Snap Comments – Coffee Shop Talk

Let’s all take a breath. The issues that are being debated and discussed today are good issues to have, in a totally different environment. Our new government would listen and react accordingly. The public must also know everyone’s got an opinion, and we cannot just follow the lowest common denominator to placate everyone. Sometimes we elect good people so that they will take the hard decisions. We also should be aware all are human and will make mistakes. Let’s get on the path to recovery and glory for our country together. Discuss and debate issues without malicious intent but out of the goodness of our hearts.

Foreign Cooks – A very swift about turn. In short, a mistake by the Minister. Should have called for a study before making statements. Anyway, the immediate feedback was better than any study could offer. We cannot just say that locals do not want to be cooks – we lost a lot of Malaysian chefs and wannabes to Singapore because of currency factor; there are plenty of local cooks, just look at the fast food joints. Hence it is not a matter of pay alone but also working conditions and perception of working in hawker/mamak places.

I do agree that we should try to protect our heritage and culture in particular with hawker food. How about a minimum pay of RM2,500 if you employ a foreign worker as a cook? That would work out to be matching RM3,000 a month for locals as proprietors would not need to pay for accommodation.

But all that pales into insignificance cause we need to have more empathetic policies with regards to foreign workers in the first place. One, control the numbers. Two, solve the illegal immigrant workers issue properly and humanely. Three, set up effective bodies to care for the welfare and issues pertaining to foreign workers. Four, cut out the middlemen agents who are presently ripping off the workers. Five, come up with a cohesive foreign workers policy, how many we should have and for which industries – we cannot be relying on them to keep lowering our production costs.

Ringgit – The ringgit eased past 4.00 to the usd but largely on the wholesale negative stance on all things emerging markets at the moment. Note Tun M’s statement, a wily politician, who said that he always thought 3.80 was a fair level just as the peg was long ago. That statement immediately caused all currency traders to stop being too aggressive to short the ringgit cause basically Tun has reminded one and all he could use the 3.80 peg again. Very classy and smart without needing to use actual funds to defend the currency.

Media Training and Focus – Looks like new ministers need a crash course in proper ways to deal with the media, and the nuances when dealing with “fired up issues”. You must be seen to be on top of situation. If you are not, say you are waiting to be briefed on the situation. (Siti Kassim case, Police). Where was the Home Minister on that? LGE went off on his Mandarin tangent – stay the course, we need not explore a totally new prickly issue for now. Kula went and made a statement that obviously wasn’t well thought out enough.

Mandarin – Finance Minister is wrong in his stance of defending the use of Mandarin, period. Wrong is wrong. Use the parliamentary language and the accepted business language of the country first and foremost. Just apologise and move on.

There is nothing wrong going trilingual but Mandarin should always take a backseat. If you issue a statement, yes you can do it trilingual. But not when you are giving new information first hand – it has to be in English or Malay first, even if the Chinese media happens to be the first to see you.

Ministers and Deputy Ministers – There are many who think that Ministerships and Deputy Ministers should be divided according to number of seats won by each party. Please la… let’s no go back to the drawing board on what is a proper cohesive coalition. Of course it should not be very slanted but agak-agak is good enough. We should put in capable people first. We elected a PM, let him decide what is best. If they are no good, we can whack them in public and I believe this time Tun M will remove under performers. Before any of the sub parties try to claim how many seats they won for the coalition, please be reminded that without the name of Tun M as the leader of the coalition, many of those seats might not be won. Bear that in mind.

What so difficult?

Raus staying on as CJ hurts judiciary, says ex-MP

FMT Reporters

| June 23, 2018

N Surendran claims that ‘dismal’ human rights record of Raus Sharif as Chief Justice hinders Pakatan Harapan pledges to restore the judiciary’s standing

PETALING JAYA: Chief Justice Raus Sharif has been urged by a former MP to leave immediately and not wait to serve out his notice because his continued presence in office and his “dismal record on human rights” would obstruct the recovery of the judiciary.

N Surendran of PKR, a lawyer and former MP for Padang Serai, said that Raus had, in the past, made decisions in favour of the previous Barisan Nasional government in cases where the basic rights of the people were threatened through executive action or legislation.

“His judgments were regressive, and had the clear effect of upholding the excesses and transgressions of the then BN regime,” said Surendran in a statement today.

He said Pakatan Harapan had made election campaign promises to restore public trust in the judiciary, which had suffered under BN rule. Such restoration of trust could not happen while Raus remains the CJ, he said.

Earlier this month, Raus and Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin had tendered their resignations from July 31.

They had been under pressure from members of the new government and the legal fraternity after their contracts were controversially extended for three and two years respectively by the previous government shortly before the general election.

