Roger Federer

On Sunday 28 Jan 2018, I watched the men's Australian Open Tennis Final.

The guy, Roger Federer is such an amazing person. Super "cool" and highly concentrated athlete. No wonder almost the whole stadium was cheering for him to win his 20th Grand Slam title.

He has won more Grand Slam than anyone.

He also reached 30 Grand Slam Finals. He is just a human after all.

I am listing the Finals that he lost.

US Open 2015 - lost to Novak Djokovic
Wimbledon 2015 - lost to Novak Djokovic
Wimbledon 2014 - lost to Novak Djokovic
French Open 2011 - lost to Rafael Nadal
US Open 2009 - lost to J Martin del Potro
Australian Open 2009 -lost to Rafael Nadal
Wimbledon 2008 - lost to Rafael Nadal
French Open 2008 - lost to Rafael Nadal
French Open 2007 - lost to Rafael Nadal
French Open 2006 - lost to Rafael Nadal

6 losses to Nadal, 3 to Djokovic and 1 to del Potro

Just an amazing guy!

Pen Malaysia electricity (Max Demand) forecast (Part5) - My perspective

Again I write about my passion at work.

The forecast (Maximum Demand) growth for electricity sector. This will be my 5th posting on the matter. That shows the level of passion I have on the subject matter.

This time I give a historical figure.

CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for MD in Peninsular Malaysia is 2.5% for the past 7 years.
CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for MD in Peninsular Malaysia is 2.7% for the past 9 years.

The trend shows high electricity demand when the weather is hot on a lengthy period.

Weather is the main factor.

So my forecast for next year is

CAGR - 2.3% for the past 8 years
CAGR - 2.6% for the past 10 years

For people who are interested, go calculate for yourself.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung recently launched Galaxy S8 in April 2017.

Ironically my S5 started giving problems. They are minor problems, but sometimes when it stalled because the screen did not move after several attempts, and you have to OFF and On it again, it became very  irritating.

I guess it was meant to be. New smartphone products now only last 2 years max. It is either the phone is faulty or the Android software cannot support the new applications.

I am the "old School" type. I was "forced" to migrate into smartphones from my Nokia phone by my company due to WhatsApp application that was widely used to communicate within a certain group.

I started to migrate to smartphone in January 2014.

My first smartphone was Samsung S2. It was my daughter's. She gave me after her mother (my wife) gave her an I-Phone. It lasted for 15 months.

My second smartphone was S3. I bought the last phone for a bargain (first hand) in Mar 2015. The shopper said that this was the last piece as they were about to launch Samsung S6. It lasted for also 15 months when it started giving problems.

My third and current phone is S5. I bought it for second-hand at a bargain in Jun 2016. I had it for just 11 months when it started to stall.

Reality is that these gadgets will demand you to update them annually or every 2 years max.

Technology wise, I am 3 years behind time and also 3 models behind the latest trend.

Just embrace them.... Time to find a new smartphone

"Allah hu akbar"

Blogging is considered outdated.

With all the social media available, writing a blog seems to be outdated.

So, I have Facebook  (hisham.mustaffa.39).
Did not realize that there are many Hisham Mustaffa in this world!

I have Instagram (mustaffahisham).

I have twitter (hishamagpie).

I have LinkedIn (Hisham Mustaffa)

And I have my blog (demagpie.blogspot.com)

Whatever it is, I will continue to blog for I enjoy blogging.

Ever since my first blog post in July 2008, I am now reaching 100,000 pageviews.

Whatever it is, here is to continue blogging as I consider blogging is part of my work!

My work for the whole 2015

My work in 2015 has been excellent.

Allah has made it easy for me in many ways. No doubt that there are downs, but I am able to control them within my means.

The only thing short from my original target is the exercise that I set in the beginning of 2014.

I believe twice a week has not been consistent due to weather and work commitment. But I will step up my will power to exercise as much as I can.

Make doa for me insyaallah.

Peninsular Malaysia electricity demand forecast - my humble view with great concern

I am writing a bit about an observation from my own point of view.

I have written this 3 times in my previous postings. And I am writing it again.

My posting Aug 2012
My posting Feb 2012
My posting Aug 2010

First in Aug 2010 and the second in Feb 2012 and third Aug 2012.
This shows the IMPORTANCE of this subject, at least to myself.

It is about the Peninsular Malaysia electricity demand forecast. This is the start of any process in the electricity industry.

A forecast is something that you predict. Allah is the ALL knowing. Forecasts are all wrong to a certain degree. But we have to do it anyway.

