dating on the grass

"i use to do it at the city hall padang, singapore"

I'm gonna be here till friday before my trip to Mersing the next day. It was nice meeting up with abunch of my buddies and just chill out. With my mom nagging me up the wall ( i know she's just concern about my being..., she found out about my recent trip to south thailand) I end-up spending much of my time with friends. And we manage to get another tickets for tomorrow's game between Singapore and Thailand. However, Thailand are three-time winners of the ASEAN Football Championship but this current team was not as good. I still think that our boys play better than the lions, better luck next time. For this game, my bet will go to the lion to win on home ground but they will not win this championship, Thailand seems hungrier to win. And yeah, they raise the admission ticket from $10 to $15 for adult grandstand price . . . ' opportunist shithead'

UPDATES:1/02/2007 am - Singapore vs Thailand

" the crowd doing the 'pip,pip,pip,pip,pip,pip...butoh' to the Thai team"

Singapore won 2-1 against Thailand and the reff from Malaysia, made very bad judgements showing favour towards the Singapore team. In the 83rd minute, Singapore was given the 'penalty kick' after Singapore player was accidentally brought down from behind by Thai's. How ridiculuous is that? It was a foul, you idiot! 'DramaMama' all the Thai players even walked out of the field to show their protest which lasted around 14min. I have to say, the match was unfair. Am anticipating the next match in Bangkok this coming Sunday. I just want justice! Thailand will win this Championship.

Tags|Design|Football|Postvoice|Singapore|Malaysian|Hatzputra

i desire hell'vetica'

"i am a serial junkie too"

Manage to sneak peek this movie Helvetica , directed by Gary Hustwit. It is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year & one of my favorite typeface) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Helvetica will begin screening at film festivals worldwide starting this March 2007, followed by cinema screenings across the US and Europe, and the DVD release.

Tags|Design|Movies|Postcard|Postvoice|Malaysian|Hatzputra

hello Mr Prime Minister sir

"courage in championing truth, honesty and integrity"

In SG now for the weekend game of Asean Football Championship and spending some time with my parent too. Lucky Singapore won on penalty kicks with overall score of 6-5. The crowd was amazing at the National Stadium, where the Kallang Roar was so often heard. It bring me back to the days of the Malaysian Cup time when i was still a student & freelance designer in Singapore. I also did Fandi's logo and T-Shirt print design for his company than.

I just read Kak Nuraina's latest blog "3540 Jalan Sudin: Hiding Behind The PM" an ex journo blogger formerly from NST. She wrote an interesting insight about our 'Mr Prime Minister' and 'not-so-wise advisers'. Do you think our PM is really dumb...? can be manipulated by this advisers. But for the past 3 years our dear PM is not doing his job and disappoint the expectations of our people who gave him the landslide majority victory. And I am one of them, how about you . . .

Tags|Bloggers United|Design|Malaysian bloggers sued|News Asia|Politic|Rocky's Bru|Singapore|Football|Postvoice|Malaysian|Hatzputra

'going fishing' in Kuala Lumpur civil High Court?

"original photo by Paul Choo, LensaPress Photo. grab from screenshots"

Rocky’s co-defence lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar was quited by the reporter from Agencie France Presse (AFP):

“What Rocky is contending is that with the claim the way it is, it is impossible to know how to adequately defend himself,” his lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur civil High Court.

“What we are arguing is that the claim must specifically set out which phrase relates to which meaning so that we can know how to defend it,” he said.

Interesting ANALYSIS from walkwithus.wordpress.com. NSTP vs Bloggers and who will win this fight . . . politicly?

Tags|Bloggers United|Design|Human rights|Jeff Ooi|Malaysian bloggers sued|News Asia|Politic|Rocky's Bru|Malaysian|Hatzputra

nst the big bully

"meet Bully from Monkey Corporation"

Work had been hectic this few days and I will try to blog more often. I have created a 'postcard design' which I called 'POSTVOICE' to address current issue in art form & graphic design.

Somebody out there created a new blog walkwithus.wordpress.com in support of "Jeff" & "Rocky", all consolidate info regarding there defamation case can be found there. It received over 10,000 pageviews since it went live couple days ago. Sheih aka 'Kickdefella' has also created a permanent page - SAY NO TO NSTP - please give your comments, ideas and supports with regards to the campaign there.