They had asked that their resignations take effect over a reasonable period to allow all judicial affairs to be completed.

Surendran’s statement listed a number of cases as examples of Raus’s regressive decisions.

Among them was a Federal Court decision in 2014 to jail PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim for five years on a sodomy charge. Surendran, who was a member of Anwar’s legal team, said the judgement had been globally condemned and shattered the judiciary’s reputation.

In another case, Raus had overturned a landmark decision that struck down a requirement of 10 days’ notice for public assemblies, leading to a spate of arrests or prosecutions of opposition and civil society leaders.

Raus as the presiding judge had also rejected a constitutional challenge on the Peaceful Assembly Act without even hearing the merits, Surendran said.

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People like Surendran only knows how to complain.

Today PH is in government. Getting rid of Raus and Zulkefli is not a problem. If ex AG Patail can be locked out from office, why can’t the same be done to Raus and Zulkefli. Apply the same and just continue to pay GAJI BUTA. I am sure Raus and Zulkefli will accept this arrangement gladly. Unless someone higher up is pulling the strings.

Losing my daughters to Religion

Image result for images of women in jilbab

Sacrificing to bring up a family for 33 years is hardship especially with a non-committed spouse who was brought up that way.

During my married life, I have found Malay men are only committed in their marriages for a short period. Once they know the women are capable of doing everything for the upbringing of the family, their duty is over. For me it was only after the birth of my eldest daughter. So it was only for 3 years of bliss and then the whole burden lies on my shoulder till 1^stNovember 2017.

I have no regret or sadness by demanding for a divorce. Husband can be found everywhere. Since my divorce I already got proposed thrice. I have no interest nor the desire to support another man. 33 years is long enough. Now I want to catch up on my pleasure for living. All these while I felt trapped in a loveless and ungrateful marriage. My ex-husband married for my money and houses I had. Now that everything is gone, it was time for him to move onto another pasture.

My greatest sorrow was my eldest daughter who got entangled into a religious cell run by a neighbour staying nearby and to have a boy who encouraged her to mocked me as a mother but to treat his family as gold.

When my daughter was doing her Masters in Australia she was introduced to a woman, who soon became her best friend cum sister cum mother. This women lives at 25 Jalan Wira 5, Taman Maluri KL, runs religious classes at her home targeting those who can be easily influence. Since then my daughter has been giving her monthly RM250 – RM350, even now at the time of writing.

After completing her PhD my daughter refused to work and continue living in Australia even though there were plenty of opportunities open to her. Instead on the advice of that best friend cum sister cum mother she came back to serve her obligation to UM. The best friend cum sister cum mother would cook for my daughter quite often, persuaded my daughter to stay overnight at her place, on skype 2 to 3 hours teaching religion to her daily 7 days a week. Then the best friend cum sister cum mother introduced the Bank Rakyat boy to my daughter whom she said would be good for a virgin like her. The best friend cum sister cum mother was the one who told Iman Amran at Masjid Muadz Bin Jabal that I was dead. My ex-husband, youngest son and daughter and eldest daughter just kept quiet. But with friends and relatives, they tell different stories depending on what comes out from their mouth at the moment.

Now I am warned that any kids produced by the couple I will not be honour my position instead the couple has written a will entrusting everything owned by the couple and their children to the best friend cum sister cum mother as I am a kafir.

To make matter worse my youngest daughter is now following the same foot step as her eldest sister. The best friend cum sister cum mother now cooks her favourite food, talks to her daily on religion and had introduced a boy from the same cell group to her. To my youngest daughter I am just a mother till she finishes her degree. My youngest daughter is now taught by the eldest sister and the best friend cum sister cum mother that she should get marry and leave the house as soon as possible. Now that the plan to marry my youngest daughter has gone viral on the internet, my ex-husband is no longer interested to have her as his wife. So now my ex-husband is also encouraging my youngest daughter to marry immediately after her degree and not to continue living with me.

I do not fight people who have being brain washed by Religion.

I can only pray that my youngest daughter do not fall into this cell group like her sister, but has a mind of her own. Having someone to cook one’s favourite food, someone to buy materialistic needs, someone always on your side, someone who shows cares and given pocket money is how these religious cell work. That is why I am not surprise why many Muslim in Malaysia has fallen in love and support Terrorist groups.

I have brought up my children the same way I was brought up, yet it seems the Malay DNA is stronger in them to value and cherish family especially to the one who has given birth to them.

I still cannot accept a person can pray five times a day yet can face the public and Allah by hiding their sinful act.

