Monday, December 31, 2007

Hepi Neu Yer!!!

Selamat Tahun Baru....

another year has come... for me sekadar tulis tarikh tu ganti 08 instead of 07...

tak tahu ada apa celebration ari ni kat Doha... tak pe, malam karang aku nak round-round corniche (ada sesapa nak join???)

azam tahun baru??? hmmm.... aku rasa tahun ni aku tak de lah nak taruh azam yg giler2 mcm bagus... hehehe.... tak nak berangan sangat lah...

but by the end of the year... or more specific, 3rd quarter of the year... i have to determine whether should i stay in Doha... back to M'sia... or go somewhere else...

although tadi aku tak nak lah taruh azam apa2 kan... aku rasa ada lah satu benda yg aku rasa aku patut buat since i'm here... aku nak fasih in Arabic, dah setahun lebih, tak cakap arab langsung... hihihihi... so in 2008, i'll try to sign up for class :-) wish me luck...

Hepi Neu Yer!!!!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Last Friday - Part 2 : Aqiqah for Myra :-)

sekejap je.. rupanya dah nak masuk 3 bulan dah Myra.... and mak bapak myra dan datuk nenek myra organised majlis doa selamat dan aqiqah untuk Myra ni :-)


*gambar tak cukup utk Majlis ni... nanti nak minta kat Adam.ha... :-) anyhow... see some pics, :-) (sebelum tambah dari adam's camera)






apart from Majlis aqiqah... ada satu lagi benda penting... we have found the new place for our karaoke set tinggalan MT. (upon request dr Abe, nizam etc.... MT, i have to put up a story about this... depa kata nak bagi u jeles hik hik hik :-) )


yeah... aizal n yeen has 'voluntarily' mengorbankan ruang tamu depa utk taruh karaoke set kat umah depa... actually mlm sblm kitaorg dah pasang karaoke set tu kat umah aizal... habis kacau set tv depa... betul-betulkan wiring... dan malam lepas aqiqah... masing2 tunjuk bakat... and this time around he have Che' Le as the new pencabar menguji vocal... :-) but selain bakat baru, kitaorg dapat orang lama menunjukkan belang :-).. cool je bapak yeen join sekali :-) next... we are waiting for Naquib n Ruby plak nak join, dgr cite Ruby ada suara mirip misha omar, since datang dr same state kan :-) blh tak menandingi pasangan duet sensasi nizam n sha???


anyway, so who's our next karaoke king?.... mampu kah bakat baru, che'le menandingi raja rock kapak azerdills... vocal matang orang lama dan current raja segala raja high pitch, abe??? :-)

Last Friday - Part 1 : the breakfast...

antara benda yg aku rasa rindu kan KL masa aku awal dulu-dulu ialah breakfast pepagi hari cuti. dulu aku selalu g ke subang ria belakang FAM kat kelana jaya dulu for breakfast, kenkadang kat area taman tun... kat sini lain, hari jumaat pagi, mcm mati je Doha ni... semua org tido sampai solat jumaat... jadi nya hari jumaat mmg lah tak de breakfast...
tp sejak dua menjak ni... since cuaca pun dah sejuk (siang pun dah below 20 degree rasanya)... kitaorang... the usual crowd... g lah breakfast kat corniche... as usual... tp minggu ni ditambah ngan family Che' Le yg equipped dgn few gadgets for activities.. with layang-layang as the main attraction... (Che' Le ni mmg penuh activity:-) )
aku bangun awal lagi... since dah janji ngan abe nak memasak at 6.30am... apparently aku tido pun jam 3am... sbb buat telecon ngan my parents kat ipoh n bro kat UK... jadi nya tido 3 jam je... tp memandangkan abe pun tak sampai jam 6.30am tu... aku pun prepare lah buat meehon goreng.... abe sampai jam 7am, dia plak masak mee goreng....
end up bila kat corniche.. we had nasi lemak (Adam family) nasi goreng (Che' Le family) dan drinks (as usual) from Azerdills... terasa lengkap ngan makanan... after breakfast i went for 3km jog.... while the others started with their own activities...
abe, aizal n nizam with guitar kapok... jamming jap... Che' Le ngan layang2 dia... Adam ngan kamera :-)... the girls with gossips Doha style... and the kids running here and there.... pas tu.... as usual... the guys all for frisbees....
ooh.. this would be our last breakfast this year... azerdills dah tak dapat join dah pas ni sbb nak balik KL... dilla dah nak cukup bulan.... gonna miss u all since korang lah antara key people for breakfast ni... by the time korang balik sini.. dah panas dah... huhuhu... and to those yg nak join our breakfast let me know... may be we would have the breakfast every friday next year (so long as ada orang rajin nak masak (not me anymore) hehehehe...)

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Exotic places...

Nak masuk tahun baru, mulalah aku berangan mana nak pergi jalan-jalan... mana tempat yang aku patut jelajah... actually bukan tunggu tahun baru je... almost every other day, kalau ada je orang ajak berjalan... rajin je aku berangan... orang tak ajak pun rajin je aku pikir...

anyway, listing bawah ni aku dapat dari forwarded messages, (tp pic tu aku cari kat internet, tak tahu lah ada copyright ke tak.. hehehe) so bagi sesapa yg suka berangan mcm aku, blh lah berangan g ke tempat-tempat ni... ada yg mmg logically blh buat and tak mahal sangat lah... like item number 9, 4 & 2...

no 10, 8 n 5 tu tak lah interested sangat... no 7, 6 dan 1 tu mcm mahal and perlu byk persiapan mental n fizikal... and no 2, maybe dah ramai pun orang makcik2 kat M'sia dah buat sambil shopping2 kan... but there's a possibility i might go for number 9, 4, dan 3... anybody wanna join???
-----------------------------
With the arrival of 2008, it’s time to do something different, something daring, something exhilarating. After all, we only live once -- or twice, in James bond’s case -- so why not make every second count? Whether it’s skiing down a mountain or hot-air-ballooning across the skies, you’ve got to "up" the excitement level in your life if you’re ever going to say you’ve truly lived. So, make like Richard Branson and scour the Earth for your next kick; here are 10 such exhilarating activities to mark on your 2008 to-do list.

Number 10
Ice fishing in Canada
If you’ve ever wanted to make like the Inuit and catch your own fish straight from a hole in the ice, now is your chance. There are many places in the world to do it, but Ontario, Canada, offers up over one quarter of the world’s freshwater, with plenty of trout, bass and pike to go around. Travel to Algoma Country on the northern part of Lake Superior -- the largest freshwater lake in the world -- then bait-up, cast your line and wait for something juicy to bite. Try contacting Ontario Ice Fishing to get started.Highlight: Undoubtedly, the highlight of this activity is cooking your catch on a crackling fire by night, holed up in a cozy lakeside cabin. After all, just because you’re fishing like the Inuit, doesn’t mean you have to stay in an igloo.

