PROTON CITY

I am imagining myself in the year 1955. I am about to take the bus from my hometown Batu Kikir Jempol, Negeri Sembilan to Tanjung Malim, Perak to attend Sultan Idris Training College. Obviously Negeri Sembilan and Perak was among the four Federated Malay States. So the road link is quite easily accessible.

In a few years time I will be a teacher and teaching my fellow son of soils. Now fast forward to 2010 A.D...................................................

Each time we went up north of the Peninsular Malaysia, my father will always make it a point to stop at Tanjung Malim to reminisce his college days. Whether to stop at the petrol station toilet or even to dine we must stop at Tanjung Malim. My father will always peek at the old SITC buildings.
BUT
That did not happen the last time we went up north to attend a relative's wedding in Taiping. My father asked me to drive at 110 km as usual and get him to Kuala Pilah safely.

A university student asked me why must Proton have a city in Tanjung Malim? My answer: My late father said as with his friends, "he attended college to inspire his students for independence from the British and certainly after 50 years of independence he never expected the developments to be as vast as it is now". Malaysians can build its own cars and even have an auto city. There were tears on his face....
Al- Fatihah

I will not let stupid emotions affect my choice of a leader. I WILL NEVER choose someone who has criminal records no matter how religious he is.

KLIMS 2010

I was at the Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow 2010 held at PWTC last week. Honestly I feel my RM15 spent on the entrance fee was not worth it. Reason I do not see any big names other than the usual brands. I was hoping to see big names but it was not there.

Proton showed its Emas car and other 5 concept cars which bear the names of five Malay warriors namely Tuah, Jebat, Lekir, Lekiu and Kasturi. Perodua also showed some new models. But I feel Proton can do more. I am yet to find Proton convertible and coupe models. Maybe in the future..

The last time I was at a car show was in the 1970s. The show was held at Changkat Pavilion near Stadium Merdeka Kuala Lumpur. I remember then the residential project of Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) was about to take shape.

I am disappointed that Chevy only reveal the new Camaro. I am not much of a Camaro fan. Where were all those names such as Jaguar, MG, Skoda, Volvo, Benz , BMW etc? I can't find those at KLIMS 2010.

But I must congratulate Malaysia Automobile Association MAA for being able to organize such a big event. I know it will better next time!

PEN PAL

That was the photograph of my pen pal whom I got to know when I was 12th. His name was James R Sollis. I hope I spell the correct surname. When I was in Canada I tried  to find him but to no avail. His last address was in Tenn.

I think it was a Disney program then or was it Sesame Street where they have a pen pal section.

I hope to meet James one day.

Columbia Icefield

Columbia Icefield, Jasper August 1988

Believe me, that was the real me in 1988. It was not super imposed.I was thin because I ate a lot of sardines. Why? Because it was hard to buy a muslim slaughtered beef or chicken then. We have to buy those from Winnipeg.My critics accused me of eating non slaughtered beef (its beef or chicken but was not slaughtered by muslims) which was untrue. But I did buy some kosher meat and chicken.

I was there in August 1988. The reason I wore a short and the Australian map t shirt was to denote it was cold (below zero) at Columbia Icefield  Canada in August (summer) but it is winter in Australia. I remember as I finished taking that photo, I hopped into my rented car and switched on the heater full blast. I was not a hero!

I thought I could go again to Jasper for a skiing trip but what can I say. There are many other wishes which did not materialize such as wanting to rent a one bedroom apartment at downtown Saskatoon. The rent was CAD 600 yet my scholarship was only CAD 420 per month. Another wish was to take a train trip along Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Lake Louis was another place I envy. But sad to say I burned that picture  I took at Lake Louis during my "uncertain period" between 1991 to 1998. Everybody I met in Saskatoon shared with me the feeling  of having a good honeymoon in Banff and Jasper.

I wish the royal couple Prince William and Kate the very best on their coming wedding.

Canadian Light Source Inc

For more than a year I have been trying to find a direct link between CLSI and Finance. With my limited incomplete B.Commerce knowledge, CLS will help organizations improve their cost structure.

Say in researching for better motor oils and paints, finance will make sure that although the cost of research is huge , the research will produce a long lasting impact on the environment.

I guess the smaller mobile phones nowadays was the result of synchrotron and Canadian Light Source in building powerful computer chips.Maybe then Blackberry and Ipod can be sold less than RM1,000 in Malaysia.

FAREWELL PONTIAC

I am quite emotional to learn that as at October 31st 2010, GM formally terminated Pontiac from its fleet.

