Science and Arts Museum, Marina Bay

The thing that I love most about Singapore is their public transport. It's really efficient and effective, if and only if, you know how to use it. So, on my first day in Singapore, we left my grandma's apartment a little too early got charged by ERP (before 9.30 by just 4 minutes) and parked in a hospital whereby we had decided on taking public transport particularly the bus to Marina. Unfortunately, the bus that my sister was looking forward to was not available on that day... haha... so we waited for approximately 30 minutes before figuring that out! LOL... cause she finally took out her bus directory to check the bus operation hours. Therefore, though we passed by ims2square twice where there's an MRT when we were on the way to use the bus, we took it after 1 hours and 30 minutes our estimated time for using the public transport. haha... It was really funny as we saw so many of the same bus no. passing by before leaving the bus stop and boarding the MRT which we passed by earlier to top-up my sister's ES2Link card. LOL. Lesson learned, after 15 minutes check for the operation hours of the bus you are planning to board instead of shaking your leg at the bus stop. LOL

So... where did I go first after boarding MRT? I visited the Esplanade!! The Esplanade is abuilding that supposedly looks like a durian. Below is the real thing followed by one I took with the model.

Inside there is nothing much but perhaps it's building design is what distinguishes the rest... And... me! After all, I am someone able to float / balance on water... haha

It's basically free of charge to go to these places... BUT I didn't come all the way to Marina Bay Sands for just... this. Mwahhahahahaha... Non non... IT IS for none other than Harry Potter!

However, there is a restriction to my camera... huhu... TT>TT

So, no more pictures of me being there in the Science and Arts Museum in Singapore to attend Harry Potter's Exhibition in Marina Bay Sands. Entrance fee wasn't that bad... just $24, but since we looked like poor kids, the receptionist told us there's a promotion event done by Coca-Cola that is willing to sponsor our tickets for Harry Potter and Andy Warhol if we purchase half a dozen cans which also costs $24. LOL. So imagine me any my sister lugging 6 cans of coke each everywhere till we went back home!

 

Notice the bag? Since I'm really such a loser that is not willing to giveaway my coke after paying $4 for each... not in RM but in $, yes... it hurts when you know you've spent so much on one coke when you can afford a whole meal back in Malaysia which includes one can of coke so... yeah... I lugged it everywhere until I got back home... haha... Oh well, I spent the first half of my day in there...I'm kind of regretting that I didn't get a set of wands... it'll be a nice set for display. Really beautifully carved wood but the price nearly chopped my head off so no...TT.TT... huhu... I'll post soon to update on the second half of the day spent there cause I need to work tomorrow. XD

Trip to Singapore

On the 15th of July 2012, me and my second sister went down to Singapore which we managed to fit in lunch with my grandma, aunt, uncle and JiaJia. XD. Well, since we managed to fit in lunch there, haha, it means that we have to leave home considerably early (around 10 to 11 o' clock)... for a long trip... haha... Anyway, lunch there was superb even though my aunt had a limited pantry. My tummy was filled to the brim with her various dishes that were both yummy and filling! The pregnant fish really has a special place in my sis's heart now. LOL. Anyway... back to my trip to Singapore... I didn't board the train so my sis and I took turns driving. I got the easier part of the journey; just the highways from my home to Pagoh, Johor where my sister continued from thereon. No kidding, after that, if you're not familiar or not really wide awake, it'll be dangerouns. WHY? Cause our timing was perfect and this was the view that we had for approximately 1.5 hours.

Notice the man there? Fortunately there was no accidents, so he was just out there cause he wanted to stretch his legs while waiting for the queue. Lesson learned, don't drive to Singapore on a Sunday night. XD

So what did I do in Singapore?
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Marina Bay Sands
Day 3 - Aunt, Johann and Orchad
Day 4 - Universal Studio
Day 5 - Depart

Special Seminar on Legislating Laws

As stated in my earlier post, I participated in a seminar at the Parliament building. Well, going to such a BIG place... such as a Parliament building for a " Special " seminar and coming out empty handed would imply that I'm an air head since this seminar was actually 'thought to be' by the Previous Chief Judge to be just for Parliament members... LOL... until he arrived and realized that there were about three different universities participating as well. So, here, I'll  blog about my muse from my experience there.

