FRUSTRATING PENANG BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL MARATHON

The Penang Bridge International Marathon was earlier cancelled to much of our despair. We looked forward every year to the Penang Bridge run. We enjoyed the run last year and had vowed to be a permanent participant of the event.

We left for Penang on Saturday after work. Abu drove my car and cruised comfortably at 120km per hour. We stopped by for lunch @ Tapah to carbo-load with a chicken rice. My sister, Emi and friends had left a day earlier. We reached Penang at 5pm and had an early carbo-load dinner before retiring at 9pm. The race starts at 4:30am and the registration starts at 3:15am but we must reach the starting point @ the Queensbay Mall by 2am at the latest since all access road to the Queensbay Mall will be closed thenafter. We woke up at 11pm to get ready for the race and left home at 1am with barely 2 hours of good sleep.

The event had attracted thousands of local, international and school student participants. Although it is a new organiser that organises this year’s Penang Bridge International Marathon event, I recognised the same race marshals and many coordinators from last year and other race-events.

I have participated in more than 20 running events since I adopted running as a hobby and I must say that this year’s Penang Bridge International Marathon event was poorly manage. Although the event organiser is new, I am certain the organiser has the experience in organising running events. Hydration is very important while and after running or athlete may experience hyperthermia or dehydration which is hazardous and can even lead to death. Thus, water station and water availability is a basic necessity in all running event. During the event, almost ALL water station either run out of water or paper cups. The organisers of the Penang Bridge International Marathon FAILED to observe the basic necessity of a race event similar to the Adidas King of the Road race in Shah Alam. I saw many school children and athletes suffered from thirst and could not continue the race.

While the road is packed and congested with thousands of runners, the marshals and volunteers were happily cruising slowly with their motorcycles ala VIP, choking and polluting the runners with their motorcycle exhaust fume. Some runners were coughing endlessly everytime the white shirt marshal on motorcycle passes by.

Running events are organised to promote healthy lifestyle as an encouragement to everybody. It is a good paradigm shift to see Malaysian from all walk of race and age participating in running events. The authority should make it a default requirement for all organisers to ensure sufficient water at all water stations and to FORBID all vehicles from entering the race route (including the marshals and volunteer vehicles).

Adding salt to injury, participants who completed the race with insufficient water and pollution from the marshals exhaust fume had to ‘cool-down’ under the hot sun with no shades or camp. The Queensbay Mall was guarded army-styled by the securities prohibiting ALL participants from entering the Mall. There were NO CAMPS or SHADES provided for the finishers and supporters to shelter away from the heat and hot sun. Camps were only provided for the sponsors and volunteers. Even if the budget was tight (if not wanting to maximise profit from the event), the organiser should at least speak to the Queensbay Mall to allow participants into the mall. Being dehydrated from lack of water supply and exposed to UVA/B or possible skin cancer from the sun, i gave Penang Bridge International Marathon organiser a thumb down.

Despite the many flaws of the organiser, I had a funtabulous time simply because of my love for running. Will I be back for next year’s Penang bridge run? Maybe..........…….

COLOUR BLIND MALAYSIA

COLOUR BLIND MALAYSIAN-

We walked to the nearest Mamak restaurant from the commissioner of oath office at Desa Pandan. We sat as we ordered Nescafe tarik. This was at least my 7th glass of Nescafe tarik today. I lit my cigarette, lean against the white pillar next to our table as I listen to Jay. Jay, an indian lawyer, began by voicing his distress at how members of parliament, politicizes racial sentiment. It is despicable to hear the non-bumiputra questioning the NEP and the bumiputra themselves claiming they will not survive without the NEP. The political party had successfully created racial distress from the non-affected Malaysia citizens.

The concept of NEP never took place in the appointment of Proton Edar (or formerly known as USPD) dealers. The appointments of Proton Edar dealers were never for the Malays nor were there any percentage of Malay dealers being maintained at all time. Proton Edar dealers is probably the true picture of the Malaysia economy without any racial sentiment being politicized. I was in Corporate Finance with the Commerce International Merchant Banker back in 1997, when I first applied and appointed a Proton Edar dealer. Though I would like to believe that my appointment as Proton Edar dealer was on my own merit, having been with the team that was responsible for the corporate acquisition and restructuring of DRB-HICOM, I am sure there were many other qualified Malays. Despite my credibility being in Corporate Finance, Student Union President in a British University and being actively involved in NGOs, the truth is, I was appointed a Proton Edar dealer in 1997 because my dad was the Director General of the Road Transport Department or JPJ, I was 23 years old. The youngest dealer ever appointed.

This reiterates the economics of who-you-know or chronyism rather than the ‘what-you-know’. Whilst the economics of Chronyism may be instrumental to secure a proton dealership in the past, the ‘who-you-know’ or ‘what-race-you-are’ does not have any impact to any preferential treatment on the business well-being of a Proton dealer, irrespective whether you are a Malay, Chinese or Indian. There are many successful Bumiputra dealers and there were also many failed Chinese dealers. Prominent dealers under the late Tan Sri Megat Junid or even Dato Seri Chua Jui Meng irrespective of race ceased to be a dealer when they were still in power, when their business failed. The ‘who-you-are’, ‘who-you-know’ or the NEP does not guarantee the success of a Proton dealer. There was a healthy mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian proton dealers in the network.

The Malays were not appointed a Proton dealer because there were Malay under the NEP, nor were they successful because of any additional assistant rendered by Proton or the government (NEP). The non-bumiputra dealers did not fail because of extra assistant or facility granted to the malay. Even with the existence of the NEP, the rise and failure of a business lies in the COMMITMENT of each individual dealer irrespective of ‘who-you-are’, ‘what-you-are’ race and ‘who-you-know’ chronysim.

The current political outcry politicizes racial disharmony akin of saying the Chinese dealers has been marginalise because of bumiputra benefits that they (Chinese) were deprived. On the other hand, UMNO’s outburst on the Malay needs to be salvage with NEP or bumiputra rights is also unwarranted and unbecoming. These are all old political tricks to gain support.

Do not get conned into believing the political outcry in racial disharmony. Malaysia has progressed well without racial disharmony. To move forward, we must all be COLOUR BLIND and see Malaysia as Malaysian instead of Malay, Chinese or Indian.

INFIDELS AND POLIGAMY ………

So excited were the men every time this topic is spoken and very agitated were the women. Let us not bring religion into polygamy or infidelity as a lot of people will suddenly become the master in this topic… interpreting what the Quran says to their benefit! For that reason let us just define any other relationship with other partner besides the spouse as being engaged in infidelity.

I sipped my 3rd cup of coffee for the day and decided to blog this thought principally because it is a topic of general interest. Infidelity exists in both men and women. But Man is generalised as a bastard because generally infidelity relates more to MEN simply because Men are egoistic, emotional and less sensitive.. and stupid.. dating their girlfriends in the public without any concern of being spotted. Women are equally similar but they are more careful in hiding their activities away from the public (even away from their best friend’s knowledge). Hence, there are more known cases of men’s infidelity than women.

I was lost in thought as I ponder the fate of my friend whom arrived home a day earlier from his outstation meeting to discover his wife in bed with another man. My previous contractor, whom converted and is still a good muslim, went through similar heart breaking predicament to personally witness his wife in bed naked with another man. Vice-versa, recently, another friend discovered her husband playing truant.

But what leads to infidels….? Men cheat for various reasons, the norm being for ‘varieties’… which many men actually PAY akin of going to supermarket to buy the milk rather than buying a cow to get the milk sort of speak. This is a different breed of men and usually does not harm or cause any distress to the spouse or friends… of course the spouse should never find out ;-). It’s the men or women with the cow(s) for the milk that usually drives through the signboard that reads ‘destruction’… or does it? I was privileged to be invited to a Raya open house recently, where the spouse of the host, introduced the second wife to the guests. It is indeed a rare occasion. The wife chose the second wife for the husband after 3 miscarriages to bear the husband more children.

A child can be a noble reason to exercise polygamy for men but men who were or are engaged in infidels usually discounted the possibility of their women too can be unfaithful. It is almost without condition that women must accept and forgive their spouse polygamy or infidels or risk spending the rest of her life in court battle when their man refuse to divorce her (for not accepting his polygamy or infidel affairs) or fighting for child’s custody. On the adverse… if the woman was unfaithful, it is almost pre-requisite that NO man will ever forgive and accepted her…. or risk being labelled as ‘DAYUS’… So funny how life is.

Pondering from the surroundings, without interpreting what the religion says or without any reference to gender, we should just be guided by the old saying.. “Do unto others what we want others to do unto you”. Be unfaithful if we can accept our partner to be unfaithful too.. otherewise, be good! ;-)

Before it is too late...

