Emporium Blog

Faith freedom has been trampled on. Article 11 of the Federal Constitution states that every person has the right to profess and practice his religion is not respected or adhered to. Rukunegara that I have almost religiously recite since my schooling time is no more relevant. I have been betrayed.

The Five Principles of Nationhood or Rukunegara was formulated after the racial riots of May 13, 1969, in an attempt to base the national philosophy on unity and progressiveness (as a whole), whereby concepts which are universal and acceptable to all Malaysian citizens, regardless of ethnic origin or religious affiliation, were adopted as the ideology of the country.

The principles enshrined in the Rukunegara were officially introduced on Aug 31, 1970, in the hopes that it would strengthen national unity in Malaysia’s multicultural society. The declaration of the five principles has been formulated as follows:

Our nation, Malaysia is dedicated to:

• Achieving a greater unity for all her peoples;
• Maintaining a democratic way of life;
• Creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably distributed;
• Ensuring a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; and
• Building a progressive society which shall be orientated to modern science and technology.

We, her peoples, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends guided by these principles:

1. Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan Allah (Belief in God Allah)
2. Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to King and Country)
3. Keluhuran Perlembagaan (Supremacy of the Constitution)
4. Kedaulatan Undang-undang (Rule of Law)
5. Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan (Mutual Respect and Morality)

Lina Joy appeal was a historic one with legal and social repercussions yet to be seen with the decision going against her. The findings made by the courts is inconsistent at best.

Lina Joy is a Malay convert from Islam to Christianity. Born Azlina Jailani in 1963 or 1964 to Muslim parents, she converted at age 26. In 1998, she was baptised, and applied to have her conversion legally recognised by the Malaysian courts. Though her change of name was recognised in 1999 and so noted on her identity card, her change of religion was not (since it is without the Mahkamah Syariah confirmation document); for this reason, she filed suit with the High Court in 1999, by passing Syariah Court (Islamic court), and then with the Federal Court in 2006. Joy hopes to live openly as a Christian; she was forced to go into hiding by the publicity surrounding her case.

In a majority verdict delivered on the May 30, 2007, the Federal Court rejected her appeal. Her appeal was dismissed 2-1 by Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Datuk Alauddin Mohd Sheriff; the dissenting Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Richard Malanjum wrote that “Hence, in my view this is tantamount to unequal treatment under the law. In other words it is discriminatory and unconstitutional and should therefore be struck down. For this reason alone, the relief sought for by the appellant should be granted, namely for a declaration that she is entitled to have an identity card in which the word ‘Islam’ does not appear.”

Legal recognition would have allowed her to have the change of religion noted on her national identity card; it will also remove the barrier to her marrying her Christian fiance (marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims is forbidden under Malaysian law; typically, the non-Muslim partner is required to convert to Islam). At the moment, Syariah Court alone have the power to deal of Islamic issues, including conversion of religion to and from Islam, which is not something unknown. According to Muslim Lawyers Association spokesman Pawanchek Merican, “..In Negeri Sembilan, the syariah court allow 16 people to renounce Islam ….”.

It had been hoped that Joy’s case would ultimately determine whether Malaysian Muslims can circumvent Syariah Court, and it had become a rallying cause for interfaith, women’s rights, and civil rights groups in Malaysia. According to a senior official in the National Registration Department, for the NRD to change the religion on her identity card would mean that the department would be officially declaring her an apostate, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court. The jurisdiction of the Syariah Court over converts from Islam to other religions has been hotly debated by the Malaysian public in the past few years, with this and other court cases involving converts closely followed by the media. Joy is not the first person to apply for recognition of conversion from Islam; another woman named only as “Maria” by the BBC is also pursuing a similar case. Furthermore, in 2006, Malaysian courts granted recognition for the 1936 conversion from Islam to Buddhism of Nyonya Tahir; however, Tahir was deceased by that time.

Malaysian Paypal users cannot accept any payments since 10th May 2007. Paypal requires entering a U.S. Bank Account in order to accept payments. Many suspect and thought that it is a change of policy for Malaysia. It turned out to be a false alarm. It is a technical glitch afterall and they finally rectify it after fifteen long days. Everything is back to normal now.

When you have payment and clicked to accept it, you are brought to the familiar page where you have a choice of Accept Payment But Don’t Add a Bank Account Now. Click Submit and the next screen appears.

Malaysian Paypal users are not discriminated after all. However, this episode has proven that many Malaysians find it hard to go the right way during time of crisis. Some has gone to the extend of entering a fake U.S. Bank account number in order to accept payment during the period of technical glitch.

It is this group of people that gives Malaysia a bad name in the eye of the world. Shame on you!

According to the Wiki, Futsal is an indoor version of football. Futsal is played between two teams of five players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Boleh-Futsal in the other hand is a totally diferent ball game altogether.