I have also come to my senses that in fact I have driven another car (refer to my article 'Automobile' Sunday July 6th 2008). The car was Pontiac Tempest. The reason I drove Pontiac Tempest was to feel the difference between Chevy Corsica and Pontiac Tempest. Obviously Tempest and Corsica shared the same body, as with other GM brands such as Chevy Sprint and Pontiac Firefly.

Maybe I have the 'REZKI' to drive the Proton Inspira to compare it with Mitsubishi Lancer. As you know how can I afford a 100K car? Am I right?

I am tired of waiting. I have waited for 20 years. Let me go!

I AM NOT WELCOME

October 15th 2010 marked my 20th year in Malaysia. Certainly as a Malaysian I would love to be welcome. I don't meant VIP treatment but let me feel ease in this country where I was born.

The reality sucks. 20 years is a very long time. 20 years is not 2 hours and not even close to 2 years. 20 years is 7,300 days and it was a very, very, very long time. I have wasted 20 years of my life here in Malaysia.

Why must stupid bastard Malaysians care so much about where I got the money to put down my Perodua Kancil in 2002? Hello! I am not a bastard politician and I never succeed anything in life. But for sure I don't take no drugs and I have stopped boozing a long time ago.

See! See! I wrote a broken English. Although there is no bombastic vocabularies my English is wrong. Am I? or is it stupid bastard Malaysians who have been bullying and degrading me for the past 20 years who refuse to understand.

There is no point me saving money at Tabung Haji to do my pilgrimage in Mecca because remember I AM NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE MALAYSIA NO MATTER WHAT. BASTARDS! IDIOTS! CELAKA! SIAL!

Remember Tan Sri P Ramlee the great actor of Malaysia. He used those vulgar words and yet his movies was on TVs whether government or private. So buzz off and let me go to Canada.

Fortnight Events

PROTON INSPIRA

Proton launched a new model Proton Inspira recently. This model was developed with Mitsubishi thus certainly it looks like Lancer. I cannot afford Inspira.

RON 97

2 days before my 43rd birthday the government announced a 5 sen increase of Ron 97 to RM2.15 per litre. Obviously I am not affected by this move since my 1 litre Perodua Kancil uses Ron 95 only.

3G SPECTRUM

I don't see Malaysia as a developed nation in 2020. Reason, broadband and internet coverage in Malaysia is 20 years behind. I can understand a poor 3G coverage in a rural area like my hometown Kuala Pilah but to loose 3G connection abruptly while in Kuala Lumpur is a shame. The world is moving towards 5G and Kuala Lumpur is lagging in 3G spectrum. Please do something PM Najib!

BUDGET 2011

As expected when PM Najib and Finance Minister presented his 2011 Budget speech last Friday October 15th 2010, I was asking the question many people asked. That is the deficit.

Back in the 1990s Malaysia had a budget surplus while in reality the current account was largely negative. The situation now is reverse where the budget is deficit but the current account is surplus.

To me 2011 budget has a loophole such that it failed to address the unattractiveness of Malaysia as a place to invest. The corporate and individual tax rates in Malaysia is still high (corporate at 25% if I'm not mistaken). Thus Malaysia is losing its competitiveness to its neighbors.

Most interesting is the exemption of import and excise duties on hybrid cars until December 2011 and maternity leave for public employees. Now that cellphones are much cheaper,I guess I could buy those 3G cells.

With 26000 Malaysians heading for Mecca for the haj, I feel the time has come for the government and Tabung Haji to have a better Tabung Haji Complex. Obviously the Kelana Jaya complex is too crowded and it is a nuisance to the neighborhood at this time of the year. Maybe the present LCCT at KLIA can be used as the new Tabung Haji Complex when the new LCCT terminal near Bunga Raya Complex is complete.

I presume many Malaysians abroad will come home in 2011 as the Talent Corporation takes shape. They should have no problem in getting a good job commensurate with their qualification and experience. I have nothing and I am Not a professional.

Overall it is the budget for the people as PM Najib always said People First, Performance Now.

ISLAMOPHOBIA

PM Najib spoke to the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)recently. I think his most interesting topic was Islamophobia i.e. prejudice against Islam as a religion and Muslims as its followers.

The prejudice was evident a long time ago. There were 25 Muslim Malaysians government sponsored students attended College of Commerce University of Saskatchewan in September 1987.Four males and 21 females. One male and one female student was discontinued in September 1988. I was forced to leave in October 1990 and I guess the rests graduated in 1991.

Talking about Islamophobia...There were talks among students since we were the first Muslim batch attended the college. There were other Malaysians at U of S but they were NOT government sponsored. Some of my female friends wore the veil or tudung and that made people asking "nuns are attending school too?". Another student asked who will be the next Abu Nidal.

