Yippiiee..i'm going back home. Malaysia here i come

Good day,

I've been waiting for this confirmation quite long already. Today, i shot an email to two of my General Managers. The content more or less sounds like.."hey guys, do they have already come out with the decision or what's the status now?. If you know anything about this please let me know in advance."

No...initially, they don't have the answer with them. They got to recheck once again and follow up the matter. Promptly they contacted their counterpart in Malaysia to get the answer....

Anuar-chan..Anuar-chan..chotto ii..My GM asked me to follow him to one side of the corner. He showed me the letter...signed by my department's GM in Malaysia. The content of the letter is quite long...so to cut it short, the conclusion is..I've to go back to Malaysia..because they need me badly..hahaha.

Gosh, at last it's confirmed. The new chapter of my life is going to begin. This time it will be at a different playground. A playground which i've been there for awhile previously. So basically, i'll be back to where i was..but this time with new spirit and fresh soul..Yeah..Perodua here i come !!

DMC..goodbye..Japan, sayonara...

Best Regardo,

以上です。

Rezeki dan peluang.

Perkara pertama yang terlintas di otak kepalaku apabila mendengar pengakuan secara berahsia daripada seorang rakan Jepunku ialah, "Apparently, man will never be satisfied of what he gets". Adakah ini merupakan suatu konotasi yang negatif atau sebaliknya? Pastinya setiap orang di antara kita mempunyai jawapan dan hujah-hujah yang tersendiri. It's something subjective when it comes to the matter of life since each of us will never walk through the exactly same steps and feel the same thing. Uniquely wonderful.

"Kereta company dapat, tempat penginapan di sebuah kondominium di kawasan elite Mont Kiara juga disediakan, position sebagai Assistant Manager, gaji dan benefit packages yang lain...damn too alluring, i must say . Yang menariknya, di samping segala imbuhan tetap dan elaun sampingan yang lain, dia juga bakal menikmati apa yang digelar elaun gratuiti (Elaun penghargaan kerana sanggup menerima tugas bekerja di luar negara!?) yang jumlahnya tidak kurang daripada ￥2,000,000 (RM60,000) yang akan diterimanya setiap kali akhir tahun. Boleh bayangkan, sudahlah gajinya di Jepun akan 'berjalan' seperti biasa, gaji bulanan di Malaysia juga dia akan perolehi, elaun gratuiti saja sudah mencecah RM60,000? Apa kejadahnya semua ini !! Hehe..rileks, sabar,...cool, cool down.. Itulah rezeki namanya. Umurnya baru saja dalam lingkungan 28-29 tahun. Ya semestinya masih muda dan bujang yang masih lagi belum lapok. Such a lucky dude...

This friend of mine is designated to do his secondment at one of Malaysian most prominent car manufacturers but wait a minute mate,...nope, he's not going to grab that offer. Yes, that's what he told me. He's not going to take the offer which i on the other hand believe, almost every layman in Malaysia is craving of and won't turn away their heads from. What on earth made him decided to turn it down? The answer is simple, because he got something else which seems a better offer and meets his dream of pursuing a great career in a great company.

Dengan sukacitanya dia mengkhabarkan pada aku, dia berjaya melepasi 2 kali tapisan ujian temuduga sebuah syarikat besar bertaraf konglomerat Jepun. One of the big 4 of Japanese zaibatsu. Ya aku pasti kalau aku sebutkan pasti ramai yang akan tahu. Mungkin di lain kali akan aku coretkan sedikit sebanyak tentang syarikat-syarikat mega Jepun yang berprofil tinggi dan sangat berpengaruh yang merupakan nadi tunjang dan tulang belakang kekuatan kuasa ekonomi Jepun.
Ya dia berjaya mendapat tawaran kerja di sebuah syarikat yang baru. Syarikat yang menjadi idamannya. Gaji basic tahunannya tidak kurang daripada ￥6,000,000 (RM180,000). Jauh melangkaui apa yang diterimanya sekarang ini. Walaupon dia sangat gembira, tetapi semalam ternyata dia agak susah hati dan seolah-olah menghadapi suatu dilema yang besar. Segalanya akan dibongkarkan akhirnya. Dia khabarkan padaku yang semalam dia akan beritahu boss-bossnya akan hasrat sebenarnya untuk resign . Haha i can expect how's the reaction of his bosses but well, i'm not really sure how the thing had actually turned out last night though. I'm gonna ask him about it this Monday.

