tonyhiicom

Birthday Cake

2012-01-31T03:57:00.000-08:00

My staff members Yiin, Annie, Wendy and others gave me a surprise this afternoon with a birthday cake.

How thoughtful they are that they remember my birthday!

Thank you very much!

New Year Visit By Ming Hoo, Sing King, Timothy & Benjamin

2012-01-31T03:29:00.000-08:00

Ming Hoo, Sing King (Yian's sister), Timothy and Benjamin came over to our place for New Year visit.

They drove all the way back from Kuching to celebrate Year of The Dragon in Sibu.

We spent a good time chatting over some goodies!

During my MYF time in Sibu Central District, we served Lord together. The memories are still very much cherished.

Ming Hoo is a well known qualified architect with base in Kuching. He is very actively involved in serving Lord there.

Sing King is accountant by profession. They are specimen of a lovely couple in Christ.

USA Extended Zero Interest Rate Policy To 2014

2012-01-30T21:47:00.000-08:00

Money is now practicably free ( I mean in USA here).

For example, you could loan money to the government for five years and get a miserly yield of 0.73% in return. That's less than inflation, which means that you are actually losing money.

TIPS — those financial instruments that protect you from inflation — are actually returning a negative yield.

This is killing the greenback!

New Year Visits By Allen's Buddies

2012-01-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

Allen's buddies came for Chinese New Year visits. I took the oppportunities to snap some for them.

The younger group had a good time together.

Know Where To Cross The Boarder

2012-01-29T22:53:00.000-08:00

Subject: Know where to cross the border..

Know where to cross the border...
If You Cross The North Korean Border Illegally
You get 12 years Hard Labour.

If You Cross The Iranian Border Illegally
You Are Detained Indefinitely.

If You Cross The Afghan Border
Illegally, You Get Shot.

If You Cross The Saudi Arabian Border Illegally
You Will Be Jailed.

If You Cross The Chinese Border Illegally
You May Never Be Heard Again.

If You Cross The Venezuelan Border Illegally
You Will Be Branded A Spy And Your Fate Will Be Sealed.

If You Cross The Cuban Border Illegally
You Will Be Thrown Into Political Prison To Rot.

If You Enter Britain Illegally
You Will be Arrested, Prosecuted And Sent To Prison And Deported

If You Are An Indonesian AND ILLEGALLY CROSS THE MALAYSIAN BORDER

YOU GET:

MyPR (Permanent Residence / Pemastautin Tetap)
A Driving License,
Voting Rights
Job Reservation,
Special Privilege to be Consider as Bumi,
Credit Cards,
Subsidized Rent Or A Loan To Buy A House,
Free Education,
Free Health Care,
and if you are a clever dickie, you can be a Menteri Besar or even Prime Minister!

Oh Malaysia, what a great country!!

Gold As Investment

2012-01-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

Gold also got a boost from reports the world's biggest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, was bullish on bullion as a hedge against inflation as governments print more money to reduce debt.

Gold has never lost its luster, believe me!

New Year Visit By Relatives

2012-01-28T06:22:00.001-08:00

We received numerous New Year visits by our relatives. In the above picture is Yian's brother and his family. They came with Ming Hoo (Yian's brother-in-law) and family on Chu Yi.

We had a good time chatting over some New Year goodies!

Photo source: King

阿Jib哥

2012-01-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

阿Jib哥的 Facebook

Najib has moved the battleground to the cybersphere. This has made the coming GE a lot more interesting!

阿华哥

2012-01-27T00:32:00.000-08:00

阿华哥！

The battle is now on facebook!

Mr. Hii Chung Yiong - My Beloved Teacher

2012-01-25T03:50:00.000-08:00

Mr. Hii Chung Yiong was my teacher in Chung Cheng Secondary School, teaching Civic and Bahasa Malaysia. Soft in his approach to students, Mr. Hii never raised his voice to his students. As such, he gained a lot of respect from us.

On Chu Yi, Mr. Hii came with his family to my house for a new year visit. We shared on the life of Chung Cheng Secondary School.

It was really a wonderful meet with Mr. Hii.

Lunar New Year Couplet

2012-01-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

I pasted the couplet vertically on the two sides of my door entrance.

Literally it means "Pray for peace, harmony and good weather!"

Sky Filled With Fireworks And Smoke

2012-01-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

The Chinese in Sibu ushered in Year of Dragon with fireworks and firecrackers in a traditional way.

The whole of Sibu was filled with thunderous firecrackers sound and the smoke literally covered up the sky above Sibu.

Gold In The Year Of Dragon

2012-01-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Gold is now down to $1,651 an ounce because the dollar bounced.

This is a solid opportunity to buy and hold gold until real interest rates are positive.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Have a wonderful Lunar New Year break.

Lunar New Year Couplets To Usher In Year of Dragon

2012-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

Wong Memg Lei of The Methodist Church invited Ting Hua Hu, a well-known calligrapher in Sibu, to stroke with his brush beautiful couplets with biblical touch for Year of Dragon.

The couplets are meant for pasting vertically on the two sides of the main door. It is a Chinese tradition which we still value.

The tea gang members individually contributed a token to The Methodist Message for the couplets to be taken home.

Let's make it a yearly event!

Picture (1) shows the tea gang members holding up the couplets. In the centre is Ting Hua Hu.

Picture (2) shows Ting Hua Hu putting down strokes on my piece of couplet. Looking on are Meng Lei, Shirley and me.

Don't Believe In Gold? That Is Ok, Just Leave It To The Chinese!

2012-01-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Don't Believe In Gold? That's Ok, Just Leave It To The Chinese

Chinese demand for gold is coming from every angle - AFP/Getty Images via @daylife
Many investors have reverted to questioning gold again after the yellow metal’s two massive 2011 corrections and relative underperformance toward the end of the year. Despite the skepticism, Chinese demand is red hot, hitting a record in November according to the latest data and possibly helping put a floor under prices and fueling a further bull run.

Gold has had a strong start to 2012, breaking out to the top past its 200-day moving average and closing Wednesday’s session at a four-week high of $1,644 an ounce.

Move up Move down
China's Central Bank Clamps Down On Gold, The Only Safe-Haven Left Agustino Fontevecchia
Forbes Staff
Is GLD Really As Good As Gold? Agustino Fontevecchia
Forbes Staff
China Waking Up? Central Bank Now Selling Forex Reserves To Support Yuan Agustino Fontevecchia
Forbes Staff
Will The U.S. Dollar Reign Supreme In 2012? Agustino Fontevecchia
Forbes Staff
Among the major factors fueling the recent rally is Chinese demand for physical metal, according to UBS’ Edel Tully. Hong Kong trade statistics revealed record gold exports to mainland China in November, with deliveries hitting 102.2 tons.

This represents a 20% sequential increase from the already elevated 85 tons shipped in October. According to Tully, mainland China imported 287 tons from January to November 2011, 49% of which were shipped in October and November. Gold imports to mainland China jumped 483% over November 2010.

“Signs that China is importing a lot of gold are bullish for the market,” explained Tully, “primarily because this metal can’t leave the country – it is not permissible to export gold.” Volumes have increased dramatically as well: while in the first half of 2011 imports averaged 10 tons a month, mainland China received 57 tons in September, 85 in October, and 102.2 in November. Truly impressive numbers.

This forces us to ask the question “who is doing all the buying?” Tully, notes “it is worth highlighting here the lack of full transparency in this market, which makes it difficult to get a clear picture of the distribution channels and ascertain who is behind the buying at this stage.”

Still, she speculates that a portion of that buying is definitely “anticipated demand in preparation for the Lunar New Year,” but history proves that can’t account for these massive volumes. In 2010, Hong Kong exported an average 9 monthly tons to mainland China from January to October, with that number jumping to 17.5 tons in November. “Certainly the growth rate then marked a sizeable increase, but the actual volumes back then are small change relative to the most recent shipments from HK to China,” she wrote.

Discarding retail demand leaves only one suspect standing: the government.

Chinese authorities have been looking to diversify their massive foreign exchange to minimize U.S. dollar risk. Senior PBoC officials have been vocal in suggesting gold as a valid alternative. Last December, Zhang Jianhua, head of the PBoC’s research bureau, asked his peers to “further optimize [the PBoC’s] foreign-exchange portfolio and purchase gold assets when the gold price shows a favorable fluctuation.” Zhang went even further, saying “no asset is safe now, the only choice to hedge risks is to hold hard currency – gold.”

The Chinese government currently holds 1,054 tons of gold, or about 1.8% of its foreign reserves, which experts at the World Gold Council consider a very low number. Chinese gold consumption has doubled over the last decade to about 20% of total yearly production.

Whatever one thinks of gold, the reality is that if China is intent on continuing to increase its gold holdings at the current pace, then prices are bound to continue their decade-long rally.

Investors looking to capitalize on gold’s assent, if indeed it keeps on going up, can do so by tapping into the physically backed SPDR Gold Shares (GLD). Another option is gold equities. Despite underperforming in 2011, gold equities remain at record low multiples and could provide good alternatives. Names like Kinross Gold and Barrick Gold have outperformed bullion so far in 2012, while 2011 rock stars like Goldcorp and Newmont have lagged, but still hold potential.

Gold was one of 2011’s best performing assets. Questions remain for 2012, but if China is still buying gold, then it seems hard that prices could fall.

Source: Forbes (11th January, 2012)

My Home Town Sibu Blog

2012-01-11T00:43:00.000-08:00

This blog by Eric Luk keeps readers up to date with Sibu's happenings.

I strongly recommend it to you!

http://www.sibuericluk.blogspot.com/

Have a good day!

Our Appreciation To The Local Dailies

2012-01-10T00:32:00.000-08:00

We did it in our traditional way to show appreciation to our press friends.

This afternoon, we set out to send Chinese New Year cakes to The Borneo Post, See Hua Daily News, The Star, United Daily News and Sin Chew Daily.

The local press friends have been co-operative and we have been having an excellent working relationship.

A big "Thank You" to all of you!

The photo shows handing over of cakes to the reporters of The Borneo Post and See Hua Daily News.

Money Matters In 2012

2011-12-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

How to Break Bad Money Habits in 2012

By Susan Johnston | US News – Wed, Dec 21, 2011 11:17 AM ESTShare0EmailPrint
According to New York Times contributor and certified financial planner Carl Richards, too many people make bad choices when it comes to money. That's among the reasons for Richards' new book, The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money, which will be released in January.

U.S. News asked Richards about sidestepping common money mistakes, setting financial goals, and more. Excerpts:

What are some of the most common money mistakes you've seen clients make or perhaps that you've made yourself?

One mistake that we've made way too often in relationship to investing is this human tendency we have to buy high and sell low. We all know that successful investing is about buying some asset for a low price, and then selling it sometime later for a higher price. But we all tend to do the opposite. We tend to get very excited when the market's doing well. We all pile in just in time for it to go down. Then it goes down, we all get nervous and scared, and we jump out. So it sounds really simple and cliché, but one of the biggest mistakes we make is buying high and selling low, and doing it over and over again.

Any tips on breaking that pattern?

First, we can recognize the tendency to do it. Fixing any problem always starts with admitting that you have one. And with investing, it's pretty easy to go back the last three years, last five years, last 10 years and look at the decisions you've made. And did you buy in late '99? No. Were you liquidating your 401(k) account in 2002?

Number two, step back and ask yourself why you're doing these things. Take the time to build a plan. Not some big, scary one-inch thick financial plan. Just take the time to step back and say, "Where am I today, and where do I want to go?" And then recognize that your investment portfolio should match that plan.

And then thirdly, go on a media fast. Stop listening to it, or start realizing a lot of what we hear in the financial press is more about entertainment than it is about advice.

You wrote a very candid piece for the New York Times about short-selling your own home and some of the decisions that led you to that point. If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

Without trying to sound too self-serving for industry, I would have a planner involved in my life. We recently hired a financial planner three, four months ago. And I am convinced that had I had this particular planner involved in my life five or six years ago, I wouldn't have made those mistakes.

Now, I realize there's some baggage as soon as you say, "Hire a financial planner." But maybe the easier way to say it would be get a second opinion about major decisions. Ask a friend, a parent, a family member, CPA, an attorney before you make major financial decisions, because we're just too close to be objective.

Sometimes all it takes is just explaining to somebody what you're thinking about doing out loud. In some cases they don't even have to say anything. All you have to do is hear it out loud, and you realize it was a dumb idea. So I would have hired a qualified financial professional to help me avoid doing stupid things.

Your book is coming out in January, just after many people will have gone on a month-long spending binge. What should readers do to prevent that post-holiday hangover?

Most of these problems I get asked about are planning problems. Take the time to give yourself permission to take no blame, and no shame, and get really clear about your current financial reality. Where are you today? I used to think that was the easy part but the reality is, most of us haven't even figured that out.

