Korean Wave Depression (Pact?)

A South Korean actor and singer, Park Yong Ha, 33, was found dead in his room by his mother after he apparently hanged himself with an electrical cord at his Nonhyun-dong, Seoul, home on Wednesday morning of June 30.

 

The evening prior to his death, on the 29th, Park missed a meeting with drama producers for his upcoming project "Love Song - Drama". 

His manager could not contact him and producers of "Love Song - Drama" are “in panic mode” because Park’s passing leaves them without a lead.

 

Park, after having debuted 15 years ago in youth shows like KBS’s 1995 "Love Blossoms in the Classroom" and 1996's "Start", he shot to fame with 2002’s "Winter Sonata", which made him a household name and a “Hallyu star” (Korean Wave Star). 

He rode the wave of Korean pop culture in Asia and won fans in Japan and other Asian countries.  Thus, he used that fame as a springboard to a singing career in Japan and releasing albums, where he enjoyed quite a lot of popularity.

 

He had a successful drama hit in 2008's "One Air", and totally stole viewers' heart in 2009’s.

Most recently, he had been chosen for the leading role in a Korean television drama, a remake of the high-profile popular 1996 Hong Kong film, "Comrades, Almost a Love Story" and shooting was set to begin in July. 

Park Yong-ha was cast alongside Yoon Eun-hye.

 

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KBS said Park spent his last moments on Tuesday night with his father, who is suffering from cancer. 

 

Around 12:40 am, he was with his father, massaging his father’s legs for a long while before leaving with the words: 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'

He then went into his room, where he was reportedly died from hanging, found by his mother in his room with a cell phone cord around his neck in the morning.

 

One producer said that they had seen Park occasionally in a down mood, but attributed it to news of Park’s father who recently moved back home from the hospital after his stomach cancer was deemed late-stage. 

A friend who met him a few months ago, had seen the depression in him and his father’s illness made things worse.

 

Park had said in an interview that he suffered from depression, which was exacerbated by prolonged promotional activities abroad.

In an interview last year while promoting his movie "The Scam" Park said that he had been suffering from insomnia for the past 10 years. 

He is rather sensitive that if something bothers him, he will not be able to sleep until it is resolved and is envious of people who can sleep well. 

Sleep is needed for him, for good mental health.

 

The parade of celebrity visits had begun, with stars coming to pay their respects to Park, whose body was transferred to a Kangnam hospital.

 

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The actor's co-star, currently acting in "Coffee House", is reportedly to be so distraught to receive a “huge shock” from the news and “is in very bad condition.”

There’s concern she won’t be able to continue filming as she had just spoke with him on the phone the night before and he sounded normal.

He even had made plans to meet friends later in the day.

One of his last call was reportedly with DBSK’s Hero Jaejoong (above right), who is currently recording in the U.S. with whom he’d grown closer.

He gave the latter advice about pursuing singer activities in Japan and they had agreed to have a drink together when Jaejoong he is back to Korea.

Park’s last twitter message was posted Saturday the 26th and was about the World Cup.
“We lost. But they did well. clap clap clap~ Everyone, let’s clap with warm hears for our national soccer team, who return with heavy steps. Good job!!”

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If confirmed of suicide, Park would be the latest of a number of entertainers to kill themselves.

His passing is a reminder of the recent string of celebrity suicides, from the deaths of actresses Lee Eun-ju in 2005 and Jeong Da-bin in 2007 to that of actor Ahn Jae-hwan in 2008 and “Boys Over Flowers” actress Jang Ja-yeon in 2009.
Top movie actor Choi Jin-young’s suicide was in March, nearly two years after his sister, actress, Choi Jin-sil, committed suicide in 2008.　

Choi Jin Shil rose to fame with a TV commercial, appearing as a newly wedded bride.

Her cute and smart image in the commercial was an instant success.
She soon became a a household name and her popularity was widely considered due to her friendly and approachable demeanour rather than the statuesque looks of her contemporaries.
Her popularity made her a South Korean actress appearing in various soap operas and movies, whether comical or sad, in most part were characters the audience could easily relate to.

They were all successful, notably 1990 "My Love My Bride" and 1992 "Jealousy and Promise".

Her growing popularity opened up her past history of poverty stricken teenage years became known to the public and this added to her popularity as a success story of hard work coming to fruition.
Her personal image along with the roles she played won her the title ‘People’s star’.

Her popularity stumbled twice during her career.
In 1994, her manager Bae Byung Soo was stabbed to death by her driver and the second was her divorce to the baseball player Cho Sung Min in September 2004.
Both times she made her way into the hearts of her fans by giving fervent performances in her roles. 1997 "You and I" and 2005 "My Rosy Life".

In her last TV drama 2008, coincidentally titled, "Last Scandal", she played the character of a divorcee who wins the hearts of 2 handsome successful brothers and eventually marries one of them.
The show was a huge success and a new word ‘Joomarella’, a combination of the words ajooma (middle aged woman) and Cinderella came to popular use to describe a divorcee who regains love and a happy life.

Pressure was mounting on her to be always at the top of stardom and the confidence in her as a single mother.

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In late September 2008, actor Ahn Jae Hwan, one of her best friend’s husband, committed suicide due to failing business and high volume of debt and Choi was rumoured to have lent a large sum of money to Ahn which spread rapidly through online reports and blogs.

It was a shock to Choi. The police reported the rumour to be false.
On the day of Choi’s death, all 3 major TV stations spent a third of their news hour on covering the story.
4 days after her death, a representative at the National Assembly suggested a new law to prevent ‘cyber-insulting’ which for a short period had the nick name of ‘Choi Jin Shil Law’.

Choi Jin Shil committed suicide October 2, 2008 at the age of 39.

Although there have been reports of Choi’s suffering from depression since her divorce with Cho, this rumour was favoured and as the key factor leading up to her suicide.

After the actress-sister, Choi Jin-shil's suicide, Korean actor Choi Jin-young, 39, was found dead on March 29 in an apparent suicide too.

The actor was battling depression and sunk into a prolonged spell following his sister’s death.

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Lee Eun-ju, who was born on 22 December 1980, studied piano for much of her youth, but found work as a model. 

Later, she was offered roles in various TV dramas. 

Her first film debut was in 1999 "Rainbow Trout". Her first lead role 2000 "Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors", where she gave one of the most memorable performances in all Hong Kong films. 
However, her later career was a flop at the box-office, plus a key role in the record-breaking Korean War film "Taeguki".

In late 2004 "The Scarlett Letter" in which this was to be her final role, it was screened as the Closing Film at the 2004 Pusan International Film Festival. 

Tragically Lee Eun-ju committed suicide on 22 February 2005 at her apartment in Bundang, Seongnam, a few days after her graduation from Dankook University. 
She had been suffering from depression for a year and had sought treatment at a hospital but her family blamed the suicide on severe bouts of depression, mental illness and insomia due to the nude scene she had done in "The Scarlet Letter". 
She had apparently tried to slit her wrist before hanging herself.

She left a suicide note scrawled in blood, in which she wrote, "Mom, I am sorry and I love you."
A separate note said, "I wanted to do too much. Even though I live, I'm not really alive. I don't want anyone to be disappointed. It's nice having money... I wanted to make money." 

The news of her death prompted a massive outpouring grief of fellow actors and filmmakers. 
She is remembered for her talent, intelligence and passion that made her stand out among the actress of her generations.
Hundreds of her fellow actors and entertainers attended her funeral.


Lee Eun-ju's friends and colleagues have held memorials for her every year since her passing. She was cremated and enshrined in a crypt at Goyang.

Lee Eun-ju's Suicide Note: (translated)

"Mom, I love you. I'll protect you. 

I wanted to work so much. I wasn't doing work on purpose; 
i couldnt, 
but the ppl around me couldnt recognize and understand it...
how could they know how i feel if they're not me..."

