The Rice (Rise?) of Yok Man (Ip Man?)

Spotted the news "'Meaty' hero sparks excitement online" in The Star Online today. Excerpt:

"KUALA LUMPUR: An uncanny bak kwa superhero has burst into the social media scene, leaving almost half a million Internet viewers agape with the made-in-Malaysia cartoon hero."

"The Rice of Yok Man (loosely translated as “the rise of meat man”) is a four-minute video about flat-faced Yok Man, whose character was inspired by the dried sliced meat (known as bak kwa) taking the form of famous Wing Chun martial arts master Ip Man."

"The story is set against a hypothetical backdrop of World War II, with the Japanese portrayed as having the desire to conquer the Malaysian food industry."

"A food war ensues between the Japanese warlords (who take the form of a sushi and a tempura) and the Malaysian camp , represented by Yok Man and his martial arts compatriots, the egg-head named Double-Yolk Egg and the feminine Seremban Siew Bao."

"Witty lines in the Cantonese dialect lace the interactive video, which requires viewers to click the pause and mute buttons to assist Yok Man in winning his fight."

"The video with English and Chinese subtitles was created as a publicity gimmick for a local dried meat company."

Full new here. Watch the video below:

The original video can be viewed at http://youtube.wingheong.com/. Last I checked, there's about 518k+ views with 214k+ likes. :)

Merry Christmas 2011 & Happy New Year 2012

Merry Christmas 2011 & Happy New Year 2012 (just in case I'm too busy to post new post) :)

Google Gives Back (2011)...

Spotted " 'Tis the season. Google supports organisations that are changing the world" below the usual search entry...

"At Google, philanthropy is a core value. This year we gave more than $100 million to various organizations around the world -- including $40 million in grants that celebrate the giving season by supporting four causes that we consider particularly important: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; girls' education; empowerment through technology; and fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We invite you to celebrate the giving season along with us by learning about these organizations, the great work they're doing, and how you can support them."



The number/text (selected) in the video reads:

3,000,000+ kids educated in science, technology, math and engineering
1,000,000+ people using technology for social good
12,000+ people freed from slavery
10,000+ girls educated in the developing world
40,000,000 grants from Google to organizations around the world

Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education
In the next six years, there will be 2.4 million job openings in STEM fields.¹ These organizations are working to give a new generation of students a chance to embrace science, technology, engineering and math -- and to pursue the rewarding careers that so often follow. Our gift will support their efforts for more than 3 million kids.

Girls' education
Educate a girl in Africa and she'll earn 25% more money, be 3 times less likely to contract HIV/AIDS, and have a smaller, healthier family.² Our support for these organizations will educate more than 10,000 girls in the developing world.

Empowerment through technology
Digital technology is one of the most powerful drivers of prosperity -- when you have access to it. In low and middle-income countries, a mere 10% increase in Internet penetration leads to a 1.4% increase in economic output.³ Innovative groups are using social media, open source programming, mobile networks and other technology platforms to connect communities, improve access to information and solve stubborn problems. Our gift will help these organizations bring about scalable change for millions of technology users.

Fighting modern day slavery and human trafficking
The bad news: there are more slaves today than at any other point in history.⁴ The good news: by returning to their villages and helping educate others, freed slaves protect hundreds of thousands of at-risk people from being tricked or forced into similar misery.⁵ Our support will free more than 12,000 people from modern-day slavery, and prevent millions more from being victimized.

Personal Injury Solicitor

Linked to The Green Mechanics: Personal Injury Solicitor.

Floyd asked: "Do we have Personal Injury Solicitor?"

This is not exactly an expert opinion or good post. :D

I had an accident that resulted in bodily injury. After the good sergeant ruled that the other party was at fault, he forwarded my contact number to an accident claim lawyer (can this be termed personal injury solicitor?). Don’t ask me, I didn’t know how to get one, I didn’t even know if they exist. :)

The same day (or was it night or evening?), the law firm rep contacted me for a meeting. The keyphrase were free of charge service even though the claim was unsuccessful but would only charge certain percent from the total claim if successful. So, I agreed to see him.

