I wish all readers of Malaysia Online Newspaper happy new year 2010. May the year 2010 brings more prosper to Malaysia and together we can make Malaysia a better country to live in.
Keep visiting Malaysia Online Newspaper for more updates on Malaysia online newspaper.
Cheers!
"Life With Woody" 10 inspirational quotes than can improve yourself
It might take a little coffee or probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well, unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head after a few rounds of vodka… half-naked! Okay, bad example and I apologize to everyone reading this after getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken stupor.
Just don't ask how it happened, please.
But what's really interesting is that how do people go through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me thinking that there really must be something in this 'mind-over-matter' thing.
Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of all time may have to be Woody Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing rather than being upset about it.
Woody Allen has this to say:
1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take an arm and a leg to get it.
2. "I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.
3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he' shows up.
Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its complications that probably any author about relationships is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the heart that pump blood throughout your body.
4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And if you want more, just keep on asking!
5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical', I think.
And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to make the best out of every possible scenario, and it doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.
6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking in hot water makes me seasick already.
7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens." If it rains, it pours.
8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on beer… or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!
9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and I'm thankful for that.
And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to see things in a different kind of light and not just perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to even just getting along.
And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to go by… however, whenever, and wherever we may be.
10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have."
Ciao!
Internet relationships are very different from actual personal relationships. It is based primarily on like, know, and trust. Many people are reaching out to others through social network websites and one of these sites is Twitter.
If you don’t like a person, then you can’t trust him or her. If you become a subscriber of Twitter, you can meet millions of people and perhaps you can find some individuals that you might like.
In this social network site, you can do microblogging; so why micro? Well, it’s because you can only compose a message that is 140 characters in length. It’s too short but it tells a lot of what you’re doing. You see, if you’re using Twitter, you will be asked to answer the question – “what are you doing?” and the answer should be written in 140 characters.
Whenever you answer that question or when you make updates, the tweets are sent to all your friends to let them know what you’re doing. The aim of the developer of Twitter is to know all the activities of his friends and it is exactly what you can get from the site.
For instance, you’re going out to get some groceries. You can update your tweets and tell your friends that you’re out getting some groceries. Now, some of your friends may respond to your tweets but some will not. That’s the good thing with Twitter. The receiver of the updates or tweets is not forced to respond immediately. In fact, they can ignore the update if they want to. It’s up to you to adjust the settings on your profile page.
You can choose only a few of your friends to receive the message or tweets. You can also choose when and where you will receive the tweets. For example, you can receive the tweets on your mobile phone so that wherever you are, you will know what your friends are doing; and you can even reply via your mobile phone if you like.
Many new users of Twitter are often confused when they receive tweets. You see, some tweets are addressed to only one person and yet everyone on the ‘friends list’ receives it. It’s natural to get confused at first but as you use the site more often, you will appreciate it more. Did you know that Twitter is just as popular as MySpace and Facebook? It has about six million users from different countries. You can meet a lot of new friends there or you can also locate lost relatives and classmates.
Why don’t you sign up now and stay connected 24/7? You don’t need to access your Twitter account every time you want to update the messages on your profile page. The site provides excellent tools that allow you to make changes to your profile even without actually accessing the website. Make use of such tools and have fun.
If you’re new to Twitter, try to learn everything you can about the social network website. Visit their official site and know how they started. Twitter has been in business for almost three years now and their subscribers are still increasing. Because of its simplicity, many people prefer Twitter as compared to other social sites.
Experience Twitter now and see how many friends you can find. If you have a business, you can also promote it on the site.
Najib is going to the fullest to market 1Malaysia brand name. The most qualified person to do the job is none other than the marketing genius Tony Fernandes. Najib is a genius of sort himself by roping in all the best-in-class people to run market the concept of 1Malaysia. I wish him all the best.
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Malaysia’s own F1 team
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will have its own team in Formula One next year.
A Lotus-powered racing team, to be called the 1Malaysia F1 team, will take on giants like Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and Renault in the premier motorsports event next year.
The team will join Force India-Mercedes as Asia’s representatives in F1, along with old-timers like Toyota.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has accepted Malaysia’s bid to enter the 2010 and future Formula One World Championships, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced yesterday.
