On The Technology Front

On The Technology Front

On The Technology Front

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 05:03 AM PDT

(Steve Jobs at the launching of the iPad)

by Alvin Yeo

On the technology front, it is always easy to know what is hot and what is not. You have to look rather carefully at the responses of both the consumers and also the product's advertising campaign.

But what I am going to write about is not a product review per say but the future of where this may lead to. We cannot deny the fact that such techno- gizmos will eventually shape and dictate how our lifestyle will be changed. Take for example the radio. It was touted the best thing that happened and the miracle of so many people contained in a little black box telling you stories. And when TV came around, it killed the radio. And they even wrote a song about how TV killed the radio man.

On the social front, we can also associate the air time of TV Shows to the population growth as well. Ever wonder why in some third world country where TV's were deemed a luxury or they are deemed items that "corrupt" your mind and you do not get to watch what you choose but some state approved programmes which basically entail a boring bloke reading out of a prompt card of which he will forget what he just read right after the "Good Night Comrades!!!"

Then came the computers where we actually IM our colleagues whom is sitting just behind us about the latest gossip or where is lunch today. Needless to say that those whom has found a job developing video games, were basically fuelled by the many online vampires whom are not out for blood to feed but constantly stays up late hypnotised by a video consol or a computer game.

On the social front again, you see more kids in a cyber café than you can find in the football pitch now a days. On a rainy day, you will never be able to find the wild kids whom will take to the fields sliding on the fields fantasising the way their idol does a fantastic tackle or the bicycle-kicks made famous by Pele. Instead, you will find them having more developed muscles on the thumbs and fingers executing deft precise clicks and swipes on a game consol to emulate that slide minus the rain, mud and body contact and offcourse the vulgarity which comes after the tackle, has never lost its shine and I have to say that the innovative mind has come up with some rather interesting and unique twist to the "old fashion" bloody cuss.

Then comes a new toy in the market recently and it is barely larger than a B5 dairy weighing in the region of about 6lbs. The iPad. A fantastic gizmo which I felt it was like Steve Jobs saw the iPhone market responding to it like moths to a flame! Seeing the success and asking how do we double the fun and quadruple the profits? Well, maybe a blurry staff whom is sleep deprived and mentally drained just blurted out, "If u think its just that @#$%@ easy, why dun u double our F&%#$@@ work and Quadruple the size of the B##@!&#% iPhone… mumble mumble…" And, Mr Job did his job yet again by taking the suggestion of a fellow employee, double the work load and made the iPhone bigger.

It had some very cautious reception but the ad campaigns were very well thought out and before they hit the market, people were already pre booking them. Opportunist whom has seen this potential, also jumped into the band wagon and the competitors introduced the Android powered tablets. I am not going to comment too much on the functionality and I still do believe that it is generically dependent on the user preference and there is no clear winner in any case. Its just like a Beemer fan will say how it drives well and handles great on the road and another whom may be an Audi driver will claim the A6 does it better…. The debate never stops but there are other factors where users will naturally be drawn to the sleek groovy looks while the accessories determines how big a freak you really is. A car is after all just a car… (I know many will disagree with me but I am using this as an anology, maybe not such a good one but I think you get my drift… because regardless what analogy I use, there will still be two big faction divided by preference, and that is my point).

So, having some history to refer to and faced with this new toy, how will our future turn out? Will be all be talking like NCIS agents in future and tapping on to a digital pad to cal up information where ever there is a 3G connection (which is basically a very large area). Will doctors now be faced with new medical terms to deal with like instead of a tennis elbow, we now call it an iPad elbow? Or what will we call the skin disorder of not having enough Vitamin D (due to the lack of sunlight)?

We have seen more cases of CTS and other Repetitive Strain Injuries more than actual sporting injuries. I suppose the Insurance Agencies will come up with some form of caveats where payout will be determined by the proper Ergonomic and Work Space Management plans in place and properly implemented as well.

I take the stand of embracing technology with a more liberal and adaptive approach. While we take in the technology, let's also not forget the humanity of social engagement and also nurture the emotions we humans are designed and created naturally to have and we need to develop this. Otherwise we will end up being "surrogates" to technology and the line of who is master will be blurred.

I like some of the games on the iPad developed where it can support more than one person to play on it at one time and this actually helps to foster interaction and sharing. This is the kind of development we should see more of and encourage the development of young minds to see the future as we like it to be and be the wise man our children will be telling their children in future. We keep saying our children will be the future, what then are we doing to ensure they are properly guided to do this and what are we doing to help them achieve to their best potential? It is time we step out of our shadow and start to work on our humanity first before we pass on our flaws to our children. 
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Malaysia Day!

