A reliable motoring friend …

While speed kills, the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) makes no pretentious about being fast in providing service.
Having them back you up is most comforting when your car won’t start just as you want to begin the day’s journey.
More often than not, the fault lies with worn-out batteries as what happened to me this morning.
When AAM patrolman Firdhaus said I could use credit card to pay for the maintenance-free battery that he brought along to replace the lead acid battery in my car, I was surprised.

“Never thought that you would bring along the swipe machine for credit card,” I said as I gave him the money.
He said he did not have to bring the machine as all he needed to do was contact his office to do the verification if members chose to use credit cards.
“There have been instances of vehicle breakdown in the middle of nowhere and the owners do not have enough cash, so they pay by credit card,” said Firdhaus.
But what he did took along with him was a KL road directory so he would not lose his way.
"24-hours protection, 365 days a year is our commitment," says AAM on its website.
"AAM is proud that that we are still considered as the No. 1 Motoring Friend," said the organization which was established in 1932.

More than a doctor ...

Dealing with distraught souls, oncologist Dr Fabian Lee packs lots of patience.
He sees cancer-stricken patients daily, giving them hope whenever they are down.
It’s no simple task though as anyone diagnosed with life-threatening illness easily feels fearful and helpless.
They sink into depression and misery and this takes a toll on them mentally and physically.
"Be strong, you can conquer it…we are here to help you," Dr Lee would tell his patients.
For many, he is more than a doctor but a friend.
When a dispirited patient wants to abandon chemotherapy, he would listen to her grievances before reasoning out why she should carry on with the treatment.
"I know women are afraid of losing their hair but it will grow again after the treatment," he told us when met at his ward today.
Having such illness is an experience that changes anyone.
We become grateful for things which we previously took for granted such as good health.
Tough times also bring us closer to family and friends.

"Falling down is not defeat...Defeat is when you refuse to get up!"

Shabery reiterates new media-friendly stance ...

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek reinforces his new media-friendly approach, saying the government and civil servants must be ready to adapt them whether they like it or not.
"Business cannot be as usual for us, and our best defence against the new media is to continue to be clean, honest and efficient in our public delivery system.
"In this battle for credibility in the new media, and between the new media and the mainstream media, we as part of the establishment will be their punching bags.
“But we cannot fear them,” he said in his paper titled "The New Media: Articulating the Right Values" tabled at the Civil Service Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Shabery said: "They will not be influential or powerful if we are clean, honest, credible, trustworthy and efficient in our administration and public service delivery."
"If we do not have anything to hide, if we do not abuse our power or office, these new media per se, will not have such an impact for they would be deprived of any ammunition against us," he said.
"Most of us make the mistake of defining the new media as anti-government and anti-establishment when in fact there were bloggers and online news sites that subscribe to the government's policies and programmes,” he stated.
Media-savvy Shabery contended that if the bloggers and online news sites were critical, they were critical of the way some policies and programmes were implemented.
"In other words, there are myths and fallacies about bloggers and opponents of the government, which can be easily debunked when communication is open and free," he said.
For example, RTM's live telecast of Parliament sitting had shown the people the actual proceedings and allowed them to make judgment on the performances of their parliamentary representatives, he said.
Shabery also urged the mainstream media not "to compete head on with the new media", which rely on the mainstream media for news and information.
He said citizen journalists acted as a watchdog to the mainstream media by analysing, observing and interpreting materials published by the mainstream media, highlighting their inaccuracies, spins and outright lies.
Saying that citizen journalists complemented the mainstream media, he believed that "this augurs well for the democratisation of information."
He observed that there were times when professional journalists in the mainstream media were taken to task by citizen journalists for sloppy reporting and misleading editorials.
"This is a value that should be duly recognised and applauded by all of us, politicians, administrators and lawmakers alike. This will allow for feedback mechanism of any new policy, plan or programme," he said.
He said it could also act as an early warning system to detect any wrongdoings by any quarters within the democratic structure of the country.
Shabery felt the country did not need new laws to curb the new media as the present ones were adequate.
However, he said, the defamation and sedition laws, which aimed to protect the rights of citizens against malice, should also apply to the new media, especially in the case of blogs.
"Over time, users of online information will know where to place them in their hierarchies of trust, and over time, the same would be expected of blogs that want to be known as credible and trustworthy," he said.

