Budget 2010 - 1Malaysia, Together We Prosper - Malaysiakini

Oct 23, 2009


Budget 2010's three-pronged strategy - driving the nation towards a high-income economy, ensuring holistic and sustainable development and focusing on the well-being of the people.

GDP for 2009 is expected to be -3%, better than the earlier estimation of -4% to -5%.

The total expenditure allocated is RM191.5 billion, which is 11.2 percent less that what was allocated last year (RM215.7 billion).

Of this, the proposed operating expenditure is RM138.3 billion and development expenditure is RM53.2 billion.

The government's income meanwhile has shrunk 8.4 percent to RM148.4 billion (RM162.1 billion in 2009).

The budget deficit is proposed to be reduced to 5.6 percent from 7.4 percent last year.

Salient points of Najib's speech:

* Malaysia economy to grow 2-3 percent in 2010

* Mining to grow 1.1 percent, manufacturing sector 1.7 percent, agriculture 2.5 percent, construction 3.2 percent and service 3.6 percent.

* Private consumption expand 2.9 percent while private investment 3.4 percent.

* Per capita income to increase by 2.5 percent to RM24,661.

* TNB to spend RM5 billion to implement electricity generation, transmission and distribution projects in 2010.

* Public-private collaborations to include an integrated immigration, customs and quarantine complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam, construction of six UiTM campuses and the development of Matrade centre.

* 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) will establish a corporate social responsibility fund totalling RM100 million as a start to finance community activities.

* Government to allocate RM899 million to intensify tourism industry.

* Government to enhance tax incentives for healthcare service providers who offer services to foreign health tourists with income tax exemptions of 100 percent on the value of increased exports from 50 percent previously.

* Individual taxpayers to be given tax relief on broadband subscription fee up to RM500 a year from 2010 to 2012.

* Civil servants are eligible to apply for computer loans once in every three years and up to a maximum of RM5,000 from the government once in every five years.

* Formulate Halal Act in collaboration with State Islamic Religious Councils.

* To corporatise the Halal Industry Development Corporation as an agency under Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

* Intensify halal certification by the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) by collaborating with international institutions to obtain standards certification such as HACCP and GMP.

* To provide RM24 million to develop halal products anti-smuggling system at three entry points and three main ports.

* Allocate RM137 million to upgrade and improve drainage and irrigation infrastructures in paddy fields involving 180,000 farmers.

* To provide RM70 million to build the Paya Peda Dam Project in Terengganu to increase water supply capacity to paddy irrigation scheme in Besut.

* Allocate RM82 million to modernise aquaculture industry and conduct entrepreneurship training scheme for aquaculture breeders with focus on production of fish fry and ornamental fish.

* RM149 million allocation to develop food farming industry such as fruits, vegetables, organic farming, herbs, seaweeds and swiftlet nests.

* RM58 million to develop basic infrastructures for livestock farms and establish supply chains for beef and mutton production.

* A consortium comprising Felda, Felcra and Risda will be established by the end of 2009, with a paid-up capital of RM300 million and with each agency contributing RM100 million.

* Government to provide subsidies, incentives and assistance amounting to some RM2 billion to farmers and fishermen to safeguard their interests.

* Government to allocate RM9 billion to finance infrastructure projects, with RM4.7 billion for road and bridge projects, RM2.6 billion for water supply and sewerage services, RM899 million for rail facilities, RM820 million for ports and sea services and RM276 milliion for airport projects.

* To consolidate 79 SME funds to 33 to simplify access to SME financing to be coordinated by SME Corp.

* To allocate RM350 million to SME Corp, with RM200 million set aside for SME soft loans, RM100 million for capacity enhancement and the balance for branding and promotion.

* Financial institutions to approve micro-financing in six days and disbursement in four days.

* To allocate RM538 million for implementation of various SME programmes, with RM281 million to state economic development corporations, RM200 million to Tekun and RM57 million for purchase of business premises and infrastructures.

* Government to sanction RM20 million to intensify green awareness activities and practise environment-friendly lifestyle.

* Develop Putrajaya and Cyberjaya as pioneer townships in GreenTechnology as a showcase for the development of other townships.

* Establish a RM1.5 billion fund to promote green technology, with a maximum RM50 million financing for suppliers and RM10 million for consumer companies.

* Applications for financing through the National Green Technology Centre to commence on Jan 1, 2010 and 140 companies are to benefit.

* Building owners obtaining GBI Certificates from tomorrow until Dec 31, 2014 are to be given income tax exemption equivalent to additional capital expenditure.