F1 foray: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak receiving a model of the Malaysian F1 car at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya. The 1Malaysia F1 team will be a partnership between the Govern-ment and the private sector, including investors led by Datuk Kamarudin Meranun (AirAsia Deputy CEO), Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes (AirAsia CEO) and SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin (Naza Group CEO).
The Malaysian-owned team will also mark the return of Proton-owned Lotus, the prestigious constructors who left F1 in 1994.
Najib, who made the announcement at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, said the team would be based at the Sepang International Circuit, making it the first to be located outside Europe.
“This is where the cars will be designed, manufactured and tested. It will be ‘Made-in-Malaysia, by Malaysians’ and of course, the pit-stops will be run by Malay-sians,” he said.
“This is a meaningful development and I hope that it will further raise our country’s profile on the world stage.”
The team will have a Malaysian technical and pit crew, totalling some 200 people, to be managed by former Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne.
Najib added that the team hoped to announce its two drivers by Oct 31.
“Currently, six local and international drivers have been shortlisted for evaluation,” he said.
“Our F1 team will also have technical experts from outside Malaysia to ensure that we are ready to compete on the world’s most prestigious racing stage.”
Malaysia hosted its first F1 race in 1999 at the Sepang F1 Circuit and Alex Yoong was the first Malaysian to race in the championships in 2001 and 2002 for Minardi.
The Prime Minister had earlier launched the exchange programme between employees from the government and government-linked companies (GLCs) as part of the Government-GLCs Cross-Fertilisation Programme.
He handed letters-of-trust to 47 government and GLC staff taking part in the programme. -- The Star
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 – The Syariah court judge who sentenced Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno to be caned for drinking beer has served up a similar punishment on an Indonesian man for consuming alcohol, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The New Straits Times said that Nazarudin Kamaruddin, 46, had become the first person to be caned for consuming alcohol in Pahang state in central Malaysia.
Judge Abdul Rahman Mohd Yunos triggered criticism from rights groups and concerns over the growing influence of tough Islamic punishments in Malaysia when he sentenced Kartika, a 32-year-old mother of two, to caning for consuming beer.
“The sentence meted out to him (Nazarudin) is not meant as punishment but to serve as a lesson,” Rahman said, according to the paper.
Kartika’s case is being reviewed by an Islamic appeals court judge and her caning could be carried out once the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan is over.
Pahang is the home state of Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, who has pledged to modernise the economy of this country of 27 million people and to winWhen I read about this news article, the first thing that came to my mind was, "how did she do it?". How did she manage to convince all those people to marry her? Judging from what the article says, one thing for sure, she does not have the look nor the wealth.
So, there must be something about her. Something about Tok Wook that is strong enough to make those people fell for her and eventually married here.
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107-year-old wants 23rd hubby
KUALA BERANG: Afraid that her current husband might leave her after completing his drug rehabilitation programme, centenarian Mek Wok Kundor is looking to marry again - for the 23rd time.
The 107-year-old, who married Mohd Noor Che Musa, 37, in 2005, said they lived blissfully until he volunteered to treat his drug habit in Kuala Lumpur in July.
Tok Wook, as she is fondly known, now believes her husband might leave her after his programme ends and settle down in Kuala Lumpur besides marrying a woman younger than her.
Still going strong: The centenarian’s wish for a husband is so that she can fill her ‘forlornness and nothing more than that’. “Lately, there is this kind of insecurity in me,” she said.
Tok Wook, who lives in Kampung Bukit TokBat here, said she planned to visit Mohd Noor on the second day of Hari Raya if her neighbours were willing to drive her to Kuala Lumpur.
“I want to express my feelings and tell him that I am lonely without him and if he reciprocates, I will wait for him without thinking of another marriage,” she added
She said she felt lonely without a companion during Ramadan.
“I am not searching for a man as handsome as our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), but someone to accompany me in my twilight years,” she said.
“I realise that I am an aged woman. I don’t have the body nor am I a young woman who can attract anyone.
“My intention to remarry is to fill my forlornness and nothing more than that.”
She, however, declined to talk about her past marriages and the number of children she has.
All she said about her kids was that they were old and dependent on their children.
While she spent her last Hari Raya with Mohd Noor’s family in Bachok Kelantan, Tok Wook will celebrate it this year with her neighbours.