After you're really clear, you have some shot at figuring out where you want to go. If you have kids, what do you want to help pay for? Can you pay for college? When would you like to retire? This may be 30 years out--it may seem like a long time--but just figure out where you are today, where you want to go. I've noticed a huge difference in people who've gone through that process on their own or with help, and it seems to me that they have an easier time being disciplined about day-to-day decisions.

Give yourself permission to let go of the need for precision, and this is perpetuated by the industry, of course. When you sit down, you want to know exactly what your retirement is going to look like in 30 years, and you don't even have any idea where you're going to be next month. That's an overwhelming thing. So, at least start with the idea of understanding where you are today and realize this is going to be a process, and you're going to course-correct.

How often should people be looking at their goals? Is it enough to make financial resolutions at the beginning of each year, or should you do it more often?

As often as you can. If you made a plan to do this once a quarter, I think it would be incredibly valuable. For example, let's say you set a goal to save $100 into your child's 529 account, because you decided education was really important, it was something that you really valued. Three months later you wake up and say, "Gosh, we said we'd save $100 a month and we only did that that first month. Is it still really important to us? Yes, it is. Maybe we should automate that." Three months later, again no blame or shame, you think, "Oh wow, look, we saved $100 a month." So I think quarterly is a good time.

Anything else you'd like readers to know about your book?

One of my goals was to write a personal finance book for people who never read personal finance books. And what I mean by that is, there's this group, 35-to-50-year-olds, educated, typically have decent incomes, that are starting to realize, "Wow, I've got some important financial responsibilities that I haven't thought that much about." But you don't really feel like running out and grabbing the latest David Ramsey book or whatever. So it was a personal finance book written for people who would never read personal finance books, and it's not meant to be prescriptive. It's really meant to sort of open the door to a bunch of conversations, because a friend of mine always says that "Personal finance is more personal than it is finance." So I think one of the challenges is trying to get people the tools to have the right conversations instead of being very prescriptive about exactly what you should do.

Gathering On Christmas Day

2011-12-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

It was a nice gathering!

Dong Zhi 2011

2011-12-22T03:33:00.000-08:00

Dong Zhi falls on three days before Christmas.

We celebrated this great Chinese festival this evening with a family dinner. Yian came out with delicious homecooked delicacies.

It was truly a great time together!

Uncle Tony & The Barman

2011-12-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

This is from Ling Choon Ming, our Tea Gang friend, for your reading pleasure.

Ha ha ha ... This is so good!!

"Spare a thought for Uncle Tony F, Chief Executive of 'Air Asia"......

Arriving in a hotel in KL Sentral he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness.
The barman nodded and said, "That will be one Ringgit please, Uncle Tony."
Somewhat taken aback, Uncle Tony replied, "That's very cheap," and handed over his money.
"Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition", said the barman. "And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest draught in Asia"
"That is remarkable value" Uncle Tony comments
"I see you don't seem to have a glass, so you'll probably need one of ours. That will be 3 Ringgit please.
" Uncle Tony scowled, but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards a seat.
"Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll be an extra 2 Ringgit. You could have pre-book the seat, and it would have only cost you a Ringgit"
"I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please
" Uncle Tony attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can't squeeze in he complains "Nobody would fit in that little frame".
"I'm afraid if you can't fit in the frame you'll have to pay an extra surcharge of RM 4 for your seat sir"
Tony swore to himself, but paid up. "I see that you have brought your laptop with you" added the barman.
"And since that wasn't pre-booked either, that will be another 3 Ringgit"
Uncle Tony was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, "This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager".
"Ah, I see you want to use the counter," says the barman, "that will be 2 Ringgit please."
Uncle's face was red with rage. "Do you know who I am?" "Of course I do Mr Fernandes
"I've had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!"
"Here is his E mail address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 sen per second provided you use Tune Talk using other mobile carriers would incur our normal charges of 30 Sen per second
"I will never use this bar again"
"OK Uncle , but remember, we are the only bar in Asia selling pints for one Ringgit...so that now everyone can drink "

A Property Blog Chic Urban Living

2011-11-15T19:49:00.000-08:00

A refreshing blog for you to update yourself.

http://www.chicurbanliving.blogspot.com

Have a good day!

English Essay Writing Competition Prize-Giving Ceremony

2011-09-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

The following is the coverage by The Borneo Post on the prize-giving on 10th September, 2011 at 9:00am at Premier Hotel, Sibu:

Local English teachers get help from foreign experts
Posted on September 11, 2011, Sunday

SIMPLY THE BEST: Lau (second right) handing over a certificate to Catholic High School team while Wong (right), Dr Hu (back row, third right) and others look on.

SIBU: Foreign English language experts and consultants are already moving around primary schools in town, helping local teachers elevate the standard of English.

This was revealed by Sibu Divisional education officer Wong Chung Kung yesterday, saying these native speakers of English Language engaged by the Education Ministry hail from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and others.
“These experts will start from primary schools here, and it is hoped that with their expert guidance, the standard of English will improve tremendously, beginning from primary school level,” Wong said in his speech at an English Essay Writing Competition 2011 at Premier Hotel here.

The competition was jointly organised by Sarawak Australian Graduates Association, central region (Saga) and The Borneo Post, supported by Sibu Education Department.

In this regard, he called on teachers to give their fullest cooperation to these foreign teachers and consultants in the quest to uplift the standard of English among students in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted by Bernama recently as saying the Education Ministry would hire 370 foreign English language experts from 2011 to monitor the teaching of the language in Malaysian schools.

He was also quoted to have said the recruitment was in line with the implementation of the government’s policy of upholding the Malay language and strengthening use of the English language (MBMMBI) for Year 1 pupils from next year.

Wong while acknowledging the importance of the English Language, said the ministry despite replacing the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI), would continue to place strong emphasis on the language.

He explained that MBMMBI was never meant to diminish the importance of English Language.
“When we stop PPSMI, and come up with MBMMBI, we still continue to place strong emphasis on English. For that reason, foreign English teachers and consultants were engaged to help elevate the standard of English,” he said. Turning to the students, he advised them to read widely, noting that newspaper was an ideal source of information.

He said while it was important to focus on subject matter, it was equally crucial to have a sound general knowledge.
“So I urge parents to encourage their children to read newspapers to attain knowledge and not be contented with having mastered the subject matter for Physics, Chemistry and so on,” he suggested.

He added that reading newspapers would go a long way to help improve students’ communication skills.

Wong noted that many straight-A students were let down by poor communication skills during interviews.

“In essay writing, we can express ourselves freely and let our ideas flow. Having done that, we need to arrange our points together, making them presentable to readers.

“In essence, we are communicating to our readers through our essays,” he said, adding that essay writing was among the effective ways to improve communication skills among students.

Meanwhile, in the junior form category (Form 1 – 3), Renee Ngu Chu Chen from SMK Tung Hua emerged winner, taking home a cash prize of RM150, certificate and one year’s free subscription of The Borneo Post.

Phoebe Ting Bi Jia of SMK Methodist came in second followed by Annie Tiong Ci (SMK Tung Hua).

In the senior form category (Form 4 – 5), Brandon Ling Kie Chai of SMK Methodist grabbed the top post, followed by Marina Khadijah Wanli (SMK Methodist) and Kimberly Hii Wen Fei (SMK Tung Hua).

In the junior team category, SMK Methodist came in first, followed by SMK Tung Hua and SMK St Elizabeth.
SMK Sacred Heart and Catholic High School shared the top spot for the senior team category while SMK Tung Hua settled for third placing.

Among those present were Saga chairman Temenggong Vincent Lau, vice-chairman Dr Hu Chang Hock, secretary Tony Hii, academic officer from Sibu Education Department, Yong Swee Wah; SMK Methodist principal Yong Choo Tiong, See Hua marketing manager Kueh Nguan Seng and The Borneo Post Sibu branch manager Lawrence Ling.

My New Blog

2011-09-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

I have just started a new blog with the title Economic Trends or 经济趋势探讨 in Mandarin.

The new blog shall house all the articles that I have written for The Chinese Methodist Message and United Daily News.

The collection is for sharing with my blog friends.

I hope you like it.

http:// wwweconomictrends.blogspot.com

Euro Zone & Euro Debt Crisis

2011-07-28T19:14:00.001-07:00

United Daily News

22nd July, 2011

New Economic Model And Brain Drain Of Malaysia

2011-07-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

I was invited to give a talk on New Economic Model & Brain Drain of Malaysia at the fellowship gathering of MYF of Methodist Peace Church on 23rd July at 7:15pm.

The hour-long talk contents were not tough to swallow.

十年荣景后中国的前景问题

2011-07-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

十年荣景后中国的前景问题十年荣景后中国的前景问题 Saturday, 16 July 2011 09:35 许道敏

新兴市场之一的中国是全球上升的势力已是不争的事实！西方富国集团从怀疑，不服到默认，说明中国的实力已相当普遍被接受！

中国努力的崛起绝对不是偶然的。与其他新兴市场一样，中国大力改革，开放经济，并发挥廉宜成本的优势，以出口驱动成长，在资本主义运作下，把经济带上高点。

新兴市场（其中以中国最成功）的冒升，可以说是全球化的产物。全球化是无疆界之意，是促进并提升全球贸易的一种制度。在发展中国家开放与改革下，全球化带起了这些经济体！

高盛（GoldmanSachs）于2001年发表的金砖四国论明确地点出巴西、俄罗斯、印度与中国（BRIC）在40年后将主导全球经济，认为未来全球经济势力。将重新洗牌，目前的七大工业国（G7）大部分将出局（有资格留下的只有美国、日本与德国），改由BRIC填补。

高盛的金砖四国论面世十年后的今天，全球对这理论的准确性不敢有任何异议！

在高盛之前就已经有西方学说关于中国势力的晋升。60年代初美国的五角大厦发表了“东方文明论”，对中国未来提出新看法。美国国防部把中国形容为“未醒来的狮子”，并预测这文明古国将来或是全球一股强大势力！

经济学家认为新兴市场的冒起没有不寻常之处，其实只是“旧有秩序的归元”。这归元论指出，1850年前，中国与印度是全球最大经济体。当时中国光辉四射，处在名符其实的黄金年代！

但中印却在1820年采取封闭主义，经济成长因而败退。而西方却在同时期提倡开放主义，推动工业与工艺大革命。这大大提升西方的经济实力。

从1850年开始，全球经济势力开始逐渐由东方移向西方。这奠定了西方的经济势力，在以后150年（1850至2000年）支配全球的经济。

新兴市场从1980年开始大力改革开放经济体，并以低廉成本的优势，将产品打进西方市场。出口导向的新兴市场在成长上大大超越西方。

中国，大马等的新兴市场因强于出口，弱于内需，经常账项因此呈盈余状态，长年累月为经济体累积大笔财富。西方刚好相反，多年来陷赤字，经济体因此债务缠身。这是目前全球经济失衡的起因！

新兴市场（其中以中印最为显著）的崛起，不但是旧有秩序的归元（经济势力由西方回归东方），也是全球财富更平均的分配（由西方流向东方）。

这是全球经济势力新趋势，在未来20年将调整全球经济领导地位的排阵！

在新兴市场中以中国的表现最为显著，经济成长直追美国。高盛预测中国将在20年后或更早超越美国，成为全球经济大哥！

在过去十年，随着中国快速成长以及累积大笔财富（以外汇储备来论），其全球影响力也节节高升，直逼美国。在国际舞台上与外交角力方面，中国已超越大部份工业国！

过去十年中国的光辉（2001至2010）印证了高盛对全球未来经济势力迁移（POWERSHIFT）的观点！

2008年美国爆发金融海啸后，西方受冲击最大！许多基本面因素陷入弱势，复苏因而疲弱。中国等的亚洲新兴市场受影响不大，而且基本面保持强势，故复苏有劲！

这场风暴造成西弱（西方陷弱）东强（东方转强），经济势力向东移也因此而加速。

在这样的转变过程中，中国更显的突出，成了全球注目焦点。中国未来经济的走向也成了热门议题！

经过十年的荣景，双位数的成长后，中国今后能保持同样劲度的成长吗？中国已是全球经济动力的引擎之一，对于中国今后可能面对的成长问题，大家都了解了吗?