"Mom, when i think about it, i know i have to live, 
but even when im living i'm not. I'll protect you. 
I'll always protect you right next to you. 


I didn't want to hate anyone. I tried to handle it myself..."


"No..I have no feelings...I'm not me..
I wanted to go back a year from now. 
I prayed everyday, but it was just a foolish wanting.
If it was a year ago, I'd be able to live like me."

"I'm relieved that I saw dad's face 2 days ago.

Money is not everything, but it's such a hard life because of it. 
I don't like money either."

"My one and only big brother, 
you were way better and talented than me 
but I'm sorry because you didn't get the love. 
I bet there were many disappointing times because of me. 


I wanted to go to many places and wanted to do many things. 
I wanted to eat many things too, 
but living in a house with the family..living in 1 house, 
I thought we could've lived happily by doing what we wanted to do 
and going wherever we wanted to go.."

"The person I love the most, mom, 
I wanted to make you happy...I'll protect you."

"The last talk on the phone, big sis, 
I was thankful, sorry, and it was hard. 


The person that told me today's the day. 
I thank you.

The people that loved me when I couldn't do anything, 
I wanted to meet and laugh together, 
I didn't avoid on purpose. 


I know it is important, 
but I'm sorry I cant agree anymore." ;(**

Money Temptation

An ex-neighbour, who worked as a bank-teller had once told me, his good friend, a bank-teller too, was too tempted with monies around him, that the good friend brought home several thousand ringgit of the newly delivered money meant for the next day's business after they knocked off from their overtime at around 10pm.

He called up the mother to inform of her son's temptation.
The mother persuaded him to return the money but he claimed that the money was righfully his as he's overworked and underpaid. 

The mother did not sleep the whole night but sat on her praying rug, praying for God to enlighten him.

The next day, after the morning prayer, the good friend went to work earlier than usual, placed the money where it was supposed to be, and submitted his resignation letter.
No one knew about the incidence except my good neighbour.

To forget the whole episode, my neighbour too, resigned from the bank.

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Then, on another occasion, I was at a house where it was affected by flood in Segamat a few years ago.

My friend was only able to clean her house after 3 days the flood receded as she still had to work during the flood. Worst still, she worked almost 12 hours daily. 

Although she works in the bank counting money, but during the flood, she brought her iron to work - to iron money.

Flood water seeped into the ATM machine at her working place and all monies in the machine were completely wet. 

How was it to see lots and lots of money? I asked her.
Whatever is hers is hers. Whatever is not, working with money is not for the gullible, she said.

Yes, I admit. I used to collect  fees  and it sum up to thousands.

Money can be said as the essence of life or the root of evil, any which statement we choose.

Today's Straits Times stumped me as I can assume that this immature youth's proud parents, whose son work in Singapore are now ashamed. 

He will be barred from entering the country. His future?




Jailed For Stealing $50,000  

A CERTIS Cisco vault assistant, who was in charge of keeping cash boxes and helped himself to S$50,000, was jailed 1 1/2 years on Monday. Worker Lim Ming Yao pleaded guilty in a district court to stealing the money and taking it to Malaysia.

The court heard that the 19-year-old started work at Certis Cisco in April.
As the vault assistant, the Malaysian was to assist the vault custodian in issuing and receiving these boxes containing cash for automated teller machines or holding the cash earnings of retail businesses.

On June 5, Lim cut open a box in the inner sanctum of the vault at the Certis Cisco Secure Logistics centre in Jalan Afifi and stuffed the money in his jeans pocket and later placed the money in a sling bag.
After his shift ended at 7am the next day, Lim signed out taking the sling bag full of money, and crossed over to Johor after 8am.

Certis Cisco reported the theft on June 9 - four days after the offence.

However, within weeks, Lim was tired of life on the run and surrendered himself with $41,150 and RM900 (S$380) on him.
Asking District Judge Lee Poh Choo for a lenient sentence, Lim said that he surrendered himself because he realised his mistake.

The Malaysian was jailed 1 1/2 years for stealing from his employer and jailed nine months for moving criminal proceeds amounting to $50,000 out of the country. As the sentences were ordered to run together, he will have to serve only 1 1/2 years in jail.

Cannibalism, An Act Of Psychiatric Problem?

Nicolas Cocaign ate part of his cellmate's lung

The shaved head, bearded and face covered in tattoos, French prisoner, 39-year-old Nicolas Cocaign, was in custody awaiting trial for attempted armed robbery.

In a gruesome prison incident, Nicolas Cocaign and Thierry Baudry had a fight when Cocaign asked Baudry to wash his hands after he had used the toilet during the night of Jan. 2, 2007.
He was angry about the way Baudry kept blocking the toilet they shared with paper, confronted him and was met with a "dirty look which was very aggressive".
The two started fighting, with Cocaign punching and kicking Baudry at least a dozen times in the face and stomach, before stabbing him with a pair of scissors and then suffocating him with a rubbish bag.
He killed his cellmate.
Then, Cocaign then sliced open Baudry's chest with a razor blade, removed a rib and pulled out an organ which he believed was the man's heart, but the man allegedly removed the wrong organ and devoured his lung by mistake.
He ate part of the raw lung and liked what he did. He then fried the rest of it with some onions, olive oil, salt and pepper on a portable camping stove which the prisoners are to use in cells of the Rouen prison.

Under interrogation before the trial, Cocaign said he had turned cannibal because he wanted to take the victim's soul, as was quoted by The Daily Mail.

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Born in 1971, Nicolas Cocaign  was abandoned by his 21-year-old homeless mother and cared for by the state until he was adopted aged 3.

From the age of 6, he was already under the care of a psychologist.
His childhood report suggested he had difficulty telling right from wrong and his mental difficulties worsened when he was allegedly raped at the age of 13. From then on, he developed 'violent sexual compulsions.

He told the court on Monday of his stressed troubled background and mental instability.
Aware of his impulses, Cocaign had requested psychiatric help in 1998 and asked to be placed in isolation in 2006. He made several appeals for help, saying he was a man capable of being dangerous. No one was listening to him. The authorities ignored appeals for psychological assistance. There was the "failure of the psychiatric, penitentiary and social system".

He had a long history of mental problems even before he sliced open his victim. He has to take action for the authority to take him seriously - Acts of cannibalism while the victim was still alive. Cocaign addressed the family of the victims saying should they accept his apology, he wanted to excuse himself before the Baudry family.

Thursday verdict that he will have to serve at least 20 years of his 30 year sentence. The 39-year-old may benefit from early release after psychiatric treatment and good behavior as prosecutor did not seek a life sentence because the defendant was mentally unstable. It is exceptional to see a psychologically disturbed person say he has to be treated.

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The entire barbaric incident was witnessed by a third cellmate, David Lagrue, 36, who had initially tried to separate Cocaign and Baudry when they started fighting.
Lagrue was so traumatised by what happened that he ended up committing suicide in another prison in November 2009.

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In southwest China, Wang Chaoxu, of Qixian village in Yunnan, believer of an old wives' tale that eating a child's brain could cure fits.

He killed Li Xueetang, an 11-year-old boy and ate his brain in order to cure his epilepsy. The Sun reported that the top of his head was peeled back and part of his brain removed.



Mother of the boy 

Heartbroken mum Yu Chaohu became anxious when her son disappeared late at night.

It was getting dark and she could not find his son anywhere in the village. She even asked the village head to broadcast on the radio to ask her son to return home for dinner.

A few hours later Li was found, after a villager Zhang Huansheng saw a man kneeling over him, and holding him by the neck. The boy's mum was desperate to see her son but was told the body was too badly damaged. She has nightmares thinking about what had happened to her son.

Li Xuetang was found buried three miles away in a grain field in a neighbouring village

Wang Wenzhong, the village leader, found two blood stained rocks in the field and some fractured bones, before the boy's body was discovered buried nearby.
Police said the boy, Li Xuetang, was found buried nearly 5km away in a grain field in a neighbouring village.

