Another Monday ranting...

Finally!

No doubt I have been on leave since Wednesday but it has been a hectic week. It was a mad rush of shopping, preparing 2 dishes for 25 person, attending a wedding dinner and going about meeting potential interior designer to discuss on my renovation ideas for my new house.

One of my experiments: Roasted chicken marinated using red wine plus potatoes

Did you know that the marinated sauce can be used to transform into gravy? I didn't but that didn't stop me from sauteing lots of mushrooms and capsicums with grounded black pepper and rosemary using olive oil, add the marinated sauce in it (which includes lots of garlic and onion pieces) and then I threw in 2 threw pieces of cheddar cheese and some whipping cream to thicken it. Not bad really...

In between, I went to that dreaded branch to collect my cheque book and guess who I saw? Ms Sourpuss Bank Teller. She saw me walking in, quickly made her exit to a room somewhere and I couldn't even be bothered to look at her (quite relieved actually knowing I am not being attended by her). It was short lived though. I spoke to the officer at counter 1 and he called out for her. This time round, she has the "courtesy" to say "thank you" even though the deaf and blind knows she doesn't mean it and surprisingly, no shoving of cheque books.

Come to think of it, the remaining 2 weeks seemed so short. I really dread the idea I have to return to work in 2 weeks time. I don't see why I should work with a bunch of people who are not out to work but to 'tai chi' it to others. I am supposed to update my CV but I do wonder where should I go? Sigh...

Tomorrow is Chinese Midwinter festival. Remember your loved ones (especially your parents which you may not have seen for sometime) and have a dinner or lunch together. There is only so much time one can walk on this world before disappearing. And I am not referring to just you.

Merry Christmas, season greetings and happy holidays...:o)

Mondays & Epitome of All That's Wrong With It...

WARNING: This is very long but because I am still mad at that idiotic little napolean in a local bank, I just have to narrate it word for word as my memory permits!

******

So imagine you have to work on Monday after a long weekend. The one where you had plans for but somehow, something happened and it turns out to be a miserable weekend to boot. Now imagine you have to face a large crowd of customers all eager to get things done and you realised some of your colleagues took extended leaves which left you and your other teller friend working. Imagine the frustration. And let me repeat, all of it happened on Monday.

So with pent up feeling of sort and having to maintain a job for reasons only you can understand, visualise how you will take it upon yourself to face a large crowd of customers.

*******

On the other hand, I am the customer who took leave on Monday to sort things out. I walked in to this bank after visiting another bank, NRD and JPJ where I noticed people aren't in a mood to work. Smiling may not be the norm but doing your job professionally is the minimum required anyway. I don't have high expectations for civil service but I was quite impressed that the customer service in government departments and this other bank (which was reputed to have bad customer service) have improved noticably since the last visit I had. And this I mean not only our immigation department.

So back to the story.

I press for a ticket to get a number to be served from a machine, quite customary with many institutions nowadays since it is more fashionable to have your customers sitting on chairs waiting for the queue rather than having them standing and lining up. Of course if they could do the work quickly and efficiently, who would really mind queuing while standing? Or for that matter, who wants to sit on a chair and wait for hours only to be served?

Anyway, mine was 2002. And the one before me was 2001. I wanted to open a current account in this bank to facilitate payments for my new housing loan. I was glad somewhat for the short numberbut my wife was busy chatting on the phone outside. I was worried. What if my number is called?

Anyway, it was about 10.15-10.30 am, so ok, let's wait and see. I scanned the horizon and realised they have two cubicles like tables on the far right of the branch to provide personal services which I would assume for customers that wanted to take up mortgages and open accounts. It was unoccupied though, perhaps they are on leave?

Then my number was called. I walked to the counter 3. I told the teller, a woman at early 20s (with lots of pimples on her face busy writing something) that I wanted to open a current account for my loan.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jmo1199l.jpg

I passed her the letter of offer for her to take a look. Perhaps she didn't hear me the first time, she asked, "What account?" I told her, "Current account". "Current account for?" to which I replied, "For my mortgage." She then asked again, "Which account?" Perhaps it is me but is the standard of English fallen that badly in this country or perhaps this woman failed in her exams? The rest of my conversation with her from hereon, were conducted mainly in Canotonese. I just look at her dumbfolded and she said, "Mortgage plus?" I said, "Yes, you can read it from the letter of offer I just passed to you." You should see the look on her face. She was quite reluctant to the point of irritation to read it. She read a name and asked who is that? I said it is me. And this other name? I told her it is my wife's. Then she said, "Both of you need to be present to open a joint account." I told her she is just outside and asked her to wait for a moment. I walked out and called out for her. She quickly rush in with me.

While she is busy typing some stuff, I told her I wanted to get a cheque book. In addition, I would also like to get an ATM card. With her fu quah (Cantonese for bitter gourd) face, she somewhat said "can" to what I requested.

Now you can see from her face she is not quite pleased with the prospect of work. She asked, "Can you give me the processing fee?" Now, if she is smart, she should check in the system to see if it is paid. But knowing this bank, I do have my suspicious that all may not be well so I told her, "I have paid the fees to the loan officer in another bank. Could you please check?"

