Lulu Worries About How EPF Is Investing Her Retirement Fund

needless to say, people are concerned about Proton since the talks with Volswagon failed.

so, Lulu was wondering, would EPF have to be the white knight and go to Proton's rescue. Hence, Lulu went to check the changes in shareholding available at klse
The share filings were totally out of Lulu's expectations.
EPF started buying lots and lots of Proton shares when the price was high, in the midst of the "phew... volkswagon talk is still on" euphoria.
EPF added 3.296million shares during the euphoria period, buying those shares at prices above RM5.00.

As if that was not bad enough, EPF continued to buy an additional 3.4million shares after the announcement. Lulu has no idea how much they paid for those shares, but it was between the day's high of RM4.70 to the low of RM3.56.

Lulu really don't know what to make of these EPF fund managers. They buy like a Lulu novice.

Lulu Despairs As The Rich Grow Richer and The (Already So Poor) Grow Poorer

the rich grow richer

Elite is operated by Expressway Lingkaran Tengah Sdn Bhd, BKE by Malaysia Mining Corporation and NNKSB by Syarikat Konsesi. Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong. The NSE, SPDH and the Causeway are operated by PLUS Highway.
The highway concessionaires are one of the bigger rip-offs of the nation's money. The people who created these concessionaires were drafting out an agreement that guaranteed certain parties to become very rich, whether the highway was used or not.
Dont think that Badawi's regime has no new highway concessionaire either. The Kesas Kota Kemuning Interchange was signed with a a40 year concession.

the poor grow poorer

These accused persons in Kuala Lumpur were offered a bail of between RM1,500 and RM3,000 each.
Unlike Abdul Razak Baginda who would have been most willing to pay a million ringgit bail, fifteen people could not afford the bail and have been taken to the Sungai Buloh prison to be remanded. Their cases will be heard between Jan 3 to Feb 11.
Like Abdul Razak Baginda, they will sit in jail until their case is heard.
Lulu hopes that they do not have family to support, else there will be 15 families out there who will really, really suffer.

What Could Make Lulu Excited About "Hawkers have a blast at dinner"?

Do you know who this man is?
He has a VERY interesting history.
It gets MORE interesting in connection with MCA
and MOST interesting in connection with the ex-MCA boss.

Lulu almost missed the juiciness of this event.

OK. The PJ Hawkers Association had a dinner.
MCA boss, Ong Ka Ting was there.
PJ Selatan MP, Donald Lim was there.
and so were the
PJ Utara MP, Chew Mei Fun
Bukit Gasing State Assemblyman, Lim Thung Seng
Kampung Tunku State Assemblyman, Wong Sai Hou
Damansara Utama State Assmeblyman, CK Lim
[short note - they're the ones who let MBPJ get away with the RM245million budget]
in other words, all the PJ MCA MPs and StateAssemblymen,
Yup, The Star Metro reports that this hawkers association dinner was attended by Ong Ka Ting who is the MCA President and Tun Ling's successor, the entire PJ gang
AND
Soh Chee Wen

Is there any significance in this?
Is it going to get exciting here in PJ and MCA?
Is this man, this very man who went public about how he "helped" Ling and son, welcomed back with opened arms to MCA's fold?
Is this OKT's public bringing out party for the former MCA president's nemesis?
Is Soh's name going to be on a nomination slip in the coming MCA elections?
Is Tun Ling having a Tun M moment, regretting his choice for successor?

OOOOOO.... this is getting exciting.
Either that, or Soh Chee Wen has a hawker stall somewhere and is a member of the hawker's association.

Lulu's Debating In Her Head Whether The PM Is Totally Oblivious Or Super Thick-Skin

Two months ago, Malaysian lawyers marched for justice

Three weeks ago, Malaysians from all walks of life marched for a free and fair elections

Three days ago, Hindu Malaysians walked to highlight their plight in Malaysia.

And our PM can still say he was happy with the [Merdeka] survey that showed Malaysians were happy with the administration of the present government? source : Malaysiakini
"If that is what the survey shows, then I am happy,” "We will continue to administer the country like we are doing now,”

Looking at the number of people who have decided to voice their grieviances so publicly, doesn't he get the hint? In two months, three different groups, in spite of the threats and real danger, have taken to [peaceful, mind you] protests on the streets. Isn't it obvious?

shudder, shudder. Pak Lah wants to continue to administer the country like we are doing now.

well, if he wants to stay oblivious, and believe in his popularity, Lulu hopes he will hold the elections SOON.

btw, does anyone have the full presentation of the Merdeka report? Could you, pretty please, email it to Lulu? Thanks!

