May 30, 2008
A Geisha in New York
A Japanese geisha has been teaching New York about the ancient art of her profession.
Komomo, which means Little Peach, danced, sang and signed copies of her book titled "A Geisha's Journey" for curious onlookers in an art gallery and book store.
The book consists of a series of essays and photographs taken by Naoyuki Ogino, who started documenting Komomo's transition into a geisha when she was fifteen years old.
NBA Finals
SHIT ! YESH ! GREAT!
Its gonna be Lakers Vs Celtics !
Bryant Vs Garnett
Cool.. if only celtics win their last game tomorrow.
They are leading 3-2 now
Its gonna be Lakers Vs Celtics !
Bryant Vs Garnett
Cool.. if only celtics win their last game tomorrow.
They are leading 3-2 now
Tech Merger News
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 28 (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc Chief Executive Jerry Yang said on Wednesday a potential deal with Microsoft has tremendous power, but the software giant appears no longer interested in a full merger.
In his most public comments to date about his thinking on the four-month-old, on-again, off-again Microsoft merger saga, Yang signaled his company remained open to a potential deal, but said Microsoft had ruled out a merger for now.
Earlier this month, Microsoft walked away from a proposal to acquire Yahoo for $47.5 billion, or $33 per share, after Yahoo rebuffed its offer, saying it would only settle for $37 a share. "We did not walk away from that proposal. Microsoft did," Yang said during an on-stage interview at the D: All Things Digital conference taking place near San Diego on Wednesday. He said he had felt a combination with Microsoft would have had a "tremendous amount of power."
In mid-May the two companies said they had begun discussions on an unspecified deal that is short of a merger.
"Microsoft is no longer interested in buying the company, and we are talking about other things. We definitely have to understand what they're proposing...they clearly have an interest in Yahoo, and we need to understand more," Yang said.
Last week, a source familiar with the latest round of discussions said Microsoft has proposed buying Yahoo's search business and taking a minority stake in the Web pioneer, but has stopped stopping short of reinitiating full merger negotiations.
As part of such a deal, Yahoo would sell its Asian assets including significant minority stakes in Yahoo Japan (4689.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and China's Alibaba Group, while Microsoft would buy a chunk of what remains of the company, the source said.
In an on-stage interview at the "D" conference on Tuesday, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer suggested discussions had broken down largely over price. "It became clear there was a difference between the bid and ask," he said, using stock trader terms.
In its original unsolicited takeover offer in late January, Microsoft offered $31 a share in a half-cash, half-stock bid, to buy Yahoo, which valued it at $44.6 billion. Yahoo responded by saying it was open to a deal but the offer was too low.
Ballmer repeated on Tuesday that Microsoft had "moved on" but stopped short of saying the mating dance between Microsoft and Yahoo was over. "We are not rebidding for the company," he said, but added: "We reserve the right to do so."
In the Wednesday interview conducted by Wall Street Journal technology columnist Walt Mossberg, Yang said a merger with Microsoft would involve a variety of issues beyond price. He said discussions between the two had never thoroughly explored such non-price hurdles, including regulatory issues.
Yahoo President Susan Decker, appearing alongside Yang on stage, said price had always been the biggest barrier to reaching agreement on a deal with Microsoft.
"We never got through the price door ... once we could have gone through it, then other issues could have been discussed."
Yang argued a competing deal between Yahoo and Google made sense but no deal had been reached. Last month, the companies conducted a two-week test where Yahoo hired Google to run advertising sales alongside Yahoo search results.
"It makes a lot of sense, but if we do something, we will talk about it," Yang said, adding the "level at which Yahoo can fully partner with Google has not been fully appreciated by the marketplace."
In the wake of the breakdown of the Microsoft takeover talks, Yang defended his one year on the job as CEO and said he believed he was the right person to lead Yahoo into a new era of growth, even if the company must invest heavily to do so.
"I do think I am the best person to lead Yahoo," Yang said.
He compared conflicting media reports about who was responsible for the failure to reach a deal to a romance gone bad: "It's like you break up with your girlfriend in high school ... it pretty quickly becomes 'he said, she said'."
Yang reiterated what the company has been saying over the past year: that it "has a lot of work to do" and needs to make investments to reach management's vision of a new Yahoo.
Its strategy involves tapping the underlying social connections of its roughly 500 million monthly visitors to become a "must buy" for advertisers.
One audience member complained to Yang she was having a hard time finding Yahoo mobile services on U.S. smartphones. She was apologetic for drifting off the topic of Microsoft.
Yang was only too happy to answer: "Of all the questions I have been getting for the past four months, I am glad to get a technical question." (Editing by Leslie Gevirtz and Lincoln Feast)
In his most public comments to date about his thinking on the four-month-old, on-again, off-again Microsoft merger saga, Yang signaled his company remained open to a potential deal, but said Microsoft had ruled out a merger for now.
Earlier this month, Microsoft walked away from a proposal to acquire Yahoo for $47.5 billion, or $33 per share, after Yahoo rebuffed its offer, saying it would only settle for $37 a share. "We did not walk away from that proposal. Microsoft did," Yang said during an on-stage interview at the D: All Things Digital conference taking place near San Diego on Wednesday. He said he had felt a combination with Microsoft would have had a "tremendous amount of power."
In mid-May the two companies said they had begun discussions on an unspecified deal that is short of a merger.