I was on the 3rd lap of the Kiara park for my morning run when my mind flashed-back those early teen period when I was so fresh, decent and innocent from all notoriety. Running in the morning is so peaceful and getting lost in thought and flashback memories are amongst the ‘kick’ of runners high. Flashed-back moment when I was thirteen, I was more religious then than now. Believing in God akin of the commercialized Santa Claus fantasy to a child, I listed all my wish-list endlessly in all my prayer. I was thirteen and was very attached to my parent. Part my prayer, innocently, I prayed endlessly for god to prolong my parent life beyond mine. I could not imagine being without a parent. I cannot imagine how life will be without my dad or mom. I simply cannot imagine myself in a broken family. For years until my mid-teen, similar prayer was read daily. When I was diagnosed to have leukaemia at 15 years old, I believed that my prayer was heard… this was never spoken but is a topic for another discussion….. my book that I am writing now.

It is more than a months now since my last blog-posting. Whilst maintaining my blog, I am also writing my book. Writing my book is a real experience, to flashback memories, traumas and painful moment of being sick was not easy. I am on tight deadline especially since I want to launch it next year, being the 20th anniversary from the year of the leukaemia diagnosis. Ramadhan, the fasting month last month too was not easy. I was really unproductive.

Today was my first day after 3 months away from running. I changed my exercise regime from the routine morning run to weight lifting at the gym. I had stopped running for already 3 months in my effort to re-gain my ideal weight of 80kg, I was 66kg. I slowed down my pace as I sipped from the water bottle kept on my waist running belt and smiled to learn there is only 3 more kilometres to go. I was breathless and struggled to keep my pace at the speed of 8. My stamina had deteriorated since I stopped running.

The thought of being without my dad or mom was a nightmare during childhood that I never failed to ask god in my prayer for me to die first before my parent until I was diagnosed to have leukaemia. I outgrew the childhood phobic of a broken family when I was diagnosed and fought against leukaemia but the last 2 weeks, the childhood memories recur when I learn that my dad’s heart have 4 blockages and had to be admitted tomorrow at the National Heart Institute for an open heart by-pass operation.

Having battled cancer, I always think and review my life achievements todate and especially what I would want to do in career, wealth, health, social and family planning before my death so that I could live my life to the fullest without any regret. However, I failed to plan for the most important thing in life. I overlooked at what I would want to give and show to the person that I love most and to the person that had cared for me, before it is too late… before their permanent departure.

Though it is not too late, the main question remain, how to show and to care beyond just words, so that the person that I love will know how much I care and loved them.

i was so lost in thought that i didnt realize i had reached my targeted distant for today and had completed the last finishing lap. I wanted to run further but stopped unwillingly. I should slowly build up my stamina and not to overstress my training especially since today is the first day of my run. I walked another 15 minutes to warm down and thought to myself, that I should be spending some quality time with my dad and everyone that I love as a start.

chit chat....

“Get ready, I am on the way to pick u up”, I called Mus (not the real name) who worked with one of the biggest risk underwriter. I came back to find an empty home. Everybody had left for the Disney on Ice show at Bukit Jalil. I was stressed from work and hungry and needed a companion. I had not showered and had just taken dinner, said Mus whom had just got home from work too.

I’ll be there in 10minutes, I know you can eat somemore, I insisted and left home to pick him up. We went to a cosy restaurant in Damansara Height and I ordered the simplest but fastest meal on the menu, the Spaghetti Bolognese whilst he went straight for the crème breule dessert.

The place was packed with mostly expatriate and the service was good. We sat and talked nonsense for the first half an hour while waiting for the food. We wondered the possibility of Anwar losing the Permatang Pauh Election and if only we could cast our one vote each to ensure victory. I figured he is a strong PKR supporter. I merely wanted PKR to win the federal government to wipe out redundant UMNO politician. If PKR win, I am sure a new breed of UMNO supporters will surface. This is a much needed move.

My hot spaghetti Bolognese arrived and I cleared it all up in less than 5 minutes! So hungry was I. Mus is still slowly having his dessert. Interestingly, he, who is 3 years younger than me, wanted to retire now… of course if he wins a lottery. How much is enough to retire? I asked in curiosity. I never thought of retiring. In fact, I can never imagine myself without any work. Work has taken more than half my life away, running after a dream that I pray will come true. I had never asked myself that question. What do I want to do on retirement? Mus said his ultimate dream is to do nothing. He wants to be able to choose his daily option of not doing anything. In fact, Mus said smilingly, his biggest achievement for the day is when he can spend the whole day doing nothing.

I was taken aback. I never thought of it that way. True that luxury is no longer valued in money. Luxury is valued more of the time that you have at your disposal. But I would want more time to enable me to do more work or to do all in my wish list. I never thought of having the time to do nothing. Interesting I thought of Mus’s unique thought. I sipped my ice cold water whilst he had his wine apple cocktail. If ever, he wants to stay home and do nothing, he must have at least huge amount of cash stashed away somewhere. How much money is enough for whatever anyone wants to do when he retires, now or later?

Mus called for the menu and ordered a few more from the menu. See, I knew you could eat more. You just love to eat, I teased. I lost had 12 pounds in weight and I deserve a treat, Mus laughed while justifying his appetite.

There was a time when you will be recorded as one of the richest man when you are a millionaire. Now, millionaires are merely an ordinary public. You are wealthy when you are a billionaire. But Mus’s target was not to be a billionaire or millionaire, he just want to retire doing nothing. How much money is needed for anyone to do nothing and without having to worry about anything and to be able to feed his children?

I want to give that option to my children too, added Mus although he is not married yet. I want my children to be able to choose if they want to work or stay home and do nothing. Wow.. I didn’t see this extension of do-nothing for the children.

I have known Mus since he became a risk underwriter 6 years ago. He is bubbly, creative and perfectionist in his own way and forever finding the fastest solution to get his work done… and then spent the whole day (at work or wherever) doing nothing. Smart. I guess this is another quick solution to his perfect life. But… really… truthfully… I never thought of retirement. There are so much to do and so little time. Maybe I should be thinking of what I really want to do when I retire too………….

Short of licking our plates, we both cleared all the food we ordered. I wonder if the food was really delicious or maybe we were starving. I called for the bill, paid and left to sent Mus back home.

I should be doing some calculation of how much i need to retire and what i want to do when i retire i thought to myself while driving home. is that the right way? or should i or anyone just draw the line and just retire at a certain age with whatever the accomplishment?

Death is an understatement

I spoke to Z a moment ago to see how she is coping. Her husband suffered from a burst capillary in the brain and is physically paralysed and lost his ability to speak. Her husband is undergoing speech therapy and had to go through physiotherapy to walk. Nikki, the husband is in his early thirties and was an active gym member.

A few months ago, he collapsed while walking alone in Bukit Bintang Road, Kuala Lumpur. A passerby found him and brought him to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and the doctor had to perform a brain surgery immediately to save him.

I knew Nikki through Nawal. Niki was a friend to Nawal first when they were both active with RPM classes almost twice a day at the Fitness First back in 2004. Nikki is a fun and outgoing guy.

I am still at the office clearing out my IN-tray that was left in a mess when I sacked my personal assistant for criminal breach of trust but that is a story for another occasion. I sat alone after talking to Z and wondered if there is any assurance in life at all. I have known Nikki for his fanatical enthusiasm at the gym. He exercised regularly although he looked abit overweight and is always smiling and laughing. For a healthy, cheerful and stress-free guy, a stroke-like attack is out of the equation.

But it happens. What could be worse than death? Is it better to have a sudden death or to survived being handicap? I have survived a nightmare being given 3 years to live but hey, at least I know my predicament is perhaps only for 3 years. What if I survived a sickness but without being able to talk or walk or without even any memory or the ability to eat or drink.

I cannot even imagine being in Nikki’s shoe and can only imagine the pain that Z is going through. I feel for both of them and pray for Nikki’s condition to improve.

Thank you

I have received a lot of congratulatory, love as well as good luck letters, cards and gifts from anonymous, sincere friends as well as many that I have not met. I appreciate those sweet thoughts, time and the efforts taken to write and to sent me those letters, cards and gifts. I am touched by your sweet encouraging words as well as the compilations of news paper cuttings, magazines and articles about me with some dated all the way back in 1990.

I have to admit that I have lost many of the newspaper articles and most of the magazine articles dated pre-1996 and those compilations meant a lot me. I am grateful to Siti Zuraidah of Sekinchan, Selangor.

