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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Botched Artwork Saves Town
Sometime last year, in late August 2015, something unusual went viral..
It was an ancient picture on the wall, vastly unlike its original art..
A piece of botched artwork, unfinished, and yet all over the world it enthralled..
People, the tourist kind, they made a quick bee line, to see for themselves..
Ecce Homo, a seemingly priceless ancient painting in a church , upon one of its wall..
Time has ravaged its brilliant colours , and its paintwork well flaked off the wall..
One artistic old lady of 83, she took it upon herself to try restore its beauty..
Painstakingly she laboured upon days on end, as expertly as she can..
She meant well, it hurts her artistic soul to see the priceless artwork fade..
She tried her best, but the colours, they ran and it was a difficult task..
She had to go away for a short while, she left behind a half restored art...
Someone in church, horrified no doubt, took a picture of it as a matter of fact..
The uploaded picture in the internet, it was shared and quickly it went viral..
Many found it amusing, there was so much scorn, it was soundly ridiculed..
The Ecce Homo fresno, or Behold The Man, it now looks like a monkey or a porcupine…
A picture of a mournful Jesus is no more, in its place is an artwork that is one of its kind…
Poor Cecilia, a widow and amateur painter, she never had a chance to finish her effort..
Her failed restoration effort rocketed around the globe and then a miracle of sorts..
People started thronging to this church in Borja, Spain, it was a pilgrimage of some kind...
After the viral picture on the internet, people just had to see and view this new find…..
Now that 150,000 visitors have come and gone, Borja is a town rejuvenated and restored..
In this village of medieval palaces and winding lanes, this botched artwork has the town resurrected…
All the free publicity from a botched artpiece, it has been a breath of life to the local economy..
God works in mysterious ways, it explains the good fortunes that follows from the smudgy renderings..
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/world/a-town-if-not-a-painting-is-restored.html?_r=0
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Basketball Blues
Here I am trying to string some coherent thoughts into a prose in writing…
When there is this sudden continuous thumping noise behind where I am seating…
Oh no! That can only mean one thing, my little girl is into her basketball dribbling...
In this limited space of the living room, her boundless energy needs venting…
Ever since the local junior basketball competition has started, I wish we live on the moon…
When the whim strikes, it’s Michael Jordan incessant dribbling about in the living room…
Only the emptiness of space around the moon can silence the sounds of these staccato booms…
NASA or whatever relevant space agency, book me quickly, if possible, beam me to the moon..
Yeah, I know better, our cajolings and pleas for quiet in this living room is a waste of saliva…
This feminine version of Michael Jordan in my living room is in one of her breakaways runs afire…
Look out! Control that ball, you almost bump poor Nemo in his cute fish bowl off that table…
Where’s your mother, what do I have to do to get a little peace in this time of the day altogether…
Little girl, if you don’t mind, I’m trying to finish this little poem of mine to post on-line…
I have my readers and fans, they’re just like yours, hoping to see the best I can offer each time…
Yeah I know, your fans and supporters, they are cheering you on too, I see the picture…
But little angel of mine, please put away that blasted ball , how about something else to consider …
Let me finish up this shortened prose, post it up online and then I will bother you no longer…
After that, it would be better that I quickly retire to the master bedroom, silence there is pre ordered…
Tell me again, when is your last game, for all this thumping through the week is giving me heartburns…
Do you have to bounce that ball indoors, that noisy din will one fine day bring on angry neighbours…
Better you do something not so noisy, say, clean Nemo’s tank - it looks rather dirty to me….
What? You’ve clean it twice already in this week, are you very sure of that? How about money?..
Would you like to have some change and maybe you can grab a soda outside, it is one fine weather..
Fervently I dare hope, my little Michael Jordan, do go and pick up your many dolls, where’s Barbie..?
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2015
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Zika Virus What Next
It is officially announced, there is a global health emergency...
World Health Organisation (WHO) has just issued this health warning...
The rapid spread of the Zika Virus is an international public health emergency..
From its first outbreak was detected in Brazil in May last year...
This mosquito borne disease now threatens in more than 20 countries....
Latest to join the strickened Latin American countries are Costa Rica and Jamaica.
The science behind the global outbreak of this disease is of much concern...
For the Zika Virus was first encountered in a rhesus macaque monkey in Uganda..
It is very worrisome, for this disease has jumped from animals to humans...