Wang Chaoxu was arrested and told police he believed eating the brain with earthworms and ants would cure his illness. He was married to a nurse, but she left him because his illness meant he was unable to work.

A 3-year-old girl, who was reported missing and found dead in public toilets with a knife cut to her head on the same day, may also be one of his victims. Police are investigating whether the cases are linked.

Testing My Sense Of Humour

I am feeling that my sense of humour is tested.

Home Ministry Secretary General Mahmood Adam said on the official news agency  Bernama  announced it had banned 3 works of political cartoons that criticise the government. The government said the cartoons in 2 books and a magazine posed a security threat.
All the 3 publications have been banned for their contents can influence the people to revolt against the leaders, government policies and, the contents are said not suitable and detrimental to public order.
Printing, distributing or possessing prohibited material is punishable by up to 3 years in jail.

One of the works are mainly collections of comics by Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar,  a multi-faceted cartoonist,  was obligated to highlight issues other cartoonists would not question about current events, like the trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar. - Photo: AP

 

The 2 books that had been published are  "Perak, Land Of Cartoons"  in Malay, a compilation of cartoons already published on Malaysiakini's website, an independent online news portal, and "1 Funny Malaysia", which was published late last year.

The magazine, "Issues In Cartoons" in Malay, with a circulation of 15,000 copies, was launched in February with 3 volumes coming out since then.

Meanwhile, Zunar, a  professional cartoonist  for more than 20 years, who first published his cartoon at the age of 9, vowed not to stop drawing. Malaysian government, to him, will not allow alternative views. Whatever art work done, it must be in line with the government's view. He is still waiting for an official letter from the ministry.
Hundreds of copies  of his publications had been seized by authorities for inspections from vendors throughout Malaysia.
Another magazine which he began publishing was also banned last year after the first volume. He estimated the latest ban may cost him up to RM70,000 (S$30,066) as distributors were likely to return his publications.

Malaysiakini's chief executive officer, Premesh Chandran, said there is no evidence of public disturbance stemming from Zunar's cartoons. It is going to file a court case to challenge the ban of Zunar's book.

In Anticipation Of Not An Orchard Reservoir

The Meteorological Services Division had issued warning of a very heavy rain yesterday morning.

Heavy showers with thunder and gusty winds was expected over many areas of Singapore yesterday morning and Public Utalities Board (PUB) said flash floods may occur in low-lying areas.

What we saw last Wednesday, flood at Orchard Road, might happen again.

The worst-hit Orchard Road / Scotts Road intersection. 

 

People were reminded of the implications of a simple act of convenience - littering. The flash flood is known to be caused by choked drains.

 

Choked drains led to flash floods.  

 

The choked drains which was inspected every 3 to 6 months were the cause of massive flooding in Orchard Road. 

 

The Wednesday investigations was carried out after the water level in the drains had fully subsided within one hour, at about 11.30am. It traced the cause to a culvert near Delfi Orchard. The culvert diverts water from Nassim and Cuscaden Road into two sections of Stamford Canal, which runs along Orchard Road. The thorough investigations included a hydraulic analysis and physical checks of the Stamford Canal drainage system. 

 

The heavy build-up of debris carried by rainwater during Wednesday morning's intense rain partially trapped in the culvert caused the blockage in rainwater to be diverted into only one section of the Stamford Canal drainage system, just behind Tanglin Shopping Centre. The mostly-vegetation area was eventually built up and was trapped in a drain downstream, leading to rainwater overflowing onto Orchard Road.

 

Hence, the agency will immediately step up the frequency of maintenance inspections of critical closed drains every month, instead of every 3 to 6 months to ensure that such blockages do not occur again although it has already put in place a comprehensive system comprising litter traps and maintenance of drainage system to ensure the drains remain clear and free-flowing. At present, contractors are deployed after every storm to check and clear debris from the drains. 

 

More litter traps will be installed in the open sections of drains to trap debris carried into the drains during a downpour. More water level sensors will also be installed to detect any irregular spikes in water levels along Stamford Canal to enable closer monitoring of unusual peaks and dips in water levels and to enhance investigations. 

 

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When the rain first started at about 8am, PUB mobilised its contractors and staff on standby at Cuscaden Road, Wilby Road, Jalan Haji Alias and Little India, the hotspots and flood-prone areas. The flood gate at the Upper Bukit Timah area was operated. SMS alerts were sent to the management of condominiums located in the water level sensor area. 

 

The Traffic Police were alerted when the torrent intensified at about 9.15am. 

 

PUB advised the public to exercise caution as flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms. They can obtain the latest weather reports, including heavy rain warnings, by tuning in to radio broadcasts, calling NEA's weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, visiting  the NEA website  or accessing  the mobile weather service.

 

Singapore's national water agency PUB maintains that its drainage systems are developed for Singapore's rapid urbanisation.

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The National Environment Agency, (NEA), has recruited some 170 Litter-Free Ambassadors. The first batch of these ambassadors fanned out across Singapore's 24 hotspots and wasted no time in spreading the word - Rubbish Belongs To The Bin.

 

They are acting as the eyes and ears on 24 litter hotspots, such as Yishun Avenue 6, Joo Chiat Road, the area near Choa Chu Kang MRT station/bus interchange and Stirling Road area near Punggol Community Indoor Sports Hall. The area outside the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) is known to be blacklisted as about 800 litterbugs have been caught in the Stirling Road area since 2007.

The badge of Litter-Free Ambassadors will patrol litter hotspots at least once a month. Although they do not have the power to issue fines, it is hoped that their presence will help to promote responsible behaviour and encourage others to speak up when they spot a litterbug in the act. They have been trained on ways to approach litterbugs - They will try to persuade the culprits to pick up the littered litter when seeing someone littering. They will be on a look out for bins that cannot hold any more litter, and new litter hotposts. All these effort and inputs will be forwarded to the NEA - Small acts like these will go a long way in fixing the problem. 

 

Littering cigarette butts, drink-cans and wrappers although may get out of the sight, but it does not vanish into thin air - It might be swept away by a cleaning worker, or it might end up in a drain, canal or water passage.

 

The public can also call PUB's 24-hour Call Centre at 1800-284 6600 to report obstructions in drains or to check the flood situation. If the public knows of any other affected areas, they are advised to send details and photos.

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The worst flash-flood in Orchard Road. 

 

Heavy downpour that caused flash floods on Wednesday morning wreaked havoc on many parts of central Singapore, flooding basement carparks and shops, and making roads impassable to cars.

The worst-hit area was the Orchard Road and Scotts Road intersection, with large stretches from Paterson Road - where Ion Orchard and Wheelock Towers are. Ngee Ann City submerged in nearly half a metre of flood waters.

The flood in the worst-hit Orchard caused shopkeepers many problems. Some businesses are reeling from flood damage with the main damage is likely to come from the costs of replacing carpets, furniture and merchandise.
Those with parquet floorings saw signs of damage much later. Thus they will need some time to assess the damage and wait for quotes from contractors for repairs.
And some, just pick up whatever is left as they cannot count on the mall management to help foot the bill.

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The Orchard Road Business Association, (ORBA), urged retailers to fall back on their own insurance policies if the damage is within the premises. They have to rely on their own insurance policies as it is not under the purview of the mall's management or owners unless the management has done something to contribute to the damage. The problems now, are flowing over to insurance companies.

Insurance companies expect the claims to come mainly from businesses which are equipment intensive or are located at the basement of buildings and they will have to compensate for damages filed under "works of nature".

Firms like NTUC Income are expecting a number of claims from businesses which suffered losses and those who bought the policy that covers flood and, or "business interruption", to cover the period where they have to close down and they may lose income during that period.

The expected insurance claims from Orchard Road flood is estimated to amount to at least S$6 million for now and will likely increase when more cases are filed. 