The next day, he really came. Upon seeing me in unilateral full leg cast, he (unconsciously?) nodded (as if he confirmed the truth of the good sergeant story) to me, greeted me, shook my hand and asked about my health (as if he couldn’t see I had difficulty moving, and in pain at that). I answered I was okey but moving difficultly and still in pain. He missed the sarcasm though (in my mind, was he even care about his (potential?) client.

I introduced him to another person involved in the accident (my girlfriend). Well, she didn’t have broken bones, just (according to the doctors) some bruises, laceration and probably soft tissues injury (from the medical report I managed to peek before the nurse at the A&E "took and hid" it from me). :)

Seeing he was perhaps in haste (got signs of agitation, and perhaps nervousness from the attention from my family members), I asked him go ahead. Then, he became so business-like (I bet this was the fruit of his training and his strength that he completely forgotten about his "discomfort") began to explain the process of how to get my right.

He (re-)explained, the charge was FREE OF CHARGE if the claim was unsuccessful. However, they would ask for certain percentage if the claim was successful. Furthermore, he said my case was a straightforward one (in other word, simple and sure get one, and I was like, so not so straightforward case you don’t take lah?).

He gave examples how much I might gain. Can’t really remember how much but below numbers are just examples, mind you:
1. One finger broken equal RM5,000.00.
2. One broken leg equal RM20,000.00.

So, total I could gain equaled RM25,000.00. That total not yet included other claim they might help (or "help", take your pick) to apply e.g.:
3. Loss of income (personal).
4. Loss of income (to workplace, due to me not able to come to work, resulted in loss of revenues).
5. Extra cost of medical related (not covered in the top two items) cost e.g. eh, not sure about this one. :)
6. Others, can’t remember anymore. ;)

He hypothesized, “Say you get RM30,000.00 from this (your bodily injury claim), we will only take 30% from the total, so you’ll still have about RM21,000.00, if you agree that is.”

When I asked if there were other “hidden” charges or fees (though I didn’t exactly say the word hidden). I really didn’t like the idea of “Oh, why do I have to pay RM10 for check in again (just because I didn’t know about the news about the RM10 counter check in)?”. Ops, stray from the topic again. :D

“No, no, no! You Don’t. Need.” (Remember to pause after every dot) While he was making chopping hand, horizontal style). “To pay for Anything. At. All. If we lost the case that is. Only, if we win we’ll, hmmm, proceed with the charge.” Well, he’s using a very layman term to explain to my tiny bruised (?) brain.

So, with zero starting fee/charge, a “winnable” (borrowed term from our PM Najib Razak) case, and still might gain okey amount for the trouble I got by the result of the accidents, I agreed.

“So, when can I, eh, we, expect the claim?” I asked. “After we register the case, we can expect at the fastest 8 months, depending if the other party’s insurance company wanted to fight their case or not. Which, might prolong the claim.” He shrugged (but looked relieved, probably because I already signed the consent form for them to proceed with my claim). :)

“However, we have heard of claim being approved in 2 months,” he supplied. “You mean after medical report was releases(which is about 6 months)?” I asked. “Of course,” he said and stood up. “We’ll keep you inform. Have a nice day.” (Oh, I forgot, he did take some picture of me and my girlfriend before he went out.)

BTW, did I mention that he declined my invitation to see two other persons (just upstairs) involved in the same accident just because they wouldn't be, eh, pressing charge/claim, because, they would be going back to peninsular the next day? No? :)

Fast forwarded to this day, I have not yet had any update in so long... Last I heard (few months ago), from the kind sergeant, my medical report had not been released, and thus the delay, according to the law firm to the kind sergeant.

So, you tell me, do we have Personal Injury Solicitor? I think the answer is YES (BUT). However only by "invitation" or "introduction" (like my case). Except if you know some lawyer who know who to contact. If not, you're on your own. Some NGO like Biro Bantuan Guaman (Legal Aid Bureau) may help you but an experience of a friend doesn't really convince me of their, eh, help.