She kept quiet, took our documents and walked to the photocopier behind her. An officer, who happened to be seated right at the back of her, went over to chat with her and examined the letter of offer. It was then I told my wife, "I am not happy with the services of this bank. Didn't I tell you this other bank we are currently using is much better? At least they smile and welcome you, not like here."

Perhaps she heard it, perhaps not, whatever. She then passed us a stack of documents and told us to fill it up. I was perplexed why there are so many forms but whatever the case maybe, I was just about to walk over to another place to fill up these docs and sensing she is short of vocabularies, I asked her should I take another number? She said no. At the tables where the personal services workstation supposed to be, I sat down with my wife and filled in the necessary. I realised there are two forms which I don't think I need and I am not sure why she gave us.

When we completed what was required, I handed her all the forms, she literally grabbed the documents from me (which will be a series of grabing and shoving as you read on further). And she shoved two forms back at me. I asked, "What are these forms for?" She said, "Your wife said she lost her ATM card, these forms are for her to fill in to get replacement." I gave her the look that no-doubt-my-wife-inquired-but-the-least-you-can-do-is -to-tell-us-we-don't-need-to-fill-these-forms-now.

I afterall filled up these forms and only now realised it was not for what it was intended. So I asked, "Then why did you gave it to me?" She said, "Oh just in case next time you need to get replacement ATM card."

I noticed she is holding back her smile of sort. Perhaps she thought she is very smart to have "tricked" me to fill in those forms. So anyway, I passed her the monies. I told her I want to put RM500 as deposit. She processed it and then passed me the cheque book request slip. I took the slip and she said, "Put in the box over there." "Over there?" As I pointed to my left. "Yes, there.", she said. I walked to where "there" is and back and told her, "I don't see the box." She said again, "Over there!" as she pointed to my left. Now, the box is only the size of two 1.5 litre bottles placed side by side and it is translucent, placed next to a placard / ad of sort or a plant, I cant be sure but whatever it is I can tell you being described as "there" is as cryptic as a treaure hunt map with no X mark the spot. It is only 2 counters away and the least she could say is, please drop the slip into the translucent box placed on the top far-left of the counter 1. Is it that hard to say? She ended up having to stand up, walked midway, took her pen and pointed to me where the box is. And again, you can see in her irritated fu quah face that she is not happy.

After it was completed, I asked her, "How about my ATM card application?" She gave me the blank look for a second and back to fu quah face. She said in Cantonese something along the line that it will cost me RM8 to get an ATM card and annual charges of RM8 (but because of her rather opague words, it sounded like RM100! which I later clarified with my wife that she meant RM8). Meanwhile, I took out RM50 and put in on the counter for her.

She passed me some stuff to fill in again which I proceeded to do accordingly. As she spoke, I didn't bother to look at her. You can hear the tone that she is not pleased. She asked, "Do you have other accounts with this bank?" I swiftly replied, "No." while in my mind, I was thinking, can't you check in the system? Then she asked, "I don't have change for RM50. Do you have smaller notes?" to which I replied, "No, I don't have as I just withdrew monies from the bank." She was quite adamant and said, "I don't have change wo." And I looked up at her and in my mind, should I call for the manager? or say out loud, "You mean the bank has no monies!" to which I expect a stampede of desperate customers withdrawing monies and cause a deposit run.

This woman is definitely not a problem solver and she is putting obsticles in front of us just to impede us from opening an account or getting an ATM card.

Then my wife asked, "Can't you direct debit against our current account?" Defeated, she said, "Yes." which followed by grabbing the ATM application form I just completed and shoving me a yellow notepad and asked me to sign to enable the direct debit. She then shoved/threw me a slip and asked me to sign. I did. She grab it and shove it back and said, "Your name and date." I filled it in.

Suffice to say that by the time I left, I think I loath going to that branch rather than government offices. To think that in our quest to move up to higher income nation, people like her is more than sufficient to "shove" any would be investors to consider the likes of Indonesia and Thailand rather than some arrogant problem giving nobodies, which by the way, this nation has quite a number of them.

Again, so what if you have period pains? Or your boyfriend dumped you? Or perhaps your weekend trip turns out to be not what you expected? You know you have a front line job and for whatever reason you have, you need to work professional to ensure you earn some grub to meet whatever excuse you have to continue living. I don't expect a smile but if you are into shoving and grabing, why not just change profession to be a professional thief or robber? I don't need shovings to tell me I am not wanted. To this, her CEO will definitely know why I am not pleased and mind you, if I did it to the "World's Local Bank" I don't mind doing it to this crappy local bank!

It's been awhile

I realised my life is quite mundane. Everyday in fact is quite predictable. Monday to Friday will be workdays. It is also from Monday to Friday I rant about being exploited. Yet despite this, I allow myself to be exploited. I dream of making big bucks, only because I want to be free from this silly cycle of waking up with the first phrase being, "I am resigning today" instead of, "Praise be to the Lord for another new day."

