squeak. speak. roar!

In 1988, we had the judiciary crisis. The executive used the legal system and constitution against itself and sacked three Supreme Court judges and suspended another three. Separation of powers and the judiciary’s independence effectively removed after Article 121 was amended. Judges now live in fear. What is most apparent was how corruption has sowed its seeds into the the last bastion of justice that the common person has.

In 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was charged with sodomy and corruption. This time, the judiciary and the police were in cohorts. People could not believe the shabby way the trial was run - the incompetence of the then DPP (now AG) Abdul Gani Patail and investigating officer (now IGP) Musa Hassan and the questionable judiciary starting with Augustine Paul right up to the those sitting in the appellate courts ‘planted’ by Eusoff Chin. These are fruits of Mahathir Mohamad’s labour no less. The architect of 1988 and 1998. His seeds have grown into this massive Devil’s Snare choking freedoms and asphyxiating Lady Justice.

It is now 2008. Anwar has been charged for carnal intercourse with an ex-coffee boy named Saiful. Anwar is now in his 60s, eager to be PM, ambitious to change the government and is only a by-election away from reaching those goals. Before him is a system entrenched with perversions of all kinds and conspiracies abound. It is bad and it is going to get worse. I can only hope that his family is holding up okay. And I hope the truth from both sides with reveal itself in due course.

I was far too young in 1988 and 1998 but I am grown up now and I know what’s right and wrong; and what one needs to do when one’s country is in a downward spiral. I will be watching, I will be reading, I will be analysing and I will be writing.

I hope you will all do the same in your respective spaces and share your thoughts.

I must apologise for neglecting this blog of late. Work and other stuff has been keeping me extremely busy and after a long day staring into a computer, the last thing I want to do is to stare at it more really. Perhaps one day, somebody will invent technology where I can dictate into a blog machine and my posts will appear automatically online. lol. Sounds like a plan, yo.

On Wednesday, the Election Commission will announce the nomination and by-election dates for the Permatang Pauh seat. So lots of excitement. It appears PKR will definitely go all out defend their seat and the Anwar factor of course. Since March 8, I am not surprised that PKR has new funders and resources to churn up a by-election to remember.

But what about BN? There have been calls for boycott from Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Annuar Musa and Deputy Health Minister Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad. Is that a sign that they are already conceding? Hardly. They just want to save their sorry asses from a heavy thumping. Odds in this Penang mainland seat weighs heavily in PKR’s favour. Umno most probably needs more time to think on how to stop Anwar from winning. If they were to contest in Permatang Pauh, it will only waste time and resources. Technically they can afford to blow their money since their cronies need contracts to supply election paraphernalia, mineral water and entertainment. Who knows, maybe they’ll throw in an independent candidate just for kicks?

However, there is the Ezam factor. Sad to say, it is going to be a lose-lose situation for him. Should he contest, he will lose to Anwar. There is no doubt about that. He will also invite much criticism and displeasure from Umno members who still distrust him - and there are lots of Umno folks who consider him a mole. I guess Ezam can try his best to be a ‘hero’ and prove himself to the party, but public perception of him is still very weak. So I lied. Ezam is hardly a factor.

Which leaves a very predictable ending to a very hotly contested seat. lol. Quite potong steam right?

But the thing to look forward to is actually to see if Anwar will be arrested or charged. How much more bashing can the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers take on this matter? Are they going to go ahead with this in a haphazard, high handed, balaclava manner? There is also the possibility of extremely dirty tricks to prevent Anwar from winning in the elections and I don’t mean just vote rigging or bribing (this won’t be easy anyway because PKR and their agents will be on their toes where this is concerned). I suspect it will be something more sinister, extreme and “accidental”. If May 13 riots in 1969 can be alleged to have been a plot and was staged, I think any possibilities - no matter how crazy - needs to be considered.

Also, EC has a reputation to maintain. I don’t think EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman will bite anymore bullets from Umno - but is he still around? Has he retired? Anyway, so EC will not take in anymore crap from Barisan and will likely go about their business fairly. After all, if a change in government should happen, you will not want to anger the by-election that the self-proclaimed PM in-waiting is running in himself.

