BlackGold and a bit on Mus

I was doing some research on Petronas' LNG project in Canada yesterday when I came across this new blog,

BlackGold

It's quite good.

The blogger is apparently quite pro-Petronas.

Well, I consider myself pro-Petronas too.

Better than being pro-Najib or pro-Mahathir, I think.

More peaceful.

Surprisingly, my blog is in its blogroll.

So, I decided to include it into mine.

Hopefully, with some extra traffic, the blogger will be encouraged to continue writing.

We need more of such informative blogs, instead of the nonsensical political hate-mongering type.

Meanwhile, someone told me that New Straits Times group editor Mustapha Kamil Mohd Janor has resigned from his post a few days ago.

I was quite surprised.

I was told that his last day at NST will be around end of May.

Mus seemed strong and healthy the last time I saw him.

I don't see  any reason for him to resign.

I can't remember any NST group editor who actually resigned from the post.

It was rumored that those who are to be appointed to the post must be approved by the Prime Minister himself.

Furthermore, Mus was just appointed to the post last year and it made quite a bit of news,

Mustapha Kamil named as Group Editor

Still, so far there's no official confirmation yet.

I know Mus as a superb business writer.

A calm and cool fella.

He has a blog but has not been updating it for awhile,

The Back Roads

I like his blog quite a lot.

It's nice.

Well, in case it's true that Mus is leaving NST, I hope he can continue to write or maybe revive his blog.

All the best Mus.

A bit of this and that

Nothing specific to write at the moment.

Things seem to be bland and uninspiring.

I'm slacking. I didn't write again yesterday.

I'm supposed to write at least a post every day as part of the blogging discipline.

They said if I start to be a lazy blogger, my blog is going to die.

Many better bloggers than me went through it and their blogs just faded away.

So, I think today, I just write short takes on things which had been going on.

Better than nothing, okay.

Sarawak Election

Supposedly the hottest thing happening at the moment.

Unfortunately, I think it's boring and quite predictable.

BN going to win with a landslide.

Even, the DAP-PKR fight was not surprising. Sarawak is different than Semenanjng, okay. Anyway, they are too dumb to get it right in the first place.

DAP is luckier though. The Chinese will still vote for them. Can still get a few urban seats, I think.

PKR on the other hand is going to be totally wiped out in the rural area.

Terengganu

No progress up to this point.

I think MB Razif is going to try to be thick skinned and hangs on .

Other MBs would probably resigned after what happened.

Heard the Sultan is really angry this time and will not be so easily appeased.

Well, that's what my friends in Terengganu said lah.

I know of other Sultans being angry with their MB in the past but not to the point of stripping their titles like that.

Hopefully PM Najib will be able to settle the problem with the palace, one way or another.

Johor

Received several more complaints from Johor Umno friends.

Don't feel like putting them here though as I can't see the point in doing so.

They are not very major, anyway.

I think MB Khaled knows about the complaints.

Let him settled them lah.

Got a message for Pulai MP DS Nurjazlan though.

Please do something about Kempas before things get as bad as Pengkalan Rinting.

I think Jazlan knows what I meant by that.

Jazlan, whatever Uncle Rashid Kasman said about Kempas is true, okay. All the best.


Umno civil war

It's like the Syrian civil war.

No ends in sight as the whole place torn to pieces.

Accusations and counter accusations.

I'm sort of a refugee just complaining about the hardship caused by the combatants on both sides.

Tiring stuff that one.

Family

The usual.

Mother busy, father misses her very much.

Old people like that lah.

Love them both very much anyway.

Work

Trying my best but still don't think I'm doing good enough.

Wish could do better.

Will try harder.

Friends

A friend who is a very prominent blogger told me yesterday that an ex-friend, who is also a very prominent blogger had successfully underwent a liposuction surgery.

I think he was bluffing me, but still, if it's true, I wish that ex-friend all the best.

Hopefully she looks nicer now.

Heard they pay better if a blogger looks nicer. Don't know true or not but that's what they told me la.

Love life

Something like that lah....


Eh, enough of my nonsense for today.

Really. You all should go read the very prominent blogs of my friend and ex-friend instead.

They write better than me, okay.

Cheers.

Interesting Terengganu intrigue

Things don't look good in Terengganu.

As everyone should know by now, the Sultan had stripped all titles conferred to MB Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

Among the titles stripped was the highly coveted SSMZ which is the Knight Grand Companion, carrying the Dato' Sri Setia title.

This is unprecedented as I don't remember anything of this nature ever happened in Terengganu before.

I wondered what actually happened.

I'm not a Terengganu expert, so I called one that I know to get his opinion.

He said what caused the Sultan to take such a drastic measure against the MB could not be just because of the latter's speech on Friday which so far was the reason given by many for what had happened over the past few days in Terengganu.

"There must be something else which was far more serious that angered Tuanku," he said.