On Saturdays, it will be "I sleep till 10.3o am" and lazying at home or going out with friends and Sundays being the day of the Lord. Being a sloth of sort, my weekends movements are quite restricted unless it involves either emergencies or obligations.

If only life moves like an escalator...

Of course, in between those working days, there will be problems to be solved and typical phrases being heard. The likes of which include, "I noticed your efficiency of late is falling," followed by "You need to prioritise" and finally after much hew and cry about being forced to labour for more than 14 hours a day "Don't give me problems, give me solutions." And then the case of being thrown last minute requests to finish a proposal within 1 day because "we need to stay competitive". I did complete it by the way, 30 minutes short of 24 hours deadline. Only to be told it was filled with minor errors that would erk the ever so intelligent and sophisticated clients.

So what can a person like me do? (It was the third time a fortnight ago I told my boss I am leaving soon to push some reality into the equation.) Silly huh?

Having been sucked by work and fed-up with the inertia of changes in this country, I have long abandoned my blogging activities. It is not intended, if only I have RM5 million in my bank account and zero debt to go with that.

But why blog again? I guess I enjoy writing and only by writing and opining in written format, for a moment, I am myself, not some slave that prostitutes for some monthly wages...:)

And it comes in 5s

Today is Monday. I dread Mondays. Monday is the day signifying the start of the working week. And on these days, I have to wake up 5 minutes past 6. I have to leave my house 15 minutes before 7 in hope that I will reach my wife's office about 45 minutes later.

Source: http://drewmaniac.blogspot.com/2007/10/chucks-and-mondays.html

I know I have to work late on Mondays because it usually takes longer to get the working mood in order. I left around 9.35 pm today and I paid my RM5 parking as well.

On Sundays, I usually lament around 5 pm as the sun slowly sets at the western horizon and I dread the next day which reminds me the 5 working torturous days ahead. Oh how I dread Mondays.

And today, guess what?

I was surprised that Valuecap owes its shareholders RM5 billion which it does not seem to be able to pay. And EPF is supposed to loan them RM5 billion on the basis that they are a good investment company which will profit from taking advantage of undervalued stocks (but for the fact that Valuecap's superior-investment-research-technique-investing-on-portfolio-basis includes getting the lenders to lengthen their repayment by another 3 years which was conveniently forgotten to be mentioned by both current finance ministers and the immediate past one as well).

Will EPF face the same come whenever it is supposed to collect back its principal loaned? Well we know Valuecap has set a precedent which it may or may not follow. It really depends on its superior-investment-research-technique-investing-on-portfolio-basis.

And before the day concluded, I read about Tony Pua was upset with the RM5 billion or so losses Silterra suffered. And guess what Silterra and Valuecap has in common? Khazanah Nasional as their main shareholder and creating an impression that monies grow on trees.

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/J003358F/trivia.html

Sigh... if only I bury my head under the pillow and let the Mondays and 5s pass right by...

When System & People Mix

It is 14 October today, 1 more day left before the twice-a-month-official-claims-deposit-into-your-bank-account day. I have been anxiously waiting for this day as I have been paying my company expenses out of my own pocket. Given the nature of my work, it is a norm to use credit cards to pay for my accommodation and traveling expenses while I later claim it back from my company.

Why am I anxious? Well, the thing is all my big claims have not been refunded since I submitted my claim form back in late July / early August this year. According to my company policy, technically they will refund me within 6 weeks provided:

i) I submitted the necessary documentation (including supporting documents like receipts), and
ii) I fill in the form correctly.

I did item i) but I apparently didn't fill in item ii) correctly according to the HR who only informed me during early Sept (that is already 6 weeks by then). Apparently, I didn't fill in details on where, when and why I traveled in the correct boxes (despite the same information reproduced at the bottom of the form).

Source: http://www.combinedinsuranceservices.com/forms.htm

I was surprised as to why they took so long to send the form back to me (6 bloody weeks later!). For one thing, the processing of claims are done in a centralised location far away from my office. This of course involves internal mailing system which from what I experienced and was warned earlier, is rather slow. Also, it appears the letter was wrongly addressed and hence, the form dropped into general circulation pool which went round departments.

I felt very unhappy of course because the same company policy indicated any late claims charges arising from using credit cards are not their responsibility. And I am very disappointed that the same people who processed my claim form could easily call me as the form indicated my contact details (Read: telephone number).

All it requires is for the people in the claims department to make an extra mile i.e. call the claimant and inform them of the problems with their forms. Instead, because of the thousands of forms they have to process, they don't bother doing that. I wonder is it really that many forms for them to process. I was also told that because there are so many forms to process, it is possible to delay processing claims even if you did everything right.

Source: http://blog.lifebeyondcode.com/2008/04/01/an-extra-mile-there-and-a-mile-short-here/

Sigh... so yes, I am anxious about my claims. This never happen to me in all my other work places. Meanwhile, because of work, I have chalked up a big bill for the company. I am worried too if I will get my money for that claim. Given the rate things are going, I might not want to claim in future but instead do what my other colleagues did, ask for an advance.

