It's just me...

Planned protest against demolishing TTDI market

2011-12-30T23:23:00.001+08:00

As a TTDI resident, I feel obliged to join the protests at 10am tomorrow, as me and my mom always buy our groceries there. I want to add one more voice to the protests, making it more lively than it will be.

Nearing the end of 2011

2011-12-30T09:06:00.002+08:00

Another year has come and go. It only feels like yesterday that I was still in my summer holidays before continuing my final year degree studies. Well, it wasn't exactly a holiday as I underwent imternship in KPMG for 2 months (including spending a month in Johor). Going to Kulim Berhad is still fresh in my mind, and they make headlines very recently with their intention to sell off their majority stake in QSR Brands, which in turn owns KFC. I wish I would still be an auditor now and earn myself another trip to Ulu Tiram and bombard the employees with a lot of questions with regards to the stake in QSR.

Oh well, what can we look forward in 2012? I'm already 22, going on to 23 next October. The most anticipated event would be the General Election. With the uncertain political on-goings in Malaysia, it's hard to determine where the votes would go this time around. I'm a first-time voter, like thousands of others who had registered post-GE 12. These 1st-time voters would be a make-or-break in forming the next government of Malaysia. But, this is only crucial if Sabah and Sarawak tilted more in favour of the opposition, which is highly unlikely in Sabah, due to the lack of leadership in PR, as well as the lack of recognition towards local-based parties in Sabah and Sarawak. I can only hope that the opposition would give way to the local-based parties to face UMNO heads on in Sabah, then only we would have a fighting chance to add to the 1 parliamentary seat of Kota Kinabalu. The main priority would be to avoid 3-cornered fights or more, but I don't see that issue being solved anytime soon. No compromise is the big problem. There's no problem of compromise in Peninsula Malaysia, but in East Malaysia, that seems to be persistent. I can only predict at best, PR would be adding 5-10 seats from East Malaysia in addition to the ones they currently hold (Kuching, Sibu, Kota Kinabalu), but that would be insufficient to win even a simple majority to form the new federal government.

BN also has nothing much to worry about (despite whatever they are saying in the media, be it mainstream or alternative), as their 3R strategy (race, religion, royalty) is working very well in order to swing the Malay votes back into their fold for the next GE, but they would still struggle in the urban areas. Lucky for them, there is more non-urban areas than urban areas. This sort of imbalance is a concern for Malaysia's regional development policies for the future, as they know rural areas rely mainly on the mainstream media, and that's where their main vote base is. They have a fighting chance in Penang to defeat the PR-led government where they swing most of the Malays to their side over the last 3 years with endless propaganda. Kelantan? Maybe they can eat into the current majority held by the PAS-led government, but that's about it. They are wary of Nik Aziz as a formidable political foe in Kelantan, and they're going to have a hard time uniting UMNO Kelantan, with all the in-fighting going on. Selangor? It seems they can defeat PR with the issue of trash not being collected. Sabotage is the only thing they need, and it's working well. Kedah? Very uncertain on where the votes would go. Perak? That would be a very interesting battlefield, their chance to justify the power grab that happened back in February 2009. But it may also be a chance for the silent voters to show their discontent at the power grab.

Well, that's the states being currently held by PR. What about those held by BN? Perlis is as safe as the Rock of Gibraltar. Terengganu is unpredictable whereby voters can extremely swing from one side to another (as it happened during the 1999 GE, they were solidly behind PAS, only for them to thrash PAS in 2004). There's also a huge civil war (not literally a war, but big spats on many issues) between the pro-Idris Jusoh faction and pro-Ahmad Said faction. The former is the previous Terengganu MB, while the latter is the current Terengganu MB. But whether it'll be enough to swing the voters back to PAS remains to be seen. I think the impact would be minimal somehow. Pahang? With the Lynas issue pretty big and still ongoing, maybe the opposition can win a few more seats, but never enough to bring down the state government. N9? With Isa Samad back in the fold, we won't see PR coming so close quietly again like they did in the last GE (21-15 state seats in favour of BN). Malacca? It'll be interesting to see if Ali Rustam can be defeated by PAS candidate Bakrin Sidek in Bukit Baru, which may see BN defending Malacca, but a real possibility that its CM may be defeated. Johor? An UMNO fortress forever. If anyone of you remember the Tenang by-election, that is your indicator of how strong Johor is in the hands of UMNO. Sabah and Sarawak tak payah cakaplah.

In summary, it'll be an unpredictable GE. More Malay votes going back to UMNO, but more Chinese votes are swinging away from MCA to the opposition. Indian votes? Err... We can't really read what is on their minds. But I'm assuming BN will get the lion's share, except for those educated ones. But the Malay votes are all that BN needs in order to retain control, and I foresee a 2/3 majority for them next GE.

Graduate of Monash University

2011-12-04T15:43:00.002+08:00

Alhamdulillah, my results are out, and I can finally graduate after 3 years of long, hard studies.

AFW3021 - Performance Measurement & Control

Internal - 34.5/40

External - 49.5/60

Total - 84/100 (HD)

AFW3041 - Auditing & Assurance

Internal - 20/30

External - 50/70

Total - 70/100 (D)

AFW3050 - Financial Accounting Issues

Internal - 29/40

External 48/60

Total - 77/100 (D)

ECW3143 - Economics of Money & Banking

Internal - 25.5/30

External - 57.5/70

Total - 83/100 (HD)

My GE-13 predictions (Part 1)

2011-11-10T17:06:00.003+08:00

I won't go into detail yet as I still have to study for my Auditing exam coming next Tuesday (15/11/2011). But I'm just going to give my rough prediction based on past statistics and towards which direction will it swing.

Perlis:

There are only 3 parliamentary seats in Perlis. I expect Padang Besar and Kangar to be retained by UMNO-led BN. However, Arau is a hot seat with the majority only being 300 votes in favour of UMNO. They will definitely face a run for their money from PAS heavyweight Dr Haron Din, a respectable figure in the religious field.

Optimistic prediction: BN 2-1 PR

Pessimistic prediction: BN 3-0 PR

Kedah:

There are 15 parliamentary seats in Kedah. Langkawi, Jerlun and Kubang Pasu are expected to be retained by BN. Alor Setar is definitely a hot seat (& importantly urban seat), whereby MCA is most likely to be defeated by PKR, as the majority is only 184 votes last time out. In PAS-held seats, they are expected to retain Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling. Padang Terap, Jerai and Sik are potential seats that could swing either to BN or PAS, so PAS are at risk of losing in those 3 places. In the PKR-held seats however, the swings are so unpredictable that even a 10,000 majority seat does not seem to be safe enough. Not to mention that Zulkifli Nordin and Gobalakrishnan left PKR beforehand, so Kulim Bandar Baharu and Padang Serai are up for grabs. Kuala Kedah, Merbok and Sungai Petani are also swinging either way, but I see Johari Abdul having the best chance of retaining his seat in Sungai Petani, maybe albeit by a reduced majority due to a lot of protest votes coming from UMNO members.

Optimistic prediction: BN 3-12 PR

Pessimistic prediction: BN 11-4 PR

That's the end of Part 1. I'll continue as soon as I'm done with my Auditing paper. The wait for whether Najib will dissolve Parliament tomorrow is killing me.

Latest update

2011-11-05T07:43:00.002+08:00

I got 2 exams left for this semester.

Once I'm free of exams, I'm planning to do an analysis of parliamentary seats and identify hot seats and safe seats for both sides, along with giving my probable prediction for each seat for the next GE.

Internal marks for 2011 (Sem 2)

2011-10-31T07:32:00.002+08:00

AFW3021 - 34.5/40 (HD)

AFW3041 - 20/30 (C)

AFW3050 - 29/40 (D)

ECW3143 - 25.5/30 (HD)

My internal marks are already known with certainty now, with my 1st paper coming up this Wednesday, which is AFW3021 (Performance Measurement & Control), followed by ECW3143 (Economics of Money & Banking) on Friday, followed by AFW3050 (Financial Accounting Issues) next Tuesday, and finally AFW3041 (Auditing & Assurance) on the 15th, also on a Tuesday.

And so, if you noticed the sequence, they arranged my exam papers according to how strong my internal marks is by chance. I just hope the AFW3021 paper won't be as screwed up as last year (I saw the past year, it was hell). I need to practice a lot for AFW3050, or I'll forget what entries to put in. It's a good thing I got 1 whole week to study Auditing, so that ain't so bad. For ECW3143, I finished most of my notes, as it's just a matter of remembering it.

P195 - Bandar Kuching

2011-10-05T18:10:00.002+08:00

N9 - Padungan

Wong King Wei (DAP) = 11,957 votes (+11,957)

Sim Kiang Chiok (SUPP-BN) = 4,073 votes (-2,512)

Dominique Ng Kim Ho (Bebas) = 439 votes (-7,563)

Majority = 7,884 votes [2006 = 1,417 votes]

No. of voters = 23,499

Voters turnout (without spoilt votes) = 70.08%

Chinese 91%; Melanau 5%; Iban 1.6%; Bidayuh 1.1%; Others 1%; Orang Ulu 0.1%

This seat was previously held by the now independent Ng Kim Ho, who had quit PKR due to the dispute for this seat with the DAP. When DAP had agreed with PKR to fight in this seat, he left. Regardless, it shows that voters vote based on party, and almost no emphasis on candidate, as he had found out to his cost. Due to the wave of anti-Taib, the urbanites rose to the call and gave DAP a thumping majority over the waning SUPP. However, one must note that this is a Chinese majority seat, and it is no surprise that the sentiments of the East Malaysian Chinese are similar to those of the counterparts of West Malaysia.

N10 - Pending

Violet Yong Wui Wui (DAP) = 14,375 votes (+3,223)

Sim Kui Hian (SUPP-BN) = 6,780 votes (-480)

Majority = 7,595 votes [2006 = 4,372 votes]

No. of voters = 29,375

Voters turnout [without spoilt votes] = 72.02%

Chinese 90%; Melanau 5%; Iban 3%; Bidayuh 1.4%; Others 0.5%; Orang Ulu 0.1%

This seat is still a stronghold of DAP, a fortress that became even more formidable as the recent state elections suggest. It also suggests that the urban areas are mostly anti-establishment, making it very difficult for BN to regain their footing due to the age of the Internet. But like the Padungan seat, this is another Chinese majority seat, and it's no surprise to see DAP having a strong foothold on it. They are recruiting as many non-Chinese members as they can, but I don't believe that they still have the confidence to fight in seats that are not Chinese majority. But one thing is for sure, parties like MCA and SUPP are depending upon UMNO and PBB for their survival in this difficult political climate.

To sum it all up, all I can say to BN is that they can forget Kuching. It's so urban that for them to win, they have to ask the pigs to literally fly. That is how impossible it is.

Total: Non-BN 26,332 - 10,853 BN

Prediction for next GE: DAP to retain Bandar Kuching hands down...

My recent uni results

2011-07-11T18:09:00.002+08:00

1st of all, I can't praise Allah highly enough for His endless bliss in my life.

AFW3040 - Accounting Theory

Internal marks: 18.5/30

Exam marks: 52.5/70

Total: 71/100 (Distinction)

BTW3221 - Taxation Law & Practice

Internal marks: 21/30

Exam marks: 49/70

Total: 70/100 (Distinction)

ECW3146 - Regional Development & Policy

Internal marks: 33/40

Exam marks: 48/60

Total: 81/100 (High Distinction)

ECW3830 - Business, Competition & Regulation

Internal marks: 24/30

Exam marks: 57/70

Total: 81/100 (High Distinction)

P194 - Petra Jaya

2011-07-08T23:30:00.002+08:00

N6 - Tupong

Daud bin Abdul Rahman (PBB-BN) = 8,304 votes (+1,419)

Baharuddin @ Din Shah bin Mokhsen (PKR) = 3,753 votes (+1,440)

Majority = 4,551 votes [2006 = 4,572 votes]

No. of voters = 17,253

Voters turnout (without spoilt votes) = 69.88%

Melanau 79.6%; Chinese 19%; Iban 0.5%; Others 0.5%; Bidayuh 0.4%

BN's majority in Tupong has relatively remained around the same level as in 2006, albeit reduced by only 21 votes. Both parties have increased their vote base, although PBB still has a strong footing among the Melanau voters.

N7 - Samariang

Sharifah Hasidah bt Sayeed Aman Ghazali (PBB-BN) = 8,008 votes (+2,643)

Zulrusdi bin Mohamad Hol (PKR) = 2,577 votes (-300)

Majority = 5,431 votes (2006 = 2,488 votes)

No. of voters = 15,543

Voters turnout (without spoilt votes) = 68.1%

Melanau 89.19%; Bidayuh 7.14%; Others 1.84%; Chinese 1.83%

PBB had a big swing in its favour, further consolidating their position in Sarawak with the ever present influence of Taib Mahmud among the Samariang voters. PKR suffered a decline in support here, due partly to the announcement of appointing Baru Bian as new CM if PR had won in Sarawak.

N8 - Satok

Abg Abd Rahman Zohari bin Abg Openg (PBB-BN) = 4,691 votes (+469)

Ahmad Nazib bin Johari (PKR) = 1,891 votes (+467)

Majority = 2,800 votes (2006 = 2,798 votes)

No. of voters = 10,447

Voters turnout (without spoilt votes) = 63%

Melanau 80.3%; Chinese 19%; Iban 0.4%; Others 0.2%; Bidayuh 0.1%

PBB's majority increased by 2 votes from 2006, as both parties gained an increase in vote base. With this being another majority Melanau seat, it is no surprise that PBB has a firm footing in Sarawak for a long time.

To sum it all up, I have only 2 words to say to PKR: FORGET IT!

Total:

BN 21,003 - 8,221 Non-BN

Prediction for next GE: BN to retain Petra Jaya hands down...

BERSIH 2.0 compromise

2011-07-05T23:48:00.002+08:00

I would just like to make a statement to say a job well done to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for intervening in the BERSIH crisis and to allow BERSIH and Najib to reach a compromise. At least BERSIH are now able to rally in the stadium without really affecting KL traffic on July 9, and to Najib, well done for being able to show that you are a leader that can compromise, although I am still not happy as a citizen that the PSM6 (including the Sungai Siput MP) are still being held under the draconian Emergency Ordinance. As much as you want to leave it to the police, you have to intervene to show your good side of democracy. It is high time to correct the wrongs that you made in the 1st place.

TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS!

Waiting for results

2011-07-05T22:52:00.002+08:00

AFW3040 - Accounting Theory

Internals: 18.5/30

BTW3221 - Income Tax Law

Internals: 21/30

ECW3830 - Business, Competition & Regulation

Internals: 24/30

ECW3146 - Regional Development & Policy

Internals: 33/40

Results will be coming out this Sunday night... Pray hard for good results...

Predictions for EPL next season (August)

2011-06-17T18:07:00.003+08:00

Saturday (13/8/2011)

Blackburn v Wolverhampton [2-2]
Fulham v Aston Villa [2-0]
Liverpool v Sunderland [3-1]
Man City v Swansea [5-0]
Newcastle v Arsenal [1-1]
QPR v Bolton [1-2]
Stoke v Chelsea [0-2]
Tottenham v Everton [2-1]
West Brom v Man Utd [1-2]
Wigan v Norwich [1-0]

Saturday (20/8/2011)

Arsenal v Liverpool [1-1]
Aston Villa v Blackburn [2-1]
Bolton v Man City [1-2]
Chelsea v West Brom [4-0]
Everton v QPR [2-0]
Man Utd v Tottenham [2-1]
Norwich v Stoke [0-0]
Sunderland v Newcastle [2-2]
Swansea v Wigan [2-1]
Wolverhampton v Fulham [1-0]

Saturday (27/8/2011)

Aston Villa v Wolverhampton [2-0]
Blackburn v Everton [1-2]
Chelsea v Norwich [6-0]
Liverpool v Bolton [3-1]
Man Utd v Arsenal [2-0]
Newcastle v Fulham [1-1]
Swansea v Sunderland [1-2]
Tottenham v Man City [0-1]
West Brom v Stoke [1-1]
Wigan v QPR [2-1]

MONTHLY TABLE (August)

Arsenal 0-2-1 [2-4] --> 15th

Aston Villa 2-0-1 [4-3] --> 6th

Blackburn 0-1-2 [4-6] --> 17th

Bolton 1-0-2 [4-6] --> 13th

Chelsea 3-0-0 [12-0] --> 1st

Everton 2-0-1 [5-3] --> 5th

Fulham 1-1-1 [3-2] --> 8th

Liverpool 2-1-0 [7-3] --> 4th

Man City 3-0-0 [8-1] --> 2nd

Man Utd 3-0-0 [6-2] --> 3rd

Newcastle 0-3-0 [4-4] --> 11th

Norwich 0-1-2 [0-7] --> 19th

QPR 0-0-3 [2-6] --> 20th

Stoke 0-2-1 [1-3] --> 16th

Sunderland 1-1-1 [5-6] --> 9th

Swansea 1-0-2 [3-8] -->14th

Tottenham 1-0-2 [3-4] --> 12th

West Brom 0-1-2 [2-7] --> 18th

Wigan 2-0-1 [4-3] --> 7th

Wolverhampton 1-1-1 [3-4] --> 10th

Flying off the blocks as usual for Chelsea, while Man Utd will have a tough start which they will get it over with by the skin of their teeth. Man City would also be expected to fly out of the blocks, with Liverpool lurking behind under Daglish's stewardship. QPR is expected to struggle early on in the season, if they sell off their star Adel Taarabt. Spurs would also encounter a slow start to the season with matches against both Manchesters predicted to end in defeat.

P193 - Santubong

2011-05-03T08:28:00.002+08:00

N3 - Tanjung Datu

Adenan bin Satim (PBB-BN) = 4,218 votes (-327)

Nani bt Sahari (PAS) = 1,002 votes (+1,002)

Gilbert Asson Anak Kulong (Bebas) = 215 votes (-142)

Majority = 3,216 votes [2006 = 4,136 votes]

No. of voters = 7,883

Voter turnout (without spoilt votes) = 68.95%

Melanau 50.99%; Chinese 20.49%; Iban 19.68%; Bidayuh 8.58%; Others 0.26%

BN has their majority slightly reduced, probably due to some Chinese and Iban votes going to PAS, while PBB grabs the lion's share of the Melanau votes. PAS is the biggest gainer in gained votes (partly due to contesting in place of PKR), while BN is the biggest loser in lost votes, even though it is not by much.

N4 - Pantai Damai

Abdul Rahman bin Junaidi (PBB-BN) = 7,425 votes (+2,208)

Wan Zainal Abidin bin Wan Senusi (PKR) = 2,354 votes (-699)

Suhaini bin Selamat (Bebas) = 111 votes (+111)

Majority = 5,071 votes [2006 = 2,164 votes]

No. of voters = 13,761

Voter turnout (without spoilt votes) = 71.87%

Melanau 93.4%; Chinese 3.7%; Iban 1.9%; Bidayuh 1.07%; Others 0.45%; Orang Ulu 0.05%

BN has increased their majority by more than 2-fold. This is despite the reduction in Melanau voters from 2006, which consists of nearly 96%. It goes to show that majority of Melanau people are solidly behind PBB, which is headed by Taib Mahmud. This is maybe partly due to the fact that Baru Bian will be the next CM as announced by DAP, if PR had won the elections. It is also partly due to the fact that voters here are mostly happy with Abdul Rahman's performances as their representative. The biggest gainer is BN in this case, while the biggest loser has to be PKR due to some loss of support from the Melanau voters.

N5 - Demak Laut

Hazland bin Abg Hipni (PBB-BN) = 5,522 votes (+428)

Ali Hossen bin Abang (PKR) = 1,770 votes (+281)

Majority = 3,752 votes [2006 = 3,605 votes]

No. of voters = 10,420

Voter turnout (without spoilt votes) = 69.98%

Melanau 88.7%; Chinese 7.9%; Iban 3.6%; Others 1.1%; Orang Ulu 1%

Both BN and PKR gained in votes, although it is BN who has managed to increase their majority slightly from 2006, largely again to Melanau votes, which has been their main vote bank in Sarawak.

Just to sum it up, the Melanau voters are mostly happy with PBB being in power. They don't see any change being beneficial to them, despite the many allegations against Taib Mahmud for corruption and cronyism. PR can just forget this parliamentary seat next GE, as the total majority is 12,039 (3,216 + 5,071 + 3,752) in the 3 state seats above.

Total:

BN votes = 17,165; PKR votes = 4,124; PAS votes = 1,002; Bebas votes = 326

BN 17,165 - 5,126 Non-BN; Bebas = 326

Prediction for GE: BN to retain Santubong hands down...

P192 - Mas Gading

2011-04-16T22:40:00.005+08:00

N1 - Opar

Ranum anak Mina (SUPP-BN) = 3,360 votes (-225)

Boniface Willy anak Tumek (PKR) = 1,354 votes (+1354)

Stephen anak Sagir (SNAP) = 674 votes (-728)

Joseph Jindy anak Peter Rosen (Bebas) = 475 votes (+475)

Majority = 2,006 votes [2006 = 2,183 votes]

No. of voters = 8,099

Spoilt votes = 68 votes

Voter turnout = 73.47%

Bidayuh 75.66%; Iban 13.37%; Chinese 7.24%; Melanau 3.03%; Orang Ulu 0.43%; Others 0.27%

BN votes = 3,360; Non-BN votes = 2,028; Bebas votes = 475

Majority = 1,332

BN still has its majority being reduced slightly despite the multi-cornered fight, which would have yielded a lower majority had it been a straight fight. However, the biggest gainer is PKR in terms of the votes gained, while SNAP is the biggest loser due to the presence of PKR.

N2 - Tasik Biru

Peter Nansian anak Ngusie (SPDP-BN) = 5,829 votes (-564)

John Tenewi Nuek (PKR) = 3,757 votes (+3,757)

Frankie Jurem anak Nyombui (SNAP) = 825 votes (-2,365)

Majority = 2,072 votes [2006 = 3,203 votes]

No. of voters = 15,100

Spoilt votes = 120 votes

Voter turnout = 69.91%

Bidayuh 64.8%; Chinese 27.03%; Melanau 5.67%; Iban 2.07%; Others 0.43%

BN votes = 5,829; Non-BN votes = 4,582

Majority = 1,247

Same reason as the above despite the 3 cornered fight. Majority could have been even lower if it was a straight fight. PKR is again the biggest gainer in gained votes, while SNAP is again the biggest loser.

Just to sum it up, the Bidayuhs are mostly not that ready for change. It's gonna be a hard parliamentary seat to win for PR in the next GE, as the total majority is 2,579 (1,332 + 1,247) in the 2 state seats above. However, there is a sense of optimism, as long the ground work is started immediately.

Total:

BN votes = 9,189; PKR votes = 5,111; SNAP votes = 1,300; Bebas = 475

BN 9,189 - 6,411 Non-BN; Bebas = 475

Prediction for GE: BN to retain Mas Gading parliamentary seat...

Sarawak state elections

2011-04-16T21:46:00.002+08:00

In summary, BN has won 55 seats, while PR has won 15 seats. The lone remaining seat is won by the independent candidate in N54 Pelagus.

I'll do a full statistical analysis soon when I get over my assignments and exams hopefully.

Merlimau by-election prediction

2011-02-28T11:45:00.002+08:00

10,679 voters (Merlimau)
6,935 Malay voters (64.94%)
2,218 Chinese voters (20.77%)
1,510 Indian voters (14.14%)
16 Other voters (0.15%)

My prediction:
Malays = BN 65%-35% PAS; BN 4,508 - 2,427 PAS
Chinese = BN 55%-45% PAS; BN 1,220 - 998 PAS
Indian = BN 80%-20% PAS; BN 1,208 - 302 PAS
Others = BN 100%-0% PAS; BN 16-0 PAS
Total = BN 6,952 - 3,727 PAS
Total majority = 3,225 [BN]

Assuming a turnout as follows:
Malays = 80% [BN 4,000 - 1,548 PAS]
Chinese = 70% [BN 900 - 653 PAS]
Indians = 55% [BN 700 - 130 PAS]
Others = 100% [BN 16 - 0 PAS]
Total = BN 5,616 - 2,331 PAS
Total majority = 3,285 [BN]

Now, if we see the pattern between 2004 and 2008, 2004 is a year of Mr Clean, which is in contrast to the 2008 tsunami. 2004 is BN's best ever results in the General Election, while 2008 is BN's worst ever results in the General Election. As far as where the economy is heading, majority of citizens from every race in Malaysia is very happy to stick with BN, possibly until the next GE, which is widely speculated this year, although I think it's going to be next year instead as both Najib and Muhyiddin are on state tours every month until all states are visited by them both.

However, we must remember than BN tends to do well in by-elections as they can focus all their huge resources toward the by-election, although it is likewise for PR, with an exception. BN has far more resources [mainstream media, 1Malaysia NGO, campaign budget to give voters cash], unlike PR who can only rely on those who read the alternative media and receive donations from members/citizens all over the country, which is still considered small fish as compared to BN's control of the tax money, being the government of the day.

Now, I don't really like Ali Rustam's view of a democracy. He claims that it is BN supporters 1st, only when it comes to the poor he won't discriminate. What kind of democracy is that, really?! Where did all those state budgets come from? Or even the federal budget for that matter?

TAXES.

Now, not everyone in Malaysia pays tax, but for those citizens who had to pay tax, they had to pay regardless of what their party affiliations are. So Ali Rustam, by his logic is saying that BN taxpayers get the priority ahead of PR taxpayers. In that case, why don't they just collect the taxes from just the BN taxpayers? It would have been more understandable that way if only BN taxpayers pay tax to the government (which happens to be BN in power).

