I kinda prefered the Wannabe Fansub translation through.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Of Harry Potter and money
Reading time of this article: who knows?
Prerequisite: watch this.
Assumed knowledge: understanding of the price war on the last Harry Potter book.
This is not a article on harry Potter. Neither are they any spoilers in this post.
So, after looking at the mad crowds and letting the dust of the hype settle, I can finally lean back with a sigh and pen my thoughts on the price fiasco of the last Harry Potter book in Malaysia.
I have no sympathy for the "major bookshops". Selling the book at RM110 is anyway is outrageous. My question is, what is the recommended retail price (RRP) of the HP7 book in Malaysia?
Even I, with my limited business knowledge, can tell you that Tesco and Carrefour will not sell something to make a loss. They may be big international chains. They may have big profit margins. But I can tell you, they will not sell something, even if it's as internationally acclaimed as the HP7 book, at a loss. Think about it. The probability of someone buying it is 1. The probability of excess stock is 0. If I were Tesco/Carrefour, I would go along with the flow, and sell it at RM110. Why not? It's a greater profit margin.
Guess how much the HP7 book is in Australia through? The RRP price is A$ 29.90. But I got my hands on it, and so did the rest of the crowd, for $25! And I didn't queue outside Big W. I didn't camp out outside Borders/QBC/Target. I went to Angus and Robertson. And picked up one that was labeled $25. Now if a "normal" bookshop can do this, I was wondering, just imagine the profit margin of these big chains with so much lower overheads!
Even if you take the RRP of A$30, and looking at the AUD rising faster than and the RM dropping like a rock, that still only translates to RM 90. And maybe I didn't look hard enough, but I couldn't find anyone selling it for $30. And A$ 25 is only about RM75. I could buy the HP7 book, ship it to Malaysia within 3 working days, and still have change from Rm100.
Now consider these "big chains". They are buying the books BELOW selling price. They are buying in bulk, so they get an even lower price. They're shipping in bulk, so they don't get charged A$ 18 per 500g like me. Just imagine the profit they make selling at RM110!!!
In this aspect, Tesco and Carrefour are selling it at the right price of RM 70. But that's only half the story. Now, how much do you have to work just to buy one? Normally, you'd be lucky to get paid RM 2/hr working part-time back home. At RM 70, that's still 35 hrs work. Assuming you work 8 hour days, it'd take you about 4 days just to have enough dough to buy the book.
Here in Australia, the minimum wage is $10/hr. One only has to work for less than 3 hours, to earn enough money for a copy of HP7. And we wonder why Malaysians don't read.
So, no. I do not have any sympathy for anyone saying that they're being undercut.
Sometimes, we need to see things from a foreign perspective to understand our-self's.
Prerequisite: watch this.
Assumed knowledge: understanding of the price war on the last Harry Potter book.
This is not a article on harry Potter. Neither are they any spoilers in this post.
So, after looking at the mad crowds and letting the dust of the hype settle, I can finally lean back with a sigh and pen my thoughts on the price fiasco of the last Harry Potter book in Malaysia.
I have no sympathy for the "major bookshops". Selling the book at RM110 is anyway is outrageous. My question is, what is the recommended retail price (RRP) of the HP7 book in Malaysia?
Even I, with my limited business knowledge, can tell you that Tesco and Carrefour will not sell something to make a loss. They may be big international chains. They may have big profit margins. But I can tell you, they will not sell something, even if it's as internationally acclaimed as the HP7 book, at a loss. Think about it. The probability of someone buying it is 1. The probability of excess stock is 0. If I were Tesco/Carrefour, I would go along with the flow, and sell it at RM110. Why not? It's a greater profit margin.
Guess how much the HP7 book is in Australia through? The RRP price is A$ 29.90. But I got my hands on it, and so did the rest of the crowd, for $25! And I didn't queue outside Big W. I didn't camp out outside Borders/QBC/Target. I went to Angus and Robertson. And picked up one that was labeled $25. Now if a "normal" bookshop can do this, I was wondering, just imagine the profit margin of these big chains with so much lower overheads!
Even if you take the RRP of A$30, and looking at the AUD rising faster than and the RM dropping like a rock, that still only translates to RM 90. And maybe I didn't look hard enough, but I couldn't find anyone selling it for $30. And A$ 25 is only about RM75. I could buy the HP7 book, ship it to Malaysia within 3 working days, and still have change from Rm100.
Now consider these "big chains". They are buying the books BELOW selling price. They are buying in bulk, so they get an even lower price. They're shipping in bulk, so they don't get charged A$ 18 per 500g like me. Just imagine the profit they make selling at RM110!!!
In this aspect, Tesco and Carrefour are selling it at the right price of RM 70. But that's only half the story. Now, how much do you have to work just to buy one? Normally, you'd be lucky to get paid RM 2/hr working part-time back home. At RM 70, that's still 35 hrs work. Assuming you work 8 hour days, it'd take you about 4 days just to have enough dough to buy the book.
Here in Australia, the minimum wage is $10/hr. One only has to work for less than 3 hours, to earn enough money for a copy of HP7. And we wonder why Malaysians don't read.
So, no. I do not have any sympathy for anyone saying that they're being undercut.
Sometimes, we need to see things from a foreign perspective to understand our-self's.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Highlighter for Firefox
Well, it's back to uni. Sem 2. And what better way to kick start, by introducing a new handy nifty feature to help you get past all that inevitable reading.
Highlighter for Firefox!!!!!!!
With all that reading one has to do, and with almost everything in digital format, it can get a bit tiring on the eyes, with all those words swimming around in your vision. Sometimes, you just wish that there was a good ol` highlighter to highlight the key points as you read, to help in your revision and referencing.
Unfortunately, when Tim Berners-Lee wrote the HTML specification, highlighting (understandably) wasn't in his mind. But it is in mine. When I'm ploughing text after text, page after page.
