360 degrees around Penang

Justice for all .. RIP Beng Hock :(

2009-07-18T23:33:00.003+08:00

All these happened under the nose of Mr KPI aka Minister Mat Klentong

2009-05-27T19:08:00.012+08:00

Batu Ferringhi, best remembered for its clean sandy beaches some 2-3 decades ago.

However , that all changed in since the retirement of Tun Lim Chong Eu, the well respected statesman that built Penang of what it is today.

Over development at the hill slopes, mostly monopolized by a company named after elephant tasks, ruin all that tranquility and eco balance.

And the better part is, it all happened under the nose of Mr KPI aka Minister Mat Klentong, his Tanjung Bungah constituent, his area of responsibility of near 2 decades.

You all shall forget compalining to him nor seek his view on this matter, he is a busy making sure that he is seen in most but all BN photoshoot events.

One can hope that the elephant task company go bankrupt return Batu Ferringhi back to where it was before.

Batu Feringghi polluted

GEORGE TOWN The state government came under criticism yesterday after tonnes of earth from the hilltop development projects along Batu Feringghi were washed into the sea during a heavy downpour yesterday morning.

The shoddy placement of plastic sheets at a hilltop development project in Batu Ferringhi has exposed the earth.

The clear waters along the popular beach front, from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi, were dirtied with layers of mud and silt.

A check at the site showed that the soil surrounding the projects roundly condemned by residents, was exposed.

This caused the earth to be washed away by rain, which poured down from early morning till about 10am yesterday.

Plastic sheets which were supposed to cover the surface of soil at the upmarket development projects were scattered around the site.
Mohd Ridzuan Kamil, 34, from Kelantan, said he was disgusted by the environmental degradation at the tourist site.

He said this was not the first time that he had seen the pollution caused by the projects.

"The hilltop developers should have ensured that the plastic sheets were in place at all times, to avoid soil from being washed into the sea.

"It is obvious the authorities have failed to act against the developers despite their blatant disregard for the environment."

Another visitor, Richard Tan, 36, from Selangor, criticised the state government and local authorities for their lack of political will to act against the developers.

"The authorities have failed to clamp down on errant developers who do not adhere to hillslope safety regulations."

The residents, especially those who had been living near the beach stretch for almost four decades, had protested against the development projects and pressed the state government to do something about them.

They complained that they had never encountered flash floods and mud being washed into the homes until the projects were approved.

Since the developers began the cutting of the hill, there has not been much attempt to cover the hillsides with plastic sheets.

This had caused water run-off, with massive amounts of silt, debris and stones being washed downhill.

Rejected by Penangites, begged his way back to become a cabinet minister

2009-04-09T16:46:00.003+08:00

He was rejected by Penangites in year 2008 election for his lackluster performance and being a lap dog for UMNO.

His portrait was torn into pieces by UMNO members.

His party in Penang still publicly at war with UMNO

He was publicly humiliated by UMNO youth in Penang

and yet ... he has the thick face to 'beg' his way back to full cabinet minister via backdoor entry.

Let us remind him that ... dis was his score card 13 months back ...

否认曾说不以上议员方式入阁
许子根：出任部长是以国为重
王德齐 | 4月10日傍晚5点10分
koh tsu koon gerakan pc 100409 01刚获委为上议员并出任首相署部长的许子根（右图）今午矢口否认，他在大选期间曾说过，不会以受委上议员的方式进入内阁的言论。

他指出，他当时只是说宁愿选择以民选的方式，而非受委的方式出任中央部长。

“我没有说我不要，我只是说比较喜欢民选，而不是受委的方式。”

“在投票日前，反对党声称不需投选国阵候选人，因为就算他们落败，还是可以受委为上议员。这是指向我和谢宽泰，我们认为这是不公平。”

承认向纳吉表达入阁意愿

许子根也驳斥“走后门”的说法，但承认的确曾向新任首相纳吉表达入阁的意愿。

“我们的确向他（纳吉）表明愿意服务，但是这是他的权力。对我来说，这是具有挑战，并且是一种贡献，但这不是为了自己。”

国家面对挑战才毅然入阁

koh tsu koon gerakan pc 100409 03此外，许子根指出，和去年大选相比，目前的情况已经有所不同，国家面对的挑战才是最重要的事务，因此不应非议他通过受委上议员入阁的决定。

他强调，入阁不是为了本身的利益，而是以国为重，志在为人民做出贡献，因此大家应该看重他的服务表现。

也是民政党主席的许子根，今午为该党智库举办的财经研讨会发表闭幕演词后，在新闻发布会上受询时如此表示。

在野党“扒粪”阻止他服务

他表示，在野党之所以会“扒粪”，批评他“走后门”入阁，是因为他们不希望他在部长职务上做出很好的成绩。

“我劝告其他身在民联的政党应该专注在服务人民的表现，就让我们来一场正面的竞赛。”

担任槟州首席部长18年的许子根是在去年308大选中选择“上京”，竞选巴都交湾以准备出任中央部长。不料，他却败给行动党候选人拉玛沙米。

在事隔一年后，许子根昨日获得新任首相以委任上议员的方式纳入内阁，负责管理团结和部长表现事务。他今早也在国家皇宫宣誓就职。

今早唔六部长谈表现指标

许子根也透露，他已经在昨天开始筹备各部门的关键表现指标（KPI），他在今早总共会见6名部长，包括高等教育部长卡立诺丁，并准备在下周会见剩余的部长。

他指出，其责任并非重整表现评估制度，而是与其他政府单位，包括大马行政现代化和管理机构（Mampu）配合来改善政府的表现。

他说，他将与其他部长合作，共同草拟一份总体的关键表现指标，但是他会针对各个部门草拟不同的指标，有些是以数据来衡量，有些则以质量来衡量。各部门将有30天的时间来呈交初步的指标。