I have said (in previous postings) that electricity demand growth is hovering around 2.0% per year, since 2012.

But with my latest observation of 4 factors, it could well be stagnant (0% growth)
The 4 factors are:-
1. Introduction of large amount of RE incentives (Renewable Energy)
2. Introduction of new technology in EE (Electicity Efficiency)
3. Climate change factor
4. Current world economic factor

Sufficient for me to stop just here. But, in a degree of certainty, I can say that the demand is going to be surprisingly low in the coming years.

Ya Rabb, You the Greatest and All knowing.

My social media list

A bit about social media

Besides my blog (demagpie.blogspot.com) I have added 4 more to my list

Facebook : /hisham.mustaffa.39
Instagram: @mustaffahisham
Twitter: @hishamagpie
Linkedin: Hisham Mustaffa

May Allah give me strength to do good with these things that I have.

Aamiin

2 countries that have significant impact to Malaysian labour force

Indonesia and Bangladesh

 

 

Thank you for labour force in building Malaysia

GST and April Fool's Day

1 April is famous with April Fools Day(sometimes called All Fools' Day).

It is celebrated every year on the first day of April as a day when people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other.

The jokes and their victims are known as "April fools". Popular since the 19th century, the day is not a national holiday in any country.

When I was a child in primary school, I myself played practical jokes with my friends and laughed about it.

This year (2015), Malaysia will start implementing GST (Goods & Services Tax). No, this is NOT a practical joke! This is for real.

What many people say that generally price of goods will come down by the abolishment of SST and the establishment of GST. This is a JOKE! It is the BIGGEST joke ever!

Let us observe what will happen come 1 April 2015.

Happy April Fools Day everyone

High Expectations

Expectations are always high when you deal with High Ranking officers (like company CEOs) as they want the organisation to excel.

Nothing wrong with it. But High expectations WITHOUT Allah in the equation usually brings a lot of tension, frustration, confusion and unnecessary negative feelings.

Mukmins must remember that there are 2 components when we do things:-
1. If Allah permits
2. Our own efforts

When we execute things in order to achieve a certain objective, we have to do our best and make dua to Allah to achieve it. Then the execution becomes complete.

If we have done our level best and we achieve the objective, thank Allah for the success.

If we have done our level best, but still did not achieve the objective, then Allah did not permit it due to His All Knowing. He has something better for you.

If we have NOT done our best and we achieve the objective, thank Allah but be conscience that next time we must give our best because we got lucky this time.

Most of the time, we pity people who have high expectations, and are constantly leading a life full of tense and never at peace.

Make dua to Allah to protect us from the above. Aamiin.

Electricity demand Peninsular Malaysia 2014

I have not written about my work for some time.

But, I made a stand not to dwell to much on my work, as my strong believe is that Islam is VERY much important than work.

Anyway, just to update on electricity demand in Peninsular Malaysia, which is very much have an impact on my organisation's Capital Expenditure.

The growth is 2.0%, the second lowest in the history of electricity growth since 1990. The lowest was at 1.7% recorded in 2008 (economic crisis year). 2014 was never a slowdown year, but as far as electricity demand is concerned, the manufacturing sector has slowed down and the service sector has dominated the economic scene. But service sector does not require large amount of electricity.

My prediction for 2014 electricity growth was between 2.5-3.3%. It turned out to be on the high side.

Next year, with the introduction of GST by the Malaysian Government, my prediction is NOT more than 2.5% max.

May Allah help Malaysia in the coming challenging years....

Positive attitude at workplace

I have completely changed my attitude towards my work begining 2014.

I have detached myself emotionally from whatever is the outcome of my work. Yes, I have been given a set of KPI (Key Peformance Indicators) for me to deliver my work. But, these KPIs are merely an assessment of my performance.

If I do well, then I am OK. If I do not do well, then I am also OK.

If the boss or other stakeholders make a comment on my work, whether in a positive or a negative way, it is their prerogative. I am all right with it.

I must have the right frame of mind about my scope of work. As a good employee, I must fulfill my role. I must fully understand my role. As a network planner, my main function is to propose a plan.

Whether my plan is being accepted or otherwise is NOT for me to decide. I must ensure that I must come up with the plan that will cover all possible angles and have considered all possible options. I must be able to balance between performance and cost, taking risks into consideration. And I must ensure that the plan is feasible.

