Ukiyo-e Exhibition at the Penang Museum

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) “pictures of the floating world”, is general term for a genre of Japanese woodblock prints produced between the 17th and the 20th century, featuring motifs of landscapes, the theatre and pleasure quarters. Ukiyo, meaning floating world, refers to the impetuous young culture that bloomed in the urban centers of Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Osaka and Kyoto that were a world unto themselves. It is an ironic allusion to the homophone term “sorrowful world”, the earthly plane of death and rebirth from which Buddhists sought release.


The famous "Big Wave" by Hokusai

This Ukiyo-e set consists of 75 works by distinguished 7 artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Tosyusai Syaraku and Kitagawa Utamaro. Ukiyo-e prints by artists like Tosyusai Syaraku and Kitagawa Utamaro were in fact posters, advertising theater performances and brothels, or idol portraits of popular actors and beautiful teahouse girls.

This exhibition started in August 1 and will end on September 25.

Check Penang Museum opening hours here

Malaysians now realize many of them are gay!

Education Ministry releases guide on how to know if you are gay

The Education Ministry recently held a seminar in Penang to help educators identify gay students. The event, billed as “Parenting in addressing the issue of LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders)”, was officiated by Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi.



Malaysians today suddenly realize that half the population now must be gay if the following guidelines by our esteemed Education Minister (who recently launched the Education Blueprint) are to be believed:

For men you are gay if:

1. You have a muscular body and a fondness for showing off the body by wearing clothing, such as by wearing V-necks and sleeveless tops

2. A preference for tight and bright coloured clothes

3. An inclination to be attracted to men

4. A tendency to carry big handbags, similar to the kinds used by women



And you must be a lesbian if:

1. You are showing attraction to women

2. Distancing yourselves from men besides your girlfriends

3. You like to hang out, sleep and dine with other women

4. No feelings for men

Read more

Reuters: Malaysia offers "spot-the-gay-kid" seminars

The Guardian: Malaysian politicians gone bonkers

"For a long time I thought I was gay, but now I know I am straight as I don't wear V-neck and definitely do not carry any handbags!" - Reader

Will & Kate slated to view Sabah's illegal logging activities

Sabah to showcase the state's money laundering activities

It was to be a highlight of their official Diamond Jubilee tour on behalf of the Queen, a trip deep into the heart of Borneo to see one of its last areas of virgin rainforest.

In doing so, however, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, whose nine-day tour of Asia and the South Pacific starts today, are being propelled into the first diplomatic row of their fledging royal careers.

A week ago the politician ‘hosting’ their visit, the chief minister of Sabah, was implicated by Swiss authorities in a criminal investigation into alleged laundering of $100million (£62million) in profits from illegal logging.

Environmental groups had alleged that Swiss bank UBS handled vast sums for the region’s top politician, Musa Aman. The chief minister has been instrumental in helping to arrange William and Kate’s trip and he is almost certain to welcome them on Friday.

The issue over Mr Musa is headline news in Malaysia and last week prompted a demonstration outside St James’s Palace calling on the couple to boycott the meeting. UBS is co-operating with investigators, but insists it has operated within the law, which requires it to report any money it suspects comes from criminal origins.

Opposition politicians called on the royals to reconsider the meeting. One, Jeffrey Kitingan, said: ‘We urge William and Catherine to avoid meeting Musa as it will give the wrong message to the world.’

Sarawak Report: Sabah's wheeling and dealing CM

Daily Mail: Will & Kate's illegal logging tour

Guardian: Will & Kate's to learn about corruption in Malaysia

EPF to the rescue!

Finance 101: How to make use of the public's money

The Employers Provident Fund (EPF) has been accumulating shares of Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH) even as shares of the plantation giant sank to a new low yesterday, closing at RM4.68 a share or just 13 sen above its issuing price.



According to filings with Bursa Malaysia, the country's largest pension fund's stake in FGVH have increased 5.4 per cent since September 3, the day before FGVH plunged below the RM5 mark.

The pension fund also recently spent RM2.4 billion to take over the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) land in Sungai Buloh that will be turned into a township. It is mandatory for private sector workers to contribute to the fund, which is managed by representatives from the government and unions.

The Edge: Someone is making a huge profit on Bursa with the help of EPF

Malaysiakini: Who is losing money on FGVH?

Malaysian Insider: Who is buying FGVH shares and also losing money?

The Edge: Who is propping up KLSE and who is benefiting?

SakmongkolAK47: A Tsunami heading for FELDA

Dr Dzul: Learn "how to buy high and sell low" from EPF (in Malay)

Even UMNO is fed up of Najib

DPM Muhyiddin ready to challenge Najib

Cracks are showing in UMNO as DPM Muhyiddin is now openly challenging PM Najib who was never officially elected as the president. Posters of Muhyiddin as the next PM is being openly displayed in his home state Johor as PM Najib comes under increasing attack from UMNO for foolishly delaying the general election. It is an open secret now that Muhyiddin is even hoping to replace Najib even before the elections begin.



Malaysiakini: Muhyiddin posters up in Johor

UMNO Johor: Muhyiddin will make a better PM

Nazri: Najib is stupid to propose elections in November

FMT: BN is losing the battle the longer Najib waits

Latest: Muhyiddin is planning Najib's exit