What a headline! It appears even The Star found Samy Vellu’s statement a little hard to believe! lol. Spotted by a colleague:
Click on image for full size screen shot.
Actual story here.
:)
I’m off today and I’m listening to Christmas songs while I blog. lol.
It appears that the Selangor state government has a brand new website! Looking good! While I laud their web savvyness, I can’t say the same for excluding Malaysiakini in its ‘News’ category. Tsk tsk.
They also omitted ALL the Chinese press too. How rude!* I’m going to bombard the webmaster :) Okay, I just wrote an email to them and we’ll see how it goes.
* Tamil press oddly enough don’t have websites!
Oh the funny things that happen in this glorious country! :)
Results of space tests to be released soon
It appears the results of experiments carried out in space by angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be released next month. Imagine the amazing findings! Yes, teh tarik DOES NOT curdle in space! Nasi kandar survives zero gravity! But I thought the specimens got wrecked upon landing? So what crap will we be fed with this time?
‘Appointment followed state constitution’ versus PM: Appointing anyone else is against Constitution
All the bloggers have said it .. flip flop! I just feel sorry for the people of Terengganu having such people decide their fate and worse, running their state. For once, Daulat Tuanku indeed. However, I’m still thinking if the Sultan can take any more subsequent actions against Umno and the state exco should anything go wrong or will the monarchy go back to being a lame duck?
Dr M speaks up on Rulers and politicians
This man can say no wrong. Credit given where its due - he can still dish out some quotes and entertain us all. So who wants to commission a foreign agency to investigate him? :)
Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri fell asleep in court for 20 minutes. It just goes to show that in Malaysia, there is no swift justice. Just long and draggy and sleepy and boring and almost pointless murder trials. Justice for Altantuya? Not here, I’m afraid. Her dad’s coming down soon to watch in the trial. Maybe we’ll hear more about the dreams he had about his daughter and Azilah’s ex-boss.
lol. I’m amused. I’m glad I’m laughing again :)
Met up with Jas for a greasy dinner. We had a good laugh as usual since it has been ages. She shared her journey to Taipei stories and I with my election tales. lol. We had the greasy dinner at A&W and the Rootbear was there! I wanted to spank his bottom :)
Anyway, I tried out the new Double Fortune Burger after much deliberation. My verdict?
Two words.
KENA. CON.
lol.
Come savour the double taste of peppery mushroom richness. Double fortune burger. Choice of beef or chicken. Burger combo for RM9.99.
It looked like crap. Tasted lousy. What peppery mushroom taste? And too much white onions!! Gimme my prosperity burger instead!!!
Kena con gila. What fortune! :|
Life to me, is pretty dark. We are born, we live, we grow old and we die.
I’m no stranger to suicidal thoughts. I have had them since I was very young. There were many ways to wanted to kill myself - the one that I thought was most plausible was jumping of Menara MPPJ (as it then was). Others include consuming poison and an elaborate plan to steal a gun from a cop and blow my head off.
My last suicidal thought was most probably when I was studying in Bristol. I’d like to say I have moved on to a more ‘positive’ plane now to inking and piercing myself. Ah, such turbulents I have in my head and heart. Always despairing and always wishing for an escape.
….
lol.
Was that scary? I just started typing and ended up pouring my heart out. I’m such an emo queen. Must be all the Smashing Pumpkins I’ve been listening to. Anyway, fret not, I’m not crazy. The actual reason for this post is to share with you all my journey on the Federal Highway …. ON FOOT.
Yes, ladies and gentlepersons - I walked along the Federal Highway several weeks back and I almost got killed. I wasn’t sure if it was some death wish I subconsciously wanted or some adventure I badly needed or this extreme error in judgment. I had to cover the election debate at SFX on Jalan Gasing and I was thinking the most logical way was to take the LRT from Bangsar to University then cab it to the church.
Oddly enough, after I got down from the train at the station, I just thought of walking. I do love walking but I didn’t realise how dangerous it was. It was around dusk that time and the sun was setting. I knew I will never do this ever again so I took out my camera and documented the journey.
Yellows and blues ahead :)
I only began snapping pictures midway. Here’s the flyover from Pantai Baru to the Federal Highway as I looked back.
The traffic that surrounded me.
I concluded that it was safest in the motorcycle lane. I was wrong. It was just as dangerous.
Here’s a shot of Kota Darul Ehsan bike lane all lit up, up close, in vivid setting!
The underside. The colours in real life was a lot more magnificent.
I like how the flags are billowing in the wind. I felt a strange sense of pride to be a PJ girl :)
Kota Darul Ehsan in a distance. And a stupid road sign spoiling the picture :|
More traffic as I approach the turn off to Jalan Gasing.
Nuffnang is funny. When I have shitloads of hits, I have no ads and when I’m not blogging and have no hits, I get ads. Apa ni? :)
Anyway, I’m glad to announce that I am back. Semi-recharged but back nonetheless. Some issues to attend to first.