* Stamp duty exemption to buyers of buildings with GBI Certificates from tomorrow till Dec 31, 2014.

* Simplify permanent residency (PR) applications for those who possess high talents, expatriates will be issued visas within 14 days while male expatriates who marry locals will be automatically conferred PR status.

* Government will ensure that the five regional corridors - launched during former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure - will be developed according to schedule.

* To ensure fuel subsidies only benefit targeted groups, the government will implement a fuel subsidiy management system in early 2010. This is a more people-friendly system utilising MyKad and the existing infrastructure.

* There will be no more free credit cards which are currently being used extensively. The number increased from more than two million in 1997 to 11 million as of August 2009, excluding 285,000 charge cards. To promote prudent spending a service tax of RM50 a year will be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card, including those issued free of charge.

* There will also be service tax of RM25 a year imposed on each supplementary card.

* RM3.7 billion set aside to beef up the security forces, including providing modern and sophisticated equipment for the relevant agencies.

* Target set to reduce crime index by five percent, including street crimes such as snatch theft and robberies by 20 percent by the end of 2010. Among the measures that will be taken is to increase police presence by providing stations in 50 crime hotspots.

* Open Approved Permit (AP) holders to be charged RM10,000 for each AP given. The new ruling will come into effect on Jan 1 next year.

* Government committee to achieve target of zero hardcore poverty in 2010. Five thousand poor households registered with eKasih and 4,000 Orang Asli households to receive aid. Skills training programmes and income generating programmes will be provided. Federal welfare assistance to be distributed on the 1st of each month.

* RM141 million to be allocated for 'Program Lonjakan Mega' scheme to alleviate 5,600 families from hardcore poverty.

* Double deduction on expenditure incurred in promoting Malaysia as an international financial centre.

* Deduction on expenditure incurred to set up islamic stockbroking companies.

* Deduction on expenditure incurred on the issuance of Islamic securities.

* Government to encourage all syariah-compliant financial and banking institutions such as Bank Muamalat and Bank Islam to offer Ar-Rahnu scheme.

* Government to ensure regional corridors be developed according to schedule.

Todate 126 of 195 planned projects are at various stages of implementation. Planned investments totalling RM221 billion have exceeded the 9MP target of RM145 billion.

* Government to allocate RM3.5 billion for infrastructure and basic amenities and training programmes and socio-economic projects to support implementation of private sector projects.

* Government is in the final stage of completing a study on imposing Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate will be lower than the current sales and service tax.

* Income tax for 2010 based on income derived from 2009 will be allowed to be paid in instalments in five years.

* A five per cent tax to be imposed on gains from disposal of real property from Jan 1, 2010.

* A RM50 service tax to be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card and RM25 a year on each supplementary card from Jan 1, 2010.

* RM100,000 to be imposed for each AP to open AP holders effective Jan 1, 2010.

A portion of the collection will be channelled to the Bumiputera development fund in the automotive sector.

* To introduce a basic insurance and takaful scheme for motor insurance protection by mid-2010.

* To expand micro insurance and takaful coverage for small-scale businessmen to benefit from coverage ranging from RM10,000 to RM20,000 with a premium as low as RM20 per month.

* Stock market to be further liberalised to enhance efficiency.

* Liberalise commission-sharing arrangements between stockbrokers and remisiers by allowing flexible brokerage sharing at a minimum rate of 40 per cent for remisiers and to have commission-sharing fully liberalised effective January 1, 2011.

* Allowing 100 per cent foreign equity participation in corporate finance and financial planning companies.

* All public-listed companies to offer e-Dividend and stockbroking companies to provide e-Payment options.

* Current tax incentives to develop financial services, particularly Islamic finance, extended to 2015.

* Twenty per cent stamp duty exemption on Islamic financing instruments.

* Tax exemption on banking profits derived from overseas operations.

* Effective Jan 1 2010, government agrees to allow agencies to retain 50 per cent of rentals received while the remaining 50 per cent will be remitted to the government as revenue.

* The Government will implement fuel subsidy management system in early 2010.

* The Government proposes the maximum income tax rate to be further reduced to 26 per cent from 27 per cent effective from the 2010 year of assessment.

* Maximum tax rate for cooperatives will be reduced to 26 per cent while the fixed tax rate for non-resident individuals will be cut to 26 per cent.

* Personal tax relief will be increased to RM9,000 from RM8,000 effective from the 2010 year of assessment.