I would also like to apologize for writing in English. My English is certainly not the best but my Malay writing is worse. We always speak English or Kelantanese dialect at home but never a proper BM. Kelantanese dialect is really foreign and those who has never heard of Kelantanese dialect would never understand it. My friend Jak called Kelantanese dialect as German.

Ironically, my mum was a Malay language teacher during her teaching days but I did not take the SPM exam and did not study Malay language after SRP. I took GCSE, UK. So my malay writing really sucks.

My apology for not being able to name all those that wrote to me since the 1990s and my apology too for not replying. The truth is, I do not know how to reply in Malay language but I understand it well. Thank you for never giving up in writing. Your letters, cards and emails had inspired me to battle through tough and challenging times.

The newspaper cuttings, magazines articles as well as some cards and letters that were sent to me will be published in my book that I hope to launch it next year.

Thank you all for the kind words, sweet thoughts, never-ending encouragement and for remembering me.

ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD- THE PAUPER ORGANISER

It was at 1226am when I realized that it was way past my bedtime to be ready for tomorrow’s King of the road race in Shah Alam. I should have at least 8 hours of sleep on the eve of any race to be able to run smoothly. I bought an external 320gb hard drive earlier today and was glued clearing out files to increase the performance of my notebook and time just flew.

I had not packed or prepare my race kit and attire for tomorrow but looking at the time, I left my notebook to bed. I slept the moment my head touches the pillow and cursed at the sudden ringing noise just a moment after falling asleep... It was my alarm!!! Its already 430am. It felt only a few minutes that I got into bed and it was already 430am.

Short of freaking out, I jumped out of bed when I remembered I had not search and prepare everything from my running vest, short, ipod, race number, shoe, my polar watch, water bottle belt to the water bottle. I overheard Nita calling my name from outside. Both Abu and Nita had arrived. They will go with us to the race venue since my sense of direction sucks.

After a good bowel relieved, we headed to Shah Alam. Me, nawal, Emi, Abu and Nita are all excited to run especially since this is the first race that Nita is participating and Emi, my sister’s longest distance run. Dato Fadhil and Datin Azura had already left.

We reached Shah alam at 615am. The race will start at 645am. I pre-selected my choice of song mixture on my ipod and switched on my polar distance tracker that was fix on my shoe. We were fascinated with the title ADIDAS KING OF THE ROAD RACE and had high expectation. The total turn up is more than 8,000 runners.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Chief Minister of Selangor pointed the old revolver up and pose for the camera… typical politician. I hit my ipod and my polar the soonest Tan Sri blew the gun signalling the start of the race. Everybody were pushing sprinting even at the start of the race.

My ipod played the Bollywood song that I took from nawal’s bollywood dance class and went slow at start to warm myself up ignoring the Kenyan, Indian and the professional athlete whom were sprinting like a horse. My body felt heavy and my heart rate was beating fast. I had 4 power gels and my water bottle to feed energy throughout the race.

I paced myself slow at the speed of 7.2 (thank you polar) but my heart rate was 156. I wanted to go faster but decided to pace myself at 156 heart beat per minute.

I ran enjoying the shah alam 'greens' and the Bollywood music. An hour later, Nana ran with me for a short moment. We chatted while running until I met Nawal. Nawal was down with bad stitches and could not run. I was feeling good and felt that my body was all warmed up for a speedier run. I increased my pace to the speed of 8.5, my heart beat was 162.

There were a lot of hills and I loved it. I love the run up hill but slowed my paced down-hill. I learn from my previous mistake. Running down hill will injure the knee. I was in great thirst and was delighted to see the next water station. I had been running for 1 hour and 30mins. I ration the water in my race bottle to last me for 15 km and will always re-fill the water on the 15th km @ the water station. That has always been my training routine.

I was flabbergasted to find there were no glass at the water station and there were only one big bottle of 100 plus that is half full. I deliberated if I wanted to drink from the bottle. Thinking that the bottle had been shared with other people and the thought of hepatitis, herpes and other diseases that could be passed from a shared bottle, I took a rain check and ran without any water. Be patient, there will be other water station ahead, I whispered to myself.

Short of screaming, I was furious to discover the next water station was already closed without any water or any marshals. It was less than 2 hours, 1 hour 56mins to be exact since the race started and there were no water at all for 2 water stations already. This is really FXXX. Adidas is an internationally recognise brand and I expect nothing less from an Adidas sponsored event!

I continue running and was cursing the organiser all the way. I was fortunate to have my water race bottle along. The water slowly depleted as I sip slowly to last me the whole event. I can only imagine how other runners are suffering without water.

Nana ran past me at the last km just before the roundabout. I gave chased and was behind her. This was Nana's longest distance run too. She is Emi's friend. We gave a high-5 and sprinted across the finishing line together. I completed the race in 2 hours 49minutes. This was the worse organised event. Runners could die or fainted from dehydration. I have not been to a such poorly organised event. The marshals too, that was not well briefed & trained, were impatiently waiting for the whole event to finished. There were no sporting spirits at all.

Beside the FXXX organisers, the weather was excellent. There were no sun when I completed the race and burnt a good 2620 calories (thank you again to polar watch). For RM25 registration fee and without any water, and poorly coordinated marshals, this will be my last ADIDAS RUN. There is no pride running the KING OF THE ROAD when the organisers behave like a PAUPER being stingy even with water!!!!!! Thumbs down to SHAH ALAM COUNCIL, ADIDAS and the organising team!!!!

when peace dissappear, there is only faith..

Taman Tun Dr Ismail or TTDI was my playground back in the 80s during my teens. Although i lived in SS3 Kelana Jaya then, i would cycle all the way to TTDI daily to meet friends. BMX was the hip then. I was attached to my BMX more than even my girlfriend then.... Eh... Okay thats not true... but the truth is, i love my bmx and would cycle and gather everyday at TTDI.

My closest friends then were Zarir, Edsimor and Syamreen. Both Zarir and Syamreen stayed in TTDI and so were my other BMX friends like Sofian muda, Sofian Mahmud, Kanai, Shahrun, Wailang etc. We would cycled and hang out until late night without any fear and we never did have any problem.

Those were the good old days... of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000, KL.

My brother came back from london for summer holiday last month. Barely a month later, he was attacked @ TTDI. It happened last week on Wednesday, after he had supper with a group of friends at Mosin, TTDI. As he drove home after supper, at the traffic light infront of VADS (or previously known as IBM building), an unknown black car speeded, rammed and knocked his car from the rear. He was beaten up, slashed with parang and left bleeding unconscious by the road side. My brother did not know the 4 assailants whom attacked him and could not remember the black car registration number.

He was tormented, sustained major bruises and a 12 inch long wound on his back. There were no injuries on his face, head or the front of his body except for the back. Meaning, he was pushed and attacked when he was lying down on his front. Fortunately it was a Parang and does not require any stitches as the wound would be deeper if it was a knife. My brother drove my dad’s red MG that is now badly damaged. I am more devastated to learn that there was neither any bystander that helped or any eye witness that came forward. My brother’s friend arrived at the scene 10 minutes later, found him lying on the tarmac by the roadside unconscious. This incident was kept away from my mum’s knowledge and I trust that the reader will not discuss it with her or any of my sisters (if you know them) to avoid any unnecessary stress. My mum does not use the internet and it is unlikely that she will read this blog. If anyone has any information about the incident, please contact me.

Last night, 6 men with guns went to my neighbour’s house mistaken it for my dad's. They drove a van and confronted my neighbour’s Gurkha guard. One of the 6 men, showed his gun that is secured on his waist and asked the guard to cooperate. He asked the guard if the house belong to the “Dato with an aeroplane whose son always goes out at night (presumably my brother)”. The guard denied and said that the house belongs to somebody else. Upon realizing it was the wrong house, they left. My neighbour called and informed my dad the next day.

It may or may not be related but I am not discounting the fact that someone is trying to hit my family too. I was once warned, when I first launched the Fasfik establishment, that car workshop is Chinese dominant and the Chinese do not negotiate, they kill their competitors. I am neither racist nor do I believe in this remark but I am taking extra precaution in case there is some truth. Nonetheless, since inception, most of the Fasfik outlets had been robbed and my equipments damaged by parang-wielding robbers and the MG was used to site visit most of my outlets.

I met the TTDI police chief and lodge a report. The district CID investigation officer also came and took my statement and is investigating both incidents. The CID found the van registered to a car workshop @ Damansara Uptown. By now, there would have made the arrest for further investigation especially since it involved guns.

