Money Matters@Jesselton

Waiting Arm touching down from Tawau made me stress. I am in the situation of dire straits for having nothing about tomorrow’s meeting. But waiting for someone in the airport is killing me softly.

This past few days taught my body to sweat as I travelled from Singapore, back to KL now I am in KK. Due to my schedule next week, I supposed to attend a meeting in Kuantan and I have to board to Langkawi for a workshop (cancelled already). I once told my subordinate that working in JLN sometimes makes you feel like James Bond. In the morning you are here and the evening you might be somewhere else but the different is you are not being equipped with sci-fi gadget and sexy girls. You are also not acquiring to play poker in order to solve the problem nor are you working with government.

For the second time I watched a movie during my outstation duty. The first time was in Kuching , watching Transformers 2. Suria Sabah, located at Jalan Fuad Stephen, KK is a new shopping nod to Sabahan After along boring meeting, I then walked-up at GSC and purchased Wall Street ticket.

Money against humanity and that’s the plot of the story. Gecko Gordon, Jacob, Lou and Winnie are the white side of the story while William Bretton is on the dark side. Bulls’ makes money, bear makes money and pig assassinated. Now, Oliver Stone returns as the director, and Michael Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gekko. If there was ever a time to revamp he original it is now. “Wall Street,” was great, but it is so outdated that now it can be a bit hard to watch. In the updated sequel, Gordon Gekko is out of prison and is not sure what to do with himself. He is no longer the powerhouse that he once was. The new blood on Wall Street is represented by Jake Moore, who is played by Shia LaBeouf, who is dating the daughter of Gordon Gekko.

How a father could cheat his daughter just for the sake of money and how a tycoon made up stories and convince the investor that the speculation is real and made someone committed suicide. I now more understand about the case of Sosilawati murder. It is all about the crudeness of people who play with money.

The movie suffers because it is less about Wall Street, and is more about Gekko’s attempts to reconnect with his daughter and Moore’s attempts to make the reconciliation happen for his own purposes. LaBeouf does a great job with the part. For the first time in his career he looks like a grown up playing an adult part instead of a child playing an adult role of vice versa.
The film never decides what it wants to do with Gordon Gekko’s character. He never seems sure about whether he wants to get back into Wall Street or reconnect with his daughter to become a family man, and ultimately the film suffers because of that.

Duhhh!! Its is still all about money even the love portion is part of the sugar and spice and you must at least understand a lil bit about the stock exchange to understand the storyline or else you will lost in the middle.

After the movie, I had my dinner at Philippine Market. Bakso Makassar (then re-dinner with Am again, Ikan+Sotong Bakar). Boleh lah..

An Intelligence Duplicate

Reaching house at 9.00 a.m from Singapore and I planned to celebrate Shahnaz birthday at Alamanda. While waiting my wife washing the clothes, I ved thru the GSC on-line and made a movie reservation.

After having my Irish lamb stew at Secret Recipe, we laid down at cinema seat and viewed the Magika movie. I don’t intent to do a synopsis or a full covered review here as you can read via the www.krustudios.com/magika. and it’s more informative or else just read the movie review at any local newspaper.

What can I say here, it was damn good try even the storyline is a duplicate from Alice in Wonderland but Edry made it ,in Malaysian way. The anthem and the ditty was so impressive and he really made all stars singing-act in this musica-melodrama. The props setting was so amazing and it looks like a tremendous fabulous fantasy diorama. Good try and thumbs up to Ziana Zain, Sabri Yunos, the 3 trees ( I really adore this part), and the dragon effects, good script, Pak Pandir and all the CGI effects. Not yet the Hollywood but I might say it is a road to Hollywood. Just watch it and believe me it is another dimension of Malaysian movie, good fusion of Malay fairytales ,difference and visionary. Malaysia Boleh!!

p/s : Shahnaz, you've got to wait for baba to celebrate your belated birthday..

Singapore Episode II

September 24th 2010
KL Sentral
Shahnaz turns one and her parents are out of the country. Zareene and I again commuted to Singapore for the second time this year. But this time together with my office colleagues, Sabri, Am and Wanie. Wanie came to my house at 8.30 pm and then, my unofficial chauffeur, Usop sent us to Putrajaya Sentral. We then met Sabri and Am at KL Sentral at 10.00 pm and everyone’s face seems ready to cut down their calories after so much of ketupat intake during Aidilfitri season.