Number 9
Running with the bulls in Spain
While the locals think nothing of running away from a bull during the nine-day San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, it’s one of the most exhilarating activities an outsider can do. During the festival, part of the town is sectioned-off and transformed into a makeshift bull-run. While you could watch the action from one of the many overhanging balconies, you’ll have to join the hordes of participants to really feel the heat. When the protection barricade is opened, six or so raging bulls charge down the street, bucking and snorting.The aim of the game is to run as fast as you can and escape injury by ducking into alleyways along the way or completing the run before the bulls. There’s usually a few injuries, with people being trampled or gored by the beasts, so if you walk away unscathed, you’re one of the lucky ones. If you're interested, contact PP Travel, who offer a number of San Fermin bull-run packages.Highlight: As well as being able to enjoy the nine-day booze-fest that precedes this activity, running with the bulls is all about bravado and will enable you to demonstrate your prowess as a man (that is, if you aren’t kicked to the cobbled streets by a well-placed hoof).

Number 8
Motorcycle trip up Highway 1
There are few road trips that manage to pack in the best of both the natural and the man-made worlds, but a motorcycle trip up the road linking Los Angeles and San Francisco does just that. The trip affords drivers sights of everything from jaw-dropping mansions to awe-inspiring coast lines, but in order to bring this ride to the next level, we suggest hopping on a motorcycle that will make the road the main attraction -- a feat easily accomplished with help from the fastest bike on the market: the 2008 Hayabusa.Designed to change the lives of even the most jaded motorcycle aficionados, the Hayabusa’s 194 horses and 13400cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine will make you feel like you’ve just burned through California in an F-14 (without the less-than-exhilarat ing Kenny Loggins soundtrack, thankfully).Highlight: The undoubted climax of the trip comes from stopping to take in the awesome beauty of the coastal mountains in the Big Sur, then jumping back on your bike and accelerating to the speed limit quicker than you ever have before.

Number 7
Bungee jumping in Zimbabwe
While you could just appreciate the beauty of Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls with a walking tour, the more daring among you can bungee-jump from a perch at the nearby Victoria Falls Bridge. Until recently, the highest legal bungee-jump spot in the world, Victoria Falls is undoubtedly one of Mother Nature’s most terrifying creations.With a frighteningly frayed-looking rubber band tied around your ankles and the unnerving “five, four, three, two, one” countdown booming from the eager bungee staff, you’ll fall 364 feet towards the fierce Zambezi River that gushes below. It’ll only last seconds, but the jump will feel like an eternity as you fall through the air, with the thundering noise of the water behind you. Jump with Safari Par Excellence, who have an excellent track record.Highlight: Twice as high as Niagara Falls,Victoria Falls separates Zimbabwe from Zambia, and bungee jumping from it will make you feel like you’re on the edge of the world.

Number 6
Cage diving in South Africa
If you’ve ever seen Jaws, then you’ll be familiar with the fear associated with a sharp gray dorsal fin slicing ominously through the water. Fortunately, in this case, you’ll be in a robust cage with an oxygen tank strapped to your back as the undisputed king of the deep approaches, eyes wild with anger.Setting off from Kleinbaai Harbour, a boat will take you out to a channel between the Geyser and Dyer islands, where a great white will be lured with bait. Give the White Shark Company a call, and get hooked.Highlight: Underwater for 30 to 45 minutes, you’ll be able to experience the thrill of being close to a great white without the fear of being torn apart, limb by limb. You’ll be able to see its gleaming white teeth, its dead black eyes and its torpedo-like body, all from the safety of a cage. When you come this close to the devil, you’ll feel like you’re playing God.
Number 5
Tandem skydiving in England
The best way to experience the thrill of falling to Earth, tandem skydiving involves you being strapped to an instructor as you leap out of a plane 10,000 to 12,000 feet above the ground. Without you needing to worry about pulling the cord at the right time -- thus ensuring survival -- you can enjoy the thrill of the jump without the fear of dying. Organize your free fall through Virgin Experience Days to make like daredevil Richard Branson.Highlight: There’s nothing quite like a 5,000-foot free fall at 120 mph, after which you’ll be able to safely float to Earth while taking in the panoramic views of the countryside below you. What’s more, with a tandem skydive you get to experience the thrill without all the time-consuming training.
Number 4
Camel trekking in Morocco
Make like Ali Baba and embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the Sahara Desert -- on camel! Sure, you could take a 4x4, but it’s more fun plundering dunes and battling sandstorms atop a hump. Starting in the mysterious city of Marrakech, you’ll follow the ancient camel caravan routes through the desert to Jebel Saghro and up towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Log on to CamelTrekking. com for a first-class trek.Highlight: Camping each night beside a crackling fire at small, palm-fringed oases, you’ll feel like Aladdin on his first wish. Just make sure you use your second wish for water and your third wish for a compass, should you get lost.
Number 3
Hiking the Inca trails in Peru
Hiking 28 miles in the Peruvian Andes, you’ll come across the stunning ruins of the long-forgotten Inca city of Machu Picchu. Like Indian Jones, you’ll cut away foliage with a machete as you make your way through the subtropical jungle, cross deep ravines, scale long flights of stairs, and pass through the crumbling passageways constructed by the Incas thousands of years ago. Along the way you’ll be able to enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery that this part of the world affords, as well as age-old monasteries and nature’s most beautiful creatures. Schedule your hike with Sungate Tours.Highlight: Reaching the city of Machu Picchu is the highlight, as it’s like stumbling on El Dorado. Hidden deep in the jungle, you’ll become part of history as you explore an open-air museum without velvet ropes or artifacts in glass boxes.
Number 2
Walking the Great Wall in China
The world’s longest man-made structure, stretching over 6,300 miles from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, walking the Great Wall of China will do wonders for your ego.OK, you don’t have to walk the full 6,300 miles, but walking a section of the wall is certainly viable. What’s more, it’s a great way to experience the country’s history, culture and breathtaking scenery. But be warned: You’ll need physical strength and stamina to keep up, as this is not an activity for the weak. Opt for tour company AwimAway.com if you think you can hack the pace.Highlight: One of the most legendary man-made structures in history, walking the wall is an achievement that’ll be hard to beat. The highlight of the trip, however, has to be the chance to explore Beijing a vibrant metropolis that is a fusion of old and new.

Number 1
Trekking to Everest’s South Base Camp in Nepal
The adventure of a lifetime, trekking to Everest's South Base Camp in Nepal is the only way for explorers to truly prove their mettle. Start at the city of Kathmandu before making your way to Lukla and up the Khumbu Valley towards the South Base Camp. In addition to breathtaking snow-capped mountain ranges, you’ll take in the Khumbu Icefall, Sherpa villages, the famous Namche Bazaar, and a number of Buddhist monasteries along the way. This is the only way to soak up Nepalese culture. Organize your trek with ResponsbileTravel. com.Highlight: The highlight of the trip is reaching the base camp and standing at the spot where so many adventurers have set off to climb the world’s tallest mountain -- it is simply awe-inspiring.
living every minuteWhile many of these activities involve a lot of effort, any red-blooded man will tell you that a life that doesn’t require such dedication is a life half-lived. So strap yourself in and get ready for the ride of your life.