What Ali Rustam forgets is that we're talking about the taxpayers' money, regardless of their political affiliation. No one should be given priority ahead of the other. It's against the principle of democracy itself if they discriminate taxpayers according to their political affiliation. Besides, Penang is the highest contributor of tax by state, and what do they get in return from the federal government? Peanuts. Although Penang now has the highest value of FDI (foreign direct investment) for the year, it is not the same as tax. We go back to the fundamental economic formula, which is C + I + G + NX. Now, tax (T) contributes to the government coffers to fund for their spending (G). So, we have the formula of T-G = Budget surplus/deficit (depending on whether T>G, or T
Thus, my point is, tax is paid regardless of the citizens' political affiliation. I repeat, there should not be discrimination towards taxpayers regardless of who they support in politics. Therefore, Ali Rustam's logic is fatally flawed (or in other words, he is using the slippery slope argument, which is trying to justify something without a strong enough argument). Even if I were the PM, I would never discriminate funds against states, even if it's ruled by the other party, not mine. They should be given what is rightfully theirs or it is cruel (zalim).

Coming back to the by-election context, PR has surprisingly won more by-elections than most people thought, considering the resources BN had at disposal. However, realistically, we are seeing the Malaysian people warming up to 1Malaysia, and with the economy on the up-slope, the rule of economics says that a growing economy always favour the incumbent government, which is BN.

On another point, 2008 saw a large number of protest votes against BN, which is mostly done by UMNO members. They are dissatisfied with the governance of former PM Abdullah Badawi. However, with Najib at the helm as PM, he is seen to be stronger than his predecessor, Abdullah Badawi. UMNO members, and even the Malaysian Chinese citizens, are warming up to his leadership, although I think it's mostly economically factors which caused the Chinese to come back to BN bit-by-bit. The Indians who voted against BN because of the Hindraf rally has now come back in droves to the BN, based on recent by-elections. Najib has sent a subtle message to the MIC which is to remove Samy Vellu sooner than his planned retirement, and it was done without a hitch, with Samy's successor now at the helm of MIC.

It is easy for PR to retain most of their core support, but it will never be enough if they were to defeat BN in the next GE. What they can do now is to consolidate their base of support and draw the fence-sitters to their side. It is highly unlikely that the same UMNO protest voters would ditch their party that has been their life and most possibly death. The next GE won't be about the converted, it will be mostly winning over the fence sitters, and the new young voters (including me). We young voters will be the next voice, which is why Najib is lobbying hard to win over the young voters.

However, recent campus elections suggested that BN will have a lot to do to win over the students, as Pro-Mahasiswa (mostly leaning towards PR) had stunned Pro-Aspirasi (mostly leaning towards BN) in winning 8 out of the 13 national universities (or IPTA, which is "Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam"). This is a big leap by Pro-Mahasiswa who had even taken down Pro-Aspirasi in their own backyard. Before the introduction of the e-voting system, which had mostly compromised the students' privacy in who they are voting for, the Pro-Mahasiswa would normally win up to 70% of the student votes. After the introduction however, it has been mostly pro-Aspirasi, until recently that is.

Going back to the by-election context, it is expected that BN would increase their majority in Merlimau from what they get in 2008, due to the good economy and a firmer leadership portrayed by Najib. PR would have no problems in retaining most of their core support among all races, but they have to find something extra to stem the tide of feel-goodness of the voters towards BN, especially those among fence-sitters.

I can only wish for a clean campaign from both sides, although it's quite unlikely so. Edited lewd pictures of PR leaders are making the rounds during the by-election already, as reported on Malaysiakini. However, I can only hope the voters are smart enough to reject dirty tactics by either political party (I'm only saying this in general).

May the best party wins. "YANG MENANG JANGAN SOMBONG, YANG KALAH USAHA LAGI".

What were my activities in Berwick

2011-02-18T08:23:00.003+08:00

I flew back to Melbourne last Sunday night and arrived the following morning. It's a bit weird to be separated once more from my beloved parents and my aunt who took care of me since I was a child until I was 12. 3 months holiday is just too short in my opinion. 2 of those months were used for my internship at KPMG under the Audit P department. It was an interesting work experience, although I felt I could have done a lot better.

It was tiring going through the long lines at the immigration and declaration department at the airport. After that, it was another long wait for the Monash transport to send me to Berwick. It had been an interesting chat with the chauffeur. The other 2 students in the car were from China and Singapore respectively. The Chinese guy is taking international business as his major (if I'm not mistaken) while the Singaporean guy is majoring in law. And the Malaysian guy (which is me) is majoring in Accounting & Economics. And so we have it, 3 different people taking different majors. We are a weird bunch, LOL. Not to mention going to different destinations. ;P

As I reached the Monash Residential Office (MRO), I can see some familiar faces around. I got my keys from Paul and I've been moved to the other Flat as they have closed down Flat #52 as there were no people living there anymore. So we're just left with Flat #51 and Flat #50. As I reached Flat #51B, it was kind of surprising to see familiar faces like Nicholas and Johan Ariff (from Monash Sunway like I was) and to have John Morton (the intellectual Man U fan) as my housemates is just awesome. Now we have 4 people (including myself) in our Flat. So we're just probably waiting for who the other housemate will be. Most likely it'll be a guy since Flat #50A are made up of all girls, haha.

TJ (Teck Juan in short) also came to our flat to spend a night or two as he has to help out with International Enrolment Day (which explains why I have to come back early due to enrolment). Also, Erwin and Alexander are living in the Flat next to ours. Boy, so many familiar faces. We spent 2 straight nights playing UNO cards. Dang, it was so much fun, especially when it comes to playing draw cards (for those who aren't familiar with UNO cards, it's +2 or +4 cards, where the player has to take 2 or 4 cards from the deck, or even more).

I also get to know new people living in the Flats during the Enrolment Day. It's interesting that they are taking some common subjects with me. I guess we'll keep in contact very soon.

Onto other things, I'm becoming active in sports once more. I played ping pong for 2 straight days with a 17 year old girl living in the Hall of Residence. Her attacking play is pretty good, but my defence ruled the day. We played like 23 sets on the 1st of 2 days, and I outscored her 21-2, not to say she was an easy opponent. ;P I have to thank her for rediscovering my defensive form. XD On the 2nd of 2 days (which is yesterday), we played like 19 sets during Karaoke Night for those new residents. Again, I outscored her 18 sets to 1, but that requires me to be at my defensive best, again. She's really my perfect opponent to rediscover my form. With the ping pong competition coming up at the end of March, it's looking rosy.

Anyway, it's time for me to sign off and take my bath and prepare to go to the mosque for Friday prayers at Westall (25 minutes trip by train from Berwick). Salam (to whichever Muslim readers reading this post) and goodbye (to non-Muslim readers) for now.

Tenang by-election results

2011-01-30T23:02:00.002+08:00

Tahniah kepada Azhar Ibrahim dari parti BN atas memenangi PRK Tenang di Johor. Kepada PAS, janganlah berputus asa atau berkecil hati dengan keputusan ini. Teruskan usaha untuk memenangi undi rakyat.

Azhar Ibrahim (BN) - 6,699 (+332)
Normala Sudirman (PAS) - 2,992 (-883)
Majority - 3,707 (+1215)

Ayuh kita ke Merlimau untuk PRK yang ke-15 sejak PRU 2008.

Possible by-election

2011-01-19T15:58:00.002+08:00

Less than an hour ago, the Selangor speaker of the State Assembly, Teng Chang Khim (also Sungai Pinang assemblyman) has announced that the state seat of Port Klang is vacant. This seat was an UMNO stronghold until a dramatic swing causes it to fall to PKR in the last GE. However, the Port Klang assemblyman, Badrul Hisham Abdullah, has left PKR in 2009 to become a BN-friendly independent.

It remains to be seen whether the Election Commission would accept the Speaker's decision though. They made a rare decision of not holding a by-election for the state seat of Kota Siputeh in Kedah last year, despite the UMNO assemblyman not attending the state assembly for more than 6 months. Will it remain precedent?

In the meantime, when we have more updates on the issue, take a look at the breakdown for the Port Klang seat, which lies under the parliamentary seat of Klang (MP - Charles Santiago [DAP]):

2008:
Badrul Hisham Abdullah (PKR) - 12,397 votes
Roselinda Abd Jamil (UMNO) - 7,990 votes
Nazir bin Mansor (BEBAS) - 580 votes
Majority - 4,407 votes
Breakdown - Malay 55.20%; Chinese 27.10%; Indian 17.40%; Others 0.30%

2004:
Datuk Zainal @ Zakari Mad Derus (UMNO) - 12,312 votes
Krishnasamy a/l Punusamy (PKR) - 5,075 votes
Majority - 7,237 votes

Number of voters (as of 2008): 28,456

Tenang voters will determine next GE

2011-01-18T09:39:00.002+08:00

In the report of Malaysian Insider today, it is highly speculated that Najib will use this by-election as a yardstick to determine when the snap polls will be held. If UMNO wins by more than 5,000 votes in this by-election, then snap polls will be held in June this year. However, if UMNO fails to achieve their target in this by-election, it is more likely that they will push back snap elections until the 4th quarter of this year or even next year.

To the Tenang people in northern Johor, your PM's fate lies in your hands. Vote wisely, and make sure UMNO doesn't achieve their target. Happy voting on the 30th this month.

PLUS buyout: What is Jelas Ulung?

2010-12-23T20:46:00.002+08:00

As the battle to buy out PLUS Expressways Bhd heats up with the sudden appearance of Jelas Ulung Sdn Bhd, all eyes are on this relatively unknown company.

According to Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who had checked with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Jelas Ulung is a RM2 company that was registered only last month.

The company has two shareholders, Shaharuddin Abdullah and Sumami Kiman, who own one share each in Jelas Ulung, which also has two directors, Ibrahim Mohd Zain and lawyer Ghazali Mat Ariff.

Putting the spotlight on the company, Dzulkefly (right) raised more questions about Jelas Ulung that he said government investment holding arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd would also have to answer.

"Will Khazanah be obliged to accept, or will it have to match the offer? Will an unknown or no-track-record-of-financial-history entity again be allowed to own a strategic asset of the nation?

"More importantly, will a tax waiver be granted as a hand-out to business entities, thereby creating a bad precedent that can be costly to the government later?" Dzulkefly asked in a press statement today.

Jelas Ulung, with the support of Bank of China (BOC), on Tuesday offered RM26 billion to buy out PLUS and all its assets and liabilities, just before the highway concessionaire's extraordinary general meeting that was due to be held today.

The offer was a good RM3 billion more than the only other formal contender, a joint bid from the UEM Group Bhd and Employees Provident Fund, which offered RM23 billion.

Halim Saad behing Jelas Ulung?

It is speculated that former Renong chairman Halim Saad is behind Jelas Ulung, as well as Asas Serba Sdn Bhd, another company previously in the running for the PLUS buyout, which had made a whopping RM50 billion offer back in May.

The EGM today to decide on the buyout was postponed, and the deadline for offers to take over PLUS extended to Jan 10.

Dzulkefly also pointed out that the UEM-EPF's request for tax waiver for the rest of the concession period, which expires in 2030, to restructure the toll charges could be at the expense of the government.

Foolhardy to offer tax waivers

"It must be strongly reminded that should the exemption for a tax waiver be given, the government will have to give up on taxes that average RM430 million a year... this will amount to a whopping RM9 billion loss in tax revenue over the next 20 years of the concession.

"Of utmost concern is the fear that should a blanket tax waiver be given, it would set a dangerous precedent for others, with the likes of Tenaga Nasional Bhd and other utility concessionaires that are being deprived of passing their costs on to consumers.

"What would stop them from asking for tax waivers too? The precedence may encourage other major players in mega mergers and acquisitions in the property sector to ask for tax waivers as well. This may very well open-up floodgates for endless tax-waiver applications. Where would that lead to?" Dzulkefly asked.

"At a time when the government is on an 'austerity drive', selectively depriving the people of subsidies due to them, it would not be deemed as business-unfriendly to regard this exemption as really foolhardy!"

(Source: Malaysiakini)

My own take on this issue is that, seeing the name Halim Saad makes my blood shiver. He tried (but failed) to bid for QSR Brands (which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Ayamas, etc...) early this month. And QSR Brands for your information is Kulim Berhad's subsidiary.

Also, I've never even heard of Jelas Ulung. How on earth can a RM2 company only registered last month bid for PLUS at an offer of RM26 billion??? Just imagine the headlines if that bid is eventually accepted...

14th by-election

2010-12-17T18:03:00.002+08:00

Al-Fatihah kepada Allayarham Datuk Sulaiman Taha, ADUN Tenang yang meninggal dunia pada pukul 1.10 pagi hari ini. Semoga roh beliau dicucuri rahmat Allah.

2008:

Datuk Sulaiman Taha (UMNO) - 6,367 votes

Mohd Saim Siran (PAS) - 3,875 votes

Majority - 2,492 votes

2004:

Sulaiman Taha (UMNO) - 7,655 votes

Mohd Saim Siran (PAS) - 2,138 votes

Majority - 5,517 votes

Race breakdown: 49.66% (Malays); 38.13% (Chinese); 12.11% (Indian); 0.10% (Others)

Uni results

2010-12-02T20:40:00.002+08:00

Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! I've finally achieved what I wanted. XD

Corporations Law & Trust (BTW2220)

Internal assessment: 23/30

Exam paper: 58/70

Total: 81/100 (HD)

Financial Management (AFW2631)

Internal assessment: 14/20

Exam paper: 75/80

Total: 89/100 (HD)

Managerial Economics (ECW2731)

Internal assessment: 26/30

Exam paper: 58/70

Total: 84/100 (HD)

Trade Finance & Foreign Exchange (ECW2721)

Internal assessment: 36/40

Exam paper: 52/60

Total: 88/100 (HD)

Bersederhana itu kekayaan yang nyata

2010-11-11T11:14:00.004+08:00

"Mereka yang bersifat kesederhanaan dalam semua hal tidak akan menjadi miskin"

Jika perlu marah, marahlah tetapi usah terlupa dengan perkataan sabar;
jika perlu menangis, menangislah tetapi usah terlupa dengan perkataan tenang;
jika perlu patuh, patuhlah tetapi jangan sampai hilang kemerdekaan.

Jika mahu miskin, miskinlah tetapi jangan terlalu miskin, nanti mudah menjadi kufur;
kalau mahu kaya, kayalah tetapi jangan terlalu kaya sampai terlupa perkataan sedekah;
jika mahu menjadi warak, lakukanlah ibadah sebanyak-banyaknya tetapi jangan sampai terlupa keperluan dunia.

Kalau mahu sebuah kereta mewah, belilah selagi mampu dan menepati keperluan semasa;
kalau mahu dua buah rumah, belilah asal jangan sampai tak tahu makna perkataan puas;
kalau mahu menimbun harta, bekerja keraslah asal jangan sampai terlupa ibadah.

Kalau mahu berhibur, berhiburlah asal tidak terlalu sakan dan menyalahi syariat;
kalau mahu memperkatakan hal orang, berkatalah asal jangan sampai mengumpat;
kalau mahu cemburu dengan kejayaan orang, cemburulah asalkan anda pun berusaha kuat sepertinya.

Hidup sederhana akan memastikan anda tidak akan miskin selama-lamanya.
Bersederhana dalam segala hal adalah titik kejayaan dalam semua perkara.
Orang yang terlalu kaya kadang-kadang apabila miskin terus muflis;
orang yang terlalu pandai kadang-kadang apabila bodoh terus sasau;
orang yang terlalu kuat kadang-kadang apabila lemah terus tidak tidak berdaya.

Binalah harta sebanyak-banyaknya tetapi jangan sampai anda menjadi hamba kepada harta;
binalah ibadah banyak-banyak tetapi jangan sampai terlupa soal-soal dunia;
binalah kedudukan di tengah manusia tetapi jangan sampai hilang kepercayaan orang dan tercalar maruah diri.

Bukanlah seorang yang baik kalau beribadah sepanjang masa sedangkan untuk makan minumnya terpaksa meminta-minta. Seeloknya bersederhana dalam beribadah lantaran bekerja itu pun ibadah, membuang halangan di jalanan juga ibadah, menasihati orang juga ibadah.

Orang yang bersederhana sentiasa terpandang di mata dunia. Dia tidak akan hina oleh kemelaratan dan tidak terlalu tersohor oleh kepopularitian. Dia terpandang sepanjang masa baik oleh orang yang hina mahupun orang yang mulia. Berkuasanya bersederhana bagaikan pakaian yang menjadi penebat pada rasa dingin dan panas yang membakar.

Sayidina Ali r.a. berkata, "Berkhairatlah mengikut kemampuan dan janganlah menjadikan keluargamu hina dalam kemiskinan."

Hendak bersedekah jangan sampai jatuh miskin; menyimpan harta jangan sampai digelar si bakhil, beribadah jangan sampai semakin jahil.

Kata sayidina Ali r.a. lagi, "Insan tidak akan melihat kesalahan seseorang yang bersifat tawaduk dan lemah lembut."

Tawaduk dan lemah lembut adalah kesederhana yang nyata, membangkitkan kasih sayang dan menumbuhkan cinta tulus. Jika anda impikan penghormatan manusia maka bersederhanalah dalam berbicara, berbatas-batas tatkala bergurau senda dan menyimpan sebahagian kesukaan ketika terlalu gembira.

Bersederhana adalah jawapan kepada segala-galanya.

Link: http://aduntitiserong.blogspot.com/2009/04/bersederhana-itu-kekayaan-yang-nyata.html

Note to self: Aku ini insan yang lemah, bergantung kepada Allah s.w.t. Maka, janganlah aku melanggar perintahnya... Astargfirullahhalazim.

Exams so far...

2010-11-03T19:35:00.002+08:00

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. All gone so quickly...

I'm done with Corporations Law & Trust. I'm done with Financial Management. I'm done with Managerial Economics. How do I find those papers?

BTW2220 - Corporations Law & Trust

I happened to practice a bit of past years for Corp Law, especially the Sem 2 ones, as Berwick do not offer the subject in Sem 1. And how fortunate for me to be doing past years, because half of the questions were exact from past years. All I need to do was just expand on what I write on that rough piece of paper. It felt like this is my day... I managed to finish attempting all the questions on time, thank God. But some of my friends couldn't finish in time, which is kind of sad...

AFW2631 - Financial Management

Doing past years prior to the exam was a big help in understanding the methodology. Of course, only a quarter of the questions were from past year, but I encountered almost no problems in answering them due to understanding of the methodology, not memorization. Memorizing never helps. It's practice, practice, practice. The questions in the exam brought out the best in me, but after the exam, I was mentally drained... Never had I used that much brain cells for an exam, especially for the likes of FM. The questions were challenging, and my mind seems to respond to it.

ECW2731 - Managerial Economics

It was a fun subject under Prof He-Ling Shi. And to make things better, he said that 90-95% of the final exam would be similar to the mock exams. Sounds too good to be true eh? I didn't really take the bait and as expected, only the 1st 3 questions are similar to the mock exams. The last 2 was completely bullshit. However, I did recall that Question 5 at the time was from the last tutorial question... Darn, I should have printed out the answers for it beforehand. Oh well, at least I still understand what is nonrival and nonexclusionary. But question 4 was bullshit all the way, and I don't think I did enough for it, haha. Oh well, see how it goes come December 3.

P/S My prediction for the 2 by-elections would be as follows: BN to win in Galas by 2,000 votes. Also, BN to win Batu Sapi by around 2,500 votes over SAPP. =P

All internal marks

2010-10-20T13:27:00.003+08:00

AFW2631 - 14.2/20%

BTW2220 - 23/30%

ECW2721 - 35.7/40%

ECW2731 - 26.1/30%

Minimum targets for final exams:

AFW2631 - 65.8/80% (Total = 80/100%)

BTW2220 - 47/70% (Total = 70/100%)

ECW2721 - 44.3/60% (Total = 80/100%)

ECW2731 - 53.9/70% (Total = 80/100%)

Exam dates & times:

1/11 (9.30am) - BTW2220 (3 hours)

2/11 (9.30am) - AFW2631 (3 hours)

3/11 (2.30pm) - ECW2731 (2 hours)

9/11 (9.30am) - ECW2721 (2 hours)

Early morning trains on the 1st, 2nd & 9th. Just before noon train on the 3rd. 40 minute trips 1 way. It's all about making it to the destination.

Internal marks for this sem

2010-10-06T13:39:00.002+08:00

I've finally known most of my marks for each subject this semester. They are listed as follows:

AFW2631 - Financial Management

Online test (5%) - 4.75%

Mid-semester test (15%) - 9.45%

Total internal marks (20%): 14.2%

I made some costly careless mistakes during the mid-semester, which cost me quite some % there, especially in the MCQ and True/False questions. The theory questions were a screw-up as well. Can't do anything about it. Well, luckily it's only 15%. Thus, I have another 80% to play for in the final exam.

Target (80%) - 65.8%

Total marks (100%) - 80% (HD)

BTW2220 - Corporations Law & Trust

Assignment (30%) - 23%

I was hoping for at least 21/30 to get myself a shot at D. Guess I did better than I expected, although it could have potentially be better had I not left out s 183 and common law remedies. Oh well, 70% in the final exam to play for.

Target (70%) - 47%

Total marks (100%) - 70% (D)

ECW2721 - Trade Finance & FOREX

Online test (30%) - 25.7%

Tutorial participation (10%) - To be known in 2 weeks' time

Well, I was hoping to get at least 28/35 for the online test. I'm glad it went better than it expected, as I thought I might have screwed up a bit. Another anxious wait as I will know how I fare in my tutorial participation come Week 13. Regardless, there's 60% to fight for in the final exam. Thus, I won't set any target yet until I know my participation marks.

ECW2731 - Managerial Economics

Mid-semester test (30%) - 26.1%

Based on the efforts I put in (plus tawakal to Allah), I was hoping to get at least 80/100 for that test. When I got my paper back, I was like shocked to get only 63/100. I checked, and I've seen horrendous mistakes in marking my MCQ. 12 of those answers marked wrong are supposed to be correct. I complained like hell to my tutor and she gave it to the other tutor for remarking. In the end, I got 87/100 after rectifying the marking mistakes in MCQ. Alhamdulillah. I can breathe easy for this subject. As they say, you reap what you sow.

Target (70%) - 53.9%

Total marks (100%) - 80%

And now... to get back to the issue of studying... Ciao!

Malaysian Aspiration Program

2010-09-24T16:51:00.002+08:00

Tomorrow (Saturday), there will be a talk at the Elizabeth Murdoch Theatre in Melbourne University, organised by MASCA [Malaysian Students' Council of Australia] at noon (Australian time). A few speakers have been invited:

1. Tony Pua (MP for Petaling Jaya Utara)

2. Tunku Abidin (Founding President of IDEAS)

3. Prof Abdul Razak Ahmad (National Defence University Malaysia)

However, I'm not so sure about whether the Deputy Finance Minister, Awang Adek, will be coming or not for tomorrow.

The topic will be as follows:

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN ATTAINING VISION 2020

It's gonna be an interesting talk tomorrow. I'm so gonna bring my camera... And of course, not to forget, pen and book to write down questions to be asked, haha.

Who are I'DA World Group Sdn. Bhd?

2010-09-23T05:33:00.004+08:00

Very recently, we heard of the news reported in Berita Harian that this one obscure company called I'DA World Group Sdn. Bhd had donated RM4 billion to PAS in Kelantan. Of course, it was reported that the representative of the Kelantan MB is there to receive the mock cheque. Is Nik Din Nik Mat (younger brother of TGNA) the so-called representative? Nik Din denies it and was there only on his personal capacity of being invited by the company to come to the event.

Ok, let's do a bit of background of this company:

Registration date: 3rd April 2007

Type of business: Investing

Capital allowed: RM1 million (RM1,000,000)

Capital paid: RM1 million (RM1,000,000)

Company status: 100% Bumiputera

Company's bank: Al-Rajhi Bank

Bank groups: Lloyds Bank (England); Standard Chartered (England); Barclays (England); UBS (Switzerland); BNP Paribas (France); Citi Bank (US)

Company groups: 167 giant companies in 117 countries

Group's assets: USD2.716 trillion (or equivalent to RM8.4 trillion)

Company's lawyers: Mr. Rimin b. Haji Maidin

Company secretary: KM Management & Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd

Planning consultant: AECOM South East Asia

Surveyor: Jurukur Teguh

Company's architects: Local (Arkitek Studio Sdn. Bhd); Overseas (Arcop & Partners [Middle East] Engineering Consultants LLC)

More or less, that is the company's profile as stated on its website here: http://idaworldgroup.com.my/Company-Profile.php

Ok, now let's analyse whether it's plausible that they gave the so-called RM4 billion to PAS as alleged by Berita Harian.

1st of all, it is a private limited company. It cannot raise shares from the public as it is a private company. Thus, it cannot have raised as much funds during their start-up back in April 2007.

2nd, it's allowed & paid-up capital is only RM1 million. This in itself raised suspicions about their financial viability to raise even that much money to donate to PAS and to Najib's 1Malaysia concept (as pledged by the company themselves, reported on Malaysiakini). By right, they are supposed to be making super-revenues in the billions of ringgit every year to be able to make that donation, if it ever happened.

3rd, it is 1 of the companies in the group of 167 giant companies with its group assets of up to USD2.7 trillion. What are assets made up of? Cash, cash at bank, debtors, stocks, unpaid revenues, prepaid liabilities, non-business revenues. Now, if any one of you studied business law or corporations law or company law for that matter can understand that a company is a separate entity on its own which can act as a legal person with a mind of its own. They are separate from management. Even being in the group of 167 doesn't mean that they will get billions of USD (or ringgit for that matter) within a space of few years. All the assets in the group are just combined in total. It doesn't mean that every company has USD16.2 billion (rounded) in assets on average. Those companies within the group are of different sizes and doesn't mean that all of them are doing as well as the numbers suggested.

