AirAsia’s female cabin crew uniform is under fire during the UMNO General Assembly. A Wanita UMNO delegate had strong words against the AirAsia uniform for female cabin crew, deeming it an ‘embarrassment’ to women. [Malaysiakini]

“The uniform is too revealing. We don’t want to look at their thigh and knee,” said Zaleha Hussin, an elderly woman delegate from the northeastern state of Kelantan.

“Malaysia is an Islamic nation and we are ashamed of the AirAsia uniform,” she told the meeting.

Male delegates also supported the change of dress code. “It should be implemented by explaining that we are a Muslim country,” said Azman Ruslan, a lawyer. [Reuters]

I think AirAsia’s female cabin crew looks great in their uniforms. If they feel comfortable working in it, and not embarrassed of revealing their knee… why should we feel embarrassed or ashamed about their outfit?

I have been on flight in a few occasions (twice with Air Asia); most of the time I would be sleeping, reading or watching movies (if available), just like what most others would do… only perverts and idiots would keep staring at the cabin crew.

Employers wishing to recruit foreign workers must now advertise the job vacancies in their companies with the Electronic Labour Exchange for two weeks before their requests can be considered.

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the employers must show proof that they had advertised with the labour exchange set up by Human Resource Ministry…

“If proven that there has been no response from locals within that period, then the employers can apply to employ foreign workers and their applications will be considered by a committee.” [Bernama]

I have written in an earlier post regarding this matter, that Malaysian companies have not taken enough initiative for the past decade to hire locals to fill their vacancies, but went straight for foreign labour instead because they are cheap, and easy to find.

I am not sure what is the Electronic Labour Exchange, how it works or how effective it is… the move is however welcome nonetheless; at least it shows that the government is giving some thoughts to control the influx of foreign workers and opening more job opportunities for locals instead.

Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi opened the UMNO General Assembly on Wednesday (Nov 7) at the Putra World Trade Centre. The following is the full text of his opening address [TheStar]…

STRENGTHENING CONFIDENCE – VENTURING INTO A NEW ERA

Alhamdulillah, with God’s will, we are convene for the 58th UMNO General Assembly.

2. Our assembly this year takes place in the glow of the 50th Merdeka celebrations. This is also our first assembly for the next 50 years. Beginning the first national elections, UMNO, as part of the Alliance and subsequently Barisan Nasional, has formed the national government based on the principle of power sharing. It also spearheaded the drive towards independence.

3. The Malayan Government, considered to be lacking in experience, faced myriad challenges. Twelve years after independence, the nation was riven by racial riots that threatened its survival. Thanks to mutual understanding and a strong spirit of cooperation, we overcame this test. That dark time in our history became a valuable lesson that taught us the need to strengthen our unity.

4. In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Government introduced three major measures. First, the Rukun Negara was introduced as a national ideology to ensure national unity and safeguard the integrity of the nation. Second, the New Economic Policy was designed to develop our economy based on fair and equitable growth. Finally, the Barisan Nasional was introduced as an effective and inclusive political vehicle. The implementation of these three measures has brought success, guaranteed our survival and brought us the prosperity that we enjoy to this day.
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Nope, it’s not the multimillion Saladin animation… it’s the “Football Kids” (Bola Kampung) that made it into Disney Channel instead.

Bola Kampung the Football Kids
Screenshot from Animasia Studio

Honestly I have never heard of this company or anime prior to this news…

Animasia Studio’s 26-episode FOOTBALL KIDS, the first Malaysian animated series to crack the international broadcast network, will begin airing in 16 countries on the Disney Channel in November 2007.

Football Kids tells the story of a group of children with a passion for football and dreams of being on the winning team of their school and their district. Along the way, they discover that football also teaches them about teamwork, friendship and sportsmanship. Set in the environment of a small village, the multiracial character-driven animation targets all age levels. [AWN]

Congratulations to Animasia Studio… and I like the fact that it’s a Malaysian themed story that is chosen.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia can now fly the lucrative Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route after both countries agreed to liberalise their air services agreement.

This route is now dominated by Malaysia Airlines and Singapore International Airlines. Singapore’s low-cost carrier Tiger Airways would also reportedly be able to fly the route. [Bernama]

Good news for me at least… I could visit my relatives more often if the ticket price is significantly reduced. MAS, SIA and some bus operators might not be too happy though.

Ministry of Human Resources will set a new rule to prohibit the requirement for Mandarin speakers in job vacancies in order to increase employment opportunities for Malays and Indians, said deputy minister Abdul Rahman Bakar. [Utusan]

Honestly, how often do we see jobs requirement that requires Mandarin speaking ability? You are not likely to find more than 10% of the job vacancies on Star or NST that has the requirement… so what is the big fuss about?

Besides, the Malay papers and the minister should think it in broader way… why do people want to hire Mandarin speakers? Most of the time it’s about profit, profit and profit!!!

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It’s reported from Malaysiakini that Ministry of Tourism has spent RM5.7 million to purchase tickets from MST Ad Suria, the private company that runs Eye on Malaysia, the 60-metre high ferries wheel located along the lake in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.

Government has put high hope for the 30-million project, but it is apparent that the landmark is not as popular as they wished. The operation of the Eye was awarded to a private company MST Ad Suria, which is probably losing big bucks at the moment… but no worries; the government is spending millions of Ringgits to rescue them.

It’s good to do business in Malaysia… you get to know somebody from the government, you will get a project that will make big money… and if the project fails… you will still get the money because government will pay you regardless. You sure win, IF you know the right person and right channel.

We are in Malaysia, you can rest assured that no action will be taken to investigate the ministry and the company involved, and even if there is any investigation… our government will probably order to close the case when the investigation is still in premature stage like what we did in a number of corruption allegations.

The main media will not (dare to) report or follow up on the case as usual… and it will become another tiny dust under the carpet. Welcome to Malaysia.

Conglomerate Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMS) and global Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto Tuesday (August 7) signed an agreement for the proposed development of an aluminium smelter in Sarawak. [Bernama]

Malaysia doesn’t have rich resource of bauxite (raw mineral for aluminium), we don’t have a large market for aluminium, and our labor cost is no longer the cheapest these days… the only reason for Rio Tinto to invest in Sarawak is because of its demand for high power supply, which the controversial Bakun Dam will be able to provide.

This raise my questions… why do we build the Bakun Dam at the first place? Isn’t Bakun built to supply sufficient energy for Malaysia for the next few decades?

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