Chess

It is originated from Indian and Persian. Not sure which one is first. When we say chess, most people would think of Kasparov. The man who had illustrated the chess world in 80's and 90's with his invincibility. I started to play chess when I was 10 as far as i could remember. However not until 11 before i took up chess as a serious hobby. All because of one book 'Chess for Beginners'. By then i realized chess was more technical and artistic in some way. The book was quite simple to comprehend especially for a 11 years old boy. The only book i relied to win a 3rd place in a district tournament. This won me a ticket to state level tournament.Came out at 21st place.In this tournament i saw somebody who is now International Master and current national no 1 in chess. He was walking in the park rather than playing chess. He is IM Mas Hafizul Hilmi. He has a great potential to be the first Malaysian Grandmaster. But i dont know when. Soon after the tournament i realized that i was too occupied with Chessmaster 5000 game prior to the tournament hoping that i could trained myself with computer. Ignoring the book that inspired me to play chess was a mistake.

Consolidating the fundamentals are the most important in everything we do. Same as chess, i was so anxious back then to try out new openings.Sicilian, Queen's Gambit, French, English you name it. I always remember a phrase in the book, "Look before you leap". Quite a life's lesson really as i read through the book.The result in the state tournament did not hinder me to enjoy chess after that. I rather play with a real person than a computer as interaction with human can be enjoyable as it can be. In secondary school i tried to get active in chess but motivation to get serious was almost next to nothing. For whatever reason, MSSM(Majlis Sukan Sukan Malaysia) had withdrew chess competition since 1998. I am not sure whether they have revived chess in MSSM now.I did go for few tournaments(4 actually).In college not so much, only once. After that chess remained in my closet never revealed itself until recently I bought Chessmaster 9000 for 3 pound. Bargain. Playing with computer is no fun. Awkwardly silent. Staring at the screen for ages to wait for his move would make myself sleepy.Staying focused even for 15 minutes on a task is a tough job when using a computer with INTERNET. Youtube, Emails, YM, News and Blogs are the escapism when a human has no job and commitment. Speaking of chess, it is a mind game which simulates a battle. One has to know when to sacrifice, set decoys, to arrange defence, to plan an attack and of course to predict opponent's moves. Sometimes, subconsciously chess is influential in decision making. Predicting 2-3 steps further, knowing your strong points and sacrificing for long term advantage are the aspects similar to chess game.

One interesting aspect of chess is how mind game is played which overwhelmed the technical aspects of chess. I am fascinated by diversion tactic when you are under attacked.Lets say you are attacked on the right flank, a good chess player will try to defend and try his best to counter at the left flank or centre. This creates diversion hoping to divert his opponent's attention . Speaking of diversion, politicians are good at this. Attacking at every corner you can imagine but one with strong defence and tactic will prevail.

Current polemic as in the news is 'middle-game'. The end game must be interesting as game of diversion is being played. As far as the polemic is concerned, I would predict one with technical evidences would win but it still can end up in stalemate.A stalemate when cry for injustices can be heard everywhere in the country. Because that guy is a 'saint'. I beg to differ!

Playing chess is living your life.Because life is full of tricks and decoys.


'Look before you leap'

Update

One day after previous post, somebody has come to fore and change the political journey of that guy in Wiki. Now it looks very brief and decent. No negative points whatsoever. Looks like somebody has heeded my view on Loh Gwo-Burne. Now who is to blame?Probably another conspiracy;).

Anwar vs Shabery

There were two winners in the debate. The first winner was Anwar and the second was not Shabery but the government. Anwar has not lost his touch in the slightest when it comes to debate. Articulation and mastery in language placed him in the different league than Shahbery. Regardless, Shabery must be applauded for his daring endeavour to challenge the former Deputy Prime Minister for a debate on national television. Hopefully, this debate will be the precedence for future debate among politicians. Anwar's thoughts and aspirations championed the people's wish be it plausible or not it does not matter. The remark "Populist" by Shabery on Anwar is also to be something for us to ponder upon. Is it popular to be the oppositions lately? Being opposition, a blogger can become a MP and an underdog could be a tiger any day so long it against the government. Speaking of which, it reminds of Loh Gwo Burne who rose to fame for exposing VK Lingam video. He is currently MP of Kelana Jaya and never expected to be shot to fame to the extent of being MP. His 'prolific' political career can be read here.Shame. Not to discredit him but I think he is happy enough to be what he was before. This is the price of emotional hatred towards the rulers. At the end Kelana Jaya has a very 'competent' MP. Back to the debate =P. Yes Anwar was the winner for his supporters and the government was the winner for its supporters. It all depends on your point of view. Where do you stand is where the basis of your opinion lies.

