Safety On The Road! Make a Pledge!

I am concerned about road safety. I'm sure you are too.
Driving on our roads can be a traumatic experience. I kid you not!

I get up in the morning, all set to begin a new day -- at work or at play. I get into my car and make my way out of my neighbourhood, on to the highway. Not a day goes by that I am not faced with unpleasantness and ugliness on the road.

I am appalled to see boys riding motorbikes without crash helmets. Just the other day, along Jalan Maarof in Bangsar (KL), I saw a pillionrider on a 250cc without a helmet!

I am not surprised by the increasing number of fatalities on our roads. According to official statistics, there are 18 fatalities a day on Malaysian roads.

In 1998, there were 211,037 accidents. In 2007, the number increased to 363,319.

In the last two years, two youngsters I know were killed in a road accident.

That's why I'm all for this campaign -- Malaysians Unite For Road Safety (Mufors) that hopes to get Malaysians to pledge for road safety by 09.09.09.
Although that's the target date, the campaign will go on indefinitely.

If you're interested, go to this website www.090909.org.my, and make a pledge.

So, let's be safe on the road!

Dr Chua Soi Lek's Sacking From MCA

This is from Dr Chua Soi Lek's blog.:

"I' am Sacked!

Today, I am partyless. I served MCA as a divisional chairman since 1985. On the 2^nd January 2008 when I resigned from all party posts, I was still an MCA member. Today, I don’t even have a party. So, my position today is worst of than when I resigned on 2^nd January 2008. I did not realize that MCA disciplinary board led by an aging lawyer have deemed fit to recommend me to be sacked 21 months after I have resigned from all party and government posts for the same reason as when I resigned in January 2008. If there is provision for sentencing of death physically, I am sure that the disciplinary board would have no hesitation in recommending me to face the gallows. The reason is obvious why I need to be sacked. Will my sacking boost up the image of the MCA? I have to assume that the President today is as clean and clear as crystal. Only time will tell.

Since last night, my phone has not stopped ringing. Today, I spend my time trying to read all the sms. Probably, this is to keep me occupied since I am now partyless. The press has not stopped harassing me. It is actually quite funny and fun.

My family and friends will be going away for a short holiday. I need to enjoy this partyless status. So friends, give me a chance to rest. People will be thinking that I will be working very hard, but as usual; I take everything in my stride. Hopefully I can live longer to see another day and another battle."

Tuesdays With Me..

Bon Voyage, Adel...

I seem to have been waiting for the moment when I have to say farewell to my eldest child and only son, Adel Hakim as he prepares to leave us to further his studies in Canada.
Not that I am looking forward to it. Inexplicable, this feeling. This rush of emotions.

Adel came down with fever on Saturday that got me worried. I'm no doctor but I knew it was not the dreaded H1N1 as he had only fever and nothing else -- no runny nose, no aches and pains, no nausea etc. Not wanting to take any chances (for I'm no doctor and I could be wrong), I called his eldest sister, Ana (a doctor) and gave her a rundown on Adel's condition. She asked that Adel be brought to the clinic.

No, Adel did not have the Swine Flu. Just fever and a little wheezing (Adel's asthmatic). Some medication and Adel should be okay.

"This must be the result of all the late nights you've been having, eh?"Ana said, with a wicked smile.
Aah, yes. of course. He had been spending time with his friends, either at the mamak stall for very late supper, watch football or play games. He'd hit the sack about 4 or 5 in the morning.
Now, that's enough to bring down his defences, hale and hearty as he is.

Back at home, I teased Adel.

"Sakit sebab nak pergi jauh, rindu mummy, kan?". He looked up at me and just smiled. I rubbed his head.

I remember what he told me as we were watching "Leverage" on tv, the other night.

"I'll be leaving in about two weeks, mummy." And I felt my heartstrings tugging. I rubbed his head.

Adel has been responding well to medication and is well on the road to recovery. He is still not able to fast because of the medication he has to take.
After a diet of chicken porridge, he is now able to enjoy pasta and chicken rice.

Adel has got to get better for he leaves for Canada early Sunday morning. That's like four days more.
Right now, I am a bag of nerves, though you can't tell because I'm good at hiding it all.

I think mothers go through this aching when their children leave the nest.

Mak was lucky. She had 10 children. One went away, and she had nine left at home. But , of course, that didn't mean that she felt no pain every time her child left home for a faraway land.

