Nut dropped near spine has patient very worried..

Nuts! When I read this news report, Nut dropped near spine has patient very worried.. I didn't know whether to feel very relieved, or, very worried. Relieved that we poor citizens are protected from the wrongdoings and negligence of rich and influential members of the medical profession. But worried tool because it looks to me that unless we appeal the the MCA Complaints Department, and the influential Datuk Michael Chong, we may not be able to seek adequate recourse. If such a case had happened in the USA, UK or even in HK or Singapore, the doctor would have been sued till "his pants are down". Why, in Malaysia, we have to seek the MCA Complaints Department for help? Are Malaysian patients being trampled over by those whom they seek for help in their hours of need? Coming back to this case, I can't imagine anyone telling anyone else that a foreign object accidentally left in the body during an operations, can be safe, and knowing that it has been left there, NOT taken the effort to take it out at that time... This is really a nut case (sorry for the pun). It's time we discuss openly our rights in such cases of Medical negligence

Furore over missing jet engines to be "explained"

The 2 pieces of news that appeared in The Star today sadly illustrates the sorry state of affairs in our country, in terms of integrity in the Government, and the courage to face up to the truth. Whereas Thailand, in spite of being mired in serious political instability and a dangerous situation in the South has chosen to be upfront and honest when confronted with corruption in its Govt Thai Health Minister quits in graft scandal (also in the Star 30/12) I quote " Thailand's Public Health Minister resigned on Tuesday after being implicated in a corruption scandal over a health care scheme .... Witthaya stepped down after an investigation found he was negligent in his handling of a three-year, 86 billion baht ($2.57 billion) procurement project. ....The panel recommended that Witthaya and his deputy, Manit Nopamornbodi, be disciplined for backing ministry plans to build facilities and buy medical equipment deemed unnecessary and grossly overpriced by local health officials....... "

In our local front, in the comments made by our politicians in the wake of the "missing Jet Engines" Furore over missing jet engines to be "explained" the relevant Minister just said.. " We will reply to criticisms from the opposition who had used the missing jet engines and other issues to confuse the people...." His comments have left a dirty taste in the mouth. I would like to ask the Govt., if the missing engines were a result of 'opposition manipulation', what about the Report of the Auditor General? Why do we get the feeling that the latest Report has been filed and has started to collect dust? I am not even going to waste anybody's time to repeat concerns about the PKFZ and the Teoh BH /MACC inquest, among the many unresolved corruption cases that have come to light in the past year or two. Suffice to say is this... Is the Government and the Prime Minister prepared to walk the talk in 2010, stifle political shenanigans in the dealing with dishonesty among the conniving politicians and make 1Malaysia more than just an empty slogan , which is what it is now :-(

Happy New Year and don't 'screw' up our lovely country

vacation in China.. be careful with what you buy!

This is a true story. I met my friend VC last week; we were going to the wedding of a friend's son, having not seen him for almost 2 years after our vacation to Philippines together. I was shocked at his condition! He was pale and weak and had lost some weight, more than 5 kilos. When we expressed our concern, he showed us his legs, which were still reddish as if covered with angry rash, and told us that he is almost fully recovered. He had suffered from Hyper sensitivity Vasculitis..for more than 3 months, and had spent 10 days in HUK (Hospital UK in Cheras), What brought on this disease, we asked. He had gone for a tour of Beijing, China with his wife, and in one of those 'mandatory' visits to a pharmaceutical company in Beijing, he was "diagnosed" by a very slick 'doctor' who had correctly guessed that he has been having cholesterol and blood pressure problems since he was in his 30's (he is 60 now) and warned him not to take 'too much' medication. The 'doctor' suggested some health supplements which he eagerly bought, together with his wife, who was also told they were great for Arthritis too.. Cost RM10K. One week after taking those health supplements, the symptoms started.. When the inflammation on his legs did not subside, and he almost could not walk because of the pain and the inflammation, he admitted himself to HUK, and that was when he discovered that the "health supplements" almost cost him his life.. The toxic stuff are filling up a landfill now..

Please be forewarned and trust your own doctors, even though sometimes they behave like vultures

VULTURE BRAINS AND LOTTO

Toto Players, read this, also in TheStar today ------> VULTURE BRAINS AND LOTTO

Quote: " Everybody asks for the brain. You see things that people can't see. For lotto, you dream the numbers,........... He prescribes mainly vulture heads, which he says bring visions of the future, endowing users with the bird's excellent vision that helps them fly out of nowhere to descend on carcasses....."

Comment: In Malaysia, we don't have those vultures, but we can replace it with brains of our Members of the Parliament, or Doctors... But don't expect to see a vision of the future with politicians' brains...hahahahahahh . ROFLOL

WE DON'T NEED THE GST TO BOOST REVENUE!.. JUST corruption free EFFICIENCY

The letter by 'Tax Accountant' WE DON'T NEED THE GST TO BOOST REVENUE! is a very revealing letter, and has also demonstrated his willingness to "get to the root" of some of the more serious problems of raising revenue and improving productivity in the country. I will not repeat the details of what he has written, but the gist that can be gleaned from the letter is that,.. if the Government will just put in more effort in ensuring that the tax laws that are in existence are properly and strictly enforced, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GST!!

The first suggestion he gave, and which gave me a shock, is that the IRB has outsourced and paid billions to "private contractors" to sort and file the Return Forms received every year. Horrors! From my very superficial understanding of the Tax Form filing process, the IRB has from inception, sorted and filed the Return Forms on its own, without "outside" help. I would have thought the workload would have lessened when the IRB computerized and encouraged taxpayers to use E-filing, thus having less forms to file? Besides, when the IRB introduced "self assessment", the workload would have been further reduced? if having made its operations more efficient by reducing manual effort, why then do you need to pay "private contractors" to sort out the Return Forms? Also, will the confidentiality of our financial and personal information be compromised by this 'intrusion'?

