#Bangsar IRC

Few days ago, while flipping through my old books, I found a newspaper article about an IRC Channel by the name #Bangsar. It was dated 7 January 1997.

Ah, It reminds me of the days when I first started IRC. I was 15 years old that time. Communicating with girls was like trying to communicate with aliens from outer space.
There was once a girl messaged me via IRC.
Girl: Hi! Where from!?
Me: KL. How about you? How old are you?
Girl: Oh! I’m from PJ! I’m 16 🙂
Then it went on for a while. She kept on asking questions about me…she sounds like she’s interested..
Girl: hey! do you have a picture of yourself!
Me: mmm yes! ok wait!
/me sends a picture to the girl.
Girl: WHAT THE FUCK?!!!!?!?!?!?
Me: HEHE
Girl: YOU SICK BASTARD!!! WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU!!!??!
I felt really bad after sending her the picture.
The picture I sent was a picture of a girl….
eating shit… tee hee hee….
If the said Girl is reading this post now, I sincerly apologize for what I’ve done!!

Oil Price and Us…

It was reported today that the oil price surged to a record high of USD70.90 per barrel after Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina had halted the US Oil Production on Tuesday. At least 50 people were killed, shut nearly all the Gulf of Mexico oil production and 88% of the Gulf of Mexico Natural Gas Output.
In view of the current price hike in Oil, will the Malaysia Government further reduce the Petrol Subsidy? If yes, why?
This is Q & A session between Bernama and Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department Datuk Mustapa Mohamed back in 31st July 2005.
———————————————————————-
Q: What are subsidies?
A: Subsidies are money paid to producers or retailers of a given product by the Government in order to lower the retail price. It is a form of assistance for a given industry or segment of society.
Q: How long will subsidies be maintained? Should they be abolished?
A: The Government will continue to provide fuel subsidies but the
Amount would be determined by the state of Government finances.
The Government is devising a more effective method to ensure that fuels Like diesel and LPG are enjoyed by those truly requiring it such as fishermen, public transport operators and operators of river transportation in Sabah and Sarawak.
Q: What are “taxes forgone”?
A: Diesel and petrol are subject to sales taxes of 19.64 sen per litre and 58.62 sen per litre, respectively. These taxes are revenue for the Government in addition to being a means of maintaining stable petroleum product prices. But the Government has decided to forgo this tax so that the retail price of petroleum products remains reasonable. This actually results in a loss of revenue for the Government.
Recently, the amount of taxes forgone has increased. For example, in
1993, RM190.8 million was forgone, while in 1999 it amounted to RM2.6 billion. This year, it has rocketed to RM7.9 billion. Sales tax exemptions for diesel began in October 1999 following increasing prices, while for petrol it began in June 2004.
Q: How much would fuel and petroleum products cost without subsidies?
A: Without subsidies, premium petrol (RON97) would cost RM2.45 per litre, and not RM1.62 that we are paying now. In fact, when a consumer buys a litre of premium petrol in Peninsular Malaysia, the Government bears 82.82 sen that is 58.62 sen in the form of taxes forgone and 24.20 sen in subsidies.
The actual cost of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia is RM2.07 per litre.
Consumers pay RM1.28 per litre because of the 59.13 sen subsidy and
19.64 sen tax forgone per litre.
The unsubsidised retail price of cooking gas (LPG) in Peninsular Malaysia is RM2.39 per kg. However, consumers buy LPG at RM1.45 per kg. This means that there is a subsidy of 93.92 sen per kg. For example, a 12 kg cylinder of cooking gas costs RM17.40 when in fact, the actual cost is RM28.67. In other words, for each cylinder of cooking gas purchased, the Government subsidises the consumer RM11.27.
Q: How much does the Government spend on fuel subsidies?
A: The more fuel consumers use, the higher the amount borne by the
Government for subsidies.
Subsidies in 2001 were RM2.4 billion based on an average WTI (West Texas Intermediate – a reference price used in the United States and
globally) crude oil price of US$25.24 per barrel. In 2004, the subsidies increased to RM4.8 billion based on the average international oil price of US$41.60 per barrel.
This does not factor the loss of revenue from taxes which has also been increasing. Losses in 2002 of RM3.3 billion rose to RM4.8 billion in 2003 and reached RM7.2 billion in 2004.
By increasing the retail prices of diesel and petrol on July 31 2005,
the Government will save RM1 billion on subsidies. For 2005, subsidies are now expected to be RM6.6 billion compared to RM7.6 billion before the price increase (2004 subsidies totalled RM4.8 billion).
Large subsidies are “opportunity costs” as the substantial amount of
Money could be better used to benefit the rakyat, for example, by building schools or public amenities.
Q: The country benefits from increased oil prices. Why can’t the
Government increase its subsidies?