Sabah Legal Aid Bureau can be contacted at:
Biro Bantuan Guaman (Cawangan Sabah),
Tkt 4, Blk B, Bangunan KWSP,
Peti surat no. 11319,
88814 Kota Kinabalu.
Phone: 088-238966
Fax: 088-242344

Other like Sabah Law Association may point you to the right direction. SLA can be contacted at:
2nd Floor, 58, Jalan Pantai,
Hainan Association Building,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, SABAH.
W.D.T. no. 414, 88904 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Phone: 088-232662
Fax: 088-232654
Email: info@sabahbar.org.my
URL: http://www.sabahbar.org.my/

The best Personal Claim Solicitor is your insurance agent. So, go buy yourself an insurance. Not only it protects you, it's also a good investment. ;) Have a nice day.

Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) - Even Foreigners Want It!

A huge crowd waiting outside the IRB office in Tawau. Inset: 2 women showed the torn and ripped forms.

Scuffle occurred when 2 hopefuls berebut the FREE BR1M forms and eventually joined by others...

Floyd gives concise info regarding Taklimat Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia.

My thought? I think the government is desperate. First giving RM100 per student, then RM500 per household. Then certain Acts were rushed. Desperate for what? You go figure yourself. :) BTW, according to info from the form (2nd page on the top): "... Borang permohononan juga boleh dimuat turun di laman web Kementerian Kewangan, www.treasury.gov.my"

I'm sorry I couldn't find the download button anywhere the last time I looked!
[Updated 12/12/2011 on www.treasury.gov.my]
Download link is given here. Specifically here (PDF file).

Even the foreigners were so hopeful that they came anyway although the rules state only WARGANEGARA can apply... With the rumor of election just around the corner, mana tau kan?

Wan Nur Arzrin “Alleged” She Was Assaulted By Her Uncle

First of all, I do not know her. I just picked up her name from Nov 21, 2011 Bernama news (and today is Nov 25!). [Bernama link broken, here's alternative news link]

Secondly, I intentionally bracket the word "alleged" because by definition (google: define allege) means: 1) Claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case. 2) Suppose or affirm to be a case. Please note the bolded phrase.

No, I don’t mean to accuse Wan Nur Arzrin or something. See, at the second part, by definition (repeated), something was declared BUT not proven. And it has nothing wrong on Wan Nur Arzrin’s part at all.

She stated: “I'm disappointed that there has been no action taken on my reports, in Jakarta as well as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport police station on Nov 13. But I hope with Datuk Seri's (Mohamed Nazri) assurance, the matter will be attended to.”

The story:
On Nov 12, 2011: She "alleged" she was assaulted by her uncle due to a small misunderstanding, while the family was in a lift in Bogor, Indonesia. She claimed to have broken bones and injured nerve due to the assault.
Date?: She lodged a police report at Jakarta, Indonesia.
On Nov 13, 2011: She lodge another police report at KLIA police station.
On Nov 15, 2011: She twitted our PM Dato’ Seri Najib Razak for help [Source].
On Nov 21, 2011: She approached Dato’ Seri Mohd Nazri (Minister in Prime Minister’s Department) during a public event for help regarding her prior "alleged" claim (and second claim that, uh, "no action taken on her reports?") [Source]. [Bernama link broken, here's alternative news link]

By the way, who is Wan Nur Arzrin? On googling, she is/was(?):

1. Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Agro Biotechnology Technovation (M) Sdn Bhd (founded in 2008, entered the news in 2008 for its 900 million (dubbed largest) biodiesel plant in Kuala Lukut, Port Dickson and supposed to start producing biofuel since 2010);
2. A graduate of Universiti Malaya; a holder of Bachelor of Science Biotechnology;
3. A former student of Bukit Bintang Girls School (Class 5 Science 2 of 1999); also the President of Gymnastrada Club and Head of Shirtliff Cheerleading team (both 1999);
4. A regular twitter;
5. And, uh, rather pretty I say. :D

But still, I do not know how a small misunderstanding could lead to physical (and not to forget, emotional) assault (even though it was still an alleged claim) by a man to a woman. Even to the extend of breaking bones! To that ‘man’ if you really did as claimed, you can have my fist!

