
The Last House on the Left

Yasmin Ahmad: Rest in Peace
Yasmin Ahmad in ICU
2009/07/23
Dennis Chua & Faridul Anwar, NST Entertainment Desk
PETALING JAYA: Multi award-winning director Yasmin Ahmad’s Facebook wall is pouring with well wishes from fans and friends from different ethnic backgrounds since news about her hospitalisation broke out at 3.30pm today.
“Get well soon, because there are not enough people who see life the way you do,” writes Marcus, while another post by Ken says: “Dear Lord, watch over this beautiful soul and bring her back to us in full health... she has helped so many.”
At 5pm today, Yasmin underwent a neurosurgical procedure at Damansara Specialist Hospital after suffering a stroke at Sri Pentas TV3 here. The operation was completed at 7.30pm and she was reported to be in a stable but critical condition.
The 51-year old film and TV commercial director, who is Leo Burnett Kuala Lumpur’s executive creative director, is currently recuperating at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
“According to the surgeon, she’s still unconscious. So let her rest,” Leo Burnett’s managing director Tan Tien Eng told the media at the hospital, adding that Yasmin, to his knowledge, had no prior history of heart problems.
Also at the hospital were Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba, Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, Jaclyn Victor, Fatimah Abu Bakar, Adibah Noor, film-makers James Lee, Pete Teo, Liew Seng Tat and Leo Burnett’s creative director Tan Yew Leong.
Yasmin, whose recent film Talentime met audiences earlier this year, was attending a meeting at 3pm with representatives from Media Prima as well as Siti and Khalid for an undisclosed project.
She suddenly complained of feeling unwell and collapsed during the meeting. Efforts were made by those at the meeting to resuscitate her but she did not gain consciousness. She was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Siti, a former ambassador for Malaysian Red Crescent Society, also lent a hand when it happened together with a panel doctor for TV3.
“Yasmin didn’t show signs of being unwell. Only when she put her hands on her face and slumped on the meeting table that we knew something was wrong,” she later told the media at the waiting room.
According to Fatimah, Yasmin’s parents Inom Yon (better known as Mak Inom), 74; and Ahmad Hashim, 75, (Pak Atan). are scheduled to fly from Langkawi to Kuala Lumpur tonight. Yasmin’s maiden effort Rabun was inspired by the lives and love of Mak Inom and Pak Atan.
Yasmin, who is known for her 1Malaysia theme in her TV commercials, made her big screen debut with Sepet in 2004 after the critically-acclaimed TV movie Rabun. Sepet introduced viewers to a genre that combines humour, heart and love that transcends cultural barriers.
Her follow-up films put Malaysian film industry in the global arena when she was bagged awards at many renowned international film festivals from Hong Kong and Hawaii to Cannes and San Francisco. Among her works include Gubra (2006), Mukhsin (2007), Muallaf (2008) and Talentime (2009).
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
It ends just like that... makes me wondering what happen to Harry Potter with the half blood prince then, since that Harry Potter already know who is the half blood prince... This time Harry Potter was a bit sucks... It ends when they already introduced the half blood prince and Dumbledore was dead... and it just ends... without telling us what's next happen to both of them... and mostly Hogwarts....
you may read the summary here....
"In the sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, and in both wizard and muggle worlds Lord Volemort and his henchmen are increasingly active. With vacancies to fill at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledor persuades Horace Slughorn, back from retirement to become the potions teacher, while Professor Snape receives long awaited news. Harry Potter, together with Dumbledore, must face treacherous tasks to defeat his evil nemesis."
Dazkarieh Group
I am so regret I did not buy their stuff during the RWMF... and now, I am totally looking for it... and want it so much... for your info, I keep on opening their site just to hear their songs... and even until now...
I'm not sure though why do I attracted to band I rarely understand their songs... But I know, I love their music... good for ears... and it kinds of helping you for mood swings.... Portugal group all the way came down for the RWMF ... so, anyone... help me... I am addicted to their songs... help me where can I get their CD... or if download, where to download it.... :)
Rainforest World Music Festival 2009
Remember the last and last few posts I made about Rainforest World Music Festival? Yeah, I went!!!! and it was fun, and I wish it will never ends....kekekeke
I went for the Rainforest World Music Festival last Saturday... my driver, Cyril and another passenger was, Mike Cheng.... Mike drove all the way from his place, and parked his car at Cyril's place... Fahriee droves all the way to Santubong Resort as he could not make it to be with us in one car.... It was really early you know? We reached there was about 11 in the morning, but yala... Sarawak Cultural Village was already with lots of people.... went through the "spot-check"... saw small thermal scanner... and metal detecter whom accroding to Mike, it detected nothing... and wondering about what actually the detecter detects??? rofl...