Is it a system fault? Is it a process fault? Or is it just people who couldn't care because they felt overworked and they should only do the minimal and yet go back on time?

I don't quite know but I do know I will face cash shortage by end of this month if I don't get my claims. And yes, my company is not responsible for any late charges imposed by the credit card companies.


On my previous posting, I complained about Guan Eng and possible contravention of National Land Code. Apparently according to Guan Eng, the land in question is not considered as foreshore and this according to the him was deemed to be so by the previous state government.

I wonder how do a government decide whether which land is or is not a foreshore? Will two wrongs make a right? I seriously hope he doesn't conveniently close one eye just because the state government is strapped for money.

Job Hazzards

Actually, I am quite ashamed about writing this and I didn't even share it with my boss (who is a very open and friendly person btw). But since zewt wrote about a very interesting blog on hypocrisy, I thought I might as well spill it.

A few months back, I was sent on an overseas trip alone to our neighbouring country to do a site visit as we are exploring whether to consider viability of a project there. I was worried of course because I have only met the client once in a coffee lounge of a certain hotel somewhere and I was taking notes (like a quiet secretary writing down notes).

So anyway, I was very scared because I represent my boss. If it boils down to making a call on the viability (every client would like to know our "feel" on it there and then), how am I empowered to discuss about it? Anyway, things went smoothly and it was all over before I knew it. And yes, he popped the question and I replied by telling the facts. It somehow worked and he was pleased.

Anyway, the next thing I am most worried about is the entertainment aspect. For those who knows me personally, I am sure you can vouch I am like a prune when it comes to strangers. Anyway, again, being alone, I somehow managed to summon courage to talk to them (and quite enjoyed it as well surprisingly).

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwwjonathantaylornet/139294000/

What I didn't expect next was to go to a massage parlour. Seriously, what can I say? I am tired? At 10 pm? I am at least 5 to 10 years younger. Though my client told his buddy he is tired and he wants to retire, his buddy kept bugging him to go. So, being a passenger, I could only say, "Yeah, ok..." Big mistake.

So he drove us to a stand alone building somewhere and the first sign I noticed at the door is:

"Men only"

Hmmm....

I was like thinking in my head, "OH NO! Lord help me! I don't want to do anything stupid which I will regret for the rest of my life."

Anyway, I walked in, looked around and guess what I saw? A row of girls on display and the mama-san (a transvestite btw) came round and welcome us. I see...my client's buddy must be a regular here. So, I just look around, pretend to be interested when I am not. But the girls are very pretty and I wondered, "the boobs, wow, are they real?"

This buddy friend then whispered to my ear, "Eh, the girl numbered XX (can't remember), isn't she pretty?" I innocently said yes. Seriously, it was strictly a reply to a question and not an affirmation to choose her. I didn't know the yes means... I have to go to the room upstairs with that girl. He could see my rather panicky face and he said something along the line, don't worry, just follow her and she will give you a good massage. The stupid me actually said, "oh really? ok...."

She was quite pretty really and friendly. She held my hands and I walked with her nervously into the lift. I was smiling and nervously look around. Hey, why is there a big naked seductive woman picture on the lift doors?

From thereon, we went to a room and she began to take off her clothes. I was so shocked! Seriously! So I asked, "You are just going to do massage right? Why are you taking your clothes off?" She laughed and said, "We shower" and pointed to the bathtub (there are no windows or doors to separate the in-build bathtub and the bed).

Dumbfounded, I asked, am I supposed to take off my clothes? Needless to say, we are both naked and in the bathtub not too long after. She basically showered and scrubbed me and I thought, "This is only a massage. Even during massage we take off clothes."

Anyway, after the shower, we went to the bed. I dried myself and I covered myself with a towel. She then took out what I noticed unmistakably is a condom and KY jelly!

The panicking me quickly said,"No sex! no sex! no sex!"

Source: http://www.tutorialjungle.com/display.php?t=red-shock-text

She was shocked. She asked why? She wanted to know if there is something wrong with her. I told her it is not, I am only here because I am accompanying my client.

To be impartial, she is very beautiful and young (ok la, not too young around early 20s?). Quite physically well endowed. As a matter of comparison, she is indeed more beautiful and seductive than my wife (I hope she is not reading this...:P).
Anyway, I told her I am only here for massage. Sex is out of my mind. Then she asked why? I then took out my ring (which I usually takes off before shower) and showed her. I told her, "I am married. There is nothing wrong with you. In fact, you are a beautiful and friendly girl and I am sure many men are attracted to you."

After many assurances and about 10 minutes later, I told her we should go down. She was quite downcast. I told her she shouldn't be so sad as physically, there is nothing wrong with her. Anyway, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and thanked me (I gave her a small tip, about RM50 for her bathing service and no massage).

There I said it. As a guy (yes I am one and straight for that matter), I might be perceived by my peers as a "failure". But you know what? I was and still am glad. I always wondered if I can be faithful to my wife if I was ever tempted by someone more beautiful and seductive. I fear committing the sin of adultery and I for one, don't want to fall into this temptation. To realise I manage to resist it is to me a blessing from God.