Even within a group of companies, they are not of one company. They are a separate legal entity. Thus, I'DA World Group's assets are different from the other companies' assets within the group. As I've mentioned above, their start-up capital is only RM1 million, and that was only 3 years ago. Even being in a big group of companies such as these, it's not like mi casa es su casa (My house is your house). No, companies do not work like that in the 1st place. If joint venture, yes, maybe. But these are just the combination of the group's assets. If anyone of you ever taken or learned Company Reporting will understand that each of the company's assets are of their own.

So...coming back to the issue. Was it possible that I'DA World Group Sdn. Bhd have that much money to so-called donate RM4 billion to PAS, as alleged on the mock cheque? Being a private limited company, as I said, they are not obliged to publish their financial statements. For them to grow so quickly in a space of 3 years itself is questionable if we don't even know their financial position. Of course, some of you may argue that the group's assets are so much that this company may have been rich as well. But... they are just assets combined. They are not reflective of how much does each company in the group holds in terms of assets.

According to their objectives, they consist of off-shore reclamation, oil refineries, sea ports, development of new townships, etc... http://idaworldgroup.com.my/

Therefore, without any financial statements to show its profits, assets, liabilities, etc... How can we know whether I'DA World Group Sdn. Bhd is worth as much, or more than the donation in the 1st place? How did they obtain those profits in 3 years to make billions? Unless, they are compelled to publish financial statements by its shareholders, then only we can know their true financial position.

Just remember these 3 points people:

1. Their start-up capital is only RM1 million

2. They are only established 3 years ago as a PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY, which means they cannot raise more equity from the public.

3. The group of assets are just the total assets of all the companies within the group. It does not state the asset holdings of each of the 167 mega companies & I'DA World Group Sdn. Bhd in this case. In conclusion, this issue will not go away as easy as it first came. However, we cannot come to the conclusion that PAS received RM4 billion, because a mock cheque does not necessarily lead to realisation of the cash. As they say: SHOW ME THE MONEY.

As of now, some UMNO people cry of corruption about this issue (they also have reported to the MACC) and PAS has blacklisted this company for ill-willed purposes in order to destroy their integrity as state government of Kelantan. It'll be interesting to see in the next few days about what comes out of this issue. GET THE POPCORN EVERYONE!

Internal assessment marks

2010-09-21T21:00:00.002+08:00

Managerial Economics:

87/100 --> 26% out of 30%

Financial Management:

4.75% + [63/100 X 15%] = 14.2% out of 20%

That's 2 of my internal assessments known so far...

Suicidal exam timetable

2010-09-16T01:28:00.002+08:00

1/11 BTW2220 (9.30am)

2/11 AFW2631 (9.30am)

3/11 ECW2731 (2.30pm)

9/11 ECW2721 (9.30am)

The 1st 3 days ares so close to each other. This is the 1st time my exam timetable has been this tight since university life started out for me. Not to mention I have to take the 7.37am train to Caulfield on the 1st, 2nd and 9th so that I can reach the racecourse by 8.18am, which is where my exam venue would be. I can take the later train for my Managerial Econs on the 3rd, probably around noon or something like that.

But in summary, I'M A DEAD MAN WALKING.

Week 7 nightmare is over

2010-09-04T00:05:00.002+08:00

Week 7 nightmare was over. I'm done with my Managerial Economics test and the online Trade Finance test. Why is it a nightmare? Both carried 30% respectively towards the final marks. If I don't do well enough, I won't be doing myself any favours to score HD for the overall subject.

My expectations:
Managerial economics - 21/30 (minimum)
Trade Finance & FOREX - 24/30 (minimum)

Next up is Corporations Law assignment due this Thursday. 3,000 words of crap, and 30% of the final marks. The week after would be my Financial Management mid-semester test, carrying 15% on the occasion. Now I'm so bored doing Corp Law assignment. Sooner or later, I have to finish it.

What to expect in the next 2-3 weeks

2010-08-26T13:35:00.002+08:00

This is already the end of week 6 for the semester. And it's been almost 2 months since I arrived in Berwick. It feels weird that time flies too fast in my opinion. It was as if I arrived only yesterday. Ah well, time waits for no man. Below is what to expect in the coming weeks:

Week 7 - Managerial Economics mid-semester test (30%, Monday, 12-2pm); Trade Finance & FOREX mid-semester (online) test (30%, Thursday, 7am-7pm).

Week 8 - Corporations Law & Trust assignment due (30%, Thursday, by 5pm)

Week 9 - Financial Management mid-semester test (15%, Tuesday, 11am - 1pm).

CRUCIAL TIMES AHEAD. I have to keep that in mind.

Chua Soi Lek bangang

2010-08-07T15:07:00.002+08:00

Very recently, the MCA president criticised both UMNO and PAS for political Islam. At the same time, he's trying to scare the Chinese from supporting PAS. On what basis? What does PAS got anything to do with what Chua Soi Lek said as about Muslims countries being the worst dogged by corruption? Do we ever hear the PAS-led state government in Kelantan being prosecuted for corruption? NO is the answer.

So why the hell is this porn-star equating UMNO = PAS?

S-T-U-P-I-D statement. Seriously. He is still under the spell of Islam-o-phobia. What kind of Islamic teachings does he know to make this kind of statement on political Islam? What has he learned about Islam while being in BN all this while?

As far as I'm concerned, he is seeking for cheap publicity among the Chinese, where the majority is now leaning towards PAS and its coalition partners. I can tell you people that MCA is irrelevant. Even UMNO can survive without MCA (Mau Cari Angpau).

Classes so far

2010-07-29T07:57:00.003+08:00

It's already the end of week 2 for me as my classes are held from only Monday - Wednesday. Thus, I will publish my list of tutors and lecturers for each subject, and comment a little bit on each of those subjects so far.

BTW2220 - Corporations Law & Trust

Lecturer - Shi Chenxia

Tutor - Samantha Taylor

This is a subject under the 'Professional Accounting Sequence'. It's quite an important subject as it will enable me to get exemptions from some exams when I eventually undertake professional accreditation in the field of accounting (ex. CPA, ACCA, etc...)

The lecturer has quite a funny accent. There are some words which sounds different from what it is supposed to be. For example, own = oin(k); angry = ungry; etc... The tutor on the other hand is Australian, and she's quite good.

AFW2631 - Financial Management

Lecturer - Nigel Morkel-Kingsbury

Tutor - Nigel Morkel-Kingsbury

This subject is under the major of Accounting. It's mostly a calculation subject, with some theory in it. They say it's like maths, but I'm not convinced as the failure rate for this subject is quite high. 40% in Sunway, and 57% here, in Berwick. Surely I'm not making a fool of this subject. It's practice, practice, practice, and understanding the concepts well enough. Nigel has a distinct behaviour from time to time, which is to squish a paper and throw it to the back (it's classic, seems normal to him). But of course, he's quite a decent lecturer and tutor.

ECW2721 - Trade Finance & FOREX

Lecturer - Jaai Parasnis

Tutor - Welikala Ruwangi

This subject is under the major of Economics. My passion for economics is a reason why I undertake economics as my 2nd major. The lecturer gives a very clear explanation about things, which is good for understanding this subject. The tutor on the other hand is awesome as she describes it in pictures and words, which tremendously improved understanding even further as we deal with case studies and whatnots.

ECW2731 - Managerial Economics

Lecturer - Shi He-Ling

Tutor - Shi Hui (couldn't remember the full name though)

This subject is also under the major of Economics. It's quite an interesting subject when the lecturer said this is not a continuation of Introductory Microeconomics. He said that it is time for us to put ourselves into the shoes of a company CEO and think only about one thing: PROFIT. This reminds me of Cost Information last time, one way or another. The tutor on the other hand also has quite a strong accent, but her voice is a bit too soft at times, and she doesn't seem to grasp the authority at hand (although I hope it improves with time).

And so, that is my life and classes in Berwick so far.

10 Devilish strategies to unlock a woman's "aurat"

2010-07-21T17:30:00.002+08:00

Strategi Pertama – Menghilangkan hijab(penutup)

Perubahan zaman dan budaya manusia menyebabkan pakaian lebih berfesyen dan semakin banyak baju yang merendahkan aurat. Pada tahap ini syaitan berbisik kepada wanita dengan berkata bahawa pakaian hanyalah sekadar hiasan dan tiada berpengaruh dengan agama. Justeru itu, tidak mengapa sekiranya memakai pakaian yang membuka aurat. Namun, teknik ini tidak semestinya berkesan terutama kepada wanita yang berpendirian dan percaya bahwa memakai pakaian syar’i ialah satu ibadah dan bukan sekadar berfesyen. Jika hasutan ini gagal, syaitan akan beralih kepada strategi yang lebih licik seperti di bawah.

Strategi Kedua – Membuka bahagian tangan

Aurat wanita meliputi seluruhnya kecuali muka dan tapak tangan. Seharusnya menjadi kebiasaan tapak tangan tidak ditutup. Jadi, syaitan mengambil kesempatan ini untuk menghasut wanita dengan berkata {tak mengapa jika memakai baju lengan pendek….kamu masih pakai tudung..}. Di pasaran pula banyak pakaian berlengan pendek terutamanya fesyen baru. Wanita yang terpedaya pun memakai baju lengan pendek dan ternyata ia kelihatan biasa pada pandangannya maupun pandangan seorang lelaki, lalu syaitan berbisik lagi {tidak mengapa kan..?}

Strategi Ketiga – Membuka leher dan dada

Setelah menjadi kebiasaan merendahkan sebagian lengan, datang lagi syaitan dan berbisik {tak mengapa kan membuka lengan…sekarang ada fesyen baru yang merendahkan bagian dada..baju ini terbuka sedikit saja agar kamu tidak terasa panas…orang pasti berkata biasa saja…} Wanita itupun memakailah baju tersebut, daripada merendahkan sedikit, sehingga yang nampak lagi bahagian dadanya.

Strategi Keempat – Berpakaian tetapi bertelanjang

Tidak cukup dengan itu, syaitan membawa lagi idea baru. Kali ini syaitan berbisik {baju kamu itu dah biasa …dah ramai orang yg pakai…sekarang ini ada fesyen baru lagi…baju ini tipis dan ketat saja..boleh kamu tunjukkan bentuk badan kamu yang cantik itu..tidak apa-apa, sebab potongan baju ini masih panjang…} Maka wanita ini pun memakai baju berfesyen sebegitu sehingga menjadi kebiasaan malah baju yang dipakai semakin ketat dan jarang. Jadilah mereka wanita yang disebut oleh Nabi sebagai kasiyat ‘ariyat (berpakaian tetapi telanjang)

Strategi Kelima – Membuka sedikit

Setelah memakai pakaian ketat dan jarang, datang lagi syaitan dan berbisik {susah la kalau kamu pakaian ketat semacam ini…bergerak pun terasa terbatasi…apa kamu cuba kain yang telah dibelah sampai ke lutut…nanti lebih senang kamu untuk duduk..tidak mengapa kamu rendahkan sedikit saja yang penting kamu selesa…} Maka dipakailah pakaian wanita yang terbelah. Ternyata ia memberi keluasan dan memudahkan dlm bergerak

Strategi Keenam – Membuka telapak kaki dan tumit

Syaitan berbisik lagi {sudah tak sesuai lagi kamu berpakaian ini…kain ini masih bagus walaupun dibelah hingga lutut…kamu potong aja lagi hingga diatas tumit…kamu pendekan kain ini sehingga atas tumit akan memudahkan km berjalan..} Wanita terus mengikuti godaan syaitan ini dan memakai kain singkat serta ditambah pula dengan kasut tumit tinggi.

Strategi Ketujuh – Membuka separuh betis

Sekarang, wanita ini sudah biasa memakai kain singkat dan ternyata masih kelihatan biasa pada pandangan orang. Syaitan berbisik lagi {fesyen kamu ni masih biasa saja…orang macam tak kisahkan…apa kata kamu cuba fesyen lain yang lebih menonjol..di pasaran banyak kain skirt..tak perlu beli yang sangat pendek …yang separuh betis saja..} Sekarang ni syaitan sudah menjadi seperti penasihat peribadinya. Maka dituruti hasutan tersebut. Pada tahap ini tudung sudah tidak dipakai.

Strategi Kelapan – Membuka seluruh betis

Wanita ada terfikir { Betulkah tindakan aku ni? Apakah tidak berselisih dengan wanita zaman nabi dulu ? } Syaitan pula menggunakan muslihat dengan mengaitkan zaman dahulu dengan sekarang. Syaitan berkata {AH!! tidak…sekarang zaman dah berubah..dulu lelaki tak suka kalau perempuan menampakkan auratnya, tetapi lelaki sekarang banyak yang suka… yang seksi-seksi terutama, mesti tidak terlalu seksi tp terbuka sedikit…di pasaran banyak pakaian zaman sekarang yang menampakkan seluruh betis….kalau kamu tidak ikut kamu akan ketinggalan zaman..} Maka pakailah wanita tersebut pakaian yang menampakkan seluruh betis.

Strategi Kesembilan – Serba mini

Setelah pakaian menampakkan seluruh betis menjadi kebiasaan, datang lagi syaitan menghasut {pakaian kamu perlu ada variasi. Jangan pakai yang seperti itu saja..kamu perlu pakai skirt mini…kamu akan nampak lebih seksi dan menawan..} Maka pakailah wanita ini skirt mini malahan bukan skirt saja yang mini, bajunya, skirtnya, semuanya dah menjadi kecil dan seksi. Bajunya juga sudah bervariasi seperti berlengan pendek, merendahkan sebagian dada dan sebagian pehanya. Ada yang dikhaskan untuk berpesta, bersosial, pakaian kerja, pakaian rasmi, pakaian malam dan sebagainya.

Strategi Kesepuluh – Hampir semua terbuka

Muncul pula keinginan untuk mandi di kolam renang terbuka dan pantai. Syaitan berbisik {pakailah kamu bikini..semua di sana pakai baju itu…kamu tak perlu malu ..} Wanita ini pun tanpa segan lagi memakai bikini yang hanya menutup sebagian dada dan pahanya. Dia pun bersuka ria terutama apabila semua lelaki memandangnya. Pada tahap ini auratnya sudah tidak diendahkan lagi.

Source: http://www.isuhangat.net/2010/06/09/10-strategi-syaitan-membuka-aurat-wanita/

Jadi, kaum muslimat, apa kata anda?

My exam results

2010-07-15T21:55:00.002+08:00

Exam results are out.

Macroeconomic Policy - 78% (D)

Cost Info for Decision Making - 74% (D)

Company Reporting - 72% (D)

Accounting Information System & Financial Modelling - 64% (C)

Wasn't that bad by any standards, but it was quite a disappointment by my standards. I felt that I could have done better. No matter, new semester is about to start next Monday. No time to mull over results anymore. It is time for me to bounce back with a bang. My resolve: GET ALL HD! NO EXCUSES!

Jiayou!

2nd part of life in Berwick

2010-07-14T06:44:00.002+08:00

Last Friday, I went to my cousins' house and follow them for Friday prayers. After that, I went for lunch at 'Dapur Indo'. I ate rice and 3 dishes (rendang daging, and 2 other vegetable dishes), at a cost of AUD8.50; very nice. After that, I lepak-ed at my cousins' house. I'm a heavy gamer, so I played Command & Conquer on PS3 from 10pm until like around 6am in the morning. I got some sleep after that and woke up at 9am.

That Saturday, I went to meet an old friend in the form of Sabrina Teoh at Queen Victoria Market. I also hang out with 2 of her friends (Farina & Anusya). I didn't buy anything except for a toy gun (AUD12). It's quite a big market, not just about selling food, but also clothes and whatnots. I went back at around 3pm and they had a disruption in railway lines between Oakleigh and Springvale during the weekend. So I dropped off at Oakleigh and took the replacement rail bus to Springvale station. From there, I took the train back to Berwick, just in time to prepare myself for the 'Ice Breaker Night' for new Berwick residents like me. So we carried out a few activities during the night and dinner was provided.

On Sunday, I went bowling with the other new residents and the resident advisors. I haven't played bowling for a long, long time. I expected to score pretty lowly, but I didn't too bad. I got the 2nd highest score at 136/300. But of course, I couldn't beat one of the locals (Malcolm his name), who scored 164/300. He's already of a different class. But yeah, better than most. It was also World Cup night, so I slept around 2am and woke up at 6.30am. I kind of forgotten about the World Cup final, so I just checked my phone, only to discover 20 miss calls. Oh crap, I forgot to teman my friend to watch the World Cup with her. So I went to the Pavilion (mind you, not the big high-class Malaysian shopping centre) to watch the remaining 20 minutes of the match. Obviously we saw the winner scored by Barca's midfield maestro, Andres Iniesta, in which he dedicated it to his late friend Dani Jarque, who died of a heart attack last year while playing a match. So yeah, Spain won the World Cup for the 1st time ever. Bla bla bla, I prefer South Korea to win the World Cup. ;P

On Monday, I had orientation at Berwick campus, but it was pretty dull most of the day, except for the food, and some of its activities. So yeah, I do meet a lot of new people. We also had induction night at the Pavilion for us new residents, which is compulsory for us to come, haha. We were sorted out into houses (Green, Red, Black, Yellow). They already sorted out beforehand, so I go Green (which reminds me of the spill against the USA). So yeah, it was mostly boring talk until they asked questions in which we can get marks for our respective houses. That's the fun part. So yeah, it wasn't all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Yesterday was also orientation, but it was more dull than ever. So, I skipped the 2nd and 3rd part of the orientation. I just went for the 1st part, and then went for the morning tea break and lunch. After that I went back to the Flats. I played ping pong with one of the Berwick residents, Stanley Lam, later in the evening. It was a titanic battle, where I was defensive most of the way. As they say in Risk, if both sides are equally matched, the defender will be the victor. And so I was victorious in miraculous circumstances, withholding the attacking onslaught. 6 sets to 4 the final score. He was pretty good. Then my next opponent was Han, who Stanley considers better than him. So I won the 1st match miraculously as well, but I was on the verge of losing the 2nd match when the trip came calling. And so, we walked up High Street and had our dinner later at Moods restaurant. I ate the vegetarian pasta. I was full at first, and then my new friend (Nor Ashikin, or Ash in short) said she couldn't finish her Thai Green Curry (vegetarian) rice, so she offered me her dish, in which I glutinously ate until it's clean, LOL. My stomach felt like exploding anytime, but it was pretty nice, haha. At least I won't go hungry during the night.

I woke up today hoping to meet a few of my old IB friends somewhere in Melbourne, but there have been slight alterations in the plan. My friend will notify me later on how the plan goes, which explains why I am still at my house in Flats and blogging away my 2nd part of life in Berwick. Today is the 14th of July (Wednesday), check check check. Tomorrow night is obviously results. It will be a very anxious wait to see how I did for my subjects last semester. As they say, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I just hope I'll do well, Insya-Allah (God willing).

My 1st week in Berwick (almost...)

2010-07-09T08:18:00.002+08:00

This is my 5th day in Berwick. It's been very cold at an average of 10*C, regardless of day or night. However, 1st impression is that I like it here.

I live in the Flats, with 4 housemates. They're all from the same campus as I do, which is back in Sunway. I only knew one of them before, so it's like meeting new people in a way. They're Yi Fon (a.k.a. Evan), Vway Huan, Sabrina and Gabriena. That makes it 2 guys and 3 women in the house. ;P

Of course, each of us have our own rooms, which is large enough to fit in a bed, a multi-purpose table, a telephone, and a whiteboard. Of course, it can get very cold anytime, so I can never wear a single layer of clothes. That is a no-no in winter.

What I have done in the 1st 5 days is quite hard to recall almost everything. On the 1st day, my cousin and his future wife came to my residential, bringing some groceries unexpectedly, especially the kuey tiaw goreng he cooked himself. That was my lunch and dinner as he cooked a lot. And so, the 1st 2 days are quite dull before orientation (other than playing cards [Monopoly, UNO] in the middle of the night).

Come orientation day, my mom moved out of the residential to live in the hotel somewhere in Melbourne city, so me and my housemates went for orientation held at Clayton campus. Of course, I met a lot of new people, which is interesting. USA, China, France, UK, Malaysia, etc... It's 1World.

After the 1st day of orientation ended, Yi Fon, Vway Huan, Sabrina and I went to Chadstone shopping centre to do our groceries shopping. Of course, it's a 10-15 minute bus ride from Clayton campus. So, we planned to cook that day. Me and Sabrina are to cook fried rice, while Yi Fon will make salad (btw, I don't eat salad, haha).

We arrived home at 8pm and after laying back for a while, we started cooking. I cooked the rice and Sabrina does the rest (with me as helping hand). I also cut the vegetables to be used for both fried rice and salad. Vway Huan said that she doesn't really know how to cook, but she helps with the preparations as well. Yi Fon made the salad based on one of Jamie Oliver's recipe. And so, fried rice was cooked with some vegetables and egg and it tasted quite nice, not to mention I was hungry at the time. And soon after, the salad was ready to be served as well. And so, we ate and after we're done, we washed the dishes and utensils. After that, we decided to play cards again, but this time around we have extra 'kaki' (as in extra player in the form of Sabrina).

The next day (Wednesday), Yi Fon, Vway Huan and I went to the Fountain Gate shopping centre to do more grocery shopping. Sabrina was away that day to Dandenong to spend the night with her friend, so it was just the 3 of us in the house (Gabriena if I'm not mistaken was at her boyfriend's family house at the time). After shopping, I went to my mom's hotel on Southern Cross for the night. We had dinner at Little India in Crowne Plaza. It's so nice in this cold weather.

Yesterday, I went to my 2nd day of orientation as we have to register for the Australian ID card for Monash. I went straight to Clayton from Southern Cross by train. I can tell you that I like their public transport system here. It's very efficient, with few blips. You only have to buy a ticket and you can ride the train, bus and tram. It depends on what type of ticket you buy. It's a bit complicating to explain about the ticket system here, but if you try buying the Metcard yourself, it's quite easy to understand practically.

After my orientation for the day ended, me and my mom met at Clayton station, so that we can go visit my cousins' (Medic students) house on Clayton Road. At first, we were at a loss with the directions as we asked many people around us for directions. All the people we asked are unsure. And so, we came across a clinic and asked for directions. True enough to my instincts, I knew we went in the wrong direction. So we turned back. 20 minutes later, it was already nightfall and we managed to find my cousins' house. We were greeted by one of their housemates (Safuan is the name). At that time, my cousins weren't home yet. 1 went to play futsal and the other was on his way back. And so, Haris (one of my 2 cousins in the house) came home and was pleasantly surprised to see us. And so we talked until my other cousin (Azlan) got back home from futsal. I also got to meet the rest of the household (the other 2 housemates were Hashrul and Beh). So, me and my mom and my 2 cousins along with Hash went for dinner at Sarawan. After that, my mom went back to the station to get back to her hotel. And so, me and my cousins bid her farewell at the station.

I stayed at my cousins' house for the night since they got PS3, LOL. But of course, while waiting for Hash to be back so that we can play FIFA2010, I surfed the Internet on my cousin's desktop cum TV cum PS3 (I call it a multi-purpose TV). At around 11pm last night, Hash was back and we went to his big room downstairs to play PS3. 1st I teamed up with my cousin (Azlan) and we used America (Mexican club) against Hash and my other cousin (Haris), who used Arsenal (a.k.a. Gunners). They won the 1st match 3-2. But after that, we thrashed them 3-0, using the same team. ;P Next match, me and Hash teamed up and we used Arsenal. My 2 cousins used America. 1st they got thrashed 4-1, and we switched teams so that it's a more level playing field. Me and Hash lost 2-1 after that. LOL. And after that, it was time for sleep, although me and Haris are still wide awake. He was watching his TV series on his laptop, while I played his PS3 (Game: Split Second, a brutal racing car game). By 2am, both of us went to sleep. I slept in my cousin's room as his bed was double, fit for the both of us.

I woke up at around 6.30am as it was too cold to continue sleeping anyway. And so, after doing the necessary prayers, I continued playing that game. ;P At around 8.15am, I decided to go back to Berwick Residential, just to check on my room. I arrived at around 9.07am, but along the way, I ran into both Tsi Yin and Cynthia on the train, who are also living in Berwick residential, just 2 blocks away, so it's quite near. After I got home, I washed my face and have breakfast (cereal + milk). Standard saving breakfast procedure.

At around 11.30am, I'm going to go back to my cousins' house to follow them do our Friday prayers nearby at a mosque. And so, that is the end of my 5 day diary of life in Berwick (not to mention other places as well). I'll update further soon.

P/S We seriously need to revamp our public transport, or we will lag far behind other economies in the world and become stagnant.

My last post

2010-07-03T10:28:00.002+08:00

This is gonna be my last post before I become part of the brain drain (temporarily). GOODBYE GOOD OLE MALAYSIA!

FINISHED EXAMS!!!

2010-06-21T22:21:00.002+08:00

After today's Company Reporting paper, I am now free of this semester. XD Now, it's the right time to reflect upon how I felt during the papers and the subjects.

AFW2020 - Cost information for decision making

I love this subject. Its concepts are very easy to understand and it's very relevant to today's business world, especially in the world of management accountants. It's especially fun to imagine you're a CEO of a company and you have only 1 objective: PROFIT. So, how do we control our fixed and variable costs? Not all costs are controllable. Thus, we will look into which costs are within our control and how do we do it then? Cost vs benefit.

