I just wonder whether the manic scenario as posted below occurred in you "kampung" when the enforcement team from the "Kemeterian Penerangan" did their rounds checking whether the "rakyat jelata" possessed a valid "Lesen Radia & Televisyen".
Yup ... Those days - up to late 1980s, I guess - it is mandatory under the law to have a valid radio & television license.The license would normally be valid for 1 or 2 years with a payment of RM12.00 (1 year) or RM24.00 (2 years) and could be bought at the post office.
Most often than not there would be a regular checking by the enforcement team to check on this requirement.
In my "kampung', the arrival of this team would spread quickly like a bush fire.. I could still remember when I was in my primary school the "kampung" folks would be in a hive of activities carrying their radios to find places to "sorok" the radios. The funny part is that the news spread so fast even as the enforcement team was making their checking at the fist house in our small town about 2/3 kms from my "kampung". Those days (in the 1970s), televisions were a rare breed as only a few (in fact only 1 house) owned a television!!!!
Among the favourite places to "sorok' (hide) the radios those days were in "bekas simpan beras" and "reban ayam". I have known of one "Pak Cik" who made an effort to hastiyl went to the nearby river and hid the radio in the midst of "pokok rumbia" b the river side!!!!.
Of course this manic activities only occurred once a year or the msot twice a year and obviously the team from the "Kementerian Penerangan" left happily thinking that the "kampung" folks were such a law abiding citizens. But I have to qualify myself here by stating that not all my "kampung" folks were involved in this funny yet illegal activities.
Looking back I could understand why they do what they did ... RM12.00 was a big sum of money for them ......
I would say the Government did the right thing when the abolished the requirement of having a valid radio/tv license in late 1980s....
You might be asking what about my house? I remember the license was hung on the wall over where the old radio was located .. It was a red in colour and framed. I also remember that it was hung there for years and I could not recalled when it was brought down so that a new license could replaced the old one!!!! He he ....
Till we meet again ....
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
"Hang Tuah" - An Epic Poem By Amir Hamzah
As we are still in the Merdeka mood, let us go back about 500 years or so when the colonialist Portuguese first set foot & conquered the State of Melaka Sultanate. This was when we had been "enslaved" by the Western powers for the next 5 centuries or so - with about 3 years plus under the Japanese Empire.
The Portuguese's invasion had been depicted in historical journals and to a certain extent in the "Sejarah Melayu" (The Malay Annals")...
It was also depicted by the great Indonesian Poet Amir Hamzah in a poem entitled "Hang Tuah". This poem was first published in 1932...
The poem opens with the Portuguese armada closing in on Melaka, while the latter was in a state of disarray due to the illness of its admiral, Laksamana Hang Tuah. The Sultan notwithstanding still called upon the frail Admiral to defend the city of Melaka. Although Laksamana Hang Tuah managed to fend off the attack at the initial stage but Melaka eventually falls into the hand of the Portuguese.
I re produced herein part of the poem:
" Baju berpuput alun digulung
Banju direbut buih dibundung.
Selat Melaka ombaknya memecah
Pukul memukul rebah merebah.
Bahtera ditepuk buritan dilanda
Penjajah dihantuk haluan ditunda.
Tjamar terbang riuh suara
Alkamar hilang menjelam segera.
Armada Peringgi lari bersususn
Melaka negeri hendak diruntun.
Galjas dan pusta tinggi dan kukuh
Pantas dan angkara ranggi dan angkuh."
The translation of the above:
"The wind blows, the rollers are curled
The water is seized, the foam is flung.
The Straits of Malacca, its waves are breaking
Beating each other, splitting one another.
Ships are cuffed, sterns overrun.
Boats are pounded, bows are pushed.
Seagulls fly around, their cries are loud
The moon disappears, quickly dips in the sea.
The Portuguese armada advances in formation
Malacca is the country it intends to conquer.
Gallions and fustas, tall and strong
Swift and savage, haughty and arrogant."
The poem ended tragically with the fall of Melaka and the death of the ever loyal servant, Laksamana Hang Tuah:
" Dang Gubernur memasanag lela
Umpama guntur diterang tjuatja.
Peluru terbang menuju bahtera
Laksamana dijulang kedalam segara..."
The translation:
" The Governor fires the cannon
Like a thunder at the time of lightning.
The cannon ball flies towards the ship
The Admiral is hurled into the sea ..."
From then on, Melaka changed hands from Portuguese to the Dutch and lastly to the British ... Its fall signaled the first step in the colonial powers at that time invading the then Tanah Melayu which was later known as Malaya and Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Let us cherish and embrace our Merdeka no matter how diverse we are in terms of race, religion and culture ....
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! ....
The Portuguese's invasion had been depicted in historical journals and to a certain extent in the "Sejarah Melayu" (The Malay Annals")...
It was also depicted by the great Indonesian Poet Amir Hamzah in a poem entitled "Hang Tuah". This poem was first published in 1932...
The poem opens with the Portuguese armada closing in on Melaka, while the latter was in a state of disarray due to the illness of its admiral, Laksamana Hang Tuah. The Sultan notwithstanding still called upon the frail Admiral to defend the city of Melaka. Although Laksamana Hang Tuah managed to fend off the attack at the initial stage but Melaka eventually falls into the hand of the Portuguese.
I re produced herein part of the poem:
" Baju berpuput alun digulung
Banju direbut buih dibundung.
Selat Melaka ombaknya memecah
Pukul memukul rebah merebah.
Bahtera ditepuk buritan dilanda
Penjajah dihantuk haluan ditunda.
Tjamar terbang riuh suara
Alkamar hilang menjelam segera.
Armada Peringgi lari bersususn
Melaka negeri hendak diruntun.
Galjas dan pusta tinggi dan kukuh
Pantas dan angkara ranggi dan angkuh."
The translation of the above:
"The wind blows, the rollers are curled
The water is seized, the foam is flung.
The Straits of Malacca, its waves are breaking
Beating each other, splitting one another.
Ships are cuffed, sterns overrun.
Boats are pounded, bows are pushed.
Seagulls fly around, their cries are loud
The moon disappears, quickly dips in the sea.
The Portuguese armada advances in formation
Malacca is the country it intends to conquer.
Gallions and fustas, tall and strong
Swift and savage, haughty and arrogant."
The poem ended tragically with the fall of Melaka and the death of the ever loyal servant, Laksamana Hang Tuah:
" Dang Gubernur memasanag lela
Umpama guntur diterang tjuatja.
Peluru terbang menuju bahtera
Laksamana dijulang kedalam segara..."
The translation:
" The Governor fires the cannon
Like a thunder at the time of lightning.
The cannon ball flies towards the ship
The Admiral is hurled into the sea ..."
From then on, Melaka changed hands from Portuguese to the Dutch and lastly to the British ... Its fall signaled the first step in the colonial powers at that time invading the then Tanah Melayu which was later known as Malaya and Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Let us cherish and embrace our Merdeka no matter how diverse we are in terms of race, religion and culture ....
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! ....
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
The Origin of the Word "Merdeka"....
With the recent polemic of "Pejuang Kemerdekaan" and the spat in the media pertaining to the controversial remarks allegedly spit out by Mat Sabu, let us on this Merdeka Day trace the meaning of "Merdeka" ...
To the Indonesians and Malaysians, "Merdeka" means "independent" or "freedom". it derives from the Sanskrit word "Mahardhika" which means "rich, prosperous and powerful". it is also said to mean " a freed slave" in the Malay Archipelago.
"Mardijker" is a Dutch word and was used to designate former Catholic Portuguese and Dutch slaves from India and the East Indies that were liberated by the Dutch if they abandoned Catholicism and embraced the reformed Dutch church. Meanwhile, the Phillipine term "Maharika" also has a somewhat similar meaning as "rich, prosperous and elevated".
The term "Merdeka" was commonly and aggressively used during the height of the anti colonialists era especially after the end of World War II with Indonesia leading the way in the 1940s.
While Malaysia gained independence on 31 August 1957, Indonesia proclaimed their independence on 17 August 1945. On 1 September that year, Soekarno in his speech said:
" Since today we will cry out loud, "Merdeka"!"Continue that loud cry, as the soul calls out loud for freedom! A soul of freedom, one of fighting and working spirit! TO FIGHT AND TO WORK! Prove it!"
Tunku Abdul Rahman cried out loud "Merdeka!" seven times on that august day @ 31 August 1957 at Stadium Merdeka to the jubilant then Malaya citizens.
Looking back, all of us from our forefathers had somehow or rather a hand in the fight for freedom and being "Merdeka" ....
To name a few examples ...
Hang Jebat had a hand in liberating the "rakyat" of Melaka from being mere "blindly" loyal to the then establishment....
Abdullah Munshi had "freed" the Malay literature from the old and conservative form to the modern and "critical" narratives, so as Sheikh Al Hadi and Pendita Zaaba.
The list could go on and on with the likes of Mst Kilau, Dato' Sagor, Dato' Maharaja Lela, Tok Janggut, Ahmad Boestamam, Ibrahim Yaakob, Pak Sako, A Samad Ismail, Usman Awang ....
Thanks to all of them and my last parting word would obviously be "MERDEKA!!!! ....
To the Indonesians and Malaysians, "Merdeka" means "independent" or "freedom". it derives from the Sanskrit word "Mahardhika" which means "rich, prosperous and powerful". it is also said to mean " a freed slave" in the Malay Archipelago.
"Mardijker" is a Dutch word and was used to designate former Catholic Portuguese and Dutch slaves from India and the East Indies that were liberated by the Dutch if they abandoned Catholicism and embraced the reformed Dutch church. Meanwhile, the Phillipine term "Maharika" also has a somewhat similar meaning as "rich, prosperous and elevated".
The term "Merdeka" was commonly and aggressively used during the height of the anti colonialists era especially after the end of World War II with Indonesia leading the way in the 1940s.
While Malaysia gained independence on 31 August 1957, Indonesia proclaimed their independence on 17 August 1945. On 1 September that year, Soekarno in his speech said:
" Since today we will cry out loud, "Merdeka"!"Continue that loud cry, as the soul calls out loud for freedom! A soul of freedom, one of fighting and working spirit! TO FIGHT AND TO WORK! Prove it!"
Tunku Abdul Rahman cried out loud "Merdeka!" seven times on that august day @ 31 August 1957 at Stadium Merdeka to the jubilant then Malaya citizens.
Looking back, all of us from our forefathers had somehow or rather a hand in the fight for freedom and being "Merdeka" ....
To name a few examples ...
Hang Jebat had a hand in liberating the "rakyat" of Melaka from being mere "blindly" loyal to the then establishment....
Abdullah Munshi had "freed" the Malay literature from the old and conservative form to the modern and "critical" narratives, so as Sheikh Al Hadi and Pendita Zaaba.
The list could go on and on with the likes of Mst Kilau, Dato' Sagor, Dato' Maharaja Lela, Tok Janggut, Ahmad Boestamam, Ibrahim Yaakob, Pak Sako, A Samad Ismail, Usman Awang ....
Thanks to all of them and my last parting word would obviously be "MERDEKA!!!! ....
Monday, August 8, 2011
The A Bomb - 66 Year Anniversary ...
On 6 August 1945, a United States B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the 1st atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. The death toll by the end of 1945 was estimated at 140,000 out of the total 350,000 that lived there at the time.
Three days later another atomic bomb was dropped by the States on the city of Nagasaki. With these two bombings, the Imperial Japan surrendered and hastened the end of World War II...
Apart from the direct result of Japan surrendering to the Western Alliance, the followings, amongst others took place around the globe:
1. The States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union "greedily" dividing the "reconquered" land/states in the west & east among themselves;
2. The rising of nationalism in the far east - including South East Asia - such as India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the then Malaya;
3. The rising of socialism & communism all over the region - from Cuba, Vietnam and South American countries to the chagrin of the States;
4. Most important of all, Japan had practically open the eyes of the colonials occupied countries that the Western powers are not invincible...
Notwithstanding the above, war is a monstrous and despicable act which results in mere destruction to this world shared by us ....
Let there be no more war ....
Three days later another atomic bomb was dropped by the States on the city of Nagasaki. With these two bombings, the Imperial Japan surrendered and hastened the end of World War II...
Apart from the direct result of Japan surrendering to the Western Alliance, the followings, amongst others took place around the globe:
1. The States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union "greedily" dividing the "reconquered" land/states in the west & east among themselves;
2. The rising of nationalism in the far east - including South East Asia - such as India, Vietnam, Indonesia and the then Malaya;
3. The rising of socialism & communism all over the region - from Cuba, Vietnam and South American countries to the chagrin of the States;
4. Most important of all, Japan had practically open the eyes of the colonials occupied countries that the Western powers are not invincible...
Notwithstanding the above, war is a monstrous and despicable act which results in mere destruction to this world shared by us ....
Let there be no more war ....
