Categories
Conflict & disaster

[787] Of security checks in Malaysia

I am one of those people that have issues with security checks. I never pass a typical security check without failing it. Friends that had traveled with me more than once or twice can confirm this – those bastards even joke about it. They always joked, what is it between you and security check. I blame it on 9/11.

I failed security checks in New York. I failed it in Los Angeles. In San Francisco, Detroit, Washington D.C. Once in Stockholm during transit. Another in Singapore. The latest was Kuala Lumpur, yesterday, on my way to Khazanah Nasional office within the Petronas Twin Towers. That metal detector that everybody goes through is just my arch bane. This bane however has allowed me to make a comparison of some security measures taken by Malaysia with those implemented in Singapore and the United States.

In the US, each time I failed initial security check, I was subjected to further scrutiny; a thorough check. I had to take my shoes off, take my metal belt off and undergo an awkward body check. Not to mention, harassed by personal metal detector. The officers even went through my hand luggage. Too much hassle to say the least. They also would give my personal details extra attention. This is one of the reasons why I always tried to get to the airports in the US a few hours earlier. It would suck to miss a flight.

In Singapore, it’s about the same thing though not quite as strict as those in the US.

But in Malaysia, I think I could bring in a bomb with me, got caught at the metal detector, questioned by security personnel, then tell them that it isn’t a bomb and get away with it. I kid you not.

First case was at the airport when I first set foot in Malaysia for the first time in a bit over four years. I failed the metal detector and a security person asked me what may have triggered the alarm. I – already well-experienced the art of answering this type of questions – told the person that it could be my boot, or my belt. She believed it and let me go.

Second case was at the Singaporean border. At the Malaysian side. I’ve blogged about it earlier.

Third case occurred, as mentioned, at the Petronas Twin Tower. I duly failed the metal detector and the alarm went off. And the security officer duly asked “what do you have with you?” I said “nothing really” and he simply let me go.

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: our security is badly lagging. One day, a real terrorist might be tiptoeing right down our nose and pull a real attack unless we buck up.

Categories
ASEAN Politics & government

[786] Of white elephant for the Thai monarch

In The Star today:

The Nation reported that all “white” elephants found in Thailand must be presented to the king and become his sole ownership.

“White elephants are regarded as auspicious. The more a monarch acquires during a reign, the more prosperous and happy his kingdom will be,” according to The Nation.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

If no, Malaysia does have a “white elephant” in Johor. Since the Thais see white elephants as auspicious, they’d appreciate Malaysia offering our white elephant to them as, er, gift of friendship.

Categories
Economics Photography Sports

[785] Of economics 101: substitute goods

Should I get a Pringles?

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

Or locally produced Agromas instead?

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

One thing for sure, both are unhealthy.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p/s – Laffer curve. Though the idea is nothing new, there’s an interesting coincidence (via):

Economist Arthur Laffer made a very interesting supposition: If tax rates are high enough, then cutting taxes might actually generate more revenue for the government, or at least pay for themselves. (In one of life’s great coincidences, he first sketched a graph of this idea on Dick Cheney’s cocktail napkin.)

I know it was sketched on a napkin. But I didn’t know it was Cheney’s napkin.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

pp/s – Blind sacked. From Ajax-USA:

A surprise? Not exactly. Ajax officially confirmed today what everybody already knew: the club have decided to replace head-coach Danny Blind, as well as his assistants Ruud Krol and Gerard van der Lem. The reasons: Ajax never competed for the Dutch championship this season and the first team players have not made the desired progress, neither as individuals nor as a collective. Chairman John Jaakke and technical director Martin van Geel commented on the club’s decision at a press conference at the Amsterdam ArenA. They expect that the new Ajax-1 boss can be presented in less than three weeks’ time.

Henk ten Cate, Rijkaard’s man at Barcelona, might be the next person for the Ajax job. Also, from Ajax-USA

“Certain Dutch journalists have actually called my mother to ask her about my future! I find that scandalous. I understand that journalists are supposed to their job, but come on: don’t they have certain values? Leave my mother out of it!”
– Henk ten Cate, who is generally expected to coach Ajax-1 next season, on RTV Noord-Holland.

Categories
Kitchen sink

[784] Of most useless key

I’m convinced that the most useless key on a typical 105-key qwerty computer keyboard is the scroll lock. Stuff from Google indicates that the key is an archaeological remain. Since that is the case, somebody should replace the scroll lock with the 13th function key. 13.

Don’t you think it’s annoying that sometimes, you can’t find the 13th floor when you need to get to the 13th floor? There’s the 12th floor. And there’s the 14th floor and the 13th floor is nowhere on the panel. Even worse, you need to go to the 42nd floor but according to the panel, you actually want to go to the 43rd floor?

Why don’t we be done with the number 13 and let 14 be the new 13? How about that?

I wonder if Laputan Logic gonna blog about the number 13. Should be a fun read.

Yup. You got it right. It’s a goddamn slow day.

Categories
Politics & government

[783] Of a man of principle

I admire Shahrir Abdul Samad, an UMNO representative from Johor Bahru. He is true to himself unlike so many others:

Shahrir Resigns From BN Backbenchers Club Chairman Post

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) — Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad Thursday resigned as the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman as many BN members of parliament did not support the motion without notice to refer a news report in the New Straits Times to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee Thursday.

It all first started with a news report by the New Straits Times:

Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink…
Customs ignored MP’s request
Hamidah Atan and Farrah Naz Karim

PUTRAJAYA: A Member of Parliament allegedly asked the Customs and Excise Department to “close one eye” in a case involving the import of sawn timber.

It is learnt that the department has submitted a detailed report on the MP’s alleged interference into the seizure of sawn timber brought in from Indonesia at Sungai Linggi recently.

The MP is said to have gone to the Malacca Customs Office on April 14 to “settle” the matter. He had allegedly requested that the department “close one eye” in handling the case.

The MP according to Malaysiakini is from Jasin, Malacca.

It’s disturbing to see the one that should resign stays while the one that should stay resigns. Even worse, the majority is not only uninterested in pursuing justice, but they are shielding the MP in question from possible inquiry. Though short of legalizating corruption, if this continues without check, kleptocracy will not be impossible. This is one of the reasons why Malaysia needs a stronger opposition in the Parliament.

All is not lost though. The Malacca Customs did their work and therefore, deserve praises for what they have done. Or haven’t done.