The second suggestion given by the writer, is even more startling! He is declaring that the present Sales and Services Tax collection process is blatantly corrupt, and that has spawned very serious under collection of the SST, and which has also apparently made the Customs a "laughing stock" of the business community, and a "favoured" posting for officers who dream of living the "good life". His assertion that proper collection of the SST can increase our revenue 500 times (and thus obviate the necessity of the GST) over is something we cannot ignore, if we are really serious about tackling corruption, at the same time increasing revenue without causing hardship to the people. Perhaps the Govt should make this target a measurable KPI for the Customs, AS WELL AS for the MACC?

Members of Parliament, MISSING in Parliament?

Dear Editor,
While it is laudable that measures are taken to ensure that MPs do not miss parliament sessions, Koh proposes mass SMS to force MPs to attend parliament sessions this action has immediately begged the questions..:

• What are the duties and responsibilities of our elected representatives?
• Have they forgotten the promises they have made to the rakyat, before the votes were cast?
• Are the big salaries and bigger perks being paid to them, just for fun and frolic?
• While it is agreed that MPs too have private lives, is it not their moral responsibility to schedule their holidays and vacations, so as not to clash with parliament sessions? That must be the minimum they should do, to "pay back" to the community for the confidence shown in them through the ballot box.
  

To me, it should not be necessary for such systems to be in place to remind the MPs of their duties and obligations to the country. It should be in each of their consciences and in the oaths they have made . Have they already forgotten this already?

Will a thief "catch" himself.....?

I refer to the news MACC will help Ministry evaluate open tenders... and wish to comment on the statement by the Rural Development Ministry that it will seek the assistance of the MACC in evaluating open tenders. This is not a good move, as we all know that in order to ensure good practices, monitoring agencies like the Auditor General or the MACC, cannot be involved in the decision making process, as without the proper separation of duties and responsibilities, the regulating agency will become mired in the process and cause conflict, thereby making it biased in its subsequent actions. Moreover, if, in spite of the involvement of MACC, there is still subsequent 'aberrations' and corruption in the tender process, will the MACC be able to carry out its investigative tasks independently?

Exercise, Chest pains and Heart problems...

During our walk this morning, we talked about how some specialists seem to be specialized in grabbing our money, and serendipitously, this letter appeared in The Star, Heart conditions: GO FOR TESTS ONLY WHEN NECESSARY from which is the confirmation that most of our doctors behave more like vultures than caring professionals.. I quote... " When Malaysian cardiologists order such tests, they should do so according to internationally recognised guidelines. If they do not, one might be tempted to think that they are being over-influenced by financial considerations..." Need I say more. Relating to your temporary discomfort that commences at the start of the walk AND WHICH DISAPPEARS LATER AFTER YOU HAVE SUFFICIENTLY WARMED UP, you may want to look at this Exercise Induced Asthma.. and since the exhaustive tests by specialists have confirmed you are in optimum health for your age, there is nothing to worry about. There is also an alternative treatment for people who previously have sought to do angioplasty and the expensive stents. Have a look at this with an open mind. chelation therapy for coronary heart diseases. I have a very good friend who went for this to remove blockages in his artery and he is still fit and well after 13 years of the treatment.

Nazri calls Dr M a racist ...!

After so much demoralizing news in recent days, this comes as a shaft of blinding light... that a politician dares to face the truth,and call a spade, a spade. Maybe we the long suffering rakyat, can see some dim light at the end of the tunnel, that smart Malaysians of all races will turn away from the racist bigots. it's important that high profile politicians show Malaysia the way, as there are many other equally high profile politicians and ex politicians who cannot stop spewing hatred and bigotry even when left to pasture. May the almighty give them the strength and Will to continue the fight.

World Financial Crisis... who pays??

A very simply written column that almost everyone will understand, though a fat lot of good it will do to us.... Governments exist to "help" those who should be "shot" and even Obama's efforts now seem Machiavellian :-( ....A year in Crisis-- who pays?

Extracts:

1. The tragedy with very low yields on stocks, real estate, bonds and zero deposit rates is that the super saver has very little income to retire on.
2. For those savers whose returns are not higher than the inflation rate, they will share the burden of the inflation tax.
   
3. What is quite clear is that most of the world is going to pay for this crisis. So, please send a Christmas card to those Wall Street bankers who are enjoying record bonuses to remind them that all of us are paying for their party.

Quake prone areas: Safety issues

In view of this report Tremor hits Bukit Tinggi, again... and the fact that tremors have been occuring in this region several times within these few months, it may be prudent for all companies who have public buildings and infrastructure used by tourists and the public to make a statement that there is NO damage to structures and properties in the vicinity of Bukit Tinggi, Janda Baik and Genting highlands. We cannot deny that, with the existence of hot springs in the country for example in Setapak, Pedas, Sungkai, etc., certain areas in Malaysia maybe situated in 'weak fault' areas, which recent seismic events may have further weakened the sites. A Public assurance statement, after detailed evaluation of the properties, roads and infrastructure would demonstrate that the various parties have been proactive and have the public's safety at heart.. And don't classify the investigation under the OSA

CAN A BANK SAY "SORRY, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF CASH"?

Reading this letter about maybe one of the biggest banks in Asia, A SORRY EXCUSE FOR MAYBANK initially gave rise to a feeling of incredulity, but which was later overtaken by a deep sense of sadness! Imagine a bank of this stature giving out such an answer to a customer. If this sorry state of affairs is allowed to continue, will the bank subsequently tell its customers, "sorry, we have run out of cash"?