Monday, August 1, 2011
What a Disgraceful Act/Statement .....
Today's posting is dedicated to several actions by Malaysians which I considered as disgraceful...
Top on my list is the action by a group of non-governmental organisations led by Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia Chairman Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman. It was reported in NST @ 30 July 2011 that they brought 2 sets of brassiere and panties meant for the Penang CM at Komtar. I had a shock in my life when Mingguan Malaysia @ 31 July 2011 even had the cheek of showing the picture of the group holding the brassiere and panties .... The action was a blatant disrespect to women in general especially Malaysian women!!!!
As if that is not enough, it was reported in NST that Ghani when prevented by the security guard from entering the lift - obviously he Wanted to go to the CM's office - was seen flashing RM50 notes believed to total RM1,000.00. If this was not an attempt to bribe, I am lost of words on what it really was.
Ironically, all these happened when at about the same time, the Yang DiPertua Negeri Pulau Pinang was in Komtar to grace the opening of the Ramadan bazaar .... Shame on you Ghani and consider me as not one of that "Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia" ...
Disgraceful Act No.2 is when it was reported in NST on the same date that Penang Wanita MCA is upset with the Penang CM for not awarding Drainage And Irrigation Contracts to the Chinese. It is a disgrace when our political parties are still being communal in their approach to gain political mileage...
As for me, I am confused here - some quarters are saying that the Penang CM is not being fair to the Malays but now even the Chinese are saying that the CM is not being fair to his own race ... Which is which ... As I look at it, he is most probably being fair by not simply giving contracts to either the Malays or Chinese .... Perhaps the newly appointed Minister at the PM Department from MIC might have something to say after this .....
The 3rd disgraceful act was committed by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) - I could not explain but always being sceptical when an organisation has the word "Melayu" for the wrong reason - when they held a peaceful protest in front of the Bar Council office in Kuala Lumpur. They wanted to hand over a memorandum to the Bar Council alleging that the Bar Council was prejudicial in its political stand and failed to carry out its professional duties.
The JMM President, Azwanddin Hamzah was reportedly as saying that he had proof of council members are aligning themselves with certain political parties. It seems that JMM being a "jaring" is just "serkap jarang" as I trust that the Bar Council had been and always be professional in their stand on the social/political issues in this country .... My advise to him is "Cakap siang pandang-pandang, cakap malam bisik-bisik" ... History has proven otherwise as far as the Malaysian Bar Council is concerned as they had stand up courageously without fear or favour and had been impartial in its stand.
The final disgraceful act was also like the above was reported in NST @ 30 July 2011. We are fortunate that this act was committed by a non Malaysian ... He is none other than the Zimbabwean President who was reportedly spending about RM10 million (2 million pounds) a month on luxurious foreign travel. He was reported as having practically overspent his annual budget for transport. Just consider this .. most state workers in Zimbabwe only earn about 60 pounds a month and millions are unemployed!!!!
Till we meet again and "Selamat Menyambut Ramadan" ... Also not forgetting Al Fatihah to Allahyarham Mohd Asharaf Hafiz ....
Top on my list is the action by a group of non-governmental organisations led by Pertubuhan Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia Chairman Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman. It was reported in NST @ 30 July 2011 that they brought 2 sets of brassiere and panties meant for the Penang CM at Komtar. I had a shock in my life when Mingguan Malaysia @ 31 July 2011 even had the cheek of showing the picture of the group holding the brassiere and panties .... The action was a blatant disrespect to women in general especially Malaysian women!!!!
As if that is not enough, it was reported in NST that Ghani when prevented by the security guard from entering the lift - obviously he Wanted to go to the CM's office - was seen flashing RM50 notes believed to total RM1,000.00. If this was not an attempt to bribe, I am lost of words on what it really was.
Ironically, all these happened when at about the same time, the Yang DiPertua Negeri Pulau Pinang was in Komtar to grace the opening of the Ramadan bazaar .... Shame on you Ghani and consider me as not one of that "Suara Anak-Anak Malaysia" ...
Disgraceful Act No.2 is when it was reported in NST on the same date that Penang Wanita MCA is upset with the Penang CM for not awarding Drainage And Irrigation Contracts to the Chinese. It is a disgrace when our political parties are still being communal in their approach to gain political mileage...
As for me, I am confused here - some quarters are saying that the Penang CM is not being fair to the Malays but now even the Chinese are saying that the CM is not being fair to his own race ... Which is which ... As I look at it, he is most probably being fair by not simply giving contracts to either the Malays or Chinese .... Perhaps the newly appointed Minister at the PM Department from MIC might have something to say after this .....
The 3rd disgraceful act was committed by Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) - I could not explain but always being sceptical when an organisation has the word "Melayu" for the wrong reason - when they held a peaceful protest in front of the Bar Council office in Kuala Lumpur. They wanted to hand over a memorandum to the Bar Council alleging that the Bar Council was prejudicial in its political stand and failed to carry out its professional duties.
The JMM President, Azwanddin Hamzah was reportedly as saying that he had proof of council members are aligning themselves with certain political parties. It seems that JMM being a "jaring" is just "serkap jarang" as I trust that the Bar Council had been and always be professional in their stand on the social/political issues in this country .... My advise to him is "Cakap siang pandang-pandang, cakap malam bisik-bisik" ... History has proven otherwise as far as the Malaysian Bar Council is concerned as they had stand up courageously without fear or favour and had been impartial in its stand.
The final disgraceful act was also like the above was reported in NST @ 30 July 2011. We are fortunate that this act was committed by a non Malaysian ... He is none other than the Zimbabwean President who was reportedly spending about RM10 million (2 million pounds) a month on luxurious foreign travel. He was reported as having practically overspent his annual budget for transport. Just consider this .. most state workers in Zimbabwe only earn about 60 pounds a month and millions are unemployed!!!!
Till we meet again and "Selamat Menyambut Ramadan" ... Also not forgetting Al Fatihah to Allahyarham Mohd Asharaf Hafiz ....
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A "Bersih" Election Process ? .
Just a short notes pertaining to the electoral reform initiatives taken by the Election Commission (EC) as appeared in NST @ 26 July 2011.
It is reported that the EC had submitted several proposals to the Attorney-General's Chambers with the aim of reforming the electoral process in the country. One of the initiatives would be the banning of political parties from putting up posters and banners in a haphazard manner. The new guidelines will set the standard size for posters and banners and localities where the campaign materials should be placed.
The EC Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was quoted as saying " There will be no more campaign materials on traffic lights, trees, signboards and lamp posts."
I fully support this as those poor trees/lamp posts had suffered a lot from the 1st election in 1955 up to the last 12th General Election!!! I am also happy to note that at last the EC admitted that those posters which were pasted almost every available space/surface were an eye sore ... In other words, to put it in a "politically correct" - or is it an incorrect one? - statement is this ... After all these years the EC had finally accepted electoral process must be "BERSIH"!!!!! (no pun is intended here depending on how you read it!!!)
The other initiative is that the EC would be introducing a biometric system nationwide to screen voters. The EC Chairman is reportedly as saying that indelible ink would never be used in this country as he said the ink was washable.
When I look up at the dictionary, the meaning of "indelible" is "incapable of being erased or obliterated" . Which is which now ... Is it the dictionary is wrong or is it the EC Chairman is wrong or the ink is of low quality as capable of being washed?
By the way, "wash" if interpreted "roughly" in this context means "dibasuh" or "dicuci" which normally happened when one wants to get rid of dirt ....
Voila!!! This is the 2nd proof that at last the EC believe in a really "BERSIH" electoral process .... I must say this is a good sign to all registered Malaysian voters as from now on the electoral process would b carried out clean!!!!
Till we meet again .....
It is reported that the EC had submitted several proposals to the Attorney-General's Chambers with the aim of reforming the electoral process in the country. One of the initiatives would be the banning of political parties from putting up posters and banners in a haphazard manner. The new guidelines will set the standard size for posters and banners and localities where the campaign materials should be placed.
The EC Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was quoted as saying " There will be no more campaign materials on traffic lights, trees, signboards and lamp posts."
I fully support this as those poor trees/lamp posts had suffered a lot from the 1st election in 1955 up to the last 12th General Election!!! I am also happy to note that at last the EC admitted that those posters which were pasted almost every available space/surface were an eye sore ... In other words, to put it in a "politically correct" - or is it an incorrect one? - statement is this ... After all these years the EC had finally accepted electoral process must be "BERSIH"!!!!! (no pun is intended here depending on how you read it!!!)
The other initiative is that the EC would be introducing a biometric system nationwide to screen voters. The EC Chairman is reportedly as saying that indelible ink would never be used in this country as he said the ink was washable.
When I look up at the dictionary, the meaning of "indelible" is "incapable of being erased or obliterated" . Which is which now ... Is it the dictionary is wrong or is it the EC Chairman is wrong or the ink is of low quality as capable of being washed?
By the way, "wash" if interpreted "roughly" in this context means "dibasuh" or "dicuci" which normally happened when one wants to get rid of dirt ....
Voila!!! This is the 2nd proof that at last the EC believe in a really "BERSIH" electoral process .... I must say this is a good sign to all registered Malaysian voters as from now on the electoral process would b carried out clean!!!!
Till we meet again .....
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Terrorism .... Let's not pointing fingers at each other
NST @ Saturday 23 July 2011 picked up news from "Agencies" pertaining to the Oslo bombing in Norway and the shooting spree incident at Utoeya Island also in Norway. The powerful bomb rocked government and media buildings in Norway's capital where 2 were reportedly died.
What intrigue me most is how the western media was so quick in pointing the fingers at the so called Islamic extremism as the possible culprit in the bombing ... So it is mandatory to mention al Qaeda, Afghanistan and so on ....
When the dust had settled down, it was reported on Sunday @ 24 July 2011 by almost all newspapers that both the bombing and the shooting had nothing to do with Islamic extremism - though there's no such thing in Islam - but allegedly committed by a lone right wing Christian extremist named Anders Behring Brelvik. The shooting spree left 91 youths dead...
My point here is it's not about Muslims or Christians or any religions for that matter. All religions promote peace and good deeds... This is all about terrorism/extremism and it could be embraced by any lunatic human being with no "religion at heart"...
As usual, the western media & establishments (read as "governments") will waste no time in blaming the Muslims ... This was the trend since late 1970s especially after the Iran revolution and after the Cold war and the last bastion of Communism, the Soviet Union fell apart (except for China of course).
It was said that the West (read as the "United States")have to find "new enemies" after the fall of Communism and Islam became the next "taboo" for the States in the name of "Iranian Revolution"....
I am not going to go further on the West/Islam 'love & hate" relationship as I am not a person who has the credential in international relations/politics study.
However, what I can say in a firm belief is that terrorism/extremism has no religion and it also has no boundaries. Most importantly it has no face!!! Therefore, to link terrorism/extremism to any religion or belief is to me a deliberate insult to humans intelligence!!!
The Oslo bombing and the shooting incident at Utoeya Island in Norway in a way are reminiscent of the Oklahoma bombing years ago due to its similarities. Back then, the States were very quick in pointing fingers to Islamic Militants and wart not. However, it was revealed later that it was the work of a right wing persona ....
Remember this extremism/terrorism is faceless ......
What intrigue me most is how the western media was so quick in pointing the fingers at the so called Islamic extremism as the possible culprit in the bombing ... So it is mandatory to mention al Qaeda, Afghanistan and so on ....
When the dust had settled down, it was reported on Sunday @ 24 July 2011 by almost all newspapers that both the bombing and the shooting had nothing to do with Islamic extremism - though there's no such thing in Islam - but allegedly committed by a lone right wing Christian extremist named Anders Behring Brelvik. The shooting spree left 91 youths dead...
My point here is it's not about Muslims or Christians or any religions for that matter. All religions promote peace and good deeds... This is all about terrorism/extremism and it could be embraced by any lunatic human being with no "religion at heart"...
As usual, the western media & establishments (read as "governments") will waste no time in blaming the Muslims ... This was the trend since late 1970s especially after the Iran revolution and after the Cold war and the last bastion of Communism, the Soviet Union fell apart (except for China of course).
It was said that the West (read as the "United States")have to find "new enemies" after the fall of Communism and Islam became the next "taboo" for the States in the name of "Iranian Revolution"....
I am not going to go further on the West/Islam 'love & hate" relationship as I am not a person who has the credential in international relations/politics study.
However, what I can say in a firm belief is that terrorism/extremism has no religion and it also has no boundaries. Most importantly it has no face!!! Therefore, to link terrorism/extremism to any religion or belief is to me a deliberate insult to humans intelligence!!!
The Oslo bombing and the shooting incident at Utoeya Island in Norway in a way are reminiscent of the Oklahoma bombing years ago due to its similarities. Back then, the States were very quick in pointing fingers to Islamic Militants and wart not. However, it was revealed later that it was the work of a right wing persona ....