The basements of one of the shopping malls.

 

The floods had kept away customers too. There was no sales on that fateful Wednesday but just splash at Orchard Road. 

 

The basements of some shopping malls along Orchard Road were flooded, damaging some of the retailers' goods.

 

The basement of Liat Towers was flooded, affecting shops like Starbucks and Hermes Luxury goods retailer Hermes handbags costing thousands of dollars were destroyed in a flash by the Wednesday flood. 

 

The staff of 14 at the 3-day-old Wendy's restaurant in Liat Towers took service levels to the extreme when they put their customers on their backs and carried them to drier ground upon seeing flood waters started rising above knee level at about 10.20am when brownish rainwater started streaming in. 

 

The restaurant is expected to close for up to 6 weeks as it would have to spend some time in re-doing the outlet. It is going back to the drawing board as everything had been affected by the flood and it has to start doing up things again, from the basic.

 

In the meantime, its 40 employees are deployed to other outlets in Lau Pa Sat and Jurong Point, which are now open 24/7 during the World Cup Season. The eatery is likely to incur a loss of over S$500,000 worth of damages to its equipment and infrastructure. 

 

SCDF personnel were called in to pump water out of the flooded basement of Liat Towers.

 

In Lucky Plaza, one of the older buildings, only a few shops had opened at about 10.30am and many others were still setting up for the day. 

 

The first negative sign that the day would be bad for retailers came when water started cascading down the stairs from the street into basement stores. Shops stocked everything from mobile phones to computer peripherals. 

 

Some shopkeepers loss S$2,000 per day, and others suffered heavier losses between S$8,000 and S$10,000 worth of goods in the flood. They scrambled to save their wares but found themselves in metre-high water in no time. Besides damage to their goods, several shops at the mall also suffered electricity trips.

The retailers, like Watson's, said the management should know that the basement of the building floods every year.

There are about 90 stores on that level, many of them selling electronic goods. It was the worst flooding they had seen in years. 

 

PUB and its contractors had helped owners of affected buildings to pump out water from the basements. 

The Orchard Road Business Association is looking at working with the relevant authorities and government agencies on preventive measures. The Wednesday downpour is the worst as it had greatly affected shopping malls. The flood is quite unusual and it is quite unfortunate that it happens once in 25 years. The association is very concerned and sympathised with retailers, especially those at Liat Towers and Lucky Plaza. 

 

Besides Liat Towers, some shops at Lucky Plaza are also not ready to open.

The 300mm high flood waters had flooding basement carparks. The knee-high  flood waters forced about 15 parked cars to be evacuated. Workers were sent in with generators and long pipes to pump out the water. 

 

PUB advised the public to exercise caution as flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms.

 

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Marriot Hotel, which was in the flood area was not affected and none of the events held on its premises were cancelled. However, the hotel also has contingency plans in place, in the form of suction pumps located in its basement.

 

Underground, MRT trains did not see an extra flow of passengers or rainwater because the PUB had advised the operator to ensure that the stations are flood-resistant. Anti-flooding features are being built into MRT stations based on the highest flooding level ever recorded in the past 20 to 30 years. A flight of stairs can prevent rainwater from overflowing into MRT stations underground. 

 

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Not only shops were affected. Homes along Orchard Road, Bukit Timah and Thomson Road were flooded too as heavy rains swelled up canals around the central areas of Singapore as the intense flooding was so sudden. Within 2 hours of rainfall, the deluge submerged roads and spilled into retail areas and private homes. The flood waters fully covered open drains, sidewalks and bus stops.

Bus Stop. - All Photos: The Straits Times 

 

Litters, twigs and dead leaves swirled and floating along the dirt-red swirl of water just below where the cold and wet commuters waiting for buses at bus stops. Bus services were disrupted for a few hours, from about 10am to 1pm. Many Singaporeans faced with one of the worst flash floods which havoc in many areas last Wednesday after a heavy early morning downpour. 

 

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers had to be deployed too, to help people off buses and stalled cars. The officers were out in force, helped to evacuate 60 passengers from 2 double-decker buses stuck in flood waters and free about 10 people trapped in 6 cars to safety. In some cases, SCDF personnel had to carry children out of the vehicles.

 

Public Utalities Board (PUB) despatched its officers and contractors to help stranded motorists, residents whose homes were flooded and owners of premises at affected locations.

 

At the Orchard Road and the Scotts Road intersection. Photo: Stomp

 

Part of the CTE had to be closed for about two hours on Wednesday due to a fallen tree and it was then closed to prevent traffic from going into Orchard Road. 

 

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) dispatched 2 fire engines to the junction of Orchard Road and Paterson Road. Traffic was brought to a crawl and it created chaos, especially towards the city. PUB, Traffic Police and SCDF officers were at the various sites providing help to motorists and directing traffic.

 

******

 

The last known major flooding at the Orchard Road / Scotts Road junction was in 1984. It was the worst flooding in the prime shopping belt since the Stamford Canal was widened. The canal had served well since it was widened.

 

The national water agency, PUB said the Wednesday's flood was the worst in Orchard Road since the area's main drainage artery, Stamford Canal, was widened in 1984. Nevertheless, compared to the previous years when flood covered 2,000 hectares, now it is 66 hectares. There are still areas that will be subjected to floods. But the nature of the flood is very different from the previous flood.

 

In the past, it used to be very extensive, and for a longer duration, and the depth of the water is a lot of worse. And those floods can be very disruptive and disabling. 

Put all these together, everybody has to get down to the root of today's flooding - The average rainfall for June is 162 mm and last Wednesday's rainfall was 101mm within 2 hours.  

 

The public was warned that flash floods may still occur in the event of heavy storms, and the public was urged to exercise caution.

Sorry, Can't Resist The Laughter

A Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu woman was forbidden to look at herself in the mirror for a month by a medium.

She followed the rule thinking that was supposedly to avoid the magic in the treatment formula from being dispelled - She is on the highway to become the sexiest lady in town through traditional treatment. The 33-year-old's hope for a magical transformation into a pretty maiden. But she realised the magic did not work when the big day came.
After 31 days, her appearance was still the same chubby woman with blackheads, pimples and all.
She had parted with RM2,250 (S$980), at least RM250 (S$110) for each treatment session. The victim then confronted the medium at his house to get a refund.

She lodged a police report the same day, at the end of January 2010. Police arrested a 34-year-old man to facilitate investigations.

******

A retired couple lost their life savings of RM750,000 (S$326,000) when they were cheated into handing it over to a bomoh, a traditional medicine man, who claimed he could cure the husband’s illness.

The husband could be cured if they gave him RM750,000 to be placed in a coffin. The medicine man convinced them to buy the coffin and have it kept in a temple in Kuching, Sarawak, and he would place the money in it on their behalf.
The husband would be cured provided the money was not touched for 3 years.

Sungai Maong Cheif Insp Stanley Mawan points at the seized mini coffin used to store the RM750,000. Photo: The Star

The incident happened in the middle of 2009 but the couple only lodged a police report on the second week of January 2010 after suspecting that they had been cheated.
Police arrested the bomoh, 35, and his accomplice, 47, at separate locations.

Police also seized the coffin, which was empty, and a vehicle which the bomoh was believed to have purchased with the money.

Reality Bites

My Heart Beats Very Fast Upon Reading This In The Stars. 

