Thursday, March 24, 2011

"Talking" Buddha Statues in KL, Pu Xian Center


Recently there are so many posts and news report posted all over Facebook on miraculous Buddha's statues "talking and blinking" at the Puxian Buddhist Centre in KL, Malaysia.

Here are some clips the uploader uploaded onto YouTube.





This is what the devotees's said the statue emitting lights


As we can see from the clips it seem to be true. Having the Buddha's statue lips moving and so do their eyes. We don't know whether the clips has been altered or not because the clips is a bit blur and shaky. Moreover the incident happened on the Chinese New year eve's but why now only upload to the net? And from the clip, what we can see throughout the whole video are only few peoples recording it and having some rude aunties and uncles shouting here and there. So we can't really tell is it true or not. The witness said there are 30 over peoples in the center that night when the "miracle" happened. But what is weird is so far only one uploaded his clips to YouTube. So we're waiting more to come.

Some may say we Buddhists are idol/statues worshipers. That why we make all the fuss about the talking Buddha. Actually, the Buddhas no matter they are made from either gold, bronze, resin, plaster or wood are not the real Buddha. The reason why we must have a Buddha's statue or image is to remind us the correct qualities that the Buddha have so the merits from the offerings we made and the qualities that Buddha had, it will enable us to follow the correct path to enlightenment. Some might have misunderstood that we actually pray for fortune, lucks or good life but in real we do not. The Buddha can't grant us material stuffs. Instead what we chants is what the Buddha had preached 2500 years ago to remind the teachings of Buddha, what we asked from the Buddha is to lead us to the correct paths and what we pray for is to have more wisdom so we're able to understand the Buddha's teaching more profoundly. That's all.

Back to the clip, the statues here are just a statue and now it only appear to be able to "talk and eyes blinking" as a result maybe due to the devotees' cultivation efforts or the Buddha may have others intention on signaling some messages to the center or people. The devotees should quite down and seated to see what messages are the statues trying to give instead of shouting here and there, taking out the super lousy resolution hand phone and struggling to be in the front row to do the recording and got a lady put the hand phone so near to the statue.

Normal people may have acted so since it is miraculous that not to be seen in our everyday life but at least  have some sense of what you'll doing here resembles the your Dharma's center. As though as a teacher trying to teach and the students are shouting here and there. But according to some sources, these talking and blinking statues can actually bought from China having feed on solar power. So do you think this is real or fake??
Read More

Monday, March 21, 2011

Do You Remember Them?

The top 10 cartoons that we will never forget them.....

1. Sarada Ju Yushi Tomatoman


2. Thundercats


3. Ninja Turtles


4. Duck Tales


5. Power Ranger


6. Care Bears


7. Dragon Ball


8. Doraemon


9. The Smurfs
Read More

Thursday, March 17, 2011

FREE 2 McDonald’s Big Breakfast (Valid till 31 March 2011)

McDonald’s was recently with the Gold Putra Brand Award as one of Malaysia’s top brands. In conjunction with that, McDonald’s giving out FREE Big Breakfast.


Print out this coupon, redeem at your nearest McD's restaurant (breakfast only at 4am - 11am) and enjoy 2 FREE Big Breakfast!

Term and Condition:
  • Present coupon at time of redemption
  • Valid for a single transaction & only original coupons will be accepted
  • One redemption per customer in a single transaction
  • One coupon is valid for TWO (2) free Big Breakfast(TM) a la carte redemption only with a minimum purchase of RM5 in a single transaction
  • Redemption of TWO (2) free Big Breakfast(TM)  a la carte is valid between 4am-11am
  • Coupon is not exchangeable for cash or any other McDonald’s product
  • McDonald’s reserves the right to refuse redemption if coupon is found to have been tampered with
  • McDonald’s reserves the right to replace the free item stated on coupon at its discretion and without prior notice
  • McDonald’s reserves the right to terminates this redemption offer at any time without prior notice
  • Valid only for restaurants serving breakfast
  • Not valid for McDelivery service
  • Original price featured may vary according to restaurants
  • Valid until: 31 March 2011
    Although it is stated that, “…only original coupons will be accepted“ but you can still print the coupons in black and white, McDonald’s Malaysia mentioned in their Facebook fanpage:
    Dear fans, you can also download the coupon by clicking on the link here. We do accept black and white print out.