I'd be lying if I said that I am not at all worried about how he's going to cope there. I'd wanted him to opt for Australia, because it is nearer. Canada is on the other side of the world, for goodness sake.

"Jauh-lah Canada," I said forlornly.

Surely Australians universities are just as good. But Adel said he preferred what was being offered at the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Ok. I may know a lot of things but it so happened at that point of our conversation, I had not read up about the university. So I said:"Are you sure it's a good university?"

"Well, one of its engineering students was among the team that invented the blackberry," Adel remarked in way of resting his case.

Hmmm. Point taken.

I know I'm not supposed to believe everything the media tells me. There could be some exaggeration and dramatization.

Adel's name is spelt the Arabic way. He was named after an Egyptian journalist I met in Aman, Jordan in1987 (thereabouts) . We were covering the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
And in case there are pictures in that naughty head of yours, there was no hanky panky. Nothing of the sort.
Adel, the Egyptian journalist was an old man and very fatherly.

I told him that when I had a son, I'd name him Adel. He was deeply flattered.

So, because "Adel" is a common Arab name, could "his name" be in the Canadian terrorist database?

That is so so worrying. Visions of him being singled out are not helping.

And then there are the mundane things like -- how he's going to do the laundry, or who's going to take him to the doctor when he's taken ill.

"Aaah...that's why it's imperative that he gets a girlfriend," my bro-in-law Azmi offered.

Hell, no, I said. He's going there to study, graduate and make us all proud of him. And no girlfriend of his is going to be his maid.

Reality check. Ok. Time out. I'm not going into that. Too stressful.

Adel, however has assured me that he is a big boy and is capable of taking care of himself. It may not seem so at home, but when he is far away from home, he knows just what to do. Trust him, he reassures me.

After the farewell dinner Kak Olin threw for him last Friday night, his aunts, uncles and cousins gave him a huge "bon voyage" card.

Almost everyone signed "take care, study hard and don't forget to come home". More or less.

So, yes, Adel. Don't forget to come home. Alone or otherwise. I'll be okay by then.

(Picture: A painting by Canadian artist, Franklin Carmichael.)

Ramadan Reprieve For Kartika

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno who was to be caned for drinking beer has been given a reprieve. At least during this month of Ramadan."The sentence remains. She will be caned after the fasting month. She has been released but only temporarily," said Pahang Religious Affairs committee chairman Mohd Sahfri Abdul Aziz.

(Picture of Kartika waving to her family as she was being taken in a van enroute to Kajang Prison.)

Mohd Sahfri said the decision to postpone the convicted part-time model's caning was made after the AG chambers advised that it should not be done during Ramadan.

The mother of two was arrested during a raid at the Legend Hotel Lounge in Cherating at about 11.40pm on July 20, last year, for breaching Syariah law which forbids Muslims from consuming alcohol.

Kartika, 32, was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to six strokes of the cane last month by a religious court. She paid the fine.

However, prison authorities said for Kartika to be caned, she should be jailed. An order was then made to have her detained.

Kartika refused to appeal against the sentence and said she was ready to be caned.

She said she wanted the sentence to be done publicly since it was meant to be a lesson to others.

Under Syariah law, caning or whipping is mild.

According to reports, religious department officers had gone to her parents' house in Sungai Siput to take her to the Kajang Women's Prison where she was to be detained.
She was to have served her sentence there.
Kartika was released before she could even be brought to the prison.

I know many people - across the religious divide -- have expressed outrage over her case.

Obviously, punishment for the offence under Syariah laws leaves so much grey area and loopholes. Just look at how it all went from the day Kartika was convicted.

Now, she is in limbo. She's ready to be caned but she's been told "not yet". The woman wants to get it over and done with, for crying out loud.

Frankly, she did not have to be caned, although it is provided for. Yet, she had to be jailed in order to serve the sentence (caning), something the Syariah judge had overlooked.

Makes me wonder whether the judge was overzealous when meting out the punishment.

Perhaps, Kartika should consider appealing against her sentence.

But, latest is that she and her father made separate reports at the Kuala Kangsar district police headquarters.

Kartika said her report was to safeguard herself as she had not evaded the warrant of arrest that was issued.

"There is no official black and white on my status. What is happening here? I am extremely sad as I have prepared myself to receive the punishment," she was quoted.

Shukarno lodged a report against the Pahang Religious Department for treating his daughter like a football and putting her in limbo.

Meanwhile, don't we have a reputation to protect?