It was said that the Sultan was offended when Razif's speech was allegedly delivered in such a manner that it belittled a contribution made by the palace to assist orphans and the less fortunate in the state.

PM DS Najib Razak was expected to have an audience with the Sultan over the matter as early as this evening.

I asked the Terengganu expert whether Razif still has a chance to continue being the MB now that the Sultan appears to be very unhappy with him.

"Not much of a chance. It's very unlikely that Tuanku will retract the stripping of Razif's titles," he replied, adding that it's almost impossible for Razif to work as MB if the Sultan dislikes him.

He said it's very likely that Najib will have to propose to the Sultan a new MB.

According to him, if that's the case, the likely leading candidate will be State tourism and culture executive chairman Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee, the Permaisuri assemblyman.

Jidin is the second most senior BN assemblyman in Terengganu after former MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Said of Kijal.

He is said to be in Najib's good book and doesn't have any problem with the palace.

I asked the Terengganu expert whether the BN government may collapse over the Razif issue and his response was in the negative.

"I don't think Tuanku wants that. A change of MB should be good enough," he said.

When pressed on what would happen in the unlikely event that the Terengganu assembly be dissolved due to the impasse, this was his response,

"That's almost impossible to happen, but if it turned out that way, BN is most likely to lose the ensuing state election due to the current political atmosphere."

The Terengganu state assembly consists 17 BN members, 14 from Pas and one from PKR.

Well, I'm wishing the people of Terengganu the best of luck. Hopefully everything will be peacefully resolved.

(Note: Please don't post seditious comments.)

Please, don't let it be another Kow

Last night I saw this story,

Tersalah Lapor: Wartawan Malaysiakini Cabut Lari Dari Sarawak

It's about Malaysiakini reporter Kow Gah Chie being recalled back to KL from covering the Sarawak election after she caused an uproar with her report that a BN candidate allegedly saying that voting for BN is to ensure the state continues being govern by a Muslim chief minister.

The BN candidate had said he didn't say anything like that and a few police reports had been lodged against Kow.

It's clearly an incitement for the Christian majority of Sarawak to go against BN, led by TS Adenan Satem, the Muslim chief minister of the state.

For me, this is obviously a case of overspin by an overzealous pro-opposition reporter.

Kow, may not be a DAP member but she seems clearly trying to assist the party by spinning the story that way.

I don't think she "tersalah lapor" (misreported) but instead intentionally wrote it that way.

The modus operandi seems very much like that of a DAP operative.

DAP has been playing this game since before the last Sarawak election.

All these while, they have been accusing Umno of playing the racial and religious sentiments, but themselves doing it.

It's what made me can't stand them even when I'm very unhappy with Umno or BN.

I just can't stand the hypocrisy.

And the way their operatives spread hate is totally despicable.

I believe that they were trained that way.

They repeat their hate-mongering chants over and over again like mantra.

Evidently, the habit of hate-mongering sticks with their operatives even after they were no longer working for the party or even changed sides.

That's how well conditioned they were with that tactic.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't be surprised if this Kow suddenly switch sides a few months from now, and self-styling herself into an Umno defender and "penyelamat ummah".

Hey, don't laugh, okay. I've seen it happened before.

Well, if Kow really switches sides like that, I only have one wish of her - that she will diet a bit,

DAP people, if you all want to send over your operatives to switch sides to Umno, can you all send the nice and pretty ones for a change?

The one you all sent over so far looks like...Kow, okay.

Umno, no need to add another Kow la.

But seriously DAP people, can you all change your hate-mongering tactics so that people like me won't find your party to be too repulsive?

At the moment, I don't see your party to be any better than your opponents.

Cat in a gutter is okay....but not Johor Umno

Saw this guy having a nice nap just now,

The spot must be cooling that he choose it in this hot weather.

It's very hot out there of late that I decided to rest indoor for this entire weekend.

Going to do some research on several complaints I received from friends in Johor Umno.

Among others, I need to verify whether it's true that several Umno divisional annual general meetings here were held without enough quorum.

Never heard of this happening in Johor before.

If it's true, then things must be really bad.

Then there's another complaint that the Johor Umno war room people were being put under pressure by some kind of think-tank which was set-up supposedly to assist them.

That's really stupid.

Why must there be a need for all these intrigues?

The war room already have good experienced people such as Datuk Ahmad Zahri and Datuk Ramli Buhani, yet they were being impeded by a bunch of people who only know theories and arm-chair knowledge.

Johor Umno cannot afford these sort of things with the general election just two years from now.

MB DS Mohd Khaled Nordin needs to fix such problems fast.

Otherwise Johor Umno can ends up in the gutter.

Focusing on Johor to stop creepy DAP people

Earlier this year, I got so fed-up with politics that I thought of switching to writing about food.

Actually, I did start to write a bit about nice or unique makan places around JB at that time.

But later on I realised that I'm not very good at writing about food.

It's probably because most of the time I just eat whatever available rather than search for really good food.

