What is it about to be a truly Malaysian? and Thai?

What is it all about to be a Malaysian?

Woan Shin

For me, the meaning of being a “Truly Malaysian” is always proud to be a Malaysian. In Malaysia, we have more than three races, language, and also many delicious food. As a Malaysian, I always feel that I’m so lucky to be live over here, because there have no any natural disasters like typhoon, earthquake in Malaysia, even though the economic in Malaysia is not that good, but I feel blessed if there is safe and sound together with family and friends. However, there have also some habits to prove that we are a truly Malaysian. For example, when across the road we can directly hold up our magical hand to stop the vehicle on the road without using footpaths. Not only that, when we heard the words, “Sales” or “Free”, as a Malaysian we will feel excited and crazy that queue up in the early morning before the shop open, when tourist from other country will feel shocked and keep asking what happen, that is what I experience before inside the mall. But so what, that’s us, a “Truly Malaysian”.

Ming Chun

One of the reason can be prove we are a truly Malaysians, that is our talking style. Our country always add up ‘merh’, ‘lah’. For example, when we don’t want to go that places, we will said ‘want go that place merh’. When we want to go that places. ‘We will said lets go there lah’. Some People will think that this is a broken english but for me is fine. This is a our country talking style and I feel that this is very friendly when talking to someone.

Xin Yee

Malaysia is a country consisting of Chinese, Malays and Indians. With different races, most of us able to speak more than two language and we do not have to pay for language learning classes. As a country with multiracial culture, our closest part is we speak in ‘Bahasa Rojak’, which is we can mix any language that we want into one sentence. Besides that, we always become a translator for our friend or even a stranger who do not speak a certain language. We always get a surprised looks from foreigners or travellers because most of them do not know that Malaysia are at least bi-lingual and we are proud of it!

Jun Shiang

Instead of being a truly Malaysian, I would rather say myself as a truly Penangite. Why? I lived in Penang since i was born. So what is it about to be a Penangites? In Penang we speak alot of languages, such as Hokkien, Cantonese dialect. In Penang we also surrounded by all the famous food like Char Koay Teow, Laksa who ranked top 2 food in the world, hokkien mee, curry mee and so on. Penang is a small island but surrounded with passionate people, friendly people and full of different cultural background. Penang demonstrate a very good role of democratic state which Malaysia always stress on, ''Be Democratic''. We lived in peace, harmony and of course, we keep on moving forward. I could say that Penang is the best place to be lived in. Altho Malaysia is my country, but I lived in Penang and I am proud of it!

What is it about to be a Thai?

Anuthat

In my opinion when talking about Thailand the first thing that comes to people’s mind is the unique greeting “Sawasdee” and another word is “Kob Khun ka/krub” which means thank you. The word sawasdee uses in anytime when Thai people meet each other. Another symbol of truly thai is nickname,Thai people usually use formal names only for official things such as driving license,identity card but in daily life they would call nickname instead and nicknames in Thai are quite weird and funny if translate to English such as Tangkwa which means cucumber in English or Nok means bird so these are the uniques of Thailand.

References:

1. Astro, 2014, “10 Ways You Know You’re Malaysian” [WWW][Available at http://www.astro.com.my/negaraku/ArticleDetails?articleId=2389&catId=92] [Accessed on: 19 November 2016]

2. World of Buzz, 2016, 9 things only us malaysian who are at elast bilingual will understand [WWW] Available at: http://www.worldofbuzz.com/9-things-only-us-malaysians-who-are-at-least-bilingual-will-understand/ [Accessed 19th November 2016] 

3. Courtney Stanley, 2016. The 15 Best cities In the World For Food, Culture Trip. [WWW] Available from: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/articles/the-15-best-cities-in-the-world-for-food/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=170116northamericafood  [Accessed 20th November 2016]

4. Financial Samurai. 2016, The Best Food in The World Is In Malaysia [WWW] Available from: http://www.financialsamurai.com/the-best-food-in-the-world-is-in-malaysia/ [Accessed 20th November 2016]

Tax System in our country

Tax systemGood and service tax (GST)

Woan Shin

   Good and service (GST) is a consumption tax based on the value added concept. Every production and distribution stage in the supply chain including importation good and service in Malaysia will need to apply GST. In Malaysia, GST was implemented with effect from 1 April 2015 at a rate of 6%.

