Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai

To all my fellow Sarawakians, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai! Have a wonderful celebration on this day that truly represents us! I couldn't have hope for a better homeland! Here's to the day that we're finally known as only Sarawakians!

Congrats Levy!

From my previous post, I guessed all of you would have known that the pageant was held last night and without a doubt, it was never televised and I bet only some old rich farts attended the pageant. Typical!

Anyway, the new Miss Malaysia Universe 2008 has been chosen and she's 20-year-old university student/model from Terengganu, Levy Li Su Lin. On her left is the 1st runner-up, 23-year-old Jean Thor Jean Nee from Kuala Lumpur. And guess what, I'm so proud of this - the 2nd runner-up is Sarawakian! She's 23-year-old Valerie Chan Hsueh Yi.

I never saw the pageant/contestants so I couldn't really comment on how deserving these girls are or how Levy will fare in the international pageant to be held in Vietnam this coming July. All I know is that if Levy wants to a mark in Miss Universe, she has a lot to do before the pageant. With so many power contestants this year, it looks set to be a tough fight. I'm really hoping that Levy stands at least 5'7" because all the Asian contestants this year are all over 5'8". I thought (was hoping) one of the taller contestants in the Malaysian pageant would win but anyway, perhaps, Levy did a better job than them. Congrats! And please make Malaysia proud! We haven't had a semifinalist in Miss Universe since 1970. It's quite pathetic if you think about it!

Miss Malaysia Universe 2008

Adelaine Chin - Miss Malaysia Universe 2007

Guess what! Everything in Malaysia seems a little out of touch sometimes. Even beauty pageants! The Miss Malaysia Universe 2008 pageant is going on right now as I'm typing this entry but there's not even any coverage at all, besides some articles/videos on The Star. It's a disgrace actually considering the fact that the Miss Universe pageant is the #1 pageant in the world. I wonder what Donald Trump would say to the local production/selection. Quite embarrassing! Anyway, the official website of the local pageant is never updated and no one ever knows who the contestants are!

Goh Nai Hsing - 1st Runner-up

But thankfully, last year's first runner-up, Goh Nai Hsing, actually took the time to highlight the contestants in her blog and even add her own commentary on these girls. I just thought it was very gracious of her, considering the fact that she didn't even have to! Good on you, girl! Anyway, last year's winner, Adelaine Chin, has her own blog too and she did mention about highlighting this year's pageant but I haven't seen any updates yet. So, hopefully, I'll get to see some updates after the pageant tonight. As for Adelaine, you've done Malaysia proud and you really deserve a standing ovation for your tremendous effort. All the best in you future undertakings! To Nai Hsing, don't forget to keep updating your blog and entertain us with all your stories. Great read by the way!

HHHMMM...Need I Say More?

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian group condemned the uniform worn by girls at government schools, saying it encouraged rape and pre-marital sex. “The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction,” National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari said in a statement.“It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it, whether or not they like looking at it,” she said, calling for a review of uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals.

In multicultural Malaysia, home to majority-Muslim Malays as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, female students at government schools have a choice of wearing a white blouse with a knee-length skirt or pinafore. They may also wear a “baju kurung” and a headscarf is optional for Malay students. Munirah said that “covering up” according to Islamic precepts was important to fend off social ills, including “rape, sexual harassment and even premarital sex.”

“This leads to babies born out of wedlock and, to an extent, even prostitution,” she said. “Decent clothes which are not revealing can prevent and protect women from any untoward situations,” she said, suggesting that girls wear a blouse of a different colour or with an undergarment.However, the girls themselves also came in for criticism, with the association saying that some used the white blouse to lure men. “This is the source of the problem, where we can see that schoolgirls themselves are capable of using this to attract men to them,” Munirah said. “This could see them getting molested, having premarital sex and all sorts of things.” – AFP

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OK, I'm all for reducing the rates of crimes against women and girls here in Malaysia. With the amount of rape cases and premarital sex increasing by the year, it's quite scary to think that in a country where religion and values are of utmost importance, such insanity should be the least of our worries. But it seems otherwise.