The talk I loved most (or actually stayed awake most of the time XD) was given by YBhg Dato' Mohd Noor Abdullah, an ex-Court of Appeal Judge. Since I'm not writing word for word and it's just what I understood from his session, whatever written or stated in this post should not be taken seriously without careful consideration of the Federal Constitution and if any; are a mere statement of opinions from either him or me. So, please do not hold YBhg. or me liable since it's merely an educational comment on several articles on the Federal Constitution.

Federal Constitution : Analyzing the Current Challenges

1. Distinctions between West and East Malaysia

Ever since young, when I looked at an activity book or even a newspaper... I'd notice that there will always be two prices. One for West Malaysia, the other for East Malaysia. Though I found it funny, I didn't really question it because I know I wouldn't be able to get an answer for it. After all, both the Penisular and East Malaysia are essentially Malaysia. Besides that, it doesn't raise too much of an eyebrow since I'm from the Penisular and the price for things according to the tag in Penisular is cheaper (LOL). Anyway, back to the point, being a united country, do we really need to put a distinction in a country that is supposedly one? We aren't like North Korea and South Korea which is divided by two different government with radically different views. Malaysia a supposedly united country which has only one identity. Therefore, why the distinction? Why a need for a higher price? Can't they just print the books there with the information posted over the net for printing? Can't we share the burden?

FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONPart I           THE STATES, RELIGION AND LAW OF THE FEDERATION

1. Name, States and territories of the Federation

(1) The Federation shall be known, in Malay and in English, by the name Malaysia.

(2) The States of the Federation shall be Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Terengganu.

EXPLANATORY NOTES:

Article 1(2):

The present Article without Clause (4) was inserted by Act 26⁄1963, section 4, in force from 16-9-1963 (i.e. when Malaysia was established). Act 59⁄1966, section 2, in force from 9-8-1965 (i.e.the date Singapore left Malaysia) amended Clause (2) by deleting therefrom paragraph (c) which read as follows:

"(c) the State of Singapore.".

The present Clause (2) was substituted by Act A354, section 2, in force from 27-8-1976. This Clause before its substitution by Act A354 was amended by Act 26⁄1963, section 4, in force from 16-9-1963 (i.e. when Malaysia was established) read as follows:

"(2) The States of the Federation shall be—

• (a) 
  the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu;
• (b) 
  the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak; and
• (c) 
  the State of Singapore.".
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Focusing on the underlined words/ sentences, the Federal Constitution (FC) did not put a distinction between East and West/Penisular Malaysia.If any, in A1(2) FC; it was done a long long time ago before Singapore was removed, whereby the name of the groups which are the Malaya States, the Borneo states and State of Singapore was recognized independently. However, that clause has already been substituted by Act A354, section 2, in force from 27-8-1976. Therefore, with almost four decades since this amendment, why are we still segregating ourselves from each other? Malaysia is ONE FEDERATION and is ONE MALAYSIA, with the government promoting the 1Malaysia concept, have they forgotten about this as well? As a country that promotes oneness, I believe that the country should hold true to its Constitution and acknowledge each other as one and the same; Malaysians despite coming from different states. Hence, I implore the government to charge 1Price albeit higher but the burden is shared by 1Malaysia as we are one country that should share the benefits equally if it is provided for one country.

2. Distinctions between race and communityThe race column. In Malaysia, when filling up any forms, there is always or usually; a column that requires you to fill in your race/kaum and another column to state whether you are a bumiputra (early pioneers of the land) or otherwise. Since we've always been filling it up without thinking twice (or usually we don't bother), ask yourself this question now... WHY do we need to put a distinction between the races? Do we really need to do so and is it a requirement set by the government due to the Federal Constitution. 

