How do you do , Sir ?

It has been a while since the last time I wrote in this blog. Where have you been ? You mean, where have I been ? Yeah..oh I have been to London to see the queen. I am that little pussy cat, stucked here in the middle somewhere. What is new ? Nothing much. I started 2012 with a bang .... 1. Traveling and visiting my friend and beautiful children in Prague, Rep Czech ; 2. Traveling to Oman with few friends; 3. Oh yeah, I went to James Blunt concert here in Dubai ; 4. Traveling to Barcelona with my best friend; 5. Started my Spanish class ; Como estas ? Muy bien ..mucho gracias ! ; The above are the nice part, and below are not the nice part ; 1. My project to have own website did not take off as planned, so much of engaging such a non -professional web developer. All they want from me is money,money and more money. Pay now ! please and if you need this you have to pay extra because it was not part of the agreement and scope of works. Is it ? When I first explained to them my requirement, they said this is the price, but now different price. I am fcu***d ? The project got delayed from the original plan they did not even bother ti improve their services, instead blaming me for the delay. So, I decided yesterday that I shall not pursue the project anymore. It is April 2012 and Im looking forward next few months ; 1. I am coming home ..tell the world I am coming home in May 2012. I miss my country so much ; 2. A friend will be visiting me end of April 2012 ..looking forward to meet his Princess Lida ; 3. July ...Ramadhan month ; 4. Then Eid'ul Fitr..Eid Adha...Christmas and New Year ! time flies. Oh yeah..below is the song that I discovered recently, that is humming and drumming in my ears. I would love to share with my readers, and I hope you like it ! DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

Time to unwind with James Blunt...16th February 2012

Imagine yourself entering an office and what your hear is your footsteps and shoes steps..tik tok tik tok and your heartbeat..dug dig dug and all round eye balls are staring at you as if you were their next victims or imagine yourself entering an office and what you heard are people discussion something seriously and whispering ( just like whispering in bedroom) . Ouuch ! For me the two situations are so awkward and weird !

I have been into both situations and frankly I do not like it at all. My management style is so simple, deliver your best and meet my requirement and you can have fun doing it. Have fun while doing my works. It doesn't mean that you take your works easily and lightly, but not to take it too seriously. Strike a well balance and know the limit. Let accept that all of my subordinates are adults and I always treat them as one.

Have fun after work is something that I miss when I am here in Dubai. Back in my previous company and my country, Malaysia I always made a point to wind down and had good laugh with my office colleagues. We called our group as JIMBENG ( comprise of bunch of accountants) and we in fact had a position called Head of Jimbeng. We gossips, joked, laughed and cried while having our teh tarik. That was before each and every member of jimbengs were posted overseas- me went to Morocco, 1 went to Mozambique, 1 went to Turkmenistan , 1 went to Ethiopia and since then, things have never been the same for me.

When I was in Qatar, things bit different and I normally wind down in the evening, had dinner together and have coffee with bunch of Indonesians and Syrians friends. Weekend, had invitation over BBQ with others. Well, when you were alone all you have are your friends who are in the same situation to support each other.

I have been here in Dubai close to 6 months, and things are even different for me. I have friends, yet I consider them taking their works so seriously. It has its own challenge where people here tend to mingle around with the people of the same background, colour, race, country, speak the same language etc. When I was in Qatar, while I was walking at the corniche and having coffee with my Syrian friends, people gave me sort of weird look. Of course, I did not give it a damn. Oh. I am so out of topic.

What shall I do then ? Simple, I keep enjoying myself the new way I want it to be. One of it, have date in James Blunt @ Dubai Jazz Festivals on 16th February 2012. Anyone coming and joining me ?

DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

Malaysia Airlines -Beyond Expectation

Kl Best For Qantas Hub-Tony

During the recent media briefing by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) new managing director about MAS latest turn around plan which received a cold by the medias and analysts, many claim the transformation plan as ' nothing new' , 'the old same story' and nothing different as game changer.

However, I see one in particular that will be the game changer i.e. that MAS will set up a regional airline. MAny also questioned this decision, but looking beyond , this regional airline will focus on short haul routes within SEA region and perhaps within 5 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur for destinations in India and China. Meantime, Malaysia Airlines will focus on long haul routes in their quest to be the best premium airline in the world and to regain its brand just like in the glory days. This regional airline will have separate management team as profit centre.

