Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by berzerk

Prof kangkung versi USIM

berzerk — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:32:39 +0800

Belum cuti sudah racing

Why change KTM when colonial names remain? — Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli
Friday, 25 Apr 2025 1:00 PM MYT

APRIL 25 — Recent suggestions to change the name Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) because it is supposedly “obsolete” have triggered a lot of discussion. The claim is that the name no longer fits with the image of a modern and inclusive Malaysia. But this kind of proposal brings up a bigger question — if KTM, a name in our national language and one that carries deep historical significance, is considered outdated, what about the many towns and places in Malaysia that still carry the names of colonial officers and British royalty?

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Keretapi Tanah Melayu is not a colonial name. It is rooted in our own history, unlike George Town—named after King George III—or Port Dickson, Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Butterworth, which were named during the British colonial era. KTM represents a local and national identity. It reflects the spirit of a growing Malaya that eventually became an independent nation. Saying that Tanah Melayu is no longer relevant is to overlook the long journey of this land and its people.

Some people feel that Tanah Melayu sounds exclusive and does not reflect the multicultural nature of Malaysia today. But actually, Tanah Melayu refers to the historical and geographical reality of the Malay Peninsula—it’s not a statement to exclude anyone. Historically, Tanah Melayu simply means Land of the Malays—what’s wrong with acknowledging that fact? Just as Thailand is the land of the Thais, and China the land of the Chinese, it is perfectly natural for the Malay Peninsula to be referred to by its historical identity. That does not mean there is no room for others; it just reflects the roots of the land.

What’s ironic is the reaction we see when people try to change colonial names. Take George Town, for example. When there was a suggestion to rename it Tanjung Penaga, which was the original name of the area, many of the same people who support changing KTM were quick to criticise. Some said it would “erase history” or “confuse tourists”, even though the name George Town itself came from colonial rule. The irony is hard to miss—a colonial name is defended strongly, while a local, historical name like KTM is seen as outdated. This kind of double standard is quite hard to understand.

If we are serious about decolonisation or rebranding our national identity, then we should start by reviewing names that clearly came from colonial times. Why are names like George Town and Butterworth still around in post-independence Malaysia? Why haven’t places like Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands been renamed to reflect our local heritage and identity? If the goal is to move past old identities, then surely colonial names should be the first to go—not a name like KTM that comes from our own language and culture.

Names are not just for convenience—they carry meaning. Keretapi Tanah Melayu brings back memories, a sense of belonging, and national pride. It’s a living symbol of our past, and one that has grown together with us as a nation. Changing it is not really progress—it’s more like forgetting who we are.

In the end, let’s not be too quick to throw away our own identity just to look “modern”. If KTM needs to go because it’s seen as old-fashioned, then we should be fair and apply the same logic to all names—especially those left behind by colonial rule. Otherwise, we might end up protecting the names of our colonisers while slowly erasing our own.

* Associate Professor Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli is a senior lecturer at Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

Read Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-thi...hd-rusli/174436

Starbucks Corp shares suffer record run of losses

berzerk — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:43:23 +0800

Hispter kopi lovers thank Palestin boycotters for their sacrifice

QUOTE

Starbucks suffers record 11-day rout as sales concerns build
The coffee giant’s stock fell 1.6% on Monday, wiping out 9.4% of market value, a loss of nearly US$12 billion.
Bloomberg - 05 Dec 2023

NEW YORK: Starbucks Corp shares suffered a record run of losses as concern builds that sales trends at the coffee giant have cooled in recent weeks.
The stock dropped 1.6% on Monday, declining for a 11th consecutive session in what is the longest rout since Starbucks’ public debut in 1992. In total, the slump has erased 9.4% of Starbucks’ market value, a decline of nearly US$12 billion.
Third-party sales data signalled a “material slowing” at Starbucks in November after the coffee giant delivered strong comparable sales growth of 8% in the fiscal fourth quarter, JPMorgan Chase & Co analyst John Ivankoe wrote in a note Monday.