"Microsoft is no longer interested in buying the company, and we are talking about other things. We definitely have to understand what they're proposing...they clearly have an interest in Yahoo, and we need to understand more," Yang said.
Last week, a source familiar with the latest round of discussions said Microsoft has proposed buying Yahoo's search business and taking a minority stake in the Web pioneer, but has stopped stopping short of reinitiating full merger negotiations.
As part of such a deal, Yahoo would sell its Asian assets including significant minority stakes in Yahoo Japan (4689.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and China's Alibaba Group, while Microsoft would buy a chunk of what remains of the company, the source said.
In an on-stage interview at the "D" conference on Tuesday, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer suggested discussions had broken down largely over price. "It became clear there was a difference between the bid and ask," he said, using stock trader terms.
In its original unsolicited takeover offer in late January, Microsoft offered $31 a share in a half-cash, half-stock bid, to buy Yahoo, which valued it at $44.6 billion. Yahoo responded by saying it was open to a deal but the offer was too low.
Ballmer repeated on Tuesday that Microsoft had "moved on" but stopped short of saying the mating dance between Microsoft and Yahoo was over. "We are not rebidding for the company," he said, but added: "We reserve the right to do so."
In the Wednesday interview conducted by Wall Street Journal technology columnist Walt Mossberg, Yang said a merger with Microsoft would involve a variety of issues beyond price. He said discussions between the two had never thoroughly explored such non-price hurdles, including regulatory issues.
Yahoo President Susan Decker, appearing alongside Yang on stage, said price had always been the biggest barrier to reaching agreement on a deal with Microsoft.
"We never got through the price door ... once we could have gone through it, then other issues could have been discussed."
Yang argued a competing deal between Yahoo and Google made sense but no deal had been reached. Last month, the companies conducted a two-week test where Yahoo hired Google to run advertising sales alongside Yahoo search results.
"It makes a lot of sense, but if we do something, we will talk about it," Yang said, adding the "level at which Yahoo can fully partner with Google has not been fully appreciated by the marketplace."
In the wake of the breakdown of the Microsoft takeover talks, Yang defended his one year on the job as CEO and said he believed he was the right person to lead Yahoo into a new era of growth, even if the company must invest heavily to do so.
"I do think I am the best person to lead Yahoo," Yang said.
He compared conflicting media reports about who was responsible for the failure to reach a deal to a romance gone bad: "It's like you break up with your girlfriend in high school ... it pretty quickly becomes 'he said, she said'."
Yang reiterated what the company has been saying over the past year: that it "has a lot of work to do" and needs to make investments to reach management's vision of a new Yahoo.
Its strategy involves tapping the underlying social connections of its roughly 500 million monthly visitors to become a "must buy" for advertisers.
One audience member complained to Yang she was having a hard time finding Yahoo mobile services on U.S. smartphones. She was apologetic for drifting off the topic of Microsoft.
Yang was only too happy to answer: "Of all the questions I have been getting for the past four months, I am glad to get a technical question." (Editing by Leslie Gevirtz and Lincoln Feast)
May 29, 2008
TO-DO TATTOO
The perfect solution for your shoddy short-term memory
Here’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute to anyone who’s ever scribbled a reminder on their hand or wrist. Err, that would be about everybody, right? Our To-Do Tattoo kit includes 12 graphic “To Do” forms that you can apply to your body wherever it’s most convenient (or creative) and a skin-safe, washable-ink gel pen. You’ll never again have to make lame excuses for missing bowling night or your mom’s birthay. Nifty peggable blistercard packaging.
Design: Andy Ward, OOF Collective
©2008 FRED
Here’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute to anyone who’s ever scribbled a reminder on their hand or wrist. Err, that would be about everybody, right? Our To-Do Tattoo kit includes 12 graphic “To Do” forms that you can apply to your body wherever it’s most convenient (or creative) and a skin-safe, washable-ink gel pen. You’ll never again have to make lame excuses for missing bowling night or your mom’s birthay. Nifty peggable blistercard packaging.
Design: Andy Ward, OOF Collective
©2008 FRED
Noodle-eating Rider
The video clip has become a big hit on forums in Taiwan. Police say according to an analysis of the clip the incident could have taken place around Yuanlin or Zhanghua town. Miao Renwei, head of traffic police in Zhanghua town says if the location is confirmed they'll search for the man, who faces a hefty fine.
李玖哲~我會好好過 MV
***************************************************************
***************************************************************
你的愛很像泡沫
太輕或太重 都不在手中
我的愛就像天空
太放或太收 你都只是風
你來過卻愛上自由 你出走我不問理由
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
你的愛很像泡沫
太輕或太重 都不在手中
我的愛就像天空
太放或太收 你都只是風
你來過卻愛上自由 你出走我不問理由
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
你留下很多
夠我面對寂寞
寂寞不重 縱使愛太弱
我會好好過 等妳回頭
會看到的一定是我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
***************************************************************
Look carefully...
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
Does it touch you.
It did.
Loosely Translated as ...
I will get on with life till you decide to love me again
There's bound to be something/somewhere which will remind you of me
I will get on with life till you decide to love me again
To the left or to the right
I will stand here waiting for you
***************************************************************
你的愛很像泡沫
太輕或太重 都不在手中
我的愛就像天空
太放或太收 你都只是風
你來過卻愛上自由 你出走我不問理由
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
你的愛很像泡沫
太輕或太重 都不在手中
我的愛就像天空
太放或太收 你都只是風
你來過卻愛上自由 你出走我不問理由
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
你留下很多
夠我面對寂寞
寂寞不重 縱使愛太弱
我會好好過 等妳回頭
會看到的一定是我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
***************************************************************
Look carefully...
