Shocking News on Missing MAS MH370 Aircraft

It all started on a Saturday morning, and I got to know about this news when I was traveling to work. The radio station 9.88 made an annocement of a missing MAS aircraft which supposed to land at Beijing in the morning 6.30am. However, the aircraft MH370 was reported missing at 2.30am. It has been more that 35 hours now and nothing yet to be found and confirmed by the authorities on the whereabouts of the aircraft.

With the advancement of modern technology, it is still possible that an aircraft as big as this Boeing 777 to vanished. Many speculations has been circulating around and I don't think I want to create more unnecessary confusion on this. Just hope that all the 227 passengers and 12 crew members are safe. Whatever happen, this will definitely affects all Malaysian and others who care about MH370 safety. Let us all pray for them and keep our hope alive for their returns.

Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) for Passport Renewal

We can now apply for new passport or renewal at the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Bandar Baru Sentul. This UTC open for 7 days and from 8.30AM until 10.00PM. Yes, they operate until night time. I am glad that I don't have to apply leave anymore for this purpose and don't have to queue from 6.00AM in the morning (you know what I mean if you have such experience before in the past).

After work today, I went there to renew my passport. The UTC provide free parking for the visitors.

The waiting area is spacious and air-conditioned.

I reached there at 7.05PM and got a waiting number from an Immigration officer. Waited for only about 10 minutes, another friendly officer called to process my renewal. It was so fast and simple; updating my details, scan my thumbs and pass the passport photo to the officer (less than 5 minutes), done! Then, I was told to wait for the cashier to call me for payment. After the payment, the cashier informed me to wait for collection without an hour. So, I waited and around 20 minutes later, my number was called and my new passport ready for collection! I am so impressed that the whole renewal process was completed in less than 1 hour! Well done UTC!

The location map for UTC Bandar Baru Sentul, Kuala Lumpur:

PRU13 - The Malaysian Election

When I was a kid, I always wonder why the adults like to read the newspaper and watch the news on TV. At that time, I just couldn't figure out what is so interesting in the news that make them to be so focus and not to miss the news everyday.

Even the time when I knew there is something called election, I don't really bother. I saw many banners and buntings around my neighborhood. Posters were everywhere with all sort of funny symbols. At that time, I really don't know and don't bother with all these. What I knew was, something important for the adults.

At that time, I even tried to look at the newspaper (not read) and all I saw was words, pictures, and advertisements. Nothing really interesting actually, except some nice pictures (sometime). Most of the time, I just saw some people standing at some places, pointing his/her finger on some location/item for some purpose. Then, there were always pictures of people walking while being followed by many others, shaking hands and speaking aggressively. I don't really know who they were, what they were doing, and what was the purpose.

After so many years, I find myself doing exactly what I saw the adults were doing back then. I read the newspaper everyday, not just to look at the pictures, comics or sports; but on our country news, business section and foreign news. I will turn on the TV at certain time, not for the dramas but prime time news.

I don't even know since when I have become like one of those adults I used to observe but I know that this is part of our life. At one point of time, we will be awaken to acknowledge our rights as a Malaysian, our rights to know about anything in our country, the need to understand our country economy, and the freedom we have to decide on our future. This is because we are MALAYSIAN.

Now I realize that why adults likes to read about the news. It is because we all care about our surroundings and our future. It is because we want to know what is happening around us so that we can make a better decision for the improvement of our future. Hence, the adults in the past solely rely on newspaper and TV/radio for any news. If our parents can make a good decision for us in the past based on limited channel of information, I belief we can now make a better decision than before with all the advancement of information communication technology.

I have never felt the excitement and the urgency of election before. Looks like the advancement of media has changed the way we live and act. This PRU13 is going to be an awesome experience to many of us as a Malaysian.

I bet the kids out there would be thinking what is going on now and why the adults are so excited, just like how we all used to be. So, let us make the right decision and leave a legacy to them so that when they grow up, the will know why the adults now are so excited.

Happy Voting on 5th May 2013, for Democracy and Peace!