在接下来的十年，中国或要面对如下难题：其一，国内安全问题（中东北非起义加剧了中国政府的担心）；其二，胡温将于2013年交棒，新领导层有把握保持胡温的经济荣景吗？；其三，未来十年，中国或陷入“中收入陷阱”（即成长陷入瓶颈）；其四，中国须由出口导向转型为内部消费，但将困难重重；其五，中国银行系统或因烂账过高而爆发危机。

这些经济问题值得投资者去关注！

MAF of Sibu East District - 精彩之夜

2011-07-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Date: 3rd September, 2011

Venue: The Masland Methodist Church, Sibu

Speaker: Rev. Tie king Tai

Uncertainties Abound In Second Half Of The Year

2011-07-10T19:36:00.001-07:00

Date: 8th July, 2011

Daily: United Daily News

The Rise Of Indonesia

2011-06-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Daily: United Daily News

Date: 30th June, 2011

Tourism In Central Region, Sarawak

2011-06-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

Daily: See Hua Daily News

Date: 29th, June, 2011

An interview by See Hua Daily News

The Domestic Market Cushions Our Fall

2011-06-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

Publication: United Daily News

Date: 23rd June, 2011

Day: Thursday

National Debts And Oil Subsidy

2011-06-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

Publication; United Daily News

Date: 17th June, 2011 (Friday)

2011年全球经济展望 / Outlook For 2011

2011-06-15T05:06:00.000-07:00

The Chinese Methodist Message Issue No. 819

Publication Date: 30/01/2011

Written by: Tony Hii

迈入2011年，全球普遍关注新一年的经济趋向。与2010年相比，我们是更乐观还是较为悲观？今年的前景是每一位投资者关心的课题！

去年是出乎意料的好！从生产（达5%，超越正常趋势）到危机，全球的表现可说是比预期的好很多。多项令人心惊胆跳的经济风险最终都化险为夷：美国的经济放缓并未恶化成双探底的衰退；中国不但避过此风险，经济表现更保持劲度向前冲；欧元区虽然有四个会员国面对主权债务危机，但整体来讲，这单一货币共同体仍然取得过去的成长，这要归功于成长最快与最富有的德国！

现在我们所关心的是，2011年是否循着这趋势走？

许多人或抱着乐观的看法，认为2011年将顺着2010年的势头走：全球大部分地区的消费者与商业信心指数在提升；全球的制造业在加速中；全球金融市场一片大好，造成投资者信心大增。

如果说2010年初投资者太过乐观，那么今年年初他们的信心又显得过于轻松！这是基于全球今年的经济表现胥视三大地区的走向：新兴市场、欧元区及美国。

这三大地区朝不同方向走，具有不同的展望及互相矛盾的政策选择。这种分歧或造成更多的摩擦，其中尤其是新兴市场与富国集团之间。中美已经为了汇率政策而争论不休，今年这种矛盾或加深。

新兴市场
新兴市场到目前为止仍然是全球成长最大的贡献区。今年新兴市场的表现将保持亮丽，其成长是全球经济动力重要来源！

新兴市场的蓬勃经济在吸引更多资金流入。这不但引发资产泡沫化，更有可能导致广泛的经济过热。中国式典型的例子，其打压房市就是为了冷却经济。

廉宜资金是问题的症结。新兴市场仍然奉行宽松货币政策。这导致低成本资金充斥市场。新兴市场的宽松货币政策也与这些经济人为干预本币汇率有关。

但宽松货币政策并不能与过热经济共存。今年新兴市场无可避免将面对通膨高涨。其大部分经济体或需紧缩货币政策来应对通膨。

但紧缩要捏拿得准。若紧缩太多，新兴市场的成长将被打击。万一紧缩不足够，非但达不到预期效果，而且会引发更严重后果！

总而言之，2011年新兴市场或面对升高的宏观层面的冲击！

欧元区
欧元区是今年另一个明显的压力来源。在短期内，这单一货币共同体将面对成长放缓，主要原因是其中多个经济体（爱尔兰、葡萄牙、希腊等）被强制紧缩财政政策来拯救主权债务危机。这将打击成长。

除了尚未明朗化的主权债务危机，欧元区的整体银行系统也陷入危机，急需重新评估！最近爱尔兰危机说明了这点！

今年欧元区相当肯定将陷入更混乱的局面！

美国
当欧元区紧缩开销时，美国却采取相反的宏观政策，以减税及量化宽松用来刺激成长。这些大手笔的宽松财政政策将带动美国成长超越趋势。

但这将把美国陷入更深的国债危机。这是令人担心的发展！

新兴市场，欧元区与美国不同的经济趋势在个别的经济区中加深危机。

美国的超宽松货币政策及欧元区的主权债务危机在鼓励资金流向新兴市场。这将使新兴市场的央行更加不愿意以升息来压制通膨。这种趋势对平衡全球经济不但没有帮助，反而加剧两方的债负担。中西之间的矛盾也会因此而更加复杂。

以往美国与欧元区都已合作无间及秉持相同经济理念来避开萧条。但目前美欧皆被不同的内部问题困锁着，而且采取完全相反的政策来应对。这对全球间的合作并没有帮助。

为了全球更加永续与平衡的经济成长，美国应果断采取减低赤字；欧元区应携手合作来加强经济与银行系统的基础；新兴市场应让货币增值。

但全球切莫期望太高。可以肯定的是全球今年将更加分歧。这将带来危害性的冲击！

汇丰银行看40年后的大马/HSBC's Views On Malaysia After 40 Years

2011-06-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

The Chinese Methodist Message Issue No. 823

Date of Publication: 06/03/2011

Written by: Tony Hii

大马国民普遍都对本国在未来全球新经济局势中的排位深表关心。在变化中的全球经济势力，大马到底处在什么地位？我们是跟上了还是在激烈竞争中被抛在后头？

2001年当美国投行高盛推出“金砖四国论”（BRIC，即指巴西、俄罗斯、印度及中国）后，全球感到震撼。金论的重点是预测全球未来的经济将由新兴市场主导。这理论的准确性令人惊叹！时至今日，全球已无人可否定金论所提倡的新经济势力的局面。以大马的国情与潜能，不被列入金砖四国中是一点也不奇怪！

高盛乘胜直追，于2005年向全球发表“金钻十一国”。金钻论是继金砖论后，高盛对新冒起的经济势力的看法。

大马不在“金钻十一国”中
何谓金钻11国（NEXT 11 或 N-11）？这是指经济潜力仅逊于金砖四国的十一个新兴市场经济体（墨西哥、印尼、尼日利亚、韩国、越南、土耳其、菲律宾、埃及、巴基斯坦、伊朗和孟加拉），将崛起成为重要的经济体。

大马不在金钻论中是相当令人纳闷。这是预测模式的差错还是大马本身内在的因素造成高盛不看好我国未来的成长？金砖四国论证明高盛的模式是健全并且可信赖的。虽然高盛的预测模式没有问题，那么需要检讨的是大马内在的弱点。

纳吉所提倡的经济转型计划就是针对改变大马（在行政操作与经济成长上），从而把大马从中收入国晋升到高收入国，并计划于2020年实现目标。

虽然在执行（Execution）与资金（Funding）上存在着令人担心的问题，但整体而言，纳吉的GTP及ETP是非常广泛与详细的计划书。对大马国民甚至全球观察家而言，GTP与ETP是非常令人鼓舞的！
汇丰银行于今年正月发表研究报告书，题为：2050年的全球：以数量确定全球经济势力的移动。这项研究是针对新崛起的经济势力及未来全球经济的排位。

成败看经济转型计划
按照汇丰的报告，到了2050年，大马将在全球30大经济体中排位第20。这也就是说，40年后，大马将跃升为全球20大经济体之一。与目前相比，大马将往上跳17位，超越泰国、荷兰、瑞士、香港与南非。这个预测相当令人振奋！

但我们勿切太过乐观。目前更重要的是，大马国民需冷静下来，看看汇丰银行是基于什么模式来达致预测的成果。

汇丰模式是建立在两大支柱上，即经济成长（或GDP）的决定性因素以及人口统计与变化。
汇丰认为经济成长取决于三个决定性的因素：其一，经济监督（这包括货币状况稳定，政治权利，民主水平，律法治理及政府的强弱）；其二，人力资本（这包括教育水平，国民的保健水平及生殖力）；其三，目前的国民均收入。

汇丰银行按着一个经济体的人口统计与变化。人口足以影响劳力与生产以及国民及消费。这对经济成长起了重大作用。

纳吉的ETP与GTP多少为大马的前景加分。若转型计划顺利推展开来，大马的确可在预测内达致如汇丰银行所预测的成长。

汇丰银行看好大马，但同时也对这个新兴市场设立了许多附带条件。这些条件在很大的程度上与GTP及ETP所设立的方针差不了多少。

大马的未来可能就要看转型计划的成败！大马经济转型已经慢了12年！相当令人遗憾。但值得安慰的是，纳吉总算把这市场需要的转型做个开始！

油价攀上另一个高峰 / Oil On New High

2011-06-15T01:13:00.000-07:00

Publication: The Chinese Methodist Message

Issue: 836

Date: 12/06/2011

Written by: Tony Hii

国际油价基本上是由五大因素决定：供应、需求、炒作、美元及中东局势。这些因素虽没有相互作用，但都足以左右石油价的波动与走势！

石油价格攀高在触动全球经济的神经线！以目前接近120美元一桶的价格，国际层面有足够的理由担心居高不下的原油价将冲击复苏乏力的经济。

高升的油价除了加重工业成本，连锁效应，引发通货膨胀加剧。这不但拖累经济成长，亦增加老百姓生活的担子，所牵连的层面非常广大。故油价升高的杀伤力不容小觊！

国际油价基本上是由五大因素决定：供应、需求、炒作、美元及中东局势。这些因素虽没有相互作用，但都足以左右石油价的波动与走势！

从70年代至今，油价暴起无一不与这五大推手有关。

油盟(OPEC)石油部长于最近发表联合声明，认为OPEC已尽所能力控制油价攀高，不过要把价格抑制在120美元一桶以下并非易事。

这种趋势相当令人担心。全球的弱势经济已经笼罩在通胀的阴影下，现在又加上高油价所带来的压力，前景实在堪虑！

让我们就从这油价五大推手来探讨国际原油价的走向。
（一）油需求
随着经济的复苏，全球的油市目前已平衡。但根据国际能源局(1EA)的估计，今年日油需或再增加170万桶。去年因经济复苏有力，日油需增加约达270万桶。
这样看来，在油供吃紧之下，今年油价难免进一步走高。

（二）油供应
全球绝大部分产油国都已耗尽产能。这意味着这些国家将无法通过增产来应付今年额外（差不多日需170万桶）的需求。在供需的原理下，油价自然升高。
今年油价需将处于紧绷的局面。全球很自然地把目光投向沙地阿拉伯，因为它拥有全球最多后备产能的油产国。目前OPEC的后备产能达日产500万桶，而沙地就占了日产350万桶。这些后备产能是用来应付突发事件造成油供受干扰。
沙地日产350万桶的后备产能勉强可应付今年油需的增加，但是否足以应对更大层面的油供干扰（例如北非与中东的区域动荡）却是大问题。
这成了油供今天不确定因素之一。所以任何风吹草动都足以刺激油价走高。

（三）炒作
油是全球基金炒作的重要对象，原因是这商品拥有很高敏感度，很容易被抄起牟利。
美国四大炒油天王（高盛、花旗、摩根史丹利与摩根大通）在2008年金融海啸可把全球的油价吵得闹翻天。
现在经济复苏，加上量化宽松，相信这四大天王不会放弃投机赚钱。
今年基金热炒油价是肯定的！这将节节推高石油价格！

（四）美元
美元在走上长期弱势！这种趋势与美国的天文数字国债有直接关连。全球在预测下一个金融大灾难或是美国泡沫的爆裂！
油价是以美元作为交易单位。美元趋贬意味着油价必须走高，这样产油国才能补回在美元上的损失！
今年油价肯定随着美元的走低而攀高！

（五）中东局势
北非中东供应了全球35%的油需，是重要的产油区。这地区的动荡犹如针扎在国际石油市场的神经线上，容易刺激油价上升。
北非的起义事件已造成油价暴升。目前大家所担心的是，这种起义若扩散到中东地区，事态或会演变成如1973年的石油禁运，伊朗革命或伊拉克攻打科威特所引发的震惊与恐慌！
目前北非与中东仍然充满不确定因素，因此油市场恐慌在所难免！这种不安的心里在推动油价走高。
也难怪OPEC的石油部长会说要把油价抑制低于120美元一桶已是不容易了。这五大推手在把国际油价推向另一个高峰，极有可能破2008年创下147美元一桶的高点！

The World Economy Slows Down In Unison

2011-06-11T06:07:00.001-07:00

I wrote an article on the slowing world economy. It came out in today's edition of United Daily News.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Duanwu festival 2011

2011-06-06T04:13:00.000-07:00

I wish all those who are celebrating this important Chinese festival a "Happy Duanwu Jie".

Have a great time with your family! Don't forget to sample some zongzi on this occasion!

The picture shows some homemade zongzi (stuffed with peanut and red bean paste).

The Outlook For The Dollar Is Bad

2011-06-06T04:03:00.000-07:00

My article on the dollar's future came out in United Daily News last Saturday (June 4). My top picks for currency investment in the present scenario remain Yuan and AUD.

Have a good time!

Malaysia's Submarines Deal To Go To Court In France

2011-05-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

The following article came out in today's Merdeka Review. It is worthwhile to read through the report.

