KLUE Urbanscapes'08- A Showcase of Indie Bands

I went to Urbanscapes in KLPAC this afternoon. Organised by KLUE magazine. It is effectively, a showcase of local indie bands. The atmosphere was what I expect it to be: fun, exciting and carnival like. But, unexpectedly, something a mark in my heart. It is an award giving event held at the same place before urbanscapes begun. It's called the Blue Chilli Award. It's an award given to young individuals who's made tremendous contributions to their respective industries. There are directors, animation creators, producers and social activists. The winner is a Mr. Raj. His work, I feel too, is the most deserving. He's currently in Science of Life Systems; a cause dedicated to providing underpriviledged and marginalized children free boarding and education with networks in Cambodia, East Timor and Malaysia. He deserves respect from all of us for the sacrifices he made to the cause:)

Mr. Raj here with Swee Yeong. Raj's the one on the right, but it takes an idiot not to tell from the names....

Awards presentation, the finalists with the contributors and sponsors.

Tan Swee Yeong, founder of Pacmee:-@ He looks like he sure can use some sleep!

Virgin blogger's Maiden blog

I've never thought of myself as a blogger. Choon Yew the blogger? You've gotta be kidding??!! But then, however, I guess I too have lots of things to rant, complain, express that I'm not quite sure who'd like to listen. Well, I guess, that's good enough reason to start a blog.


I'm not a chronic complainer, but how I see things work in this country, there're shit loads of things to complain about!!!??? There's the price of petrol now, there's the seemingly controversial handling of some "I'd rather not mention" court cases, etc etc.... The list can go on and on and on....


And about expressing, now, I'd see myself as an expressor ( is there such a term??). I'm pretty straight about a lot of things. If I like something, I'd tell, and if I'd see something I don't like I'd sure as hell say too.





Well, it's been speculated today that many petrol pumps in my beloved Malaysia might be closed or will only accept cash in protest. This will happen for four days or maybe more. Commuters accuse the petrol dealers as heartless businessmen to maintain their profits. But that's not how I see it. I don't own a petrol station, but I know for sure that the margin (which is government controlled, btw) is very slim. So, if a motorist uses credit cards, the relevant bank will charge a 1% admin fee to the poor dealer. When the price of petrol has increased dramatically, the 1% now is RM 0.027 for petrol and RM 0.0258 for diesel. And considering their slim margin, that's a big cut from their profit (if there's any left).


And from a friend who owns a petrol station, I've been told that most of his products (petrol and diesel) are being sold at cost price, after minus operating costs, if credit cards are being used. I know motorists are already frustrated enough with the price increase, and hence this will frustrate them even further. But I'm sure these petrol station operators have family to feed and bills to pay too. I totally understand on their need to protest. I think there are other ways the government can cut down on their fund expenditure. They can pressure the banks to reduce the admin charges for processing credit card sales in petrol stations for example?? Maybe.