Maybe Lulu Should Join The Star Or NST

someone asked Lulu today, "Where do you find the time to blog so much?"
Actually-la, Lulu doesn't really know. Lulu thinks it may come from some pocket of spare time here and there.
But blogging does take up a chunk of Lulu's time.
Maybe it's time for a career change. Something which allows me more free time, don't need to be so responsible for what I submit and a lot of room for error.

Reading today's newspapers, it struck Lulu that the Star and NST has the solution for her.
Lulu could be a reporter for them!

Look at the Hinraf reports.
The Star sent 4 reporters and at least 2 photographers to the various locations.
NST sent 9 reporters.

They both reported that in Batu Caves,
NST pg4
"A Molotov cocktail was thrown into a bus which was razed..."
TheStar pg8
The demonstrators also threw a Molotov cocktail at a tourist charter bus, setting in on fire.

and NOT ONE of these papers had a photograph of the burnt bus.
Come on-lah... the bus is burnt. What is left is a carcass. It can't drive away on its own, neither would it be cleaned away so fast amidst all that chaos.
So, if a bus was burnt, and this is such a beautiful photo opportunity, why didnt anyone of those reporters bother to take a photo?

Maybe Lulu should quit her job and join the Star or NST.
They seem to have it easy. Beautiful photo like this tak ambil, still can get away with it.
Unless of course, there was no molotov cocktail-ed bus.

Lulu's Malaysia - Let's Not Allow Them To Get Away With It (2)

You see the mist in the middle of the picture?
That's chemical laced water coming from the red truck and cannisters of tear gas too. When it hits you, you will feel a burning sensation on your skin. Pedih rasanya.
You see the structure in the background?
That's the gate leading up to Batu Caves Temple.
You see the black kelompok with white dots in the foreground?
They're the police.

What you don't see is that behind the gates are people who were in the temple and people in the grounds who were rounded up, herded into the Batu Caves Temple -- house arrest style.
Then, teargas and water cannons were fired into the crowd locked in the temple compound.
Malaysiakini reports that according to Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, police fired tear gas at those sleeping in Batu Caves temple at 4am. Unconfirmed reports said about 700 people were arrested there.
Go to Jeffooi.com and look at the pictures he posted.

You still gonna vote for your BN MP?
You still going to give BN 92% of the Parliament seats?

Lulu's Malaysia - Let's Not Allow Them To Get Away With It

You see the mist at the background of the photo?
That's chemical laced water coming from the red truck and cannisters of tear gas too. When it hits you, you will feel a burning sensation on your skin. Pedih rasanya.
You see the people on the foreground?
They are Malaysians, just like you and me.

What you won't see in the photos is the one who called the shots to attack.
He's the one who said "Work for ME". See where it's gotten us?
SO how?
You still gonna vote for your BN MP? You still going to give BN 92% of the Parliament seats?

Watching This Made Lulu Cry

WengSan has a lot more Hindraf photos and videos on his blog

Lulu's Thank You Letter To Mr Policeman

Dear Mr Policeman,

Thank you for your work in keeping our city safe by setting up round-the-clock roadblocks in the Klang Valley as part of crime-prevention activities.

Some papers like the meanie Star & NST and even Malaysiakini have said that you said that this is in connection with the Hindraf rally planned for this Sunday outside the British High Comm on Jalan Ampang.
Lulu thinks that the "Hindraf rally" excuse was a cover up to your real intention, which is to catch the perpertrators involved in the slashing of our nation's second hero, Malaysian angkasawan Mej Dr Faiz Khaleed.
Brilliant, Mr Policeman, absolutely brilliant to lay a red herring.
Like you, Lulu was shocked and appaled to hear that two parang-wielding men attacked him during a robbery leaving him with a 5cm slash wound which requires 100 stitches . [are you puzzled like Lulu about how they can squeeze 100 stitches into a 5cm wound?]
Anyway, like you, Lulu wants to have those men caught before they inflict these kind of injuries on another person.
Yes, Mr Policeman, we need those roadblocks to weed out bad hats from entering the city.
Lulu thinks that you're absolutely brilliant in hoodwinking everyone into believing that you are out to stop the Hindraf rally which as Lulu has mentioned before, was planned for this Sunday outside the British High Comm on Jalan Ampang. This will proabably cause those parang-wielding men to drop their guard, and as a result, be nabbed by you.

Mr Policeman,
Lulu also read you urged the public not to enter Kuala Lumpur during the weekend if they do not have any urgent matters to attend to.
Mr Policeman,
Senator Lee Chong Meng [you know, the MCA chairman for Bukit Bintang, who could not win an election via the ballot box, but still managed to serve part of a term as MP there due to a court decision] may hold another hotel protest with his Jalan Alor traders and blame you for the drop in sales this weekend.
Mr Policeman,
Lulu hopes you will be strong and not cry.