我會好好過 等你再愛我
總有個角落 會讓你想起我
我會好好過 等你再愛我
向右或向左
都有我站在這裡守候
Does it touch you.
It did.
Loosely Translated as ...
I will get on with life till you decide to love me again
There's bound to be something/somewhere which will remind you of me
I will get on with life till you decide to love me again
To the left or to the right
I will stand here waiting for you
May 28, 2008
Latest on Pedra Branca
The International Court of Justice ended a long-running dispute between Singapore and Malaysia over three maritime features (or as we normal non-lawyer people say, "piles of rocks in the sea") last week.
The ICJ ruled that Pedra Branca, the site of the Horsburgh Lighthouse, was owned by Singapore, while a small outcropping named Middle Rocks went to Malaysia, and the last (mostly submerged) feature called South Ledge had to be split, though the Court declined to say exactly how, since both Singapore and Malaysia neh ask them to do it.
"The important thing is we got back the big prize, which is Pedra Branca," said Ministry of Law spokesman Chin Ah Heng. "I mean, a win is a win, even though really, when you think about it, hor, we got Pedra Branca not because of any real official ownership transfer, but because Malaysia was si peh slack."
Now that the ownership of Pedra Branca has been established, Mr. Chin said, Singapore can proceed with its development plans for the football-field sized territory.
"We think the Horsburgh Lighthouse needs a makeover to reflect the changing face of Singapore," he said. "So we want to make it the Horsburgh Lighthouse cum casi… sorry, sorry, integrated resort. The top floor where the light is can be a nightclub or revolving restaurant."
To make transport to the Horsburgh IR easy for high rollers, the Ministry of Territorial Development hopes to reclaim a long strip of land, to be developed as an expressway all the way to Pedra Branca. "We hope to connect Sentosa and Marina to Pedra Branca, just like the way the little islets of Florida Keys are joined by a highway in the US," said Mr. Chin. "To help finance the construction of this expressway, we will be establishing ERP gantries along its entire way."
Malaysia has reacted, unsurprisingly, with alarm at this prospect, and not to be outdone, has said they too want to connect Middle Rocks with the nearest spot on their mainland, which is Tanjong Penyusop, also known as Point Romania.
"The Malaysians can do whatever they want with their territory," said Mr. Chin. "But they cannot have a straight connection from Point Romania to Middle Rocks, because it would cross our territorial waters. So they'd have to go around Pedra Branca. But they should be okay with that. Malaysians seem to like the idea of building curvy bridges to nowhere."
Both countries maintain that they are willing to negotiate but Malaysia has said they might not agree to submit disputes to the ICJ again.
"Halamak," said Malaysian Deputy Vice Foreign Minister Datuk Mohd Rugi bin Pulau. "This form of Western adjudication is biased against us. We should choose a form of dispute resolution that is more advantageous to Malaysia. Like a penalty shoot out."
Meanwhile in Singapore, there have been small rumblings of opposition to the proposed highway to Pedra Brance, from an unlikely source: the Singapore Police Force.
"Our manpower resources are already strapped," said Deputy Assistant Superintendent Boh Lang Leow. "We really don't need an additional 13 sq. km of territory for us to search for Mat Alamak."
^Via Talkingcock.com^
Aftermath of Toilet Break - Superintendent sacked, Gurkha guards demoted
| May 28, 2008 |
Superintendent of WRDC Who he is: The most senior officer in charge of ground management at Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC). His rank was equivalent to that of a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Lieutenant-Colonel. Why he's to blame: He should have told the renovation contractor to install grilles on the ventilation window in the toilet of the Family Visitation Block. Instead, he asked for the window's handle to be sawn off in the 'mistaken belief that it was a sufficient security measure'. This, Mr Wong said, was a 'serious error'. And it gave Mas Selamat the chance to escape. The superintendent was also held responsible for the lack of supervision over his subordinates, whose lapses led to the escape. Deputy superintendent of WRDC Who he is: The second most senior officer in charge of ground management at WRDC. His rank was equivalent to an SAF Major. Why he's to blame: He lacked supervision over his subordinates whose lapses led to the escape. Apart from being demoted, he also got a pay cut. Special Duty Operative (SDO) at WRDC Who she is: Junior officer whose job is to make arrangements for family visits, including supervising the movement of detainees from the cell to the family visit room. Why she's to blame: She failed to take 'immediate and decisive action' after the guards alerted her about the escape. She also did not observe proper procedures, for instance, in the 'accurate registration of clothes that were personal to (Mas Selamat) and WRDC-issued clothes'. 'That was why Mas Selamat was able to wear more than one layer of clothes on the day of his escape,' Mr Wong noted. SDO's supervisor ALSO RELIEVED OF SUPERVISORY DUTIES Who he is: Senior officer holding a rank equivalent of Inspector of Police or an SAF lieutenant. Why he's to blame: He failed to do a proper security assessment of the detainees' use of the toilet at the Family Visitation Block. His letter of reprimand will be entered into his service record and will have a negative impact on his future career. Technical officer at WDRC Who he is: He was responsible for the CCTV upgrading at WRDC. Why he's to blame: Though the new CCTV system had yet to be commissioned at the time of the escape, he should have ensured that the vendor had correctly carried out the instructions so that the system was recording. His letter of warning will be a black mark on his service record and will affect his future career. Chief Warder at WRDC