Boleh-Futsal as seen in the picture is played in an enclosed compound but it is still an open area. In fact it is played in what should effectively be called a Tennis Court, minus the nets of course.

Instead of two teams of five players, Boleh-Futsal has two opposing teams of seven a side, with one side (left-side in the picture) without the goalkeeper. The number of players each side are often determined by who is present that day, up to 20 players a side is not uncommon. There is no half time or full time, it ends normally at dinner time or when the ball owner wants it to end.

To add to the spirit of “Apa Pun Boleh”, players can wear anything and any colour they like, as long as it is not batik. Shorts or jeans, long sleeves or sleeveless, boots or barefooted, anything goes. Team players recognise each other by way of shouting and swearing at each other.

Normally there will be no referee or lines-man, the side who shouts the loudest and argues with the most vulgarities has the advantage.

A goal is scored when the ball crosses the line marked by a pair of slippers. The distance between the slippers varies from team to team. Handicap is given to the weaker team by means of a smaller distance between the slippers making it harder for the stronger team to score.

Still, it is uncivilised to play Futsal in a Tennis Court. I cannot imagine a group of people playing Boleh-Tennis in a football field.

I met an old acquaintance a few days ago, he was my classmate. We exchanged greetings, shake hands and hugged each other like long lost friends. It was a pleasant surprise, having bumped into someone I have not met for such a long time.

We had a few drinks and conversation was all about life when we were young and carefree. We promised to catch up with each other, have gatherings more often. That would be nice.

To cut the story short, we went to the toilet together. That is when I lost all my initial excitement and wished I have never bumped into him.

To my horror, he did not bother to wash his hands after peeing!

Feeling disgusted, I asked him straight in the face, “Why didn’t you wash your hands?” He smiles and say, “Why must?” I am lost for words.

Projet has the cleanest, most well maintained toilet in Malaysia, many can attest to this statement a few years ago. Now the toilets are dark, wet, smells, has drippy faucets, vandalised and pasted with stickers offering services from money lenders to massage parlours.

I wet my pant in one of the toilets, it has this fountain that will aim a gush of water at the most embarrassing spot on your pants the moment the tap is turned. I turned the faucet aiming the other way in order to capture this picture.

News has it that Projet Petrol Stations in Malaysia will be re-branded as Shell Stations at the end of the year. A case of if you don’t buck up, you get taken up.

Why are most of the public toilets in such a sorry state throughout Malaysia? Lack of maintenance or the people are not civilised enough to use them properly?

I just found out there is someone going around telling people his site is the real Emporium Blog. After paying a visit, I found out the so-called real “Emporium Blog” at www.emporium-directory.com is actually a blog within the domain.

Likewise, a directory within this domain does not qualifies as the real “Emporium-Directory” and going around telling people it is would be silly.

He claimed that I bought this domain four months later than his. Just for reference, I also own www.emporium2u.com, which also has a blog within. Accordingly to the Whois, is registered earlier than his. Can I now claim the blog at www.emporium2u.com is the earlier and the real Emporium Blog?

I am not aware of the conflict before and I do not wish to offend anyone as this is only a personal blog of mine. Fact is, nobody can deny this domain is www.EmporiumBlog.com and I have the absolute right to use “Emporium Blog” if I want to.

Paypal users in Malaysia have been subjected to unfair policies since 10th May 2007. There has been no news on whether this policy will be permanently imposed on us.

However, there are a few ways to have a proper functional Paypal account. VMI Bank Account is one of them. It is discussed and proper instructions can be found at hongkiat.com, a fellow blogger who are kind enough to share the knowledge. However, there are a lot of fees that are imposed on the VMI Bank Account that makes it not quite worthwhile for small timers.

The other more desirable way, in my opinion at least is the E*Trade Checking Account.

Account Features

• Free, unlimited online bill payments
• Free ATM/Visa® Debit card
• Unlimited Debit card and check transactions
• Free initial checkbook order
• Online images of cleared checks, deposited checks, and deposit slips
• FDIC insurance to at least $100,000

Account Minimums

• $100 minimum initial deposit required
• No account minimums are required to maintain this account

Costs and Fees

• No monthly account fees

The E*Trade Checking Account can be applied through mail. Application forms can be printed online. The whole process is simple and takes less than one week if proper documentation is submitted. A photocopy of your Passport and MyKad is the only requirement needed for identification. Activation is standard procedure as normal for use in Paypal.

I believe there are other ways but E*Trade Checking Account is the best so far. If you have differing opinions, please share. There have been many ebooks written on this subject since and payments are often required for the information. Heaven forbids if anyone were to copy and turn this into an ebook and charges for it.

I hope this article will not be misused by crooks that Paypal wanted to rid by implementing the said policies, else more drastic actions are in store for us.

Happy Paypalling!

