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World Cup: A lesson in humility

It pays to be humble at all times, even for footballers on the World Cup stage.

After England were trounced 4-1 by Germany, and before the Argentina vs Germany game last night, Argentina’s centreback Martin Demichelis took a dig at England defender John Terry.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-04

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  • Check out the programme for the George Town Festival: http://fb.me/DS8aetEC #
  • If you attended the Aliran dinner at the PJ Civic Centre on 26 June, let us know what you thought of it. Your name… http://fb.me/CxtsAyD3 #
  • Hey, did this really happen? Was it reported anywhere in the Malaysian media? http://fb.me/C4Gt544f #
  • How do you think the Malaysian economy is faring right now? Do you feel you are better off or worse off and why? #

Cry of desperation from Long Sebayang

The livelihood of native communities in Limbang, Sarawak, is being threatened by a politically well-connected timber company. It’s really the last stand for Along Sega, a much-respected local Penan leader and the local communities.


The Long Sebayang timber camp in Upper Limbang


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Activists and one media report say the company involved in this area is Lee Ling, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Concrete. Among the directors is Raziah @ Rodiah Mahmud, sister of Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud. She has a 2.03 per cent direct stake in Quality Concrete.

Bonanza in US property market too

It’s not just Canada that certain property investors are flocking to.

The US property market has received considerable attention as well.

PICC still on the cards

It looks as if the Penang government is still keen on the Penang International Convention Centre (PICC), going by a Bernama report.

The state should think again whether this is really a prudent use of our precious – and limited – financial resources. Even during colonial rule in early 19th-century Penang, the island’s British administrators experienced difficulty in raising funds. Little has changed now, with the BN federal government denying the state its rightful allocations and even by-passing the Penang state government by channelling funds through Finance Ministry-owned entities and parallel federally-overseen state development offices.

The way I look at it, the PICC is a luxury (or white elephant) we cannot afford especially when other privately built convention centres are already in the pipeline in Penang. Penang has so many other more pressing needs requiring the use of public funds e.g. the upgrading of public markets and a new computer system for the MPPP.

Second Scorpene submarine arrives

A second Scorpene submarine, the KD Tun Razak, has arrived in Malaysian waters.

Speakers’ Square: Hecklers enter the fray

Another historic day for Penang, Sunday, 27 June 2010: That’s when hecklers first made their presence felt at the recently opened Penang Speakers’ Square.

Hecklers are of course a regular feature at London’s Speakers’ Corner, and now they have become part and parcel of Penang’s Speakers’ Square. It’s good practice for up-and-coming public speakers when they have to contend with a less than receptive crowd. And all part of the fun.

The Penang Speakers’ Square, open in the evenings on Wednesdays and Sundays, is fast turning into a local attraction and a must-see for visitors to Penang. Dozens turn up especially on Sundays to listen to the speakers – and now the hecklers.

This report from theSun:

Gerakan speakers heckled

Mon, 28 Jun 2010


A senior citizen waves the front page of a Chinese daily which featured a report on Gerakan losing Penang in the March 8 general elections, while Kedah Gerakan secretary Tang Hing Lye was giving his speech at Speakers’ Square in George Town.

Drop in Felda reserves: Make accounts public

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Maslan revealed that Felda’s cash reserves had dwindled from RM4.1 billion in 2004 to RM1.4 billion last year.


Photo credit: Utusan/Felda.net

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The agreement to buy Menara Felda at the Platinum Park Site, Jln Stonor, KL, for RM641 million was signed in 2008 and the building was reportedly expected to be completed in four years (2012). Has the full payment for the building be made now? When will the building be ready?

Felda’s cash reserves have dropped by RM2.7 billion in five years. This was explained as follows:

When it rains in northern Penang…

This is the scene when it pours in Chee Seng Gardens, next to a controversial condo development project, which has exposed the hill-slopes. Elsewhere, the sea off Miami Bay and Moonlight Bay turns a muddy orange.


Photos by Chee Seng Garden residents and Hymeir Kamarudin of Batu Feringghi

Abolish ISA protest in Trafalgar Square

The Abolish ISA Movement (UK) held another demonstration outside the Tourism Malaysia office on Saturday, 26 June 2010.


Click on icon on bottom right of frame to toggle to full-screen mode – Photos by Danny Lim