Clash Of Times

I went to see the Clash of Time match between current world number one, Roger Federer, and probably the best tennis player of all time, Pete Sampras. It was exciting to finally watch tennis best player in action. Despite not playing to his full potential, Roger beat Pete in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6. You can see some of the pics i took at my flickr or my fotopages.

Bye bye England

I was never a fan of the England national football team. When I went to England to study, my disliking of England became more apparent. The boasting and media actually played the big part in making me anti-England (in sports). This is despite my favourite club in the world is Manchester United. So last night result was satisfying to me personally and it is fun to mess around with my England supporting friends.
To be totally honest and neutral, England does not really deserve to go through from their group. Despite having so called quality players such as Rooney, Owen, Gerrard, Lampard and Joe Cole, England does not really come out to play football throughout qualifying. Croatia and to a lesser extend Russia have really been able to grind the result when it matter.
So what’s next for England? Most likely they will axed Steve Mclaren who I think not qualify enough to take probably the second toughest job in the world football after Brazil. The English F.A. would probably take their time and find an experience manager since the next event for England is the World Cup Qualifying which starts next year. I think the new coach will pick a new captain to replace John Terry who for me not inspirational enough. Maybe Stevie G will get his chance. Hehehe..

Is it real, or is it just a mirage or just a distraction

I would think almost everybody in Malaysia today is surprised by the announcement made by the second Finance Minister, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed, that there would be no deal between the struggling Proton with neither Volkswagen nor General Motor. It was said due to Proton turnaround plans is showing signs of progress. Among the progress made by Proton is:

• Proton next financial year losses is expected to be significantly reduced;


• Proton’s market share has increased from 22% to 31%;


• Increased export orders from China, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand;


• Number of dealers reduced from 362 in March to 304;


• Closer cooperation with Lotus to ensure technology was transferred to Proton vehicles;


• Sales have increased with 21,580 bookings in the past three months; and


• Reduction of inventory by 50% from three months to about a month.

I totally disagree with the decision to scrap the negotiation with foreign suitor. Just because the early success enjoyed by the new Proton Persona model and several agreement to sell cars to Iran and China, the government thinks that Proton is already doing well?
And how come reduction number of dealers is a sign of improvement? What the dealers have to do with Proton anyway? I thought dealers are privately own. What is that have to do with Proton’s performance.
Is Proton market share really increased from 22% to 31%? In late October, Perodua MD told The Edge that Perodua sales have remained strong with continuing production increased. This shows that Perodua demand is still there. And there is probably more new Honda and Toyota on the road compared to new Proton. In the end the main question is, is market share really important for a company’s profitability? If Proton decides to sell their car at RM10k, I bet their market share will jumped tremendously but they will have to incur massive losses.
With AFTA going to take its effect soon and the biased FTA signed with the Japanese, can Proton compete with its competitors in a level playing field? With partnership with VW or GM they might be able to survive, but without them, I think Proton could end up being another Perwaja Steel.

*Yesterday the market price of Proton share fell to RM3.94 after the announcement was made. I got to think that maybe this is what Khazanah intend to do. Let the price fall and take Proton private and after that sell it to VW or GM. It’s a good way to make quick money. Just my naughty taught.

I am Beowulf!

If you haven’t seen any interesting movie for the last 2-3 month, I would suggest that you guys go watch Beowulf. To be honest, when I went to see it on Saturday, I was expecting an epic movie such as Gladiator and Troy or something like 300. However what was presented to me was an animation movie like Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children and Final Fantasy, but this was way better. It is probably the best animated movie ever produced. If you don’t pay attention to details, you might even be tricked that it is actually a real movie. Well, I fell for the trailer.

The story is based on a hero from an old English heroic poem. The producer and writer has changed the storyline but basically it is still about a hero named Beowulf and his heroic battle against Grendel, a demon which is terrorizing Herot and its inhabitants, and his battle with a dragon which claim his life.

Beowulf is directed by Robert Zemeckis (who directed The Reaping, Cast Away and The Polar Express amonst others). The movie boast an impressive line up with actors such as Ray Winstone as Beowulf, Anthony Hopkins as King Hrothgar, John Malkovich as Unferth, Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother and Robin Gayle Wright Penn as Queen Wealtheow. The movie already raked up $28 million in its opening weekend in US cinema.

So if you want to watch an action packed movie with superb cinematography, go now and watch Beowulf. I bet you won’t regret it.