The Prime Minister of Malaysia, 5 minutes ago, announced that government employees will receive a pay increase of 35%-25% for Support Group Grades 1 - 29. Management & Professional Group Grades 41 and above will receive a 15% increase. Those in the Almighty and On-High Group (i.e. Directors and other Big Guns) will receive a 7.5% pay hike.

Hopefully, the traders, businessmen and wholesellers will not increase the price of goods in the country. NOT EVERYONE WORKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT!

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi also mentioned that if prices were to increase, the business community would also lose out in terms of volume of sales,"Those who could not afford (before) will be able to (now). Those who could buy 1 would be able to buy more or more frequently. If they (the business community) increase their prices because of this (gov't employee pay increase), people would think twice before buying from them and they would lose potential buyers, not to mention hurting the nation in terms of contributing to the inflation rate."

I've gotten back to my bike (the pedal powered variety) and went mud riding along the very short trail next to where i live and work (same place). It ended in a clearing where future construction works may take place. Although i deplore mass jungle clearing, i understand the need to balance development and conservation. It's a secondary forest which used to be cultivated for farming. The pain lessens.

Even if they clear all the land around the school, we'd still have part of the jungle within our compound for conservation & education purposes. At least it will be a small haven for wildlife.


LINDA - she's counting down to her production dates. The stage is being built and the actors are getting excited. Let's hope for a good audience turn-out. THOMIANS from ST. THOMAS'S SCHOOL, KUCHING should come and support this effort to raise enough funds to build a new Sixth Form Block. Currently, the Lower Sixth Formers are floating around the school using whatever empty space they can find. St. Thomas's School is GROWING and they need help.

DAVID - He's learnt a new word and is using "you bet'cha!" for everything. Let's hope that it's just a phase. He's sleeping on his own now. Telling us that he's going to "Dodo" (short for TIDUR , malay for SLEEP) and pulls one of us along. Climbs into his cot and wishing all of us "G'night" before doing his usual jump, talk, sing routine and suddenly, before you even notice, he's asleep. No more carry, dance and pat. Good=no more sore shoulders. Bad=we're missing our daily cardio exercise=fat accumulation!

Weather's hot and sunny with patches of intermittent rain.

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