29.3.08

Amazing Charice Pempenco

Okay! Brace yourself!
This is a 15-year old Charice Pempenco from the Philippines. Apparently, her youtube performance in one Korean entertainment show became one of the most watched youtube entries late last year(and of course I was oblivious to it then). Then Ellen invited her to sing in her show. And the rest as they say ... is history!.
A jaw dropping moment! Simply Amazing.

27.3.08

Cerita Hantuuuuu nan romantis!


Thanks to Yang Safia who raved about the author, Stephenie Meyers and her body of works, I decided that this young adult romance between a human girl and a handsome vampire should be okay for my daughters.

So I bought the first book in the series - Twilight. And true to form, Asma stayed up all night to finish the thick book in one sitting. Alia picked it up the next morning and by evening she too finished reading it up. Wow!! And they have not stopped "yakking" about the book eversince(the last time they did that was last year when the last Harry Potter book came out).

Lucky for them, I've got a dinner appointment at Mid-Valley the next day and naturally, being a good Bapak that I am (eh cheh cheh!), I made a detour to MPH there and bought the other two books in the series - New Moon and Eclipse.

Now, Bapak and Mak are fighting over to read the same book. Yeah, it's a wonderful read!

To learn more Stephenie Meyer go to her website here or if you are lazy, read a piece on her here

22.3.08

Elephant is my favourite animal!

Since the beginning of March 2008, my life has taken a new turn - what with a demanding new job that literally leave me gasping for air, and the 12th General Election, in which its outcome still makes my adrenaline pumping. Not good for health!
So to unwind, after work today, the ladies and I went to see a movie – Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who. Now, I must confess that I always like animated movies, especially The Incredibles, but the recent ones, most notably Shrek 3, were rather disappointing. Kan?
Anyway, I sure am glad that I went to see the movie. I was laughing practically throughout the entire movie.
Believe me, kids movies don't get much more high-concept or entertaining than Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who.
The movie is about a happy-go-lucky Horton (voiced by Jim Carrey) which is an elephant living among a world of animals in the Jungle of Nool who, to his astonishment, hears a voice coming from a tiny speck of dust. It turns out that on this speck resides an entire land called Whoville, complete with a community of Whos who live in houses, have jobs, and go to school just as regular humans do.
The Mayor of Whoville (Steve Carell), who must be diplomatic in the time he spends with each of his ninety-six daughters and solitary brooding son, JoJo (Jesse McCartney), is the one who makes contact with Horton, and he's equally surprised and confounded by the realization that there is a larger world beyond Whoville.
Horton is adamant to the other animals that there is life on this speck, but, because they do not have ears big enough to hear the voices Horton does, the outspoken, narrow-minded Kangaroo (Carol Burnett) labels him a liar and wants the speck destroyed. Now it's up to Horton and the Mayor to join forces and find a way to prove to the doubting Kangaroo that Whoville does exist before it's too late.
Thus begins Horton’s hilarious adventure to save the , err, speck of dust.

Go see it! Brilliantly funny!

19.3.08

Salam Maulidul Rasul!

As we mark the birthday of Nabi Muhammad (SAW), it is a good time to reflect on the exemplary life of this remarkable human being.

Understandably, in this age it is very difficult to follow the example of our beloved Rasulullah. We live in a world of more-is-better -- more food, more wealth, more money, etc. Our egos stand in the way of our reaching out to God and to His creation. We allow ourselves to judge others too easily, but cannot accept anyone else's judgment of us. We have become self-centered, not God-centered.

In the life and teachings of the Prophet, there are many examples for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, concerning how to love God Almighty, and about the benefits to be gained by filling our hearts and lives with that love.

These are seven of the Prophet's teachings to which we as Muslims must personally aspire and pledge to follow:

1. "Whoever believes in God and in the Last Day should say what is good or keep silent; and one should also be generous to his/her neighbours and guests." (adapted from Imam Muslim's narration)

2. "Always look to those who are less fortunate than you; do not look up to those who are more fortunate... in order that you not take lightly God's bounties upon you." (adapted from the narrations of Imam Al-Boukhary and Imam Muslim)

3. "Give gifts to one another, as this will enhance your love for one another." (adapted from the narration of Imam Al-Boukhary)

4. "God has no mercy on people who show no mercy to others." (adapted from the narrations of Imam Al-Boukhary and Imam Muslim)

5. God's Messenger used to pray: "O God, I seek your protection from anxiety, sorrow, weakness, laziness, cowardice, stinginess, the burden of debts, and being oppressed by others." (as narrated by Imam Al-Boukhary and Imam Muslim)

6. "The worst thing for a person to fill is the stomach. A few mouthfuls are sufficient for anyone to survive. If a person insists on filling the stomach, then one should fill a third of it with food, another third with water, and leave one third empty for easy breathing." (adapted from the narration by Imam Tirmizi)

7. "Live in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller." (as narrated by Imam Al-Boukhary)


17.3.08

Finally! Tahniah to the new MB!