Come exam time however, it was an absolute disaster. Ms Aniza was already worried from the start of the semester that we, her students, are not worried enough about Cost Info. Sure enough, almost no student had come to see her for consultation, which is a far cry from previous batches, who are very active and always go to see Ms Aniza for consultation. Yeah, my batch was too cool to see her for consultation I guess. ;P But then again, RPK calls it: "Bodoh sombong." You don't know, and yet you think you know. As a result, she said that overall performance for Cost Info was an absolute disaster (or in other words, very bad). You know who you are (includes me). Of course, I felt that I didn't do too badly, but I might be wrong. I'll be crossing my fingers to get at least a D for it.

Internal marks - 28.5/30

Exam target (minimum) - 60/100 (@ 42/70)

Estimated marks = 28.5 + 42 = 70.5% (D)

ECW2730 - Macroeconomic Policy

Well, there are a lot of new things in this subject, as compared to the Macroeconomics that I took last year. IS-LM curve, Permanent Income Hypothesis (PIH) & Life-Cycle Hypothesis (LCH), etc... Those new things that we have to learn for this subject. But then again, it's simple to apply in reality, such as the 2 hypotheses of income. I had to admit I was quite a naughty boy for this subject as I had missed a few lectures for this subject because I woke up quite late, which isn't ideal at all. So yeah, I was lagging quite behind at the time.

The mid-term test was an almost complete nightmare. It forms 20% of our overall marks, but I only got 11 of it, which is not a good sign for the final exam I suppose. But then again, this test had it all. MCQ, open book, and yet, I was blank. Thank goodness I didn't fail my mid-term, or it would have been a lot harder for the finals. The final exam wasn't so bad after all, I was able to attempt all the questions possible within the limited timeframe of 2 hours. So yeah, I have a good hope of getting a D for this subject. I'll have my fingers crossed for that one.

Internal marks - 18.5/30

Exam target (minimum) - 51.5/70

Estimated marks = 18.5 + 51.5 = 70% (D)

AFW2851 - Accounting Information System & Financial Modelling

Well, it ain't spectacular and it ain't pretty. It was dry most of the way. Before the semester started, I talked to Dr Eu-gene (my Financial Accounting tutor last year) about this subject that he will be teaching for the 1st time. He was brought in from IT school a few years back to teach in Business school. I can tell you, he is a real IT expert. Of course, it's hard for him to interpret what he does into words, but I can tell you, he is an awesome teacher. Back to the subject, he reminded me that this subject is very dry, so he'll try to spice things up. He did his best, although it hasn't quite worked out according to plan during lecture. In the case of Financial Modelling, I've been given a brutal lesson of how important Microsoft Excel is. This is the world we live, which is in IT age. Almost everything is computerised nowadays. That means, even a future charted accountant like me have to deal with Excel. Of course, it's faster, and better. But it'll just put extra pressure on the accountant to do more work within the same time frame.

Come exam time, it wasn't as bad as I would expect. In fact, being down from the Cost Info hangover, this was the perfect paper to lift my spirits once more, and keep it that way for the rest of the exams. Of course, there is no guarantee of getting a D for this subject, but I am hopeful in the very least. I'll still be happy with a C, although by my standards, it was never enough.

Internal marks - 23/30

Exam target (minimum) - 68/100 (@ 47/70)

Estimated marks = 23 + 47 = 70%

AFW2491 - Company Reporting

I can say that the subject is interesting, when it comes to shares and income tax. I can now understand better how companies raise their funds to go about their businesses. That's where shareholders and lenders come in. Ordinary shares, preference shares, debentures, current and future tax consequences. But of course, the most complicating part is consolidation. It was at first easy to understand how consolidation works. However, as the consolidation topics went out, I became more confused than ever, especially about non-controlling interest. In the real business world, big companies take over/acquire small companies. However, it does not necessarily mean they will take over the whole company. Sometimes, it can be strategic to buy just part of the ownership within the company. So, we have to account for it, along with the transactions that will be affected by it.

Come exam time, I thought that I was well unprepared for this exam, especially when it comes to shares and consolidation. Looking at those questions, I smiled to myself. This must be my lucky day. The game plan was to leave the consolidation question for last. 15 MCQ questions was a breeze most of the way. Cash-generating units (in short, CGU) wasn't too good, but luckily it's only 5 marks. Disclosure of financial statements with accordance to AASB 101 wasn't so bad, even though I didn't manage to balance the books. However, I am hopeful that I may get marks for doing the right format. Accounting for deferred tax, thank goodness I practiced a lot on that until I understood the whole logic behind income tax. Consolidation, it was a bit tough, but some parts are doable. I tried not to leave an entry behind, even though it may sound illogical at times. Shares, forfeited shares, shareholders' redemption, suddenly all fresh in the mind. Thank goodness I understood its concepts well. Materiality was another favourite part. It's so much fun to explain and justify why it is material or immaterial when it comes to omissions and errors within the financial reports. Overall, it was a good paper for me to score, although most people wouldn't share the same sentiment as I do. People say I'm so smart and wanted my brain, they may be right, but I have always underestimated my own abilities, and I never consider myself smart. But, I am optimistic of doing well for company reporting.

Internal assessment - 32/40

Exam target (minimum) - (12+3+15+12+10+18+8)/100 (@ 47/60)

Estimated marks = 32 + 47 = 79% (D)

In conclusion, it's safe to say I survived this semester with damage control. There are some things that I regret, such as not having better time management to ensure it was solid within the head. However, taking 3 Accounting subjects in the same semester is suicidal for most people, in which they found out to their cost. For me, taking 3 Accounting subjects this semester was hard enough, which was a combination of Cost Info - AIS - Compy Rep, not as hard as taking Cost Info - AIS - Financial Management or even Cost Info - Compy Rep - Financial Management. So, this semester wasn't a disaster as I thought it would be. I thank God for everything that happened. July 15 will be the moment of truth, whether my sentiments are the same as those reflected in the results. Only God knows whether I've done well enough for this semester. Let's hope it turn out that way.

P/S Me leaving for Down Under on July 3 (Saturday). Goodbye ole' Malaysia. I'll only come back somewhere near the end of the year, which is after the end of Semester 2.

Exam progress

2010-06-16T18:08:00.002+08:00

Cost Info was a screw-up.

Internal: 28.5/30

Expected exam marks: 41.5/70

Total = 70/100

AIS wasn't so bad like Cost Info.

Internal: 23/30 (assuming that participation is 6.5/7)

Expected exam marks: 47/70

Total = 70/100

Tomorrow would be my Macro Policy paper and next Monday is Company Reporting. I hope it wouldn't be too bad.

D-Day

2010-06-10T21:25:00.002+08:00

Tomorrow is the start of my exams. Time flies too fast I have to admit. It only feels like yesterday that the semester started. 3 months on, oops, it's already the exams. =(

Tomorrow, my 1st face-off is against Cost Info. I felt mostly prepared for the subject until I had a dig at the past papers. I was wrong. It was one of the most brutal punishments that I suffered, just from attempting it. I didn't know where to start. Not to mention I still need to read up a bit on Chapter 12 and do the last 2 past year papers before 1.30pm tomorrow. It's gonna be an uphill battle.

The other 3 subjects that I'm taking will not be elaborated here. I just don't have the time to do so.

Latest internal assessment marks

2010-06-04T22:24:00.002+08:00

Cost information for decision making:

1st assignment: 49/50 = 9.8%/10%

2nd assignment: 28.5/30 = 9.5%/10%

Presentation: 81/100 = 4.8%/6%

Participation: Don't know yet (out of 4%)

Total so far: 24.1%/26%

Company reporting:

1st assignment: 63/100 = 6.3%/10%

Online assessment: 22/25 = 13.2%/15%

2nd assignment: Don't know yet (out of 15%)

Total so far: 19.5%/25%

AIS & Financial Modelling:

Group assignment: 7%/10%

Online assessment: 14/20 = 7%/10%

Pilot test: 5/6 = 2.5%/3%

Participation: Don't know yet (Out of 7%)

Total so far: 16.5%/23%

Macroeconomic Policy:

Assignment: 45/60 = 7.5%/10%

Mid-semester test: 22/40 = 11%/20%

Total: 18.5%/30%

My 1st assignment for company reporting was really difficult, as most students either pass or fail. Only a few students got D for the assignment, and only a handful (including me) got C for the assignment.

Mid-semester test for Macroecons Policy was a screw-up. It was MCQ and open book. I didn't manage to squeeze in everything in time for the test. I was fearing that I would fail the test, but lucky for me, I passed in the very least. Now, the redemption is to excel in the final exam for this unit. NO BUTS.

7 days to go. IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN...

Sibu by-election

2010-05-17T20:39:00.002+08:00

1st of all, congratulations to DAP candidate, Wong Ho Leng, for winning this crucial by-election in East Malaysia. This victory is not possible without the solid vote of the Chinese Foochows, who had made it clear that they want Taib Mahmud to go, as he had been around for far too long, ripping apart Sarawak's natural resources for his own family's gains.

But of course, it is good to note that there is no personal attacks involved in this campaign by either side, which is a good thing for Malaysian politics, unlike the Hulu Selangor by-election. However, we are treated to a customary $$$ offers by BN to voters to ensure that victory is in their hands. Alas, the voters didn't fall for the bait. So what does this tell BN on a whole? $$$ does not buy everything. I hope they learn from that.

Last of all, I hope that whatever promises made by either side (especially BN), will be fulfilled. We don't want to hear of any unfulfilled promises ringing to our ears.

On another note, the Melanau and Iban votes are still solidly behind BN, which is still a good indicator for the Sarawak state elections, expected to be called by next year. This loss may be just a blip, but I have to admit it was a shocker out of the wildest dreams. It was DAP's 1st by-election contest, and they won it against all odds, including the postal votes and the onslaught by Melanau and Iban voters. Not to forget the $$$ splashed.

Also, this win means that BN is still a bit far away from regaining its 2/3 majority in Parliament, although it is still possible if we hear of further defections from PR (especially from PKR) in the near future.

That's all I have to say. Congratulations to both sides for undertaking a good campaign in Sibu. To the winner, I say congratulations and continue to work hard to serve the people. To the loser, do not despair as there is still time to repair mistakes/damages.

Till then, CIAO. XD

My uni life and current marks

2010-05-14T21:49:00.002+08:00

Uni life is tough. It's like jumping off from a cliff.

Company reporting:

Marks so far: 19.6/25% (Assignment 1 & Online test)

Assignment 2 is due next Monday. I'm glad I'm done with that before the due date.

AIS & Financial Modelling:

Marks so far: 9.5/13% (2 online tests)

I haven't got back my assignment yet. Damn, it's a long wait.

Cost info for decision making:

Marks so far: 13.9/15% (Assignment 1 & presentation)

My 2nd assignment is due this Friday, and I haven't started on it.

Macroecons policy:

Marks so far: None so far

My assignment is not returned yet, and my test is on this Wednesday (6.30-7.30pm). Gotta study for that.

15 year old kid who got shot by police officer

2010-05-01T22:00:00.003+08:00

Another death at the hands of a few police officers. Poor kid. He was only 15, and his offences are quite minor according to the traffic laws. But does it warrant a killing that is unjustified? I mean, the procedure should have been to shoot the 4 tyres first, and after that the kid couldn't do anything after that. He had no choice but to stop. But instead, he got shot in the head.

But of course, we shouldn't generalise that all police officers are bad. Some did their duty well with dignity. We can't simply prosecute them with a machine gun. We have to be more careful in our aiming by using a sniper. Only target the police officers involved in the incident. Leave out the rest of them who had nothing to do with it. So, let's zoom in on those police officers with direct connections to the accident, especially the police officer who shot Aminulrasyid. May the truth prevail, one way or another. For 100% absolute truth, tunggulah sampai di depan mahkamah Allah kelak.

Al-Fatihah...

What happens when MCA leaves BN?

2010-05-01T00:14:00.002+08:00

Perlis:

2 MCA seats within the 15-man state assembly would presumably shift the balance from 13-2 to 11-4 in favour of BN.

Kedah:

The Alor Setar parliamentary seat would make BN 1 seat weaker in Parliament.

Gurun and Bakar Arang state seat would fall back to PR, making them stronger in the state assembly from 20-16 to 22-14 once more, making up for the 2 defections.

Perak:

Tanjong Malim, Lumut, and Kampar parliamentary seat would be lost by BN. Make that 4 seats weaker in total.

Chenderiang and Jelapang state seat would fall to PR. From 31-28 in favour of BN, it will swing to become 30-29 in favour of PR. Perak retaken yeah!

Selangor:

Pandan parliamentary seat would be lost by BN. Getting weaker and weaker in Parliament.

Kuala Kubu Bahru and Sungai Pelek state seats taken, making PR more secured and entrenched in Selangor.

Negeri Sembilan:

Chennah state seat would fall to PR, making BN's position precarious. From 21-15 to 20-16 in favour of BN.

Melaka:

Alor Gajah parliamentary seat lost by BN.

Machap, Kelebang, Duyong, and Bemban state seats go to PR. Opposition in Melaka would be stronger now. From 23-5 in favour of BN to 19-9 in favour of BN.

Johor:

Labis, Ayer Hitam, Kluang, Tebrau, Gelang Patah, Kulai, and Tanjung Piai parliamentary seats would be lost by BN. Make that 13 parliamentary seats in PR hands. (BN 138 - 82 PR. After defections and by-election, make that BN 143 - 77 PR. However, if MCA leaves, then it would be BN 130 - 90 PR at this point)

Jementah, Bekok, Tangkak, Yong Peng, Parit Yaani, Penggaram, Paloh, Johor Jaya, Stulang, Pengkalan Rinting, Pulai Sebatang, and Pekan Nenas state seats would be lost by BN. From a very comfortable position in the DUN of 50-6, now BN is only leading by 38-18 in their favour, just barely holding their 2/3 majority in the State Assembly.

Pahang:

Raub and Bentong parliamentary seats lost. Make that 15 seats lost in total at parliament level. (BN 128 - 92 PR)

Tanah Rata, Cheka, Damak, Semambu, Teruntum, Mentakab, and Bilut state seats lost by BN. From a score of 38-4, their majority is reduced to 31-11 in the State Assembly, making the opposition more vociferous.

Terengganu:

Bandar state seat lost by BN. Not much difference as the score would be 23-9 rather than 24-8.

MCA never stepped foot in Penang and Kelantan. I'm lazy to cover Sabah and Sarawak, as they are mostly local BN components.

So, what happens when MCA leaves? Only 1 clear conlusion, which is PR will regain Perak if MCA indeed leaves BN, that is, if they ever do of course. ;P

Hulu Selangor by-election results

2010-04-25T22:50:00.002+08:00

First of all, congratulations to BN for winning the Hulu Selangor by-election with a majority of 1,725 votes. You had the advantage from the start. However, we did gave you all a good fight, considering that Hulu Selangor is your own fortress. Thus, we will live to fight another day. Watch out for Sibu by-election on May 16. And one last thing, please ensure you fulfill all your by-election promises. If you don't, those voters who voted for you would easily abandon you. Thus, one lesson to be learned, never mess with the rakyat's power.

MIC - 24,997 votes
PKR - 23,272 votes
Majority - 1,725 votes

My prediction for Sibu:
BN to win by a majority of 2,000 votes.
Any takers?

Why BN will win Hulu Selangor tomorrow

2010-04-24T18:01:00.003+08:00

1. Personal involvement of the PM, DPM and Tun Mahathir
2. Goodies being splashed out all over the place
3. It's a semi-rural area
4. Extensive personal attacks on Zaid Ibrahim
5. It's an UMNO fortress among the Malay voters there
6. 13,000 voters have been moved
7. Possible midnight raid to splash even more goodies tonight.

Enough said. I'll eat humble pie if BN loses tomorrow.

By-elections galore

2010-04-09T20:46:00.003+08:00

Today, we received news of another death of a politician. This time it's in Sibu, Sarawak. Condolences to the late Sibu MP who died after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Not too long ago, we heard about the death of Hulu Selangor MP, causing another by-election this year. We already know when the by-election would be, which is April 25. This by-election would be a good indication of whether support is coming back to BN or support for change remains status quo.

If BN wins Hulu Selangor, that means people's support for BN is on the rise again, with a recovering economy and an unemployment rate of only 3.6%; which means good times of the economy is coming back. The rule of economics about a strong economy is that, the incumbent party would hold firm. And there's no prizes for guessing that one.

However, if BN failed to regain the Hulu Selangor seat that it lost 2 years ago, what are the implications? For me, I am lazy to think of the implications, but I know one of them is a signal to BN that retaking Selangor is never an easy task. Of course, there were rumours that the PR state government of Selangor was about to fall during the month of January 2010, with sabotage works under the alleged orders of former MB, Khir Toyo (UMNO), was already in place. There were backlogs all over the place. Thus, the stage was set.

However, it didn't really go according to plan as the death of Teoh Beng Hock at the MACC premise was hot news in Selangor, and all over Peninsula Malaysia. Almost everyone was talking about that. Thus, taking over 3 months ago wasn't a good idea at all. So they postpone it and said they will win back Selangor in the elections. We'll see about that. If majority of Selangorians are happy with PR's governance, they might give them another term in office, and vice versa.

For me, I plan to register as a voter as soon as I turn 21 this October. 1 vote can make a load of difference. Being a former BN supporter in secondary school, I was ignorant about some of the lies that the mainstream media spinned. Yup, I read newspapers, considering most of them the truth. I didn't check and balance. I don't know blogs, I don't know Malaysia-Today, I don't know Malaysiakini, I don't know Malaysian Insider, etc...

In pre-U, a friend of mine, son of ADUN Batu Buruk, was reading those blogs that I was never exposed to. So, I became curious, and I read it as well. I find that so many things that the mainstream media is hiding from us. They had almost nothing but praise for BN, which sounds one-sided in any case. But of course, the same thing happens when you read only opposition blogs without its balances. It's also one-sided. So, who do I turn to for balanced coverage of both BN and PR, and of course, not to forget, Independents? MALAYSIAKINI. Another friend of mine also gave me his username and password so that I can access Malaysiakini and read the whole news. Yes, weaknesses of BN and PR exposed well in this section. Some do their jobs well, some are sleeping on it. Malaysiakini is the best thing that can happen in politics, because they bring that check and balance to either federal or state governments alike. Letters posted on Malaysiakini were from both sides of the divide, and those fence sitters. It's enjoying to read those letters of both sides so that we can evaluate for ourselves.

Of course, there are 2 newspapers I know that are also quite balanced in their coverage of both BN and PR. "The Sun" and "Sinar Harian". I rarely read The Sun, but one of my pre-U friends worked there part-time before he went off to RMIT in Australia for studies. He said The Sun was quite balanced, and I can vindicate his statement when I read it for myself. Even sometimes I bought Sinar Harian. It's quite heartening to see people's problems being highlighted. So both sides of the political divide had their fair share of weaknesses. It's good that these daily life problems are reported so that people have a voice to those responsible, whether be it PR or BN. So, I can only wish that the rest of the mainstream media (Star, Utusan, NST, etc...) can be like Sinar Harian and The Sun. Fat chance I guess. ;P

Anyway, back to the by-elections. We all know Sibu was under Sarawak United People's Party, a component under Barisan Nasional. They won it with a majority of 3,000 last time around. Therefore, I can't see Pakatan Rakyat winning this seat, with Sabah and Sarawak are BN strongholds, except for Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. But, but... they do have a chance in the very least to slash the majority from last time, provided with the right tactics.

So, here's my 2 predictions for Hulu Selangor and Sibu:
Hulu Selangor - BN to win by a majority of 5,000 - 7,000 votes
Sibu - BN to win by a majority of 3,000 votes

Why I say Hulu Selangor is the case? This is because, it has long been a BN fortress. Back in 2004, they won this seat by a majority of 14,000+. For them to extraordinarily lose this seat is unbelievable. But since then, I can bet they have learned their lesson. Never ever take votes for granted. Serve the people, and you will be courageously rewarded with self-satisfaction.

So here's to April 25 and the other date I don't know for Sibu until EC decides. It's gonna be fireworks. Cheers.

P/S I still remember my vow that I will play ping pong left handed all day if PR wins in Hulu Selangor. Man... do I love to be a pessimist. ;P

Who's APCO?

2010-04-08T13:25:00.001+08:00

Laman web APCO sendiri menunjukkan siapa sebenarnya yang terlibat dengan syarikat ini yang dibayar RM 23 million duit rakyat oleh Perdana Menteri Najib Razak untuk mengendalikan "strategi komunikasi" dan "membina imej" negara.

Ahli lembaga APCO termasuk dua bekas duta Israel - Shimon Stein (bekas duta kepada Jerman), dan Itamar Rabinovich (bekas duta kepada Amerika Syarikat) - serta Doron Bergerbest-Eilon, bekas ketua keselamatan Agensi Keselamatan Israel (Israeli Security Agency, ISA) yang lebih dikenali sebagai Shabak atau Shin Bet. Jawatan ini adalah bersamaan dengan pangkat Mejar Jeneral dalam tentera Israel.

Shin Bet bertanggungjawab menjaga keselamatan dalam negeri Israel, termasuk menghadapi intifada Palestin. Semasa intifada al-Aqsa, Shin Bet memainkan peranan untuk mengenalpasti identiti dan lokasi pemimpin-pemimpin Palestin yang dijadikan mangsa pembunuhan oleh serangan udara tentera Israel.

Shin Bet turut terkenal dengan kaedah-kaedah menyeksa tahanan mereka semasa soal-siasat. Seorang wartawan Palestin, Mohammed Omer, mendakwa beliau ditahan oleh Shin Bet pada tahun 2008 dan dibogelkan, dibelasah oleh lapan pegawai Shin Bet yang bersenjata - mengakibatkan beliau terpaksa dirawat seminggu di hospital. Makhamah Tertinggi Israel sendiri memutuskan bahawa kaedah-kaedah soalsiasat Shin Bet berketerlaluan, melanggar hak asasi manusia, dan bersifat menyeksa.

Penglibatan Shin Bet dengan APCO tidak terhad kepada satu individu. ASERO merupakan sebuah syarikat adik-beradik kepada APCO yang berkait rapat secara terbuka dengan APCO dan mempunyai pengkhususan dalam hal-hal keselamatan dalaman negara. Selain Doron Bergerbest-Elion, tiga lagi pemimpin utama ASERO adalah bekas pegawai berpangkat tinggi Shin Bet - David Harel, Oded Raz, dan Gadi Kalai.

Selain itu, Naib Presiden ASERO Carl Truscott, dan penasihat ASERO, Don Riegle Jr, adalah bekas ahli kerajaan Amerika Syarikat yang didapati bersalah menyalahgunakan kuasa mereka semasa berkhidmat.

APCO dan ASERO seumpama satu keluarga, dengan pemimpin-pemimpin yang sama. Doron Bergerbest-Eilon adalah presiden ASERO, manakala Mara Hedgecoth - anak kepada Margery Kraus, Presiden APCO - merupakan Naib Presiden di kedua-dua APCO dan ASERO. Denise Teeling pula, adalah Ketua Kewangan (CFO) bagi kedua-dua APCO dan ASERO juga. Menurut laporan Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia, Denise Teeling dan Margery Kraus adalah direktor APCO Worldwide Sdn Bhd, yang ditubuhkan di Malaysia.

Mengapakah sebuah syarikat dengan kaitan yang amat rapat dengan elemen-elemen Zionis dan dipimpin oleh individu yang terlibat dengan organisasi yang terkenal kerana menyeksa orang Palestin diberi peluang membentuk dasar-dasar sensitif Malaysia?

Dengan pengupahan APCO, pengaruh Zionis, penyeksa serta mereka yang handal menyalahgunakan kuasa kerajaan kini telah dibenarkan menentukan hala tuju negara, serta kini mempunyai akses kepada semua peringkat kerajaan - termasuk maklumat yang berpotensi menjejaskan keselamatan dan kepentingan negara. Tidak membimbangkan ke, Ketua Kewangan ASERO, Denise Teeling, yang bekerja untuk bekas pegawai Shin Bet, terlibat secara terus dengan operasi APCO di Malaysia?

Selain daripada Israel dan Amerika Syarikat, kepada pengaruh siapakah Malaysia kini dibukakan? Di antara pemimpin ASERO satu-satu individu yang bukan warganegara Amerika, UK atau Israel adalah Kelvin Tan Wee Peng - seorang bekas polis Singapura.

Apakah Perdana Menteri Najib sanggup menggadai masa depan dan kedaulatan negara hanya demi mereliasasikan cita-cita politiknya?

APCO tidak hanya terlibat dengan aktiviti Zionis dan pencabulan hak asasi sahaja, malah juga dengan aktivisme anti-Islam.

Jonathan Winer merupakan Naib Presiden APCO di Washington DC. Pada 2003, Winer memberi keterangan di Jawatankuasa Senat Amerika Syarikat di mana dia menuduh gerakan Ikhwan Muslimin (Muslim Brotherhood) serta beberapa badan kebajikan Islam sebagai pengganas, dan berusaha untuk menghentikan segala aktiviti kewangan badan-badan ini.

Marc Ginsberg pula, ahli lembaga APCO dan bekas duta Amerika Syarikat, memanggil tokoh pemikir Islam Sayyid Qutb (inspirasi kepada Ikhwan Muslimin dan penulis karya Ma'alim fil Tariq dan Fi Zilal al-Qur'an) seorang "musuh" dan membandingkan beliau dengan Adolf Hitler.

Siapa sebenarnya di merata dunia yang sanggup mengupah syarikat yang dipimpin oleh mereka yang berusaha menentang Islam dan menyemai kebencian?

Klien-klien dan bekas klien APCO termasuk beberapa 'tokoh' yang cukup terkenal. Di antaranya adalah Jeneral Sani Abacha, yang mencuri hampir RM 10 billion duit rakyatnya semasa presiden Nigeria. Jeneral Abacha turut dikenali kerana pencabulan hak asasi manusia yang cukup parah, termasuk penahanan dan pembunuhan aktivis-aktivis.