Daydreaming would make Johnny a lazy guy

Graduation

7th July of 2008 was the most cherished day for 05/08 Geomatic students. It was our graduation day.The results came out last week but all is not complete without proper graduation ceremony. The eventful procession was done by one hour.Nothing fancy only shake hands and one thoughtful speech by the Uni Chancellor, Lord Patten. That day was overcast with drizzle intermittently. Nothing much to expect from British weather. Even summer would not help much. Arrived at uni at circa 11.00 with friends Boy and Am. I wish my family was here but the timing was wrong. They already went back last week. Had this graduation a week earlier , i'll be celebrating with my very own family as everybody would wish for. Nonetheless, they had been here to celebrate my degree result which came out on 23rd June. Fair enough. This historic event is not enough to be captured in mind. Definitely somebody needs to capture my pictures with the robe and the hood on. As the question goes 'What are friends for?'. My answer was to capture my pictures on my graduation day. Indeed they were great.This compliment only valid on that day!. The two friends armed with two digital compact relentlessly snapping pictures around. Besides , there were also professional photographers waiting to rip off your money. I finally succumbed to the temptation of having official photographs by those professionals. I spent almost 40 pounds for official photos. Plus another 40 the day after for official t-shirts and tie. Unwittingly bought silk tie.

More or less people were making loads of money on that day. The robe and the hood hire was perplexing 32 pounds. In retrospective, money actually can buy happiness. Of course money cannot buy happiness per se but it will lead us to happiness if we are grateful. In other words, live by our means. 'Make things happen' was the phrase by Lord Patten in his speech during the ceremony. It is quite meaningful and simple to comprehend. People seem to concern more on how to make things happen rather than make it happen. As a whole the graduation day is the ultimate day for every student in uni. No more lectures after this.Hopefully. No exam for a long period. Professional exam would not happen within two years I suppose. As one friend said, 'DONE AND DUSTED'.One another note, Diyana was dying to come here but all she could was wishing me all the best which I appreciated ever so much.

Nik Mohamad Haniff Hanafi
BSc (Hons) Surveying and Mapping
Newcastle '08

Alhamdulilah

All praises due to God for the 2:1 result in my degree. Come to think of it, sacrifices of many things have been repaid. The value of the sacrifices though nothing compared to other people's sufferings. I may have to endure living far away from home but i am still able to sleep in quite warm and comfy room. I may have to live on scholarship but i am still able to shop for many unnecessary things. Sometimes we are too much into trivial problems when we should be thankful of where we are now. Gratitude is one word for us to hold on. Alhamdulilah. May the future will bring happiness and prosperity to all of us.

Oil hike

The ever increasing oil price is potentially the biggest factor for a reigning government to collapse. This prediction is solely based upon people's response from many places around this globe, particularly from 3rd world countries such as India, Malaysia and Indonesia. Fuelled with income inequality, lack understanding of economy and of course act of bravado against governments will lead to chaos and that sort of thing. The recent price increment with the new subsidization schemes by Malaysian government has left many negative impressions towards the ruling party albeit many measures taken to compensate the effect. In the time of instability there will be a group who rises to advocate 'socialism' and this is obvious with the trends of 'public is first' which undoubtedly the best placebo to cure anxiety of the people. Let’s have 'free water' some say and let’s cut 10% of allowances some say. The other groups say let us take charge and that one guy says let me become the prime minister. Oddly enough socialism is not without greed for power. In short too much politics drive many of us crazy. On the bright side, people now have changed to be more aware of their constitutional rights. But without right guidance, the rights will be abused and driven by emotion and political rhetoric.

We live in capitalist world. Every property is owned either individuals or corporations. The economy is largely decided by market forces namely demand and supply. Demand and supply are two words representing only one entity. They must co-exist without a doubt otherwise there is no such thing as 'market'. As far as oil is concerned, many factors have led its price to soar. Firstly the increase of world demand particular from developing nations such as China and India. Second factor is supply which is influenced by the fact that the oil reserve is diminishing. Extraction of new oil wells are feasible but with a colossal cost. As a a future surveyor myself, the seismic survey for oil exploration itself would cost a fortune and yet the there is not guarantee for oil to be found. That is the risk in oil exploration, though it may be found but it is more than 1000 m below your surveying vessel. The cost of the whole extraction process is not that much probably half a billion. Now we are only talking about setting up an oil rig. Therefore, not many companies would dare to do such investments. Current oil wells around the world are diminishing in numbers but the rate of exploration for new wells is quite slow mainly because of the cost. Apart from that, the unpredictable situation in Middle East more or less has decrease the supply to the world. Other factors are speculation and natural disasters. Oil price increment has been in the spotlight since 2003 and it was one hot topic in my economic class in 2005. We do not want to heed the issue because it has yet to affect us. Now it happens with a rocketing price.