Selangor exco has been announced! What’s the big deal with the whole ‘oh got four women in the exco’ anyway? Behold the anti-feminism, pro-equality me. I’d like to think they were selected because they are capable and not because they want to satisfy some quota shit. I acknowledge the work by women’s groups but I strongly disagree with their demands in asking political offices to give positions to women just because they are well, women. That’s like NEP, okay. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. I’ve always had issues with feminist political theory - I dropped the subject from my jurisprudence course and I was pretty vocal against it in university. Heck, in Form Five, my history teacher said I was ‘anti-perempuan’. lol. It’s a flawed theory based too much on the concept of victimisation and ‘old hag’ epistemology. Most of the feminists I’ve met are freakin’ masculine anyway. I don’t think that proves anything. Neither does the argument that women leaders around the world is a symbol of how women can be successful in politics - sure, when they are acting like men! Besides, what determines femininity and masculinity anyway? Heck, who am I to define these traits either?
Argh, I hate tautological arguments!! We can argue all night long and in the meantime, we lose focus that at the end of the day, all we want is to have people that can actually work and bring about change. But no, it’s always about the gender or the colour or creed. Give it up. People are people, let’s have divisions no more.
Anyway, back to Selangor exco. These guys are now proudly my target for complaints on how my beloved state is run. Nonetheless, I extend my salutations to Eli, Dr Xavier, Ronnie, Teresa and Dr Halimah - these guys I can vouch for are good guys. And also to the rest whom I’d like to know better sometime, congrats! I’ve got my eyes on you all :)
I also got off my ass and made a complaint to MBPJ about my broken drain. Unlike most uninformed Malaysians who think MPs and ADUNs are good for drains, I prefer to take matters in my own hands. MBPJ has been pretty quick in responding - less than a week actually. First was an email reply stating receipt of my complaint. Followed by a personal visit by an MBPJ rep several days later who said they will nominate a contractor for the job and the repairs will be carried out in one to two weeks’ time. Awesome. I’ll be sure to put a before and after pic when it’s done :)
I missed out on a lot of political issues while I was away but I think the good old Malaysian blogosphere has got it covered. As for the little drama mini-series that I’m going through personally, it’s intermission for now. The past couple of days was littered with TV, shopping, self-discovery, heart-to-heart conversations, tears, old friends, gifts, jibbitz, dancing in the rain, pancakes and warmth. The hero won the maiden’s heart. Meanwhile, she’s unclear of what’s going to happen next. What is love and life going to be like after the new dawn in Malaysia of March 8?
Well, stay tuned then :) Thanks for your patience.
Hi all, I’m just back shortly with a blog entry which I promised a particular band I’d write after the elections.
My all-time favourite band Nizlopi has just released their latest single, Start Beginning (download full song here!), yesterday. The lovely song comes from their second LP called Make It Happen scheduled for general release on March 31.
Nizlopi is made up of Luke Concannon and John Parker from Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, England. I discovered them in December 2005 when I was still in UK and soaking up the miseries of a relationship break-up. I vividly recall that period. I was having the worst time of my life, you see. The only comfort I had then was the occasional long distance call. But above all comforts, I had sought solace most in the music I streamed from the internet.
Nizlopi made to #1 on the UK charts with their gorgeous song JCB Song. It was the innocence of it all that hit me. The soothing melody, the heart-warming lyrics, the Transformers reference - that did it for me as one of the best songs I’ve ever heard in a very long time. Their second single Girls was equally touching. The violin, the guitar, the bass and the tambourine articulated my sentimental disposition many times perfectly.
I had almost forgotten about them until one day, I downloaded some of their tracks. It was weird. I think it was a case of sudden manic depression and I needed comfort. Nizlopi was there. I also got a friend to buy their first album, Half These Songs Are About You, for me. I discovered their awesome website and proceeded to download their mini-album, ExtraOrdinary (listen to title track here!). True to their philosophy in writing heart-felt, simple and beautiful music - it was brilliant. They continued to blend hip hop with acoustics and John’s beatboxing is something I really can’t get over. He is amazing. Then there is Luke and his lyrical prowess - his words never fails to reduce me to tears as every strum of his guitar with his voice feels as though he is speaking to my very soul.
I’m not kidding. This is how sappy I am just as how wonderfully enriching Nizlopi is to my life. Here is a plug to the band who ’sang’ me through my break-up with their first album. I’ve already pre-ordered Make it Happen - in hope they will pull me through another.