I am a mother with an inherited gift from my uncle. My eldest daughter’s marriage will not last. This is not fiction but the truth. I have told my youngest daughter to watch and learn from the mistake. My youngest son Amsyar had bragged he will look after the sister if she divorces and that too will never happen.

As long as my daughters get involve with Religious Cell Group there is NO HELP.

As a mother I can only watch their KARMA.

To those who feel they can do something about the Islamic Cell Group, please investigate house number 25 JALAN WIRA 5, TAMAN MALURI 55100. DO CHECK THEIR FINANCIAL BACKGROUND AND THEIR CENTRES IN BALI, ACHEH AND BRUNEI. THE LADY CONCERN TRAVELS QUITE ABIT TO RECRUIT MALAYSIANS STUDYING AND LIVING OVERSEAS ESPECIALLY IN AUSTRALIA.

Malaysian Rapist to become Speaker

Hello! Has Mahathir gone into the shit hole again.
The whole world knows Rais Yatim raped his own maid.
Pak Lah helped to cover the crime.
Now Mahathir wants Rais Yatim to be the new speaker.
Me think Malaysians should stop the culture of tidak apa attitude before Mahathir takes us to a disgusted era again where PRIBUMI is just a disguise for UMNO BARU 2.
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Rais Yatim, ini rumah siapa, dan siapakah wanita di depan rumah ini?

LIHAT gambar di bawah ini baik-baik. Rumah siapakah ini, dan siapakah yang berdiri di depan rumah ini? Anda sahabat pembaca semua tak perlu jawab, kerana soalan ini bukan ditujukan kepada anda, sebaliknya soalan yang perlu dijawab oleh YB Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim.

Rumah ini terletak di salah sebuah kampung di Banjarnegara, Indonesia sekitar 12 jam perjalanan dari Bandar Jakarta, Indonesia jika menaiki kereta.

Wanita yang berdiri bersama suaminya di depan rumah ini sangat rapat dengan Rais Yatim, Menteri Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Malaysia (sebut menteri propaganda Barisan Nasional).

Milosuam.net

Kiddomo Universe – Where Playland Meets Technology

First of all, this is not paid content. I never take money for product placement for my blog. Thats why my blog is always free of ads and no popups. Hence I make zero money from my blog lol.

If you have kids between 2-12, you should take them to Kiddomo Universe at Level 3 of Starling Mall. Unlike other theme parks or playlands, Kiddomo merges technology with fun.

Kids get to create their own character, and later see that character be your avatar in various games. Kids can create art and see their art come to life. There’s even craft and entertainment workshop.

Give it a go, its a family enriching experience. Parents are encouraged to participate together with their kids.

Things To Discuss Regarding GRAB

a) Grab Food – I don’t know about you but Uber Eats was fantastic. I don’t know why that even after 4 weeks of Grab taking over, Grab Food is just as bad as Food Panda. Food Panda, the app that is like a casual barista, kinda worked sometimes but you just didn’t know when. Food Panda’s problem is a lack of control over its last mile delivery. It is the management of a secure team of last mile couriers that spells the end for most retail/service delivery apps. Particularly in Malaysia where getting a permanent group of loyal and dedicated couriers is as difficult as getting someone off handbags addiction.

So far, Grab Food (and Food Panda) vs UberEats is like Malaysia’s version of 7-11 vs Family Mart respectively. Btw just try and sign up for Grab Food, its a doozy (not).

Grab and its competition in Manila …

b) Grab’s Domination – Following the deal, Grab is largely a Southeast Asian app. Didi conquered China following a similar deal sale by Uber there. However it is not all clear plain sailing. There are still up and coming companies seeking the same pie: Ryde in Singapore; Hype and Ipara in the Philippines; and the biggest of the lot Go Jek, coming to your nearest Southeast Asian country near you soon from Indonesia.

Go-Jek enjoys a strong market lead in Indonesia, where it is based, and recently raised $1.2 billion in a funding round that included Google as well as Chinese companies Tencent and JD.com and the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek.

Judging from the Temasek parentage alone, there will be certain places where Go Jek may find it easier to operate in.

Its not plain sailing for Grab yet. Just go to the Android reviews of the Grab app, its pretty scary. Not all is well at fairyland.

c) Grab’s Goodwill Shortfall With Drivers – It is not a substantive issue but one which permeates below the surface. Many of those with Uber before can testify that Uber’s system was “kinder” and “more understanding” of drivers compared to Grab’s. The number of “banned drivers” is a touchy issue esp when it comes to Grab’s “cancellation rules”. Drivers may just have to cancel a ride because some customers did not show up for pick up, but having too many cancellations can cause the drivers to be banned.

