Should I or should I not…

I got this one hobby that I really love… Model building!! Yup.. I think some of you guys know how much I like gluing, cementing, painstakingly paint these military miniatures. It’s a hobby that I’ve picked up since I was small. I think it’s in my genetic make up where I can seat for hours, reading instructions building models. My late grandfather was an avid model builder. From pirate ships to sports car, he kept most of his collections in a drawer. There was this huge model yatch that he build alone and I think It didn’t take too much of his time to complete it. It’s so big that he had to display it on top of a cupboard far from my reaching arms..hehehe. It was so detail and accurate it even had metal chain as the replica anchor, not plastic.

Geramnyeee aku tengokk.......

So last night as I was waiting for this live Chelsea Vs Arsenal match on Astro (don’t’ want to talk much about this) I took out my old airfix kit and open up this F-15E 1/48th scale model. I bought this kit along time ago, I think way back in the year 2000 along with the customized ejection seats!! Before Raidi was born, I had loads of model collections. In fact, the first year of my marriage was filled with model building! Hehehe. If I can recall, that year alone I’ve built the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, Bradley’s armored personnel carrier, an amphibious assault tank and I think the most satisfied piece was this Israeli’s Merkava main battle tank. Honestly this MBT is so unique as it combines the functionality of a personnel carrier. It has a small hatch at the rear of the tank to dismount a small number of troopers and I believe this is a crucial function for the Israeli where most of their combat is conducted in an urban theatre. The shape or cutting of this MBT alone is enough for me to admire this great steel beast. Not to mention its weapons, armor and counter measure systems (for more details, check out http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava4/.) Paint it with the dessert yellow color scheme; you get an accurate scale model of the Israeli defense force backbone unit. Another MBT that I admire and I’ve build it twice mind you, was the British MK Challenger MBT. I was satisfied with it because I managed to put on the camouflage scheme based on the actual unit.

Should I or should I not re-start this hobby? I asked myself this question last night but the answer was obvious. I should not. This is one hobby that needs full attention and concentration to detail. I can get very addictive to this really. Once I start, it’s very hard for me to stop and I would live in my own world just like a frog under the coconut shell. Besides, the kids are still small and I don’t think they can give the same appreciation to these models like I do. Not just yet. Berkecai nanti semua, that’s what I would do if I were them. I can see myself starting this hobby again later, maybe when the kids are in standard 5 or 6. It’s a suitable age for them I think. Believe me, there’s a lot of benefit in model building and I see it as a character building tool. I myself feel that it had helped me to be a detail guy, patience, meticulous, rule abiding citizen and perhaps artistic. To build the models, you have to refer to the step-by-step instructions although at times you need to skip the ‘rule’ or bend it..hehehehe as long as the objective is achieved. Besides, at the same time, you get to learn a lot about the model that you built in the real world. My dream would be to build a model of the USS Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Best gilee...I can imagine the texture of the landing deck! Or the details in the hangar or service bay!! I just wish those days ada digital camera so that I can take pictures of the finished ‘product’. Damn!! I think now I got to find a digital camera with a macro function!

A View From Above....

Last Monday I attended this one day seminar in Menara KL. It was supposed to be an awareness program for Accountants in TM about Corporate Governance and best practices for operational control methods. But it turned out to be an ‘exciting’ session where the organizer, the Group internal auditors had a very tough day answering questions fielded by the participants. Mind you, these were the people who used to be treated with the auditors so called ‘fair’ view year in year out so I guess, it was a great opportunity for us especially who’s involved with operational matters to turn around the table and express our ‘fair’ view on them.

One interesting comment from the floor was about Auditors role in being pro-active in the company in ensuring adequate mechanisms are in place in ensuring corporate governance flows throughout the company. Instead of coming in annually or even quarterly to conduct their auditing activities, which personally I see it as very re-active, with the best practices knowledge that they claimed that they have, they should be able to prevent any organisational structure failure and systems or work processes control weaknesses from the beginning. They always know during every audit when there is actually inadequate or ineffective segregation of duties for example to avoid misuse of abuse of power and authority. Our argument was, all this can be avoided if during the development stage of any organization structure or systems development for that matter, the auditors could come in and provide consultation based on their ‘deep’ knowledge pool and ensure that appropriate control measures are in place.

This is one preventive and pro-active approach to ensure good corporate governance practices in TM. What really irritates me was that they actually said that they are only willing to come in and give their opinion upon invitation! They have their reasons la kan where as far as resources are concerned, it is quite difficult for them to be this proactive. Tapi there are many other ways to implement this kan? For a start, they could develop a policy or some guidelines for us comply before approving any organization structure. What I observed usually, corporate governance had always taken a back seat during any organizational structure development process and always, empire building or self interest takes priority. Sometimes, in an operational org. structure especially, when there is a ‘right sizing’ campaign, I feel that auditors can play a very influential role in providing justifications on the amount of resources required to ensure adequate control, check and balances methods are in place in the structure.

Perhaps the management could have more faith and trust gathering feedbacks from this ‘independent’ body and use this info to influence their decisions. Kalau kita yang bagi feedback, dia kata kita nak kembang kan empire or nak dapat grade lagi besar. So auditors, where were you guys masa kita buat organizational restructuring exercise?? Didn’t get any invitation?? I believe that you guys can help us make things right from the very first time..after that, you can always conduct compliance audit. Think about it, wouldn’t you have less auditing work if all these measures have been in place from day one?? Or maybe that’s the real problem is it? No more or less work to do as a result of being pro-active? I don’t deny the importance of auditing, however, I just wish that there’s some paradigm shift in their mindset. The stereotype view that we always have is that auditors are like ‘spell checkers’, providing opinions on compliance. I personally feel that they could provide more preventive ‘inputs’ rather than corrective. Apa-apa pun, that day, I get to enjoy the view from KL Tower and of course , free food!

Lights Out For United???

I didn't watch the game last night but from what I read in soccernet, it's enough to know that they went down fighting. For the first time in a decade, MU will not be contending in any European matches as they were beaten by Benfica and finished bottom of the group table. Well, anything can happen in football right? Just like when some team out of the blue can win the Champion's league or the Euro competition for that matter, MU also can get beaten this way. But it's all about winning right? As it turns out for MU supporters last night, football is not always a beutiful game. For now, it's a moment when you should prove yourself to be the true and honest supporter of the team called Manchester United.

Year End Closing...

Been very busy la in the office and at home. Year end closing is usually busy for accountants like me. Furthermore, my maid at home sudah balik but got a temporary one before yang permanent sampai. So I'm very occupied at home as well as in the office..and got no time to update the blog..takleh tulis panjang-panjang. Orang putih cakap, a picture speaks a thousand words kan? So this time, I'm posting more pictures as a substitute to my writings..hehehe

Ibdil, Dato' Wahid and me...TM Raya Open House, Menara TM

At Wan Edrin's house during Syawal..Raidi suka datang rumah Uncle Edrin..aheemm

For more pictures, go to my photo link!