It's quite simple to use really. Just install it from the mozdev site, reboot the browser, and you're on your way! On the surface, nothing has changed. But highlight a chunk of text, and hold down the "shift" key while right-clicking on the text, and......
Tada!
You get a nice new box called "highlight", which gives you a choice of colors for one to introduce emphasis in a sea of text!
And you can have as many colors as you want in one text, through to be honest I've never had to use more than 3 colors.
It's not permanent, and it doesn't show up when you print the page out to create a hard copy. Still, I find it a massively handy tool when reading up and/or doing research.
It's a simple program, so I doubt there are any major bugs or flaws in the plugin. My only gripe is that it is only available with Firefox. What about SeaMonkey? And does anyone know something that will do something like this in Opera?
Highlighter for Firefox!!!!!!!
With all that reading one has to do, and with almost everything in digital format, it can get a bit tiring on the eyes, with all those words swimming around in your vision. Sometimes, you just wish that there was a good ol` highlighter to highlight the key points as you read, to help in your revision and referencing.
Unfortunately, when Tim Berners-Lee wrote the HTML specification, highlighting (understandably) wasn't in his mind. But it is in mine. When I'm ploughing text after text, page after page.
It's quite simple to use really. Just install it from the mozdev site, reboot the browser, and you're on your way! On the surface, nothing has changed. But highlight a chunk of text, and hold down the "shift" key while right-clicking on the text, and......
Tada!
You get a nice new box called "highlight", which gives you a choice of colors for one to introduce emphasis in a sea of text!
And you can have as many colors as you want in one text, through to be honest I've never had to use more than 3 colors.
It's not permanent, and it doesn't show up when you print the page out to create a hard copy. Still, I find it a massively handy tool when reading up and/or doing research.
It's a simple program, so I doubt there are any major bugs or flaws in the plugin. My only gripe is that it is only available with Firefox. What about SeaMonkey? And does anyone know something that will do something like this in Opera?
This is called in introduction?!
This is a link to a while paper, called "An introduction to data mining".
An introduction?
An introduction!?
An introduction?
An introduction!?
Saturday, July 21, 2007
School Rumble on Animax
If you live in Hong Kong, at least.
First Trailer.
And the Initial D version:
I have a feeling that the English trailer took a leaf from the first one through. And I don't even understand Cantonese.
First Trailer.
And the Initial D version:
I have a feeling that the English trailer took a leaf from the first one through. And I don't even understand Cantonese.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Bad English and maintainence
Saw this here:
Spelling error no 1: "Nigth"
Spelling error no 2: "guess"? It's guest！
Malaysian's are hopeless, aren't there?
Oh, and is the lift still under repair?
Spelling error no 1: "Nigth"
Spelling error no 2: "guess"? It's guest！
Malaysian's are hopeless, aren't there?
Oh, and is the lift still under repair?
INTITIAL D
After Subang Drift, here comes, from INTI......
It's essentially the live-action Initial D movie compressed into 6 mins. Honestly, with Malaysians speaking Cantonese.
Doesn't mix.
And, they even so helpfully added in a making-of video:
I must say through, if you excuse the bad acting, the chessy title, the substandard cast and wobbly camrea work, the sound mixing is quite well done, through that might be because there isn't much dialogue comapred toTokyo Subang Drift.
Penang is the one that uses "C**" for their car plates right?
INTITIAL D
It's essentially the live-action Initial D movie compressed into 6 mins. Honestly, with Malaysians speaking Cantonese.
Doesn't mix.
And, they even so helpfully added in a making-of video:
I must say through, if you excuse the bad acting, the chessy title, the substandard cast and wobbly camrea work, the sound mixing is quite well done, through that might be because there isn't much dialogue comapred to
Penang is the one that uses "C**" for their car plates right?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Saturday Night Fever on Airantou
Once upon a time, there was this movie with John Travolta and Karen Lynn Gorney about, well, in the 70's anything went really. Drugs, partying, alcohol, you name it and it was there.
Fast forward 30 years later, a guy get's, ahem, drifted off to a Island. Called Airan.
I just had to smile at this:
If you compare it side by side, you can see that Takeshi Fujishiro (藤代健) has paid a lot of detail to Tony Manero (Ikuto/John Travolta) and Stephanie Mangano (Suzu/Karen Lynn Gorney).
Make's me almost want to buy it really.
PM me if you want to full image in it's 1409 x 1400 glory
Fast forward 30 years later, a guy get's, ahem, drifted off to a Island. Called Airan.
I just had to smile at this:
If you compare it side by side, you can see that Takeshi Fujishiro (藤代健) has paid a lot of detail to Tony Manero (Ikuto/John Travolta) and Stephanie Mangano (Suzu/Karen Lynn Gorney).
Make's me almost want to buy it really.
PM me if you want to full image in it's 1409 x 1400 glory
Statement by Idris Jala with regards to article on MAS employees crying foul over ESOS distribution
LATEST: Statement by Datuk Idris Jala with regards to article on MAS employees crying foul over ESOS distribution
17 July, 2007
Full statement by Malaysia Airlines managing director/chief executive officer, Datuk Idris Jala (with regards to the article on MAS employees crying foul over ESOS distribution, causing them to work slowly) Following was the statement made by Malaysia Airline managing director Datuk Idris Jala to NST.
WE are aware that there are employee concerns over the Performance Management System (PMS).
"We are taking immediate steps to address the concerns. Yesterday, Friday, 13 July, we met with the senior members from all Unions and Associations, and will immediately set up a Special Task Force on Performance Management, led by executive director and chief financial officer, Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin.
All the Unions and Associations, and management will be represented in this Special Task Force.
The task force will meet next Tuesday and its first and immediate task will be to arrive at a workable solution to address the current concerns around the Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS) and PMS that have been voiced by employees.
The members of the task force will be tasked to provide their recommendations on immediate actions to be taken at the very latest by Friday, July 20.
At the same time, we are experiencing several flight disruptions due to a combination of factors including technical issues, bad weather and the introduction of the passenger services system.
In terms of technical issues, there were two significant engineering related instances this week.
