Monday, May 30, 2011

LYNAS... From Those Who Support It

Lebih 100 berhimpun sokong pembinaan kilang Lynas

KUANTAN 30 Mei - Lebih 100 orang termasuk ahli Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) Pahang berkumpul secara aman di pantai Teluk Chempedak di sini, hari ini bagi menyatakan sokongan terhadap pembinaan kilang memproses nadir bumi oleh syarikat Lynas Corporation Ltd dari Australia.

Pengerusi GPMS Pahang, Wan Emril Nizam Wan Embong berkata, perhimpunan itu diadakan sebagai gambaran bahawa bukan semua pihak menolak pembinaan kilang yang memberi manfaat terutama dari segi pelaburan kepada negara.

"Projek Lynas merupakan satu projek yang selamat, tidak perlu warga Kuantan bimbang kerana ada radiasi yang baik dan ada yang tidak,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini, hari ini.

Bernama

Finally! The supporters are here...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

LYNAS... From A Mat Salleh Point Of View (In Malay)

I just found out this video from another blog, blog.ariff. An eye-opener in addition to a few LYNAS related info that I have shared before. Enjoy!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

I've Always Dream That Love Could Be This Passionate

I would be in tears every time I listened to this song. For me, the lyrics are very deep and beautifully written to show the "sakti" or magic of LOVE. Even in distance, LOVE does prevail.



"Jika patah sayap rajawali, bertongkat jua kanda ke mari"
Hang Tuah

I am only one human

I woke up today
with a realization
that I am only one human
with a definite feeling

even with the simplest thought
even with the simplest word
even with the simplest intention

would make an old wound open...

mkk
28 may 2011 @ 4:33am

Friday, May 27, 2011

LYNAS... Making A Comeback

EIA & RIA reports on LYNAS plant available for public review

KUALA LUMPUR: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) reports for the proposed rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Pahang, by Lynas is now available for public viewing from May 30-June 30.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry in a statement Friday said the reports will be available for public viewing at;

  • Department of Environment library
  • Natural Resources and Environment Ministry
  • library of the Department of Environment of Pahang
  • Kuantan Municipal Council
  • Pahang Land and District Office
  • Pahang Police headquarters
  • National Library of Malaysia
  • Police Beat Base at Gebeng Industrial Estate
  • Pahang State Library
  • Balai Penghulu Mukim
  • Department of Environment
  • Atomic Energy Licencing Boards of state offices
Get a copy from your nearest source!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

To Work Or Not To Work

Yesterday, was the day which I took a leave, went for a follow up session with Dr Zain a.k.a. Bone Doctor, settled bank matters as well as paying up bills. But, unknowingly yesterday was also a day where a shocking & outrageous "incident" had happened (in the company) which the details are best kept a secret at the moment. In a nutshell, if handled well with consultation & discussion, it shouldn't have happened at all.

So (just to lighten up the mood), I'm just gonna share a few thoughts from Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz, which were originally in Malay but I've translated it as well.

Rajin bercakap, rajin bekerja - Bagus Sekali
Talk more, work more - Excellent

Rajin bekerja, malas bercakap - Kena Buli
Work more, lazy talk - Being bullied

Malas bekerja, rajin bercakap - Wayang Cina
Lazy work, talk more - Drama

Malas bekerja, malas bercakap - Tak Guna
Lazy work, lazy talk - Useless

Malas bekerja, suka mengadu - Nyanyuk
Lazy work, praise more - Senile

Malas bekerja, selalu ponteng - Baik Berhenti
Lazy work, always absent - Better quit

Malas bekerja, suka menyibuk - Baik Mati
Lazy work, more "busy body" - Better die

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Pengerang oil and gas complex to benefit Petronas Chemicals

PETALING JAYA: Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd will undoubtedly benefit from parent company Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) plan to build a US$20bil integrated downstream oil and gas complex in Pengerang, Johor.


Analysts expect the company to be a key beneficiary, although it has yet to confirm its participation in the project.