When I am back in the hotel, all I could do was send a SMS to my boss stating I was almost raped by woman. He replied with laughter. Till today, I have not shared with him what was this all about but he didn't ask so let's just keep it that way (Btw, I didn't share with my wife either. Weird huh? I should be triumphantly telling her I manage to resist because she always tease me that I will commit adultery if a beautiful girl seduces me).

Provision till death?

For the past few days, I felt disturbed. In my line of work, character says a lot about a person's credibility and trustworthy. So when my colleague one fine day declares she is not going back to her hometown, she somewhat caught my attention.

Could it be the high petrol prices? Could it be the expensive toll? Could it just be she is too preoccupied with work that she can't visit her family?


Well, it turned out to be yes for the first two questions and no to the third. But there was more. She said unless her dad pays for the petrol and toll, she refuses to go home.

Source: http://www.theserviceguys.net/service.html

Sensing she was somewhat being ungrateful (her house and car monthly loan instalments are paid by her dad), I told her she should pay for it since she has little financial obligations. She said she can't afford it since she has lots of expenses. I am perplexed of course. For a single lady with at least 2K disposal income and not having to pay for rent and car instalments, what has she been doing with her money? I then asked does she provide allowances for her parents? She said emphatically with a no nonsense "no".

So in jest I told her she should just bear the cost since her mom and dad all this while sacrificed a lot to raise her and the least she can do is to visit them. In response to that, she said it is her parents duty to care for her. I told her she is 30 years old, she should care for her ageing parents.

To my shock, she said it is his dad's duty to take care of her instead. Shocked, I then asked,"Till when? Until he dies?" She said,"Yes, and you should not be surprised that this is a usual phenomenon. In fact, you should be prepared since your children will grow up to be like me."

Flabbergasted, I told her that if any of my children expects me to take care of them because it is their rights, I will disown them and publish a full page ad on every MSM and alternative media to state just that.

My other colleagues are equally as shocked to hear that and told her off. She said she felt a bit guilty hearing what we said but after she thought about it, she realised she is right and she even loudly proclaim to us that the truth will prevail and she is on the side of truth.

Source: http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Animals/Invertebrates/Segmented-Worms/Leech/Leech-7.html

I told her that her dependency attitude is very bad for the kind of work we do. So as a "reward", I named her as leech. In fact, I further "rewarded" her by telling her that I will no longer offer her any solutions and it is her responsibility to find her solutions. She said, "As my manager, I hold you responsible for any of my work done poorly because of your refusal to guide me."

In her dictionary, guidance here include pointing out where to find the answers and how to write them based on the questions I raised.

I am not exactly the best son in town. I am sure there are many better filial sons out there than me. But what I can't stand is this "feed-me-because-it-is-my-right" mentality and having one sitting in front of me isn't exactly a very happy sight to see on daily basis.

If you are me, what would you do?

Why Do I Still Fear?

This morning I dragged myself into office filled with trepidation. I was worried. Sigh... Must it be a showdown? You see, a good night sleep or in my case, a bad one but I was thoroughly satisfied reading the online manga on www.onemanga.com the whole night to distract myself do change one's perspective of things.

Honestly, I was filled with anger. Though satisfied the day before giving an ultimatum (not like I have much of a choice given my new employer also set an ultimatum for me), I don't feel all that good inside. In my mind, why must it come to this stage? Tsk, tsk. What a waste.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83269636@N00/471169878/

I had no mood whatsoever to work. But I know I have to complete my work. Then the phone rang. It was my boss. He told me to go into the room. Sigh...

He wasn't too pleased from his facial expression. I was thinking along the line,"You can pack and go. We don't need you."

Instead, he told me he is agreeing to the 2 weeks notice after discussion with my managers. I am not sure how that changed his stand ("They are putting a knife at my throat." was his most "memorable" phrase) but I know the 24 hours notice shocker must have jolted him somewhat. Seriously, it was a gamble that paid off. I felt relieved (but deep down, it doesn't seem that way).

Anyway, he wants me to finish this report by tomorrow. Problem is, I started but it was like an intro page. I told him that. He said, he still needs me to help him to write some stuff. He said he has a trip to make next week. So he can't see the report. Sigh. Fine. In my mind, I will try my best.

After stepping out of the room, I proceed to do the report. In my mind, it would have been easy if it is just writing the report alone. But I have a presentation to do. I have to still run some models and revert to the client. Obviously, by the end of the day, I am tired. I decided to go home. Besides that, the report can't be completed until a model is established. Gosh. It is a cruel world indeed.

Yes, I know. I have resigned. I spoke to my friend, myrrkat. She said, just tell him tomorrow you actual progress and toss the ball back into his court. See what he will do. Sigh. How I wish it was so.

The responsible me keep beckoning me to work till late night. But I still have 7 more episodes to go before I finish the manga! Sigh... manga calls...

On another note...