Nursultan Nazarbayev, diktator Kazakhstan yang didakwa bersama keluarganya terlibat dalam rasuah yang cukup besar serta beberapa pembunuhan, turut merupkan seorang klien APCO. Di antara strategi APCO adalah untuk "membeli" beberapa laporan dari institusi pengajian tinggi untuk mengharumkan nama Kazakhstan di Barat.

Narenda Modi pula, Ketua Menteri Gujarat di India yang dikatakan membiarkan rusuhan kaum berlaku antara rakyat Hindu dan Muslim, mengakibatkan hampir 2,000 kematian - kebanyakannya Muslim - juga pernah mengupah APCO untuk mengharumkan balik imejnya.

Beginilah senarai pemimpin yang kini disertai oleh Perdana Menteri Najib, yang seandainya tidak mengenal malu.

Adakah ini sebuah pengakuan diam bahawa Perdana Menteri mempunyai beberapa kesamaan dengan pemimpin-pemimpin yang dituduh berasuah dalam negara kaya dengan minyak, gagal menghentikan konflik perkauman, serta mengakibatkan kematian?

Keputusan Perdana Menteri untuk membuka Malaysia kepada pengaruh Zionis dan anti-Islam serta berganding bahu dengan para perasuah yang paling parah di dunia harus dipertikai oleh setiap rakyat yang cintakan Malaysia.

Sekiranya Perdana Menteri masih berdegil dengan mengekalkan kontrak APCO ini, maka tergadailah negara dan terjejas keselamatan serta maruah kita semua. Kita hanya boleh harap kita masih belum terlambat.

Source: http://tukartiub.blogspot.com/2010/04/mari-berkenalan-dengan-apco.html

History and reality

2010-04-08T13:16:00.001+08:00

Negara kita, Malaysia merupakan sebuah tanah subur, dimana banyak Negara ingin menaklukinya. Sejak zaman dulu lagi, tanah ini sering dikunjungi pelawat asing yang selepas itu mula merancang serangan keatas tanah kita. Kita bermula dengan Srivijaya, Portugis, Perancis and Belanda; kemudian Jepun. Negara kita sebelum merdeka memang penuh dengan pelawat-pelawat yang berkenan dengan tanah kita. Namun, kita tidak pernah tunduk kepada apa-apa kuasa asing tanpa melawan, kecuali kepada Negara Cina dimana bunga emas dihantar sebagai tanda persahabatan dan juga ufti perlindungan. Ini bermaksud, Cina telah lama memberi perlindungan kepada kita pada masa itu.

Semasa dalam jajahan, ramai rakyat asing dibawa masuk ke Negara kita untuk berkerja. Semasa Negara kita berunding untuk mencapai kemerdekaan pula, Philipina dan Indonesia pula berhasrat hendak bergabung. Ini bererti, Negara kita maju, makmur dan popular sebagai tempat untuk mancari nafkah hidup yang lebih baik.

Parti UMNO lama, dengan bantuan beberapa individu yang berbangsa Cina dan India, sememangnya telah berusaha dan berjaya mencapai kemerdekaan Negara; dan jasa mereka tidak patut kita lupai. Malaysia, selepas kemerdekaan menjadi semakin stabil. Rakyat kita, yang dilantik sebagai wakil rakyat, telah berusaha mempelajari cara-cara penyelengaraan institusi dan berjaya membawa Negara kita ke tahap baru sosial and ekonomi. Perubahan ini tidak mudah diterima oleh rakyat. Sesetengah rakyat kita dapat mengharungi perubahan dengan perubahan diri dan dapat meyesuaikan diri mereka secara beransuran. Bagi yang lain, mereka mendapati diri mereka terpinggir dan diabaikan.

Pada masa itulah rakyat kita mula terbawa dengan situasi ketidakseimbangan sosial itu dan mula berkomplot menjatuhkan kerajaan dengan dalih bahawa rakyat mereka diabaikan. Terjadilah perbalahan May 13. Akan tetapi, selepas kemerdekaan, dan selama 52 tahun selepas kemerdekaan, perbalahan dan pengambilalihan puncak pengurusan negara hanya berlaku diantara rakyat Negara kita sendiri. Selepas kemerdekaan, tidak ada lagi kuasa asing yang dapat menawan Negara kita. Namun kita mungkin tidak dapat menhayati semua itu lagi.

Pada zaman sebelum Merdeka, rakyat asing beria-ia hendak datang tinggal dan berkerja di negara kita. Sekarang, rakyat kita cuba sedaya upaya untuk keluar dari sini. Kalau negara kita dulu maju dan makmur, sekarang ia semakin mundur. Tetapi, yang peliknya, negara kita masih penuh dengan hasil-hasil semula jadi; masih penuh dengan kayu-kayan; masih ada petroleum. Kalau dibezakan dengan Singapura, negara kita jauh lebih “kaya” dengan tanah, dan sumber semulajadi. Kenapa kita mundur?

Dengan munculnya APCO dalam pengurusan hal-ehwal negara kita, ia bermaksud kita sudah tidak berkebolehan untuk mengurus negara sendiri. Pada zaman sebelum kemerdekaan, sebab yang sama juga kita tidak dianugerahkan dengan kemerdekaan walaupun wakil kita telah banyak kali berulang alik ke negara asing untuk berbincang mengenainya. Dalih mereka: Kita masih tidak berkebolehan mengurus negara sendiri.

Sekarang, wakil rakyat kita meminta campur tangan asing. Kalau dulu, pendekar kita tidak menyerah kalah dan terpaksa mati bertahan serangan asing; sekarang wakil kita menyerahkannya secara suka-rela. Tidak mampukah kita mengurus Negara sendiri sehingga memerlukan campur tangan asing secara langsung? Dengan itu, adakah ia bermaksud wakil kita tidak berkebolehan mengurus Negara? Dengan itu juga, adakah ia bermaksud kita bakal hilang kemerdekaan kita? Nasib masa hadapan Negara diletakkan keatas tangan wakil kita, dan inilah yang dibuat mereka – menyerahkannya kepada kuasa asing. Dengan kekejaman dan tindasan yang dilihat di Israel, adakah Negara kita akan menjadi sebuah tanah jajahan mereka di masa depan kelak? Adakah kita akan kembali ke zaman sebelum Merdeka, dimana kita dijajah sana dan sini.

Nasib Negara diletakkan di tangan wakil rakyat. Pilihan wakil rakyat diletak di tangan kita. Pilihlah wakil yang boleh membantu negara kita, dan kita untuk maju, manangkis serangan dan hasrat kuasa asing untuk menjajah secara langsung dan tidak langsung. Negara kita diambang kemerosotan dengan keputusan wakil rakyat kita untuk membenarkan campur tangan kuasa asing; dengan melarang dan memanipulasi kuasa ketua Negara iaitu Raja kita. Kita tidak akan dapat melepaskan diri sehingga kita menukar wakil-wakil yang menjual maruah negara. Untuk masa depan yang lebih selamat, aman dan makmur, buatlah pilihan yang wajar.

Source: http://malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31064:tahun-2011-malaysia-tanah-jajahan-israel&catid=18:letterssurat&Itemid=100129

Why are M****s poor?

2010-04-08T01:02:00.001+08:00

Of late, the pressure is building up to convey the impression that the Malays are poor because of the non-Malays. It is trumpeted that the non-Malays are enriching themselves at the expense of the Malays.

This erroneous and mischievous line of argument is deliberately pushed to achieve two objectives: one, to get the Malays riled up and to create hatred for the non-Malays as the source and cause of Malay poverty. Two, this is a ploy to consolidate the position of these hate-mongers so that they could be accepted as the defenders of the race and champions who would deliver the Malays from their wretched situation.

But these extremist elements do not reveal how they have benefitted from the policies of Umno that were supposed to be meant for the welfare of the majority poor Malays. They do not reveal how the benefits have gone to the crony corporate figures and the well-connected political elite irrespective of their ethnicity.

They do not disclose how billions of ringgit have been squandered to rescue failed ventures of their elite group. They do not disclose how billions were pumped into Bank Rakyat and Bank Bumiputera to sustain them. They do not disclose why Mirzan Mahathir's floundering and debt-laden shipping empire had to be bailed out with our national wealth. They do not disclose why Tajudin Ramli's stake in MAS was bought over for RM8 per MAS share when the market price was only RM3.62.

Likewise many other individual Malays have benefitted enormously. They don't lose out when their businesses fail but they gain in spite of their failure. Contracts, licences, approved permits, new shares and what-not are grabbed by these individuals for themselves and their families. The poor majority Malays do not benefit from these policies.

It was recently disclosed that out of RM54 billion in shares allocated for the bumiputera, only RM2 billion is still in their hands. What has happened to the RM52 billion that cannot be accounted for? RM54 billion is a colossal sum of wealth that have been dished out. How did the RM52 billion disappear into thin air?

After 40 years of the NEP, it is absolutely unacceptable that the deserving poor have not benefitted in the way it was intended. Sometimes we wonder if the Malays are kept poor simply and deliberately to get their votes by blaming the non-Malays for their abject situation.

During the last 40 years, the Umno president and deputy president were prime ministers and deputy prime ministers wielding great powers, influencing policies and determining the fate of the Malays. Every minister of education since Merdeka has come from Umno. Every finance minister after Tan Siew Sin was an Umno man.

Every rural development minister was an Umno man. The cabinet was dominated by Umno leaders. How come with this heavy representation of Umno leaders in the cabinet the vast majority of Malays remain deprived and desperately poor? How did Umno, ever ready to advance Malay interest, permit this neglect?

The Umno-dominated Barisan Nasional holds the purse strings of the national wealth. Why wasn't this wealth distributed to the poor as well? Why did the greedy grab everything? Was this done without the knowledge of the Umno leaders?

Don't blame the non-Malays who have no say in the policies of the government, blame it on Umno. Who squandered the national wealth on prestigious projects at the neglect of the poor? Who bailed out crony businessmen by writing off billions of ringgit?

It is Umno and nobody else. If the Malays are poor, it is because of Umno. Don't blame it on others. There is a serious lesson to be learnt from John F Kennedy's view: 'If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich'. Be warned.

Link: http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/128360

Pergilah sokong UMNO! Peduli apa aku!

Dengan keyakinan

2010-04-05T21:29:00.001+08:00

Memang benar seperti yang diberitahu oleh Rasulullah SAW, pada akhir zaman orang yang hina (justeru jauhnya hubungan mereka dengan Allah) diangkat dan dimertbatkan ke darjat yang mulia.

Manakala orang yang mulia (kerana akrabnya dengan Allah serta sangat menjaga hukum-hakamNya) telah dianggap hina. Hanya jauhari mengenal manikam – orang yang beriman juga yang menghargai mujahid, syuhada’ dan para solehin.

Justeru, ketika nama dan harta mula melengkari hidupmu… mungkin ketika itu percikan-percikan api jahiliyah mula membakar jiwa mu. Cinta dunia itu kepala segala kejahatan. Bukan mudah untuk meletakan dunia di tangan, iman di hati. Dunia itu umpama gadis yang cantik, di samping kita menjaga agar orang lain tidak menodainya, kita sendiri harus menjaga diri ketika menjaganya.

Ya, berapa ramai orang yang lupa kita terlalu asyik mengingatkan? Berapa ramai yang lalai dengan Allah ketika begitu pantas dan tangkas mengucapkan kalimah cinta-Nya? Mereka hanya umpama tanah yang keras dan kering… mampu menakung air untuk memberi minum orang lain, tetapi hati sendiri gersang dan terbakar kerana kehausan!

Lalu aku ingin mengingatkan diriku dan dirimu… berhati-hatilah ketika berbicara tentang hati. Betapa banyak hati yang lalai kerana dihijab oleh limpahan peringatan. Umpama anak benih yang mati “kelemasan” kerana terlalu banyak disirami air! Atau lilin yang membakar diri… kononnya untuk menerangi orang lain!

Dunia yang diselubungi hedonisme dan materialisme ini tidak sudi berpaling kepada para muttaqin. Dan mereka yang berpegang pada sunnah, akan semakin dilihat asing. Terpinggir. Terpencil… malah dibenci oleh umat Islam sendiri. Para daie yang ikhlas, tidak bermuka-muka… terus bekerja tanpa menggamit nama dan biaya. Mereka hanya mendapat kebahagiaan ketika bekerja tanpa diketahui oleh yang lain. Marilah kita berdoa untuk para mujahidin di seluruh dunia, yang ketika ini sedang dihenyak, dibelasah dan disekat oleh pelbagai tribulasi dan mehnah.
Sesungguhnya, apa yang kita deritai kerana jalan Allah ini… tidak secubitpun jika dibandingkan dengan kesusahan mereka. Berdoalah untuk mereka… agar diberi taqwa, sabar dan kebijaksanaan serta keberanian dalam menghadapi pejuang syaitan (fisabilitthagut). Mudah-mudahan satu ketika nanti, kami yang kerdil ini mampu menyusul dan menyusur jalan-jalan mulia yang kau telah rentas itu.

Untuk mu pengunjung blog, izinkan aku menguruskan beberapa cabaran ketika ini. Insya-Allah, akan menyusul nanti entri yang lebih serius dan menjurus. Namun, sebelum berpisah terimalah dariku sekadar dua tulisan ini sebagai “selingan”.

Bagi mereka yang begitu beria-ria untuk ke hadapan… milikilah dulu jiwa yang kental. Sesungguhnya persediaan akan memantapkan bakat. Kesabaran akan meningkatkan minat. Menulis itu memerlukan keyakinan bukan hanya keringat!

i) PEDANG SAYIDINA ALI

Sayidina Ali punya pedang yang begitu digeruni oleh musuh-musuhnya. Pedang yang bernama Zulfaqar itu sentiasa dibawa bersamanya dalam peperangan-peperangan dengan orang kaum musyrikin. Dan setiap kali membawa pedang itu, Sayidina Ali berjaya mengalahkan musuhnya. Berita tentang kehebatan pedang itu sampai kepada seorang lelaki. Dia juga seorang pejuang Islam. Tertarik dengan berita kehebatan pedang itu, lelaki itu pun datang menemui Sayidina Ali dan berkata,” tolong pinjamkan aku pedang mu yang hebat itu.” Tanpa banyak bicara Sayidina Ali pun meminjamkan pedang itu kepada lelaki tersebut. Lelaki itu sangat gembira. Apabila sahaja terjadi peperangan, dia pun pergi dengan membawa pedang itu sekali. Dia ingin merasai sendiri kehebatan pedang Sayidina Ali itu.

Tidak lama kemudian perang pun tamat. Lelaki itu pulang dengan pedang yang dipinjamkan oleh Sayidina Ali itu. “Nah, ambillah kembali pedang ini,” katanya sebaik menemui Sayidina Ali. “Bagaimana, hebat tak pedang ini?” tanya Sayidina Ali. “Ah, biasa-biasa sahaja. Jika aku tahu begini, tak akan aku pinjam pedang ini daripada mu. Mengapa pedang ini tak sehebat yang diceritakan?” “Kau hanya meminjam pedang, tetapi kau tidak “meminjam” tangan yang memegang pedang itu!” kata Sayidina Ali.

Pengajaran:

Kekuatan utama manusia bukan kepada alat-alat yang digunakannya, tetapi pada dirinya sendiri. Teknologi yang canggih hanya akan membawa kebaikan jika manusia yang menggunakannya memiliki hati yang bersih dan fikiran yang bijak. Di tangan orang yang dungu, teknologi walau secanggih mana pun tidak akan dapat digunakan. Manakala di tangan orang yang jahat, teknologi hanya akan membawa seribu satu kejahatan dan kehancuran.

ii) MISKIN HARTA, MISKIN JIWA

Seorang pendakwah menasihati seorang pengemis yang kelihatan sihat dan kuat untuk kerja yang sangat mengaibkan itu. “Saudara ku, berhentilah daripada menjadi pengemis. Kau masih kuat dan sihat.” “Apa? Saudara rasa kerja mengemis tidak memerlukan tenaga? Dalam satu hari puas saya berjalan ke hulu, ke hilir untuk memohon simpati orang. Kalau saya tak kuat masakan saya dapat menahan panas, hujan dan pelbagai cabaran cuaca ini,” jawab pengemis. “Kerja mengemis ini hina. Hilang maruah diri.” “Siapa kata hina? Inilah kerja yang mulia. Saya menjadi sebab orang lain mendapat pahala. Kekadang saya juga mendapat pahala sabar bila orang caci saya. Pahala syukur bila orang memberi sedekah. Hinakah itu? Saya juga berdoa kepada orang memberi sedekah kepada saya. Hinakah?” Pendakwah terdiam. Dalam diam dia berdoa. Rupanya pengemis itu bukan hanya miskin harta tetapi miskin jiwanya. Alasan untuk malas sentiasa ada. Kreatif betul tipuan syaitan.

Pengajaran:

Malas adalah satu dosa. Ramai yang tidak nampak hakikat itu. Pelbagai alasan diberikan untuk malas termasuk atas hujah dan dalil agama. Kepalsuan yang bersalut kebenaran bukan sahaja mampu menipu orang lain, tetapi paling malang... menipu diri sendiri.

Sumber: http://genta-rasa.com/2010/04/05/dengan-keyakinan/
(Ustaz Pahrol Mohamad Juoi)

Hulu Selangor by-election

2010-03-25T22:33:00.002+08:00

1st of all, Al-Fatihah to Zainal Abidin Ahmad, the incumbent Hulu Selangor MP who had just passed away today.

Now, PKR won this seat last GE with a majority of only 198 votes. However, there was a large enough majority swing to ensure that MIC did not regain this seat. From their previous majority of 14,483 votes, they suffered a majority swing of 14,681 votes, which means that the seat fell to PKR.

However, gloomy chances for PR is that, of the 3 state seats under Hulu Selangor parliamentary area, all of them belonged to BN.

N5 - Hulu Bernam

This is an UMNO fortress. With 67% of the voters here are Malays, it's gonna be tough going in winning this section of the divide.

N6 - Kuala Kubu Bahru

Used to be an MCA fortress by their large majority of 7,000+ votes back in 2004. However, come March 8, it was dwindled down to just a majority of 448 votes. Thus, there's a 50-50 chance to win over this section of voters.

N7 - Batang Kali

Still an UMNO fortress if you ask me, although it's majority of 2,179 votes on March 8 was a far cry from their majority of 8,800+ votes back in 2004. Thus, they may have a chance to win over more voters, although those chances are quite slim. I'd say a 40-60 chance for PKR to win this section.

In conclusion, although there are discrepancies that some voters would vote for different parties at different levels, this is gonna be an uphill battle for PR to defend this vulnerable seat, which used to be a traditional MIC fortress. SO, don't be surprised if MIC is fighting for this seat. This by-election will be a memorandum on how the PR government is faring in Selangor. If PR loses this by-election, the time is ripe to retake Selangor for UMNO in the next GE. But, if PR manages to defend this seat, it's gonna be an uphill task instead for UMNO to get back Selangor in the next elections, rumoured to be held next year.

2nd year

2010-03-17T22:51:00.002+08:00

Uni life in the 2nd year is harder than the 1st. With specialization comes into play, I'm currently taking 3 accounting and 1 economics subject. I plan to major in Accounting and Economics. Why? Accounting without economics would mean inflation is disregarded and profits would be misleading, without taking current costs into account. Economics without accounting would mean that economists won't be able to make their prediction without solid financial data.

Now, we have 2 Monash politicians in Malaysia now. One is the Chief Minister of Penang, while the other is the Chief Minister of Sarawak. Both are of different political divides. Maybe I want to be like them, to be in politics one day (that is if I earn enough money before I enter politics). They say politicians have many faces. Who knows, I may have the most faces of all politicians.

Back to babbling about uni life. As I was saying, I'm taking 4 subjects. Below would be my overview of the subjects so far:

AFW2020 - Cost information for decision making

This has something to do with management accounting. Back in semester 1 last year, we did cover a bit of Management accounting, although it is not in depth. This time around is the real deal. The gist of it is that you have to broaden your thinking and be creative and observant with things happening around you. If you don't do that, you will struggle like shit. Yes, at first, I had trouble grappling with the subject because of its general nature. Over time, I get to understand more of how management accounting works in real life. It's not just about $$$, but it's also about the things that would influence $$$. Besides, most CEOs or CFOs of companies nowadays are actually accountants (with many different accounting fields). They know numbers, and they have information, which is very valuable.

AFW2491 - Company reporting

I so far had a liking for this subject. I seem to grasp this subject pretty quickly and with efficiency as well. I always seem to be pro-active in lecture, although I could do more in tutorial. It's still accounting, but this time the focus are on companies and even more accounting standards. So it is gonna be a bit complicated. Not to mention that the 1st assignment was absolute hell. Many people were unsure about what they are doing with it. The lecturer said this assignment has a very high failure rate, so I'm not expecting much from this. As my friend Victor would say, just keep looking forward. There's no point looking back and mulling over what you could have done. When it's over, it's over. He got a point there. So, time to look to the future in the weeks that are coming in fast. This subject will only get interesting as the weeks go by.

AFW2851 - AIS & Financial Modelling

This is a subject where I feel very, very vulnerable. The IT side of this subject is just scary. With so many symbols to remember, and not to mention reading the flowcharts, this subject is my modern-day reality nightmare. Not to mention the subject is dry, the textbook itself is pretty scary. I can't understand a damn thing on what the book says about this subject. It'll be a miracle if I can get a Distinction for this.

ECW2730 - Macroeconomics Policy

It was a breeze in the 1st few weeks, but at this point, things are only getting harder. Not to mention it's made impossible without the textbook (the bookshop should order more of the textbooks so that they don't quickly go out of stock). 3 weeks gone by, I'm still without the bloody textbook. Stupid la! I can't even study a single thing about this subject. Only when I get my hands on that freaking textbook, then only would it mean serious business.

I know I shifted my focus away from politics, cause I'm getting bored about posting on politics. Not to mention so much had happened in the past few weeks. Thus, I am really lazy to keep track of it. Politics only when it matters, that means come the next GE.

Operation Incommunicado

2010-03-01T21:45:00.002+08:00

This operation will commence tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope to finish off my contribution to a new book by next week and also try to get a front seat in the lecture hall and not look back.

Oh ya, before I forget, happy birthday Ken! I'll wish ya in uni tomorrow.

Semester about to start

2010-02-22T19:58:00.002+08:00

3+ months of holidays had passed. Semester is gonna start next week. I'm gonna have to allocate my timetable tomorrow at 10am sharp. But of course, 1st things 1st. Maybe I would settle my fees and buy my books 1st. Then only I will allocate my timetable. After that, I'll pass on my Marketing book to my cousin.

I only have 1 week before the holiday ends for good.

I have to do this wishlist below before the holiday ends:
1. Send my car to the car wash.
2. Send my car for its long overdue service.
3. Buy some stationary for the coming semester.
4. Clean up my study table.
5. Finish up on my Kedah analysis.
6. Submit my part of the work to Kee Thuan Chye for his new edition of "March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up" (by mid-March)

Yup, a lot to do in a short space of time. Once the semester starts, I'll hide myself as best as possible in university. It's time to do things quietly. It's time for friends to find me than I find them. It's time to focus fully in lecture and tutorials. It's time to seat in front of the pack. IT IS TIME!

My open advice for YB Nizar and his team

2010-02-09T19:45:00.001+08:00

I'm a PR supporter like any other. We already felt the injustice all the time, like the Perak case. However, I think it is better to put this case behind us and move forward. If we can wait 1 year for the final jugdment on who is Perak MB, why don't we wait for another year or so for the anticipated snap elections? Only then we'll know who the Perakians want as their MB.

And, we don't want to see BN eating into our support in Perak, which is currently happening. Thus, you and your team will now have to work hard to continue SERVING the people in their respective constituencies. Only then we may have a chance of regaining Perak fair and square. And, I remind you and the others to just come to the State Legislative Assembly as usual, being on the opposition side. Then it will give good public perception that you have accepted the decision with an open mind and it will be business as usual. We must not worry about Perakians forgetting Feb 6 2009. They don't need constant reminding over what had happened. It will be translated into votes.

And cries of injustice is pointless. Injustice happens all the time. We just have to bugger the system then.

Just my wishful thinking.

UMNO rules by sheer intimidation?

2010-02-07T13:26:00.002+08:00

CORRECT. But only if the non-Malays allow them to. So if at all UMNO is guilty of anything, it is the collaborators who should also be penalised.

Ei, musang kerjanya makan ayam, tahu? You nak marah musang ke? I want to know who opened the door to let the musang in. That guy we have to shoot.

You want to blame the musang, he'll say, "God made me memang sifat semulajadi is to eat ayam-lah."

And the same guys, the Chinese, are whacking Melayu ini Melayu itu, unfair apartheid-lah, this that-lah. Hey, guys, why the hell did you give them the power to do it?

MCA, MIC, Gerakan, you are BN, you gave them that passport. So the non-Malays should whack their MCA and MIC leaders and blame them for whatever damage UMNO is doing. UMNO can be checked.

If they realise the non-Malays in BN no longer tolerate any of this shit, UMNO has to change.

Now because we whacked MCA as UMNO's running dog, they want to show they are nobody's running dog and so they speak up a bit more. But they're still in BN, right? Leave-lah!

You make noise sikit-sikit and then you tell UMNO, "I'm going to make a few statements-ah, just to satisfy the Chinese-ah. You just buat tak tahu saja-lah." Then they whack whack whack.

And UMNO says, "OK, and then I will hentam you back as to show the Malays that I also fight." So they play a little wayang here.

So you hold your Chinese, I hold my Malays; together, we are in power.

WHAT SHIT IS THIS?