CIMB Research said in a report yesterday that the plan would provide great growth potential for Petronas Chemicals, similar to what the latter had achieved at its largest facility at Kertih.


“Although the management has not clearly stated whether it is expanding in Johor, this plan is likely to be an expansion of the new naphtha-based petrochemical complex that the company talked about previously,” CIMB Research said, adding that Petronas Chemicals could invest US$1.5bil to US$2bil in the project.

JP Morgan said in a report this month that the development was positive for Petronas Chemicals as it would provide feedstock for the company to expand its Malaysian capacity further.


“We think this is important because for most Asian petrochemical producers, feedstock availability is the main bottleneck to expanding capacity significantly over the next three to five years.


“The new ethylene capacity would be three times Petronas Chemicals' existing capacity and because it is based on naphtha, it will have the capability to produce profitable products like butadiene as well,” it said.


Petronas Chemicals has previously announced a three-year expansion plan that can add 30% capacity by 2015. The plan includes a downstream expansion to enhance margins, urea and ammonia plants with one million tonnes per annum capacity, and a new naphtha-based petrochemical complex.


The plans were likely to be finalised by next year and should be adequately funded with the company's net cash which stood at RM5bil now, said CIMB Research.


The research house said Petronas Chemicals would report strong fourth-quarter earnings for the financial year ended March 31 (due to be out tomorrow), with a growth of 36% quarter-on-quarter and 34% year-on-year.


The better earnings will be driven by higher margins on all of its products, improved petrochemical product prices (owing to higher oil prices) and a smaller increase in costs, especially ethane cost which is relatively fixed due to contracts.


It maintains an “outperform” call on the stock and said the share price was likely to be re-rated for its strong earnings in the fourth quarter and improved fundamentals, both short term (due to higher oil price and rising volume) and long term (its expansion plans and industry margin improvement post-2011 due to the industry upcycle).


“The stock remains attractive, given its superior growth profile and profitability. We continue to apply a calendar year 2012 EV/EBITDA (enterprise value/earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of 10 times to the stock, leading to an unchanged target price of RM10,” it said.


Meanwhile, ECM Libra Investment Research said in a report on Monday that Petronas Gas Bhd was an attractive buy with a target price of RM14.14. It implies a 19.4 times price-to-earnings ratio due to potential earnings upside from its liquefied natural gas (LNG) re-gas facility to be ready mid next year in Malacca.


“New earnings would be from transportation and re-gasification service agreement or the agreement alone,” it said.


ECM Libra said with the plant adding some 20% to Petronas Gas' current transportation volumes, net profit could grow by 10% from transportation alone. As for re-gasification charges, revenue from that segment alone would amount to RM330mil based on an estimated price of RM2 per million British thermal units.


OSK Research also said in a report recently that Petronas Gas could be an indirect beneficiary of gas subsidy cuts, given that the move would make it more palatable for Petronas to import LNG via the former's terminal for transmission around Peninsular Malaysia.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What I Want In 7 Months Time

What are my personal KPIs this year?

HEALTH
To get rid of the lower back & leg pain: 100% recovery
To start back cardio & running: 5 km in 30 minutes
To reduce BMI: from 2.3 to 2.1

FINANCIAL
To increase total wealth by reinvesting: +10%/annum
To increase monthly saving: +10%/annum
To reduce credit card debt: -50%annum

TRAVEL
Visiting one Malaysian Island: Langkawi/Pangkor/Perhentian
Visiting one ASEAN/Asia country: Vietnam/Korea/Japan
Visiting one long-haul country: Italy/Turkey/Greece

ASSET/CAREER
To own an apartment/condo: RM 250K-350K
To be transferred to other location: KL/Sarawak
To learn a new skill: Baking/Cooking/Pottery

LONG TERM
To continue current relationship: 1-2 years
Commitment to each other: once/month
To get married: ?????

That's all for now. Pray, that I can achieve all of them by December 2011...

