Going in to Saturday’s elections, everyone thought that the opposition in Malaysia will do better than they did the last time. But wow, not this good!
The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) suffered their biggest electoral upset in about 40 years, losing their two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time since 1969. BN managed to win only 139 seats in the 222-member Parliament, but what’s worse was that they lost 5 states to the opposition. Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan all fell to the opposition. This after losing just Kelantan in the last elections.
I can’t help but feel a little sorry for Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The biggest reason for the BN losses was the loss of votes from Malaysian Chinese and Indians, both Gerakan and MIC were just slaughtered in the polls. UMNO actually did quite well on it’s own but their BN’s component parties were just destroyed on Saturday.
Just it’s back to the drawing board for BN, and with calls already being heard for Abdullah to resign, Malaysians are in for an interesting time.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Comics this week
Countdown to Final Crisis #8- This is really pissing me off. I know that DC's second weekly is supposed to be the “spine of the DCU”, but how about a story that makes sense first! The story jumped yet again. Since when did Jimmy Olsen got back to Apokolips? How did the Atom get onto the chessboard and managed to see Darkseid playing the game? Isn’t Firestorm like in a coma or something? When will the writers stop jumping around the place? Luckily for me there’s only 8 more issue to go.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
New Campaign for Singapore!
You know how the Singapore government had been trying to get Singaporeans to have more children? And how they had been failing miserably for years? Here’s a novel reason for the failure: Singapore was not ambitious enough.
Singapore should take a page out of…Turkmenistan! Their president had just announced incentives to reward women who give birth to eight or more children. Yes, 8 children! They will get a one-off payment of US$250, free dental care, utilities and public transport.
You know the old football tactic; if you want a point, then you must go for 3. That way if you if fail to get 3 points, at least you can draw. Guess the Turkmenistan government is going for the same thing. If women do not get 8, at least they can get half that; 4 children for every couple!
Singapore should follow their example. Just imagine the slogan: Do your national duty; have 6 children or more! That way even if they fail to get 6 (and they will fail), they can at least have 3! Just in line with the “have 3 or more” thing they have now. The women will also be so miserable in failing to do their duty; they will put even more pressure on other women to make up the numbers for them. They will do the work for the Singapore government!
So what are you waiting for? New slogan; new campaign: Have 6 children or more!
Singapore should take a page out of…Turkmenistan! Their president had just announced incentives to reward women who give birth to eight or more children. Yes, 8 children! They will get a one-off payment of US$250, free dental care, utilities and public transport.
You know the old football tactic; if you want a point, then you must go for 3. That way if you if fail to get 3 points, at least you can draw. Guess the Turkmenistan government is going for the same thing. If women do not get 8, at least they can get half that; 4 children for every couple!
Singapore should follow their example. Just imagine the slogan: Do your national duty; have 6 children or more! That way even if they fail to get 6 (and they will fail), they can at least have 3! Just in line with the “have 3 or more” thing they have now. The women will also be so miserable in failing to do their duty; they will put even more pressure on other women to make up the numbers for them. They will do the work for the Singapore government!
So what are you waiting for? New slogan; new campaign: Have 6 children or more!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Where is Mas Selamat bin Kastari?
Like most Singaporeans, I had received a SMS message with a picture of Singapore’s most wanted man, Mas Selamat bin Kastari. His escape has caused no small amount of embarrassment for the Singapore government, and now come the overkill to catch him.
Too bad there’s no overkill on how did the escape happen. Yes, there’s an enquiry on how he’s escape but what info does Singaporeans has on the matter…nothing. However that’s a rant for another day. What I’m worried about now is how much is Singapore coordinating with Malaysia and Indonesia on the matter. Is the Singapore government is so worried about catching Kastari themselves that they are no considering all the options?
Is Kastari even still in Singapore? Singapore police had openly said that they believe he is, but Malaysian and Indonesian security agencies said that he is not. The Indonesians went so far as to claim a location; that Kastari is somewhere around Batam! Just who is right?
Hopefully, Singapore is not so worried about their ‘face’ that they are opening ignoring the possibility of Kastari leaving Singapore already! If he has left Singapore already, I think the most important thing is to help the Malaysian and Indonesian to catch him; not worry about who catches him.
However when you consider the ‘pride’ we Singaporeans hold in our ‘first-class security’, that may really be wishful thinking.
Too bad there’s no overkill on how did the escape happen. Yes, there’s an enquiry on how he’s escape but what info does Singaporeans has on the matter…nothing. However that’s a rant for another day. What I’m worried about now is how much is Singapore coordinating with Malaysia and Indonesia on the matter. Is the Singapore government is so worried about catching Kastari themselves that they are no considering all the options?