Malaysia Day!

Malaysia Day!

Posted: 16 Sep 2010 08:44 PM PDT

For the 1st time in the history of Malaysia, 'Malaysia Day' is celebrated. And the Sabahans and Sarawakians are asking, what took you so long?

For Peninsular Malayans (for without the Sabahans & Sarawakians, we cannot be Malaysians). We have been having it our way for far too long.

Can we also say that of the BN Govt?

When an 'institution' (here I name BN as one, because for far too long it thinks that nothing can move it) has been in place for far too long, complacency and arrogance creeps in, and when that 'institution' can have its way for that long, the 'sense' of superiority blocks their observation to what will come.

Why do we need another public holiday when for 47 years, nobody thought it as important to even mention it. And now, with BN losing grip in Parliament, suddenly, we notice that Sabah is indeed our 'Fixed Deposit'.

If you were a Sabahan (and for that matter, Sarawakians too), how would you feel? Taking us for a ride for the past 47 years, and now you realise that this 'daughter' has always been by your side while the other 4 sons have eloped with their favourite 'girlfriend'.

As fathers and mothers (BN), we cannot just ignore the signs that the family is telling us, not anymore. Up next on the agenda, when is the Sabah '20 point' Agreement going to be discussed and given prominence at National Parliament level? When are the Sabahan Parliamentarians going to voice out the grievances they have to endure for their constituents for so long? And let us also not forget that Sarawak have their own version of grienvances in the form of their '18 point' Agreement, we need to address those issues too!

I'm now sitting here in my office enjoying the fan while I manage to get this article typed, but how many Sabahans can enjoy that kind of basic amenity call electricity without interuption for the whole day? And what about hospital care, its virtually non-existant even in big towns like KK.

For now, its no point singing about Sabah as our FD for the next 13GE when all we can give them are just "cow's milk", please please please, we need more to tell our daughter(s) over the South China Sea that we really mean what we say. And dont forget the other elder daughter in Sarawak too, for otherwise, eloping could be another option for them!

To all fellow Malaysians in Sabah & Sarawak, happy Malaysia Day!

PS: In our haste to secure our Fixed Deposit in Sabah & Sarawak, we forgot that we need to amend the "public holiday roll" in our Parliamentary Enactments. So for now, lets say, Malaysia Day is celebrated illegally, save for a declaration from the DYMM Agung. So lets not forget to quickly amend our laws so that the Malaysia Day of 2011 is celebrated legally …
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Moving On Gracefully

Moving On Gracefully

Moving On Gracefully

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 09:29 PM PDT

 PM Hatoyama of DPJ

Politics is a drug. Once you have tasted a piece of it, the addiction stays on forever. And for those who have enjoyed the perks that come with it, it is even more difficult to 'wean' them away. Just like mother's milk, its always tasty. But parents have to do what they have to do, yank the 'little devil' away before they become 'dependent' derelicts.

I take my hat off for Yukio Hatoyama (Japan) and Kevin Rudd (Australia) for bowing down before they do any more harm to the bigger cause. For Hatoyama, whom have fought 40 years to restore his family's honour as 'good politicians' but still willing to give it up less than a year later (after being elected) speaks volume of his upbringing and personal character. And for Rudd to do the same is a sacrifice of his part to assure his Party's hold on to the seat of Government is highly commendable.

On our own front, for Dr Chua Soi Lek to owe it up to his mistakes is a character trait that all of us who are involved in politics should learn to do. I do not want to dwelve on the appropriateness or morality of what Dr Chua has done, but purely zooming in on his personal action of taking responsibility is what we are interested in, in this article.

But we cannot say that of some of the current leaders in BN as well as PR. How many of you have seen the familar old faces whom have refused to give up because the 'opium' still taste good for them.

Could Thailand have had a different fate if Thaksin is willing to give it all up and devote more of his time to rebuilding the country rather than clinging onto political power.

Likewise if Gordon Brown had owed it up much more earlier when the signs were apparent, could Labour have had slide that much off the scale.

If we are that 'bledy' useless, its time to go gracefully, and that includes me!
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Quiet Protest

Quiet Protest

Quiet Protest

Posted: 12 Jun 2010 10:37 PM PDT

 It's easy to spot me, I'm the one without the raised arm! (Pic by TheStar Online)

Interesting gathering, it was called the "1 Malaysia Rally". But why do I think it was more of a 'syok sendiri' gathering than anything else.