Another aspect is the 'SAMAK' or cleaning with the soil. Muslims do not eat pork, in fact bacon is a taboo (no offense to actor Kevin Bacon) to us.So each time we move to a new place we have to 'SAMAK' the fridge and the big freezer. The procedure is to clean the fridge 3 times with earth water and 4 times with ordinary water. We have to do the same procedure if we were exposed to dog's waste and saliva. Initially there was a misunderstanding but as time went by my very good friend will always have some earth soil stand by every time I went to her place because each time I went there her puppy will always kiss my hand.

I am not sure about the stringent checks at airports since 9/11. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OUT from Malaysia since 15 October 1990. But taking off shoes to me is nothing. I am NO VIP in Malaysia. Checking out shoes to me is nothing, not much of a problem compared to some Malaysian VVIPs, ex PMs and ex DPMs.

As to building a mosque at New York ground zero I have reservations.Initially the idea was good but as many people opposed it then I guess majority wins. To me Muslims in North America must remember their roots compared to the Caucasians and Metis.

Muslims are not terrorists. A Muslim must believe in 5 pillars of Islam, 6 pillars of Iman, the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Even in Malaysia there were many deviant Islamic teachings. Those people just use their followers for their own selfish gains i.e. money, assets and sex. Those deviant Muslim teachings were the roots of terrorism, so to speak.

But I am just an ordinary Muslim. I must admit while in Canada I seldom go to the mosque for Friday prayers. That is why for the last 20 years I tried my best to attend Friday prayers at the mosque. Furthermore I'm going 50.

THERE IS ONE GOD WHICH IS ALLAH and MUHAMMAD(pbuh) IS HIS MESSENGER.

PROTON Safety Recall

Finally the National car maker has made the call. All those Gen2 1.6 A/T with auto cruise function and Satria Neo 1.6 A/T with auto cruise function manufactured between April 2004 to June 2008 are recalled to inspect the clock springs.

More information at www.protonaftersales.com

1 MALAYSIA - ETP

When PM Najib took the office of the Malaysian 6th Prime Minister, he heed on a trademark of 1 Malaysia. In a nutshell, 1 Malaysia is a principle where the people come first in any government action. 1 MALAYSIA - people first, performance now.

Economic Transformation Program - ETP


While the government was previously the main engine of growth, ETP paves the way for private sector involvement. EPPs (Entry Point Projects) are the mainstream of the newly identified economy. There are 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKRAs)
1)Oil, gas and energy
2)Palm Oil
3)Financial Services
4)Tourism
5)Business Services
6)Improving electronics and electrical
7)Wholesale and retail
8)Education
9)Health care
10)Communication content and infrastructure
11)Agriculture
12)Greater Kuala Lumpur

As for #4 Tourism it could be subdivided into Health Tourism and Education Tourism. I remember when my father had his operation at IJN, there was a couple from another ASEAN nation who had their by pass operation there.

Lately Malaysia has also been a center for students from Africa and ASEAN nations to obtain tertiary education. These students would be traveling to many parts of Malaysia during term breaks.

I am anxious to know the actual size of greater Kuala Lumpur. Will it be like the MSC i.e.Multimedia Super Corridor where it covers the area of KLCC, Putrajaya and KLIA? My instinct says it will also cover the Negeri Sembilan north west area(Nilai or VALue)

HOWEVER
1 Malaysia to me is not completing my Bachelor's degree at Universiti Utara Malaysia UUM (at one time ESB USASK had an MOU with UUM). Never ever I wrote any letter nor I spoke to anyone to complete my BCommerce at UUM. It was absolute nonsense.

To my fellow friends who studied at Commerce University of Saskatchewan, Thank You FOR NOT inviting me to the raya gathering becoz you people do not have my contact number, does it not?

Stupid Malaysians

Malaysians are stupid-1991
Malaysians are stupid-1992
Malaysians are stupid-1993
Malaysians are stupid-1994
Malaysians are stupid-1995
Malaysians are stupid-1996
Malaysians are stupid-1997
Malaysians are stupid-1998
Malaysians are stupid-1999
Malaysians are stupid-2000
Malaysians are stupid-2001
Malaysians are stupid-2002
Malaysians are stupid-2003
Malaysians are stupid-2004
Malaysians are stupid-2005
Malaysians are stupid-2006
Malaysians are stupid-2007
Malaysians are stupid-2008
Malaysians are stupid-2009
Malaysians are stupid-2010

Why are Malaysians so damn bloody stupid?
Malaysians DO NOT like me and yet I must remain in Malaysia....

