To Scratch or Not to Scratch

Cikgu, "You have a lot of dandruff on you shirt."

Student, "I know. Its my psoriasis."

Cikgu, "What is psoriasis?"

Student, "Its a kind of skin problem. Just like eczema, except that its not treatable."

Cikgu, "Modern medicine has cure for almost everything, except the terminal one like cancer."

Student, "Well, its because modern medicine has not figure out what causes psoriasis. Once they are able to find that our, they will find a cure. Right now I am trying some chinese medicine to see if it will help. Its herbal so its should be quite safe. If Cikgu like to find out more about psoriasis, cikgu can go to Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis website. This website explain about the symptoms and what sort of treatment available."

KLCI Drop Below 1000

Cikgu, "This is very bad news!"

Student, "What, Cikgu?"

Cikgu, "I read from ProTradeShares.com that the Bursa Malaysia KLCI has dropped below 1,000 points."

Student, "What does that mean?"

Cikgu, "It is the lowest in the last 2 years. Although I don't buy any shares, I am concern."

Student, "How will the drop in Bursa KLCI affect us, Cikgu?"

Cikgu, "Generally foreign investors look at how well a country economy is by looking at how well the country's stock exchange perform. If the KLCI continue to drop, it will send the wrong signal that out country's economy is bad. Its a chicken and egg situation. Eventhough our country economy at this moment is not down, the effect of foreign perception on our economy can cause a drop in foreign investment. This drop in investment will eventually lead to a down turn in our economy."

Student, "If our economy is doing well, then why has the KLCI drop so much?"

Cikgu, "There are many factors. One of them is of course due to US problem with Lehman and AIG. Lehman Brothers, one of the largest investment bank in US has filed for bankruptcy. As for AIG, US government has to bail out AIG. When US government do that, it is to save the country from further economic problem. When our country take the same kind of action, its because to help some cronies. Well that's another story. The other reason our KLCI is doing badly is because of the local political instability due to the bickering of a few political leaders. "

Student, "When will all this end."

Cikgu, "Hopefully soon."

Expensive Nasi Lemak

Student, "I didn't see Cikgu around the last few days. Where did Cikgu went?"

Cikgu, "I brought my family to the theme parks in Genting."

Student, "Did Cikgu have a good time?"

Cikgu, "I only enjoy the cool weather. I have many complaints for the others."

Student, "Such as?"

Cikgu, "Well, the First World Hotel's room are too small. Very cramp. The food price is way too expensive. A packet of plain nasi lemak with some sambal caused RM4.00! You can get it in Klang Valley for the same portion at the max RM1.50. The 500ml filtered water caused RM3.30 when it is only at RM1.20 in KL. The food cost are way to much. The cost of transport cannot be an excuse to raise the price that high."

Student, "Wow! Those prices are 100% more than in KL."

Cikgu, "I believe the prices have reference to the US dollar. To foreign tourists, a USD1.00 water bottle is not that expensive nor a USD1.20 nasi lemak. Even the fast food there starts from RM9.00 (about USD3.00). "

Student, "How was the theme parks?"

Cikgu, "The kids loved them but I don't like the section on indoor simulated games. They are like gambling. Each game cost about RM3.00 to play. One can easily finished RM100 in just under one hour. Way too expensive. Better not let kids to there. The rides and attractions in the indoor and outdoor theme parks are ok. They have a one day pass which cost around RM24 for children. The day pass is worth it because each ride cost RM8.00. "

Level Playing Field

Student, "Cikgu, I am still disappointed with the calling from some politicians to revert the teaching of Mathematics and Science to Bahasa Malaysia."

Cikgu, "Why?"

Student, "Some of these politicians are themselves educated overseas or went to private school in Malaysia sent by their rich parents. They have the money advantage to learn all subjects in English. Why are they depriving us poor students from gaining knowledge just like them?"

Cikgu, "Maybe they wanted you all to continue to be 'backward' or remain as 'kampung' people so that they will continue to rule over you. You are right. Those who had the advantage of studying in English medium should shut their mouth and not make any comment. Its like the rich telling the poor that eating caviar is bad for their health."

To English or not To English

Student, "Why are Malaysian politicians messing with us students."

Cikgu, "What do you mean?"

Student, "A few years ago, they decided that we must learn Mathematics and Science in English. It took us a few years to adjust from learning in Bahasa to English. Now they want us to go back learning the subjects in Bahasa. We are confused."

Cikgu, "Politicians are always like that. They are like the grass which will bend according to the wind. Changing their directions based on other people request."

Student, "But we are the one who will suffer. Especially us who have studied and have become comfortable in learning the subjects in English. Why don't they ask for our opinion?"