“Riders are better ‘behaved’ and humane. Uber’s systems, with the 5-minute countdown upon arriving at pickup points (driver compensations) and a two-way rating system is fairer and educates riders to appreciate a driver’s time. I’ve only begun to drive on Grab but I can immediately tell that there’s a difference between the riders for both.”
– A former Uber driver who’s transitioned over to Grab

A few voices said something similar.

“I hope that all of the benefits on Uber’s system is implemented into Grab. There’s a reason why Uber’s drivers remain loyal with them. I hope that Grab listens to more drivers and riders to improve their system.”

Hence, it is imperative that Grab continues to improve its management systems and processes cause where there is room for improvements, there is room for the competition and Go Jek is a proven performer.

d) How Malaysian Is Grab? – Before Malaysians get swelled up with pride with Grab’s rise and rise in the ride-hailing app industry. Let’s look at just how Malaysian the company is now. No doubt we should be proud that two Malaysians had the brilliant idea and an even more effective execution strategy. But let’s not kid ourselves here. Its been a long time that the Malaysian shareholdings’ level has now been diluted to an unsubstantial amount. Its nobody’s fault, many successful tech companies go through many rounds of funding and each level hence leaving most founders with a pittance.

It has to do with how important is funding/burn rate to a tech company. For example, Zuckerberg still holds 28% of Facebook, giving him a wealth value of $24b. Pony Ma still owns about 9% of Tencent but the company has a market value of $480b. However if your company is one that rides on subsidizing to win market share, rest assured you will need plenty of funding to keep hitting targets prior to a listing.

While there is no official shareholders’ list for the new Grab. We can do an estimate by following the various rounds of funding. New composite shareholders for Grab: (~) denotes an approximation …
1. Softbank (JP) ~ 30-31%
2. Uber (US) 27.5%
3. Didi (China) ~ 10-11%
4. Anthony & management ~ 6-8%
5. CIC (China) 3%
6. GIC (Singapore) 3%
7. Temasek Vertex (Singapore) 3%
8. China Hillhouse (China) 2%

So, there you go. At a $6b valuation (from last round of funding), we may surmise that Grab can aim for a $8-9b IPO next year, and yes their stakes will be diluted even further then.

How Far Should The Bloodletting Go

Euromoney came up with an article which questioned how far should the “bloodletting” continue in finance in Malaysia. I bring this to a wider spectrum, not just finance but in every facet.

https://www.euromoney.com/article/b18m0sqgwgs3x2/mahathirs-return-puts-the-fear-into-malaysian-finance

Despite public delight, there is a mood of some paranoia in Malaysian business and finance right now – and you can see why. Since the shock opposition election victory on May 9 restored 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad to power, deposing the party he once led, one person after another with ties to ousted prime minister Najib Razak has been removed from leadership positions in Malaysia’s key institutions. And the big question for many is: who is next? Is it me?
Other institutions said to be facing a great deal of scrutiny under the new government are the Securities Commission, which regulates the capital markets, and the fund for Muslim pilgrimages, Tabung Haji.

When the dust settles and after short-term pain and disruption, many in Malaysia think the outlook for the country and its banks will be better if reform is implemented as planned. In policy terms, this is exactly what many people wanted to happen. But it remains to be seen how much blood-letting has taken place in the country’s senior ranks by the time banks and institutions regroup for a hopefully brighter future.

I do agree that we have to draw a line cause culpability has a wide definition. Some may be caught up in the tangled web for survival purposes. Its the instigators and those who schemed that must be brought to law.

There are various means to curb the transgressors and reform the system without destabilising the working platform:

a) removal of previous senior government appointees in GLCs

b) removal of people with strong links to previous government and benefitted unjustly in private sector

c) removal of payments and allowances to smaller cohorts and gatekeepers

d) remove ineffective rubber stamping board members from GLCs and important finance institutions

e) give ‘teeth’ to regulatory and supervisory bodies, to that end, these people must be independent and professional, those who do not make the cut gets the cut

As for listed companies, its a grey area. Most companies are in business in some ways with the government. If the bulk of the business is not solely dependent on government contacts and panhandling, we should leave them alone.

The banks, almost every single top banks were tainted in some way, esp with the 1MDB case. Those who were critical in approving or rubber stamping knowingly illegal transactions should be punished.

Its not just banks or construction firms, we haven’t got to property companies. Highly irregular land banking deals should be looked into. Hefty fines should be issued in particular where property companies got sweetheart deals.

Heads must roll. Blood letting must proceed or else the message may not register sufficiently. If you were let go, just be glad there is no prison sentence. Move on. Plus a lot of the heads n cronies are rich from corrupt deals already. Give others a chance. Plenty of Malaysian talent, just go ask Singapore true or not!

