Sabah...ooo Sabah...

SABAH politics - always an interesting subject to talk about. It can be dull, it can be funny, it can be interesting, and it can be very tense.

when Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee decided to pull out of the Barisan Nasional coalition on Sept 17, 2008, all eyes were on this Sabah-based political party, everyone wants to know whether this party, which has been under the BN wing for 14 years will divert their struggle to helping the Pakatan Rakyat. They already announced their no confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ... so the only logical thing would be to join the opposition's fray. But of course, YTL has his own plan.

so on Nov 22, 2008, when he launched the SAPP Centre Putatan at Putatan Square, he announced that the party would not join the Pakatan Rakyat, but admitted to meeting Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, over breakfast.

when asked, YTL just told the media that they discussed on fuel prices, global economic turmoil, illegal immigrants and peace mission in Mindanao.

He shared DS DI's view that the Petroleum Agreement 1974 should be reviewed. "Why not, even the Federal Constitution is amended, so what's wrong with reviewing the oil royalty," he said.

YTL further commented: "Although the Chief Minister has announced that the State Government will not review the oil royalty, for us, it is not the end of the story ... we will fight to bring fairness for the people of Sabah."

The former Chief Minister also stressed that they will not join Pakatan Rakyat, simply because they do no want to refer or report to any other political parties outside Sabah, stressing that it defeats the whole purpose of having State autnomy, especially when the State is quite capable of making its own decision, managing its own financial ... after all, State autonomy is included in SAPP's eight points.

honestly, SAPP's struggle is noble. But time will tell on whether the party will remain firm with its stand. He said that com geneal elections, SAPP will be constructive and innovative with their relationshp with Pakatan Rakyat.

"Whether we are going to oppose or support the Pakatan Rakyat in the next general elections, we will be contructive and innovative with our relationship of the coalition. One thing for sure, we will not jeoparise our mision to have political autonomy for Sabah, Sabahans and other political party in the State," he explained.

for now, all we can do is to sit back and watch ... it is going to be an interesting experience ahead, I am sure of that!

growing up

MY niece, Jasmine Natasha Wong, just turned one on Oct 30. She is getting naughtier every day ... or is it smarter, whichever, she will still be our little angel. I just hope that she'll grow as a nice person, smart and witty ... inheriting all my good qualities (ahhhakksss *chuckle*).

My mom told me the other day about Jasmine, she tried poking milk in a box with a straw, and I was imagining her little fingers struggling to poke the box ... she must have learned it from her parents. Then when my brother-in-law's mom stopped her, she struggled and crawled under the bed, so the poor grandmother had to go under the bed to pull this little creature out. Bahaya ni, kici-kici sudah licik, next time jadi spy hehe

I think I had a good childhood too. I used to climb trees, reading good books up on one of the branches, and later fall asleep (I still wonder how I manage to stay steady and did not fall), cycling with friends around kampung (growing up, I don't really have many girl friends, so I guess that explains my tomboyish attitude), I have my fair share of getting my parents pissed at me, my mom used to chase me around the house, and I normally beat her by hiding under the house, she can't catch me there hehehehehe ... jahat ooo if i think now, the pain I put her through, but yeah, wouldn't you run if you see rice cooker cable in her hands, sakit bah tu kena pukul, gila, siapalah mau mengaku kena pukul, suicide bah tu...

Looking back, my childhood was different from my sisters, but my parents were good at educating us, all equal. The difference with my time was the society, it was more peaceful then, but may be because I was not polluted with all this political agenda and complicated problems, all was just fine.

During my sisters' time, I was already in my upper secondary (it's eight years gap between me and my second sister), so the age difference was huge. I was more mature, so instead of getting scoldings from two adults, my younger siblings got more scoldings and get bullied by me (I have the power to bully and scold MUAHAHAHAHAHA) ... so the upbringing is different. I love being bossy to my younger siblings, and came this term in my family: "Don't pass orders" ... because I always pass orders to my younger siblings, bah kaki bully kan hehe

The point is, living as one big happy family is great, so, treasure the relationship well, don't ever let it slip away, love each other with great joy

By the way, Happy Belated Birthday Jasmine

November wind ...

IT'S 46 days to Christmas ... i think, and already i'm excited. It'll be a great December for me this year, there'll be a wedding (my second sister, Marianne Pamela) and may be, a little newcomer (Emmy Jane's second baby) in the family.

My parents, of course, are extremely happy, it's double bonus for them, a new son-in-law and a baby ... funny how life changed in just within 11 months. I thought it would be a terrible year but everything turned out to be good, my life is so full of joy and laughter ... and I have to thank my family, and yes...friends who have always been there in my ups and downs.

However, i'm keeping my fingers crossed, I hope the sun will continue to shine on us all and guide us to better life ahead ...