A: When oil prices rise, the Government’s revenue increases accordingly.
However, subsidies borne by the Government also increase from RM4.8
Billion in 2004 to a projected RM6.6 billion in 2005. It is true that as oil prices on the global market increase, the country’s export earnings from oil goes up. However, the Government chooses to spend this additional income responsibly. It would be unwise of the Government to utilise the additional income earned to fully subsidise fuel prices.
We must remember that gains from the increase in oil prices will only
benefit us in the short term. In the medium term, subsequent increases in oil prices will adversely impact the world economy and being an open economy Malaysian exports would reduce and consequently national income contracts. As such, in the medium term an increase in oil prices does not benefit us.
Furthermore, we still have to import to meet some of our domestic oil
needs. While it is true that we gain from exports of oil at higher prices, we still have to pay more for the oil that we import.
Q: Should the Government use up contributions by Petronas to pay for
subsidies?

A: In fact, contributions by Petronas are sufficient to fully cover
Fuel subsidies.
However, spending on subsidies are one-off expenditures which do not
generate further income for the nation and its people. Although the
Government could fund increased subsidies, it would not be the most
prudent course of action as it would adversely affect funding for other Productive projects.
If the rakyat and Government can share the cost of rising fuel prices,
thus reducing the need for subsidies, a part of the contributions from Petronas can instead be directed to generate new sources of income.
Q: Petronas profits have increased due to rising oil prices. Shouldn’t
Petronas contribute more to absorb the cost of rising fuel prices?

A: Since its establishment in 1974 Petronas has made significant contributions to the nation’s development. During the financial year
2004/2005, it contributed RM31 billion in the form of taxes, dividends and royalties. This was an increase of 47 per cent over the previous year’s contribution. This amount represents 53 per cent of Petronas’ gross profits of RM59 billion for the year 2004/2005.
Petronas only controls 30 per cent of the Malaysia retail petroleum Market while the remainder is held by competitors like Shell, Esso, Caltex,BP, Mobil and Projet. This means that if Petronas were to subsidise fuel prices in full, it would effectively be paying these foreign companies too.
In Malaysia, Petronas owns three refineries with a combined capacity of 256,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 47 per cent of the total national output. The remaining 53 per cent is provided by refineries owned by Shell (155,000 bpd), Exxon-Mobil (88,000 bpd) and ConocoPhillips (48,000 bpd). As Malaysia consumes 520,000 barrels of oil per day, it is obvious that in order to meet this demand, we need to rely on refineries belonging to international oil companies too.
Petronas also subsidises natural gas in this country. This subsidy Amounted to RM25 billion since May 1997. For the power sector, the price of gas is fixed at RM6.40 per Million British Thermal Unit (mmbtu) compared to the commercial price of RM25.70 per mmbtu. This low price has enabled Malaysia to maintain electricity tariffs at reasonable levels.
Q: What would happen if Petronas were to use all its profits to provide subsidies?
A: Petronas is a business entity with domestic and international
operations.
If a substantial portion of its profits were used to provide subsidies, it might be perceived as an irresponsible company, thus affecting its credibility. This could result in it being downgraded by international rating agencies.
Petronas’ primary role is to manage and preserve our country’s oil and Gas resources. In order to achieve this, profits must be reinvested into exploration activities, both domestically and internationally. In addition, profits should also be spent on research and development.
In the financial year 2004/2005, Petronas spent 61 per cent of its
Total investments or RM10.7 billion in exploration activities. If there are no new oil discoveries, Malaysia will become a net importer of oil by 2009.
Such investments in exploration have resulted in annual increases of
Oil reserves by 2-3 per cent annually. Clearly, this would not be possible if Petronas uses all its profits for subsidies.
Q: What options are open to the Government in addressing the increase
in oil prices?