We got our SECOND CLASS parking... why do I called it a SECOND CLASS parking? Because, the first class parking is the one in the SCV compund.... and we parked the car at the OUTSIDE of the SCV compound... So Mike... can you agree with this? Never mind la... better than those whom parked at the third class parking (at the Santubong Resort)...rofl
Because of the early-ness coming, Cyril, Mike and me went surveying all corners of SCV.... we went to few crafts bazaar, and even stopped by at few houses.... Melanaus, Malays and Chinese house.... kekeke It was a long time ago my last visited to SCV... two years ago perhaps... I used to be in SCV every year, and always went here... my aunties and uncles are working there... and my father is the one whom judges if any events related to dance competition.... kekekeke So I could say few things I really like during my visiting times at SCV... first is, the bamboo trails.... and even the ladder made at each of the houses.... I like it so much... those whom followed me must be very sick of my attitude... every time I saw this trails, I will surely walking on it no matter how good is another even trails....
So, at 1 pm.... we were already at the SCV waiting for other bloggers to come.... and when we thought all arrived, we started it all.... Ice-breaking sessions when I was "played" by Mike.... I was the youngest among all, and I could say, I was the shiest too... so, when it comes to Ice-breaking sessions, I skipped my session and go on to those whom next to me... but can't really skipped it as I was the second last to intro myself... kekekekeke
When all done with introducing themselves, games started to take place... we have readied three prizes anyway, but it turned out to be 5 prizes.... kekekeke The first winner was Fahriee, then Mike... followed by Alus, Chegu Carol and the last was Faezal... :) it was fun though I wins nothing... I was the organizer too ( according to Cyril) so I can't joint in... what a chance!!!! :) Congrats to all of them.... so, hows the prizes winners???? rofl
Done with that, and group photos, we went to the workshop placed at the Iban longhouse.... even though it was just a workshop, but it impressed me so much... even though I couldn't see what's in front, but at least, I managed to feel the musics played... :) And this kind of workshop were actually gives us loads of information regarding the instruments played by them... :) saw Kenny Sia during this workshop though... lol not only that, I have made one fake tattoo using airbrush for myself during the bazaar... :)
Night came, and I guess we were blessed enough for this day... Got parking at the second class position, and when it comes to night... The weather was just nice as hoped... It has no signs to rain... and it has not rain at all.... even until at the end of the event... you see, we were blessed!!! Difference with those whom came on the first day... They complaints about the heavy rains during the night.... kekekekeke
Before the event started, Cyril and me managed to change our clothes and have some bathes.... and during that time, Mike and Fahriee was asked to reserve a place for us to camp around the main stage area... and yeah, they did it the best... Our place was so strategic.. In front of the VIP stage... and it was quite high and we could see every inches of the places.... I even saw few men walking with dogs... and from what I read, the dogs was to scout any people whom came by using the "wrong entrance" with no tickets... and even to scout those whom bring the drugs and what so ever....
so, when we had our "camp-placed", Amilia and Christian joined us with Mike then officially opened his second can of beer... While we were all trying to really sit in Mike's thin mat.... Thank God Cyril bought new mat, thicker than Mike's...lol
The first performer was, Asika... Not that bad, and I enjoyed the music too... but all those while they were performing, I kept on thinking about AkashA... and wish they were the one whom perform the whole night.... I just admired AkashA so much.... but it lasted not that long.... It was a superb time, when the third last group started to perform.. until the end of the event, it was awesome performances from Moana and the Tribe (New Zealand), Jeff and Vida (USA) and Dazkarieh( Portugal)... It was awesome!!!! I danced and danced... forgotten about the outside world.... and I enjoyed myself so much during the whole performances.... Though they were loads of people drunk-ing around me, but who cares... As long as they didn't disturb you... but I just hate it sometimes, when the local got drunk, and they just hit you at the body and did not even say a sorry... respect to all foreigners... I mean the "mat salleh"... I got hit by them few times, and they did it the "sorry signals" few times for me... not like the local people... rude!!! but never mind... I just enjoy and feel the music... it was fun!!! and I think, nothing can express this kind of feeling... AWESOME!!!!