"The invariable mark of a dream is to see it come true"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Earth's Fury Unleashed

Over these few days, we have heard several happenings all around the world caused by natural disaster. The frequency has been increasing over the years and caused mankind to wonder whether 2012 prophecy is the real deal or not. Well, that's God business not ours. Let us look back what had happened in 2011 so far.

Queensland & Victorian Floods, Australia, December 2010-January 2011

Australian Bushfire, Australia, January 2011-May 2011

Cyclone Vania & Wilma, South Pacific, January 2011

Mount Merapi Volcanic Eruption, Indonesia, January 2011

North American Winter Storm, USA, January 2011-February 2011

Christchurch Earthquake, New Zealand, February 2011

Myanmar Earthquake, Myanmar, March 2011

Yunnan Earthquake, China, March 2011

Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami, Japan, March 2011

Texas Wildfires, USA, April 2011-May 2011

Mississippi River Floods, USA, May 2011

Minnesota & Missouri Tornado, USA, May 2011

Grimsvotn Volcanic Eruption, Iceland, May 2011

And many more to come...

"There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster"
Richard Bach

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Sunday Has Ended

Starting Monday hopefully with a refreshed mind after a long weekend. I just hope that there's no hanky-panky work this week. I just hate surprises.

Me & Daniel Hechter

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Nothing Much To Say

I'll be in KL starting tonight until Sunday. Its a long day indeed since I'm not feeling really well. I woke up with a weird stomach ache and then followed by diarrhea. Starting your day with that is really unpleasant. Nevertheless, off to work I go. Over the next few hours until after lunch, I visited the loo twice and only then I decided to visit the clinic. Pretty much standard questions and then the medicines, 4 of them! Hopefully, I'm gonna be cured soon.

Taken en-route to KL Sentral via on-board YES wifi connection

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Eat, Pray And Love (Not The Movie)

Today is a public holiday in Malaysia, which is Wesak Day celebrated by the Buddhist. Normally, I would spend my time outside sipping hot chocolate, indulging warm blueberry scone with strawberry jam and enjoying the free wifi at Starbucks. But not today! The weather seems a bit cloudy today since 9am after my breakfast at a "mamak" restaurant nearby my house. So, I choose to stay at home instead doing what I always do, watch DVDs.

I began the day with Julia Robert's Eat Pray Love, a very nice movie indeed mostly because of the theme as well as the places that she went to. If I have a lot of money, I'll to the same thing as she does of course, travelling all around the world, living amongst the people; do what they do, eat what they eat, speak what they speak and others. Well, below are my ideas and thoughts on Eat Pray Love.

EAT
Food is the one thing that I really enjoy which I never quite mind spending a lot of money into it. I'll try any new food which of course have to be "halal" in the first place. My idea of an amazing and great food are beautiful, tasty, full of aroma and most importantly, it was cooked and prepared with so much devotion and love in it. The simplest dish that I find very tasty and great is Madam Kwan's "terung masak belacan" or eggplant sauteed with prawn paste. It has all what I described just now; beautiful (the color of the eggplant), tasty (the salty prawn paste plus some spiciness), and the aroma (the smell of the prawn paste). It is great living in Malaysia with so many people in diverse races which have their own special mouth-watering delicacies.

"The only time to eat diet food is is while you're waiting for the steak to cook"
Julia Child

PRAY
Although I'm not a devout Muslim, but I observe the compulsory requirement in Islam. It has been in my plan to visit Muslim countries in the future, mostly because I love the architecture of centuries old mosque, library and universities. Turkey would be a great place to begin with because of their great and beautiful buildings in the old city of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Museum and Hagia Sophia. The huge and amazing domes are breath-taking! The second place would be Cordoba in Spain, which is the birthplace of famous philosophers and scholars such as ibn-Hazm, ibn-Rushd and al-Qurtubi, and also where the Great Mosque of Cordoba is located. Once a mosque, currently it is a cathedral for Roman Catholic since 1236. Lastly, I would like to perform pilgrimage (I hope in my lifetime) to the three sacred mosques; Masjid Al-Haram (Mekah), Masjid Al-Nabawi (Madinah) and Masjid Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem).