Tags|Design|Bloggers United|Human rights|Jeff Ooi|Malaysian bloggers sued|News Asia|Politic|Rocky's Bru|Malaysian|Hatzputra

Bloggers United official page launch by Susan Loone

"the media that murder free speech"

New development on Bloggers United movement. Susan Loone has launch the Bloggers United official page. You can click the Bloggers United’s logo by Sheih or Kickdefella on my site to directly visit the page. It will be updated regularly, and will contain links and information regarding the bloggers united movement.

"Blogger United Condemn Action Against Rocky Bru & Jeff Ooi & Demand Level Playing Field in All Action Against Bloggers"

Tags|Bloggers United|Human rights|Jeff Ooi|Malaysian bloggers sued|News Asia|Politic|Rocky's Bru|Malaysian|Hatzputra

1 Muharram (Islamic NewYear), 1428 Greeting, 21 January, 2007

" May your faith in "Allah" always bring you Peace & Prosperity "

In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and may peace and prayers be on the Messenger of Allah and on his family, companions and allies.

Muslim brothers and sisters everywhere: peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. I would like to wish you 'Barakah' (Blessing) from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, Amin, for this blessed month of "Muharram". May your faith in "Allah" always bring you Peace & Prosperity.

To know more about Significant Days of the Islamic Calendar for 2007

Tags|islamic|Muharram|New Year|Malaysian|Hatzputra

muslim population boom in Russia

Low domestic birth rates and rising immigration from the former Soviet republics have produced an explosive growth in Russia's Muslim community. At the same time Russia's overall population is in crisis. Short life spans and low birth rates among ethnic Russians mean the population is declining by 700,000 people a year. The return of long-denied religious freedoms in Russia has seen Islam flourish. As a result, many ethnic Russians fear their country is losing its national identity. There are around 25 million Muslims in Russia today, a rise of 40 per cent since 1989.

If the trend continues, the Muslim population could outnumber ethnic Russians within 30 years. Russia’s great cities have historical appeal, old-world charm that I would like to visit and explore. Maybe I should cover this 'muslim population' in a documentary? read more here

source: Al Jazeera.

Tags|islamic|Politic|Human rights|Malaysian|Hatzputra

official statement of Bloggers United

Blogger United Condemn Action Against Rocky Bru & Jeff Ooi & Demand Level Playing Field in All Action Against Bloggers

This is the official statement of Bloggers United. This statement is jointly drafted by Susan Loone and Sheih of Kickdefella. All those who believe in justice and right to free speech, please sign on and put this up in your blogs. Spread it around; let it grow far and wide. The fight is on! See also kickdefella.

We are a group of Malaysian bloggers who believe in justice and right to free speech. We, who endorse the Bloggers United movement , unanimously condemn the action taken by media conglomerate NST against bloggers Rocky Bru and Jeff Ooi. The action by the newspaper against the duo is an action against all bloggers who believe in their right to free speech, freedom of expression and justice.

The recent event may seem like a grave development in the path of bloggers, but it can never and must never impede or stop us from defending our right to speak, to express, to write and to tell the truth, to be the watchdog, eyes and ears of the people, or simply to share our view, and give fair comment on any subject which involves and affects us as humans, as rightful citizens of this country. The recent event may very well give the government owned media the opportunity to dictate the so-called ‘truth” but such actions only prove that bloggers must unite , continue to uphold the right to free speech and freedom of expression, fight for justice, even if it is not our own, be more alert, committed to the cause of free speech, relentless and persistence in the face of such persecution like the one which had befallen on the two of us.What YOU do to any of US, is what YOU do to ALL.

As responsible bloggers, we demand and claim our space on the blogosphere for free and fair comment, where important national issues and prominent personalities are discussed.Although it may seem as if the NSTP defamation suits will have a chilling effect on freedom of bloggers, as litigation can be expensive and may jeorpadise a blogger’s economic position, we will not be cowed or silenced by those who have no regard for free speech.If you find our post offensive, you may refute us with correct facts and figures and fair comment, in the spirit of free speech.