For example, this is my dinner last night,

Mee goreng telur mata and teh O ais limau

I just stopped by at a mamak after work and had that.

Not really healthy stuff, okay.

Told myself that anyone who eat such thing shouldn't be a food blogger.

At least that's how I feel about it.

Once in a while can la write about food but I shouldn't do too much of it.

Anyway, I had given it quite a bit of thought and decided that it should be okay if I write about the local Johor political scene.

I'm no longer as actively involved in it as before but at least I still have a bit of knowledge about what's happening on the ground.

So, I think it wouldn't be too bad if I write what ever I know about it.

Who knows, maybe it can do some good.

I always believe that if I want to comment on something, I must be there on the ground to really understand the situation.

Too many arm-chair con jobs la these days, okay.

Never really been on the ground in Johor yet writing about the state as if knowing everything about it.

Then, when people disagree with their stupid theories and they can't argue back on facts, they got angry and went on a crusade of personal attacks and accusing these and that.

Really crazy.

Well, I will try to never be like that.

By the way, as far as Johor is concerned, I still prefer for BN to continue ruling the state.

That, despite my lots of unhappiness about what's happening in this state at the moment.

It's because if BN falls, DAP will be the one which actually going to rule the state.

The DAP people in Johor are mostly quite creepy, okay.

This is a story about one of them,

• Meroyan bottom of wok

Really.

That one is really very creepy.

Okay, fine, the DAP had kicked out that one but there are still many others like that.

Just can't imagine if they take over my home state.

Hopefully, MB DS Khaled Nordin can fix things in Johor properly after this.

I will try not to disturb him and his team too much like before.

Unless, of course if they really mess up things again.

That's at least until the next general election.

See lah how.

Thanks KJ

I'm busy over the past and next few days.

Can't blogging too much.

For this post I just want to share this

Please click to enlarge

Thanks KJ.

For context, please read my last post,

Redha and a little story about KJ

I know that some of you don't like KJ, but I believe that if the guy is doing good, then I must acknowledge and appreciate that he is doing good.

The same when I wrote this in January,

• Memories of Pekan and the time Annie asked Najib for money

I know, some people will accuse me of "makan dedak" and such because of it, but I don't care because there are already people accusing me as such.

I believe in being fair when it comes to such things.

Well, that's all there is to it as far as I'm concerned.

Need to get back to work now.

Peace.

Redha and a little story about KJ

Watched the movie

Redha

over the weekend.

It's good.

Since there are people who went around calling me a liar and such, don't take my words for it.

Read this instead,

Please click to enlarge

The movie is as realistic as it can be about life of those affected by

Autism

That's what I appreciate most about it.

It didn't try to "glamourise" the whole thing like so many other movies about people with autism.

It's not about the few high-functioning talented kids with autism but instead the normal ones who are in the majority and the struggles of their parents and loved ones.

Yes, I also hope that more people will watch the movie so that they can understand more what autism is really all about.

Meanwhile, there's this story related to autism about KJ which I think you all may want to read,

Overwhelmed with emotion, Khairy opens up about son, Timor Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR: An emotional Khairy Jamaluddin admitted that reading Barry M. Prizant’s book, titled “Uniquely Human” was an eye opener for him, and the book brought him closer to his second child, Timor Abdullah.

At a book review program in Petaling Jaya yesterday, the Youth and Sport Minister said that Prizant’s book on autism made him realise how special his child was, in ways that he never saw before, according to a Malay daily.

“This book changed my life. It changed how I approached my own son and how to completely understand him without trying to change him to be like other kids,” said Khairy. 

Khairy, choked on emotion, stressed how important the book was to him, which he said highlighted ways for him to empathise with his special and unique son. 

He said, “I am sorry for being a bit emotional today about my son, but I didn’t get why he was that way. 

“But this book taught me to see things through his point of view and understand his feelings.” 

Married since 2001, Khairy and his wife, Nori Abdullah Badawi have three sons, Jibreil Ali, 9 years old, and Timor Abdullah, 8, and Raif "Leo" Averroes, who is a little over a year old.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/139675/overwhelmed-emotion-khairy-opens-about-son-timor-abdullah

Prayer for earthquake victims in Kyushu and elsewhere

This is the first picture I ever took from a plane,

It's from my last trip to Japan.

If you look carefully underneath the plane wing, you can see the land.

It's Kyushu island.

I took the picture as it was my first sight of Japan on that trip.

Two days ago Kyushu and other smaller islands in southern Japan were hit twice by powerful earthquakes.

Scores died and the damage was quite extensive.

Thousands evacuated as hunt for Japan quake survivors continues

I felt something about it especially because I know someone from Miyazaki, a town in Kyushu.

The guy is not in Japan at the moment but his family and loved ones were there.

I didn't manage to contact him.

However, I did get through to another friend in Tokyo.

He said the tremor of the earthquakes were felt in the Japanese capital.

He was also concerned about our friend, particularly his family and loved ones.