Wah, wah..rezeki, memang rezeki ada dimana-mana dan hanya menunggu orang-orang yang rajin mencari dan kuat berusaha.

Besto Regardo,
Ops lupa untuk greet Gong Xi Fa Chai, Go Nen Hao..May it becomes as another properous year for us. Yeeeeee Saaaang!!

以上です。

Bill Gates: The skills you need to succeed

VIEWPOINT
By Bill Gates
Chairman, Microsoft

One of the most important changes of the last 30 years is that digital technology has transformed almost everyone into an information worker. In almost every job now, people use software and work with information to enable their organisation to operate more effectively.

That's true for everyone from the retail store worker who uses a handheld scanner to track inventory to the chief executive who uses business intelligence software to analyse critical market trends.
So if you look at how progress is made and where competitive advantage is created, there's no doubt that the ability to use software tools effectively is critical to succeeding in today's global knowledge economy.

A solid working knowledge of productivity software and other IT tools has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career.
Beyond that, however, I don't think you can overemphasise the importance of having a good background in maths and science.

If you look at the most interesting things that have emerged in the last decade - whether it is cool things like portable music devices and video games or more practical things like smart phones and medical technology - they all come from the realm of science and engineering.

Today and in the future, many of the jobs with the greatest impact will be related to software, whether it is developing software working for a company like Microsoft or helping other organisations use information technology tools to be successful.

Bill Gates
Lifelong learning is vital

Communication skills and the ability to work well with different types of people are very important too.

A lot of people assume that creating software is purely a solitary activity where you sit in an office with the door closed all day and write lots of code.
This isn't true at all.
Software innovation, like almost every other kind of innovation, requires the ability to collaborate and share ideas with other people, and to sit down and talk with customers and get their feedback and understand their needs.

I also place a high value on having a passion for ongoing learning. When I was pretty young, I picked up the habit of reading lots of books.
It's great to read widely about a broad range of subjects. Of course today, it's far easier to go online and find information about any topic that interests you.
Having that kind of curiosity about the world helps anyone succeed, no matter what kind of work they decide to pursue.

Bill Gates is chairman, chief software architect and one of the founders of Microsoft, the world's largest software company. From July 2008 he will end his day-to-day involvement in the company and focus on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its global health and education work.

Besto Regardo,
And to me, one simple task one could do to gain knowledge is reading, reading, reading and asking the experts. Ops sorry that would be counted as four.
Alright Anuar you lazy bonehead, commencing from today you are commissioned to read　completely at least, one 'intellectual' material per month. Ehem ehem...tuuuut stuff should be subsided...gradually. :-P

以上です

The 90/10 Principle

What is this principle? Ten per cent of life is made up of what happens to you, while 90% is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? By your reaction.
You cannot a red light but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react. Let's use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks a cup of coffee onto the business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticise her placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready to school. She misses the bas.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles and hour in a 30mph speed limit.

After 15 minute delay and throwing US$60 (about RM220) because of a traffic fine, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.

When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policemen cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those five seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's okay, honey, you just need to be more careful next time." Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive five minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?
Two difference scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.
Why? Because of how you reacted. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction. Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll of like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comments affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out, and so on.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose the temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off. Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them

Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin you drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out frustration ion the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90/10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90/10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.

The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It can change your life!!

By Stephen Covey (Management Guru)
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Stephen Covey is the author of international best seller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

以上です。

There must be a better way to alleviate poverty

By : Johan Jaaffar

IT is a familiar sight at most eateries in the city. There will be people with every trick in the book coming to your table asking for money. Some have perfected the art of begging — it is almost impossible not to give. Some would call it harassment of a charitable kind, others find it simply a menace while many would welcome these people as an excuse to give away their hard-earned money.
After all, what is RM1 when the price of a fried ikan kembung is as much as RM6 in many eateries. But the problem is, they keep coming back. Begging is a vocation replete with techniques, rules and artistry.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not against unfortunate people who live in abject poverty. I have worked with many non-governmental organisations to alleviate the misery of the poor. However, the hardcore poor still exists among us. At least six per cent of our people who actually live from hand to mouth. In fact, the prime minister has made it his obsession to address the issue. We must not hand poverty to the next generation, he told the Umno general assembly not long ago.

But there is more to it than just begging. What I saw and found out irked me. Begging is big business for its “promoters". Back in the early 1990s, the paper I edited investigated a syndicate running a begging scheme. They had vans sending these people to various locations in the city — bus stations, major thoroughfares, shopping complexes and markets. Many of the beggars were foreign mothers with small children. They were placed at strategic locations and were made to look destitute. The monies collected — which were substantial — did not benefit the beggars.

