Selamat Idul Fitri

A time to reflect on what we have, could have and should have done.

For now, have a good holiday and visit old and new friends alike for the Hari Raya open houses.

Is it only me?

Why is it that every time when I read the speeches/statements made by the PM, DPM and in fact the entire cabinet ministers and their deputies, it just makes me want to puke? It seems to me that it is only all talk without any substance, just like the standard answer from any Air Asia’s check-in counter staff when asked if there would be any flight delay upon checking in.

My guess is that after 50 years of unchallenged rule, systematic control on the flow of information and perhaps power play has moved them into their comfort zone so much so that they take the goodwill of the people for granted. This by-product must have led them to be what they are today despite the signs of change sweeping the entire country after the March election.

Still suffering from the denial syndrome? When will they ever LEARN to CHANGE along with time in order to stay relevant? I wonder.

This is just a random thought that crosses my mind on 916. Happy Malaysia Day.


Update at 6.47 p.m. Pick this up from theStar online just moments ago of what Zaid Ibrahim said “But I could not translate what I wanted to do, particularly on issues such as equal rights for everyone as stated in the Constitution. I think I have failed to convince those in authority and positions of power to effect those changes which will allow this Government to move forward.”

This insights from the man who tried to change from within among the people who walk in the corridors of power confirms that the current UMNO/BN government just CANNOT change.

I personally admire Zaid Ibrahim for his courage and principles. A man who can walk with dignity which is so lacking in the current administration.

Please spare me the red face, Mr. Minister.

It was a rather an eventful Saturday, in a sense for commenting on several blogs about the arrest or RPK, Tan Hoon Cheng and Theresa Kok in Malaysia in one swoop under the orders of the Minister of Home Affairs using the all powerful, all mighty ISA.

Further reading just wanna make me laugh out loud, puke, geram, gemas, stressful, emo and what have you based on the reasons given by the Minister to justify his action. Funny, how the hell did I get the feeling that nobody in the right frame of mind will ever agree with the minister!

Please lah Mr. Minister, I am trying to make a living overseas and don’t lah make me a laughing stock for being a Malaysian. Don’t lah, don’t be like that lah! Malu tau?

Air Asia, Now everyone can be SCREWED, Part 2

Well folks, it happened again. Not only is the flight rescheduled to a later time, it was delayed for more than 2 damn hours.

My original booking was on February 23, 2008 as follows,

“QZ 7604 KUL-CGK, Fri 25 July 2008 Dep 18.10 hrs” Firstly, there was a SMS message on my mobile informing me about the flight re-schedule to 20.15. This was followed up by a phone call from one of the customer service of which the poor girl really got a piece of my mind so much so, she rudely slammed the phone on me. (I was not angry of her doing that, but relieved that I got the frustration off my chest). Anyway, I was at the airport early, checked-in, enquired and it was confirmed by the check-in staff at Soekarno Hatta that there is ‘no known delay’ yet.

Well, the rest is history. QZ 7604 finally took off after 2+ hours of agonizing wait. Although AirAisa served Hoka Hoka Bento, they do not even have the courtesy to announce over the PA the reason why the flight was delayed. No sense of public courtesy.

Of course my return flight on QZ 7603 on Mon, 28 July 2008, 9.50 hrs was re-timed as well. Nevertheless, I managed to change in advance to AK 952 departing at 7.00 am

The sad thing is that I have no choice in this instance but to fly since the tickets are been paid for. Are there any law savvy guys out there who can challenge AirAsia on their terms and conditions? Isn’t there a legal recourse for the passengers?

Have you?

Have you seen the sky,
During the sunset or sunrise?

Have you done a crime,
Unforgivable yet nice?

Have you thought of and done,
Something stupid yet kind?

Have you even tried,
To find yourself some time?

Have you asked yourself,
What your plans are for today?

Have you wondered why,
The sun shines so bright?

Have you asked anyone,
About what they did?

Have you gone away,
And wished you had stayed?

Have you seen a ghost,
And wished you could help?

Have you read a story,
So beautiful but sad?

Have you taken your time,
When you knew you shouldn’t?

Have you thought about yourself,
And wondered what to do?

Have you seen the moon,
And said that it’s nice?

Well, did you?
Have you…?

Written by Amelia Ho

Malaysian Politicians, STOP IT!

I have been following and reading the RSS feed on the latest development in Malaysia and the whole of this week is just CRAZY. And I wonder what's happening to my country with both side of BN and PR politicians having a field day slugging at each other just like what one would expect to watch the World Wrestling Ferderation match on TV, for now without the violence, YET!

Reading all the bulls, claims, accusations and what have you, I felt anger, frustration, cheated, fear and uncertainty, all at one go. Where am I to direct this bad energy and feeling of hopelessness to? All this is happening day in and day out with no end in sight.

It has been 4 months since the last election and it seems that the country is on an auto pilot mode moving in the wrong direction. And now with recession looming over our heads, I find my hard earned money shrinking as the days gone by and these politicians are still bickering over their positions, power and personal interest. What happened to the oath they made after their swearing in?

I am sick and tired of such stand-up political comedy act, it’s a big joke! And the world is laughing at Malaysia. It’s actually SINFUL. What I need are real politicians who can act and perform their duties without fear or favor in tackling the economic woes of the country. For all I care, do the politicking at your own time BUT not on mine. Stop all these nonsense and stand up to be counted, you damn bloody politicians!

AirAsia SUCKS BIG time

It happened to me before and it is happening again for this weekend, YES, I am talking about the ‘so-called’ re-timing of flights schedule so fondly practiced by AirAsia. When I booked my return KUL(09.50 for Jun 30)/CGK (18.10 for Jun 27) tickets in February 2008, I was so glad that at the time of booking, the timing was just perfect, after work, go to the airport, catch the flight and be home in KL before 12 midnight.

Then the big time shit came via 2 SMSs from AirAsia. The first SMS was on Jun 22 stating that the flight on Jun 30 departing from KL was retimed to 14.50. The second SMS came on Jun 25 for yet again another retimed flight from 18.10 to 20.15 departing from Jakarta on Jun 27. Can you believe this big time shit, on a single paid and confirmed ticket for a return trip both being retimed?

Of course, both messages came with the standard line “SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED THANK YOU’. Hell ya! It’s damn inconvenient! The deal for the passenger is shitty. When you want to change your flight, you are slapped with a fee and the cost difference of the flight and if you missed the flight, then it is considered burned.

Obviously, I don’t bother to read their terms and conditions when I bought the tickets and I guess I would not be bothered reading it now. And since I have already paid for my all my tickets, the last one being in August, I guess I will have to sulk it up all in my own stride.

However, one thing for sure is that I won’t be making any bookings on AirAsia for my future travel as they can just change the flight schedule at their whims and fancies. This is just not on.

Now, everybody can be screwed!

I suppose this should be the new brand tagline that best describe what AirAsia is all about. Very relevant, compelling and truthful to the brand promise.