Anyway, changing our school uniforms (to something less sexier? how more can it be changed?) is definitely not the way for us to reduce such crimes or to even prevent them. I believe education is key and that perhaps is the single most important thing for everyone to look into when it comes to solving such crimes in Malaysia.

There's also the other thing. Isn't it just true that it's human nature when we're told not to do something or prevent from doing something, we just love to do it more? Well, the more controlled a human is, the wilder they'll get. Trust me, it's certainly true. Case in point - how many more anti-piracy programs do we need? Are the consumers even afraid of being caught? Worst still, are these VCD/DVD peddlers even afraid of the government/officers-in-charge of anti-piracy? Sad to say, they're having a ball actually. If you happen to visit a shopping centre in USJ, the whole place is dedicated/filled with pirated goodies. Whatever you want, just name it, you got it.

Politics = Greed!

Just when you thought the world could not get any worse, here comes another dumbass government acting like it's so great! I just can't believe the world is filled with stupid idiotic people like that. How can a governMent reject foreign aids in time of needs? And how can theY just keep these foreign Aids, oNce accepted, for their top generals and forget about their citizens? Here's soMething I would like to shAre - if you want to be gReat/successful/rich/famous, be cruel! The crueler, the better! Trust me, it will surely work! Like a charm!

May Buddha Bless Everyone

Peoples, join me in honouring and remembering all the victims and their families of the Myanmar cyclone and China earthquake. May Lord Buddha bless everyone in these difficult times!

FHM 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2008

Megan Fox is #1! Congratulations!

Anyway, I may have been a little late in posting anything about this annual poll for the sexiest women alive. But hey, better late than never. However, unfortunately, no matter how late I am in posting/announcing that Megan's #1 in the world...I'd still be considered earlier than the local issue of FHM Malaysia. Ever since the whole Ning fiasco, the magazine has been tone terribly down and these days, sad to say, it's not even worth it to buy the magazine anymore.

When I was in the UK, FHM is like so great and it still is! The 100 Sexiest List is a book there but here in Malaysia, all these gorgeous ladies are all cramped into ten pages or so. How sad! And guess what, no matter how measly it may be, the issue with the list is the only one I buy. When FHM first started out in Malaysia, it's like a must buy for me every month. But now, only one issue per year. Anyway, for more information on the list and more on FHM UK, point your mouse here.

Vintage Joni Mitchell - Classic All The Way!

I was browsing through YouTube awhile ago and I came across two Joni Mitchell's performances from 1970. It is true classic and I'm sure not many people today will know who she is especially the tweens and teenagers. The music world is filled with too many wannabes (Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton - all trying so hard to make a name for themselves) and I'm glad people like Joni Mitchell is still making music. Anyway, below is a performance of Big Yellow Taxi from 1970. Enjoy!

Bye Bye - Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey's latest video - Bye Bye! It's going to be her 19th #1! Enjoy!

F.U.R.K. (Fuck You RapidKL)

Never in my life have I ever need to wait for a bus for nearly two hours! Thanks to RapidKL and Metrobus, only in West Malaysia you get this kind of fucking service! Rapid indeed! And guess what, after two painful hours of waiting and wasting my time standing like a fool in the middle of nowhere, the bus never came and I have to take a taxi.

And as you've read from my previous post about the best and most luxurious taxi service in the whole world, you'd know that only in West Malaysia you can get the best service. West Malaysia, Truly The Best!!! Seriously, I wonder what the tourists would think of this kind of service. Oh yeah, I forgot. There's another bunch of taxis that help to protect the good name of West Malaysia. They go around being so kind to the tourists and so polite and well, you get it! Polish shoes all the way!

And we Malaysians, it's just too bad we're not fair-skinned and light-haired (Jinjang bengs and lians notwithstanding, sorry fellas!).

The Time 100

This year's list for The Time 100 has just been announced. And I'm so glad Mariah Carey is one of this year's honorees. This distinguish group of people include numerous public figures who have influenced our world today! The Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and the very first Malaysian, Anwar Ibrahim are among the honorees too. Congratulations to everyone and do continue to inspire us in the years to come. Hillary for President!