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION

160. Interpretation

(2) In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—

"Aborigine"

means an aborigine of the Malay Peninsula; (**Malay Penisula ~ the Federation)

"Malay"

means a person who professes the religion of Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language, conforms to Malay custom and—

(a) was before Merdeka Day born in the Federation or in Singapore or born of parents one of whom was born in the Federation or in Singapore, or is on that day domiciled in the Federation or in Singapore; or

           (b) is the issue of such a person; (**issue ~ child)

Chapter 4 Land

89. Malay reservations

(5) Without prejudice to Clause (3), the Government of any State may, in accordance with law, acquire land for the settlement of Malays or other communities, and establish trusts for that purpose.

Part XII        GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

152. National language

(1) The national language shall be the Malay language and shall be in such script as Parliament may by law provide:

Provided that—

(a)  no person shall be prohibited or prevented from using (otherwise than for official purposes), or from teaching or learning, any other language; and

(b)  nothing in this Clause shall prejudice the right of the Federal Government or of any State Government to preserve and sustain the use and study of the language of any other community in the Federation.

I've tried searching for race in relation to the segregation of race based on the normal Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Others Criteria. Surprisingly, there is nothing in relation to race other than for the segregation of race for the natives of Sabah and Sarawak as well as a general reference to race. Rather, if there is any reference to the usage of race to segregate the Malay, Chinese, Indians or Others; there is only the word community to refer to the other races. Hence, why are we always harping on each other's throats on racism among us? Our constitution does not encourage us to separate ourselves based on race, rather it respects the other communities. Where has this respect gone in this day and age? **Just as a side note, the word community was not amended from race.3. Privileged MalaysiansThe next question that arises is who are the privileged people in Malaysia? Who does the Federal Constitution protects most?

153. Reservation of quotas in respect of services, permits, etc., for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak

(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

(**there's more clauses but it's basically the repetition for different situations for Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak only hence I don't want to make this post too long)

161a. Special position of natives of States of Sabah and Sarawak

(5) Article 89 shall not apply to the State of Sabah or Sarawak...

Chapter 4 Land

89. Malay reservations

8. Equality

 (5) This Article does not invalidate or prohibit—

(c) any provision for the protection, well-being or advancement of the aboriginal peoples of the Malay Peninsula (including the reservation of land) or the reservation to aborigines of a reasonable proportion of suitable positions in the public service;

Dun dun dun dun... It is the aborigines! Article 153 states that special reservation the YDPA has to provide for the Malays and natives of the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Then, in Article 161a and Article 8(5), recognition is given to the superior position of the natives of the Borneo states. Then, the next juicy question that arises is...4. Malay LanguageMany people have a misconception that the Malay Language is the National Language. But it really is the other way around. Take a closer look at our Federal Constitution. It took on the Malay Language as the national language not, the Malay language is the national language. Hence, there is a difference. Take for example; Selena continued drinking until she found that that man shall be is the gigolo.Selena continued drinking until she found that that gigolo shall be is the man.

Part XII        GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

152. National language

(1) The national language shall be the Malay language and shall be in such script as Parliament may by law provide:

Provided that—

(a)  no person shall be prohibited or prevented from using (otherwise than for official purposes), or from teaching or learning, any other language; and

(b)  nothing in this Clause shall prejudice the right of the Federal Government or of any State Government to preserve and sustain the use and study of the language of any other community in the Federation.

(6) In this Article,"official purpose" means any purpose of the Government, whether Federal or State, and includes any purpose of a public authority.

5. Secularization of SchoolsIt is clear in Article 152 (b) in FC that (b)  nothing in this Clause shall prejudice the right of the Federal Government or of any State Government to preserve and sustain the use and study of the language of any other community in the Federation. Therefore, it implies that the FC respect community schools and allows the use of another language even if for official purposes. Therefore, the FC acknowledges and respect the non-secular schools as well.6. Power of the YDPA (the King of Kings)How much power does the YDPA in Malaysia has? Do they have any powers at all?

Chapter 3      The Executive

39. Executive authority of Federation

The executive authority of the Federation shall be vested in the YDPA ..

40. Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act on advice

(1) In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or of a Minister acting under the general authority of the Cabinet, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution; but shall be entitled, at his request, to any information concerning the government of the Federation which is available to the Cabinet.