    To save trees and mother Earth, here is the edited 6 coupons in a page where you can print and give out. Enjoy your McD!!
    Read More

    Wednesday, March 16, 2011

    Tsunami March 11, 2011


    On March 11, 2011, a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake hits Japan. The huge earthquake shook Japan, unleashing a powerful tsunami that sent houses, cars, ships crashing into the shore and carried cars through the streets of coastal towns. Here are some pictures my friends shared with me and I would like to share it with you all.

    Cars and other debris swept away by tsunami are seen in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan. (Keichi Nakane / AP)

    Wrecked houses smolder amid the water of a tsunami wave near Sendai airport in Japan. (Kyodo via Reuters)

     A tsunami carries boats across waters in Kamaishi city port in Japan on Friday, in this still image taken from video footage. (Reuters)

    The owner of a ceramic shop checks his damaged wares following the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Tokyo. (Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP - Getty Images)

    A massive tsunami hits the coastal areas of Iwanuma, Miyagi prefecture. (Kyodo via Reuters)

     Tsunami tidal waves hit houses after a powerful earthquake in Natori on Friday, March 11. (Kyodo via AP)

     An old lady who was left inside a building is rescued Saturday, March 12. (Kyodo News / AP)

    An elderly man is carried by a Self-Defense Force member in the tsunami-torn Natori, Japan, on Saturday morning. (Yasushi Kanno / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP)

     Evacuees walk between houses destroyed by a tsunami and earthquake in Sendai on Saturday.

     Whirlpools are caused by a tsunami in Fukushima prefecture on Saturday. (Reuters)

     A fishing boat which was washed away by tsunami, sits overturned in Hachinohe, Japan, March 13. (AP)

    An aerial shot shows vehicles ready for shipping piled like dominoes after a tsunami tidal wave hit Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture. (AFP - Getty Images)

    Video Clips:

    Imagine the massive waves of destruction is behind you with the height of a double-story house.
    Notice there are people running for their lives.







    As you watch these clips, you'll definitely feel sad, sympathize and feel like to help them as much as we can but below is a clip and a picture show how these people has no sense of respect and being dumb witted not enough and yet brings disgrace to our country.


    Listen to this lady what rubbish is she talking about ....what the hell green technology related with earthquake??

    And here is the comic illustrated by Berita Harian. This is definitely not funny at all.


    It may seem that the illustrator think that this might be so joke or that it may carry other messages but hey, the disaster had brings so much damages and difficulties not to mention those who has loss their lives in Japan. Both the she and the him are so brainless as no other words can describe them. Now this not only being hot debates in social networks like Facebook and Twitters but now also appears in CNN. Don't forget that when Tsunami hits Malaysia in 2008, Japan is the first country that offer helps to our country. Sedarlah sikit!!
    Read More

    Thursday, March 10, 2011

    iSlow and iHang Everyone??

    Last year, when iPhone4 was released in Malaysia, most of the rich rich people rushed to grab one (till some din sleep that night during the launching in The Garden Mid Valley only wanting to be among the first to get hold of the smartphone) and I am too in that list provided I get it on the other day with Digi (I got my nice sleep, comfortably bought the iPhone and used it on that very day and to emphasized here I am not rich laaaa ~ ~ ~ ~

    I can said that this iPhone I am using had really filled up most of my days either when I have spare time, waiting for friends, waiting for food to be serve, queing, pooping  and times that required to be filled with. Most of the time I used it to play games (Angry Birds lor damn!!), listening to music and snap photos till almost out of memory.32GB is too little....


    But then many has said that iPhone will not hang in term of the operating system is very intelligent stable, not using Flash to run applications and  bla bla bla. More in more mine is still under warranty, so mah use it to the max lor. Then lately maybe she ( I am refering "it" as a "she" because she is my third wife hahaha after my car n DSLR's camera) started to get tired or maybe she's infected with my old age symptoms. So now my iPhone hanged and sometimes it's not responding. OH NOOOOOOOO~ ~ ~ 

    Will get back to Digi regarding on this...Hope the sickness that haunting my babe now will be over soon.... Cross fingers!!
    Read More

    Wednesday, March 9, 2011

    A Doctor in the House - The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

    Title: A Doctor in the House - The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
    Author: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad
    Publisher: MPH Group Publishing
    ISBN: 9789675997228

    I damn like this cover picture of Dr M, he look cute, humble and feel like hugging him. : P

    Back Cover text
    The West has called him recalcitran, racist, anti-Semitic and arrogant. The developing world, however, sees formoer Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a visionary champion, the rare leader who gave every Third World individual reason to stand tall. Even his harshest critics cannot deny that, above all else, he gave some of the most neglected countries courage, showing the way to a more hopeful future.