Beggars and promoters exploit the good side of Malaysians. We are just too charitable. And we easily fall prey to such scams. Many of these so-called beggars do not deserve to be on the streets. Many of them are healthy, even those who are disabled should resort to other ways of making a living. No, they don’t want help, they just want it easy.
There was a frail old woman who used to frequent my favourite watering hole in Bangsar. She was almost 70. She was selling kuih bahulu and batang buruk for RM10 a plastic bag. She could have begged but she chose to earn her money. There are many street performers making their rounds in Kampung Baru. These will sing you a song for a ringgit or two. Busking is the only way, probably, to see them through college or simply to survive in the city. There was a blind man who carried a sign that said, “Pak Ali Bekam". The art of extracting “dirty blood” from the body is an age-old tradition. Pak Ali earns about RM30 a day performing his Dracula-like ritual. He could have begged.

There is no reason to beg in this country, full stop. For Muslims, there are just too many of the state-managed institutions to take care of the poor. Every Muslim has to pay zakat every Hari Raya. The proceeds are meant for the poor. Of course, sometimes I wonder where the money goes to considering there is still poverty among Muslims in this country.

The government, too, has undertaken various schemes to help the poor. Yet, from time to time, the press highlights how the poor survive in atrocious living conditions. I blame the welfare officers and wakil rakyat for their oversight in such cases. And, of course, the leakages in the delivery system.

This is a land of plenty. No, I don’t mean everyone is fortunate enough to berbuka puasa at five-star hotels most of the time, drive expensive cars or have second homes in faraway lands. No one is born equal. But there is enough for everyone to ensure there is food on the table, their children can go to school and to pay bills. Of course, there are the rich and famous living in their enclaves replete with an army of maids and helpers.

On the other hand, there are the flat and squatter dwellers. And many among us have to work hard to earn a decent living. True, being charitable is one of our positive attributes. But we must look at the bigger picture in managing the beggar menace. You can’t change anyone’s life by giving out RM1.

I am impressed by the many charitable works done by various quarters. There are philanthropists who give out billions to charity. There are also ordinary people who have done wonderful things to mankind. I saw on Oprah recently how a cheque of US$1 million (RM3.6 million) donated by legendary rock star Jon Bon Jovi had helped families devastated by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans to rebuild their lives. There was the story of John Wood who made himself rich working for Microsoft. In 1998 while visiting Nepal he saw how children were deprived of books. He left the company to set up Room to Read, a non-profit organisation that promotes books and literacy in many Third World countries. After all, education is an escape hatch from hopelessness and despair.

There are many who were inspired by the sight of poverty and destitution.

They did something about it. The worry is, we are largely ignoring the plight of the poor. There is another world out there away from the bright lights, the glamour, and the affluence. It is solely guilt that propels us to give money to those who beg. By condoning begging, we can’t help the beggars in the long run.

There must be a better way to solve poverty. There must be a strategy to eradicate poverty once and for all.

Kerja paling lumayan di Malaysia

Apakah kerja yang paling lumayan boleh didapati ni tanah air.
Do you have the answer? Nop? Well i do have mine. This job is special.You don't need any outstanding academic qualifications, or flourish working experiences.

All you need to be deemed as fit for the position is extremely good at 'extra curricular activities'.Once you are authenticated for the job, you'll be entitled for all the benefits and good reimbursement from your kind employer.Ok to cut short, please refer hereunder for your perusal:

Designation/Title: Minister
Superior: Prime Minister
Employer: Government of Malaysia
Basic Salary: approximately $13000
Allowances: Damn too many.I can't list up all..what come to my head are; elaun pengangkutan, elaun outstation,elaun ke Parlimen,elaun elektrik,elaun rumah,elaun driver,elaun minyak,elaun air,elaun orang gaji,elaun sara hidup, elaun blablablablablabal elaun elaun....
Transportation: Car will be provided by the employer.Normally will be chauffeured in Proton Perdana
Settlement: Official mansion will be provided by the employer.Normally if you are federal minister, your mansion will be in Putrajaya.
Office: You'll have your own ministry building which also located in Putrajaya.
Responsibility: Also damn too many..but it's up to you whether you cognizance of your mountainous responsibilities or just fuck with them.
Age for retirement: Not relevent
Prospect: Having huge opportunity of business networking and pursuing toward the financial freedom for eternity.