Who she is: She was the one who approached the superintendent to let detainees use the toilet at the Family Visitation Block. Why she's to blame: Though she was not directly involved in the incident, as an experienced officer, she should have considered the security implications of allowing detainees to use that toilet. Her letter of warning will be a black mark on her service record and will affect her future career. Two Gurkha guards Who they are: They escorted Mas Selamat to the toilet from where he escaped. They were charged by the police and pleaded guilty. Why they're to blame: They allowed Mas Selamat to change out of sight and let him close the door of the urinal cubicle. They also failed to act immediately after they found Mas Selamat missing. ISD's command director Who he is: The WRDC superintendent and administration staff members reported to him. He reported directly to the ISD director and oversaw several distinct functional divisional units, of which WRDC was one. His rank was equivalent to a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police or an SAF Brigadier-General. Why he's to blame: The Committee of Inquiry (COI) found that he was not at fault, and that he had in fact made several improvements to WRDC. While Mr Wong accepted the COI's assessment, he still decided to relieve the command director of the position on 24 Apr. He explained: 'Even though he was not responsible for the lapses of specific officers down the line, he bears responsibility on account of his statutory appointment as officer-in-charge of WRDC.' While disciplinary action was not taken against the command director, the incident and his removal will affect his performance appraisal. |
Random Quote
"The kind of religious life we see abroad today is entirely different from the robust holiness of the life of Jesus." That robust humanity was not the result of an asceticism or isolation from the reality about Him, but that "He was inwardly disconnected all the time. He was not aloof, but he lived in another world…never allow[ing] anything to interfere with His consecration of spiritual energy."
Likewise for ourselves, as in the Lord's example, we are to be in the world but not of it; to be disconnected fundamentally, not externally.
Art Katz
What Girls don't know
The latest men-women war emails that landed in my inbox. Surprisingly, this was sent by a lady titled "What girls don't know". Go figure. Not wholly true but have pretty much that are quite accurate. Guys, you know which ones are true
--Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.
--Guys go crazy over a girl's smile.
--Guys will do anything just to get you to notice him
--Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend or ex love-interest.
--Boyfriends need to be reassured often that they're still loved.
--Don't talk about your guy friends to your boyfriend.
--Guys get jealous easily.
--Guys are more emotional than they'd like people to think.
--Giving a guy a hanging message like "You know what?!..uh...nevermind.." would make
him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking. And he'll assume he did something wrong and he'll obsess about it trying to figure it out.
--Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like.
--A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.
--Guys love you more than you love them if they are serious in your relationships.
--Guys think WAY too much. One small thing a girl does, even if she doesn't notice it can make the guy think about it for hours, trying to figure out what it meant.
--Guys seek for advice from girls not other guys. Because most guys think alike, so if one guy's confused, then we're all confused.
--When a guy asks you to leave him alone, he's just actually saying, "Please come and listen to me."
--If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him. It doesn't happen that often, so when it does, you know somethings' up.
--If your best guy friend seems to avoid you or is never around when you're with your boyfriend, he's probably jealous and likes you.
--When a guy tells you that you are beautiful, don't say you aren't. It makes them want to stop telling you because they don't want you to disagree with them.
--When a guy looks at you for longer than a second, he's definitely thinking of something.
--Guys don't like girls who punch harder than they do.
--A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes.
--Don't be a snob. Guys can be intimidated and give up easily.
--Guys talk about girls more than girls talk about guys.
--Guys hate rejection, but they hate being led on even more.
--If you are going to reject a guy, just do it. Don't say they are like a brother or just good friends, it just hurts even more. Tell them that you aren't interested in a relationship and they will respect you.f--Guys really think that girls are strange and have unpredictable decisions and are confusing but somehow are drawn even more to them.--When a guy sacrifices his sleep and health just to be with you, he really likes you and wants to be with you as much as possible.
--Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.
--Guys go crazy over a girl's smile.
--Guys will do anything just to get you to notice him
--Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend or ex love-interest.
--Boyfriends need to be reassured often that they're still loved.
--Don't talk about your guy friends to your boyfriend.
--Guys get jealous easily.
--Guys are more emotional than they'd like people to think.
--Giving a guy a hanging message like "You know what?!..uh...nevermind.." would make
him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking. And he'll assume he did something wrong and he'll obsess about it trying to figure it out.
--Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like.
--A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.
--Guys love you more than you love them if they are serious in your relationships.
--Guys think WAY too much. One small thing a girl does, even if she doesn't notice it can make the guy think about it for hours, trying to figure out what it meant.
--Guys seek for advice from girls not other guys. Because most guys think alike, so if one guy's confused, then we're all confused.
--When a guy asks you to leave him alone, he's just actually saying, "Please come and listen to me."
--If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him. It doesn't happen that often, so when it does, you know somethings' up.
--If your best guy friend seems to avoid you or is never around when you're with your boyfriend, he's probably jealous and likes you.
--When a guy tells you that you are beautiful, don't say you aren't. It makes them want to stop telling you because they don't want you to disagree with them.
--When a guy looks at you for longer than a second, he's definitely thinking of something.
--Guys don't like girls who punch harder than they do.
--A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes.
--Don't be a snob. Guys can be intimidated and give up easily.
--Guys talk about girls more than girls talk about guys.