The first two cases will have grave impact not only on the internet, but country as a whole as the country celebates VMY2007. The healthy, mature and democratic growth for free speech and expression in our midst is at stake. The reputation of the nation as it strives to promote our multimedia supercorridor and love for IT will be a national joke for all the world to feast on.We demand for a level playing field in all action meted out to bloggers and in particular in the defamation proceedings particularly in terms of financial resources and capabilities, and secondly, that the legal rights of bloggers et al are properly protected in keeping with the imperatives of an information society and knowledge economy which Malaysia aspires to become.

For further information, please contact me at susanloone@gmail.com and my partner in crime Sheih of kickdefella at kickdefella@yahoo.com

Tags|Bloggers United|Malaysian bloggers sued|Jeff Ooi|Rocky's Bru|News Asia|Politic|Human rights|Malaysian|Hatzputra

malaysian bloggers sued

source: Al-Jazeera English, Jan 18, 2007
source: BBC News Chinese, Jan 18, 2007
source: Reuters India, Jan 18, 2007
source: AP via International Herald Tribune, Jan 18, 2007
(Let the world know and the truth will prevail)

News are circulating around the cyber world late last night that two of Malaysia’s prominent bloggers Rocky Bru and Jeff Ooi are being sued by NST. Kickdefella a.k.a Sheih, launched his latest poster “ROCKY We’re With You” taglined “It ain’t over till it’s over”. So "Bloggers United ", the fight had just begun. Please keep track of the development at this blog or Susan Loone blog at Susan Loone's in-Human Rights.

This government and 'controlled media' are still able to keep the truth away from large groups of people who are hypnotized by the fake world presented by them, and they're still able to shut up dissenting voices. Hopefully that is about to change, the whole world will know our struggles "truth will prevail". Side by side we walk with brother rocky & jeff, united with the voice of truth.

Bloggers United|Malaysian bloggers sued|Jeff Ooi|Rocky’s Bru|Politic|News Asia|Tags|Hatzputra

wikileaks.org, now online

Wikileaks.org is developing an uncensorable Wikipedia for untraceable mass document leaking and analysis. Transparency in government activities leads to reduced corruption, better government and stronger democracies. Many governments would benefit from increased scrutiny by the world community, as well as their own people. Historically that information has been costly - in terms of human life and human rights. Wikileaks will facilitate safety in the ethical leaking movement.

Wikileaks opens leaked documents up to a much more exacting scrutiny than any media organization or intelligence agency could provide. Wikileaks will provide a forum for the entire global community to examine any document for credibility, plausibility, veracity and falsifiability. They will be able to interpret documents and explain their relevance to the public. . . .

Volunteer here to help. Almost everyone can be of some assistance.
See the FAQ for further details

Tags|Human rights|Politic|Technology|Malaysian|Hatzputra

new video on Saddam’s death

Please watch it on hatz.tv media box above, file from google video was removed.

I think the OIC "our PM" should seriously think of an action or protest regarding the way Saddam is prosecuted. Be strong, if you really want to view this video. Al-Fatihah or a moment of silence will be good.

Tags|Saddam video|Youtube video|Politic|Human rights|islamic|Malaysian|Hatzputra

OS X in Apple iPhone ?

" Iphone ringtone, download here "

Capping literally years of speculation on perhaps the most intensely followed unconfirmed product in Apple's history -- and that's saying a lot -- the iPhone has been announced yesterday. Yeah, it: "iPhone," sweet, glorious specs of the 11.6 millimeter device (that's frickin' thin, by the way) include a 3.5-inch 480 x 320 touchscreen display with multi-touch support and a proximity sensor to turn off the screen when it's close to your face, 2 megapixel cam, 4GB or 8 GB of storage, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and A2DP, WiFi that automatically engages when in range, and quad-band GSM radio with EDGE. Perhaps most amazingly, though, it somehow runs OS X with support for Widgets, Google Maps, and Safari, and iTunes (of course) with CoverFlow out of the gate.

A partnership with Yahoo will allow all iPhone customers to hook up with free push IMAP email. Apple quotes 5 hours of battery life for talk or video, with a full 16 hours in music mode -- no word on standby time yet. The 4GB iPhone will go out the door in the US as a Cingular exclusive for $499 on a two-year contract, 8GB for $599. Ships Stateside in June, Europe in fourth quarter, Asia in 2008. So anybody going to the US and get this phone for me soon . . . anyway i've got the phone mp3 ringtone for now.