September 25th 2010
Tanjong Pagar – Sentosa
September 25th, we changed the plan after reached Tanjong Pagar . Enjoying the meals at M. Hassan with the cheapilicous Mee Rebus, we then commuted to Harbour Front MRT Station. From there, we walked to Vivo City, and then took the train to Sentosa. The flaming of exciting maybe less for me and Zareene as this our second time to Universal Studio Entrance Square for this year. But by this time, around Hard Rock Sentosa just newly opened I took the chance to purchase a Hard Rock romper for Shahnaz as her birthday present. Well, yesterday was her birthday and yet we left her with the babysitter. The last time we came to Sentosa, the Lake of Dream was still under construction and it is now completed. It took them just four months to complete the lake, fountain and the promenade staircase and I thought of it will never be completed if the contractor is awarded by JLN or else the eight EOT would be granted in order to complete the job. We only spent $3 for the whole package at Sentosa as we play none of the games in the theme island. It’s so cheap and we were quite stingy to spend our money for nothing.

Somerset-Killiney- Little Red Dot.Bugis Street
We left Sentosa at 2.00 pm. from the Harbour Front station. We then travelled to Orchard and walked to Killiney. Had our lunch at Warong M. Nasir and Sabri seems doesn’t enjoy the food. I just enjoy the MILF next to our table at the Warong and she looks like an actress from Indonesia. I smiled then as Luna Maya and Cut Tari video just came across into the picture for a while. My wife said, the mother is cute but not the kids. From Somerset, we then went to Bugis Street, the most place that everyone loved. I think this is the only place that we can afford to purchase stuff as the quality the sells most likely as same as Petaling Street. Every cheap thing is here from the Panerai watch to Fruit of the Loom T Shirt. It just that you don’t have to bargain here compared to Petaling Street. One middle age lady, the owner one of the stall just say hi to me and asked about the Slash concert which is printed on my shirt. We chatted most things about cool stuff and rock n roll and guess what she did read Kerrang and Rolling Stones magazine. Mesmerized with her rock n roll attitude and good knowledge (compared to her age), I bought two shirts from her stall. What a good strategy.

Rochor-JB (NY Hotel)-Benafe
After eating Tauhu Goreng at Albert Centre, we walked to Queen Street Bus Terminal, near to Fou Lou Shou, Rochor. With the ticket of $2.40, the bus will bring you to Larkin. But when we had to pass the Woodlands Immigration Complex, a number of approximately 30,000 people were checked-in and out everyday to pass this check point made this place is the busiest checkpoint in the world according to Sabri. We had to hop in and out, walk and run as seen on AXN Channel, The Amazing Race. Filling in the form, rat race passed the check point and then queuing for the bus, sweat and everything is all about travelling adrenaline. I thought of steroid prescription for my body to support some energy as I realized a bottle of mineral water just not enough. I just could’t imagine if I had to bring my two daughters with strollers. Hmm run, run and upside and down and left to right and it’s a marathon day. We reached New York Hotel and had nap. New York Hotel, well by the name bad by the reputation.New Pork should be the name, I guess for the quality like that. At 9.00 p.m. we went down across the road to have Ayam Penyet at Benafe, the most favorite food stall in JB for our dinner.

September 26th 2010
Larkin- Esplanade-Clark Quay
We start our day by having breakfast at the hotel coffeehouse. Taking cab to Larkin and it cost us RM 9.20 and from Larkin we travel again by bus to Rochor. Not that a hectic day like the day before but the up and down is still there. The only different is the numbers of people but still we have to follow the standard process of immigration stamping.

We went to esplanade and planned to have sightseeing at the promenade and enjoy the view of Marina May Sands but the F1 fever had blocked us to have the city sightseeing there as most of the road and the Marina central core radius had been barricaded.

So, we stopped at Levis Marina Square and the price is damn cheap. Less RM100 compare to Malaysia outlets. Arm and Sabri did purchase watch and belts there and Arm received a loyalty Levis card.