Nak keluar negara pun kena bayar???

QR10 exit permit fee imposed
Published: Wednesday, 26 December, 2007, 03:24 AM Doha Time
By K T Chacko

THE Ministry of Interior hiked the charges for some of its services with effect from yesterday and introduced a fee of QR10 for issuing an exit permit, which was so far issued free of cost.According to the Interior Minister’s Decision No. 19 of 2007, frequent travellers can get a multiple exit permit for an annual fee of QR500. For the cancellation of such a permit the same amount will be charged.

As per the new decision, identity (ID) cards have become costlier by 100%. The new charge for issuing the ID card is QR100. For replacing a lost card, the owner will have to pay QR200.The residence permit (RP) fee for a child sponsored by the parent has been raised to QR400. The same amount will be charged for the RP of infants as well. However, those who renew their children’s visa for a period of three years will be given a discount of 20%.

Dependants who stay beyond the stipulated six months outside Qatar will be charged an additional QR500 for their return to the country.The renewal fee for worker’s visa (RP) continues to be QR1,000. Foreigners who invest in Qatar and Qatari real estate owners will also be issued residence permits for an annual fee of QR1,000.Expatriates may be granted permission to take up part-time work outside after their working hours with their sponsors for a monthly fee of QR100. Before applying for such a permission, they will have to secure the approval of their sponsors.

For transferring the visa from an old passport to a new one, the fee has been raised from QR50 to QR100. To effect changes in the name, nationality and designation, the new fee is QR200.Those who want their entry visa to be changed into work visa without leaving the country will have to pay QR500. For changing the sponsor before the visa is stamped in the passport, an expatriate worker has to pay a fee of QR300.

Students who get dual residency in another GCC country will have to pay an annual fee of QR500. For employees under company sponsorship, the fee for dual residency permit will be QR2,000.Cancellation of RPs of dependants will cost QR20 and cancellation of worker’s visa QR50.Foreigners who want to recruit domestic servants have to pay a fee of QR1,500.

Expatriates who want to change their sponsors will be charged QR1,000 for the first time, QR1,500 for the second time and QR2,000 for the third change. For firms, the fee for changing sponsors will be QR2,000, QR2,500 and QR3,000 for the first, second and third times, respectively.

Business visas, extendable up to three months, will be issued for a fee of QR200 for each month.Visit visas for relatives, extendable up to six months, will be charged QR200 a month.Non-extendable tourist visas for a month will cost QR100. Visit visas for GCC residents, extendable up to three months, will be also charged QR100 for every month.

A transit visa, valid for a maximum period of 48 hours, will cost QR100. A resident who loses his visa while abroad will be charged QR200 for issuing a return visa to Qatar.

From Gulf Times....

* aku dengar air ticket pun akan naik from 1 Jan 2008... meaning nak keluar dari negara getting costlier!!! ooh... should i stay here longer?? since my main interest utk g tgk negara2 orang kat sini... kalau mcm ni, susah lah nak melancong... hu hu hu...

ooh.... more cost.. check here...!!!

extract of it :

Renewal of driving licences to cost more
Published: Wednesday, 26 December, 2007, 03:24 AM Doha Time
Staff Reporter

-THE renewal fee of driving licences of expatriates for a period of five years has been raised to QR250 from the current QR150.
- Issuance of a temporary driving licence, valid for three months, for tourists, visitors or foreigners will cost QR150.
- The fee for issuing a duplicate licence in place of a damaged or lost document will be the same as for the issuance of the original one.
- To remove the wheel clamps of vehicles violating rules, the owner should pay a fine of QR200 for the first time and an additional QR200 for every subsequent violation. The fine has a ceiling of QR1,000.
- The usage of police cranes to move vehicles would cost QR500. The fee for permission to change the colour or shape of the vehicle is QR50.
- Those who want to take their Qatari-registered vehicles along with them outside the country can obtain a single exit permit for the vehicle for a fee of QR5.
- If applicants seek a permit for multiple exits and re-entries for a period of three months, the fee will be QR25. Such a permit can be got for six months for a payment of QR50.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Aidiladha 1428...

*this is a wrap up for raya citer... a bit long citer ni... hehehe - read : malas nak update lately*

tahun ni aku sambut aidiladha di Doha... last year aku sempat balik Malaysia... tp memandangkan baru sebulan je aku balik sini dari Malaysia... mcm awal sangat lah plak nak balik sana... dan parents aku plak tak jadi datang... nasib baik razi, nak try beraya kat negara arab... so ada lah kawan aku yg blh aku minta bawak bahan2 masak2 dari Malaysia nak guna utk beraya... :-)

as you all know.. raya di Doha ni sehari lebih awal dari kat M'sia... - ni satu benda aku tak paham on setting raya dates... kenapa lah kat Malaysia lewat sehari berbanding kat Doha ni??? is it sbb time difference ke??? memang tak nampak anak bulan??? or apa??? sbb bukan ke aidiladha ni disambut setelah hari Arafah? kenapa lain2 plak kan??? -

malam sebelum raya, kami dijemput ke umah kak titien utk bertakbir... dia jemput small group of us... and mmg a very small group pun datang... about 20 of us, but best lah... actually ni lah first time aku g bertakbir umah orang... hehehe.. back in M'sia tak pernah g pun :-( (memalukan!) and kak titien masak punya lah banyak!!! ooh... i left early from the majlis, sebab nak hantar Dato' K yg 'terpaksa' pulang beraya kat M'sia. hehehe...

kedutaan M'sia buat solat raya jam 8.30am... (masjid2 kat sini buat solat exactly selepas matahari terbit i.e. 6am++) tp aku bgn agak lewat around 7.40am... dah lah tak gosok baju lagi... tp nasib malang, iron aku too hot for the baju, habis berlubang kat lengan baju :-( anyway, ramai jugak aku jumpa kat embassy, termasuk lah the new ambassador (sapa nama dia? aku tak ingat hehehe... katanya sedara ngan adnan jusoh -MB Pahang). ada lah sikit makanan kat embassy....







tahun ni embassy buat korban hasil sumbangan rakyat malaysia... ada lebih dari 10 ekor kambing.... but i did not join melapah, tgk sekejap jer... hehehe back from embassy... tido je...

malam tu, kak rubi telah berbesar hati menjemput group kitaorang makan2 (group gambar raya katanya). it was a small gathering je... but enough... ada satay and nasi dagang... sedap2 semua nya ;-) thanks kak rubi. and kebetulan ada tv n blh berkaraoke... so ada lah abang2 yg dah gian nak berkaraoke nyanyi skit2 hehehe.... aku tak join sbb sound system tak best (alasan... hahaha)... still left early, sbb nak balik memasak.... back from rubi's straight masuk dapur... banyak nak masak... although by that time, rendang dinding n kuah laksa dah siap.... did i say kuah laksa?? yes... i cooked laksa for this raya here... my mom tak buat laksa pun raya sudah, so i try lah buat kat sini... thanks mak for all the recipe and tips (apparently resepi tu mak aku yg bagi... penat lah dia menaip berchatting ngan aku bg info).... so malam tu... i cooked (together with razi yg terpaksa membantu hehehe) rendang pedas ayam, ayam masak merah, dalca daging dan jelatah... dengan plan esok nya nak rebus laksa and potong ulam, buat air, masak nasi tomato dan buat kuah kacang...