--Guys hate rejection, but they hate being led on even more.
--If you are going to reject a guy, just do it. Don't say they are like a brother or just good friends, it just hurts even more. Tell them that you aren't interested in a relationship and they will respect you.f--Guys really think that girls are strange and have unpredictable decisions and are confusing but somehow are drawn even more to them.--When a guy sacrifices his sleep and health just to be with you, he really likes you and wants to be with you as much as possible.
May 27, 2008
For my best pals who drive in regularly to JB for 90cents petrol per litre
Border towns: No petrol sales to foreign cars
By SIM LEOI LEOI and MEERA VIJAYAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol stations located in border states like Johor and Perlis will be barred from selling petrol and diesel to foreign-registered cars starting Friday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the move, aimed at plugging loopholes in the current subsidy system, was decided during an anti-inflation committee meeting yesterday.
The ban will involve between 200 and 300 petrol stations in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Perak and the Johor Baru and Kulai areas in Johor.
Currently, petrol stations are not allowed to sell more then 20 litres of petrol to foreign vehicles.
"This move is temporary until we come up with better management of our subsidy system," he told reporters.
At present, Shahrir said too many foreign-registered cars, particularly those from neighbouring countries, had been crossing into Malaysia to take advantage of the lower fuel and diesel prices.
"I have been instructed to use my power under the Control of Supply Act to direct and ban the sale of subsidised fuel to these foreign cars. This applies to petrol stations located as far as 50km from the border," he said.
Besides the northern states and the Johor Baru and Kulai areas of Johor, Shahrir said he was also studying if the ban should include petrol stations in Pontian.
He said the petrol stations would be notified by the ministry to adhere to the move.
Shahrir said that besides putting up signboards informing motorists of this new ruling, enforcement officers would also be stationed at the petrol stations to ensure businesses complied with the ruling.
"I will inform my officers about this latest decision and it will take effect by Friday or the latest Monday," he said.
Shahrir said those caught flouting the ruling could be fined up to RM250,000.
However, he said foreign-registered vehicles which entered the country for tourism purposes could still fill up their tanks in places like Penang and Malacca where the ban would not apply.
"They should enter the country with full tanks and they have to plan their journey," he said.
In Johor Baru, petrol station owners and managers were shocked with the announcement.
Petrol dealer Andy Wong said such a decision had huge implications on petrol station owners as a large number of stations situated near the Causeway depended heavily on their Singaporean clientele.
"If it is within 50km, then the whole of Johor Baru is affected," he said when met at his station last night.
Other petrol station owners said they were awaiting more information.
One petrol station manager, whose station services hundreds of Singapore-registered vehicles daily, said: "So far, talks have only been about petrol subsidies. This has never been spoken about."
He said petrol station owners had not been consulted about the matter.
KUALA LUMPUR - FOREIGN-REGISTERED vehicles from Singapore and Thailand will not be allowed to buy petrol or diesel at stations within 50km of Malaysian borders, from as early as this Friday.
The new ruling is intended to prevent foreign vehicles from entering Malaysia to buy the heavily-subsidised fuel.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad told The Straits Times that there would be no restriction on purchase of fuel from stations outside the designated zone.
'This will come into force on Friday, or at the latest (next) Monday,' he said.
He said the problem is mainly caused by Thai-registered vehicles that come into Malaysia just to top up fuel, but the government has decided to extend it to Singapore-registered ones as well.
He does not have data on the number of vehicles or amount of fuel sold to these vehicles, but the leakage was a 'serious problem'.
Written directives will be issued to 300 petrol kiosks in the designated zone not to let foreign vehicles fill up, he said.
The penalty for station owners who flout the rule is a fine of up to RM250,000 (S$108,000) or a jail term of three years.
Malaysia subsidises its fuel heavily, to the tune of RM40 billion last year.
The government is moving cautiously to roll back subsidies for fear of political repercussions as the cost of living soars. The move against foreign vehicles is a way to cut its subsidy bill without affecting Malaysians.
Mr Shahrir said this was an interim measure while the government looked into ways to reform its subsidy mechanism.
He said the move was 'not targeted at tourists or those who are genuinely visiting Malaysia. If they drive from Singapore to Penang, they can buy fuel at any station outside the 50km radius from the border,' he said.
The move would affect Singaporeans like Mr Edwin Ngin Kuan Wee, who drives twice a week from his home in Telok Blangah to Johor Baru during weekdays, just to top up the tank.
Even with the three-quarter-tank rule imposed by the Republic on Singapore cars, he manages to save on each trip in his Toyota Celica.
He fills up a quarter of the tank, about 26 litres, each time in JB at RM1.92 a litre, or a total of $21.10.
In Singapore, the same amount would cost him $54.60 at $2.10 a litre, saving him $33.50.
'I am not sure it will be worthwhile for me to drive 50km into Johor for petrol,' said the 26-year-old sales engineer.
Said transport executive Faisal Hassan, 28, who drives to JB weekly for shopping and dining: 'I would not want to travel 50km away from the border for safety reasons and there are no prominent shopping centres I know of.'
A drive of 50km from the Causeway would roughly take you near Desaru or Kota Tinggi, or if you are travelling on the North-South Expressway, near Sedenak, he said.
By SIM LEOI LEOI and MEERA VIJAYAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Petrol stations located in border states like Johor and Perlis will be barred from selling petrol and diesel to foreign-registered cars starting Friday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the move, aimed at plugging loopholes in the current subsidy system, was decided during an anti-inflation committee meeting yesterday.