Basic requirement:
1) Join one political party
2) Run for the constituency or state election (If state election,your title will be chief minister; Menteri Besar,MB or Ketua Menteri,KM.)
3) Has excellent skills at talking or orating or talking noncence or loyar buruk or merapu or 'taichi'.(either one)
4) Good at extra curricular activities or simply known as 'melobi'
5) High degree of passion.This is important factor should you risk of becoming as a target where all the people and your foes will release their wrath upon.

Ok that's all the hints that i can render you.Should you have the iron gut, you are cordially welcome to apply for the job.Me?....Yeah i'll try for it someday perhaps..why not? It looks finger licking good...hmmm delicious !
For the record, among the successful candidates who made it through the year 2006..asta lavista baby


以上です。

Halim of UMW named top CEO

UMW Holdings Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Halim Harun has emerged as the proud winner of Malaysia's CEO of the Year 2007 Award.

The 13th edition of the Malaysia CEO of the Year Award was organised by Business Times, the business section of the New Straits Times, in association with Maybank, the sole issuer and manager of the American Express charge cards.

Business Times executive editor Rajan Moses said the search for Malaysia's CEO of the Year 2007 began in March and saw the return of Bank Negara deputy governor Datuk Zamani Abdul Ghani as chairman of the panel of judges.
According to Zamani, Halim was chosen from a list of 80 nominations because of his hands-on management style and keen eye on business opportunities such as forging ahead in the oil and gas sector.

It took the panels more than eight hours to come up with this decision because the CEOs are graded on different criteria. It was to identify their talents and look at the business opportunities created by those CEOs.

The judges looked at six areas, including the CEO's skills and contributions, financial management, marketing management, operations management, development management and involvement in community, environment and nation-building activities.

Halim said that he was able to bring his team to great heights and post four record-breaking earnings because he decided that UMW had to concentrate on four core businesses - motoring, equipment, oil and gas and manufacturing.

"What initially was lacking was leadership and direction, which I was able to bring to the table. I've encouraged my team to be innovative, progressive and always think outside the normal perimeter," he said.

He added that his style of leadership was getting down to the basics and focusing on expanding the four core businesses.

"Oil and gas will be the legacy I want to leave behind for UMW after starting it in 2002. I'm proud to say that after three years, the oil and gas business has become the second largest contributor to the company's profit, right behind motoring," said Halim.

以上です。

Sunny Days for Boosting Your Career

Here's an idea: Instead of thinking of your summer vacation as something that detracts from your work, think of it as a way to boost your work performance -- or even your business.

Why? A healthy body makes for a healthy, balanced mind, and that's the chief asset of a truly good worker. It's not about the hours you spend behind a desk -- it's about what's going through your head while you're there.

Here are four ways to ensure that your summer fun in the sun enhances your career success, whether you're still on vacation or are back from one:

1. Go for a run in the park, or swim in a lake at sunset.

It used to be that working out was optional. Now we know that regular exercise makes you calmer, smarter, happier, and richer. So how can you possibly say that it's not one of your highest priorities?

It makes sense that if you feel better about yourself and the world you'll do better in business. Because business is about thinking clearly, acting with confidence, and making good connections.

But don't work out just because people who work out make more money. Do it because it'll change your outlook on life. Really. You'll be less likely to be depressed and more likely to be optimistic.

If you're younger, join an athletic team. People who play sports do better in their careers. The self-confidence, teamwork, and drive that athletes display makes them higher performers at work.

Sure, there are exceptions, but the advantage is so pronounced that some corporate recruiters at colleges ask to see only the athletes.

2. Mentor a summer intern.

Each of us needs mentors to guide us through our careers at different points in time. Sometimes we need help navigating office politics, sometimes we need advice on making a life change. At each point, knowing how to ask for help is essential, and the best way to learn how to ask for help is to give help.

If you mentor someone, you help yourself as well. You'll find out what a mentoring relationship is like from the other side. For example, you'll learn what feels useful to the mentor and what's annoying. You'll also discover why it's important to ask good questions, because as a mentor you're helpless if the person you're trying to help doesn't know what he wants.

3. Curl up in the sun with a book.

Information overload comes from sifting through ideas all day. In a knowledge-worker environment, with the Internet constantly streaming new ideas, the most successful workers are those who can sort information most efficiently.

Learning top-flight productivity skills is essential in today's workplace, but that can only get you so far. At some point, you'll need to read 300 pages on the same topic. For most of you, this means turning off the computer, but luckily summer is a great time for curling up with a good book.