Remember this extremism/terrorism is faceless ......
Friday, July 22, 2011
It's the angle that matters ....
PDRM recently announced that they will be showing the video footage of how the police handled the Bersih Rally which was held last 9 July 2011. The intention is to show proof to the public at large that the police had been professional in their duties and there was no violence used in dispersing the crowd ...
The public was also urged to submit to the police their video footage in order to find the "truth". This was done in the wake of accusations of alleged police brutalities in dispersing the Bersih crowd as well as accusation of tear gas being shot at the Tung Shin Hospital, Pudu.
This I would say a good step to "clear" the air amidst the accusations made against the police...
So let's just wait for the screening of the "show" and let the people judge for themselves .... I would not want to comment further as PDRM had also issued a "veiled" warning to the Malaysian public not to post any article or to post any video footage on line which was false in nature ...
On the above, I only have to quote Dr. Chua Soi Lek's remark in NST recently when asked by the reporters regarding the alleged shooting of tear gas into the compound of Tung Shin Hospital... He was quoted as saying that he believed the police had been very professional and it depends on which angle the picture was taken ...
I fully agree Sir as angle is very important and matters most ....Perhaps those 11 doctors on duties at Tung Shin Hospital were looking at a different angle from the pictures taken by other parties...
So it's the angle that matters most .....
The public was also urged to submit to the police their video footage in order to find the "truth". This was done in the wake of accusations of alleged police brutalities in dispersing the Bersih crowd as well as accusation of tear gas being shot at the Tung Shin Hospital, Pudu.
This I would say a good step to "clear" the air amidst the accusations made against the police...
So let's just wait for the screening of the "show" and let the people judge for themselves .... I would not want to comment further as PDRM had also issued a "veiled" warning to the Malaysian public not to post any article or to post any video footage on line which was false in nature ...
On the above, I only have to quote Dr. Chua Soi Lek's remark in NST recently when asked by the reporters regarding the alleged shooting of tear gas into the compound of Tung Shin Hospital... He was quoted as saying that he believed the police had been very professional and it depends on which angle the picture was taken ...
I fully agree Sir as angle is very important and matters most ....Perhaps those 11 doctors on duties at Tung Shin Hospital were looking at a different angle from the pictures taken by other parties...
So it's the angle that matters most .....
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Yellow Dilemma
Almost all major mainstream newspapers today @ 18 July 2011 quoted the Deputy IGP as saying that it is alright to wear yellow shirt/T Shit so long as the shirt/T Shirt do not have Bersih 2.0 Logo.
Being an ordinary "rakyat" on the street, I do not have to read laws to know that I am free to choose whatever colour toned attires which I want to wear. As it is, those DBKL staff are wearing yellow T shirts, most of the safety signage are in "striking" yellow even I myself have a yellow T Shirt!!! Not to forget our "Harimau Malaya"/the National Football Team most of the time is wearing yellow jerseys.
Notwithstanding the above, I wish to thank the Deputy IGP for clearing up the air as certain section of our society had been struck by what I dubbed as the "Yellow Dilemma". The situation is like an old Malay proverb "Di telan mati emak, di luah mati ayah" .....before things get more complicated, it is better to come up with an official statement or else yellow would becomes an "endangered colour" in Malaysia!!!
There's a reason for it only being an "endangered colour" in Malaysia but not world wide as the Queen Elizabeth was spotted wearing yellow recently when HRH "mencemar Duli" agreeing to meet the PM recently .... Even a British Minister was spotted wearing a yellow neck tie in one of the meetings with the PM...
Eh? Am I missing something here? I wonder whether the Deputy IGP's announcement has something to do with the recent "awkward" position when the PM visited the UK recently.
It's really is a dilemma ......
Being an ordinary "rakyat" on the street, I do not have to read laws to know that I am free to choose whatever colour toned attires which I want to wear. As it is, those DBKL staff are wearing yellow T shirts, most of the safety signage are in "striking" yellow even I myself have a yellow T Shirt!!! Not to forget our "Harimau Malaya"/the National Football Team most of the time is wearing yellow jerseys.
Notwithstanding the above, I wish to thank the Deputy IGP for clearing up the air as certain section of our society had been struck by what I dubbed as the "Yellow Dilemma". The situation is like an old Malay proverb "Di telan mati emak, di luah mati ayah" .....before things get more complicated, it is better to come up with an official statement or else yellow would becomes an "endangered colour" in Malaysia!!!
There's a reason for it only being an "endangered colour" in Malaysia but not world wide as the Queen Elizabeth was spotted wearing yellow recently when HRH "mencemar Duli" agreeing to meet the PM recently .... Even a British Minister was spotted wearing a yellow neck tie in one of the meetings with the PM...
Eh? Am I missing something here? I wonder whether the Deputy IGP's announcement has something to do with the recent "awkward" position when the PM visited the UK recently.
It's really is a dilemma ......
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Manipulation of Statistics ...
Yesterday was 9 July 2011 ... It's the day of Bersih Rally.
I am not going to touch on the rally as I was just "landed" at KLIA at about 2.40 PM and was told that downtown Kuala Lumpur was in the thick of action ... I just wondered how many "rakyat" were involved in the rally and resigned to the conclusion that I have to rely on the news for the answer....
On the way home, I heard the 'Berita Ringkas" @ RTM at 3.00 PM stating that about 300 people were demonstrating at Jalan Pudu. This was again reported at 4.00 PM by RTM stating that about "200-300 penunjuk perasaan cuba membuat kacau berhampiran sebuah hospital swasta di Jalan Pudu" ...
The 5.00 PM news at RTM also echoed the same report and concluded that the demonstration was not participated by the masses... At about 5.30 PM it was reported that about 800 Bersih people had been arrested.
By 6.45 PM, it came out in the news that about 1,400 people were arrested and it was confirmed over 8.00 o'clock new @ TV 3 that 1,667 people had been arrested.Now now ... there must be something wrong with the statistics ...
Today, Sunday @ 10 July 2011 I bought almost all the mainstream newspaper and I found the following statistics:
Mingguan Malaysia @ 10 July 2011 reported amongst others:
1. about 1,401 were arrested;
2. about 500 people were demonstrating under the umbrella of "Patriot" ie mainly from the UMNO Youth members and a few from Persatuan Silat Linchah;
3. about 30 people from Perkasa - wondering aimlessly & loitering - at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa;
4. about 6,000 people participated in the Bersih Rally and the concentrations were at Jalan Petaling, Sogo, Dayabumi, Jalan Pudu & Masjid Jamek.
All in all, Mingguan Malaysia stick to about 6,000 people were involved in the Bersih Rally.
Let's look at the chronological events as reported by Mingguan Malaysia:
12.50 PM - about 3,000 Bersih people were marching from Jalan Petaling towards Stadium Merdeka;
1.43 PM - 3,000 Bersih people were at the vicinity of Dataran Maybank;
2.00 PM - 1,000 were trapped at KL Sentral. [Note; This 1,000 were trapped till about 5.00 PM as the train service was stopped. So, this number is unchanged and fixed!!!!}
Meanwhile, Sunday Times @ 10 July 2011 reported the following:
1. About 6,000 people were at Pudu Raya;
2. Estimated about 5,000 to 6,000 people were involved in the Bersih Rally;
3. 1,667 were arrested and 16 of them are children;
4. 1 died ie Allahyarham Baharuddin 59 years old.
Sunday Times put the chronology amongst others as follows:
12.33 PM - FRU fired 22 rounds of tear gas at about 2,000 Bersih people at Lebuh Pasar Besar;
1.18 PM - 4,000 Bersih people gathered at Menara Maybank;
1.19 PM - large crowd (no statistics given) were reported at Petaling Street;
1.37 PM - Bersih people from Jalan Pudu and Petaling Street joined together at Hentian Puduraya;
1.40 PM - Tear gas were fired at the crowd near Menara Maybank;
1.45 PM - Crowd gathered at Masjid India;
2,22 PM - another round of tear gas was fired at the Bersih people at Menara Maybank;
2.41 PM - 2,000 people marched from Masjid Jamek to Dataran Merdeka;
2.45 PM - two group of crowds marched towards Jalan Raja Chulan;
2.49 PM - FRU dispersed crowd at KL Sentral;
2.57 PM - 2,000 were dispersed from Merdeka Stadium by the police;
3.45 PM - 3,000 people marched towards KLCC;
Please also consider this, Sunday Times @ 10 July 2011 reported that:
at 4.00 PM about 3,000 people were at Masjid Jamek and joined by another 2,000 at about 4.15 PM and all of them marched towards KLCC. They eventually dispersed at about 4.45 PM.
Again please take this into account, it was also reported by Sunday Times that at 2.25 PM about 2,000 Bersih people converged in the areas of Olympic Hotel,Petaling Street & Masjid India which will then swelled to 4,000.
If we care to look thoroughly at the time & places, the statistics appeared to be "massaged" (read as manipulated!!!) for certain reason which I would not bother to explain.
In contrast, the "alternative media" such as Malaysiakini reported that at about 12.40 PM about 500 Bersih people gathered and the number swelled to 20,000 in just about half an hour. All in all it was estimated that about 50,000 people had attended the Bersih Rally....
So which is which? Going by the past experience, you have to do this;
Take the estimation as given by the mainstream media and multiply it by 5 then you would get the correct figure!!!
But I am not going to argue on this as statistics are meant to be manipulated. However, the following is certain and could not be rebutted:
1. ONLY 30 Perkasa members were roaming Tasik Titiwangsa aimlessly without their leader .. U know who!!!;
2. Patriot were outnumbered even by those Bersih people who were arrested by about 3 fold!!!!!
Till we meet again and to those who are good in numbers please analyse the above statistics ..... and al Fatihah to Allahyarham Baharuddin.
I am not going to touch on the rally as I was just "landed" at KLIA at about 2.40 PM and was told that downtown Kuala Lumpur was in the thick of action ... I just wondered how many "rakyat" were involved in the rally and resigned to the conclusion that I have to rely on the news for the answer....
On the way home, I heard the 'Berita Ringkas" @ RTM at 3.00 PM stating that about 300 people were demonstrating at Jalan Pudu. This was again reported at 4.00 PM by RTM stating that about "200-300 penunjuk perasaan cuba membuat kacau berhampiran sebuah hospital swasta di Jalan Pudu" ...
The 5.00 PM news at RTM also echoed the same report and concluded that the demonstration was not participated by the masses... At about 5.30 PM it was reported that about 800 Bersih people had been arrested.
By 6.45 PM, it came out in the news that about 1,400 people were arrested and it was confirmed over 8.00 o'clock new @ TV 3 that 1,667 people had been arrested.Now now ... there must be something wrong with the statistics ...
Today, Sunday @ 10 July 2011 I bought almost all the mainstream newspaper and I found the following statistics:
Mingguan Malaysia @ 10 July 2011 reported amongst others:
1. about 1,401 were arrested;
2. about 500 people were demonstrating under the umbrella of "Patriot" ie mainly from the UMNO Youth members and a few from Persatuan Silat Linchah;
3. about 30 people from Perkasa - wondering aimlessly & loitering - at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa;
4. about 6,000 people participated in the Bersih Rally and the concentrations were at Jalan Petaling, Sogo, Dayabumi, Jalan Pudu & Masjid Jamek.
All in all, Mingguan Malaysia stick to about 6,000 people were involved in the Bersih Rally.
Let's look at the chronological events as reported by Mingguan Malaysia:
12.50 PM - about 3,000 Bersih people were marching from Jalan Petaling towards Stadium Merdeka;
1.43 PM - 3,000 Bersih people were at the vicinity of Dataran Maybank;
2.00 PM - 1,000 were trapped at KL Sentral. [Note; This 1,000 were trapped till about 5.00 PM as the train service was stopped. So, this number is unchanged and fixed!!!!}
Meanwhile, Sunday Times @ 10 July 2011 reported the following:
1. About 6,000 people were at Pudu Raya;
2. Estimated about 5,000 to 6,000 people were involved in the Bersih Rally;
3. 1,667 were arrested and 16 of them are children;
4. 1 died ie Allahyarham Baharuddin 59 years old.
Sunday Times put the chronology amongst others as follows:
12.33 PM - FRU fired 22 rounds of tear gas at about 2,000 Bersih people at Lebuh Pasar Besar;
1.18 PM - 4,000 Bersih people gathered at Menara Maybank;
1.19 PM - large crowd (no statistics given) were reported at Petaling Street;
1.37 PM - Bersih people from Jalan Pudu and Petaling Street joined together at Hentian Puduraya;
1.40 PM - Tear gas were fired at the crowd near Menara Maybank;
1.45 PM - Crowd gathered at Masjid India;
2,22 PM - another round of tear gas was fired at the Bersih people at Menara Maybank;
2.41 PM - 2,000 people marched from Masjid Jamek to Dataran Merdeka;
2.45 PM - two group of crowds marched towards Jalan Raja Chulan;
2.49 PM - FRU dispersed crowd at KL Sentral;
2.57 PM - 2,000 were dispersed from Merdeka Stadium by the police;
3.45 PM - 3,000 people marched towards KLCC;
Please also consider this, Sunday Times @ 10 July 2011 reported that:
at 4.00 PM about 3,000 people were at Masjid Jamek and joined by another 2,000 at about 4.15 PM and all of them marched towards KLCC. They eventually dispersed at about 4.45 PM.