The minister has a website NotaShabery.com , featuring his speeches, comments and opinion on current issues. The website aims to create a forum where readers are free to comment and give their points of view.

Olympic Games: Of friendship and peace ...

With the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games set to start on Friday, the world's attention is increasingly focussed on China.
Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their colour and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the official mascots of the Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.
Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.
Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China.
Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.
When their names are put together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.
Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China.
In their origins and their headpieces, the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky could be seen -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.
(Source: The official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games)

Welcoming friends ...

A day after signing an MoU to enhance broadcasting and information cooperation with Malaysia, the delegation from Brunei Darussalam visited Bernama headquarters to get a closer look at our operations.
Energy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Pehin Awang Yahya Bakar led the delegation.
They were given a briefing on the role and services provided by Bernama which celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 20.
“It is said life begins at 40,” quipped editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong before ending his briefing.
Apart from the Editorial Department, Pehin Awang Yahya and his delegation visited Bernama TV and Radio 24 – the agency’s venture into the broadcasting world.
Starting as a small audio-visual unit in 1998, Bernama TV launched its 24-hour operation on February 28.

The Brunei delegation also visited the NAM News Network (NNN) located on the 15th floor of Wisma Bernama.
Seeing NNN up-and-running must have been jubilant for Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department Pengiran Datuk Paduka Ismail Pengiran Mohamed.
He had attended the Conference of the Ministers of Information of Non-Aligned Countries (Cominac) in November 2005 which endorsed host Malaysia’s proposal to set-up NNN.
But that was not the only joy for him.
He gave a big smile when he saw his “just a phone call away” phrase in this blog.
Talk about new media …

Friendship “just a phone call away” …

A senior Brunei official describes the close relationship between the two countries as “just a phone call away”. Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Department Pengiran Datuk Paduka Ismail Pengiran Mohamed says the cooperation were taking place not just among leaders but among government officials and the people.
In a television interview with RTM this morning, he said cooperation in broadcasting and information fields would be enhanced with the signing of a memorandum of understanding following yesterday’s meeting.
"That this interview is being telecast live to Brunei testifies the close cooperation," said Pengiran Ismail, a former Radio Television Brunei (RTB) director.

Malaysian Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Energy Minister in Brunei's Prime Minister's Department Pehin Awang Yahya Pegawan Mudin Datuk Paduka Bakar witnessed the signing of the MoU at Angkasapuri.


It coincides with the on-going four-day visit of the Crown Prince of Brunei, Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah starting Friday. Flags of both countries lined the highway leading to Parliament to mark the visit.
Even more significant is that today is Friendship Day!

Armchair globe-trotter ...

Like postage stamps attached to envelope, 57-year-old R.Govindasamy has stuck to stamp collecting since his school days, turning the hobby into a profitable family business.
Long before globalisation became a buzzword, Govin was already"on-line" with people from all over the globe from his home in Ipoh, in the state of Perak.
"In my teen days, I use to have pen pals from over 60 countries and everyday I would eagerly wait for the postman to come, expecting to get between five to six letters," said the father of four.
The hobby enabled Govin to see the world without leaving home.
It helped him improve his English as he wrote regularly to pen pals while introducing Malaysia through stamps he exchanged with them.
He still writes to overseas contacts to get supply for his philately business of 27 years. Govin also deals in numismatic, selling old currency notes and coins.
So passionate is he with the trade that he travels to Kuala Lumpur every first weekend of the month to hold his 'market fair' at the Heritage Hotel at the old railway station building.
Today is no exception.

"Everyone is the same here, whether they are lawyers, doctors, businessmen, students...they come because of their interest in stamps and old currencies," he said.

Neighbourly ties …

In the spirit of friendship, we are just too happy to have information officers from Brunei Darussalam coming for brief attachment in Bernama.
Though the training stint is short, it will hopefully go a long way to deepen ties.
This is our commitment in the context of bilateral cooperation in broadcasting and information between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
The two-day meeting started at Angkasapuri today with both sides renewing pledges to keep the strong bond going.
Apart from sending photojournalists, Brunei Darussalam Information Department has sought Bernama’s assistance in sports reporting.
Bernama will also participate in a photo exhibition of our two countries to be held next year.
In the meantime, the department could take advantage of the internet-linked NAM News Network (NNN), based in Wisma Bernama, to contribute news and photos about the oil-rich neighbour.

