Sob Story

THE new Toy Story movie is making grown men sob.

Dads taking their kids to see the third instalment of the adventures of cowboy Woody and space ranger Buzz Lightyear have been moved to tears by this 3D tale of forgotten toys - and even critics have been blubbing too.

Toy Story 3, from animation giants Pixar, has been top of the US box office for two weeks, taking £150million.

One Entertainment Weekly critic who welled up said: "I'm not talking about a tear or two - but that soppy, awkward thing where you make sounds."

And the New York Post's Lou Lumenick admitted: "It had me in tears."

And Dixon Gaines of movieline.com reckoned: "I was weeping buckets."

Here find out what happened when The Sun's GRANT ROLLINGS saw the movie, which is out here on July 12.

US reviewers are supposed to be trained professionals, able to keep a calm, critical eye on events unfolding on screen.

But if a film is doing its job properly, you should get caught up in the emotions of the characters.

And I admit there are some cinematic events that make me cry, such as children with terminal illnesses, dogs dying or the news Megan Fox wouldn't be returning for Transformers 3.

Toy Story 3, though, is on a different emotional level. It doesn't resort to the death of a loved one to wrench tears from the audience. Instead, it picks on long-forgotten losses - the passing of childhood and once beloved toys.

I can't remember being attached to any childhood toys, only the disappointment that I never got that Star Wars Millennium Falcon.

But still, I have to confess that I had to lift my 3D specs to dab my misty eyes during Toy Story 3.

In this adventure Woody's and Buzz's owner, Andy, is off to college.

Andy must decide whether to donate his toys, put them in the attic or dump them in the bin. He intends to take Woody with him and put the rest in the loft. But by a twist of fate all of the toys end up at Sunnyside day nursery.

What at first seems like a heaven-sent opportunity for the toys to get played with becomes a nightmare when they are bashed about by overactive tots.

And the initially welcoming toys, Lots-o'-Huggin'-Bear and Barbie's Ken, are not as friendly as they seem.

Yet the most heart-tugging scenes come near the end.

To say too much would ruin the film, but I can tell you the film will inevitably have you reminiscing lovingly about your own childhood.

I was also moved by a scene early on where Andy's mum stops and takes a moment to look at her son's empty room. It reminded me that my own children will have to leave home one sad day.

There is a very touching scene where the root of Lots-o'-Huggin'-Bear's anger is revealed. Also look out for a deep, tense moment when the toys link hands in the face of what seems to be imminent death.

But the truth is that Pixar have a long history of making me sob. I cried just as much over their brilliant films Up and WALL.E.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3038204/Toy-Story-or-Sob-Story.html#ixzz0sVrv4Wkw

Job hopping for motherly care

Friday April 30, 2010

WHY NOT?
By RASLAN SHARIF

If you believe parenting cannot be left to the maid, then a two-income family is out of the question.

THERE is this saying, and I’m sure you’ve heard it before: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

Oftentimes, we take for granted certain things because we’ve always had it. We only sense a loss, and sometimes express belated gratitude, when we no longer have those things.

I might sound like an old man right now, but bear with me.

There is a state that is to my mind even worse than that which I have just described. It is when you are at a loss from the outset because you have not even had that particular thing in the first place.

It’s not just that you don’t know what you’re missing; it’s also being deprived, without you really knowing it, especially if you’re still a child.

I remember my school days clearly, or rather, being home after a day at school.

My mother, a full-time housewife who was once a teacher, would always be at home when my younger brother and I got back from school.

She would have cooked lunch for us and, throughout the rest of the day, would ensure that we kept to our schedule of homework, study and play, though not necessarily in that order.

In short, she mothered us.

Throughout our schooling years, my mother would always be at our side, a constant presence who would do the things that any mother would, circumstances permitting.

My father, who was a civil servant, would often be home for lunch and be back from work by around 5pm, well before the sun went down.

And probably like any other child, I only “see” this fortunate environment that I grew up in when the circumstances that I find myself in as an adult, a father and husband evoke such memories.

It would be safe to say that raising a family today is quite different in some ways to what my parents went through.

My parents raised four children. Today, many parents would find it difficult to raise a family of that size without both having to work to generate the income necessary for the task.

In fact, it can be difficult enough if you had just one child, especially during the first few years of your working life.

I, of course, speak from experience. When my wife and I were expecting our son nearly 11 years ago, I had to find a new job that paid better, and I got one just about a couple of months before he was born.

This is not say that all was fine with regard to money after that. My wife still had to go back to work, and if it weren’t for the big help in various forms from family and friends in those early years, it would still not have been enough to see us through.

My parents and parents-in-law practically raised my son, with other family members chipping in their time and effort now and then. We would only see him later in the evenings, when we took him home, and during weekends.