Cikgu, "It seems that the majority of the rural students can't manage to learn the subjects in English. Mainly due to the lack of qualified teachers. I think to change the policy half way is not very smart. The policy should be allowed to run it full cycle to allow the first batch of students learning the subjects in English to finish upto Form 5."

Cikgu, "If the government must reverse their policy, they should start with the new standard One students and allow those from standard two onwards to continue to learn in English until Form 5."

London Stock Exchange System Fail Too

Student, "Protrade reported that London Stock Exchange system failured yesterday."

Cikgu, "Bursa Malaysia is not alone now."

Student, "London Exchange refuses to inform the public what when wrong."

Cikgu, "Of course they can't right now until they have the full picture just like Bursa."

Student, "Do you think there will be any top management resigning at London exchange?"

Cikgu, "Who knows. If there are sufficient shareholders or stakeholders raise their dissatisfaction, there will be head rolling. Whether it will be the CIO or the COO...... Each country and each corporation handles it differently."

Student, "I was told Jonnesburg exchange also was suspended. Something about using the system from the same vendor."

Cikgu, "Bursa new system will be from the same vendor as a European exchange. Hopefully it is not the same as London exchange."

Bursa Trading Down Again

Student, "I saw in an online newspaper today that Bursa suspended its derivatives market due to technical glitch."

Cikgu, "Again! I thought the last round of Bursa suspension from trading was already very serious that it will not happened again."

Student, "This time, its only the derivatives market. Not the equity market and the trading resume after 2.30pm the same day."

Cikgu, "The last computer glitch caused the job of the head of IT. Whether its his fault or not is anyone guess. He probably is just the scape goat. Wonder whether anyone will be on the chopping block this round."

Student, "I didn't know Cikgu is so well versed with Bursa trading and news."

Cikgu, "One must learn many things outside one domain in order for one to be more wiser in life."

Student, "Confucious? Plato?"

Cikgu, "No, Cikgu."

Bus Ticket Back for Hari Raya

Student : "Cikgu, have you bought your 'balik kampung' bus ticket?"

Cikgu: "No. There is still time."

Student: "Cikgu better buy now because I heard all the bus tickets to north and south has sold out."

Cikgu: "How could that be? It still 3 weeks to Raya. Normally they have extra buses for festive seasons. This year will be the same."

Student: "This year ticket prices is officially 30% above the normal price but my friend was charged 100% more as there are no more tickets available."

Cikgu: "Every year its the same. The government say there are ample buses and bus operators are not allowed to raised prices. However certain culprit will increase their fares in the black market. If only the police will spend less time doing escort duties to VIPs and more times catching these black marketers."

Student: "I think the JPJ should also do their duties. I don't see them catching those illigel ticket sellers."

Cikgu: "Well, if I can't get any bus tickets, I will just spend my Raya in Klang Valley this year. Only that the festivities is much less. No Raya songs and open houses. "

What is Going to Happen on 16 September 2008?

Student : "What is going to happen on 16 September 2008?"

Cikgu : "September 16? Its a Tuesday, isn't? I don't know what is going to happen on 16 September 2008 but i know what happened on 16 September 1963. On that day, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to form Malaysia. However, Singapore later left the federation."

Student: "Its all over the papers. Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat will get enough elected parliment representative to form a new government."

Cikgu: "Any leader or political parties that take over should put more emphasis in reducing the cost of inflation that has affected the citizens. Any populist action such as turning the country into a welfare state will not help Malaysian in the long run. If practiced, our country will end up bankrupt that need loans from external parties. These parties will indirectly have a say in how we run our country. When that happen, we will no longer be a 'Merdeka' country."

Student: "I don't want our country to be control by non Malaysian. I prefer we remain a safe and peaceful country. Politician should not do things for their own interest but should be for the interest of the Rakyat."

Cikgu: "Well said."

Petrol Price Might Goes Down

Student: "Cikgu, what was the previous petrol price before the increase?"

Cikgu: "Does it matter?"

Student: "Today's paper quoted the PM will reduce the price in October 2008"

Cikgu: "I don't drive. It will not impact me directly. However I am more keen to find out if merchants will lower their prices."

Student: "My mom complain that the price for rice has increased the most. We can't afford to eat fragrant rice anymore, just plain local rice."

Cikgu: "You are lucky to be able to have rice daily. Think of all the other lower income earner in Klang Valley. Some might even have to move out of their rented houses. New squaters area will be created. This will defeat the Selangor state government objective of being squaters free by 2010."

High Living Cost in Klang Valley

Since the rise of petrol price in Malaysia, the cost of living in Malaysia has rose significantly.

Although the ruling Government has reduced the petrol prices, merchants don't reduce their prices. Its easy to give reason to raise prices but never any reason to lower prices.