To fully experience the occassion, I decided to take the LRT from Kelana Jaya (the extreme end of 'KJ' Route) to Bukit Jalil (the 2nd last station of the Sri Petaling Route).

I've not taken the LRT for at least 6-7 months and it was a good way to see for myself whether the infrastructure service has improved since Ong Tee Keat took over as Transport Minister.

To my dismal, it hasnt improve but decline in service standards. For one, I couldnt get a ticket to go straight from Kelana Jaya to Bukit Jalil. I had to buy a one way ticket to Masjid Jamek and then buy another ticket from Masjid Jamek to Bukit Jalil. And in between suffer the rain transitting from the 'putra' station to the 'star' station. (How would I know whether to take an umbrella or not?)

So when is RapidKL going to integrate the two systems together? When are we Malaysians going to learn how to be a "first class nation"?

After alighting from the LRT station (at 2pm), I mingled around outside the Stadium to see who were the participants for the 1 Malaysia Rally.

Most of them were underaged school pupils and college students. How did I know? Easy, just ask! Some of them were shouting and making huge noises while others were carrying placards shouting Anti-Israel slogans. (After the recent storming of the MV aid ship to the Gaza strip by Isreali soldiers)

I should have ask myself then, is this truly a 1 Malaysia Rally or is it an Anti-Israel Rally? Why has the organisers allowed students to carry banners and placards to show support of Gaza when the occassion was to gather support for PM's 1 Malaysia Campaign?

Without giving much further thought, I went straight to the upper podium of Putra Stadium to wait for the PM to come and grace the occassion. He arrived at 3pm.

There wasnt much in between (except for the usual greetings among Component Party Heads and usual pleasantries) so I'll just skip the rest and go straight to the meat.

When the PM arrived, almost all rushed forward to kiss his hand (an act which PM Mahathir disliked intensely when he was PM). A fellow Sabahan Party Component Head and I just stood on the side to let those who liked kissing hands so much get their fair share of the grabbing and sembah-ing.

Moments later we were all ushered into the upper podium to a loud thunderous claps of applause welcoming the PM's arrival. (DPM Muhyddin and Tun 'Pak Lah' were also part of the VVIP guests at the Rally. I suspect Pak Lah was there because his son-in-law was there. Incidentally, I also saw Nori (KJ's wife) in the next section beside the podium)

After a half hour performance of local Martial Arts (I like Silambam the best), Khairy went to the platform on the opposite site of the VVIP podium to give his speech. It was sweet and simple but right to the point of why BN has not learned that the Young of today does not like to be treated as 'ignoramus'. The BN Govt has done a lot but we shouldnt self-praise and claim all the credit. We simply cannot pull wool over the rakyat's eyes anymore!

The reason I'm writing this article is to admit to the fact that some of my friends have called me up and ask me why I did not raise my hand while they were shouting the 1 Malaysia Slogan (as you can see in the above photo. I'm the one standing on the extreme left on the same row as the PM).

My answer to them was that, eventhough I fully support the PM's effort in bringing the 1 Malaysia Concept to fruition, I still cannot convince myself that everybody 'below him' (in the administration) have gotten or embrace the idea fully into their very 'being'.

I've said it once and I'll say it again. The day that the Civil Service is fair, that PTPTN & JPA loans are merit based, that the Public Universities entry are transparent, that there will be equal treatment between SK and SJK(C) and SJK(T) and that the Govt Agencies are for ALL … that'll be the day I'll raise my hand with all the enthusiasm that I've got!

But until then, I cannot see through the 'wayang kulit' that is going on nor the lack of political will in doing away with what decades of racial seperation policies have done.

Until then, I reserve the right to protest in quiet …

What’s In A Dato?

Posted: 12 Jun 2010 09:47 PM PDT

It's easy to give and its also easy to take back.

That was what His Majesty the DYMM Sultan of Johor did when he took back the 2 honorifics of DPMJ (title of Dato) and SPMJ (title of Dato Seri) from Chua Jui Meng (ex Vice President of MCA).

I'm not going to write about the political affiliations of Chua in this article but I just wanted to speculate on what the Sultan was going through in his head that warrant such a drastic move of stripping a person of his honours.

The Palace in a seperate statement did mention the fact that His Majesty is now reviewing all prior conferments and will adhere all future awards to a set of strict rules of conduct.

Among the rules include: good standing as a citizen, exceptional performance as a subject, great contribution to society and nation.

I salute Sultan Ibrahim for setting the record straight and that His Majesty is putting the rules to work himself after his ascension to the Johor Throne. This will in no small way return the former glory, prestige and meaning of being a Dato from a Royal State.