The price is inevitably going to increase. That is the fact. The trend of course in economics term is going to stop when it reaches equilibrium. In other words supply = demand. When? Only god knows. Many countries have badly affected including our beloved Malaysia. If we put things into perspective, is the government solely to be blamed? I do not think so. Yes it is burdening the people and failing the hope of many but how long the government will able to sustain with ever increasing subsidy. 50 years of independence is perceived short span of time to create a great civilization but we have such aspiration to be among the greats. Before 1997, we were called Asian tiger along Singapore, Korea and Taiwan. We were unlucky after that.Asian Economic Crisis. We did survive the test but very slow at regaining our pace as before 1997. Until now we never regained the pace. The economy is not as strong as before. But developments are still there regardless. Thanks to Private Finance Initiative (PFI). Thanks for giving the conveniences to the people in short term but in long term with unpredictable economy, it is a risky business. Politically and economically. As we or some of us know all the 'lebuhraya bertol' are owned by private companies. North-south by PLUS, Lingkaran Tengah by Elite and to be named a few. These companies on the positive side assist the government to develop highways for the people but with something in return. Concession as we would say. They have the right to collect toll for span of time normally until the cost recovered plus with some profits. The government has no power to change the price as it is already inscribed in any PFI contracts. Price of tolls is always an issue. Indeed it is an issue but this is the price of rapid development. Politically, the government becomes unpopular when people have to pay more of what they ready to pay. I remembered when Dr Steve Scott in Professional Practice class said that there is one country which has suffered due to rampant PFI projects. He did not want to disclose but to me Malaysia was 8o% the right answer.Issue of toll is never ending. One of the worst hit PFI projects in UK is Channel Tunnel crossing the English Channel. As Dr Scott said, "Who would be able to predict that now we can fly to Paris with 50 pounds worth of an air ticket?". Well thanks to Easyjet, Jet2com and Ryanair. It was expected then that ground transportations will be the cheapest way to Europe. Who can predict travel with planes is cheaper nowadays. Everyone can fly says AirAsia. Until now the cost of the whole project is not yet recovered. It is one of Seven Wonders of Modern World to say the least but not without $12 billion. The figure could be tripled now considering value of money keep changing in time. Net Present Value (NPV) was the topic that really enlightened me about the change value of money over time. The value of RM 10 last 20 years ago is now RM 100 due to interest rate. It makes wonder with appreciation how Islam tells us not to have interest in the economic systems. Had not interest exist the value of money will be the same.

The government has no absolute control of economy because part of it is controlled by private sectors . We never had been an empire like British who obtained the wealth from its colonies. We improvised what was left. Thanks for nothing to Brits. I would say we progress through well structured debt. That is good practice of economy as if you are taking loan to do a business and payback with the yields. We never had enough cash. We paid the purchase of Su-30 MkM by partly using palm oils. Not cool eh?. That is the fact. Developments do not portray the cash that government has but to show good practice of economy.To portray good cashflow in the economy. Though all is not perfect but at least we never went down beyond repair. Therefore, what do you expect when 1/3 of GNP is used to subsidize the oil. Emphatically, it is very burdening for some people. I still think there are better options to tackle the oil price hike. Peace demonstration is fine with me but how far you could go with it. Yes it is noble to fight for the people but how it can be so noble when it is all political motivated. Not quite my friend.

We walk with crutches is quite the same meaning with we live with subsidy. Yes it is the responsibility of a government to pacify its people. But the disadvantage is that it creates a comfort zone. People tend to be dependent and blaming others for their shortcomings. Face the fact that sooner or later price of everything will go up. Rather than find ways bashing others for no good reasons lets find ways how to survive in looming global recession and inflation. If we are independent financially, i do not think it bothers us much who is in control of the government. Stop moaning and let us be prepared for unpredictable local and global economy. Besides let us be clear about the purpose of living as well. It seems to me we concern much on the financial loss and gain but very little attention on how much knowledge can we obtain in our life. It is good to know and it feels good to be knowledgeable. Accusations, allegations and rumours are at their best now. Knowledge is power enough to parry negative inputs and to sieve unwanted elements. Seek knowledge. Educate ourselves.


Jabir Ibn ‘Abd Allah narrated, the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said:

“People are of different substances, the best of them in the Jahiliyah (A
state of ignorance), are the best in Islam, if they gain ‘ilm (knowledge).”

(Ahmad Ibn Hanbal)

Another chapter

I have been waiting for this moment since the first day of my uni. Last paper of final year exam. I know from this moment university years will be a distant memory in next months to come. The burden is no more but the indecisiveness in choosing future path is overwhelming. But wise man says worry you not because future is not happened yet. It has been a great ride so far but feeling of incompleteness is always there. I always think that i am not living my life to the fullest potential. So this is just about the right time to change i guess. Btw congratulation to my flatmate (PIEBRO) who passed the exam recently.


This has been on the wall for nearly 2 years. How long am i going to be ignorance?I dont know. Maybe until success is sure=P. Omit the I Love You because it is the separate entity.