Sustainable Development And Its Consequences

Have you ever wondered how come suddenly the world seemed so interested in our environment and everywhere you go, you'd hear people talking about global warming, greenhouse gases and sustainable development? Well, I'm glad that people are actually starting to worry themselves about the state of our planet. Nevertheless, it's a little upsetting to know that Malaysia is still not doing enough to protect our environment. However, it's comforting to know that we've actually signed the Kyoto Protocol. That is a start and should be looked as a little encouragement. Anyway, the following essay that follows is a paper I wrote during my time at the University of Hertfordshire. Enjoy reading!

In recent years, many people across the world have started to realise the importance of conserving the natural environment of the Earth. Nevertheless, many parts of the world today still seem a little unfazed about the environment and its chronic conditions. Most people consider it to be somewhat of a trivial issue – something that does not need our attention just yet. However, environmentalists and conservationists beg to differ and argued that it is about time the world starts paying attention because in the years to come, this crisis will be worsening if there is nothing done to prevent it.

Indisputably, there are many factors to the deterioration of the world’s environment but of all these factors, human activities and the exploitations of nature seems to be the utmost factor. Fundamentally, this has resulted in a worldwide concept known as sustainable development. Sustainable development has become an important phrase within the environmental community as well as world citizens alike. Briefly stated, it means that in order to protect the Earth and its environment from destruction of its resources, we need to learn to live so that we can sustain our environment as we forged ahead for development.

In 1987, The Brundtland Commission defined it as the ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ A global concept that it is, sustainable development encompasses all aspects of life, requiring the participation of everyone. Most importantly, the issue that involves every nation today is human overpopulation. Single-handedly, this issue has brought upon countless impacts to the world and its environment.

This global calamity of human overpopulation is inevitable. In this essay, this issue will be discussed along with its effects towards the Earth and its environment. Noticeably, the concept of sustainable development has evolved around this issue due to the fact that many impacts of human overpopulation are interrelated. The need for the world to sustain the natural resources that are, in recent years, becoming less is almost an issue on its own. Nevertheless, with the increase of the world’s population, pollutions are unavoidable and this only adds to the weight of the current worsening situation. The biggest challenge of sustainable development is the need for the world to find a new way forward.

The world’s population only reached one billion in 1830 and this took all of recorded history to happen. Today, the world has an approximate population of 6.4 billion people with the three most populated countries being China, India and United States. The concept of sustainable development calls for the need to stabilise the world’s population in regards to its carrying capacity. Common knowledge states that the world has a limited ability to accommodate the number of inhabitants in this planet. Unfortunately, the world population figure is increasing by the day.

According to a research conducted by the United Nations Population Fund, the current figure will grow by an estimated 100 million people every single year. As mentioned earlier, this issue is the root of so many problems especially those that are environmentally-related. Unbelievably enough, to sustain the needs of six billion people actually means that the world is losing an estimated 70,000 species of plants and animals each year. The world is faced with a problem of mass extinction in which the human population is held responsible.

The world’s population of six billion people is not sustainable because the living community cannot indefinitely sustain the loss of 70,000 species a year. As the number of people grows, the number of extinctions will also increase. This has become an eerily scary statistic and there is nothing appropriately enough that can be done to curb this problem. World leaders are faced with the difficulty of deciding on which is better – controlling the number of children their citizens should have or controlling the amount of resources their countries should use or maybe even both. Conclusively, the world’s population will never have to be a problem that bothers everyone if there were unlimited land, resources and water.

The Earth that we live in now is a very rich one albeit unevenly spread. There are so many natural resources that the human population can use for further development. Abundant amounts of petroleum, coal and metals, just to name a few, are found easily all over the world. Nevertheless, fossil fuels that are petroleum and natural gas are running out in the years to come and if nothing is done to maintain its availability, it will just perish even before the end of this century.