Published: Saturday June 19, 2010 MYT 2:59:00 PM
Updated: Saturday June 19, 2010 MYT 3:04:08 PM 

Idris Jala sticks to his guns By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Idris Jala insists that Malaysia needs to start reducing subsidies or face the risk of bankruptcy.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said that since 1998, Malaysia has been operating on a deficit budget, which has seen its debts increase.
He said the country's debt was growing around 12% annually and it would not be able sustain this based on the last decade's annual gross development growth of 4%.
"We have been borrowing to spend, it is increasing our deficit and debt, we cannot go on like this," Idris said at a talk with Parti Bersatu Sabah members on the 10th Malaysia Plan and other the government transformation programmes, here, Saturday.
"If you earn RM1,000 and spend RM1,200 a month, then you have borrow and if you go on (without an increase in salary), you are heading for bankruptcy as you won't be able to pay the debts," he explained.
Idris, however, said Malaysia's debt was still manageable but what was necessary was to reduce expenditure.
He said mechanisms had been worked out to assist the poorer groups if the subsidies were taken away.
Idris also said that Malaysia's 10% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first half this year was a good sign for its planned economic transformation to a high-income country.

 ******

Too Good If Indeed It Is True. 

Tuesday June 1, 2010 

Too dramatic to say we’ll go broke, says economist

KUALA LUMPUR: To say that Malaysia will go bankrupt by 2019 if subsidies are not withdrawn is a “terribly dramatic and inappropriate way” to justify the end of subsidies, said an economist and Umno supreme council member.
Although phasing out subsidies is a pragmatic move, Datuk Dr Norraesah Mohamad said the country was on a solid footing owing to a good economic outlook, prudent financial management and tight monetary policies.
Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Idris Jala had recently said Malaysia would go bankrupt in 2019 if subsidies were not reduced across the board over five years.
Idris, also the chief executive officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), said the cuts were aimed at saving up to RM103bil to partially repay the nation’s huge debt and address fiscal deficit.
In assessing Malaysia’s economic position, Dr Norraesah said it was “ridiculous to subscribe to a formula” that Malaysia would be condemned to bankruptcy because:
> Malaysia’s economic outlook is positive, as two-digit growth was registered for the first quarter of this year;
> Malaysia’s budget situation will substantially improve over the next few years because the economy is growing;
> Malaysia’s very prudent financial management and tight monetary policies do not allow for dubious cross country swaps like what happened in Greece, further aggravating its debt situation;
> Malaysia is not caught in the euro capsule like Greece. “We have our own money and therefore can deal and manage our costs and prices”;
> Malaysia enjoys a high saving rate. The Employees’ Provident Fund has accumulated savings of RM360bil as at Dec 31, 2009;
> Malaysia’s abundant resources and diversified economy are reinforcing factors that guarantees the country will not plunge into bankruptcy.
Dr Norraesah agreed that phasing out subsidies was a “pragmatic move and a sound economic decision” that must be made because it ate into the national fiscal position, mis-allocate resources and distort more effective use of available development funds.
“Besides, the one-size-fits-all subsidy policy is not sustainable and socially unacceptable,” said the PhD (Economic Science) holder from University of Paris I, Phantheon-Sorbonne, France.
Greece, Dr Norraesah pointed out, had all sorts of problems that were not affecting Malaysia.
For example, while Greece’s budget deficit was an unacceptable 13.6% in 2009, the budget deficit for Malaysia had been brought down from 7% to 5.6 % in last year’s budget.

******

A Bomb-Shell Dropped.

Friday May 28, 2010 

Idris: RM103b can be saved, Government debt growing by 12% yearly 

TEH ENG HOCK and SHAUN HO enghock@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will save RM103bil over the next five years if it slashes its subsidy bill now.
On the other hand, the country would become bankrupt by 2019 if the Government debt continued to grow by 12% per year, warned Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.
“If we do not do anything, by 2019, our debt will equal our GDP. We do not want to end up as another Greece,” he said at the Subsidy Rationalisation Open Day.

To the point:i Idris explaining the hard facts concerning subsidy cuts during the Subsidy Rationalistion Lab open day in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Idris labelled the move to cut subsidies as “the most unpopular decision the Government has made since Independence”.
“You may be angry today. You and I do not like this. Nobody will be dancing on the streets to celebrate this, but we must do it for our future generation.
“If we vote not to do this (cut subsidies), our children in later years will condemn us for not taking the right decision,” he said.
Idris, who is also Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) chief executive officer, said he was encouraged that 61% out of 191,592 respondents who took part in an SMS poll supported the subsidy reduction.
To another poll question, 66% said the reduction should be done over between three and five years, he said.
Recommendations from Pemandu’s subsidy rationalisation lab, where key players from the public sector, private sector and non-governmental organisations brainstormed over six weeks, were displayed at the open day.
Later, Idris told reporters that Pemandu would process the public feedback on the proposals before presenting its report to the Cabinet.

Forgetful Parents, Babies Still In The Car?

Forgetful Father 
LARNACA (Cyprus) - A 5-year-old Cyprus boy was found dead in the family car,
forgotten there for nearly eight hours by his doctor father while he carried out emergency surgery,
police said on Wednesday 2nd June.

A post mortem indicated that the boy could have died from a heart attack
and not from heatstroke or asphyxiation as first feared.
'The child had quite serious heart problems that were discovered during the autopsy.
For a final conclusion we must await the results of tissue tests,'
state pathologist Eleni Antoniou told reporters.

She said the child had been dead for 6 hours before he was found ruling out the June heat as a factor and suggesting an unknown heart defect was the cause of death.
Police said they found the boy dead at 5:00 pm (10.00 pm Singapore time) on Tuesday afternoon
in the car parked outside a private clinic in the southern coastal town of Larnaca.

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) the police found the car locked,
the boy was in the back seat and there was an empty water bottle next to him. - AFP

******

Forgetful Mother
KINGSVILLE - Police say a 1-year-old girl died after being left in a hot car in southern Texas for about 45 minutes.

Kingsville Police Chief Ricardo Torres says the child's mother had just returned home from picking up her children when she mistakenly left the toddler in the family car on Wednesday afternoon,
the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported.
No charges have been filed,
but the case has been turned over to prosecutors.

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports the temperature about 5 p.m. on Wednesday,
when police were called, was 91 degrees(32.78 Celsius). -- AP

Abused While Alive And After Death

Not Only Physically Abused
A 65-year-old American woman with dementia was locked in a tiny room - with a urine-soaked mattress to sleep on and a dog bowl to drink from for months - so that her three "keepers" could live off her monthly government pension cheques.

A police officer sent to the suspects' home in Anderson, Indianapolis found Anna Turner locked in the 2m by 2.5m storage room, police said in a probable cause affidavit.
One of the suspects, Luigi A. Amalfitano, 45, told the officer that he didn't know Turner and that she wasn't at the home.
But the officer conducted a sweep of the home and found Turner in a room that was "barely fit to contain an animal, let alone a human being".

Amalfitano, his 20-year-old son Louis A. Amalfitano, and his son's girlfriend, 21-year-old Stephanie Lynette Cole were arrested and face preliminary charges of exploitation of an endangered adult.
The Amalfitanos also face preliminary charges of confinement and battery, and Cole faces a preliminary charge of aiding confinement.
The three remained jailed on Friday, May 28 on US$100,000 (S$140,000) cash bonds.

Anderson police Detective Mitch Carroll said Turner suffered severe physical abuse at the house and was gaunt, malnourished and had a black eye and large bruises on her arm and body when she was taken from the home. - AP

******

Spiritually Abused Too

ALTHOUGH the old granny was surviving on the little allowance subsidised by the Social Welfare Department, she took good care of her grandson.

After all the love and efforts she showered on the boy, the granny did not get back the treatment she deserved.
She died in 2008 but was only laid to rest a year later as the grandson lost all the money for her funeral at the gambling table.

The grandson (left) was taken back to the training centre from the court (Photo: Oriental Daily)

A court in the Special Administrative Region found the odd-job worker, 19, guilty and ordered him to continue with his rehabilitation course at a training centre.
The teenager had been undergoing the course since November 2008 after he was found guilty of selling illegal cigarettes.