The rapid spread was in part due to the lack of immunity in our species...
It is after all a virus that profilerated before only in the monkey species....
Its drastic spread in the Latin Americans now necessitates travel advisories...
Once afflicted, a human victim suffers 2-7 days of low grade fever, joint pains..
No fatalities yet, but symptomatic patients suffers a facial rash that spreads ...
Diagnosis is tricky, its symptons easily confused with other mosquito diseases...
But the greatest danger is threat of brain damage and microcephaly in new born babies...
And the spread of the virus through sexual contact and the blood stream is for real...
Prevention is better than cure, so is precaution before things get out of hand..
The common denominator in the rapid widespread of this scourge is a pesky insect...
One tiny little hellish insect with little wings that stridently brings victims into contact...
A little nip from an infected insect, the Zika virus is introduced into the victim's blood stream..
This dangerous little pesky insect is none other than the common mosquito...
To be specific it is the tiger stripped and blood thirsty Aedes mosquito...
Prevalently found in early morning hours and in the late afternoon daylight hours ...
Get the bug spray, the insect repellant and out with the electric killer bat...
Do whatever it takes, so long you escape from the irritating mosquito bites..
Kill the Aedes mosquitoes, and save yourself from Zika, dengue or chingkunya virus...
http://www.webmd.com/news/20160203/zika-microcephaly-link
http://www.futurity.org/zika-microcephaly-1115772-2/
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Today, the local daily papers highlighted a man of honour...
Deserving of his honorific title Datuk bestowed on men of honour...
Given his loud and strident calls for those holding the reins of power....
To better buck up in all matters of governance, to honour pledges while in power..
From relative obscurity, this quiet man has been religiously executing his duties...
As a number 2 man in the high office called the Special Branch, overseeing matters of security...
Given that his beloved nation now staggers under a yoke of suspicion and bad governance....
He is steadfast in his intergrity pledge of topmost quality service to the king and nation...
Loud is his urgings for civil servants to uphold pledges of intergrity and loyalty...
It is obvious his strong conviction is born out of a man of the highest principles...
Befitting the post of the Special Branch deputy director....
Today's interview in The Star provides an insight into his character...
Clearly it shows he is not easily cowed under political pressure..
And most admirably, not seduced by subtle promises from political masters...
Headlined as From Special Branch top cop to enemy of the state...
His candour in this news piece is credit to his character...
He knows where his loyalty lies and he is highly principled...
Admitting that he deliberated well and hard before he launched....
Some very personal and opinionated statements that jeopordised his career.....
When in fact he has merely 1000days more to see the tail end of his career...
What a ignominous exit for the country's top cop because of his stand on integrity...
How many other officers in the goverment dares stand up to uphold such integrity....
This dedicated man daringly calls each spade by its name and no other names will do...
Even as in this complex society we live in, a wrong can be whitewashed with blinded loyalty...
If only there are more politicians and statesman of this datuk's quality...
Our country will not be suffering from escalating racial prejudice...
Or economic ills that is plaguing our posperity and currency...
Are there more men of integrity and high principles..
Are there more such men to help steer this troubled country...?
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2015
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Government Sales Tax GST
Since the introduction of GST, a sales tax newly introduced back in April 1st last year,
GST or Government Sales Tax has wreaked untold financial miseries all thro the year.
Despite the various publicity shows and nationwide tours to dispel citizens’ early misgivings,
What was feared and dreaded is now an unforgiving yoke of taxation in most daily dealings.
Through the supply chain, with this imposition of this 6% tax at each level, everyone suffers,
The debilitating effects of its cumulative nature has given rise to spiralling price increases.
From services rendered to most consumables and non edible goods, top it up, GST is a must,
And when crude oil hit USD 100 per barrel, from a sedately USD40plus a barrel, we curse.
All retailers were quick to raise prices, citing the drastic rise of petroleum to justify rising costs…
The ordinary citizens, as consumers, we can only mutter and curse impotently at the costs.
Except for some basic consumables that are classified as essential goods, all others are taxable,
When one settles payment at the check out counter, there is a 6% additional payment for the government.
So to the man in the street, there suddenly is a double whammy to the rising cost of living,
A consequential price increase in goods attributed to rising fuel costs, and a 6% tax for sales servicing.
It is just a 6% service tax, replacing the 10% service tax, so the cost of goods would be lowered,
A reputable minister, in his fervour to curry acceptance from all Malaysians, blared loudly all over.