Fucking Anwar in the open

https://election.thestar.com.my/
PKR has won the most seats.
Yet 10 Minister’s post are from Mahathir and Daim camp.
Instead Anwar only has Kak Wan and the two Saifuddin.
Azmin and Zuraida are no longer Anwar’s people.
What is so special about Syed Saddiq? What experience does he has?
Mahathir and Daim have systematically sealed off Anwar so that he will never be the next Prime Minister.
If one were to notice, Daim’s people have been fucking Anwar openly.
Every movement or steps taken by Anwar is wrong.
WHILE EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO DIGGING INTO MALAYSIA GOLD MINE, BEAR IN MIND, LIM GUAN ENG AND MAT SABU WILL BE MAKE THE SCAPEGOAT TO BE SHAME FOREVER.

YES MAHATHIR HAD SIGNED AN UNDERTAKING WITH PKR, DAP AND AMANAH FOR ANWAR TO BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

BUT DAIM ZAINUDDIN DID NOT SIGN. THE PERSON WHO STANDS TO GAIN THE MOST WITH MAHATHIR AS PRIME MINISTER AND AZMIN AS THE NEXT IN LINE IS TUN DAIM ZAINUDDIN.

THE PERSON WHO HAS INTEREST IN THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MH370 AND 1MDB IS TUN DAIM ZAINUDDIN.

WHY IS MAHATHIR REOPENING NORTH KOREA EMBASSY FOR TUN DAIM ZAINUDDIN’S INTEREST?

WHEN 1 plus 1 equal 3, then one can see the true picture.
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Why Is Oil & Gas Leading The Market

We all saw the ones that got hit big time following the recent elections. Thats because construction are big ticket items and the likelihood of some big projects being pulled, scrapped or renegotiated is enough to adopt the sell first ask questions later strategy.

Why oil and gas stocks were relatively unscathed? My two bob answers:

a) It is so much easier to inflate contract value in construction jobs

b) The ownership of oilfields, not exactly under the jurisdiction of certain ministries

c) To develop oilfields, even if you give it to me free, is not profits, capital still has to be expended and returns are years down the road (same analogy if you were to inflate contract value)

d) The most defining factor was that oil and gas prices were relatively depressed over the last 3-4 years (thankfully) which meant more belt tightening and cutbacks by companies than new projects

While waiting for the construction big projects to settle down, it is only natural that oil and gas counters come to the fore.

What are the country’s pressing problems now? Reduce the debt. Service the debt. As mentioned in my posting on managing the debt, a listing of Petronas is a viable option.

That option may be shunted for a better option for now: Petronas needs to ramp up production, yes, it is as simple as that. That way, with higher profits, revenues, and maybe even declare a special dividend to the government over the next 1-3 years.

a-z) a substantive refocus on E&P activities by Petronas

These are not picks per se but likely beneficiaries, in no particular order: Dialog, Sapura Energy, Scomi, Serba Dinamik, Bumi Armada.

p/s These comments above are not buy or sell calls but purely my opinion. Please consult your broker or investment advisor before acting.

R.I.P. Bourdain

Almost everyone was devastated when hearing the news of his suicide. I will not pretend to know him well. His death is all the more sudden considering that he has possibly the best job on earth. I mean, please describe your ultimate job … go to places globally, visit tourist sites, eating the best food there is, making snarky comments, meeting passionate and brilliant cooks, voicing your opinions as if the world cares about them, be free to perform your vices on camera (be it alcohol or ciggies) and getting paid well.

Why we feel so connected to Bourdain. He is us, he makes it so easy to live vicariously through him when we watch his shows. We are him when he is traveling, eating, enjoying life, passing commentary on life and its gentler purposes, reflecting on harsher realities together, ruminating on unanswerable questions which we all ponder …

One thing the media has not focused on was the cause for his demons, much like for Robin Williams, was their previous liberal use of coke and heroin. Even if you managed to rid yourself of those addictions later in life, there will be instances where they can still haunt you later in life.

Bourdain made the world smaller, made the world a more friendly place, made us look at how similar we all are. He made us look at our own humanity.

During what would be his final interview with PEOPLE, celebrity chef and gifted wordsmith Anthony Bourdain described himself as “happy” and spoke about his young daughter, whose birth motivated him to readjust his approach to life.

“There have been times, honestly, in my life that I figured, ‘I’ve had a good run — why not just do this stupid thing, this selfish thing… jump off a cliff into water of indeterminate depth,’” he said, recalling something he said he’d once done for his Travel Channel show.