The ban will involve between 200 and 300 petrol stations in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Perak and the Johor Baru and Kulai areas in Johor.
Currently, petrol stations are not allowed to sell more then 20 litres of petrol to foreign vehicles.
"This move is temporary until we come up with better management of our subsidy system," he told reporters.
At present, Shahrir said too many foreign-registered cars, particularly those from neighbouring countries, had been crossing into Malaysia to take advantage of the lower fuel and diesel prices.
"I have been instructed to use my power under the Control of Supply Act to direct and ban the sale of subsidised fuel to these foreign cars. This applies to petrol stations located as far as 50km from the border," he said.
Besides the northern states and the Johor Baru and Kulai areas of Johor, Shahrir said he was also studying if the ban should include petrol stations in Pontian.
He said the petrol stations would be notified by the ministry to adhere to the move.
Shahrir said that besides putting up signboards informing motorists of this new ruling, enforcement officers would also be stationed at the petrol stations to ensure businesses complied with the ruling.
"I will inform my officers about this latest decision and it will take effect by Friday or the latest Monday," he said.
Shahrir said those caught flouting the ruling could be fined up to RM250,000.
However, he said foreign-registered vehicles which entered the country for tourism purposes could still fill up their tanks in places like Penang and Malacca where the ban would not apply.
"They should enter the country with full tanks and they have to plan their journey," he said.
In Johor Baru, petrol station owners and managers were shocked with the announcement.
Petrol dealer Andy Wong said such a decision had huge implications on petrol station owners as a large number of stations situated near the Causeway depended heavily on their Singaporean clientele.
"If it is within 50km, then the whole of Johor Baru is affected," he said when met at his station last night.
Other petrol station owners said they were awaiting more information.
One petrol station manager, whose station services hundreds of Singapore-registered vehicles daily, said: "So far, talks have only been about petrol subsidies. This has never been spoken about."
He said petrol station owners had not been consulted about the matter.
KUALA LUMPUR - FOREIGN-REGISTERED vehicles from Singapore and Thailand will not be allowed to buy petrol or diesel at stations within 50km of Malaysian borders, from as early as this Friday.
The new ruling is intended to prevent foreign vehicles from entering Malaysia to buy the heavily-subsidised fuel.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad told The Straits Times that there would be no restriction on purchase of fuel from stations outside the designated zone.
'This will come into force on Friday, or at the latest (next) Monday,' he said.
He said the problem is mainly caused by Thai-registered vehicles that come into Malaysia just to top up fuel, but the government has decided to extend it to Singapore-registered ones as well.
He does not have data on the number of vehicles or amount of fuel sold to these vehicles, but the leakage was a 'serious problem'.
Written directives will be issued to 300 petrol kiosks in the designated zone not to let foreign vehicles fill up, he said.
The penalty for station owners who flout the rule is a fine of up to RM250,000 (S$108,000) or a jail term of three years.
Malaysia subsidises its fuel heavily, to the tune of RM40 billion last year.
The government is moving cautiously to roll back subsidies for fear of political repercussions as the cost of living soars. The move against foreign vehicles is a way to cut its subsidy bill without affecting Malaysians.
Mr Shahrir said this was an interim measure while the government looked into ways to reform its subsidy mechanism.
He said the move was 'not targeted at tourists or those who are genuinely visiting Malaysia. If they drive from Singapore to Penang, they can buy fuel at any station outside the 50km radius from the border,' he said.
The move would affect Singaporeans like Mr Edwin Ngin Kuan Wee, who drives twice a week from his home in Telok Blangah to Johor Baru during weekdays, just to top up the tank.
Even with the three-quarter-tank rule imposed by the Republic on Singapore cars, he manages to save on each trip in his Toyota Celica.
He fills up a quarter of the tank, about 26 litres, each time in JB at RM1.92 a litre, or a total of $21.10.
In Singapore, the same amount would cost him $54.60 at $2.10 a litre, saving him $33.50.
'I am not sure it will be worthwhile for me to drive 50km into Johor for petrol,' said the 26-year-old sales engineer.
Said transport executive Faisal Hassan, 28, who drives to JB weekly for shopping and dining: 'I would not want to travel 50km away from the border for safety reasons and there are no prominent shopping centres I know of.'
A drive of 50km from the Causeway would roughly take you near Desaru or Kota Tinggi, or if you are travelling on the North-South Expressway, near Sedenak, he said.
Diary of a Man
Gotten this off my best friend, Rainne, a woman. Dunno to laugh or to shake head. An msn emoticon best suits this post, *palmtoface*
dun read on if you're offended by coarse language.
******************************************************************
1. When I was born, I got a choice - A big dick or a good memory.
I'm unable to remember what I chose.
2. Your birth certificate is an apology letter from the condom factory.
3. A wife is a sex object. Every time you ask for sex, she objects.
4. Impotence: It's nature's way of saying "no hard feelings".
5. There are only two four letter words that are offensive to men - "don't" and "stop"; unless they are used together.
6. Panties are not the best thing on earth, but next to the best thing on earth.
7. There are three stages to sex in a person's life: Tri Weekly, Try Weekly, and Try Weakly.
8. Virginity can be cured.
9. Virginity is not dignity; it's a lack of opportunity.
10. Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand.
