Lunch time today was interesting. There was a unusually big crowd outside Menara Maybank. So, my lunch kakis and I went nearer to see what's the attraction.
A big bunch of folks picketing outside the Menara Maybank. They were singing songs, waving banners, shouting logo ... and doing all sorts of thing people do during peaceful demonstration. Tonnes of people gather around to take photo, too bad I didnt bring my handphone to take a pic.
The most glaring banner was a huge yellow colour banner screaming "Bank rompak kami" - translated into "The bank robbed us". I am guessing that the bank must be a bit stingy with their increment or bonus, and thus pissed off the staff.
So far, it was a peaceful demo. There were a bunch of police around observing.
There was only a small paragraph of news on The Star the next day
Tuesday September 25, 2007
Bank workers picket over wages
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) picketed peacefully outside Maybank branches nationwide to demand a pay rise.
Yesterday’s picket was the latest in a series of pickets by NUBE members in the past two weeks after the union failed to get banks to agree to increase wages.
NUBE is asking for a 30% increase but the Malaysian Commercial Banks Association, which represents bank managements’ interest nationwide wants to discontinue the two-month contractual bonus.
Following the deadlock, NUBE launched a work-to-rule procedure among the 25,000 clerical and non-clerical members.
NUBE general secretary J. Solomon said they would continue to picket.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Can our world get crazier ?
First ... the tragic death of a little girl .. Nurin. The nation grieved for her.
As if their suffering is not enough, our minister Nazri says they wanna charge the parents for negligence. That statement, coming out from the mouth of a Minister from Prime Minister's office really makes one wonder if every tom, dick and harry on the street can be a Minister ? Then make me a Minister then... hahahah ! Even a man on the street has more common sense and sympathy than this fella.
Eh... this is kinda deja vu ...
Remember the case Penang Council blame NST reporter not dressed modest enough, when their staff focused the camera on her legs.
Time and again, we hear comments from those who choose to blame the girl for dressing too sexy when a rape case happened.
Seems like in our Bolehland Ministers are losing it ... getting crazier and crazier. This kind of issues seems prevalent in Bolehland though. Sad... sad...
As if their suffering is not enough, our minister Nazri says they wanna charge the parents for negligence. That statement, coming out from the mouth of a Minister from Prime Minister's office really makes one wonder if every tom, dick and harry on the street can be a Minister ? Then make me a Minister then... hahahah ! Even a man on the street has more common sense and sympathy than this fella.
Eh... this is kinda deja vu ...
Remember the case Penang Council blame NST reporter not dressed modest enough, when their staff focused the camera on her legs.
Time and again, we hear comments from those who choose to blame the girl for dressing too sexy when a rape case happened.
Seems like in our Bolehland Ministers are losing it ... getting crazier and crazier. This kind of issues seems prevalent in Bolehland though. Sad... sad...
Saturday, September 22, 2007
May Nurin rest in peace .......
Yesterday, little Nurin Jazlin was laid to rest. May she rest in peace.
The news of her death and how she died shook the nation, imagine how the family suffered with the news. Her parents finally came to accept the fact of their little daughter's death.
During lunch time, some of us were discussing this tragedy. My colleague, who is also a father of two young daughters, was condemning what kind of person can be so cruel to a little child. He was determined that never to let his little girls out of his sight.
" I wont even allow them to go to the padang at our housing area without adult supervision."
That is how determined he is to protect his kids. And it is understandable, given the crazy world we lived in.
He reminiscence the childhood he had, where he was free to wander around nearby neighbours house and play around at nearby freely. Back in those days, these freedom were taken for granted. Today, children are no longer have the privilege of wandering freely.
Imagine what else that we have taken for granted today, would in the future be a privilege. Malaysia seems to be going backwards in our social environment.
The news of her death and how she died shook the nation, imagine how the family suffered with the news. Her parents finally came to accept the fact of their little daughter's death.
During lunch time, some of us were discussing this tragedy. My colleague, who is also a father of two young daughters, was condemning what kind of person can be so cruel to a little child. He was determined that never to let his little girls out of his sight.
" I wont even allow them to go to the padang at our housing area without adult supervision."
That is how determined he is to protect his kids. And it is understandable, given the crazy world we lived in.
He reminiscence the childhood he had, where he was free to wander around nearby neighbours house and play around at nearby freely. Back in those days, these freedom were taken for granted. Today, children are no longer have the privilege of wandering freely.
Imagine what else that we have taken for granted today, would in the future be a privilege. Malaysia seems to be going backwards in our social environment.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Does office politics spice up ur life ?
One day, my project manager.. call her as Ms J, came up to us and started whining about how the senior manager was being difficult.
" You know ah, that senior manager Mr X ... it seems he is buddy with the VP. So, all our proposals will go down the drain if I we do not have him on our side. Then the other lady manager Mrs Y personally knows the President. Mrs Y and Mr X cant see eye-to-eye most of the time. Thats why I had to pick sides... so hard to work in this office"
Office politics is part and parcel of life. Over the years, I have come to accept that as a fact of life. I dont particularly enjoy it, but rather tolerate it.