"It is not the land that makes anyone holy, but one's deeds"
Salman al-Farisi

LOVE
Where is the best place to fall in love? For me, the place should have at least three things; great, humble, soft-spoken and well-mannered people, peaceful and calm surrounding and lastly, a common language spoken. The combination of these will (hopefully) create deep and lasting love. Love, according to Sophocles is one word which frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That is why when you're in a lovey-dovey moments, you'll feel a great burden is lifted, your senses are heighten and you'll feel more happy than ever. Well, I guess most of them are caused by hormones flooding into the blood, but nevertheless it is a universal response for people. I've been in and out of love several times, and over the years when you start to age, you'll find that the idea of love has changed over time.

"All mankind love a lover"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Best Of Karajan

It's not "kerajaan" but Karajan, or his full name Herbert von Karajan an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor, one of the best! Just search in YouTube and you'll get long list of his conducting work from numerous composers. What I would like to share here is basically how he could not only command the orchestra, but the audience as well. The piece is "Radetzky March" Op. 228 by Johann Strauss Sr. This is one of the most played march in the world, if you notice even the school band play this piece; maybe during the Sports Day. Simply the best!


"No music is vulgar, unless it is played in a way that makes it so"
Herbert von Karajan, 1908~1989

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Let Us Not Forget About LYNAS

Well, RAPID seems to be the recent hot topic in my blog, but let us not forget our friend LYNAS. On 14 May, the news had officially announce that a review will be done by 9 experts appointed by IAEA. Who are they? Let us read some fact.

Dr. Tero Varjoranta (Leader) - Director of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy

Dr. Magnus Vesterlind (Sweden) - Head of IAEA Waste and Environment Safety Section

Dr. Horst Monken Fernandes (Brazil) - Waste Technology Section Division of Nuclear Fuel Cell and Waste Management

Hanna Kajander (Finland) - Communications Specialist at IAEA

Jan van der Steen (Netherlands) - Experts on Radioactive Protection and Radioactive Waste Management

Dr. Leo M. Lowe (Canada) - Experts on Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Sciences

Dr P.M. Balagopala Pillai (India) - Info not available

Dr. Dennis Wymer (UK) - Experts on Nuclear Energy By-Product from Mining Industry

Ulric Schwela (Finland) - Experts on Tantalum - Niobium Mining

Hiroko Ratcliffe (Austria) - Administrative Assistant

With all these distinguish experts in their own special field, I hope that they'll do their best in the review from 29 May until 3 June, and finally provide the final say on LYNAS project, as well as stop the demonstrations once and for all.

God Speed!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

RAPID : Facts & Numbers

More info are pouring over the news and internet since its announcement yesterday by our PM. So, below are a few of them extracted from main stream media.

RAPID : Refinery And Petrochemical Integrated Development
(in Malay: Pembangunan Bersepadu Penapisan Minyak Dan Petrokimia)

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) : RM 60 billion (US$ 20 billion)

Location : Pangerang, Johor on a 1,000 hectares of land

Facilities & Capacity :

Crude oil refinery - 300,000 barrels/day (will add up to the current refining capacity from 635,300 barrels/day to 935,300 barrels/day)

Naphtha cracker - 3,000,000 tonnes of ethylene, propylene, C4's and C5's olefins

Petrochemical and polymer complex - unknown capacity (producing highly-specialised products from propylene and ethylene oxide derivatives)

LNG re-gassification and receiving terminal - potential

Other related infrastructure such as pipelines, tankages, logistics and warehouse facilities

Facts :

Exceeding the combined refining capacity of Melaka and Terengganu PETRONAS refineries

Exceeding the combined petrochemical production of Integrated Petrochemical Complex in Gebeng and Kerteh

4,000 job opportunities when RAPID is completed in 2016

20,000 job opportunities when RAPID is in construction between 2012 to 2016

RAPID... Finally Its Official...