* The Government also proposes income tax on employment income of Malaysians and foreign knowledge workers residing and working in Iskandar Malaysia be imposed at 15 per cent compared with the maximum 26 per cent for the rest of the country.

* Government to launch a scheme in January 2010 that enables EPFcontributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2 to promote house ownership.

* RM14.8 billion is allocated to manage, build and upgrade hospitals and clinics.

* The Government will issue 1Malaysia Sukuk totalling RM3 billion.

* The Government will establish the 1Malaysia Retirement Scheme to be administrated by EPF.

250 dogs take part in contest - Star

Oct 18, 2009

OBEDIENCE was the key word of the day during the Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) all-breed championship show in Ipoh.



Dogs of different shapes and sizes sat patiently or strut elegantly towards their owners with a whisk of an arm or by spoken commands at the event held yesterday at the SJKC Yuk Choy hall.



The dogs, ranging from the small Chihuahuas to the huge German Shepherd, also sat quietly while being groomed by their owners.

German Shepherds waiting to be paraded during the Malaysian Kennel Association all-breed championship show yesterday.


Organising chairman Lau Yit Meng said all participating dogs must be handled well.

“A dog which is nervous and shies away from the judges or one that tries to bite the judge will be penalised,” he added.

Lau said the different breeds of dogs were judged accordingly to how their heads, bodies, forelegs, hind legs and tail placement should look like.

“The judges will also look at their movements,” he added.

A total of 250 dogs took part in seven categories at the championship, evaluated by international dog judges Wayne Burton from Australia and Dr Agus Wardhana from Indonesia.

Challenge certificates were presented to the owners of winning pets.

Lau said the certificates were recognised worldwide.

Here are some the photos which I took during the dog show:



This black poodle called Myra won the best of its bred and now the Malaysia Champion in its category

This dog won is also another champion in its category. It was also adjudged as the second overall best of best yesterday

Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize - Star

Oct 9, 2009

OSLO: President Barack Obama on Friday won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the committee said.

“His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.”

Obama’s name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.

The committee said it attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

“Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play.” - AP

Good Lord! It’s a leopard! - Star

Oct 6, 2009

A SCIENTIST who recently studied an animal fossil found in Gua Naga Mas near Gopeng, believes it could be that of a leopard.

Since its discovery by Malaysian Nature Society members in 1992, many have put forward the view that the fossil could be of a tiger or serow.

Lord Cranbrook (blue shirt and yellow hat) taking down notes on the fossil after inspecting it.

The latest opinion that the fossil is a leopard came from Dr Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, the 5th Earl of Cranbrook.

Lord Cranbrook, as he is popularly known, was invited by Universiti Malaya (UM) senior lecturer in Geology Dr Ros Fatihah Muhammad to inspect the fossil on Sept 29.

He said the fossil was that of a carnivore but too small to be a tiger.

Prehistoric animal: The ancient fossil in the cave

Lord Cranbrook was a senior lecturer in zoology between 1961 and 1970 at UM and the author of several books on wildlife in South East Asia.

On why the fossil was found about 30m above the ground, Dr Ros Fatihah said studies in areas in the Kinta Valley had shown that the ground level was much higher in the past.

Dr Ros Fatihah said sediment collected would be sent to a researcher in Australia to determine the age of the cave and fossil.

It has been reported earlier that experts believed that the animal could have lived during the Pleistocene age which started 2.5 million years ago and ended 10,000 years ago.

The Museum and Antiquities Department has gazetted Gua Naga Mas as a historical site.

Study with other races, Dr M advises Malay students - Star

Oct 6, 2009 By R.S.N. MURALI

DUNGUN: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged Malay students to enrol in institutions of higher learning with an equal racial breakdown if they wished to maintain a competitive edge.

“Malays must accept that there are people of other races in this country, and they should interact with them too,” he said after attending a discussion entitled “Malay Supremacy” at UiTM here yesterday.

“(Malay students) should also realise that the world out there is diverse and filled with various ethnic groups and should (make an effort) to foster relationships (with other races) if they want to be more competent.”

Dr Mahathir said, through interaction with other races, Malays would be able to sustain a superlative academic standard through healthy competition.

“The foremost element to achieving this is to accept that this country is a plural society.”

Pameran tandas dari 56 negara

3 Oktober 2009

Jika hobi anda adalah untuk mengumpulkan koleksi tandas, jangan lupa singgah di satu-satunya muzium di dunia yang mempunyai koleksi tandas dari 56 buah negara. Muzium Sulabh International Museum of Toilets yang terletak di bandaraya New Delhi telah dibuka pada tahun 1992.