他说，他们也将考量如何纳入公众的意见，其中包括进行民调，或是通过媒体收集意见。

不过，他拒绝谈论政府届时将会采取什么行动，来对付表现不佳的部长，并表示目前尚言之过早。

许子根也指出，大家都开玩笑说他是“学长”，不过他强调，纳吉才是“总学长”，每个部长也是“学长”，而他只是其中一人。

受询及他是否会成为“不受欢迎的学长”时，他则认同不能一味要求受欢迎。但是，他表示，只要行事公正、坚定和友善，那么他的行动就会被接受。

称废除内安令已有好进展

另一方面，针对内阁增加华裔代表一事，许子根试图淡化此说，并称部长并非只是负责照顾单一种族的利益。

他指出，纳吉之前已经表示，内阁成员反映了国阵所代表的多元社会，这是国阵一直以来所奉行的权力共享原则。

“最重要的是，我们必须重新调整策略更加亲民，更有效获得人民的反应，以确保政府所执行的政策是符合所有人民的意愿。”

询及民政党之前曾要求废除内安法令和释放所有内安法令扣留者，他在入阁后将如何跟进此事，许子根回应说，此事已经出现良好的进展。

他表示，纳吉在上任不到两天内就宣布检讨这项法令和13名扣留者，因此应该以正面的角度来看待此事，而他们已经针对此事表态。
承认向纳吉表达入阁意愿
国家面对挑战才毅然入阁
在野党“扒粪”阻止他服务

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/102121

Flashback 04 : Barisan Nasional / Gerakan Campaign Propagandas

2009-02-26T14:56:00.009+08:00

The blue banner reads " Vote Rocket, UMNO influence will not change "

The white one reads " Vote Rocket, Chinese power will diminish. "

These banners were from Barisan Nasional and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, as their logos are located at the bottom of the banner.

Looks like Gerakan's ideology was purposely ignored during that time and to me they are no different from UMNO the racist party.

This advertorial was from Gerakan Youth.

If UMNO Youth make hassle, Koh Tsu Koon need not entertain em, we Gerakan Youth dare to speak out, dare to criticize, for the banner thingy, we weren't silent.

Insert , the then Gerakan Youth Chief Huan Cheng Guan ( who is now Gerakan's VP ) said "Unless UMNO apologize, Gerakan Youth 'may' boycott UMNO"

The truth is:

Huan Cheng Guan lost in General Election 12 and he currently serves as an office boy at Barisan Nasional Backbencher club. He was also the tour leader to the bunch of 50 odd MPs which were sent, on tax payers monies, to do a good for nothing lawatan sambil belajar tour to Taiwan last september.

Improper way to "punish" the government is the main culprit to receiding ethnic chinese influence.

Rocket's campaign did not change much, rely much on lies to gain foothold

If you vote for Rocket, it will not change UMNO dominance.

This happens to be the BEST slogan during the campign, and it is the truth in a way because by voting Rocket alone it won't hurt UMNO much. The voters were wise enough to ditch Gerakan and MCA and MIC while sending more PKR and PAS members into state legislatives and parliament.

Flash back 03 : The slogan that brought down Barisan Nasional

2009-02-25T12:19:00.007+08:00

REINVENT

Just right after parliament dissolved, banners like the above which mean " Reinvent " were seen mushrooming around Penang.

The slogan were the brilliant work of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia's veteran election campaigners that consists of Kerk Choo Ting, Kang Chin Seng and Yang Chuan.

Both Kerk and Kang were PGRM leftovers and Yang happens to be a lecturer in School of Education of Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The trishaw rider sincerely thank the 3 fellas for their brilliant effort in encouraging voters in Penang to reinvent the state and making UMNO the sole opposition party in the state legislative council.

But too bad the Prime Minister still managed to secure his parlimentary seat in Penang state but anyway he will soon be a spent force come 1 April 2009.

Flash back 02 : Penang's famous son

2009-02-24T15:40:00.014+08:00

The headline reads " Tsu Koon goes to capital ".

Subheadline reads : " Teng, Cheah, Lee and Teng, who is to be the next chief minister ? "

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was highly anticipated to clinch a federal seat and made a full cabinet minister since his then boss, Dato Sri Lim Keng Yaik not going for General Election 12.

Tsu Koon said " I want to go to the capital " and he also submitted 3 names of who may be the future chief minister of Penang.

Alot of high hopes were on Tsu Koon.

One of his loyal apple polisher, the famous elephant task property developer in Penang that put up megasize posters and banner in support of Tsu Koon at their projects in town and in Tanjung Bunga area.

Flash back 01 : 1 year & 2 weeks ago

2009-02-23T21:56:00.011+08:00

On 13 Feb 2008, PM Datuk Seri Ahmad Abdullah Badawi said " Parliament will not dissolve today "

On 14 Feb 2008, The headline reads " Parliament dissolved "

Nomination day : 24 Feb 2008, Election Day : 8 Mar 2008

For the days to come, the trishaw rider will publish more flashbacks to remind us what was put to print during that memorable week 1 year back.

Stay tuned.

How up to date are Gerakan and MCA Penang are ?

2009-01-19T18:49:00.002+08:00

Not very up to date

www.mcapenang.com domain name was not registered properly and now belongs to a bulk reseller.

www.penanggerakan.org.my however fair a little bit better, at least they still hold on to the domain.

However the content on the website is like time locked.

So what say you ? both these parties still want to remain relevant to the citizen of Penang ?

Can ah ?