When my daughter was born four years later, we had to get a maid, which was the more financially viable option to the alternative of my wife quitting her a job.

So in the mornings, my wife and I would send my son to school before heading for work. My parents would pick him up and send him home later in the afternoon. Meanwhile, my in-laws and the maid looked after our daughter.

As usual, we would only get to see our children at night when we got back from work.

This went on until about two years ago when I told myself that this could not go on, and all those memories about my mother always being at my side when I was growing up came flooding back.

Here were my children, in their early years, when they need their parents the most, and we weren’t there. There would be only a few years before they hit their teens and, as we all know, teenagers don’t really want to be even within 10km of their parents.

My wife and I agreed that we needed to strengthen family bonds and that at least one of us had to watch over our children and see them grow before his or her very eyes.

So I looked for another job and got one that enabled my wife to quit work and devote as much time as was necessary to the children.

I consider myself lucky as I know many parents out there do not have this option. I am not saying that children who grow up without at least their mother being that constantly soothing presence that my mother was will turn out for the worse.

But I think having one parent around would not hurt, if not be advantageous to, the growth and development of the children.

> Raslan Sharif will make sure he and his children remain ever grateful to everyone who helped when help was needed.

Bukit Gelugor man hits RM18m jackpot

Tuesday November 17, 2009

By DERRICK VINESH

BUTTERWORTH: A man who bought a lottery ticket at a fund-raising dinner ended up winning RM18mil in the Big Sweep lottery draw.

The winner from Bukit Gelugor won the first prize of RM3mil and RM15mil in the jackpot draw with the ticket number 5516233.

The draw was held at the Selangor Turf Club on Sunday.

The man apparently bought his winning ticket during a temple charity dinner in Raja Uda here early this month.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, who was at the dinner, said the Pertubuhan Dewa Tong Hai Keng temple organised the event to raise funds for a new temple building.

He said the 36-year-old temple was facing demolition and about RM1.5mil was needed to buy land for its new building.

Phee, who is also the temple adviser, said the committee held the dinner and bought 2,000 lottery tickets at RM3 each and sold them for RM10.

However, only 400 were sold and the temple decided to keep 500 tickets.

“A philanthropist later bought the remaining 1,100 tickets for RM6,333 and distributed some to the guests,” he said.

“Those who attended the dinner came with a noble intention,” said Phee.

“I believe when we do a good deed, it will return to us someday.”

A brush with the dark side

Friday November 13, 2009

COMMENT By P. GUNASEGARAM

THE last time I met with a serious accident was more than 20 years ago. Things have not changed much since then.
I don’t consider myself fortunate that I accepted an offer from a tout, although it immediately made things easy.

A taxi driver (arranged by the tout for free) took me home and waited while I had dinner before taking me to the police station to make a report.
The tout’s workshop arranged to have the car towed, repaired and for the paperwork to be done.

Nice, everything was taken care of. But the problem started later. The insurance adjustor’s report stated that some parts were to be replaced but the workshop did not do that.

Then started a series of procedures before the workshop rectified the problem, with bodywork already beginning to rust before the rectification. I never knew whether the workshop did all the other things right, but I knew I was never going to use a tout again.

Earlier this week, I received a call – someone close had an accident. He, a college student, was OK but shaken.

The car had skidded as he braked to avoid an obstacle. His car went over the divider and landed disabled, with front tyres flat, chassis damaged and engine oil leaking, facing oncoming traffic.

In half an hour I had reached the town outside Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway where the accident took place. His teacher, who was passing by, stood beside him by the side of the road, reassuring him.

There were no policemen in sight. But tow truck touts had reached the scene minutes after the accident.

They had repeatedly hassled the driver. One of the touts had asked him to sign a blank form so that – he said - the car can be moved to the side of the road. But nothing had been done.

He now waved the form and said that it meant that we had accepted his services. I pointed out to him repeatedly that we had not, and asked him repeatedly to say what it would cost to tow the car to a workshop of my choice in Kuala Lumpur.

He refused to answer. He was adamant that we sent the car to his workshop.

He said the towing charges would be free if we did so and that he had the capacity to repair the car. Seeing that I was not prepared to accede to that and that I was determined we go to a workshop of our choice, he became threatening.

The big deal for him was of course the insurance claim. Workshops often inflate insurance claims, cut corners in terms of doing the job, and pocket thousands of ringgit routinely from each accident case. They pay the touts well.

Thousands of motor accidents take place in Malaysia every year, and the amount of claims yearly are in the billions of ringgit – insurance statistics indicate that it could be as high as RM4bil for 2008.

Back to our tout. He was becoming positively obnoxious, and freely threatening not just bodily harm but murder. He could kill, he said.