Oh yeah, throughout this event, I could see all the slackness that I think STB or SCV change it be better in future... As in the toilet... I remember, during the Morocco performers, Oudaden... I went to the toilet, and you know what.. I have to queue in order to get to the toilet... not only you have to queue, when you've already in the toilet, there was no water at all... and according to older in-charge for the toilet, there were no water to provide the toilet... and when the water in the pail finished, just no ones could wash their " things"... So for someone like me... I really wish they could make a change for this... at least, make the toilet bigger and make sure there is water for the people to use.... :)
After all, I couldn't say much.... but honestly, It was superb... even though some might say that this year was not that happening compared to last year... I went this for the first time, and I can't compared the last few years events... but I think, this was just nice... I enjoyed it so much... and wished it wouldn't end that early... I really-really enjoyed the rain-fest atmosphere... Being in the crowds, it was just fun.... even though with the H1N1 things, it just could not stop us from being wild for the night!!!! lol
Perhaps, Cyril will organize bloggers@rwmf again next year... and I hope, I could come for another RWMF next year... it's once a year... and I am addicted to it already... really wish and hope I could make it again next time... in the future... and next year..... :)
Saga SE & Exora MT
SEGAMAT, JOHOR, TUES:
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today unveiled Proton Holdings Berhad's Saga Special Edition (Saga SE) and the Exora 1.6 Manual Transmission (MT) cars.
Najib also unveiled the Satria Neo Super 2000 Rally Car developed by the United Kingdom-based motorsport preparation company, Mellors Elliot Motorsport (MEM).
"The move to unveil the cars here is in line with the Prime Minister''s One Malaysia call for equality amongst all Malaysians," said Proton chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.
He said it also coincided with Proton's aspiration as a national car maker to be close to the people regardless of race, religion, economic standing and status.
It is handsomely dressed up with stylish black finishing roof top and front grille, new front and side skirting,rear lip spoilers, rear skirting with black diffuser as well as a new alloy rim design.
The Saga SE boasts of a new interior finishing complete with leather seats and door trims with matching leather-wrapped steering wheel, pearl white meter panel finishing, dark chrome air-con vents and is fitted with a CD player with MP3 capability.
It is estimated to be sold at RM43,000 for the manual transmission and RM45,000 for the automatic version.
The Exora on the other hand is the much awaited manual transmission version of the country's first homegrown MPV and will be priced at RM64,998 (metalic) and at RM 64,548 (solid) with insurance coverage.
The cars will be available for sale at all Proton Edar and EON showrooms on August 15.
The Satria Neo Super 2000 was launched at the Proton Cars UK headquarters in Bristol, London July last year.
The small and agile car, constructed to conform to the latest International Automobile Federation(FIA) homologation, has raised the performance bar for the rapidly expanding FIA Super 2000 series.
The construction of the car was the result of an agreement signed between Proton and MEM to collaborate in the development and production of a World Super 2000 Rally Car to meet all technical specifications set by the FIA.
Today's event was Proton's second outreach programme after the inaugural "Karnival Proton Bersama Rakyat" in Jeli, Kelantan last month.
Proton included an interactive display by its Research and Development division to give exposure to the settlers and also brought along its Human Resource division to provide more information on various job opportunities and career prospects in Proton.
Indonesia continues sending Maid to Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia will resume sending its citizens to work as maids in Malaysia next month.
Indonesian Manpower and Trans-migration Minister Erman Suparno said the resumption would, however, be subject to the settlement of specific issues.
During his meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam yesterday, he raised the following issues:
> Allowing maids to hold their passports instead of the employers doing so;
> Giving maids a weekly day off;
> Requiring employers to bank in monthly pay;
> Giving adequate protection to maids from abusive employers; and
> Curbing maids from being brought into Malaysia illegally.
He said discussions would start on July 15.
“We hope to reach a consensus within two weeks. We hope that the discussions will solve the problem so we can resume sending maids,” he told a press conference at the Indonesian embassy.
Erman said the Indonesians would also discuss minimum wages during the discussions.
“Being trained or untrained is irrelevant. The question is what are the qualifications required by employers for a domestic servant?
“The wages should be standard. There should not be discrimination. All nationalities should earn the same.”
Erman said the two countries would also review the memorandum of understanding on labour, which was signed in May 2006.
“We need to review it because both countries have since passed laws which are not consistent with it.
“On the Indonesian side we have a new human trafficking law which came into force in 2007,” he said.
On his meeting, Erman said he was now “happy and confident”, adding that Dr Subramaniam was responsive to suggestions to improve the situation.
Bloggers@RWMF
Yeah, I will be attending this event... With few other bloggers.... Those whom want to join, you still have the time and opportunity to join... Visit Cyril's blog and nego a bit with him... This will surely fun, especially when there will loads and thousands of fun to be there... Not only that, you will the chance to get your blog being knwon by other bloggers when meeting them up at this event later.... As you can see the poster below, I am sure you will get atrracted to this event... come on..Hurry up and join the fun!!!!
