The Origins of Negara Ku-Contentious?

While our Inodnesian brothers are making a ruckus that the Malaysian national anthem sounds so much like their song 'Terang Bulan', we have another source that said it came from m the South Seas or possibly,Hawaii. Then again, we know it came as a song from that old Dutch film, 'Orange County'.

Listen to 'Mamula Moon'. Does it sound have we have lifted some bars from this number?



Now listen to 'Terang Bulan'from Indonesia. Eerily familiar?



Now let us compare. So which is the original?



So, are copyright issues involved here? How about national pride?

That is the $64,000 question!

Whitney-The Rise of the Diva Phoenix

September 1, 2009 marks the return of Whitney Houston to the singing fraternity. Her latest album "I Look to You" came out on Monday, marking the singer's comeback after almost a lost decade.

A former model, singer and actress, Houston starred in The Bodyguard in 1992. The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for album of the year, and became the world's best-selling soundtrack. Its lead single, "I Will Always Love You", became one of the best-selling singles in music history.



Undoubtedly, she was one of the best-selling artists with the most striking opera voice. Despite a sad history of domestic issues, alleged drug abuse and scandals, the diva has returned. The come-back album, “I Look to You,” released Tuesday (Malaysian time), revealed her husky, vehement voice applied on some catchy and pleasing new songs.


The New York Daily News, however, sounded out a cautionary note: “Whitney still possess that broad range and respectable force. And she gets to apply it well here. But there's no getting around the fact that something key is gone. Namely, her genius” Is that gobbledygook or what?
So, do listen to the album yourself and feel the magic of this diva yet again.

CIMB-A Bad Judgment Call

This has to be the worst EGM meeting of all.

On such an auspicious day as this when you want to effect a name change, you fumbled BIG TIME. Shareholders came for the EGM and was shocked at the insensitivities of this so called first-tier bank. No refreshment, no door gift. Not even a bottle of water to quench the thirst of the senior citizens who have diligently woke up and come to the SDCC to support you.

We understand that it is puasa time. We would not push it if you do not serve breakfast. But couldn't you have given food coupons tenable at SDCC food joints instead? You were not thinking,right.Someone took away your thinking caps?

Again, you could have held the EGM after Hari Raya,then everyone would have a great time with food galore and all the merriment. You could even have provided shareholders with commemorative gifts that will remind them of this occasion. BUT NOOO! You were also not thinking. Missing thinking cap syndrome again? What a laugh!

To make matters worse, your honourable Chairman came late for the meeting;by some fifteen minutes, blaming his lateness on the traffic. Macam mana,tuan? You should have shown good teladan and come in early. Sit sown in the holding room or better still come down from your public high horse position and shake hands with the shareholders. Create goodwill. Show that you are an approachable Chairman,willing to be part of the whole CIMB community. Tetapi apa sudah terjadi?

Insensitivities!!! That's what you are, CIMB.

Remember your stakeholders. They have elephant memories!

Tape Recorder Bird

I couldn't believe it until I saw and listened to this wonderful bird. Fantastic, I am speechless watching it. Seriously,how do you feel after watching this short video of the lyre bird? Gimme your comments.

EPF Shows a Better Performance

This is good news, The government's whipping boy provision fund has shown quite a good performance this time around.

In a report to Bernama today (Sept 3), The Employees Provident Fund (EPF)recorded an investment income of RM4.8 billion in the second quarter of 2009, as investments in equities raked in better returns.

The income was 46.64 per cent better than the RM3.27 billion accrued in the first quarter of this year.

“Despite the instability of the global economy, the EPF managed to meet expectations and deliver better investment results in the second quarter,” said its Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Azlan Zainol.

Equities was the highest income contributor for the quarter, growing seven-fold to RM1.74 billion, against RM239.55 million earned in the previous quarter.

He said improving global and domestic markets contributed to the surge in income from equities for the quarter under review.

Azlan said the second quarter showed signs of recovery in major global equity indices especially in countries where the provident fund had invested.

“While we cannot say the worst is over. Should the trend continue, or at least maintain at the current level, EPF is positive we can reverse the bulk of the allowances for diminution in value of equity investments that we made last year,” he added.

In the second quarter, loans and bonds were the highest income earner, contributing RM1.81 billion to EPF’s total investment income compared with RM1.78 billion attained in the previous quarter.

Another major contributor was income from Malaysian Government Securities, which rose marginally by RM830 million to RM1.11 billion.

Meanwhile, money market instruments recorded an income of RM94.27 million during the quarter, a drop of 21.51 per cent from RM120.11 million earned in the first quarter 2009.

EPF’s total fund size currently stood at RM353.93 billion, up 1.61 per cent from the first quarter’s fund size of RM348.31 billion.

“While there are signs of stabilisation in the global market, it is nevertheless too early to see how this will affect us for the remainder of the year,” he said.

Azlan said as a long term investor and custodian of more than RM350 billion in retirement funds, the EPF would continue to take proactive measures.

He assured that the fund would continue to enhance the value of its members’ savings, in these challenging times, while maintain prudent approach at all times.

As members, we certainly hope that the EPF can really stand up and perform and not be used as a cheap fund provider for the government.

Mission Impossible. Eat Your Heart out, Tom Cruise!

Watch Ethan Parrot do his trick. Wunderbird!

1Submarine

In line with 1Malaysia propounded by PM Najib, we have now commissioned the first submarine.It is called the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. 1 Submarine arrived in Malaysia on 3 September 2009 at 9.20 am.

Malaysia’s second submarine, KD Tun Razak will begin its journey home on Jan 26, 2010 and arrive here two months later.

Truly we must be blessed to have 1Submarine in service now to guard our coastal waters.Hopefully,crime in the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea will be minimized.


1Malaysia! Now 1Submarine! 1Malaysia Boleh!