Saturday 9 April 2011

Headline news

During our rather stressful 40 minute (on a good day) drive to and from work, Ian and I enjoy listening to a local radio station called BFM. The quality of the English is pretty good and it's largely aimed at expats and businessmen. There is even the odd edgy interview where someone might think about criticising the government or suggest that perhaps an Islamic education system isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A couple of headlines that have got our attention lately:

- Deputy Customs Director thrown from third floor window to his death from the National Anti-corruption Building.

Apparently this guy and about 100 other agents were smuggling vast amounts of money, cigarettes and other goodies into Malaysia. But really the irony of being murdered in the Anti-Corruption Building.

- Fake egg sellers face jail time and fine

Yes, fake eggs. There no details as to what these fake eggs are made of - other than that they pose a 'potential health risk.' In a country where real eggs literally cost pennies, I can't imagine how this is a profitable scam, but alas.

- There is a road fatality every 80 minutes in Malaysia.

And of these fatalities, 62% are speeding related and well over half are caused by men and/or motorcycles.