    But it was not without controversy. His 22 years at the country's helm has been characterized as both dictatorial and inspiring. Few leaders have been able to turn an entire country from a predominantly agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse, fewer still have been able to do so within a short two decades.

    Here, with surgical precision, Dr Mahathir explores a nuanced history and scrutinies his own role in the shaping of modern Malaysia.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    There are total of 62 chapters spanning over 800 pages. Here are the chapters in the book:
    Chapter 1  Becoming Prime Minister
    Chapter 2  Family Values
    Chapter 3  I Am A Malay
    Chapter 4  The Story Of The Malays
    Chapter 5  From Infatuation To Disillusionment
    Chapter 6 A Wartime Entrepreneur
    Chapter 7 Awakenings
    Chapter 8 A Political Triumph
    Chapter 9 The Emergency
    Chapter 10 Going To Medical College
    Chapter 11 An Alliance Is Born
    Chapter 12 From Theory To Reality
    Chapter 13 The Tunku Makes A Proposal
    Chapter 14 The Bitter Thrill Of Politics
    Chapter 15 Expelled
    Chapter 16 In The Political Wilderness
    Chapter 17 An Outsider's Lament
    Chapter 18 The Malay Dilemma
    Chapter 19 UMNO Opens Its Doors
    Chapter 20 Into The Deep End
    Chapter 21 Up The Political Ladder
    Chapter 22 A Dream Delivered, A Mentor Dies
    Chapter 23 From Education To International Trade And Industry
    Chapter 24 Frustrations Of Being Second In Command
    Chapter 25 Reaching The Top
    Chapter 26 From Ideas To Action
    Chapter 27 How Government Works
    Chapter 28 Bersih, Cekap, Amanah
    Chapter 29 Looking East
    Chapter 30 The Europeans
    Chapter 31 Anwar Joins UMNO
    Chapter 32 Realigning Malaysia In The World
    Chapter 33 The Malaysianisation Of Companies
    Chapter 34 Constitutional Amendments
    Chapter 35 Equitable Affluence
    Chapter 36 Islam and Islamisation
    Chapter 37 Introducing Privatisation
    Chapter 38 Revving Our Engines
    Chapter 39 Daim Becomes Finance Minister
    Chapter 40 A House Divided: Team A & Team B
    Chapter 41 Ops Lalang
    Chapter 42 The Judiciary
    Chapter 43 Matter Of The Heart
    Chapter 44 New Challenges, New Solutions
    Chapter 45 Vision 2020
    Chapter 46 Marketing Malaysia
    Chapter 47 The Growth Of Asean
    Chapter 48 Law And Order: Police, Politicians and The Public
    Chapter 49 The Multimedia Super Corridor
    Chapter 50 PETRONAS Twin Towers
    Chapter 51 Putrajaya
    Chapter 52 Currency Crumble
    Chapter 53 Anwar's Challenge
    Chapter 54 1998: Great Games, Remarkable Gains
    Chapter 55 Financial Crisis Fallout
    Chapter 56 My Toughest Election
    Chapter 57 9/11 And The Muslim World
    Chapter 58 Education
    Chapter 59 Resignation
    Chapter 60 The OIC Furore 
    Chapter 61 Problems With Singapore
    Chapter 62 Legacy And New Dilemmas 

    Glossary
     Index
     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    First thing first is to thanks Phillip. Because of you, I manage to grab this wonderful book on the launching day itself. This entry is has not much of reviews on the book because I only managed to read a first few chapters. Gomennasai!!