in summary these are my raya open house dishes : Laksa Penang, Nasi Tomato berlaukkan ayam masak merah, dalca daging, jelatah dan kurma kambing (courtesy of yati, dgn daging korban), nasi impit dan ketupat daun palas cicah ngan kuah kacang, rendang pedas ayam dan rendang dinding. air - air bandung :-) dessert... dilla's agar2 dan yeen's kek coklat... :-)

Special big big thanks to Razi, for lending extra hands to make this makan2 a success... dia lah tukang masak, tukang rasa, tukang potong, tukang susun, tukang cuci... and of course for flying all the way to Doha with all the authentic ingredients :-) without u.. tak menjadi makan-makan ni hehehe...


the open house went well tp mcm tak habis je makanan... seems like ada few other house buat makan2 so, depa makan skit jer... byk berbaki :-( but at least i have many compliments on my laksa :-) nasib baik menjadi, walaupun awal2 nya tak cukup masin kata rizal kentz (the food tester)... ooh ada gak budak office aku datang (although not as many as yg agree nak datang) anyway, my big2 boss kat my department came, and told me a potential good news hehehe.... we'll citer once the good news become real...

disebabkan banyak berbaki, the next morning aku bawak lah makanan2 left overs ke post party a.k.a breakfast at corniche. it was a fun fun day... main frisbees and sepak2 bola... and makan... seperti yg dijangka, masa majlis mmg kengkawan kurang makan... sbb adam n abe br nak try my nasi tomato n lauk2... katanya tak sempat/kenyang nak makan semalam.... tak kisah lah... so long tak membazir, as they brought back of the left overs.. :-) memang best lah picnic kat corniche pepagi ni... cuma, lagi best kalau dtg makan je... hahaha... next week kalau ada lagi, i don't wanna wake up early to cook, adam (if u read this) next week u have to cook!!! dah 2 minggu aku je bawak makanan... hehehe... malam tu plak, since it was razi last day for shopping kat Doha souq.... lepak2 lah kat souq since 6pm... dan kebetulan ada plak persembahan pentas yg aku pun tak pasti utk majlis apa... anyway, the souq today memang berbeza dengan souq tahun lepas... even berbeza berbanding keadaan souq sebelum aku balik raya. lebih happening!!! lebih banyak activity!!! more cultured!!! i like!!!! but the sad thing (or is it consider good) ada polis2 arab merata2 and one of their task is to prevent keralites (org2 keling kerala) from entering the souq area... macam ada racial issues... i do not know the reason... tp kalau depa tak der pun tak per... anyway, masa kat souq tu, mmg best... there u go.... things that i did for raya sudah

Monday, December 24, 2007

Starting something...

My next project... i'm still indecisive about this... but it is not because i do not wanna do it... but it is more whether i would have enough inner strength and will to do it...




However, for a starter.... let me understand the whole idea of the project.... therefore i have ordered 2 books from Amazon.com :-) Understand the project then continue assessing whether should i continue or retreat...


siang tadi on the way to the cafetaria i saw this one quote... i do not remember by who. anyway quote dia lebih kurang mcm ni lah.... if you are so afraid to climb a mountain, you will always stay in a hole...


hmmm.. let me study the whole project.... later once am ready, i will reveal it (kalau menjadi lah... )


btw, anyone of you know how to redesign a blog... design template etc... i may need your help.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Where's the sign???

kat Qatar ni mmg susah nak bawak orang berjalan... antara punca nya info untuk tempat lawatan memang kurang especially tempat bersejarah.... maybe sebab negara ni memang tak de sejarah lah kot.... so kalau ada orang nak datang ke Doha/Qatar, more than a week... kena lah fikir-fikir dan aturkan itinerary supaya nampak or terasa macam banyak je aktiviti...


like last week aku bawak lah razi tengok-tengok utara Qatar, melalui shamal road menuju ke Madinat As Shamal. aku pernah lalui jalan ni dulu... (see here) tp masa aku g dulu ada satu tempat aku tak jumpa i.e. barzan tower kat Umm Slal Mohamed.... so kali ni, tempat ni aku nak tuju tempat ni dulu...



sesampai je simpang ke Umm Slal Mohamed aku redah je kampung arab ni... no signboard around so aku based on my imigination of the tower, aku mencari... then aku pun jumpa lah 2 tower yang aku rasa memang ni lah barzan tower... dengan kesan runtuhan kat belakang nya. so aku ambil gambar lah... siap ada posing2 lagi... tp aku hairan kenapa kerajaan ni tak tahu nak preserve kesan sejarah negara sendiri... sebab 2 tower ni tak terurus dan terletak belakang umah orang je... dan satu lagi sebelah masjid... setelah ambil gambar aku pun menuju semula ke jalan shamal...

tapi disebabkan aku nak buat shortcut... aku dah detour n sesat sekejap... then aku terjumpa ada 2 tower yang lebih kemas dan nampak mcm tempat lawatan... tapi tak de signboard (again)... then setelah aku amati... rupa-rupanya ini lah barzan tower... hahaha... punya lah kelakar. mesti orang punya umah tadi gelak2 tengok aku posing depan runtuhan belakang umah dia.. :-)

ni lah Qatar... lack of signboards and info... even dia preserve pun, tak nampak original tower ni... that's arab style of preservation, either by making old things like new or by making new building looks like old (souq waqif). seperti mana Fort Zubara, Barzan Tower ni pun has no info on it kat area tu... so tgk-tgk dan ambil gambar je lah... without any knowledge on the significant of the two towers... (janji sampai hehehe...)

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Desert Safari...

jumaat minggu lepas kitaorang g ke desert safari, kebetulan ada 2 tetamu dr Malaysia. Adik kak Rubi dan Razi....

semua berkumpul di Doha Club selepas solat Jumaat.... dan tepat jam 2ptg... off we went... dgn 4 4WD.... bawak 20 orang menuju ke inland sea (laut di tengah padang pasir)

it was a thrill and exciting drive... memang best :-) and everyone enjoyed it!!! ada turun sampai lebih 70 degree kot.. tp sbb terlampau extreme, tak sempat nak ambil gambar.... kitaorang sempat tgk sunset dan berjemaah maghrib di rumah bedouin.

here some photos... easier to describe/citer dgn gambar :-)



for those yang nak g sand dune dan tak de kereta sendiri, i would suggest u to take arabian desert tour ni. reliable driver, on time and extreme skill :-) thanks rubi for organising... thanks all for joining...

oh.. for those yg miss this trip, am planning for another trip when my parents datang berziarah... next mac/april perhaps

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Twenty-five shaping tomorrow’s world of Mid East Biz

For the past four years The Times has researched, collated and published the Power 100, a list of the most influential business leaders working in quoted UK companies. As part of this week’s wide-ranging business coverage from Dubai, the model has been adapted to map the network of rich, powerful and influential business people working in the Gulf today.

