hmmmm, Macao oh Macao..

Yesterday, in HKG, a long tiring but interesting day. Tried out the FREE ferry ticket from HKG to Macau. It works....

The Venetian, one of the biggest Casino operator here also runs a Macao-HKG Ferry Service. If you join their Rewards Club (free membership) you can than get FREE tickets on their Ferry. Normal tickets costs around HKD148 (RM60) one way. Only condition is, cannot pre book and only available two hours before the departure.

As it was a weekday, no queue and thus it is practical. I can just imagine the long, long queue at weekends....:-)

This morning, I went to open an account at the bank. However, the banks here have very strict requirements for opening bank accounts, especially when it is for Foreigners. I find this most "unfriendly" and not customer orientated seeing that Macao's economy is completely relying on foreigners.

I went to 3 banks and only one showed any sense of good customer services. Disappointing really. Of course, being me, I made noise, and only than one gets some semblance of sense and service! Gosh, Macao, oh Macao...you have a long way to go....

:-)

Malaysia on the news......

On prime time television last night, there was a mention about ANWAR's Press Conference re the sodomy case. At the weekend, there was a documentary on Lim Guan Eng and Penang. Funny thing was the programme refer to Guan Eng as the CHIEF EXECUTIVE of MALAYSIA.............hmmmmm :-)

Over here, all eyes are set on for the 8th August Olympic Opening. One just cannot escape from being reminded about it.

Yesterday, I was walking around at the newly opened FOUR SEASONS Retail Outlet. I bumped into these two Towering basketball players from the US DREAM TEAM. Gosh, they were tall - reminded me of the Twin Towers :-)

Its all these little things that make one miss home haha.

Last Sunday and again on Monday, I had my meal at a small Malaysian Kopitiam here. Not too pricey neither is it cheap. The food was nothing to shout about but the landlady's service was good - good atmosphere too!

After a few weeks of hot days, it rained heavily on Sunday but only for a short while but it came with strong wind. Yesterday, was terribly hazy and now this morning, the sky is dark; forecast of thunderstorm.

Let's see what the sky brings today....

And more from Macau...

Kind of settled down in my new place. The kitchen is up and running since the weekend. However, accessories are still incomplete, so for now can only cook for two maximum. Other stuff are due in, and until than only basic cooking. Still, feels so much better than outside food!

This week sees the opening of yet another high end retial out at the Four Seasons. We are supplying the staff for 7 outlets - the guys and gals have been having their training over the weekend and also this Monday to Wednesday pending the opening on Friday. They will be trying out their uniforms and having their haircut and grooming sessions.

I am busy making introductions to our clients and the industry. I am also keeping myself to the updated versions of the applicable law governing my industry. The laws are always being ammended! Gosh!

Back in the office, I am streamlining our documents, templates of our contracts and terms.

All in I think the week ahead would be busy and interesting.

My second week in Macau

I moved into the apartment yesterday. Gosh, it was a real summer day - lots of sunshine and sweat.

I moved in and started doing some shopping for household stuff. Still a lot more to purchase to make it a comfortable and homely place. It will come to that - but for now, just basic requirements.

This is much better than staying in the hotel; much more comfortable and relaxing. The television reception is great too, all 50 channels of it! Current favourite channel is CCTV Music Channel.

From Macau .....

I write to you from Macau.

I was greeted here with heavy rain (showers of blessings). I can be contacted in Macau on 00 - 853 - 6650 65 46.

As always I will be keeping a close watch on the Malaysian Scene and blogging on it from Macau. This would mean I am seeing things from a slightly different perspective.

Meanwhile, many Malaysians in Macau in the gaming industry. Saw quite a few of them at the Immigration Department this morning. They were there for their VISA application.

I hope to actually meet up with these Malaysians here over the next few weeks. It would be interesting to see thier viewpoints about working here in Macau and also their take on Malaysia.

Will write more soon.....

Something More To Consider

Another Lesson in Life

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a
roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the
king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the
King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of
vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the
stone to the side of the road. After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the
peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed
a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note
from the King indicating that the gold was for the
person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The
peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Good Governance and Accountability

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/6/26/central/21600719&sec=central

Make meeting’s minutes available to everyone

RECENTLY, I had the honour of attending a public hearing at the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ). The hearing was to hear the developer's proposal and the residents’ objection to the development of a nine-storey office block.

After this hearing, the objections and concerns raised would be brought to the meeting of the One Stop Centre (OSC) for a decision on the developer's proposal. In fact, what should be brought would of course be the minutes of the hearing plus the comments from the relevant officers in attendance.

I was thus surprised that when a resident asked if minutes of the hearing would be made available to the residents, the answer was in the negative.

I find this extremely strange. As this is indeed a public hearing, therefore the minutes should be made public too. This is to ensure that what is written is in fact what was discussed at the hearing. The minutes would be an important contributing factor to the decision making process of the OSC. Therefore, it is the right of the concerned residents to see the minutes of the hearing.

I am not sure if this is also in the guidelines for the local councils. If indeed it is, I strongly urge the authorities to re-look into this matter. Transparency is a very important contributing factor towards good governance and thus a civil society.

I have had the privilege of attending meetings at the same council and have seen the minutes being wrongly recorded. At a meeting where no decision was made but the subsequent minutes indicated that a decision was made.

Therefore, these minutes must be made available, at the very least to those in attendance. In this case, minutes should be given at least to a representative of the residents.