Blair embarks on inter-faith understanding ...

The war on Iraq must have been traumatic for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who is now busy promoting inter-faith dialogue.
He says the dialogue does address the root causes of terrorism for it lessens ignorance and promotes greater understanding among people of different religions.
We had asked him if inter-faith dialogue could address the root causes of terrorism since Western governments had failed to do so despite repeated calls by the Islamic world since the 9/11 terror attacks.
Blair was the British prime minister when the US-British coalition force invaded Iraq in 2003. He retired in June last year after 10 years in office.
Blair, who is on his first visit to Malaysia to give a lecture on the Rule of Law at the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lecture today, said he was actually disappointed that he had just discovered the country.
"After some days (in Malaysia), I find it's a wonderful country, really beautiful country, (with) very warm people. Very lively, actually.
"In cultural terms and every other sense and there is a lot going on which you can rightly be proud. This is my first visit, I hope it won't be my last, I'm sure it won't be," said the casually-dressed Blair.
He admitted during the interview that he was a fan of Newcastle United FC.
"I know many people out here who are either Manchester United or Arsenal fans," he said.

Opening up to a wireless world ....

Since his appointment as Information Minister in the Cabinet formed after last March General Elections, Shabery Cheek has brought much improvement. He is bold to open up even in areas considered 'taboo' before the election.
Two days after holding office, he directed officials to installed 'Wi-Fi' within the ministry's vast Angkasapuri complex.
"It's illogical to block anyone from accessing the Internet when Kuala Lumpur is moving towards becoming a wireless city," he said last night at a forum to discuss ways of improving RTM's news bulletins.
In line with his 'openness', Shabery has invited bloggers -- previously regarded as 'nuisance' to appear on prime-time weekly slot to talk about their blogs.
Even known government and BN critics have had their fair share of glamour appearing live on the 20-minute show that could be extended in view of its growing popularity.
Despite reservations from several colleagues on live TV coverage of parliamentary sessions, Shabery managed to convince them on the need to allow public viewing access to matters that concern them.
More changes are in store as Shabery keeps his heart and mind open to views on how the ministry could deliver effectively.

Not just coffee brewing at Starbucks ...

A news report today says Starbucks Corp will concentrate more of its growth in China and Japan as the company braces with slumping sales in the US and Australia. Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Schultz had earlier this month announced plans to close 600 stores in the US and eliminate as many as 12,000 jobs or 7 percent of the workforce. The coffeeshop chain employed about 172,000 as at last September. According to the report, Starbucks would shut three-fourths of its 84 stores in Australia within the next few days, backing away from a market it entered eight years ago.

During a trip to Beijing last year, the Starbucks logo at a particular outlet caught my attention as it blended with the local surrounding.

The kind of friend ...

Flipping through the pages of an old note-book, I came across the following writing:

"A fairly good friend will tell u not to worry and that it will all come right.
A perfect friend helps u face the truth and stays beside u, whatever comes"

It took me a while to recall why I had made those notes.
I then realised that it was an SMS I received from someone.
Between good and perfect, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Never too late ...

In this new media age, it’s never too late to become a blogger.
I’m happy that my colleague Salbiah Said, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Bernama Economic Service, has entered blogosphere -- salbiahs.blogspot.com.

With her vast experience and high-profile position, I’m sure her jottings would benefit readers.
As blogging becomes trendy, I recalled writing an e-mail to my then editor-in-chief while on a press fellowship in Cambridge in November 2004.

“Our competitors are emerging in new forms as a result of advancement in the information age. Online diarists or "bloggers", for instance, are coming to the fore in such a tremendous speed that even their existence have often been misrepresented. What began as a hobby is turning into serious business and changing the face of journalism. Blogs (short for weblogs) have become common feature in providing accounts such as the US-led invasion on Iraq and the recent US presidential election, prompting big-timers like CNN and BBC, to venture into this new field. Back home, blogger Jeff Ooi is riding high on the global wave of this web influence, giving an alternative 'no holds bar' information channel for free. The big question for us is how do we deal with this new competition while struggling to keep pace with our traditional competitors (subcribers???)”

