can include additional holidays, if applicable, in the training session plan. Additional holidays declared by training providers must be replaced with an equivalent number of training days.

4.4 Training providers are required to submit application forms for a particular class only once according by class and not by individuals. Thus, 25 Trainees Information Forms must be submitted for a class of 25 trainees. If the number of trainees is less than 25, additional applications will not be considered.

4.5 Training providers are required to submit Trainees Registration Form (KSM/TPS/3/09) as per Appendix C to PSMB within one week from the day trainees report for training. This is to assist PSMB in the payment of trainees’ monthly allowances. Failure to submit this form will result delay in the payment of monthly allowances. Training providers are also required to submit information for trainees who have been approved but failed to report or withdraw from training by completing the Trainees Withdrawal/Quit Form (KSM/TPS/4/09) as per Appendix D.

4.6 Training providers are required to inform PSMB not later than 3 days from the date when trainee quits the programme by using the same form. If a trainee is absent from training for more than 3 days without valid reasons, he or she is also deem to have quit the programme.

4.7 Training providers are required to monitor closely trainees’ attendance and ensure that training is conducted as per training schedule.

4.8 Application for subsequent classes has to be submitted to PSMB after JTK has confirmed the job offers for previous class. The application, however, will only be processed subject to availability of funds and training providers have fulfilled all the terms and conditions for the previous class.

4.9 Training providers are required to keep all records relating to the Training and Place Scheme for the purpose of inspections and allow PSMB’s officers to inspect the records, if necessary.

4.10 From time to time, PSMB reserves the right to change or amend the terms and conditions of these guidelines to ensure the smooth implementation of the Train and Place Scheme.


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GUIDELINES ON CLAIMS

UNDER THE

TRAIN AND PLACE SCHEME

Paragraph 3.0 Trainees’ Monthly Allowance

3.1 Trainees’ monthly allowances will be paid directly to trainees’ accounts.

3.2 Payment for monthly allowances will be made through Public Bank saving accounts. Trainees are required to open a saving account at any nearest Pubic Bank branch before commencement of training. Trainees can open conventional saving accounts with only RM10.00 by presenting a complete of Trainees’ Information Form
KSM/TPS/1/09.

3.3 Monthly allowances of RM500.00 will be paid to each graduate trainee. Since the attendance is compulsory, RM19 will be deducted for each day trainee is absent from training (based on 26 days per month). Exception will be given to trainees with medical certificates issued by medical practitioners, except for maternity leave.

3.4 Monthly allowances for retrenched workers are between RM500.00 – RM800.00 subjected to number of trainees’ dependants. Rates of the allowances are shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Rate of Monthly Allowance
Category - Allowance (RM)
1. Single - 500.00
2. Married - 600.00 (Additional allowance of RM50.00 will be given for each dependant)
3. Divorcee / Widower - 500.00 (Additional allowance of RM50.00 will be given for each dependant)

3.5 Monthly allowances for retrenched workers will be subjected to a maximum of RM 800.

3.6 Failure of trainees to attend training will involve the deduction of monthly allowances based on Table 2 below. Exception will be
given to trainees with medical certificates issued by medical practitioners, except for maternity leave.

Table 2: Rate of Deduction on Monthly and Additional Allowances.

Monthly & Additional Allowances (RM)

Deduction Per Day (RM)
500.00 = 19.00
550.00 = 21.00
600.00 = 23.00
650.00 = 25.00
700.00 = 27.00
750.00 = 29.00

800.00 = 31.00

3.7 TPS providers are required to fax Trainees’ Attendance Form KSM/TPS/T1/09 as per Appendix E to PSMB on the last day of the month. (Fax No. 03-2087 6365)

3.8 Payment of trainees’ monthly allowances will be made within 7 days after complete Trainees’ Attendance Form has been received by PSMB.

3.9 TPS providers are obliged to keep all records related to training for inspection purposes and to allow the inspectoriate officers to verify all records, if necessary.

3.10 PSMB may from time to time change or amend the guidelines. TPS providers will be notified for any changes made to strengthen the implementation of the scheme.


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