Lunas Assemblyman Quit PKR

It's one or the other. This time it's a PKR assemblyman in Kedah who's going to the other side.

Mohd Radzhi Salleh who is also Kedah executive council member says he has lost confidence in the party’s leadership.

He held a Press conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning to announce his decision to be an independent state assemblyman.

He will however retain his Lunas seat as well as the state executive council post.

Expect an update.

Whoa! This Happened In Good Old BSC?

A daughter of someone I know had a traumatic experience while dining at Chilli's in the now spanking Bangsar Shopping Centre. This happened last Sunday night.

It is unbelievable! And unacceptable!

It could have been YOU!

Katrina Danielle, 25, was having dinner with a couple from Australia at Chilli's when five men who were drinking at the next table attacked and robbed them.

Ayoyoyo!

And this is not a seedy restaurant in a seedy shopping centre in a seedy part of town.

The attackers apparently hit her (male) friend at the back of his head with a steel chair, splashing beer at her and her girlfriend before running off with their handbags.

Katrina was so disappointed and angry that no one from the restaurant and shopping centre came to their aid.

Worse, no one from among the crowd in the restaurant came forward to help --- or something. Perhaps everyone was too stunned.

She vows never to go to Chilli's again....

This is spooking me because I am a regular at BSC! And I do like Chilli's. I reckon so did Katrina until this horrid incident took place.

Click HERE for the Star online report.

I hope by now, the restaurant and the shopping centre have done something about the security.This incident should not be taken lightly!

Let's read The Quran 2

Blogger Marina Mahathir and friends are back on this campaign.

The first time they held it was early this year (Jan 14 to Feb 14). Marina started it with three friends, Syed, Walski and Anas.
About 50 other blogs joined in. There were many calls to extend it, according to Marina.

This time, four more of her friends will be part of the main team. They are Art Harun, Jahamy, Pah Nur and Nizam bashir.

The campaign starts today - that means throughout Ramadan until Sept 21 (Aidlfitri).

Here are the details:

What is the Campaign all about?

Read the Quran in the language that you are familiar with.

When will the campaign start and end?

August 22nd to September 21st (Hari Raya Aidil Fitri)

Where?

Participating blogs in the blogosphere.

Why?

So more people know what the Quran says and what the Quran does not say and to match its relevance to our daily lives.

Who?

Anyone who wants to – the more the merrier! If you have a Blog, Facebook, etc do please carry the logo/icon.

How?

- To join the campaign, place the accompanying logo/icon on your blog.
- Write or share short articles based on the Quranic text.
- Share what you find in the Quran with family and friends.
- Ask questions about the Quranic message
- Read the Quran – eg click here http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch , www.altafsir.com

Marina Mahathir http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com

Syed Akbar Ali http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.com

Walski http://asylum60.blogspot.com

Art Harun http://art-harun.blogspot.com

Pah Nur http://lunchatthelakeclub.blogspot.com

Rapera http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com

Nizam Bashir http://nizambashir.com and,

Anas Zubedy http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com

Peace, brothers and sisters!

Salam Ramadhan

My friends, I wish you a blessed Ramadhan!

"Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry.
Happy the eye that sheds tears for His sake.
Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake.
Laughter always follows tears.
Blessed are those who understand.
Life blossoms wherever water flows.
Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown."
- poem by Jalaludin A-Rumi

The Letter...

Don't know why they call it a mysterious letter. It is an anonymous letter purportedly written by "pegawai-pegawai SPRM" (MACC officers) .

I'm glad, though that the Coroner's Court today directed the police to conduct investigation into the contents of the letter which contained details relating to Teoh Beng Hock's death.

Some people may describe the letter as "surat layang" or "poison pen letter" because it contained allegations, serious and, unpleasant, in nature, and not signed by any "named" persons.

Still, because as, coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas, said, it clearly had several elements that were closely related to the proccedings of the inquest, police should investigate them.

"As such, I need to direct the investigating officer Ahmad Nazri Zainal to investigate the contents of the letter that are related to the scope of the inquest proceedings to determine the cause of (Teoh's) death," he said.

He also reminded the lawyers involved not reveal any important information regarding the contents of the letter to the media which could hamper police investigation.

Like everyone else, I can't wait to get to the bottom of those allegations in the letter.

Do read MalaysiaToday for details in The Letter.

No Health Curfew For Now

"The virus is not going to go away, it is going to stay for a long time” - Dr Ismail Merican (Health director-general)

I'm beginning to wonder. Are we asking too much from our government? Or, are we really lacking in knowledge about the whole H1N1 issue that we have become so alarmist, demanding that the government do more?