All I can offer was a prayer that they and the others in the affected areas are alright or not suffering too much.

What happened somehow reminded me of the terrible

2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami 

Almost 16,000 people died in that disaster.

I was in Chennai, India when it happened.

I remember the outpouring of sympathy for Japan at that time.

My mother even put the Japanese flag as her Facebook profile photo for awhile as a mark of respect for the victims.

Scores of people I know did the same.

Thankfully, the disaster this time was not so bad.

Meanwhile, half a world away in Equador, over 70 people died in another earthquake early this morning.

My prayer for the people there too.

(Note: Japan made up just two per cent of the world's land mass but endured 20 per cent of recorded earthquakes)

Changing light bulb better than political bitching

The other day I mentioned about my father's Preve needing a change of light bulb every now and then in this post,

• Proton not so bad

I also mentioned that my father was driving around with only one main light functioning.

This is among the advises I received

tebing tinggi12 April 2016 at 17:00

Annie ,
Old man is like that , just drive the car to the nearest workshop and change the bulb's for him.
He will adore you for the concern .

It made me thought "Hey, true also. I should have done it for the old man".

It so happened that my father came to visit me today, and as expected he hadn't fixed the light yet.

So I took the car to a nearby car accessories shop.

The Chinese guy who runs the place happens to drive a Preve too.

He said his car used to experience the same problem.

He said the car needs better quality light bulb because its light casing tends to retain too much heat.

He recommended a Bosh brand which costs RM50. The usual bulbs cost between RM30 and RM40.

The box of the Bosch light bulb and the burnt one from my father's Preve

"Lampu kereta aku lepas pakai ini Bosch, okay. Tak rosak lagi," he said.

 The guy took less than five minutes to instal the new light bulb.

Actually it's not much effort to make the car safer.

I think I need to ask my mother to scold my father too so that he'll take better care of his car, among other things.

My mother is more garang than me.

Okay, I just want to write about that for today.

Lesson of the day: Doing really beneficial things such as making my father's car safer is better than bitching about politics.

Really. That's how I feel at this moment.

Berhati-hati di jalanraya ya.

KJ's small money, according to a cyclist

I think everyone knows by now that KJ was whacked quite hard over the token prize money given to winners of a junior cycling initiative on Saturday.

Well, KJ may be handsome, but he can be quite silly also sometimes.

Everything need money la, KJ.

Lots of it.

That's the value of most people these days.

Next time KJ better make sure the kids are given proper prize money.

At least RM20,000 each.

Otherwise he will surely kena whacked again.

Those kids are not some bloggers who write just for agama, bangsa and tanahair, okay.

Anyway, I actually read the whole thing at this Malaysian Digest's story,

Khairy Awards Junior Cyclists RM10, RM20, RM30 Prize

.
As elsewhere, it highlighted KJ being whacked by netizens for that measly prize money.

But interestingly, the story also includes a comment by Josiah Ng.

Excerpts:

The post even got the attention of three-time Olympian, national track cyclist Josiah Ng, who gave his positive point of view and applauded JCM on its success.

“Great job on the first event Junior Cycling Malaysia! I see a lot of comments and concern with regards to the small prize money that was given.

“I would like give my point of view. When I was a young racer, I was only concerned about two things. Racing and winning.

“Money came to my pocket because I was able to race a lot and that lead me to be a champion. I have made a very good living from cycling over my 15 year career. Do not focus on money.

“Be happy that JCM is putting on events that will help you to be a better competitor. JCM will help to develop you into a champion. Once you are a champion, the money will come!,” he wrote on Facebook.

Hmmm....interesting.

Guess, money is not everything to ALL people.

Apparently there are values which are more important than money.

People like Josiah give me some hope for Malaysia.

Well, up to the big people like KJ to decide la, which to teach the kids, big money or good values.

Debate of the handsome and macho guys

I really don't like this.

KJ Accepts TMJ's Call For A Debate

What good will it do?

Will it improves Malaysian football?

I don't think so.

I never like debates.

I prefer people to reason things out instead.

People tend to get hurt in debates....emotionally.

It's because the loser will come out looking like an idiot, okay.

That's the way it is with debates.

The winner.....well, he get to go on an ego trip.....and that is all to it.

We the audience.....those supporting the winner get to be entertained, while those who support the loser get to gnash their teeth in frustration and humiliation...more enmity there.

Anyway, as a Johorean, I'm supposed to support TMJ, but in this case, I don't think the prince can win.

I have seen KJ debates.

He is really outstanding.

Remember when he had that debate with Ambiga of Bersih fame?

He turned her into a big lump of stuttering fat jello.

Really.

You can watch it here,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeAKJeN5wF8

See, not even Ambiga can match KJ in a debate despite her reputation as a lawyer....a former Bar president, some more.

I really wish TMJ had not made that challenge.

The prince should just let JDT's success on the the field do the talking for him.

Still. now that everyone is set on it, I hope KJ will not go all out at the debate.

