Race- Country or Me?

a malaysian Says:

January 29, 2010 at 8:26 pm HERE

If we want to criticise the government for its race based policies, it is only fair we also criticise our own race based mentality. To point the finger only one way is sheer hypocrisy. We have ALL contributed to the rot in some way – with our way of thinking, our actions, our words, our inactions, our apathy. None of us can claim to be innocent.

How many of us see ourselves as Malaysians first followed by our ethnicity? I think we all know the answer is not many. How many of us hold on to age old stereotypes i.e. Malays are lazy & stupid, Indians are untrustworthy & violent, Chinese are greedy & selfish? I think we all know the answer is quite a lot. How many of us then are willing to (to quote the late Michael Jackson) ’start with the man in the mirror and ask him to change his ways’?

Just as the government is guilty of playing us against each other, we are also guilty of playing ourselves up against each other. If Malaysia is to have any chance of a better future, we MUST change our mindsets. The old way of ‘every race for itself’ is NOT going to work. We need to see ourselves and each other as MALAYSIANS first and everything else a distant second. Then and only then will the wheels of change begin to turn. Until then we will remain stuck in the pit of quicksand that is the past, sinking lower with each passing minute.

There is still some hope left but my fellow Malaysians (yes, MALAYSIANS not Indians, Chinese, Malays or dan lain-lain), voting is just the tip of the iceberg. In the same way we’re all gung ho about getting people to vote, we need to get them (ourselves included) to think or rather re – think. The real change starts much sooner. In fact it starts right now.

“Be the change you want to see” – Gandhi

Setuju! Setuju!

Reply

Don't come home to Malaysia?

Don't Come home, Son is the titled of a much read post in Malaysian Insider...

Here's a short excerpt from the page

" To Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, this is what I have to say in response to your statement about emigration by ingrates.

Sometime in 1980, when I was a final-year student in London, I had a very short telephone conversation with my father. In those days, there were no call cards, skype or the like and international phone calls were expensive. He had a very simple message – “Don’t come home, son.” "

And after reading through the many comments... here I include my own.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This story has been oft told- and the reality is that many are facing this dilemma.

I notice that many comments came from the middle-aged, or the elderly, most of those whom have children.

I am currently 22, A Malaysian first, chinese second... and I regret to say that my parents also have that to tell me: Go Australia, Go Singapore, go somewhere where there's equality and a good way of life.

Am I being unfilial by not obeying that command?

I hope I am not- because I am filial to this motherland of mine.

Yes the road is getting bumpier, the scenery turning into shades of grey... but I believe 柳暗花明又一村, that is, there is light at the end of the tunnel.. and but hopefully that isn't the headlights of the oncoming train.

Jokes aside. This is my country. I am born here. I love this country because of its people, the multitude of colours, personalities and faces, the lahs, mahs, aiyoyos, the "teh-tarik KAU kurang gula mau buih manyak" orders... The Azan that we hear, the bells that ring, the smell of fireworks, the red pows and green pows..., recently Chong Wei’s smile after he won and how he kissed the Jalur Gemilang…. in this potpourri... the amalgam of culture and tradition--it is unique- found nowhere else on earth.

Sadly, things are getting ugly. Its getting from bad to worse... It feels like its getting nowhere. We want to throw in the towel, to abandon ship, to fight another day, or just let someone else take the fight.
But, do hear what I have to say

I was on a stint for a medical posting in UK for 3 weeks.

I admire the country for its cleanliness, its transport system that is always on time, its politicians who are forced to quit their post when they are suspected of corruption. (YES! being suspected is already a way-out ticket.) I look up to their waste management system, their council administration, their customer service.

I love how they manage their ecosystems, how they maintain their tourist spots, how their road signs come a few times before the fork of the road at 100m, 50m ( so unlike KL where some signs show up past the fork!), their cars come dirt cheap- (a 2nd VW beetle in mint condition goes for 14000 pounds- ard RM80000; the cheapest 2nd hand car I noticed was a Ford selling for 1400 pouns- around RM8000!)