Yes, I am well aware to that some silly minister somehow was apparently misconstrued when he said that in fighting corruption, having OSA is sufficient to take care of the interests of whistleblowers.

Source: http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/dissent/documents/defamation.html

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told the house this morning that the government had no plan to enact the (Whistleblowers) Act, as well as the Freedom of Information Act.

"We have no plan to enact any of these acts because although we have the Official Secrets Act, the cabinet can decide on anything that need to be declassified at anytime," he said in replying to a supplementary question from Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) during the question session.

Siti Mariah had asked Nazri whether the government would enact the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

However when met later at the Parliament lobby, Mohd Nazri said he was misconstrued over his reply in the House.

"What I meant is that we have no intention to amend any existing Act and the Whistleblower Protection Act is not even an Act yet," he said.

I see. So apparently, when Siti Mariah asked about enacting Whistleblowers Act and Freedom of Information Act, his one size fit all answer must be understood in the context of only dealing with Freedom of Information Act.

I know it sounds illogical. One deals with keeping a key prosecution witness as a secret, the other deals with being transparent and accountable about national records like a toll road concession agreement. How do these two agree anyway except it is about secrets and that one is obviously alive and wants to keep it that way while the other is dead but haunts the living?

Tsk, tsk... Now you know why the BN Government felt defamed all the time?

The Showdown

I can never compare myself to our folk hero, RPK. Seriously, what he is doing is something many of us who hide behind our pseudo names would think twice about doing in real life. Yet, deep down, who amongst us, given a choice, will not uphold justice and righteousness? Aren't we called to stand and help the weak, downtrodden and helpless?

Source: http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/

I pray that the good Lord will keep RPK and his family safe and sound while justice be served. That the high court proceeding on October 6 to 10 will bring about revelations and evidences for the court of public opinion.

Where is my country heading to? Perhaps it is right to say, we live in interesting times. But I sure hope RPK will be safe. If not, I am sure the rakyat will respond accordingly. Let's hope things will be sorted out and the cruel killers of Altantuya face the gallows. As a nation, we owe it to her family and her.

Meanwhile, I have my own little battle to wage. My boss came back to me today to tell me that after his discussion with everyone (READ: senior management), they came to a conclusion that my 2 weeks notice is insufficient and instead, any short notice will depend on whether he is satisfied I have "completed the work to his satisfaction".

"You leave me with no choice, I have to give my 24 hours notice then."

He was shocked to hear that. I told him the 2 weeks notice is a notice, not a request. He disagrees because it has to be consensual (huh? he thinks this is sex is it?). I had to quote the staff manual description of course and give him an English definition of what notice meant in case he misunderstood...:P

Source: http://intrance.in/news/2007-12-28

That was when he raised the new project specter.

Which I exorcised it by telling him, it is a straight forward project with 2 months deadline and he has sufficient resources to manage it. He wasn't too pleased when I use two precise words; resource management.

Well, it didn't end there but suffice to say he knows my new employer is involved in a common project and he threatens to purposely delay the project out of spite for depriving him of a staff and blames it on my new employer. He wants my new employer to explain to our customer, what caused the delay. Well, any intelligent person can tell you that no one is on a project alone, they have other team players. But tsk, tsk... he said it out of anger. Shows how mature he is.

My respect for him has dropped. Whatever his reputation is in the market, I am sure it is merely hearsay.

Anyway, I am serving my 2 weeks notice. The responsible me tells me that only flash the 24 hours notice card as a last option. Wait, I did flash to him, but that is to pull a Mahathir. I mean, Mahathir didn't exactly raise the water prices right?

Starting a new project while serving the notice?

I tendered today.

Leaving my present employment for greener pasture. There is no push factor but given the events that transpired today, I realised a push factor is in the works.

Anyway, I gave my current employer a 2 weeks short notice. Why 2 weeks? Why not 24 hours? Well I could leave in 24 hours. My new employer is paying for it. But they are unwilling to let me go. They cite various reasons why 2 weeks is too short of a notice. It ranges from need to do a proper handover (which is not a problem considering most of my projects are at the completion stage), informing the clients (again, I only need to call a handful) and training up the newbies to take over (yeah, apparently all they need is 3 months of training to catch up).

I spoke to the CEO. He said he is fine so long as my present boss is ok with it. My present boss said he will need to speak to my manager.

Source: http://www.pensabah.gov.my/dasar/isuair_bi.htm

And his conclusion?

I have to start a new project. And see to it until the end. Then only he considers whether I can go.

So that will most probably take at least a month. Yes, he wants nothing less than a month notice. But he is using another way to get it. It doesn't seem to occur to him that out of spite I might screw the project. Or that I will just dilly dally until the full notice are served.

The question is, what should I do?

Then came the realisation. Remember the part on Mahathir raising the whole issue we are selling cheap water to Singapore which he then up the ante by asking for an even higher price? Yup, I am pulling a Mahathir.

I am giving 24 hours notice.

You have to hand it to that guy. His wisdom applies even if it is not related to water. Afterall, my new employer is paying for it. Why not right?

