MY FERRY RIDE FROM TIOMAN

This was the scene on my ride back from Tioman Island to Mersing using the Bluewater ferry.

The "additional seating arrangements" were again out in full force in the form of red plastic chairs all along the aisles.

There was also convenient "standing space" provided for foreign tourist too!!!

I screamed at the operator only to get a blank stare in return.

In honesty, the trip started out well as we were about to pull out of the jetty at Salang at 10am, an enforcement officer actually explained to passengers that the ferry was at its maximum capacity and they had to disembark. He told them to get on the 11am ferry arriving an hour later. The pasenggers did complain but understanding that it was for everyones safety, they complied.

All good and fine and we departed for Mersing. (Leaving the enforcement officer behind at Salang Jetty.) The next stop....Tekek Jetty...without the enforcement officer......

I bet you can guess what happens next and let just leave it as "A photo speak a thousand words".

It truely left me feeling disgusted. Families were boarding with little children and knowing very well that the ferry was full, the operator just picked up and handed out the plastic stools without a care in the world!!

I wanted to scream, " IF THIS FERRY SINKS, YOUR KIDS WILL SURELY DIE LAAAAA!!!!"

The question that is always playing on my mind is, "Who's at fault???"

Is it the operator trying to maximize returns????

Or is the passengers who are willing to risk it rather than wait for the next ferry????

What it means to stay

With all that has been happening in our Local Malaysian Political scene, a friend of mine has decided to migrate to Canada. Some of my buddies have left for the U.K, some for Australia and some to various other parts of the world where life is "so called" better.

As for me, I worked all over the world for 12 years. Sailed around the world 7 times. Worked in America, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Asia. I've been to some of the most remote locations in the world while working as an engineer on those massive crude oil tankers.

So..what has all those places shown me????? How have all those people I've met touched my heart and my soul???

They had shown me that the world is a very small place. Problems? It's the same all over.

Money and Love

Yup...even religion, war, politics, scandals, etc, etc, all come down to these 2 simple problems.

So as for me, all I looked at was where in the world can I have these 2 elements in my life in a proper balance.

LOVE - from my wife, daughter, family and friends in MALAYSIA.
LOVE - from the variety of food in MALAYSIA.
LOVE - from the variety of pubs and bars in MALAYSIA. (Hehehehe!!)
LOVE - from the peacefulness of never ever having heard the sound on a bomb, gunshots, air raid, etc in MALAYSIA.
LOVE - from the beautiful beaches and dive locations in MALAYSIA.

MONEY - from my job in MISC Berhad that pays the bills.

So yes, for me, Malaysia still provides all that is important to me.

So as some of my buddies have said, "Malaysia is great......we just want to make it even greater!!!"

And I'm all set for that fight!!!

A small step to the train station, a large step to a greater nation

It was a joy this morning to see the headlines of the Sun. Instead of the usual squabbles between political parties, the police, the judiciary and so on, we see our very own PM making a change.
Yes, I’m sure some skeptics will say it’s to do with the by-election or something along those lines but I don’t care. When someone does something good for the benefit of others, it should be applauded.
I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him to do what he did (Even I’m afraid of taking the train during rush hour!!) but this is exactly what the people want from our respected, elected representatives in the government. Solving our “everyday” problems by experiencing them first hand.
It would be great if he could also take a bus ride around the city, an express bus ride to other states, Commuter rides on our electric trains and some ferry rides to our islands too. He will then see the deplorable levels of service, timeliness, safety, efficiency and care provided by these services to the common taxpaying citizen.
Hopefully the small step that he has taken will be mirrored by other leaders in our community.

***Sent this to the Sun earlier this morning too!! Hehehehe!!

FULLY CERTIFIED SCUBA INSTRUCTOR

Yup!! I finally decided to go all the way and over a hectic weekend in Tioman, became a fully certified PADI scuba instructor.

It was great to be on the island (My maxis phone didn't work so it was sooooooo relaxing!!!) and away from my office environment. It was great to be away from all the politics, newspapers, blogs, etc.

