Super Expressway

Super Expressway (North-South Highway replacement)

This expressway will be a fully elevated highway from the northern tip to the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia. It will be a 8-lane dual carriageway (4 lanes per direction) and will be built as straight as possible to maximize average vehicle speed. It will replace the North-South Highway, which will be toll-free after the Super Expressway comes into service.

Entry and exit points are planned to join the NS Highway approximately 1km from the exit points of the NS Highway. In this case the exit points are shared between the new expressway and the old highway. On the Super Expressway, there will be a minimum speed of 80km/h, and there will be no maximum speed on the 3rd and 4th lanes. Vehicles which do not conform to the minimum speed will be signaled and will have to exit the Super Expressway at the next nearest exit.

Toll payment will be facilitated via RFID tags. Users of the Super Expressway will need to have a RFID tag that stores either prepaid or account-based information. Toll payments are deducted via RFID scanners built along the expressway, therefore users do not need to stop at any toll plazas.

It is estimated that the total travel time can be saved by 40% by using the Super Expressway. Safety will also be guaranteed, as motorcycles and heavy vehicles will not be allowed to use the Super Expressway, and will continue to use the NS highway below.

Grassroots Party Of Malaysia (GPM) or Parti Akar Umbi Malaysia (PAUM)

Grassroots Party Of Malaysia (GPM)
Parti Akar Umbi Malaysia (PAUM)

Motto:
A party by the people, for the people.

Concept:

This party will be unlike any political party in the history of Malaysia. All party positions are elected by direct elections. Candidates are chosen from the grassroots and are given ample opportunities to present themselves, debate on open issues, and campaign for support.

All candidates for the parliamentary and state elections are also directly elected from the grassroots. Only after at least one layer of candidate elections will the candidate be chosen to contest in the general elections or by elections.

Should the GPM form the state government, the first business to handle will be to reintroduce local government elections. Local councils will be directly elected from the grassroots. Only the minimal number of positions will be necessary to minimize wastage of resources and promote an efficient service delivery.

The grassroots will be engaged constantly to determine what they really want in their constituency and locality. Panel of experts (comprising from the grassroots) in various fields (e.g. town planning) will be constantly engaged to provide valuable input to the GPM on how to further improve the governance.

Finally, should the GPM form the federal government, the first business will be to reaffirm the separation of powers between legislative, judiciary and executive. The elections commission will be given new autonomy and will report directly to the Agong. The Agong's and conference of rulers' discretionary powers will be restored to the pre-constitutional crisis phase. The GPM government will ensure that the grassroots' interests will be protected at all times while maintaining balance in international competetiveness.

been busy...

Lately, I've been busy looking for house for sale, looking through the newspapers, iproperty.com, ronda-ronda around the neighbourhood looking for a good house for my own stay.

After several rounds of fruitless searching in SS18, SS17, USJ20, decided to take the plunge and settle for houses in Putra Heights / Laman Putra. But after viewing the unit, decided that the rooms and built up was just too small to justify such a high price. Perhaps other types would be better, but also cost more.

Then found a wonderful unit in SS18, but purchase was not successful because of lacking documentation, floor plan, extension approvals. The unit was sold already. I guess it's back to square one.

Am now contemplating again whether or not to go for Putra Heights. The location is really far in now, and the commercial development is really lacking. I wonder if it will improve to become the next USJ.

Actually I wouldn't mind moving to the apartment for a few years. But if we don't manage to get a house of our own, I really wonder if I can continue staying here in this house now!

Options:
1) Subang Jaya
Best location, best built up, but houses are old and require renovation for it to be lived in. Also, lack of suitable units due to old fashioned design and general reluctance of owners to move out.

2) USJ
Second best location (the jams are frustrating), newer designs and newer condition. But generally built up is smaller for equal price in SJ. Furthermore, weird pillars and wasted spaces everywhere.

3) Putra Heights
New houses, new designs, better interior fittings. But built up is just too small, and a lot of wasted spaces. Newer phases have high asking prices >400K for a livable unit. Commercial area and general development is lacking. Access is poor also.

4) Kota Kemuning
A well developed township with good landscaping. But the units are small (22x75) and also this place is under MBSA jurisdiction. Have not viewed any units here yet.

5) Setia Alam
Further away from Kota Kemuning, houses also 22x75 and under MBSA. Green concept, lots of nice landscaping here. Commercial area more developed than Putra Heights. Have not viewed any units here yet.

6) Tanamera USJ
High price >400K for a 22x80 DSL unit and >500K for TSL unit. G&G development, private feeling and security is good. Maintenance fee is high ~RM300 per month. Have nice swimming pool and landscaping. Have not viewed any units here yet.