One involved a Boeing B777 grounded in Frankfurt on July 9 due to an engine damaged by an apron baggage loader.
The engine was subsequently rectified and the aircraft is now back in operation.
Another was an Airbus A330-300 now grounded indefinitely in KL International Airport (KLIA) since Thursday, July 12, after one of its cabin doors was structurally damaged when an airport aerobridge fell to the ground.
In addition, a Boeing B737-400 was grounded in Kota Kinabalu airport on July 12 awaiting special parts for its cockpit window while another Boeing B737-400 is currently undergoing a comprehensive rectification of its flight control system in KLIA.
Bad weather also caused several flight disruptions where among the notable ones were the Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne flight on July 10 that was diverted to Adelaide and a Kuala Lumpur-Penang flight of the same day diverted to Langkawi.
Every one of these situations invariably caused a shortage of operational aircraft, which necessitated the reshuffling and re-timing of some of our normal schedules.
In some instances, one or two `high frequency' flights were cancelled but we compensated by deploying a larger aircraft that could accommodate the combined passenger load.
Apart from our services to some domestic stations, our flights between KLIA and stations such as Penang, Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore were impacted by such ad-hoc re-timings.
Where possible, we notified passengers in advance of these re-timings and flight rescheduling, whilst we also worked with the airport operators for such updates to be featured in the flight arrival and departure information display boards.
These were complemented by appropriate service recovery measures at the various airports to minimize passenger inconvenience.
The technical issues and bad weather were compounded by the introduction of a new passenger services system in line with the mandatory IATA (International Air Transport Association) requirement for e-ticketing.
Like any other new system, we are going through some teething issues as not all our employees are familiar with the new check-in system.
In some cases, this may result in passengers being checked in slower than usual.
We apologise to our customers for the discomfort they experienced arising from these situations.
We are aware that there are speculations that the delays are partly due to dissatisfaction over the newly introduced PMS, ESOS and bonus payment.
We have investigated every incident. At this stage, there is no clear evidence of this and we are continuing to monitor closely every delay and the causes.
As mentioned earlier, we are working closely with the Unions and Associations to address the employees' concerns through the Special Task Force.
Of AirAsia and MAS' turnaround plan
The news that broke yesterday was no surprise. What was surprising was the fact that it took so long for the problems to rear it's head. And it's no longer problems with FAX either. To quote myself on 14 June "If it was the "west", people would have run crying to UMNO/MCA/MIC after their first RAS flight under FAX was delayed by 2 hrs."
We Sarawakians have put up with substandard rural air servies (RAS) for far too long. To see how bad it has become, pick up the 2007 Lonely Planet guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Flip to the Sarawak part. After reading it, no wonder no one goes to Sarawak anymore. The popular destinations like Mulu and the Highlands, to quote, "have become inaccessible [with the changing to RAS to FAX] for both local and tourists alike." Getting a flight "is next to impossible both during and away from the peak seasons." They do give one piece of advise through "You could just turn up in the airport and hope for a late cancellation."
"hope for a late cancellation"?! Where do they think this is, Kansai Airport?!
Since December last year, murmurings of discontent from the MAS staff have been filtering to the ground. It all started with the voluntary retrenchment plan, called a mutual separation scheme, where up to 20,000 employees were let go. The problem was, which employees did it let go?
Most of them we're the veterans, those who have been working with MAS for 20, 30 years. Those with experience and the know how. When the mutual separation scheme came about, they used it to help them jumpstart a new career. Many took advantage of the 2 months wages pay-out, and left MAS for greener pastures, not necessarily for AirAsia either. I know one who ended up in Dubai with Ethihad airways. Why not? You get 2 months pay as one lump sum, and if there is a demand for your enterprises in the middle east, with so much better pay, why not?
So what did MAS end up with? All the best and brightest all gone. Only the deadwood, which the whole restructuring program was supposed to get rid of in the first place, stayed on. Then their pay was cut. And the dead wood aren't very happy at being squeezed. Any wonder why there was a revolt against the Performance Management System? So what now?
Bagage handlers going to take 1 hr to unload our luggage? Oh wait, that's what they've been doing all this time.
No one going to refuel the plane?
Are we going to see a decline in MAS' legendary and world famous service?
Man, this sounds too much like 1980's Britain. Are we looking at a Summer of unproductivity?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite this through, I still have my (small) faith in Idris Jala. Partially because he's a Sarawakian. Despite the "western" wolfs against him, we Sarawakians feel he is the best man for MAS, if only because the alternatives aren't any better. Not to mention government meddling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Told you that aerobridges were needed in the tropics.
Sometime's I wonder why the disabled here in Brisbane moan that not enough is done for them. They would surely die in Malaysia. Last time I checked, the disabled here:
Its a problem, as I can't exactly use a escalator or the stairs. So I had to find a ramp. Or a lift. Much like people in a wheelchair. And what I did, TWICE mind you, with a bike, 绝对 cannot be dont anywhere in Malaysia.
First, no one can recline. Now if you're in a wheelchair, you can't even fly. Low cost travel has destroyed civilised air travel once and for all. Sure, it allows those studying in KL to fly back 6 times a year, but what ever happened to proper air travel. Once upon a time, people who flew were respectable. They dressed up. They looked proper. They knew how to read the sign boards. If you flew to the US, even before 9/11, you'd be prepared for some security.
Looking at the Ah Lian's and Ah Beng's swamping AirAsia, it just makes me shake my head sometimes.
To quote Tony Fernandes from today's Star:
“For wheelchair-bound passengers, we do not charge them for the wheelchair but take them to the plane and physically carry them into the plane”
Has Tony tried carrying my disabled cousin into the plane recently? If he did, he's have some buff muscles by the time he called it a day. Sometimes I wish I was in the EU. I'm a bit of an Euroskeptic, with their weird laws and all (to quote Jeremy Clarkson : The boffins in Brussels can agree that [European] prisoners have the inalietable right not to fall over in prisons, but are quite happy to have me running around Europe with enough cable's in my bag to build a suspension bridge".), but if they can force 25 countries to have disabled facilities, they sure can do that with a country only having 13 states.