Membaca itu amalan mulia

Wushu to replace diving, gymnastics at Sukma 2028

berzerk — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:08:42 +0800

Kelantan to meet with govt on shariah compliant attire for sports

KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government will hold talks with the youth and sports ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC) over guidelines on shariah-compliant sports attire for the 2028 Malaysia Games (Sukma 2028).

State youth, sports and NGO committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad said the talks were crucial since Kelantan would be hosting Sukma 2028.

“There are some attire-sensitive events that need to be discussed, like aquatics and rhythmic gymnastics, so the state government will discuss this matter with the ministry,” he said.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...ire-for-sports/

Misleading title is not misleading.

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PMX getting new friends in Sth America

berzerk — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:53:19 +0800

Looks like PMX won't be the only one getting angry phone calls from EU & US

QUOTE

A number of South American countries have registered diplomatic protests against Israel, in response to its latest conflict with Hamas, with Bolivia’s leftwing government cutting ties entirely and attributing its decision to alleged war crimes and human rights abuses being committed in the Gaza Strip.

Hours later, the governments of Chile and Colombia recalled their ambassadors from Israel, while Brazil’s president criticised the continued airstrikes on Gaza.

Full story here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/...-gaza-war-crime

Hire purchase question

berzerk — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:59:57 +0800

Are there any flexible rate, reducing balance hire purchase loans in Malaysia?
E.g. lets say today you buy a Tesla Y with a 5 year loan, but you 6 months from now BTC goes to the moon and you have spare 25k & want to pay more than the normal repayment? Is there any bank offering a hire purchase loan which will reduce the principal balance if you pay more than the normal monthly repayment?

Thanks sifus

Sarawak snubs federal quarantine SOP for ministers

berzerk — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:43:44 +0800

QUOTE

Sarawak snubs federal order loosening quarantine SOP for ministers
Goh Pei Pei -February 10, 2021 9:23 AM

KUCHING: Sarawak will not follow the health ministry’s decision to allow ministers who return from any official visit abroad to undergo observation for only three days.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian said anyone who entered Sarawak was still required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine at a designated hotel or centre.

“The policy is still the same: those who return from abroad need to be quarantined for 14 days and a swab test will be taken on the 10th day, regardless of whether they are ministers, YBs or VIPs” he said when contacted.

He said the Sarawak disaster management committee would seek advice from medical experts before deciding to make any changes to the quarantine policy.

Link so source

Moodin can't go to Sarawak for another 2 weeks

[WTA] Rejecting job after signing contract

berzerk — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 07:51:41 +0800

Dear HR experts what are the consequences if a job applicant signs a contract for full time employment and then changes his mind about joining the company?

E.g. Company A offers me a full time position (i.e. not contract based) with a starting date on 1 Feb 2019, and I've signed the contract.
Later, say on 2 Jan 2019, I change my mind and inform them I'm not joining.
What will happen besides making enemies with Company A? Are there any legal consequences?
Note the contract only has standard terms about pay, benefits, work hours, confidentiality and termination notice period after joining.

[WTA] The best bak kwa in KV?

berzerk — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 10:21:20 +0800

Which is the best bak kwa/bak poh/chinese jerky in Klang Valley?

Specify the shop, location, meat (beef, chicken, pork, bacon etc) & variant (minced, sliced, spicy, etc).
Note Bee Cheng Hiang doesn't qualify. Only looking for the best of Klang Valley, not the best in Singapore, JB & Batam.

Thanks is in the spoiler

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AirAsia to shift operations to original KLIA

berzerk — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 16:09:38 +0800

Finally, KLIA Gateway becomes the shopping centre it was always meant to be.