Again please take this into account, it was also reported by Sunday Times that at 2.25 PM about 2,000 Bersih people converged in the areas of Olympic Hotel,Petaling Street & Masjid India which will then swelled to 4,000.
If we care to look thoroughly at the time & places, the statistics appeared to be "massaged" (read as manipulated!!!) for certain reason which I would not bother to explain.
In contrast, the "alternative media" such as Malaysiakini reported that at about 12.40 PM about 500 Bersih people gathered and the number swelled to 20,000 in just about half an hour. All in all it was estimated that about 50,000 people had attended the Bersih Rally....
So which is which? Going by the past experience, you have to do this;
Take the estimation as given by the mainstream media and multiply it by 5 then you would get the correct figure!!!
But I am not going to argue on this as statistics are meant to be manipulated. However, the following is certain and could not be rebutted:
1. ONLY 30 Perkasa members were roaming Tasik Titiwangsa aimlessly without their leader .. U know who!!!;
2. Patriot were outnumbered even by those Bersih people who were arrested by about 3 fold!!!!!
Till we meet again and to those who are good in numbers please analyse the above statistics ..... and al Fatihah to Allahyarham Baharuddin.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Is it too easy to strip a citizenship ...
I just do not bother to peruse through the Federal Constitution to find out how a Malaysian could loose his/her citizenship. What I am sure of there should be a certain mechanism and/or circumstances which warrant the stripping of a subject's citizenship... And I am pretty sure it would not be that easy to do so!!!
It was reported that Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam acting in his capacity as the President of the "Persekutuan Seni Silat Kebangsaan" which boasts of having over 2 million members with 211 affiliates urged the Government to strip off the citizenship of Datuk S. Ambiga.
Years back even M. Nasir, yes the great artist M. Nasir was not spared from similar calls just because he made a snide remark about the then PM Tun Dr Mahathir. This happened during a poetry reading function at the MATIC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Others who were in the same boat which I could remember were the rap guy Name Wee - the guy who "rapped" our National anthem "Negara Ku". Even though personally and in principle, I abhor what he had done in the name of freedom of expression but to strip him of his citizenship? That's a bit too much I would say.
I would say given the remarks and/or action made by us Malaysians over the last 3 years or so, almost half of our citizens would be stripped off their citizenship ....
I dare not predict what would be Datuk s. Ambiga's reaction to Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam's remark ..... Well, I have mine but I choose to keep it privy to myself only...
Till we meet again ....
It was reported that Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam acting in his capacity as the President of the "Persekutuan Seni Silat Kebangsaan" which boasts of having over 2 million members with 211 affiliates urged the Government to strip off the citizenship of Datuk S. Ambiga.
Years back even M. Nasir, yes the great artist M. Nasir was not spared from similar calls just because he made a snide remark about the then PM Tun Dr Mahathir. This happened during a poetry reading function at the MATIC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Others who were in the same boat which I could remember were the rap guy Name Wee - the guy who "rapped" our National anthem "Negara Ku". Even though personally and in principle, I abhor what he had done in the name of freedom of expression but to strip him of his citizenship? That's a bit too much I would say.
I would say given the remarks and/or action made by us Malaysians over the last 3 years or so, almost half of our citizens would be stripped off their citizenship ....
I dare not predict what would be Datuk s. Ambiga's reaction to Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam's remark ..... Well, I have mine but I choose to keep it privy to myself only...
Till we meet again ....
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Let's talk about numbers tonight ...
My last posting was about our obsession to numbers .... so in continuance of the last posting I would continue with some facts on numbers which took place all over Malaysia over the weekend (Saturday 2 July 2011):
1. On Saturday, about 4.3 million students from 9,980 schools all over Malaysia took part in a run to mark the launching of a sport policy entitled - well no suspense here - it's called "1 Student 1 Sport" policy.
It is reported that the said policy as explained by the DPM in Taiping was that each student would be encourage to take part in at least one (1) sport. No issue here but the thing is as past experience showed us all having a policy is one thing but the implementation is another thing. Do we have the infrastructure ready such as qualified trainers/coaches. We are not only talking about implementation here but the follow through process is also important. For example, those who are excel in sports should be placed at special sports schools with scholarships. We do have sport schools but are they sufficient?
This reminds me of years back when the Sidek Brothers (Jailany & Razif) were crowned as the All England Doubles Champion, there was a call to have a policy of having "1000 Gelanggang Badminton". I wonder what happened to those "1000 Gelanggang Badminton" ...
2. A total number of 2,389 police reports had been lodged by certain quarters of the Malaysian individuals, NGOs and Societies against the Bersih rally organisers.As far as I could remember, this would be the most police reports which had been lodged against a single event. The question is are we going to put it in our very own Malaysia Book Of Record?
3. Way up north in my home state Perak, in Ipoh actually - that's my hometown!!! - about 3,000 youths took part in a rally organised by Perkasa Perak (this organisation had penetrated my home state? Sigh ....)They rode their motorcycles in convoy to protest against Bersih Rally.
I bet if the traffic police or JPJ were to hold roadblocks, lots of traffic summons could be issued on that single day.
4. It was reported that when the Honourable PM visited Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, a total of 2,800 PAS members in the "jajahan" Pasir Puteh had abandoned PAS and joined UMNO ... So guys do make regular visits, be it leaders from the establishment or the side and your aura would lead to so many numbers of defections...
Come to think of it, if we care to look back at the statistics over the years, I wonder whether how many members do PAS have as at to date considering the reports of their members allegedly jumped ship every time an UMNO leaders visited certain constituencies or every time an elections _ General Elections/By Elections - were held over the years.
5. To be fair to all, I have to post this though ... It was also reported a group of 30 people allegedly supporters of Hindraf staged a protest outside the PAS Headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut. The protest was held for a mere 15 minutes by the way!!!!
By the way, my home state also created history by having 2 MBs & 2 State Legislative Speakers at one point of time....
Ooops!!! I have to end my posting right at this moment as it already took me almost 14 minutes ... OK you win laaa yea!!!
1. On Saturday, about 4.3 million students from 9,980 schools all over Malaysia took part in a run to mark the launching of a sport policy entitled - well no suspense here - it's called "1 Student 1 Sport" policy.
It is reported that the said policy as explained by the DPM in Taiping was that each student would be encourage to take part in at least one (1) sport. No issue here but the thing is as past experience showed us all having a policy is one thing but the implementation is another thing. Do we have the infrastructure ready such as qualified trainers/coaches. We are not only talking about implementation here but the follow through process is also important. For example, those who are excel in sports should be placed at special sports schools with scholarships. We do have sport schools but are they sufficient?
This reminds me of years back when the Sidek Brothers (Jailany & Razif) were crowned as the All England Doubles Champion, there was a call to have a policy of having "1000 Gelanggang Badminton". I wonder what happened to those "1000 Gelanggang Badminton" ...
2. A total number of 2,389 police reports had been lodged by certain quarters of the Malaysian individuals, NGOs and Societies against the Bersih rally organisers.As far as I could remember, this would be the most police reports which had been lodged against a single event. The question is are we going to put it in our very own Malaysia Book Of Record?
3. Way up north in my home state Perak, in Ipoh actually - that's my hometown!!! - about 3,000 youths took part in a rally organised by Perkasa Perak (this organisation had penetrated my home state? Sigh ....)They rode their motorcycles in convoy to protest against Bersih Rally.
I bet if the traffic police or JPJ were to hold roadblocks, lots of traffic summons could be issued on that single day.
4. It was reported that when the Honourable PM visited Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, a total of 2,800 PAS members in the "jajahan" Pasir Puteh had abandoned PAS and joined UMNO ... So guys do make regular visits, be it leaders from the establishment or the side and your aura would lead to so many numbers of defections...
Come to think of it, if we care to look back at the statistics over the years, I wonder whether how many members do PAS have as at to date considering the reports of their members allegedly jumped ship every time an UMNO leaders visited certain constituencies or every time an elections _ General Elections/By Elections - were held over the years.
5. To be fair to all, I have to post this though ... It was also reported a group of 30 people allegedly supporters of Hindraf staged a protest outside the PAS Headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut. The protest was held for a mere 15 minutes by the way!!!!
By the way, my home state also created history by having 2 MBs & 2 State Legislative Speakers at one point of time....
Ooops!!! I have to end my posting right at this moment as it already took me almost 14 minutes ... OK you win laaa yea!!!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Our Obsession to Number
Since the "1 Malaysia" concept was introduced by the Honourable YAB Prime Minister, we have become too obsessed with numbers in particular number "1". Personally, it's a good initiative but some quarters had been too over zealous with it so as to make it 'non exclusive' anymore.
In this respect, I tend to agree with Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz's view who said that "1 Malaysia" or even any slogan/initiative should be made exclusive and not to turn it to a 'cheap" slogan. By "branding" or linking almost everything to "1 Malaysia" slogan would destroy its exclusiveness.
Let's take a few examples ...
In NST @ 27 June 201 at page 2 it was reported that 1,111youths would created history when they participated in the country's biggest premarital course in Pekan, Pahang. The programme was organised by Pekan Umno religious bureau. So far, I personally can take it as it is organised for a good cause.
Then we have this "Kedai 1 Malaysia" again it's for a good cause and why not?
But when an NGO ( please make a guess here as you ought not to be wrong!!!) came up with a slogan "1 Bumi 1 Melayu", I had a nauseatic feeling in my stomach . Please give due respect to the slogan initiated by our very own YAB PM ....
By the way when I look up for the word "Bumi", it was actually came from the word "BHUMI" which originates from Hindu/Buddhist which means "earth". That's shows how 'diversity" we are if we really care to look back to our ancestors' history.
Would the above negate or dilute the exclusiveness of the slogan "I Bumi 1 Melayu"/ You to judge but as far as I am concerned I do not want to have any connection with it!!!
Till we meet again ....
In this respect, I tend to agree with Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz's view who said that "1 Malaysia" or even any slogan/initiative should be made exclusive and not to turn it to a 'cheap" slogan. By "branding" or linking almost everything to "1 Malaysia" slogan would destroy its exclusiveness.
Let's take a few examples ...
In NST @ 27 June 201 at page 2 it was reported that 1,111youths would created history when they participated in the country's biggest premarital course in Pekan, Pahang. The programme was organised by Pekan Umno religious bureau. So far, I personally can take it as it is organised for a good cause.
Then we have this "Kedai 1 Malaysia" again it's for a good cause and why not?
But when an NGO ( please make a guess here as you ought not to be wrong!!!) came up with a slogan "1 Bumi 1 Melayu", I had a nauseatic feeling in my stomach . Please give due respect to the slogan initiated by our very own YAB PM ....
By the way when I look up for the word "Bumi", it was actually came from the word "BHUMI" which originates from Hindu/Buddhist which means "earth". That's shows how 'diversity" we are if we really care to look back to our ancestors' history.
Would the above negate or dilute the exclusiveness of the slogan "I Bumi 1 Melayu"/ You to judge but as far as I am concerned I do not want to have any connection with it!!!
Till we meet again ....
"Warna-Warna Malaysia" & its relevancy to Rock Concert...
I purposely entitled his post as such "Warna-Warna Malaysia" to portray how a certain colour or "warna" would portray your social or even political inclination.
I like the rest of my comrades of the same era had been eagerly waiting for the 9 July 2011 rock concert featuring Sweet Charity & the Blues Gang. It was reported in the NST yesterday (26 June 2011) that the concert would be postponed to a later date. It was also reported at page 4 NST today (27 Jun 2011) that scores of fans were disappointed with the concert's postponement including a 60 years old Encik Mohd Arif who was reportedly would go to the concert with his family.
There is a certain nostalgic reason for being present for the 9 July 2011 concert as about 27 years ago (in 1983/1984)both Sweet Charity & Blues Gang went nationwide for their first ever dual rock concert. I was there when the bands performed at Ipoh Stadium with my "comrades in rock". All of us were in our faded jeans and of course round neck BLACK T shirts!!!!!
Rumours poured in saying that the concert was postponed as it coincide with the Bersih 2.0 rally which is scheduled to be organised on the same date.
Now now ... I trust most if not all o the concert goers would be wearing jeans and BLACK T Shirts. Never in my life had I seen a YELLOW shirted homo sapient in a rock concert!!!!!