I don't mean a Tom Clancy novel, either -- I'm talking about big ideas. This means that instead of sticking with a subject for the time it takes to scroll down a page, you have to stick with it for an entire weeklong vacation. That might sound dire, but remember the thrill of the rigorous thinking you did in college, when there were no all-department meetings and no memos to read during lunchtime?

Big ideas take time to understand, and they need to grow in your brain so you can make them your own. Take the opportunity to do so this summer, when the world gives you more permission to take long breaks.

4. Differentiate yourself by lying quietly in the grass.

Grand thinking requires space, flexibility, and time. These things are hard to come by if you lead a life that doesn't allow for stillness. We owe it to ourselves to take time to be alone and do nothing, or almost nothing. Even if no big ideas come to you at that moment, there's a clear, still moment where your brain gets a rest. And lying in the grass lets your body rest, too.

Career coach Susan Bernstein says that success and fulfillment in a job come when you connect your body and your mind to your work. The first step in acquiring this balance, I believe, is quiet contemplation.


ベストレガルド、

いややや。。。この間にはブロッギングに関して、しばらく手を離したわ。もう大体一ヶ月間ぐらいだったようね。これは何とも言えないっすよ。きっかけは。。。フジテレビの月9ドラマ”プロポーズ大作戦”なんだよ。俺って、情けない男だよね。ふふふ。。どうしようもないわ。じゃ、これからは再度ブログを復活するぜ～。宜しく～～。明日が晴れるかな。。
At the end of the last episode of the drama, it was unexpected true confession by Yoshida REi...Oooh Yeah

以上です。

Engineer vs Management.

"Once upon a time, a man in a hot air balloon realized that he was
lost.
He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more
and shouted.

"Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an
hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The woman below replied.
" You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the
ground. You're between 50 and 51 degrees north latitude and between 114
and 115 degrees west longitude."

"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.

"I am," replied the woman.

"How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically
correct, but I've no idea what to make use of your information. The
fact
is, I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If
anything, you've delayed my trip."

The woman below responded,
"You must be in management."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're
going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot
air.

You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect
people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is, you are in
exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, you've
managed.

The dwarft engineer


以上です。

The best cities for Asian expats - survey

Survey conducted by Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) International Ltd.
Kobe city is at the top of the list behind Singapore. No wonder i like being in Kobe very much. What makes it more interesting is Osaka at the third place sharing the podium with Tokyo. Hmmmm yeah..i think i am living at the right place right now.

Top 10 best locations in Asia for Asian expats:

1 Singapore, Singapore

2 Japan, Kobe

3 Japan, Tokyo

3 Japan, Osaka

5 Hong Kong, Hong Kong

6 Macau, Macau

7 Taiwan, Taipei

8 Thailand, Bangkok

9 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

10 Malaysia, Georgetown

Kobe apparently such a magnificient city for expat to live within. As the mount Rokko on its northern side and its location just beside the sea, make it rather appealing by its mixture beauties of nature and cosmopolitan architecture. No wonder i love to be at Kobe very much. My ecstacy towards Kobe become greater as i even ever thought of owning a house in Kobe because i want to live here as longer as possible. Being as one of the premier major harbour in Japan, the influence of foreign cultures and artistic seem rather strong and that's something which contributes to make this elegant city such a unique moreover harmonious place for an expat like me to stay. Thank god..now i am living at the top 5 best locations in the world. Syukran..syukran jazilan.


Top 10 best locations in the world for Asian expats (previous ranking)

1 Singapore, Singapore (1)

2 Australia, Sydney (2)

3 Australia, Melbourne (3)

4 Japan, Kobe (5)

5 Australia, Canberra (4)

6 Canada, Vancouver (7)

6 Denmark, Copenhagen (6)

8 New Zealand, Wellington (8)

9 Netherlands, Amsterdam (23)

10 Japan, Osaka (10)

10 Japan, Tokyo (11)

10 Belgium, Brussels (14)

10 Germany, Bonn (14)

10 Ireland, Dublin (14)

10 Switzerland, Basel (9)

10 Switzerland, Geneva (22)

Singapore or better known among our tribe as Singapura is undisputedly the best of its kind. Yeah i won't argue about the fact as it deserve the recognition. Eventhough i was grown up at Singa utara, but watchout..Singapore is my next target!!

Singapore's low crime rate, clean air and solid infrastructure helped the city-state top a list as the best city in the world for Asian expats to live in for the fifth year in a row, a survey showed on Wednesday.