Have we been reading too much about the issue and have been misled by all the literature?

In reality, everything is "under control" and we all, really have nothing to worry about.

We have to trust the authorities, for they know better. Is this the case?

Both Dr Ismail and National Security Council director-general Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab agreed that the situation in the country is under control and that there is no need to impose a health curfew.

(A health curfew may involve the closure of all schools and the cancellation of all public and social functions. Public gathering venues may also be temporarily closed.)

They said the situation in the country is manageable, with the influenza A (H1N1) mortality rate at only 0.007 per cent.

Dr Ismail, appearing on a NSTLive session at Balai Berita yesterday, said the ministry would not advise the government to impose the curfew just yet.

He said a health curfew would not stop the virus from spreading.

Dr Ismail said Malaysians could demand for a national health emergency or health curfew but warned that if they were not disciplined enough, then all the measures put in place would not help in containing the H1N1.

Both the National Security Council and the Health Ministry said the situation in the country was manageable, with the influenza A (H1N1) mortality rate at only 0.007 per cent.

Thajudeen told the NST that declaring a curfew would be the last resort, where the situation had reached the worst case scenario.
“We are far from that level,” he said.

He said that the government needed cooperation from the public to curb the spread of the virus and asked those who were sick to quarantine themselves.

Dr Ismail urged Malaysians to play their part in delaying the spread of the disease while the ministry concentrated on giving treatment.

He felt strongly that there was a lot more that the ministry could do, through the cooperation of the public, corporate bodies, business enterprises and others, to delay the spread of the disease.

Dr Ismail said Malaysians should go on with their normal life but strictly adhere to personal hygiene, such as washing their hands with soap and water and using hand sanitiser, to avoid being infected.

"Please wear your face mask if you are sick. By doing so, you will protect others from being infected," he said, adding that Malaysians could demand for a national health emergency or health curfew.

But he warned that if they were not disciplined enough, then all the measures put in place would not help in containing the H1N1.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry recorded three more deaths, raising the death toll to 67 with 4,501 confirmed cases.

Dr Ismail said 276 H1N1 patients were being treated in hospitals nationwide and that 36 were in intensive care units. Of those in the ICUs, 21 are in the high-risk category and suffering from various complications due to their illnesses.

* Malaysian Medical Association president Dr David K.L. Quek concurred with the decision, saying that the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States had never mentioned a curfew. He said Mexico, which announced a one-week curfew in May to contain the virus, only did so because they did not know what they were facing as the virus was then new.

(Source: NST)

Kartika To Be Detained Before Caning

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno who was to be whipped with six strokes of the rotan after admitted to having a beer last year in a nightclub last year has now been ordered by the Syariah High Court to be detained for seven days effective Aug 24.

The order was obtained following an application by Syarie deputy public prosecutor Saiful Idham Sahimi who filed it at the court here Tuesday.

The application was heard before Syariah High Court Judge Justice Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunos, in chambers.

On July 20, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was ordered to be caned and fined RM5,000 for consuming alcohol at a hotel night club in Cherating.

She was arrested during a raid by a team from the state religious department at 1.20am on July 12, 2007.

Kartika paid the fine. However, she did not make an appeal against the whipping order.

The Syariah High Court court also granted the prosecution's two other applications - for the caning to be carried out within the seven days Kartika was ordered to be detained at the women's prison in Kajang and for it to be conducted by a woman officer, and for Kartika to be released as soon as the punishment was meted out.

The punishment is provided under Section 125(4) of the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 that spelled out how the caning should be carried out.

In Islamic law, the cane should not be thicker than the little finger on the hand and that the cane cannot be lifted so high that the upper arm is lifted away from the armpit.

The part-time model was charged under Section 136 of the Pahang Islamic and Malay Traditional Practices Enactment 1982 (amendment 1987).

Under the section, those who are found guilty can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed a maximum of three years, or both, and sentenced to six strokes of the rotan.

The sentence for consuming alcohol was made stiffer when the Islamic Religious Administration and Pahang Malay Tradition Enactment 1982 was amended in 1987. (source:The Star)

Handling The Swine Flu (H1N1): Should We Go The Mexican Way?

(UPDATE : as at 2pm Aug 18 -- H1N1-related deaths, 3 more, bringing the number to 67.)