Is Kastari even still in Singapore? Singapore police had openly said that they believe he is, but Malaysian and Indonesian security agencies said that he is not. The Indonesians went so far as to claim a location; that Kastari is somewhere around Batam! Just who is right?
Hopefully, Singapore is not so worried about their ‘face’ that they are opening ignoring the possibility of Kastari leaving Singapore already! If he has left Singapore already, I think the most important thing is to help the Malaysian and Indonesian to catch him; not worry about who catches him.
However when you consider the ‘pride’ we Singaporeans hold in our ‘first-class security’, that may really be wishful thinking.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
HSBD hit with a $17 billion loss
The U.S subprime housing is still hurting financial markets throughout the world. Banking giant HSBC took a $17 billion hit on its exposure to the collapsed US subprime housing market.
This makes HSBC the latest bank to suffer from the housing market crisis. What's worse is that it said that it expect market conditions to get worse before it gets better. Which bring to mind what the hell the U.S are doing to rid the world of this crisis. The subprime crisis has been brewing for about a year already, yet we are still no closer to solving the problem. Amid global slowing economic growth and squeeze on credit, must they truly wait till after the U.S elections in Nov before they take action? How knows where the market will be then?
Since Singapore is a "staunch U.S ally", how about we make some noise and try to make the U.S take some action on the crisis before it drag the whole world into a recession...if we are not in one already.
This makes HSBC the latest bank to suffer from the housing market crisis. What's worse is that it said that it expect market conditions to get worse before it gets better. Which bring to mind what the hell the U.S are doing to rid the world of this crisis. The subprime crisis has been brewing for about a year already, yet we are still no closer to solving the problem. Amid global slowing economic growth and squeeze on credit, must they truly wait till after the U.S elections in Nov before they take action? How knows where the market will be then?
Since Singapore is a "staunch U.S ally", how about we make some noise and try to make the U.S take some action on the crisis before it drag the whole world into a recession...if we are not in one already.
Monday, March 3, 2008
EPL this month
Feb 08 is over and Tottenham is the new holder of the Carling Cup. Who else is hot this month?
Top Teams this month
Tottenham Hotspur- Juande Ramos did what he was paid to do; win trophies for title starved Spurs. What’s surprising is how fast he managed to do it. The Tottenham team got their first trophy in 9 years and they did it while playing good, attacking football. Maybe now striker Dimitar Berbatov will be willing to stay at White Hart Lane.
Manchester United – Like in past years, United seems to have gone into an extra gear once the season is going to end. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spent over $60 million to get the Champions League and the EPL title together, and thus far it has works. As usual, people are talking about their attacking powers in the form of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Carlos Tevez but it’s still that defense that has impressed me. It will be between them and the Gunners for the title.
Everton- Manager David Moyes has put together a team that is strong, hardworking and very hard to beat; the result is fourth place in the EPL and a possible place in the Champions League. They still can’t beat any of the top 4, but Everton is beating the teams they are supposed to beat. They keep this up and Liverpool better be careful.
Surprise Team this month
Chelsea- I admit; I was expecting Chelsea to beat Tottenham for the Carling Cup. However, once I saw the lineup Avram Grant sent out; I thought they would be in trouble. Why did Grant sent out the over-rated Frank Lampard (who just came back from injury I might add) in place of in-form Michael Ballack? That was a strange one for me. Add that to stories of how captain John Terry and first-team coach Henk ten Cate had a training ground bust-up prior to the final, and you wonder if Avram Grant has lost the plot. But one game (even if an important one) is not the season, Chelsea is still in the Champions League and frankly, that’s the one Grant need to win to keep his job.
Disappointing Teams this month
Newcastle- Newcastle fans hounded old manager 'Big' Sam Allardyce out of the job because the team was playing boring football under him. How they wish they can have him back? I have said last month that Kevin Keegan is not the right manager for Newcastle at this time and the results have proved me right. No wins, no points and if they are not careful, I think Newcastle may be in danger of the drop. The biggest problem Keegan has is that he is trying to get Newcastle to play attacking football, but when your central midfield is Joey Barton and Nicky Butt; that’s a tall ask. Keegan need to change his tactics or else Newcastle may really be in trouble come end of the season.
Top Teams this month
Tottenham Hotspur- Juande Ramos did what he was paid to do; win trophies for title starved Spurs. What’s surprising is how fast he managed to do it. The Tottenham team got their first trophy in 9 years and they did it while playing good, attacking football. Maybe now striker Dimitar Berbatov will be willing to stay at White Hart Lane.
