Of Sports and Politic

The Sports Minister, Ismail Sabri has requested Mokhzani Mahathir to vacate his seat as the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) Chairman. According to Sabri, the position of SIC Chairman is the right of the government. As such, when Mokhzani quit UMNO recently, he (Mokhzani) should relinquish his position in the government. Sabri further said that SIC is the subsidiary of Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB), which is controlled by the government through Khazanah Holdings.

Click here to read more
http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2008&dt=0531&pub=Kosmo&sec=Sukan&pg=su_01.htm

The request by Sabri is too childish, not mature and uncalled for. To me, if at all Mokhzani needs to step down or be replaced it should be done because of his performance i.e. on merit and not on political reasons. If Mokhzani has done a good job so far and can still do a good job, I do not see why he should be asked to step down. This is the problem in Malaysia. Everything is being politicized. If this Sabri type of mentality is being nurtured to our people, I bet, there is no way we can move further. Such mentality brings us to nowhere because we put someone in certain position because of his/her political connection and not because of his/her ability to do the job.

In any event, if Mokhzani really being asked to step down because of the abovementioned stupid reason, I believe that the government should also do a thorough checking on all government servants to check which political party they are in and to ask those from the opposition to resign because they are holding position in the government which the government has the right to decide on it. But if the government is not willing to do that, stop from asking Mokhzani to step down just because he quit UMNO.

Last but not least, please GOD, help us, we need politicians with brains, who can think rationally.

It Is Our 5th Anniversary

In 2003, on the same date, on the same day and in the same month, I became the husband for my lovely wife. The solemnisation of our marriage was done very smoothly. With just one aqad, I became a husband. It was totally a new world for me, just like other newly weds. More responsibilities for me. I have to guide my wife to walk in the right path. I was then, became a leader, not only for myself, but also for my other half. I felt complete.

This was done after about 2 years courting. Going back to those days before our marriage, I must say it was not an easy relationship. It was not because she or I was difficult, but the surrounding circumstances made it difficult for us. We were sort of “boycotted” by our close friends for quite some times before they could accept the fact that we were meant to be together. It was quite a sad and hard moment when our very close friends kept their distance from us but we kept telling ourselves, this is about us and not about them. If we want to be happy, we have to listen to ourselves alone and not others, as, if we were to follow what they said, they might not be there if we were in trouble. The options that were available to me then were either I choose my friends or the girl that I want to share my whole life with. Well, it was not really a tough decision to make and in the end I made up my mind and I am glad that I have made the correct decision. To me, I could still afford to lose my friends at that point of time, as I knew that I can always make new friends but I just could not afford to lose the girl that I love, as it was not easy to find one.

The best part was that, in the end our friends could accept the fact that we were meant to be together and everything went back as it was. So, I got it all.

To my lovely wife: -

Our love is the long lasting kind;

We’ve been together quite a while;

I love you for so many things;

Your voice, your touch, your kiss, your smile;

You accept me as I am;

I can relax and just be me;

Even when my quirks come out;

You think they’re cute;

you let me be;

With you, there’s nothing to resist;

You’re irresistible to me;

I’m drawn to you in total trust;

I give myself to you willingly;

Your sweet devotion never fails;

You view me with a patient heart;

You love me, dear, no matter what;

You’ve been that way right from the start;

Those are just a few reasons whyI’ll always love you like I do;

We’ll have a lifetime full of love;

And it will happen because of you.