One Of Those Days With Naysayers

Have you faced one of those days where you desperately needed help and the person whom you asked for assistance just replied with an indifferent, "No and I am not free so please don't disturb me" while acting all busy and pretend you are invisible? Or some risk adverse colleagues telling you your suggestion is not workable simply because they don't want to take responsibility IF it is implemented and it is LIKELY to fail?

Or your boss breathing down your neck with his/her 2 hours lecture on what went wrong and how to ensure it will not be repeated when the problem which you detected and alerted to him/her remains unsolved? As your precious time slowly ebb away, you realised you are going to miss your dinner with your family/friends/boy or girl friend/your prospective parents-in-law/the Pope and all because of a silly fact finding mission taking priority over solving the immediate problem.

Source: http://createwithalan.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Sigh... it is times like this I would want to throw in the towel and call it a day. Yet, most of the time, we just bear with it. Why? Because it is between working for the devil (and with the demons) you know or taking the plunge into the great unknown. And what about the house/car/credit card loan installments? Or saving for the children university fees? Or that retirement fund?

Well, Lee Kah Choon must have had enough of his detractors. But unlike most of us, making his choice is easier. He is getting a directorship and chairman position. I bet the perks must be quite good. Afterall, he wants to serve the rakyat and what is deputy secretary generalship in a party that has lost their sense of purpose?

But seriously, what's with all this yapping about either you are with me or you are against me? And the ranting on against the BN spirit (which I wonder what is this spirit that they make a big fuss about. Is it the same one drunk by that ex-minister aka molester)?

So what is the priority of politicians? To serve the rakyat or be preoccupied if we bear the same logo on our caps, badges, flags, T-shirts, mineral bottles, fans, et cetera, et cetera and therefore only serve their logo bearers?

And on the political naysayers / sore losers, Malaysian Insider reported this:

Today, there is growing pressure for the MOF to be more populists and loosen fiscal policy and allow the deficit to grow. BN politicians argue that the Malaysian public is not interested in the idea of the government spending prudently and saving future generations of Malaysians from being saddled with debt.

Source: http://leepingloon.com/?p=16

I thought the sky was the limit as we sent a space tourist and dubbed it as a Malaysian space programme? And that we can turn swamps into a free trade zone, which failed so miserably that the Government has to bail this project? Or that we build no bridges yet we can pay the contractor millions for canceling the project?

What happened to Malaysia Boleh spirit since now of all times, shouldn't our BN-led government prove to our neighbouring country (READ: Singapore) and the rakyat that they can:

i) Balance the national budget by closing the deficit,
ii) Spend the rakyat monies efficiently, effectively and prudently in both administrative and development needs of this country,
iii) Provide real monetary support (not smart ass comments like learn to adjust by tightening your belts) to those hard hit by rising prices, and yet,
iv) Save for other rainy days?

Or is it easier to just say it cannot be done and blame it on the uncertainties created by rising global commodity prices rather than your own inadequacies?

Perhaps, that is the Malaysia Boleh spirit they have always been talking about.

Why Aspirin Is Not Meant For Sore Throats

I used to work for a company where they implement a performance based assessment and there are quantitative targets required to be met before being assessed between the scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best). For each of these quantitative targets, a certain weightage is assigned and the score varies from 0 - 5.0 (Yes, it is possible to get 0.23).

Anyway, at the beginning of that particular financial year, employees of the same ranking/grade are asked to group together to set the weightage to put for each of these KPIs target. This apparently is meant to facilitate ease of comparison for the bosses and HR. The weightage, though agreed by all employees within the same grade, however will be moderated by the head of the department. There is no negotiation involved if the target set by the head is unrealistic. The most we can do is to appeal and hopefully the head changes the weightage.

But you know what is the problem with this kind of standardised assessment? People are assigned with different type of work with its own intricacies and clients with different requirements. Also, your immediate superior, who is in charge to assess your performance, may set high requirements and he/she only compares amongst those within his/her team.


So if there are only 2-3 other employees of similar ranking with you in your team and all performed well (by comparison with the rest of the company), your supervisor may be compelled to rank each of you differently from the best to the worst (though the idea of such comparison are done by your supervisor's boss i.e. the head of the department and it is across the entire department). Meanwhile, in other teams, the supervisors are perhaps lax or set lower requirements therefore ended up giving very good assessments to comparatively "moderate" performers. What will happen to the more conservatively evaluated employees by their I-have-very-high-standards supervisors?

Yes, you guess it right. Your team mates or you will naturally rank below the "moderate" performers.

And that my friends, is the weakness of attempting to produce a standardised evaluation process that cuts across the department for same grade employees. Ultimately, it is dependent heavily on your immediate supervisor to decide your fate. It doesn't matter if it is a standardised or personalised evaluation process, so long as the evaluated weightages that matters are assigned by your immediate supervisor.