:)

When I think of Permatang Pauh, the first thing that crosses my mind is going over the Penang bridge, head to Kek Lok Si temple and eat the asam laksa nearby :) Sorry, I digress!

Exciting and super busy days ahead!!

I’m finding it very stressful to load my Gmail since last night. Does anybody else have this problem?

:(

No, it is not a horse. It’s a retirement town for Brits. The very Grand Pier that I was at in 2005 to celebrate Shook Yee’s 23rd birthday burnt down last night :(

Fire levels Grand Pier pavilion at Weston-super-Mare

A huge fire devastated the historic Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare today.

The blaze, which began shortly before 7am, ravaged the pavilion at the seaward end of the partly-wooden structure. Smoke billowed over the Bristol Channel and was visible from south Wales.

It is thought a small fire began in the west tower of the pavilion. It spread quickly, destroying the building within two hours. There were no reported injuries.

Kevin Pearson, the chief officer of Avon fire and rescue service, said the fire’s cause was unknown but there were deep-fat fryers installed in the area where it was thought to have started.

It would not be safe to enter and examine the wreckage until later today, he added.

Six fire engines and 80 firefighters battled the flames at their height, and embers are still being dampened down.

Emergency workers are concerned about the risk of gaming machines exploding and shooting coins through the air because of the intense heat, and a cordon has been set up around the area.

Structural engineers are to investigate whether the cast-iron girders that support the pier have been damaged beyond repair.

The pier is held in great affection by the residents of the seaside resort.

The novelist Lord Archer, who once worked as a cleaner on the pier when he was growing up in the town, today said it was “the focal centre” of the resort.

“It will take years if it is to be restored to its former glory,” he said.”If they don’t bring it back, Weston will have lost its main attraction. The pier was to Weston what the Tower is to Blackpool.”

Andrew Horler, Weston’s mayor, said the blaze had hit the resort’s 104-year-old “heartbeat”. “I really, really hope it can be rebuilt - it’s pure devastation for the town,” he said.

“It provides jobs and is a massive tourist attraction. It is the very heartbeat of this town. I really hope someone is able to rebuild it.”

Business people said that, without the pier, tourism would suffer. “It is part of our identity, and it would really affect trade if we were to lose it,” Dee Williams, the deputy manager of a seafront hotel, said.

Anthony Wills, an expert from the National Piers Society, predicted that the structure would only be rebuilt in a “very truncated” form.

“It would cost a fortune,” he said. “Unless a miracle happens, I really can’t see it being reinstated even if there’s a big insurance payout.”

Brother and sister entrepreneurs Michelle and Kerry Michael bought the pier in February, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on new facilities including a £500,000 indoor go-kart track.

A spokesman said Kerry Michael was “absolutely devastated” and had cut short a holiday in Spain to help his sister deal with the disaster.

The pier’s 100 employees face an uncertain future after bars and games booths were razed by the flames.

Their livelihoods will be addressed by Kerry Michael when he gives a statement this afternoon.

The pier has been hit by fire once before, when a 2,000-seat pavilion for opera, music hall and ballet was destroyed in 1930. The attraction reopened three years later, complete with the pavilion that was destroyed today.

The Edwardian-era pier was given Grade II listed status in 1974 and is one of two in the town. The other, the 1867 Birnbeck, which links the mainland to an island, is derelict, although there are plans to restore it.

I had such fond memories of that place. Sure, the beach was kinda gross and the weather was gloomy but it’s lovely to see all the senior citizens playing their slot machines and youths playing their Star Wars X-Wing games. We won some money I think. Shook Yee had lots of luck that day and won a couple of pounds. Not to mention the £1 toffee apples! They were so good.

Perhaps my favourite memory from the place is the best fish and chips that I’ve ever had in my life at Papa’s Fish & Chips (20 Waterloo St, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon, BS23 1LN, +44 01934 626565). Deep fried fresh cod and lots of malt vinegar! Oooh, the scampi, the scampi!

sigh.

I’m glad no one got hurt though.

I don’t buy or read that many magazines. The only ones I recall buying religiously were Smash Hits and Time (what a transition!) I confess, I have never bought a fashion magazine before. I just flick them off my sister. lol.

But I bought my first ever fashion magazine - Style: (yes, it’s called ‘Style’ followed by a colon) today!! Why? Because ….