By the way, you may come to the RWMF preview this 8th July at Kuching Amphitheater.... Even though you're not going for the real event...The entrance fee is free... We're invited by the Sarawak Tourism Board to come.... and will be meeting up with the RWMF management too.... Will be enjoying the preview show for this event there.... Hope to you all soon... And hope to see you guys again later at the Sarawak Cultural Village for Rainforest World Music Festival.... :)
Taman Sinar Harapan is not the ray of hope needed by THEM
Taken from The Star Online... and I guess, they should not do this kind of thing... Pity to all of them... even though they're disabled, but we should not treat them like this... If they can't use the clothes just because they will use it to kill themselves, try other else way... so that they will be given clothes to wear, and not being left naked.... and hires more workers to care them... so that, they will be watch 24 hours of their doings... and I think, not even one of them had the chance to kill themselves where there are loads of people watching their doings.... :)
KUALA KUBU BARU: We were hit by the stench of faeces and urine the minute we walked into the men’s block at Taman Sinar Harapan located in a secluded area of the town here.
Mr A, a volunteer from a non-governmental organisation who goes to the home every Sunday to clean and feed the residents, opened the locked door at the back of the block and we were stunned by what greeted us.
About 30 stark naked men were inside the room, either lying down or sitting on the wet marble floor. In one part of the room, we saw a pool of blood, still fresh and red, on the floor.
Half of the men were locked behind bars like animals in a zoo while the others were able to move about in the front portion of the room. Those in the “jail cells” were segregated so that they would not harm their non-violent roommates.
“Those who are accidentally placed inside the cells with the more aggressive residents would be beaten or abused,” the volunteer revealed.
Most of them looked no older than 50 but they were just skin and bones and some looked extremely frail. One resident was lying on his stomach on a wooden bench and had passed motion; we almost gagged at its stench.
Fans were installed inside the room for better ventilation but that was the only luxury the men had. There were no beds, no toilets and not even blankets to keep them warm on cold rainy nights.
Those who were not in the “jail cells” were given beds but without any mattresses or pillows. They were, however, chained to the bed frame with metal chains and a steel lock.
We were told by a volunteer that they were restricted to prevent them from hurting themselves. The volunteer also shared that the men were not given any clothing as they had used their shirts to strangle themselves or the other men in the past.
After a briefing by Mr A, we got down to work. We were put in charge of spreading mats and towels on the floor.
The volunteers were all given different tasks. A group of about six or seven men were in charge of bathing the locked-up residents, the women were in charge of preparing the food and feeding the residents while the rest (there were two children in the volunteer group) were in charge of cleaning up the place and washing their clothes.
The residents were hosed down with water and soap by volunteers dressed in construction boots and a water proof apron.
After that, the male volunteers carried the naked men to the front part of the building for us to towel dry them.
After sensing our discomfort, a female volunteer nearby said: “It’s okay, they’re just like babies, you know, they don’t know anything.”
We proceeded to wipe them dry one by one before we were told to feed them with the yong tau foo bought by one of the volunteers.
The food was mashed to bits and mixed with soup to minimise the need to chew and to make feeding an easier task. so that the residents only needed to swallow them.
As we fed them, some ate obediently while others were greedy and stuffed their hands inside the bowls to take out larger portions of the food.
Some volunteers reprimanded the greedy ones who crawled towards the table to help themselves to more food. We noticed that some of the mentally disabled residents liked to hit themselves repeatedly. When we tried to stop them, they would fight back or just hit their body against the floor.
Mid-way through feeding, some volunteers suddenly rushed over to a young resident whose head was bleeding profusely. We were told that the boy had slipped and fell.
The volunteers immediately dressed him up, put him on a wheelchair and sent him to a hospital nearby.
After mopping the floor, we took a break and noticed that the residents were taken back into their cells to be locked up again.
It was nearly 4pm when everything was done. The residents were all bathed, fed and the place was clean enough.
We asked the volunteers what would happen to the residents on weekdays when the group was not there to offer their help.
The naked truth: Some of the inmates who were caged up in the home. “The caretakers don’t do much. There are only two of them while there are 50 residents. If it’s time to feed them, they would just walk one round with a bowl and feed whoever wants to eat. Those who don’t are left alone,” answered a volunteer.
She divulged that another charitable organisation had brought food for the residents but it was thrown away. “When the group asked why they did such a thing, the caretakers said that the residents would create a bigger mess if there was more food because they would defecate more often,” she said.