(1a) In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall accept and act in accordance with such advice.

(2) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may act in his discretion in the performance of the following functions, that is to say:

(a) the appointment of a Prime Minister;

(b) the withholding of consent to a request for the dissolution of Parliament;

(c) the requisition of a meeting of the Conference of Rulers concerned solely with the privileges, position, honours and dignities of Their Royal Highnesses, and any action at such a meeting,

and in any other case mentioned in this Constitution.

(3) Federal law may make provision for requiring the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act after consultation with or on the recommendation of any person or body of persons other than the Cabinet in the exercise of any of his functions other than—

(a) functions exercisable in his discretion;

(b) functions with respect to the exercise of which provision is made in any other Article.

In other words, I believe it means that the YDPA is a living puppet that has to accept whatever the Parliament advices (like the British advisiors ~more like commands)  him though he has executive authority in the country. Poor King... His Royal Highness deserves more respect and power than that! Just a figurehead other than what is provided by A40(2) but subsection (a) is definitely not really under the King's authoritative power to choose, (b) is merely keeping the stability of a current government body that is holding power. Hence, where is his power? Basically, just to hold meetings for the Conference of Rulers. We have a powerless King that has to be the Yes-man for the country.Should it really be like that? The King must surely have more power than being a figurehead. He is the one man every citizen looks at to save the country. After all, there is no King without his nation and there is no nation without their King. If the King lets a group of crazy people lead the people into doom because he can only say YES to all their requests, wouldn't we be putting ourselves in a very risky situation? Therefore, the King should really have the discretion to have the Final Say unless the Conference of Rulers finds that the King is unsuitable due to him being unable to think reasonably.GOSH... This post is bloody long post and the talk barely lasted more than 1 hour and 30 minutes! XD... Oh well, hope you enjoyed it.

Trip to Parliament

After the Enviromental Debate Competition, I went to the Parliament.

Just in case there are a few who are not sure what or where is the Parliament building, I will supply a picture to aid these poor souls...

Has the building's structure rung a bell? It's in Kuala Lumpur by the way and it has really beautiful scenery despite the ugly structure (at least in my opinion, if you look at it from far away).

Right? Anyway, I won't post anything here regarding the trip until my next post, just the experience itself for this one... So... I went there with lots of seniors... XD LOL... I was the only junior but it was fun and there was G-R-E-A-T food... Unfortunately, the gaps between the meals were too short I couldn't stuff everything down my throat...*sniff sniff

A picture we took with the YB Yang di-Pertua Dewan Negara and somebody else...XD

Debat Alam Sekitar 2012/2013

The first thing I had on my planner other than the failed volunteer attempt to volunteer for Standard Charted Run was to be a runner for this Enviromental Debate.

Well, due to that... I had to be there approximately one week early. So I had to check in on the 22nd of June 2012... LOL... Almost one month from now...XD Anyway... back to the point, I was a runner for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students. All of them were bumiputras except for one aborigine. They were really cool and had a really large support group that continually support each other. Fortunately, they were able to make it quite far, up to the semi-finals... It was so hard to show my support to my home university when I was being their runner...TT.TT Sorry UM. Oh well, so how was my experience in this debate?

Well... the first week there was much lazing around in an air-conditioned room since all meetings were postponed so often that I lost track of it. Due to that, I couldn't manage to go to MidValley to watch a movie and kill time... instead... I ended up sleeping like a pig... in an air-conditioned room (it was really cold) and reading storybooks from UM Law Faculty's Library. Then, as the days got closer to the 29th, we shifted the tables and chairs of my faculty into one of the Lecture Halls and the briefings for the competition.

Well, a runner's is really simple for this debate... Making sure my debaters got to their places on time and their tummy wasn't empty...XD... So it was a really easy job and entertaining as well, looking at the debaters from various university debate; albeit in Malay. In short, it was fun!  

Semester Break Posts!!