新突破：发现巨额佣金交易
潜艇采购案可望在法国开审
作者／本刊梁康 May 30, 2011 01:40:32 pm

【本刊梁康撰述/苏晓枫摄影】马来西亚人民之声去年将我国向法国采购潜水艇的军购案带上法国法庭，而今此案司法程序有进展，该案可望在法国公开法庭开审。该案涉及逾马币6亿元巨额佣金交易。

马来西亚人民之声（Suara Rakyat Malaysia）今天在隆雪华堂召开记者会，宣布上述消息。此案一旦在法国法庭开审，将可望揭露涉嫌我国和法国滥用公帑的内情和关于蒙古女子阿尔丹杜雅（右下图）炸尸案干案动机的真相。

这两宗具争议案件都是在我国时任首相纳吉担任副首相兼国防部长期间发生。

人民之声今日发表的文告指出，有关最新调查进展为，除了发现总值马币70亿元的鲉鱼（Scorpene）潜水艇军购涉及马币5亿元的佣金交易，还发现另两笔交易，分别是法国DCN军火制造公司支付给Thales公司的3000万欧元（约马币1亿3975万元）及后者支付给不知名人士的250万欧元（1075万元）。

文告点出，这笔250万欧元的佣金，是要说服马来西亚政府采购更多军购，而3000万欧元的用途是作为Thales公司的“谈判与执行合约的商业费用”。

案件的进展更促使我国国防部长阿末查希（Ahmad Zahid Hamidi）表态，一旦案件开审及传召他，只要获得内阁首肯，他愿意到法国出庭供证，有鉴于此，人民之声呼吁马来西亚反贪污委员会开档调查此案，因为将有更多事随着法国审讯浮上台面。

马来西亚人民之声（SUARAM）去年4月入禀法国法庭，以调查马来西亚和法国购买两艘“鲉鱼”（Scorpene）级及一艘“阿格斯塔”级（Agosta）潜水艇合约是否涉及贪污。【点击：调查潜水艇交易是否涉贪法国法庭独立能承受压力】

促纳吉亲自供证

人民之声董事柯嘉逊和辛西娅（Cynthia Gabriel）也呼吁，希望阿末查希能够代表我国国防部到法国法庭供证，或者由当时的国防部长纳吉亲自出庭供证。

辛西娅（左图）说：“很多人会问我们，为何要把案件带到法国，这是因为一些重要的人士可能涉案，但是却没有看到马来西亚反贪污委员会采取任何行动。”

“由于在我国有官方机密法令，以致我们的纳税人无法从国防部文件获悉公款如何使用，因此，我国有需要通过法国法庭厘清相关文件。”

她指出，尽管一些民联国会议员也通过国会发问关于潜水艇案的问题，但是，却只能获得简短和不完整的答案，有时候甚至会出现不一致的答案。

厘清阿尔丹杜雅命案动机

柯嘉逊（右下图）也指出，上述审讯也涉及调查阿尔丹杜雅命案的干案动机，并相信一旦案件开审，将会有更多的内情浮出台面。

阿尔丹杜雅于2006年10月杪失踪，并于一个月后在雪兰莪州莎亚南丛林发现其被炸毁的遗骸，根据其留下的书信指出，她是纳吉前幕僚萨巴金德（Abdul Razak Baginda）的情人，并遭抛弃后尝试勒索对方50万美元。

这宗命案曾轰动国内外，最终纳吉的两名保镖被控谋杀，使用军用炸弹炸死阿尔丹杜雅，而被控参与谋杀的拉萨巴金德则无罪释放，纳吉也曾严正否认他涉及此案。

人民之声文告也说，我国法庭审理阿尔丹杜雅命案不曾触及潜水艇军购舞弊案，检控官、辩护律师及法官都谨慎地避免纳吉的名字在审讯中出现，而两名保镖的杀人动机仍未厘清。

我国政府也曾在国会声明，我国政府不曾给Perimekar公司马币5亿元潜水艇军购佣金，反之佣金是由法国造舰局支出，作为该公司替相关潜水艇进行训练潜舰潜艇交易的“协调与支援服务”费用。

而该公司引起的争议点，包括被指是拉萨巴金德控制的公司，其股东是拉萨巴金德妻子马兹琳达（Mazlinda Makhzan），以及缺乏经营相关领域经验，并在获得潜艇合约的数个月前才成立。

拥有足够证据入禀开审

辛西娅说，人民之声的法国代表律师佐瑟布翰（Joseph Breham）通知他们，自去年开始入禀的第一阶段，案件已进入第二阶段，即将会决定是否委任法官在公开法庭承审此案，而他们有足够的证据将此案带上公开法庭。

文告指出，法国之前的调查也显示，我国政府的说法与该国出现矛盾，我国指称支付给我国Perimekar公司的5亿元款项来自法国方面，作为其进行潜水艇工程的“协调与支援服务”服务；有关军购合约是在2002年签署。

但是，法国检察署方面的消息则相反，鉴于要避开触犯自2000年成立的“经济合作与发展组织”（OECD）规定的国际商业交易舞弊公约，因此5亿元款项是由马来西亚政府支付。

文告说，法国方面目前也在调查，我国的潜水艇交易是否如同之前两宗同样涉及法国国有军火公司DCN的案件，即提供巴基斯坦的潜艇军购及提供台湾的军舰军购合约，也有法国高层涉案，以便获得“佣金回报”。

我国方面涉及的公司是DCN的子公司DCNS公司，文告说，一旦法国法庭批准开案开审，作为调查庭其中一方的人民之声将有权获取调查过程的细节，包括DCNS公司支付佣金给我国政府官员的证据。

法国律师亲自来马讲解案情

另外，人民之声今日发动以“鲉鱼行动”（Ops Scorpene）为名的筹款运动，呼吁我国人民支持诉讼行动，以便筹得马币10万元作为该团体针对上述案件入禀法国公开法庭的律师费。

该组织解释，佐瑟布翰目前暂时为人民之声提供免费法律服务，然而，一旦案件正式开庭则需要支付费用，因此，该组织恳求我国人民慷慨解囊协助筹足律师费。

辛西娅也坦言，即便马币10万元兑换为欧元仍然还是杯水车薪，只足够作为入禀案件的费用，因此，未来还需要筹募更多的法律基金。

辛西娅也指出，佐瑟布翰也预定会在七月份来到我国，届时该组织将举办活动，以便亲自讲解在法国的案情。

人权律师法蒂亚（Fadiah Nadwa Fikri，左图）补充说明，活动定于7月21日及23日，分别在槟城及吉隆坡举行下午餐宴会和筹款晚宴，并会进行售票。

接受支票的户口为丰隆银行（Hong Leong Bank）帐号0300-0065-200，并注明由Suara Inisiatif Sdn. Bhd.接收.

Homegrown Mango

2011-05-23T04:27:00.001-07:00

Our homegrown mangoes freshly plucked from the tree. They really look good!

Global Currency Crisis Looming Large

2011-05-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

My latest article came out in United Daily News (21st May, 2011 edition).

If you are Mandarin-literate, you may read through.

Have a wonderful weekend!

5 Easy Steps To Becoming A Millionaire

2011-05-20T01:50:00.000-07:00

This article is reproduced herebelow by courtesy of Yahoo Finance.

Who wouldn't want to be worth a million dollars? Many of us dream of achieving this goal, more often than not for the sake of the freedom financial stability would bring. So how can we get there? The answers are actually much easier than you might expect. Here are several easy steps to get you into the millionaires' club. (With a little discipline and the help of some powerful savings vehicles, anyone can hit this mark.)

1. Only Marry Once
According to "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D and William D. Danko, Ph.D, the average millionaire is married with three children. The wives of these millionaires are good budgeters and most often described as even more frugal than their husbands. Interestingly, according to Stanley and Danko's survey, half of these wives do no work outside the home and of those who do, they are most likely teachers.

One upside of only marrying once is avoiding the costs of divorce and of subsequent weddings. The cost of a divorce depends on many factors including income, attorney fees, court fees, and the assets a couple has and how they are divided. The average wedding cost in the United States in 2010, according to The Wedding Report.com, was $24,070.

2. Live Off One Income
One of the advantages of having a life partner is the potential to pull in two incomes. If you are able, consider structuring your set expenses based on only one income, and save what comes in from the other income. Doing so strengthens your financial position in two ways: In case of an emergency or if one partner loses their job, you will not only have less set expenses to cover, but you will also have built up your net worth as a safety measure.

3. Choose the Right Career
According to The Millionaire Next Door, "self-employed people make up less than 20% of the workers in America but account for two-thirds of the millionaires." The book goes on to list an average of 45 to 55 hours spent working per week, so by no means is this the self-employed fantasy of playing golf while your business grows.

The idea of the "right" career can encompass a myriad of factors. Ideally, this would be a career you enjoy, otherwise you likely won't be putting in the dedication required to be successful. The right career would also coincide with overall working trends, or at least not work directly against them. For example, starting a career in typewriter manufacturing may be something you are passionate about, but it would likely suffer due to the current technological trends.

4. Put Your Money in Appreciating Assets
According to Stanley and Danko, the millionaires in their survey invested nearly 20% of their realized household income each year. Nearly 20% of the household's wealth is held in "transaction securities such as publicly traded stocks and mutual funds" and the millionaires tended to rarely sell their equities. Only a very small number of the millionaires surveyed had ever leased a car; few even drove the current year model. Half of those surveyed had lived in their homes for more than 20 years, which, as the authors point out, means they have likely enjoyed "significant increases in the value of their homes."

The end result? These people put a financial priority on assets that will make them money, from their homes to their businesses.

5. Don't Live the Millionaire Lifestyle
Warren Buffett's frugal lifestyle (especially relative to his net worth) is the go-to example for this point. The average value of the surveyed millionaires' homes was $320,000. The bottom line is, those who spend their money on non-appreciating assets cannot put that same money in an asset that will net them a return and increase their wealth. If it is important to you to build your financial worth, stop spending it on new cars, toys and clothes. (The Oracle of Omaha has a net worth in the billions, but his lifestyle is not as rich as you may think.)

The Bottom Line
Becoming a millionaire is easier than ever. While this is a dream that will take work and discipline to achieve, it isn't as far out of reach as you might think. Be smart with your money and before you know it, you'll be able to count yourself among the world's wealthier citizens.

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit.

Scrapping Fuel Subsidy A Painful Reality

2011-05-18T04:18:00.000-07:00

The full text of my interview is reproduced herebelow:

‘Scrapping fuel subsidy a painful reality’

by Raymond Tan. Posted on May 18, 2011, Wednesday

SIBU: Hotel manager Tony Hii, a holder in Bachelor in Economics, agreed with the prime minister that diesel subsidy is like opium.

He said Malaysians had indeed been “addicted” to cheap commodity prices for too long, and this had been made possible at the expense of nation building.

He said people around the globe were paying much higher prices, and Malaysians had to learn to break free from this “addiction” for the country to grow.

“It might be painful, and the people might fume, but we have to take the lessons like in Indonesia, where the people and the government have recently gone through the same painful process to break free.”

He said Malaysians had been relying on subsidies, not only in fuel, but also in commodities like sugar and others.

“When we keep enjoying the low prices, the government has to keep on pumping in more and more money in the wake of the global price hike.

“So, instead of channeling the money to build the nation, the government is sacrificing it for the enjoyment of the people.”

Hii said whenever the government tried to lessen the burden in slashing the subsidies, the people would fume.

“This is not how the economies in Singapore, Hong Kong and many other countries are working.

“Even Indonesia has awakened from this, and when the government announced the lifting of the oil subsidies three years

ago, the people also protested.”

He said in the end, the Indonesians had to face the reality and get used to it.

Hii was aware Malaysians had been giving the excuse that ours was an oil-producing country, and the people were entitled to enjoy the right to cheap oil.

“The truth is, we might be the net exporter of oil now, enjoying the revenue from it, but, if we do not make discoveries of new oil sites, our oil might run out in another three years; by then, we shall be the net importer of oil.”

He said this was what the Indonesians were experiencing, and the government had no other alternative but to announce the cut in oil subsidies to save the country.

He said it was the correct approach to lift the subsidies so that the people and the government shared the burden, like in so many rich and poor nations.

“But, this should be done on the condition that the Malaysian government will use the money wisely saved from the subsidy cut, like channeling it to eradicate poverty, build more infrastructure to improve the living standard, etc.”

He said Idris Jala had recently made the shocking statement about Malaysia going bankrupt in another decade if we did not cut back on subsidies.

“Idris was speaking the truth. No country can afford going on with the subsidies in the wake of the global price hikes.”

He said in oil importing countries like Japan and Germany, the government was instead teaching their people about oil efficiency.

“More countries are doing that not only for economics handling, but also for saving Planet Earth from global warming and for creating a cleaner and greener environment.”

He said many countries had turned to alternative power like in building wind and solar power sources of energy to minimise oil consumption.

He said Malaysia should follow suit; many drivers on the road were just too wasteful on petrol, and this had happened because Malaysia’s oil was cheap.