Finally, it's official. The new MB Perak has been sworn in. Bernama has this announcement...

Mohammad Nizar Sworn In As Perak MB
KUALA KANGSAR, March 17 (Bernama) -- State Pas secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Perak at Istana Iskandariah in this royal town here today.
He took the oath of office, pledge of loyalty and secrecy before the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Earlier, Mohammad Nizar, 51, an English-trained mechanical engineer, received his instrument of appointment from the Regent.
After the swearing in, Mohammad Nizar signed his letter of appointment witnessed by Ipoh High Court Judge Datuk V. T. Singham.
Present were the Raja di-Hilir Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa; the Raja Puan Muda of Perak, Raja Nor Mahani Raja Shahar Shah; State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim and Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria.
Former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and state assemblymen from the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition state government also attended the ceremony which began at 11.40am.

Selamat Maju Jaya, Abang Tan! Semoga Perak bertambah sejahtera! Amin!
(er, next to YB Nurul Izzah, the new MB Perak is also another of Asma's role model. And YB Nizar is also Asma's mom favourite politician - her Abang Tan!)

15.3.08

Now Asma wants to be a politician...

Yes, Asma wants to be a politician.. thanks to all the 12th General Election excitement. Hmm.
Both Alia and Asma stayed up with us monitoring the results (both TVs were on and we took turn surfing the Net throughout! Yeah, our very own Election Command Centre). Arissa was in her "tak faham" mode, as usual!
Meanwhile, YB Nurul Izzah Anwar is Asma's new idol. Bapak is okay with that, Asma. But we are not moving to Lembah Pantai!

13.3.08

Tahniah! Tahniah!

TAHNIAH .....

To our beautiful nieces Yang Safia Mior Azli and Saliha Azlan for the strings of As
in the SPM. So terror! And to that 21 As achiever, Azali Azlan (no relation to Leha) too. Its mind-blowing!

And this blog is done with political news, for the time being. This blogger need to calm himself.

A turnabout!

This just got in... from Malaysiakini

Lim apologises, DAP reps to attend ceremony
Mar 13, 08 10:49am

The crisis which developed yesterday over the appointment of a PAS menteri besar in a DAP-led Perak state assembly seemed to have been resolved today.
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang who rejected the appointment of a PAS candidate today apologised for any offence caused to the Perak royalty over his statement.
“My three-paragraph statement at 7pm last night that the DAP central executive committee emergency meeting on March 9 had not given approval for a PAS mentri besar to head a Perak coalition state government was not made out of disrespect to the Perak sultan and regent, both whom I have always held in the highest regard and I apologise for any offence caused," he said.
“The statement was on the party position at the time. There have been further discussions and developments on the matter in the hours after the statement. Announcements of the latest position will be made.”
This was immediately followed by state DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham who told Malaysiakini that whatever misunderstanding that occurred over the matter has been clarified.
He also said that all DAP elected representatives will attend the swearing in ceremony before the Sultan of Perak in Kuala Kangsar today at 4pm.

But the damage has been done, right? Terlajak perahu boleh di undur but terlajak kata...

It is too good to be true, isn't?

I have been waiting, with much anticipation, for the formation of a Perak new coalition government eversince the historic win last Sunday. Afterall, Perak is my home state. And like everybody else, I too was surprise to learn that PAS Adun Ir Nizar Jamaluddin's name cropped up as the leading candidate for the post of Perak MB. Ye lah, of all the three parties in the new coalition, PAS has the least number of seats. I figure that there must a reason for this.
Anyway, I'm so okay with whoever is chosen as the MB. Even if he is a DAP Adun. As long as BN is no longer in the picture, it's fine with me. And after ding-donging for a few days, early this evening it was announced that the post of Perak MB indeed belongs to Ir Nizar a.k.a Abang Tan. Tahniah!
But then... an hour or so later Malaysiakini posted this news..

Lim: DAP rejects Nizar as MB
Mar 12, 08 8:19pm
While the long-drawn debate on who should be the Perak mentri besar finally came to an end today, an unexpected twist came in the form of DAP leader Lim Kit Siang who said that his party had not approved PAS’ Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin to lead the state.