Abdullah is clueless...

I didn't say it. It's reported in theSun...

On another matter, the prime minister seemed in the dark when asked the reasons for the delay in handing over of keys to tsunami victims in Tanjung Bungah to allow them to move into their new homes.

“Those who meet the requirements can move in immediately,” he said.

When told that the victims had held a demonstration yesterday as they were unable to move into their new homes, he looked puzzled and insisted they could move in already. “As long as they have met the requirements, they should be able to move into the new units,” he said.

When pressed further on whether he will order an investigation on the reasons for the delay, he replied “no”, but seemed unhappy over being informed about the delay by the media.

2 more episodes to go

With only 2 more episodes to go in both (yes - both - I'm watching both) Astro-On-Demand dramas, finally the stories will end. As always, it will be a happy ending. And I hope that the loose ends are tied up nicely, or else it will be quite irritating to see an open ended plot line not properly closed up. It will just show the flaws during the script writing.

So what will I do from next week onwards? I guess it's back to whatever routine I had previously before the drama invasion. A mix of Heroes/KyleXY/Prison Break watching, reading up on all my books, and preparing for my grandpa's 90th birthday bash!

I learnt something about Astro On Demand...

...that I can actually switch on the subtitles!

DOH

Bicycles by the Beach

f/6.3 :: 1/500s :: ISO100 :: 38mm

This was taken in Nusa Dua beach, Bali. I spotted these colourful children's bicycles parked by the beach in perfect alignment. They seemed to be speaking to each other while their owners played in the water.

KL International Tattoo 2007

We were fortunate enough to get VIP Grandstand tickets to the KL International Tattoo 2007 last Saturday. Thanks to Datuk for providing the tickets!

We decided to car pool with MJ to Stadium Merdeka. I decided against bringing my DSLR and settled for the compact and very capable IXUS 850IS.

From Stadium Merdeka, I caught a view of the Twin Towers that I normally wouldn't get.

We were treated to a Colours of Malaysia show before the event actually started. We were waiting for the Agong, you see. And what an arrival! With the official announcements, the standing in attention, and the patriotic strains of Negaraku played by the ensemble bands!

Initially had no idea what the Tattoo show was all about. Only knew that it was something to do with the military. Turned out to be all about military. Each invited country's military bands performed outstanding tunes and marching formations to the delight of the crowd! Just take a look at the UK team with their kilts and bagpipes.

A total of 13 countries, including Malaysia, participated in the event. It was truly amazing. There were some memorable performances, and some not so inspiring ones (particularly from France :P). However, performances from USA and Thailand seemed to be more pop-oriented, while the militaristic discipline of the Singapore team was shown in the way they planned their formations. All in all, this is an event that we would not have known of if not for the complementary passes from Datuk. So, thanks again Datuk!

The fireworks display was fantastical. I wonder how much money was spent just on fireworks!

Opening acts by our Malaysian army...

...and Unit Gerak Khas police.

Team Brunei...

...Pakistan...

...France *yawnnn*...

The militaristic Singaporeans surprisingly drew loud applause and cheers.

The Americans sang and played My Girl, among other popular songs.

The Korean "drummer boys" were fantastic, with their swift playing and superb coordination.

Team New Zealand brought Maori tribal performers and did the Haka dance.

The enthusiastic band conductor from The Phillipines.

The charming and hot military girl from Thailand singing "Sabai Sabai"!

Tonle Sap - as wide as an ocean...

f/5.6 :: 1/200s :: ISO200 :: 120mm

This picture was taken by jyon as our boat was riding out towards the center of the lake. We encountered choppy waves and slowly turned around for fear of capsizing. It was then that we saw these boats gracing the waters as if they felt nothing. Tonle Sap lake is truly such a large lake that from this angle, it looks more like an open ocean!

Steps

Steps is currently showing on Astro-on-Demand channel 901. Yesterday was the premier of the first episode. It revolves around an aspiring dancer who ends up in a dancing school after failing to qualify in the Hong Kong Dance Company auditions. I suppose she ends up pairing with the son of the dance school's principal and both of them spark off a wonderful friendship which eventually blossoms into romance (I guess). There will be trials and tribulations but the end should be a good one, as they participate in a professional dance competition (this is from what I saw in the previews).

Anyway, from what I've watched yesterday, I think this is another potentially great series from TVB! Of course, it doesn't hurt that Bernice Liu also looks so adorable ;)

20 episodes for less than RM20, and you get to watch it over and over and over and over and over again. What are you waiting for?