Is this the indication that our juditiary system is not functioning ?

2008-10-08T11:13:00.000+08:00

If you drive past Jalan Farquar area you will notice these two huge banner hung from the high court which is still under renovation.

Headaches for UMNO in Penang

2008-07-21T16:25:00.001+08:00

The Penang state legislative council begin its meeting today, and for the second time in history, UMNO and Barisan Nasional/Pakatan is made into opposition in the hall.

Wonderful !

Thanks to the overwhelming support of Penangites, we managed to get rid of UMNO and it's dogs from administrating, some said killing of Penang state.

From now till 31 of July 2008, do point your browser to the following links to see for yourself how UMNO, as the sole representative from Barisan Nasional, which also is the opposition party in Penang state, reacts to the truth that was hidden to the public by the previous BN administration.

Official Link
http://www.penang.gov.my/index.php?ch=14&pg=90&ac=875

http://dunpenang.ipglobal.tv/ [ Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox friendly ]
mms://kl.cdn.tm.net.my/dunpp [ Microsoft Internet Explorer only ]
mms://202.75.59.123/dunpenang [ Microsoft Internet Explorer only ]

Accelerating Penang - Step 1: Cleanliness

2008-07-07T12:13:00.004+08:00

The image above was taken at Gurney Drive on Sunday, 6th July 2008. over 1/2 of Gurney Drive esplanade is covered with 50 meters wide of sludge and mud, no thanks to the land reclamation project along Tanjung Tokong.

A while back one Gerakan linked political analyst, Gavin Khoo called for ways to make Penang a better place to live since it was neglected by Barisan Nasional government for nearly 2 decades.

The first being Cleanliness.

Well Mr Khoo, the current state administration heard you, and ADUN of Pulau Tikus, Mr Koay Teng Hai and his service team took the initiative to organize a cleanup Gurney Drive event on the same day.

This is the good start for the state of Penang. Kudos to Mr Koay Teng Hai and his team for doing a good deed to clean up Penang, our island, our home.

Nearly 4 months no update

2008-05-05T22:39:00.001+08:00

Hullo readers,

Nearly 4 months I haven't updated this blog and it is about time to get more update for this place since Penanglangs encountered so much changes in Penang.

1st thing 1st, Penanglangs managed to get rid of a sissy government, we have shooting rocketto administer the state of Penang.

The work is not finish yet because Penanglangs still haven't get rid of the root cause of all malaysia's problems

but nemind lar, when you want to get rid of main target, first you need to get rid of it's dogs ...

Yet another eyesore erected in Penang ...

2008-01-16T16:14:00.000+08:00

This time round it is the " Wave of Prosperity ", erected at the round about which previously occupied by techno colored artificial palm trees in Gurney Drive, may cost the tax payers RM 500,000.00.

As reported by the oldest Chinese newspaper in the world, which made handsome operating revenues from obituaries, the ' masterpiece ' is a project of IJM and awaiting MPPP for the ' right day ' to officiate it.

In the mean time, the MPPP and State Government still turn a blind eye on the ever worsening sludge field along the esplanade in Gurney Drive.

Koh Tsu Koon, Teng Chang Yeow, what say you ?

Penang’s polluted beaches keeping tourists away

2007-11-14T10:39:00.000+08:00

Penang’s polluted beaches keeping tourists away

PENANG: Polluted beaches is the main reason why tourists from Europe and Australia are avoiding the state in favour of Bali and Phuket.

State Tourism Development Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said he was informed of the matter by the management of Malaysia Airlines during a meeting on Monday.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/14/nation/19460517&sec=nation

Sorrying state of The Gurney Drive coastline

Well said Mr Teng .

Not only the state government need to rehabilitate Batu Ferringhi area, you, as an executive in the state government leadership, also need to take action to help the rehabilitate Gurney Drive coastline, which is full of sludge thanks to Tanjung Pinang reclamation project managed and owned by UDA holdings.

Please go ahead and do an EIA on the matter, let the public know who destroyed Gurney Drive, which is near to the Chief Minister's constituency.

I hope you are not going to play the 3 monkeys act : See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

UMNO owns your escape route

2007-11-13T20:38:00.000+08:00

If your property is situated next to an UMNO property, then you got to be worried.

This is the mid enterance to UMNO bahagian Tanjung, official address is Lebuh Bishop, but yet the "brains" behind the building decided to open an "official" enterance facing Jalan Mejid Kapitan Keling.

Now this area measuring 20" x 10" square is not UMNO's property but public area. Their neighours are robbed from using the public space and their rear exit had been reduced to a mere 3" wide space, as can see on the second pics.

Much had be reported in the press this matter, highlighted by Democratic Action Party of Penang, the MPPP President is made known about this, Penang State Government also knows about it ...

But yet ... this building still remains, and no one dare to touch it ... unlike the 2 kuils in Shah Alam ...

So MPPP, are you still asleep ?

Park at will

2007-09-18T15:40:00.000+08:00

These pics were taken at intersection between Jalan Westland and Jalan Khaw Sim Bee, there is a parking lot just 50 meters away and yet these owners just park as if the road belongs to their grandfathers.

The next time when you see this happen in your neighbourhood, just call the following number and our Men in Blue may come and do some paperwork

Polis Trafik Daerah Timur Laut : 04-229-2222

Is this the reason why Sg Pinang Bridge project Stalled ?

2007-09-05T15:51:00.000+08:00

Penang state Exco member Koay Kar Huah, Chairman of Public Works, Utilities (Energy, Water, Telecommunication) and Transportation (Air, Sea & Railway) Committee was last heard reading that the Sg Pinang Steel Bridge project stalled because of 'communication' problem.