Great Speeches

For many months I have been studying the great speech made by the late King Edward VIII when he abdicated his throne to marry Wallis Warfield Simpson.

The paragraph which I really like is:

" But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the women I love "
(source http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/edward.htm)

There is no Malaysian women, none what so ever that I love.

Body Language

I didn't take up Psychology as one of my electives while at Commerce (now ESB) Usask Canada. But I took Sociology instead. Although it was a long time ago, I can still spell Weber correctly.

Talking about body language, Malaysians are stupid in reading my body language. They said I enjoyed staying in Malaysia while the fact is I hate staying in Malaysia, I hate celebrating Hari Raya in Malaysia. It has been 20 dull Hari Raya since 1991.

Compare 1) Tun Dr Mahathir enjoyed himself as Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 years. He is a national hero.
2) I'm no camparison to Tun Dr Mahathir per se but 20 years in Malaysia since October 15, 1990 has been hell. Malaysians despised me.Malaysians hate me but Malaysians refuse to let me go to Canada. I'm willing to do anything to leave Malaysia coz I ain't got nothing.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate eid ul-Fitr i.e. the end of Ramadan tomorrow Friday September 10th, 2010.

To all my readers Selamat hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir Batin.

DODD-FRANK ACT

New Financial Reform
Although I received my financial education in Canada, I must admit that I was not familiar with the American Congress. Thus referring to my tweets, there was a confusion whether President Obama has signed Dodd-Frank Act. Answer; YES , President Obama has signed Dodd-Frank but the American senate is yet to do its part.

The point is April 21, 2011 when Dodd-Frank Act will be in action.

Reading comments from corporate jargon it is envisaged that the new act will not deter the next financial crisis expected in 2015. Past crisis tend to occur every 5 to 10 years. Beginning with the collapse of LTCM in 1997/98 then the mere crisis after 9/11 and eventually the events in December 2007 there is no full proof that Dodd-Frank Act would deter another financial crisis.

One loop hole in Dodd-Frank is the 150 billion resolution fund. Say in the future a firm is dismantle and 50 billion of the fund is used up, will those big firms have to inject another 5o billion to maintain a 150 billion fund or will it be sinking? How do we determine a firm as a threat to the economy? Maybe a company with lots of cash and invest it to buy liquid assets or a firm with healthy balance sheets but with less cash flow. I still consider GM & Chrysler a risk to the global economy because they are yet to repay their debts and obtain a reasonable debt to equity ratio. But we know both GM and Chrysler need no further restructuring. GM is on the right track to introduce an IPO. It will be nice to own some of GM's new IPOs.

Accruals and going concern

MERDEKA - 53 YEARS

TODAY 31ST AUGUST 2010,
MALAYSIANS CELEBRATE 53 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE.

Merdeka
laungan keramat itu telah bergema 53 tahun lalu
nescaya sebak hati Sultan Mahmud yang tergadai Melaka pada 1511
kerana seorang anak raja Kedah telah memerdekakan tanah airnya
biarpun hanya rohnya yang mampu melihat pembebasan itu

53 tahun bumi ini dipupuk
dengan pembangunan rohani dan jasmani
janganlah dek kerana tamak digadai apa yang kita kecapi sejak 1957 lalu

Ayuhlah, bangkitlah
oraklah langkah agar kemerdekaan ini akan terus dikecapi
sanggahlah si pendurjana bangsa
agar negara ini terus beraja di hati umat makhluk
kerna
KITA KAN TETAP GAGAH DI NUSANTARA

Lower 2nd Qtr GDP

Quarter 2 GDP 2010

BNM gave a lower 8.9% GDP figure for quarter 2, 2010. I assume this is due to the slower global GDP growth. Personally the Najib administration must prepare for a lower GDP target for 2010. (previously forecast at more than 6%)

Relaxation of foreign exchange rate rules

On August 18th 2010 , the government decided to allow the use of MYR when dealing with foreigners for trade settlements. The next day the ringgit was at its peak. I am not sure as to the MYR rules when a resident goes overseas. In September 1998 when the MYR was pegged to the greenback, residents were only allowed to carry a certain amount of cash. I am not sure if this rule still applies today since I HAVE NOT BEEN OUT from Malaysia for the last 20 years.Even so I am not sure if the sum was just cash or was it everything i.e. all the banking instruments such as travelers check and credit cards.

Ramadan

Its that time of the year again. Ramadan is coming soon. This is the month when Muslims would fast from sun rise to sun set. As I checked the prayer times , it is also the same time as the fasting month in the year 1988. In 1988 while in Saskatoon Muslims were fasting at a much longer time i.e. from 4.30 am to about 9.30pm. Honestly I don't know how I fasted for 30 days with the high summer temperature and outfits. You know, with all that Caucasian girls wearing shorts sometimes without their bra attending summer classes.