    Dr M in his early years

    Compare to the recent published book such as Malaysian Maverick and Conversation with Mahathir Mohamad, this book is totally organized in a chronological way about Mahathir on Mahathir (this sentence do sound weird huh?). The main focus of this book is not only about Dr M political days but also his lifetime journey before becoming a politician, his rise to power, his achievements and his time after stepping down.

     Dr M announcing his resignation at the closing of 2002 UMNO General Assembly in June

    Someone do asked me, "Ryan, what the hell do you like about Mahathir so much? You're like collecting every single books that related to him". Well, come let me tell you, I just like him!!. Simple as that. You see, many might have hates him over the bad stuffs that he brings into Malaysia's politics but who never do anything wrong in his/her lifetime right? But if we were to put aside all those political shits, Dr M indeed a man that brings so much developments not for others but to our own country for over the years when he is the PM.

    Dr M with the winners of the Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix, 1999

    Dr M indeed is a man that makes ideas come true. He brought so many development to Malaysia during his administration as Prime Minister. Most significant are KLIA, KLCC, KL Tower, Cyberjaya (ICT), Proton, 1998 Commonwealth Games, Formula 1 Sepang and also Putrajaya. Because of Dr M, now Malaysia is a country that is well known even the movie I Am Number Four got mention Malaysia this word. (Bad lame joke haha). At least people know where Malaysia is mah!!

     Dr M in cleaning campaign

    To cut shot my craps, I recommend this book to any Dr M fans out there. It is suitable for people who wants to know more about Dr M. Do you know that Dr M actually took 8 years to complete this book due to his perfectionist manner? The book is launched yesterday at Mid Valley shopping mall and is available at RM100. A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad gathered almost all of Dr M stories and memoirs over the past 85 years. The book actually very informative but at the same times it touched certain issues that might be too sensitive to some parties. Dr M has said that he has no intentions to hurt anyone when he wrote this book but to tell the real stories over every pages in the book. See, he being so sincere letting people know why you should buy this book. Hahaha

     Dr M with Tunku Abdul Rahman

    Even the price is a bit expensive to some, still you can browse the book at any major bookstores if you don't feel buying it la...the book is indeed weight like a brick, but still to me it's worth buying, moreover there are many pages spanning at the center of the book featuring Dr M pictures like I what I've uploaded some here. So you sendiri decide want to buy or not la!! Hope can finish reading the book by this week.

    By the way, all Tun's books are out of stock in most of the major bookstores!! And the publisher, MPH said the book will now need to be pre-order in order for customers to secure a copy. - 19 March 2011
    Read More

    Tuesday, March 8, 2011

    Memoir of Dr M on Sale Today

    Title: A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
    Author: Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
    Publisher: MPH Group Publishing
    ISBN: 9789675997228



    In his twenty-two years as Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohamad transformed his country from an agricultural backwater into an industrial powerhouse that would become the seventeenth-largest trading nation in the world.

    This remarkable achievement was not without controversy, and Dr Mahathir's extraordinary vision and iron grip earned him both enemies as well as ardent admirers within and outside of Malaysia. He has been described typically and paradoxically as a tyrannical dictator, a bête noir, as well as inspiring, courageous and an outspoken defender of the downtrodden, The Third World, and moderate Islam.

    At almost every turn Dr Mahathir rewrote the rules. This book reveals hiherto unknown aspects of this intensely private, but publicly bold, statesman. It provides a clear and compelling narratives of modern Malaysian political history as seen through the eyes of ones its greatest shapers. It is neither apology nor defence, but a forceful, compelling and often exciting account of how Dr Mahathir achieved what he did in so short a time, and why.


    About Author
    Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad ( born 10 July 1925) was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia. Mahathir's political career spanned almost 40 years, from his election as a Malaysian federal Member of Parliament in 1964, until his resignation as Prime Minister in 2003 - MPHOnline


    Below article is featuring in TheSun, March 8, 2011
    By Pauline Wong
    newsdesk@thesundaily.com

    Kuala Lumpur: A book chronicling the life and times of the nation's longest-serving prime minister to date, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will go on sale today at bookstores nationwide.

    A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is written by the former premier himself, as he takes readers back to his earliest childhood memories and through his 22 years of leadership in a journey that is little-known to anyone outside his family.

