Rare beauty

I couldn’t help it when I landed on the website of one of the government agencies in Mukah Division. A light bulb suddenly went on, brightening that very corner of my brain, highlighting that small piece of memory I thought I’ve lost. I frantically clicked every link I could find for a photo of him but unfortunately, none I’ve found. Oh well, it’s been really long since I last met him!

He was one of the finest looking Foochow guys I’ve ever met so far. The time machine of the mind brought me back to the time when I met him for the first time due to my work. Before I met him face to face, I saw his photo on their organization chart. “Crap. Another unfriendly chap. Hmmph.” Being a person who is not very keen of meeting government officers, that was the first thought I had. The wait wasn’t too long before my colleagues and I were invited into his office together with the other officer whom we met just the other day.

I looked around at his huge office with not-so-much anticipation. Would there be anything good coming from this guy? I was skeptical. After a few unpleasant encounters when dealing with government officers, I’m no longer fond of them. Well, why should I be, anyway? Most of them have given me quite bad impressions, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one’s the same. However, I have to admit that there is still exception.

Then a man walked in. He was well-dressed, very tall, well-built, and above all that, good looking. I looked at him wide-eyed (I didn’t mean to be rude, just couldn’t help it!). He exchanged handshakes with us and started introducing himself. WOW. He has a deep tone of voice (he should be able to sing Bass well, hahaha) and very soft-spoken too! My colleagues were very impressed with him as well and they were saying that he is one of those who are really concerned with the matters of the people. What can I say? He definitely belongs to the ‘exceptional list.’

Yeah, I know. Don’t be shocked, ok? I know I am crazy, but it’s not wrong “adoring” someone who’s good looking, right? Don’t worry, I don’t and won’t “lust” over him like some people do. At least I only remember him when I saw that particular website (which I don’t visit that often unless I need some information for work-related matters only).

So… yup, that’s my story. For me, the most interesting thing when it comes to meeting strangers is that we are received with such hospitality and kindness, which do not occur frequently, especially with the government sectors. Don’t you agree with me?

My Carbon Footprints

What is carbon footprint? Find out all about it here. Also take a look at Odie’s (my comrade!) site as she’s done quite a good job bringing up the whole matter.

(Click to enlarge)

The total carbon footprint I’ve left behind annually is 9.241 tonnes. Hmmm… that’s A LOT! When I thought that all these while my carbon footprint should be minimal, at least of the country’s average or lower, but little did I know that mine is higher than the country’s average! Whoa, that’s something really scary!!

I made a compared with Odie’s carbon footprints. Besides all the carbon produced from secondary sources, most of my footprints are from flying. As a job requirement, I fly quite often. I tried not to as I love my own bed and everything at home.

I can say that I’ve done my best to conserve energy at home, and so far my family is quite cooperative as well. They switch off the lights when nobody is in the living room. Sometimes when I came home at night after outings with friends, I found myself in the dark, and sometimes I tripped over chairs when trying to find the switch to the light. They don’t do that last time, so I’m surprised when they finally took up the practice.

Hmm… looks like something must be missing... or else, what is the reason for my secondary output of carbon to be that high?

Now, your turn to take the Carbon Footprint calculator and see how much carbon you contributed. Oh, I mean “contributed.” Hehe.

Taxi drivers, what have you done?

Tsk tsk tsk... taxi drivers, you guys are not even on par with our politicians whose names appear every now and then in the papers, but you made yourselves name and at the same time tarnished Malaysia's image. You are more famous than our politicians now.

Aren't you proud of yourselves?

Shame on you!! (excluding those courteous drivers)

Jansz has a story to tell, while Mr. Beagle has "good" recommendations on what we can learn from the taxi drivers.

Today's news (18 September):

Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish national image

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim to welcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation, so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit of a shock.

Even the locals are not spared the shabby service of unkempt and hostile drivers behind the wheels of decrepit vehicles who refuse to use the meter, overcharge and pick-and-choose which destinations they will travel to.

At the popular KLCC mall under Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Twin Towers is a typical scene, as a gang of cabbies negotiate with a young Norwegian couple just metres from a signboard warning against "taxi touts".

"Flat rate, flat rate, no metre," one driver insists as the tourists try to find a cab to take them to their hotel, less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

Anxious to escape the baking heat, they agree to pay 25 ringgit (7.22 dollars) for a trip that would have cost less than three ringgit on the meter.

"Is it expensive? We don't know, we thought it is normal here," said the woman as they piled in with their shopping bags.

More frequent visitors, however, are vocal in their criticism and say that aggressive and unprofessional drivers are tarnishing the nation's image as a squeaky clean and hospitable destination.

"I first visited Malaysia in 2006 and I was impressed by everything I saw except for the worst taxi service I have endured," said Kabir Dali, an Indian tourist waiting in vain for a metered taxi at another mall.

"I paid a whopping 260 ringgit (74 dollars) from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to town and was later told that was twice the proper amount."

Complaints about taxis are common in many countries, but in Malaysia it has escalated to an outpouring of frustration, on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.

In a survey by the local magazine The Expat, some 200 foreigners from 30 countries rated Malaysia the worst among 23 countries in terms of taxi quality, courtesy, availability and expertise.

The respondents lashed the fleet as "a source of national shame" and "a serious threat to tourists -- rude bullies and extortionists".

Salvation is in sight though, as a number of smaller, up-scale operators enter the market to provide a more expensive but quality taxi service for frustrated visitors and locals.

The uniformed drivers, behind the wheels of smart new multi-purpose vehicles and sedans, switch on the meter as a matter of course and do not refuse destinations -- surprising and delighting commuters in the capital.

Abdul Razak, operations manager for Dubai-based Citicab which launched here in January, said that even in poorer nations such as Thailand and Indonesia, taxis are smarter and the drivers far more courteous.

"I would say it is the worst in this region, undoubtedly. I have travelled to all countries in this region and our company operates taxis in many parts of the world. The situation here is the worst I have seen," he told AFP.

"The vehicles are in shabby condition, the driver will take you if he likes your face -- that is, if he agrees with where you want to go for the price he insists on."

The government has called on taxi firms to lift their standards, but various campaigns have achieved little, and many blame the lack of enforcement on rampant corruption in the police and bureaucracy.

"It is difficult for the roads and traffic department to take stern action," said a security officer at one city mall as he watched the touts swoop.

"Taxi operators and the company which hold the licences are all linked to some politician or another," he said. "Drivers here are ruthless because they are unchecked by authorities who are almost non-existent."

John Koldowski, from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said that "less than desirable" taxi drivers have an outsize impact on a nation's image.

"The first contact a tourist gets with locals is often during airport transits to hotels and it creates a very, very strong first impression, either be good or bad," he said.

"Authorities certainly need to do their jobs and act upon any complaints strongly, quickly and visibly." (News Source)