Replika tandas King Louis XIV

Ini lagi salah satu koleksi tandas purba

Bermacam-macam maklumat dan koleksi gambar mengenai berbagai tandas boleh didapati di muzium ini.

Berita selanjutnya:

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/10/3/lifefocus/4798593&sec=lifefocus

Tsunami melanda Pulau Samoa selepas gempa bumi berukuran 8.3 pada skala Richter

Sept 30, 2009


Lebih dari 20 orang dikhuatiri terbunuh bila tsunami melanda pulau Samoa selepas satu gempa bumi berukuran 8.3 pada skala richter. Gempa bumi berlaku pada kira-kira jam 6.48 pagi waktu tempatan 35km di bawah dasar laut dan 190km dari pulau tersebut.

Pulau Samoa adalah sebahagian daripada wilayah Amerika yang terletak di antara Hawaii dan New Zealand dengan penduduk berjumlah 65,000 orang.

Video:


Berita selanjutnya:

Tsunami hits Samoa islands, at least 14 dead

Tsunami Hits Samoa Islands, Destroys Village

Tsunami: At least 34 dead in Samoa

Flash Back: Tsunami yang melanda negara kita pada 26 Disember 2004:

Tsunami: Korban kini mencecah 65 orang (Utusan Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Dis. - Jumlah kematian akibat bencana tsunami di Malaysia meningkat kepada 65 orang sehingga pukul 5 petang ini apabila dua mayat lagi ditemui di Pulau Pinang dan Perak, demikian menurut jurucakap Pusat Kawalan Malaysia (MCC) di Ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit Aman.

Jurucakap itu berkata, seramai 183 orang tercedera dan 12 masih hilang bagi tempoh yang sama.

Pulau Pinang mencatatkan 50 kematian, 10 di Kedah, empat di Perak dan satu di Selangor, katanya ketika dihubungi.

Video Tsunami yang melanda Batu Feringhi:



Daripada keseluruhan jumlah kecederaan, 108 kes dilaporkan di Pulau Pinang, 72 di Kedah dan tiga di Perak. Tiada kes kecederaan dilaporkan di Selangor.

Usaha diteruskan untuk lapan mangsa yang masih hilang di Pulau Pinang, tiga di Kedah dan seorang di Perak.

Nicol Ann David - Juara Skuasy Terbuka Dunia kali ke 4

Gambar ehsan The Sun

Nicol David mencipta sejarah sekali lagi apabila berjaya dinobatkan sebagai juara squasy terbuka dunia bagi kali ke-4 kelmarin.

Laluan Nicol ke arah kejayaannya:


Pada perlawanan akhir kejohanan skuasy terbuka dunia ini, Nicol menewaskan pemain dari Australia, Natalie Grinham dalam 4 set, 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8, sekali gus menjadikan Nicol wanita ketiga memenangi kejohanan seperti ini sebanyak 4 kali.

Syabas kita ucapkan pada Nicol kerana mengharumkan nama negara.

Mid-Autumn festival celebration in Ipoh - Star

Sept 21, 2009

Picture courtesy of www.dfw-singapore.com/?D=5

THE light from thousands of lanterns is set to illuminate the skyline of the Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh during a large-scale Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on Saturday.

The event, organised by the Lost World of Tambun and Pantai Hospital Ipoh in collaboration with Perak MCA Wanita and the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, will see some 1,000 children taking part in a lantern walk.

Picture courtesy of www.mellowmonk.com/2009/02/lantern-festival.html

Information, Communications and Culture Deputy Minister Heng Seai Kie said the children would be able to witness different cultural performances at various stations along the walk, dubbed the Trail of Unity.

“There will be Bhangra dances, a Chi Leng performance, Indian drum performances, and dances by a Gamelan troupe.

“The event is aimed at promoting cultural unity and to build closer ties amongst the different races, in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

“The event is open to the public and I hope Malaysians of all races would join us,” said Heng who is also Perak MCA Wanita chief.

Other highlights of the event, which will start at 6pm, include a 24-drum performance and a calligraphy writing contest.

For details, call Betty Caleb at 05-5484333.