He was working himself into a frenzy, he was pacing up and down, he was shouting. There were some people behind him who seemed to be his allies.

By this time the teacher who had stopped to help feared for our safety. She suggested we should leave. She called the college for help.

In the meantime, one of the group told her that if we paid the tout RM100 he would go away. She said she was sorry she was asking me to do this, but she was beginning to fear for the safety of all of us given the way he was behaving.

That tout may have been acting, he may have been intimidating deliberately and appearing to lose his temper so that he could get some money. But given the circumstances, we preferred not to take chances.

I handed over RM100 – the light was fast fading, but it was daylight robbery and extortion, pure and simple, done in full view of a small crowd.

Shortly after – more than two hours after the accident occurred on a busy road, with the car facing oncoming traffic and the two-lane road on that side reduced to one – three policemen arrived.

I told them about what happened. They listened and then just stuck to directing traffic.

The tow truck operator I had called through the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) arrived. Efficiently, he loaded the car “single-handedly” onto the truck with a winch. And we were on our way to our workshop.

The charge was RM87 for a distance of 87kms, starting from where he had set off to come to the accident scene. I gave him a generous tip.

My question is, why are these tow truck/workshop touts being allowed to threaten us so blatantly and use false pretences to force their services upon us? How come they seem to enjoy such a cosy relationship with the authorities so much so that no one takes any action against them?

Some of my friends recounted horror stories where groups threatened them and forced them to use their services. Shaken up by accidents, and sometimes injured by them, unsuspecting accident victims are further bled by these unscrupulous, cruel people often right under the noses of policemen.

Those involved in accidents have to take precautions in the absence of action from the authorities. First call the police, then the tow truck operator of your choice who will take the vehicle to the workshop of your choice.

Becoming an AAM member helps considerably because they have a panel of tow truck operators with standardised charges and they have their own, more reliable workshops.

Tough as it is, refuse any help from tow truck touts politely but firmly.
Enlist the help of the police as soon as the accident happens, especially if the vehicle cannot be moved. Have emergency numbers for AAM, police stations etc ready.

But try as we might, we often have no choice but to succumb to the increasingly threatening stance, forceful tactics and downright illegal moves that these touts take. They are no longer mere nuisances – they have become a major menace to law and order.

It is high time the authorities crushed them once for all. All it takes is for the police to come to a scene of an accident quickly and simply take charge – which includes protection from touts.

Managing editor P Gunasegaram is grateful that no physical harm came to anyone that day from this sinister brush with the dark side – but he still smarts from the affront and the injustice of it all.

Trader hits RM10mil jackpot

Thursday October 29, 2009

PETALING JAYA: Combining numbers from his car registration, his child’s birth certificate and two of his own lucky numbers made a businessman almost RM10mil richer.

The 40-year-old from Kuala Lumpur was also the first person to win the Magnum 4D Jackpot 1st Prize which paid RM9,702,223.

Asked how he felt upon learning he had won, he said: “I was in a state of disbelief at first but I’m overjoyed.

“I’ve been a loyal Magnum customer for over 20 years and this is truly a life-changing experience as I can improve the quality of my life now,” he said.

He added that it was not impossible for one to win big when buying Magnum 4D Jackpot.

The Magnum 4D Jackpot game was launched on Sept 23 and the jackpot prize amounts has increased rapidly due to overwhelming interest from players.

A Magnum 4D representative said it was the company’s way of rewarding loyal players and followers.

“Till today, the jackpot 2 prize has already been won three times. So it is proven that the Magnum 4D Jackpot is easy to win.

Those thinking that a person has to spend a massive amount of money to win big need look no further than our Jackpot 1st prize winner, who only placed a bet of RM12 to win,” the representative said.

The 4D Jackpot costs RM2 per bet line (one pair of 4D numbers) to play.

The Jackpot First Prize pays out a minimum of RM2mil upfront plus 55% of the Prize Pool.

The Jackpot Second Prize pays out a minimum of RM100,000 upfront plus 10% of the Prize Pool.

Traders urged to register with new association

Thursday September 24, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

LICENSED hawkers and traders operating at the day or night markets in Bandar Sungai Long have been urged to register with the newly-formed Petty Traders Association of Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, to address pertinent issues.

The appeal was made by association chairman Kok Soon Kiat at a press conference on Monday. Also present was Kajang municipal councillor Tan Han Kuo, a member of the council’s licensing committee.

“The association with the cooperation of the Kajang Municipal Council will look into matters like unlicensed hawkers, hygiene, illegal foreign traders and security for customers especially with pickpockets on the prowl,” he said.

The new association, registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on July 27, replaces the previous and now defunct association, the Bandar Sungai Long Hawkers Association formed in 2000.