    In his preface to the book, he wrote: "This is the story of Malaysia as I see it. This is also my story. These memoir must naturally contain a focus on my role, but essentially it is about my beloved Malaysia, a country which has given me indeed, all Malaysians a good life. There will be other books about Malaysia, even about me, from other perspectives, but I hope that here, I have done justice to my country."

    Spanning over 800 pages, it tells of his constant struggle as a politician, his pursuit of the nation's goals, his greatest fears and his most cherished hopes, in a frank, sometimes humorous , and occasionally unforgiving assessment of himself and the times he lived through.

    The chapters in this book tackle some of the toughest and most controversial times under his leadership, including the Ops Lalang, the judiciary crisis, the scandal of then heir-apparant, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and what mahathir terms "The Political Wilderness" and "The Malay Dilemma."

    This book also explores his visions and achievements for Malaysia, Vision 2020, the Multimedia Super Corridor, marketing Malaysia to the world and the recovery from the 1998 financial crisis.

    The book retails at RM100 and is published by MPH Group Publishing. More information on this book can be found at www.mphonline.com
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    **The price of this book is way too expensive. Must wait longer only get it..... hmmmm waiting waiting and waiting......I really like the picture of Dr M on this bookcover. He look simply cute and adorable...hahahaha
    Read More

    Monday, March 7, 2011

    Random Pictures from My Batu Caves Trip

    Went to Batu Caves yesterday. I managed to take couple of pictures there. I walked along the 272 steps and managed to snapshot these pictures inside the cave.

    There was a wedding ceremony, can't get the couples pictures but this beautiful god. I dunno his name but indeed he look majestic on his throne.


    Under the hot 1pm sun, these bird eat tirelessly, even you shoo them, they like don care. CUTE

    Standing at 42.7m high, the world's tallest statue of Lord Murugan, located outside Batu Caves Temple

    Braving the 272 steps to the cave

    The Japanese's tourists feeding the monkey. Seriously I don't think it's wise to feed them. Some of it even snatches people's handbags, flowers and anything look foods to them.  I am so worried they snatch my camera.

    Inside the cave there are two cave temples. The main temple is at the lower cave. According to one of the guy working there, most of the Hindu statues and paintings. Many of the shrines are relate to Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Soorapadam.


    Guess what is this for? Actually it's just a drain. Well, very beautiful drain. 

    Ngam ngam the time when the sunlight hit the lobang at the cave. 

    Nice hor??

    At the upper cave, I think this is a guardian deity looking after the temple. Btw, the bird is real one.

    After touring the upper temple, on my way going downstair, i saw these monkeys doing the "treasure hunting".

    Another sighting is this old lady. When she appears from nowhere suddenly all people go surround her and get blessing from her. The most significant thing is the long thing hanging behind her. Is actually her hair.....


      A closer look at her hair....

    Finally back to the temple's ground. Here this religious guy wave me over as he wants to bless me or something. Then he put on the white mark on my forehead where I bowed as to thanking him. But he stare at me and I stare back while he tapping the plate. Meaning ........he wants donation. Look like the real reason behind the blessing is for d-o-n-a-t-i-o-n-s. Can't blame them, they need it for temple's developments.


     Look at the white dot on my forehead. Rest awhile after braving the blazing sun and balik.

    COCONUT coconuts coconuts

    Lord Ganesha

    Dunno her name but she look beautiful!!


    This entry is specially credited to Miss Mei Yen
    Read More

    Wednesday, March 2, 2011

    Conversation With Mahathir Mohamad

    Title: Doctor M: Operation Malaysia - Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad
    Author: Tom Plate
    Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
    ISBN: 9789814276634




    Back Cover text

    "So, I adhere to that teaching - become a Muslim fundamentalist, and Muslim fundamentalism must  let me be moderate. "
    Dr Mahathir Mohamad began his professional career as a family physician but wound up prescribing innovative political medicines for the entire nation that remain controversial even today. Was he exactly the bold and fearless policy doctor that the troubled body politic of Malaysia needed? Or was he just another mendacious mediocrity with a record of persistent misdiagnoses, phony remedies and self-serving justifications? Only history's judgment can offer the final verdict....but Mahathir himself is in no doubt.