KJ, please don't humiliate our prince, okay.

Otherwise we won't let you enter Johor anymore.

Honestly, I prefer TMJ to challange that loud mouth Nazri Aziz to a fist fight instead.

Remember that Tourism Minister who wanted to whack TMJ?

I would love to see him got smacked by TMJ.

I'm very sure TMJ can win that one.

And fist fight is more fun to watch than a silly debate....I think.

Well, what is done is done.

At least it will not be too boring to watch KJ versus TMJ.

Both guys are handsome and macho, okay.

Unlike the other debate - Lim Guan Eng versus Rahman Dahlan

Urgh....both fat fat ones la.

OMG! Halimah!

Woken up earlier by the buzzing of my phone.

It's a wassap message from my beloved.

It reads,

"OMG! Halimah!"

and a link to this story

Deputy minister denies involvement in move to oust Johor MB

I was at first very happy to receive a message so early in the morning from my beloved, but then got irritated as I read the story.

This Halimah Sadique really don't know how to keep her mouth shut.

Last time also like that.

Always want to talk one, this woman.

Limah, you don't know ka that if you talk like that, the more people are going to believe in the stupid gossip.

So slow la you.

And I don't know why Bernama, as the national news agency kept harping on that story.

Nothing better to do, I think.

Who is this son of Mat Aziz anyway?

He is the one who started all these rumours

I know la his father is a State assembly speaker and former MP, but why so many people jumping around because the boy said some people were plotting to topple MB DS Mohamed Khaled Nordin?

Just ignore him la.

Mat Aziz, you don't want to slap your son ka?

You always garang with other people, but with your own son can't shut him up ka?

Why were you letting your son going around rumour mongering like that har?

Tell him to get a decent job and do real work to earn a living, can or not?

Honestly, I think if his son continues making up stories, Mat Aziz may likely be implicated as part of a plot to make Johor politicians jumping around like monkeys.

Really. This is all really stupid.

Can't these people just do their work instead of fooling around with intrigues like in some Korean drama?

The general election is just about two years from now and they are all still fooling around.

I was told Khaled has started moving on the ground, which is good.

Why can't they just help him, instead of getting all excited about some stupid gossip about him?

This is such a waste of time.

Bernama, you all don't want to ask Razali Ibrahim ka after this?

He's also a deputy minister from Johor, okay.

Sheeesssshhhh.....

PS : Limah, can you slim down a bit har? You are getting quite chubby, okay.

Not very pretty like last time lar.

Proton not so bad

I read with interest this post by Dave Avran,

After Maxisgate, Peugeot Malaysia gets flamed on social media.

It basically tells a story about someone who complained about Peugeot.

Well, it's not Proton for a change.

Actually, I have friends who drive Peugeot.

They have their complaints too, but not as severe as the one told in Dave's post.

Peugeot has some nice looking cars, but I don't care much to own any of them.

French cars can be a bit troublesome.

Hard to maintain, don't last very long, no resale value, etc.

Except for the Germans, the Europeans are not really good at making cars for ordinary people.

Japanese are much better at that.

I wish Proton had stick with Mitsubishi as its partner back then, instead of trying to be more European.

My father has a Preve and sometimes I borrowed it.

Hate that the signal indicator lever is on the left like European cars.

Because of that, I can't drive with one hand as I need both to steer and signal.

Troublesome.

Anyway, the Preve is not such a bad car.

I love driving it especially along twisty roads in sports mode gear.

Superb handling and more than sufficient power.

If only Proton could iron out all those small but irritating little problems, it would had been a great car.

For instance, my father's Preve always have one of its main light bulbs burnt out.

The car is just three years old, but I think my father had changed up to seven light bulbs so far.

At the moment, he's driving without the right main light.

He said he is waiting for the other one to go off as well before he fix them.

Save him time to go to the workshop.

I think it has something to do with the wiring.

The people at Proton service centre didn't seem to know what's wrong with it.

My father had given up on them and accepted it as it is.

But still, he's not angry with Proton.

At least, not anymore.

He said it's just his bad luck to get a slightly faulty unit.

"It could be the same, if I had bought other than Proton," he said.

For him it's like dealing with a troublesome woman that he love.

Like my mom :)

Well, my father is a very patient man.

If it's me, I would probably cause quite a ruckus.

But then again, bitching about Proton is a normal thing.

Everyone seem to enjoy doing that.

Maybe now that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is no longer associated with it, things will improve at Proton.

As it is, everyone blames the old man for everything wrong with Proton.

He really shouldn't make all those noises and just rests at his old age.

What a pity.

Whatever it is, I hope Proton will really improve from now on.

Notwithstanding all the complaints, it's still nice to have our own national car.

Besides, it create thousands of employment and saves the country a lot of money...among other things.

Honestly, I would prefer a Proton except for a Honda :)

Another milestone for TKC

I'm busy today.

No time to really write.

Decided to just highlight this good story about TKC instead. Hope you all don't mind too much.