PM lancar projek RAPID

KUALA LUMPUR 13 Mei - Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini melancarkan projek Pembangunan Bersepadu Penapisan Minyak dan Petrokimia (RAPID) iaitu projek milik syarikat minyak dan gas Malaysia, Petronas.

Projek bernilai AS$20 bilion (RM60 bilion) itu akan dibina di Johor dan dijangka siap pada penghujung 2013.

RAPID akan memberi tumpuan kepada tiga sektor utama iaitu penapisan minyak mentah, penghasilan perentak nafta dan pembangunan petrokimia dan polimer kompleks. - Utusan


Petronas to build US$20bil energy complex in Johor

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced plans for national oil company Petronas' detailed feasibility study for the development of a proposed refinery and petrochemical integrated development project (RAPID) in Southern Johor.

The proposed project scope will include key facilities such as a crude oil refinery, a naphtha cracker and a petrochemicals and polymer complex.

The RAPID project requires an estimated investment of US$20bil and the complex is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2016.


Thursday, May 12, 2011

All About Sugar

Sugar, is a term for a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates mainly sucrose, lactose and fructose characterized by a sweet flavor. In food, sugar is almost exclusively refers to fructose, which comes from sugarcane or sugar beet.

Several facts related to sugar in Malaysia.

In recent years, the sugarcane harvested area averaged between 20,000-24,000 hectares, most of them located in the state of Kedah and Perlis, which has a yield of approximately 68 metric tonnes per hectare and total production of 1.6 million metric tonnes.

Malaysia has 4 sugarcane processing facilities in the state of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Selangor with a total annual refining capacity of 1.0 million tonnes.

Despite, the huge production numbers and refining capacities, Malaysia heavily imports about 90% of its raw materials.

Domestic consumption of sugar is Malaysia is approximately 1.16 million tonnes per year, which is about 50 kilograms (raw equivalent) per capita basis and among the highest in the region.

Malaysia is a net sugar importing country reaching more than 1.0 million tonnes per year with annual valued at between $200-300 million. Main supplier of sugar to Malaysia are Australia, Thailand and Fiji which accounts for 98% of total imports.

Sugar prices over the years are as follows;
1989 - RM 1.20 per kg
Sep 2006 - RM 1.40 per kg
Mar 2009 - RM 1.45 per kg
Jan 2010 - RM 1.65 per kg
Jul 2010 - RM 1.90 per kg
Dec 2010 - RM 2.10 per kg
May 2011 - RM 2.30 per kg

From what I share here, the number doesn't add up...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

PETRONAS Going Big!

PETALING JAYA: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) will announce on Friday plans to invest around RM50bil in an integrated downstream oil and gas complex in Pengerang, Johor, reliable sources said.

Dubbed Rapid or Refinery And Petrochemical Integrated Development, the project is aimed at building something “larger than Kertih” and will eventually include multinational oil and gas companies as joint-venture partners. The integrated development will not only include oil refining and petrochemical activities, but include a gas power plant and other “supportive industries” said sources.

Rapid is a project identified in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), which is led by the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (Pemandu).

One of the reasons why Pengerang was chosen is because its waters can reach depths of more than 20m, which is what is needed for very large crude carriers (VLCC) and ultra large crude carriers. The Johor government will be a joint-venture partner of the project and will provide the land. Sources indicate that PETRONAS' Rapid project complements plans for the RM5bil independent deepwater petroleum terminal in Pengerang, which is to be the first deepwater terminal in South-East Asia. The terminal is a tankage facility for handling, storing, blending and distribution of crude oils and petroleum products with marine facilities capable of handling VLCCs.