TTDI neighbourhood including Penchala used to be a quiet and peaceful area. Now, we all must be careful when leaving home whether during daytime or at night. There is no better and safer place than home. Most of my guards at home are now armed. When there is no peace, we have to secure, protect our family, be strong and have faith that everything will turn out positive.

RUN AWAY....

I am in my car again heading to Subang 2 to meet my vendor Petro Retail. It is not easy to write my blog at home or at the office with so much work to complete and so many discussions with my Head of Departments. Leslie is next to me directing Sanwa, my driver, to Petro retail office as I frantically glued on my Nokia E90 typing my blog. I reckon I have less than 15 minutes before reaching the destination.

Running is undoubtedly the best form of exercise to burn fat. Well not that I am looking into losing fat but since I started running constantly in the past 2 months, I have gone down from 74kg to 66kg, almost 15kg under-weight for my height of 5’11”.

Is that good? To be a good runner, we must keep our body weight light and to run a full marathon or ultra-marathon, having a light body weight is a good advantage but is that what I wanted? i wandered alone. No, I never wanted to lose weight. I was never overweight and it was never my ambition to be a good runner.

What inspires me to start exercising and running was my blood test result. With my ‘re-condition’ body, having gone through heavy doses of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy prior to the bone marrow transplant almost 20 years ago, it will be a matter of time before each of my internal organs collapse. Now, all my blood test results display high positive reading for cholesterol, glucose, uric acid, stone in the bladder etc. Typical and even parts of a 're-condition' car engine too will slowly collapse. I started my running, cycling and swimming as I turn 30, to maintain my fitness given all the negative blood test results.

Being dissatisfied with 66kg in weight, I ran away from running and focussed more in weight lifting for the past 3 weeks. An intensive weight training can increase my heart beat to a 90% max heart rate giving me enough training to improve my fitness level. Weight training had also improved my physique. My weight has increased to 70kg now. I have registered for the Adidas King of the Road 24km race on 10 August 2008 this coming Sunday and I have not been running for the past 3 weeks. The qualifying time is 2 hours and 30 minutes for the 24km race.

I asked leslie who looked bored beside me if he is ready for the Adidas race? Leslie and at least 9 of my other friends were supposed to run the Adidas race with me. Leslie said, my pa, Azhar failed to register Leslie, Sayf and Azlan in time before the closing date. They took too long to decide if they really wanted to participate. We.. me, nawal, abu, nita, Dato Fadzil, Datin azura and my sister Emi had registered earlier being overly eager to run the King of the Road race. We reached Petro Retail office and I am still half way through the blog post. Petro Retail is the authorised supplier for Facep, Italy car workshop equipments and is the only bumiputra company in the field.

After 2 hours of discussions with Kamarul, Petro Retail Managing Director, we left to the Soul’ed Out restaurant at Desa Sri Hartamas for a meeting with another vendor; Mohan from Shell. Yes, without exhausting my effort to post a blog regularly, I continued writing while Sanwa drove and leslie sitting quietly getting lost in thought.

To complete the Adidas King of the Road race within the time frame given, I need to train for distance and speed running which I will again go back to being 66kg without a good physique, except for being thin. I choose to maintain my weight above 70kg & physique and needed to do more weight training but I may not be able to complete the race within the qualifying time. I guess I will only find out this coming Sunday during the race. Good luck to me.

Contrary to whatever the health, muscle and fitness magazine writes, I do not believe in attaining both a good running distance and a muscular physique. It is an ‘either-or’ gain. A distance running will burn both fat as well as muscles and will make anyone too thin without a well built physique but both will increase fitness level. To those who seek to lose weight, ladies especially, don’t waste time and money at the gym and personal trainer; just invest in a good running shoe and start running. Believe me, it work wonders.

LOW-BATT

“Life is like a box of chocolate, we don’t know what we going to get”, a quote made famous by Forest Gump, one of my favourite movie acted by Tom Hanks. Truly, I love it when I pick a chocolate from a box to be delighted with a rich creamy chocolate with crispy hazel nut inside but was not amused when I picked another one to discover a bitter chocolate with yucky sour juice in the middle. Yes, it depends on preference but such is the similarity to life. We give it our best shot to get the favourite rich chocolate with hazelnut, but may end up being bitter. Some people call it luck but I call it fate. Luck is by incidental and fate is pre-determined by the almighty. I never believe in luck as I wondered alone being chauffeured driven for a meeting at Proton Edar.

Yes, I am test writing my blog using my Nokia Communicator E90. It has been almost a week since my last blog-post that used to be daily. I have so much to write but time is always against me. ya ya… nawal called it 'hot hot chicken shit’.. but really… okay, no more excuses. So I am forgoing my regular short nap in the car whilst travelling to meetings and appoinments to write my blog. I have 26 minutes before reaching Proton Edar head office.

Many people feel their success came from good luck or good feng shui or perhaps through following the great horoscope. There are also some, like my buddy Abu, who believed his success was generated from years of sheer hard work but there are also many who worked hard all their life and still far from reaching their goal. Either they are not fated yet for success or simply do not have any luck yet, they will have to be patient and never give up until they meet their fate or luck. So long as we do not give up in our effort, we will be rewarded with good luck or good fate whichever that we believe.

However, giving up is sometimes inevitable as we are all human. We may be drained or burnt out sooner than we expected and may just drop everything and blame it on bad luck or bad fate. That would be ironic.

To avoid burning or drained out, we need a good source of constant inspiration so that we can continue working towards achieving our goal or plan. Our life became a pack of batteries that always requires re-charging. A battery for love, another battery for career and a battery for health etc. When any of the battery is in low-battery (low batt), it requires re-charging.

A good health may disappear too when we are stressed and under pressure. When the health is in low-battery, a good source of recharging is through running. Daily running will keep the body fit and healthy. Similarly, in a relationship, if it is not constantly charged, it can be in ‘low-bat’ and may soon dropped dead or the relationship may break. If your luck or fate is good, the relationship may last longer but if you do not have any luck or the faith in each other suddenly disappear, it is time for re-charging. When we are in low-batt mode, scream to your spouse/partner that you are in low-batt and require re-charging. The source for re-charging may vary but usually, a good quality 30mins to 1 hour aday of chat, tlc or sex can do wonders. It did to me…. (I think… )

What is also important when in low-batt is our religious faith. It has been almost two years now, since I performed my pilgrims and yes.. I was also in low-batt. From an occasional monthly gathering with Dr Juanda, volunteered by each group members taking turn hosting, our group had decided to meet every fortnightly. Dr Juanda was previously Sabah Deputy Mufti who guided us when we were performing our pilgrims in Mekah. One of our group member, Dato Fadzil had volunteered his company's training centre for as our fortnightly gathering point and Dr Juanda had agreed to visit KL from Sabah for every gathering. Without these gatherings, I may drifter farther away and is always in low-batt! These gatherings is a good source to re-charge my religious faith even before in low-batt mode.

We will be in the ‘low-batt’ mode at some point in life and it is best if we can identify the source to constantly recharge ourselves before the battery is dead. I arrived at proton edar in time for my meeting but I have forgotten how to email this my blog to post it. sigh.. I guess, I can only post it later………………

THE CHIEF MINISTER WITH PROTON QUALITY..

Press Release

“AVERAGE MAINTENANCE COST FOR PROTON PERDANA IS LESS THAN RM500 PER ANNUM”.

KUALA LUMPUR. “Terengganu State Government expenditure in excess of RM1million for 16 units of Proton Perdana car maintenance between 2004 and 2008 was unjustified” Said Armin Baniaz Pahamin, Deputy President Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia.

A new Proton Perdana bought in 2004 was manufacturer’s warranted for 2 years. A new Proton Perdana that is purchased now is with an extended warranty for a total of 5 years. With a 5 years extended warranty, it is not possible for the maintenance of a new Mercedes E200 compressor to be cheaper than a new Proton Perdana.

Proton service dealer network had been servicing Proton Perdana since inception and had never charged any Proton Perdana more than RM500 average for a regular maintenance per annum depending on the mileage of the car.

To maintain the manufacturer’s warranty, Proton Perdana must be regularly serviced at a service frequency of every 5,000-10,000km. The cost for each servicing, as per Proton RECOMMENDED SERVICE ITEMS are only RM250 average per minor service. The average mileage for a car owner per annum is less than 10,000km and the cost to maintain the car of that mileage is less than RM500 per annum.

For high user with an average mileage of 30,000km per annum, the average cost of regular maintenance will be approximately RM1,500 per annum with an additional RM1,500 per annum for other wear and tear items such as tyres, brake pads, wiper blade, battery etc.