Of necessity, given the diversity of talent and the scarcity of statistical data, the GulfPower25 is more qualitative than quantitative. It is a Who’s Who of those who lead or control business in the Middle East. It covers countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council trading bloc - Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. It makes no claims to be the last word on rich, powerful, influential and entrepreneurial people in the region. The names and faces driving the Gulf economy have changed and will continue to change. This list will be posted on Times Online, where it will be updated to take account of readers’ comments. The personalities, and their rankings, will change in the light of convincing contributions.


1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum is the ruler of Dubai, whose vision is fuelling the frenetic development of the city and spurring the transformation of the Gulf. He is also Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai in one emirate. Sheikh Mohammed owes his wealth to oil, but conscious that the reserves on his patch of land are relatively small, he has broadened the economic base into property, ports and airports, leisure and financial services. Sheikh Mohammed heads our list because he is powerful, influential and rich. However, it is his role as the catalyst for change in the region that sets him apart. Sheikh Mohammed appears acutely aware of the opportunities, and more willing than most to combat threats that have prompted other Middle East leaders to impede, or halt, the process of reform.


2 King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Saudia Arabia, thanks its geographical size, its relatively large population of 27 million, and its enormous reserves of oil, will ultimately determine the future of the Gulf. Saudi Arabia sits on about a quarter of the world’s oil reserves, is a crucial trading partner and a significant, albeit cautious, force in dispute-settlement in the Middle East.

Like Dubai, it is beginning to move beyond oil in its dealings with the global economy. It is fostering a domestic stock market and establishing rules for a more dynamic corporate environment. King Abdullah is, no doubt, the most powerful man in the Middle East, but he is still to put his country’s wealth and human capital to work.


3 Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, but, perhaps more importantly, is chairman of one of the world’s biggest investment funds – the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. ADIA has assets estimated to be in excess of £200 billion and which may be as much as £400 billion. It is highly secretive, but, within the global fund management industry, is highly regarded. Abu Dhabi sits on 95 per cent of the oil and gas reserves in the UAE and 9 per cent of the world’s proven hydrocarbon reserves.


4 Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thaniis chairman and chief executive of the Qatar Investment Authority. The approaches made by the QIA to Sainsbury’s, the British supermarket group, and the London Stock Exchange, are just two examples of Qatar’s determination to play a leading role in the economy of the Gulf. Sheikh Tamim is son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the head of the Qatari ruling family. The QIA, via its Qatari Diar property arm, is known in London for being the main backer of the £940 million purchase of Chelsea Barracks and the backer of One Hyde Park – 82 luxury flats, of which a penthouse sold for £100 million.


5 Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud is one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, with assets estimated at $20 billion (£9.6 billion). His interests span hospitality, property and direct equity investment. He made a large part of his fortune investing in Citigroup, the US investment house. He is a nephew of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. With Bill Gates, of Microsoft, he bought the Four Seasons hotel chain for $3.4 billion last year.


6 Lubna Olayan,the Saudi business-woman, is chief executive of the Olayan Financing Company, which handles an estimated $20 billion worth of investment for the Olayan Group, one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest businesses. The Olayan Group is active in industry, tourism, finance, property development, transportation and manufacturing and has fostered close ties with US companies. It owns lucrative Middle East distribution franchises for brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Burger King, Nestlé and Coca-Cola. Its international partners include BP Solar, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, Bechtel and Burger King. Lubna Olayan sits on the board of Saudi Hollandi Bank and WPP, the advertising group. Moreover, she is a champion of women’s rights and stands in the vanguard of a new generation of women rising through the ranks of business in the Gulf.


7 Prince Saud bin Thunayan al-Saud is the chairman of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), the largest public company in the Middle East, which is 70 per cent owned by Saudi Arabia’s Government. The remaining 30 per cent is controlled by private Middle East investors. When Sabic bought GE Plastics for about $11.6 billion in May it was the largest acquisition by an Arab company of a foreign rival. Sabic was set up by royal decree in 1976 as a way of using the byproducts of Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves to produce commodities such as chemicals, polymers and fertilisers. Today, it represents the promise of a different kind of Gulf conglomerate, not privately-owned and introspective but publicly listed and global.


8 Maan Abdul Waheed al-Sanea became the second-biggest shareholder in HSBC this year after amassing a 3.1 per cent stake in the bank worth £3.3 billion. Mr al-Sanea is the co-founder of the Saad Group, a conglomerate that built its fortune on construction and engineering. The former air force pilot is passionate about healthcare and education. He founded a private hospital and support centre for special-needs children and their families in Saudi Arabia and has vowed to invest more in healthcare across the Gulf in the future.


9 Nasser al-Kharafi, chairman of the Kuwait-based Al-Kharafi Group, has net worth estimated at $12 billion by Forbes, the US magazine. His interests span construction, telecoms and fast food.


10 Ali Ibrahim al-Naimi is the chairman Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest oil company, which is state-owned and is thought to be worth an estimated $800 billion. Mr al-Naimi joined Saudi Aramco in 1974 and worked his way up through the organization to become president and chief executive. In 1995 he became Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister.


11 Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem chairs Dubai World, the state-owned company that controls about 100 companies. Those businesses include Nakheel, the property developer estimated to be worth $60 billion and best known for its construction of the Jumeirah Palm, the palm tree shaped man-made island off the coast of Dubai; DP World, the infrastructure business that bought P&O for $6.9 billion; and Istithmar, a private equity-type investment fund with investments ranging from Standard Chartered, the bank, to Barneys, the department store. It also bought the QE2 in June for $100 million.


12 Sameer al-Ansari is chief executive of Dubai International Capital, which showed the nature of its ambitions this week when it acquired a 9.9 per cent stake in Och-Ziff, the US hedge fund manager. Among past roles he was chief financial officer in the executive office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.


13 Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon al-Nahyan is chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. He was responsible for persuading the Louvre and Guggenheim museums of Paris and New York to open branches in Abu Dhabi. He has not only led Abu Dhabi’s efforts to regain international profile from its noisier, flashier cousin down the road – Dubai – he has also signalled the region’s commitment to culture as well as capitalism.


14 Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarakis the chief executive of the Mubadala Development Company, an Abu Dhabi-backed investment company that owns, among many other things, a 5 per cent stake in Ferrari, the motor racing brand, helping to bring Abu Dhabi its first Grand Prix. At the same time, Mubadala is investing heavily in treatments for diabetes, an illness that affects a large proportion of emiratis.