The whole marina is at the Gate No 6 and one of the sharpest laps for Singapore F1 track. There are lots of tourist here and rarely to find Asian in this area as you can see most people here are definitely American and European. After failed to pass through this area, we accept that the “Point of Agreement” here, we had to take a train to Clark Quay and then walk underpass through Fullerton route to get the view. At Fullerton, my eye was being attracted by one lady was wine and dining at the Fullerton vineyard. My wife did agree that the lady just too pretty and look a like Anna Hatherway . We can’t pass thru Fullerton to get Marina Bay Sand and the road was again barricaded.

Bugis- Outram Park – KL
“Train is coming, just queuing, enjoy the ride..” That is the ditty that really attract our ear whenever getting the circle line MRT. Our last chapter of travelling in Singapore was getting back to Bugis Street again just shop till drop. Most of us were in the mood to clear the dollars. Then we took MRT to Outram park and walk pass thru Pinnacle, Cantonment to Tanjung Pagar The best part of trip is our locomotive coach is filled by the India’s Indian where we stuck in the middle. I still can survive the visual but not the audio.There was one guy with sarong-sari made me crazy laugh to the max. Arugre..aaarugre…Napundek!!! We had laugh a long the way until the Woodland checkpoint then we had a good sleep on train.

September 27th 2010
KL Sentral
Reached KL at 6.30 am we then had a breakfast at Mc Donald then we split. Luckily I was still on leave that day.Rest N Relax while enjoying newly purchased of GNR Greatest Hits. Finito.

The Alma Matter - Sultan Abdul Hamid College

I feel honour and proud that the latest article from Dr. Mahathir is entitled SAHOCA. SAHOCA is the acronym of Sultan Abdul Hamid Old Collegian Association. I am one of the alumni from this school. I joined SAHC in the year of 1992-1993. Only one year spending time in college but to the certain extend it made a strong impact , a college life.

The paradigm of One for All, All for One was deeply planted in our brain at that time. It is traditional culture which applicable to everyone. If someone makes mistake means everyone must takes the responsibility and vice versa. One I most remembered was , the school theme." Strong loyalty, we give our king....bla ..bla "It sounds so classic ,as it is you are standing right in front of Luciano Pavarotti and supported with the acoustic piano.Yupp, ... the school 's song is in English doesn't mean everyone here well converse in English and I strongly believe most of them don't even understand what are they singing during the assembly.

During that time, most of my friends were from the upper six which I believe a license for me to expose the naughty thing. Well in college , if you are in form five you are still considered junior so that I had to make a friendship shake hand to my senior. From that I learned the skills of communication and public relations.

Most of collegian who stayed in the hostel are totally from the village including me . Those who stays outside are from the urban side as you can see how they expose themselves and the social lifestyle.

When MCKK came to SAHC, I can see there are a lot of barriers , from the way they talk, the shirt they wear and their taste of music. I must remember, on the prompt night of both schools at the hall, Zali & Butterfingers (MCKK)were performing Creep of Radiohead while Lee Tulang (my school) was singing Sampai Hati from Spring.

I was about to put my face inside the toilet bowl and flush it down.Malu gila beb...x class langsung..

That one I must give credit to previous school (SMSB) where the English implementation was much-much better. Well at least , they 've listened to a better choice of music and well conversed in English. It was my first gig (if that can be considered as gig) ever and I had a chance to watch Butterfingers. Just asked Loque..he said , he still remember that.

Though, the first name is college but on the certain extend I can see that not most of the student well exposed with English, books, comic and they hate liberalisation. At that time I was hooked up with radical music and also some budaya kuning la... ( I did shaved my head at that time it looked like a NaziPunk) and most of them couldn't accept it and that's where the Din Sami came out from. They looked at me as an alien.

Not many schools in the country like college. With the reputation two prime ministers from that school, it was accommodated by good infrastructures such as pavillion, jamming studio and a large hall. And now the school is seeking for donation to build another centennial hall.

I studied in SAHC with inadequate fund and from that I learned how to survive. I still remember how we purchased a bowl of rice and shared with friends. Inside the rice, we plant the dishes and that’s how to get a cheaper price in the canteen at the recess time.