The replacement of the gearbox can be avoided with regular service maintenance. The cost of a new original Proton Perdana gearbox is approximately RM20,000 but the gearbox is under manufacturer’s warranty of up to 2 years or 50,000km mileage if the Perdana was purchased in 2004. Our new Perdana now is with an option of an Extended Warranty for a total of 5 years or 175,000km whichever is first.

Armin said, the Chief Minister, YB Datuk Ahmad Said should have validated, authenticated and investigated the exorbitant expenditure rather than concluding that the expenses is the real cost to maintain a Proton Perdana. It is naïve to even think that the maintenance for a Proton Perdana will be that costly.

We have sold more than 60,000 units of Proton Perdana since it was launched and is still selling an approximate 10,000 units of Perdana per annum. If the cost of maintenance is as exorbitant as what the Chief Minister claimed, nobody will buy the car. The car is saleable because of the competitive pricing as well as the reasonable cost of maintenance.

“We laud and welcome the ACA probe and investigation into the exorbitant cost of repair to clear the claim made against our Proton Perdana. The Chief Minister’s remark was naive, unbecoming and an insult as well as damaging to Proton especially when the real cost or the authenticity of the repair job was never ascertained. The chief Minister’s credibility is worse than the alleged poor quality of Perdana. His remark reflects his professionalism as a leader”, said Armin.

We urged the federal, state government and the public to also refer to the Proton owner’s manual booklet that is provided with every purchase of new Proton car for the replacement of recommended items for warranty purpose and to avoid being over-charged for replacement of unnecessary items.

PROTON, SuperCARS, SuperBIKES & SuperBICYCLES

1. Proton acquire Lotus technologies in 1996 from ACBN Holdings (a company owned by the owner of Bugatti), Proton has gained an additional source of engineering and automotive expertise.

2. Most of Proton customers and the public are aware of the branding LOTUS and have heard about the Lotus car. However from Proton network first-hand experience, less than 10% of Proton customers really understand the LOTUS DNA in proton cars except for the RM5 logo bearing “handling by Lotus” on Proton Cars which is the main selling point. Once you have driven a Lotus, then you will understand the meaning of Lotus handling but how many of Proton customer had ever driven a Lotus?

3. With the acquisition of Lotus, the public were told that the Lotus cars will be available at selected dealer showroom. Proton dealers were then told to upgrade their showroom and the dealers will be allowed to sell the Lotus as part of Proton varieties. There were no dealer that were allowed to displayed and sell the Lotus although some dealers had invested to upgrade their showrooms in anticipation of displaying and selling the Lotus.

4. Pursuant to the Lotus acquisition, Proton embarked in Proton bicycles and all the dealers were forced to sell Proton Bicycles. Proton Bicycle was a failure and many dealers bought the bicycle stocks for own use instead, to comply to Proton requirements.


5. In December 2004, Proton purchased a majority share in MV Agusta of Italy at 70 million Euro. MV Agusta is the manufacturer of MV Agusta, Husqvarna, and Cagiva motorcycles.

6. The Lotus cars were never displayed and sold at the Dealers showroom although some dealers had renovated and upgraded their showroom to sell the cars and the Proton Bicycle which ended up being a liability to dealers, it is safe to assume that Proton dealers will be selling the Proton Superbike with the MV AUGUSTA acquisition in 2004. Thank god it never materialised.

7. There are still a lot of complain on the quality of Proton Cars, even on the 20 years old saga before it was phased out and replaced. Rather than venturing and diversifying into supercars, superbikes and superbicycles that all have a very niche market, Proton resources should be channel towards meeting the need of the mass public such as quality, affordable range of cars without subsidy, grant or tax/custom excise waiver from the government.

8. However, buying the technologies in the Supercar Lotus, Superbike MV AUGUSTA and Superbicycle T-bikes is a business decision and I am sure the Advisor, Chairman and Board of Directors, the Managing Director of Proton (at the time the deal were signed) are aware of the business opportunities from these super-technologies. But once the Super-dealings have been concluded, to dispose-off the superdealings such as MV AUGUSTA for RM5 (or 1 EURO dollar) is insane and out of the mind.

9. Even if the new shareholder of Proton and its new Board and management are streamlining their products and services, selling their RM350m investment in MV Augusta for 1 Euro is absurd and ridiculous. The sales of MV Augusta for 1 EURO can only be agreed upon by either an incompetent advisor (CSFB or Proton Chairman & its board) or by some ‘interested party’.

10. The MV Augusta had proven to be a wise investment when part of MV Augusta, were sold for RM1.06 billion.

11. I support TDM’s and call for the Securities Commission, the ACA or any MPs to raise in Parliament, to investigate the transaction.

12. The public are concern with the quality of the cars as well as the future of Proton. These internal issues if not resolved, will affect the people working at the proton and its value chain. Their motivation will be affected by the alleged corruptions that will eventually affect Proton's quality, healthy production and sales.

The East Wing

It is amazing how a short stint with a group of friends can be developed into such a close family-hood. I performed my pilgrimage in 2006 almost two years ago. I went there with a good friend Abdul (not his real name) and did not know anybody else. There were 120 of us in the Zamrud Package organised by tabung haji. Now, almost two years later, we are as intact a friendship as if we had known each other all our life.

About 20 of us from the group gathered today at the East Wing, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. Whilst in Mekah, all of us dressed in ‘ihram’, a mere two piece towel-like cloth covering our body without any Louis Vuitton shirt or Gianfranco Ferre jeans, or Hugo Boss underwear.. kinky as it may sound but we were there for religious purpose!.. there were no Cayenne, Porshe, Ferrari or Masseratti. It was relationship built entirely on friendship-chemistry which is almost non-existence nowadays. Today friendship is built on ‘xx Bin VIP’ or ‘Dato/Tan Sri VIP” or whose crony or who you are connected to. As naïve as I could be, little did I realize almost everybody in our group are all VIPs and master in their industry. But these are the true friendship which I would trade all my friends for, at anytime. They are humble, religious, intellect and especially sincere.

Whilst the ladies were entertained by datin pot (not real name), the men were discussing topics of national interest. Yes we were all worried of what is becoming of Malaysia. Our economy is already downward sloping but we were more concern with our country’s political instability. It is unknown in Malaysia politics such a political conspiracy, espionage and greed for power until now. Even a political scientist would not be able to read and forecast the outcome of Malaysia conspiracy. What puzzles me, is who the real Mastermind behind the conspiracy. I doubt Abdullah Badawi or his 4th floor boys are capable of orchestrating the whole conspiracy but from the look of it, he has both his deputy Najib and Anwar Ibrahim check-mate!

Whilst all the politic ploy is currently in favour to Abdullah given his deputy’s credibility at stake when he admitted to attending Saiful at his own house a day after he denies it to the press and the Statutory Declaration implicating his wife in the Altantuya case still hanging over him. Anwar on the other hand, is only all talk in politicising all the weaknesses of Barisan Nasional without any real agenda to what he can do that Barisan component cannot do. His only agenda is to become the Prime Minister.

But we don’t care.. or rather I do not care whatever the political conspiracy, espionage and play and whomever are behind it (though I am puzzled and disgusted), what I care is what we can or the public can benefit from Abdullah, Najib or even Anwar. The alleged corruptions, judicial malpractice are practices that affected only some people from getting projects and the few ex-judges (that was paid millions in total compensation) but these are only the minority. What about the millions of other people? The millions who are not hungry for any concessions and mega projects but merely looking for jobs and opportunity to feed their family. The minority, the ex-judges and the special limited cronies were awarded and compensated in millions but the millions of other people are only compensated in Hundreds (RM625 to be exact- from road tax subsidy). These millions are the people that suffers from the current state of economic conditions but how are they compensated? By the increase of petrol, electricity, chicken, rice, toll prices.. to name a few. We need a fasfik solution for the current state our country economy and not political games.

Our Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi had disappointed us in many aspects (especially when he fell asleep in the world-known Earth,Wind & Fire concert.. imagine his snore when he attempt to understand the nation’s problem), had failed us in the last general election and has not done enough in managing our economy. If he increases the interest rate (which I was told very soon), that will be the start of a very bad period ahead and should be the end of our trust in him especially when all other essential expenses too has been increased.

A plan for a brief 930am breakfast gathering ended after lunch at 2pm. We all agree for a new PM but is inconclusive on who should be the new PM. The political and economic issues were all inconclusive too but Datin Pot and the ladies had concluded their morning breakfast dicussion. Apparently, ladies issues were easier to conclude. The ladies conclude to participate in the 10km run @ Adidas King of the Road on 10 August in Shah Alam. They even conclude for their man to run as well. Nawal will register the ladies and their spouse and organise the first training next weekend at the KLCC jogging track. This is a pure display of women power! We left home to enjoy whatever that is left of the weekend….. have a good weekend.