My Eldest Son Turns 4 Yesterday, 28/5/2008

It was my eldest son, Iman's 4th birthday yesterday. The celebration was held at Mc. Donald's Bandar Tun Hussein Onn. My son had been talking about his birthday party days before his birthday. He was so eager and excited to have his birthday celebrated at Mc Donald's. Even his two cousins, Aizat (7) and Aleef (6) had asked me few times about the party. Though Aizat lookd excited with the party, I was also told by my sister, Aizat's mother that at the 11th hour, Aizat chose not to attend the party simply because he just could not stand looking at Iman receiving many birthday presents. Aizat in fact asked my sister to go to my other sister's house in Putrajaya instead of attending Iman's birthday party but when he was told that my sister in Putrajaya was also attending the party, he had no choice but to attend it. But all the kids, Aizat (7), Aleef (6), Raziq (10), Rai (8), Iman (4), Azam (3) and Kamil (1+) really enjoyed the party. Aizat's envy about Iman getting many presents was very obvious when Iman started to open all the presents. He just could not hide it. We were all laugh looking at the way Aizat reacted everytime Iman opened his presents. But in the end, all the kids played together. They even went to my house after the party finished at 10.30pm for cuppa coffee and the kids played the birthday presents with Iman happily.

But I suffer a bit because one of the birthday presents (from Aizat and family) was actually a car racing track and Iman asked me to assemble it. Well, it was not an easy task to assemble the track at 11.45pm when I was tired and sleepy. But it was my son's birthday, so I have no choice and not to let him down on his birthday but to agree to assemble the track. It was a try and error process for me because after so may attempts, I just could not get it right. I almost give up but Iman insisted of having it assemble before he went to bed. Finally, at 12 something, I managed to assemble it and Iman gets to put the race car on the track and raced with me for few laps before he agreed to go to bed. He was so happy.

To those who presents last night, thank you very much for your presence and your precious time spent to cheer up my son on his 4th birthday. Thank you also for all the presents.

Few birthday photos to share...

Happy Birthday to Iman. Semoga menjadi anak yang soleh dikemudian hari. Amin...

Of Malaysian Football (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my earlier posting on the same topic on 29th April 2008. Tonight when I was watching TV3 news, it was reported that the organisation of Champions Youth Cup (CYC) will be determined tomorrow when the Minister of Sports goes to meet (menyembah) the President of FAM. My goodness!!! I suppose, when it comes to sports, the Minister should be higher than the sports associations and that the Minister should be able to overule any decision made the sports associations.

But the news report that said that the Minister is going to menyembah (meet up with) Tuanku (the President of FAM) shows that the Minister is a subject of the FAM President when it is supposed to be the other way around. With that, I am very sure that the Minister will concur with whatever the President is going to say because to go against the wish of the Sultan is biadap (rude). This is the problem when you have the royalties to head the association because they do not know or pretend not to know how to diffrentiate between their position as the royalties and their post in the association. In the end, there is no way our sports are going to excel.

On another note, it is highly advisable for the Sultans in Malaysia not to hold any post in any sports association in Malaysia, as it may subject them to criticism and indirectly lower their status and image among the Malaysians.

Of Pulau Batu Puteh and Middle Rocks

What a sad day for Malaysian history. We lost Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore and we only got the "Rocks".

I am sure that a lot of Malaysians are not familiar with the whole process, I mean the Hearing process over the dispute of the ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca as it is known in Singapore, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, let alone the real issue surrounding the case and the provision and authority of the International Law. Unfortunately, Datuk Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, the very few politicians in Malaysia, whom I regard has brain and I consider him a law expert, in his statement made on 15/5/2008 expressed his confidence that the verdict over Pulau Batu Puteh would be in Malaysia's favour. Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/21268674&sec=nation. That statement, I believe, has given high hope among Malaysians that Pulau Batu Puteh is ours because that statement came from none others than Rais Yatim. So, when the ICJ made the ruling in handing over the island to Singapore, I believe that most Malaysians, if not all, were so frustrated over the decision taking into consideration the high hope they were given earlier by Rais Yatim.

