For The Riders Of SG Who Risk Life And Limb To Pump Petrol In JB - No More Cheap Petrol!


Lifted from Yahoo! News today.

Malaysia to ban foreigners from filling up on subsidized gasoline near borders

By JULIA ZAPPEI,Associated Press Writer AP - Tuesday, May 27

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The government will ban people in foreign-registered vehicles from buying gasoline in border areas of Malaysia, where heavy subsidies have kept petroleum costs low despite soaring prices internationally.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad said a day earlier that the ban was aimed at keeping foreigners from driving into Malaysia from Thailand and Singapore to fill up on cheap gasoline and diesel, which cost up to twice as much in the neighboring countries.

The ban was "a stern act by the government to reduce the leak in subsidy," national news agency Bernama quoted Shahrir as saying. His aide, who declined to be named citing protocol, confirmed his comments Tuesday.

The fuel subsidies, which were expected to cost the government 45 billion ringgit (US$14 billion; ?9 billion) this year, "should actually be enjoyed by the lower-income group in the country" and not foreigners, Shahrir said.

"This move is temporary until we come up with better management of our subsidy system," The Star daily quoted him as saying.

Shahrir said the ban could take effect as early as Friday at up to 300 stations within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the borders with Thailand and Singapore.

Alang Zari Ishak, president of a local petroleum dealers association, said the ban may hurt tourism and relations with Malaysia's neighbors.

"It's a very harsh decision," he said. "There are other ways to curb this subsidy money being utilized."

Enforcement officers will monitor gasoline stations and signs will inform motorists of the new rule, Shahrir said. Those found breaking the rule could be fined or face up to three years in jail, said another official in Shahrir's ministry. He declined to be named, citing protocol.

Currently, foreign registered vehicles are allowed to buy only up to 5.3 gallons (20 liters), he said.

Although oil prices have soared globally, the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has not raised retail gasoline, diesel or gas prices.

The Newest Additions


Baby Zayden





Chloe





Two new little bundles of joy for me to play with! YAY~!!

Baby Zayden is two weeks older than baby Chloe, and baby Chloe's baby shower is this Sunday, so they're both still pretty tiny and adorable.

Links to their blogs will be up as soon as I get baby Zayden's blog up and running.

And here. Muahaha. Leeling jiejie please don't kill me.



You can't blame her. It was only 3 hours after the delivery.



Zhong-sao's got the mummy glow about her. It's beautiful.

Musselicious Dinner with Mom

Better Owner, Better Dog Seminar












The efitor of Pet's Magazine, Grayson



Selina Sebastian from SPCA. She's a very sweet girl.





Dr Grace Heng



Kingsley's presentation on dog grooming from the Animal Arts Academy. Unfortunately I was so caught up with listening that I forgot to take a picture of him. He looks a little like the other Kingsley I know.







Lance from K-9 Shiloh dog training school



There were many other speakers as well, but I was kind of engrossed in taking notes so I missed taking pictures of some of them. It was a good seminar, one that all dog owners should attend.

The Day I Made Dinner


And all the mad rush after work just because Lazy jokingly said he wanted me to cook that night.



However, it was fun. I enjoy playing with food. Hiak hiak.

Baked portebello mushrooms with spiced minced meat, mozerella cheese flakes garnished with ham. This idea came from devilled-eggs, except I switched eggs for portebello mushrooms and added some creativity.



Extra virgin olive oil sauteed salmon with salt-boiled broccolli garnishes. The broccolli idea came from parsley garnish idea, except that I don't quite like the parsley taste.



Steamed eggs with luncheon meat cubes. It was supposed to be chawanmushi eggs but I suck, so it came up just steamed.



Not bad, eh? Could be better, but then again I was playing with ingredients I've never played with before. So there.

A Lunch Out With A Loyal Reader


Hello Bret.



"Don't take my photo!!!"





He wanted to charge me for taking a picture of his car. I should've charged him for accompanying him to lunch lor.

Champion For A Day


With thanks to Jennifer for the make-up and Artistry for holding the competition, held at Scarlett City.

























My supportive mama and grandmama













I like this picture a lot.







Up on the stage for award receiving and a thank-you speech.













Lazy had to work that day, so he missed attending the competition. But he made up for it by taking me out to the Fisherman's Wharf opposite Central.