This posting is mainly to remind myself that work is work. Never be emotionally attached to the work. If my work is good and I am not being properly acknowledged by my immediate manager, it is completely all right. It must not affect my relationship with Allah.

Because Allah is the ultimate boss. It is the satisfaction of Allah that I am aiming for.

"Taking care, making use and developing the properties of Allah, in the best and correct manner, in accordance to HIS commands" is my main objective

"Jaga, guna and membangunkan harta Allah, dengan baik dan betul, mengikut kehendakNya" itu adalah matlamat kerja saya.

Make doa for me that I can maintain this attitude towards my work. Ameen

Taking Certificate in Asset Management

I took an exam which enables me to be a Professional status on 7th Mar 2014.

The examination qualifies me to apply being a Member of Institute of Asset Management in UK giving the title (MIAM)

I am already a professional Electrical Engineer in Institute of Engineers Malaysia (MIEM)

I am also a qualified Associate Asean Engineer registered with Asean Federation of Engineers Organisation (AAE)

Hopefully, after this exam, I will qualify to be MIAM.

These are professional bodies that recognises my qualification within my Engineering career.

I also hold an MBA from Ohio University in Athens.

All these does not gurantee you to become a good Muslim. It is the level of taqwa that is important in the eyes of Allah azzawajal.

Please, I am not writing this to brag that I am a highly qualified person. My message is that:-
with ALL the professional recognitions, it is your heart that matters.
your relationship with Allah & your relationship with other Allah creations is the one that counts.

Peninsular Malaysia electricity growth 2014- my estimate

I am just updating some stuff with regards to work that I have not updated for a long time.

Peninsular Malaysia electricity growth in my opinion will grow between 3.4%-4.0%.

My best guess is that it will be at 3.6%.

A lot will depend on the reaction of consumers with the new tariff increase starting 1 Jan 2014.

But, I can see the slow growth in the construction sector, where things will be consolidated.

But than again, this is just my best guestimate, Allah Knows Best..

Another London trip.. 2013

I was in London from 25Nov- 4Dec 2013.

It was not planned, but Allah is the ULTIMATE planner.

I never imagined being called upon personally by the Institute of Asset Management (IAM-UK) to be with them in their annual dinner 2013. Not only that, I was called to be seated at the MAIN table.

I was seated beside the President and the coming President in the main table of the Annual Dinner 2013.The dinner was in London Museum at St Paul's, where the mummies reside for many years.

The reason I was called to the main table was because, IAM-UK just opened their chapter in Malaysia in September 2013 and I happened to be the only available office bearer attending the Conference in London. I represent the Malaysia chapter of the Institute.

Malaysia is the FIRST chapter outside the UK for IAM.

I felt honoured to be representing Malaysia.. and I hope the Chapter will be a success..

The next day, I took a walk at Hyde Park London towards the Serpentine. Bring back old memories when I first arrive in London in 1983 (30 yeras ago).

Many things have happened to me and my family since then, but what still remains intact (and I hope it remains inside me until I die) is the FAITH in Allah..

Thank you London for having a chapter in my life...

My imam in solat is my CEO

6 Nov 2013.

For the very FIRST time in my entire life, I am a makmum to my No.1 company CEO in salat

It feels really awesome to have the opportunity to be a makmum of  your leader.

I make doa to Allah that my current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will have all the blessings from Allah azzawajal..

At the busy city of Surabaya...and my 2 favourite surah in Quran

I was travelling in the busy road of Surabaya that I observed many unhappy people in their vehicle. They love to honk and were very impatient.

They look very tensed. Most of them do not have the smile and peacefulness on their faces.
Now I come to this conclusion, wheather they are from Surabaya or Kuala Lumpur, or any big city in this whole world, they are quite similar in thinking.

They strive very hard to accumulate as much material wealth as possible because, wealth is something that people look up to. It is a form of standard that has been in-build in most societies. The house they own, the car they drive are all part of social standard that have been accepted and they strive hard for. Bungalow and BMW are at the high end. Overseas trip on a business class, using platinum credit card and dining in a 5-star hotel are the benchmark.

No wonder people are always on their toes. Time is what they have little of. Priority time must be allocated to entertaining VIPs (or whoever can help them in their quest). Also they must ensure that they win against their "rivals" be it their competitors or whoever stands between them and what they strive for.

Until they are near their death that they finally found out that what they strive for is not going to follow them to their grave. Then the standard immediately change to rememberance of Allah, sadakah and doing good deeds. If these people are lucky, they will have the chance to make their hereafter better. If not, then let us all pray for Allah's mercy.