Tunku Kurshiah College Now Offering IB Diploma Programme

By Nur Natasha Aida Ismail

NILAI (Bernama) -- Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC) has finally earned itself recognition to conduct IB Diploma programmes after two years of hard work to provide facilities that meet the standards set by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).

In March 2016, TKC became the second elite college after the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) to offer such programmes as well as the first all-girls school to do so.

Headmistress Hamizan A. Hamid said the school, located in Bandar Enstek here, is one of 69 fully residential schools selected by the Education Ministry's Fully Residential and Excellence Schools Management Division to offer the programme.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

For the first cohort, the college targets 50 students who will be able to register in June 2016.

"Interested students need to score 7As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams with credits in English and Bahasa Melayu. They need to be all-rounders, active and enjoy challenges because we aim to place them in universities abroad. Hopefully, they will be able to adapt quickly.

"The programme is not only open to TKC students, we also accept students from other schools but they must meet the requirements set," she said.

The pre-university programme from IBO, centralised in Geneva, Switzerland, is fully conducted in English except for the subject Malay A.

COST

The two-year four semester programme with fees of RM50,000 aims to produce world-class leaders through a balance of academics and community service.

"The cost includes lodging, fees and meals whereby we run a service oriented programme that is much cheaper than other private institutions that go for profit.

"We are actively promoting the programme to obtain sponsors for students to pursue the programme. Students who have lesser financial capabilities need to find a sponsor to join," added Hamizan.

SUBJECTS OFFERED

The nine subjects offered under the IB programme are Malay A, Mathematics High Level (HL), Mathematics Standard Level (SL), English B, History, Visual Arts, Chemistry, Business Management and Physics with three additional compulsory components namely Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and Extended Essay.

Commenting further, Hamizan said the IB Diploma programme is different from A-Level because the A-Level programme has a curriculum that focuses on written work, studying and sitting for an exam with a maximum of four subjects.

The IB Diploma programme, on the other hand, required students to complete a course in theoretical knowledge, community service and a 4,000-word essay, she added.

"Our mission is to build our student's profile, which is why we emphasize on individual development not only in terms of curriculum but also contributions in projects and programmes with the community at school, outside school or abroad.

"From here students can appreciate and build skills and expertise. By the end of the programme they will be students who are lifelong learners and independent learners through research, critical thinking and creativity," she said.

FACILITIES

Upon touring TKC, it is undeniable that the facilities provided are world-class and its library is at par with those of universities. Their labs have high safety features including fire proof tables, classrooms equipped with Apple TV and a viewing room like that of mini theatre.

These world-class facilities, added with the 'one student one gadget learning' concept through the use of Ipads, prepares the Middle Years Programme International Baccalaureate (MYPIB) which will see TKC recognised as an IB World School, or a fully IB school starting from Form One until Diploma.

The college, which has been listed as a 'Apple Distinguished School' candidate, will become the only government school with access to Apple's education software and gadgets.

Meanwhile, diploma programme coordinator Hafitah Baharuddin said in terms of selection and preparation, 12 teachers were selected to teach the programme.

"Our selection process is stringent and the teachers were chosen according to qualifications required by the IBO and will be interviewed by the Malaysian Education Ministry. Those eligible will go for a three-day workshop organised by the IBO before they can receive a certificate.

"In terms of preparation, teachers and the headmistress also need to undergo workshops in Hong Kong. Besides that, teachers take two years to grasp the concept of IB education," she added.

IN DEMAND

According to Hafitah, IB diploma students are highly in demand by over 1,200 international universities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

"Though we aim to place our students in universities abroad, we still maintain local values with our tagline 'World Class Education With A Local Touch'. Our students understand that they are citizens with a responsibility towards Malaysia," she said.

TKC Parent-Teacher Association president Datuk Nasir Ali said he was excited about the recognition bestowed on the college as the IB Diploma programme was becoming more accepted by the public.

BERNAMA

Qingming thoughts

Today I don't feel like writing politics.

Been doing too much of it the past week.

The general feeling on the ground is that people are tired of politics.

Almost everyone I know said that.

So, today I just want to write something light.

Just want to record my thoughts at the moment.

Okay, just before CNY, I did this post,

• Guide to be a likable woman

It basically laid down five basic things women should do to be likable,

1. Be nice

2. Don't be over bitchy

3. Try to be reasonably intelligent

4. Have a pleasant appearance

5. Be hygienic

Please click on the link above to read it in detail if you haven't already done so.

I think it was good as the number of readers of this blog jumped quite high the day I posted it.

I even got calls from friends saying that the guide is good.

Actually, I was quite happy with it as I believe I had helped other women to make themselves more likable.

It's better than all those political postings, I think.

But of course there are also those who didn't like it.

Maybe because it's too simple.

Strangely, some even got so angry with me because of that post and started accusing me with all sorts of things.

I'm not really sure why all that anger was directed at me.