Whilst Lulu is still on being strong and not cry, there are moments when you need to cry. If you are still grieving over the police force's lack in making any headway in the gruesome murder of Nurin Jazlin, Lulu's advice for you is to cry. Cry your heart out. Look at your own children, and cry your heart out again. Then resolve to find the killer(s) behind her horrible death.

oh, Mr Policeman,
This chap here looks a ruffian and a troublemaker. Definetly looks like a "crime prevention" clean-up candidate.
Whether he is or not, that is our own personal view.
But Mr Policeman, you must let him through even if he looks like that because he is the PM's son-in-law. Lulu don't want to see you transferred or demoted.

thank you Mr Policeman.
Lulu loves you xxx

p/s don't tell Mrs Policeman about this. She may not understand.

Lulu Wishes The Police Folks Would Go Make The Roads Safer From Criminals and Not People Speaking Up For Their Rights

ok. maybe Lulu's bias, cos Lulu was one of those participants in the Bersih March.

For the Bersih march, the police started their roadblocks and screening of all cars and busses on roads leading to KL on Friday night. This went on till Saturday evening, causing big time traffic jams and "millions of ringgit" loss in business for traders in the Jln Alor area.

Today is only Thurday. and the police have started their roadblocks against the Hindraf Rally which is scheduled to take place outside the British High Comm on Sunday.
This is really getting ridiculous.

Malaysiakini, at 2:45pm, reported

Selangor Traffic and Public Order Department chief Supt Che Hussain Che Omar, when contacted, said roadblocks have been set up in all 12 districts in Selangor.
“It is for crime prevention. We have placed roadblocks in all major strategic area this morning. When it will end depends on the situation. We still study the situation,” he said.
Roadblocks were spotted on several highways including the Silk Highway (from Kajang and Semenyih to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya), near Sungai Ramal, Sungai Besi Highway (photo) and Sungai Way on the Federal Highway.

The report is substantiated by the forumers at usj.com.my who reported blocks in Damansara, near eastin hotel and NPE heading towards Old Klang Road.

So how? Two weeks ago, people were not allowed to wear yellow into KL.
This weekend, the Indian community are not allowed into KL? Is that what police are screening for in the name of "crime prevention"?
and who knows.. maybe on Wednesday or Thurday, we'll see one of the MIC fellas do a "Doktor Ayam" stunt supported by traders from Lebuh Ampang.

It's amazing how the police force can be mobilised to this effort, but unable to make headway in reducing crime in this country.

Lulu's Attempt To Be Petty

Lulu thought this was so, so petty.
Lulu's not very good at it, but, this is Lulu's attempt in being petty.

pettiness aside, the "evidence" given in an international court is such an embarrasement to the nation. Read more about it at JeffOoi

Lulu Not Sure If Sothinathan Is Offering MCA To Exchange His Teluk Kemang Seat to Run In Batu Gajah For The Next GE

Sothinathan, in defence towards his "mau lawan" challenge to Cilipadi now claims that he meant to lawan in the elections.

“I was talking about the general election," he explained further, adding that fighting with a woman is the most disgraceful thing a man could do.

Malaysiakini - Sothi: I meant elections, not a fist-fight

if he is, by all means, Lulu would strongly encourage MCA to take Sothi up on his offer. Do a seat exchange. Immediately. Whilst he is still hangat. Before he forgets it.
Afterall, that seat is kind of an embarassment for MCA. In case you don't know, the president's brother, who is also the state MCA chief, thought that YB Fong was a one round fluke, and ran there. No need to say-la, who won.
Sothi, not very wise offer, but now that you've said it, see you in Batu Gajah!

Lulu Wonders, If Proton HAS Turned Around, Why Then Did The Share Tumble?

The papers, both local and foreign, are reporting that Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said there would be no foreign partner for Proton for the time being as the national car manufacturer was showing signs of a turnaround.

Kononnya, when Khazanah started negotiations in December 2006, Proton was in dire straits and urgently required a foreign partner.
The situation has now changed with Proton "starting to make money again" and expected to return to profit by 2009.

The indicators of the turnaround are:
- Proton’s market share has increased from 22% to 31%;
- Increased export orders from China, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand;
- Number of dealers reduced from 362 in March to 304;
- Closer cooperation with Lotus to ensure technology was transferred to Proton vehicles;
- Sales have increased with 21,580 bookings in the past three months; and
- Reduction of inventory by 50% from three months to about a month.
- Proton's Consumer Satisfaction Index had risen to 713 points from 677 points last year
- Saga replacement model would be launched in February and a seven-seater MPV in January 2009.