Three Australian cities -- Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra -- took up spots in the top five while Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo in Japan made it into the top ten, according to ECA International, a human resource consultancy for multinationals.

But Singapore -- well known for its squeaky clean, safe streets -- claimed the spot as best place in the world for Asian expatriates for the fifth year running. "Singapore is consolidating its position at No 1 -- it's continuing to improve," said Lee Quane, ECA's Hong Kong-based general manager.

"I can't find another city that matches it in terms of personal security and safety. Singapore is pretty much the safest place in the world."

With more Asian expatriates being sent overseas for work, the ECA's survey can help determine suitable compensation packages and hardship allowances for expat employees.

The ECA report is based on expat surveys and country data for 254 locations globally on areas such as climate, air quality, healthcare, infrastructure and political locations. Language and proximity to home are also among the top concerns among expatriates around the world.

"Asia is improving at a far greater rate than anywhere else," Quane said, adding that cities in China and India had rapidly climbed up the rankings.

Within Asia, the gap between Singapore and Hong Kong has widened over the last five years.

"We have seen more and more companies and expatriates say they would prefer to relocate to Singapore because of the better facilities," Quane said. That's despite the fact that Singapore ranks lower than Hong Kong in terms of press freedom and recreation, he said.

The Hong Kong-Singapore rivalry is heating up as the Chinese territory's air pollution worsens, pushing it down on the global ranking list from five years ago.

The Southeast Asian city-state is working to improve its image as a place for fun and entertainment, with new restaurants and bars springing up and two multi-billion dollar casinos on the way.

Quane added that one of the most interesting findings in the survey was Macau which, thanks to heavy investments by casino resorts and a fast-growing tourism industry, had climbed to 56 in the global ranking for Asians, up from 80 just five years ago.

Besto Regardo,

Bandaraya indah permai..Singapura, singapuraa~..Amboih dan2 rasa cam nak pi Singapore plak dah aih..syoknya kalau dapat pi nooo~. Dari Singa utara apa kata kita pindah pi Singa selatan plak aih..Baru la canggih..gerek seiii..

Ijyoudesu.

The diaspora has spread beyond Silicon Valley.

Indian-born executives have in recent years taken the reins at some of the world's biggest companies. Arun Sarin, a native of Madhya Pradesh in central India, is CEO of Britain's Vodafone. Three months ago, Indra Nooyi was named CEO of PepsiCo after serving five years as the U.S. beverage giant's CFO. Indians have credibility as managers, says Hemant Luthra, head of the Systems & Automotive Technologies division at Indian car-and-tractor manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra. This was not always so. Luthra remembers visiting Hong Kong in 1991 when India's government was close to bankruptcy. "I had $100 in my pocket and if I went into a watch shop the salesmen would instantly show me the cheapest watches just because I was Indian," he says.

Three years ago, Mahindra tried to buy Finland's biggest tractor company. Luthra says Finnish newspapers ran stories "asking how dare an Indian look at buying Finland's crown jewels?" But those things don't happen to him anymore, he says. "When we go and talk to these people in Germany or the U.K., it's a given that we're professional managers capable of running a huge business," says Luthra, who last month was juggling the final details of four separate acquisitions. "My biggest problem is finding the bandwidth to look at all the opportunities that come across my desk every day."

India's economic and business bandwidth is likely to continue growing. Take Essel Propack. The toothpaste-tube maker has begun to diversify in more profitable markets by buying a British company that makes packaging for upscale cosmetics and toiletries, and a U.S. company that makes medical products like catheters and esophageal balloons. "We'll keep looking for the right opportunities," says Essel Propack's managing director Ashok Goel. "And when we see something we like, we'll go for it." As Indian companies following that same script continue to expand overseas, in the future we'll be buying more than toothpaste tubes stamped "Made in India."