Come to think of it even BLACK was a taboo colour sometime back when it was linked to the Black Metal cult. All of a sudden practically almost all in Malaysia became allergy to the colour of BLACK!!!!
If we go back further, even GREEN had became the victim of paranoia when those poor kids at the Sekolah Ugama had to change their "samping" from GREEN to RED/MAROON in colour....
I just wonder which colour would be the next victim in the near future ... Well, it's never a dull moment in my beloved MALAYSIA!!!
Till we meet again ... hopefully at the Sweet Charity & Blues Gang concert yea....
I like the rest of my comrades of the same era had been eagerly waiting for the 9 July 2011 rock concert featuring Sweet Charity & the Blues Gang. It was reported in the NST yesterday (26 June 2011) that the concert would be postponed to a later date. It was also reported at page 4 NST today (27 Jun 2011) that scores of fans were disappointed with the concert's postponement including a 60 years old Encik Mohd Arif who was reportedly would go to the concert with his family.
There is a certain nostalgic reason for being present for the 9 July 2011 concert as about 27 years ago (in 1983/1984)both Sweet Charity & Blues Gang went nationwide for their first ever dual rock concert. I was there when the bands performed at Ipoh Stadium with my "comrades in rock". All of us were in our faded jeans and of course round neck BLACK T shirts!!!!!
Rumours poured in saying that the concert was postponed as it coincide with the Bersih 2.0 rally which is scheduled to be organised on the same date.
Now now ... I trust most if not all o the concert goers would be wearing jeans and BLACK T Shirts. Never in my life had I seen a YELLOW shirted homo sapient in a rock concert!!!!!
Come to think of it even BLACK was a taboo colour sometime back when it was linked to the Black Metal cult. All of a sudden practically almost all in Malaysia became allergy to the colour of BLACK!!!!
If we go back further, even GREEN had became the victim of paranoia when those poor kids at the Sekolah Ugama had to change their "samping" from GREEN to RED/MAROON in colour....
I just wonder which colour would be the next victim in the near future ... Well, it's never a dull moment in my beloved MALAYSIA!!!
Till we meet again ... hopefully at the Sweet Charity & Blues Gang concert yea....
We Salute You Mr. Tey Chong Suan
Apart from the news on Bersih 2.0 rally scheduled this 9 July 2011 reported in NST today (27 June 2011), the news at page 6 NST on how a 74 year old Chinese guy was reportedly jumped into a canal near his home in Parit Kasim Tengah, Muar to save an 11 year old Malay boy from being swept away in the said canal caught my attention.
The Chins man is Mr. Tey Chong Suan who lived about 50 meters from the Malay boy's house - apparently they are neighbours - heard the boy's scream and without hesitation jumped into the canal without having regard the strong current.
Pardon me for stressing the race here - Chinese & Malay - for I am not being racist here. I am just trying to show that right down south of our beloved soil, there is still hope that we, Malaysians could live peacefully together and help each other.
I bet Mr. Tey did not ask what race the boy is when he swam in the canal or even hesitated when he found out that the boy is a Malay or in the extreme Mr. Ty would not asked whether the boy ha any connection with PERKASA.
This incident reminds me of what transpired way back in 1983 when my brother, Asri and I assisted a Chinese man who met with an accident along the trunk road (Rawang). The old man was hurt very badly and he was accompanied by his son when my brother took him in his car to the KL General Hospital.
What irked my brother and I was when we reached the Emergency Station at the hospital, it took as if ages for those people at the Emergency Unit to bring the trolley to transfer the old man. My brother was further infuriated when one of the attendant asked " Ini China ke Melayu ni ... ". I could still remember my brother turned and stared nastily to the said attendant and said " Boleh tolong cepat tak?".
We left the hospital disgusted and prayed for the best for the old man and his son. We were disgusted not because we assisted the old man and his son but with the attitude of those hospital workers.
That was in 1983 and with Mr. Tey's news in 2011, all is not lost since there is still hope for a better and unified Malaysia.
For Mr. Tey, again we salute you for your bravery and heroic gesture .....
The Chins man is Mr. Tey Chong Suan who lived about 50 meters from the Malay boy's house - apparently they are neighbours - heard the boy's scream and without hesitation jumped into the canal without having regard the strong current.
Pardon me for stressing the race here - Chinese & Malay - for I am not being racist here. I am just trying to show that right down south of our beloved soil, there is still hope that we, Malaysians could live peacefully together and help each other.
I bet Mr. Tey did not ask what race the boy is when he swam in the canal or even hesitated when he found out that the boy is a Malay or in the extreme Mr. Ty would not asked whether the boy ha any connection with PERKASA.
This incident reminds me of what transpired way back in 1983 when my brother, Asri and I assisted a Chinese man who met with an accident along the trunk road (Rawang). The old man was hurt very badly and he was accompanied by his son when my brother took him in his car to the KL General Hospital.
What irked my brother and I was when we reached the Emergency Station at the hospital, it took as if ages for those people at the Emergency Unit to bring the trolley to transfer the old man. My brother was further infuriated when one of the attendant asked " Ini China ke Melayu ni ... ". I could still remember my brother turned and stared nastily to the said attendant and said " Boleh tolong cepat tak?".
We left the hospital disgusted and prayed for the best for the old man and his son. We were disgusted not because we assisted the old man and his son but with the attitude of those hospital workers.
That was in 1983 and with Mr. Tey's news in 2011, all is not lost since there is still hope for a better and unified Malaysia.
For Mr. Tey, again we salute you for your bravery and heroic gesture .....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Move Aside Carcosa Sri Negara .. It's Magistrate's Court Turn!!!
After the screening of the infamous black & white video scenes at Carcosa Seri Negara months ago, the same video footage was shown at the Magistrate's Court, Kuala Lumpur two days ago.
The footage was reportedly shown via two big screens, one for the magistrate while the other facing the public gallery. I would not want to say much except asking since when the Magistrate's Court has been turned into a mere "panggung wayang" ....(Note: There is no pun intended to the word "wayang" here).
From what I could gather the newspaper (NST) reported that the three Accused had admitted guilty to the charge of publicly displaying an obscene video clip at Carcosa Seri Negara on 21 March 2011. The three Accused were fined by the Magistrate after they submitted their mitigation through their counsel.
I am not going to touch on what was submitted in the mitigation - as reported in the newspaper - as I have to give due respect to the counsel who represented the three convicted felons ... It's his job to defend and mitigate and he could submit freely as the judicial system allows him to do so.
The things to ponder is this ...
The following is the normal process which would normally takes place in a criminal case as I understand it:
The Court Interpreter would read out the charge(s) and the Court would ask for the plea.
In this case, the three Accused pleaded guilty to the charge of displaying an obscene video clip. When this occurred, normally the DPP by practice would read out the facts of the case i.e. giving the summary of the case by stating amongst others when the criminal act was committed, where and the time of the offense was committed.
Then, the defense counsel would be asked to mitigate on behalf of his client - in this case the three convicted felons - and would ask for light sentence.
After hearing all the submissions, then the Magistrate would met out the sentence in accordance with the Penal Code provisions of course after taking into account the mitigating factors as submitted by the defense counsel.
According to the news report, the following was reported in the NST @ 25 June 2011 but I could not verify whether the facts as reported in the NST occurred in the order as I stated above:
1. " US experts have confirmed that the video clip screened by ... (the three now convicted guys) was authentic and not tampered with ... These were among the facts of the case read out in court after .. (the three now convicted felons) pleaded guilty ..."
2. " ... According to the facts of the case, Computer Science Professor Hny Farid and Professor Lorenzo Torresani of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire had conducted facial recognition of the man in the video and had found it to resemble ... (a certain politician),"
3. " ... After the facts were read out, DPP ... (yes!!! another Datuk ... ) applied for the video to be shown in Court... The video was played on two big screens, one facing the Magistrate and the other the public gallery, for about 10 minutes..."
Here are some of the issues to ponder:
1. Is here a need to show the video footage? What happened to the proceedings in camera?;
2. The Accused had pleaded guilty to the charge of displaying obscene video therefore the obscenity of the video is admitted. So, again is there a need to show the video? It's not even being contested in the proceedings as far as I could understand since there is no trial due to admission of guilt;
3. The issue is the obscenity of the video then what is the relevance of stating the video had been certified by experts as authentic and the man in the video resembled a certain politician? That is not the subject matter on trial or in question;
The end result is I as a lay man is confused in the whirlpool of the whole thing .... I hope those legal eagles with robes & bips would be able to enlighten me in this issue ...
I need a break and wonder whether there would be a screening of a 3D shows at our Court in the near future...
Till we meet again....
The footage was reportedly shown via two big screens, one for the magistrate while the other facing the public gallery. I would not want to say much except asking since when the Magistrate's Court has been turned into a mere "panggung wayang" ....(Note: There is no pun intended to the word "wayang" here).
From what I could gather the newspaper (NST) reported that the three Accused had admitted guilty to the charge of publicly displaying an obscene video clip at Carcosa Seri Negara on 21 March 2011. The three Accused were fined by the Magistrate after they submitted their mitigation through their counsel.
I am not going to touch on what was submitted in the mitigation - as reported in the newspaper - as I have to give due respect to the counsel who represented the three convicted felons ... It's his job to defend and mitigate and he could submit freely as the judicial system allows him to do so.
The things to ponder is this ...
The following is the normal process which would normally takes place in a criminal case as I understand it:
The Court Interpreter would read out the charge(s) and the Court would ask for the plea.
In this case, the three Accused pleaded guilty to the charge of displaying an obscene video clip. When this occurred, normally the DPP by practice would read out the facts of the case i.e. giving the summary of the case by stating amongst others when the criminal act was committed, where and the time of the offense was committed.
Then, the defense counsel would be asked to mitigate on behalf of his client - in this case the three convicted felons - and would ask for light sentence.
After hearing all the submissions, then the Magistrate would met out the sentence in accordance with the Penal Code provisions of course after taking into account the mitigating factors as submitted by the defense counsel.
According to the news report, the following was reported in the NST @ 25 June 2011 but I could not verify whether the facts as reported in the NST occurred in the order as I stated above:
1. " US experts have confirmed that the video clip screened by ... (the three now convicted guys) was authentic and not tampered with ... These were among the facts of the case read out in court after .. (the three now convicted felons) pleaded guilty ..."
2. " ... According to the facts of the case, Computer Science Professor Hny Farid and Professor Lorenzo Torresani of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire had conducted facial recognition of the man in the video and had found it to resemble ... (a certain politician),"
3. " ... After the facts were read out, DPP ... (yes!!! another Datuk ... ) applied for the video to be shown in Court... The video was played on two big screens, one facing the Magistrate and the other the public gallery, for about 10 minutes..."
Here are some of the issues to ponder:
1. Is here a need to show the video footage? What happened to the proceedings in camera?;
2. The Accused had pleaded guilty to the charge of displaying obscene video therefore the obscenity of the video is admitted. So, again is there a need to show the video? It's not even being contested in the proceedings as far as I could understand since there is no trial due to admission of guilt;
3. The issue is the obscenity of the video then what is the relevance of stating the video had been certified by experts as authentic and the man in the video resembled a certain politician? That is not the subject matter on trial or in question;
The end result is I as a lay man is confused in the whirlpool of the whole thing .... I hope those legal eagles with robes & bips would be able to enlighten me in this issue ...
I need a break and wonder whether there would be a screening of a 3D shows at our Court in the near future...
Till we meet again....
Monday, May 2, 2011
United States at it yet again ...
It has been quite a while since my last posting in February 2011. I was quite busy with Umrah in March and my new posting in April 2011.
This post is done with purpose...
I bough a news paper and there it was NATO's strike in Tripoli, Libya killed Saif the youngest son of Muammar Gadaffi and his thee grandchildren. I am not going into the issue of whether Gadaffi is a tyrant or not - that issue should be left to the people of Libya not the United States or Nato for that matter.
The last time the States bombed Tripoli in the 80s, Gadaffi's adopted son (or is it daughter) was left dead but Gadaffi survived.
The question is what the bombings got to do with protecting innocent lives of the people of Libya?
Then, today CNN, BBC and al Jazeera reported that about 7 hours ago, Osama Ben Laden was killed in a town about 60 km from the capital of Pakistan in a joint operation between the States Special Operation Force and the Pakistani Intelligence.
Again, I am not to delve into the issue of extremist or radical et al....
What saddened me the people of the States was shown celebrating outside the White House - they may have their own valid reasons but where is the decency and respect for the dead no matter from which opposing side or ideology they might come from.
This reminds me of the almost "obscene" scenes of a certain quarters of the Iraqi people dancing in the streets outside the main jail when they heard Saddam Hussein is hanged to death...
At least Saddam Hussein did recited the Shahadah right before he was hanged amidst the profanities remarks thrown at him by his detractors inside the main jail when he was about to be hanged...
