Are PTK exams the right step towards competency?

Of late the government stress on life-long learning in the name of producing knowledge workers towards the goal of achieving the status of a high-income economy / country !! Many initiatives are fast put in place . Amongst which are the call for compulsory 7 days-course and competency exams for the Malaysians civil servants...bravo !!!! Also in line with the concept 1 Malaysia: People first, Performance now; roadshows are rolled out to inform the civil servants about the latest changes in the structure of the PTK exams and the government aspiration.

As to those who lamented that they are over the hill to take those competency exams (especially those who had but rather hate or have no time to read tons of management books to qualify), dont despair. Let`s us help you out in that..

Below is amongst some helplines send to us for that matter-praise you whoever you are for your brainy interpretation..

Sorry Stephen Covey that is the way old hens whose feathers that are near dropped off(old ah bengs), learn your famous 7 habits of highly effective people.

And to my fellows friends who need to go for your competency exams, cheer up and let this motivate you.

To exams, to exams you must go

Home again,home again, jiggety-go

To exams, to exams next year you must go again

Work again,work again, this the way to gain

Stephen Covey be a sweet, have more simpler versions fast

Cos to jump grades, many exams got to pass... ????

Good luck and be positive- PTK Exams are for transformation in you..!!!!

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What a guts-right son...?

Of late I heard of many issues concerning caring for our parents.Some have even urged the government to build more Old Folks Home to cater for the greying population while some old folks themselves say they do not mind staying in such homes as long as they do not burden their busy children. Are we Asians forgetting about our filial duties in caring for our aged parents? Or is it because we are so self-centred in coping for ourselves in this rat race that we have no place for them in our homes and heart?


As I ponder more, I came across this story told by a son of his father which I term- you did the right thing WHAT A GUTS-RIGHT SON ?? A ONE TOO FEW THAT WE HAVE. HOW I WISH I CAN HAVE you AS MY SON TOO. Please read well as it brings sad emotions to my heart.



A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his first flight, brought emotions and made him realize that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our parents.

My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience the same.

In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Flight.

The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air.

The excitement was very apparent on his face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.

As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and it was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him.

When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me.

But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.

As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes?

Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?

Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life is complete.

Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at those moments.

Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our children,the same attention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders.

Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best possible attention to all their wishes.

Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too.

Take care of your parents.

All sons and daughters out there HAVE A PURPOSEFUL LIFE for your turn will soon come like your aged parents!! Remember too, old folks home or nursing homes are for those who are sick and bed ridden in their twilight years.

Carry a Heart that Never Hates.

Carry a Smile that Never Fades.

Carry a Touch that Never Hurts..

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Free medical clinics at your service-try it out

Yesterday January 4 was World Cancer Day. To those with health holds no meaning to it but to those who had gone through a cancer journey ,their amazing stories of hope in despair never fail to relate to one another in love and harmony. And for those who are awaiting for that bad C-news from their medical report, it is a torturing moment.

There are many contributing causes to Cancer and so too are there many ways we can help to prevent it.The bottom line is that one needs to be informed and make right choices ,if not at least making an effort to a yearly health check up.

Below is the list of 1 Malaysia clinic at your service if you need free medical service. Do not procrastinate!!!! Take the brave step to these clinics if you need it. They are free medical facilities setup to help the masses.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144843&id=141753398902


Here let me also share with you some Cancer news from John Hopkin University-what can cause the big bad C ?


A dioxin chemical causes cancer,especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to cells of our bodies. NO PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN MICROWAVE

We should not be heating our food in microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to food that contain fats because the combination of fat, high heat and plastics release dioxin into the food and eventually into our body cells. We should be using glass like Corning ware, pyrex or ceramic wares. Food in foam containers too should be removed from the container and be heated in something else.

NO WATER BOTTLES IN FREEZER
Don`t freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this release dioxins from the plastics.

NO PLASTIC WRAPS IN MICROWAVE
Plastic wraps such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over food to be cooked in the microwave. As food is nuked, high heat causes poisonous dioxin to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Better to cover the food with towel instead.

My dear friends, this article is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre as well.

Good luck and good health to all my fellow friends-remember your health is in your hands.

If any irresponsible parties are playing up racial and religious tension/ elements , please take a trip to oncology wards and be inspired by the spirit of 1 MALAYISA brewing there - see how Malaysian from all walks of life relate to one another in love , harmony and in solidarity despite difficult situation.

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A WATERFALL EXPERIENCE -lessons learned from Philippines

Year end school holidays are here once again.While some are burning themselves up in the SPM/STPM public examination centres, many are heading off for some form of year-end holidays with family and friends.

In Malaysia and in many parts of the world, waterfall sites are popular resorts in spite of many fatal accidents that had had happened.

Nevertheless, BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN PLAYING NEAR WATERFALLS. You just won't know whether it's raining upstream and by the time the water reaches the waterfall, it'll be too late for you to run to safety.

Let me share with you a near death experience LIVE from Philippines . Remember we do have a no. of these falls in Malaysia and similar tragedies had striked so many times despite all the warnings.

PICTURES TELL A THOUSAND WORDS

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National Automotive Policy - the long awaited review !!!

Under the review as announced today by Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed:-

1.Foreign firms can make luxury cars locally

FOREIGN firms will be given manufacturing licenses to hold 100 per cent equity in firms which produce luxury vehicles with an engine capacity of more than 1,800 cc and costing more than RM150,000.


Import duties of all completely-built-up (CBU) and completely-knocked-down (CKD) cars will be maintained.

Incentives and exemptions will be increased to develop local auto parts so that there would no longer be parts imports by 18 months’ time, a move which help do away with imported and used spare parts outfits.

2.AP to be scrapped by 2015

The AP system for imports of CBU vehicles will be terminated whereby open APs for used vehicles will be terminated by December 31, 2015.

"No new applications for open APs will be considered and franchise APs will be terminated by Dec 31, 2020," he said.

Besides this, a charge of RM10,000 for each open AP will be introduced as announced in the 2010 budget last week whereby under current status, APs are issued for free.


3.Mandatory testing for cars over 15 years old

Vehicles which are 15 years and above would also have to go through mandatory testing to ensure their roadworthiness but provisions would be made for vintage cars.

This review was undertaken after extensive discussions with industry players including manufacturers, assemblers, auto parts makers, non-governmental organisation as well as car associations.

4.Effective Jan 1 2010, 18 new policies and measures covering licensing, duties, incentives, technology and environment, safety and standards and APs were introduced under the NAP review.

Amongst which under the new measures, a new strategic partnership between Proton and a global established Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be established.

Currently, Proton is in talks to establish strategic partnership with international partners.


As part of ongoing efforts to help Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the automotive industry, a Fund for Bumiputera Development will also be established to assist Bumiputera companies venturing into the automotive and other related businesses


Wtih this review in place , CAN WE DREAM OF BIG CARS AND BIG POWER NOW?



CAN WE AFFORD THEM ,HUH?

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