*sigh*
We Sarawakians have put up with substandard rural air servies (RAS) for far too long. To see how bad it has become, pick up the 2007 Lonely Planet guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Flip to the Sarawak part. After reading it, no wonder no one goes to Sarawak anymore. The popular destinations like Mulu and the Highlands, to quote, "have become inaccessible [with the changing to RAS to FAX] for both local and tourists alike." Getting a flight "is next to impossible both during and away from the peak seasons." They do give one piece of advise through "You could just turn up in the airport and hope for a late cancellation."
"hope for a late cancellation"?! Where do they think this is, Kansai Airport?!
Since December last year, murmurings of discontent from the MAS staff have been filtering to the ground. It all started with the voluntary retrenchment plan, called a mutual separation scheme, where up to 20,000 employees were let go. The problem was, which employees did it let go?
Most of them we're the veterans, those who have been working with MAS for 20, 30 years. Those with experience and the know how. When the mutual separation scheme came about, they used it to help them jumpstart a new career. Many took advantage of the 2 months wages pay-out, and left MAS for greener pastures, not necessarily for AirAsia either. I know one who ended up in Dubai with Ethihad airways. Why not? You get 2 months pay as one lump sum, and if there is a demand for your enterprises in the middle east, with so much better pay, why not?
So what did MAS end up with? All the best and brightest all gone. Only the deadwood, which the whole restructuring program was supposed to get rid of in the first place, stayed on. Then their pay was cut. And the dead wood aren't very happy at being squeezed. Any wonder why there was a revolt against the Performance Management System? So what now?
Bagage handlers going to take 1 hr to unload our luggage? Oh wait, that's what they've been doing all this time.
No one going to refuel the plane?
Are we going to see a decline in MAS' legendary and world famous service?
Man, this sounds too much like 1980's Britain. Are we looking at a Summer of unproductivity?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite this through, I still have my (small) faith in Idris Jala. Partially because he's a Sarawakian. Despite the "western" wolfs against him, we Sarawakians feel he is the best man for MAS, if only because the alternatives aren't any better. Not to mention government meddling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Told you that aerobridges were needed in the tropics.
Sometime's I wonder why the disabled here in Brisbane moan that not enough is done for them. They would surely die in Malaysia. Last time I checked, the disabled here:
- Get half price off on taxi fares
- Don't pay a flagfall fee ($2.50) when they call for a taxi
- There is a free "taxi" serivce run by the BCC for them
- The buses are low floor buses, so you can wheel yourself in, not to mention mothers with their kids in prams. Oh, and the buses seem to have some sort of hydraulic system, where the driver can lower the bus to be more level with the kerb. Handy for old ladies also.
- All buildings have ramps and evevators
Its a problem, as I can't exactly use a escalator or the stairs. So I had to find a ramp. Or a lift. Much like people in a wheelchair. And what I did, TWICE mind you, with a bike, 绝对 cannot be dont anywhere in Malaysia.
First, no one can recline. Now if you're in a wheelchair, you can't even fly. Low cost travel has destroyed civilised air travel once and for all. Sure, it allows those studying in KL to fly back 6 times a year, but what ever happened to proper air travel. Once upon a time, people who flew were respectable. They dressed up. They looked proper. They knew how to read the sign boards. If you flew to the US, even before 9/11, you'd be prepared for some security.
Looking at the Ah Lian's and Ah Beng's swamping AirAsia, it just makes me shake my head sometimes.
To quote Tony Fernandes from today's Star:
“For wheelchair-bound passengers, we do not charge them for the wheelchair but take them to the plane and physically carry them into the plane”
Has Tony tried carrying my disabled cousin into the plane recently? If he did, he's have some buff muscles by the time he called it a day. Sometimes I wish I was in the EU. I'm a bit of an Euroskeptic, with their weird laws and all (to quote Jeremy Clarkson : The boffins in Brussels can agree that [European] prisoners have the inalietable right not to fall over in prisons, but are quite happy to have me running around Europe with enough cable's in my bag to build a suspension bridge".), but if they can force 25 countries to have disabled facilities, they sure can do that with a country only having 13 states.
*sigh*
Monday, July 16, 2007
Now only the disabled and the overbooked can't fly
The Star Online > Nation
Monday July 16, 2007
SEPANG: More than 20 disabled and wheelchair-bound members of the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) held a protest against AirAsia for its refusal to take passengers who were completely immobile.
The protesters, headed by the group's co-ordinator Christine Lee, and assistant co-ordinators V. Murugeswaran and Peter Tan, demanded AirAsia reviews its policies and takes reasonable steps to ensure facilities and services provided at the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) are non-discriminatory.
Lee said that unlike KLIA, the LCCT does not incorporate aerobridges, which allow easier access for passengers to board planes.
“Passengers are instead required to walk up a flight of boarding stairs – a daunting task when one is disabled from the waist down,” she said.
Lee said that when booking AirAsia tickets online, a separate icon would appear on the website asking if the ticket purchaser would require “special assistance”.
“If you clicked 'yes', then you won't be able to proceed with your booking.
“That's when I called AirAsia's call centre, and was told that they were unable to accept passengers who are completely immobile.
“This is even stipulated in AirAsia's terms and conditions!” she added.
Lee also said that AirAsia charged RM12 for renting out a wheelchair, which a passenger could use to go from the ticketing counter to the departure hall.
“One would then have to go from the check-in gate to the aircraft without the wheelchair, which is quite absurd.”
Murugeswaran pointed out that AirAsia also stipulated that the carriage of persons with limited mobility was subject to whether they were able to climb the boarding stairs unaided or aided.
“Passengers who are unable to board the stairs without any assistance would be requested to travel with a caregiver or companion.