Hurting woman is one of my most hated crime

Sabah Position As No. 1 Oil Palm State in Malaysia In Jeopardy?

Stephanie Lee reported in the front page of Daily Express (Nov 21, 2011) titled "Sabah palm oil at risk":

"Kota Kinabalu: Members of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) who breach rules by developing oil palm in areas of high conservation value will not be issued with the RSPO certification - and this may jeopardise Sabah's position as the No. 1 oil palm State in Malaysia and hugely dependant on the commodity for revenue."

How so? "RSPO Malaysia Secretary-General Darrel Webber... (learned) that the Sabah Forestry Department was having a tough time cracking down on people who keep clearing Class One forest reserves to plant oil palm by claiming native customary rights." read on...

Points:

1. Sabah is no. 1 (means biggest) palm oil state in Malaysia.
2. Palm oil is one of the source of revenue. [Supporting Source: Insight Sabah: Sabah Budget 2011 - Spending Big For Growth (Roll down to paragraph 5)]
3. Sabahan palm oil growers (dubbed "faux natives" meaning they claim to have NCR of the land they're clearing) have been allegedly clearing class 1 forest for palm oil planting (which gives hard time for the Sabah Forest Department to crack) so they;
4. Breach (one or few of) RSPO rules (on restriction on not to develop palm oil industry in high conservation value areas e.g. Class 1 forest) and thus;
5. RSPO would not issue RSPO certification(s) to the alleged parties (in other word they will be "greylisted", not "blacklisted" mind you) and thus;
6. No sales/trades of palm oil and its products maybe conducted (between the "whitelisted" members of RSPO) and thus;
7. Would generate less revenue and thus:
8. Point No. 2 would be jeopardized because of it. Hey, how about point No. 1?

Have I listed all points from the two paragraphs above? I would like to think so. However, few things don't feel right. For example:

1. Forest clearing (including clearing Class 1 forest for any purpose, and for palm oil planting/development for any other forest class) has been happening since 'eternally' but no action has been taken, or at least enforcement is inconsistent... [Sorry no source supplied.] Only now RSPO 'learned' or mention about it?
2. RSPO certification is almost meaningless. Why? Even "certified" members can still breach (and sell palm oil product). [Source] Even "greylisted breachers" can still sell their products through (not-so-sincere) whitelisted members. [Hearsay, sorry no source]
3. RSPO certification is for 'so supply chain can be traced on each level/facility that uses "certified oil"'. No system is foolproof, it can be fooled! [No source supplied]
4. Ah, NCR (native customary rights) is a sensitive things to discuss here. But Sabahan knows better that some NCR rightful owners got "owned", some got their rightful NCR after sooooooo long (sorry can't help myself :)), some not-so-right NCR holder got their NCR somehow, some NCR got "cancelled" by government after introductions of some enactments. [Not related but still a Source]

RSPO is a not-for-profit (whatever it means) association that unites stakeholders from seven sectors of the palm oil industry - oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation NGOs and social or developmental NGOs - to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. [Source]

According to RSPO website, Malaysia has the highest number of members by country.

In the end, I ask myself, is Sabah Position As No. 1 Oil Palm State in Malaysia In Jeopardy? Not likely if we consider the "hugeness" of palm oil plantation. We still have big companies here "doing" palm oil as opposed to "NCR" claimers clearing forest for palm oil, but of course I'll defer to Stephanie can show me if the "NCR" claimers' lands are larger than the big boys' lands. Compared to revenue to Sabah from tax of crude palm oil (CPO). A "decertification" might affect revenue but not so much due to "resourceful" (would/might-be) greylisted members of RSPO...

New Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) Not So Low-Cost

Check this news:

"... speculation is rife that the cost of KLIA2 (the new LCCT) has increased significantly from the initial estimates of between RM2 billion and RM2.5 billion... to more than RM4 billion..."

The first LCCT costs about 300 million.