Part of the thinking behind Rapid was to replicate what Singapore has already done successfully, sources said. Singapore's oil refining businesses only started around 10 years ago. Singapore has an export refining capacity of 1.3 million barrels per day, compared with Malaysia's 560,000 barrels per day, according to the ETP roadmap. Singapore Refining Company Pte Ltd, which operates a refinery on Jurong Island, is capable of processing 290,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Other major refineries in Singapore include ExxonMobil's refinery in Jurong that process about 605,000 barrels of crude per day and Shell's Pulau Bukom Refinery with some 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Plans for PETRONAS to develop Johor's Pengerang into a sizeable force in the oil and gas (O&G) space are not new. Last November, the Government said PETRONAS would play a major role in the development of Johor's south-east areas of Teluk Ramunia and Pengerang into a O&G hub in the region. It was then said that the investments in the hub would come from PETRONAS and its international partners and the investments would bring major development into Johor's south-east areas and could turn Teluk Ramunia and Pengerang into a new Kertih.

PETRONAS chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas confirmed then that PETRONAS was talking with several international investors to invest in Teluk Ramunia and Pengerang. Once a sleepy fishing village in Terengganu, Kertih is now a thriving township due to O&G related activities with PETRONAS as the main driver in the O&G sector there. The PETRONAS Kertih Refinery is the national oil company's first oil refinery in Malaysia, and processes 49,000 barrels of Malaysian light, sweet crude oil per day. In total, PETRONAS owns and operates four refineries (three in Malaysia and one in South Africa) with a total refining capacity of more than 448,000 barrels per day.

The Government had also said then that while the investments would come from PETRONAS and its partners, the Government was looking into allocating money for infrastructure developments in the areas. Another aspect of the oil and gas thrust in the ETP (and which is linked to the Rapid project) is for Malaysia to venture into the lucrative area of oil trading. Singapore accounts for hundreds of billions of oil trading every year, an area of business that is virtually absent in Malaysia. According to the ETP roadmap, Singapore, by 2007, had built a significant trading business worth more than RM1 trillion in physical oil trade and RM2 trillion in derivative trades. Sources said the Government may consider providing additional incentives to attract oil trading firms to be located in Johor.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

In 12 days, I'll be in KL and attending my first Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) concert in 2011 after so many years! Quite excited actually because the last time I've been there was for "Imbauan 2: Normadiah Dalam Kenangan" concert back in February 2010. The concert was superb and amazing with singers Azlina and Liza Aziz, as well as Musly Ramlee. That was also the night when I met Aziz Sattar in person.

On 21 May, its gonna be a classical Baroque concert showcasing several famous composers such as Handel, Corelli, Albinoni and Pachelbel. The theme for the concert is "Baroque Bon-Bons". To those who haven't been to such concert, or been into the philharmonic hall, you should attend at least one of them because the hall itself is very elegant and beautiful.

Looking up you can see the bright, sparkling crystal chandelier occupying the ceiling of the box-shaped hall. Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP) was designed according to the traditional European opera or concert house which in those days were box-shaped. The seats are basically divided into 3 types; Stalls, Boxes, and Circles (Upper & Lower). Stalls are basically the staged-seat which are fixed into the floor similar to the one in a cinema. The Stalls are further divided into 4 levels (according to the ticket price) which are Premium, A Reserve, B Reserve and C Reserve. Boxes are two-tiered seats which are located at the right and left side of the hall. From there you can actually have a bird's eye view of the concert hall. Lastly is the Circles, which are located at the back of the hall which are also two-tiered; Lower and Upper. This seat is similar to a football stadium where you can see the front side of the hall but not the lower back Stall seats. Hidden in the front panels of the hall (the one with pipes in the wall) is actually a Klais Pipe Organ, which is seldomly played. The design of the organ is based on Sabah's traditional musical instrument of "angklung".

There you go a brief story of DFP. So, do drop by to listen to MPO in the future. I'm gonna be a permanent attendees after this.