 Among the plenty, there's now honour to being a Dato' from the State of Johor. I can't say that of other states (or at least some of them).

There's also concern that athletes whom have contributed to the nation be awarded honorifics after their retirement. So I'm all for Soh Chin Aun and Misbun Sidek being confered the Dato'ship. But why in the like of Lee Chong Wei and Nicol Davids. Both are still in their twenties, why the hurry?

And what about Chef Wan, why is he a Dato' also? Any connection to any other things?

My humble opinion as a subject of the Malay Rulers … the other Royal Highnesses may want to emulate the bold action of Sultan of Johor in restoring the "glory of the title".

Then it means something to be a Dato'. Otherwise the street is full of them, by then it would be more prestigious to be called "Encik". At least that was the feeling during the administration of Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Razak's time.
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Nah … Here’s A Senator

Nah … Here’s A Senator

Nah … Here’s A Senator

Posted: 05 May 2010 04:01 AM PDT

 MIC Deputy President – G. Palanivel

Deputy President of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), G. Palanivel was sworned in as a Senator in the Dewan Rakyat on 3 May 2010. That's good for the Indian community. Regardless of his performance for the last 4 terms in Hulu Selangor, I have heard (from my own sources) that he too has contributed his fair share of his duties in that area for the last 20 years.

Because voters appetide are always insatiable, they will always keep asking for more, and if you did not attend a function that they have organised (and there are many more excuses the electorates can give you), they will say you have not contributed/performed and therefore not fit to be fielded as a candidate. What is the criteria to judge whether an MP is performing or not performing?

What is a good MP and what is not a good MP?

At least now that he is a Senator (despite talk that this was a way to keep him silent and not make noise for not being chosen as the candidate for the Hulu Selangor By-Election), he should be able to use his new position to fight for the plight of the Indians in MIC and also his 'ex'-constituents in Hulu Selangor for the last 20 years.

But this article is not about G. Palanivel, it's about Ezam, the ex-PKR Youth Chief who was also sworn in at the same time as Palanivel as a Senator. My question is, what has he done to deserve a seat in the Senate? By apologizing to the people of Hulu Selangor during the week-long campaign that he was wrong in criticising the Govt while he was in PKR? Is that it?

Is that how UMNO rewards its 'rejects'?

If that is the case, then we have a serious problem here. The Senate becomes a national dumping ground for 'political rejects' and 'political-frogs'.

What is a criteria to becoming a Senator? Is this a favour-granting post that is used to keep people happy or entice people to hop over and become a political-frog?

When has the 'honourable' institution of the Senate degraded to become like that? Instead of housing people who have contributed to the nation or are contributing to the nation, it has been used for other reasons (we call that patronage).

Previously known as the Upper House, carrying a higher stature than the Dewan Rakyat, Senators are now not being given the respect that they should, much like the grand-title of Dato and/or Tan Sri, the streets are full of it, its becoming like a commodity!

2 Years On and …

Posted: 04 May 2010 10:48 PM PDT

I was asked by blogger Jed Yoong of "LurveWonderland" (her new blog after a long lapse from the cyberworld) to comment on what I had been upto in the last two years since the 12GE. Knowing well that an email response would not do justice to what I had to say, an interview was arranged so that we could explore further the topic at hand.

In an open-fashion manner, Jed fired off her questions in successive rounds of probes as to what I think about various issues but most of them centred around the constituency of Batu and what I think about the ongoing court case involving Tian Chua and his police-biting incident.

I gave a no-holds-barred response to all her questions and although the interview was a rather long one, but I think due to length-constraint, only a very small section of the interview appeared in her blog (which does not do justice nor was it able to capture the true spirit and essence of the question and answers for the day).

The interview is found here.

First of all, I would like to state that there is no "crew of 10″ in my service centre as she alluded to. Some of the people she met there, were genuine voters who had come in to chat and share what were happening in the places where they reside.

I only have a staff of 4 in my office. 3 Malay and one Indian. This is not by default but by design. I want my staff to be sensitive to the needs of the electorates of Batu especially the plight of the Indians (since most of them are from the lowest income groups) there. This team have been with me since the day I lost the Batu Election.

But Jed was right in that my service centre is definitely opened from 12pm to 7pm daily and upon request on weekends too.

And Thank You Jed for interviewing me and giving me a chance to explain what we have been upto in the last 2 years …

(Incidentally, the link to my blog which she provided at the end of the interview is an error. Instead of limpsipin.com (I hope the error was not intentional to make me a 'limp') it should read limsipin.com)
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