August issue. RM8. Buy buy!

Upon closer inspection.

And erm, there I am! Inside!!

The picture of me featured inside is very flattering. So much so, you will not be able to recognise me. Even I didn’t recognise myself, which means the make up guy did a fantastically good job! I mean I’d put it all here but I have a policy of not putting pictures of myself over this blog. I’m in the company of very esteemed individuals (and friends) in this article about youths and politics so I am rather pleased. It was really fun doing the photoshoot.

lol.

Erm. So go check it out lah!! Abuthen? :P

p/s: Thanks to Siew Ching for the awesome piece :)

Politicians really need to pick palatable words. More so if you’re a politician who is also the deputy prime minister and currently implicated (sorta) in the death of a Mongolian.

Najib Hopes For Umno-PAS Dialogue To Continue

[…]

On the issue of the Terengganu state government’s purchase of 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars to replace the Proton Perdana, Najib said the issue was considered closed after the explanation given by the prime minister on Friday.

Asked on former Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Idris Jusoh taking legal action on claims that the cost of maintenance for the Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars for official use during his tenure was very high, Najib said:

“The issue is closed following the prime minister’s statement on the state administration’s official car use, whereby they must abide by the circular — they must use Proton cars. So, there’s no need to blow this (issue) up.”

On Friday, Abdullah stated that all the 14 Mercedes cars bought by the Terengganu state government were not allowed for use by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, and the state executive councillors and other senior state officials.

A phrase my dad likes to use:

If you can (blow things up), so can we!!!

:)

Scene: At Anwar Ibrahim’s PC. Met a journalist I haven’t seen for a while and caught up.

Me: So how’s life these days, man?
Him: Okaylah, now it’s more fun since I discovered Facebook. So many things to do there.
Me: Eh, I’m getting my ass whooped in Scrabulous!
Him: You’re a journalist! We’re wordsmiths! How can you be having trouble in that?
Me: I’m getting my ass whooped by a lawyer.
Him: Oh. Then ya lah.

lol. I will not concede that lawyers are better wordsmiths than journalists!!!

And another one.

Scene: Having breakfast with a friend.

Me: I love Mexican food.
Her: You mean that Las Carestastasmastas?
Me: lol. Las Carretas lah.
Her: What makes it so good anyway?
Me: I like the fajitas and the chilli. And it’s got quite a nice vegetarian spread.
Her: You mean with the moley moley thingy?
Me: You mean guacamole?
Her: lol. Yeah that.
Me: Hahahaha.

Or something like that. Must have been the way she said “moley moley”. That just cracked me up.

Swamped with work like madness. If it goes quiet, that’s most probably the reason :)

How’s everybody these days? :)

I have a food kaki. She’s called Jas. And we eat. A lot. lol. I’ve accumulated quite a number of food excursions with her. In hope to clear this backlog of food reviews (not so much a review, sharing more like), I’ve decided to chuck it all in one post and move on to other pictures soon enough. Most shots are mine, some are from Jas’ D40x. Enjoy :)

We had a cookout at Jas’ place a while ago. We boiled some brussel sprouts and baby carrots. Had fresh lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Chopped up some onions and sauteed them with some dory fish. Served with apple juice and tzatziki for dressing. It was a very simple and extremely healthy meal. I was most pleased.

Green tea sponge cake for dessert.

D’lish’s creme caramel dessert after our organic meal last week. The texture was actually firmer than the creamy ones that I’m used too. The good thing about this version is that the creme caramel was not too sweet and it was quite a sight to see the caramel sauce trapped at the bottom bubbling up as I punctured the creme to taste some of the caramel’s smoky sweetness. lol. I can’t recall the price but all dessert’s are 30% off after 8.30pm.

I’m a sucker for rocky road. Chocolate and marshmallows on a crumbly muesli base - too good to miss. I even forgot how unhealthy this is. lol. But it’s dessert! Health is not a factor in dessert choices.

We checked out The Pink Sage recently for brunch. Tucked in a obscure corner on Jalan Dang Wangi, it was weird seeing this chic little eatery amongst the old coffee shops in the area. Their table mats are in a wonderful shade of green complete with a sage leaf motif. Cutlery and butter were placed quickly after our orders were taken.