Nor Mohamed said the turnaround at Proton was such that the earlier thinking that it needed a foreign partner to stay afloat was no longer valid.

hmm... it sounds so rosy and all that.
But Lulu's confused.
Why then, Lulu's wondering, did the Proton Share tumble?
Why did CIMB Investment bank CIMB cut its target price on shares in Malaysian car-maker Proton Holdings to 3.50 ringgit after the government abruptly ended talks with Germany's Volkswagen over an alliance?
Could it be cos they tak 'caya our Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop?

updates Proton shares closed at Rm4.02, a 92sen drop from previous day.

Lulu Hopes S Sothinathan Won't Challenge Lulu To A Fight Either

Lulu is abashed, aghast, alarmed, anxious, apprehensive, aroused, blanched, cowardly, cowed, daunted, discouraged, disheartened, dismayed, distressed, disturbed, faint-hearted, frightened, frozen, horrified, in awe, intimidated, nervous, panic-stricken, perplexed, perturbed, petrified, rattled, run scared, scared, scared stiff, shocked, spooked, startled, stunned, suspicious, terrified, terror-stricken, timid, timorous, trembling, upset and worried.
In other words, Lulu is shocked.
shocked, shocked, shocked.
That S Sothinathan, a Deputy Minister and an MP would challenge anyone, even worse, sweet lil cilipadi, to a fight after being unable to prove an allegation he had made.
That S Sothinathan, a husband and a father would challenge a lady to a fight.
shocked, shocked, shocked.

Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Datuk S. Sothinathan should be thoroughly ashamed of himself and apologise for challenging a woman DAP MP, Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah) to a fight outside the Chamber yesterday during the winding-up of the 2008 Budget committee debate on his Ministry, when he was completely flustered and unable to reply in an exchange with DAP MPs. The shameful conduct of Sothinathan is the first time in 50 years of Parliament in Malaysia.

read more about it here

Sememangnya, ini bukan budaya kita
kononnya is more like it.

updates : video available here and Sothi boy has incurred the wrath of MGS girls
update2 : Poll on the sidebar If-lah, PoKuan aka CiliPadi were to take up Sothinathan's "Mari Lawan" challenge, who do you think would win? Do participate :D thanks!

Why Lulu's Current Assemblyman Will Not Get Her Vote

did you know that MBPJ's budget was approved without any debate, cosensus or feedback from the residents?
do you know how much is involved?
RM245mil budget for 2008
let me repeat that to you
RM245mil budget for 2008

some suspicious things which the Star highlighted

• 70% of the budget is allocated for management
• RM730,000 would be spent on training.
• RM340,000 allocation for flowers
• RM2,400,000 to build infrastructure for the Sungai Buloh Cemetery

and until today, no one knows exactly where the money from billboard revenue goes to. Kononnya "the sports club". Whatever it is, it is not going back to ratepayers like you and Lulu.
Edward Lee asks,
“Is this lack of transparency a cover up for the many issues like the billboards and council accounts that are still not addressed?”

As Dr Wong (aka the oyster of the oyster fried beehun combination in PJ Utara) is the state assemblyman AND a MBPJ Councillor and the kononnya Residents Representative Committee (RRC) Chairman for Kg Tunku, he has allowed them to get away with it. Whether is it by his silence or his inability to control the council workers, he has failed the people he claims to represent.

This is just one of the reasons that Lulu will not vote BN for the State or Parliament seat.
The whole Selangor State Assembly is a sham, meeting only 5 times a year to pat each other on the back as there are only 2 opposition assemblymen.
And these nasty bullies ganged up and got Teng Chang Kim suspended for 30-months for breaching the standing orders which 18 months was without any allowance. "breaching standing orders" is very subjective and much up to the Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly, Tan Sri Onn bin Ismail. Teng is finally back in assembly and you can follow his action on his blog.
Whereas nothing happened to Zakaria even though on November 13, 2000 at the State Asembly in Shah Alam, YB Teng Chang Kim, assemblymen for Kelang was verbally abused with racist words like 'Cina babi' and slapped by Zakaria Md. Derus, UMNO assemblyman for Selat Kelang. Then YB Teng was a punched by another man, possible 'sidekick' of Zakaria.

Lulu wants more kakis for Teng Chang Khim and Ng Suee Lim.
Voters from Kg Tunku, Damansara Utama, Bukit Gasing, Batu Lanjan and Subang, Lulu wants you to consider carefully all the abuse and misuse in the state. Weigh that against your pre-election road tarring and playground equipment.
Then decide what legacy you want to leave for your children.

Yar-Yar-Yar, Lulu Went For The Penguin Sale

Lulu loves sales, especially warehouse sales, and the most lovely of all would be warehouse sales with books!

Lulu bought some try-to-help-her-be-smart books and also her try-to-help-her-be-more humourous book. You know-la, some things Lulu just aint got it, so, hopefully by reading from those who have it, some of it may rub off on Lulu.

Let Lulu share with you a quote from Sue Townsend's Number Ten, bought at RM12 during the sale.

