Snippets at the coffee table

I was at the Club this morning, and as expected, there was a lot of speculation and theories about who was responsible for setting up Al Jub. Of course there were also those who believed that it was no set up but likened it to a drug addict who is unable to kick the habit. We may never know. I am sure that the AG’s office and the PDRM shall be able to dish out a concoction acceptable to the masses, depending on which side of the divide you are at. We shall wait and see if we are going to get the truth this time or, will they dutifully insult our intelligence again.

There have been too much excitement in the country of late and it is getting worrisome. Politicians from both sides are so busy looking after their own skins, the country is actually running on autopilot! The juicy entertainment the politicians are providing us today will not make up for the chaos when food shortages stare us in the face! I just hope that these imbeciles (UMNO politicians) would just get down to work before the situation spirals out of control.

Behind all the drama, the reality is that lives have changed since the elections and the petrol price increase. I overheard recently that one of the most glaring changes since DAP took over the state government are the complaints by those petty traders in and around Komtar. Turnover has dwindled, especially for the coffee stall owners. Though they did not say it in so many words, they are actually having second thoughts about putting the DAP in office. Reason? The Napoleons and their army have stopped taking those extended tea/coffee breaks in and around Komtar! On the bright side, it sure is pleasant to see the municipal council guys doing their job, meaning, maintenance of shrubberies, trimming of grass where required. During the days of the BN/Gerakan government, it was actually done on a selective basis.

The petrol price increase also effected some drastic changes in the traffic situation. I have confirmed with some of my friends that traffic has eased in Penang. There is also talk that traffic on the Penang Bridge has also reduced greatly. According to hearsay, the drop is close to 4,000 vehicles a day! It would be nice if the petrol price would also curb the activities of the mat rempits. Shall be monitoring the situation this weekend.

Well, as they say “the only constant in life is change” and I hope these are changes for the better.