淡水港铁桥进度慢　郭家骅：工程延误乃沟通出问题

If you drive past the current steel bridge, you notice this small mosque on your right just after the bridge.

The back of the mosque used to be a factory with big chimney if memory serves me right, and in recent months the site had be cleared and made into a multimillion dollar Toyota showroom.

It is kinda obvious that this mosque is blocking the development, so will the government have balls to 'relocate' this mosque like what they did to places of worship of other religion ? ;)

Your thoughs ?

The RM 350,000.00 'Salted Duck Egg' - 700 odd days later

2007-08-13T15:34:00.000+08:00

I got a tipoff from a little bird about this infamous junk which I blogged about approximately 2 years back that its fountain failed to operate, and so I went to investigate myself

Day time, no water off the fountain

Night time, also no water from the fountain.

Erm Mr Zainal Rahim Seman, your immediate reaction is much needed now.

note : You come help me to notify Mr Seman on this matter zainalrahim@mppp.gov.my

Update :

The water is back as of 31 August 2007. Strangely no one come take credit to it, so on behalf of the tax payers that funded this project, I would like to say thank you to MPPP president for repairing the failed fountain, god knows how much the tax payers has to foot for the repair bill.

Update again on 15 Sept 2007

The water fountain is out of water again :(

Wait ... am I stupid or am I informative, knowledgeable and disseminate positive views on current issues ?

2007-08-06T17:50:00.000+08:00

Zam Zam ala Ketam once said bloggers are ngoblok ( stupid in Indonesian Language ) but now he said not all bloggers are stupid.

So this blogger is ngoblok or not ?

1st encounter with Rapid Penang bus service

2007-08-04T10:39:00.000+08:00

I took an interstate coach from Kuala Lumpur on sunny friday afternoon, the journey was plesant as the traffic wasn't congested although there are a number of upgrading work underway along PLUS highway.

The interstate bus arrived at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal at 9pm and since I am at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, I decided to try out the Rapid Penang bus service to see how good it is, rather than relying on notoruios Penang taxi service which the state government and CVLB failed to tame.

I disembarked from platform 4 and was told that Rapid Penang occupies Platform 1 which is nearest to the taxi terminal. Platform 1 definately is NOT ready for Rapid Penang service as that narrow path still covered with un-finished renovation work.

As published before by major press, there are no timetable nor route information at Platform 1 where the Rapid Penang buses are scheduled to stop over.

After waited for 30 minutes came the first bus. There are a number of eager passengers like myself went to lookout for where this bus gonna head towards to. I was disappointed when the signboard printed Bayan Baru on this bus as I wanted to head towards Komtar.

So I asked the bus driver

Me : Encik bus nombor berapa pi Komtar

Driver : you kena pi Jalan besar ambik bus 301 sampai 303 baru ade pi Komtar

Me : Jalan besar mana ? tak stop kat sini ke ?

Driver : bus top sini cuma untuk bus dari Weld Quay, kalau you nak pigi komtar kena guna bas stand kat jalan besar dekat kubur tu, abis bus akan belok kiri ikut Jalan Sungai Dua.

Me : Kubur mana ? Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah ke ?

Driver : ya.

Me : okie thank you

What the fuck ? so much for the RM80 million project and not integrated ???, So I carried along my 2 pieces of luggage and had to walk across heavy trafficed 6 lane Jalan Sungai Dua, 400 meters away just to get to the bus stand mentioned by the driver.

Yet again, no route information nor timetable available at this bus stand, so there goes the 1 stop integrated bus service for Penang. It is even worst than before where Milan bus stop at the bus stop immediately in front of Sungai Nibong Express Bus terminal.

I patiently waited for another 30 odd minutes and comes the much awaited U302 bus.

It was a long haul bus, it has state of the art dashboard with a black and white LCD screen receiving near real time video feed from a dome camera positioned at the mid section of the cabin. It also houses a low tech cash container, a device which which found its way from the mini buses.

Boarded the bus, asked for the fair, RM1.50 from Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah to Jalan Ria in Komtar.

However the long haul bus has less seatting capacity than i thought, however, with more standing space, it can cramp more passengers.

An in cabin surveilance black and white camera aim at the back exit.

This U302 route took me around 30 minutes to reach Komtar. It passes Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah - Jalan Sungai Dua - Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah - Jalan Jelutong - Jalan Bakau - Jelutong Expressway - Jalan Magazine - Komtar .

This route misses 2 major drop off point, Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal and Batu Lancang Pasar.

All in all, I am satisfied with the Rapid Penang bus service, considering most of Penangites were taken for a ride by previous public bus transport services for far too long.
However said, Rapid Penang still has alot of gaps to close, particularly on time table and informative route maps,

There is no need to pay big money to hire 'Con'sultants to do that job, Rapid Penang project managers just have to point to these 2 websites for more information.

Sydney Buses http://www.sydneybuses.info/
Xiamen City Buses http://www.amoymagic.com/busses.htm

You are going to see more of these by 1 August 2007

2007-07-11T01:22:00.000+08:00

These buses will soon be seen running around the inner city of Penang.

And guess which company supplied em ?

A job vacancy

2006-10-18T15:07:00.000+08:00

that Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan need not apply.

Before and After 1 August 2006, still cost me RM 20.00

2006-08-14T17:59:00.000+08:00

Dear Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan,

I am here to inform you that your second attempt to fix another Penang public transport system failed miserably.

You had given up hope on the Penang bus system, a lot of people protested in front of Komtar of your half baked attempt to fix the failed system.

I experienced treatment by the famous Penang public transport 'thugs', and I tried it again last Friday to see weather your 'consultative hard work' paid off or not, unfortunately, it cost me RM20.00 to find the answer.