It's just a guide for women to be better, for God's sake.

If don't want to follow the guide, then it's okay la.

No one forcing.

No need to get all worked up, okay.

Well, that's the way it is with blogging.

Some people like you, others hate you.

Honestly, I'm just writing for fun.

It's just my thoughts and experiences.

Some postings, such as the women's guide were good as it helps others to be better, while some postings were bad because I was just venting or being emotional.

Anyway, today I'm in Kluang.

It's the Qingming family gathering again.

Was at the graves yesterday.

Chinese pay respects to their elders and beloved even after they were dead.

You can read more about what Qingming is to me at this post,

Qingming

and my thoughts around the same time at the start of the Umno civil war last year here,

Qingming and a heavy heart

Okay, I need to stop now.

My mom yelling for me to have my breakfast.

Need to go to town and buy grandma some stuff later.

I leave you with a repeat of this video about Qingming, so you may understand what it's all about,

I love the way she pronounced "dragon boat festival" :)

Good things done by Khaled

I wrote this post the other day,

Remembering the lawatan kawasan peti undi in Johor

excerpts,

However, the current Johor BN/Umno leadership doesn't seems to employ the same strategy.

The last time I checked about three months ago, there was no lawatan peti undi being planned yet.


Today I got a call from an aide of Johor MB DS Mohamed Khaled Nordin,

"Annie, my boss has actually started the visits to the polling areas," he said.

The aide said Khaled and his team have so far visited areas in Kulai, Segamat and Pontian.

More will come, he said.

Well, that's good to hear.

I thanked the guy for correcting me. I have to admit that I'm a bit out of touch with the current inner workings of Johor Umno.

He nonetheless said the visits may not be as extensive as the one done by Khaled's predecessor TS Abdul Ghani Othman during the 2008-2013 campaign.

"Things have changed, So, the strategy needs to also be changed," he said.

I asked the guy if the visits include the wrap up session at the divisional level, complete with polling simulation briefing as done during Ghani's time.

He was not very sure of that.

He however said the Khaled team have the necessary data of electorates' mood of the visited areas and had made necessary recommendations on what measures to be taken, especially in the "grey and black" areas.

Guess that's not too bad.

Some sorts of continuity of a good thing from Ghani's time.

I also learnt that the Johor Umno's  "war room" is still led by Ramli Buhani, who used to be the state Umno liaison executive secretary during Ghani's time.

The guy is good. Hardworking and selfless. That's what my opinion of him since back then.

He was supposed to be the BN's candidate for the Kempas state seat in the last general election but replaced by Datuk Tengku Putra Haron Aminurrashid bin Tan Sri Tengku Abdul Hamid Jumat upon a last minute directive from the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Maybe it's good after all that Ramli was not made a wakil rakyat.

Otherwise he would be bogged down by works in his constituency instead of doing what he is best at, planning and implementing strategy at the state party headquarters.

Anyway, I don't think Khaled has any better choice than Ramli to lead the "war room" in term of experience and dedication.

As it was with other members of Ghani's team back then, the guy is not the "cari lubang" (looking for opportunity to enrich oneself) type and instead always focused at the works in hand.

Guess Khaled recognised this, and for that I have to commend him.

Well, I'm not a fan of Khaled but if he did good, I would write that he had indeed done good.

In defense of Khaled Nordin

There have been some rumblings down here in Johor over the past few days.

This is a Bernama story yesterday,

Johor Wanita Refutes Claims Of Move To Topple Johor MB

I first heard about it when a statement by Johor Umno Youth deputy chief defending MB DS Mohamed Khaled Nordin was circulated several days earlier.

As the Malays like to say it, if there's no wind, the tree won't sway one.

So, I assumed there was indeed a move to unseat Khaled from Kota Iskandar.

As suggested in the Bernama report, this is likely a move being initiated by people who felt that Khaled was not going all out enough in his support for PM DS Najib Razak in the fight against party rebels in Johor.

My personal opinion is that, it could also be initiated by people who felt that there was an opportunity to put their own "race horse" in the MB post by painting Khaled as not being a true blue Najib loyalist and having him kicked out because of it.

Whatever it is, I think this is another brainless scheme which will further damage Umno in Johor.

As most regular readers of this blog should know by now, I'm not a big fan of Khaled and his administration.

In fact, I used to bitch quite a lot about him and things related to his administration.

I even at one time made some noises about the need to remove him as MB. I was very angry with him at that time.

But as I had written a while back, I don't want to disturb the guy too much anymore.

It's because the general election is drawing near and attacking Khaled now will only damage Johor Umno.

I had written that this blog had made known of things I felt needed to be improved or corrected by Khaled and it's up to him whether to do it or otherwise.

You can read it here,

Time to fix Johor

excerpts;

There is little time left for Khaled and his people to fix things.

I may be critical of them but I have no intention to pile on extra pressure for them to mend their ways during that short period they have left.

I also have no intention to provide the opposition with extra ammunition by keep on harping on the weaknesses of Khaled's administration.