To all my Muslim and would be Muslim readers,

Happy Ramadan.

The New Path of FINANCE

When I first read the Reform Financial Bill, I was quite excited because it is supposed to overcome the hick ups of the recent credit crisis. But as I read it over and over again there are some things which need more attention.

Referring to my twitter, the consumer protection agency should protect the consumers of FSI's. I mean it just doesn't make sense if a bank receives tax payers money and yet still pay huge bonuses to its top execs.

Obviously the exceptions for big cos in derivatives trading is a major set back. The big cos have all the resources and will to make money, yet they will be spared the regulation on speculative trading, I presume. Initially companies trade in futures, options, cds, swaps etc to hedge against systematic risks but as time passed by everybody will speculate. By then 'BETA' will be a thing of a past.So a big company with vast resources will escape the evil mechanics of speculative trading but a small one will be subject to harsh regulations. It is not fair to the small fish.

The most interesting part is where the government can dismantle a healthy firm if they are considered a grave risk to the economy. So I guess Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, GM, Chrysler would fall in this category. What if the white house did not approve tax payers money to bail out these firms? Certainly the US economy would come to a halt.Maybe BP and Enbridge would also fall in this category. But BP is British (with an American CEO of course) and Enbridge is a Canadian firm. I guess NAFTA(North American Free Trade Agreement) and free world is the obvious answer.

The word is CREDIT. To have a clean balance sheet banks can rely on Mae and Mac. Yes the bank's balance sheet is healthy BUT the burden has shifted to Mae and Mac. Mae and Mac have no one to turn to except the government in order to clean its balance sheets.Its like transferring our credit cards balance from one bank to another. No matter where we move those credits it is still there in the cycle. We must find a way to eliminate that cycle. In my opinion this is the real cause of credit crunch. The property bubble and high interest rates is just part of it.

BUT as my critics will say who am I to talk a lot about bankruptcy, winding up and foreclosures...

I knew from October 15th 1990, as I reached KL, Malaysians hated me. And it will be 20 years come 15th October 2010. Malaysians DISLIKE me but I am not allowed to go to Canada.Isn't that stupid? If Malaysians hated me say 1001 times then I also hate Malaysians a million times.

PORNOGRAPHY and Sugar Price

Please accept my apology for writing incorrectly the new sugar prices. Well the new sugar price is RM1.90 per kg.

PORNOGRAPHY

I totally disagree with Tun Dr Mahathir when he suggested that pornography be censored in Malaysia. To me sex and pornography is a separate entity.... Thus the reason why many people accused me of failing my Saskatchewan studies because I watched too many pornographic videos and photos while in Canada. Well if that is the case why until now I am still single? I must be lured with full libido energy if I'm too obsessed with porno materials BUT until now I am still single. I have NOT been with any women i.e.if you know what I mean since October 1990. And believe me I vomited like shit when I watched gay movies but I enjoyed watching lesbian videos.

Understand the word BLACKMAGIC???

REUNION

In December 2003, I attended a small gathering with my fellow friends who went to University of Saskatchewan College of Commerce. Initially I was reluctant to go but when I talked to my parents they encouraged me to attend the reunion.

But as an incomplete student status I felt awkward at that gathering.Mainly because I was nobody, no great pay, no nothing and just drive a compact Perodua Kancil.

As I think about it I realized that my departure from Saskatoon in October 1990 was a relief to my fellow friends and maybe to the faculty at College of Commerce too.I knew some faculty members were in Malaysia between 1991 to 1998 and yet I WAS NOT invited to any of the gatherings.Obviously a sleezy me would not be welcomed at 5 star hotels.

I also understand now why my matriculation friends also deserted me! Well its life when I am nobody, poor and have no status.

When I settle down it will be a small wedding like the late King Hussein of Jordan when he married Lisa Halaby! I don't want to fork out any single cents to you people.Thereby my pocket will still be full of cash, hopefully.

Gas Price Increase

AS of Friday 16 July 2010,


Petrol Ron 95 : 5 sen increase to RM1.85 per litre
LPG : increase 10 sen to RM1.85 per kg
Diesel: increase 5 sen to RM1.75 per litre
Sugar: increase 25 sen to RM1.75 per kg
Petrol Ron 97: to be determined by the automatic pricing mechanism (currently at RM2.05 per litre)

PROTON 25 Years

I watched the Silver celebration of Proton on TV1 last night. Among the attraction is the new Proton Emas. Proton was set up on May 7, 1983. Its first Saga model rolled out on July 9th 1985.