After the voluntary group had left, we stayed back to check out the other blocks.
The women’s wing looked cleaner and did not smell as bad but a handful of the women were seen walking about in the nude.
The two caretakers stationed at the block were seen watching TV and chatting.
We noticed that the women’s clothes were laid out to dry on a dirty floor caked with fungus. We walked over to the children’s block which seemed to be the best kept part of the home. It was decorated and there were proper beds. But the children were curiously quiet.
A volunteer claimed that the children were fed with cough syrup so that they would be sleepy and docile.
Ice Aged 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

The Next Synergy Party @ 4th July
Take heed, Kuching clubbers! The next big event is just three weeks away!
04Jul09′: The Next Synergy Party is another event brought to you by Breeze Magazine and Merkworld, in cooperation with Silhouette Restaurant and Bar. If you’re wondering what this event is all about, let me break it down for you through a simple Q&A session.

What is 04Jul09′?
04Jul09′ is an event where we will bring in three of the most prominent DJs from Sarawak, Sabah and also Brunei. Doesn’t sound so special now, does it? But wait. These DJs will be spinning along with four separate musical instruments. Four classical musicians will be on percussions, the violin, the saxophone and the guitar, while the three DJs - DJ Kitz from Sarawak, DJ Fine China from Sabah and DJ Leiley from Brunei - would rock the crowd with crazy basslines - from RnB to House to even some Electro, you name it, we got it. Well, maybe except for hardcore fengtau because that shit is just annoying as fuck. To sum things up, it is similar to the Breeze SYNERGY event held last month in KK.
When is it?
On the 4th of July. The event will start off at 9pm till late.
Sweet. How can I get the tickets?
The tickets are available at Silhouette Restaurant and Bar, tHe Spring. For early birds, the ticket will be available at RM35. After 28th June, the tickets will cost RM45 and on the day itself, it would cost RM50. Tickets are of course inclusive of ONE free drink. It might seem a bit costly, but trust me it is worth it.
Where would this event be held?
tHe Spring’s alfresco area.
Anything else I should know?
Yep. There is also a promotion. For every 10 tickets that you buy, you will get one ticket free. So spread the word and get all of your friends together! UPDATE: Also, at RM600, you will receive twin bottles of 12yr. Glenfiddich, 5 tickets and a reserved table. Different promotions for different needs, so get it while there are still tickets. Only 24 sets of Glenfiddich are available, so act fast!

I have also been given this: a shirt design. So far, there’s no news whether its for sale or for promotional purposes, or whether its a door gift of some sort, but I will update this section once I have received confirmation from Ron, so come back to the blog from time to time to keep yourself updated on the latest news. UPDATE: T-shirts are selling for RM28. Only on sale during the event, so get it if you want it.
OR
You may check out the event page here to save yourself from all the trouble of coming here every now and then.
Grab your tickets now, people, before it’s too late! It’s time to party!
I am not going for this party... So, you would not see me there... But have fun 7 enjoy yourself!!!! :)
Public, Private Funeral set for Jacko
Private and public funerals have been set for the late Michael Jackson, according to CNN.
His body will return to his Neverland Ranch for a public viewing on Friday, CNN reports. (Jackson's brothers Jackie, Jermaine and Tito visited the grounds over the weekend and a delivery truck was spotted there Tuesday dropping off boxes.)
A private memorial service is slated for Sunday, according to CNN.
See how Michael Jackson's appearance has changed through the years
There is still no word on where Jackson will be buried, but his hometown of Gary, Ind., is hoping the family to send him there.
"I believe that his body will lie in state in Gary, Ind.," Gary Mayor Rudy Clay told Chicago radio station WGN Tuesday. "Now, it may not happen, but I believe it will."
Look back at Michael Jackson's life
At the very least, Clay said he hopes Jackson's body will be taken to Gary for a July 10 memorial service at U.S. Steel Works ballpark.
The memorial would be "fit for the prince of peace and a memorial that's fit for Gary, Indiana's favorite son, the greatest entertainer that ever lived."
Revisit Michael Jacksons most unforgettable moments
Gary officials may even propose that that the singer be buried near a proposed Jackson family museum and a performing arts center, Clay's spokeswoman Lalosa Burns said.
"The mayor had spoken with a contact of the Jackson family and expressed our interest in having that to be a part of the history of this great family," Burns said. "We have not received confirmation on that."
See photos of Michael Jackson and his kids through the years
On Tuesday, fans gathered for a public tribute to Jackson at Harlem's Apollo Theater, where the singer performed as a child.
Jackson died at age 50 June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest.
More news from Usmagazine.com