“This is blatantly discriminating, unfair and unacceptable. We want to be independent and not have to rely on other people to chaperon us when travelling,” he said, adding that nothing has been done despite BEAT holding a dialogue with AirAsia on the matter more than two years ago.
During the protest, BEAT also urged Malaysia Airports Bhd to ensure all new and old airports in the country are equipped with facilities to improve accessibility to disabled passengers.
When contacted, an AirAsia spokesman said they were unable to comment on the matter at present.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‘Now everyone can fly’, except the disabled
16 July, 2007
SEPANG: AirAsia may use "Now Everyone Can Fly" as its tagline but not everyone can actually fly with the low-cost carrier. The airline does not take passengers who are wheel- chair users.
Wheelchair-bound Peter Tan said he couldn’t book tickets through AirAsia’s website because he could not tick the box confirming he did not require special assistance.
"I couldn’t proceed because of it and each time I contacted the call centre, I was told: ‘If you can’t walk. then we can’t take you, It is company policy’," he said.
Tan was among the 40 members of the Barrier-free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) who staged a peaceful protest at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) here yesterday to express their disappointment with AirAsia’s refusal to take passengers requiring special assistance.
Tan, who is BEAT assistant co-ordinator, said the AirAsia operator at the call centre informed him that if he could not manage the steps of the airplane himself, he had to bring someone to help him.
"Even so, it will still be impossible for us as our carer can’t possibly carry us onboard," Tan added.
BEAT co-ordinator Christine Lee said there must be some mechanism AirAsia could use to lift passengers up to the aircraft, similar to those used to load luggage and food.
Lee said AirAsia should provide facilities for passengers who were immobile and those with limited mobility.
The group is calling on Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to ensure all new and old airports are equipped with facilities to improve accessibility for the disabled.
An AirAsia spokesman declined to comment on the matter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fury after being kicked off flights
By : Mazlinda Mahmood
Frustrated passengers at KLIA were only told that the flights were full when checking-in.SEPANG: The mood was ugly at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday.
Hundreds of passengers were stranded and some, facing delays, were furious when informed that their Malaysia Airlines flights were overbooked.
Perth-bound MAS passenger Darren Woon, 25, was upset when told his flight was full.
He claimed a MAS employee said it was overbooked by 50 people.
"I can understand if it’s just five people ahead of me, but 50?"They didn’t even make an effort to contact us. They merely waited for us to turn up, then tell us the bad news.
"This is so unprofessional."
Woon claimed he was supposed to be at work today in Perth.
Foo Ee Lin, 26, who was sending off her 17-year-old sister to Melbourne on a MAS flight, was outraged when told that the flight was overbooked by 60 passengers.
"I’ve been flying to Melbourne for the past six years but this is my worst experience."
She said MAS should have called as her sister’s seat was confirmed. "My sister is having her exam (today), if she misses it, how does MAS plan to compensate?"
Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that on-time departures had fallen below the airline’s record of above 80 per cent of flights.
Productivity fell as many employees were reportedly unhappy after the management carried out a performance appraisal using a system which they said they were only trying out.
They were also disappointed about their performance bonuses, share options and a recent one-off payment.
MAS human resource senior general manager Effendi Abdul Rahman yesterday issued a statement saying that under the mutual separation scheme last year, 2,622 employees left the company, and not 20,000 as reported.
This year, he said manpower may be reduced by 700.
Sources at the KLIA claimed MAS employees were on a so-called "silent strike". Because of this, they said many international and domestic flights were delayed, including those to Perth, Melbourne, Auckland, Penang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Malaysian English going down faster than the RM
Spotted in a restaurant in Malaysia:
Yes, waiter, I would live a Fred Chiken please, with a Eeg roll and a Denish Croisant to complete my breakfast.
Any wonder why Visit Malaysia 2007 isn't doing too well? It's probably cause they can't figure out what the we're saying. At least they got the French right.
Full context here.
Yes, waiter, I would live a Fred Chiken please, with a Eeg roll and a Denish Croisant to complete my breakfast.
Any wonder why Visit Malaysia 2007 isn't doing too well? It's probably cause they can't figure out what the we're saying. At least they got the French right.
Full context here.
这个，那个，黑鬼
Watch this before reading any further.
It's so funny, that it's so 100% Russell Peters.
It reminds me of a time through, when I was in New Zealand. I was in a physics class, and I was with a friend of mine, which I will call "S". We were talking about Rotational Inertia.
So we were talking, when she said "那个。。。那个。。。惯量。。” when this black dude (it was unfortunate) behind me, turned around as said in mock horror "S, you're racist!" The poor girl was shocked. "S" is as racist as a washing machine.
I got the joke almost immideatly through, and after I had picked myself up from the floor, I tried to explain it to her. Not sure if I did get through through.
The word in question here is 那个。(Pinyin: Na Ge) It means "That", as in "That is my car" or "That is what I want to eat". However, China is a big place. It has 22 provinces, (plus countless divisions in one province) which could be 22 countries. Heck, in the province of Fujian alone there are about 6 dialects between Xiamen (Hokken), Fuzhou (Fuchow), ChaoZhou(Teochiu), Shantou (Hokkien, Hakka), Autou (min, a sub-dialect of Hokkien), and QuanZhou (ke, a sub-dialect of Hakka).
Now you know where all our dialects came from. All within 80km of each other.
However, 山高，皇帝远。In the far far north, they speak A HELL LOT faster than the southen Chinese. Plus they love to roll their toungue. So 那个 is pronounced as "Nei ger" as you get up north. No, we are not racist. We are just saying "We want to eat that". It is unfortunate that it has to sound so much like "Nigger".
Still, multi-culturalism works both ways. In Senegal, the color red is the color of mourning, what people wear for a funeral. It must be difficult having Chinese New Year there...........
It's so funny, that it's so 100% Russell Peters.
It reminds me of a time through, when I was in New Zealand. I was in a physics class, and I was with a friend of mine, which I will call "S". We were talking about Rotational Inertia.