   I agree in GST, as everyone income is come from our country so that we have the responsibilities to pay the tax for the country no matter lower or middle class income. So that government need collect the tax to improve our country. As they collect the tax, they provide a BRIM voucher for the students and every low income group which get a BRIM subsidies from government.

Ming Chun

Personal income tax

Chargeable income (RM)	Rate (%)
1- 5000	0
5,001- 20000	1
20,001- 35000	5
35,001- 50000	10
50,001- 70000	16
70,001- 100,000	21
100,001- 250,000	24
250,001- 400,000	24.5
400,001- 600,000	25
600,001- 1,000,000	26
More than 1,000,000	28

                            

  The table is showing the personal income tax will be collected by the government. I agree that income tax will apply to the citizen. As low income group does not need to pay for the government so that personal income tax will not affect their living quality. For middle class, income that more that RM5000 will need to pay 1% of their income which is very low. Paying RM50- RM200 can be help the government to improve the country is very worth.

Anuthat

I agree with tax system because when Malaysians buy things,taxes will be added in service charges and those taxes will go to the government and spend it on education,medicals,allowances for old people.as a low income group.it brings benefits to them when they apply loan for their studies,and their tax rate paid is 0.as the shown,the middle class group who earns more than Rm5000 per month tax rate paid is only 1%.which is low.if compare to buying houses or cars interes.So it wouldn’t affect daily life much.


Ang Xin Yee

Before GST, a 6% and 10% will be charged on goods and services that we purchase. But when the
GST was introduced, the tax rates that are being discussed now will be 4% lesser compare to before
GST. I think it is important that we have to take care on how we spend our money because the charges
was taken from us by force. At the same time, we have to realize also that the tax payment process is a responsibility to our country because if there is no tax imposed, all public services we enjoy today
cannot be given. So I think it is a win-win solution for government and citizens.

Lau Jun Shiang

Part of the revenue from tax is used by a government to manage the country and also for the expenses
of developing countries. The tax collected is spent by the government for the purpose of infrastructure
such as roads, hospitals, schools, the aim of developing economic, social goals such as health,
education, welfare and more. Taxation is an important point for the effective administration of the
country, so it is very important for us to understand that how tax charge by our country and to pay it
for the goods of our country. Therefore we must understand that the tax that we pay is to develop our
 country and those facilities could able to enjoy by us too..


References

1.  PricewaterhouseCoopers. 2015. ‘2015/2016 Malaysian Tax and Business Booklet’ [Available at: https://www.pwc.com/my/en/assets/publications/2016-malaysian-tax-business-booklet.pdf] [Accessed on: 29 October 2016]
2. Kurt Wagner. 2014. ‘8 Ways Facebook Changed the World’ [Available at: http://mashable.com/2014/02/04/facebook-changed-the-world/#7zy2gPquZkqw] [Accessed on: 29 October 2016]
3. Malaysia Income Tax Guide by Hann Liew, 2016 Available at: https://ringgitplus.com/en/blog/Personal-Finance-News/Malaysia-Income-Tax-Guide-2016.html [Accessed :6th November 2016]
4. Santander Trade Portal, Malaysia: Tax System, 2016. Available at https://en.portal.santandertrade.com/establish-overseas/malaysia/tax-system [Accessed:6th November 2016]

People who changed the world? Wow!

World got changed by...

Jun Shiang & Xin Yee

Jack Ma

      Jack Ma, the founder of e-commerce behemoth Alibaba, has built his success based on his belief and dream that Internet will become something big in the future. Why we said that he is one of the person who changed the world? Well, It's simply because JackMa introduced Internet to China and there is when he starts to change the world, he forseee the future and allowed everyone that are passion towards businesses have their own opportunity to thrive in the e-commerce. He created a platform for the entreprenuer to chase their dreams and also created lots of job opportunity to the global. He created an ecosystem for the e-business to sustain and success through his company. After all, who don't use Taobao to shop their wants nowadays?? Didn't you? :P

Anuthat, Woan Shin & Ming Chun

                    Mark Elliot Zuckerberg​

       Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, born on 14^th May 1984 in New York city.His Father,Edward was a dentist.Mother,Karen was a psychiatrist.Mark grew up with another 3 siblings, Randi,Arielle and Donna.When he was in high school he learned “Atari Basic Programming” from his father and David Newman as his tutor.While he was a student at Harvard University,he created programs called CourseMatch and FacemashWhere, the students  select their courses and decide on study groups,while Facemash was built for fun.In the next semester year 2004.Mark and his friends created another new website call The Facebook.In year 2005 Accel Partners.A company dealing with growth equity in a new name called Facebook. 2 years later, Mark launched  Facebook Platform to allow software developers to use Facebook to build other applications and it has been famous until these days.