Tags|Iphone|Apple|Mac|Technology|Malaysian|Hatzputra

ModBook by Axiotron's

Since Apple is a bit too busy making the sexy iphone, OWC and Axiotron are taking up the slack with their new ModBook, which hacks up MacBooks and turns them into glorious slate-style tablet computers. The duo didn't cut many corners, either, since their MacBook mods hold onto most of those original specs, plus add in an optional built-in GPS module, and of course that Penabled Wacom digitizer. Pen input runs at 20x display resolution, with 256 pressure levels and zero battery use, and the MacBook's LCD is protected with some Chemically Strengthened glass, complete with a paper-like texture and anti-reflective coating.

The ModBook is also shielded by aircraft grade magnesium alloy, with a copper and nickel layers for scratch resistance. Thanks to that slot-loading MacBook drive, the ModBook is apparently the only slate-style tablet computer with a built in CD/DVD drive, making it a nice option for portable DVD playback use. The ModBook is relying on Apple's Inkwell technology and other OS X enhancements for tablet functionality. Naturally, they're not exactly giving these things away, but the prices still seem reasonable for what you're getting: $2199-$2699 pre-order pricing for the "Good," "Better" and "Best" options. The latter two feature GPS, but if you pre-order now you can get it tossed into the low-end version as well. No word on an exact ship date, but it sounds like it won't be until March, April or later.

Tags|Apple|Mac|Technology|Malaysian|Hatzputra

The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time

Finally . . . this long-awaited biography of my favourite Malaysia's powerful Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, who passed away of a heart attack on 2 August 1973. It is based on his private papers and on numerous interviews with his relatives and with people who knew him well, including Ghafar Baba, Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Robert Kuok, Lee Kuan Yew and Ghazalie Shafie. New perspectives are provided about the struggle for independence, Malaysia's relationship with Singapore, the origins of Southeast Asian regionalism, the internal conflicts of the ruling party UMNO, MCA-UMNO ties, the fatal illness of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the May 13 riots, and the New Economic Policy. This book contains not only new facts about Malaysian and Singaporean history, but also insights into the processes of decolonization and nation building.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time
Preliminary pages by author, Ooi Kee Beng
2006 311 pages
ISBN 978-981-230-424-7; 981-230-424-X S$29.90/US$19.90
ISBN 978-981-230-425-4; 981-230-425-8 S$59.90/US$39.90

I: MERDEKA OR MEDICINE?
1. The Acting Prime Minister Dies
2. Life before Politics
3. UMNO and the Road to Merdeka
4. Positioning Malaya in the World
5. The Making and Partitioning of Malaysia

II: REMAKING MALAYSIA
6. Forced from Retirement
7. A Lack of Time
8. Nailing Things into Place
List of Abbreviations
Bibliography
Index
Photographs

Tags|Books|Politic|Malaysian|Hatzputra

Saddam Hussein have a greater influence in death than he might have had from a prison cell

Another Saladin . . .

In fast-moving Iraq, Saddam had been removed from power a long time ago. At trial he defended his status as Iraqi president, given the illegitimate invasion and his subsequent displacement. At his execution, he appeared calm and dignified. All of these images may endure longer than anything from Anfal, Dujail or Halabja.

When the executioners created another controversy, it brought the once “yesterday’s man” into the present and future. As a result Saddam Hussein might not even need to be a Gamal Nasser II or another Saladdin, which he had tried in vain to be, to have a greater influence in death than he might have had from a prison cell.

The mention of the late Egyptian president Gamal Nasser II (1918-1970), and Kurdish legend Saladdin, is significant in the context. Saladin or Salah ad-Din, or Salahuddin Ayyubi (circa 1138 - March 4, 1193), was a 12th century Kurdish Muslim general and warrior from Tikrit, in present day northern Iraq. Interestingly, Saddam Hussein (full name: Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti) was also born in the town of Al-Awja, near present day Tikrit in the Sunni Triangle.

Saladdin founded the Ayyubid dynasty of Egypt, Syria, Yemen (except for the Northern Mountains), Iraq, Mecca Hejaz and Diyar Bakr. Saladdin is renowned in both the Muslim and Christian worlds for leadership and military prowess, tempered by his chivalry and merciful nature during his war against the Crusaders. (See wikipedia) And MDeC's Creative Mulitimedia Cluster is currently pumping big money to make a Hollywood-grade animated film about him. Read an article by Bunn Nagara in his new column Mid Week: Saddam may have had to die just to have revenge. He wrote regular Sunday column in World News in The Star, Behind the Headlines.