“I will wear a baju kurung that was given as gift by my husband in January,” she said.
The recent vigilante group to 'sweep' Malaysians off the street of Jakarta is an indication of how frustrated Indonesians are with Malaysia. In my opinion, this is a result of a long pent-up feeling which escalated all the way from the day Bali was bombed. The effect of the bombing had crippled the tiny island's economy almost overnight as Bali depends heavily on tourism to keep its economy afloat.
Within days, investigators managed to piece together the evidence and linked it with a terrorism group which was lead by a Malaysian leader Dr. Azhari. Dr. Azhari was somehow shot dead by Indonesian police during a siege.
Just as Indonesia was recoiling from the incident, Indonesia was again shocked by another bombing. This time it happened right in the capital of Indonesia - Jakarta. Again Indonesian authority found a link to a terrorism group lead by Dr. Azhari's protege Nordin Mat Top also a Malaysian-born.
Most recently Malaysia was accused by Indonesia of hijacking Indonesia's traditional dance by showcasing it in its tourism promotional campaign. This is a double-blow to Indonesian which already suffered from the previous incidents.
In both cases, Malaysia took a defensive action instead of engaging directly with Indonesia to resolve the issue. When Malaysia finally relented to bring the matter to the discussion table, it was a little too late. Angry protesters took to the street and burnt Malaysia's flag as a sign of disgust.
What will happen next? Let's wait and see.
One of the most notable and significant proof about the existence of angels are actually the famous Biblical facts about angels.
Among the most common questions governing such are the age old questions like What are angels? How and why were they created? What do angels do?
Since time immemorial, man always held a strong and devoted fascination for angels and similar spiritual beings.
For centuries, many popular and renowned artists have tried to immortalize the image of angels on canvas and murals.
But it would come as a surprise to many once they get to realize that the Bible describes angels invoking a much more different description of angles as with how they are typically and artistically rendered or presented, like cute and cuddly babies with wings and draped in white cloth.
Here are some common Biblical facts about angels.
One may not be aware, but the Bible has made 273 references to angels and although we do not aim to get to each and every one of those descriptions and references, we hope to show some examples that provide proof of angels in the Bible.
The first reference can be found in the first book of the Bible, where everything else started – the Book of Genesis.
In the second chapter of Genesis, it mentions ‘Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished’ to which the term ‘host’ refers to the description of God’s spiritual messengers commonly known as angels.
This is also cross – referenced in the first chapter of the new testament book of Colossians where it says ‘For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.’
The Bible also provided reference to the fact that angels were created to live for eternity, as stated in Luke 20:36 .. nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
One proof that angels were present when God created the world can be found in Job 38:1-7 where it says that “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: ‘...Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ...while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"
It is also a fact that angels cannot marry or be bethroted to someone as stated in Matthew 22:30 where it says that ‘At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.’
Angels are also wise and intelligent, as the Old Testament book of 2nd Samuel 14:17 that says “Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.”
Also in Daniel 9:21-22 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding."
These are just some of the Biblical facts about angels and there are even more similar entries you may find in the Bible, so go ahead read and discover.
Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times (Critical Studies of the Asia-Pacific)
Product Description
The grandson of an Indian immigrant and the first Malay commoner to become prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad turned the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country into one of the developing world's most successful economies. During his 22 years in power, he adopted pragmatic economic policies alongside repressive political measures, and showed that Islam was compatible with representative government and modernization. Abrasive and outspoken, Mahathir emerged as a Third World champion and Islamic spokesman by condemning the West, not least for trying to impose liberal democracy and neo-liberal economics on developing nations. By raising living standards and winning international acclaim, he contributed to a sense of national identity, pride and confidence among ethnically diverse Malaysians. But in mixing business and politics, Mahathir encouraged cronyism and failed to prevent the spread of corruption. Authoritarian and impatient, he jailed opponents, sacked rivals and undermined institutions as he pursued his obsession with development. In retirement, he broke a promise to stay out of politics, falling out with his two successors while using all available means to protect his legacy.
About the Author
BARRY WAIN, a former editor of the Asian Wall Street Journal, is Writer-in-Residence at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. An Australian journalist who has lived in Asia for 37 years, he is author of The Refused, an account of the refugee outflow from Indochina after the Vietnam War.
