Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Us

Winnie sent this eCard from Canberra today to wish me Happy Birthday. Very thoughtful of her. I also sent birthday greeting to my other half, (no, not my wife, but my twins who is in Singapore).
To Raymond, let's have a wonderful birthday!

Datu Wira Poh Ah Tiam - Favourite son of Machap Baru

Datu Wira Poh Ah Tiam, the MP for Machap Baru passed away recently due to illness. I did not have the previlege to meet him but have heard so much about him and his work from my brother, a retired teacher who works as newspaper corresponder.

I visited my brother, ST occasionally at his house in Alor Gajah and each time, he would treat us to a sumptuous dinner at Machap Baru where the food and wild life dishes are always fresh, exotic and CHEAP!

I have always marvelled at the friendliness and peacefulness of the new village, and the villagers' solidarity for the betterment of their village. This is especially evident during the festive season such as the Lunar New Year when the whole village was adorned with colourful lights and lantern, bunting etc wishing each other prosperity and good fortune and good health.

May he rests in peace.

Register To Vote

Some said the GE will be this coming year-end school holidays. Some predicted it will be early next year (remember the GE must be held before end of 2008). I say it will be during the school mid term break in August from 18th to 25th. The reason: this coming Merdeka celebration will be our country's 50th anniversary as an independent nation. The Government is already planning a host of acitivities and carnivals for the occasion. It also plans to publish "Malaysia @ 50", a collective national family album by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. Surely, the Government would want to capture and capitalize the euphoric mood of the rakyat, the feel-good modality of the people from all walks of life in the countdown towards our 5oth birthday.

So to all Malaysian, do register to vote in this coming GE.

I quote from Edelman, Marian Wright Children's Defense Fund Official (1939-)

"People who don't vote have no line of credit with people who are elected and thus pose no threat to those who act against our interests."

Congratulation to Roland Chua !

Twin brother, Raymond's second son, Roland is now in the Singapore National Service. He had just received his A-Level results and what can I say? What smart kid he is !

A - Economics
A - Mathematics
A - History
A - Literature
A1 - General Paper
MERIT - History S Paper

In this competitive environment in Singapore where meritocracy is the ONLY criteria to succeed in everything, from good schools, to good jobs to good life, all kids are taught to be competitive right from kindergartens to Junior colleges and universities. No differentiation of race or religion, and no preference given for being the siblings of YBs, Ministers, or CEO of GLCs.

I wish him all the best in his future undertakings!

Well done, Roland. You have made us proud!

Hailstorm in Canberra

Daughter Winnie frantically tried to call us on the night of 27 February to tell us of a massive hailstorm in Canberra at 8.00pm (11 pm KL). It was so severe that more than 60 buildings in ANU (Australia National University) were badly damaged and lectures had to be cancelled the next two days. These are two photos sent by her.

Locally only The Malay Mail reported this on 1st March 2007. The picture showed a guy in short sleeve tee shirt pushing his bike through the ice-covered streets in Canberra.

Has the world weather changed so much due to global warming?