15 Mohammad al-Gergawi, the executive chairman of Dubai Holding and the UAE’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, is widely seen as Sheikh Mohammed’s right-hand man. Dubai Holding is one of the main investment companies in Dubai and is responsible for land development and infrastructure.


16 Anees Issa built his reputation as a media mogul in Oman before going into tourism. As the chairman of The Blue City, a $15 billion coastal project, he has promised to transform his country into the Switzerland of the Middle East. When finished, The Blue City will have hospitals, schools and a university. The 34 sq km seafront city, only 45 minutes from Muscat, will also include two championship golf courses and four luxury hotels and will point to the thing that makes the country distinctive among Gulf states: diverse regions of outstanding natural beauty.


17 Majid al-Futtaim is the president of MAF Group, one of the most adventurous retail groups in the region. He has developed some of the Gulf’s largest shopping centres, including the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. MAF also brought the French hypermarket Carrefour to the Middle East.
18 Khalid Kanoo is the Bahrain-based group managing director of the Kanoo Group, with construction, oil, gas, engineering, shipping and financial services interests throughout the Gulf and the Saudi peninsula.


19 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum is chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and president of the Department of Dubai Civil Aviation, a governing body that oversees the activities of Dubai International airport, among other things. Sheikh Ahmed is the uncle of the current ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Emirates is already one of the ten largest airlines and some think that it may grow to become the world’s largest within ten years.


20 Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi is the United Arab Emirate’s Minister for Economy and Planning. She has taken leading roles in the UAE’s ambition to diversify revenues away from oil and in developing more robust trade links with countries outside the region, including the US.


21 Mohamed bin Ali Alabbar is founder and chairman of Emaar, Dubai’s largest property company. It was formed in 1997 and is listed on the Dubai stock exchange but still majority-owned by the state. Via Emaar, Dubai has staked its claim for having the world’s largest building, the Burj Dubai, a $20 billion project. At 156 floors and climbing, the Burj is already nearly 600 metres (1,969 ft) high and is expected to reach 164 floors – although the final height is being kept a closely guarded secret. Mr Alabbar’s personal connections with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah helped Emaar this year to win a contract to build a new Saudi city near Jeddah at a cost of $26.6 billion.


22 Ismail Mataris the UAE’s answer to David Beckham and a potentially lucrative pin-up for advertisers. The 24-year-old football star has won the hearts of a soccer-mad nation. He is best known for leading the UAE to their first trophy, the 2007 Gulf Cup, which was held in Abu Dhabi. Matar scored five goals in five games, picking up both the best player’s and top scorer’s trophies and he is being tipped for a move to a European club side. He is also the embodiment of a new, powerful phenomenon in the Gulf: home-grown celebrity.


23 Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al-Missnedchairs the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, a private nonprofit organisation founded in 1995 and pursuing teaching and social reforms. In 2003, Unesco appointed her a special envoy for basic and higher education and she established the International Fund for Higher Education in Iraq.


24 Esam Janahi, chairman of Gulf Finance House, one of the region’s fastest-growing Islamic banks, principal investor in the $1.5 billion Bahrain Financial Harbour business development and the force behind “energy cities” built or planned for Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Beijing.


25 Abdul Latif al-Sayegh, the chief executive of Arab Media Group, which owns three newspapers, nine radio stations and two television stations. He is at the forefront of media freedoms with a special interest in promoting the development of a more questioning journalism.




From The Times
November 2, 2007

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Selamat Datang...

ada beberapa keputusan aku buat kat sini adalah untuk accomodate orang datang ke Doha ni...

contoh nya, aku beli kereta sedan instead of hatchback sbb aku fikir kalau my parents datang sini sure beg besar-besar... kalau kereta hatchback takut plak tak muat...

aku tak berusaha utk pindah ke villa yang lebih besar atau apartment yg lebih baru sbb my apt ni agak senang jugak nak ambil public transport berbanding apartment lain...

then aku berusaha lah sungguh-sungguh utk dapat apartment 3 bilik instead of 2 bedroom apartment as stipulated in my so-called contract, so that kalau ramai orang nak datang... muat lah nak tido... 2 family blh accomodate...

aku plan nak ambil satu lagi sim card phone utk kegunaan sesapa yg datang kat sini :-)

tapi.... yang aku mengharapkan datang.... family... kengkawan... kawan atas kawan... tak muncul2 jugak :-(

dan bila my parents cakap nak datang for raya haji kat sini, i was so excited... dah bg tahu member2 sini dah nak buat open house :-) tp sebab cuti aku extended hari tu, they've decided to postpone their trip here, too bad...

tapi, thanks to my previous housemate, razi, yang agree nak datang sini to celebrate raya... katanya nak clear off cuti tahunan.... hooray!!!! he'll be here for the whole week starting tomorrow!!! :-) have a safe flight tomorrow (or today) ok!!!

and my parents plak asyik postpone lah nak datang... kejap in January... then in March... kenkadang in May.... apa2 lah.... anyway, sesapa yang nak datang Doha jemput lah datang :-)

Monday, December 10, 2007

buying house...

buying house seriously not a cheap thing... mmg giler mahal... but aku bukan lah complaint pasal harga rumah yg memang giler mahal dah tu... but yg buat dia jadi mahal for me adalah disebabkan oleh,those expenses yg kena bayar with cash...

for example... MRTA (to include in loan jadi mahal), lawyer fee (ok, sometimes they are free), deposit air and elektrik, deposit maintenance fee... (oh am talking abt apt in KL), parking access card, etc. tu belum cerita nak taruh grill kat tingkap... pasang all those main item like lampu, aircond, heater.... kitchen cabinet etc... so on top of your housing loan utk beli umah... u may spend few more thousands for these... gila mahal!!!

ari tu, masa aku nak ambil kunci umah aku, aku kena jelaskan some interest charges sbb loan lambat drawdown... actually bank salah hantar cheque, instead of hantar kat turnkey contractor Jernih Matang PGMS, depa hantar kat PKNS. delay for 69 days rasanya, which cost me about RM450... tak pasal2 aku kena bayar! dua2 pihak, developer n bank tak nak mengaku salah.

selain daripada tu, memandangkan parking selalu nya allocated 1 rumah 1, so i think it is best if i could buy another parking lot 1 more parking lot, in case org nak dtg umah... tp bagai giler harga nya... tandem parking RM6k! I tot what the heck, nak beli je lah... then dia kata dah habis, so dia offer side-by-side parking for RM12k!!! giler!!! parking lot or tanah besar carpet aku kat umah tu blh harga that high!!! and then dia suruh serahkan duit on the spot for me to get the parking lot. what i understand, the parking lot unit title will be issued with my strata title... but gosh!!! 12k!!! tak berbaloi langsung for a small parking lot....





anyway, alhamdulillah... i already have my own property... although kecil je lah... :-) nanti dah siap renovate n furnished... i will invite all of you for house warming... :-)

Saturday, December 08, 2007

watch...

serious.. am a late beginner... i spent my whole saturday watching heroes the series... the first season...

however that's not all.. i wactched this, part 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6....