    In a riveting series of unprecedented conversations, Malaysia's most famous prime minister reveals to American journalist and author Tom Plate a panaromic panoply of views on governing, on Islam, on Jews, on the West and on Malays that are striking in historical sweep and contemporary relevance.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "When the economy was growing rapidly, most Malaysians were willing to ignore the darker side of Mahathir's one-man rule....But no more. Still, Dr 'M' is a fascinating figure - controversial, outspoken, and never boring...Long before Barack Obama, he was telling his people 'yes, we can.' (Malaysia boleh.) His legacy will be that of a bold, visionary, but ultimately flawed leader."  -  John R. Malott, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, 1995 - 98

    "He was an outstanding Prime Minister of Malaysia. During his premiership of over 20 years, he changed Malaysia from an agricultural, placid society into an industrial, dynamic society. He educated his people, sent many abroad on scholarships. They in turn transformed Malaysia." - Lee Kuan Yew, prime Minister of Singapore, 1959 - 90

    "Tun Dr Mahathir's legacy would be much more creditable if his many achievements in the international arena and in developing our domestic infrastructure could have been enhanced by his building up strong institutions, rather than weakening them. If he had done so, Malaysia would be much better, more united, and more pregressive country, and a real example of a successful multiracial-religious country." - Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, former Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Malaysia

    Here is the article appears in today's TheSun paper

    Conversations with Dr M
    > American journalist Tom Plate attempts to define the man who held the reins of Malaysia as prime minister for 22 years
    BY S. INDRA SATHIABALAN


    MUCH has been written about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourth and longest-serving prime minister, who was at the helm of the country for 22 years. 
      Over the years, he had his share of fans and detractors, and even after retirement, he still commands attention each time he speaks out.

    The latest author to attempt to understand the psyche and thinking of this man, known as Malaysia’s father of modernisation, is American journalist Tom Plate, who is also a university professor and international syndicated columnist for such publications as Newsday, Time magazine, New York magazine and television network CBS.

    Plate first met Mahathir at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 1999, and again, in New York in 2002. But it was only years later that he was inspired to write a book about this elder statesman.

    Plate has written seven non-fiction books including Confessions of an American Media Man (2007) as well as Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew (2010). The latter is the first in his series on Giants of Asia for Marshall Cavendish.

    He continues the series with Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad – Dr M: Operation Malaysia (Marshall Cavendish, RM79.90).

    "The initial contact (with Mahathir) was made in June 2008 when I was in Singapore," recalls Plate, who was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote his new book. 

    "I was supposed to interview (former Singapore prime minister) Lee Kuan Yew for the first book but he wasn’t feeling well and the interview had to be rescheduled. So I called Mahathir and asked if I could chat with him about Lee instead. 

    "Mahathir consented to meet me and, at the end of that meeting, I said: ‘Maybe you ought to become a candidate for the Giants of Asia series’. He said: ‘Let’s do it’." 

    Once their scheduling was sorted out, they had five two-hour interview sessions at Mahathir’s office at the Petronas Twin Towers. 

    "The good news about Tun Mahathir is that he says what he thinks. The bad news is that he says what he thinks!
    "On the Israel issue, his views are often tagged as anti-semitic and if you are considered anti-semitic by the American media, then you have a significant image problem. 

    "Certain things are like a no-go area. For me as an American journalist, one of the big ‘Grand Canyons’ for me was working my way through this Israel and Jews issue."

    Plate says the western media tends to jump on everything Mahathir says mainly due to this perception.
    Even when Mahathir handled the Asian currency crisis in 1999 far better than most leaders did, the western media was none too happy, especially when Mahathir disagreed with the methods the IMF (International Monetary Fund) used to combat the situation. 

    As Plate puts it, there is a lot of residual resentment against Mahathir.
    "I admired his stance on IMF. I had done an article about IMF’s cookie-cutter approach to world economies and I didn’t like its approach. Well, up to the part about Jews, I was with him." 

    Plate is not a Jew but his wife and daughter are. He grew up in New York, making him, as Plate puts it, an honorary Jew.
    If you are looking for a big exposé or two or expecting skeletons tumbling out of closets, you will not find them in this book.
    As Plate writes on page 20 about how he sold the idea to Mahathir: "This book – it’s not a traditional political biography with a million words and a thousand footnotes and a dozen hidden axes to grind.