The one & only...

I was privileged to grow up having my both my mum and dad at home most of my childhood. Although my dad was always busy, but he never failed to be home by 6pm, have family dinner and be the imam (with my siblings) for the maghrib prayer at home and me (hihii.. yes believe it) as the bilal. That was the upbringing during childhood, a sort of family protocol.

Now, what was taken for granted was that moment of quality family time that our parent invested in our childhood. Current lifestyle is more demanding with hectic work schedules and endless meetings daily, that makes it impossible to be home as early as 6pm. My whole 14 years of working life, never ended before 10pm. The saddest part, we neglect both our children that hunger for attention (unlike how our parent raised us) as well as our parent who are getting older every day. Yes, i am guilty as charge.



I celebrated my mum’s 60th birthday yesterday and could not help but to ponder those younger days when I was a child or just a boy. The undivided love and commitment without any complain of a mother is never forgotten especially in raising a sick child like me.

We gathered at home with about 100 relatives for prayer and dinner. After the maghrib prayer, we read the Yasin and tahlil for all relatives that had passed away and prayed for the birthday mum’s better health and for her longer blissful life. We surprised her with my cousin lisz, playing the violin with all of us singing the birthday song.

It was a simple gathering of all relatives. If any of my relatives reading this, thank you for making the night memorable. It is hard to buy anything for a mother because all her life, there is nothing that she want except for the happiness in all her children.

I am blessed to have a mother that is also a good friend and a good shoulder to cry on. i am happiest to see through her 60th birthday. I pray endlessly for my good health to see through her old age and be there beside her until her last day… insyaallah.

Much ado about nothing...

I rushed out of office at 1145am yesterday to Bangsar Village 2 for a lunch appointment at the 'Delicious'. Azlan (not his real name), had already arrived for our 12noon appointment. I had to circle Bangsar a few times but could not get a parking. The recent increase in petrol price did not deter or reduced the traffic congestion. For the first 2 weeks pursuant to the petrol price announcement, there was an ease in the trafficcongestion but now it is almost back to normal. I seldom allow my car to be parked by the car jockey knowing for sure, through past experiences how irresponsible the jockey can be.

I did not want Azlan to wait and unwillingly left my car to the jockey and rushed into the restaurant to see him seated in his elegant banker dressing. He was having his appetizer when I arrived. Azlan, is a banker for more than half his life. He helped me during the last recession. We met today to update each other after more than a year of ‘minding own business’. We both had been busy with work and there is so much to talk especially on current state of our country’s affair.

I greeted Azlan and immediately ordered my favourite Spaghetti Aglio algio and Azlan had the salmon. We lit a cigarette while waiting for our food and poised our first topic of conversation. “What is becoming of Malaysia?”, said the veteran Banker. We have the most prominent ex-banker Tan Sri Amirsham being made a Senator to advice the Prime Minister and the biggest tycoon banker Datuk Nazir Tun Razak supposedly advicing his brother the Deputy Prime Minister but our country is being driven straight into a depression. With 2 of Malaysia best banker advising the No 1 and No 2, we should have the necessary brain to steer us out of the current economic condition.

And so we think….. in the last recession, the currency turmoil further dampens the country's economic downturn but the fix-capital control policy steered us out of the recession instead of Anwar’s conventional fiscal policy instrument, the interest rate. Most of the commodity, petrol and essential items prices had been adjusted to market condition. Our currency, determined by the market forces are also affected but the only fiscal instrument that has not been adjusted or regulated accordingly is the interest rate.

My own cousin, Arman (not his real name) who is a Manager at an establish car distributor said that ALL the management staff had returned the company car (that was extended to them as management perk) in return for a cash allowance. The Managers, with a Volvo as their company car, are only given RM500 as petrol allowance which was barely enough before the petrol price increase. Now, the petrol usage had burst the fix petrol allowance unless they use a smaller car instead of the Volvo. My colleague said, his RM350 monthly grocery shopping at tesco now cost him RM500 for the same items. There is also the electiricty and water rates that had been revised upwards on the same disposable income. The Central Bank Governor's remark that inflation is only 6% is just a grandmother bedtime story.

“I expect the interest rate to go up very soon unless we have an extreme measure to counter the conventional fiscal instrument”, I said to Azlan revealing the hidden agenda of the lunch appointment. I need to know what the banker think of the economy to prepare my company for future planning. Hiding behind his gold spectacle, Azlan smiled and revealed that the interest rate will go up on the 24 July 2008!!! The first phase! The interest rate will continue to increase throughout the year, said Azlan holding his cutleries whilst the waiter served his salmon. Azlan added that all the neighbouring countries had revised their interest rate upwards.

In the 1998 recession, the interest rate was revised upward too, in phases before the whole loan portfolios were frozen. Can we expect similar instances soon? I stared my spaghetti without any appetite. We should expect the worse but hope and pray for the best.

At the moment, it is not only Malaysia economy that is being affected. The whole world is also struggling with the shortages in commodity and the petrol price increase. But none of the world issues were publicised and exposed by our media. It is also possible that the espionage by Abdullah Badawi or Najib were purposely done to distract the attention away from the real problem especially our poorly managed economy. It is hard to digest the government can be so incompetent especially with Tan Sri Amirsham and Datuk Nazir Tun Razak behind the scene. But without a far sighted Prime Minister, even with the whole Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge University deans, lecturers or graduates teamed together as a think tank, the government will not be able to implement any good policies. It is also possible, Anwar Ibrahim escalating the domestic issues over and above worldwide problem to portray Barisan Nasional being so weak for him to capitalise and profiteer.

Obviously, the Prime Minister has the most qualified advisors over and above the oxford graduate SIL especially with the proven successful banker such Tan Sri Amirsham as a senator and tycoon Datuk Nazir Razak being the brother to the Deputy Prime Minister. With the best advisors behind the Prime Minister, the lack of positive implementation in favourable policies can only be caused by the one and only….. the PM himself.

The majority of the innocent civilian who favourably voted for Barisan National will have to digest and swallow the unfavorable policies like how i had to swallow my favourite spaghetti and had to finished it even without any appetite. We have to survive one way or the other. The best way forward is to be prepared for the worst in anticipation of political instability, high inflation and depression.

Ipoh international 21km run

I had never been to Ipoh but the 2 hours drive last Saturday was really worth the trip. I was cruising at 220km per hour on the north south expressway and there was no road block but I had to slow down a few times when I got conned by the poster of the police photographing speedy car that was displayed under the overhead bridge ala real policeman in action.

I left home at 3pm on Saturday afternoon after a good carbo lunch. Nowadays, most restaurant practice ‘no-frill’ menu, mostly bearing no fat, no cholesterol and no sugar added. But my lunch was definitely with free fat, cholesterol and added sugar... for the same price!

My journey was assisted by a pretty and sexy-voiced Sarah.. my loyal navigator…GPS! She navigates me all the way to my destination and I did not get lost! hah.. cheap thrill.. I know but really.. my sense of bearing and direction sucks.. Nawal would know. We arrived in Ipoh at 5pm but headed straight to Sports complex to view tomorrow race starting and finishing point. We went to collect my race number from Suhaimi, my Personal Trainer and the person responsible to drag me for the Ipoh run at the Heritage hotel. Suhaimi was so excited to run the race that he brought along his wife, daughter and both mum and dad… goodness.. I would freak out if everybody were present. As usual, my second sparring partner Abu, conveniently went on sick leave although he had registered for the run.

Impiana Casuarina hotel where we checked in for an overnight stay was only 10 minutes drive from the sports complex. After a hot shower, my good friend Sidik brought us for a tour at his new house before dinner. Sidik’s house still smell new and I had conveniently declare one of the 4 bedroom house as my room!!!

We came back to the hotel and slept early after a very good meal, compliment from Sidik. Unlike the last MBK 10km klang run (last weekend) when I did not have enough sleep, I was all prepared for this Ipoh 21km run. Everything from my vest all ready with the race number, my ipod, shoe, polar watch, cap, water bottle, power gel and shorts were all nicely displayed on the vanity table. I woke up early at 4am but had a stomach upset!!! And went to toilet every 10 minutes, the whole morning…. goodness. At 6am.. I ignored the stomach ache and rushed to the race venue. We were gathered in a field and was made to wore a band to mark the registration.