Condiments include your usual sauces and breakfast syrup.

I had the Dilmah peach tea (RM4.00). Served with uber thin almond biscotti.

Jas’ latte (RM7.00). I love the coffee layers.

Jas’ stacked breakfast for one (RM14.50). Comes with two eggs (choice of sunny side up, hardboiled, scrambled), bread (rye, wholemeal, white), potatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, beef brisket and sausage (beef or chicken). It was too meaty for me but I took a teeny bite of the chicken sausage excitedly with HP sauce. Only because they placed the HP bottle there. I do miss my brown sauce :)

A close up. The eggs were pretty oozy. lol.

My Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon (RM12.50). Toasted and buttered baguette, poached eggs, smoked salmon and Hollandaise sauce. Heavenly. The portions looks small but I was stuffed after eating it. The eggs were perfectly done but the Hollandaise was lacking in that zesty tanginess (I like strong flavours at times). And the smoked salmon wasn’t smoky enough. But still, the combination - despite sounding pretty bland - was still pretty good. Just a bit more flavour would have made it better.

Mmmm.

The interior of Pink Sage. As you enter, the first thing you’ll see is the bar in the middle and the diner-styled booths are on the right. Decor is pretty simple, primarily this mirror with random messages written on it. Service was pretty good (look for Zul) and food came promptly despite being informed that it may take a while because they closed late the night before.

They have an open kitchen where you can see people cooking outside. This is the entrance that faces Wisma TKT on Persiaran Capsquare. We only tried their breakfast menu so I guess we’ll be back for their lunch spread soon :)

Jas and I also went to A Little Dim Sum place. My first visit, Jas’ umpteenth time there. lol.

It’s not dim sum if you don’t order har gao :)

The prawns were so fresh. I was pretty impressed! Crunchy and juicy, just the way I love my prawns. I also thought it was cute that the chilli sauce seems to form a heart shape. Heh.

Vegetable roll. I can’t recall the name but it’s got a bunch of vegetables inside including mushrooms, carrots and radishes. I’m not even sure. lol.

I like the translucence of the cabbage wrapping the vege roll. This was clearly one of the more healthy options as most other dishes were either fried or deep fried. lol.

The eggplant dish - scallops, prawns and crabsticks in creamy (cheesy?) sauce. Against, I paid little attention. I just scoffed them all down. lol. I normally don’t like eggplants but this was good! Grilled to crispy, soft perfection. And those yummy prawns!

*burp*

Where next? Who next? :)

D’lish
G1A Ground Floor,
Bangsar Village 1
Jalan Telawi 1
51200 Bangsar.
Tel: 03-2287 9770

The Pink Sage Diner and Pantry
Ground floor, Wisma RA,
12 Jalan Dang Wangi (restaurant faces Wisma TKT on Persiaran Capsquare)
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2693 6000
Fax 03-2693 5004
Open from 8am to 7pm.
Closed on Mondays.

A Little Dim Sum Place
12, Jalan SS2/63
47300 Petaling Jaya
Tel : 03-7873 1876
Open from 9am to 3pm, 6.30pm to 12.30am (Tues to Fri)
9am to 12.30am (Sat and Sun).
Closed on Monday.

Solitude, meeting friends in Parliament and a phone call from Iraq - just enough to sustain my sanity as this week’s crazy events draw to a temporary reprieve.

Phew *wipes brow*

Briefly now. I confess I did not expect Anwar’s arrest to happen so soon and in the way that it did. I did not expect RPK to be charged so soon either. I did not expect DNA to be such a major issue because I too thought DNA lasts for a super long time - more than 10 years. I’m sure Anwar left some hair in his cell during his one night remand, I bet they are already doing things to it now. Even if Anwar give his sample (hair, saliva will suffice btw), it will be sent to the Jabatan Kimia that falls under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation. A campaign for an independent lab to handle this would be most pertinent in such circumstances but PKR is waaay ahead of me :)

Expect media frenzy in full force in August 15 as RPK reveals what makes the criminal defamation charges defective and mala fide. I wish for concrete evidence, no more statutory declarations and hearsay please!