“The decision to appoint a PAS assemblyperson Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak mentri besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters,” he said in a brief statement today.
The statement came just hours after it was announced in Ipoh that the Regent of Perak has agreed on Nizar’s appointment.
Earlier Nizar, state DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham and PKR’s Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi had met with Regent Raja Nazrin Shah.
Ngeh and Jamaluddin were the two other candidates vying for the post.
The three of them later told a press conference that the regent had agreed with Nizar’s appointment as well as the appointment of Ngeh as deputy menteri besar (1) and an Indian candidate - to be named later - as deputy menteri besar (2).
Lim however in a five-paragraph statement released today said that the DAP was only prepared to accept either Ngeh or Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak mentri besar.
He added that at a March 9 meeting - the day after Saturday's polls - the party leadership only gave approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government comprising 18 DAP assembly members, seven PKR assemblypersons and six PAS assemblypersons.
According to him, the party did not give its consent to the appointment of a PAS leader to helm the state.
Lim also said that as such all DAP Perak assemblypersons would stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak mentri besar scheduled tomorrow.
When contacted for an immediate reaction, Nizar said: “We believe that as a coalition government, all decisions will be collective.”
“We would not respond to comments being made outside the new coalition government," he added.
Previously, Ngeh had told reporters that all three parties would respect the decision of the Sultan and cooperate to form the new state government.
Efforts by Malaysiakini to reach Ngeh has been unsuccessful.
Lim's statement has been posted in his personal blog, and it received 300-odd responses from readers within 90 minutes, a majority of which slammed the DAP leader for the decision.

Oh! Shoot! Is this happening, really. The State government has not even been formed and now this? Why lar like this? Now we know who would have a field day tomorrow. Crack in the coalition this early? I really did not see it coming especially after such assurance by Ngeh. So sad!

9.3.08

What a wonderful News!!!!

I can't recall when was the last time I enjoy reading news from the Malaysia mainstream news agencies like today....like this Bernama report...



Three Menteris Besar From PAS, One Each From DAP And PKR
KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- After leading the Kelantan state government for 18 years, PAS will have another two Menteris Besar from its ranks while DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will have one each after the opposition's unpredecented sweep of five states in the general election.

The loose opposition front won Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor and retained Kelantan in the polls yesterday where the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) returned to power without its two-thirds majority.

Kedah PAS Commissioner, Azizan Abdul Razak,S 64, is expected to be sworn in as the state Menteri Besar today while the 77-year-old Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS Spritual Leader, is almost certain to helm the Kelantan government.

PAS won an unexpected 16 seats in the polls, PKR four while DAP and an independent candidate one each. The ousted BN won 14.

In a surprise move, PAS, DAP and PKR took the first step towards forming a coalition government in Perak by nominating Perak PAS Liaison Secretary Ir Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin who won the Pasir Panjang state seat, as Menteri Besar.

This is despite the DAP holding the biggest share of seats won in the silver state. It won 18 state seats, against six for PAS and PKR'seven.

In Penang, Chief Minister designate, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is going to achieve something his father Lim Kit Siang had only dreamt, fought and failed to accomplish with his few "Tanjong" projects to wrest the island state.

Guan Eng led the party to a stunning victory in the state, winning 19 state seats, which together with PKR's nine and PAS' one were more than enough to oust BN.

Former Permodalan Nasional Berhad's chief executive officer, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has emerged the front runner to be the new Menteri Besar of Selangor after the opposition party won 36 of the 56 seats at stake.The PKR secretary-general won the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency and the Ijok state seat, which he had lost during a by-election last year.

PKR has called for a press conference later today to announce the formation of the state government and the new Menteri Besar to replace Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Aaaah, what a feeling!

Whadaya Know!??????

Okay, I take back my word (as per previous entry) for not wanting to post entry in this blog for the time being.
But the present development is too good to be true. It's already 3am and the adrenaline still pumping. I'm monitoring the HarakahDaily and MalaysiaKini now... and I'm so happy.
Oh My Gosh! BN lost not just Kelantan but Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor!!!!!
All I can say is "The voters have spoken!!"

8.3.08

This entry got no title one!

I'm quite busy nowadays - you know new job and all.. And I'm terribly sick of all the election comedic shows being played out unashamedly by the Be End. Oh god, for crying out loud!!!! And the posters can really turned you off. And this one below really blew me off:


What were they thinking!!!!!

Anyway... Happy Voting Everybody. Be Cool and Be nice.

And I'm taking a break from blogging for a while. The fact is I don't really like my blog anymore (meminjam kata2 Tuan Kimster). I find it horribly senseless. Tired lar. See ya....