Mick rambled on, "she's only marrying him for his money. He's a subcontractor"
"What in?" asked the Prime Minister.
"In anything at all," laughed Mick. "He doesnt have to do any work because he subcontracts the work out to another subcontractor, and he subcontracts the work out to another subcontractor - do you get it?" Mick laughed long and hard.

Now, doesn't this sound like a "budaya kita" of the "ini bukan budaya kita" chorus boys?

Lulu Wonders If The Star Would Publish The Lingam News Or Not

"Editors, from now on fear not, just publish all matters of public interests and the government will protect you."
Wee Choo Keong at his explosive press conference today
Quote borrowed from Zorro

hmm... let's see how many of the mainstream media would allow the Lingam news to go to print.
were they there? yes they were.
How does Lulu know? Lulu was there too. Late, but was there, seated across a photographer from the Star.
Parked downstairs was a TV3 car.

So, in six hours time, we'll know how many printed this.
And if it is printed, and you need to check against reliable sources, check out
Malaysiakini More allegations of judicial graft emerge
Rocky My brother Dato V. Kanagalingam
The Police Report He Ain't Heavy ... , He's My Brother .... -> this is a MUST read
Haris Crisis in the judiciary - and we thought we had seen it all!
Ancient Mariner Mayday for Justice
Zorro MESSY, MESSIER, MESSIEST.

Speechless, Lulu Is Speechless

Contrary to what the NST said about "alleged", a pixman was assaulted in a scuffle on Friday during Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai's press conference. The pictures from different press clearly shows UMNO thugs hitting him.

Rocky mentioned yesterday that the National Union of Journalist or the National Press Club should speak up on this incident.

When Lulu saw the headliner today, NUJ president concerned over safety of journalists, Lulu heaved a little yahoo, that NUJ was speaking up to protect on of its own.
But the details left Lulu totally flabbergasted, speechless to say the least.

Not one mention on the UMNO thugs who assaulted the Kwong Ming photographer. Instead, National Union of Journalists president Norila Daud put the blame on the organisers aka Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai who was holding a press conference on abuse of public money.

Those who invite the media to cover events must take responsibility for the safety and security of the journalists, National Union of Journalists president Norila Daud said.
She said the sponsor or host who invited the media to cover an event must also ensure they were not doing anything illegal that could risk the safety of the journalists.
Referring to the incident where a Guong Ming Daily photographer was allegedly assaulted in a scuffle between Umno and DAP members at a multi-purpose hall in Jalan Peel, Cheras, on Friday, she said that while it was unexpected, the host should have ensured the safety of the journalists.

Considering that this came from the Star, Lulu's not sure if this NUJ president, Norila Daud really said that, or it was spinned to print like this.
Lulu is waiting anxiously for Rocky's take on this.

Aiyoh.... Lulu Can Even Think Of Shopping Whilst Out On The Bersih March

The NGOs included the Kuala Lumpur Taxi Drivers Association, Federation of Malaysia Entertainment Associations, Jalan Alor Hawkers Association and Rukun Tetangga Pudu.
Holding up placards, written in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil, thegroup complained that their businesses had been affected by the gathering.

Lulu is so truly perempuan.
Even on her way to the Bersih march, Lulu got distracted by these bowls. Lulu saw them along the Petaling Street area and was bowled over. Made a mental note to self, have to return to buy the bowls.
And return she did!
Yup! Lulu went back to Petaling Street to buy lotsa lotsa bowls.
Lulu's sure that there were many others like her, who would not normally be in KL, but were on Saturday, and bought something whilst they were there.

Do you know that this uncle who called the press conference has run many times in Bukit Bintang, but never won before.
Exception, of course, would be the "For the election, Wee Choo Keong, everything. How much, no body would have done all these" court decision mentioned in the Lingam tape. And that of course, was not an honest way to be the MP for Bukit Bintang.
And in the 04 elections, probably because kalah so many times, he decided to field a woman candidate who garnered 18,821 votes, of which 24% were from postal votes.
Uncle, you of all people should know where Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Alor and Jalan Merlimau is relative to the Palace, Dataran Merdeka, Masjid Negara, Masjid Jamek, Sogo and Central Market.
To blame the Bersih march for loss of business, man.... it's no wonder why he lost so many times.

running dogs courtesy of wits0

Lulu Would Really Love To See Them Prove That This Is "UMNO's Private Property"

Lulu saw this little piece of quite un-informative piece of news in today's NST and wondered what Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai's press conference was about, and how it incurred the unruly budaya UMNO to show its horns.