(Above is part of the hard-hitting interview with Raja Petra Kamaruddin by Kee Thuan Chye, Andrew Sia and Hariati Azizan under the title, "HOW BIG ARE YOUR BALLS?")

Why being a nobody is beneficial

2010-02-01T23:40:00.002+08:00

I AM A NOBODY.
NOBODY IS PERFECT.
THEREFORE, I AM PERFECT.

It's easy to become a nobody when people don't know you, or you don't know the people around you.

We, humans, are created by Allah (God) with some flaws/weaknesses. Thus, making humans, imperfect. They can be perfect in some ways, but overall, there is no perfect human.

Since nobody is perfect in this world, and I am a nobody in this case, I am a perfect human being. Hehe, kidding.

My wish for 2010

2010-01-22T12:43:00.002+08:00

1. To kick the ass of 4 subjects in the upcoming semester and earn my right of studying overseas. (Company reporting, Cost information for decision-making, AIS & Financial Modelling, Macroeconomic Policy)

2. To see Perak finally having its long overdue snap elections. (When on earth would the Federal Court announce the decision on who is the legitimate MB I wonder...)

3. To see Selangor fall to BN (which is gonna be an even more interesting debate than the Perak crisis. Not to mention PR are not doing anything serious to defend it).

4. To see the Sarawak state elections being held this year rather than 2011.

5. To make more new friends in uni especially.

6. To see my junior IB-ians pass their IB exams with flying colours in May this year.

7. Not to get in trouble with traffic offences again. (That 1st summon of RM30 made me more careful)

8. To see crackdown on corruption on both political sides.

9. Get more awesome PS3 games.

10. Oh ya, to get a new thumbdrive. I'm really in a pressing need to get a new thumbdrive, especially the 16GB type.

11. To settle my forms for interexchange before the end of this month. (URGENT PRIORITY)

I couldn't think of more wish lists right now. I'm blank.

Voting patterns (Part 9)

2009-12-18T20:42:00.005+08:00

100-47 as the score stands in PR's favour. Just 12 seats away from a simple majority in Parliament, without help from Sabah and Sarawak. 2 more states to go, Kedah and Perlis. So, it's time to finish it off right here.

KEDAH

P4 - Langkawi
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 10,772
2008 majority - 4,970
GE13 prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P5 - Jerlun
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 2,142
2008 majority - 2,205
GE13 prediction: UMNO to retain the seat

P6 - Kubang Pasu
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 13,712
2008 majority - 7,060
GE13 prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P7 - Padang Terap
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 2,172(UMNO)
2008 majority - 369(PAS)
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P8 - Pokok Sena
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 7,300(UMNO)
2008 majority - 5,731(PAS)
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P9 - Alor Setar
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 14,515
2008 majority - 184
GE13 prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P10 - Kuala Kedah
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 10,214(UMNO)
2008 majority - 7,018(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P11 - Pendang
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 50
2008 majority - 4,073
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P12 - Jerai
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 10,405(UMNO)
2008 majority - 2,299(PAS)
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P13 - Sik
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 319(UMNO)
2008 majority - 481(PAS)
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P14 - Merbok
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 15,445(UMNO)
2008 majority - 3,098(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P15 - Sungai Petani
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 17,502(UMNO)
2008 majority - 9,381(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P16 - Baling
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 4,229(UMNO)
2008 majority - 7,613(PAS)
GE13 prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P17 - Padang Serai
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 10,316(MCA)
2008 majority - 11,738(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P18 - Kulim Bandar Baharu
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 7,998(UMNO)
2008 majority - 5,583(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

15 parliamentary seats up for grabs in Kedah. 4 of the seats are held by BN, while the rest falls to PR. Langkawi and Alor Setar may fall to PR come the next GE, thus enabling PR to form the government without help from East Malaysia. Now, I'll move on to my final destination, Perlis. Known as an UMNO fortress since I don't know when.

Current score in Kedah: PR 11-4 BN
Prediction score in Kedah: PR 13-2 BN

Total prediction score: PR 113-49 BN

PERLIS

P1 - Padang Besar
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 9,265
2008 majority - 5,348
GE13 prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P2 - Kangar
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 12,548
2008 majority - 13,671
GE13 prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P3 - Arau
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 3,243
2008 majority - 300
GE13 prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

There's only 3 parliamentary seats in Perlis as it's one of the smallest state in Malaysia. Currently, BN holds all 3 of the seats. This state involves a classic battle between UMNO and PAS, no other component parties from both sides had ever set foot in Perlis. Come GE13, Arau is a vulnerable seat which can fall to PAS, making it no more a BN fortress.

Current score in Perlis: BN 3-0 PR
Prediction score in Perlis: BN 2-1 PR

Total prediction score: PR 114-50 BN

So there it is. A comprehensive victory for PR based on my tsunami factor, without help from East Malaysia. However, mind you, these are all just predictions. Many current issues such as PKFZ, Altantuya, unity government, GST, etc... will influence the minds of the electorate. GE13 is going to be one hell of an election. However, one must take note that Najib plans to hold the next elections probably in 2011, as the economy may have recovered by then, boosting the feel good factor once again for voters towards BN. So, we'll see.

Voting patterns (Part 8)

2009-12-18T20:42:00.002+08:00

After 3 months of stopping the analysis as the undi.info could not be accessed, the website has appeared once more. Thank God. Now I can finish off my elections analysis soon enough.

Now, where did I stop? Oh yes, I stopped in Perak, where by prediction, PR is thrashing BN with a score of 88-46. So, I still have 3 more states to venture in order to complete my predictions in Peninsula Malaysia.

Alrite then, after Perak, I will now venture into Penang. 13 parliamentary seats is at stake in this state.

P41 - Kepala Batas
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 18,122
2008 majority - 11,246
GE13 prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P42 - Tasek Gelugor
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 10,183
2008 majority - 4,547
GE13 prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P43 - Bagan
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 3,622
2008 majority - 22,070
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P44 - Permatang Pauh
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 590
2008 majority - 13,398
2008 majority (by-election) - 15,671
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P45 - Bukit Mertajam
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 8,564
2008 majority - 5,832
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat

P46 - Batu Kawan
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 8,998(GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 9,485(DAP)
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat

P47 - Nibong Tebal
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 6,005(UMNO)
2008 majority - 3,087(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P48 - Bukit Bendera
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 10,717(GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 16,112(DAP)
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P49 - Tanjong
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 4,228
2008 majority - 18,489
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P50 - Jelutong
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 7,470(GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 16,246(DAP)
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P51 - Bukit Gelugor
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 1,261
2008 majority - 21,015
GE13 prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P52 - Bayan Baru
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 18,851(MCA)
2008 majority - 11,029(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P53 - Balik Pulau
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 12,937(UMNO)
2008 majority - 708(PKR)
GE13 prediction: PKR may retain the seat

As it is, there are 13 parliamentary seats in Penang. Only 2 are held by BN, while the rest are gobbled up by PR. Almost status quo, come GE13, however, the Bukit Gelugor seat may fall, leaving BN with a solitary seat. However, Balik Pulau is also a razor thin seat, so I think it won't last for long. We'll see.

Current score in Penang: PR 11-2 BN
Prediction score in Penang: PR 12-1 BN

Total prediction score: PR 100 - 47 BN

BN almost embarassed

2009-12-16T22:43:00.002+08:00

As the opposition called for a bloc voting in Parliament, that is where they almost caught BN with their pants down during the Budget 2010 debate.

Final score: BN 64-63 PR

Well, that says it all. 74 BN MPs didn't vote on the budget (whether they don't like the budget, lazy to vote, or if they're dissatisfied with the budget, they are afraid to vote for the opposition) while 18 Pakatan MPs didn't vote.

Can you imagine the implications of a Budget Bill being rejected???

When a budget bill is rejected, it is certainly equals motion of no confidence. When there is no confidence in the budget, that means they have no confidence in the PM Najib. Once that happened, the Agong may have to appoint a new PM from the opposition (my choice would have been Nizar).

Lucky for BN, Nazri saved their asses with distress calls to Najib and co. Those last minute votes certainly saved them from defeat. However, that is something not to be proud of for the BN coalition. This certainly shows that complacency roots deeply in them.

Let this be a lesson to the missing MPs to not be absent when there is a very important vote such as the Budget Bill. Nice try Pakatan, but next time, please have all your MPs available so that we can catch BN with their pants down again for next year's Budget Bill.

So, a reminder to some of the Pakatan MPs such as Azmin Ali, Lim Guan Eng, Teresa Kok, Mahfuz Omar, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Khalid Ibrahim, and the 12 others. Please be present next time, or the people would think you are simply absent from Parliament. Same goes to the 74 BN MPs who didn't turn up for voting when it mattered most. Never think that you are safe with the majority at hand.

And to Speaker Pandikar Amin, don't blame Pakatan for trying to catch BN with its pants down. I know you are a BN fella elected by your party in Parliament to be the main speaker. So, please bash your own BN members for not turning up for such an important vote. Besides, isn't this a parliamentary democracy?

My review of Semester 2 (Year 1)

2009-11-24T00:10:00.002+08:00

Again, I took 5 subjects for this semester.

1. Malaysian Studies (compulsory subject)
2. Introduction to Financial Accounting
3. Introductory Macroeconomics
4. Marketing Theory & Practice
5. Business Law

1. Malaysian Studies

I can say it's a boring subject. More like a repeat of History in secondary school if you ask me, except that everything is in English. That's the only difference I guess. I can't even remember my lecturer's name for this subject.

At first, I would sit in the class for 2 hours each time. Then, the trick is to come for like 10-15 minutes or so and sign your attendance. After that, I went back to the library to study something else. And guess what? I got a 100% attendance certificate! Sounds fake, right? ;P I don't even come for the whole 2 hours.

Come exam time, it wasn't bad at all. I just hope to get at least a Distinction for this subject, even though we are only required to pass it.

-Internal assessment: 36/50
-Exam: 37/50 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 73/100 (Distinction)

2. Introduction to Financial Accounting

Well, compared to the Principles of Accounting & Finance last time, I'd be happy to settle for this one. There's more theory this time around, so I have to remember them like hell. However, there are some recalls from what I learned last semester, but this time, it is deeper than it was before. It's more focused on Financial Accounting specifically.

My lecturer is Dr. Mohana and my tutor was Dr. Eu-Gene. They're really cool people, especially Dr Eu-Gene. He's so active in class and it's hard to fall asleep during tutorials. However, it is easier to fall asleep during lecture time because it started at 8.00am, which is too early for most of us. Oh well, but they still rock my world! ;P

Come exam time, the questions were relatively doable. There's this 1 question where I really screwed up, so yeah, some marks lost there. Oh well, at least I'm mostly confident with how I answered. I'm going for a HD on this one.

-Internal assessment: 25/30
-Exam: 56/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 81/100 (High Distinction)

3. Introductory Macroeconomics

Aaa... finally. Back into the realms of familiarity breeds contempt. I learned Macroecons before back in pre-U, so yeah, it's just a matter of recalling what I learned. But it's never easy, I can tell myself that. To squeeze within 3 months is a mammoth task. Somehow, I slacked real badly in the run-up to exams.

My lecturer is Dr. Grace while my tutor is Mr. Wilson Ow (a few would pronounce it Ow Ow, which is by confusion somehow). Dr Grace is quite strict when it comes to noises during lectures. However, she's a good lecturer and I can understand what she says most of the time.

In my tutorial class, there were only about 6 students in my class, which is quite unusual. The less, the better. The key is to do your tutorial work everytime before you come to tutorials so that you won't get lost. I slacked in the last few weeks and skipped tutorial works. Darn it, how lazy can I get?

Come exam time, the questions were quite tricky. I hope I can do it well in the end. I reap what I sow. I'm really hoping for a HD, but I feel pessimistic for now.

-Internal assessment: 26/30
-Exam: 50/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 76/100 (Distinction)

4. Marketing Theory & Practice

Marketing is something totally new for me. It's a subject revolving around our daily lives such as ads, prices, promotions, etc... Practically, it's easy to understand, but theoretically, it's a bit hard.

My lecturer is Ms. Crystal Yap while my tutor is Ms. Norbaizura. Ms. Crystal would always wake us up with her funny videos she showed during our lecture. I would normally seat near the front of the lecture hall. She recognised me when I first came for her tutorial class, which was a chaotic situation in timetables for tutors. We played a game during tutorial and I somehow won. ;P So yeah, Puteri Nur Sarah, you are so going to sing in front of everyone (if only I had recognised your signature). Just kidding.

Ms. Norbaizura on the other hand, has an unbelievable knowledge of real life marketing. This can be seen during presentations done by the students in my class, myself included. She would bombard us with questions that seemed impossible to answer. LOL! If only you look at their faces... But yeah, she's cool.

Marketing was never my favourite subject, so I study for the sake of it. Come exams, it worked like clockwork until... I forgot to include STP (Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning). Darn it, I lost 6% because of that. Oh well, I can still aim for a HD in this case. Anything is possible.

-Internal assessment: 40/50
-Exam: 40/50 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 80/100 (High Distinction)

5. Business Law

I can't believe how much I hate Biz Law. It was so practically easy, and they the theory is so hard... I pretty much screwed up during exam time, so in the very least I can hope to only pass it.

My lecturer is Dr. Vanitha while my tutor is Ms. Sunitha. Dr Vanitha is distinctive for her examples using the Disney characters (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, etc...). My tutor on the other hand, is very strict about her students coming prepared for class. She'll explode if some of them didn't do their tutorials and just hope for answers. That's where she hit them hard.

-Internal assessment: 20/30
-Exam: 40/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 60/100 (Credit)

Well, that's the end of my Semester 2 review. Basically, I had plenty of ups and downs during my 1st year in uni. Time flies so fast that pre-U only seemed to finish just yesterday. I started to miss uni life during this long summer break. I lost my discipline (ex. mandi lambat, main game, etc...) completely. I HATE HOLIDAYS!

On the political side, I really hope there will be a by-election in Kota Siputeh, Kedah. The people loves it when there's a 'buy-election'. This is because the BN government would give back what it stole from them. MONEY. It's basically an UMNO seat, but not by much. But I'm still cautious about this place. It's hard to predict who will win and by how much. The most important thing is that, people would get their money back. It's an economic stimulus, increasing consumption and thus, increase GDP. Time and time again, 'buy-elections' are good for the economy.

Azab koma di Tanah Suci (Part 1)

2009-11-23T18:08:00.002+08:00

Januari 1998
Haji Mazlan Nasron

Selama hampir 9 tahun menetap di Mekah dan membantu ayah saya menguruskan jemaah haji dan umrah, saya telah melalui pelbagai pengalaman menarik dan pelik. Bagaimanapun, dalam banyak-banyak peristiwa itu, ada 1 kejadian yang pasti tidak akan saya lupakan sampai bila-bila. Ia berlaku kepada seorang wanita yang berusia pertengahan 30-an.

Kejadian itu berlaku pada pertengahan 1980-an semasa saya menguruskan satu rombongan haji. Ketika itu umur saya 20 tahun dan masih menuntut di Universiti Al-Azhar, Kaherah. Kebetulan ketika itu saya balik ke Mekah sekejap untuk menghabiskan cuti semester. Saya menetap di Mekah mulai 1981 selepas menamatkan pengajian di Sekolah Agama Gunung Semonggol, Perak. Keluarga saya semuanya di Mekah, cuma saya seorang saja tinggal dengan nenek saya di Perak.

Walaupun masih muda, saya ditugaskan oleh bapa saya, Haji Nasron untuk menguruskan jemaah haji dan umrah memandangkan saya adalah anak sulung dalam keluarga.

Berbalik kepada cerita tadi, ketibaan wanita tersebut dan rombongan haji itu di Lapangan Terbang Jeddah kami sambut dengan sebuah bas. Semuanya nampak riang sebab itulah kali pertama mereka mengerjakan haji. Sebaik sampai, saya membawa mereka menaiki bas dan dari situ, kami menuju ke Madinah. Alhamdulillah, segalanya berjalan lancar hinggalah kami sampai di Madinah.

Tiba di Madinah, semua orang turun dari bas berkenaan. Turunlah seorang demi seorang sehingga tiba kepada giliran wanita terbabit. Tapi tanpa apa-apa sebab, sebaik saja kakinya mencecah bumi Madinah, wanita itu tumbang tidak sedarkan diri.

Source: Buku Mastika

Exams are over

2009-11-12T23:33:00.002+08:00

12/11/2009

This is a date I would remember that I have finally finished Semester 2 of my 1st year. It is time to reflect on how I did during exams.

Malaysian Studies:
-Well, I can say that the questions are OK
-Internal assessment: 36/50
-Exam: 37/50 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 73/100 (Distinction)

Marketing Theory & Practice:
-The questions were really spot on with what I studied based on the review slides given by Ms. Crystal
-My only regret is not answering STP in Section A
-Internal assessment: 40/50
-Exam: 40/50 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 80/100 (High Distinction)

Introductory Macroeconomics:
-Well, I slacked badly in the run up to this exam, which is not a good sign as I had became complacent at that point
-Questions are doable, but whether the answers are correct remain to be seen
-Internal assessment: 26/30
-Exam: 50/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 76/100 (Distinction)

Business Law:
-I can explain so many things by practical, and yet, when it comes to the theory, I simply went blank
-I didn't know what to do
-I hate open book tests, it really messed up my mind
-Internal assessment: 20/30
-Exam: 40/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 60/100 (Credit)

Introduction to Financial Accounting:
-As Ms. Mohana said, 70% of the questions would come out based on practice exam questions
-Well, most of the questions are seriously doable, but I think I screwed up one of the questions, which is theoretical
-I haven't thanked Mr. Eu-Gene for teaching me Accounts
-Internal assessment: 25/30
-Exam: 55/70 (based on how I felt I did)
-Total: 80/100 (High Distinction)

Now I can calculate my predicted GPA and WMA:
GPA = (4 + 3 + 2 + 4)/4 = 3.25
WMA = (80 + 76 + 60 + 80)/4 = 74

Compared to my last semester, my GPA is predicted to be better, but my WMA would be worse because of my Business Law potentially pulling down my average marks significantly.

Oh well, as goes the saying, "I reap what I sow".

The only effort I can do now is to pray to God and hope that I can get real good results for my exams. Insya-Allah.

Macroecons

2009-11-02T21:33:00.003+08:00

Today, I had my Macroeconomics paper, which is already the 3rd paper of my exam so far. I must say the questions are real tricky. I can't even determine my exact answer for each question. It seems I've been outgunned by my best hope for a HD.

Internal: 26/30
Exam (based on what I did): 45/70
Total: 71/100 (Distinction)

Based on how I felt I did during the exams so far, that leads to 3 Distinctions out of 3 subjects finished. Another 2 coming up, Business Law and Financial Accounting. So the marks below are how I felt I did so far:

Malaysian Studies - 73%
Marketing - 78%
Macroeconomics - 71%

Although there is a possibility that I may have done better than expected, I prefer to feel pessismistic for now. Only Allah knows the real results. So, I have to pray hard for success after a lot of effort being concentrated for the exams. As the saying goes: "You reap what you sow."

Yup, sounds like a fair proverb. Even if the results does not reflect the hard work you put in, just remember, life is always a challenge.

Exam progress

2009-11-01T21:31:00.002+08:00

I've done 2 papers so far, which are Malaysian Studies and Marketing. I hope I can get at least a distinction for Malaysian Studies and a high distinction (HD) for marketing. Although I answered Section B and C quite well, I cannot be certain about their perfect-ness. It is unlikely that I can get a full 10% and 20% from Section B and C respectively, although I can hope for at least 8% and 19% respectively, which totals up to 27%. My internals were 40% out of 50%, so that makes my total 67%. Thus, I need another 13% from Section A, which carries 20%. However, I forgot to answer STP, which cost me 6% overall, thus leaving only 14% up for grabs, in which I doubt I can get mostly perfect, although I can hope for 13%, but nothing is certain for sure. All I can do now is pray to God that I can get HD for marketing, or it may well be another near miss like last semester.

My prediction (based on what I've done):
Malaysian Studies = 36/50 (IA) + 37/50 (exam) = 73/100 (Distinction)
Marketing = 40/50 (IA) + 38/50 (exam) = 78/100 (Distinction)

Now, I have another 3 papers to go. Macroeconomics, Business Law, and Financial Accounting. From the 3, I think Macroeconomics is my best hope for a HD, but I haven't really put an effort into studying for Macroeconomics exam tomorrow. Oh well, the most important thing for me is that I don't panic.

Exams has begun

2009-10-28T13:43:00.002+08:00

At 9.04am, I had started my Malaysian Studies exam and was done at 10.50am

20 MCQs and 4 essay questions (answer 2)

How confident was I with my answers?
MCQ - 13%/20%
Essay (Q1 - Origins of Chinese and Indians) - 11%/15%
Essay (Q2 - Parliamentary democracy) - 13%/15%

Total exam % = 37%/50%
Total internal assessment % = 36%/50%

Total % = 73% (Distinction)

Oh well, at least based on what I did, I am currently surpassing my target of just 65% for Malaysian Studies. But I tell you, nothing is easy in Malaysian Studies. I'm just glad I'm over with it.

Now, my next target for tomorrow: Marketing exam

Exam mode

2009-10-06T21:23:00.002+08:00

I couldn't update my voting pattern analysis because the http://undi.info/ website was somehow deleted by an unknown source. Malaysiakini had took over from the government in 2008 for running this website. I think that hackers closed this website down in a move to ensure orang Malaysia lupa.

Oh well, my exams will start on the 29/10/2009 (Thursday) and ends on 12/11/2009 (Thursday). Marketing (29th), Macroecons (2nd), Biz Law (5th), and Accounting (12th).

My targets:
Marketing - 80 (HD)
Macroecons - 90 (HD)
Biz Law - 80 (HD)
Accounting - 80 (HD)
Malaysian Studies - 65 (C)

I hope I'm gonna work towards achieving my short-term goals between now and the exams.

Voting patterns (Part 7)

2009-09-19T00:10:00.002+08:00

Well, 110 parliamentary seats have been predicted up till now. From Johor to Melaka to Negeri Sembilan to Selangor to Pahang to Terengganu and to Kelantan. Now, from Kelantan, I'll be moving to Perak now. Before I start listing down the Perak parliamentary seats, let's recall that PR is leading by 24 seats over BN. Thus, the score so far is 67-43 in their favour.

P54 - Grik
Incumbent: BN(GERAKAN)
2004 majority - 8,397 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 5,573 (GERAKAN)
GE13 Prediction: GERAKAN to retain the seat comfortably

P55 - Lenggong
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 5,632
2008 majority - 4,919
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P56 - Larut
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,608
2008 majority - 1,911
GE13 Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P57 - Parit Buntar
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 4,689 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 7,551 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P58 - Bagan Serai
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 5,618 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 3,413 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P59 - Bukit Gantang
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 8,888 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 1,566 (PAS)
2009 majority (by-election) - 2,789 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P60 - Taiping
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 2,172 (PPP)
2008 majority - 11,298 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P61 - Padang Rengas
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 4,772
2008 majority - 1,749
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P62 - Sungai Siput
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 10,235 (MIC)
2008 majority - 1,821 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P63 - Tambun
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 17,360
2008 majority - 5,386
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P64 - Ipoh Timor
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 9,774
2008 majority - 21,942
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P65 - Ipoh Barat
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 598
2008 majority - 15,534
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P66 - Batu Gajah
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 7,927
2008 majority - 24,627
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P67 - Kuala Kangsar
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 5,557
2008 majority - 1,458
GE13 Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P68 - Beruas
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 4,564 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 1,828 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat

P69 - Parit
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 4,696
2008 majority - 2,873
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P70 - Kampar
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 9,474
2008 majority - 2,697
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P71 - Gopeng
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 14,260 (MCA)
2008 majority - 7,368 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P72 - Tapah
Incumbent: BN(MIC)
2004 majority - 9.586
2008 majority - 3,020
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P73 - Pasir Salak
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 8,547
2008 majority - 2,688
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P74 - Lumut
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 11,614
2008 majority - 298
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P75 - Bagan Datok
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 12,539
2008 majority - 2,692
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P76 - Teluk Intan
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 9,836 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 1,470 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat

P77 - Tanjung Malim
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 14,536
2008 majority - 5,422
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

There are 24 parliamentary seats up for grabs in Perak. 13 are currently held by BN, while the rest are under PR. However, this is a possible opportunity for PR to wrestle more seats from BN come the next GE. We'll see what happens by then.

Current score in Perak: BN 13-11 PR
Prediction score in Perak: PR 21-3 BN

Total prediction score: PR 88-46 BN

Voting patterns (Part 6)

2009-09-15T20:34:00.002+08:00

Now, I will visit Kelantan, where PAS has ruled since 1990. The parliamentary seats are as below:

P19 - Tumpat
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 1,820
2008 majority - 9,377
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P20 - Pengkalan Chepa
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 6,222
2008 majority - 11,311
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P21 - Kota Bharu
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 1,723 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 11,288 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P22 - Pasir Mas
Incumbent: BEBAS (Datuk Ibrahim Ali - UMNO stooge)
2004 majority - 1,251 (PAS)
2008 majority - 8,991 (BEBAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P23 - Rantau Panjang
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 732
2008 majority - 4,486
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P24 - Kubang Kerian
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 5,627
2008 majority - 10,642
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P25 - Bachok
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 3,272 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 2,901 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P26 - Ketereh
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 2,888 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 400 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P27 - Tanah Merah
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 2,527 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 1,584 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P28 - Pasir Puteh
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 3,810
2008 majority - 3,968
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P29 - Machang
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 135 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 1,460 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P30 - Jeli
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,353
2008 majority - 4,436
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P31 - Kuala Krai
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 2,416 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 4,984 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P32 - Gua Musang
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 6,598
2008 majority - 4,394
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

From what I observe so far up to this point, Kelantan may retain status quo come the next GE. No seats gained, and no seats lost. 14 parliamentary seats, 12 controlled by PR and 2 by BN (I call the Minister of Trade Datuk Pa while my only favourite UMNO politician, Ku Li, holds the Gua Musang seat. Why do I call him Datuk Pa? Well, let's just say my mom is good friends with his wife. That's why.)