Mr. Klaus Peter Flor, the Musical Director

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Holiday Mood

Not really in a holiday mood, but something that I would like to consider after a very long weeks of work. I'm a person who like beaches more than other places (owh! and historical as well) that I will consider going to during a holiday. The best beach scene that I've experienced before is Phuket and Bali. But, locally in Malaysia we also have several cool and nice beaches that we can go.

I like to imagine a very lavish and elegant holiday by the beaches. So, today I would like to share several cool hotels and resorts in Malaysia where you can get that experience. For me well, maybe in the future I'll have the opportunity of course...






Friday, May 6, 2011

100th Post

Finally, this is the 100th post of the blog. Supposedly, assuming I'm posting a blog each day, I should've reach at least 700+ posts already. Since 2009, this blog has been left unattended and unwritten because mainly there's no interest in keeping it as a diary. But now, I have a few reason of sharing my thoughts and a few other things. I just hope that I keep it up by posting at least one post each day of anything from personal matters to nonsensical stuff.

Happy 100th post to me!

"A victory without danger is a triumph without glory"
Pierre Corneille

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Johann Sebastian Bach - Concerto for 4 Harpsichords in A Minor

We've seen a piano concerto before, but what about a concerto with 4 pianos in it. Amazing! Originally this piece was written by Bach for harpsichord, a predecessor of modern pianoforte. The concerto is divided into 3 movement; Allegro, Largo and finally Allegro.

For those who are not familiar with classical music, Allegro means fast, quickly and bright, while Largo means very slow. It basically describes the tempo of the concerto. I movement (Allegro) starts at 00:12 until 04:00, II movement (Largo) from 04:07 until 06:34, and briefly stopped for the final III movement (Allegro) from 06:35 until 09:38. Enjoy!

Open air concert is amazing!

What (Else) You Need To Know About LYNAS

Below is the latest publication issue by a "Dr. L from Save Malaysia". The content are mostly to refute whatever has been explained before on LAMP. Since the original documents are not in text form, I have to scan into jpg and upload them here instead. So, please click on the pictures to get a bigger version for reading purposes. Enjoy!


"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it"

Orlando A. Battista

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Quotes Of The Day

WISDOM
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

JUSTICE
"Justice means minding one's own business and not meddling with other men's concerns"
Plato

COURAGE
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear"
Mark Twain

HONESTY
"A sarcastic person has a superiority complex that can be cured only by the honesty of humility"
Lawrence G. Lovasik

CHANCE
"If there is anything that a man can do well, I say let him do it. Give him a chance"
Abraham Lincoln

Monday, May 2, 2011

Is The World (Finally) At Peace?

After Saddam Hussein, they have finally closed another chapter for Osama Bin Laden. And soon to follow is Muammar Gaddafi or perhaps Kim Jong-il. I just hope that after all they've done, the world be (at last) at peace with no war and suffering and they will withdraw all of their troops from the countries that they claim to have been liberated from dictators and oppressors.


Dear. Mr President, you'll be remembered as the person who finally vanquished the "terror" which shook the USA to its foundation.

The WORLD will never be the same again...

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Counting Coins

The only productive thing that I do today (besides going to the office on a Labour Day public holiday) is counting my loose change coins in my lovely blue mug which has been sitting there untouched for a year more or less. It has been my old habit putting all the loose change that I got every time I went for a shopping in that mug. Once in a while I'll reuse the coins just in case there's no cash in my wallet, or just a simple stop at the pasar malam (which cost less than RM 10 for every visit). So, after the counting the final sum is as follows;

50 cents x 42 = RM 21.00
20 cents x 209 = RM 41.80
10 cents x 203 = RM 20.30
5 cents x 48 = RM2.40

So, the final count is RM 85.50!

Out from the blue mug and into the round red Famous Amos tin can...

The other thing that I like to collect is unusable bank notes. Below are a few of the RM 1 notes that I got so far.

Top right: scribbled, Top left: torn & pasted with cellophane tape, Bottom right: fungi infested, Bottom left: burnt