The statistics of H1N1 deaths threaten to increase. In this current state of affairs, who should we blame?
The health authoritities for not doing enough? Or ourselves, for not doing enough, as well?

Are the health authorities not acting fast enough in the situation, which is an emergency, by any measure.

Should Malaysia go the Mexican way?

"From the moment this so-called swine flu was identified, the Mexican government worked vigorously to contain the contagion — closing all schools across the country, limiting public gatherings and instructing people to wear masks and refrain from greetings involving physical contact. President Felipe Calderón himself led the response, underlining the seriousness of the situation, and that may explain why so many Mexicans have complied. Already, the number of deaths seems to be stabilizing, perhaps indicating that the first wave of this influenza has peaked." -- extracted from This New York Times article.

Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Minister Lourdes Aranda tells Sunday Star in an interview:
"Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared an emergency and ordered the closure of schools, nurseries, universities, theatres and museums until further notice in Mexico City, the world’s most populous city with 24 million inhabitants, to stop the spread of the disease.

The emergency gave the president powers to order quarantines and suspend public events. Football matches in the soccer-crazed nation were played to empty stadiums.

For those who had to go out, wearing mouth masks were a must as “swine flu” fear gripped the capital city.

“The Mexican way of life came to an abrupt halt. Imagine, in a colourful and bustling city, people had to stay home for days. And the president led by example.’’

Our Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai has already described the outbreak as a "national emergency". And that's after our Prime Minister Najib Razak said this was a pandemic.

But here's the thing -- Liow said that the government "will only consider declaring a health curfew if the mortality rate goes above 0.4 per cent".

The country's mortality rate for H1N1 is currently between 0.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent.

Any decision to this effect is will teh National Security Council. Liow said it is not up to the Health Ministry.

Liow is aware of the Mexican experience.

But he says, "if everyone plays their role, we should be able to stop the outbreak".

I do understand English. So, my understanding here is that IF we all play our role (which is?), the situation can be arrested. Right?

So, what is everyone's role? The government, the people...

My role is -- and because there is no other official announcement forthcoming -- to make sure I don't contract the disease by washing my hands regularly (with hand sanitizer which I have handy in my handbag), avoiding public and crowded areaand practising social distancing as far as I possibly can, and wearing health mask (I don't always do this). What else, then....?? I could stay home until all this is over.....

Anyway schools are still open. Public and private offices are still open.

So, what's the right decision the government should be taking now?

Should the mortality rate be the only consideration? It's like waiting for more to die before taking the bull by the horns.

My Name Is Khan, Shah Rukh Khan...

...and yes it is a Muslim name. Never bothered anyone, right?
Wrong! It spooked US immigration officers on Friday.

That's what Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan believes to have been the reason he was detained for questioning by these officers at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey (the US).

Shah Rukh is, yes, a Muslim. This has never bothered the thousands of his adoring Hindu fans in India and non-Muslims beyond the shores of India.

The actor told the Press Trust of India news agency that he had been detained by immigration officials at the airport because his name came up on a computer check list. ("Whaaat? Dammit, don't you ignorant Americans know who he is? He is a world famous mega-mega star!! Ignoramuses!!)

He told the agency that he had been released after he was allowed to message a politician in India, who contacted the Indian embassy in Washington on his behalf.

The US officials have denied that Shah Rukh was detained because of his Muslim name or for any other suspicion.

Spokesman Elmer Camacho said he was not detained, "but it took a little longer because his bag was lost by the airline."

And we are all idiots.

But, we, we should give them the benefit of the doubt....oooh such cliche!

Shah Rukh Khan was on his way from New York to Chicago to attend an Indian independence day celebration when he was stopped at Newark airport in the state of New Jersey.

The actor is in the U.S. to promote a new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling of Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Aah....life imitating art, eh?

Anyway, do read this, this and this.

And, oh....his fans are not taking this lightly.

More H1N1 Deaths / The Spread Continues....

...and the Flu is here to stay for at least a year, according to our medical authorities.

Seven more people infected with H1N1 or swine flu have died, bringing the toll related to the virus in the country to 51.

The Health Ministry said in a statement today the seven patients died over the past week and all had other health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension or weak immune systems.

Among those who died are two boys - one aged 4 months, the other 4 years. Malaysia has reported more than 2,250 swine flu cases since May.

As you already know, this is a pandemic. We are no longer in the containment phase, and have moved to the mitigation phase. This means that public health officials have conceded that the H1N1 virus is too widespread to make containment a feasible consideration. It can no longer be contained.
So, local health authorities are now focusing on treating those badly afflicted with the disease.