“The old association was dissolved by the ROS last year for failing to submit annual and financial reports after continuous reminders since 2004. The RM30,000 kept in the association’s coffers were transferred to the Insolvency Department,” said Tan.

He also said two police reports were lodged in 2005 by association members who suspected the committee members of malpractice.

He said MPKj could keep track of licensed hawkers and traders via the association. Unlicensed hawkers and traders are estimated at 50.

The current membership is 212 and the association has embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive. Members pay RM10 to register and RM2 monthly. Those interested may contact Tan at 012-223 9529.

Beware of pick-pockets, public warned

Thursday September 24, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

RESIDENTS have been urged to be cautious of pick-pockets who are now operating in a team of three members in Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor.

Kajang municipal councillor Tan Han Kuo said the group’s modus operandi was brought to his attention by several victims who had shopped at the daily morning market near the commercial centre.

“I was told the group would single out women and old ladies as their targets. One of the team members would bump into the victim on purpose, causing her to drop her purchases, while another would quickly swoop in and pretend to help retrieve her belongings.

“Once the victim gets distracted, the third team member will swiftly snatch her purse.

“The victim would only realise the theft when they are out of sight,” he said.

As a deterrent, signs warning residents of pick-pockets and snatch thieves have been put up.

The newly-formed Petty Traders Association of Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, Selangor, is also working with the authorities to curb the crime.

Meanwhile, Tan urged the public to be careful when visiting the area and not to carry large amounts of cash or purses and wallets that would attract undue attention.

LLM taken to task over misleading signboard

Thursday August 27, 2009

By GEETHA KRISHNAN

THE Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has come under fire from Kajang Municipal councillors for refusing to remove a signboard leading roadusers on a longer route to Sungai Long via the Silk Highway and for forcing them to stop at three toll booths.

Councillor Tan Han Kuo, who sits in the council’s Infrastructure Committee, said LLM has been aware of the issue since December 2008 yet no action was taken.

“LLM can instruct the Silk Highway concessionaire to remove the signboard to Sungai Long en route to Kajang from Seremban, Putrajaya and the KL International Airport (KLIA) because motorists will have to travel 16.6km and pay RM3 in toll.

“The turning to Kajang at Exit 1807 also leads to Sungai Long but the sign is not prominently displayed. Why is this so when the route is only 8.8km and there is only one toll charging RM1?” asked Tan.

He proposed that the distance to Sungai Long be displayed on the signboards to prevent confusion to motorists and to give them the option to choose which route to take.

An incensed Tan said the committee had deliberated on the issue seven times but LLM representatives had only turned up for five of the meetings.

“There were no decision-makers present. What riled us most was the answer from the LLM that the Silk Highway is under-utilised and that the concessionaire will suffer more losses if roadusers do not travel the distance.

“Whose side is the LLM on? They are placing the interests of a private company over that of the public. How do we justify this to the taxpayers,” he asked.

An anonymous taxi driver who used the longer route to send his passengers to Sungai Long complained to Tan that the drive ate into his profit margin and forced roadusers to waste fuel and money.

He also said the sign to Sungai Long was meant to mislead motorists and that it was easy to miss the other sign which was partially hidden.

Efforts to get comments from LLM were futile.

MPKj demolishes illegal extensions in Bandar Sg Long

Friday August 21, 2009

Story by GEETHA KRISHNAN

FIFTEEN parking lots were recovered after a demolition exercise on illegal extensions were carried out by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) in Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, yesterday.

Pavements were built over the parking lots by two restaurant owners who operated from corner lot premises near Jalan Sungai Long and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).

About 30 enforcement personnel and two tractors were deployed for the exercise. Staff from the council’s Building Division and Engineering Section were also present.

MPKj enforcement officer Khaironi Idris said 18 notices and 17 compounds of RM1,000 each were issued to the restaurateurs by the council’s Building Division since 2008.

“Their failure to comply time and time again with our continuous notices and compounds has led us to take this proactive action. The most recent notice was issued on Aug 13.

“One restaurant owner heeded our warning by demolishing his side of the pavement last week but then he resurfaced the area with cement, depriving motorists of parking lots once again,” she said.

During the exercise, the owner was told to remove the signboard and cooking utensils placed in an illegal extension serving as a separate cooking area built over a drain.

The enforcement unit also moved in on an illegal car wash operating opposite the restaurants. Concrete slabs built over the main drain were drilled through and smashed to reveal a network of wires and cables below.

“This proves our theory that water and electricity were being supplied to the car wash operator from one of the restaurants. He denied doing so but we have ample evidence,” Khaironi said.

She added that when several enforcement officers came by some months ago to check on the illegal car wash operations there, they were accused of behaving aggresively.

She said her staff were threatened instead and the operator kicked one of the enforcement vehicles.