     So, Mark has created a new type of communication for the world. In previous generation, the medium of communication is using the traditional ways which is sent a message to another person by using phone call, message and email. But he done a different thing, he create a software which can let people know who already seen the message, so that communication in the world get improvement.

     Facebook has impact different aspect including politics, media, marketing, privacy, our sense of identity and our definition of friendship. As many business has expand their business into online by using Facebook as a tools. For example, many company has use Facebook to do advertising for their product. As Facebook have 600 millions users and can be reached worldwide. Other than that, people also use Facebook as a media to spread news to world.

          

References

1. Kurt Wagner. 2014. ‘8 Ways Facebook Changed the World’ [Available at: http://mashable.com/2014/02/04/facebook-changed-the-world/#7zy2gPquZkqw] [Accessed on: 29 October 2016]

2. Jack Ma, author CE wong, Kanyin Publications

3. Forbes. 2016. ‘China Rich List' [Available at: http://www.forbes.com/profile/jack-ma/ ] [Accessed on: 30 October 2016]

Phobias of the Viruses

Phobia

So, what is “Phobias” ? Phobias is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of a things or situation that not really danger but provokes anxiety and avoidance. There are few famous phobia around the world.

Trypophobia

Trypophobia can be known as fear of holes. It is people are fear in object with tiny holes. Trypophobia are mainly causes by biological revulsion and culturally learned fear. This fear would seem unreasonable to abnormal people, the sight or thought of holes can directly gave a panic attack to trypophobe. 

Did u feel something creepy?

how about this?

Katsaridaphobia

Katsaridaphobia is the fear of cockroaches. People who have katsaridaphobia will feel disgusting and disturbing when they saw cockroaches. Katsaridaphobic individual should have a negative and bad experience with cockroaches in the past.

Cockroaches is scary??? Only when it can FLY~~!!

Phobias Of the 5Viruses

Woan Shin

I have “Acrophobia” which is the fear of height or the fear of falling even I’m not really high up. It is a specific phobia that causes me to be highly agitated or in a state of panic which could interfere with my ability to climb down from the places. I feel nervous even though I climb up to the stairs. The way I overcome is when I go to the Langkawi, Sky Bridge, when I go up and there is no choice, I gave up on courage to walk to there, no matter how strong my leg shaking. By the way, it is not that scary when i go through, I will not know how strong I am until I try it, that is the only way I try to overcome the fear of height.

Ming Chun

Hi, I have ‘nosocomephobia’ This is the phobia which fear of going to hospital. I am fear that going to hospital will be get virus infection. Every time I go to hospital, I will become nervous and keep away from patience. This is a phobia that make me very panic but I have been overcome it when my sister are operation. I have go to hospital almost a week, this make me overcome my phobia and view hospital is a place are clean and also a place where can save human.

Anuthat

I encounter trypophobia which is the fear of holes. I always suffer an emotional reaction while seeing innocuous images of clusters of objects, such as honeycomb or the lotus seed head. The more I look into it the more I find it's not so much a fear, and not only of holes. My heart will rate rises and becomes more variable when I look into it.

Xin Yee

I personally used to have a fear of depth which called bathophobia, when i was young, I had never been to swimming pool because I couldn’t swim and fear of the depth and once I was drowned by a classmate who was a swimmer as i was hanging the edge of the pool he pulled my legs down then i drowned, Luckily a teacher rescued me from drowning. I had a tough time with that, going to the pool or the beach seemed to be impossible to me.It was really my nightmare. Until my mother took me for a swimming course after classes every day, I trained again and again to overcome that fear.I became a swimmer in primary school eventually and now I don’t  fear of depths anymore. 

