SOS! AUTISM CENTRE CLOSING DOWN - 14 JUN 2009

Dear friends,

I am publishing the article below and hope that you could help to spread the news and make a difference in someone's life. No help is too small to bring a smile onto another face.

Both my sons are suffering from acute form of autism, and they have been going to this centre for the past few months. This centre was funded by a businessman via charity donation. Hence it has been offered as free service to those parents who cannot afford the full commercial service. I am one of those parent who need Early Intervention Program and cannot afford it.

The centre was headed by a very experience teacher in autism management and intervention. He is a retiree and if he left this job I don't think he will be actively working for the good of autistic kids again. I want to secure his service and take over the operation of the centre. I have the business experience and also autism management experience to turn this around.

We are not going to provide a free for all kind of services, but will be very affordable. We will have a trust fund setup to help those who cannot afford to pay for the service. Time is running out, 14 June 2009 is the deadline for the centre to cease operation.

Why am I here asking for help? I have no other way to go and seeking the help from whoever I can get my hand on to. We need the following: -

1. Premise - prefer a corner lot house with some garden area where we can setup sand and water therapy area.

2. Musical - Since autistic kids are very artistic and musically inclined, I want to setup some musical class to explore their potential. Any good working Piano or Electronic piano are needed. Can Yamaha donate some? Anyone who know someone in Yamaha?

3. Art - Art supply for painting and others

4. Renovation - Can some good soul help to pay for the renovation and furnishing of the centre?

5. Telecommunication - Telephone, Fax and Internet access

6. Funding - We need at least one year of funding before we can be self funded. I will work out the requirement once we have more people come into play and willing to help

7. Teaching material - I have plenty in my house becasue both my sons are autistic and I have invested over the years.Anyone can help me to published all the above? I have 2 weeks to put thing together before they closed it down. 20 kids will be affected if the centre is closed down without giving them an alternative to go.

Regards

Shiok Guy

http://shiokguy.blogspot.com

BETWEEN LIVELIHOOD AND A MEGA ROAD?

After my last posting on the Jacob Walk (which was a 'copy & paste' work to be exact), I hardly have time to blog or even train for my coming maiden full marathon on 28 June 2009.

Almost every other day, I received calls from residents of Jinjang Selatan Tambahan wanting to know about their fate. Since I took up this case into my file in late 2008, I have made countless trips to this housing lot which was a former TOL (Temporary Occupancy Licence) land. The residents were invited to stay there by the then Selangor government in replacement of their land/house in Kg Malaysia, Batu Caves 40 years ago. Currently there are 525 plot sitting on this lot known as Lot 9714 Jinjang Selatan Tambahan.

Look deep into her eyes . . . . . . . . . . . the despair, sadness, frustration and . . . . I really don't know. But this sorry sight truly touched my heart to see so much sorrow on that wrinkle face not knowing where her future lies . . . . . . Is this really necessary? Is this how she should be treated after toiling the land - a former deserted muddy mining land with her own bare hands together with her husband and young children 40 years ago. Walked miles away and carry sands to bury the muddy plot for months. Then with the little earning of less than RM100, they bought bit and pieces of wood and more sands to build their homes.

11 May 2009 - More than 300 police personnels, enforcement personnels from DBKL and technicians from TNB intimitated and forced 17 houses to vacant their home at 8.30am when most of the young people were at work or school.

I received a call at 9.00am from a resident. Quickly switched off my computer, grabbed my tiny back-pack, camera phone and a note pad- and jumped into a taxi. Arrived at the scene within 30 mimutes. I was shocked to see so many enforcers intimidating and targeting 2 particular houses at the edge of the housing area whereby one is a senior citizen and another a young mother were at home with a few months old baby.

A young mother looking helplessly as TNB technicians happily taking order from DBKL to cut off her power supply

The presence of police and FRU to intimate 17 families

As time past, more villagers came forward to lend moral support and watched helplessly



DBKL enforcement officers on standby





TNB's technicians moving in to cut power supply of the 2 houses

The meter was removed


TNB team on standby

DBKL truck - ever ready to load and empty the houses and awaiting instruction from their boss - the Datuk Bandar

Few of the villagers and committee members of the residents association were at sight negotiating with the Chief Enforcement Officer not to demolish the houses as to allow them to contact the relevant authorities to get confirmation.

I called on the Human Rights Committees of the Bar Council to be on standby. Meanwhile few of the villagers and myself rushed to DBKL Head Office in Jalan Raja Laut trying to lobby for extention and seeking a dialogue session to end this predicament.

After waiting for hours at the Datuk Bandar's office where we were told that Datuk Saravanan (Deputy Minister of FT) and Datuk Bandar were deliberating on their issues. We were made to wait for 2 hours. And the final outcome - 3 Days extention!

Absolutely ABSURD! I was furious! WHAT? 3 days to get out with no clear direction? This is total violation on Human Rights!

After receiving a call from the Datuk Bandar's office, TNB's technicians restored the power supply to the 2 houses.

Is it really necessary to intimidate few innocent, naive and harmless villagers with such huge entourage of enforcers? Yes, this scene is not new to me as I have seen cases worst than this whereby villagers where beaten and being hospitalised in ICU (intensive care unit). However, the residents in this residential area hardly see more than 2 policemen patrolling their area and what took place that day had traumatised a handful of the elderly of late that they are having sleepless night ever since then.

This is not my first case but I have taken special interest to ensure that the villagers are being taken care and compensated accordingly.

I will keep lobbying for support from every sector and bring this matter to national level. It is sad that some unscrupulous individuals / developers have disregards for the wellbeing of other human kind. They did not hesitate to adopt dirty tactic to throw the weak and poor out in the name of development and to further enrich their bank account. It is more sickening when the higher authority who supposed to take care of the welfare and livelihood of those under their governance also conspires with these crooks.