So, we can't stop the spread. It is now really up to us to make sure that we do not get infected by taking preventive measures and precautions ourselves.
Practise social distancing -- that is keeping a physical distance from other people to slow down the spread.
Avoid crowded places and take better care of our personal hygiene such as washing our hands regularly (with alcohol-based hand sanitizers).

I know we've been deluged with all sorts of materials on the Influenza A and the measures we should take.
Here's just a reminder because a lot of people are still so laid back.

Just the other evening, I was at Rasta in Taman Tun Dr Ismail with a friend to have dinner. After we sat down, the usual bevy of waiters/waitresses descended upon us. Onewaitress (from the nasi ayam stall) was sniffling and wiping her nose with the back of her hands. We didn't realize it at first, until after we had ordered our nasi ayam.
We could see that she was not well. We looked at each other, concerned.

"I think we should cancel our nasi ayam. The poor girl is not well and she's preparing our food," I said.

We turned to look at her and could see that she was wiping her nose with her hand constantly, and sniffling, while dishing out the rice.

Not on, we thought. And canceled our orders. And everything else and quickly made an exit.

For employers:

• Encourage sick workers to stay home and away from the workplace, and provide flexibility.
• Encourage infection control practices in the workplace by displaying posters that address and remind workers about proper hand washing, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette.
  
• Provide written guidance (email, etc.) oninfluenza A (H1N1) flu appropriate for the language and literacy levels of everyone in the workplace. Employers should work closely with local and state public health officials to ensure they are providing the most appropriate and up-to-date information.
  
• Provide sufficient facilities for hand washing and alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizers (or wipes) in common workplace areas such as lobbies, corridors, and restrooms.
• Provide tissues, disinfectants, and disposable towels for employees to clean their work surfaces, as well as appropriate disposal receptacles for use by employees.
• One study showed that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface. To reduce the chance of spread of the l influenza A (H1N1) virus, disinfect commonly-touched hard surfaces in the workplace, such as work stations, counter tops, door knobs, and bathroom surfaces by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

For employees:

• Stay home if you are sick. If you have symptoms of influenza-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
• Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home withH1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, notify their supervisor and stay home if they become ill. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers* can be used if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people. If an employee suspects that they have been exposed to a sick person with novel H1N1 influenza they may continue to go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day and should notify their supervisor and stay home if they become ill.

Lastly, stay healthy, maintain a healthy lifestyle. Remember that out of the thousands who were afflicted, many survived.

THE Inquest Today

The inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock resumed at the Shah Alam Magistrates Court before coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas this morning.
Some than 100 witnesses are expected to be called in the next 15 or so days of the inquest.
These include Teoh’s family members, colleagues and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers involved in questioning Teoh the day before his death.

Today six witnesses --four security personnel, a technician and a policeman -- testified today.

The inquest, which adjourned at about 1.35pm, resumes at 9am tomorrow.

READ HERE and HERE

Ah Long, Ah Long

I was wondering whether anyone was going to do something about all those stickers and banners put up by Ah Longs.
I remember noticing these stickers suddenly "sprouting" overnight in my neighbourhood. It was some time late last year, when everyone was talking about feeling the squeeze from a weakening world economy.

"What timing," I remember remarking.

Suddenly they were on lamp-posts, tree-trunks, walls and just about everywhere.

It's as though Ah Longs knew that there'd be many desperadoes, and was giving them a line. A quick fix.

I pulled out some of the stickers. Just on impulse. But I stopped when it hit me that some people might be watching me and would not be amused by what i was doing....
Oh... I takut Ah Long.

It was disturbing but I also thought that people should know better than to fall for that.

There must have been complaints because just the other day THIS happened.

Thousands Anti ISA Protesters In The City

Sean Lee and Fay D'Cruz
(NST online)
KUALA LUMPUR: The police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds in at least five different locations in the city, including Dataran Merdeka.

At least 26 people of the 3,000 at the protest rally were also arrested for their presence today.

The protest in now centralised at Jalan Raja Laut.

Opposition leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Nizar Jamaluddin are among the protestors in the area.

More than 500 FRU personnel have been mobilised from Johor, Negri Sembilan, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur to help control the crowds at the rally.

Meanwhile, scores of people are stranded in the city as all main roads are blocked. lRT has stopped its service temporarily to Masjid Jamek as protests continue.

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