So we were talking, when she said "那个。。。那个。。。惯量。。” when this black dude (it was unfortunate) behind me, turned around as said in mock horror "S, you're racist!" The poor girl was shocked. "S" is as racist as a washing machine.
I got the joke almost immideatly through, and after I had picked myself up from the floor, I tried to explain it to her. Not sure if I did get through through.
The word in question here is 那个。(Pinyin: Na Ge) It means "That", as in "That is my car" or "That is what I want to eat". However, China is a big place. It has 22 provinces, (plus countless divisions in one province) which could be 22 countries. Heck, in the province of Fujian alone there are about 6 dialects between Xiamen (Hokken), Fuzhou (Fuchow), ChaoZhou(Teochiu), Shantou (Hokkien, Hakka), Autou (min, a sub-dialect of Hokkien), and QuanZhou (ke, a sub-dialect of Hakka).
Now you know where all our dialects came from. All within 80km of each other.
However, 山高，皇帝远。In the far far north, they speak A HELL LOT faster than the southen Chinese. Plus they love to roll their toungue. So 那个 is pronounced as "Nei ger" as you get up north. No, we are not racist. We are just saying "We want to eat that". It is unfortunate that it has to sound so much like "Nigger".
Still, multi-culturalism works both ways. In Senegal, the color red is the color of mourning, what people wear for a funeral. It must be difficult having Chinese New Year there...........
From New Zealand all right
Remember in my previous post, I asked who was copying who?
vs
Well, after I posted that up, I zoomed in a little closer, and saw this:
L & P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEFINITELY NEW ZEALAND!
L&P, world famous in New Zealand.
L&P is something I love about NZ. So much so, I even brought a bottle back. The first time I drank it, I was amazed by it. Sure, I know it's now done by Coca-Cola NZ, but it is truly unlike any other drink. And to quote their website: Lemon & Paeroa can be found only in New Zealand.
You should know what a Lemon is. Paeroa is a place in New Zealand, about 2 hrs drive from Auckland. From a town of 3000, they have managed to create such a beautiful drink. Honestly, L&P is truly like nothing you've even drank. It is a real drink. And a damn good one.
I might even go out to buy one to recover from my shock. It beats Victoria Bitter anyday.
vs
Well, after I posted that up, I zoomed in a little closer, and saw this:
L & P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DEFINITELY NEW ZEALAND!
L&P, world famous in New Zealand.
L&P is something I love about NZ. So much so, I even brought a bottle back. The first time I drank it, I was amazed by it. Sure, I know it's now done by Coca-Cola NZ, but it is truly unlike any other drink. And to quote their website: Lemon & Paeroa can be found only in New Zealand.
You should know what a Lemon is. Paeroa is a place in New Zealand, about 2 hrs drive from Auckland. From a town of 3000, they have managed to create such a beautiful drink. Honestly, L&P is truly like nothing you've even drank. It is a real drink. And a damn good one.
I might even go out to buy one to recover from my shock. It beats Victoria Bitter anyday.
Double Whammy!!!!
Whammy no 1: Currency
The AU$ has hit 3.00 to the RM.
It is the end.
It is the begining of the end.
It is the start of the end.
It is the forerun of the end.
It is the end of the end.
It is the end.
Whammy no 2:
Click on image to see the whole thing
Excuse me while I go into a corner and scream.
The AU$ has hit 3.00 to the RM.
It is the end.
It is the begining of the end.
It is the start of the end.
It is the forerun of the end.
It is the end of the end.
It is the end.
Whammy no 2:
Click on image to see the whole thing
Excuse me while I go into a corner and scream.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
If only life was like this
Sunday, July 08, 2007
manga, manga, manga, manga
Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This, my son, is the cover of a Full Metal Alchemist manga:
Looks normal.
And this is the back of the manga:
Does it look familar?
Maybe this would help jog the memory:
Exhibit A: FMA manga for $15
Exhibit B: for $22
Still blur? Clicking on the pictures to see the big picture (no pun intended) might help.
I presume if you are reading this without "I KNOW WHAT IT IS!" going through your head, I have to let the cat out of the bag.
Yes, my dears. THAT IS A CHUANG YI MANGA IN BRISBANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For my poor deprived mates, Chuang Yi is like the saviour for you monolingual people, who can't understand Chinese. Which most manga is in back home. Chuang Yi (创艺) is a Singaporean company, who amongst other things, prints English manga for (relative) cheap.
Take this FMA for example. If you were to buy the "official" Viz one, it'd set you back about S$ 25. Chuang Yi prints the same volume for $7. Sure, they paper quality isn't as nice, you don't get any extra's, BUT WHO'S COMPLAINING!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
The thing is, if you buy the Singaporean ones, at the back they print "For sale in distribution in Singapore only". (Or something to that affect) In Sarawak, that means: "NO ENGLISH MANGA FOR YOU POOR, DEPRIVED MALAYSIANS! PUT UP WITH CRAPPY BM ONES AND BOOTLEGS FROM TAIWAN AND HONG KONG! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"
Yes, we do look to Singapore with envy. Forget all the UMNO rhetoric. Let's face it; Singapore was lucky that Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore. Just imagine if he had Sarawak...................
So I resigned myself to fighting my way down the causeway. But now, Chuang Yi has decided to export to, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND!
The early ones say something like "strictly for sale and distribution within Australia and New Zealand only", through I can't find it in the new stock. But that the heck; they'd rather export to the southern hemisphere than across the south China sea/causeway.
Can we declare independence now? P-L-E-A-S-E-?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More pictures of Brisbane:
A very windy day. All the leaves were blown off the trees. Freezing too.
Brisbane at night.
Looking from the Cultural Centre.
Still from the Victoria Bridge, looking towards QUT
This, my son, is the cover of a Full Metal Alchemist manga:
Looks normal.
And this is the back of the manga:
Does it look familar?
Maybe this would help jog the memory:
Exhibit A: FMA manga for $15
Exhibit B: for $22
Still blur? Clicking on the pictures to see the big picture (no pun intended) might help.