According to Ming Bao, the grandson was sent to live with his grandmother in Hong Kong by his parents, who remained in China when he was nine years old.
In August 2008, the grandmother died at the hospital.
Then, a sum of HK$10,750 (S$2,050) was deposited into the grandson's account by the Social Welfare Department for the granny's funeral arrangements.

Two days after the money was given, the grandson took all of them and travelled to Macau.
He only returned five hours later after losing the money at he gambling table.
His grandmother was left at the hospital mortuary for a year and was only laid to rest in August 2009 with the help of police and the Social Welfare Department.

Anything Left For Earning An Honest Living?

I did not believe Kak Asmah when she said, her husband has to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to bring home RM1,000.

Even then, one thousand is not sufficient for the family of 6 with the forever rising cost of basic necessities. She supplemented the security guard's salary with looking after neighbours' children and sewing at home.

But my ex-neighbour, the husband, once a security guard with a bank, agree with the statement, and with a black chapter in the course of his job.

After clocking out on that particular payday few years ago, he withdrew his salary but the amount turned his face, pale - Balance RM2.00.
He checked with the bank that he guarded and it was confirmed his salary of RM600 per month had been withdrawn just hours earlier. There's NO OTHER WAYS to check the culprit although it was rumoured that it was an insider's job.

Although this happened a few years ago and he is now a taxi-driver, but looking back how the family went through the horror and harrowing period, it is still clear in my mind.
His experience shuddered me seeing another security guard, who used to pass by my house when he was staying nearby then, on his way to work riding his motorbike, with an arm slinging on his right shoulder.

Often I told My Husband, should... one fine day, he is being pushed while riding his motorbike and the bad intention culprit take away the loaded arm from him, I cannot imagine what the next episode will unfold.
For the meagre salary of less than RM1,000 salary per month, I always ask myself if his life worth risking while travelling on the main road with the arm, slinging on his shoulder, attracting the eyes many road users.

As I read what had been by The Star for the past 2 days, I can only sigh, knowingly that it is not going to be any time sooner when?????? the effort of all security guards guarding premises will be acknowledged and justly salaried.

******

The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) is against the Government's postponement of the minimum new salary scheme of an estimated 150,000 security guards nationwide salary which was supposed to be effective July.

The increase of 67% to 75% from their current salaries will see them getting the take-home pay of between RM1,100 and RM1,450 a month, including overtime pay and allowances.
On April 22, the ministry announced it would implement the Wage Regulations Order (Le­­gal Minimum Wages for Private Security Guards) 2010 from July 1, despite calls from the industry to allow the companies concerned to prepare for it.

On Sunday, June 13, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subrama­niam announced that the Cabinet had decided to delay the implementation of the minimum wage increase following a request by Malaysian Security Services Association (SSAM), but no time frame was given.
The scheme is temporarily shelved. The association needed more time to update and streamline their operations. The new salaries would have implications on existing contracts. The association feels that its implementation by next month will have an adverse effect on such businesses. The requested delay will allow the companies involved to update their operations and be better prepared for it.
It did not state when the pay increase would be implemented but it was reported last month that the association had asked the Government to delay its implementation by two months.

The Govern­ment’s announcement to delay the raise in the minimum wage has sparked a blame game between stakeholders in the provision of private security services.

The Security Guards Union (SGU) is blaming the Malaysian Security Services Association (SSAM) for requesting the Govern­ment to delay the July 1 implementation date of the salary rise.
SGU acting secretary-general M. Gnanasegaran said the SSAM should set a deadline for the pay rise to take place because it had been delayed several times.

“Most guards work 12 hours a day, 26 days a month. They need the salary increase for their family’s survival,” he said.
He added that some guards were not getting basic benefits such as insurance and overtime.

The SSAM on the other hand is blaming the Government, saying they could not increase salaries unless the value of their government contracts was increased; failing which they risked closing shop as more than 70% of its 400 members relied on government contracts.

SSAM president Datuk Shaheen Mirza Habib said: “We are not against the salary increase, but want it to be done simultaneously and together with the increase in contract value.”
“How are we going to pay the guards if the salaries are increased but the contract value is not?”

The annual general meeting on July 26 will discuss setting new contract rates at possibly around RM7 to RM7.50 per hour from the current contract rate at about RM4 to RM5 per hour, of which 60% to 65% goes to the guards. Their profit margin is 6% to 7%.

He disclosed that security guards earned a basic salary of between RM300 and RM500, but took home between RM800 and RM1,000.and the remainder covers administrative costs.

The Human Resource Minister, having spent 7 years studying all the views and recommendation before announcing his decision to implement a minimum wage, should not make a U-turn to allow employers to continue to exploit their workers with a meager wage of RM300 to RM400 a month, as was said by the MTUC secretary-general G.Rajasekaran said in a statement on Monday.

With all dilly-dallying and ding-donging, must the public pay for the already toooooo long delay?

Tuesday June 15, 2010

Off-duty guard turns snatch thief

KOTA KINABALU: An off-duty security guard became a snatch thief when he grabbed RM1,000 from a woman minutes after she withdrew the money from an automated teller machine.
However, three policemen on beat duty nabbed the 29-year-old guard after the woman screamed for help.
Penampang district police chief Deputy Supt Madang Usat said the 37-year-woman had just walked away from the ATM at about 3.30pm yesterday when the guard approached the victim from behind, snatching the money. He fled towards a nearby funfair.
“My men detained him after a 200m chase an d recovered the money,” he said.
He added that they were also checking to see if the suspect was involved in other snatch theft incidents. — Bernama

Message From The Dead, Too

In the east, Indonesian Andi Susato had been smoking since he was a schoolboy and he had never experienced any problems with his habit.

But in early Febrauary at 31 years of age, while riding his motorcycle, the cigarette that he was smoking exploded in his mouth.
The explosion resulted him losing 6 teeth after. The unexpected incident led him to quit smoking.
Andi's lips were bandaged in an interview with the Jakarta Post.
He accepted a payment of 5,000,000 (S$850) and all his medical costs from PT Nojorono Tobacco, maker of Clas Mild, the brand of cigarette brand that he smoke.

A spokesman for Clas Mild said there were no plans for a recall. More than 60% of Indonesian men smoke. Indonesia is one of the most profitable tobacco markets in the world.

******

And in the west, United Kingdom citizen Albert Whittamore, known as Dick, died late February after suffering for years from emphysema, a progressive lung condition he blamed on his smoking habit.

Mr Whittamore ran a small printing business in a shop below his home. He was forced to use a motorised wheelchair in his later years as his health faltered. He wanted to do his bit to warn others about smoking. He specified what he wanted in his will. Before his death, Whittamore, asked for the signs to accompany his hearse as it passed through Dover, southeast England, for his funeral.
Paul Sullivan, of Sullivan & Son funeral directors said that he had been suffering for a while. After giving it some thought, the company decided that that's what he had requested. 
His dying wish was honoured when signs bearing the words "Smoking Killed Me" were placed in the window of his hearse.

The coffin of Albert 'Dick' Whittamore arrives at St Mary's Cemetery in Dover, Kent
 

He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent.
An additional sign was placed at his graveside, according to his wishes.

British anti-smoking charity Quit paid tribute to him. A spokesman said, "Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn't want others to suffer. He blamed his youthful smoking habit for the disease. He wanted the sign to serve as a warning to young people about the dangers of tobacco smoking.

The sign was designed to look like the health warning on a packet of cigarettes and the printed placard at his grave was left in place for a week. According to AP, the hearse carrying his body through the town of Dover 160 km southeast of London had several of the printed signs displayed in the windows.

He died at the age of 85 in Februaury.

Argentina

Football speaks no language but understands by all.

Like it or not, almost everybody is affected by the World Cup Fever.
Lightning strike the world not with one stroke, but football does. Once the goal is scored, the whole universe roar.
It's the time we can feel the whole block of flat shaken, likened to whenever there's Sumatra earthquake jolts.