It looks like the government and the police (and dare I add the hospital authorities) will have to relook their methods and the bad PR they’ve been projecting. Not only is the rakyat watching - international audiences, investors, stakeholders and everybody else are watching how this will all unravel. If rumours resonate louder than truth, expect more turmoil and drama.

Damn, those are two things I can’t deal with anymore these day. One thing is for sure though, it can’t get more exciting than this (well, unless Anwar really decides to run in Kulim!)

For once, I would like to see them reveal how much all this is going to cost all of us taxpayers!! DNA testing and a full blown criminal trial is not cheap, alright?

I got in touch with my old Starbucks mates recently. My former store AM and SM Thina, partner Melor, resident mechanic Nory and customer Mrs Chooi. The last one deserve special mention as something truly extraordinary happened.

As Thina and I went to 32 Square to find Melor, who is currently a store partner there, it was brilliant that Nory showed up too, as if fated to do so. lol. Next thing I know, Mrs Chooi and her husband walked into the store. Thina asked if I remembered her and my synapses worked overtime to do just that.

Mrs Chooi as a customer, as far as my memory serves me, has always scared me. I don’t really recall what she used to order (latte or ICOD, I think) but I knew she was rather curt and knew exactly what she wanted in her cuppa.

She also had a fascination with our Coffee Jelly promotion from way back when. I suddenly vividly recalled how she’d bring her Starbucks tumbler, fill it up with iced coffee and requested for some complimentary scoops of Coffee Jelly. lol. I always obliged. I even remember how she made her own coffee jelly which was unsweetened and she brought it to the store for me to try. Aww bless. My heart felt aglow from that.

Anyway, she spotted Thina and I sitting there looking at her and she was quick to break the ice and called out to Thina. lol. Everybody remembers Thina!!! After exchanging a few pleasantries, she looked at me and it was obvious she recognised me somehow but could not place my name on her lips.

“I know you and I recognise you. I may not remember your name but I remembered that you did law,” she said in her famed curtness. lol. You would not believe how amazing it felt that some customer from four to fives years ago remembered that I read law!!! :) As I shook her hand, I introduced myself and asked for her name. (Yeah, I did not recall her name either!) She gave me a quick glare, all in good faith I’m sure, and said “Mrs Chooi” and smiled.

Something snapped in my head and a flood of memories (most of them mentioned above) all came back and from shaking her hand, I gave her a hug :) She was quick to note that none of the Starbucks that she frequents now has the friendliness and warmth that the old Starbucks Jaya #003 exuded when we were still working there. I was a barista in SB Jaya you see from 2002 to 2004 and we were renowned for our excellent customer service. lol. We had A LOT of regulars that came back for our crazy and bubbly baristas. Ask any Starbucks regulars in PJ :)

She even remembered me as one of the first few coffee masters that presented coffee seminars in Jaya. “Now that was really good. You did it with Sharon and Kay. I enjoyed those presentations very much!” Mrs Chooi related to Thina and I. lol. I’ve almost misplaced that memory for sometime now. It was really sweet of Mrs Chooi to find it for me :)

She quickly bid her adieu to enjoy her cuppa with her husband. I swear at most she’ll say goodbye before she leaves. It did cross my mind that odds are I will not see her for a long, long time. But as little surprises in life happens, Mrs Chooi shortly after decided to approach me with this little bundle in her hand.

“I know I will not see you again soon but I thought I’d give you something. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve used this once,” she said as she held out this little rolled up thingy.

I looked at her in puzzlement at first.

“Is she actually giving me something?” I thought to myself.

“Open it and see if you like it. I made it myself,” she declared with a smile.

I unbuttoned and unrolled this dainty fabric parcel into a little bag!!!! :) :)

“Oh my, this is adorable! Are you sure you want to give this to me? I must give you something in return!” I sputtered hastily.

“I want people to stop using plastic bags unnecessarily. Well, the least you can do is at least give me your card so I can call you up,” she said adamantly in her trademark Mrs Chooi way.

I laughed and obliged as I grabbed my purse and took my name card out.

“Thank you so much! It’s so pretty!” I gushed. I was really, really touched.

sigh.

Her kind gesture really touched me. Looks like I will remember Mrs Chooi every time I use the bag! :) And how lovely is that?

:)