QUOTE

AirAsia to shift operations to KLIA by January?
BY BILQIS BAHARI - 2 NOVEMBER 2016 @ 12:53 PM F
KUALA LUMPUR: AIRASIA Group, Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, plans to move its entire operations to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) by January next year. Business Times has learnt that the group’s affiliates — AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia), Thai AirAsia, Philippines AirAsia, Indonesia AirAsia, AirAsia X Bhd and Indonesia X — had agreed to relocate to the main terminal.
The decision was made following the revised passenger service charges (PSCs) by Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) on Monday. It is also learnt that AirAsia senior management had consulted Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) management on the matter.
In a statement on Monday, AirAsia and AirAsia X had said the services at KLIA and klia2 were not at par, and passengers enjoy far superior services at the main terminal.
AirAsia and its affiliates are now the largest klia2 operator, capturing 98 per cent of flights at the terminal.

Read More: http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/11/185260/...-klia-shift-jan

boat migrant advertisement on forum

berzerk — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 12:02:46 +0800

Anyone else see this advert on the forum?
or did my internet habits have the profile of an indian illegal boat migrant to australia

Is Ramesh Rao the new Ridhuan Tee?

berzerk — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 16:22:47 +0800

Ramesh seems to have filled the role of BN idiot macai-in-chief since ah tee lost his newspaper column.

QUOTE

Pro-BN NGO claims Jewish link in plot to embarrass Rosmah

A pro-BN NGO has cited a Jewish link in what it alleged to be a plot to embarrass Rosmah Mansor on an international level with regard to her being struck off the list of recipients for an award.

"Based on our checks, we found that the agency is Jewish-based and (the award) was purportedly (slated to be given to Rosmah) for her achievements in the Permata programme," Perubuhan Minda dan Sosial Prihatin president Ramesh Rao said in a statement today.

Contacted later, Ramesh declined to confirm that he was referring to the Antiquities Coalition, but promised to reveal more details "in future".

In his statement, he said the Malaysian government was able to detect this plot beforehand, and praised the work of Permata in helping Malaysian children.

Mkini, no need to pay RM1.39 per day

Bonus picture

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Another MNC exits Malaysia. Guess where?

berzerk — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 10:55:29 +0800

Can salahkan LGE?

QUOTE

Suzuki Motor has closed its Malaysian motorcycle assembly plant after earlier slashing production due to weak demand.
A Report in the Nikkei Asian Review said the company would now export the bikes from Japan.
A check at its website showed a prominent notice saying that it had closed its branches in Kedah, Malacca and Johor effective 16 July. No reasons were given.
According to the Nikkei report, the Japanese manufacturer had assembled scooters and other models at the site by installing engines and other core parts procured elsewhere.
But the plant’s annual output nearly halved to around 8,000 units in fiscal 2015, compared with fiscal 2013.
Efforts to raise efficiency bore little fruit owing to the facility’s limited scale and this led to the company deciding to focus on exporting lucrative larger models from Japan, said the Nikkei report.

Sos & full text: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...otorbike-plant/

Abu Sayyaf angry ransom money got songlapped

berzerk — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 09:52:30 +0800

If you every get kidnapped, prepare at least 30 million pesos to buy your life.

QUOTE

MANILA: Abu Sayyaf militants are reported to be angry that some of the money collected from families and friends of four Malaysian sailors abducted in April this year did not reach them.
They are said to be upset because although those handling the ransom money had raised P130 million (RM12 million), only P100 million was given to the kidnappers.
The Manila Times reported that the missing amount raised suspicion that the rebels might be in cahoots with government officials from Malaysia and the Philippines who may have shared the money among themselves.
The report, quoting “two highly placed senior Philippine government officials”, said the payment of ransom was confirmed by Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The New Straits Times had reported Zahid as saying that the RM12 million raised by the victims’s families had been handed over to the Special Branch and that this money was then channelled to several legal non-governmental organisations in the Philippines. He said the money was not paid as ransom. However, Malaysian police later denied being involved in any ransom payment.

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Sos: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...y-went-to-them/

small android phone suggestion

berzerk — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:20:47 +0800

Is this the right place to ask for phone recommendations?