Majlis Jamuan Berbuka Puasa Staf OUM Perak @ Hotel Excelsior

15 Sept, 2009





Adam (anak kepada Pn Zura) sedang dipegang oleh Shah bersama Iqbal (anak Pn Ilah) sedang dipegang oleh Pn Ilah

Fahmi serta Isteri dan anak kesayangan Alfa yang sedang lena

Baru sebentar tadi telah tamat majlis berbuka puasa untuk staf OUM Perak yang diraikan oleh Pengarahnya Richard Ng. Semua staf serta suami, isteri dan anak masing-masing telah hadir sama kecuali Puan Murni yang sedang cuti bersalin.

Inilah kek keju birthday seberat 3 paun

Birthday boy and birthday girl



Puan Ros sedang membantu mengagihkan kek

Majlis ini telah diadakan di Hotel Excelsior, Ipoh. Selepas majlis berbuka puasa, sambutan birthday telah turut diadakan untuk Erna (15 Sept) dan Pengarahnya (16 Sept). Penyanyi Band Hotel Excelsior telah diminta khas untuk menyampaikan lagu "Happy Birthday". Dah kenyang dan penat, kamipun beransur pulang pada jam 9mlm.

Inilah band yang diminta khas untuk menyampaikan lagu "Happy Birthday"


Semoga dengan sambutan majlis berbuka puasa serta sambutan birthday ini dapat merapatkan lagi hubungan silaturahim antara semua staf serta keluarga. Diharap pada tahun depan, keluarga OUM Perak bertambah besar lagi.

Tahun ini dapat prezen dan kad ucap selamat daripada staf saya. Terima kasih pada semua staf.

McDonald (US) lawan McCurry (M'sia) - McCurry menang

Mahkamah Persekutuan memutuskan hari ini bahawa McCurry, sebuah restoran tempatan yang menjual masakan India tidak menyalah-gunakan nama francais McDonald. Ini berikutan kes mahkamah yang telah mengambil masa lapan tahun di mana pihak McDonald menyaman McCurry kerana penggunaan nama "Mc" di depan nama restoran itu.








Bacaan tambahan: (Akhbar The Star)

US' McDonald's loses trademark fight against M'sian McCurry

PUTRAJAYA: McDonald's has lost an eight-year trademark battle against the Malaysian restaurant McCurry, which serves Indian food.

The country's highest court ruled Tuesday that the U.S. fast food giant cannot appeal against another court's verdict that allowed McCurry to use the "Mc" prefix.

The ruling by the Federal Court ends all legal avenues for McDonald's to protect its name from what it said was a trademark infringement.

A three-member Appeal Court panel had ruled in favor of McCurry Restaurant in April this year.

The panel said there was no evidence to show that McCurry was passing off McDonald's business as its own.

McDonald's asked the Federal Court for permission to appeal against that decision but was denied. - AP

Gambar aneh untuk dikongsikan bersama

7 Sept 2009 Sumbangan Saranjit Singh

Gambar berikut nampak agak aneh dan bergantung kepada masing-masing untuk membuat tafsiran. Bukannya apa tapi sekadar untuk mengurangkan stres.

Gambar 1:


Gambar 2:


Gambar 3:


Gambar 4:


Gambar 5:


Gambar 6:


Gambar 7:

Jalan pendek ke Tambun Lost World dari Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan dibuka

Pelan pembangunan terancang di Tambun

IPOH 29 Ogos - Kawasan Tambun yang sedang pesat membangun dengan kewujudan Bandar Sunway Ipoh, bakal mempunyai pelan pembangunan mulai tahun depan.

Ahli Parlimen Tambun, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah berkata, pembangunan tidak boleh dibuat secara ad-hoc tetapi memerlukan satu pelan pembangunan yang teratur supaya ia memberi manfaat kepada rakyat.

''Kita mesti ada pelan induk di mana kita mahu pembangunan dijalankan. Kita mesti tahu di mana kedudukan sekolah, jalan dan bandar supaya memberi manfaat kepada rakyat selain pembangunan di sektor pertanian.

''Kita sedang merangka pelan pembangunan ini dan berharap ia dapat siap menjelang hujung tahun ini untuk diserahkan kepada Kerajaan Pusat," katanya merangkap Menteri Kewangan Kedua kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan pembukaan jalan susur Lebuh Raya Utara Selatan ke Tambun di sini hari ini.

Pembukaan jalan tersebut dijangka dapat menarik kedatangan lebih 10 juta pelancong ke Sunway City Ipoh setiap tahun sekali gus merancakkan aktiviti ekonomi di kawasan Tambun.