PM Najib's speech was as spiritual as ever except for the part when Najib encouraged the consolidation of Proton and Perodua. Merging Proton and Perodua must be done accordingly. Remember General Motors was an entity made up of various brands such as Buick,Cadillac,Pontiac,Chevy etc and yet in 2009 GM has to borrow from the North American Governments and eliminated some brands i.e.Pontiac.

Anyway, I look forward to buying my first Proton because as a nobody and poor who would be a beggar if I go to Canada, the only automobile I can afford in Malaysia is either Proton or Perodua.

To the Proton team - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

O.P.R.

BNM Monetary Policy Committee decided to increase the OPR by 25 basis points to 2.75% on July 8th 2010

Thus the floor rate is 2.5% and ceiling rate is 3%

I would envisage the OPR increase would halt at this point taking into consideration PM Najib's advise on the impending slower 2nd quarter growth.

CANADA DAY

July 1st 2010

Tomorrow is Canada's National Day. I understand that Queen Elizabeth will be in Canada to honor the National Day.

Happy 143!!

Belacan and CenCHALOK

My instructors at University of Saskatchewan always ask me what is the menu whenever we had special functions such as Hari Raya or the National Day gatherings. Often the questions asked were how hot and how spicy the delicacies were?

However there are other Malaysian dishes which were not served during those occasions.For instance budu, belacan and cenCHALOK. The reason why we did not serve it was that Canadians could not stand the smell of these delicacies.For every house, room or apartment which I rented there were always complaints when I cooked my belacan.

Belacan in simple term is prawn paste.We would cook the belacan before mixing it with chilli.Although the smell is bad to Caucasians the taste was good.As for cenCHALOK, this delicacy is from Melaka and we can eat it raw.

BAY STREET

Why didn't I go to Bay Street while in Canada? Obviously Toronto is a few hours flight from Saskatoon not to mention the fares.Bay Street as Canada's financial district is a must for anyone who studied finance in Canada but I blew it am I not? I was in Toronto only once i.e. from 18 August - 21 August 1987. Even though the programs at the then Malaysian Students Department was packed, I managed to sneak time to go to CN Tower. As I view the tower from the aeroplane I knew I had to go up CN Tower when I touched down at Lester Pearson.

There is something missing if someone with financial background never set foot on Bay Street.Its like my name without Val. Of course I would like to set foot on world's financial centers i.e.Bay Street Toronto Canada, Wall Street New York USA and The City London UK. It hurts when you cannot practise what you have learned.

One day%%%

10th MALAYSIA PLAN 2011 - 2015

I was at my banana farm when PM Najib delivered his 10th Malaysia Plan (RMK10) speech.As a small unit farmer I feel all those plans are meant for big companies for example the setting up of facilitation fund for private investments.
The point is what's in it for me. Improving public transportation in Kuala Lumpur takes a long way to go.I foresee that the quality will not be as good as Saskatoon Transit System. I remember waiting for the bus while it was snowing and the temperature with windchill was -30 Celcius on the way to SuperValue to do my weekly grocery shopping. The STS bus will always be on time according to the bus schedules. If STS workers were Malaysians, I am sure many people would freeze to death.
Anyone interested to read the RMK10 can surf www.epu.gov.my

Nonetheless I know PM Najib is going somewhere. The ETP which will be unveiled in October should give the much awaited answers to NEM.There are still many unclear areas in NEM but as I read and understand the mechanisms, I know the time has come for me to LEAVE MALAYSIA.No government and no one will sponsor me to Canada but I know the funds are there.Only when I am able to make that steps that god has directed me into will I see the light to get out from this "Malaysian Cell"

To Malaysians who continued bullying me, the past 20 years was enjoyable BUT to me it was HELL.Each day I pray that this torture will end but looks like god still did not answer my prayers.

Since I have 39 credit units to complete my Bachelor of Commerce, I know I can either take 13 half classes(3 credits each) OR take 11 half classes and one full class (6 credits)

: The trial of Jeromy Kerviel provides an understanding to the 2008 global credit crunch : ABSTRACT

One Day I Am Going To Saskatoon Canada again.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

Correction From Previous Article

It must be noted that based on my father's transcript of academic records, the university he attended was:

UNIVERSITAS NASIONAL JAKARTA
Jl Kalilio 17 - 19 Senen

His Dean was Prof H Gazali Dunia gelar Datuk raja Perak. Honestly I am not sure whether the title was bestowed by the Sultan of Perak.