We as human kind has become so cruel and insensitive ....
Going back to Osama, it was reported that his body is being taken into custody by the United States - for what reason/purpose.
As a Muslim, my only pray and hope is that Osama would be given a proper burial in accordance with the Islamic law and rituals....
Let's hope the what happened to Che Guevara - the Cuban Revolutionary - who was caught and shot dead by the States Operatives - again and don't be surprised - was incapacitated and buried at unknown place until his remains was dug and flown back to Cuba for a proper States burial...
My last note is let's recite al Fatihah to Osama, Saif & the three grandchildren of Gadaffi so as to all Muslims out there whose passing away hopefully would be accepted by Allah the most merciful as only He knows what we the mortals not know ....
Till we meet again ....
This post is done with purpose...
I bough a news paper and there it was NATO's strike in Tripoli, Libya killed Saif the youngest son of Muammar Gadaffi and his thee grandchildren. I am not going into the issue of whether Gadaffi is a tyrant or not - that issue should be left to the people of Libya not the United States or Nato for that matter.
The last time the States bombed Tripoli in the 80s, Gadaffi's adopted son (or is it daughter) was left dead but Gadaffi survived.
The question is what the bombings got to do with protecting innocent lives of the people of Libya?
Then, today CNN, BBC and al Jazeera reported that about 7 hours ago, Osama Ben Laden was killed in a town about 60 km from the capital of Pakistan in a joint operation between the States Special Operation Force and the Pakistani Intelligence.
Again, I am not to delve into the issue of extremist or radical et al....
What saddened me the people of the States was shown celebrating outside the White House - they may have their own valid reasons but where is the decency and respect for the dead no matter from which opposing side or ideology they might come from.
This reminds me of the almost "obscene" scenes of a certain quarters of the Iraqi people dancing in the streets outside the main jail when they heard Saddam Hussein is hanged to death...
At least Saddam Hussein did recited the Shahadah right before he was hanged amidst the profanities remarks thrown at him by his detractors inside the main jail when he was about to be hanged...
We as human kind has become so cruel and insensitive ....
Going back to Osama, it was reported that his body is being taken into custody by the United States - for what reason/purpose.
As a Muslim, my only pray and hope is that Osama would be given a proper burial in accordance with the Islamic law and rituals....
Let's hope the what happened to Che Guevara - the Cuban Revolutionary - who was caught and shot dead by the States Operatives - again and don't be surprised - was incapacitated and buried at unknown place until his remains was dug and flown back to Cuba for a proper States burial...
My last note is let's recite al Fatihah to Osama, Saif & the three grandchildren of Gadaffi so as to all Muslims out there whose passing away hopefully would be accepted by Allah the most merciful as only He knows what we the mortals not know ....
Till we meet again ....
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Cupid Struck at Tahrir Square, Egypt
I could not help but grinned widely as I look at a picture of a couple tying the knot at Tahrir Square, Egypt as appeared in NST @ 10 February 2011.
The caption reported that Abdullah Al Qadi and Sonia Al Beali were celebrating with other protesters after tying the knot at the said Square. They apparently met for the first time last week while demonstrating against the regime of Hosni Mubarak and the rest is - as they said - is history. So far, it is reported that four couples have got married at the Square.
This is awesome and quite 'mind boggling" ... This only leads to several inferences, one of which is that the protest is a protest full of love, peace and passion!!!. In fact, the protesters - as reported in the news - are encouraged to bring with them flowers and encourage to "hug a soldier" at every possible opportunity ...
I supposed perhaps Abdullah Al Qadi gave the flower to Sonia on the day they first met and that made it easier for the Cupid to "strike" ....
To those couples: "Selamat Pengantin Baru!!"
The caption reported that Abdullah Al Qadi and Sonia Al Beali were celebrating with other protesters after tying the knot at the said Square. They apparently met for the first time last week while demonstrating against the regime of Hosni Mubarak and the rest is - as they said - is history. So far, it is reported that four couples have got married at the Square.
This is awesome and quite 'mind boggling" ... This only leads to several inferences, one of which is that the protest is a protest full of love, peace and passion!!!. In fact, the protesters - as reported in the news - are encouraged to bring with them flowers and encourage to "hug a soldier" at every possible opportunity ...
I supposed perhaps Abdullah Al Qadi gave the flower to Sonia on the day they first met and that made it easier for the Cupid to "strike" ....
To those couples: "Selamat Pengantin Baru!!"
Eh!!! Dah Start Campaigning @ Merlimau?
I just checked into the hotel in Kota Kinabalu this afternoon and immediately turned on the TV ... Buletin 1.30 TV3 had just started and guess what?
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It was reported that a fishing village in Merlimau would be getting a new and said to be the most sophisticated jetty soon. I couldn't get to hear the costs but heard the word "millions" .... This was announced by the Melaka Chief Minister who was shown on TV visiting the old jetty at the fishing village. The CM said this project had been approved by the YAB PM himself.
The CM said the jetty would benefit the local fishermen and would also act as a tourism attraction in the state of Melaka.
Several villagers (local fishermen)were interviewed and expressed their gratitude for the generosity ... In fact, one was heard saying " ... Saya macam tak percaya.." as it was indeed a surprise to him...
Better believe it guys .....
By the way, the actual nomination day for the Merlimau by election is yet taking place yes? This is interesting indeed or is it so predictable and expected as a norm every time by election is held? So, a word of caution to all the "Surau", "Dewan Orang Ramai" and the like as there would be lots of "pembukaan rasmi" - you know "potong riben"!! - in the weeks to come ...
My wish: " Happy campaigning in advance ...."
t
It was reported that a fishing village in Merlimau would be getting a new and said to be the most sophisticated jetty soon. I couldn't get to hear the costs but heard the word "millions" .... This was announced by the Melaka Chief Minister who was shown on TV visiting the old jetty at the fishing village. The CM said this project had been approved by the YAB PM himself.
The CM said the jetty would benefit the local fishermen and would also act as a tourism attraction in the state of Melaka.
Several villagers (local fishermen)were interviewed and expressed their gratitude for the generosity ... In fact, one was heard saying " ... Saya macam tak percaya.." as it was indeed a surprise to him...
Better believe it guys .....
By the way, the actual nomination day for the Merlimau by election is yet taking place yes? This is interesting indeed or is it so predictable and expected as a norm every time by election is held? So, a word of caution to all the "Surau", "Dewan Orang Ramai" and the like as there would be lots of "pembukaan rasmi" - you know "potong riben"!! - in the weeks to come ...
My wish: " Happy campaigning in advance ...."
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Big Gesture by a "Small" Guy With A Big Heart
I have been suffocated with the brutalities of the city folks for the last 20 years or so and this posting really reminds me of the good old days ... during my childhood days as a kampung boy.
Lat week I was on a business trip to an Estate in Layang Layang, Johor for 2 days.... On the 2nd day, before I left for KL I dropped by at the Estate's surau ... As it was late in the evening, nobody was there but a gentleman and his son (about 12years old) I supposed ...
I noticed that this gentleman was busy preparing something - a drink - and was then sitting at the rear end of the surau prayer main hall attentively listening to his son reading the Holy Quran...
As I was about to leave the surau, I over heard him calling for me - "Encik... Encik ...". I then walked back into the Surau and went to him. Apparently, he had poured me a small glass of "teh tarik" and invited me to have a drink with him...
In the course of our conversation, I came to know he aws the Estate Contractor -"Saya ni kontrak potong rumput kat Estet ni..." He is also the Imam of that surau...
"Saya baru lagi jadi Imam - masih belajar lagi!' What a humble statement - at least he is an Imam as opposed to me a mere "Makmum"!!!
After about 45 minutes or so, I told him that I have to leave as my journey was a long affair ... I thank him and almost "unavoidably" said "Alhamdulillah" ... On my journey home, I kept thinking of that "small" guy - an Imam - with a very big gesture and for sure has a very big heart .... And guys, that was the best "teh tarik" that I ever had!!!!
How I missed the old days ......
Lat week I was on a business trip to an Estate in Layang Layang, Johor for 2 days.... On the 2nd day, before I left for KL I dropped by at the Estate's surau ... As it was late in the evening, nobody was there but a gentleman and his son (about 12years old) I supposed ...
I noticed that this gentleman was busy preparing something - a drink - and was then sitting at the rear end of the surau prayer main hall attentively listening to his son reading the Holy Quran...
As I was about to leave the surau, I over heard him calling for me - "Encik... Encik ...". I then walked back into the Surau and went to him. Apparently, he had poured me a small glass of "teh tarik" and invited me to have a drink with him...
In the course of our conversation, I came to know he aws the Estate Contractor -"Saya ni kontrak potong rumput kat Estet ni..." He is also the Imam of that surau...
"Saya baru lagi jadi Imam - masih belajar lagi!' What a humble statement - at least he is an Imam as opposed to me a mere "Makmum"!!!
After about 45 minutes or so, I told him that I have to leave as my journey was a long affair ... I thank him and almost "unavoidably" said "Alhamdulillah" ... On my journey home, I kept thinking of that "small" guy - an Imam - with a very big gesture and for sure has a very big heart .... And guys, that was the best "teh tarik" that I ever had!!!!
How I missed the old days ......
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Filthy Rich ..... A Short Note
I watched Al Jazeera the other day and was in a state of dazed when it was reported that President Hosni Mubarak's wealth is estimated at between USD 10 billion to USD 40 billion.
His youngest son Gamal is estimated to be "valued" at USD 10 billion and the President's wife, Suzanne is a billioner .... It is reported that all these wealth and money are deposited at several Banks - Swiss, US and other European countries.
What about the average "rakyat"? The inflation is high and the unemployment of the young population is at an acute ratio not to mention the low income per capita... Hence, the pro democracy movement for the last 11 days or so which was basically triggered by the youths/young generation of Egyptian people....
Let's look further back during the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ... He was at the apex of the Islamic State of Medina (then liberated the Holy City of Mecca)... Was he filthy rich? Nope - it was even related that the Prophet only eaten half a date for breaking fast ...
The Prophet's companions - The Amirul Mukminin Caliphs Abu Bakar, Umar al Khatab, Uthman Affan and Ali - they were the great Caliphs of the great Ismaic Empire and yet lived in a modest state of life and leave almost nothing except for what they wore on them ....
Another example is Salman al Farisi who was famous with his quotation " I am the son of Islam from Adam". He was once the Amir of City of Madain ... He died poor with and refused to take any salary for being an Amir not even a Dirham ....
What a contradiction ... The Prophet (SAW), his companions may be poor but filthy rich in their "akhlak" and "iman" ....
Let's ponder and if anybody were to say this balsphemy remark: "Zaman Nabi mana ada Bank nak simpan duit banyak-banyak macam sekarang/zaman moden ni! ... Hmmmm -sounds familiar? Well, I would say to that person " Jangan laaa jadi bodoh sangat!!! Shut your mouth up!!! Those days the banks might not be there but the State's wealth are fully secured at the Baitul Mal" ...
Till we meet again .....
His youngest son Gamal is estimated to be "valued" at USD 10 billion and the President's wife, Suzanne is a billioner .... It is reported that all these wealth and money are deposited at several Banks - Swiss, US and other European countries.
What about the average "rakyat"? The inflation is high and the unemployment of the young population is at an acute ratio not to mention the low income per capita... Hence, the pro democracy movement for the last 11 days or so which was basically triggered by the youths/young generation of Egyptian people....
Let's look further back during the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ... He was at the apex of the Islamic State of Medina (then liberated the Holy City of Mecca)... Was he filthy rich? Nope - it was even related that the Prophet only eaten half a date for breaking fast ...
The Prophet's companions - The Amirul Mukminin Caliphs Abu Bakar, Umar al Khatab, Uthman Affan and Ali - they were the great Caliphs of the great Ismaic Empire and yet lived in a modest state of life and leave almost nothing except for what they wore on them ....
Another example is Salman al Farisi who was famous with his quotation " I am the son of Islam from Adam". He was once the Amir of City of Madain ... He died poor with and refused to take any salary for being an Amir not even a Dirham ....
What a contradiction ... The Prophet (SAW), his companions may be poor but filthy rich in their "akhlak" and "iman" ....
Let's ponder and if anybody were to say this balsphemy remark: "Zaman Nabi mana ada Bank nak simpan duit banyak-banyak macam sekarang/zaman moden ni! ... Hmmmm -sounds familiar? Well, I would say to that person " Jangan laaa jadi bodoh sangat!!! Shut your mouth up!!! Those days the banks might not be there but the State's wealth are fully secured at the Baitul Mal" ...
Till we meet again .....
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Egypt, Tunisia et al - any surprise?
It started with the 'Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia then spread through the African/Arab countries - Yemen. Jordan, Algeria, Oman, Sudan, Mauritania and Egypt..