So all of you interesting in taking the plunge into the deep blue......let me know.

The "Friends & Family" discount will apply!! hahahahaha!!!

MY TAKE ON CURRENT MALAYSIAN POLITICS

I feel it is best to put it into the way I normally sum up my engineering stuff, so...here goes:

BN

Pros:

1. Been in power for 50 years. Know how to run a multi racial country.
2. Brought considerable development as compared to many other Asian countries.
3. Excellent medical policy for the public than very few other nations can compare with. (Malaysian pay RM 1 for medical treatment, foreign workers pay RM 5. No insurance policy requiments, etc as in most other countries)
4. Maintaining English as mainstream media since independance (Not translated to Thai or Bahasa Indonesia) has made Malaysians marketable worldwide and made the world open to Malaysians.
5. Made BM the national language that everyone (Indian, Chinese and Malay Malaysian) speaks well. (Not the "divide the population by language" policy adopted in Singapore) Gave the non-Malays an additional capability of speaking at lease 3 languages well.

Cons:

1. Deciding to use racial based politics. (UMNO, MCA & MIC)
2. Deciding to continue with race based politics for 50 years.
3. Rampant abuse of power. (You can put all contract awards/Tenders/NEP/PETRONAS/ETC all under this.)
4. Rampant corruption. (This covers our Police Force and Judiciary)
5. Control over the media with limited free speech.
6. ISA used as a tool to silence opposition or unfavourable responses.


CONS WIN 6 - 5


PAKATAN

Pros:

1. Change from race based politics.
2. Promises to eradicate poverty regardless of race.
3. Promises to eradicate corruption and abuse of power.
4. Promise to re-instill trust and commitment of our Judiciary and Police Force.
3. Has shown promise in Penang, Perak and Selangor so far.
4. Dynamic leaders. (Anuar, Karpal, etc)
5. More educated leaders.
6. Well planned agendas.
7. Seem to have large support base and growing.

Cons:

1. No proven long term track record. (Mostly promises)
2. Dynamics leaders may have hidden agendas.
3. Weaker coalition with party members. (Keadilan, PAS and DAP have very different ideolody.)

PROS WIN 7 - 3

I GUESS, JUST AS WITH AN ENGINEERING SOLUTION, THE QUANTITY, QUALITY & FREQUENCY OF THE ABOVE POINTS WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED PRIOR TO DECIDING BUT I HOPE THE SUMMING UP HELPED THOSE WHO WERE A LITTLE CONFUSED WITH THE LOADS OF COMMENTS, VIEWS AND WRITE-UPS THAT WE HAVE BEEN BOMBARDED WITH!!

THE TIME WE SPEND ON THIS PLANET

As I watch the battle between McCain and Obama, Pak Lah and Anwar, North and South Korea, Hindus and Muslims, Christians and Jews, etc, etc, it really makes me wonder what the end game is.

We seem to be caught up in these games and spend large amounts of energy, time and money either talking about it, blogging about it and some even spending large amounts of time and money praying about it. (My view on the prayer part is, of course, as my earlier post!!)

If that's not enough, we seem to spend a large amount of time, money and effort on entertainment!!!

Yes....Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal, even Southampton,etc, etc, is just that!!

So is WHATEVER music, TV or movies that we watch and listen to!!!

I do agree that we need to spend time to vote, to make a contribution to our democratic system of government , to relax after a hard day's work but how much time do we spend helping people that need help???

How much time, money and effort do we put into helping those that need immediate help??? Like homes for the underprivileged, orphanages, really poor people.

How much time, money and effort do we put into saving our environment? Endangered animals?

Which is more important, getting my rich buddies to vote or getting them to help others?????

Rather than making any judgement on our politicians, systems, etc, I rather spend my time, money and efforts on making a difference MYSELF!!

I'll of course help some of my "politically inclined" buddies but I'd rather spend my time on this planet helping others!!!

Anyone interested in doing this, let me know and I'll show you guys how you can change the planet and like Michael Jackson said, " Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race". (AND THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SMALL CHILDREN!!!!! HEHEHEHE!!)