Emporium Blog

Miserable in Malaysia

Archive for May 25th, 2007


Published May 25th, 2007

Paypal is working again - What a Relieve

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.

paypal1

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.

paypal2

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!

Published May 25th, 2007

Malaysia’s Boleh-Futsal, Definition and Rules of Play

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.

semi-Futsal in a tennis court

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.