With this plan, Malaysia Airlines as a "parent" will have the following "children" under its custody ; 1. Firefly - focus on turbo prop operations; 2. MasWings- focus on Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia remote areas; 3. New regional airline ( Flamingo Airlines ???? )- focus on SEA + India + China; 4. Potentially new premium airline ??

How is it possible for MAS to have so many airlines ? Let us examine other things and development surrounding the industry so that we will have a bigger picture and better understanding the rationale behind all this.

No. 1

Qantas has revived its plan to set up a premium airline to be based either in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, nothing firm as of today. I am excited about this and my only hope as a Malaysian, Qantas will choose Kuala Lumpur as its hub- though Singapore as a clear choice as business hub in the region, still there is hope because we have something more to offer than Singapore.

No.2

During Dato' Seri Idris Jala as MAS chief, there have speculation and initial talk about cooperation between Qantas and Malaysia Airlines i.e. just before his departure from MAS.

No.3

Back in 2009 , in December 2009 @ Kenza4u.blogspot.com I blogged about how to make KLIA a hub to compete with Changi and Suvarnabumi alike in one of my entries- In that blog, I threw our idea about MAS to potentially have alliance or co-operations with other airlines, not only via codeshare or joint venture ,IF the government role to protect MAS's interest as a national airline at the same time making KLIA as an airline hub in the region. I could sense that similar idea is being discussed not only to make MAS an airline of choice, but to make KLIA as a hub ( indirect benefit) of MAS turnaround plan. How this will work ?

First, with closer co-operation with Air Asia via. share swap (though many are skepticals about this whole ideas). My view, Air Asia will focus on low cost market segment with MAS premium market. Firefly, to make Subang Airport as their hub for turboprop ( where MAHB ) has stake in this arrangement too. There is a plan in the making to connect Kuala Lumpur International Airport via train and with MRT project is in the pipeline and bus services, passsengers will have seamless connection and access to Firefly. Firefly may be entrusted to serve smaller airports throughout the country. There is possibility also that Firefly will be part of a party in the coming premium airline ( personal jet market segments) propose by Qantas with its potential shareholders- Air Asia, MAS via Firefly, Qantas, Jetairways and British Airways.

No. 4

Progress is on-going for Malaysia Airlines to join Oneworld Alliance in later quarter of 2012, where Qantas and British Airways are the two members. What will happen then ? Logically, Qantas and British Airways as members of alliance will shift its focus of operations into KLIA to feed and connect passengers from Australia & beyond/UK & beyond to SEA region and North Asia and South Asia via new regional airline (Flamingo Airlines ??), Air Asia, Firefly and new premium airline. MAS will complement British Airways, Qantas to increase frequencies between Australasia, Asia and Europe and potentially North America and Latin America. Will MAS be the loser trying to compete with BA and Qantas ? No, if MAS have code share through OneWorld Alliance. Rather than competing on the pricing and cutting price and killing each other, this alliance will benefit all airlines plus its associated service industry - cargo, aircraft maintenance & repair, catering and ground handling. This is basically, what Blue Ocean strategy is all about. Rather than bleed each other, work together to create win win situation for all.

No. 5

Long before that, Air Asia signed MoU with Jetstar to explore areas of cost saving and areas of co-operation. So, with all these are happening, it will be a reality.

No. 6

Now that KLIA2 is bigger than its original plan and design to cater more passengers. Is Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad have priviledge information that we are do not have ?

No. 7

So, with all the news that are brewing in the air, the industry is getting more interesting with different ball game and game changer, that I believe will once again change ( after middle easterns phenomenon + airline mergers of KLM-Air France alike) the landscape of airline industry. The South East Asean region is an interesting region that both British Airways and Qantas can't ignore with a total population of close to 660 million plus India and China as neighbours. It offers huge potential for airline industry with increase in middle income and rich and famous, there will always demand for both low cost and premium airline. With 2015 is getting nearer ( i.e. open skies agreement for ASEAN), the region offers so much opportunities.

No. 8

Air Asia is now in Japan and Phillipines, new additions beside of Thailand and Indonesia.

