Transformer 2007 Film: Autobots & Decepticons

UPDATE 2009: My Transformers 2 review is at Transformers 2: Complete With the Spirit of Obama.

Hurray! Premiering on June 20, it’s Transformers! Related to my previous posts here and here.

I can’t wait for the new toys! The robot-modes in the film were designed to realistically transform from vehicle mode, so it’ll be interesting to see how the transforming works for a scale model toy.

Lots of other images at this site, and newest trailer at here or there.

Anyway, here is the non-human cast of Transformers:

AUTOBOTS

Optimus Prime

Bumblebee

Jazz

Ironhide

Ratchet

DECEPTICONS

Megatron

Starscream

Barricade

Frenzy

Bonecrusher

Blackout

Scorponok

Brawl

And not from the movie, but here’s hoping for the upcoming Academy Awards:

Police Break Up Anti-Crime Protest at Johor MB’s Home

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman’s commenst give the impression that the demonstration was ‘racially and politically motivated’. 

I’d like to find out more about the demonstration and the racial/political make-up of the demonstraters. Because, quite frankly, whenever people make noise about some valid point those in power would rather ignore, they smear the complainants ad hominem as ‘racially and politically motivated’.

If by political he means that ‘Those who live in big, tightly guarded mansions and excess luxuries paid for by the citizens who are ignored while they suffer and die should be removed from government‘, then I would have to agree that the demonstration must have been political in nature.

But as I’ve just found out from Elizabeth Wong, political in this case simply means passing out leaflets urging for the immediate setting up of the Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as recommended by the Royal Commission on police reform. Yes, we can all clearly see how that will directly lead to nationwide race riots. Mm-hmm.

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From The Star 18 June 2007:

Police break up protest outside Johor MB’s residence

JOHOR BARU: The police stopped an anti-crime demonstration outside the Mentri Besar’s official residence here and picked up two protesters who resisted a police order to disperse. 

About 100 people had gathered outside Saujana at 10am to stage their protest. 

They were hoping to get the attention of Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman but the Mentri Besar at that time was attending a state Umno meeting in Jalan Yahya Awal, not far from his official residence in Jalan Abdul Rahman Andak. 

Johor Baru (South) OCPD Asst Comm Shafie Ismail used a loud hailer and directed the group to disperse when they started to carry a banner and chant slogans. Most of the protesters dispersed within 10 minutes but the two refused to budge.  

ACP Shafie said that they were detained for investigations.  

When met at the Umno meeting, Abdul Ghani defended the police action and advised the public not to exploit recent crime cases for political reasons. 

There had been two violent rapes over the past week, one involving a 19-year-old girl on June 12 and the other involving a 35-year-old woman the next day. 

Last month, a woman who was waiting in a car while her husband went into a toilet was held at knifepoint and taken on a terror ride, gang-raped and robbed. 

Last year, in Bandar Baru Uda, Form Three student Syafiqah Mohd Borhan was found dead in a drain with bruises on her head, neck and knees. 

In 2001, 10-year-old Nurulhuda Ghani died after being raped and left in a toilet of a guardhouse in Kampung Perkajang in Gelang Patah. 

Abdul Ghani said that the victims of the crimes were from different backgrounds. 

“The recent rape cases should not be politicised in a racial way.”  

Three Nabbed Over Recent JB Kidnap

Good job Johor police! To somehow manage to track down the hostage-takers after the ransom is paid, and nab a criminal wanted by Singapore for 20 years… Nice work!

If only every police offiecer were CID-standard, Johor would be a nice and safe place to live…

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From The Star 18 June 2007:

Trio nabbed over JB kidnap

By NELSON BENJAMIN and MEERA VIJAYAN

JOHOR BARU: A man, who has been on the wanted list in Singapore for 20 years, and two others have been detained in connection with the kidnapping of a businessman’s son here. 

The three men, in their 20s to 40s, were arrested in a series of raids around the city soon after the 23-year-old victim was released after a ransom of RM600,000 was paid recently. 

Police have also recovered a gun, bullets and an undisclosed sum of money. 

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hussin Ismail confirmed the arrest but declined to elaborate. 

It is learnt that the kidnapping happened early this month, when the victim had gone to play basketball with his friends in Taman Molek. 

As the victim was waiting in his car for his friends, another car crashed into the back of his vehicle. 

When the victim came out to inspect the damage, several men held him up at gunpoint before bundling him into his car and driving off. 

The suspects then called the victim’s family and demanded a RM1mil ransom. Negotiations went on for about a week before the suspects finally settled for RM600,000. 

During this time the victim was kept locked in a house. 

It is learnt that the money was dropped off at an undisclosed location in Johor Jaya and the victim was released unharmed along Pantai Lido. 

A special CID team later managed to track down the suspects in Tampoi and Permas Jaya. 

The mastermind, in his 40s, is said to be a hardcore criminal wanted in Singapore for committing several armed robberies. 

He was also found to be “high” on drugs when taken into custody. The trio have been remanded to assist in police investigations. 

Police are still on the lookout for the remaining gang members. Those with information can call the police hotline at 07-221 2999.  

Malaysia Green Fest Aftermath: Massive Littering!

SO MALAYSIAN!!!

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From The Star 18 June 2007:

Message lost on participants

KUALA LUMPUR: It was not a pretty sight on the grounds of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) after the Green Fest celebration was over. In fact, it was appalling. 

The event was meant to create awareness about environmental conservation but some visitors could not care less. 

Plastic bottles, cups, aluminium cans and polystyrene packets were strewn everywhere.  

FRIM assistant public relations officer Shahrin Selamat said he was upset with the mentality of some people. 

“It was disappointing because it meant some just did not care.” 

Employees of Global Environment Centre, a non-governmental organisation, who could not bear to see the eyesore took it upon themselves to clean up the mess. 

They collected two big bags of plastic bottles, a bag of aluminium cans and another bag of paper and cardboard. 

Programme officer Regina Cheah stressed that the festival was meant to celebrate the environment and yet some people were marring it with their thoughtless acts.