Taxi Number: HP1529
Time: 2325 Hours, Friday, 11 August 2006
Distance: from Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal to Komtar
Cost: RM 20.00, normal fee would be around 1/2 of what I paid.
Was the meter running: Yes it was ... covered with a wipe cloth.
Note: Before I hope on to the taxi, his colleague alerted him not to take the coastal highway because of road blocks by either Polis or JPJ.

On a casual chat with the eloquent taxi driver, I got to find out the below:

The taxis at the taxi stop next to Sungai Nibong Bas Terminal is 'different' because they are 'NOT' picking up passengers from the roads

He can not do business base on the proposed rate because as he claimed he has to drive back to Sungai Nibong Bas Terminal without any passenger

Taxis owners in Penang have to drive to Seberang Prai if they are to fill LPG in their taxis, provided the taxis are fitted with LPG tanks

So what say you Datuk Dr Teng ? Are you to throw in the towel again ?

Dr Teng: Insist cabbies use the meter
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/8/north/15077145&sec=north

DON’T start haggling with cabbies over fares.

“Insist that they use the meter,” said state Local Government, Traf- fic Management, Information and Community Relations Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan.

“By doing this, the public can do their part in ensuring the smooth implementation of the meter ruling,” he said.

Dr Teng said this when speaking the newsmen after launching the Child Diabetes Awareness campaign at SMK Convent Pulau Tikus in Pe-nang yesterday.

The campaign was organised by the school with the support of Celcom (Malaysia) Bhd.

Dr Teng said that cabbies would receive a good income if they made several trips per day instead of waiting for the whole day for one passenger and ‘slaughtering’ him.

“Some cabbies have installed the meter merely for show,” he said.

“They are still haggling over the fares but if the public remain firm, the cabbies have no choice but to use the meter,” he said.

Dr Teng said the Road Trans- port Department, with the help of the police and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board, was taking action against cabbies who refused to use the meter.

He said he would ask the police to investigate allegations that some cabbies were preventing others from picking up passengers at certain places.

He said the ‘territorial’ approach was not in the interest of the public.

Coming Up : Hyenas gathers ... fangs showing ....

2006-08-10T19:03:00.000+08:00

Stay tune for a next posting on the latest UMNO morons who want to re-write history ....

Public Transport Thugs 2 : State Administration 0 : Penangites : Total Lost

2006-08-10T12:16:00.001+08:00

I was flipping thru theSun print copy when I had my breakfast this morning and I noticed the headline on page 6 "Teng has given up on errant cabbies".

Aiya !!! Datuk Dr Teng, how come so fast you surrender ha ? your party members were supportive of you and took the initiative to attend to Parti Gerakan's meeting at CityBayview Hotel by taxis on Sunday, although most knew that those are act of 'bodeks' ;)

You failed to fix the bus system, and now you also failed to fix the taxi system, and Penang continue to be blackmailed by these 'thugs' ?

So what is left to Penangites who supported you in the past elections ?

Meanwhile, I tried to search for the same article on theSun's website so that I don't have to type them out, however I see no trace of it, instead another article occupied the same space.

theSun online

The missing piece on theSun print copy

Is there an attempt from someone to blackout this piece of news ? Only theSun can tell ..

Anyway, here is the 'missing' article :-

Teng has given up on errant cabbies

Page 6, print copy of The Sun, Thursday, August 10, 2006

Penang - State local government, traffic management committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan is "washing his hands off" the issue of taxi drivers refusing to use the meter.

Teng, contacted by theSun yesterday for comment on the blatant refusal of Penang's cabbies to use the meter, would only refer to the matter to the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) and the Road Transport Department (RTD).

"The state government has done all the necessary groundwork, and it is up to the CVLB and RTD to do the rest.

"There is nothing we can do except to let the respective authorities carry out enforcement against the errant taxi drivers.

"Since the CVLB chairman (Markiman Kobiran) has announced the deployment of undercover CVLB, RTD and police officers to nab them, it is now in their hands," Teng said.

Teng, who has been on the receiving end of swears and curses from both taxi drivers and the public alike, has obviously given up on taxi drivers whom he has been trying to convince for years to use the meter.

The 1,000-odd cabbies were supposed to use the meter from Aug 1 but despite turning up in large numbers on that day for the official "launching" ceremony by Teng, they have reneged on their promise

丁福南：的士司机走表制　多走几趟生存不难

的士司机不满升温冀政府答应业者要求

为求生计铤而走险　的士司机表价不一

表显示4令吉·司机征10令吉　计程表变幌子？

州政府2措施应对的士无理停驶吊销执照

80%的士变相罢驶问题不解决·9天不载客

Cab drivers without meters to face the consequences

Messups x 1 : Penang "Malfunctioned" Bus System

2006-08-08T18:11:00.000+08:00

We have read in the numerous papers that Penang state executive councilor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan ( whom is rumoured to be the next Penang Chief Minister if the Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon gets 'elevated' to the cabinet after he takes over the from Datuk Sri Lim Keng Yik as the President of Parti Gerkan Rakyat Malaysia) openly admitted to his failure to fix the Penang public bus system.

Couple that with the refusal by The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry on a request by the Penang government to have "full authority" over the inefficient public bus service in the state, your chance of striking 1st price in 4D is higher than seeing the Penang bus service gets improved.

It is nearing a month since the the last piece of news on the bus system revamp was published on the website. Pretty darn sure that a gag orders had been issued to the press to 'silenced off' the criticisms from affected quaters, even The Star also 'cooled down', with hope that the public will 'forget' that the problem ever existed and live happily ever after.