The event was officiated by the Prince of Perak witnessed by the new Chief Minister. Yes, the new Chief Minster from the opposition party. Perak was one of the 5 states that falls to the opposition. We waited for the Prince to blow the gun and shortly later, the race began. We were disappointed with the organiser when the whole participants for all distant categories, 5km, 7km, 10km and 21km started the same time. It was too crowded and the shorter distance runner sprinted from start whilst the 21km runners were slower causing major traffic chaos and almost accident amongst the runner. Considering the opposition was from a religious fanatic PAS, I was waiting for the Chief Minister to ban the race because all runners were too sexy (for fanatics) exposing their legs, shoulder and arm but thank god, the Chief Minister was civilised and accepted the runner’s ‘uniform’ in good spirit.

The running route was mostly flat road and there wasn’t much hilly terrain. My run did not went too well when I had to cruise the whole 21km at 165 heart beat per minute or 90% of my maximum heart rate… on an average speed of 7.7km/per hour only (thanks to Polar heart rate and speed monitor). The abnormal high heart rate was probably due to the lack of rest the whole of last week. The weather was also good without unbearable heat or rain. I had the best view of Ipoh town through the running route and I was impressed at the town’s cleanliness and friendliness. I completed the run in 2 hours and 37 minutes and was satisfied especially when I had to cruise at 90% max HR on 7.7km per hour speed only. I was praying that my heart or lung wont burst but imagine if i can run & cruise at the same average 220km/hr speed i drove my car on my way to Ipoh....

We left back for KL immediately after the run and stopped by ‘Touches de Siam’ @ Centrepoint, Bandar Utama, for another ‘heavenly’ massage. I will definitely be back for next year’s Ipoh race. Now, I am browsing the internet for the next running event. I have registered for the Adidas King of the Road 22km run on 10 August 2008 but that is in another 1 month!!! I need another run before that or I will be craving like an addict! Oh god……..

Race & races...

I was in a daze when my alarm went off sharp at 5am last Sunday. I usually wake up at 530am daily without any alarm for my morning runs at the kiara hill. I was dazzled for a moment thinking why did the alarm screamed so early and jumped out of bed immediately when I remembered I had the MBK Klang 10km run that morning. That was the first race since the Singapore Ultra marathon about a month back.

I grabbed my spec, rushed to find my race number and in a flash, I was sipping my first coffee in my study room all geared up ready to run. It felt awkward going for a race without my two sparing partners Nawal and Abu. Both had other prior engagement and cancelled their participation at the race day eve.

Klang was a stranger to me but I was fortunate to have the GPS built-in my car and arrived at the race event by 6am. I parked my car and walked to the stadium to warm up and submit my registration number at counter A to start the race. I took note of other participants and notice a good mixture of all races. There were equally as many Malays and Indians as the Chinese. I have run various quarter, half and full marathons in Malaysia and this is the first race with the best mixture of races. It was a truly Malaysian event.

Being a regular at the most popular jogging track in klang valley such as the Kiara hill and the park, Lake Gardens, Kelana Jaya and KLCC, I cant help but to notice the Chinese are the dominant occupant of the jogging tracks. In fact, in all other running event (save as the MBK Klang event), we can find very few Malays and Indians. Similarly at boutique gyms such as the Truefitness which I am currently a member and previously at the fitness First gym, majority of the club members are also Chinese dominated. Sadly, running or exercising has not become a Malaysian culture.

What has not become a Malaysian culture too is the mindset of some ‘races’ in Malaysia. Race is a very sensitive and much debated hot topic with Tun Dr Mahathir being accused of playing the racist card in Johor recently as the last straw to gain the public support. The opposition PKR wanted to abolish the NEP for equal rights in all races. Not to forget the HINDRAF went all the way to the Queen of England to appeal for their race rights. What really are the rights that the Malay is protecting and the opposition wanted to abolish? And what was so important that the Hindraf went all the way to the British Queen bypassing our government, our king and our constitution?

At random, whenever I met my Malay colleagues and friends, I always ask that one simple question. Do you know your rights as a Bumiputra? The Malay were furious and another word by any other races questioning the special privileges for bumiputra as provided by the federal constitution, would have triggered another 13 May with Dato Seri Hishamuddin probably fronting with his Keris. The truth is, a random sampling of 10 out of 10 malay (my fellow colleagues and friends) does not know what are their Bumiputra rights but will not hesitate to draw their Keris if the privileges are threatened. Similarly, I asked my Chinese and Indian friends if they are being suppressed being a Malaysian (but non-bumiputra) and on a similar sampling of 10 different friends and colleagues (non-bumiputra), none of them understood what the big fuss was about but both the Chinese and Indian in their own right will protect whatever they deemed theirs. In other words, every malay, Chinese and Indian will bleed blindly to protect their rights… even without knowing what they are protecting!!!! So here we are, Abdullah Badawi, Anwar Ibrahim and Hindraf provoking the innocent Malaysia politicising issues that none of their supporters truly really understand.

The best pleasure of participating in running races is the real harmony of being Malaysian. It is the best display of unity and solidarity irrespective of race and religion. Everybody run with one objective… to complete the race! Imagine all Malaysian irrespective of race and religion, work together bearing one similar objective (whatever that objective may be), I believe that will be the real spirit of Malaysia Boleh!

FLIP FLOP?

I was sipping my regular Nescafe tarik with some friends at a cosy air-conditioned kopitiam bitching about the current state of our country’s affair when a black SUV with a fully black tinted windscreen drove and parked adjacent to us with the music so loud we could party by the roadside.

Jason (not his real name), whilst happily digging my favourite chicken pie and with his mouth full, mumbles at how JPJ was suppose to engaged in a nationwide crackdown on cars with tinted windscreen. It was headline news many months back in almost all media exclaimed Jason pointing his fork sword-like forward expressing his disappointment at how easy it is for the government to say something today and simply reverse their directive which is now becoming a joke rather than a distress.

We laughed while our banana fritters were served. It was really a joke, said Azhar (also not the real name). He reminded us of other jokes without hesitatingly munching the hot banana fritter. The media once asked our Prime Minister if he and Jeanne Abdullah, before their actual announcement, were married but to be denied at. PM rebutted then said that he was still mourning but a few days if not weeks later, announced his marriage. Azhar, whom shared similar interest in running with me, giggled thinking perhaps our PM was being careful as if it is polygamy.

The Cafe proprietor or so it seems, overheard our laughter and conversation interrupted us and said our PM was funnier when he rebutted the election date when asked by the media. I notice his attire is different from other waiter and even the Manager. We did not know the café proprietor but his friendliness to built a good PR with the customers do not augurs well especially when speaking of politics but I suppose other people share our sentiment too. In his chinese dialect English, he said we were all convince that the election will not be held on the date that was speculated when PM dismissed it although the speculated date was similar to his favourite number. Instead of disgruntling on our PM, we laughed.

Even the recent insurgence of the oil price, the government reacted hastily and banned all foreign vehicles from re-fuelling at our border petrol station and again reversed the directive. John, whom had the last piece of our favourite banana fritters wiped his mouth and quickly said don’t forget the announcement by yours truly PM that there will be no fuel price increased before august and soon thereafter our petrol price were increased by 41%!! Everybody on our table were in silent with only the sound used plates being piled up and utensils thrown into used trays. Somehow, petrol price is still an issue and cannot be joke upon.

This ‘flip flop’ is something that is gifted in some people but what is harder to comprehend is the tinted windscreen. On the one hand our Ministry of International trade and Industry issued thousands of AP (authorised permits) that is pre-condition on various types and models of the car as well as used or new imported cars. Some cars such as the Honda SUVs and Alphard were installed with OEM fitted dark tinted windscreen and were allowed to enter our country although our Road Transport Department enforced the Road Transport Act that forbids any vehicles with excessive tinted windscreen. Certainly there is no communication between MITI and RTD or perhaps our Minister did not communicate with each other? Or maybe the Ministers were awarded with the AP or a dark tinted windscreen permit?

I am also puzzled, said Jason, the fact that all imported cars have to obtained a certificate from Puspakom before registration. Most car owners with heavily tinted windscreen had to remove the tint first before they can obtained the Puspakom certificate for the transfer of ownership but these imported cars can passed the Puspakom and RTD inspection and be registered although it failed the windscreen light penetration test! is there a misinterpretation of our Road Transport statutory act? Jason said he was given a choice once by Puspakom official to either tear the tint or come back again without the tint. To avoid another long queue for inspection, Jason tore the tint on all windscreens infront of the Puspakom official.

It is a mystery how imported cars with heavy tint and tinted films were allowed to be imported and freely installed on any cars by any retailers to the public when it is a pure breach of the Road Transport Act.