Will customers be deprived and in disadvantage position ? My answer is NO. Why ? 1. Customers will have a choice - low cost vs. full carrier services ; 2. Still there is competition- between other airlines which are not part of the alliances such as middle easterns etc; 3. Better services and offering- value for money; 4. Access to routes which MAS has no direct flight, but now offered by partners in the alliances; 5. More options to collect points and benefit from loyalty programs;

I would like to see the alliance between Malaysia Airlines- British Airways- Qantas- Air Asia- Jetstar- Firefly- Mas Wings- Flamingo Airline -Premium Airlines to materialise, because all share in common i.e National Carrier and proud of the nations. The next question, will Malaysia government and Malaysians in general ( including the oppositions) is ready to make quick decision to seize this opportunity ? Are they bigger plans for MAHB that comes with MAS transformation plans as both MAHB and MAS are owned by Khazanah Nasional Berhad ?

As Tony mentioned it, MAS new MD is not a type of person who blows the trumpet before MAS actually turn to black. He would rather talk less, more actions and deliver .

Just wait and see or "Am I Just Dreaming ?"

DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive. Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment. Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

So Malaysia...ready to wake up ?

Pinoy fast waking up to success

What do I think about article ? Shall I being a Malaysian worry about the development with our neighbors? With Indonesia a sleeping giant who is waking up from a slumber land, the Philippines is a rising star, Vietnam as an investment destination darling and I do not have to mention about Singapore.

My answer is an absolute NO. Sound arrogant? A big YES. But the fact is that both countries used to be much more better than Malaysia remains. They were well in advance and developed in every aspect and angles politically, economically and socially from Malaysia. We as Malaysians, learned and not to repeat the same mistake. We learned the best from them. We sent our best students to both countries to learn from them. When one mentioned Institut of Technology Bandung, University Padjajaran, Asian Management Centre, Jose Rizal, Ibu Kartini- those names ring a bell. The fact that we survived and I guess we Malaysians need competition to survive.

It has been our country policy to see our neighbors prosper. They term it " Prosper with Your Neighbours" . I would be really happy if Indonesia better than Singapore. I would be so excited to learn that Philippines is at par of not better than Hong Kong. Should I be jealous ? Yes, but a feeling of jealousy to make Malaysia a better country not jealousy to destroy them. At the very least, we will not be having problems with illegal immigrants from both countries which affect our relationships with both countries politically, economically and socially. Sabah will be for Sabahans. We learn how to use technology to construct our buildings and harvest our palm oils and minimize the use of labors.

We shall not be afraid of competition but we shall embrace and ride and prosper with them. We shall be more creative and explore new areas and perhaps we shall be an innovator, entrepreneur, creative lot, adventurous to leverage on our neighbors prosperity.

Look beyond our shore. Look at Germany, United Kingdom, France, Swiss- they are competing among each other but still they can prosper together. So, ASEAN can emulate them.

All Malaysia needs is a visionary leaders who love, passionate, compassionate about their country and people. Who are those leaders ? It is YOU, ME and EVERYONE who is a MALAYSIAN regardless of race, religions, believes, faith and background. Together, we Malaysia can make it happens.


DISCLAIMER:Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive.Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment.Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!

UPOD- Under Promised Over Delivered

To grump or not to grump, here in paradise

I think I can relate to myself as to why we do not get out story out. For one, I would rather let the results speak itself out, like do not blow my own trumpet kind of thing. Often, when people ask me about my country, Malaysia I do not tell them beyond what I know and exaggerate till putting people's expectation above the sky. I will tell good stories of my country and also some of the not so nice stories, and make them curious to visit my country and let them see, hear, touch and feel themselves. In other word, let them experiences it by themselves.

I still remember I told one of my best friend about how sardine-packed like the train in Malaysia during rush hour, before his first visit to Malaysia. So, he has a picture how "sardine-packed" like ! So, when he was in Malaysia during the rush hour morning taking train with me, he told me " Eone, the 'sardine-packed' you mentioned to me earlier was not like what I imagined !

Another scenario was when we were in transit in Dubai. He told me " This airport would be better if there is train that connects the terminals". Again, I did not tell him that we have one back in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. What I pictured them about KLIA is just an ordinary airport and when he was at the airport, he experienced taking the train and he told me " The airport is spacious !" and when we were in Istanbul airport recently, he told me " This airport remind me of KLIA ".

To be frank, I do not like when my fellow countrymen talked so much about my country, we have this we have that , we are like this, we are like that and one thing I have learned recently is to always " Under Promise Over Deliver !" rather than " Over Promise Under Deliver".

and I love my country, Malaysia like everyone does with their own country.

DISCLAIMER:Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive.Hi! I am a green e-mail! Unlike my brothers and sisters, my presence on the Internet does not harm our environment.Please go to greenscroll.org and help make the Internet green like me!