When Lulu got home and checked out jeffooi's posting, Violence against journalist... Umno style, Lulu understood better what had happened.

from jeffooi and Malaysiakini

The press conference, called by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, was held at a multi-purpose hall in his constituency, which was located in the compound of the Cheras Umno headquarters.
Tan had called the press conference to highlight Umno's alleged abuses of government funds allocated by the Prime Minister's Deparment to build multi-purpose halls in Kuala Lumpur

"The problem started way back in 2002. They used the allocation to build multi-purpose halls for their service centres," said Tan.
"The PM's Department allocates the money for the halls' maintenance and these people use it to hire workers for their service centres," he lamented, adding that the problem was evident in Bandar Tun Razak.

and you know what's the best part?

Meanwhile, Cheras division Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee has blamed Tan for the dispute, acccording to a China Press report.
Syed said that Tan had angered Umno members by being "rude and encroaching into Umno's private property".

yes, by these UMNO chaps on admission, the multipurpose hall in Peel Road, Cheras build by money allocated from the PM's department has become "UMNO's private property".
well, show us the ownership papers. show us your accounts for the building of the building.
but that's the sad-sad mentality of UMNO-puteras nowadays isn't it, that the nation is theirs to rape and plunder?
and if, indeed they had paid for the building and land, then Lulu's next question is, where did the money from the PM's Department go to?

shame on them!
shame on them for taking the rakyat's money and using it for their own [already super duper rich] party
and shame on them for ganging up and hitting a photographer on duty.

Lulu Wondering Whether These Businesses Declare This Much Income On Their Income Tax Form Or Not

A businessman who runs a wholesale clothes business in Jalan Merlimau, lamented the impact on sales."We lost about a million in sales on that day as most of our customers come by during the weekend. source : NST

if you did "a million in sales on that day"
and Lulu were to extrapolate it for the year,
Lets assume he's closed on Sundays [give him the benefit of the doubt-la...]
Lulu's wondering what the factor should be on weekdays. For retail outlets, wild guess 30% of weekend sales.
52 Saturdays x RM1mill + 5weekdays x 52 x300K = (wow) 130mil/annum!
at 10% PBIT (Lulu just came from a company strategy meeting, so pick up acronyms like this) that's RM13mil!
wow! wow! and wow!

This estimation is on the low side of his boast, cos if you think about it, he's a wholesaler, which means that retail outlets buy from him to sell to normal people like you and Lulu. And retail outlets are busy on weekends, meaning they buy from him on weekdays.

either he's making a lot, a lot of money, or it was just a sad, sad MCA boast.

btw, the Bersih march was not a street demo
and
it was the police roadblocks which caused the massive jam.
gosh... disgruntled disoriented businessmen!

The More They Spin, The More Lulu Knows They Are Afraid

Lulu was away during the week. Hence, too busy to post anything.

But Lulu's been reading the papers and she smells fear.
big time fear.
they are afraid you know
they are so afraid, up till today, they're still releasing confusing accounts on the Bersih march.
big time fear.
fear over "some 4,000" protestors.

Some of the headlines this week.
9-Nov
Individu sertai perhimpunan haram boleh ditangkap, kata Ketua Polis Kuala Lumpur

10-Nov
Reject demos and use polls, PM urges public
Police disperse illegal assembly
Tindakan pro aktif polis berjaya hindari kejadian tidak diingini

11-Nov
PM: Don’t drag royalty into politics
DPM: Don't incite racial disharmony
Road closures, checks cause massive jams in Klang Valley
Teargas and water cannons used on illegal assembly, 245 held
Polis tidak guna kekerasan – Musa

12-Nov
DPM: Hard to douse racial fire
Suhakam: Cops reacted correctly during protest
Opposition trying to drag King into politics, says Pak Lah
Rakyat tidak perlu adakan demonstrasi jalanan
Perhimpunan haram cuba perangkap institusi raja

13-Nov
Opposition ticked off for accusing EC of being unfair
Adnan: Use the ISA to stop those who promote ill will
Zam slams Al Jazeera’s coverage

14-Nov
Ka Ting: Don’t take part in street demos

15-Nov
Najib: Envoy acted outside his sphere of duty
‘Stop the illegal gatherings’
Politicians questioned over illegal gathering
Polis ambil keterangan 3 AJK BERSIH

16-Nov
Businessman see red over protests
Agong kesal dakwaan baginda sokong perhimpunan 10/11
Polis ambil keterangan tiga AJK Bersih

17-Nov
Action taken to protect the people’s safety, says Najib
King displeased over claims that he backed illegal rally
Istana Negara tidak sokong perhimpunan haram

with regards to the Istana's statement, Lulu takes the view of RPK What the eye does not see. You really can't blame Lulu after reading all that spin this past week.

BN knows that a lot of people know that there were tens of thousands of people who were at the march.
They know that a lot of concerned citizens were there, not just the political party type.
They know that what Bersih is asking for is fair, and will take away the unfair edge that they have had all these years.
Do you remember what the immediate demands are?

