How can leh?

Once again, Malaysian economics and its leaders never ceases to amaze and baffle me! There were 2 incidents over this past week.

Today's Star newspapers reported that EPF dividends for 2008 stood at 4.5%. I thot this is understandable taking into account of the economic situation in the past year. But wait, that's not the end. This is on the back of EPF's highest ever earning of RM20bil in gross income last year, an increase of 9.36% from 2007! What the hell??? Why did dividends go down? Its chairman said that this is because of a sharp decline in equity markets and a large provision has to be made! I m no economic whiz but can someone tell me what's happening? If the economy picks up in the 2nd half of the year and share markets rise, will this provision be taken out and dividends increased?

The other story is with regard to our sports minister Azalina Othman. She went to see the PM last week accompanied by her father. When asked by the reporters why, this is her answer,

"I am not married. I can't be walking alone right? Being a Muslim woman, the right person to accompany a single woman would be the father."

What??? You mean all single muslim women can't walk alone? I find this comment stupid, moronic, imbecilic, daft and just plain ignorant! And these are words from our ministers!

On another baffling story, how is it that in a span of 5 days, Liverpool can play like they are from another planet and thrash 2 of the biggest teams in the world? I am just as shocked as all Liverpool fans I suppose. Shocked but delighted. I just wish they won't go on and draw with the likes of Stoke, Fulham etc again!

This is a baffling world!