A: The Government has three options:
+ To maintain the retail price of petroleum despite rising
international market prices. This would require the Government to increase subsidies and taxes forgone to match the rise in product cost, resulting in an even larger gap between subsidised and market prices of fuel. This would result in less money available for development and would impose severe strains on the Government’s financial position; or
+ To completely remove subsidies and reimpose sales taxes; thus allowing fuel prices to be determined solely by market forces. If this is done, there will be no disparity between retail prices in Malaysia and world market prices. This option would allow the Government to use savings from subsidies to fund development. However, consumers would have to bear the full brunt of price increases and the Government might be perceived as being insensitive to their needs; or finally
+ To gradually reduce subsidies; as has been done in recent months.
This middle path involves the sharing of burden between the Government and consumer. In this option, consumers pay slightly more for fuel while the Government continues to provide subsidies. By increasing prices gradually, consumers will be able to adjust their expenditures accordingly.
The Government is of the view that the gap between domestic retail and World prices should be reduced gradually. From the three options listed above, the third is the best. The Government will continue to provide subsidies while the consumer contributes by sharing some of the burden.
Q: As consumers, what role can the rakyat play?
A: Following oil price increases, certain traders may take the
Opportunity to profiteer. As such, the rakyat must be prudent and smart in their spending.
It is also good practice for shoppers and customers to compare prices
And the quality of goods between shops prior to making purchases. Such Buying habits will contribute directly to improved family finances.
Through prudent planning and spending, consumers will also prevent
wastage.
The transportation sector constitutes 41 per cent of energy
consumption. With prior planning of trips, car pooling and the use of public transport, the expenditure on fuel could be reduced.
Q: What measures need to be taken by the rakyat?
A: The rakyat should realise that Malaysia could be completely without
Oil in 19 years. Therefore, we must be prudent in our use of oil resources. We must find ways to reduce our dependency on oil and should be prudent in its use and avoid wastage. We should consider using alternative energy sources such as biofuel.
Some countries have already implemented radical energy conservation
measures. Malaysians have to be prudent in their consumption of energy and should support the Government’s actions in energy efficiency and saving measures.
The Government will go down hard on irresponsible traders who profiteer from the current situation. Consumers can play a crucial role by reporting unethical practices by traders to the relevant authorities. Traders and businessmen on their part must be responsible and not exploit the public by raising the price of goods and services indiscriminately.
This article was published by Bernama on 31-07-2005

Chair and Sex

Today at lunch, my boss’s PA (Personal assistance) asked me…
PA: “Hey, is your chair a man or a lady?”
me: “I…”
Boss: “WTF, why you ask such dumb question? Are you insulting my lawyer.”
PA: “No, no…Today, the new clerk put in a request to buy a new chair.”
Boss: “Why? Her chair break?”
PA: “No lar, she said that her chair is a man.”
Me & Boss: “WHAT!”
PA: “She said that my chair is man too. No wonder, i feel like i am sitting on a man all day long.”
Me & Boss: (we pretend that we didn’t hear her.)
PA: “She wants to buy a girl chair. So how lar, Boss.”
Boss: huh? Frank, Is your chair a man or woman.
Me: Boss, I…

If there are chair for man and woman, this should be the pillow for man?

Hardsequence @ Cream


DarkRavers & Bass Agents
It was awesome!!!!!!!!!!
The beat was hard and fast. The dance floor almost went crazy! Farrrr muccchhhh betterrr than PD rave…
Darren, fellow blogger from Miri is down in KL. Sharon and I picked him up at Sg Wang before meeting Big Ben, Sui Lin, Liz, Wen Hui and Calene @ Cream.

The crowd

Me, Jon & Big Ben

The girls..dont ask me why they have the same handsign..
Initially Sharon and I were stuck in a jam for half an hour. Darren had to wait for quite some time for us to come. When we were about to reach…I said, “I think it’s easy to spot him.. he’s the only guy on the streets with phat pants”. It’s true. We got hold of him within few seconds….

Darren..he’s taller than I thought…
Cream’s service was satisfying as well. Staff were very, very polite and efficient…unlike Atmosphere Club, *ptui* Unfortunately, Darren was told off for talking pictures. wtf?
Since girls get in free before 11PM, there were loads of girls. For once, it wasnt a sausage party.