“Indeed, food and oil prices are rising. The people, or for that matter, the world must learn to live with it, with the government taking the leading role.”

Teleinterview By The Borneo Post

2011-05-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

Raymond Tang of The Borneo Post interviewed me over the phone yesterday afternoon (May 17, Tuesday) on the subject of subsidy removal. This was in response to PM's remark that "subsidy is like opium".

I spoke in all honesty!

English Song Singing Competition Jointly By SAGA & IMEB

2011-05-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

English Song Singing Competition Jointly By SAGA Central Region & IMEB - Rules & Entry Form

English Songs Singing Competition Jointly organized by SAGA and IMEBby Thomas Ling on Monday, 09 May 2011 at 11:02
SAGA - Sarawak Australian Graduates Association (Central Region)

...IMEB - International Music Examinations Board

Inter-school English Song Competition Entry Form

Date 2nd July 2011 Saturday

Venue Wei Kuo Hall (卫国礼堂), Sibu (Jalan Ling Wen Shun)

Time 7:00 pm

Closing Date 15th June 2011

Fntry fees RM 10

Name of Student: Age:

(capital letters)

School Name:

Home Address:

Date of Birth: I/C No.:

Gender: Male, Female

Telephone No.: (home) Mobile phone: Email:

Entry Category (please select one): A – Primary School (Below 13)

B – Secondary School/college (Below 20)

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct. I have read and agreed to all contest rules.

Date:

Signature of Contestant

Please submit your entry form to:

IMEB Malaysian Representative Mr. Thomas Ling (0138101535) at 2A Lorong Suarah 1, Sibu 96000

Or by fax: 084 316773 by Email: imebmalaysia@gmail.com (Entry fees will be collected later for submissions

by fax or email.)

_________________________________________________________________________________

Purposes:

To give a platform for young people to show case their singing talent, especially those who can sing songs in English. 让爱好唱英文歌的年轻人有展示才华的平台。
To promote IMEB, the International Music Examination Board from Australia. 推介澳洲国际音乐考试学院。
To promote SAGA, the Sarawak Australian Graduates Association, the sponsor of this competition. 让更多人认识留澳同学会。

Judges ：评审团

Dr. Timothy Smith (IMEB Syllabus Consultant, Examiner) (Australia) 音乐博士，音乐考监官。

PhD, MEd, BEd, DipTeach, ETC(Adv), PGDES, LAGMS, DipMus(Hon)

John Yong 杨礼宝(USA)

M.M in music education, Gainesville, University of Florida

M.M in Composition, Mankato, Minnesota State University

B.M in String Performance, Edmond, University of Central Oklahoma

Thomas Ling 林垂正(Sibu)

Bachelor of Music - Performing (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)

Licentiate of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (London)

IMEB Malaysia representative

悉尼音乐学院音乐学士, 英国皇家音乐学院教学专业文凭, 澳洲国际音乐考试学院马来西亚代表

Rules:

All songs must be in English, and the titles and lyrics must be submitted with the entries. The organisers reserve the rights to turn down any song deemed to be inappropriate in contents. (Love songs are accepted generally, but not songs with explicit immoral content)
An entry fee of RM 10 will be charged for each contestant. There will be no refund after submission. 报名费RM10
A preliminary audition round may be held if the entry number is too big for one night. 如人数太多将举行入围赛。
All contestants must prepare their own accompanying CDs or live accompanists. Only a piano is provided. Any other instruments must be prepared by contestants. The CDs must be handed in 2 days before the contest for testing with the system. 伴唱CD，伴奏者自备。
The judges’ decision is final. Disputes are not entertained. 裁判员的决定为标准及最终成绩。
The contestants will be judged on the vocal ability, musicianship, stage craft, entertainment value and outfit. 裁判制度：唱功，音乐感，台风，娱乐性质，服装。

Prizes: 1st: RM 500, 2nd: RM 300, 3rd: RM 100 for Category 1 (plus trophies)

1st: RM 800, 2nd: RM 500, 3rd: RM 300 for Category 2 (Plus trophies)

English Public Speaking Speech Contest Jointly By SAGA & Swan City Toastmasters Club

2011-05-16T04:33:00.000-07:00

English Public Speaking Speech Contest Jointly By SAGA Central Region & Sibu Swan City Toastmasters Club

Interschool Public Speaking Speech Contest
The Sarawak Australian Graduates Association (SAGA) has teamed up with the world’s largest non-profit organization in public speaking, Toastmasters International via her local chapter the Sw...an City Toastmasters Club to conduct an Interschool Public Speaking Contest. The aims of the contest are to:
1. Promote the usage of the English Language
2. Promote and provide an opportunity for students to improve their public speaking skills and to recognize the best as encouragement to all.

The contest will be open to all senior secondary school students in the Sibu region and will be held on 3rd July 2011 at 8.30 am . The venue will be at Methodist Wei Kok Hall, Sibu.
Attractive prizes for all contestants sponsored by Sarawak Australian Graduate Association are as follow:
First prize: RM 500 plus a trophy and a certificate
Second prize: RM 300 plus a trophy and certificate
Third prize: RM 200 plus a trophy and a certificate
Forth prize: RM 150 plus a trophy and a certificate
Four consolation prizes of RM 100 each plus a trophy and certificate
All contestants will receive certificate of participation as well.

There will be 2 sessions:
9:00 am to 12 noon Junior Secondary students Form 3 and below
2.00 pm to 5.00 pm Senior Secondary students, Form 4 and above.
For more information, please contact the Organizing Chair Wong Toh Hee 016-888 0038 Dr. Clement Chen 019-889 6699

English Essay Writing Competition Jointly By SAGA & Borneo Post

2011-05-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

English Essay Writing Competition Jointly By SAGA, Central Region & The Borneo Post

ENGLISH ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION BY SAGA, CENTRAL REGION IN COLLABORATION WITH
THE BORNEO POST

...Organizers:
(1) SAGA (Sarawak Australia Graduate Association)
(2) See Hua Marketing Sdn Bhd (The Borneo Post)

Objectives:
(1) To increase the standard of students in commanding English
(2) To arouse the interests of writing of English

Date:
23rd July 2011 (Saturday)

Venue:
SMK Methodist

Time
8:00 am until 12:00 noon

Contest detail:
1. There will be 2 questions and the participants have to choose either one of them and shall be complete within one hour.

2. The essay must be written in the prepared examination pad by using blue or black ballpen, must be written neatly and those essay if found untidy and unreadable will be disqualified.

3. The essay must be submitted in English Language only, 150 words in length for the Junior Secondary (PMR syllabus) and 350 words in length for the Senior Secondary (SPM syllabus). The essay that overly exceeds the permitted number of words will be disqualified.

Participation
1. Each school needs to fill the entry form as per attached.
2. Entries should be submitted before 27th June 2011 to:
See Hua Marketing Sdn Bhd (Essay Competition 2011)
No 40, Jalan Tuanku Osman, 96000 Sibu
Tel: 084-315252 Fax: 084-320549
3. Each participate student will receive an attendance certificate.

Sections:
This competition will be sectionalized into:
(1) Junior secondary (Form 1 – Form 3)
• Individual
• Team
(2) Senior secondary (Form 4 – Form 5)
• Individual
• Team

Prizes:
Individual - Junior Form (Form 1 – Form 3); Senior Form (Form 4 & Form 5)
1st Prize : Cash RM 150.00 + Certificate +
Free The Borneo Post one year subscription
2nd Prize : Cash RM 100.00 + Certificate +
Free The Borneo Post one year subscription
3rd Prize : Cash RM 80.00 + Certificate +
Free The Borneo Post one year subscription
Consolations Prizes (3 sets) : Cash RM 50.00 + Certificate +
Free The Borneo Post six months subscription

Team - Junior Form (Form 1 – Form 3); Senior Form (Form 4 & Form 5)
1st Prize : Cash RM 200.00 + Certificate
2nd Prize : Cash RM 150.00 + Certificate
3rd Prize : Cash RM 100.00 + Certificate

Prize giving ceremony:
To be decided later

Rules & Regulations
1. This competition is open to all Malaysian secondary school students in Sibu. Schools are only allowed to send in one team per category. Each team must consist of five students, all with valid Malaysian identity cards and accompanied by a teacher-in-charge at all times. Any team’s participant’s less than five students, then the team cannot participate in team section.

2. All students participating in the competition must be in school uniform during the competition. The students shall be required to present their identity cards during the registration at the venue.

3. No substitution or omission of any submit shall be permitted at any time and the same students shall be present all segments of the competition.

4. The Organisers shall not be responsible for any damage to and/or loss of personal belongings and/or personal injuries sustained during the competition.

5. The essay will be assessed by a panel of judges selected by organizers. The judges’ decision is final and any correspondence will not be entertained.

6. If at any time during the competition or after the competition, a winner is found not complying with any of the Rules and Regulations, the Organisers reserve the right to cancel and/or recover the claimed prize at its sole discretion. In such a situation, the winning entry or the winning team will be disqualified and a new winning team will be determined by the panel of judges.

7. The Organisers reserve the right to vary, postpone or reschedule the dates and venues of the competition or extend the competition period at their sole discretion.

Career Information Sharing Forum At SMK Sacred Heart, Sibu

2011-05-14T04:48:00.000-07:00

SAGA, Central Region and Global Educational Services jointly organized a forum on career information sharing on 8th April, 2011 at 11:00am at SMK Sacred Heart.

Informal in nature, the forum was information-oriented and it was in Q & A style. It aimed to give students some practical advice on further studies in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, engineering and accountancy.

Lucy Tang of Global Educational Services (GES) took the lead in Q & A session. She handled the session well, tactfully getting the students to raise questions to the panelists.

After the forum, the participating students were encouraged to stay back to interact with the SAGA committee members.

On the whole, the forum was considered fruitful. We believe it helped the students in one way or another.

The committee members look forward to organizing another one!

Prize-Giving Ceremony of Sarawak House's 37th Anniversary Celebrations

2011-05-14T04:31:00.000-07:00

Sarawak House S/B held a prize-giving ceremony this morning. This was the grand finale of the anniversary celebrations.

Several prizes were given away to the lucky winners. It was really an all-smiles occasion.

After prize giving, the recipients posed with Michael Wee, Managing Director of Sarawak House S/B, for a group photo.

A Mother's Day Embrace!

2011-05-08T00:28:00.000-07:00

Give your mom a warm embrace and say to her," I love you!"

给你的妈妈一个温馨的拥抱，对她说， “我爱你！”

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-07T06:24:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Mother's Day this evening at home with some home-delivered fine foods. It was a heartwarming time together with lots of joy and laughters.

We invited Yian's mom to celebrate this wonderful day with us. After cutting the homemade Durian Cheese Cake, we said prayer together before we settled down to foods!

Thank God for giving us our dear moms. May His blessings be with them in the years to come!

愿天下妈妈“母亲节”快乐！

你们都很伟大！

Sarawak Australian Graduates Association, Central Region Is Now On Facebook

2011-05-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

Sarawak Australian Graduates Association, Central Region is now on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarawak-Australian-Graduates-Association-Central-Region/162253973834093

Mother"s Day 2011

2011-05-03T01:52:00.001-07:00

May has been a motherly month. Throughout the world, almost all nations remember the second Sunday of the month as a day for mothers!

Love for moms, of course, is not confined to this day only! Mother's Day simply reminds us the great love of mothers.
...
What have you in mind for your mom on the upcoming Mother's Day? Just have a look at what Premier Hotel has presented to you if you are thinking of taking your mom for a dining-out in a cosy ambience!

International Buffet Dinner @ Bamboo House

Date: Mother's Day Eve, Saturday 7 May 2011
Mother's Day, Sunday 8 May 2011

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Price: RM50.00 nett per person
Rm33.50 nett per senior citizen (55 years old & above)
RM33.50 nett per child (4-12 years old)

See you in Bamboo House!

Have a great day!

Methodist Pilley Institute Awards Presentation

2011-05-02T04:49:00.000-07:00

MPI awarded the deserving students on April 27 in a ceremony. According to the principal Judy Wong, the award recipients did well in their respective examinations.

MPI is a locally well known higher institution of learning. It has outstanding track record of achievements. A big thumb up to Judy and her teaching staff.

Allen again made his way up to the stage to receive his award. Keep it up!

Photos: Terrence Tan of MPI

A Dinner Meet

2011-05-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

It was a joyous meet over some fine foods and hot beverages in Bamboo House of Premier Hotel, Sibu on April 30 at 5:00pm.

MAF of SCAC grabbed the opportunity of Methodist Prayer Convention to invite the office bearers of MAF of Sabah Provisional Conference for a dinner meet.

The purpose was to have some interaction and sharing with them.

Over the renowned claypot chicken rice and teh tarik, we had a wonderful fellowship in a cosy ambience.

Praise Lord for the opportunity!