Syarikat Sunway City (Ipoh) Sdn. Bhd. turut menyumbangkan RM1.5 juta bagi kos pembinaan laluan tersebut yang menelan belanja RM15 juta.

Ahmad Husni berkata, pembangunan bidang pertanian terutamanya tanaman limau tambun turut dimuatkan dalam pelan pembangunan Tambun.

''Walaupun Ipoh sebuah bandar raya, kita mempunyai petani di Tambun dan kita mahu menukarkannya kepada pertanian moden pada masa akan datang," katanya.

Menurut beliau, Tambun menerima peruntukan sebanyak RM360 juta bagi membina infrastruktur daripada Kerajaan Pusat dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9).

The Hungry Ghost Festival

Aug 29, 2009

You have probably heard of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Have you also heard about the less well-known Hungry Ghost Festival?


Just as the Americans has the Halloween, the Chinese have their version of a ghost festival too. This year, Year 2007, the festival of hungry ghost starts on the 13th of August to 10th September of the Western Calendar.

Celebrated mostly in South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and especially in Singapore and Malaysia, the Hungry Ghost festival is a mixed Taoist/ folklore occasion that is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival falls on the 7th month of the Lunar Year and is believed by the Chinese that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth.


Filial Chinese families would celebrate this festival to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. At the same time, they also pray and pay tributes to other unknown wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls will not intrude into their daily life and bring along misfortunes or bad luck.

How is the festival celebrated?

Another belief among the Chinese is that the dead return to visit their living relatives during the 7th month and thus the living family would prepare a sumptuous meal for the ‘hungry ghosts’. The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck in their lives.



During the 7th month celebrations, the Chinese offer prayers to the deceased relatives, burn joss sticks, paper money and offer food. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is a common sight to see entertaining ‘ wayang’ or Chinese Opera and concerts performed on outdoor stages in some neighborhoods. These events are always held at night and are loud affairs with singing, operas, dances all performed at super high volume. There is a belief that this loud entertainment would attract and please those wandering ghosts. The entire show may be filled with living audience but take note that the front row seats are always left empty for... you guess it, the unseen ghosts! Woe to the ignorant who take up the coveted front seats during the show!

Superstitious belief for the hungry ghost festival

An interesting superstition that the Chinese have about the festival is that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost might cause you to drown in the swimming pool. In addition to
this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is that the wandering ghosts may possess children. Thus, it is not surprising that swimming pools, beaches, shopping malls, cinemas, bowling alleys, parks and other public places will suffer a big dip in customers during this month. This is also a month considered not auspicious to get married, start a business, move house or even to travel. Plane, bus tickets and hotel rates tend to be at their lowest peak during this month!

Offerings to the Dead

The Chinese also do a lot of offerings to the deceased. These offerings are made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as ‘hell money’ and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses & cars to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their new world.

The Chinese regard the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month as an important date to give a feast to the ghosts. On this date, the family will cook a lot of dishes and offer them to the deceased. This is done to please the ghosts and also to gain good luck for the family. 15 days after the feast, the festival will be over, as the Chinese believe that the ghosts will return back to where they come from after a month of 'merry-making'.

Source: http://www.chinese-culture.net/html/hungry_ghost_festival.html

Al-Fatihah - Disabled senator Prof Ismail dies - Malaysiakini

Aug 27, 2009

First disabled senator, Prof Dr Ismail Md Salleh died on a flight from China to Singapore early today. He was 61.

An officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore said Ismail was pronounced dead on arrival at the Singapore General Hospital at about 8am.

The hospital will conduct a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death, he told Bernama.

A father of six children, the visually challenged Ismail became the first person from the disabled community to be appointed as senator in December 2007.

Born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, he was totally blind since he was 13, but the limitation did not stop him from getting his degree, masters and PhD, all in the United States.

For his achievements, Ismail was named as the first blind person to receive a doctorate by the Guinness Book of World Records.

He also held various key positions including Twintech International University College vice-chancellor, Twintech Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, National Association of Bumiputera Private Colleges president, a member of the National Implementation Task Force in the Prime Minister's Department and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) former deputy director-general.

Lukisan dengan pensel

22 Ogos, 2009 Oleh Saranjit Singh

Sila lihat gambar berikut yang dilukis dengan pensel:














Gambar di atas cantik bukan? Tapi yang anda harus tahu bahawa lukisan di atas adalah dilukis dengan mulut oleh pelukis berikut:



Falsafah disebalik mesej di atas ialah:

Di mana kemahuan ... Di situ ada jalan