Manchester United – Like in past years, United seems to have gone into an extra gear once the season is going to end. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spent over $60 million to get the Champions League and the EPL title together, and thus far it has works. As usual, people are talking about their attacking powers in the form of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Carlos Tevez but it’s still that defense that has impressed me. It will be between them and the Gunners for the title.
Everton- Manager David Moyes has put together a team that is strong, hardworking and very hard to beat; the result is fourth place in the EPL and a possible place in the Champions League. They still can’t beat any of the top 4, but Everton is beating the teams they are supposed to beat. They keep this up and Liverpool better be careful.
Surprise Team this month
Chelsea- I admit; I was expecting Chelsea to beat Tottenham for the Carling Cup. However, once I saw the lineup Avram Grant sent out; I thought they would be in trouble. Why did Grant sent out the over-rated Frank Lampard (who just came back from injury I might add) in place of in-form Michael Ballack? That was a strange one for me. Add that to stories of how captain John Terry and first-team coach Henk ten Cate had a training ground bust-up prior to the final, and you wonder if Avram Grant has lost the plot. But one game (even if an important one) is not the season, Chelsea is still in the Champions League and frankly, that’s the one Grant need to win to keep his job.
Disappointing Teams this month
Newcastle- Newcastle fans hounded old manager 'Big' Sam Allardyce out of the job because the team was playing boring football under him. How they wish they can have him back? I have said last month that Kevin Keegan is not the right manager for Newcastle at this time and the results have proved me right. No wins, no points and if they are not careful, I think Newcastle may be in danger of the drop. The biggest problem Keegan has is that he is trying to get Newcastle to play attacking football, but when your central midfield is Joey Barton and Nicky Butt; that’s a tall ask. Keegan need to change his tactics or else Newcastle may really be in trouble come end of the season.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Comics this week
Countdown to Final Crisis #9- I never got Brother Eye. Never got it during Infinite Crisis and nothing has changed. The machine created by Batman took over all of Apokolypse this issue. Yes, that’s right! A machine took over the world that is ruled by Darkseid. Nuff said. That’s how stupid this issue is. Skip it if you value common sense.
Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood #5- A spin-off of 52, Crime Bible ends this issue the same way Black Adam: The Dark Age did. With the writer’s eye on the bigger prize; gunning for an ongoing series. The compelling miniseries has so far being the Question’s quest to learn the five lessons of blood that make up the Crime Bible– deceit, lust, regret, greed and murder. She has learned them well. So well that Flay, the leader of the Followers of Cain, decided to test her. A beautiful fight later, Flay lay dead and the Question is the new leader of the Followers of Cain. And then…the end. Like Black Adam, there's no conclusion to the story. Wait for the ongoing series people.
Project Superpowers #1- Project Superpowers follow the latest trend in comics recently. Get some Golden Age superheroes together and thrust them into modern times. We saw it with Marvel’s miniseries The Twelve, now it’s Project Superpowers. After reading it, I have a warning for everyone. Pick up Project Superpowers #0 first. If you don’t, you will not understand #1. The story is basically about the need to reopen Pandora’s Box. Only the problem is that in this story, the box is actually an urn. But the writers never explain this or why it's so important to open it! If you didn’t pick up #0, you will have no idea why the urn is so important. I cannot understand how Dynamite could miss that which is sad because the art is brilliant. Alex Ross outdid himself here. Unfortunately, the epic feel of the art could not save the mistake in the story. Pick up #0 first, and then come here.
Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood #5- A spin-off of 52, Crime Bible ends this issue the same way Black Adam: The Dark Age did. With the writer’s eye on the bigger prize; gunning for an ongoing series. The compelling miniseries has so far being the Question’s quest to learn the five lessons of blood that make up the Crime Bible– deceit, lust, regret, greed and murder. She has learned them well. So well that Flay, the leader of the Followers of Cain, decided to test her. A beautiful fight later, Flay lay dead and the Question is the new leader of the Followers of Cain. And then…the end. Like Black Adam, there's no conclusion to the story. Wait for the ongoing series people.
Project Superpowers #1- Project Superpowers follow the latest trend in comics recently. Get some Golden Age superheroes together and thrust them into modern times. We saw it with Marvel’s miniseries The Twelve, now it’s Project Superpowers. After reading it, I have a warning for everyone. Pick up Project Superpowers #0 first. If you don’t, you will not understand #1. The story is basically about the need to reopen Pandora’s Box. Only the problem is that in this story, the box is actually an urn. But the writers never explain this or why it's so important to open it! If you didn’t pick up #0, you will have no idea why the urn is so important. I cannot understand how Dynamite could miss that which is sad because the art is brilliant. Alex Ross outdid himself here. Unfortunately, the epic feel of the art could not save the mistake in the story. Pick up #0 first, and then come here.
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