    "It’s a reader having a long and maybe somewhat intimate conversation with Dr M. This is to feel his personality, his flair, his instincts, his brain."

    Mahathir still remains an enigma in many ways. On page 71, in a list of comments that Plate had sent him via fax, Mahathir in most parts responds with a mere ‘yes’. 

    One such comment is: "The Shah of Iran before his fall, would be described as a secularising and modernising autocrat; you are properly described as a Muslim moderniser."

    "He’s a bit like Lee Kuan Yew that way," says Plate, likening Mahathir to the other elder statesman across the border.
    "You know, I kind of get Dr M. Sometimes you meet people and you don’t get them but I’ve always got Dr M. After I first met him at the World Economic Forum, I began to understand him better. He’s very proud; he is very stubborn.
    "For me, one of the thresholds of the book is Ops Lalang where he admits: ‘We screwed up. It was a mistake’."
    That comment is now generating a lot of feedback via the new media and blogs. 

    And like Lee, when asked what his many mistakes were, Mahathir replies: "Ask my critics."
    Plate next plans to add Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to his Giants of Asia series.

    For more reviews about the book, visits these links:
    DinMerican
    Coffeecrackers
    FreeMalaysiaToday

     **I have a copy of Conversation With Dr.M selling at the price of RM55 and also two copies of Malaysia Maverick for RM65. Interested, sent me an mail. (All books are original and new)
    Read More

    Between Car, Bus and Train

    Under normal circumstances, my first choice will always been car over LRT/bus. Reasons being:


    1. I hate crowded places
    2. Malaysia's public transport's timing are sucks (bus and KTM) and I just hate waiting. Sometimes, I don't mind waiting, but not knowing how long I have to wait will make me have high blood pressure.. eventhough I am Buddhist, supposing I sud control my anger and be patient but as you may heard of what people said about Malaysia's public transports system, "even a Buddha will get angry" hahahaha. Another thing would be the passengers. This is one of the very few things that pissed me off badly. Bergasak-gasak masuk, once stood there will stand there till he/she gets out (cant even be tolerant abit), and talking non-stop especially those who on HP or want everyone to know their pathetic stories ....

    I do experienced taking monorail from my office to Hang Tuah station. It's actually a very short journey but the craziness of what human can do when they're desperating want to balik rumah. Dunno because they miss their loves one or to catch their favorite drama series or whatever it's,  they can pushed you into the train even if you don't want, especially after office hour. So crazy I tell you. Inside the train, I was already can't move, with peoples hold on to the poles or the hanging belts, I am totally standing inside the deadlock of hands. And most of them are sweating. Those who grabbing the hanging belts for sure their armpits are exposed and worst of all these uncles and guys are standing around me, urgh.....I think I don need to put more details on this. End of story and no more monorail when after office hours. 

    KL is really an unpredictable city. Sometime the roads are smooth seem like everyone's having holiday and sometime it jam like nobody business. Another encounter that makes me feel that taking public transports especially buses is not convenient for me is because I have small bladder. Yes as I said I have early sign of old age sickness. I keen to pee even I din drink water. Weird huh? So if I take buses, when I really wanted to pee, I think I should prepare adult's diapers. Hehehehe!!

    We all know how crazy parking rates would be in KL city, some minor jam here and there, pertol price are increasing, still I prefer to drive to work because
    1. I will not have to rush like mad-hag to chase for buses and trains
    2. Listen to my favorite musics while driving
    3. Can stop by any petrol station or complexes to relief myself (hey is peeing only)
    4. Need not have to breathe in some "harmful and smelly" air (aircon dont count as in LRT n buses also have moreover air inside there more harmful I guess hahahah)
    5. Can save a lot of time where I can use the extra time to do my stuffs

    This entry may sound rude and some of you (those of you who take public transports) might cursing my ass right now. Hereby, I just wanna say sorry on this but hey, don't you think if you really have your own transport, will you even considering to take public transport especially in Malaysia? If I am living in Singapore or Japan, I don't even have to buy my own car. (prices of cars here is super high even it's so call national car). So no offend here and I just having my own preference of choosing between driving to work or to take public transports.
    Read More
    © You. Me. Us All rights reserved | Theme Designed by Seo Blogger Templates