And now, after the verdict, Rais Yatim said that it was a win-win verdcit for both parties. Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21355872&sec=nation. He said so because Malaysia got half and Singapore got half. So, it is a win-win situation. Come on!!! This is not in sports where 1-1 is a draw. This is a fight over the sovereignty of the jurisdiction of the country. So, it is not a draw and it is not a win-win verdict for both countries. It is Singapore who won and Malaysia lost in the race. While at least a lighthouse could be built on Pulau Batu Puteh (photo below), I wonder, looking at The Rocks (photo below) what can we do on this few rocks apart from asking our fishermen to go fishing there? Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21353715&sec=nation. This is not The Rock a.k.a Alcatraz. This is a real Rocks. I am waiting for the government's explanation on what can be done on The Rocks.

Middle Rocks

Pulau Batu Puteh

One question for Rais Yatim, what was our priority when we referred the dispute to ICJ? Was it Pulau Batu Puteh or the other two "rocks islands"? I am sure that our priority was Pulau Batu Puteh and as such, how can that be a win-win verdict when we lost our priority. Middle Rocks is just a consolation prize. By the way, what is the malay name for Middle Rock? Batu Tengah?

On another note, why did Rais Yatim said that it was a win-win verdict for both countries when Pak Lah sadly accepted the verdict (read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21356063&sec=nation) while his counterpart, Lee Hsien Loong pleased with the verdict? (read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21356004&sec=nation. To Rais Yatim, go and tell Pak Lah that it is a win-win verdict. What a rubbish statement from Rais Yatim!!!

Three reasons were given why Pulau Batu Buteh was awarded to Singapore Read here http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21354853&sec=nation i.e.: -

(a) Failure to show ownership over Pulau Batu Puteh;

(b) Maps that indicated Singapore's sovereignty over the island; and

(c) Reply from Johor state official saying that the state did not have sovereignty over the island.

Well, it is not fair to blame the present or the previous government alone on this issue, as this involve the activity that took place more than 100 years ago. But moving forward, the present government should be more alert on Singapore's activity on their border with Malaysia. The government has to make sure that there will be no more handing over of any of our territorial jurisdiction to Singapore. Learn from the past mistakes. Pulau Batu Puteh could be the beginning of many more. If Malaysia thinks that it is the end of the story, do not be surprise if Singapore regards the victory as the beginning of their journey to expand their territorial jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, a lot have been said about Iskandar Malaysia being a project that will benefit Singaporean more than the Malaysian in general and Johorian in particular. So far, the government has denied the allegation and I hope their denial is genuine and not for the sake of sweeping things under the carpet. Otherwise, Iskandar Malaysia will be Singapore's. Let us hope that this will not happen.

Last but not least, there is no more Pulau Batu Puteh. It is Pedra Branca now.

A Birthday Wish for My Lovely Wife

To my lovely wife, Liza...

If not for you
I wouldn’t know what true love really meant
I’d never feel this inner peace
I couldn’t be content

If not for you
I’d never have the pleasures of romance
I’d miss the bliss, the craziness of love’s sweet, our wonderful memories

I have to feel your tender touch
I have to hear your voice
No other one could take your place
You are my special one

If not for you
I’d be adrift
I don’t know what I’d do
I’d be searching for my other half
Incomplete, if not for you

Thank you for being my lovely wife

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU SAYANG
MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU ALWAYS

Champions League Final - Man United Are the Champion

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(Man United won 6-5 after penalty shootout)




HERO

VILLAIN

It is over. Man United prevails over Chelsea. It was a very interesting game. Both teams played very well. United had few golden opportunity to score but it was wasted. Chelsea had two tries that hit the goal post. It was also full of drama with few yellow cards were given to players from both teams and one red card given to Didier Drogba. But Man United could not take the advantage, as it was 4 minutes before final whistle that Drogba was given the marching order. It was full of tense and excitement. In the end, it was the luck factor that decided the winner and the luck was on Man United side. Both teams deserved to be in the final.

Well, it is worth to wake up at 2am and stay awake till 6am.

Glory Glory Man United

Glory Glory Man United

Glory Glory Man United

And the reds are marching on on on