Business Trip To Perodua and Nights at Times Square KL

Alhamdulillah. All the compliments to the god the Merciful. I'd safely arrived home yesterday morning after an approximately 6 and half hours of long journey back home with MH052 Boeing B777 from KLIA to Kansai International airport. Then from the Kansai International Airport to my house it took another 2 hours. Pheww..Commencing from last week Wednesday, January 17th until Friday, January 26th i've had 10 days business trip to Malaysia.　これからは10日間マレーシャへの出張の話をさせて頂きたいですけれども。。それじゃ、始めましょうか。。。

Wednesday, January 17
Manager Abe-san of Parts Supply Control Dept., Assistant Manager Nakanishi-san of Parts Info Dept., specialist advisor Okada-san (he's already retired, but at age of 64 he still diligently works, as Daihatsu always keep calling him back to the company as it still needs his expertise and advise) and myself assembeled at Kansai airport and boarded the flight at around 11:30 am. After flying through the blue sky, we touched down at KLIA at around 5:30 pm. Ohhh Malaysia..Malaysia..Malaysia here i come again. Miss you..not so much but a bit hehe. The weather was good with 27℃ and sort of cloudy. We left KLIA by taking KLIA Express for our long awaited Berjaya Times Square Hotel. At 7:00 pm i checked in and there i was..into the Premier Suite Room with the room no 2020...upon recieved the card, it promptly flashed my mind to the Vision 2020 terminology applied to implicate the nation vision toward being a developed country in the year 2020.


The moment i stepped into my room..woww so impressive and it was so spacious. I can't hold myself from telling you about this. It was the biggest hotel room i had ever spent my stays so far with all those great facilities. After all the room was only for me, myself alone..What a bull's eye. At the level 20th floor, i could see the beautiful skyline of KL and down there the overall view of the historical building of Penjara Pudu. I just could say that it was so magnificient and after all it was a SUITE room mate...And moreover i found KL a bit change this time. It looks tidier,more beautiful, colourful and comfortable to be within. Is it the impact caused by the tide of Visit Malaysia Year 2007? Well i'm not that sure but hopefully this positive changes will keep improving from time to time.


That night we had our dinner at a simple Japanese cuisine restaurant. I just had the 'Aji Fry' set with a glass of tea and it costed me a bloody RM 29.90..Shucks was i already in Malaysia or still in Japan.. Actually the food was not that good. It might be the first and last visit for me to that modest restaurant. You could get much more delicious and cheaper food of that kind here in Japan.

Thursday ~ Friday, January 18 ~ 19
I woke up at 5:30 am and mostly this was the wake up time for me during my short stay in KL. Well i had to..as the bus which commuted us from hotel to Perodua departed at 6:45 am sharp. After having the lavish breakfast at around 6:15 am and got into the bus, most of us would try to steal some time for a nap.

Usually we arrived at Perodua around 7:30 am. At last there we are..the huge, firm looked and majestic design of Perodua corporate building appeared as our bus entered the compound of Perodua.
Perodua Corporate Building and Head Office


Well it's time to work now....My visit this time purposedly for monitoring and confirming Perodua capability in terms of parts production, process flow; which begin from necessary parts collected at KD Plant sent to Body Shop (for manufacturing, cutting, hemming), then to ED coating process, back to KD Plant for checking, quality inspection, packaging, packing, stuffing and vanning into container. The parts then will be shipped to Japan via Port Klang and will arrive at Kobe Port in a week. Not so many critical issues arised except some matter that need to do rechecking, reconfirm, counter measure and kaizen. Well congratulation to everybody who worked hard to ensure all those planning work properly as per scheduled.

Is this the new model that might be launched this April? Well let wait and see
In Japan they call it Mira, Overseas it's been named Cuore or Charade and in Malaysia we might name it as...


On Friday morning luckily i got a bit of time to meet most of my colleagues at Parts Centre. Hehe they seem a bit suprising yet delighted upon seeing me shown up at a sudden appearance. Then together with Manager Abe-san of DMC and Manager Tanaka-san of PSSB, we met and had a brief talk with the General Manager of Parts Dept Norhammidi-san.
Perodua Parts Centre...my office while at Perodua. It is the first building you gonna see while on your way to entering Perodua's ground and located just opposite the corporate building

Friday night ~ Sunday afternoon, January 19 ~ 21
After confirming that it's unnecessary for us to work on Saturday, i rushed back to my hometown together with my 2nd elder brother to meet the King and Queen. We departed from our big brother's house in Bukit Sentosa at around 8:45 pm and manage to arrive home at around 2:00 am in the early morning with the tip top conditioned golden Stream which i borrowed from my elder brother. Apparently the King and Queen seems to be very delighted having two of their missed children home. During my short stay at Perlis i still got an ample time to get a taste of undisputedly delicious crabs curry cooked by the Queen and certainly the taste of king of fruits namely durian as well..nyummy.