Not anymore this time round, vowed a group of Penangites that had suffered for the past decade.

I received this invitation by Ong BK, who is a famous NGO fighter in his own right.

Halo friends,
Protest against Penang 's non-functioning bus system

There has been enough of talk to give the non-functioning bus operators some more chances –yet it is clear to all bus users & Penangites that there is no use flogging a dead horse! A system change is needed –a real reform for our dying public transport system. Nothing less –let's send this message out loud and clear at this Friday's protest , 11-8-06 12.00noon, at Penang Rd, below KOMTAR, at Pedestrian crossing. Enq.013-5900339! See you there !

All welcome ! Please forward to more friends !

Yours sincerely,
Ong BK
Coalition for Public Transport Reform (CPT-R)

BUG: Get new bus operators

What the hell is Dr. Teng Hock Nan doing ?

What can RM20.00 get you ?

2006-07-12T14:51:00.000+08:00

"That will be twenty ringgit" said Mr Taxi driver of HP1420.

That was the amount that I had to pay for getting a taxi ride from Perhentian Bus Sungai Nibong to Komtar on friday, 7th July 2006.

Was the taxi meter working ? yep sure damn it was ... it was placed in snooze mode.

Cost of living sure is high in Penang, even higher than Kuala Lumpur.

As a comparison, a taxi ride from Puduraya to KLCC in Kuala Lumpur will cost me a mere RM 6.00 and the driver instinctly switched on the meter even without me asking.

Shame ole shame Penang Taxi Driver.

Dr Teng, what can you do about that ? judging from your failure at handling the bus reorg exercise in April 2006, my hope on you is diminishing at exponential order ...

Spotted in Penang, a 110cc Multi Purposed Utility Vehicle !

2006-04-12T14:16:00.000+08:00

Recent events of the reduction of fuel subsidies, disappointing National Auto Policy and increment of automotive interest repayment rates must have hit hard on the common Penangites.

So much so that this pair of Penangites opted for an 110CC locally assembled AP not required petrol consuming vehicle to make a living.

I salute them for their R&D spirit

Order of the city in the hands of these people

2006-03-24T18:14:00.000+08:00

Citizen of Penang, particularly George Town dwellers, will have to deal with these people for the next 24 months.

These ladies and gentlemen, presumably experienced hands in dealing with urban planning and management were appointed by the BN government to take up office for the next 2 years.

According to the Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, he entrust incoming MPPP President, Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan, who has vast experience in various departments in federal and state governments, with his last appointment as Negeri Sembilan Land and Mineral office chief.

MPPP President 2006-2007, Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan

He will take over from Ahmad Phesal, whose notable creations includes Salted Dug Eggs, Gigantic Yeast Infested Penis, Giant cement seashells, just to name a few, Each of these eyesores cost no less than RM 300,000 of tax payers monies while generate absolute ZERO return.

As usual, any incoming MPPP president will come with a plan. What Abu Bakar 'dreamed' for Georgetown in the next 24 months are:

Most advance state/city in Malaysia

Cleanest state/city in Malaysia

Best place to live in Malaysia

Just like Air Asia Motto: Now everyone can fly, Abu Bakar deserves to dream.

However, Air Asia can send everyone to their destination, can Abu Bakar realise his dream?

Will he be the one man that can deliver that previous Prime Minister of Malaysia + Penang Chief Minister + 5 MPPP presidents collectively failed to deliver for nearly 2 decades?

How many seashells can you get for RM 500,000 ?

2005-10-11T12:32:00.000+08:00

The answer : 12 giant cement made seashells

No that long ago Penang was honoured with (a) 2 groups of 'metalic hibiscus', but to the public looks more like yeast infested penis & (b) a couple of metalic betel nuts, which however the bulk of Penangites thinks the art piece looks more like 'salted duck eggs'.

(a)Metalic Hibiscus along RECSAM roundabout at RM 300,000

(b)Metalic Betel Nuts not far from Penang Legislative Council at RM 350,000

But wait, our creative city council have more in the bag, the latest 'creation' for us all is the RM 500,000.00 worth of cement sea shells.

These cement seashells are erected at an vacant plot opposite of St xaviers Institution / Citybayview Hotel in Farquar Street. The area used to field some greens and well shaded. It was frequented by trishaw riders for a nap in the hot and humid afternoon.

What wonders the Penangites are why these cement structures erected at a place where there is no beach in view but the next 10km up north ? even so I doubt that many would dare to dip in the water considering that the only sewage treatment plant on the island, which is located along Jelutong expressway, is scheduled to get ready by 2007.

It was mentioned in the press that MPPP Council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the need to increase assessment is necessary to cover the escalating cost of the council's expenditures.

Yeah right, Mr President, stop giving excuses, you can help save up RM 1.15 million by canning these ugly and useless beautification projects !

[Supporting News]
Council may remove hibiscus structures

Thursday, May 19, 2005
The Penang Municipal Council may remove some of the hibiscus structures at the Jalan Udini Road roundabout if they do not blend with the surroundings.
Its president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the council was in the middle of implementing its beautification project at the roundabout.
“We are only at the beginning stage of landscaping and the public should give us a chance to finish the project before making negative remarks about the design.
“However, we may remove some of the structures if they are viewed as obscene or offensive,” he said yesterday.
Ahmad Phesal said the cylindrical structures were meant to light up the area at night, and the coloured lights in the cylinders would later be synchronised with other lights

Saturday July 30, 2005 - Pinang ‘fruits’ for roundabout
By Priscilla Dielenberg

A FOUNTAIN with a 4.8m-high metal structure re-sembling giant pinang fruits will be erected at the roundabout next to the clock tower at King Edward's Place in George Town.
The Penang Municipal Council’s landscaping, beautification and recreation committee alternate chairman Lim Kean Guan said work on the roundabout was scheduled for completion before National Day.
“We decided on a pinang structure because of its significance in the state.
“More than 20 mature pinang trees will be planted in the area,” he said, adding that the project would cost about RM350,000.
”The roundabout used to feature flowers but flowers do not represent anything, they just look nice,” he said.