Ms J actually wanted to sound like she is complaining about how hard her job is to get everyone from different to agree. But her facial expression betrayed her. She was obviously very excited about all this. Office politics seems to spice up her life somehow - and provide adrenaline to her system.
So ... do you enjoy office politics ?
" You know ah, that senior manager Mr X ... it seems he is buddy with the VP. So, all our proposals will go down the drain if I we do not have him on our side. Then the other lady manager Mrs Y personally knows the President. Mrs Y and Mr X cant see eye-to-eye most of the time. Thats why I had to pick sides... so hard to work in this office"
Office politics is part and parcel of life. Over the years, I have come to accept that as a fact of life. I dont particularly enjoy it, but rather tolerate it.
Ms J actually wanted to sound like she is complaining about how hard her job is to get everyone from different to agree. But her facial expression betrayed her. She was obviously very excited about all this. Office politics seems to spice up her life somehow - and provide adrenaline to her system.
So ... do you enjoy office politics ?
Sunday, September 16, 2007
How many mistakes can you make ?
For the past two weeks, my new job have moved from first gear to fourth gear. It has been both exciting and tiring. Gone are the days where i wished the clock would tick faster, and count the hours goes by.
I made a few blunders which I mentally slapped myself for. But then later, I console myself that being a newbie .... hitting a few walls is normal. No big deal as people tend to forgive you easier when you are still new. Got the "Free Out-Of-Jail" card still.... but I know the card has got a expiry date.
My ex-boss once gave me some word of wisdom - " Ask all the question you have, and make all the mistake you want during your first three months. After that, you don't have the privilege anymore."
My hubby's boss version is slightly more interesting
"Make as many mistake as you want... its all right. But make the same mistake twice, i call you an idiot'
I made a few blunders which I mentally slapped myself for. But then later, I console myself that being a newbie .... hitting a few walls is normal. No big deal as people tend to forgive you easier when you are still new. Got the "Free Out-Of-Jail" card still.... but I know the card has got a expiry date.
My ex-boss once gave me some word of wisdom - " Ask all the question you have, and make all the mistake you want during your first three months. After that, you don't have the privilege anymore."
My hubby's boss version is slightly more interesting
"Make as many mistake as you want... its all right. But make the same mistake twice, i call you an idiot'
Saturday, September 1, 2007
No fireworks on KLCC ?
On Merdeka eve, me and my brother found a nice spot on top of the hill overlooking the KLCC view. When we reach there, there were already hordes of people gathering to wait for the fireworks display. Parents were dragging kids in pyjamas, and even carrying babies who were obviously still groggy as it was way past their bedtime.
The crowd excitedly waited for the fireworks. All eyes were directed to KLCC. I was ready with my camera in place. The KLCC was nice, all litted up. Everyone just assume that there will be fireworks at the KLCC - the pride of the nation. Imagine how nice the fireworks will be with KLCC in the background.
" papa, papa, where is the firework " one of the kids kept asking over and over again. Kids can be really relentless.
At the stroke of midnight, there was only some small sparks at the Kepong area.... but all was quiet at the KLCC. Ehh... this is not right leh.
"Maybe they got some technical issues... can't lit the fireworks... lets wait a while" one guy was saying
Wait....
Another 10 minutes passed .....
" Papa.... where is firework ?? " The kid ask again ...
" Maybe we gotta wait for Pak Lah to finish his speech first. He just started speech at midnight "
" Aiya, he should have started talking earlier mah "
More waiting...
Another 10 minutes passed ....
The crowd began to disperse...
" Chou la, jeng hu boh lui lah " one frustrated guy exclaimed in Hokkien ( Lets go, our goverment no money for fireworks )
" Tonight they are trying to relive the 31 Aug 1957 Merdeka night. They dont have fireworks at that time mah ... "
We too, slogged back to our apartment. Only at around 1pm, we could see some small fireworks from the far-away Dataran Merdeka area. What a disappointment !
The crowd excitedly waited for the fireworks. All eyes were directed to KLCC. I was ready with my camera in place. The KLCC was nice, all litted up. Everyone just assume that there will be fireworks at the KLCC - the pride of the nation. Imagine how nice the fireworks will be with KLCC in the background.
" papa, papa, where is the firework " one of the kids kept asking over and over again. Kids can be really relentless.
At the stroke of midnight, there was only some small sparks at the Kepong area.... but all was quiet at the KLCC. Ehh... this is not right leh.
"Maybe they got some technical issues... can't lit the fireworks... lets wait a while" one guy was saying
Wait....
Another 10 minutes passed .....
" Papa.... where is firework ?? " The kid ask again ...
" Maybe we gotta wait for Pak Lah to finish his speech first. He just started speech at midnight "
" Aiya, he should have started talking earlier mah "
More waiting...
Another 10 minutes passed ....
The crowd began to disperse...
" Chou la, jeng hu boh lui lah " one frustrated guy exclaimed in Hokkien ( Lets go, our goverment no money for fireworks )
" Tonight they are trying to relive the 31 Aug 1957 Merdeka night. They dont have fireworks at that time mah ... "
We too, slogged back to our apartment. Only at around 1pm, we could see some small fireworks from the far-away Dataran Merdeka area. What a disappointment !