This post will not touch on the "heavy issues" - most of which are not a surprise to any sane people on this earth!!! Examples, it's not a surprise that President Hosni Mubarak "agreed" to step down but only in September - he's a man living on his own island & detached from the reality. It is also not surprising that he made such a decision after chit chatting over the phone with the States' President Barrack Obama..
It is also not surprising that China - almost half of the world apart from Egypt - had blocked the word "Egypt" from microblog searches!!!
In Tunisia, a doctor Souha Naija aptly described the Tunisian Revolution as " a kind of birth" - the doctor said ;" For me this is a birth ... There is blood, there is pain. But after, there is birth" ...
There is also a 21 year old Tunisian rap star, Hamada Ben Amor a.k.a. "El General" took to the stage for the first time after being banned by the Tunisian regime. His crime? He wrote lyrics earlier month of January as the revolution exploded which earned him the ban and a spell in the jail ...
The lyrics go like this: "We live in suffering/Like dogs/Half the population is oppressed and living in misery/President of the country/Your people are dead" ... When he took the stage on Saturday late January, opposition activist Atia Athmouni, 59 broke down in tears and said " He talked about the dictator and about the fallen heroes".
Wither the status quo anyone? ....
This post will not touch on the "heavy issues" - most of which are not a surprise to any sane people on this earth!!! Examples, it's not a surprise that President Hosni Mubarak "agreed" to step down but only in September - he's a man living on his own island & detached from the reality. It is also not surprising that he made such a decision after chit chatting over the phone with the States' President Barrack Obama..
It is also not surprising that China - almost half of the world apart from Egypt - had blocked the word "Egypt" from microblog searches!!!
In Tunisia, a doctor Souha Naija aptly described the Tunisian Revolution as " a kind of birth" - the doctor said ;" For me this is a birth ... There is blood, there is pain. But after, there is birth" ...
There is also a 21 year old Tunisian rap star, Hamada Ben Amor a.k.a. "El General" took to the stage for the first time after being banned by the Tunisian regime. His crime? He wrote lyrics earlier month of January as the revolution exploded which earned him the ban and a spell in the jail ...
The lyrics go like this: "We live in suffering/Like dogs/Half the population is oppressed and living in misery/President of the country/Your people are dead" ... When he took the stage on Saturday late January, opposition activist Atia Athmouni, 59 broke down in tears and said " He talked about the dictator and about the fallen heroes".
Wither the status quo anyone? ....
It's The Lunar Year Again @ Year of Rabbit
This year is the Rabbit Year - the 4th of the 12 animals listed in the Chinese calendar after the rat, ox and tiger.
I was born in 1963 and a Rabbit I am - not too sure though whether I am a Metallic Rabbit or Water Rabbit and wart not - but for sure I am the adorable Rabbit. So as those who were born in 1963 including my Chinese friends ...
So to Eric Cheah, Cheah Fah Thong (wherever you are Fah Thong), Albert, Kevin, Eric Cheah and those I could not recall @ ACS Ipoh - my sincere wish "Gong Xi Fa Chai" ...
Back to the Rabbit, from my readings of so many articles on this creature:
1. Amongst others Johnny Depp is a Rabbit, so is Drew Barrymore, and the best is so is Angelina Jolie (and Brad Pitt) .... So am I !!!!
2. In "Alice Adventure in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol, it was the white rabbit which lured Alice into the adventure via the rabbit hole. Thus the metaphor - "Down the rabbit hole" which implies the sense of adventure for people.
3. Remember the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" he has a sexy wife Jessica Rabbit
4. Rabbit is also associated with playfulness, not to mention sexual innuendos in modern world. "Playboy" has a rabbit symbol and the Playboy Bunny is to be found almost everywhere in this world [No pun is intended here yea]
5. Rabbit related phrases @ " Breeding Like Rabbits" (producing babies very quickly), "Rabbit Test" (pregnant test), " Like a rabbit caught in the headlight" (too scared to move), " Rabbit on" (talk continuously), "Pull a rabbit out of the hat" (surprising everybody) & "Bunny Boiler" (a woman who is obsessed with a man).
6. Lastly who could forget the playful, cheeky and adventurous "Bugs Bunny" - u really love to hate/adore (whichever way you may wish to judge anyway) this character!!!
A very happy Chinese New Year to all ..... & to Angelina Jolie of course!!!!
I was born in 1963 and a Rabbit I am - not too sure though whether I am a Metallic Rabbit or Water Rabbit and wart not - but for sure I am the adorable Rabbit. So as those who were born in 1963 including my Chinese friends ...
So to Eric Cheah, Cheah Fah Thong (wherever you are Fah Thong), Albert, Kevin, Eric Cheah and those I could not recall @ ACS Ipoh - my sincere wish "Gong Xi Fa Chai" ...
Back to the Rabbit, from my readings of so many articles on this creature:
1. Amongst others Johnny Depp is a Rabbit, so is Drew Barrymore, and the best is so is Angelina Jolie (and Brad Pitt) .... So am I !!!!
2. In "Alice Adventure in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol, it was the white rabbit which lured Alice into the adventure via the rabbit hole. Thus the metaphor - "Down the rabbit hole" which implies the sense of adventure for people.
3. Remember the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" he has a sexy wife Jessica Rabbit
4. Rabbit is also associated with playfulness, not to mention sexual innuendos in modern world. "Playboy" has a rabbit symbol and the Playboy Bunny is to be found almost everywhere in this world [No pun is intended here yea]
5. Rabbit related phrases @ " Breeding Like Rabbits" (producing babies very quickly), "Rabbit Test" (pregnant test), " Like a rabbit caught in the headlight" (too scared to move), " Rabbit on" (talk continuously), "Pull a rabbit out of the hat" (surprising everybody) & "Bunny Boiler" (a woman who is obsessed with a man).
6. Lastly who could forget the playful, cheeky and adventurous "Bugs Bunny" - u really love to hate/adore (whichever way you may wish to judge anyway) this character!!!
A very happy Chinese New Year to all ..... & to Angelina Jolie of course!!!!
It's ROS not ROC ... My Error
In my posting re: 'Kita Wants To Be The Main Opposition", I inadvertently typing ROC (Registrar of Companies) when I touched on the registration issue of Kita. It should be ROS (Registrar of Societies instead ... It's my inadvertent error & I apologise for that.
Moving on it was reported in NST @ 1/2/2011 at page 31 that Kazakhtan's constitutional council rejected a referendum to extend President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rule until 2020. Reason for the rejection is that it does not comply with the constitution...
Fine but it was reported in the TV3 8 o'clock news @ 2/2/2011 that the Kazakhstan's Parliament had passed a law paving the way for the 70 (Q: How old is Hosni Mubarak anyway?)year old President seeking a re election which would extremely be in his favour!! It's not a surprise as the Kazakhstan's House of Parliament has not even a single opposition seat - this is a truly "1 Kazakhstan" ....
The President had been in power for 20 years and the "rakyat" had only known and became accustomed to the one and only leader/President Nursultan since the independence from the Soviet Union.
Now is the year 2011 and by the 2020, what would happen to the uranium rich plus other industrial metals & oil Kazakhstan? .... What a pity!!!
Reason being
Moving on it was reported in NST @ 1/2/2011 at page 31 that Kazakhtan's constitutional council rejected a referendum to extend President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rule until 2020. Reason for the rejection is that it does not comply with the constitution...
Fine but it was reported in the TV3 8 o'clock news @ 2/2/2011 that the Kazakhstan's Parliament had passed a law paving the way for the 70 (Q: How old is Hosni Mubarak anyway?)year old President seeking a re election which would extremely be in his favour!! It's not a surprise as the Kazakhstan's House of Parliament has not even a single opposition seat - this is a truly "1 Kazakhstan" ....
The President had been in power for 20 years and the "rakyat" had only known and became accustomed to the one and only leader/President Nursultan since the independence from the Soviet Union.
Now is the year 2011 and by the 2020, what would happen to the uranium rich plus other industrial metals & oil Kazakhstan? .... What a pity!!!
Reason being
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Collapsed ceiling ... Oh No Not Again!!!!
It appears that there were so many interesting news reported in the NST @ 31 January 2011 .... One of which was regarding the collapsed ceiling at the main lobby of the Serdang Hospital on 30 January 2011.
The report appeared below the picture in the news said that "several Public Works Department personnel inspecting the collapsed ceiling ... " though the picture showed they were "talking" or is it "discussing" the issue after inspection? I am confused here as the picture showed a different thing altogether!!!
It was also reported that the incident was a first which has occurred since the hospital started operating in December 2005. To this, I could not argue as it might be the case but looking at things "globally" or rather "nation wide", collapsed of ceiling at Serdang hospital is not the first. The Court Complex experienced it on a number of occasions so as the august Parliament building!!!!
Moving forward.... another contractor(s) to be blacklisted? Let's wait - going by the rate of the "collapsed" incidents this country might be out of contractors soon ....
By the way, my eyes caught a large banner at the Main Lobby which actual readings were illegible but something on - "Ke Arah .... 3S. Pelancaran Program Amalan 3S, Jabatan .... Hospital Serdang" ....[Note: Anybody please help me with this "3S". Is it "Selamat, Sejahtera & Sihat"?]
My only hope is that this "Amalan 3S" has nothing - even remotely - connected to the unfortunate incident ....
The report appeared below the picture in the news said that "several Public Works Department personnel inspecting the collapsed ceiling ... " though the picture showed they were "talking" or is it "discussing" the issue after inspection? I am confused here as the picture showed a different thing altogether!!!
It was also reported that the incident was a first which has occurred since the hospital started operating in December 2005. To this, I could not argue as it might be the case but looking at things "globally" or rather "nation wide", collapsed of ceiling at Serdang hospital is not the first. The Court Complex experienced it on a number of occasions so as the august Parliament building!!!!
Moving forward.... another contractor(s) to be blacklisted? Let's wait - going by the rate of the "collapsed" incidents this country might be out of contractors soon ....
By the way, my eyes caught a large banner at the Main Lobby which actual readings were illegible but something on - "Ke Arah .... 3S. Pelancaran Program Amalan 3S, Jabatan .... Hospital Serdang" ....[Note: Anybody please help me with this "3S". Is it "Selamat, Sejahtera & Sihat"?]
My only hope is that this "Amalan 3S" has nothing - even remotely - connected to the unfortunate incident ....
"Kita Wants To Lead Opposition" @ NST 31/1/2011 pg 14
A short note on the above news report in today's NST ...
It was reported from Kuching, Sarawak that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the President of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita)said that the said party's aim is to become the country's main opposition party...
I would not comment on the typical politicians' remarks or snub against another fellow politician in the report as I am not interested in those games of theirs.
What I have to agree is when Datuk Zaid said - " What we want to do is to make the opposition meaningful, effective and active... In the long run, this is what the country needs...."
The above statement by him has my full support as I have always believe in a strong & effective opposition (be it from any side of the political leaning) is good as "check and balance" to the incumbent government of the day .... This is to ensure that no Bills/Acts/Laws are being "bull dozed" at the shortest time of debating at Parliament and the too frequent amendments to the Federal Constitution resulting it being "brain dead" ....
To Datuk Zaid, good luck to you and best wishes ... By the way, has the ROC OK Kita registration and/or matters related thereto?
It was reported from Kuching, Sarawak that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the President of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita)said that the said party's aim is to become the country's main opposition party...
I would not comment on the typical politicians' remarks or snub against another fellow politician in the report as I am not interested in those games of theirs.
What I have to agree is when Datuk Zaid said - " What we want to do is to make the opposition meaningful, effective and active... In the long run, this is what the country needs...."
The above statement by him has my full support as I have always believe in a strong & effective opposition (be it from any side of the political leaning) is good as "check and balance" to the incumbent government of the day .... This is to ensure that no Bills/Acts/Laws are being "bull dozed" at the shortest time of debating at Parliament and the too frequent amendments to the Federal Constitution resulting it being "brain dead" ....
To Datuk Zaid, good luck to you and best wishes ... By the way, has the ROC OK Kita registration and/or matters related thereto?
Poor Tok Bakar Ismail of Kangar, Perlis
It's quite amusing but felt pity for an 85 year old Bakar Ismail who hails from Kampung Sungai Padang, Simpang Empat, Kangar, Perlis when I turned to page 14, NST (31 January 2011).
Judging by the picture of Tok Bakar who stood by his 70cc bike he bought 30 years ago, he could not be "judged" as a "Mat Rempit" or to put it politically correct terms as somebody who could beat the speed limit.
What happened was he was issued with traffic summons for speeding on a 500cc super bike that he does not own!!!! The best part was he was being caught speeding amongst others at Km6.2 of the North-South Expressway between KL and Seremban on 30 July at 1.53 PM - that's far way south mind you!!!!