Current score in Kelantan: PR 12-2 BN
Prediction score in Kelantan: PR 12-2 BN

Total prediction score: PR 67-43 BN

I'll continue with Part 7 another time. In the meantime, let's sit back and enjoy the upcoming show in Bagan Pinang on the 11th of October.

Voting patterns (Part 5)

2009-09-12T15:10:00.004+08:00

Now I will visit Pahang and Terengganu. The list of parliamentary seats are as below:

PAHANG

P78 - Cameron Highlands
Incumbent: BN(MIC)
2004 majority - 6,260
2008 majority - 3,117
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P79 - Lipis
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,624
2008 majority - 4,137
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P80 - Raub
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 9,752
2008 majority - 2,752
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P81 - Jerantut
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 8,457
2008 majority - 1,946
GE13 Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P82 - Indera Mahkota
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 14,229 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 1,027 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P83 - Kuantan
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 9,147 (MCA)
2008 majority - 1,826 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P84 - Paya Besar
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 12,518
2008 majority - 8,503
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P85 - Pekan
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 22,922
2008 majority - 26,464
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P86 - Maran
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,242
2008 majority - 6,641
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P87 - Kuala Krau
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,351
2008 majority - 5,265
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P88 - Temerloh
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 12,607
2008 majority - 2,441
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P89 - Bentong
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 16,839
2008 majority - 12,549
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

P90 - Bera
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 4,470
2008 majority - 3,821
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P91 - Rompin
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 9,350
2008 majority - 10,679
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

The list above shows the Pahang parliamentary seats. There are 14 of them in total, with 2 held by PKR, and the rest are controlled by BN. Some of the seats may change hands come the next GE, we may never know. Now, I will move on to Terengganu.

Current score in Pahang: BN 12-2 PR
Prediction score in Pahang: BN 8-6 PR

Total prediction score: PR 52-36 BN

TERENGGANU

P33 - Besut
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 8,500
2008 majority - 10,590
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P34 - Setiu
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 6,696
2008 majority - 7,232
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P35 - Kuala Nerus
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 4,097
2008 majority - 1,341
GE13 Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P36 - Kuala Terengganu
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 1,933 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 628 (UMNO)
2009 majority (by-election) - 2,631 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P37 - Marang
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 163 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 2,747 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P38 - Hulu Terengganu
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,760
2008 majority - 10,460
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P39 - Dungun
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 4,896
2008 majority - 4,994
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P40 - Kemaman
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 15,882
2008 majority - 12,683
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

The list above shows the Terengganu parliamentary seats. There are 8 of them. 2 are controlled by PAS, while the rest comes under UMNO. Terengganu is a fortress for UMNO, so they shouldn't have much difficulties in defending Terengganu come the next GE.

Current score in Terengganu: BN 6-2 PR
Prediction score in Terengganu: BN 5-3 PR

Total prediction score: PR 55-41 BN

PAS 4 ALL.

Voting patterns (Part 4)

2009-09-10T22:38:00.002+08:00

Ok...So, after visiting Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor, I would now focus on Wilayah Persekutuan parliamentary seats. Before March 8, it was mostly BN stronghold. March 8, all that changed. Thanks to the Internet. Ok, enough of the crap, the list below are the results and predictions:

P114 - Kepong
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 1,854
2008 majority - 23,848
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P115 - Batu
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 11,517 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 9,455 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P116 - Wangsa Maju
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 10,185 (MCA)
2008 majority - 150 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P117 - Segambut
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 16,968 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 7,732 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P118 - Setiawangsa
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 19,669
2008 majority - 8,134
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P119 - Titiwangsa
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 11,815 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 1,972 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P120 - Bukit Bintang
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 304
2008 majority - 14,277
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P121 - Lembah Pantai
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 15,288 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 2,895 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P122 - Seputeh
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 12,895
2008 majority - 36,492
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P123 - Cheras
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 11,861
2008 majority - 28,300
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P124 - Bandar Tun Razak
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 17,527 (MCA)
2008 majority - 2,515 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P125 - Putrajaya
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 3,546
2008 majority - 2,734
GE13 Prediction: UMNO may retain the seat comfortably

From the list above, there are 12 parliamentary seats in Wilayah Persekutuan. PR currently holds 10 of them, while BN only has 2 of them. Based on the tsunami factor, it will be mostly status quo, except that Zulhasnan Rafique may lose his seat come the next GE, making it even more lopsided than it is, thanks to the relevation of the Internet. Another fortress for PR.

Current score in Wilayah Persekutuan: PR 10-2 BN
Prediction score in Wilayah Persekutuan: PR 11-1 BN

Total prediction score after 5 states analysed: PR 46-28 BN

I will continue with voting patterns (Part 5) next time.

PAS 4 ALL.

Voting patterns (Part 3)

2009-09-08T17:49:00.002+08:00

Today, I will focus on Selangor parliamentary seats. Same assumption from before. The list below shows the Selangor seats:

P92 - Sabak Bernam
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 5,348
2008 majority - 1,335
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P93 - Sungai Besar
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 7,349
2008 majority - 5,009
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P94 - Hulu Selangor
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 14,483 (MIC)
2008 majority - 198 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P95 - Tanjung Karang
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 9,008
2008 majority - 3,820
GE13 Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

P96 - Kuala Selangor
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 13,662 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 862 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P97 - Selayang
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 23,226 (MCA)
2008 majority - 3,567 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P98 - Gombak
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 13,207 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 6,867 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P99 - Ampang
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 19,732 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 3,676 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P100 - Pandan
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 14,112
2008 majority - 2,961
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P101 - Hulu Langat
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 22,777 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 1,745 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat

P102 - Serdang
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 11,280 (MCA)
2008 majority - 21,025 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P103 - Puchong
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 11,882 (GERAKAN)
2008 majority - 12,593 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P104 - Kelana Jaya
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 21,571 (MCA)
2008 majority - 5,031 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P105 - PJ Selatan
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 21,416 (MCA)
2008 majority - 5,706 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P106 - PJ Utara
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 13,043 (MCA)
2008 majority - 19,972 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P107 - Subang
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 15,460 (MIC)
2008 majority - 6,709 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P108 - Shah Alam
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 13,410 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 9,314 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P109 - Kapar
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 14,588 (MIC)
2008 majority - 12,297 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P110 - Klang
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 13,281 (MCA)
2008 majority - 17,701 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P111 - Kota Raja
Incumbent: PR(PAS)
2004 majority - 8,239 (MIC)
2008 majority - 20,751 (PAS)
GE13 Prediction: PAS may retain the seat comfortably

P112 - Kuala Langat
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 21,495 (UMNO)
2008 majority - 989 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat

P113 - Sepang
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 18.837
2008 majority - 4,849
GE Prediction: PAS may pull off an upset

From the list above, there are 22 parliamentary seats in Selangor. PR currently holds 17 of them, while the other 5 seats are held by BN. Based on the tsunami factor, BN may only win 1 seat come the next GE, which is in Sungai Besar. It may become a fortress for PR in the richest state of the country.

Current score in Selangor: PR 17-5 BN
Prediction score in Selangor: PR 21-1 BN

Total prediction score: PR 35-27 BN

I will continue with voting patterns (Part 4) probably tomorrow.

PAS 4 ALL.

Voting patterns (Part 2)

2009-09-07T20:28:00.002+08:00

For today, I would focus on Malacca and Negeri Sembilan Parliamentary seats. Using the same assumption from my previous post, I have listed the Malacca and Negeri Sembilan seats as below, and whether there is a chance for a seat to change hands or maintained by the same party:

MALACCA

P134 - Masjid Tanah
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 18,399
2008 majority - 12,285
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P135 - Alor Gajah
Incumbent: BN(MCA)
2004 majority - 22,548
2008 majority - 12,884
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

P136 - Tangga Batu
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 24,444
2008 majority - 14,500
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P137 - Bukit Katil
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 27,252
2008 majority - 1,758
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P138 - Kota Melaka
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 219 (MCA)
2008 majority - 11,390 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain their seat coomfortably

P139 - Jasin
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 21,334
2008 majority - 12,490
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain their seat comfortably

So, from the list above, there are only 6 parliamentary seats in Malacca. Only 1 is currently held by DAP, while the other 5 seats are in BN's control. Based on the tsunami factor alone, 1 BN seat, which is Bukit Katil, may fall to PKR in the next GE. As I said many times before, it is just a prediction. Anything can happen between now and the next GE. Now, I would move on to the Negeri Sembilan parliamentary seats.

Current score in Malacca: BN 5-1 PR
Prediction score in Malacca: BN 4-2 PR

Total prediction score so far (Johor & Malacca): BN 22-10 PR

NEGERI SEMBILAN

P126 - Jelebu
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 14,780
2008 majority - 11,610
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P127 - Jempol
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 17,080
2008 majority - 12,320
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P128 - Seremban
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 16,236 (MCA)
2008 majority - 3,948 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P129 - Kuala Pilah
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 13,342
2008 majority - 10,008
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P130 - Rasah
Incumbent: PR(DAP)
2004 majority - 4,563 (MCA)
2008 majority - 13,151 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat comfortably

P131 - Rembau
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 18,656
2008 majority - 5,746
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P132 - Teluk Kemang
Incumbent: PR(PKR)
2004 majority - 17,777 (MIC)
2008 majority - 2,804 (PKR)
GE13 Prediction: PKR may retain the seat comfortably

P133 - Tampin
Incumbent: BN(UMNO)
2004 majority - 18,084
2008 majority - 13,079
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

From the list above, there are 8 parliamentary seats in Negeri Sembilan. 3 is held by PR, while 5 is held by BN. Based on assumption of tsunami factor, the Rembau seat (held by KJ) may fall to PKR in the next GE. Thus, making it an even game between BN and PR.

Current score in Negeri Sembilan: BN 5-3 PR
Prediction score in Negeri Sembilan: BN 4-4 PR

Total prediction score: BN 26-14 PR

I will continue with voting patterns (Part 3) whenever I'm free to do so.

PAS 4 ALL.

Voting patterns (Part 1)

2009-09-06T12:03:00.002+08:00

Today, I will focus on the Johorean parliamentary seats. Now, ASSUMING the political tsunami would last until the next General Elections, below are the seats that will either change hands or maintained in one party's control come next GE13 (Note: this is just an assumption. Do not forget to take other factors into account):

P140 - Segamat
Incumbent: BN (MIC)
2004 majority - 7,809
2008 majority - 2,991
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P141 - Sekijang
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 14,842
2008 majority - 9,867
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P142 - Labis
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 10,729
2008 majority - 4,094
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P143 - Pagoh
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 18,747
2008 majority - 12,581
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P144 - Ledang
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 21,671
2008 majority - 7,617
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P145 - Bakri
Incumbent: PR (DAP)
2004 majority - 19,059 (MCA)
2008 majority - 722 (DAP)
GE13 Prediction: DAP may retain the seat more comfortably

P146 - Muar
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 13,415
2008 majority - 4,661
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P147 - Parit Sulong
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 17,186
2008 majority - 13,599
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P148 - Ayer Hitam
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 15,763
2008 majority - 13,909
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

P149 - Sri Gading
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 16,196
2008 majority - 10,874
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P150 - Batu Pahat
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 29,102
2008 majority - 12,704
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P151 - Simpang Renggam
Incumbent: BN (GERAKAN)
2004 majority - 14,155
2008 majority - 7,853
GE13 Prediction: GERAKAN to retain the seat comfortably

P152 - Kluang
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 18,698
2008 majority - 3,781
GE13 Prediction: DAP may pull off an upset

P153 - Sembrong
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 16,978
2008 majority - 11,570
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P154 - Mersing
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 14,573
2008 majority - 13,736
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P155 - Tenggara
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 17,088
2008 majority - 14,049
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P156 - Kota Tinggi
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - Uncontested
2008 majority - 18,961
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P157 - Pengerang
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - Uncontested
2008 majority - Walkover
GE13 Prediction: A stroll in the park for UMNO

P158 - Tebrau
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 26,011
2008 majority - 14,658
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

P159 - Pasir Gudang
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 31,121
2008 majority - 17,281
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P160 - Johor Bahru
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 46,792
2008 majority - 25,349
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P161 - Pulai
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 34,926
2008 majority - 20,449
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P162 - Gelang Patah
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 31,666
2008 majority - 8,851
GE13 Prediction: PKR may pull off an upset

P163 - Kulai
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 18,144
2008 majority - 11,744
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

P164 - Pontian
Incumbent: BN (UMNO)
2004 majority - 21,158
2008 majority - 14,444
GE13 Prediction: UMNO to retain the seat comfortably

P165 - Tanjung Piai
Incumbent: BN (MCA)
2004 majority - 23,615
2008 majority - 12,371
GE13 Prediction: MCA to retain the seat comfortably

So...from the list above, there are 26 parliamentary seats in Johor. Only 1 is currently held by DAP, while the rest goes to BN. Based on the tsunami factors alone, the prediction is gonna be that 8 of the Parliamentary seats would fall to the opposition next GE, while BN will only retain 18 of seats. But mind you, this is only a prediction. Anything can happen between now and the next General Elections. So, brace yourself for turbulent times ahead.

Current score in Johor: BN 25 - 1 PR
Prediction score in Johor: BN 18 - 8 PR

I will continue with voting patterns (Part 2) when I can find the time.

The link between politics and marketing

2009-09-06T10:08:00.003+08:00

Now, let us apply the buyer-decision process of marketing theory and practice. Instead of buyers, we'll take voters in this case. So, we call it the voter-decision process, but the process is still the same.

1. Problem recognition

Take a perspective Malaysian voter who is just starting to follow politics. S/he feels the need to follow politics as it is becoming more interesting as time goes by. As we know, we have the 2 biggest rivals in Malaysian politics, BN and PR. So, he feels the need to choose a side in politics (although not all are aligned to one party or another; there are fence-voters of course). Now, we move on to the next step.

2. Information search

Assume that this prospective voter does not have Internet access. His/her only source of information comes from newspapers, such as Utusan Malaysia (no doubt it is Ugutan Melayu going by their racist articles), The Star, The Sun, Sinar Harian, Harakah and many more. Say s/he reads only the Utusan Malaysia and The Star. Then, by perception, she believes the spins and thus, making her evaluation of alternatives easier. However, what if she has Internet access after that? Now this is going to be interesting. We have pro-opposition (ex. my blog), neutral (ex. Malaysiakini) and pro-government (ex. rocky bru) blogs. If she reads pro-opposition blogs, there is a chance that she might not believe the spin in the newspapers as they don't reveal as much news as there should be. However, if she reads pro-government blogs, there is more of a chance that she will be influenced by pro-government views. So, we move on to the next step.

3. Evaluation of alternatives

We have two possible alternatives in politics, which are BN and PR. The information process will influence the voter to choose which side s/he will choose in politics. Depending on which information she depends on, it is going to influence her in her decision to support which political party. If s/he is exposed only to newspapers, the more likely s/he will be aligned to vote for BN (gov't of the day). However, if she is also exposed to the internet, then it is more likely that s/he will be leaned towards the opposition (PR in this case). As we have observed, the internet is becoming more important in the disseminating of information to the people. It has to a certain extent affect newspaper circulations as more and more Malaysian people are relying on the Internet for the latest news in which some would not be reported in the newspapers. It is one of the major factors in which BN lost their 2/3 majority in Parliament last General Elections. This is because BN were ignoring the changes in behaviour of the Malaysian people once they are exposed to the Internet. They never thought the Internet would be such a threat to their position as of now. They may have learned their lesson when they started blogs of their own after that, but it may have been too little too late as the opposition blogs had captured a large pie of the Internet market. Oh well, it is going to make the next General Election more interesting in 3 years' time.

4. Voting decision

After evaluating the alternatives, the prospective voter may choose to vote for BN or PR, or may not even vote at all. Let's say if this prospective voter had voted for the first time in last year's General Elections. S/he votes for BN and thinks that a stable government is very important. However, she had one of the shocks of her life when the news came out tomorrow that the opposition (PR) had denied BN a 2/3 majority in parliament and 5 states (not including Wilayah Persekutuan) had fallen to PR. So, this will make him/her think. Had she voted for the right party? This will lead us to the last step, which is explained below.

5. Post-voting behaviour

After we buy stuff or after the voting process, each of us will feel cognitive dissonance, which is an inner conflict on whether s/he had made the right decision or not. In this case, the prospective voter would feel cognitive dissonance on whether she made the right decision in choosing BN. Therefore, it is a job for BN marketers to assure that she had made the right choice, but at the same time, the PR marketers would try to create more dilemma that s/he has to influence him/her that she had made the wrong choice. So, it depends on how s/he will react after that. She might switch allegiance or not, depending on his/her perception at that moment in time.

As you see from the explanations I made above, I say political parties needs marketing in order to promote their brand of politics. Since our world is shaped by perception, it is important for political parties to sway the perception of the voters to support them. Since PR is getting more and more support by the day, it is because their marketing strategy is effective. What does BN have to do in order to recapture the market that they lost? That I leave to you BN supporters to think. For me, the PR marketing is a more attractive proposition to me.

PAS 4 ALL.

Permatang Pasir by-election

2009-08-25T19:59:00.002+08:00

Voter turnout: 73.1% (down from 82.6% last GE)
No. of votes: 14,685

PAS: Mohd Salleh Man - 9,618
BN: Rohaizat Othman - 5,067

Majoriti - 4,551

Allahu Akbar! Hidup hidup! Hidup RAKYAT!
Alhamdulillah.

My 150th post

2009-08-24T23:07:00.002+08:00

For this post, I just want to talk a bit about the Permatang Pasir by-election, which is going to be held tomorrow from 8.00am till 5.00pm.

As we all know, the incumbent from PAS had won with a convincing 5,400 majority last GE. However, I don't harbour high hopes for PAS to even win by a 2,000 majority (lest to mention that phantom voters + less turnout would hurt PAS a lot). Even Mahfuz Omar targeted only a 1 vote victory at least for PAS, as nothing is certain.

Thus, I am praying hard for a PAS victory in Permatang Pasir, regardless of the majority.

PAS 4 ALL

A turbulent week

2009-08-21T20:00:00.002+08:00

If I decide to take Accounting and Economics as my double major, where does that leave me in all this?

A possibility of missing up the challenge of studying in Australia.

Anyway, there's plenty of time to think about it. Now there are current priorities that are needed to be fulfilled.

1) Biz law assignment
2) Marketing submission
3) Macro assignment
4) Accounts tutorial

The pressure of work is getting to me. Will I be able to hold on? Oh Allah, please help me get through this.

What assignments do I have this weekend?

2009-08-13T22:24:00.003+08:00

Before I take a nice bath, I would like to list down my priorities for this weekend:
1. Accounts tutorial + assignment
2. Business Law tutorial + assignment
3. Marketing weekly submission + presentation
4. Macroeconomics tutorial

Well... That's even busier than my so called busiest weekend ever last week. What the hell... So, should I call it the most free weekend I've ever had?

What I'm gonna do today

2009-08-09T12:36:00.002+08:00

I've finished my Malaysian Studies assignment yesterday. Now I got to study for the quiz tomorrow. THIS SUCKS! Oh well, I love uni life rather than pre-U life. Pre-U life in Sri KDU Smart School is one hell of a nightmare. At one point, I almost failed before the exams even begin. That is what happens when you are a pioneer batch. You take the hit for someone else.

Ok, back to my title: What I'm gonna do today? Well, there's plenty of things I should do today. The list is as follows:
1. Biz law - Tutorial and possibly, assignment
2. Accounts - Tutorial and possibly, assignment
3. Marketing - Tutorial (very very important)
4. Macroeconomics - Tutorial (least important)

Every marketing tutorial work contributes to my final percentage. It is of the upmost importance that I complete it by today. Biz law tutorial? Well, my tutor is strict about those coming to class unprepared. Luckily I've been prepared since day one. No prisoners taken.

Accounts? I've done the problems necessary. Just the questions part that need finishing. I may also start part of the assignment if I have the time to do so. Macro? My tutorial is this Wednesday, so I'll postpone doing it till the day itself as I have a break between 11.00am and 4.00pm. Plenty of time to do it. Oh yes... I got plenty of time on my hands, but that doesn't mean it will be wasted down the drain on this dull weekend. As I said, this is gonna be my busiest weekend ever in my whole life.

Anti-ISA demo

2009-07-31T23:11:00.002+08:00

There are going to be roadblocks everywhere in KL tomorrow. Yup, that's right. To prevent the people from demonstrating against ISA. Najib says rallies are pointless as they are reviewing the ISA. We never wanted a review sir. We want abolishment. And if you say rallies at pointless, why do you need roadblocks then? Just let them demonstrate if they want. Are you afraid of the demonstration sir? Never ever underestimate the power of rallies. Look at BERSIH almost 2 years back. Where does that lead us? Denying BN 2/3 majority.

Of course I won't be going to the demo. I wanted to, but I just can't. But I still support the demo anyway. To those aligned with ISA, please, I don't share your views. I have my own views. So, no point trying to give me whatever links of supporting ISA. That is FINAL. DO YOU HEAR??? Sure, you are free to visit my blog anytime. It's your right. But trying to change my views about why I am against ISA, don't even think about it. Because it won't work.

Shadows

2009-07-29T21:49:00.002+08:00

Shadows... Shadows... In the world we're living on...
Shadows... Shadows... In the world we're living on...
Shadows... Shadows... We're alone in the world we own...
Shadows... Shadows... We're alone in the world we own...

SHADOWS. There's no way we can run from our shadows of the past. They are witnesses to what we do in the past. Ouuu yes, they were there all the time... Only we didn't realise it. We just treat it as nothing but a shadow. So... what's a shadow? When did it first exist? I don't know. I will never know. As far as I know, shadows will be glued to us until the day we die.

Why is this post about shadows? I don't know. I've done it unknowingly, unconsciously. Digging up my dark past is a dangerous job. I only wish I could erase it from my memory. I only wish I hadn't done what I wasn't supposed to do in the first place. I regret my past mistakes. I will never forget them. It will be a lesson until the day I die.

Don't judge me based on my past. Judge me based on my present and future times. The Chamber of Secrets are safe and sound in my head. But how long can I keep it? Do I have the capability of keeping dark secrets until the day I die?

*Sigh* I don't know what drives me to post this. But it makes me wonder... What's the purpose of living on Earth? To have fun? To eat a lot of good food? To study? To seek knowledge? To die? I don't know. You answer me then...

2nd Semester

2009-07-21T21:55:00.002+08:00

My 2nd semester in uni started yesterday.

1st on the agenda: Business Law. It can turn out to be an interesting subject, although it requires a lot of reading.

2nd on the agenda: Malaysia Studies. The lecturer of this subject is a killer interest. Not only does he speak slowly, he doesn't stop. Zzzzzzz.......

After that, my day in uni is finished for the day. At 3.15pm, I went to Sunway Pyramid to watch the 6th Harry Potter movie with 3 friends: Amy, Sabrina & Lydia. I can safely say that most of the images imagined in my head when reading the book before that is what I imagined.

6.30pm, I went back to uni. I stayed there for an hour or so to study. At 7.40pm, I went back home.

It was an eventful 1st day back in uni, although I was suffering from a bout of food poisoning (4 days running) and sinus. The early semester stress is over. OFF TO WORK.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

2009-07-19T15:15:00.002+08:00

Robert F Kennedy back in 1968:
"GDP does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our courage, nor our wisdom, nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans."

MU 3-2 Malaysia

2009-07-18T22:16:00.002+08:00

I got a ticket for the match at the last minute, the day before the match. One of my friends got an extra ticket so he sold it to me. So yea, I'm definitely going to the match.

I arrived at the Bukit Jalil stadium 30 minutes before the kickoff at 5.30pm and it was so many people walking towards the stadium. Not to mention business opportunities to sell MU merchandise, Malaysia merchandise, horns, food, drinks, etc... can be seen along the way walking to the stadium.

Alrite, to cut the story short, let's get on with the match. If you are to tell me that Malaysia is gonna put up one hell of a fight and get close to even winning the match, I wouldn't have believe it at all. No one knew the result that is in store.

Cheers all over the stadium as the match kicks off. Malaysia had some decent chances before Rooney scored in the 8th minute. Celebrations went wild. 1-0 United. My comment: "Hmm, ini guarantee Malaysia kena belasah macam dulu."

MU started to control the match as the Malaysian team fight for their lives not to concede another. Another United goal duly came through Nani in the 28th minute after being set-up nicely by Rooney. 2-0 United. My comment: "Huahuahua, ini guarantee 6-0."

Everything seems normal for the rest of the way until something unexpected happened. Right before half-time, the Malaysian goalkeeper kicked upfield only for Evra to misjudge the flight of the ball. The ball fell to Amri Yahyah who saw Van der Sar off his line and a speculative shot over the keeper flew into the net. All the MU and Malaysian fans celebrated like mad. 2-1 United. My comment: "Aik? Sejak bila pulak Malaysia pandai score lawan MU?

And so, half-time it is. 2-1 to United. I can bet almost no one expected Malaysia to score against MU at this point.

2nd half began 15 minutes later. The score still 2-1 until another unexpected event happened. Ben Foster, who replaced Van der Sar at half-time for his runout in the game, completely missed the pass by one of his defenders and guess who was on hand to slot it home? It's that man again. Mohd Amri Yahyah, Selangor captain. That was his second goal of the game. 2-2. Everyone started chanting "Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia!" My comment: "Haaa??? Malu aa kalau MU kalah nih..."