It's been soooooooooo long since I last posted so ... dun dun dun dun.... I think it is about time I posted again!! Mwahhahahhahaha... The biggest and most important update of all is my brand new spoil... MY CAMERA...*drools... feast your eyes on the box... I'm not showing the real thing cause the colour... the colour of my camera is too neon looking... IT"S NEON PINK!!!!...

*sniff sniff... couldn't be salvaged...TT.TT and I'm using it to take pictures so how am I to take pictures of it? ... LOL

Moving to University Tower

I've recently moved to University Tower, started university and restarted my student life with a new goal and aim on mind. After all, it is a new year, a new beginning, and a new start for anything!

Moving into UT, I've brought lots of things and brought back (at least my sisters, thanks ya~) lots of things as well. I guess it's finding what you really need and keeping those with you.

For my mummy, I'll try to blog more details so that she shan't need to worry too much.

So far, I've signed to be a good Christian sister, to live a good Christian life (do morning revivals and attend prayer meetings) and to be a good student. (yes... they don't allow bad movies / games)

I have clean-up duties (sweep & clean bedroom toilet / mop floor [alternates]) every Thursday!

Yay~! Clean up... one of my favourite past times on the last day of lectures in the week. Hopefully I'd be a able to learn to do a super fast job (in 30 mins cleaning). Mwahahhahahhaha... one goal there by the end of this semester. LOL.

I've also got hanging 'rights'... lol... every Wednesday and Saturday... yay! I can hang my clothes twice a week! Less bulk and crazy folding to do and more fruitful use of my time.

Yup, that's part of the responsibilities and respect that I'd need to practice while I'm here. ^.^

So far, I've been able to live a rather healthy lifestyle... but I guess I'd need to eat less oranges... Had more than four oranges yesterday cause I just love oranges XD .... *drools.... it needs a rather big amount of discipline to stop eating too much!

Every morning and evening, I'd get to incorporate 15 mins of walking to and fro university and University Tower! GREAT right? It's my total dream since Matriculation. Not only that, I'm able to use the gymnasium from 0700 hours to 2200 hours. Cool right? It's so surreal. My dream atmosphere and dream university student life. Add a swimming pool into the equation and it becomes infinite surreal!!

So far, I've travelled to SS 2 and Seapark. I have my spectacles in progress which I hope will be due next week! My poor spectacles has reached its limit. My eyes are no longer able to see so well... It went up by 75 (lazy eye) and a level of added astigmatism (normal eye). However, I'd just be adding 50 for my lazy eye because of the dizziness it would causes me due to the 350 - 0 difference. I was so dizzy with the added 75.

Lest I forget, the morning I made my spectacles, I went to the morning pasar (SS2) and hung out at Guardian till the spectacles shop opened. I bought lots of things! I bought 10 eggs for RM 4.00, 1 stalk of celery, 1 salad lettuce, 1 ginger and 1 carrot for RM 11.40, garlic and onion for RM 0.80, compressed tofu for RM 0.80 and 12 small Fuji apples for RM10.00 . Remarkable isn't it, hehe... my memory's good! Yin Wen shopped together with me and made the whole experience a lot more easier (hehe... cause they were speaking in cantonese and a banana being a banana wouldn't get much of a cheaper price, would they? hehe). Thank you, Yin Wen. Then since we were super early, we hung out at Guardian and I got a 20 pack Kotex for RM 5.70 cause I forgot to bring them with me. TT.TT. When I got to the spectacle shop at 1130 hours (opening time), the ophthalmic assistant was really helpful. She helped a really really blur girl regarding design suitable for my face and type of lens I should get as a law university student. In the end, I left the place with an order and a deposit of RM 100 for the spectacles. Finally, in progress, my poor eyes need those new spectacles!

Oh well, this past week is somewhat similar to a discovery. I've realized that I don't really like oatmeal so much (the one you prep yourself) compared to the 3 in 1 oatmeal packs available. So, next time, I'm going to get that, well... that is after I finished stock my sisters helpfully brought... hehe and learned lots of quirky stuff you can do to your food. Mwhaahhahaha... I shall save that for another post.

That's all for me, regarding my stay at University Tower for now.