"(However MAHB official asserts that) even if there was an increase in expenditure in constructing the KLIA2, it would not affect the passengers nor the airlines... "

The Edge Malaysia Daily (TEM) disagrees, saying that "a costlier airport would mean MAHB has to increase its charges — including airline parking and landing fees and airport taxes — to recoup its investment."

In which MAHB brushes aside as unfounded concerns: "aeronautical charges (are) already set in stone (regulated) (but/and) subject to review every 5 years."

As recent as Nov 15, 2011, passenger service charges (PSCs) a.k.a. airport tax passengers need to pay had been increased from RM25 to RM32 at LCCT KLIA and Terminal 2 Kota Kinabalu; and from RM51 to RM65 in other airports. Okay, I should add after 9 years of 'nagging' to increase PSC rates (by MAHB to the government). [Source] AirAsia & MAS were not keen to collect PSC on MAHB's behalf...

Also, "Landing and parking charges will rise in three stages over three years — landing charges will be 9% while parking charges will be increased by 18% per year."

On Sep 21, 2011, RM10 fee for conventional counter check-in was imposed by AirAsia. However, passengers have the alternative of web check-in, mobile check-in or kiosk check-in which are free of charge. [Source]

My humble thought:

A) I somewhat agree with TEM, even though they say no passengers nor the airlines would be affected, but in the not-so-far future, who might know?
B) If AirAsia & MAS go ahead with their "not to collect PSC on MAHB behalf". I see:

1. MAHB would have to open PSC counter themselves;
2. Passengers would have to pay PSC themselves. [Pro: No need to pay if cancel flight, no need to wait for weeks for PSC refund. Cons: Waste time to queue, might get lost as well. :D Ugh, they would setup kiosk &/@ web/mobile pay you say?]

KY Chua travels with AirAsia (rarely) but doesn't mind to pay the PSC if the process is simple, simpler & simplified (not to mention, not so expensive, cheap, cheaper or cheapest). Heck, he doesn't even mind to pay for the RM7 hike in airport tax (and the RM10 conventional counter check-in fee) as long as the service is good. But then, he's not that "berwang". So, he would settled for low cost of everything. :D

Interesting articles from YB Wee Choo Keong's blog: MOT: Airlines must refund Airport Tax to no-show passenger.

Yoong Hero, oops, I mean Young Hero :D

Saw this on TV yesterday. Text modified from The Star:

Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah weighs only 28kg weigh and 1.24m tall... She is the youngest gold medalist in SEA Games since its inception in 1959. And, oh, she's only 8-year-and-4-month-old when she won the gold for WOMEN Waterski Tricks Event. (Bold and EMPHASIS is mine) ;)

The Yoong family certainly breeding heroes. :D So, congratulation to our young hero.;) Read her resume here (updated as of 31st July 2011).

[Added on 23 Nov 2011]

It seems that former F1 driver Alex Yoong and Philipa Yoong both won golds as well. Also congratulations for the not-so-young heroes. :) [Source]

Revival On 11.11.11.

Read this in The Star Online titles What were you doing at 11.11am on 11.11.11?
Excerpts:

PETALING JAYA: 11.11.11, a once-in-a-century date. We asked readers, via email, Twitter and Facebook what they were doing at 11.11am on this day...

The rest of the story goes on to list selected answer from interviewees. The answers ranging from (can be simplified as) "Nothing" (important) to "Something"... :) Just click on the link above to read more. :)

As for me, I'm cleaning up my long and almost forgotten blog (more than 2 years!) and drafting this very post though it's a very short one. :D I doubt anyone will want to know why I didn't blog these 2 years. :) But briefly explained, my access to internet was limited and/or inconvenienced, my commitments were on something elses: works, jobs (I know, I mentioned it already :)), relationship, etc. :)

Anyhow, happy sextuplet "1" or 11.11.11 (or decuplet (ten) "1" if you include the time e.g. 11.11.11, 11:11am OR duodecuplet (twelve) if you include the seconds as well e.g. 11.11.11. 11:11:11 am. ) to you and myself. ;)