The moment when Michael Owen came on, there were raucous cheers from all MU fans, including me. We all wanted to see Owen in action. Does the Merseyside man still has it in him?

The game went on with a draw being very likely. A famous result against Man United, I thought. 15 minutes from the end, another bright moment MU fans had been waiting for, Ryan Giggs. He received a similar reception from MU fans as they had done for Owen.

5 minutes from the end, Gibson played a wonderful through pass for Giggs, who was thwarted by the Malaysian keeper along the way, but the ball fell to Michael Owen, who beat his marker and then calmly slotted home into an empty net. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OWEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3-2 United.

Then, the final whistle blew and everyone stood up and applaused the MU and Malaysian players for such an entertaining match. But the scoreline says it all... 3-2 United. No one would have predicted the result in the first place.

Oh well, I should have bought a Malaysian merchandise before I went home. From what I think about the match, Malaysia played like they are one of the English Premier League clubs. They defended their goal like it was made of gold. Well done Malaysia for giving the MU players one hell of a runout.

My Semester 1 results

2009-07-16T20:04:00.002+08:00

Alhamdulillah, thank Allah for my success in the 4 subjects I have taken for Semester 1 - The results are as below:

AFW1000 - Principles of Accounting & Finance
Result: 77/100 (Distinction)

ECW1101 - Introductory Microeconomics
Result: 76/100 (Distinction)

ETW1000 - Business & Economics Statistics
Result: 72/100 (Distinction)

MGW1010 - Introduction to Management
Result: 76/100 (Distinction)

MPW2143 - Islamic Studies
Result: Unknown

Well, I just don't know my results for Islamic Studies. I may soon find out. As I end this post, I thank Allah once more for making my success possible. Without his gift of knowledge, I don't know how to survive this evolving world. Alhamdulillah.

Manek Urai by-election

2009-07-15T23:47:00.002+08:00

PAS retained its Manek Urai seat by a majority of only 65 votes. Oh well, a victory is still a victory. However, for BN to reduce the majority significantly from 1,300 last time is really something.

PAS historically doesn't really perform well in Kelantan by-elections. Look back at Pengkalan Pasir (2005). It was won by PAS in the 2004 General Election by a narrow majority and BN wrest it back with a comfortable majority of 1,800. Yes, it brought PAS into a very critical state in the Assembly at the time. A razor thin 23-22 seats.

Annuar Musa challenged Tok Guru Nik Aziz to dissolve the Assembly, but Tok Guru says there's no need for it. And so, PAS held on to Kelantan by that razor 1 seat majority in the assembly until the parliament dissolves in February 2008, by our then PM, Tun Abdullah Badawi.

And so, BN hopes were high in wrestling back Kelantan after 17 years of rule. "Blue wave in Kelantan" as the mainstream media reported. Awang Adek dreams of being the new Menteri Besar of Kelantan.

However, come election day, BN were almost wiped out in Kelantan. They only won 6 seats out of the 45 contested. Even the Pengkalan Pasir seat that they won back in 2005 fell back to PAS, who won by a 2,300 majority, a swing of 4,100 in majority.

Oh well, Awang Adek's dreams of becoming the new Kelantan MB came up short and guess what? He's now our Deputy Finance Minister. Even better than his dream of becoming the new Kelantan MB. :P

Back to Manek Urai. It's a Malay heartland. 99.3% are Malay constituents. So, the results has clearly shown that no party has the clear Malay support. It's truly split in half. Not to mention Kelantan politics is different compared to other states. They look at the candidate, first things first, not party. If the candidate is good, they'll vote for him, regardless of his party, even if he/she is a PAS or UMNO supporter. They will vote for the candidate.

Take a good example of its incumbent, Allahyarham Ismail Yaacob or more affectionally known as Paksu Wel. He had first contested the seat in 1986 and won. After that, he endeared himself to the Manek Urai people from that point on. He is a good person, very helpful in solving the problems constituents faced over the years. His leadership of that kind can be considered irreplaceable. Just look at the 2004 General Election, when he did not contest, BN manage to win by a slim majority of 53 votes. Yes, Manek Urai people wanted him as their 'wakil rakyat' as he had been with them for 18 years, and they have shown their dissatisfaction to PAS for leaving him out of the fold by voting for a BN victory.

PAS has learned their lesson from that point on and come the next General Election, held on March 8 last year, Paksu Wel is back contesting for PAS and the result? Winning by a majority of 1,352. That says it all about Paksu Wel. Truly a people's leader. Everyone in Manek Urai knows Paksu Wel very well after all these years. Then, Allah gave him a test. Gaot. It affected his health badly and when the time comes, he returned to his Creator back in May. May Allah bless his soul. Al-Fatihah.

Blatant abuse of power in the run up to Manek Urai by-election

2009-07-01T15:37:00.000+08:00

We are facing yet another by election, this time in Manik Urai, Kelantan.Even before nomination day, already several controversies have begun to surface.Please read news Items 1 & 2 before proceeding to article below.

Item 1
---------
MP seek clarification on Army abused for campaign in Manek Urai

Quote :
Apparently, the Defence Ministry has instructed the army to launch ‘projects’ at Manek Urai in Kelantan in order to increase support for the ruling BN coalition ahead of the by-election there on July 14.

Source : http://mafrel.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/mp-seek-clarification-on-army-abused-for-campaign-in-manek-urai/

Item 2
--------
MANIK URAI, 23 Jun (Bernama) -- Seramai 187 guru dan warga pendidik yang layak mengundi pada pilihan raya kecil kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri Manik Urai pada 14 Julai ini diseru supaya memilih calon Barisan Nasional (BN) bagi memastikan Pelan Induk Pembangunan Pendidikan (PIPP) berjaya dilaksanakan.

Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi berkata walaupun pemilihan calon merupakan hak seseorang individu, namun sokongan terhadap kerajaan akan memastikan PIPP dapat dilaksanakan demi faedah generasi masa depan.

"Kita berharap para guru dapat membantu menjayakan agenda pendidikan negara ini," katanya.

Puad berkata kerajaan kini dalam proses untuk membina negara bangsa yang cemerlang menerusi sistem pendidikan yang maju.

"Kita juga sedang meningkatkan taraf guru dan untuk itu mereka mestilah bersama kita," katanya.

-- BERNAMA
Source : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/bm/news_lite.php?id=420166

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 22nd May 2009, PAS Elections Director Datuk Mustafa Ali said"Barisan will surely lose. So it might as well not bother to contest,"
I agree with Datuk Mustafa Ali, PAS has held the Manik Urai seat for 5 terms, when BN could not even retain its Kuala Terengganu seat
where it was the incumbent in a by election.

BN of course has decided to contest, that is their right, but the actions highlighted above are not within their rights.
After a hatrick of by election losses BN seems desperate for a win in Manik Urai.
Desperate is an understatement, more like blatant abuse.It is an election offence to use MINDEF and the Education Ministry.
What happened to Najib's statement that there will be no more "Maggi Mee" or instant projects that are rolled out just before elections ?
Or is the BN afraid that it cannot play its postal voter trump card owing to the fact that there are only 25 postal voter's in Manik Urai ?

The Deputy Education Minister has no business canvassing votes from teachers under a thinly veiled disguise of advancing the education agenda
then making a statement that implies that their status will be upgraded if the vote was given to BN.
In most developed countries the Minister of Defence and Education would have resigned in shame.

What is SPR doing about this ? Are they ignorant that it is an offence to use public facilities for election purposes ?
With all the hue and cry they made over "pondok panas" and reminders to stop campaigning on polling day,
have they now conveniently forgotten that campaigning can only start on nomination day on 06 July and stop at
midnight on 13 July ?
SPR should stop all campaigning and issue warnings to any party that flouts this rule whether Opposition or BN.

SPR will for the first time, be issuing coloured stickers to identify the party vehicles -- BN will have blue stickers, Pas green and independents orange.
Since this will be to control traffic for party vehicles ferrying voters to the polling center's, why discriminate by color codes ?
Does it matter from which party the vehicles belong to if their function is to ferry voters ? Or is there a hidden nefarious purpose ?

If SPR cannot do their job without fear or favor they should just step aside and allow MAFREL to show them how it is done.

While I am at it I also want to point out PDRM's misplaced sense of priorities, what is the big idea behind deploying a police
force of 1,000 to oversee a by election in a sleepy hollow with a population of 25,000 (of which only 12,293 are registered voters)
while high crime townships like Klang with a population of 1,000,000 is policed by a force of only 700 ?
The standard reply " to ensure security " will no longer fly, when time and again the police have been known to break up opposition
"ceramah" and intimidate supporters.

Another blunder is attempting to charge Kelantan menteri besar Tok Guru (Nik Abdul Aziz) under sedition for his chastizing of UMNO,
I suppose instead of engaging Tok Guru on what he said, once again they are bandying the sedition card, an act that has been thrown at
many dissenters but somehow was never used against blatantly seditious politicians who are alligned to BN.
In George Town, Kelantan Barisan Nasional secretary Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad said the state Barisan wanted Nik Aziz to make a public apology to the coalition or face possible legal action.
Alwi then goes on to say ‘‘Nik Abdul Aziz should also not travel in any MAS aircraft since it is a government-linked company.”
UMNO Penang factions seem to be the most vociferous and boorish but seem to shoot of their mouth without engaging the brain.
What has that got to do with anything ? Going by Alwi's rationale should he also leave Penang, as the state is ruled by the opposition ?

In the coming days we can expect the compliant mainstream media with its obedient spinwriters dishing out heavy doses of propaganda,
while insulting the intelligence of the general public with the worn out strategy of using psywar to coerce voters to back a perceived "winning horse".
Remember all those spinwriters who came up with a barrage of analysis on why BN will win in the Permatang Pauh by elections ?
Remember the NST front-page article "Blue wave sweeps over Kelantan" in the run up to the 12th General Elections ?
Well, we all know that not only BN lost, but were trounced after making those grandiose proclamations.
Read my lips : Psyway ala Khir Toyo's " zero opposition in Selangor" will not work.

Democracy is not just about free elections but fair ones, even if you are a BN supporter you should voice out these concerns
to your elected representatives, because sooner than you think the tables could be turned in the not too distant future.
I can assure you that I would lambast Pakatan Rakyat too if they condone similar abuses in the event they obtain federal power.

Vijay Kumar Murugavell

My review of Semester 1 (Year 1)

2009-06-28T22:49:00.002+08:00

First things first. I took 5 subjects for this semester. Islamic Studies, Intro to Management, Principles of Accounting & Finance, Biz & Econs Stats, and Introductory Micro. I've already explained about my orientation day in uni. Just check out my previous posts at the side of my blog.

1. Intro to Management

Management is what I'm going to talk about first. My lecturer is Dr. Elaine Chew and my tutor is Puan Noor Aziana. They're two really cool people. I've learned part of management before back in my pre-U, so I hoped I would learn more new things about management at the time. The theories such as scientific management by Taylor and Maslow's hierarchy of needs has come back to haunt me somehow in this subject. I did learn something new about Fayol's management functions. Planning, organising, leading, controlling. Whatever we do involves at least one of the functions no matter what. At first, I was really into this subject. Then... I got bored because of the huge textbook. Darn it, I said. How the hell am I going to know which is going to come out for exams? During the last week before exam, I only realised that what I need to read is in the outline. OH NO!!! How can I be so stupid at this point? After all, it's been in the guideline. *Sigh* Oh well, come exam time, I think I did OK. It's just that I had trouble managing time when it comes to exams.

2. Business & Economics Statistics

Hmm...seems like a new subject to me, although probability is nothing new. To know which factors are significant or not depends on the p-value. Hmm...sounds simple ain't it? I bet you don't even know what it means. ;P Oh well, it doesn't matter. Now I have another unrealistic life-long dream. To write a book about which factors are significant in determining the results of the general and by-elections. Sounds silly alright. My lecturer is Dr. Soo Siew Choo and my comp-lab tutor is Ms. Jane Teh. Lucky for me, I had allocated my tutorial first before the 2 lectures. It helps me in understanding what I learn in the lectures, although I have to admit that I sometimes fall asleep in lectures. Darn it, I wish I could have paid more attention in my lecture. Overall, statistics is interesting. I don't think anyone can run away from statistics. It's there for the taking. This is the only subject that I rarely studied except when it is near exams. I also thought I did OK for this exam, although I did leave a few blanks because I didn't studied them. *Sigh* what a waste it was.

3. Principles of Accounting & Finance

Welcome back to secondary school. It was almost like what I did last time around. Although, finance is something new to me and fun as well because of the calculations involved. Oh yes, who could forget the add maths formula of compound and simple interest? Yes, it applies in our life. Savings and loans especially. My lecturer and tutor was Dr. Ravi Narayanan. A really cool tutor I must say. He called me the "dominant one" in class because I was always the first to answer, especially for financial accounting. For me, it is important when possible to have the same tutor and lecturer so that I can get used to his teaching style and understang better. However, one part of Accounting that really killed me literally was Management accounting. That involves a lot of memorising, and an integral part of the exams. *Sigh* I knew I screwed up that part during my exam. I don't even know the definition of corporate governance. Great! Hurrah to my ownself for screwing up pretty good.

4. Introductory Microeconomics

Aaaa....the realms of IBDP. *Sigh* Almost everything was child's play to me in this part of economics. Opportunity cost, taxes, subsidies, trade, who wouldn't know it? Even supply and demand. Hehe, I like drawing the diagrams because, the picture tells a 1000 words. My lecturer and tutor is Dr. Ergun Dogan. Quite a boring one, well, almost. :P I can easily get distracted in my microecons lecture, although I did try my best to pay attention in his tutorial and be proactive. I mean...that's what students are supposed to do, right? However, I will always thread my subjects with caution... One of my friends got Distinction grade for every subject except Microecons. Credit only for Microecons. What the... and that's the only subject that he has solid background in. Wow, what a turnaround. Looks like I can't take Microecons as easy as it looked. Na'ah, it's harder than you think. Back to square one. So, I studied this from day one onwards and I don't want to screw this up like I screwed Management accounting. So, for the exams, I exited 40 minutes early before the 3 hour mark was up because I had finished by then and feel good about most of my answers, I think.

The sweet taste of freedom after that because it was my last paper before this short 1 month holiday. Very short indeed... Even 10 days had passed already. Time flies mate. Looks like I'll be wasting the rest of my holiday with games. I wish I would have been in Manek Urai to help the opposition defend its seat. Because my mom can't go, plus my dad doesn't allow me to go because my mom can't go, so I can't help the campaign. How did I plan to help? First, I have to walk among the UMNO people, be an observer at first. Then, if I had the opportunity, I would ask the people discretely to vote for the moon. *Sigh* How can I change events so significantly with that small contribution. Yes, there are no prizes for guessing that party. So...we'll see on July 14.

OVERALL, I THINK THIS POST IS SO DAMN LAME THAT YOU WOULDN'T EVEN READ THE 1ST PARAGRAPH. :P

10 laluan menuju ke akhirat

2009-06-26T15:42:00.001+08:00

Oleh : Hazlan hj. Mohammad

10 laluan yg dilalui oleh manusia sehingga akhirat

Hisablah diri kita sama ada kita dapat melepasi 10 imigresen untuk
bertemu Allah...

10 Laluan Yang Bakal Dilalui Oleh
Manusia Dari Dunia Sampai Akhirat:

Bagaimana memudahkannya?

LALUAN MENUJU KE KUBUR
a. Jauhkan dari perbuatan mengumpat & mengeji
b. Hindarkan perasaan irihati (benci)
c. Jangan terpengaruh dengan harta dunia
d. Sucikan kadha' hajat dgn istibra (berdehem selepas buang air
kecil!)

LALUAN UNTUK BERJUMPA IZRAIL
a. Bersihkan diri dengan bertaubat
b. Gembirakan hati orang Mu'min
c. Bayar semula kadha' (solat & puasa) yang tertinggal
d. Kasih sepenuh hati kepada ALLAH Taala

LALUAN UNTUK BERTEMU MUNGKAR NANGKIR
a. Mengucap dua kalimah syahadat
b. Suka memberi sedekah
c. Berkata benar
d. Bersihkan dan perbaiki hati

LALUAN UNTUK MEMBERATKAN TIMBANGAN
a. Belajar atau mengajar ilmu yang bermanafaat
b. Sucikan perkataan dan pakaian
c. Bersyukur dengan yang sedikit
d. Suka dan redha dengan yang didatangkan oleh ALLAH

LALUAN MEMANTAPKAN AMALAN
a. Jauhkan perkataan yang sia-sia
b. Pendekkan cita-cita dunia
c. Banyakkan puji-pujian kepada ALLAH
d. Banyakkan sedekah dan khairat

LALUAN MELALUI TITIAN SIRAT AL-MUSTAKIM
a. Kasihilah aulia ALLAH Ta'ala
b. Berbaktilah kepada kedua ibubapa
c. Berpegang teguh dengan hukum syara'
d. Bercakap perkataan yang baik sesama makhluk

LALUAN MENJAUHKAN DIRI DARI NERAKA
a. Banyakkan membaca al-Quran
b. Banyakkan menangis kerana dosa-dosa yang lalu
c. Tinggalkan perkara yang maksiat
d. Jauhkan segala yang haram

LALUAN UNTUK MEMASUKI SYURGA
a. Membuat kebajikan seberapa banyak yang boleh
b. Kasihi orang yang soleh
c. Kerjakan segala suruh-suruhan ALLAH
d. Merendahkan diri di antara semua makhluk ALLAH

LALUAN BERJUMPA DENGAN NABI MUHAMMAD
a. Kasihilah Nabi ALLAH
b. Kasihilah Rasulluah
c. Tuntutilah yang difardhukan oleh ALLAH
d. Banyakkan selawat Nabi S.a.w.

LALUAN UNTUK BERTEMU ALLAH
a. Serahkan seluruh jiwa raga kepada ALLAH
b. Hindarkan diri dari menderhaka kepada ALLAH
c. Betulkan dan baikkan i'tiqad kepada ALLAH
d. Bencikan segala yang diharamkan-Nya.

Exams in progress

2009-06-17T20:59:00.003+08:00

My estimated internal marks for each subject:
1. Islamic Studies - 38/50
2. Accounting & Finance - 33/40
3. Introductory Microecons - 23/30
4. Intro to Management - 35/50
5. Biz & Econs Statistics - 24.6/30

4 subjects down in the exam. 1 to go. Microecons. My best hope for a HD (high distinction). Tomorrow. 1.30pm. I'll be there, or I'll be square, Insya-Allah.

Below is my review over how I felt over the papers done so far:

Islamic Studies - Well, some of the questions are easy and some of the questions have tricky answers up their sleeves. Thus, I hope I can get at least 32/50 from how I answered. 38 + 32 = 70 (Distinction)

Accounting & Finance - I can assure myself I have screwed up in Management accounting. I don't even remember what corporate governance is. *Sigh* I only wish I hadn't slacked in the last 2 weeks leading up to the exam period. My expectations based on how I answered and how I screwed up in Management accounting, I would say 65/100 = 39/60. 33 + 39 = 72 (Distinction)

Intro to Management - I was glad that most of the questions were to my liking. However, my time management is absolutely poor. I couldn't even finish question (a) of Part 3 Essay question. I would estimate I lost 15 marks from there. But from how I answered, I hope I can get at least 70/100 = 35/50 for the paper. 35 + 35 = 70 (Distinction)

Biz & Econs Stats - Hmm...the nightmare of how I did the past year paper as practice seems to be behind me in this case. However, there's one question where I don't even know how to answer. 14 marks lost from there. But I feel good about most of my answers, I hope. So... I'm hoping to get at least 66/100 = 46.2/70 from that paper. 24.6 + 46.2 = 70.8 --> 71 (Distinction)

Therefore, leaving Microecons up for grabs. Sure, it may sound easy because I've learned it before but I must throw caution to the wind. One of my friends who had a strong background in Microecons last time could only manage to get Credit for that paper, while in other subjects where he doesn't have a background, he got Distinction for each. So... it sounds like either strict marking or carelessness that will creep in. I wouldn't want to let my carelessness sneak into my mind. It will be a recipe for disaster if I let that happen.

Some political news (random)

2009-06-15T22:54:00.002+08:00

Just today, Nizar and 6 other MPs were banned from Parliament for 2 days for raising the issue of dissolving the Perak State Assembly. Guess what Nazri called him. "Short-circuited brain." It's so easy to call someone who is short-circuited that has gone through the painful process of regaining the rightful post and failed at the same time. I'm sure you would have been short-circuited as well Nazri if you were in Nizar's position. :P Duh.

Anwar meanwhile, suggests that Chin Peng be allowed to return to Malaysia on humanitarian grounds. But further he said, it does not mean we accept what he did in the past (as expected, mainstream media twisted his words anyhow, especially Utusan). Yes, true. Chin Peng seeded a lot of fear in the hearts of Malaysians at the time. But we must not forget how Japanese soldiers plundered Malaysian citizens during World War 2 and we forgave them somehow. Of course, if Indonesian rebels/communists are allowed back in to their country and live a peaceful life, what about Chin Peng? A man of 85 years is no more a threat to the country. If you all still think he's a threat, why don't you just put him under ISA then? Duh. :P You can all still put Mas Selamat Kastari under ISA even though he belongs to Singapore. Just extradite him back to where he came from.

Zaid the man has somehow joined PKR after floating on the political market for months since being sacked by UMNO for attending PKR and DAP dinners on invitation from friends. Such low tolerance I must say... Close to zero tolerance as far as I'm concerned. Zaid Ibrahim is an asset to any political party in Malaysia. For UMNO to kick him out is just unfortunate. He had big reforms planned for UMNO and yet they didn't listen to him. Same like Ku Li in this case (except that Ku Li is still in UMNO). By the way, it was Ku Li who had first raised the issue of unity government, not Tok Guru Hadi Awang. If Ku Li became PM, only then the unity government can be realised. But that's just not the case.

Ah well, that's all for politics for the day. Back to playing Football Manager 2009. By the way, I suggest you visit this blog who makes fun of both BN and PR. This should bring a smile to your day. It is this blog who had tricked RPK about the police brutality video. LOL! What a joke! So cool wei... http://obefiend.blogspot.com/

% update before coming exams

2009-06-08T00:55:00.002+08:00

As I write this, my exam will start tomorrow (Tuesday, 1-3pm). I have received some of my assignments back. So...here's the current percentage that I have now for each subject:
1. Islamic Studies - 38/50 (another 50% up for grabs in exam)
2. Business and Economics Statistics - 24/30 (another 70% up for grabs in exam)
3. Principles of Accounting & Finance - 33/40 (another 60% up for grabs in exam)
4. Introduction to Management - 11/15 (still haven't got back my assignment 2 yet, which is 25%, and the remaining 60% is up for grabs in exam)
5. Introductory Microeconomics - 23/30 (another 70% up for grabs in exam)

My target in exam (based on my preparation so far)
1. Islamic Studies - 32/50
2. Biz & Econs Stats - 36/70
3. Accounts - 40/60
4. Management - 50/85
5. Microecons - 60/70

So technically, I'm most confident with microeconomics. However, I must never forget the golden rule in an exam. READ THE QUESTION THOROUGHLY. Once I misread the question, I'm a dead duck. So, I end this post with a prayer.

Ya Allah, permudahkanlah urusanku dalam menjawab soalan peperiksaan nanti. Amin.

FREE OF ASSIGNMENTS AT LONG LAST!!!

2009-05-21T22:16:00.003+08:00

As I've printed out my Management assignment during the day, I could imagine a heavy burden lifted off my shoulders. Fui... the sheer relief!!!

Now, it's full steam ahead for my exams starting on June 11 and ends a week later. And I plan to buy a ticket for the MU Asian Tour tomorrow in OU.

Thus, my preparations for exams as of now:
1) Principles of Accounting & Finance - 70%
2) Introductory Microeconomics - 85%
3) Business & Economics Statistics - 50%
4) Introduction to Management - 25%
5) Islamic Studies - 20%

Looks like I'll have to focus more on Islamic Studies and Management. Thus, my target for each subject for the exams are as follows:
1) Accounting & Finance - HD (80-100%)
2) Microecons - HD (80-100%)
3) Biz & Econs Stats - D (70-79%)
4) Management - D (70-79%)
5) Islamic Studies - C (60-69%)

Yes, I have high expectations for both Accounts and Microecons. That is because I have started preparing for it since the 1st day. However, I discover that I'm quite lazy to study Management because of the 800+ page textbook. Also, I'm a bit lazy to study Stats as I couldn't understand what the lecturer said in class, although I do understand it from time to time. For Islamic Studies, it depends on how much I can get for my assignment and presentation. I know I got 24% out of 30% for the Mid-term test.

1) Accounting & Finance - 14% (in the bag because of assignment 1) Remaining: 85%
2) Microecons - 3% (in the bag because of assignment 1) Remaining: 95%
3) Biz & Econs Stats - 8% (in the bag because of assignment 1) Remaining: 90%
4) Management - 11% (in the bag because of assignment 1) Remaining: 85%
5) Islamic Studies - 24% (in the bag because of mid-term test) Remaining: 70%

I'll be getting back my assignment 2 for Accounts next week, my MCQ test and Assignment 2 for Microecons next week also, my assignment 2 for Stats in a week or two, my assignment 2 for Management in 2 or 3 weeks, and my assignment and presentation marks for Islamic Studies next week. After that, I'll know exactly where I am and how realistic are my targets after this.

In the meantime, I hope that Nizar wins the case and ask for a dissolution from the Sultan. And in double-quick time too before Zambry does something again to prevent it from happening.