GDP, OPR and Weddings

GDP
PM Najib announced a 10.1% GDP growth for quarter one 2010. To me Najib is Malaysia's football quarter back for Malaysia to achieve high income status. Similarly quarter 4 2009 GDP was revised to 4.4%.Right on PM Najib!

O.P.R.
The OPR was raised 25 bsp on March 4, 2010.
On May 13, 2010 BNM raised the OPR another 25bsp to 2.5%. Thus the ceiling rate is 2.75% and floor rate 2.25%
To me this increase is timely but Malaysians must remain cautious especially with the crisis of sovereign funds in Greece, Spain and Portugal.


Universitas Nasional Jakarta
I remember in 1978 while we were staying in Tampin, my family would go to Kuala Lumpur every school holidays. There my late father would attend his National University lectures at Aminudin Baki School near Kg Pandan. Once I met his dosen(maybe his dean) DRS Ghazali Dunia - Datuk Diraja Perak.Universitas Nasional Jakarta is a private university thus I now understand why my father sold his Hitler VW in 1979. We took the bus for the next 2 years.


Weddings......
My heart breaks when I learned that none of my 24 Malaysians who attended University of Saskatchewan with me ever invited me to their wedding. The point is they know I hate weddings. But I remember attending a wedding at Spadina Avenue Saskatoon. The couple purposely held the wedding outside a church so I could attend the "I Do" ceremony.
Well, its life when you are nobody and poor......

Remembering Saskatoon Canada - NEM

I'm imagining myself at Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA. Few days back I would have gone to the Immigration office to obtain my new passport. Now at the airport I am about to board my flight to Hong Kong, Vancouver and eventually to Saskatoon. Since I have no accrued taxes to the Malaysian government I do not expect any hick up at KLIA.
Arriving in Vancouver maybe I would be asked to strip naked because as a Muslim who came from a Muslim nation the body check must be thorough.Since I don't have any weapon or such kind I could then proceed to my Saskatoon flight gate.
Then at Saskatoon airport as usual I would rent a car (normally at Budget Rent A Car) but this time it would be different because I paid cash (from the money I obtained from nowhere few months before).My annual income does NOT eligible me for a credit card.
Driving the new GM made through Circle Drive west then to the University bridge. Finally I would be at Edwards School of Business University of Saskatchewan. At last I am able to proceed and finish my B.Commerce degree.

THAT WAS THE DREAM I HAD A FEW NIGHTS AGO...

As I was browsing my late father's files, I came across his degree from National University Jakarta Indonesia. As a biological son of his compare
1) my late father did not complete his DRS degree at National University Jakarta
2) I have 39 credit units left to complete my B.Commerce at University of Saskatchewan Canada.

....my father did not complete his DRS degree then because that particular degree was NOT recognized by the Malaysian government.


NEW ECONOMIC MODEL

When PM Najib revealed the NEM I always wonder what's in it for me. Since the aim is to increase per capita GDP from USD 7,500 to USD 15,000 by 2020 and the target group is the bottom 40% of the population, I myself fall into this category. Maybe PM Najib can lure me a way to find my own source of finance to LEAVE Malaysia.

ONE day I will go to Saskatoon Canada again. God willing!

GST & Proton Emas

As expected the government puts off the GST implementation to a later date. The reason I said 'expected' was because just like his father PM Najib will honor the interests of the people first. One argument is if the total sale price of a good will be the same with or without GST then let's continue the present system.


PROTON EMAS

At the recent Geneva Motor Show Proton unveiled 'Emas' or gold i.e. Proton's first hybrid prototype model. To me the car looks funny because it is so compact but then it was just a prototype. In order to compete globally, Proton must make sure its hybrid model will never encounter problems as other car manufacturers.
One aspect is price. Malaysians are used to think quality is price. Foreign made cars are expensive in Malaysia. Foreign brands which sell for less than RM100,000 include Toyota Vios, Nissan Grand Livina and Kia Forte. It is a known fact that car prices in Malaysia is among the highest in the world.
It all started in 1992 when Proton began manufacturing the Iswara. Due to the high Yen and RM exchange rates Proton has to increase its car prices every 6 months. Thus the government must impose high tariffs for CBU cars. Even then Yen was unstable to the greenback.
I don't understand why Proton make domestic cars which are not up to the European standards. Recently Tun Dr Mahathir revealed that Proton has to make more than 200 modifications for its Saga BLM model to be exported to the UK.

GDP 2009 -1.7% ; OPR At 2.25%

GDP
The Najib administration recently announced the 2009 GDP figure of -1.7% . As with most Malaysians I am surprised with this better number. Achieving such a good 4th quarter number is applaudable.