Despite the opposition political parties and their vehemence against this 6% GST tax,
The ruling party, with its overwhelming majority, approved and passed this GST tax.
One year down the road, petroleum prices are down to about USD40 or thereabouts a barrel,
Surprise, Surprise! None whatsoever any lowered prices even when petroleum dipped down to USD25 a barrel!
Today, Malaysians all over are struggling to stretch the buying power of our hard earned earnings,
If there is a corresponding rise in monetary pay, rising costs and GST would not be so demanding.
And of course, if only there is less profiteering or greed to lower the much risen prices,
Government Sales Tax of 6% is acceptable for it is much lower than in the other neighbouring nations.
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/smebiz/focus/2016/03/21/everyones-got-to-eat-right/
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
Can't help but to recall this famous quote from Sir Walter Scott...
When one reads the latest revelations on the financial scandal that is 1MDB...
Touted as a sovereign fund to help the economy of the Malaysian Nation...
What has been revealed so far is a tangled web of deception for the nation...
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
At the onset of of the saga of 1MDB, it was a sovereign fund entity....
It sourced for billions and billions in cash money for seed capital initially....
Taking out monstrous loans using guarantees from the government...
No red flags were raised, despite reservations from the management...
When the numero uno signatory is the Finance Minister himself...
And it being so he is also the Prime Minister, who is to question...
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
The wheels of international justice are turning, investigations are revealing..
Convoluted money trails of obscenely huge amounts to the tune of billions..
From Singapore to Switzerland to Luxemburg to Australia to the United States..
And a couple of other countries with highly principled banking standards...
Are seeking to unravel the this global money scandal with the highest stakes..
Wall Street Journal expose is churning out scandalous information of the investigations..
While in the home country of Malaysia, political warlords brush off all revelations..
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
A single plea of innocence was well propped up with tales of donation...
As gifted from individual or individuals, ultimately from a dead Arabian King..
Stalwart political warlords were nevertheless resolute in defending...
As a much tainted political leader wisely maintains a eloquent silence...
Even as political foes and the knowing public cry out their frustrations...
Horrified and anxious over the repercussions from this 1MDB financial cancer..
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.my/2016/05/1mdb-buck-passes-on-to-malaysian.html
http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.my/2016/05/leaks-show-how-bank-used-by-1mdb-jho.html
http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.my/2016/05/1mdb-wonderland-saga.html
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Blind Ambitions Of Glory
The daily news was splashed with a sweet picture of an beaming 16 years-old lass..
As Felicia Mikat greeted an awakening nation today with her athletic medals of world class..
Achieving track honours in the 8th Asean Para Olympics athletics events in Singapore…
Her exploits was a much welcomed news amidst the other mundane news at the fore..
Her infectious grin of happiness beamed widely and readily from the sports page…
As all Malaysians were awakened to her incredible feat of 3 golden medals…
There was nary any fanfare or trumpeting of her potential to secure such successes…
Likewise there was no grandiose reception to welcome her homecoming hence…
Being a visually impaired lass born in some obscure village way off the beaten track…
From the age of seven, she has been housed in a school hostel, far from her family pack..
For one so young to be away from the loving attention of her maternal home…
This is one amazing success story of a teenager bringing honour and glory home…
Her loving folks back at her home, they were in awe of their daughter’s fame..
Never in their dreams that their little baby with her special needs can find such fame…
Her blind ambition to excel on the running track, under the eyes of a dedicated coach…
Underlines the talent, the hard work and the tenacity to succeed while being coached…
Now that her exploits are catching on with the imagination and realisation of this nation…
Some monetary rewards and incentives are fast forwarded as forms of recognition…
The glory that accompanies each golden achievement is well deserved and hard earned…
The golden sheen that comes atop a winner’s medal, represents genuine sweat and the tears..
The long and lonely hours working out on the track, only a dedicated coach will know ….
How hungrily a dedicated athlete train in order to excel in any chosen event and show..
For para athletes like Felicia Mikat, they have often been overlooked for far too long…
It is time the community awakes and acknowledges the para athletes all over the world…
For a visually impaired athlete such Felicia, you can say blind ambitions pushed her to succeed…
As with the other para athletes, forget not that perseverance and dedication too must take the lead..
http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/The-blind-ambition-of-a-Sabahan-teenager-well-done-girl
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2015
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Thieving Without Conscience
There are thieves, and there are thieves without conscience. ..