So what do most frustrated employees who perceive themselves as under-recognised do? They merely look for another job and resign out of frustration. This is the easiest route with little confrontation. But what happens when experienced and good but disgruntled employees leave the organisation? The company has to take the gamble hoping to recruit equally if not better employees. Meanwhile, internally, workload has to be reassigned. When workload increases, frustration also increases. More experienced and good employees would turn disgruntled. More will leave. All that is left? Dead woods that can't do proper work in the first place. Ultimately, the company suffers.


And it all started because some smart ass decided to have a standardised company wide performance based assessment done but forgot to add a caveat that fairness must be seen and practiced by assessors that applies the same standards across. And these smart asses usually come in guises of hallowed HR consultants being overpaid with lucrative fees which conveniently apply the same products peddled to all of its clients.

And who recommended these consultants in the first place when he/she is paid to do proper human resourcing needs of the company?

Life Sucks!

Hopelessness. Despair. Utterly useless.

That is how I feel after the meetings I had the past few days. Sigh... I feel like a failure. Everything that can go wrong, somehow did. I not only forgot important procedures, I felt like a let down to others. If only I spoke better. Why can't I be like my colleagues and bosses. I guess I am not good with words. Sometimes I wonder what am I doing here working in this organisation. I wish I can speak well. I truly do. If only...sigh...

How apt indeed is the statement above in describing that which I feel...

I don't want to find another job. This is afterall my sixth job in my entire working life and I like my working environment. Yet if I don't perform to their expectations, I would only be a liability to my employer. That cannot do. This is of course further compounded by inability to make my head pleased with my work. When she took over from my just-reassigned-best-ever boss, I had my reservations. She projects a no-nonsense image. Her methodical mindset and thinking is hard to argue against. However, she concedes/yields when it is appropriate to do so. Some, will never concede out because they are stubborn. In this she projects a pragmatic approach to working with others. Much indeed I can learn from her. Yet, she is not my just-reassigned-best-ever boss. Somehow, I sense a gap with her. Not that I don't with my former boss but with her, there is a noticeable gap. At times like this, I can only say I miss my former boss.

Two qualities I believe a boss should always have are sincerity and principle. Sincerity to her subordinates, clients and superiors and yet, principled to ensure fairness and equality with compassion to all. In some ways, my former boss manage to naturally project. As for my current boss, her principled self is one of her strongest projection thus far with her methodical mindset as a clear testimony to that. I like her firm and conservative stance. It is these anchor-like quality that form the roots of strength that is characteristic of my organisation. As for sincerity, I sense genuineness when she spoke to each and everyone of us. Somehow, she sees potential in everyone of us which she wants to develop. I wonder, how many passionate people can one find in their workplace?

From what I heard, she goes all out to bring up talents within the organisation. This has to with her assertive nature. Her side job is of course to be both cupid and venus for all the single colleagues and clients!...:P

Yet, somehow, I feel like I am testing her patience. But the timid me don't dare to approach her and ask her what areas I can improve on. Anyhow, I can roughly guess the areas I am screwing up like the one I identify above. Oh where oh where is the light at the end of the tunnel?

Source: http://www.bestfoto.com/Galleries/Gallery_024/gallery_024.htm

So I am giving myself 1 year to improve. If I still suck at it, perhaps it is time to find something else I might excel in. The good thing is my organisation has semi annual performance reviews. That is an avenue I can use to approach my boss. In some ways, I look forward yet dread for this first half yearly review.

Oh well, this has been a crummy week. Disappointments after disappointments.

A Merciful Joke - The Continuation

Well, you may wonder why am I still dwelling on this when I should be writing something on Christmas since it is only days away but I just can't help it. Honestly, I am not sure whether I should laugh or get angry by statements made by our AG.

In today's NST Online under the article, "Gani: It was the fairest thing to do", we read the following comments made by the AG:

"I can be very strict, but I don't think this is the right time to be," he said.

"When we exercise the law, we have to look at it fairly. It is my judgment that this is the fairest thing to do. "

And his main reason for dropping the murder charges?

The decision to withdraw the charges of attempted murder against the 31 men was the best course of action in light of public and national interest, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said yesterday.

Honestly, does the AG assume that by evoking "in light of public and national interest", somehow we will overlook his gross incompetency? Or that summoning his will to be lenient, he is therefore seen as merciful? I wonder whether he was emotionally charged when he realised an enforcement officer was injured as a result of getting his head bashed with a brick and therefore decided to have a go at the Hindraf 31 by charging them with attempted murder to score some political mileage. If he has simply charge them in court with illegal assembly charges would have been understandable but he has to outdo the village idiot by making the following statements:

"We can't pinpoint who exactly did it or rather who was the one who 'threw the brick' at the person who was badly injured."

Gani said the 31 men were initially charged not because they were alleged to be Hindraf members but because they had committed an offence by participating in an illegal assembly.

Source: http://www.thisshirtrocks.com/Product/Shirts/1553/flippin-idiot.html

Look, Gani if you didn't do your homework and ensure that you have a case to prove beyond reasonable doubt that these Hindraf 31 are the murderers who threw the brick, please don't waste the time and resources of the courts to prove you are an emotionally charged idiot. Can't you differentiate between participation in an illegal assembly and murder attempt?