Christina endorses this event!
Overall, it was awesome. I hope they’ll have another Hardsequance again 😀
Check out the POWAH of Melbourne shuffle.
http://www.xes.cx/download/www.xes.cx-Hardsequance-hardcore.zip

Shangri-la Hotel Lemon Garden Cafe

This is where the Chocolate Fountain is located.

Lemon Garden Cafe
RM88 pp
There you can have…

sushi, sashimi, tuna..oooooooOo orgasmic…

Unlimited supply of oysters as well. But one has to fight for it as many people will be fighting for it as well.

Fresh seafood as well. sort of fresh.. my mussel was stale.

Outside Lemon Garden Cafe, you can hang out at the lounge and listen to live performance

and drink this huge ass beer…..

Best of You

Best Of You Foo Fighters lyrics
Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: In Your Honor – Disc 1
Year: 2005
Title: Best Of You
I’ve got another confession to make
I’m your fool
Everyone’s got their chains to break
Holdin’ you
Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can’t choose
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh…
Oh…Oh…Oh…Oh…
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
I’ve got another confession my friend
I’m no fool
I’m getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new
Were you born to resist or be abused?
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh…
———————————————————————-
I am dedicating this song to my friend, Ms. I aka Ballz.
Dear Ms. I,
Losing him is not the end of the world. You are still loved by a lot of people. Hurting yourself with a blade does not change a thing although you said that it made you feel better.
Stand up to him, Stand up for yourself…

So I am blessed…

Today on the way home from KL, i had a gut feeling that i was going to get into an accicent. Everyone was driving crazily today. Don’t know why? FUCKING HELL!!!
I had a Waja in front of me that braked abruptly. Then the Wira behind me almost kissed my bumper. Beside me, it’s a kancil who decided that she wanna join in the party hence came into lane when all that happened. MAHAI…stupid Kancil! one more inch, she will bang into me and killed me. Anyway, She braked so hard that her head hitted the steering wheel. Thank GOD! She smiled at me. She was quite sweat lar but that did not mean that i couldn’t show her my middle finger. Hence, i did.
Then on the road heading from Jalan Parlimen to Jalan Duta, a DAMN Proton Saga suddenly decided to change into my lane. Mahai, couldn’t he see that i am surrounded by 6 to 8 motorcyclists and we are going at 80-90km/s. Sadly, he didn’t. My heart almost skipped out when i saw him coming in. I had no space to move. All i could think of is to release my accelerator and hope that the motorcyclist would sped up…Thank GOD, no one was killed.
Later on near the toll plaza, I changed swiftly from the right lane to the mid lane so i can use the Touch n Go. The moment i did that, the Storm beside me decided that he wanted to do the same. So, half of his car moved into my lane. Thus, trying to squeeze me out…I looked the rear mirror and saw the MPV behind was still far away. So i signalled and moved slowly to the right again. Nevertheless, the MPV decided that he was bigger than me so i had no right of way in his lane. He decided to speed up when half my car was in the right lane. Therefore, i was sandwiched between a Storm and a MPV…”DIE!!! DIE!!!” i thought to myself. Lucky the Kancil in front of me speeded up hence i pressed my accelerator and sped up front.
MAHAI!!! WHY DON’T PEOPLE USE THE DAMN SIGNAL LIGHT AND CHECK THE REAR MIRROR BEFORE YOU CHANGE THE FUCKING LANE. THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER’S ROAD,U KNOW!

The Client Part 1

One of the beauty of being in practice is the different people you will meet. You will be amazed, how dumb and helpless a person will become when he/she is desperate.

I had this client, S. S has my mobile phone number. Yeah, thanks to my clerk who don’t really understand my “Don’t give my phone number to the client” policy. S’s wife had just passed away so he wanted us to extract a Probate Certificate from the Court. It’s a simple lar…real simple one. All i need to do is make sure that all the Cause papers are in order and i would be able to get the Grant of Probate. The day before the hearing, S wanted to know what would happen during the trial. So i brief him…

“Mr. S very simple only. I will tell the Registrar that all our papers are in order and we will get the Grant of Probate.”

Sound simple right. IT’S DAMN SIMPLE LAR! GOD DAMN IT! Apparently, S was still very worry. He was worried that i could not wake up for the hearing. He sms-ed me at 7pm.