Tags|Saddam video|Human rights|Politic|Youtube video|Islamic|Malaysian|Hatzputra

'low-cost flight' mean 'low-maintenance airplane' ?

The first day of 2007 in Indonesia ... first the ferry and now it's Adam Air?

UPDATES: It's confirmed an air-crash, casualties unknown at this point in time. Adam Air released the passenger manifest at 01:48hr local time and does not carry any Malaysian-sounding names. The Boeing 737-400 Adam Air jet that crashed in a mountainous region of Sulawesi island in the northeast of the country has still not been found.

Some bad track records, narrated by professional pilots, that frequent air commuter should take note of.

1 ) Last year, one of its jetliners lost all communication and navigation systems for four hours during a flight between the Indonesian capital Jakarta and Makassar on Sulawesi Island, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing.

2 ) Another had to resort to raw muscle power as Fatmawati Tower (Bengkulu airport) has no pushback truck to assist an Adam Air that has lost its HYD Air-pressure, resulting in no nosewheel steering (see chronicle and pictures in Airliners.net).

Vigilantes monitoring Indonesia's civil aviation reflects that Adam Air's crisis management over today's Flight DHI (KI) 574 (Surabaya-Manado) is plain shocking. According to PK-KAR on Pprune.net:

Relatives in Manado were told flight was cancelled and gave no further details, so they went home. Relatives in Surabaya went to the airport to check what they saw in the news, and they were told it was delayed, and went home.

IF YOU FLY INDONESIA FREQUENTLY... Here's the history of the ill-fated Adam Air aircraft:

Delivery Date | Operator | Registration | Remarks
26/01/1989 Dan-Air London G-BNNL lsd ILFC0
7/11/1992 British Airways G-BNNL
19/03/1995 GB Airways G-BNNL lsd ILFC
06/04/2001 National Jets Italy G-BNNL
26/02/2002 WFBN N112TR
04/03/2002 Air One EI-CXH
11/12/2002 JAT YU-AOO ret to ILFC 10/2005
01/12/2005 AdamAir PK-KKW

Here's a rating by pilots, take note if you are flying domestic in Indonesia frequently:

- Safe: Garuda, Merpati (Jet), Sriwijaya, Express, Batavia (A319 only)
- Safe-ish: Mandala, Indonesia Air Asia, Kartika
- Mild Risk: Merpati (prop), Batavia (A319 excluded), Lion Air (MD90 and 734)
- Big Risk: Adam Air, Wings Air, Lion Air (non 734)

Tags|News Asia|Politic|Malaysian|Hatzputra

Saddam Hussein execution video and Mahathir slams the justice process

It is all too clear that the war criminal Bush has no sensitivities whatsoever for Muslims on their pilgrimage to Mecca. This barbaric act is a sacrilege,” he (TDM) said.He said the entire Saddam trial process was a mockery of justice. “Yet, we are told that Iraq was invaded to promote democracy, freedom and justice,” he said.

He noted that over 500,000 Iraqi children died during the years of U.N. economic sanctions after the first Gulf War in 1991, and that findings by the medical journal, Lancet, revealed that over 650,000 Iraqis had died since the U.S. invasion. Mahathir blamed the deaths on Bush.

“If President Saddam Hussein is guilty of war crimes,” then the world must find Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard “equally guilty,” he said, urging the International Criminal Court to “prosecute these war criminals. (Read the full news at International Herald Tribune)

The duration of this video is 3 minutes. It shows the whole process of the execution. So please be strong if you wish to view it until the end. The visual was recorded using a mobile phone. The sound is clear and you can hear Saddam’s last word.

“… Then Saddam began reciting the “Shahada,” a Muslim prayer that says there is no god but God (Allah) and Muhammad is his messenger. He made it to midway through his second recitation of the verse. His last word was Muhammad." This is just not right and I totally agreed with (TDM). May Saddam soul rest in peace 'amin'

Tags|Saddam video|Youtube video|Human rights|Islamic|Politic|Malaysian|Hatzputra