Woe to the average Malaysia, of the latter are our elected politicians....
As the US treasury did put it so succinctly that there can be no doubts...
Malaysia as a sovereign nation has been robbed in broad daylight......
By our exalted policians entrusted to uphold our country's economy and its ideals..
By blatantly treating 1MDB as a vessel for securing immense sovereign funds...
And chanelling those funds into privately owned bank accounts...
Colluding with third parties that involved of all things, a so called Arabian prince...
Makes you puke just to think how our corrupted political bigwigs hasten to band together..
Just so that they can cling on to office and indulge in more misuse of power and plunder....
A political purist extols, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. ..
That sums up nicely the gang of thieves who somehow determines how Malaysia is doing...
Malaysia has the dubious record of being the biggest kleptocracy case in American history...
The sheer magnitud of which involves billions and billions in US currency....
Those who have been following news about the 1MDB imbroglio since a couple of years ago..
Will recall the many evasive statements and misleading answers from 1MDB the vessel...
Through which billions of funds were raised only to be mysteriously siphoned off...
Involving convulated financial transactions that moved chunks of money across nations..
Poor Malaysians, we are still saddled with corrupted politicians and their cronies...
Hoping fervently that the big brother in the US Department of Justice will invoke some miracle...
T
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
Robotics To Come
In the Star online today, there are a few articles on robotics....
From a robotic language teacher to an IKEA furniture assembler....
And the introduction of robotic workers in the construction sectors...
Besides the all too familiar mechanical arms in car assembly lines the world all over....
There are already mobile robotic waiters in some eating outlets....
Presently as a prop and as a novelty item to draw in paying customers...
The verdict is out there, about the latest technologies and innovation......
These are being introduced to counter problems of labour shortages and expertise...
Hohoho....
Even a teacher's job is now potentially in jeopardy...
Who needs a cranky school teacher when you can have your pick...
Of a sweet sexy voiced robot that is non judgemental and of infinite patience...
Hohoho...
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2018
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Keng Chuan Seng Poem
DLCW Dont Let China Win
For the badminton pundits in this country, there are a great many of them...
In their eyes, the greatest badminton player is Lee Chong Wei , a true Malaysian...
If you are the disbelieving kind, kindly do a Google search on this household name...
Be duly amazed at the plethora of achievements and records to back up his fame...
Wherever he goes, other Asian fans clamoured too for photo sessions and his fame..
Die hard badminton fans will swear by his name, so pervasive is his racket fame...
His greatest rival to enduring world wide fame is the immensely popular Lin Dan..
A very volatile yet gifted badminton genius who dismantled opponents as they came..
In a country of billions, the undisputed Chinese star in world badminton is Super Dan...
You name any badminton title of world class, he has got the lot, he got them all..
Twice Olympic gold medalists, at the expense of perennial rival Lee Chong Wei..
A great number of other world accolades, Lee Chong Wei was regularly the bridesmaid..
Recently, towards the end of 2015, the great Lee Chong Wei was aged 32..
In a high tempo explosive game like badminton, he was easily an ancient veteran...
Many a younger world class player has long retired, usually from burn-out or injuries...
Not Lee Chong Wei, not this country's greatest badminton hero and eternal great...
In 2 consecutive 5 starred tournaments, he sent off packing his greatest rival Lin Dan..
So much so that his subsequent matches and eventual wins were such a let down..
Around then the local social media was awashed with an amusing anecdote..
That serves seemingly an improbable explanation for his latest triumphs on court..
Given his all too frequent losses to Super Dan in countless semi finals and finals..
Someone observed his initials being LCW, a bad omen that will Let China Win..
The country's top badminton patron, the wife of the Prime Minister, she declared..
LCW should rightfully be given the country's topmost honorific sport title, Datuk..
So it came to pass, Lee Chong Wei is now honored as Datuk Lee Chong Wei..
Lee Chong Wei's name initials, from the bad omen of Let China Win as in LCW...
He is now initialed DLCW, a change of fortunes will follow because of his new name..
For his very name is now initialed as DLCW, meaning Don't Let China Win..
That, folks, explains simply why from now on, the great Datuk Lee Chong Wei..
No surprises if he reigns supreme over all his Chinese badminton rivals, come what may..
Copyright © Keng Chuan Seng | Year Posted 2016
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