11. I tried phone sex once, but the holes in the dialer were too small.
12. Marriage is the only war where you get to sleep with the enemy.
13. Q: What's an Australian kiss?
A: The same thing as a French kiss; only down under.
14. A newly married couple was happy with the "whole thing". He was happy with the Hole and she was happy with the Thing!
15. Q: What are the three biggest tragedies in a man's life?
A: Life sucks, job sucks and the wife doesn't.
16. Q: What's the difference between a bitch and a whore?
A: A whore sleeps with everyone at the party and a bitch sleeps with everyone except you.
17. Q: Why do men find it difficult to make eye contact?
A: Breasts don't have eyes.
18. Of course you've heard about the Viagra computer virus; it turns your 31/2 inch floppy into a hard disk.
19. despite the old saying, "Don't take your troubles to bed", many men still sleep with their wives!!!
dun read on if you're offended by coarse language.
******************************************************************
1. When I was born, I got a choice - A big dick or a good memory.
I'm unable to remember what I chose.
2. Your birth certificate is an apology letter from the condom factory.
3. A wife is a sex object. Every time you ask for sex, she objects.
4. Impotence: It's nature's way of saying "no hard feelings".
5. There are only two four letter words that are offensive to men - "don't" and "stop"; unless they are used together.
6. Panties are not the best thing on earth, but next to the best thing on earth.
7. There are three stages to sex in a person's life: Tri Weekly, Try Weekly, and Try Weakly.
8. Virginity can be cured.
9. Virginity is not dignity; it's a lack of opportunity.
10. Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand.
11. I tried phone sex once, but the holes in the dialer were too small.
12. Marriage is the only war where you get to sleep with the enemy.
13. Q: What's an Australian kiss?
A: The same thing as a French kiss; only down under.
14. A newly married couple was happy with the "whole thing". He was happy with the Hole and she was happy with the Thing!
15. Q: What are the three biggest tragedies in a man's life?
A: Life sucks, job sucks and the wife doesn't.
16. Q: What's the difference between a bitch and a whore?
A: A whore sleeps with everyone at the party and a bitch sleeps with everyone except you.
17. Q: Why do men find it difficult to make eye contact?
A: Breasts don't have eyes.
18. Of course you've heard about the Viagra computer virus; it turns your 31/2 inch floppy into a hard disk.
19. despite the old saying, "Don't take your troubles to bed", many men still sleep with their wives!!!
Updated Menu Pricing From TP
Price increase without further notice.
Speeding:
Exceeding 1 - 20km/h = $130 + 4 demerit points.
Exceeding 21 - 30km/h = $150 + 6 demerit points.
Exceeding 31 - 40km/h = $180 + 8 demerit points.
Exceeding 41 - 50km/h = >$200 + 12 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding 51 - 60km/h = >$200 + 18 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding >61km/h = >$200 + 24 demerit points + Court.
If you want to be hero and fight the court case yourself, and you lose, you pay the court charges yourself, which will add up to your fine.
The court charges should be at least $200 and above.
Careless driving = $150 + 6 demerit Points.
Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court.
Dangerous Driving = >$200 + 24 Demerit Points + Court + Vehicle Compounded.
Illegal Racing = >$200 + Vehicle Confiscate + Court.
Fail to put Seat Belt = $120 + 3 demerit points.
Crossing Double White lines = $130 + 4 points.
Phone and Drive = $200 + 12 demerit point + Phone Confiscate.
Do not hold your hp in your hand when you drive even with loud speaker or ear piece.
Making an illegal U Turn when there's no U Turn sign = $70.
Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70.
Driving at night without headlights or taillights switch on after 7pm = $30.
No Number Plate = $70.
Obstructed Number Plate = $70.
Obscured Number Plate = $70.
Number Plate Of Unapproved Type = $70.
Drink Driving
For first offense. = Up to $5000 Fine And, or jail Term + License Suspended + Court.
2nd time offense = Jail term + Fine + Court.
Demerit Point System:
Let's say you have 0 points on 1st January 2005, and you committed the offense of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3 demerit points and this will last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you have no demerit points offense at all, your 3 demerit points will be gone on 1/1/2006. But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2005 - 1/1/2006, you committed another offense with demerit points, your very first offense will be extended for another year until 1/1/2007
Speeding:
Exceeding 1 - 20km/h = $130 + 4 demerit points.
Exceeding 21 - 30km/h = $150 + 6 demerit points.
Exceeding 31 - 40km/h = $180 + 8 demerit points.
Exceeding 41 - 50km/h = >$200 + 12 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding 51 - 60km/h = >$200 + 18 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding >61km/h = >$200 + 24 demerit points + Court.
If you want to be hero and fight the court case yourself, and you lose, you pay the court charges yourself, which will add up to your fine.
The court charges should be at least $200 and above.
Careless driving = $150 + 6 demerit Points.
Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court.
Dangerous Driving = >$200 + 24 Demerit Points + Court + Vehicle Compounded.
Illegal Racing = >$200 + Vehicle Confiscate + Court.
Fail to put Seat Belt = $120 + 3 demerit points.
Crossing Double White lines = $130 + 4 points.
Phone and Drive = $200 + 12 demerit point + Phone Confiscate.
Do not hold your hp in your hand when you drive even with loud speaker or ear piece.
Making an illegal U Turn when there's no U Turn sign = $70.
Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70.
Driving at night without headlights or taillights switch on after 7pm = $30.
No Number Plate = $70.
Obstructed Number Plate = $70.