I presume if you are reading this without "I KNOW WHAT IT IS!" going through your head, I have to let the cat out of the bag.
Yes, my dears. THAT IS A CHUANG YI MANGA IN BRISBANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For my poor deprived mates, Chuang Yi is like the saviour for you monolingual people, who can't understand Chinese. Which most manga is in back home. Chuang Yi (创艺) is a Singaporean company, who amongst other things, prints English manga for (relative) cheap.
Take this FMA for example. If you were to buy the "official" Viz one, it'd set you back about S$ 25. Chuang Yi prints the same volume for $7. Sure, they paper quality isn't as nice, you don't get any extra's, BUT WHO'S COMPLAINING!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
The thing is, if you buy the Singaporean ones, at the back they print "For sale in distribution in Singapore only". (Or something to that affect) In Sarawak, that means: "NO ENGLISH MANGA FOR YOU POOR, DEPRIVED MALAYSIANS! PUT UP WITH CRAPPY BM ONES AND BOOTLEGS FROM TAIWAN AND HONG KONG! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"
Yes, we do look to Singapore with envy. Forget all the UMNO rhetoric. Let's face it; Singapore was lucky that Lee Kuan Yew was born in Singapore. Just imagine if he had Sarawak...................
So I resigned myself to fighting my way down the causeway. But now, Chuang Yi has decided to export to, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND!
The early ones say something like "strictly for sale and distribution within Australia and New Zealand only", through I can't find it in the new stock. But that the heck; they'd rather export to the southern hemisphere than across the south China sea/causeway.
Can we declare independence now? P-L-E-A-S-E-?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More pictures of Brisbane:
A very windy day. All the leaves were blown off the trees. Freezing too.
Brisbane at night.
Looking from the Cultural Centre.
Still from the Victoria Bridge, looking towards QUT
Food anyone?
old tricks, new ways
How long does it take the mainstream media to find out about a filmed bully posted for the whole world to see?
4 days, at least.
Four days ago, one of my contacts in Sibu contacted me, saying that another video clip of bullying in public was being circulated in the MMS network. Later that day, he pointed me to a file on the place where everything video is uploaded: youtube.
Dunno how long it'll last on youtube, but I'm linking it here anyway.
Why is this not news to me? Because once upon a time, I was also in the same position.
Once upon a time, I was beaten, teased, put down, and bullied bad.
Once upon a time, I was forced to eat garbage like him.
Once upon a time, I was sidelined in everything I did.
It really beggars belief who is running Eastern Times sometimes. Their headline is "Is the ‘bullying’ real or just ‘acting’?" Anyone who has seen the video clip (and I think everyone who has access to the internet in Sibu has) will be quite confident that it is anything but an "act". I'm no speaker of Fuchow (the shame, considering that I am (half of) one), but even with my limited vocabulary, I can tell that it is not pretty. It shows 4 boys savagely beating up another boy, forcing him to eat stones and cigarettes.
What has people learned from the Miri school girl fight (mirror here)? NOTHING. In my days I had to put up with it, with no proof. No one wanted or dared to back me up. I didn't endure in silence. I spoke out. I made noise. I stood up for me, and my rights. Even when they tried to silence me. Even when they pressured me. Even when they saw me crack. Eventually I threw in the towel, and left. But the scars never healed. To this day, i still harbour vengeance, hatred, loathing, vile and anger towards them. Even if they have gone on. One is a student in Melbourne studying architecture. Another is working for MAS as an intern engineer. Another is in RMIT. One even dares to be a doctor. The big mouth is doing a Bachelor of Mass Communications in Murdoch University. Then there's an engineer wannabe who is so proud to be in INTI Nilai. Doing a Diploma. The Med-chemist is in Melbourne. There is even one who ended up in London. What a shame he didn't get blown up.
Yes, you murderers of Lodge. Don't think I'll ever forget and forgive you. Nor think you can hide. Big Brother is watching you.
That was then. Today we have such concrete proof, with not only still pictures, but full blown video, and yet the perpetrators still get away Scot free with their diabolical, cruel, inhumane acts, just because they are part of the elite. (Rumour has it in Sibu that the boy in black in the video is the son of one of the triad bosses) We have always been oppressed, and will be oppressed until someone dares to break away from the pitfalls of our immature and ill-educated society.
You know why? It is because our (so-called) education minister, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, is non other than Umno Youth chief. And the last time I checked, UMNO youths we're more willing to sign up Mat Rempits in UMNO to give them more crack.
With people like this at the top, what can we do? The powerful will keep oppressing up defenceless people.
BTW, the original video clip is here. (15MB, in 3GP format. Use Quicktime to open on a PC, or upload it to your handphone to spread it far and wide a possible). Credit to my contact in Sibu.
4 days, at least.
Four days ago, one of my contacts in Sibu contacted me, saying that another video clip of bullying in public was being circulated in the MMS network. Later that day, he pointed me to a file on the place where everything video is uploaded: youtube.
Dunno how long it'll last on youtube, but I'm linking it here anyway.
Why is this not news to me? Because once upon a time, I was also in the same position.
Once upon a time, I was beaten, teased, put down, and bullied bad.
Once upon a time, I was forced to eat garbage like him.
Once upon a time, I was sidelined in everything I did.
It really beggars belief who is running Eastern Times sometimes. Their headline is "Is the ‘bullying’ real or just ‘acting’?" Anyone who has seen the video clip (and I think everyone who has access to the internet in Sibu has) will be quite confident that it is anything but an "act". I'm no speaker of Fuchow (the shame, considering that I am (half of) one), but even with my limited vocabulary, I can tell that it is not pretty. It shows 4 boys savagely beating up another boy, forcing him to eat stones and cigarettes.