Before, whenever I wanted to go across the Causeway, the timing must possibly not clash with people going to work or holiday, where the factory buses or school buses' queues are not causing traffic congestion and even though I'm no punters, I have to know when is the next horse racing day. If not, my journey back home will not be breeze.
The very last place I want to be, is to be caught in a crowded place. If possible, I'll avoid such places.
I have Great Singapore Sale in mind but thinking of the crowd, I always postpone my purchase to some other day.

Singapore population, they maybe 5 millions only, but they are all over the place...

Take the National Day for example, they are at the parade, at the neighbourhood stadiums, and still they packed the Causeway to the brim.

Buying things at Pasar Tani? I was there only twice. The first time was just to find out, out of curosity and the second time was to accompany My Mother for her purchase. But I have no problem to always receive Singaporeans who are back from the Farmers' Market.
Even my friends across the Causeway travel more to Pandan Market than I do. My visit there? less then the number of fingers in hands.
Where's my grocery purchase? *Far From The Madding Crowd - *Thomas Hardy


Now with the World Cup Fever, topped with the month long school holiday, my list of avoiding travelling time is longer.

I've been following the match even before the opening ceremony, just to accompany My Son.
My Husband is not a football fan. He is a fan of his job.

Today, as I flipped through The Straits Times, something strikes my eyes. Read  on...
One word strikes my mind, Argentina.

Jun 11, 2010 - Fortune teller reveals all     

The 70-year-old fortune teller, a cheerful lady called Constance, plays a critical role in Zulu culture, blessed with special powers to heal and divine the future. -- PHOTO: AFP

PORT ELIZABETH (South Africa) - A ZULU sangoma, after a night of dreams and consultations with the ancestors, looks into the future to see the winner of the 2010 World Cup.

The 70-year-old fortune teller, a cheerful lady called Constance, plays a critical role in Zulu culture, blessed with special powers to heal and divine the future. But she was mighty hard to find. A two-day search aided by street sellers and shop owners in the southern city of Port Elizabeth had produced nothing but a series of false dawns. 

It appeared one needed a sangoma to find a sangoma. Then a toothless lady of indeterminate age kneading dough on a pavement beside a taxi rank suggested trying a muthi herbal specialist off Govan Mbeki Road.

The shop, an Aladdin's cave of pills and potions and ointments, had a high counter behind which were two people. 

One, a man, had his face painted in tribal warpaint. The other, a woman, was Ms Constance.

'You've made it,' she smiled, as if she had been expecting the visit all the time.
After negotiating her fee, Ms Constance opened a door into a storeroom packed with sacks of dried roots and animal hides hanging from a makeshift washing line.

Through a curtain at the back was her 'office' - with a frayed floral couch, more bags of herbs and plant extracts, and shelves crammed with somewhat incongruous tins of Jeyes Fluid household cleaner.
More than 30 per cent of African athletes use traditional medicines, according to one survey. Johannesburg's Ellis Park stadium is a hop from major medicine markets, and an ox was slaughtered at the showpiece Soccer City site to bless the 10 World Cup pitches.

Asked about the World Cup, Ms Constance shuts her eyes, as if asleep, in meditation, then opens them sharply.
'All the teams here are strong, but I have to consult my ancestors, I have to ask them what they think, and they will tell me in my dream tonight. Come back tomorrow, and I will have your answer.'

The next day, Ms Constance is again waiting behind the counter, with the answer not to eternity but almost as important.
'Argentina will win the World Cup.' -- AFP

Addiction

Child Gave Up Her Parents
Dad Kim Yoo-chul, 41, and mum Choi Mi-sun, 25, called the emergency services when they returned home and found their daughter dead.

But cops became suspicious about how severely dehydrated the tot was. She appeared to starve to death.
An autopsy on the girl was carried out. It was found she was not fed for a long period of time.

The couple was extremely addicted to the online fantasy game Prius where as Prius parents, they have to nurture their virtual daughter who gains magical powers as she grows up.
While they raised their virtual child, they starved to death their 3-month old baby girl.

Kim Sa-rang weighed 2.9kg when she was born but due to the baby's parents' Internet addiction, baby was neglected and was fed only a bottle of milk a day.
Sa-rang was also beaten when she cried out her hunger.
The day she died, her weight was only 2.5kg.

The parents found their real life daughter dead upon returning home after one of their 12 hours a day at Internet cafes leaving the 3-month-old infant home alone at their apartment in Suwon, South Korea.
The couple played the game around 10 hours daily.
They had become obsessed with living online raising an avatar baby through their profiles on a Second Life-style game and neglected their real lives.
 .  

An image of the online game Prius

Cops tried to arrest the parents, but they disappeared after the baby's funeral. They caught up with them on Tuesday and they have since been charged with child abuse and neglect.
"Due to our sense of guilt, we have not been to a PC gaming room over these five months," the parents told cops after their arrest.

On Friday 28 May, Suwon District Court sentenced the 41 year old driver to 2 years' jail for negligent homicide but the term for his 25-year-old ex-factory worker's wife, was suspended as she is expecting another  daughter due this August.
The South Korean couple were convicted for letting their newborn, 3-month-old, died of malnutrition in September, last year.

Online games are massively popular in the country.
A 28-year-old man dropped dead recently after playing his favourite game Starcraft for 50 hours non-stop without eating and drinking..
South Korean government said there were two million Internet addicts in the nation which is considered one of the world's most technologically wired, the Daily Mail reported.

Parents Gave Up Their Children
BEIJING - A GROUP of young Chinese web addicts staged a mutiny at an Internet 'boot camp', tying up their instructor and fleeing the facility over its tough military-like techniques, state media said on Tuesday.

The 14 mutineers, aged 15 to 22, were all caught by police when they failed to pay a taxi fare following their escape from the rehabilitation centre in east China's Jiangsu province last week, the Global Times said.
They had tied up their supervisor in his bed to allow them to escape the monotonous work and intensive training' at the camp, it said.

Parents of 13 of the Internet addicts have already sent them back to the Huai'an Internet Addiction Treatment Centre after picking them up at a local police station, the paper said.
'We need to teach them some discipline and help them to establish a regular lifestyle,' the paper quoted an employee at the camp as saying. 'We have to use military-style methods such as total immersion and physical training on these young people.'

Last month, a court in the southern region of Guangxi sentenced two Internet boot camp instructors to up to 10 years in prison after a 15-year-old addict was beaten to death at the facility.
The August 2009 death followed a string of abuse reported by state media at numerous unregistered Internet treatment centres around China.

According to the China Youth Association for Network Development, there are up to 24 million Chinese adolescents addicted to the Internet, with up to half of them obsessed by online gaming, the Global Times said. -- AFP

Are These "Gila Talak" Too?

Man torches mosque after ex-wife remarries
A 30-year-old man allegedly burnt down a mosque in Kampung Limau Manis, Sepang, to vent his anger after his former wife remarried.
He was believed to have been drunk when he used petrol to start the fire at 11.30pm on Tuesday, Harian Metro reported.
Imam Samsuddin Mat Daud said he noticed flames and smoke from the mosque and decided to check on it.
He said he found the front door locked, so he entered through a rear door before discovering the man sleeping at the main prayer hall.
However, he did not dare go near him because he was afraid that the man might be armed.
He said he sought help of villagers to put out the fire. By the time they reached the mosque, the man had already fled.
Villagers contacted the Fire and Rescue Department to ensure the fire did not spread to other areas.
The blaze caused an estimated loss of RM300,000. The prayer area was damaged, besides the carpet, copies of the Quran and cupboards.
Sepang district police chief Supt Zahedi Ayub confirmed the incident, saying police were tracking down the man.

******

This is what that is reported in today's Star.

Back home, Rizal continuously pleaded for his wife to accept him back.