I’v been listening to Yesterday several times today (haha). Savour the lyrical simplicity and download the album! Support independent music (like how we value independent media!) :)
Yesterday
Lyric by Luke Concannon
Performed by Nizlopi (Concannon/Parker)I saw you yesterday
The words fell out our mouths
suddenly everything changed
The clouds all opened for us
Its the same as
Revelation chapters
Blooming out from pain
Everything we need today isSo listen close to me
Cos we are all at sea
And love’s a mystery
Love does this to me
All the anger here
All the pain inside
It makes me wanna hide
but I won’t wait tonightChorus
Cos the way you speak to me
My heart is opened up
I really know you love
You really know me love
And after all the stuckness
You and me just start to trust this … this loveLook into the world
it seems the suffering
Is raging on now
And we all are wondering
If we can build now
If we can overcome
And justice be the sun
In the heart of everyoneGoing I really feel it, don’t you feel it in the world
I really feel it, don’t you feel it in our hearts
Going I really feel it, don’t you feel it in the world
I really feel it in this townChorus
This love that is here
This love that is our light
This chaos that smashes my insides
This cause for which we must fight
(Repeat once)Chorus
There’s nothing more that I would really rather do
Than sit and talk right here now with you
Watch the rain clouds falling on this place
Watch the rain clouds move across your faceYeah I’m here with you
And I’m broken too
We all are inside
Dreaming beneath this dark sky tonight
Thank you Nizlopi, for singing from your souls to mine :) I love you boys. Spread the love, yo!
Resources:
WEBSITES – www.nizlopi.com (official site), www.myspace.com/nizlopi (MySpace), www.fdmrecords.com/newsletter (mailing list)
UK TOUR – www.nizlopi.com/live
DOWNLOADS - www.fdmrecords.com/shop/
YOUTUBE - www.youtube.com/user/Nizlopi
Back to my break while I await Make It Happen when it’s released on the 31st! :)
I’ve been extremely moody of late. Hence the nostalgic and directionless post ahead.
If I don’t answer your calls, I’m sorry because I really don’t want to. I am not Nat’s secretary so please don’t ask me for his number as his contact is readily available in his blog. Please don’t ask me for opposition leader numbers, I’m not an opposition phone directory. Please stop asking me about PKR or DAP or PAS rumours because I’m not a party worker. Please stop spamming me with your blog posts because if I want to read something, I’ll go to your blog.
Sure parties, rakyat, citizens of this beautiful country - you all matter and you still do. However, I’ve neglected somebody in the past few months and I have to make it up to her.
She is me! So full time work + blogging + Nat = elections. Live, breathe, think elections for a year and a half plus. I’m knackered.
Past few months have been so taxing in furious campaigning and work and the pinnacle of it all was when results were announced. Of course the achievements are not solely the work of mine alone but a wonderful collective work from you. Again, I salute you all.
While I thank those who cared and shared my joy, some of my close friends didn’t care and didn’t bother. I’m feeling a little left out in the cold. I think I need some warm hugs and good company :)
However, I’m glad to have received several comments on how my blog has inspired them and all I can say is pass it on - keep inspiring others, don’t let it stop at yourself! Updates will not be as regular and it may not be about politics as much. I thank all my readers and critics for their support since this blog was set up in Aug 2006. This blog was not meant to be controversial or popular (haha, perasan me!) but I did not make this blog as ‘widely-read’ as it was YOU who dropped by with your comments.
It has always been about sharing :) and I most certainly tried to share as much about myself and my thoughts as I possibly can.
For those who have never left a comment (especially if you are some Malaysian banker in New York who is scared to subscribe to Mkini who reads my blog to get scoops) and silent readers …. please drop a note. I would appreciate if you could share something about yourself too :)
I hope to be back soon. Need to recharge batteries :)
Hugs,
Polytikus x
After a conversation with a friend, some conclusions were reached : DAP blew it in Perak. All they needed was just three days to rip their victory apart. Now there are rumours of a Malay backlash and snap elections and the Sultans in cohorts with Umno in electing the MB and deputy MBs that would split the opposition coalition in to different camps. Wherever DAP goes, factions follow. That will remain the way to come until the Lim dynasty takes their final bow, me thinks.
Right now, I trust no one. Not the opposition and most certainly not BN. Even more so, I don’t trust our monarchy (I’m for the idea of abolishing it by the way. Sue me.)
I have got too much on my plate right now. More analysis when I find the time.
Just a super short and quick anecdote that Nat shared with me whom he shared with Rahimi before that.
How awesome is it to just look around you and see opposition land? :)
I was in Bangsar. Mmm, PKR.
I was in TTDI. Mmm, DAP.
I was in PJ. Mmm, PKR.
Going up north from Selangor to Perak to Kedah to Penang. Mmm - DAP, PAS, PKR.
It’s like breathing fresher air to me, actually.
I’m still not over it. I’m savouring it slowly :) Rumours are rife about the coalition having squabbles over the Perak Mentri Besar position and hudud laws being implemented in Kedah. Don’t believe the mainstream spin. They are still spinning furiously. Give the parties time, it is all very new for them and with us.
I’m actually refraining from calling the DAP-PAS-PKR coalition ‘opposition’ anymore because technically they aren’t. Is there a right terminology? To say ‘opposition-held states’ sounds terribly misleading. Neither are they a single entity. I don’t know what to call them anymore. Somebody I know suggested ‘liberated states’. lol. Naaah, I don’t think so.
Who has got suggestions to describe the DAP-PAS-PKR coalition (aside from Barisan Rakyat which is, by the way, informal and not entirely declared by party leaders) and call the five states held by them? Anybody? :)