Oil & The Turbulent Middle East

2011-03-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

I contributed an article to United Daily Nrews on the present crisis in North Africa and the Middle East and it was published yesterday.

Chinese New Year Visit 2011

2011-02-05T00:50:00.000-08:00

Some of my staff went on Chinese New Year visit on Chu Er (the second day of Lunar New Year). They popped in my house for a very heartwarming visit.

It was warm to have gathered in this manner. We had a wonderful gathering before we proceeded to our Managing Director's residence. After visiting Michael Wee (our MD), we moved on to GM Michael Lau's house.

We posed for a group photo in my house.

On Trees Alongside Brooke Drive, Sibu

2011-01-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

Philip Hii of The star wrote an excellent article in the paper's Borneo Beats column.

It is all about road safety issue.

When safety comes first throughout the world, are we practising it in Sibu?

It is indeed a food for thought!

Ecumenical Christmas Carolling 2010

2010-12-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

I took part with Yian in this year's Ecumenical Christmas Carolling. This annual street procession was held on December 18 and it was an excellent testimony!

Philip Hii was among the crowds at the roadside. He spotted us and quick-handedly he shot a nice photo of us together with the carolling team of The Masland Methodist Church.

Thank you, Philip, for the picture.

The Gold Superbull Charges On

2010-12-09T19:55:00.000-08:00

My article on the gold came out on December 10 in United Daily News.

I don't know how many of you are in the gold market. If you have not been quite in touch with the gold superbull, then you would have missed out the run.

The fact is that this superbull is charging ahead!

Have a good day!

The World Is Polarised Economically!

2010-12-06T00:29:00.000-08:00

My article on "The World Is Polarised Economically" in United Daily News came out last week.

The East is rising fast, and the world power is moving away from the West!

Make sure you stay very up to date on this trend!

Have a good day!

MPI Shines In CAT & ACCA Examinations

2010-12-01T23:34:00.000-08:00

Five CAT & ACCA students did Methodist Pilley Institute proud in the latest computer-based examinations!

Standing tall and proud are (left to right) Ting Ding, Kong Ning Ning, Allen Hii (my son), Angela Lu and Hu Ling Xing.

Praise Lord that Allen managed to do well.

Deserving a word of mention is Judy Wong together with her team of lecturers for a job well done!

Hurray! Keep it up. MPI!

Some Roadside Trees Are Killers!

2010-11-29T18:04:00.000-08:00

Director of Malaysia Road Safety Department Datuk Suret Singh said in Kuching yesterday that some roadside beautification trees are really killers!

Datuk Suret Singh truly said out the feelings of certain Sibuians who have to face huge roadside trees blocking their view day in, day out!

If you are not aware of it, just go to Brooke Drive and see it for yourself!

For years Sibuians have been sending feedback to the local council on this safety issue. Sadly it has apparently been brushed aside on "tree conservation" ground.

A big thumb up to Datuk Suret Singh for bringing the issue out!

MPI Public Forum: Government Transformation & Economic Transformation Impacting Sibu - Part 1

2010-11-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

Methodist Pilley Institute took up to organise yet another public forum for the benefits os Sibu on 19th November at a leading hotel in Sibu. This was the third in a row following the astounding success in 2008 and 2009.

The first, held on October 25 at MPI lecture hall on "Outlooks for Sibu" and the second, on November 2 at Kingwood hotel on "Sibu In The Blue Ocean", were both given by Mr. Tan Kee Hian.

This time MPI invited Dato' Sri Idris Jala, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and CEO of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) to speak to Sibuians on "Government Transformation, Economic Transformation - Impacting Sibu".

Photo: Philip Hii

My Article In United Daily News : The Pros & Cons of Ringgit Internationalisation

2010-11-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

I have started contributing to United Daily News on regular basis. This is besides writing monthly for The Chinese Methodist Message.

The topics that I cover are primarily on contemporary economic issues.

If you are Chinese-literate, you may read through and give me your comments.

Have a nice day!

Our Visit To MAF of Jai Eng Methodist Church At Sibu Jaya - Part 1/2

2010-10-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

MAF of Sibu East District made a point of visiting Jai Eng MAF at the beginning of the year and we did it on the evening of October 26.

Located at Sibu Jaya which is about 30 km away from Sibu town, the church is quite a distance away. But we took with joy to serve Lord in this manner!

The visitation was tightly programmed. We left at 5:30pm and on the way to Sibu Jaya, we made a detour to Charles Ling & Annie Yii's place for a dinner meet. This was at Annie's invitation to join her family celebrating her birthday which fell on that day.

We arrived at Annie's residence at 6:00pm. Along with us was a cake to wish her "happy birthday". It was a warm gathering with lots of fun and laughters. After cake-cutting, we settled down for a quick dinner at the car porch. It was a delicious homecooked meal. We were made to understand that Charles was the cook of the delicacies. We all gave him big thumbs up!

We moved on after a fulfilling meal.

We took a group photo after cake-cutting. Seating 3rd and 4th from right are Charles and Annie.

A Talk On Currency Exchange Rates At Wang Ming MAF

2010-10-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Amidst rising tensions globally on currency exchange rates, I was invited by MAF of Wang Ming Methodist Church to share with them on currencies.

The 40-minute talk took the audience to 1944 when the Bretton Woods System was established and then back to the present when issues like worsening currency wars between the West and the Eastare confronting the globe. I also touched on the much-talked about internationalisation of Ringgit which has been hotly debated in the press.

G20 met in Korea over this weekend to try to thrash out this global burning issue. On one side is Uncle Sam and the other, China. The issue in the focal point is the greenback and Yuan. Expectedly, the meeting was not fruitful at all.

Is internationalisation of Ringgit that bad at all as claimed by Tun DM? Would Malaysia be vulnerable to speculative attacks if we let Ringgit be fully uncontrolled? Maybe we ought to go on gradual basis to open up our currency.

Certain stuff in my talk might be a bit tough to gobble. Anyway, I hope the fellowshippers had benefited from my talk.

The picture shows me taking question on currency investment in AUD, CAD and USD.

Wesley MAF's 20th Anniversary Thanksgiving Night

2010-10-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

MAF of Wesley Methodist Church celebrated its 20th anniversary this evening at 7:30pm in the sanctuary. More than 200 turned out for the anniversary service to partake of the joy in giving thanks to God.

The thanksgiving service was solemn and heartwarming. From the call to service to the benediction, the whole programme was smoothrunning to my appreciation. The Holy Spirit had got to be at work too guide the service through.

Rev. Tie King Tai was invited to be the speaker of the evening.

Quoting Romans 12:2, Rev. Tie provoked the celebrants into reflecting upon whether they are godly or worldly as adult christians. In his usual thoughtprovoking manner, he put it to the congregation: Have you passed your SPM test?

SPM is the acronym for sex, power and money. In short, what Rev. Tie asked was whether we have stood to the temptation of sex, power and money, and lived out our lives like Jesus Christ.

On sex, Rev. Tie challenged the adult fellowshippers to bear good testimony in marriage life.

On power, Rev. Tie reminded the congregation not to succumb to the greed and hunger for power in our church for fear that we might fall into the setup of Santan.

On money, the Methodist teachings on "earn all you can" and "save all you can" have been well received. But are we practising the third teaching "give all you can"?

Rev. Tie's sermon was well blended with his good sense of humour. His preaching has been known to keep congregation eye-opened and floor quiet to hear a pin drop.

Brother Wong Kwong Toh, the founder chairman of the MAF gave a recount of the formation of the fellowship twenty years ago.

This was then followed by all the past pastors, advisers and chairmen being invited to the stage to receive a gift as a token of appreciation.

After a duet (truly nice!) and a song-dance item (honestly a wonderful presentation!), the chairlady of Wesley MAF Shirley went on stage to give words of thanks.

Thereafter, DS Rev. Wong Koi Fo gave a benediction before the adjournment to a supper reception outside the hall.

It was a wonderful traditional Chinese vermicelli soup with hard-boiled egg plus some other goodies to whet our appetite. Set in long table style, the reception was well thought out to facilitate interaction.

My thumb up to the teamwork of Wesley MAF. Shirley (your leadership), Yong (your MC skill) and all the other Wesley adult fellowshippers, please keep up your good service to God!

A Matter of Confidence Crisis In U.S.A.

2010-10-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

The recovery in U.S.A. has become a concern. If you are keen on this issue, have a look at Greenspan's very insightful thoughts which touch on the factors undermining the growth recovery of the world's largest economy.

By: Dan Weil

It’s highly unlikely that ex-Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan would call himself a Keynesian. But he obviously agrees with the legendary economist John Maynard Keynes that “animal spirits” represent a crucial ingredient of a healthy economy.

A crisis of confidence grips the economy, Greenspan says. That helps to explain why GDP growth slipped to 1.7 percent in the second quarter from 3.6 percent in the first quarter.

Capital investment should have climbed sharply in recent months, as corporate profits soared, Greenspan writes in the Financial Times. But that investment has fallen short, and that combined with a collapse of the consumer sector has depressed the economy, he says.

“These shortfalls (are) the result of widespread private-sector anxiety over America’s future,” Greenspan argues. “(And they) have defused much, if not most, of the impact of the administration’s fiscal stimulus.”

Moreover, the government’s intervention in the economy through that stimulus has itself increased the anxiety, he says.

“The instinctive reaction of businessmen and householders to uncertainty is to disengage from those activities that require confident predictions of how the future will unfold,” Greenspan writes.

Both the corporate and consumer sectors are unwilling to invest in illiquid assets, such as real estate Greenspan says. Instead there has been a massive move to the safety of Treasuries.

“It is this rapid rise in aversion to illiquid risk that explains a large part of the anemic recovery in the U.S.,” he writes.

Government intervention in the economy is a problem now, Greenspan says. “Almost all economists and policymakers agree activist government was necessary in the immediate aftermath of the Lehman bankruptcy,” he says.

But the $862 billion fiscal stimulus has been of questionable value, Greenspan notes. And he’s not too impressed with the new financial reform law.

“It is going to take years to address the unprecedented complexity of final rulemaking required in the massive Dodd-Frank bill,” Greenspan writes.

“The inevitable uncertainty engendered will inhibit financial innovation and intermediation, and render the rules that will govern a future financial marketplace disturbingly conjectural.”

Uncertainty will be the result, he says. “This is bound to have a significant impact on economic growth.”

Star economist Robert Shiller agrees with Greenspan about the confidence deficit, though he thinks more government intervention is needed to boost confidence rather than less.

“In a broad sense, damage to morale — which Keynes called “animal spirits” — surely ranks as one of the most important reasons for the American economy’s persistent weakness,” Shiller wrote in The New York Times.

Meanwhile, James Grant, editor of Grant’s Interest Rate Observer, shares Greenspan’s wariness of government intervention, telling Bloomberg that regulators are looking behind at the last crisis instead of ahead at what dangers lurk.

Mooncake Festival 2010

2010-09-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

This traditional Chinese festival is more commonly called Mid-Autumn Festival in Malaysia.

Today is the 15th of the 8th lunar month and it marks the conclusion of the month-long celebration. According to the tradition, the festival comes with eating of mooncakes. The highlight of the occasion is a sumptuous dinner on the 15th day.

It is now getting common for families to dine out on this day. Still some families hold on to the tradition to homecook the dinner.

We had a wonderful homecooked meal this evening!

Happy Mooncake Festival to all my Chinese readers!

Premier Hotel Has Joined Facebook!

2010-09-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Premier Hotel Sibu has just joined Facebook to catch up with the trend.

Please go in and click to like it. Even better, suggest it to all your friends.

Have a good day!

Premier Hotel's Facebook

Happy Birthday To Yian

2010-09-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

To Yian with love on this happy occasion!

Tea Gang At Premier Hotel

2010-09-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

The tea gang moved the weekly meet out of Meng Lei's office to Cafe Palmelia at Premier Hotel yesterday.

The shift was at the arrangement of Steven Wong who treated us to some goodies at the coffee-house to celebrate his first anniversary in United Daily as a reporter.

The invitation was very heartwarming and I deeply appreciated his hospitality.

Steven, all the best to you in your career as a journalist!

The gang members posed for a group photo. On the right is Steven. Photo: Liong

News Coverage For "Night of Excellence" - "精彩之夜“新聞

2010-09-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

All the three local Chinese dailies gave good coverage to "Night of Excellence". I am appreciative to the reporters for the wonderful efforts!

Please join me to give them a big "Hurray"!

Praise goes to God for the mighty hands that led us through the event!

Have Your Life To The Full - "Night of Excellence"(精彩之夜） 2010

2010-09-05T01:38:00.000-07:00

MAF of Logos Methodist Church led the singspiration. It was a lively session!

MAF of Selangau Preaching Centre presented a song item. Their efforts for travelling all the way to Sibu were commendable!

It was all words of thanks from me.

MAF of Wesley Methodist Church gave a fine dance item.