As it evolves around the issue of human overpopulation, the concept of sustainable development is also closely related to sustaining the world’s natural resources. Unquestionably, sustaining and stabilising the world’s population as well as the natural resources is a complicated matter. The more number of people essentially means the need for more natural resources being exploited. This is due to the fact that more people will definitely consume more resources. Sustainable development has influenced the rise of alternative energy sources lately. This appropriate consequence from the interpretation of this concept has resulted in a more manageable and acceptable exploitation of the Earth’s resources.

Many countries across the world have now stopped using coal as their main energy source for their power plants and have instead turn to cleaner sources like nuclear, water, wind and solar. Nevertheless, the mention of nuclear power plants will certainly spark a debate on its safety but this is another topic altogether. The vital point is that everyone is responsible for understanding the need to sustain the natural resources that is becoming less by the day.

The study of the Earth’s natural resources has made it possible for everyone in the world to truly appreciate what the Earth can provide us. Nonetheless, it is the study of sustaining the Earth’s natural resources that is far more superior in today’s world. The over usage of these natural resources would result in a severe threat to global society in the near future.

The outcome of this serious predicament actually means that the future generation might not have the resources that are needed for further development. Apparently, this illustrates the importance of sustainable development in today’s world even more. It is so imperative to respect the limits of the world’s environment. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘there is enough in this world for everyone’s needs but not for anyone’s greed’.

Moving on, the significance of respecting the limits of the world’s environment conjures up another issue – pollution. This issue can be considered an age-old dispute in today’s society. Seriously enough, the rapid population growth only contributes to an even more chronic situation. Both air and water pollution as well as other forms of pollution continues to be a severe crisis. World leaders across the world have worked closely with their respective governments to enact tighter laws and regulations to counteract with these catastrophic conditions. One of the first pollution regulations dates back to the fourteenth century when King Edward I banned the burning of sea coal in lime kilns. Nonetheless, despite all these efforts, pollution is still a serious local and worldwide problem.

One of the principles of sustainable development that was set up by many nations all over the world is to make the parties involved in pollution pay for what they have done to relentlessly threaten the environment. Environmental pollution and social depletion happens because those accountable are not those who bear the aftermath. If the polluter or the consumer is made to pay for these costs, in essence, this can actually reduce the devastation of pollution. Ultimately, this will mean that the world’s inhabitants, at large, will not have to bear this burden alone. Nevertheless, ensuring that this principle actually works is a difficult task. At all costs, precautionary actions should be considered. With the full cooperation of all the parties involved, only then this particular principle of sustainable development can be achieved.

The world depends on its human population to flourish into the next generation. Unfortunately, it is this population of people that might bring about the fall of the Earth. Sustainable development is one concept that was set up to ensure that this disastrous consequence will never happen. It is a dynamic progression that enables everyone to realise their full potential and to improve their quality of life along the way.

Nevertheless, this enhancement can only be successfully achieved with the assurance of simultaneously protecting and improving the Earth’s life support systems. Millions of dollars are spent each year on sustainable development across the globe. If a balance can be maintained between sustainability and the development of the world, many experts actually agree that in the future, the world can achieve economic, social and environmental objectives at the same time.

Queen Rania al-Abdullah

“If more people were empowered to look after their own health, we can substantially reduce the impact of diseases” – these words of empathy and hope were uttered by Queen Rania of Jordan when she addressed the media on the day the International Osteoporosis Foundation announced her patronage. A woman of stature and beauty who believes challenges in life actually energises her instead of daunting her already busy life as the Queen of Jordan, wife, mother, human rights advocate and activist. Compassionate, independent and humble, she spoke with multitudes of confidence and humility, never denying the fact that she is constantly learning and believing she always will. Known for her elegance and outspokenness, she is a shining beacon in a world tainted by prejudice and hatred, setting a great example for Arab women as well as women worldwide.