Happy Adif Birthday...

macam tu la arab punya tak pikir bila buat keje... ada ke tulis Happy Adif Birthday kat atas kek Power Rangers Adif... hehehe... anyway, it was a fun power-rangers-turn-powerpuff=girls (bcoz of too much balloons)-birthday party last night.....


sbb kan tuan rumah short handed.... so kitaorg orang2 bujang datang awal nak tolong cucuk sate... so dr jam 3 abe n akak dah sampai sana... later nije, sha n kimi sampai and i was the last with frans. Upacara pertama was mencucuk satay... then lepas maghrib the guys mula pasang api n bakar satay... and the girls tiup belon.... and later the guys gantung belon... and by 7pm everything was ready dan tunggu guest come in....



if u look at the food i mean satay... sebenar nya sate tu gile besar.. lg besar dr sate samuri kajang tu... alasan nya.. senang nak potong.. and senang nak cucuk... n sebab yg mencucuk nya nak siap cepat... jadi lah sate panjang2 n lebar2 n besar2.... makan 3-4 cucuk dah kenyang.... :-) but anyway, all the grilled food mmg sedap...

apparently, the naquib the host pun touch down kat airport around 7... so dia pun kiranya mcm guest lah... and there were azerdills family, adam's family, manan's family and shahrin wife n ferra... and around 8 kek pun dipotong...



it was fun fun fun... sbb since raya this is the first time that our normal group can fully gather.... (except MT yg dah tak de kat sini)... ooh next week will be another makan2 and more birthday celebrations!!!! :-) thanks rubi n naquib.... happy birthday Adif!!!

anyway... talking abt birthday.... i received few more gifts long after my birthday... thanks azana n ayu, sha n nije, baby myra n her parents :-)

Thursday, December 06, 2007

welcome back...

the first few days masa aku balik hari tu mmg membosankan... rasa mcm tak nak duduk kat Doha dah... its the same feeling everytime balik Doha for most of us here (i bet lah, tak tahu lah ada kengkawan yg mmg seronok dok sini....)

first day masuk office aku bawak biskut almond london nak bg bebudak office... rasa macam first day of work je.. first g jumpa pak2 arab... seperti biasa depa ni akan tanya khabar dengan 3-4 jenis soalan benda yg sama... dan peluk cium sana sini.. hehehe.... tp ye lah depa ni kurang expressive.... dan asyik2 lah bertanya khabar je... mungkin jugak sbb aku pun tak tahu bahasa arab....

later aku jumpa plak orang2 putih, yg ni lagi meriah... bukan tanya khabar je... semua nak tanya n minta aku describe apa sakit aku... beriya benar... dan dengan facial expression... dgn body language... really welcomes u back... and siap nak tempah lagi almond london (or here i name it chocolate almond sbb org2 putih from london tak pernah tgk pun biskut tu...)

tp... bila aku fikir2 balik... disebalik arab yg mcm tak expressive, depa tu nampak seperti lebih genuine as compared to org putih yg lebih superficial... especially british... orang europe kurang skit... (ooh some european do not consider UK as part of europe pun hehehe)... this is i guess what we call as pertembungan budaya....

dan berbanding kita melayu, we kind of mix and match... org yg kita jaga hati nya.. we can be as superficial as we wanted... kipas baik punya... ngan org lain yg tak de kepentingan... tanya gitu2 je... (or is this apply to all races gak.... i do not know..)

should be more vocal n expressive but less genuine... or be pure but less emotions...

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Mengasap...

Kenkadang aku rasa by smoking you can actually boleh buat networking... sbb dari dulu lagi aku rasa mcm tu... and it is happening now... dan kadangkala aku rasa nak start merokok... tp still i have not and will not turn my self jadi smoker....

masa student...
- those smokers tu jadi mcm group... mmg lah digambarkan as kengkawan yg bermasalah... selalu ponteng... but they are bonded sbb depa selalu buat salah together... selalu cikgu ada cakap, kalau sensorang mmg depa takkan buat... so dgn sbb itu depa can get along together well...
- by smoking atau curi2 merokok atau blh supply rokok, yg junior blh jadi rapat senior... and tetiba je depa ni kenal n blh lepak selalu... and nak g turun main kat padang pun ngam...

masa keje...
- kebanyakan boss melayu tend to smoke... i do not have any statistic, but itu yg dlm hidup aku lah, then kengkawan yg merokok ni tend to lepak2 ngan boss for cigarette break... dan sebab ngam tu, kdg2 boss pun blh minta rokok... and kalau makan ngan boss n few frens, u tend to be left out bila depa merokok lepas makan...
- masa g course/seminar pun mcm tu... although bukan ngan big boss, tp lepas seminar, or tea break... those smokers akan cari tempat lapang/open utk merokok... then masa tu depa habis kan dengan bersembang2... n tukar2 name card... dan pinjam lighter can be the ice breaker... tak kisah lah lelaki or perempuan... sama je semua org... like me, aku akan pulun makan je.. (tu lah jadi gemuk)
- masa kat office, bila tgh tension sesetengah org akan g ke pintu kecemasan/tangga area utk merokok... dan selalu nya depa ada cigarette buddies... and dengan org2 tu lah sebenarnya gossip pasal office lebih cepat tersebar... ppl from different department share their knowledge abt the company sambil2 merokok... and some of these info is really confidential (suppose...)

and now...
- ramai2 org putih ni, laki ke perempuan ke... akan merokok... and i think thats one of the way u actually mixed with the rest...
- masa merokok ni lah buat small talks yg non-work related things depa citer...
- ada masa nya depa melepak merokok... then g makan... so if u do not smoke, u'll miss the makan2 ngan depa...
- same... merokok lah masa bergossip... and pinjam lighter is ice breaking session...

ooh ni bukan apply kat office je... but masa g malaysian gathering kat embassy... or other malaysian gathering...

anyway, this is not saying that i will merokok sooner or later... i will definitely won't... tp merokok is not all bad lah... :-)

*p/s... i was actually talking abt this sbb perempuan yg ganti tpt perempuan bodoh sebelah aku ni seems so popular n welcome, and most of the time, dia melepak2 g isap rokok je keje nya... that is how she got connected. but me, baik2 sitting sebelah dia, left unnoticed... hehehe... but its ok, i do not want to be noticed anyway.

p/s (2)... i've just started watching heroes, hehehehehe.. i know i'm slow... but am getting connected to it... or shall i say hooked on it.. now, tiap2 hari balik tgk heroes... kenapa lah satu season ada 20 odd episodes je.. buat lah 100 episodes like bold n beautiful tu.... hahahahaha...

p/s (3)... this entry is not saying that I am gonna start the smoking habit sooner or later... definitely not in my head pun... its just some idea yg terkeluar bila tak de keje kat office :-) definitely i will not smoke lah.... thanks for your concerned

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Blast from the past - Raya Thanks...





ni ucapan yg dah berbulan2 terlambat.... tapi daripada tak ucap langsung kan... at least....


thanks to Ayu, Azana, Saifol, Nurul, Abe Zu, Ard and Aidid yang jemput aku g open house raya depa bulan syawal sudah.... sebabkan korang lah berat aku naik 6kg sekembalinya aku ke Doha.... hahahaha.... (salah kan orang kan... :-) )

Monday, December 03, 2007

De-peg??? Revalue???