As it is, I know that he is currently struggling to keep things under control due to pressure from all quarters.

Then there is also the ongoing Umno rebellion which is draining support for the party.

Seriously, I don't want to add to Khaled's troubles for now.

I'm not like some of those Umno bloggers who attacked former Johor MB TS Abdul Ghani Othman just weeks before the last general election in 2013 to make sure he leaves Johor.They never care whether their attacks were actually harming Barisan Nasional itself. 

So, I think these nonsense about removing Khaled should stop now.

Khaled and his people may hate me for my past criticisms of them but that's besides the point.

I'm still not a fan of Khaled but this time I'm supporting him because, for better or worse, Johor Umno cannot afford a change of leadership now as changing Khaled at this point would cause too much disruption.

Anyway, I think Khaled is better than some idiots who chant "either you are with us or against us" and other nonsensical soundbites.

Heaven forbid, him being replaced by one of those idiots.

It's now time for Johor Umno to unite and start working hard to prepare for the next general election instead of once again being dragged down by internal fightings.

Whether they are pro-Najib or pro-Mahathir, they must from now on work together demi agama, bangsa and tanahair.

I may no longer consider myself as an Umno supporter, but I'm still of the opinion that as far as my home state is concerned, BN/Umno is still better than the opposition parties.

I don't know about other states, but I want the best for my Johor....whatever there is available to it.

Intermission: Not writing for fame

It's the message that matters.

Not the messenger.

Remembering the lawatan kawasan peti undi in Johor

Had lunch with an old friend yesterday.

He's the leader of my team which helped defended Johor in the last general election.

We actually had lunch at a hospital.

There's a restaurant there.

He was there looking after his wife who was warded after a surgery.

The guy is a very good husband.

He said his wife was recuperating well.

Alhamdulillah.

As usual, we talked about all sorts of things including of course politics.

It's now about two years before the next general election.

I remember that around the same time in the run up to the last general election, the Johor BN/Umno machinery swung into full gear, preparing for the poll.

My friend and me were doing our parts as best as we could at that time.

The preparations had started early because of the BN's poor performance in the general election of 2008.

It was not so bad in Johor as BN lost only one out of 26 parliamentary and six out of 56 state seats but the then Johor MB, TS Abdul Ghani Othman had rightly predicted the impending Chinese tsunami.

We knew then that Johor, with its about 40 per cent Chinese population will be hit really hard.

Among the things that I did at that time was contributing ideas and writing a bit in the BIGCAT blog which focused mostly on Johor politics.

The blog was originally operated by my friend Ai and later handed over to another friend, Tinsel.

My blogging captain Rocky among others acknowledged that the blog correctly forecasted the Chinese tsunami which hit Johor on polling day in these posts,

"Revolusi Cina" in Johor

Big Cat's 1 millionth

Unfortunately the blog has now more or less been mothballed.

Anyway, my old friend at that time had a much heavier task.

He played perhaps the most crucial role in the overall Johor BN/Umno preparations for the election.

I asked him yesterday what was perhaps the most important preparation done at that time.

"It's probably the visits to the kawasan peti undi (polling areas)," he said.

Ghani actually started his grassroots visits just several months after the 2008 general election but those were on an ad-hoc basis.

They were properly structured two years before the 2013 polls with Ghani from then onwards spending most of his weekends visiting the polling areas.

It's a very tedious work as there are over 1,000 polling areas in Johor.

Ghani and his team visited every single one of them, meeting people, collecting feedbacks, solving local issues, doing follow-ups on anything more to be done, etc.

The visits also boosted the morale of Johor BN/Umno people on the ground.

It's part of a strategy which empowered the grassroots as they face the election.

I recently wrote a bit on the outcome of the strategy here,

Nice guys can win wars too

excerpts;

As for 2013, Johor was hit hard by the Chinese tsunami, yet BN still retained its 2/3 majority in the state assembly and lost only five of the 26 parliamentary seats. It should be noted that about 40 per cent of Johoreans are Chinese. Johor Umno's dominance was however still largely intact with an estimated 83 per cent of Malay electorates voted for the ruling coalition.

Ghani, who was ending his political career at the general election made the ultimate sacrifice of becoming the first Umno leader to contest in a Chinese-majority constituency. He was requested by PM DS Najib Razak to contest the Gelang Patah seat against DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang in a brave but futile effort to stop the Chinese tsunami.

However, the current Johor BN/Umno leadership doesn't seems to employ the same strategy.

The last time I checked about three months ago, there was no lawatan peti undi being planned yet.

Maybe it's not fancy enough.

Hopefully, Johor BN/Umno has a better strategy this time around.

Anyway, I think I will write more about my experience during the 2008-2013 campaign in Johor.

Who knows, maybe something good may come out of doing it.

I think that's better than me bitching about some stupid nonsense or quarreling with very clever bloggers who seem to know everything without even going on the ground.