MAF of Dao Ang Methodist Church did it well with a fan dance!

It was a Mongolian dance from MAF of Shiuang Eng Methodist Church.

A drama present by MAF of The Masland Methodist Church.

DS Rev. Wong Koi Foh called on the adult fellowshippers to excel.

The Power of Cross-a song item given by MAF of Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church.

MAF of Sing Ang Tong Methodist Church testified the love of God with a dance.

The dance drew rounds of applause! It was from MAF of Peace Methodist Church.

The duo from Huai Ang Methodist Church performed a good xian seng.

MAF of Ai Ming Methodist Church gave a lively dance!

Love Your Environment - MAF of Logos Methodist Church conveyed the message through a drama!

MAF of Tieng Eng Methodist Church gave a drama show.

It was an excellent effort by MAF of Shiuang Eng Methodist Church in giving this dance item.

"Match Making" by MAF of Zion Methodist Church.

MAF of Jai Eng Methodist Church gave a nice dance!

"Fan Dance" by MAF of Wang Ming Methodist Church.

It was truly an evening of testimony of God's love! As a thousand of brothers and sisters gathered together in The Masland Methodist Church, they gave thanks to God for His love!

It was a heartwarming fellowship gathering for the MAFs in Sibu East District. This annual fellowship night has been on for more than six years. Praise Lord for His mighty hands to lead us through!

Quoting John 10:10, DS Rev. Wong Koi Foh, speaker for the evening, reminded the adult fellowshippers to "have a life to the full". He called on them to excel in their service to God.

The programme was smooth-running throughout. It lasted longer than anticipated.

See you next year!

Photos: Daniel Chiew

Press Release On "Night of Excellence" (精彩之夜）

2010-09-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

The news of "Night of Excellence" came out this morning in the three local Chinese dailies. The local press friends have been more than helpful. My thanks go to them.

See you in The Masland Methodist Church!

You Are Invited To “精彩之夜”

2010-09-02T04:21:00.000-07:00

MAF of Dao Ang Methodist Church came for rehearsal on August 30 in full team. They put up a commendable dance item using fans. When the dancers swayed and waved, they testified the love of God to the world.

You are cordially invited to this evening of praise and love. Let it be a night of excellence for you!

Rehearsal Night For "Night of Excellence" -"精彩之夜“彩排

2010-08-31T01:17:00.000-07:00

It is just another five more days to go before we gather for "Night of Excellence"!

Few MAFs came last night to rehearse for the items they are going to present. It was pretty touching to see the good efforts that they put in to glorify our God!

Specially to be noted here are Terrence Tan and James Lau for their technical support.

The rehearsal was smooth-running without much hiccup. Praise Lord for that.

Please set your evening on Sept. 4 aside for this event. Let's congregate to praise and give glorification to God!

The above pictures show (from top down) :

1. Terrence Tan, James Lau and their team members posing for a shot at my request.

2. The team was caught in action.

3. MAF of Wang Ming Methodist Church dancing with fans to praise God!

4. MAF of Selangau Preaching Centre giving a song item.

5,6,7. MAF of Shiung Eng Methodist Church putting in great efforts to show their love for God!

8. MAF of Wesley Methodist Church presenting a dance item.

I Cooked The Homely Style

2010-08-28T04:10:00.000-07:00

It was years ago when I was in Australia when I put up with uni mates during long summer vacation that I shared cooking. Ever since I came back, I have not set my hands to some homecooking.

This afternoon I told Yian to let me prepare the dinner for the family. She was more than happy to try out my homecooking.

When I set my hands to the wok, my memories flew back to the days when I was in Monash University taking turns with flat mates to cook.

With Yian by my side, I came out with Chicken With Oyster Sauce and Stir-fried Bean Sprouts. Together with Spare Ribs Carrot Soup and Fruit Platter, we had a simple but nourishing meal in a very homely atmosphere.

Hurray!

Chicken Cornish

2010-08-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

Yian came out with her secret recipe for chicken cornish to pamper our appetite this evening. Wow! The taste was superb!

The homemade chicken cornish is more of western taste. The golden brown puff pastry with filling of onion, mashed sweet potato and pumpkin, diced potato, cheese, chicken, western herbs, ground black pepper, olive oil, etc make the taste irresistibly good.

Each chicken cornish weighed approximately 300 grams and it really made a heavy meal!

Premier Hotel , Sibu - Booking Goes Online Now!

2010-08-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

Premier Hotel has just launched online booking. With this, booking for rooms is just a click away now!

Simply log in www.premierh.com.my to make your desired reservation!

Countdown To Night Of Excellence (精彩之夜）

2010-08-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

2010年诗巫东教区成团“精彩之夜”秩序表

日期： 2010年9月4日（星期六）时间：700PM

地点：福源堂

讲员：黄开和教区长

领会：邓惟通

司琴：黄敏慧

敬拜赞美：圣道堂

音响/IT ： JAMES LAU, TERRENCE TAN

安静默祷

宣召：诗篇133:1

敬拜赞美：圣道堂

祷告：张道昌

致欢迎词：许道敏主席

节目呈献

（一）合唱：最知心的朋友实兰沟布道处

（二）唱游：我们爱让世界不一样卫斯理堂

（三）唱游：神是我们的避难所道安堂

（四）短剧：最大的事福源堂

（五）舞蹈（内蒙古族）：青青草原上宣恩堂

信息：黄开和教区长

（六）小组合唱：十字架的爱新福源堂

（七）唱游：满有能力平安堂

（八）相声：如此祷告怀安堂

（九）赞美操：普天下当向耶和华欢呼爱民堂

（十）短剧：再循环圣道堂

奉献：一同来作工

唱献礼颂

（十一）唱游：耶和华神已掌权新安堂

（十二）短剧：相亲锡安堂

（十三）舞蹈：爱的印记再恩堂

（十四）扇子舞：我和我的家万民堂

（十五）舞蹈：义人的福宣道堂

（十六）短剧：浪子回头天恩堂

（十七）舞蹈（山地族+ ：激起生命的浪花宣恩堂

藏族）

结束诗歌：耶和华祝福满满

祝福：黄开和教区长

平安散会

Time is truly flying! It was not too long ago that we sat down to plan and now we are ready to give countdown to "Night of Excellence".

Praise Lord that with His guidance, the going has been smooth. The organising work is almost completed and we are ready to call start!

See you at The Masland Methodist Church on Sept. 4, Saturday at 7:00pm.

The Crying Sibu

2010-08-23T01:29:00.000-07:00

Half of Sibu is in water again!

And it makes the call for an effective flood mitigation project more urgent!

Sibu needs not only listening ears, but also action politicians with commitment!

The above pictures were taken from the rooftop of Premier Hotel. Meng Lei and Liong were caught in action!

Sibu In Water-From The Rooftop of Premier Hotel

Sibu Hit By Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

2010-08-16T05:23:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago numerous Get-Rich-Quick schemes swept all over Malaysia. Sibu apparently was the hardest-hit town with countless of wealth-seekers being sweet-talked into investing in the pyramid schemes.

The hit started in 1999 and lasted for about two years. I encountered one scene when streams of keen investors queued up at five-foot-way with piles of hard cash waiting for their turns to dump in money to get the promised "easy, quick and high" returns. I was totally shocked by the euphoria of the crowd.

Quite a lot of people came up to me for advice, including some church leaders. I told them outright: Economically speaking, the schemes are not logical at all!

The pictures were taken during BCF 2010.

"Night of Excellence" Programme Is Finalised - ” 精彩之夜“ 秩序表

2010-08-12T01:42:00.000-07:00

2010年诗巫东教区成团“精彩之夜”秩序表

日期： 2010年9月4日（星期六）时间：700PM

地点：福源堂

讲员：黄开和教区长

领会：邓惟通

司琴：罗小玲

敬拜赞美：圣道堂

音响/IT ： JAMES LAU, TERRENCE TAN

安静默祷

宣召：诗篇133:1

敬拜赞美：圣道堂

祷告：张道昌

致欢迎词：许道敏主席

节目呈献

（一）合唱：最知心朋友实兰沟布道处

（二）唱游：我们爱（让世界不一样）卫斯理堂

（三）唱游：神是我们的避难所道安堂

（四）短剧：最大的事福源堂

（五）舞蹈（内蒙古族）：青青草原上宣恩堂

信息：黄开和教区长

（六）小组合唱：十字架的爱新福源堂

（七）唱游：满有能力平安堂

（八）相声：如此祷告怀安堂

（九）赞美操：普天下当向耶和华欢呼爱民堂

（十）短剧：出淤泥而不染？圣道堂

奉献：一同来作工

唱献礼颂

（十一）唱游：耶和华神已掌权新安堂

（十二）短剧：相亲锡安堂

（十三）舞蹈：爱的印记再恩堂

（十四）扇子舞：我和我的家万民堂

（十五）舞蹈：义人的福宣道堂

（十六）短剧：浪子回头天恩堂

（十七）舞蹈（山地族+ ：激起生命的浪花宣恩堂

藏族）

结束诗歌：耶和华祝福满满

祝福：黄开和教区长

平安散会

Frequently Asked Questions About Get-Rich Quick Schemes

2010-08-11T01:26:00.000-07:00

Frequently Asked Questions on "Get-Rich-Quick" Scheme

PARTS
What is a "Get-Rich-Quick" scheme?
How To Spot The Scams?
How To Protect Yourself From The Scams?
What You Should Do If You Are a Victim of the Scams

What is a "Get-Rich-Quick" scheme? A plan which offers high or unrealistic rates of return for a small investment while at the same time promising that such investment is easy and risk -free. The following "Get-Rich-Quick" schemes are prohibited under the legislation administered by Bank Negara Malaysia :
Illegal Deposit Taking Activities Illegal deposit taking is an act of receiving, taking or accepting of deposits (moneys, precious metal, precious stone, any other article etc.) from members of the public that promises a repayment with interest or returns in money or money's worth without a valid licence under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA).
Illegal Foreign Currency Dealings The following acts tantamount to illegal foreign currency dealings:
Buying or selling of foreign currency by a person who is not an authorized dealer unless such person has obtained the permission of the Controller of Foreign Exchange under the Exchange Control Act 1953 (ECA).
Buying or selling of foreign currency by a resident who is not an authorised dealer, with a person outside Malaysia except if the resident has obtained the permission of the Controller of Foreign Exchange under the ECA.
CAUTION: Internet Investment Schemes
Members of the public are cautioned to be on guard against some investment schemes promoted on the internet as these schemes are not licensed or authorized by Bank Negara Malaysia to accept deposits or deal in foreign currency. Such schemes often come in the guise of attractive investment returns or opportunities involving unrealistic rates of returns with zero to low risk.
Investors are reminded that they should only place deposits with institutions licensed or deal in foreign currency with institutions authorised by the Bank. Unlicensed operators may cease operating their business resulting in the investors with no means to recover their investments or seek redress against the persons connected with the scheme.

How To Spot The Scams?
Illegal deposit taking scam
The person (an individual, a company or an organisation) receives, takes or accepts deposits from members of the public and is not licensed under section 6(4) of the BAFIA;
The person promises to repay the deposit, with or without interest or returns, over a period of time in the form of money or money's worth, etc.; and
The person promises to repay the initial deposit upon demand or at a time or in circumstances agreed by or on behalf of the person making the payment and the person receiving it, with any consideration in money or money's worth (the repayment of initial deposit is sometimes included in the fixed interest or returns promised).
Warning Signs for Investors
• Illegal deposit taking activities have been disguised and camouflaged in various forms to deceive the public to fall victim to the investment scams, by giving valuable goods as part of the promised returns and camouflaging the deposits as loans to the company;
• Illegal deposit taking activities appear to be able to provide high or unrealistic rates of interest or return over a short period of time as compared to licensed institutions. However, these schemes will not last long;
• The survival of this scheme is dependent upon the recruitment of new depositors, i.e., new funds obtained will be used in paying dividends to the existing depositors. Therefore , the scheme will fail when there is no contribution of funds from new depositors; and
• Initially the depositors may be paid their promised returns. However, the operator would eventually abscond with the moneys collected when he feels that the scheme is about to fail, thus leaving the depositors at the losing end.
Illegal foreign currency scam
Foreign currency dealings with a person, other than an authorized dealer, who has not obtained the permission of the Controller of Foreign Exchange under the ECA, often:
Offer investors or members of the public the opportunity to deal in foreign currencies with a principal company (purported to have a valid licence to trade foreign currencies overseas);
Facilitate the trading of foreign currencies by providing access to the principal company's website and trading facilities via internet;
Recruit fresh graduates as marketing executives and allure them to get their family members to invest;
Instruct the investors to deposit the investment moneys into either the principal company's bank account or a third party bank account; and
Induce the investors to top up their investment ("margin call") or otherwise risk losing their investment.
Warning Signs For Investors
Illegal operators of foreign currency scams will try to entice potential investors with a marketing strategy which promises quick and high returns - • By projecting a professional and reputable image with smart-looking employees, a high-tech office layout and advanced IT facilities where investors are induced to operate their accounts via the internet;
• With tools of the trade, e.g., a news screen showing movements in exchange rates, to give the impression that a professional and legitimate business is being conducted; and
• A business contract is usually entered into between the investors and the company. Such contracts are usually left unsigned by the company. This means no action can be taken by the investors against the company as there is no binding written contract.