JACOBS WALK OF LIFE 2009

Date: 21 June 2009 (Sunday)

Venue: Taman Metropolitan, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur

Website: www.jacobs.com.my/event/2009/walkoflife/

Don't miss out on the fun. Book your place now and sample a spread of the goodness of Jacob's wholesome biscuits. We're excited and we can't wait.

See you there, Malaysia!

DIALOGUE WITH TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD

Organised by :

National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia(NAWEM)

Date : 11 May 2009

Time : 3 pm

Venue : Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya

I was privileged to be among the 40 women delegates led by NAWEM's Deputy President - Sarojini Ruth for a dialogue session with our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The EXCOs had been in contact with the Perdana Leadership Foundation to secure this meeting for months. And the final day arrived!

Meeting Tun Mahathir has been my dream and I truly regretted for missing his last Hariraya open house as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. And I vowed not to miss this lifetime opportunity again.

Members arriving at the lobby of Perdana Leadership Foundation

Puan Sri Susan Cheah (in front row) and other members in the meeting room while waiting for the arrival of YABerbahagia Tun Mahathir

From left-right (front row) : Sue Chan (owner of Sue Chan's Restaurant), Jenny Shabuddin (MD, Travcheq Travel), Alice Tan (MD, Prosun Vision Sdn Bhd) and Yong Da Ying (former MP of Bkt Lanjan) sharing some light moment before the start of the dialogue

Finally, the STAR of the day, Tun Mahathir Mohamad walked into the room. The ladies were just too over-whelmed and mesmerised with his presence that all of us were in awe and speechless. Yes . . .. . . . this one man is just not an ordinary man. He is one great leader that has put Malaysia on the world map. Many may have criticised him or call him by whatever name, but none can deny the fact that he is THE most charismatic leader we ever had. It is definitely not easy to hold on to the premiership for 22-years without any blood-coup like our neighbors.

Sarojini gave an opening speech and thanked Tun Mahathir for his willingness to share his knowledge and wisdom with NAWEM's members

We spent about 60 minutes asking him questions on various topics related to business and our country economy. Tun Mahathir unselfishly shared his views and experiences with us.

Just before we went for our tea break, a few of us took the opportunity to get his authograph. Alice was really kind to help me purchased one of the many books written by him the day before. About 10 of us went up to him with his book in hand.

chedet.com - Blogging to Unblock was first published in 2008. Tun Mahathir became a blogger on 1 May 2008 to blog about his thoughts and opinions.

Tun Mahathir - signing the book

Finally, I got Tun Mahathir personal authograph

Thank you, Sir

The many faces of Tun Mahathir. What a colorful life!


My favorite potrait at the main entrance



Group photo for the album

This is truly the most memorable moment for all the ladies. Thank you to the EXCOs for working tirelessly to secure the appointment and organising this trip. I am indeed privileged to be a member of NAWEM and being able to work and share with so many successful ladies entrepreneurs. NAWEM is the only multi-racial women trade association in Malaysia. And all members shared and helped each other unselfishly.

Thank you, NAWEM!

JW GIFT OF DIGNITY RELAY - RESULT

Date : May 10,2009

Venue : No. 45, Medan Burhanuddin Helmi, TTDI, KL

Time : 7.30am

MEN OPEN

Cool Runners - Champion

13:07 / 26:12 / 38:33

Slowmoverz 'A' - 1st Runner up

13:59 / 29:42 / 42:46

Ultimate Horizon - 2nd Runner up

11:43 / 26:14 / 43:25

Kap Chai - 4th Placing

13:47 / 29:03 / 43:40

Team CTL - 5th Placing

13:44 / 30:45 / 44:51

The Ethan Yap Project - 6th Placing

18:33 / 36:20 / 51:12

Slowmoverz 'B' - 7th Placing

19:31 / 43:05 / 60:37

Track United - 8th Placing

19:36 / 35:52 / 62:47

The Young Guns - 9th Placing

18:18 / 37:33 /63:28

MIXED TEAM

RunningManiacs - CHAMPION

11:33 / 28:09 / 40:55

Der Pacemakers Network - 1st Runner up

12:30 / 29:37 / 42:20

Cari Team - 2nd Runner up

13:32 / 31:48 / 44:49

No Where To Run - 4th Placing

15:54 / 38:12 / 53:34

SCRIPS - 5th Placing

16:27 / 33:43 / 53:40

TKK Runners - 6th Placing

16:55 / 37:25 / 55:32

Slowmoverz 'D' - 7th Placing

19:32 / 42:55 / 59:22

Kongarasumaru - 8th Placing

17:08 / 39:07 / 60:49

Slowmoverz 'E' - 9th Placing

16:33 / 41:22 / 64:51

The Hikers - 10th Placing

19:34 / 42:49 / 65:49

SONIC Team - DQ

HIGHLANDS RUN IN THE MAKING

After the JW Flora & Fauna Run in Christmas Island last October, I received many request to do a run in Cameron Highlands. After almost 6 months, I decided to start working on this next 'holiday while running' project just to 'silence' them. So, I started to map out a 10km route.

And of course being far away from the location make planning tougher than the many relay runs I did in Klang Valley. So, I enlist the help of Dorai, a fellow running associate in Cameron Highlands. The planning just started and still sometime before the run become reality.

So, what's the plan?

When : 3 - 4 October 2009

Venue : Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands

Distant : 10km

Type of run : Holiday cum running package

Target : 150 runners

Package price : Ideally between RM100 - RM250 for 2Days/1Night

Award : Finisher medal for all

Participation : By invitation ONLY

Its still too early for any official announcement as I need to get the approval from the Cameron Highlands' Local Council and Police. So, drop in a month later; keep your finger cross that the approval will come by soon.