Obscured Number Plate = $70.
Number Plate Of Unapproved Type = $70.
Drink Driving
For first offense. = Up to $5000 Fine And, or jail Term + License Suspended + Court.
2nd time offense = Jail term + Fine + Court.
Demerit Point System:
Let's say you have 0 points on 1st January 2005, and you committed the offense of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3 demerit points and this will last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you have no demerit points offense at all, your 3 demerit points will be gone on 1/1/2006. But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2005 - 1/1/2006, you committed another offense with demerit points, your very first offense will be extended for another year until 1/1/2007
6 Reasons you can’t convert a fool
1. They don’t want to change
They probably imagine that they are smarter than you are and that there is nothing more for them to learn. Many have an aversion to “book learning” meaning anything that you have to read to learn, because reading is impractical and has no relation to “real life”. Reading is for weaklings and people who have no practical use.
2. They don’t know a whole lot
You can’t use illustrations because they won’t get them. They will hear exactly what you say, they may even understand your words, but your string of words will not resolve into a meaningful grasp of what you are trying to convey. Actually, you may just get bogged down in the labor of making things simple enough for them to understand. It’s like trying to translate Finnegan’s Wake, word-for-word, into kiddie-form.
3. They don’t have the capacity
Apart from, not wanting to, they simply lack the equipment to get smarter. A complex idea will boil down to the color of the guy who stated it, or his political affiliation, or what their buddy Frank said about him. Everything is reduced to where they can think they understand it. This is what they have to do to survive/maintain sanity. If the facts are too big, make them small.
4. You can’t hide your contempt
If you have discussed something with a true idiot, one with no grasp of the facts, but who is convinced that he is smarter than you are, then you know what I mean. You can hide displeasure, you can stifle anger, but the pure, outright loathing that pretentious simpletons tend to summon up, that has a way of showing itself.
5. They will likely try to fight you
You usually don’t get to be an adult fool without somebody questioning your intelligence at some point. Morons tend to be very touchy about being called on their stupidity, any situation in which you say, or even imply, that they are wrong will likely turn combative. The idiot will dip down into his bag of learned-by-rote urban legend bullshit, and when the last one fails, he will be left only with his lack of intelligence and his fists. The satisfaction of beating you down will make up for the disappointment of not being able to outsmart you.
6. Their friends are as dumb as they are
Morons tend to form clots and reinforce each other’s foolishness. Fool’s cannot stomach dissent, they cannot bear the sight of people who don’t agree wholeheartedly with what they say. They have no shortage of people to tell them why your ideas are wrong, and how full of shit you are.
They probably imagine that they are smarter than you are and that there is nothing more for them to learn. Many have an aversion to “book learning” meaning anything that you have to read to learn, because reading is impractical and has no relation to “real life”. Reading is for weaklings and people who have no practical use.
Morons tend to form clots and reinforce each other’s foolishness.
2. They don’t know a whole lot
You can’t use illustrations because they won’t get them. They will hear exactly what you say, they may even understand your words, but your string of words will not resolve into a meaningful grasp of what you are trying to convey. Actually, you may just get bogged down in the labor of making things simple enough for them to understand. It’s like trying to translate Finnegan’s Wake, word-for-word, into kiddie-form.
3. They don’t have the capacity
Apart from, not wanting to, they simply lack the equipment to get smarter. A complex idea will boil down to the color of the guy who stated it, or his political affiliation, or what their buddy Frank said about him. Everything is reduced to where they can think they understand it. This is what they have to do to survive/maintain sanity. If the facts are too big, make them small.
iPhone Theme for BlackBerry Make your BlackBerry look like an iPhone with iBerry Black Theme
4. You can’t hide your contempt
If you have discussed something with a true idiot, one with no grasp of the facts, but who is convinced that he is smarter than you are, then you know what I mean. You can hide displeasure, you can stifle anger, but the pure, outright loathing that pretentious simpletons tend to summon up, that has a way of showing itself.
5. They will likely try to fight you
You usually don’t get to be an adult fool without somebody questioning your intelligence at some point. Morons tend to be very touchy about being called on their stupidity, any situation in which you say, or even imply, that they are wrong will likely turn combative. The idiot will dip down into his bag of learned-by-rote urban legend bullshit, and when the last one fails, he will be left only with his lack of intelligence and his fists. The satisfaction of beating you down will make up for the disappointment of not being able to outsmart you.
6. Their friends are as dumb as they are
Morons tend to form clots and reinforce each other’s foolishness. Fool’s cannot stomach dissent, they cannot bear the sight of people who don’t agree wholeheartedly with what they say. They have no shortage of people to tell them why your ideas are wrong, and how full of shit you are.
May 26, 2008
Future of Lacoste
This si way cool.... for my good bud, Gavin
hehe..u r one fo those firm lacoste supporters i know
hehe..u r one fo those firm lacoste supporters i know
What people do for Fame.
She is trying to gain popularity by leveraging thru the 512 disaster. but apparently her PR frenz never tell her its thru the lesser taken path...
OZ 3G iPhone To Be Fastest In The World
Australia will have the fastest Apple 3G iPhone in the world a senior executive of Telstra has told ChannelNews. "We know what is coming we have seen the new device and it will be available on our network as soon as it is launched in the USA. By Xmas this phone will be capable of 42mbs which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world " they said.
FULL REPORT AVAILABLE HERE
FULL REPORT AVAILABLE HERE
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