Queen Rania al-Abdullah was born Rania al-Yasin on 31st August 1970 to a distinguished Jordanian family of Palestinian origin in Kuwait. A paediatrician’s daughter, she lived comfortably on the West Bank with her parents and her two siblings. Though born into a rather conservative country, she was educated in Western schools since her primary years where she went to the New English School in Kuwait City. She then went on to the American University in Cairo, Egypt for her tertiary education where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Many would have thought that her blessed upbringing would at least influence her to have an air of superiority and arrogance but she proved everyone wrong and remains her same unpretentious self. Upon graduation, she went to Amman where she worked for Citibank and Apple Computers. In 1993, she met the then Prince Abdullah and fell in love at first sight. The royal couple married five months later. Today, she has four children, Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma and Prince Hashem, with her husband.

Before the late King Hussein passed away in 1999, he unexpectedly named his son, Prince Abdullah, his successor. Just married and still inexperience in handling royal duties, Queen Rania was suddenly thrust into the limelight and had to adjust to her new role as the wife of Jordan’s leader. Today, she has very much taken to her role and she is now known for her tireless works for numerous charities throughout Jordan and the world. She is an outspoken and intellectual woman whom her husband, King Abdullah of Jordan considers his equal. Since her ascension, she has set an astonishing example by trying to reconcile traditional values with modernism in her beloved country. She pushed for compulsory education for children as well as mandatory English and computer lessons in classes throughout the country. With a strong belief that children need all the support and help in their early years, she champions their rights by trying her very best to end child abuse and trafficking.

Besides promoting the creation of child abuse counselling centres throughout Jordan, Queen Rania talks openly about the cruelty of “honour killings” and her immense plan to end such gratuitous injustice. She is determined in giving the women in her country the chance to voice out their concerns and views. Some might say she has overstepped her boundaries but she has made it very clear that she knows who the leader of Jordan is. Nevertheless, it is very poignant to know that a woman who has everything in the world do not see her title and wealth as an advantage but as a platform for her to foray into uncharted grounds her predecessors have yet to go. With distinct financial backgrounds, it is without any wonder that she has also introduced micro-fund movements that provide monetary assistance to would-be entrepreneurs. Wanting her people especially women and children to be independent and head-strong has always been a dream of hers.

Queen Rania of Jordan was recently named the world’s third most beautiful woman of 2005 by Harpers & Queens. With supermodel looks and a charisma that befits her role as the wife of King Abdullah, her often exposed hair and modern fashion sense and style are a socio-political statement that speaks strongly of her conviction that the veil should only be a matter of personal choice for Muslim women. She is a rare example of a powerful woman who uses her power to push progressive agendas and exercises her influence on vital issues. This has brought her praise from modernists and of course, the expected condemnations from traditionalists. She is not a woman that seeks media attention but always the one that makes the headlines. She causes just enough ripples to stamp her influence and to deliver all that she promises, making her an inspiration to many across the world.

On a global scale, she is currently working to spread the modern gospel of childhood vaccination with The Vaccine Fund. She stated frankly that every year, more than 30 million children get no immunisations during their first year of life and at least 10 percent of them will die for the lack of just $30 worth of vaccinations. Always an advocate of children’s rights, thanks to her endless effort and endorsement, The Vaccine Fund has raised $1.3 billion to date. Nowadays, of the many organisations she supports, perhaps the most distinguished of her roles is her position in the governing board of the World Economic Forum. She is the only Arab in the forum that helps to steer global political and business leaders to success. Her sensitivity, wisdom and intuitive intelligence earned her the deserved respect from the members of such a masculine group.

Queen Rania has always had divided opinion about those who feels that she should take on a more traditional role but she knew she had to be more upfront if her country and its people want a better future. She is a Queen that does not need any entourage or even security to follow her around. It is with ease for her to just slip into her own car, pop in a Lauryn Hill CD and travel to the many charitable houses to spend time with less fortunate women and children. She sees no need for class stratification in our society today and to quote her, “everyone is equal.” Indeed. When your entourage of admirers and fans range from young school girls in your native country to Giorgio Armani to Oprah Winfrey to Bill Gates, there is just one thing left to say – Your Majesty, you’re a truly amazing woman.

For more information on Queen Rania and her tireless work, point your mouse here and here.