Sunday 10:30 we shoot off from Perlis back to KL and made a brief stop at my elder sister's house at Danau Desa, KL

Monday ~ Friday, January 22 ~ 26
Well the jobs continued as usual. On Monday the ED coating vendor gave us a good lunch treat at one of prominent Thai and Nyonya reaturant in Shah Alam..once again らっき～～。We enjoyed the tasteful food very much with high degrees of satisfaction. And on Wednesday night again, this time it's Perodua turn to treat us some courtesy dinner at Perangsang Golf Club Resort Templer Park. DGM Abi-san, AM Nik-san of PPC and together with a few of KD Plant members, Mabuchi members, Mitsui, P.T Astra Daihatsu Indonesia members joined us having a delicious chinese cuisine. Yeah i like chinese cuisine very much..and again らっき～～。。

Then again our day continue with a lot of task, checking, discussions and meetings untill Friday evening.　 Friday night, It's time for us to make a move. Master Okada-san and myself checked out from Berjaya Times Square at 9:00 pm. We headed toward KLIA by taxi and from there my Japan's life is going to be back as usual. Good bye KL and 大阪にようこそ。。


I personally think that this business trip gave me a lot of precious experience and opportunity to learn very much regarding the related business, production and manufacturing matters of automotive industry. Under the guidance of much respected 師匠 and mentor Okada-san, it opened new perspective and comprehension in my mind relating automotive industry generally and parts supply control particularly. Now i understand why Daihatsu/Toyota top management always keep emphasizing the significance of Genba-site visit （現地・現物）. Not only that, it also comes to my acknowledgement the importance of way of thinking（考え方）, and 清潔(discipline) which is one of five elements of 5S concepts initiated by Toyota Management System.

However above all i would like to enhance my kudos to Daihatsu management and Perodua as well. Not to forget all the Perodua Manufacturing members including PPC and KD-Plant personnel for all their kind support and cooperation. May this affiliation keeps growing and our dreams realized in the near future to be the best of small and compact cars manufacturer in the world. Fly high with the tradition of excellence.

以上です。

Business Trip to DKC Oita...Yokattawaa honma de..

Salam..folk

Geez..2,3 days more to go..there gone Ramadhan..there come Syawal..

And just yesterday i had to escort one of my superior to pay a courtesy visit to one of our big suppliers..Daihatsu Kyushu Corporation at Oita-ken..(Damn it is during fasting day man)..Set up in 2004, DKC is the newest among Daihatsu Manufacturing Plant and perhaps the most sophisticated and beautiful. Other plants in Japan are at Ikeda, Kyoto and Shiga.
DKC situated just beside the sea in Nakatsu-shi and one of the significant factors to propel and contribute toward the emergence of local economic prowess.
ダイハツ九州大分工場

Well..whatever it was i really enjoyed the trip. We depart from Shin Kobe station at 9:42 am with Shinkansen Superexpress Nozomi 50号 700-series and arrived at Kokura station in Kyushu at 11:39 am. It seems that taste of the air in Kyushu is slightly different with Kansai. I dont know how to describe it perhaps you could try it by yourself..douzo go yukkuri..
新幹線のぞみ７００系。最高時速２７５km/h。

The meeting which commenced at 1:00 pm and scheduled to be over at 3:00 pm eventually closed at 3:20 pm. Then we made a brief plant tour to get know 現場 operation. As the plant tour over, we rushed back to Nakatsu station, took Sonic Express to Kokura station and from there we boarded into Shinkansen Nozomi 500 series..Apparently Nozomi 500 series is the most attractive among all the shinkansen and it recorded to be the fastest shinkansen running on the railway so far with 300
km/h.
新幹線のぞみ５００系。最高時速300km/h。一番かっこう良いやで～

Arriving Shin Kobe station around 7:30, we shooted to Sannomiya. Sannomiya is really a happening town. Very oshare..moreover during night. Unluckily i didnt take any picture of it. We had our dinner at Sannomiya.

Hmm what is so good about this business trip..well the foremost is everything is sponsored..hehe that's the best part of it man..Besides mean of work you could have sightseeing and get to know other places as well. At least i got a chance to view and pass through Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and at last i can stand with my feet on the Kyushu ground..go here and there..see other people ways of living..taste their local foods..got some changes of scenery view..and all this for free...Round trip ticket with overall tranportation fee would come to approximately 30000 yen..And of course the experience and knowledge i gain through all the trip is priceless..even you slip out your Master Card or VISA..Sorry Sir..hehehe..it is not something purchasable...

Hopefully there are more business trip coming after this and perhaps luckily could spend 1 or two night at hotel...Haiit matteru yoo..

以上です。