Putting technology to good use

The short message service (SMS) via mobile phones is seen as the technology that has left a profound mark in Malaysia this year. The use of SMS escalated when local television stations organised reality shows, calling for viewers to pick their favourite contestants. The service providers have captured on the growing interest by offering numerous SMS services. But as such technology influence the life of the people especially the young, experts are beginning to raise the alarm. They say it can be a backlash to being hyper-accesible by e-mail, instant message, cell phone calls and text-messaging. People are spending more and more time in front of the computer screen or fritzing with techonological devices. Experts say the key is using technology to enhance life and taking a step back when it doesn't. "You need to have it rather than it having you", says Michelle Weil, co-author of Technostress: Coping with Technology@Work@Home@Play.

Who wants to be a millionaire

A 24 year-old lad became instant millionaire when he won the grand prize of RM1 million in a Malaysian television quiz show in 1991. Up till now, Ahmad Samerin Dzulkifli remains the country's only game show millionaire even after seven seasons of the local version of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'. He still owns the bicycle-repair shop but has added an electrical appliance shop and several other businesses. But he remains elusive and publicity-shy, prefering to live a normal life. This is understandable as he was beset by callers -- women offering to marry him, others seeking financial help after his windfall win. If his one-off wealthy feat has attracted interest, what more for Malaysia's multi-millionaire songbird who admitted how difficult it is to maintain the 'Siti Nurhaliza' brand name. After winning a television singing contest more than 10 years ago, Siti continued to prove her talent and worked hard to be where she is today as Malaysia's number one singer. Just as Samerin has put his money to good use into business, Siti too has ventured into business including promoting her own tea aptly named CTea.
So what has the two in common apart from the capital 'S' in their names and hard work. Both are from the state of Pahang and the product of television discoveries.

Malaysia's CEO of the year

To Mohamed Nazir Abdul Razak, a good executive officer (CEO) is someone who can change with the demands of the organisation and the environment. Named Malaysia's CEO of the Year 2004 Award , he has proven his capabilities in steering Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad (CIMB) to greater heights. The changes are necessitated by the fact that the investment bank operates in an industry that is furiously evolving as a result of globalisation and liberalisation. Using the English Premier League as an analogy, Nazir said: "Like Manchester United, year in and year out, we have strong and weak competitors. Some may do better in certain years, but over the long-term, we like to think that CIMB will remain number one."
At 37, he is the youngest CEO to have won the award.

Love thy neighbour...

With the last remaining days of a typical month-long Eid celebration in the country, residents of a Kuala Lumpur housing area got together last night to re-new their neighbourhood bond. For residents of Jalan AU1C/3K of Taman Keramat Permai, the occasion helped to keep themselves stay in touch with one another especially those who are new in the area. This is common all over the country. Fresh from recharging my neighbourhood network, I decided to have breakfast this morning at an eating place frequented mostly by those from Kelantan in Pantai Dalam, which used to be on the city's fringe. Apart from sampling some of the favourite morning meal of the east coast state in the peninsular, the eatery keeps patrons to stay in touch in their Kelantanese dialect of goings-on from work to politics and the current flood hitting the state. Some of them came all the way from other areas in the city in search of their favourite Kelantanese food. While they tucked in their food, they could easily see how far the place had developed over the years from a squatter colony to a low-cost housing area. What used to be their 'kampung', is now taken up by the newly-opened New Pantai Expressway linking the city to Subang Jaya.
On the regional scale, Malaysia's 'Prosper-thy-Neighbour' policy is widely recognised including by Indonesia.

Flying high with the world's best cabin crew

A 12-hour flight from London to Kuala Lumpur is less tiring when you're in the company of the world's best cabin crew . Their ever-smiling faces despite the tough task at hand made travelling on Malaysia Airlines a joy. The 747-400 was full when it took off from Heathrow at 10pm on Wednesday December 8. It was carrying 362 passengers with a 22-member crew on board. An hour earlier flight to Kuala Lumpur via Langkawi was also full as in the normal case of the other national carrier daily flights from London. It was not the first time that the Malaysia Airlines cabin crew was voted the best in the world. It was achieved as a result of Skytrax's annual survey of some 130 worldwide airlines. Malaysia Airlines holds the the honour for the fifth time in six years from 1999 except for a momentarily lapse last year.

Pictures on the wall

Malaysia’s artist and marine conservationist Ajis Mohamad must be a happy man. His paintings on coral reefs will don the wall of many homes and offices as Shell 2005 corporate calendar. This is the time of the year when calendars are hot items to herald in the new year. Since it started producing its calendars in the early 1970s, Shell has attempted to communicate specific messages to the Malaysian community through the channel. Over the years the themes have ranged from Malaysia's rare flora and endangered fauna, traditional crafts, architecture, indigenous costumes and ethnic folklore. For its 2005 timepiece, Shell worked with Ajis who is acknowledged as Malaysia's first underwater artist, to focus on coral reef conservation. Ajis paints his subjects underwater - a painstaking technique and a medium he has mastered - while on his scuba diving expeditions as the president of the Malaysian Coral Reef Conservation Society.