College is an all boy’s school. Girl’s student only can be found in the form six and most of the form sixer, they have date and couple drastically. Some of them looks damn desperate to be in companion. To them, they might look like a dog if they fail to get a girlfriend so that some of them really get a partner in a rush even if you look at their girlfriend, my God ...that's it ..(tamau komen , dosa).

I think they’d suffer a lot for their first five years without girlfriend. I was the one who always being hired by senior to do wishing cards to their girlfriends especially Ismawi and Pak Malau.

From all teachers I remember, Sir Segaran Nair is the most person I always adore and respects. A Saddam Hussien look teacher , he was a warden to my hostel. According to SAHC facebook, I was told that he is going to retired this year. Due to zaman jahilliah dolu-dolu, there was a rumble festival , I was chased by friends and I was totally naked at that time and guess what, I 've got no place to run, I ran to the most fronting gate at the hostel and then what happened was, he drove his car with wife. I was so shame and I think he must remembered me the most..Haa hah haaa

I was a prebet in the army cadet and the shortest boy in the royal parade. One of the memories that I can’t forget during the royal parade was when The Sultan gave a cross checked to the parade. Whenever he reached next to me, he asked my friend “ Fadlullah, Bagaimana keadaan Kolej Sekarang?” and guess what he answered” Okaylah, Sultan.”..I was about to laugh and felt like the M16 I hold to fall down. What a crazy and stupid answer to a Sultan. Mat Dagu aka Fadlullah...one of the stinkiest underarm person in the world...Maybe he was so panic and gabra.

That’s the old good things. Many of stories can be shared but not all because there are some should be censored. Joyride..I owe my school very much and that's where my thinking process starts being moulded and digested .From that, I'd being a human and where I am now. To all the teachers there, thank you a lot...thanx to the icarus sky.

Saifuddin Ali
Class of 93 /94

The Forgiven.

Everyone makes mistakes.
As a hard talker and a heavyweight aggressor, I do hurt people around me.

With this great fortune of Syawal ,I, from the deepest of my heart I would like to seek forgiveness to everyone I made mistakes on Earth and vice versa, the wrongdoing and bad deeds towards me, everyone is forgiven. Let bygone be bygone.

0-0

May we all be forgiven and may we forgive generously without reservations.

Eid Fitr..
Selamat Hari Raya

Life as we see it

Kata orang, hidup ini biarlah colourful.

That’s what I believe in running my life. Let’s experience how suffer Friday praying in Jln Masjid India ,enjoying the Ramadan in Masjid Jamek, hire purchase, facing the court case, summoned by the cops, confronting the C-TOS, celebrates the garden living, EPL@mamak stalls, police report, S&P, anak sakit, cheating and being cheated, and partying at Slash concert. That‘s hue and cry of life.

From the muddy bank of my home town to the exclusivity of sky crappers, I have had along journey in different momentum. Working at car wash, caterer, hotels, consultants, deal-maker,direct seller, meniaga pasar malam and many more sweet bitter pills of life if I able to share with everybody.

Many people I met, many characters, the cruel leaders, the humble servant, the stupid boss, the wise boss, the bossy, the lazy, the good, the bad, all those had made my thinking process matured progressively. It goes with the process.

Most of the time our respond is depends on the conscious and unconscious mind movement. A certified master hypnotherapist, Dalina Ismail describes that we can control our mind thoroughly if we able to draw the line of what we think in her book How to think like Mahathir. Never mind…I explained it already.

The fact is life is so enjoyable and lots of sufferance makes it more colorful and challenging.

One good lesson I learnt is, a good life is not just making money. Improving life is also about enriching the knowledge and be a better person. Sadly, there are people out there who always think money and status quo is everything and the most prior in the world. T. Sometime, meeting someone who is so called banyak duit made us feel small but meeting someone who act as banyak duit will make me menyampah.

The capitalist brought a lesson how to blatant weak people with money and that’s what is laissez faire all about.

People change. That’s fact. The way we think last ten years is differ to now. The person you met last five years could be a different person for so many reasons. The last time he might be your favorite boss but not now. A person who used to be closed to you probably your mortal enemy now.

The only thing that doesn’t change you is YOUR BELIEF.

Selamat Hari Raya.
P/s :It will be on September 10Th not September 11th. Don’t spoilt the raya mood.