• The use of indelible ink
• A cleanup of the electoral roll
• The abolition of domestic postal voting
• Fair access to the media

fair demands, but will take away the unfair edge that BN has, and so they fear it.

Were you there at the march?
Tell your friends about it.
Did you read about the march via Malaysiakini or Malaysiatoday?
Tell your friends about it.
Have you read about the march or seen pictures or videoclips via blogs?
Tell your friends about it.

The government knows we know. Let's make sure more people know.

A Lulu Love Story - The Makcik and The Hunk

Lulu's friend, The Hunk also attended the march.
Because he set out a little later than Lulu, he could not meet up to march with her.
So, The Hunk marched alone.
without Lulu,
armed with his trusted camera in the rain.

The Hunk wanted to take pictures, lots and lots of them,
but he was having difficulties holding his camera steady
whilst pressing the button
AND shielding his lens from the rain.

A sweet makcik, noticing The Hunk in distress offered him shelter under her umbrella.Yup, The Hunk in distress was rescued by a makcik in a shining red umbrella.

Yes, this is a love story
A makcik and a hunk
A kampung girl and a city boy
An elderly lady and a young man
The story of the love of a woman and a man
for their country.

epilogue
As far as Lulu knows, they did not marry each other
but will they live happily ever after in Malaysia? Lulu's a dreamer... Lulu hopes so...

Lulu hopes you enjoy his photos!

Let Lulu Tell You Here and Now, There Were A Lot, A Lot More Than 4,000 People

saw this stupid piece of news in the Star Updates.

The opposition-led illegal gathering involving some 4,000 people ended with a memorandum being handed over to Istana Negara. The memorandum called for free and just elections.

seriously, if it was 4,000 people, do you think the police would have mobilised road blocks on Federal Highway, Sg Besi, SPRINT highway and all the major highways entering KL?

Do you think they would have deployed at least 10 FRU trucks to Masjid Negara, prepared trucks hidden in Masjid India to charge at Sogo,

Would they have had helicopters hovering above the skies in KL?

Blocked off the whole Dataran Merdeka?

Stopped the LRTs from stopping at Masjid Jamek and Central Market?

Deployed 4,000 policemen and FRU for "some 4,000" protestors?

Does this look like "some 4,000" protestors?

Maybe they mistook the 4,000 police personnel they deployed to spoil the people's appointment with the Agong.

yes! it has to be a typo.

Maybe what they meant to write was

The opposition-led illegal gathering involving some 4,000 people policemen with a memorandum being handed over to Istana Negara. The memorandum called for free and just elections.

That's it!
The Star can't be out there printing misinformation like this to people who pay RM1.20 to read news. They're an honourable reputable newspaper which tells the people news. If they weren't allowed to write about the event, wouldnt the honourable Star have just not said anything about the event?
typo, it has to be a typo.

What?? Lulu A Security Threat?

did you hear about the traffic jams in KL?

this was from the Star Update yesterday

so cute, the way PLUS puts it as "no reason was given"

and the way the police calls it "for security checks"

without mentioning that Lulu

and all these people are those they were checking for.

And finally, in today's print edition, they mentioned that dirty word - BERSIH

Malaysiakini, not needing to be dependant on Zam for their annual license renewal, was a bit more honest.

Lulu Marches For A Better Malaysia Part 1

I arrived at Pasar Seni at just about 2:00pm.
Whilst waiting to gather, someone from my group made friends with a lady who had come alone. She's a mother of three, and she felt very strongly about the requests that Bersih is making, and she came alone, even though she could not convince her husband, siblings or friends to come along. It's a small,small world as it turns out that I used to teach her daughter in Sunday School!
ordinary people, that's what we are.
those of us who took part in the march are ordinary people.
a mum, a sunday school teacher.
we're nothing special.
we're just greatly concerned for the country.

You wanna hear something funny?
Up till like 2:15, someone remarked that there were hardly any yellow shirts around. They were all tucked under the shirts they were wearing or safely hidden in their bags. Everyone was still a little afraid to let it out. Then Lulu said, hey! there are three guys here in yellow! they so brave.... then as they came closer,... oh... it's tianchua and his machai :D

2.35pm: About 500 protesters to march from Pasar Seni towards Dataran Merdeka in heavy rain followed by 100 riot police. The group is led by Bersih leader Tian Chua, accompanied with shouts of Daulat Tuanku (Long live the King).

If you look carefully below the red arrow [sorry-la, it was taken whilst i was walking in the rain], you'd see the police there. They were marching behind us, and the sound of their boots hitting against the ground and the sound of the helicopters overhead can be very intimidating.

2.40pm: The 500 Pasar Seni marchers are met by 100 riot police about 50 metres from Dataran Merdeka. There are minor clashes but police have formed two lines of barricades, resulting in a stand-off.