What has people learned from the Miri school girl fight (mirror here)? NOTHING. In my days I had to put up with it, with no proof. No one wanted or dared to back me up. I didn't endure in silence. I spoke out. I made noise. I stood up for me, and my rights. Even when they tried to silence me. Even when they pressured me. Even when they saw me crack. Eventually I threw in the towel, and left. But the scars never healed. To this day, i still harbour vengeance, hatred, loathing, vile and anger towards them. Even if they have gone on. One is a student in Melbourne studying architecture. Another is working for MAS as an intern engineer. Another is in RMIT. One even dares to be a doctor. The big mouth is doing a Bachelor of Mass Communications in Murdoch University. Then there's an engineer wannabe who is so proud to be in INTI Nilai. Doing a Diploma. The Med-chemist is in Melbourne. There is even one who ended up in London. What a shame he didn't get blown up.
Yes, you murderers of Lodge. Don't think I'll ever forget and forgive you. Nor think you can hide. Big Brother is watching you.
That was then. Today we have such concrete proof, with not only still pictures, but full blown video, and yet the perpetrators still get away Scot free with their diabolical, cruel, inhumane acts, just because they are part of the elite. (Rumour has it in Sibu that the boy in black in the video is the son of one of the triad bosses) We have always been oppressed, and will be oppressed until someone dares to break away from the pitfalls of our immature and ill-educated society.
You know why? It is because our (so-called) education minister, Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, is non other than Umno Youth chief. And the last time I checked, UMNO youths we're more willing to sign up Mat Rempits in UMNO to give them more crack.
With people like this at the top, what can we do? The powerful will keep oppressing up defenceless people.
BTW, the original video clip is here. (15MB, in 3GP format. Use Quicktime to open on a PC, or upload it to your handphone to spread it far and wide a possible). Credit to my contact in Sibu.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Its a Proton (again)
Back while I was in Auckland, I saw a nice but old Proton Saga hatchback. Here in Brisbane, Proton is selling the Gen-2, Savvy, Arena (called a Jumbuck here), and even the Satria Neo. (Good god!) Honestly, sometimes I can't hide myself with the shame that passes me when I see a Proton on the road. Not to mention how so much cheaper Proton's car's are here, even if you take account to the high exchange rate.
Anyway, I saw a ProtonSawi Savvy parked outside my house:
Front view
Back view
Yes, folks, it is a AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) model! Look mum, no clutch! But it's 100% "manual".
You still need to shift gears.
This is the only thing Lotus about the car. The engine is a Renault, the chassis is German, the workmanship is Malaysian, the power windows 100% Proton. (Some one tell me, which car maker on earth gives a 1 year warranty on power windows?!)
Inside view. By and large it's the same as the Malaysian version. Probably just with better power windows, airbags on both seats, ABS included, not cheap plastic...........
Close up view of the console.
Up close with the AMT.
Overall shot. Next to the Daihatsu for contrast. No, I have no idea who's car's are these.
Registration. And me. :P
What interested me through, was the sun visor:
The "warning" messages are printed in English, French and German! Is Proton thinking about going to Continental Europe?
Anyway, I saw a Proton
Front view
Back view
Yes, folks, it is a AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) model! Look mum, no clutch! But it's 100% "manual".
You still need to shift gears.
This is the only thing Lotus about the car. The engine is a Renault, the chassis is German, the workmanship is Malaysian, the power windows 100% Proton. (Some one tell me, which car maker on earth gives a 1 year warranty on power windows?!)
Inside view. By and large it's the same as the Malaysian version. Probably just with better power windows, airbags on both seats, ABS included, not cheap plastic...........
Close up view of the console.
Up close with the AMT.
Overall shot. Next to the Daihatsu for contrast. No, I have no idea who's car's are these.
Registration. And me. :P
What interested me through, was the sun visor:
The "warning" messages are printed in English, French and German! Is Proton thinking about going to Continental Europe?
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Brisbane City Building
A few days back I decided to pay a visit to the Brisbane City Hall building.
Too lazy to type too much, so this will be a primarily picture post.
The interesting thing about the building is you can go up to the top of the clocktower, and have a look at the Brisbane CBD. I suppose in the old days it would have been the tallest structure in the city. However, now with all the tall office buildings, its kinda dwarfed 360 degrees. But anyway......
I was there.
It's interesting that the clock is below the viewing deck, while the bells are just above you. The guide joked that it scared and deafened many a tourist who went up there at noon. :)
Anyway, views:
Looking towards the Myer Centre at Queens St mall.
Looking towards the CBD where all the office buildings are. If you look closely at the bottom right, you can see Wintergarden.
A old church with the Suncorp clock in the background. The Suncorp clock is probably more seen than the clock below me.
Construction of the Inner Northen Busway, which will link the Queen St bus mall with Kelvin Grove underground.
Ann St. With the same church.
The strip below is a section of the the newly rebuilt Albert St mall.
You can't see it, but this is the general direction looking towards QUT.
The huge dome of the City Hall building.
Looking towards South Bank. The building with the nice bright colors is the new Brisbane Square library.
As I said, picture post.
Too lazy to type too much, so this will be a primarily picture post.
The interesting thing about the building is you can go up to the top of the clocktower, and have a look at the Brisbane CBD. I suppose in the old days it would have been the tallest structure in the city. However, now with all the tall office buildings, its kinda dwarfed 360 degrees. But anyway......
I was there.
It's interesting that the clock is below the viewing deck, while the bells are just above you. The guide joked that it scared and deafened many a tourist who went up there at noon. :)
Anyway, views:
Looking towards the Myer Centre at Queens St mall.
Looking towards the CBD where all the office buildings are. If you look closely at the bottom right, you can see Wintergarden.
A old church with the Suncorp clock in the background. The Suncorp clock is probably more seen than the clock below me.
Construction of the Inner Northen Busway, which will link the Queen St bus mall with Kelvin Grove underground.
Ann St. With the same church.
The strip below is a section of the the newly rebuilt Albert St mall.
You can't see it, but this is the general direction looking towards QUT.
The huge dome of the City Hall building.
Looking towards South Bank. The building with the nice bright colors is the new Brisbane Square library.
As I said, picture post.
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