There is one legacy that Mahathir left behind that impresses me. To me, Mahathir was no doubt a brilliant leader. What we are seeing now and what we are enjoying now are the fruits of the seeds that he sowed when he was still in office. He will always be remembered as a visionary leader.
So what is the thing that impresses me about Mahathir? It was his Vision 2020 and Malaysia Boleh wisdom. As far as I am concerned, he was the first Prime Minister to introduce a catchphrase which was used to uplift the spirit of Malaysians to be competitive locally and globally. It was a brilliant idea. It caught on with the public and we saw people of different background and ages took the challenge and the most famous among them was Datuk Azhar Mansur who went on a solo voyage to circum-navigate to globe.
The trend did not stop there. When Badawi took over as Prime Minister, he introduced a new catchphrase himself supposedly taking a cue from his predecessor. The catchphrase which he introduced was Islam Hadari. As in Mahathir's case, both leaders tend to introduce a catchphrase to reflect their background. Mathatir being a doctor and Badawi being brought up in a strong Muslim family. Unfortunately for Badawi, the idea was not really popular with the public and it died a natural death soon after he stepped out of office.
By now, I supposed you should be able to guess what is the latest catchphrase from the current Prime Minister. Yes, the new catchphrase by Najib is 1Malaysia. A single race concept in a nutshell. Many question the origin of the concept. Some say it was hijacked from the PKR. As PKR or to be exact, RPK (Raja Petra Kamaruddin) has been preaching about it long before Najib took power even though it was not exactly called 1Malaysia then.
Putting the origin of the concept aside, among all the catchphrases, 1Malaysia has the highest commercial intent or commercial value. Within a short period of time, we see so many companies adopt the name in their business slogan. Even Tony Fernandez agrees with that in his blog. But the big question is, will Najib be able to achieve the objectives of 1Malaysia or it is just another elusive mirage that Najib has to deal with.
Do you notice that there are more and more street protests taking place in Malaysia nowadays? Such street protest were hardly heard of just a half decade ago? What do you think triggers the shift of mindset for Malaysians, from different walks of life, to take to the street their grouses with the authority?
In my opinion, it only goes to show that Malaysians have generally matured democratically. Gone are the days where people would take whatever news that were shoved to them. Gone are the days where people would just stick to one news source. The recent political uprisings in Thailand is another factor which was somewhat an eye-opener to the mass majority of Malaysians which showed that people power is strong enough to shake the current government.
Share your opinion at 1Malaysia Forum
Malaysia finally got its first submarine but the question is that does Malaysia really need one? According to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the nation's move to acquire the submarine will give the navy greater and more effective control over our waters.
"Our Government is taking action to protect our shoreline from threats, and this submarine being our first gives a credible boost to our naval forces within the region".
The arrival of the submarine has been much anticipated as it was shrouded with controversy over the connection with the death of a Mongolian model who was said to be involved in the deal negotiation.
Please visit 1Malaysia Forum for further discussion.
The recent incident in Malaysia where a group of protesters marched towards the Selangor state secretariat building taking along a cow's head with them was a clear sign that religious tolerance is still very much at an infancy stage in Malaysia.
The protest was organized in response to the government's decision to relocate a Hindu temple to a Muslim majority area. The carrying of the cow's head was apparently directed towards the Hindus who are mostly Indians, as cows are considered sacred in the Hinduism faith.
Following the protest, the government immediately issued a warning that those who participated in the protest could be charged under Malaysia's ISA law which allows someone to be detained without a trial.
Please visit 1Malaysia Forum to discuss more on the subject
A pathologist from the government side suggested that Teoh Beng Hock might have committed suicide as the evidence didn't support the idea that there was a foul play involved. Do you agree with that suggestion?
Take a poll at 1Malaysia Forum - Teoh Beng Hock's Death
Samy Vellu recently made a statement that the Indians are the king-makers for the Parmatang Pasir by-election on Aug 25. Do you think his statement is still relevant? Some say Najib's appearance at the Batu Cave in the recent 1Malaysia event is a clear indication that Samy Vellu is slowly being sidelined. Do you agree?
Join the discussion at 1Malaysia Forum
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