It’s been more than three years since and blogs are posing an even greater threat to the mainstream media, capturing a bigger slice of readership especially among the younger generation.
While the editor-in-chief has retired, Jeff Ooi has enhanced his profile having been elected as a member of parliament in the March 2008 General Election.

Memories of you ...

Wouldn't miss at all the date of a friend's birthday today. But as we are far apart, here's a dedication:

"Memories of you
alive
Like corpuscles in blood
flow and flow on
Through arteries and veins
through glories and pains".

Between Xango and kopi-tiam...

An office-mate suffering from brain tumor claimed she managed to put off surgery just by taking Xango -- a mangosteen-extract juice. The US-formulated drink is said to have the right remedy to tackle cancer and many other illnesses.
Testimonials about the positive effect of Xango could be viewed from a number of its-related website.
Just as Xango is emerging steadily in the Malaysian market, coffee remains a favourite beverage. This could be seen with the growing number of 'Kopi-tiam' cafes operating under various brand chain in the country. Because of the wide interest in such outlets, the typical floral-designed kopi-tiam cup and saucer of yesteryears are making a comeback, perhaps as strong as coffee.

Aziz takes charge at Utusan ....

Utusan Malaysia reported today the appointment of Aziz Ishak as acting group editor-in-chief with Khalid Mohd going on a three-month leave tomorrow prior to retirement.
Forty-four year old Aziz has been with the newspaper for 24 years and made a big impact as a defence writer in his days of reporting.
We go a long way covering the political beat and the prime minister when Dr Mahathir was in office.

Despite his high position, Aziz remains down-to-earth.
When I phoned to congratulate him of his appointment, he told me that it was a temporary slot.
Well, I don't think so, bro. You're the man who's going to lead Utusan for years to come.

Stamping a passion .....

Once acclaimed as "King of hobbies" and "Hobby of kings", wonder if stamp-collecting still appeals to the public especially the young. With e-mails being fast, cheap and easy mode of modern correspondence, posting letters in stamp-affixed envelopes is something of the past for many. While stamp-collecting has taken a backseat, my interest in first-day covers (FDC) remains strong. Having spent time and money on them, its not just a past-time hobby for me but a passion.


This set of stamps issued on 5th May 1957 reflected the economy of the country as it braces for Independence on 31st August 1957.


Among my treasured collection is this set of bird stamps which cost me a bomb.

Away from the maddening crowd ...

A trip to Hulu Langat could provide some peace of mind for KL city folks. Many have in fact invested in properties in the area and settling down in new townships in its vicinity. It is interesting that Wikipaedia has provided information about Hulu Langat town, saying it is famous for its durians. The town is also popular for its recreational activities and natural surroundings. Among the popular spots of eco-tourism are the Sungai Gabai Waterfalls, the Semenyih Water Reservoir and the Sungai Congkak Forest Recreational Centre.


Enterprising residents are taking advantage of the many visitors to the area to sell fruits such as durians, rambutans and mangosteens or set-up small business like Restoren Pohon Bambu, offering kampung food.
Like many 'kampung-less' city dwellers, I had dreamed of owning a small plot somewhere in Hulu Langat to build a weekend home. After scanning some newspaper advertisements, I found a tempting offer and contacted the seller who took me to view the place. With a small stream passing through the land, I had visualised it to be an ideal place to refresh the mind. I utilised whatever savings I had to pay the booking fee but kept it a secret from my family. I had wanted to surprise them with a 'kampung house' -- a place to go to on weekends.
It's been two years since and I'm still wondering if I could finally own that small piece of land as the seller had run into problems.

The true measure of friendship ...

True friends are hard to come by, truthful friends even harder.
In real life, most friends are mere acquaintances -- they are there because they are part of the social construct.
You have to interact with them and, so as not to become an island, engage them.
The true measure of friendship will be judged when we are left on our own while the world moves on around us.

Of friendship....

Someone I considered a friend must have felt guilty when he emailed me something to ponder about. I thought its best if I post it here so I could continue pondering about it.

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument; and one friend slapped the other in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:
"Today, my best friend slapped me in the face"

They kept on walking until they found an oasis where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"Today, my best friend saved my life"

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him: "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The friend replied:
"When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it".