There has been an unofficial change of policy for Paypal users in Malaysia since 10th May 2007. Users in Malaysia who tries to receive funds are directed to a page where they are asked to enter a U.S. Bank Account. Those who cannot comply will have their funds stuck and eventually returned to the sender.

There’s no confirmation so far from Paypal. Enquiries and emails are simply brushed off with standard replies citing technical glitches. This shows that Paypal does not give a fuck to Malaysian users.

Paypal states that users in Malaysia can Send. Receive. Withdraw to a U.S. Bank Account. But now we can only Send. Withdraw to a U.S. Bank Account.

I am sad to acknowledge that Paypal actually did the right thing. Many Malaysian sell things on eBay, get payment through Paypal but did not send the goods after receiving payment. The crooks then transfer the money out and closed the Paypal account. We are being penalised because of them. Don’t forget Malaysia is still on the list of high fraud risk country.

Being a Malaysian, we are miserable long enough to have our own ways. There are hope yet, in the form of VMI Bank Account and E*Trade Checking Account.

It rained and it rained like no other in Kuala Lumpur today. The raindrops are huge. I believe ten drops is all it takes to drench you. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a bit but the sky really pours today.

I heard there’s hailstorm on the other part of town. Hailstorms are rare in Malaysia. There must be evil doings by someone in this place to deserve the wrath of nature of this kind. Flashflood instantly occurs in numerous parts of the city due to inefficient drainage system that has been a problem for decades.

The thunderstom today coincides with the announcement that the toll will be higher for the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel) by our Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

The tunnel is the first in the world which has a dual function. Besides being a road tunnel, it will also be used for flood water diversion. Motorists would be able to use it for free for a month.

I believe the lightning wanted to strike someone today, somehow it misses. The day he die will be the day I celebrate.

I am born and raised in a traditional Malaysian Chinese family. Although we live in the city and have adopted the modern way of living, some things stay the same. Emotions and love is not shown openly, it is more subdued and kept in the heart.

In most Malaysian families, members do not hug each other or kiss each other on the cheek. The words “I love you” among family members are unheard of. The words are perceived and solely to mean love between couples and it may even denote incest if spoken to family members. Physical contacts are also kept to the minimum. I don’t even remember the last time I am hugged by my parents.

Well, that does not mean we do not love each other. Simple gestures of the elders like a nod of the head when greeted are sufficed to show they know you love them and they love you in return. I am not kidding.

I called my mom on the phone and say “Happy Mother’s Day!” and she says “Thank you”.

I live in an Hell Housing Apartment built by an Evil Developer and managed by their appointed Evil Management Company. Apart from collecting monthly maintenance fees, the Evil Management Company practically do nothing. Currently there are hundreds of claims against them for evil conducts including abandonment of projects, late and non-delivery of properties, shoddy workmanship and no proper accounts.

Ironically the Evil Developer is an investment arm of the Government. Media reports on their misconducts highlighted in “The Star Newspaper” on the 22nd March 2006 have since been removed. The government of Malaysia practically controls the media in the country.

When I first saw the brochure of my Hell Housing Apartment project, nothing is left to be desired. What do they promise? Every unit is a corner unit, three lifts serves each block, nursery, restaurant, hair saloon, big sized swimming pool complete with wading pool, squash court, tennis court, 24-hours security, fenced compound, gym, sauna, community hall, landscaped garden and many more.

Almost paradise, hell no! I will post and reveal the sorry state of the state-of-the-art Hell Housing Project one by one in due time. Until then, I will be sulking at the corner, or maybe I should pray.

Not all developers are evil, but if you see any with the group of developers above trying to sell you something, run.

Astro, the monopoly cable tv company in Malaysia announced that they are going to increase the subscription rate by 15% on 1st June 2007. Fine, as long as quality programs are aired.

I have grown immune to the fact that Astro programs are infested with advertisements, repeats and more advertisements. They are the monopoly, if you don’t watch Astro, you watch government controlled TV stations and believe me they sucks even worse.

There’s this new channel 78 on Astro, where there’s alot of nice and interesting programs about cars, fishing and all things macho. Have enjoyed it so much over the last one week or so. Finally, a channel I can watch day in day out. Much to my horror, I found out yesterday that the most of the programs on channel 78 are outdated, mostly are from the year 2002-2003.

I could watch outdated National Geographic programs but I just cannot accept a 2002 car as the latest model.

Shove it up your ass, Astro!

It’s in the news today. A pre-dawn rainstorm and twister wreaked havoc causing damage to schools and houses in Batu Pahat, a small town in Johor.

This came as no surprise to me. Not only freak storms, even flash floods are getting more frequent. Storms and twisters are not uncommon anymore. The thunder seems to get louder by the day. Haze seems to be a yearly affair.

Something is definitely not right here in Malaysia.