In other words, any import vehicles would have to pass through the MITI (for AP) before getting clearance from the Custom Department and subjected to Puspakom and RTD inspection before registration. Tinted films (which is now 100% imported) after passing the Custom department clearance will be sold by retailers (to the public) whom obtained license from the local municipal council and under the purview of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affair.

This mystery was never resolved but the consumer or the public will be prosecuted due to the incompetent coordination by the government.

It was agreed by empirical evident (on a sampling of size of 3.. 4 including the Proprietor of the Café) that the public do not understand how Government Ministries and departments communicate with each other to enforce the law. Before any nationwide crackdown on tinted windscreen, the government via MITI should ban (as a pre-condition in issuing the AP for imported cars) and the custom department should enforce the ban by prohibiting both the entry of imported cars with tinted windscreen and the tinted film into the country. RTD and Puspakom should never passed and register any cars that is in breach. Both the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer affair and the Local council should enforce the inspection of automotive accessories shop and confiscate, and prosecute any retailers in possession of the banned items.

The public (on the same sampling) agree that until the lack of coordination were resolve, all car owners in possession of any heavily tinted windscreen should be left alone. Our initial laughter and joke ended-up in a serious discussions but our meal were on the house when the proprietor (I cant remember his name) signed for it (if he is reading this.. thanks again for the meal).

The famous Anus and LIWAT

I have to admit that learning is a lifetime process. I learn new language and new terms daily. Whilst I would understand LIWAT is sodomy in Malay languange, L.I.W.A.T. is also an abbreviation for Liberation of International Working Group for Anwar in Turkey. Recently I also learn that the opposition abbreviation P.K.R. also stands for Parti Khinzir Raksasa.

Whilst the allegation of Anwar Ibrahim’s liking for young men are of national interest (considering sodomy is an offense by Malaysia law) can he really be the alternative to Abdullah Badawi as the Prime Minister of Malaysia?

The people had conveyed their dissatisfaction on Abdullah Badawi government by depriving Barisan National of not only from a landslide victory but also from its 2/3 majority in the last general election but all the component party executives seems to be fully supporting Abdullah. Can Abdullah given a chance, drive Malaysia to achieve the Barisan National Vision 2020 and stabilise the economy from the drastic increase in fuel price and the price of essential items?

Since all Barisan National component party rallied behind Abdullah and agreeing to whatever and everything that Abdullah or the 4th floor boys submit, what will happen to Malaysia if Tun Dr Mahathir stop issuing statements?

Given the failure in the people’s move to awake our Prime Minister from sleep in the last general election and the failure in Tun Dr Mahathir endless call for Abdullah to step down, Anwar Ibrahim became an important instrument in the public’s effort to ‘humble-lise’ BN.

Tun Dr Mahathir had brought us out from both the late 80s and the 1998 recessions which Anwar Ibrahim failed when he was the Deputy Prime Minister cum Finance Minister in the last recession. Anwar almost sold Malaysia to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and most businesses were almost bankrupted when he increased the interest rate for his political gain in the last recession which was reversed by Tun Dr Mahathir when Tun resumed the post of Finance Minister when Anwar was sacked.

What has the public benefitted from Abdullah’s government? The current infrastructure developments were all of Mahathirism. There is currently no such thing as Abdullah’ism except for the Islam Badawii.. eh.. hadhari.. which even I do not understand. Now, even the islam Hadhari concept had disappeared from the public. What is perceived and felt under Abdullah’ism is the toll price increase (for highway that was completed even before the construction material prices increased), the petrol price increase, electricity bill increase and all other essential items price increases. What is also pronounced under Abdullah’ism is the announcement of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) by only his special officer. Certainly a policy of national interest should be announced by at least a cabinet minister or the Prime Minister himself raising doubt on Abdullah’s credibility or Abdullah’s trust in his Ministers. This again proves the significant of the 4th floor compared to other cabinet Ministers. Typical of Abdullah, once the announcement went sour, his deputy Najib Razak was appointed Chairman of the automotive policy and typical of Najib to accept and become a yes man. As a consequence of the NAP, majority of the public were not able to sell and dispose of their car due to the revision in the used car prices or risk having to pay the bank extra payment to settle the balance car loan. Many used car dealers were bankrupted holding stocks of cars that now fetches below their cost price and new car dealers sales plummeted as buyer were not able to trade in their cars (to buy a new car), to say the least.

Businessmen had to absorb all the increase in operating cost without much assistant from the government. Abdullah’s indecisiveness in the future of Proton too raises further doubt on his long term vision and his commitment to BN’s vision 2020. The vision 2020 is a BN’s future direction which Abdullah as the Chairman of BN should see through its success. Without the vision 2020, there is no other long term vision of Barisan National. Proton and the automotive sector contribute significantly to the national GDP growth and a constant annual GDP growth of at least 8% is imperative to ensure the Vision 2020 is realised. Where is Malaysia future direction now and it is doubtful Abdullah is able to drive Malaysia with his indecisiveness. It is even doubtful that the 9th Malaysia plan can even materialise fully.

Previously, with the mega-projects under Tun Dr Mahathir government (or at least those that was not scrapped), we could at least see our money spend on tangible outlook that benefited the public rather than under Abdullah’s 'corridors' that was launched and awarded as a carrot for the last general election cum the year end UMNO assembly but nothing has started whilst our country's money are depleting, petrol subsidy reduced and the public's disposable income are deteriorating.

It is also a fact that our crime rate had multi fold since Abdullah took the premiership. These are issues that affected our daily life and however positive the statistics that the government portrayed are all immaterial as we felt the negativity in our daily life when we refuel our petrol, shop for groceries, replace our existing car and walk down the street fearing the mat rempik, thugs and snatch thieves.

What can Anwar & his PKR offer that BN cannot? An opportunist by nature, whatever weaknesses in BN is Anwar’s marketing strategy but what is Anwar’s long term vision? True and it is also a known fact that Anwar and PKR long term vision is to make Anwar Ibrahim as the new Prime Minister but that is Anwar & PKR vision, mission and objective! How can Anwar becoming the Prime Minister benefits the public? What about Malaysia’s long term plan and strategy that is probably better than the 9th Malaysia Plan and better than the Vision 2020?

There is no future plan and direction with Anwar and PKR but we do need Anwar to ‘humble-lise’ BN. But Anwar is only important as an opposition and NOT as a government. There is no glory felt in Abdullah’s government given his indecisiveness in everything and if Abdullah resign, Najib will be the next Prime Minister. A man whom half his life was spend as a cabinet minister and never took a stand or so we see. What and how can Najib drives Malaysia further being a yes man all his life in cabinet… if he ever become the Prime Minister! I am speculating that Abdullah is strategising the removal of Najib by planting a reverse psychology that suggested Najib was involved in framing Anwar with the sodomy charges (over and above the Altantuya tragedy to discredit him). When Anwar accused the government of conspiring with Saiful to lodge a police report against him, Abdullah was quick to deny his involvement but went on to say that he did not think Najib had anything to do with it too, indirectly suggesting that Najib is in fact was the culprit for the alleged conspiracy. Najib had to deny, when neither Anwar nor anybody had ever accused Najib.. except indirectly by Abdullah whom triggered with the drop of hint. Najib's denial became a headline frontpage news in all medias (hence government-own media). Wan Azizah (Anwar’s wife) then met with Abdullah for assurance on Anwar' safety further suggested a conspiracy at the highest level. Having announced Najib as his successor, Abdullah and his 4th floor boys had to orchestrate other means to remove Najib and take the highlight away from the public on the Malaysia poorly managed country and economy. It is believed (Abdullah's greatest fear) that Najib is repeating and adopting Anwar previous strategy in removing Tun Ghaffar as the Deputy PM. Even before the election, Anwar’s boys were able to gather enough nomination that left Ghafar Baba with no other choice but to concede defeat. A season politician and always fronting a ‘Yes man’, Najib should be able to gather enough nominations for the President’s post this incoming branch and division meetings in July. This make Najib as Abdullah’s greatest threat after Anwar.

Given the long term Vision 2020 of BN, there is no doubt we need BN as the government but what we needed more now is a strategist and a driver for Barisan National and Malaysia as how Matthias Chang viewed Tun Dr. Mahathir as the Prime Minister. Tun was the sun and the Cabinet was the moon. The moon’s glow is the reflected shine of the sun. Hence, the ministers were perceived to have been effective. Sadly, today, we are experiencing a total eclipse! There is no shine coming from the Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi and as such how can we expect any reflected glow in the Cabinet? ... and the glory of Malaysia.

Good luck to us Malaysian…