OPR
On March 4 Bank Negara Malaysia decided to increase the OPR rate to 2.25% thus the floor rate is 2% and the ceiling rate is now 2.5%. It is my view that this increase is too soon and too much. A 10 basis increase is more agreeable.


FUEL SUBSIDY SCHEME

The Najib administration was taking the right step to do away the new fuel subsidy scheme. Since everybody wants to be subsidized whether rich or poor,action taken by Najib is acceptable for time being. BUT I still prefer the Pak Lah's way of giving cash money to car owners.


NISSAN RECALL

While Mr Akio Toyoda has answered to the congress,Nissan has also taken the steps to recall millions of cars in the US. The question I'm asking is what was wrong with those car manufacturers? Now that even GM has to make some recalls, the question asked is are those car manufacturers nuts in making unsafe cars? To all car makers - Please make good and safe automobiles.

The outlook of the auto industry is at stake if this trend continues....................

Thaipusam, Speculators, Toyota $ Honda and Fuel Subsidy.

THAIPUSAM

Hindus in Malaysia celebrate Thaipusam this week end. This is the festival where Hindus redeem their sins for the past year.

1997 Currency Crisis

Some people ask me if I really learned Finance instead of Engineering why I did not write something about the 97 crisis. I will write about the speculators etc one day provided I meet two persons I dearly missed,one an Asian women who hailed from Johor and the other a Caucasian women whose family came from Outlook Saskatchewan Canada.
The fact is I don't remember many things. I cannot remember the day I left Saskatoon in Oct 1990 or the airline I flew from Saskatoon to Vancouver (either Air Canada or Canadian).I cannot remember the flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong,the hotel I stayed in Hong Kong 14th Oct 1990 or even the person I talked to then.I don't think it was Japanese Airline which flew me from Vancouver to HK and obviously I talked to a Caucasian blond lady while in Hong Kong.
But one thing which was certain, in 1995 The Malaysian Economy was in bad shape although the GDP was 7% or 8%. I was working for a month at the Golden Arches then...
I can be as blunt as Tun Dr Mahathir but the fact is I passed my Finance course.I did three years of business school and I was NOT A DROP OUT in October 1990.
I remember during an interview between 1991-1995 the women laughed when I told her about Lotus 123 spreadsheet or NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System). So maybe she will laugh again if I mention Excel formulas.


TOYOTA

I presume it is really painful for Mr Akio Toyoda to apologize to Toyota owners regarding the recall. But on behalf of my late father who went to a Japanese school during 2nd world war, I accepted his apology.


HONDA

Now that Honda too have to make some model recalls, I wonder if other car makers will follow suit.


NEW FUEL SCHEME

Commencing May 2010, the Najib administration will introduce a new fuel subsidy scheme. Fuel would be sold according to engine cc and Malaysians have to show their My Kad I/C everytime we refuel. This showing of My Kad is NOT a good idea. Even the Petronas Mesra Card can easily be swapped with the lower point cards.
Obviously if you can afford to buy a big cc car then you are not entitle to the fuel subsidy.

The Proton Persona 1.6 Automatic is a good car. To me LOTUS handling is non comparable.


Happy VALENTINE Day to my Valentine $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gong Xi Fa Cai to my Chinese readers

Remembering Haiti

Let us observe a moment of silence to the victims of Haitians quake. May God bless them and let us recite Al Fatehah to the Muslim victims.

2009 REVIEW

Finally we are now in the first 10 days of 2010. Obviously to me 2009 was a very sad year because I lost many people whom I dearly missed. First my father died 3oth December 2008 then my mother's auntie died of breast cancer. Another uncle died of H1N1 - v - . My grandmother died on 10 November 2009. I was in the bus to Kuala Terengganu with my younger brother (to pick up my brother's car)when my father's sister lost her husband as he prepared himself for Maghrib prayer.

This is what I called fate. It is HIM ALLAH the almighty which created us thus we are bound by His Rulings. Who knows I might die suddenly tomorrow, we are just humans. I believe there is One God which is ALLAH and Mohammed is his prophet. As a Muslim I believe Jesus is one of the 25 prophets a Muslim must know AND JESUS IS NOT THE SON OF GOD.

Those were the things I thought a lot since last Christmas. All of the sudden I remember 'Cengkaring'. I know it was a place but where.Then when the Tanah Abang mall tragedy struck I remember that it was Cengkaring Jakarta airport. I was in Jakarta for 2 weeks from Christmas 1986 to 8 January 1987.

Clearly after the failed Christmas plane attack I would expect a harsh and thorough body inspection if I were to travel to the western world. Certainly it would be nicer if I'm inspected by a female with blond hair.

May 2010 be a prosperous year!!