I'm looking for a a small (about 4.5" screen) android phone with long battery life & water resistance? cheap would be a bonus. Performance & gaming isn't a big deal. Recently broke the screen on my old moto g which has served me well for the last 2+ years.

Thanks for helping.

Donations, Russian version

berzerk — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:54:36 +0800

Now everyone can blame donations.

QUOTE

Russian cellist says funds revealed in Panama Papers came from donations

the musician Sergei Roldugin was identified as an old friend of Vladimir Putin linked by documents from the leak to a number of offshore companies with cash flows of up to $2bn (£1.4bn).

A week later, in a 20-minute segment aired on Russian state television, Roldugin dismissed the idea that he was fabulously wealthy or was safeguarding money and assets for Putin.

Without directly answering the allegations that he personally controls a series of assets worth at least $100m, Roldugin insisted his “wealth” was merely a series of donations from rich businessmen in order to purchase expensive musical instruments for young Russians.

Sos tiram + minyak bijan: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/...donations-putin

[WTS] Mi 3 (sell at cost)

berzerk — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:26:52 +0800

Item(s): Xiaomi Mi3
Package includes:
1. Xiaomi Mi3 16GB (metallic grey) with everything in the box (charger, etc)
2. Ori anti-glare screen protector
3. Ori black flip case
Price: RM812
Warranty: XiaoMi My
Dealing method: COD in Petaling Jaya
Contact method/details: PM
Age of item: 3 weeks
Condition:
phone = 9.9999/10 (used 3 days),
screen protector & flip case = brand new
Picture:

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Reason for sale: Don't like MIUI interface, phone too big.
Optional addon: Add RM10 for new MI key

[WTS] Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 P3100

berzerk — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:47:11 +0800

Item(s): White Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 16GB Wifi + 3G. SME set, updated Android 4.1.2 from Samsung
Package includes: Tab original charger, 2 folio covers (black & red), the box
Price: 620
Warranty: None from SME. Will give 1 week personal warranty
Dealing method: COD preferred
Location of seller: Petaling Jaya
Contact method/details: PM
Age of item: 1+ year
Item(s) conditions: exterior 9/10 (only because its one year old), functionality 10/10. Screen protector applied from day 1 & original back plastic cover never peeled off

Picture: [attachmentid=3562081] [attachmentid=3562082]
Reason for sale: Sitting in the cupboard not being used

Zahid acts tough

berzerk — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:27:07 +0800

No more warnings, but action against those bent on creating trouble - Ahmad Zahid
News 2013-05-20 17:48
PUTRAJAYA, May 20 (Bernama) -- The government would not be issuing warnings anymore but would act tough against individuals whose extreme actions would only disrupt public order, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.

He said the Inspector-General of Policen (IGP), and heads of departments and agencies under the home ministry had been given the full power to carry out the task within their respective jurisdiction and without political interference.

Want more? see spoiler ler

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Sosnya http://www.mysinchew.com/node/86625

Go on, try to arrest 10,000 people.

Songlap case no 41,000,000

berzerk — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:41:31 +0800

QUOTE

Aussies ‘ignored’ M’sian banknote scandal | Free Malaysia Today

A 'secret' memo warning the Reserve Bank of Australia two years ago before the polymer banknote printing scandal, involving a Bank Negara official and a Malaysian agent, was ignored.

PETALING JAYA: A “private and confidential” memo warning top officials of Australia’s central bank of possible corruption, involving a Malaysian agent, among others, was withheld from the Australian parliament and police.
The memo was about the Reserve Bank of Australia’s subsidiaries Note Printing Australia (NPA) Ltd and Securency International on getting contracts to print polymer banknotes for Malaysia .

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[WTA] Where to buy collar stiffeners?

berzerk — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:53:32 +0800

Hi fashion experts,

Anyone knows where to buy collar stiffeners in KL?

No, Tesco doesn't have & buying a new shirt just for the stiffeners is wasteful.