Higher assessment rates for Penang
by Siow Yuen Ching of The Star

PENANG:Property owners on Penang island will have to pay higher assessment rates next year, with increase ranging from 2.9% to 6.4%.
With the increase, Penang Municipal Council expects to collect a total of RM115.4mil in assessment rates next year, an 8% increase from this year.
Council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the increase was necessary to cover the escalating cost of the council's expenditures.
This increase in assessment rate will be the third over the past 12 years.
The last increment was in 2000.

The RM 350,000.00 'Salted Duck Egg' 咸鸭蛋

2005-08-27T15:26:00.000+08:00

These artistic Pinang (Betel Nut) fruit, which looks like metalic salted duck eggs cost the tax payers RM 350,000.00

These organic salted duck eggs cost me RM 1.70

According to Kwong Wah Yit Poh, the 4.8 m tall pinang fruit will be the latest landmark in Penang. Built with a pricetag of RM 350,000.00 from MPPP, it will be officitiate by Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan coming Sunday evening in conjunction of Penang Shine Walk event.

Do we really need another useless eyesore ?

Hasn't the MPPP learn from the past mistakes ? We had had enough the neon colored palm trees at Gurney Drive roundabout, eerie green bamboo plots at the junction of Macalister Road / Peel Avenue, Seagulls that seems to fly to nowhere along Jelutong Expressway and musrooms that looks more like erected penis at the RECSAM roundabout, and now we get this big 'metalic salted duck egg' 咸鸭蛋

RM 350,000.00 is alot of money, it is much better spent to upgrade the facilities at Jubilee Old Folks Home in Sungai Dua, that will make the residents a bunch of happy old folks for the Merdeka day.

Does this salted duck egg 咸鸭蛋 reflect the ever degrading state of affair in Penang ?

Chief Minister to open his 'gigantic fruit' for all to see at Malaysia Voters Union

Traffic offenders of the week

These photos were taken after I finish dealing with some bloodsucker along Beach Street. Either the polis are too busy or simply apply the 3B motto :

Boh Chap ( Don't Care )

Boh Kuan ( Don't Mind )

Boh Bak Kua ( No eye see )

PQ 1 Waiting at the Bus Stop. The owner of this Proton Perdana must be some big ball fella since normal tax paying citizen of Penang can't afford to have a number plate of 1. There is a fella at the driver seat but that does not give him the right to stop at the free shuttle lot

PGA 3255 Another big ball fella which is color blind, blinded by the color yellow.

PEH 4672 Superb parking skill, can park at the corner next to the round about and pretended to be blind.

WMB 4583 Know why there is always jam near the Pasar Chowrasta strech in Penang Road ? This dumb arse driver tripple parked and decided to exit his car just like that.

Hooray !!! Penang Leads !!!

We worsen ourselves from Penang Darul Sampah to Penang Darul Parking Lot

10 useful tips on saving on fuel, and your pocket

2005-08-17T08:11:00.000+08:00

I receive this chain mail in my inbox this morning, which is relevant to the situation that we are in now.

Tips to save Petrol( to break-even the 10 sen raised ).

1) Pump up your tyres.

Keeping your tyres inflated is one of the easiest and most important things. Saving petrol means saving money one can do to improve fuel economy. If a range is recommended by the manufacturer, the higher pressure should beused to maximize fuel efficiency.

Deflated tyres run hot and jeopardize safety. It will also cause the tyres to wear out prematurely, affect the vehicles adversely, and hurt the fuel economy by increasing therolling resistance. Tyres lose about 1 psi pressure per month due to air loss caused by the tyre hitting holes, bumps and kerbs.

Therefore, the tyres should be checked at least once a month. Just 1 tyre deflated by 2 psi will result in a 1% increase in fuelconsumption.

2) Drive at moderate speed.

Avoiding high speeds on open roads results in safer driving and better fueleconomy. In highway driving, over 50% of the power produced by the engine is used to overcome aerodynamic drag.

Drag and thus fuel consumption increases rapidlyat speeds above 90km/h. On the average, a car uses about 15% more fuel at100km/h, and 25% more fuel at 110km/h compared to when it is doing only 90km/h.

However, this should not lead one to conclude that the lower the speed, thebetter the fuel economy because it is not. The fuel consumption of an average car increases sharply at speeds below 50km/h.

3) Clean the air-filter regularly

Clogged air filters increase fuel consumption by restricting airflow to theengine, and thus should be cleaned/replaced when necessary. Clogged airfilters can increase fuel consumption by up to 10%.

4) Use thinner tyres

Tyres with thick width will improve the handling of your car. However, it will also increase your car's fuel consumption. Thicker tyres mean more rolling resistance! , and thus will consume more fuel.

5) Start up the car properly

With today's cars, it is not necessary to prime the engine first by pumpingthe accelerator pedal repeatedly. Do not crank the engine excessively. This only wastes fuel.

When starting theengine, idle it no more than 30 seconds to warm it up.An engine will warm up faster on the road.

However, avoid suddenacceleration before the engine has warmed up sufficiently.

6) Drive in high gear (overdrive)

The engine runs most efficiently between around 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. To maintain these low revs you should change up through the gears as soon as practical and before the revs reach 2500 rpm. For automatic transmission cars,you should always switch on your overdrive to help save fuel.