Dollar faces new sell-off if Gulf states end greenback pegs
Gary Duncan, Economics Editor

Foreign exchange markets are on alert this week for the embattled dollar to face a further, severe sell-off after key talks between the Middle East’s Gulf states that could lead to them scrapping their currencies’ pegs to the greenback.

Rulers of the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meet today and tomorrow in the Qatari capital of Doha amid significant pressures to sever their currency ties to the falling dollar, which is fuelling record inflation in their countries.

Officially, the GCC states have insisted that the key currency issue is not on the agenda for the rulers’ summit talks. However, there is intense speculation that mounting economic and social strains inflicted by the currency pegs could see them scrapped, or the Gulf currencies revalued, either at the meetings or within weeks of them.

Any move by five of the six GCC countries to follow a lead set by Kuwait in May and abandon their long-standing dollar pegs would add to already severe stress on the American currency, whose overall value on its broad trade-weighted index has plunged by nearly 12 per cent over the past two years, raising inflationary anxieties for the United States.

A collective or individual decision to scrap the pegs by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain or Oman could greatly fuel pressure on the dollar. It would further cut overseas demand for the greenback, since the Gulf states involved would no longer need to buy dollars to ensure that the value of their currencies is held to the pegged level.


Any shift would also be taken by markets as a “vote of no confidence” in the dollar’s value from countries that are large holders of American assets, and spark speculation that they might diversify their foreign exchange holdings out of dollars.

Gabriel Stein, of Lombard Street Research, said: “The real effect could be on the dollar. This would be seen as a further loss of confidence in the greenback, accelerating its rout.”
Economists and Middle East experts are split over whether the Gulf nations will opt to act this week, revaluing their currencies or scrapping the dollar pegs in favour of a link to a basket of foreign currencies.


Whether the nations are likely to act collectively or individually is also unclear. Analysts believe that the GCC states, which hope eventually to set up a single currency and may this week give further details of those plans, may well want to show unity.

However, they note that divisions between the countries, arising from the different economic and social pressures that they face, may make it hard to clinch agreement on any action.
Most experts do agree, however, that there is overwhelming pressure for change in GCC dollar-peg regimes. Inflation across the group’s members is surging as record oil prices stoke strong growth in their economies, while the sliding dollar drags down their currencies, sending the cost of imported goods up sharply.


The pressure is made worse as the US Federal Reserve cuts American interest rates, forcing GCC countries to follow suit to maintain their dollar pegs, at a time when they should raise them to quell inflation.

With inflation now at about 9 per cent in the UAE, and close to 12 per cent in Qatar, accelerating price rises are also igniting social and political tensions among migrant Asian workers who are seeing the real value of their wages eaten away.

Expectations that the GCC will move this week, or soon after, have been heightened by comments from Nasser al-Suweidi, Governor of the UAE’s central bank, who last month highlighted pressure for action.

Marios Maratheftis, of Standard Chartered, believes there is a strong chance of GCC moves within two months. He said: “Currency reform is both necessary and likely. We believe that the probabilities for a revaluation and a possible introduction of a currency basket have risen substantially.”

taken from Timesonline

ooh.. patut lah semua benda mahal.... rupanya inflation kat sini close to 12%.... pastu ngan rental price yg tak turun2 but lagi mahal... barang2 pun mahal... mmg susah betul nak buat business kecil2an kat sini...

tapi if let say lah de-peg or revalue... best lah... at least terasa lah duit tu mahal skit.... now mcm gaji kena potong 10% bila convert ke RM... and kalau lah negara lain in GCC tak nak.. hopefully, Qatar decided to revalue/depeg.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Travel report : AUH

Khamis sudah... habis je office aku terus bergegas ke airport... sbbkan aku tak de check in luggage, aku check in awal n melepak kat umah kimi... flight aku jam 6pm naik QR... and sampai on time jam 8pm (AUH time). Sampai kat AUH, Ard n Aidid ambik aku kat airport dan g cari dinner :-)

(pictures of AUH airport)
AUH ni nampak mcm lagi besar dari DOH sebab bangunan2 dia tinggi dan jalan2 dia besar dan ikut grid. so senang nak get around.. tp sbb kan ada ard as the driver, so aku tak de lah cek sangat city orientation...
and malam tu, we tried makan kat kedai vietnam... ok lah food dia... but tak lah recommended...

lepas dinner balik terus umah ard... penat... n dah lewat pun.. tidur..... umah ard ni kiranya mcm studio apartment size.. tp location nya bukan la kat highrise apartment.... tp kat area archeologist... hehehehehe.. ok lah... tak nak citer lebih2 pasal umah dia... janji i got free accomodation kan.... thanks ard for the hospitality :-)

the next day... hari menjelajah AUH.... tp tak lah g mana sgt... sbb kan hari jumaat, pg tak byk kedai buka... so we had our breakfast kat abu dhabi mall.. makan kat mugg n bean. nice breakfast :-) then g solat kat satu masjid ni, the reason g sini sbb kat sini khutbah in english...

pas solat we went to Marina Mall... sbb aku nak g ke ikea... hehehe.. saja jer lah nak banding2 barang ikea malaysia n sini.. lebih kurang je... tp sini ada lah urah skit.. plus ngan exchange rate yg in favour to RM, brg sini lagi lah murah....

actually 2 dec, adalah national day UAE... merata2 ada bendera dan cara org2 UAE ni suka cat2 kereta depa bg menunjukkan betapa sayang kan negara depa... tp caranya ada kala tak kena.... berkonvoi ramai2 n picit2 hon.... suka sangat lah depa buat mcm tu...


hari sabtu plak.. aku exam dari 9-12 dan 2-5.... lepas exam, ard ambil aku n join ada sat family malaysia buat bbq kat park near city center... bbq tu simple jer lah (actually plan nak buat the day earlier, considering aku nak exam hari sabtu, postpone hari sabtu lah). tp tempat bbq tu yg best... u really join the crowd yg mostly arab2 lepak kat park....jam 10pm... ard antar aku ke airport utk ambil flight jam 11.59pm, which aku sepatutnya sampai doh at 11.55 (DOH time) mcm untung 4 minit kan... tp masa cek in, ada kosong flight jam 11.15pm... aku pun agree lah balik awal... and flight tu pun cepat gak.. jam 11pm aku dah sampai DOH and kimi ambil aku kat airport....

thanks ard and aidid kat AUH... and thanks kimi sbb rajin ambil n hantar aku ke airport buat kesekian kalinya... n shah... sorry aku tgk msg ko bila aku dah cek in kat airport AUH... tak sempat nak jumpa kat AUH...