“Frank, Remember my Probate hearing tommorow morninig. Thanks”
He was worried that i didn’t leave my house early and hence stuck in the jam. He sms-ed me at 8am

“Frank, are you in Shah Alam Court yet?”

8am lar! The hearing don’t start until 9am.

Fine enough. I appreciate his kind reminders. As usual, i arrived and parked my car in Shah Alam Court at 8.30am. He said that he would be there around that time as well. I waited and waited…no sign of Mr. S and his two Petitioners.

At 9.30am, i called him…

“Mr.S, where are you?”

“I am stuck in the jam lar?.”

So much for all the reminders to me, Mr. S?

Finally he came at 9:45am and we got the Probate.

Then after, the nightmare starts…he would sms me every two or three days to ask me to extract the Certificate from the Court. Comon man, i am only human and the Court don’t work for him. I tried my best.
Later on, i changed my number. Mr. S could no longer sms me anymore. Instead he CALL my office…

“Why everytime i call you, you always tell me that you are chasing the Court for my Cert but no News one?”

“I am really chasing them hard.”

“Yeah but not good enough. You kept telling me the same thing everytime i call you.”

Bugger that is the truth, wah. What do you want?

Then he went on to give me stupid one liner…

” Serionsly Frank. If i am a rapist, i would like my case to be delayed as long as the year of 2020. But I AM NOT.”

Sorry Mr.S, i didn’t graduate from Hogwart, School of Wizardary and Witchcraft. I cannot jinx the Court staff when they refuse to work fast.

The difference between ™ and ®

I work in the Intellectual Property Department in one of the law firms in Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, I will not reveal my firm’s name here due to the fact I wish to remain anonymous (though posting my own photos doesn’t help!). Frank and I are worried that one day we’ll get into trouble for things we posted here 😀

Anyway, a basic Intellectual Property FAQ.

Have you ever wondered why some trademarks have the sign ™ and some on ®?
Wikipedia explains the difference..
The use of the ™ symbol next to a trademark, usually in the top right-hand corner, means that the trademark owner claims certain exclusive rights in relation to that trademark. Although this symbol only denotes that the owner holds unregistered trade mark rights, such rights can be enforced by way of an action for passing off.
The ® symbol is used to denote that a trademark has been registered with the government trade marks office or registry of a particular country or jurisdiction. Upon registration a trademark can be enforced by way of an action for infringement.

For example..

hsbc-curry.jpg
HSBC is a registered trade mark hence they can sue anyone who infringes (i.e. uses a mark which is identical or resembling as it is likely to deceive or cause confusion in the course of trade) their trade mark.
hsbc-curry.jpg
HSBC definitely can sue this bugger for infringement/passing off..
Bank not amused by abbreviation use
BY ROYCE CHEAH

KUALA LUMPUR: The next time you drive around Bangsar and see a bright yellow sign with the letters “HSBC”, do not mistake it for the financial institution with the tag line “The world’s local bank”.

The sign is actually for a restaurant, and the “HSBC” abbreviation stands for Hot & Spicy Bangsar Cuisine.
When met by The Star, owner N. Mangaladavi said that the bank was not amused, initially.

“I thought spicy food and banks didn’t have anything in common, but the bank’s management visited this restaurant soon after it opened in 2001 and sent me legal letters asking me to change the name and logo,” she said.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?:

S. Nadarajah, one of the owners of the restaurant, welcoming customers to the eatery in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

But the 65-year-old businesswoman maintained that she had done nothing wrong and said the bank had not bothered her at all after the initial visit.

“However, I still wanted to use the name because I felt that food and banks had nothing in common.
“So after the visit, my son went to the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (Myipo) office and applied for our restaurant to be registered as the owners of the “HSBC” name under Class 43 (services for food and drink),” she said.

She added that this was done in 2002.

On April 28, she received a letter from Myipo stating that her application had beenrejected by them.
Checking with Myipo, it was learnt that the restaurant’s application was rejected because the name was “likely to deceive or confuse the public”.

A Myipo spokesman said it was wrong for the restaurant to want to use that name, and that HSBC bank had the right to take the owners to court.

The restaurant, which serves Chinese food, has since prospered and says that some HSBC bank staff also frequent it often.

When contacted, HSBC bank declined to comment.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/8/18/nation/11788781&sec=nation