How To Protect Yourself From The Scams?
Remember the golden rule - if it sounds too good to be true, it's probably a lie;
Deal only with licensed financial institutions and authorized dealers;
Check with the relevant authority before investing;
Don't be pressured or rushed to invest;
Be extra careful with investments over the internet;
Be skeptical of any investment opportunity that is not in writing; and
In case an investment has been made, keep copies of all the investment and communications.

What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of such Scams? If you have any information pertaining to illegal deposit taking activities or illegal foreign currency dealings or are a victim of such activities or scams you can send details of such information or complaint together with the documents to Bank Negara Malaysia as follows:
Address:Unit Penyiasatan Khas Bank Negara MalaysiaJalan Dato' Onn 50480 Kuala Lumpur Fax: 03-26987467 E-mail: upkinfo@bnm.gov.my
We can also be contacted at the following telephone numbers:
Tel.: 03-2691 5090 / 2698 4163 / 2691 0824 / 2692 6482 / 2694 2143

How To Spot A Get Rich Quick Scheme （快速致富）

2010-08-10T01:55:00.000-07:00

How to Spot a Get Rich Quick Scheme

There is one simple rule to spotting get rich quick scams, no matter whether they are sales oriented, money investing, or other things. That is, the proposal seems too good to be real. Believe your instincts, because they are right.Take this case for example at CBS News:
An infomercial huckster was promising that if you sold just 20 bottles of his vitamins, they'd send you $1,000. What they didn't say, is they were actually selling you a website for your initial fee, from which you would then have to promote and sell the vitamins. And then they would charge you for various incidentals to increase your traffic, none of which are guaranteed to get results. There was no thousand dollars just for selling 20 bottles of vitamins, because few of his members sold that many.How about the ones that claim they can drive traffic to your website so you too can make $5 million dollars a month, like XYZ.com (or any website they bring out of thin air)? Often, when you see claims like that, the named site may have no idea they are being used in a scam. Or else, it belongs to the same person trying to sell you search engine rankings. Basically all you will get is your name submitted to a list of search engines, with no guarantee of traffic. And even the biggest search engines, like Google & Yahoo, already tell you search engine submission is not necessary. So prevalent is the boom in these schemes that the FTC mounted a massive, worldwide sweep of Internet sites in coordination with other countries and organizations, to identify and charge, if possible, the organizers.For some good information on current and past scams, and how to spot or deal with them, visit these sites below:http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/03/rich.htm
Even just those two examples, barely scratch the surface. Even though it's cliche, remember this:
"If It's Too Good to be True...It Is."
Recommendations for Making Money Legitimately Online
Always, remember if you want to make money online, it's going to take some hard work and dedication. If you would like to learn more about starting a legitimate online business, claim your free Make Your Site Sell Ebook and Dr. Ken Evoy will walk you through the steps to building a legitimate online business.
But What if You Need Money Now?
Many people try to find income opportunities online because they need to earn money quickly. They don't really have the time to build a business or wait for results.
Other people just don't want to start an online business and don't feel their cut out for business ownership. That is completely understandable, and there plenty of legitimate ways to earn an income from home - you just have to make your own opportunities. For help finding legitimate and good paying work online, please read the article entitled But I Need to Make Money Now: How to Work from Home.

"精彩之夜“ - Publicity On Full Swing

2010-08-03T05:21:00.000-07:00

“精彩之夜” literally means "Night of Excellence". This district fellowship night of MAF of Sibu East District is set to gather the adult fellowshippers together for an evening of joy and praise!

Part of the publicity is to print posters for putting up in the 16 churches in Sibu East District. These freshly oven-baked posters are sponsored by brother Thomas Thien. Many thanks, Thomas!

Brother Leng Kieh volunteered to get the posters printed and send them out to the 16 churches.

If you have not made up your mind yet, I challenge you to set the evening aside for "Night of Excellence".

The committee met last night to finalise the details of "精彩之夜“。

Coconut Chendol Special At Sibu Thompson Corner

2010-08-01T01:36:00.000-07:00

Feeling bored on this warm Sunday afternoon, we decided to set out to Sibu Thompson Corner to laze away the time.

Located at Jalan Pedada (opposite SMK Sacred Heart), Sibu Thompson Corner is a popular eatery serving local delights. I can't name all as the list is pretty long. But one day if you have an urge to have a bowl of mouth-watering peanut soup (花生湯） to bring you back to the old days, then this is the place for you to indulge yourself in.

We ordered for coconut chendol special which is specialty of the specialties here. I recommend it to you for sampling.

Moments of Delight At Secret Recipe

2010-07-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

Secret Recipe is one of the latest eatery additions in Sibu with specialty in fine cakes. I went with Yian this evening to the outlet to try out.

Secret Recipe is a chain store gaining popularity fast. I have been getting recommendation lately to have a try.

The setting and ambience are cosy and comfortable. It is a warmly welcome eatery for dining out or refreshing breaks.

I ordered smarties treats to sample the ice cream. Yian opted for fruity yogurt shake for a try. We placed another order for one slice of tiramisu for sharing.

The serving time was within expectation, considering the class of the outlet. The courtesy of the waitress was pleasing with some room for improvement.

We had a wonderful time chatting over the fine beverages and luscious cake. Not forgetting the three kids back at home, we ordered some take-away for them.

We recommend it to the readers. The eatery is located at Lot 71-73, Lorong Pahlawan 9, Jalan Pahlawan, Sibu.

http://www.secretrecipe.com.my/

Tea Gang & Visitors

2010-07-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

Seating (2nd & 3rd) left to right are the two Kutien guests. They speak authentic Kutien dislect.

It was our regular tea gang gathering with a surprise! Joining us were two guests of Meng Lei flying in all the way from Kutien, China. The visit was too brief for me to find out the purpose of their trip to Sibu.

Anyway, it was nice to have their presence.

Photos: Steve Ling

“Jing Cai Zhi Yea” Poster - “精彩之夜”海報

2010-07-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

This colourful poster is handy for our publicity purpose! Our thanks go to brother Tang Kie Tai of ICB for the creative design.

Share (by clicking the sharing gadget) with your friends and invite them to this fellowship night.

Also, please pray hard for this event.

MAF of Sibu East District - Jing Cai Zhi Yea 2010 (2010 年精彩之夜)

2010-07-19T17:10:00.000-07:00

We gathered last night to plan for this year's Jing Cai Zhi Yea over some chrysanthemum tea.

Jing Cai Zhi Yea is an annual fellowship gathering for the MAFs in Sibu East District. The core of the event is to give glorification to God.

1. Venue: The Masland Methodist Church, Sibu

2. Date & Time: September 4, 2010 (Saturday), 7:00 pm

3. Speaker: DS Rev. Wong Koi Foh

4. Programme: 15 plus items by the 15 MAFs in Sibu East District

Make sure you set the evening aside for the event.

Borneo Cultural Festival 2010 - Part 1

2010-07-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

Chinese Cultural Stage - It is almost the centre of attraction with non-stop shows going on to entertain the visitors.

Colouring Contest - It provides the young talents a chance to show off.

Hakka Food Stall - Never miss it if you drop by!

Kebab - This is a must for visitors.

BCF kicked off last Friday on July 16 and it is going to last for ten days to close on July 25. This cultural extravaganza is an attraction to Sibu folks for a simple reason that it provides all the local touch and feeling. I like it also.

But BCF has some more way to go before it can reach out to the outsiders, particularly the foreign tourists. Since tourism has been identified as one aspect that Sibu may go for, BCF has to work a lot harder in promoting the Little Foochow.

I popped in tonight for a tour of the venue where BCF is being held. Probably I need more than one post to blog about BCF. If you have not been here yet, don't let it slip by.

Our Visit To Rumah Suri Kenangan

2010-07-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

We posed for a group photo before the gathering kicked off. Showing off were the posters for the sharing.

The folks lent their ears to the the speaker.

The gifts of love were well received.

Matthew 25:40 : I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Yuk Ming shared in BM and Chinese.

The social concern project of MAF of Sibu East District took us this afternoon to Rumah Suri Kenangan for a visit. I sought the permission of Pengetua of the old folks' home for us to come for a gathering with the folks residing there a few days earlier.

The purpose of the visit was to share with them our love and care, and bring to them the gospel message.

The gathering started at about 2:15 pm. We led a short sing-along session. Sing Kiew came in handy with her keyboard to make the singing lively. Then Yuk Ming took over to share with the folks the message of God.

After the gathering, we went round to hand out gifts to the folks. The expressed thankfulness for the love that we shared with them.

We thanked God for blessing the visit.

MAF of Sibu East District - District Ping-Pong Competition 2010 - Part 3 (Final)

2010-07-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

The picture shows Wong Tieng Kieng of The Masland Church receiving the second runner-up prize from DS Rev. Wong.

The fouth place went to Zion Church. The team leader is seen receiving cash prize from DS Rev. Wong.

Xin Fu Yuan Church snatched the championship. It was an all-smile moment when the prize was handed over.

A rare opportunity to have a group photo with the umpire team. Without their untiring and faithful service, we would not have been able to run the competition with ease. May God bless them!

Sing Ang Tong Church ended up the runner-up.

Sing Ang Tong Church team posed for a group photo with DS Rev. Wong.

The champion team stood proud with DS Rev. Wong.

The competition went into its final rounds tonight with Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church, The Masland Methodist Church, Zion Methodist Church and Sing Ang Tong Methodist competing against each other.

The final fights were close. As such, they were somewhat nerve-racking. The cheering squads fuelled up the excitement, making the whole place a lot more lively.

The results were released to nobody's surprise. The championship went to Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church. The first runner-up was Sing Ang Tong Methodist Church. The third place was taken by The Masland Methodist Church with the fouth place going to Zion Methodist Church.

We invited DS Rev. Wong Koi Foh to give a prayer to close off the competition.

MAF of Sibu East District - District Ping-Pong Competition 2010 - Part 2

2010-07-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Rev. Paw Kiew Sieng represented Tian En Methodist Church to join in the fun!

Rev. Chieng Tai Ming struck off to call it a start!

Sia Yuk Ming led the singing at the opening.

The players lined up at the start.

This evening finally descended when we met to compete in District Ping Pong Competition 2010 at Sibu Ping Pong Stadium. As said earlier, we managed to register 10 teams to take part which was encouraging.

The venue for the event is ideal. Our heartfelt thanks go to Sibu Ping Pong Association for the use of the stadium and assistance in competition arrangement including umpire service. Let's give them a big hurray!

Rev. Chieng Tai Ming was invited open the competition. In his address, he advised the players to compete in good brotherly spirit. Rev. Chieng then moved on to have a few strokes to kick off the event.

The evening was fun-filled and we witnessed prevailing friendly atmosphere . At times when the matches escalated to their heights, lots of laughters and cheers erupted. The cheering squads made the night a lot more exciting.

The four MAFs that made way to the quarter-final are The Masland Church, Xin Fu Yuan church , Zion Church and Sing Ang Tong Church.

MAF of Sibu East District - District Ping-Pong Competition 2010 - Part 1

2010-07-10T05:03:00.001-07:00

The news release came out this morning.

MAF of Sibu East District is again organising a district ping-pong competition to be held on July 12-13. Altogether we have 10 teams confirmed to take part in this annual event.

The news of the competition came out this morning in the three local Chinese dailies.

The objectives of organising this sports event are to foster better ties among the fellowshippers and to testify the love of God.

In 2009, MAF of Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church was the champion.

The second photo shows Tang Sioh Lik of Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church receiving the prize from Rev. Wong Tuong Toh in last year's competition.

MAF of Tian En Methodist Church

2010-07-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

MAF of Sibu East District visited MAF of Tian En Methodist Church this evening. The church is located at the upper Lanang Road. Tian En Methodist Church literally means Church of Heavenly Grace. I like this name very much.

I have been to this fellowship several times. I remember way back in 2004, I was invited to the fellowship's gathering to give a talk on economic outlook. The global oil market then was about to start superbull run. At the conclusion, I told the fellowshippers to watch out for the long-term rise in international oil price. During Q & A, one of them rose to ask me," Does it help to know about this projected bullish trend?" Well asked! If this brother had taken my advice (to watch out closrely the oil price trend), he would have profited handsomely from commodity trusts and stocks!

The programme for this evening's gathering was a talk given by Rev. Paw Kiew Sieng on understanding Islam. I truly benefited from this informative talk.

After the fellowship session, we posed for a group photo before we proceeded to a tea reception.