Thanks for the memories...

A group photograph and a certificate of attendance at Wolfson College in Cambridge would be among the precious memorablia the four press fellows for the Michaelmas Term 2004 would be taking home as the programme comes to an end. They reflected upon their study projects over a farewell breakfast with the Wolfson Press Fellowship programme director John Naughton and his assistant Richard Synge. Present were Bill Kirkman, the founding director of the press fellowship and Hilary Pennington, the programme administrator. Over the last 25 years, the fellowship has given journalists from all over the world a chance to stand back from their daily work to concentrate on undertaking a study of their interest. An important aspect of the programme is the opportunity to be integrated into the life of the College which is the most cosmopolitan in Cambridge.

The man with a mission...

Soft spoken but firm in his work. The new director of the Malaysian Students Department in London has outlined what he aims to achieve in the coming months. Dr Syed Raisudin Syed Abdullah wasted no time as he embarks on his mission to face the new challenges.

As Time Goes By

With the cool afternoon wind blowing softly against my face and the picturesque King's College in the background, I am cherishing my final moments in Cambridge. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was belting out 'As Time Goes By' from my CD player as I reflect upon the past three months I've been here. Cambridge is a beautiful city made famous by its academic excellence. It is also a cultural melting pot with students coming from all over the world for their academic pursuit in Cambridge University, one of the greatest centres of learning. King's is one of the oldest of the 33 colleges in Cambridge. It was founded in 1441 by Henry VI and has since become a premier tourist attraction.

Waking up to 'nasi lemak' and 'teh tarik' in central London

'Nasi lemak' and 'teh tarik' are Malaysians favourite food. While they are easily found everywhere across the country especially for breakfast, getting anywhere near the aroma of the coconut-milked cooked rice in London is hard unless of course you are at the Malaysia Hall in Queensborough Terrace. The canteen serves great nasi lemak which comes with your choice or beef or chicken, 'sambal sotong' or 'ikan bilis'. For Malaysians, who miss home, getting a taste of 'nasi lemak' and 'teh tarik' at the Malaysia Hall canteen, which opens daily, is a relief. Incidentally, 'roti canai', another Malaysian favourite, is also on its menu.

The little kebab shop in Notting Hill

Notting Hill in London is a popular place. It was even made into a delightful Hollywood movie by the same name starring Hugh Grant and 'Pretty Woman' Julia Roberts. Grant took on the role as William Thacker, a travel bookstore owner, who was all out to win the heart of American movie star Anna Scott, played by Roberts in the 1999 hit comedy. There is another special thing about Notting Hill although not on the scale of the gliterring movie stars. It is a little kebab shop on its main road which opened for business just about the time the movie was made. Apart from kebab sandwiches, it serves chicken, beef and fish burgers, continental and Lebanese cuisine almost similar to the 'halal' delicacies offered at other such shops in the vicinity of Marble Arch. The owner would not go into details about the business except to say that he has no complaints. From the look of it, business is brisk with its customers from all over like the Italian couple, a group of international youths and a lone Malaysian traveller who had supper at the place tonight. Just like the others, I did not have any complaint about the food although I miss satay.

A never ending question...

The fight against terrorism remains a global concern. Three years after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, the international community continues to grapple with the question of whether the world is a safe place to live in. Many books have been written about the issue while numerous discussions were held and would continue to be staged. A conference I remember too well was entitled ' Asian Perspectives on the Global War Against Terrorism' held at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington on June 27, 2003. It was co-sponsored with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The panelists were Hiroki Fukuda, Asahi Shimbun, Japan; James Novak Luhulima, Kompas, Indonesia; Federico Pascual, Philippine Star, Philippines; Tulsthit Taptim, The Nation, Thailand; Xian Wen, People's Daily, China; Ming Zhu, Jiefeng Daily, China; Ahmad Zukiman Zain, Bernama, Malaysia.
I note here the report of the event:
http://wwics.si.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.print&event_id=31136&stoplayout=true

Another year, another step closer to our destiny

As we approach the new year, my thoughts wander on what to expect in 2005. A new year would mean a year older and a step closer to our destiny. I've always been guided by the saying 'today should be better than yesterday and tomorrow even better'. Just as I am testing new ground by entering this emerging world of blogosphere, I have lots of anxiety as I tread the fuzzy path into the new year. I'm not sure if I had made any new year's resolution when the planet welcomed 2004. Even if I did, the year is ending with something I least expected. I had not imagined to be in England but here I am since the last two months for a wonderful experience that would last forever. I met new people and even learn how easy it is to start this blog. So what's in store for the coming year? Like everyone else, I'm hoping for the best.

Becoming a blogger -- free of charge

This is the beginning of my journey into blogosphere. What is it going to be like? Will I survive in this new world which is said to be changing the landscape of journalism? For something that requires no joining fee or writing qualification, I guess there is nothing to lose by hopping on to the bandwagon of online diarists. Just as millions of others who share their opinions with a global audience daily, it is my hope that this blog of mine will give me the space to connect with the international community.