That is why Surah 102 (Takathur) & Surah 103 (Asr) decribes the current society problem beautifully in the Quran. The 2 surahs combined together the problem we face today, especially in big cities. These 2 surah are my favourite when performing salat

What is the link between Surah 101 & 104? Hellfire and (scandal mongers & back biters)

What a beautiful text linkage in the Holy Quran. No human can possible create that..ever

syaitan is constantly whispering to all of us

Just to remind everyone that syaitan is constantly whispering to us to do bad things and follow our desires.

After Ramadan, syaitan has renewed his strategy to ensure that we do not follow the right path. he is making extra effort, knowing that humans have gone through the Ramadan annual training program for one month. syaitan is coming with a new approach. One thing we can learn about syaitan is he never ever give up. he will go on and on.. and on

I am sharing with my readers what has always been whispered to me lately.

The whisper that I am being left out from having got a Promotion at my workplace. This constant whisper that many of my juniors have now overtaken me in terms of being promoted. The whisper that what I have put up so far has gone to waste, as it is not good and honest work that pays, but the level of "who-you-know" is the determining factor when it comes to being promoted.

I have to really fight this constant whisper... I seek protection to Allah azzawajal to protect me from syaitan... please protect me from up, down, left, right, front and back. Please guide me to your straight path ya Allah.

I strongly believe that as long as we keep seeking the Creator's guidance, asking for forgiveness and doing our best to change ourselves for the better, Allah will keep His promise by guiding us and forgiving us.

I am pleading to my readers to make doa for me and my family to Allah, protect us all from the whispers of syaitan and guide us to the right path... Ameen

Notice that syaitan is in lower caps. 

PAS 55 certification speech to the masses...

Below is a speech I wrote for XXX company.. 

I have introduced you to:
Vibrant Workforce & Productivity Revolution through four key thrusts: -
Building trust / relationship,
Building capacity,
Building performance,
Building Growth

I also have also talked about
"What is stopping you from Giving your best to XXX" & "You can make a difference"

With those close to heart, now I am driving the message:
"Our business is managing Asset - Be excellent in Asset Management & the company will Excel"
Our core business is to supply electricity to our customers safely, reliably & economically.

To follow the good practices in asset management, our assets will be in good working condition to enable us to supply electricity to our customers.

If we analyse closely, all assets, be it overhead lines, power lines, electric cables, transformers, fuse boxes, meters, substations & power stations,  they are all physical assets that enables us to run our business.

If, one element of this asset is damaged, then the supply to our customers will be affected. If it is well managed, the electricity supply will be uninterrupted.

We must also realize that these assets have a life span which follows the normal life cycle stages. From planning stage, to installation, to operation, to maintenance, to overhaul and refurbish and subsequently disposal. Each stage should be managed optimally so that they always remain in good condition.

Asset management also must balance between three key elements: performance, risk and cost. If we can manage it well, we not only ensure a continuous supply, but we can reduce the cost to the company without affecting the performance of our business.

With the latest technology, we can ascertain the condition of the assets before they become inoperable. In other word, we can take action before they are damaged.

In good asset management, there is an "international standard" that we thrive to get certification.
PAS-55 is an international certification standard guide-lines that lists down best practices in asset management.

I fully support this new initiative. Join me in ensuring that our company realize this journey of getting PAS 55 certification and prove that XXX has reached international standards in practicing good asset management to enable us in supplying safe, secure and reliable electricity at a reasonable cost.
"Our business is managing Asset - Be excellent in Asset Management. You can make the difference”

Peninsular Malaysia electricity demand growth - Part3

It has been awile since I update with regards to electricty demand growth in Peninsular Malaysia.

It is currently at 3.6% YoY. While I predicted that the growth will be at max 3.0%, Peninsular Malaysia electricty demand growth has proven to me that I have to be more optimistic in my forecast. The economy has been relatively bouyant with growth coming mainly from domestic demand stimulated by private sector.

Anyway, the much awaited General Election is looming and it will have to take place by April 2013 (when the current ruling party period expires). If, in an unlikely case, that the currently ruling party loses, then the consequence is huge. It will tarnish the confidence level of investors especially foreign investors.

With this worse case scenario, the demand growth will be hugely affected. Let us wait & see on the outcome...

On current trend, I still stick to a max growth of 3.0% for Peninsular Malaysia electricity demand growth... taking post-election effects into consideration (and myself still being pessimist)

Then again, Allah is the All Knowing..