In his own words, To Bakar used a "Mat Motor" lingo - ' There must be some confusion because the super bike's number plate is PV738, which is the same as the kapchai (Honda 70cc) that I bought from a friend 30 years ago". [Note: This Honda 70cc was also owned by Apak those days and trust me, it just could not speeding!!!!].
In the news report, Tok Bakar had been asked to write an appeal and to state his case to the Bukit Aman Traffic headquarters for the summons to be cancelled.
To Tok Bakar, I wish the matter could be settled soon & how I wish I could be on that Honda 70cc for a ride around the kampung ......
Judging by the picture of Tok Bakar who stood by his 70cc bike he bought 30 years ago, he could not be "judged" as a "Mat Rempit" or to put it politically correct terms as somebody who could beat the speed limit.
What happened was he was issued with traffic summons for speeding on a 500cc super bike that he does not own!!!! The best part was he was being caught speeding amongst others at Km6.2 of the North-South Expressway between KL and Seremban on 30 July at 1.53 PM - that's far way south mind you!!!!
In his own words, To Bakar used a "Mat Motor" lingo - ' There must be some confusion because the super bike's number plate is PV738, which is the same as the kapchai (Honda 70cc) that I bought from a friend 30 years ago". [Note: This Honda 70cc was also owned by Apak those days and trust me, it just could not speeding!!!!].
In the news report, Tok Bakar had been asked to write an appeal and to state his case to the Bukit Aman Traffic headquarters for the summons to be cancelled.
To Tok Bakar, I wish the matter could be settled soon & how I wish I could be on that Honda 70cc for a ride around the kampung ......
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
It"s By Elections Season ...
After the Galas by election, now Tenang a which is situated in the Segamat District becomes the household names. All this is because of the passing of the ADUN Tenang recently where the seat was declared vacant - not because of the reappearance of the 6.3 meter python which swallowed a medium 15 years ago at Felda Ledong, Tenang.
Every heads are now literally turned to Tenang - be it the politicians, the novice politicians or even the pseudo politicians... When I said politicians meaning they are pure political animal though I had a tough time of deriving at a conclusion of whether the recent visits by the YAB PM and the YAB DPM plus other Ministers (including the Wi Fi Minister)in their official capacity or as a politicians or as a "campaigner"!!! And mind you it's not even the nomination day at that point of the visits ... If it's in the official capacity then no offence under the Election Offences Act is committed then, I supposed!!!
How lucky Tenang is compared to the rest of the constituencies in Malaysia as suddenly everything is being literally "poured" there and "Kampung Wi Fi" become in existence in its abundance!!!! Looking it the other way, Tenang is now not so "tenang" anymore.
The next itinerary for these politicians would be Port Klang State seat though it might most probably becomes entangle with legal issues as to whether YB Badrul Hisham ( or is it ex YB?) is still the legal representative of the Port Klang folks despite the Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly declaring the seat as vacant due to its elected representative had been absent from the DUN sitting for 6 months...
Touching on Port Klang issue, I read somewhere in the NST a certain politician from a certain party criticising PR for their lack of capable candidate to represent the people of Port Klang - to be exact the comment was something like this - "this is what happened when a half past six candidate is being picked to represent the people ..." Ironically, Badrul Hisham quit PKR and joined UMNO in October 2010 ... He is definitely not a half past six candidate then!!!!
While in this by election season, just enjoy the instant developments poured in the constituencies concerned .... My only sympathy is of course to the Surau or Balai Raya which might be in a state of confusion because every time election is coming, somebody must come and "membuka Surau/Balai Raya Secara Rasminya" .... Is it not being "buka secara rasmi" before and years ago?
Happy voting Tenang folks including the mere 18 postal voters ...
Every heads are now literally turned to Tenang - be it the politicians, the novice politicians or even the pseudo politicians... When I said politicians meaning they are pure political animal though I had a tough time of deriving at a conclusion of whether the recent visits by the YAB PM and the YAB DPM plus other Ministers (including the Wi Fi Minister)in their official capacity or as a politicians or as a "campaigner"!!! And mind you it's not even the nomination day at that point of the visits ... If it's in the official capacity then no offence under the Election Offences Act is committed then, I supposed!!!
How lucky Tenang is compared to the rest of the constituencies in Malaysia as suddenly everything is being literally "poured" there and "Kampung Wi Fi" become in existence in its abundance!!!! Looking it the other way, Tenang is now not so "tenang" anymore.
The next itinerary for these politicians would be Port Klang State seat though it might most probably becomes entangle with legal issues as to whether YB Badrul Hisham ( or is it ex YB?) is still the legal representative of the Port Klang folks despite the Speaker of the Selangor State Assembly declaring the seat as vacant due to its elected representative had been absent from the DUN sitting for 6 months...
Touching on Port Klang issue, I read somewhere in the NST a certain politician from a certain party criticising PR for their lack of capable candidate to represent the people of Port Klang - to be exact the comment was something like this - "this is what happened when a half past six candidate is being picked to represent the people ..." Ironically, Badrul Hisham quit PKR and joined UMNO in October 2010 ... He is definitely not a half past six candidate then!!!!
While in this by election season, just enjoy the instant developments poured in the constituencies concerned .... My only sympathy is of course to the Surau or Balai Raya which might be in a state of confusion because every time election is coming, somebody must come and "membuka Surau/Balai Raya Secara Rasminya" .... Is it not being "buka secara rasmi" before and years ago?
Happy voting Tenang folks including the mere 18 postal voters ...
A short Note To Ponder - "Stop being a Politician Be a Leader!!!"
I am compelled to write this short post due to the recent developments in our beloved country ... I do not have any specialties - like a degree/master in political science - in politics but I want to give my view on this issue.
Malaysia embraced a democratically elected representatives system - though I am quite sceptical of the system anyway - every four or five years in General Elections where registered voters cast their votes. This is the democratic cycle in Malaysia to simply put it ...
My concern is our elected representatives - from top to bottom be it from the duly elected Government (with a capital letter "G" signifying the peoples' role in "forming" the Government)or the other side of the fence are too busy politicking. Every issues are politicised or being "played up" out of proportion ... I guess we are quite familiar with the issues. Every damn politicians or the so called politicians would start lodging police reports or challenging each other for a debate!!!
Please wake up and do your work - be a leader because once you are elected by the people you are the Government of the people or elected representative of the people. so no more "Satu Lagi Projek Kerajaan Barisan Nasional" please!!! It should be read as "Satu Lagi Projek Kerajaan Malaysia" - just to name one example .... Please be matured politically at least ....
the conclusion to those politicians is - "Start being a True Leader not Politicians" at least for the term you had been elected. Once your term is over and the election is due then be a politician ....
Malaysia embraced a democratically elected representatives system - though I am quite sceptical of the system anyway - every four or five years in General Elections where registered voters cast their votes. This is the democratic cycle in Malaysia to simply put it ...
My concern is our elected representatives - from top to bottom be it from the duly elected Government (with a capital letter "G" signifying the peoples' role in "forming" the Government)or the other side of the fence are too busy politicking. Every issues are politicised or being "played up" out of proportion ... I guess we are quite familiar with the issues. Every damn politicians or the so called politicians would start lodging police reports or challenging each other for a debate!!!
Please wake up and do your work - be a leader because once you are elected by the people you are the Government of the people or elected representative of the people. so no more "Satu Lagi Projek Kerajaan Barisan Nasional" please!!! It should be read as "Satu Lagi Projek Kerajaan Malaysia" - just to name one example .... Please be matured politically at least ....
the conclusion to those politicians is - "Start being a True Leader not Politicians" at least for the term you had been elected. Once your term is over and the election is due then be a politician ....
New Dawn @ African Conttinent - People Movement
Since last month Tunisia is facing what had been dubbed as "Jasmine Revolution" ...The country especially its capital, Tunis is facing thousands of young protesters initially ignited by a fruit seller who set himself ablaze in protest of police abused.
Since then, President Ben Ali had left to Saudi and the interim government comprising of the old guard regime had collapsed or rather in shaky position. For the Tunisians, they have had enough of the old guard and wanted to start anew.
This Jasmine Revolution is seen as a "youth revolution" as half of Tunisians are below 25 is also supported by the trade unions and university students. These enfranchised youths had done what could not be done before i.e. ousting the old dictatorial regime.
The Tunisians Jasmine Revolution had since recent weeks spreads to other part of the African Continent such as Yemen, Algeria and Egypt. Except for Egypt & Algeria where there were reported sporadic protests before, Yemen's development is an interesting as it is seldom heard before - what more one of the protest leaders is a woman activist Tawakul Karman from an Islamist Party Islah.
The most worried party in this latest development - of course apart from the incumbent regimes in those countries - in the African continent is of course the United States - reasons? oil and the unfounded fear of the rising of Islamic movement ....
The other worrying part - as reported in the news - is that (especially in Tunisia) the youth revolution is about to be hijacked by professional politicians ... by the way since when politicians are professional?
Let's look and ponder at home ... our youths are busy "lepaking" at the shopping malls. The university students? well at least one college @ University Malaya managed to complete a "1 Malaysia" (anything else?) logo using thousands of straws ... Perhaps this is the direct effect of the recent report of Malaysia FDI rising by 401% ?
Till we meet again .....
Since then, President Ben Ali had left to Saudi and the interim government comprising of the old guard regime had collapsed or rather in shaky position. For the Tunisians, they have had enough of the old guard and wanted to start anew.
This Jasmine Revolution is seen as a "youth revolution" as half of Tunisians are below 25 is also supported by the trade unions and university students. These enfranchised youths had done what could not be done before i.e. ousting the old dictatorial regime.
The Tunisians Jasmine Revolution had since recent weeks spreads to other part of the African Continent such as Yemen, Algeria and Egypt. Except for Egypt & Algeria where there were reported sporadic protests before, Yemen's development is an interesting as it is seldom heard before - what more one of the protest leaders is a woman activist Tawakul Karman from an Islamist Party Islah.
The most worried party in this latest development - of course apart from the incumbent regimes in those countries - in the African continent is of course the United States - reasons? oil and the unfounded fear of the rising of Islamic movement ....
The other worrying part - as reported in the news - is that (especially in Tunisia) the youth revolution is about to be hijacked by professional politicians ... by the way since when politicians are professional?
Let's look and ponder at home ... our youths are busy "lepaking" at the shopping malls. The university students? well at least one college @ University Malaya managed to complete a "1 Malaysia" (anything else?) logo using thousands of straws ... Perhaps this is the direct effect of the recent report of Malaysia FDI rising by 401% ?
Till we meet again .....
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
@2011 - Moving House
New Year 2011 marked a significant phase in my life so as to to my family - Aishah & the kids (Adil, Nadia & Afiq). Reason being we moved to our new house in Bangi during the last week of 2010 ... Alhamdulillah.
Being in a new place, we have to get to know the 'routes" to "makan place", the "kedai runcit" and wart not... All in all it had been a tiring but satisfying "pindah" session for us...
That Friday of the last week of 2010, I went to the UKM Mosque in Bangi and voila!! There he was, Syed Hishamuddin Bin Syed Adam @ Abang delivering the "Khutbah". I have posted re: Abang in my earlier posting.
I was so proud and excited being a "Makmum" to my old friend from my "kampung" but due to constraint of time I could not meet him up ... next time maybe.
I hope 2011 would be a "new beginning" for our family and as usual, Aishah was - and she still is - the most excited and happiest person on this earth - tending to her garden and so on ....At least this compensated for the "disappointment" of myself & Aishah for not being able to perform our Umrah last December.
Looking forward to blend in the "Bangi envionment" and to meet up with Abang one day. To all the well wishers - Noh, Fahmy, Sally, Haryati, Norm & Aishah friends ... thank you very much.
To Aishah, please stop buying flowers/plants - "dah tak ada tempat nak tanam dah"!!!
Till we meet again ....
Being in a new place, we have to get to know the 'routes" to "makan place", the "kedai runcit" and wart not... All in all it had been a tiring but satisfying "pindah" session for us...
That Friday of the last week of 2010, I went to the UKM Mosque in Bangi and voila!! There he was, Syed Hishamuddin Bin Syed Adam @ Abang delivering the "Khutbah". I have posted re: Abang in my earlier posting.
I was so proud and excited being a "Makmum" to my old friend from my "kampung" but due to constraint of time I could not meet him up ... next time maybe.
I hope 2011 would be a "new beginning" for our family and as usual, Aishah was - and she still is - the most excited and happiest person on this earth - tending to her garden and so on ....At least this compensated for the "disappointment" of myself & Aishah for not being able to perform our Umrah last December.
Looking forward to blend in the "Bangi envionment" and to meet up with Abang one day. To all the well wishers - Noh, Fahmy, Sally, Haryati, Norm & Aishah friends ... thank you very much.
To Aishah, please stop buying flowers/plants - "dah tak ada tempat nak tanam dah"!!!
Till we meet again ....
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