Overdrivewill allow your engine to change gears at lower revs. It also puts your transmission into an "economy" mode and lets it engagethe final "overdrive" gear when cruising to!keep the rpms extra low, thereby increasing fuel economy.

7) Travel light

Avoid carrying any unnecessary weight in your car. On the average, every 50kg added load in your car will increase fuel consumption by 2%.

8) Anticipate traffic ahead

A driver can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10% by anticipating trafficconditions ahead and adjusting the speed accordingly, and avoidingtailgating and thus unnecessary braking and acceleration. Accelerations anddecelerations waste fuel.

Braking and abrupt stops can be minimized by notfollowing too closely and slowing down gradually when approaching a redlight. It takes up to six times as much fuel to move a car from a dead stopthan it does for one moving at just a few km/h.

9) Avoid strong acceleration

The fuel consumption remains at a minimum during steady driving at amoderate speed of about 90km/h. Keep in mind that every time the accelerator is hard pressed, t! he enginegoes into a "fuel-enrichment" mode of operation thatwastes fuel. The vehicle should always be gradually and smoothlyaccelerated. Using cruise control on highways can help maintain a constant speed andreduce fuel consumption.

10) Minimise aerodynamic drag

Additional parts on the exterior of a vehicle such as roof racks andspoilers, or having the window open, Roof racks are bad for fuel economy increases air resistance and fuelconsumption, in some cases by over 20%.

11) Don't let your engine idle

Minimize fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car isstopped or held up for an extended period of time. Idling more than a minute consumes much more fuel than restarting the engine.

By having the engine switched off, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst offuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tearfrom this practice is negligible.

12) Use the air-con sparingly

Air conditioners can use about 10 per cent extra fuel when operating. However, at speeds of over 80 km/h, use of air conditioning is better for fuel economy than an open window

A slightly better Sunday in Penang

2005-08-14T12:09:00.000+08:00

Thanks to an early morning rain, the air quality is slightly better than yesterday.

At 1100am today, Gurney Drive looks like this.

Esplanade looks like this around 11:30 am, Saturday, 13 August 2005.

Esplanade looks like this today at 11:30 am, Sunday, 14 August 2005.

Penang state museum was visible on the left, but MWE Plaza and Citybayview Hotel, which are a mere 500m away, were barely visible yesterday:(

All 3 buildings are visible today :D

80,000 fans attended the 8TV 8 E-news Summer 'Live' Concert 2005 on Saturday evening.

Look at what the fans leaves behind. Penang Darul Sampah !

Contributors to the ever worsening traffic condition in Penang

These photos were taken along Jalan Anson and nearby Jalan Westland. There are 3 car parks nearby this strech of road where double yellow lines are clearly visible, but yet these 'kiamsiap' or 'gonglan' drivers can't afford RM 2 to park their cars at nearby parking lots at Garden Inn Hotel, Restoran Zim Sum and Anson Park ?

PFM2612

PGF7630

PGD7969 & PFM5356

PFY9556, PGM811 & PDE5832

Freaking b*stards owner/drivers. If you can not afford RM 2.00 for parking, don't bring your car out and jam up the whole of Penang.

A Hazy Saturday in Penang

2005-08-13T16:27:00.000+08:00

The sun never look like this until today, it look like no frill vitamin c tablet that one gets from the dispensary.

Komtar disappeared in haze by 0900 hours today ...

It is equally hazy near the jetty, the API reading should be in the 300 range.

八八六十事 @ 夏日八度演唱会 [现场直播]
will be held tonight at Padang Kota Lama, so to those who are to pack themselves at the venue, do not forget to bring along a 3M N95 surgical mask and plenty of drinking water.

Penang state museum is visible on the left, but MWE Plaza and Citybayview Hotel, which are a mere 500m away, are barely visible :(

Although the haze condition in Penang is near hazardous level, that does not stop the moronic lady driver of this Proton Wira PFK9583 to park her car at the bus stop opposite General Post Office in Penang Island. The time, approx 0940 Hours, 13 August 2005.

Thank you moron, you are the reason to the ever degrading traffic condition in Penang.

As of 1600hours today, the wind is strong enough to bend the casuarina trees, however, haze still refuse to go back to their hometown in Sumatra ...

The root cause of chaotic traffic at Prangin Mall

2005-01-06T22:48:00.000+08:00

The root cause of chaotic traffic at Prangin Mall

I frequent Prangin Mall. It is located in the heart of the city, have plenty of food stores, affordable chinese made goods, abundant of mobile phone shops, VCD/DVD centers and not to mention, electronic gambling dents.

However, what I hated most is the time / process of getting there.

Prangin mall underground parking facility is the MOST EXPENSIVE parking lot among all the major malls in Penang.

1st 45 minutes RM 1.00, subsequent 1/2 hour, kena or-kong RM 1.00, imagine if you go for a movie and spend 3 hours over there, parking fee alone will be like RM 6.00 ... what the fuck is this ? even worst than PLUS Highway !!!

Next, look at the screen shot ... double yellow line in Penang means you can legally position your vehecal, be it the lang chia, or Plotong , or mini bus or even the lau yeah 30 year old Hin Company bus can clog up the road, turn the 4 lane road in to a single lane big enuf 2 fit a honda kup.

Don't blame the polis for not doing their job, it is the mindset that the ugly Penang lang, including myself have to change.

If I were to made the city council enforcement officer, I shall issue on the spot fine of RM 50.00, don't have to give face one, those fuckers never bother to be considerate, then fuck them with RM 50.00, if they are big balls and park their vehecals at double yellow line zones, tow away the fucker's car ... let them cry until no tears come ...