Jun Shiang

Everyone has their own phobia, so do I. Well, recently I just realized that I encountered with acrophobia which is the fear of height. when i went to the Escape Adventureland Themepark. There is no reason of why i fear of height, i just did. Shaking on the top, did not dare to jump off from the height. However I have successfully overcame it (I think), when i got the balls

to walk on a rope in the middle of the air, jumping down from 20m height, and flying fox all over the themepark. I can say that I'd overcame it but there are still little bit in it, maybe when it goes higher.

something like that... with safety equipment somemore. ^^

References:

1.     Ginger Gorman.2016. ‘Trypophobia: Why these simple image are freaking people out’ [Available at: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mind/trypophobia-why-these-simple-images-are-freaking-people-out/news-story/25e7c250d57050e4127e95a15d370434 ] [Accessed on: 8 October 2016] 

2.     Mayo Clinic Staff.2014. ‘Definition’ [Avaible at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/phobias/basics/definition/con-20023478 ] [Accessed on: 8 October 2016]

3.     Jacob Olesen.2015. ‘Top 10 Phobia All Time- 2016 Update’ [Available at: http://www.fearof.net/top-10-phobias-of-all-time/ ] [Accessed on: 8 October 2016]

Make love, not war! Say no to Racism!

Racism
Racism is the beliefs that appearances and abilities can be judged people by basis of their races and even think some races are better than others.Racism and separation have been used as powerful weapons to encourage fear or hatred to the others, This may be conflict to the society or to the country or even impact to economic of the country eventually. (Anub Shah,2010)

Anuthat

In my point of view,It is a despicable action to be racist to the others,these actions should have gone since many decades ago.It might be true that sometimes we act toward people in a different way just because we see that they’re black or white,rich or poor,where they’re from.they’re all supposed to be treated in a same way.Some countries in Europe are looking down on black people,treat them as a lower priority than the white ones.This action should be stopped otherwise it may bring to a bigger problem to the country such as a civil war between the black and the white.In my opinion we all have only one race ‘a human race’ no matter who you are,how rich or poor you are.we all have an equal right to do whatever we wish.Being racist to the others doesn’t make you look even better or smarter,On the other hand.it shows that you have a negative thinking by judging people from the outer look.So,that’s why those who are still being racist is such a despicable people in the society.

XIN YEE

Racism is a matter of growing concern amongst the nations of the world. Racist believe that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people based on their race while some might think that their racial groups are superior to others. In times of conflict and war, racism and discrimination have been used as powerful weapons causing fear or hatred of others. For example, racial and ethnic discrimination has become a major issue and embarrassment for United States of America within the International fora. In fact, those who think of themselves as native Americans still disregard African Americans, Asian Americans and Latin Americans. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics concluded that an African American male born in 2001 has a 32% chance of going to jail in his lifetime, while a Latino male has a 17% chance, and a white male only has a 6% chance.

Ming Chun

Hi all, today will be discuss a popular topic in the world which is racism. In my opinion, racism is people who are discriminate people are in different races. The comment I want to give is I am not supporting racism. Because of the racism, many country are becoming unpeace. Racism can causes a lot of damage such as destroying people self esteem, communities and build division within society.

    In North America, black people did not have equal rights as white people. Including the right to work, schooling and the right to go to certain places. White people is much freedom compare with black people. In the past, black people were discriminated in Canada and United States. The first black person visited Canada in year 1608 was Mathieu de Costa. Started from year 1608, racism are become a big problem. In America, black people were slaves owned by white people. The black people lives under slavery and their lives are degradation and violence. In 1628, Oliver Le Jeune which is the first slaves arrived in Canada. Oliver was in Canada when she is 6 year old. This showed that how slaves were captured and forced into slavery regardless of age.

 Woan Shin

Here is to discuss about “Racism all over the world”. So, in my opinion I feel that racism is the discriminate of letting a person's race or skin color unfairly become a factor. The comment that I can give is, I’m not supporting racism, as racism makes the people around the world panic, feel unsafety and peace everyday because racism can cause a war happen if serious. Here I found a instance of racism, in South Africa’s Apartheid Era (1948-1994), in 1948 with the apartheid law, racial discrimination was institutionalized in the country. Race law touched every aspect of social life, including a marriage between non-white and white, and allowing for “white” job only.In 1950 the Population Registration Act required that all South Africa must be categories in three group which is white, black and colored. Then, in 1960 they started a plan “Grand Apartheid”, as all blacks has to carry a “pass book” with their fingerprint, photo and personal information to access “non-black areas”. However, in 1993 a new constitution gave black and other racial has the right to vote and also race national election.