After more than 15 years of marriage life, early this year, Rizal decided to throw in the towel.
He missed his swinging days and wanted to be with any women whom he chose. So, he went to Syariah Court to file for divorce.
When he realised there's no reason for his separation, he wrote 'change of lifestyle'.
He then moved out renting a room from his friend but would occasionally return home to be with his children or when it's almost end of the month when all his pockets are very dry.

All these while, his wife let him do what he wanted to do with his life. She has had enough of him.
He is a good man whom women throw themselves to, a good father who loves his children but neither a good breadwinner nor a good husband.

She let him went to court alone for filing as she had dragged him before, for counselling during the initial years of their married life, but he refused to attend the session.
He pronounced the talaq not too long after they had their first child.

All through the married life, he spent most of his salary on himself and his car. The figure S$500 is too big amount for him to give to his wife. Family's responsibility are mostly shouldered by his Mrs.

Much as Rizal wanted to continue the single path where he had left, he still love his family, if not his wife.
He opted to strike out his wife's name as a co-tenant to their 5-room flat but still allow them to stay there as he still wanted her to cook for him.

I do not quite agree with the terms when this was highlighted to me.
The wife, soon going to be his ex, will have no life for herself. She has to move on, build her future and choose her future man.
She is a daughter-in-law whose mother-in-law loves more than the mother's own Rizal.

She has her 3 children's future at heart and we were talking about children's maintenance when I touched and stressed about her alimony.
Amount of children's maintenance can wait as they have their father but her alimony is a one off payment which to my knowledge, many ex-wives overlook.

******

Rizal was all stressed out when his wife raised the issue.
He asked for advice from one of his friend who had just divorced his wife after 10 years together and the friend had to pay his ex-Mrs S$46,000.

Hearing the amount, that's where all the U turn start!!!
10 years - 46k, 15 years???

But the wife is too stressed out with the selfish Rizal.
She wants to move on from where she had left behind!!!

***Changes Made                       

The Not PUBLIC Servicing TRANSPORT

I had just known yesterday that my neighbour, Fauzi, is no more driving a taxi.

The cab owner had taken it back. What's his next step? He has no idea at the moment after been driving a cab for almost 20 years.
Prior to this, he was driving lorries north and south of the peninsular but as age is catching up, he doubt of doing the same job.

He did apply to drive  the yellow bus,  but at the basic salary of RM18.00 per day, he has to give it a very deep thought.
Initially, it's hard for me to believe my friend's husband salary as a bus driver driving the Pontian route range at RM25.00 to RM28.00 but seeing they still struggle to put food on the table for the family despite the wife working as a chamber maid, I know that they are telling the truth.

The wife, after working more than 16 years in Seri Malaysia Hotel, take home salary is less than RM1,000.
I cried as I typed the figure RM1,000. In fact, it's less than RM900. (RM1,000 just to make me feel nice). The family, with 5 schooling children, struggled harder when the father was involved in an accident.
He stayed at home for 3 months.

******

Honestly, I have phobia taking local route bus.
The driver whose bus I was in, kept to his extreme left along Jalan Ah Fook, squeezing into the motorcyclist path that led the motorist lost his balance and fell. It gave the driver and his friend, a bus driver too I supposed, a good laugh.
Where does the laughter will lead them?
From then on, no more short bus trip around JB for me.

Prior to this, I thought a bus card which was sold to me at a bus stop along Jalan Tun Abdul Razak will be a great convenience to me, like the Singapore's ez-link card. Little did I know that I had to travel to the depot for top-up. Where has the bus card led passengers?

Once, while travelling back from KL, the Trans-National bus driver said it's common for drivers to sit on as many as 20 traffic summons.
They were caught in between the number of journeys taken, feeling compassion for passengers and abiding the law. Passengers will definitely want to be dropped off nearest to their destinations but the traffic police will book them for not following the law.

******

I was at Kampong Melayu when I saw a bus passing through the place.
Oh, it's 1Malaysia bus at RM1.00 going round Giant Supermarket and Larkin Plaza. Will the bus fleet be phased out if 1Malaysia is no more the chanted slogan?

I remembered the time when Larkin Terminal was built, the then determination by the then MB was to compete with the Singapore's bus interchange. The Transitlink bus fleet will liken the SBS.
Other things built and implemented were all about competing, not working hand-in-hand.

Where has all these aspirations lead Johoreans?

About public transport woes, it is endless. Just read today's letter in The Star.
There are 2 letters actually to be read.

Disappointed with bus journey to Singapore                            

SINGAPORE was our first trip after our wedding three years ago. We decided to travel by coach because it was cheaper than flying.
Hence, we went to the Bukit Jalil bus station to book the coach ticket a week before our trip. Everything seemed fine and we were looking forward to the trip. However, it did not go as smoothly as we wished.
On May 31, we arrived in Bukit Jalil around 7.45am to ensure we were on time for departure. We had a very bad morning. Departure was delayed due to insufficient number of passengers. The early passengers waited patiently for the coach to be full. We were supposed to depart at 8.30am but ended up starting the journey at 10.30am.
We couldn’t wait to set foot in Singapore. Another disappointment awaited us at the Larkin bus terminal in Johor. The coach conductor told us to disembark, and he brought us to the RM2.50 Singapore-Johor shuttle bus for travel to Singapore.
We were told that this coach was a direct coach to Singapore. Why were we told to get down from the coach and take the public bus? The assistant conductor dared us to complain, saying that they were not bothered.
I am very disappointed with this kind of attitude and those companies that run their business dishonestly. If as a Malaysian I have lost confidence in our public transport, what will foreigners with similar experiences think of us?
DISSATISFIED PASSENGER,
Seri Kembangan.

******

Get the bus system revving smoothly first
THE Association for the Improvement of Mass-Transit notes that this appears to be a week of major change and announcements for public transport.
We have a new Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, and the Land Public Transport Commission (Spad) was created on June 1 with Syed Hamid Albar as the first chair.
We also have the recent announcement of proposals for an MRT network in the Klang Valley and a high-speed rail route between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. In addition, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will introduce the 10th Malaysia Plan today.
Despite all these changes, Transit wonders how much effort is being made to shift our public transport industry from an entrepreneurial model to a service-based model.
No matter how much money is invested in mega projects, we will never see an improved public transport system unless there is improved leadership and a real push towards a service-based model.
We can only hope that with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Minister-in-Charge, Syed Hamid Albar as chair, and Mohd Nor Ismail Nor Kamal as CEO, the Land Public Transport Commission will be a proactive leadership, with a clear vision for public transport and the confidence and ability to move the industry forward.
Similarly, we hope that Kong Cho Ha, as Transport Minister, will put people first, not companies first.
Before we look at LRT and MRT projects and spending perhaps RM50bil to expand the rail network in the Klang Valley, we must first improve the reliability and availability of the existing bus services in the Klang Valley and other cities throughout Malaysia.
The best way to do this is in two simple steps:
First, Spad must work with the Transport Minister and local and state governments to create Public Transport Organising Authorities for the six largest urban areas in Malaysia – the Klang Valley, Johor Baru, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Ipoh.
The Organising Authorities – which could be government agencies (like the Penang Transport Council), private companies (like RapidKL) or responsible agencies (like the Iskandar Regional Development Authority) – would be responsible for the planning, management and organisation of public transport in their respective regions.
They would work with existing public transport operators to improve the availability and reliability of basic public transport services and expand those services to meet the social and economic needs of each region.
Second, as part of the 10th Malaysia Plan, the Government gives RM1bil to each of the six Organising Authorities to invest this money (and more which they would raise themselves) into creating complete and sustainable rapid transit networks.
If the money is spent in the most cost-effective manner, we can build the complete, reliable public transport networks that our cities need.
Once public transport in these six regions has been stabilised by the Organising Authorities, and a complete rapid transit network is in place, the Government can start looking at larger scale investment projects like MRT and High Speed Rail.
MOAZ YUSUF AHMAD,
on behalf of TRANSIT.