We have just passed the Bar Council, and the march was slowing down. People were moving towards the left side of the road, to the Bank Buruh (i think) building. I was somewhere in the back and was not sure exactly what was going on, but as I moved forward, I realised that it was that the Police were blocking the road as it was leading to Dataran Merdeka.
There were some youngsters who looked like they were ready to "push" the police, but the Bersih organisers had everything under control and re-routed us through a backlane and brought us to Jln Kinabalu. (not sure if that's the name of the road, but its the Dayabumi/old British Council road)
We walked past the mosque, which by that time, the protestors had alread made their way to the istana. but the police were still around, waiting for the marchers to return
Do you remember what Bersih is marching for?
the key immediate demands of BERSIH, are:
* The use of indelible ink to prevent double-voting;
* The abolishment of postal votes;
* Clean-up of the electoral roll;
* Equal and fair access to national media.
We're still working on it.
We seek your support, for a better Malaysia!

Part 2 : hopefully tomorrow.

The bits in blue were taken from Malaysiakini LIVE reports : The Bersih Rally

Lulu Is Back, Safe and Sound

Lulu went from Central Market, and it was a relatively peaceful march.
Not so for those who went from Sogo and Masjid Jamek.
Bersih site is also down at the moment, but Lulu heard that 30 people were arrested.

The Malaysiakini site is also down, but I believe that in the next few hours, more and more bloggers will be posting their experience.

The fight to kembalikan hak rakyat has just begun.
Pray that God will bestow his mercy upon us.

Lulu's Off Now

catcha later

and pray for us,

pray especially for those who are meeting at the National Mosque

and pray for our nation

Lulu Hopes This Is Another Of Our PM's Empty Promises

but Lulu's got a lousy feeling that he is going to have a hand in making the prophecy "surely something bad is going to happen" come true.
source: Malaysiakini

Lulu Really, Really Wish She Didnt Have To Take This Walk

I really wish I didnt have to.
I'm really not the sort who berkobar-kobar want to go.
I'm a fluffy, giddy-headed air head.
An hour ago, I was watching Project Runway Malaysia and my heart was beating really hard to Alex to win. But she didn't, and I felt argh.... for her.
Two hours ago, I was at Sunway Pyramid. I bumped into an old friend who was out with his kids. Within two minutes, Auntie Lulu was amusing them with stories of vegetarian dinosaurs.

But understanding how elections work in this country, and the sort of people who are voted in to Parliament because of it, I realise this is a walk I have to take.
If not, then the unfairness will not only continue, it would get worse. A lot, a lot worse. What sort of future would we then be leaving our children?

There are four main meeting points.
1. SOGO Shopping Complex : Stop at Sogo / Bank Negara Komuter Station / LRT STAR Bandaraya
2. Masjid Jamek KL : Stop at Masjid Jamek / LRT Masjid Jamek
3. National Mosque : Stop at KL Komuter or Railway Station.
4. Central Market : Stop at Bangkok Bank / LRT Putra Pasar Seni
I'll be part of the group meeting at Central Market.

pray for us
if you can, come join us

gasp! Is Lulu Actually Agreeing With Khairy?

source : Malaysiakini

he has a point there you know,
imagine : A pakcik gets a 7% subsidy for his RM100,000 medium cost house.
A parasite will also be getting 7% subsidy if he chooses to buy one of those SP Setia's RM30,000,000 “super high-end” bungalows in Kenny Hills.
Why?
Why we must subside those who are already rich?

oh... the difference, Lulu guesses is that in the 7% discount, the developer and the non-7% discount people pays for it.
And you know what?
Continuing 7% subsidy efforts is already a burden on the developer and the non7%'s finances in the long run, and ways must be found for equitable distribution of subsidies.

Lulu Suspects Maybe.... Just Maybe, The List That The PM Is Looking At Is Flawed

"The list of the richest individuals in Malaysia is still led by non-Malays,” he said in opening the annual Umno meet in Kuala Lumpur today.
as reported by not just Malaysiakini, but also The Star

if you think about it, where is the name of the former UMNO Treasurer, the one who was the Finance Minister during the privatisation era, the one who made Halim Saad & gang multi-millionaires? how can his name be not there?

and if his name is not there, it makes you wonder, doesn't it, how many other names are not there?

and not acheiving the 30%? It depends on whose study and what methodology, doesn't it?

Maybe the problem is not what the percentage is
Maybe it lies in how that 18.9% / 45% / 33.7% is being distributed
Maybe 95% of that amount [whatever that percentage is] went to the folks who have been sitting in PWTC this past week, leaving the common people behind.
Maybe, yah?

You may be interested to read Malaysiakini's SPECIAL REPORT: Never Ending Policy