Jun Shiang

In my opinion, racism didn't occur when one are born, but when they are adult, Have you seen a small kid had a hatred or fear of different kind of races, religion person? No. 28th September 2016, again happened a white cops shot down an unarmed black man in United States just because the guy act 'erractically'. It's just one of the case that white cops shot down a black man in United States, maybe the white just feared about the position that the black man standing now in United States, they felt threatened, so they will have the racism in it. ISIS are also a terrorist activity that involved religious racism that caused a lot of death. I once heard a quotation, '' If you got separated by the races, colour, religious, then you will never success and get peace in life''. That is why there are still war and terrorist activity happened in the world i guess. In the mean time, racism will not diminished in a short period of time until the world have completely change their perception towards the different races, religious and colour. Make love, not war people, get rid of racism that had in your mind!

References

1. Anup Shah. 2010. 'Racism' [Available at: http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism] [Accessed: 22 September 2016]  
2. Eliott C. McLaughlin, Max Blau and Paul Vercammen, CNN. 2016. 'Police: Man Killed by Officer Pointed Vaping Device, Not Gun' [Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/28/us/california-police-shooting/] [Accessed: 23 September 2016]
3. Abdul Malik Mujahid. 2003. 'Racism Statistic and facts' [Available at: http://www.soundvision.com/article/racism-statistics-and-facts] [Accessed: 23 September 2016]

Video

Video Released In FATAL Police Shooting Of Unarmed Oklahoma Black Man, TERENCE CRUTCHER!!

Alton Sterling: new video shows up close how black man was gunned down by two white cops - TomoNews

Introduction of The Five Virus

Jun Shiang

So, let’s begin. It’s Jun Shiang right here, most of my friend known me as ‘JS’ or ‘Lau’. I’m a Fitness instructor in a fitness center OF express Penang, so if you have doubt, you are   pleased to seek me if you need an advice in the gym room. FYI, I’m a die-hard Manchester United fans, don’t mess with me if you know they are lost for their matches. GGMU!

      So, what do I expect from this subject is simple, which is enable me to sound pro when delivering my messages and receiving messages when using English in the conversation, but English is more than we’ve ever expected. Let's just learn as much as we can ya.

 Woan Shin 

Well, I’m here to introduce and tell more about myself. I’m Woan Shin, a female in age of 20 years old, from Bukit Mertajam. And I’m a girl who love to jogging during free time because i will feel so fresh after sweat. Anyway, I’m studying Degree program which is Bachelor of Arts (Hons)Business and Marketing Management (2+0), UOS. The reason why I choose those program is I have a dream that I want to do a business with my partner in the future. 

      My expectation for this subject is I wish I can improve my grammar and speak fluent in English, because when I have a conversation with other I will get stuck and nervous.

 Ming Chun

Hi and nice to meet you, my name is Lim Ming Chun. Everyone can call me Thomas. I am 20 year old and live in Bukit Mertajam. I am taking degree program which is Bachelor at business and marketing management in SEGI College Penang. People in SEGI College called this program as BABMM. 

      In this semester, I am taking 5 subject and one of it is English 2. This class is focusing on reading, learning, writing, speaking and listening. I hope that I can improve all aspects and can speak fluent English. 

 Anuthat

My name is Anuthat Saengbuamad,was born on 5^th December 1995 in Songkhla where there is a famous golden mermaid statue,Thailand. I am the only son of the family, no siblings. My parents have been raising me as I am their friends,I grew up with an open-minded. So i am kind of positive thinking, helpful and talkative. I was a swimmer for 4 years during my secondary school time then I moved to Penang to continue my high school and diploma.Right now I am doing Bachelor of arts at SEGI College.

      I hope that I would have a better English skills to make it useful in my daily life and working in the future.

XinYee

My name is Ang Xin Yee and I am currently pursuing bachelor degree of business marketing at the Segi College of Penang. I am a girl in braces with waist long hair, a ‘last minutes kind’ of student and I usually learn English through watching English drama series movies and reading some books especially horror type. 

I wish to improve my writing style and sentence pattern so that it can help me to write in correct way. I would like to know more new vocabulary from the English 2 class that I am attending as most of time I will direct translate from Chinese to English.