A Date with the Prime Minister (By YCM)

(Monday, 27th June 2011, Intercontinental Hotel KL)

My lack of interest in the Malaysian political arena, or in fact, any politically-infused matter had not stopped me from wanting to meet Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Being above 21 and below 30, I knew I should grab this FREE chance to hear our PM's address to the "young corporate Malaysians" (as an ex-auditor, I believe I am eligible), and true enough, I was amazed by his eloquent speech and how honest and realistic his replies were to questions from the floor.

Apart from seeing our PM in person, me being me, I get excited and tend to focus more when he talked without a text, and with such clarity, proficiency in English, and perfect choice of words, that I am now a fan. Oh yes, I think I am a fan of PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Not to mention I got to capture a picture of him smiling at me (below) or maybe he was just a smiley guy, yes?

Ok, moving on from the smile. On a more serious note, key sensitive issues were highlighted by audiences, which included the evergreen issue of tax on imported cars, call for younger members of the parliament, ISA and AUKU, rising property prices and cost of living (inflation and in comparison with the UK), IPP contracts, and also the education industry (from teachers' incentive scheme, call for creativity and innovation-based subjects, and the need for existing vernacular schools). Loads of comparison with the UK because I think most of the YCM members graduated from the UK.

As for the PM, he provided insights on how the ETP came about, along with how the 6 NKEAs, 12 SRIs, and of course, the concept of 1Malaysia.

All I can say is WOAH. I was quite a listener though, apart from the ocassional distraction from Syafiq about his personal savings (Syafiq! sorry you know i love ya xoxo). I applaud the young corporate Malaysians for having the courage to ask these sensitive questions. I would have to enrol in Toastmasters Club first before I think I can ask these questions.

If any of you wonder what are some of the terms above, haha no worries, I had to google some of them also for more in-depth info.

Summary of answers here: http://mymindajutawan.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/young-corporate-malaysians-an-evening-with-the-prime-minister-dato-sri-najib-razak/

Overall, this was my personal version of crash course of the Malaysian economy.

Read up!

Midnight Cravings

This is what happens when you are a student again, and it's your semester break. I tend to have midnight cravings to write, but I'll pay when I wake up at 12pm tomorrow, hate!

Despite waking up late, I managed to tick each and everything on my to-do list today! Accomplishment!

1) Picked up my baju kurung moden from Kak Su!

It fits me PERFECTLY. I am also proud that I invented a multi-purpose sleeve for this baju, n Kak Su was good a tailor to realise my wish, exactly how I imagined it to be! More ideas for baju kurung to come! (I am seriously considering learning how to sew, and opening up my own baju kurung tailor shop with creative partner, Syaza!

2) Sent recyclables to recycling centre Dewan MBSA Sec11, Shah Alam.

Due to ACCA exam, (alasan), I had no time (or more like I suck at multi-tasking) to send recycling items to the centre. The fact that the centre only opens on Thursdays limits my time even further. This shows the lack of recycling habits of Shah Alam citizens and how unappealing recycling is. I dont blame them, because there should be more centres which open on more days in a week. When people start noticing these places, they would invite themselves to start recycling perhaps. It's true you know, coz I only started recycling when I knew (from a friend, and not from advertisements or campaigns) that there was a centre for it. This gives me an idea, maybe I should volunteer to start a campaign with MBSA. Hurmmm...sedekah jariah for our future generation.

This is 2 months of recyclables. Imagine how significant our contributions back to mother nature if every households make the initiate to recycle. I couldn't have done it without mama and bibik Sara.

3) Change my BB Internet Plan

Dear Maxis, you are a public-listed company, you shouldn't reap off excessive profits from customers. Maybe you should learn the business etiquettes of a Muslim, we shall not make excessive margins, or at least knowingly so, because wealth is not entirely ours, we have to share (ok preaching mode kejap).

Since I bought BB with Maxis, I was entitled to a free and unlimited one year BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) which had expired last April. Subsequently, Maxis, being very opportunistic and unfair, absorbed me into the most expensive Internet Plan; the BB Advanced. Even the Maxis agent at the counter was surprised I was in that plan.

(Debab just jumped onto my bed and wants to play...so comel!)

I had to constantly pay RM100 every 10 days to avoid my phone from being barred. And this is when I don't even call anyone that much. Ridiculous!

So, alhamdulillah now I've switched to BB Standard which costs me only RM55 a month.
Here's to cheaper bills in July! YES!

4) Bought Blue Ocean Strategy

Post Melaka, I am broke. But apparently not broke enough when I decided to buy Blue Ocean Strategy book. So I have been told it's a highly recommended read, even according to my own father.

Why now? Because I saw Adele's video clip in her home and I want a shelf full of books, just like hers. Hence, I am now beyond broke!

5) Bought Rendang Padang

I felt so jolly (ok, now Debab is biting off newspapers in my room, aiyyah!) that I could not resist the aroma of SACC Mall's LG Rendang Padang.

True enough, everyone in my house loves it, because RM12 worth of daging n rendang are safely processing in our tummies. Habis licin!

6) Debab loves cherries too!

Debab the Rabbit must have been the most pampered rabbit alive, because not only does he not live in his cage (his cage is for toilet activities n where his food is), he is also fed biscuits, chocolates, cereals, bananas, rambutans, and now CHERRIES? Fresh from Australia, thanks to Fateen! Like owner, like rabbit!

LOVE!

16 again!

When you're with your high school best friends, it feels like you're 16 again.
You only grow up, but never grow old...with your girlfriends.

We're constantly oblivious of others and high, so high that we can take pictures with road signs and on meriams. =)

Believe it or not, this is my first road trip with my high school girlfriends since ever!

19-21 June 2011 shall be remembered!

Hence, Melaka, you are not only historical to Malaysia, but also to our friendship!
Love you girls.

How bittersweet would taste

In Loving Memory

Maddox was our Mini Parklane, which had been through one of the toughest times in my life. Although i had asked for a Checkmate instead, having Maddox was really special. He's like a KID who needs constant bathing, coz he can easily look dirty and he couldn't go that fast either but back during the days when I used to go on road trips, Maddox was my very reliable company. =)

Miss you so much Maddox

Latest Project

The Scirocco was supposed to be this when Dad wanted to buy one. Instead, ours became like this, the Viper Green Scirocco ABT Specs, with 19-inch rims:

I name it: GIZMO.

Then, our MODJO, the Satria Neo has been looking like this:

But thanks to Dad, it is undergoing major surgery to look like this Neo S2000. What a beauty.

(credits to amirul991.blogspot.com for the awesome pics)

This Neo S2000 is used in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge by Proton Motorsport, with a wider body, and so will our new Modjo will look like, including this wider hips and white colour body, with Type-C SSR 18-inch rims. Yes, you read it correctly..18-inch.

How awesome can a father be. My dad, my abah is the awesomest of them all.

Heads Up

More fun things to come. =)