But despite all that.. I wouldn't want to live there. It's not my home. My heart still lies with this country.

Many Malaysians living overseas have relatives sending over sambal-belacan, dumplings, otak-otak, and the whole assortment of spices, they yearn for the sights and sounds from home, they yearn for the -lahs at the ends of a sentence, they yearn for the connections to their identity... but all this yearning takes a backseat when the reality of life looms large, I know. They try to find a better life overseas…

But, note that where I've been its not that rosy, not that perfect.

Nottingham experienced a bar-room brawl culminating in a shoot-out a week before I arrived. The 2nd hand bike I bought was stolen just 3 hours after I oiled the chains. The hostel I was provided with was broken in and a laptop stolen. Illegal immigrants make their presence felt now and again, almost all stores close at 5pm, the weather is extremely depressing during winter, (it was already moodiness inducing in autumn), the cost of accomodation is high despite the overall cost of living is manageable.

I'm not sure whether my message remains coherent- but I really do feel that hujan batu di Malaysia is better than hujan emas di UK, AUS atau pulau Singa. Because I grew up here. Because It's where I belong.

Should I migrate somewhere,I can’t help but feel that there will always be the nagging feeling that I missed out. The feeling that I stopped guiding my daughter through university and abandoned her in Primary 6…. The nagging thought that I gave up too early…. The sensation of emptiness in a foreign land where you know you don’t really belong, you want to make a pilgrimage home just to see how your hometown has changed

I won’t give up, not just yet. I will fight for change. I will exercise my vote. I will spread the word that we are taking this country back. For those of you who thinks that Malaysia is a lost cause- you should have gone to the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow- there you will be inspired. You may catch a glimpse of it here http://resonating-ripple.blogspot.com

Many people have given up the good fight without even trying. They lament and complain, but they did not strive to better the condition , they didn’t heed the clarion call for change, they didn’t voice their support for the cause, they didn’t sign petitions, they didn’t rally to the peaceful marches… they just threw in the towel before they broke a sweat.

Now would it hurt if we just try? Try to make our voices heard? Try to strive a little before calling it quits? Try to push for change instead of sitting arms crossed and waiting for things to happen?

I end my comment with these observations:

The lawyers think that doctors get easy money- pop-pop the stethoscope and there's RM50-
The Doctors think that the accountants have less risks and the money comes easy,
The accountant thinks that the engineers job is more engaging and interesting
The engineer thinks that lawyers earn easy money- just sign a document and there's RM50


Indonesians come to Malaysia,
Malaysians migrate to Singapore,
Singaporeans go to Australia,
Australians go to Europe,
Europeans come to Malaysia for Malaysia my second home. (oh ok, not that true but you get the drift)

the moral of the story- be content with what you have and you are always happier that way.

I may be young, you may think my views are idealistic, too far fetched, unattainable… but I beg thee, just try.

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia roadshow- Taking back our country

 

Yesterday, on the 23rd of January 2010, the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow came to KL, at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

I came, I saw, I went back Inspired...

and here is a summary of the event, to be completed tomorrow (today is 24th)and the pictures will be loaded in around the 26 when I have access to my own computer.

It has since been completed. Photos Tomorrow

PART 1

!!! There is an alternative to the “official warped version of our Nation’s Independence History”- Sepuloh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka- by Fahmi Reza!

 

Although I arrived at the screening 20 minutes late, here are my impressions

The message:

1) PUTERA-AMCJA fought for our independence as hard if not harder than our textbook version of UMNO-MCA-MIC coalition (UMMC)

They were more Left-Wing and thus The British picked the UMMC to lead instead.

There was an alternative Constitution for Malaysia and the Malaya’s people rejected the Reid Commission’s version through a nationwide “hartal”. A voluntary stop work protest involving the whole of peninsular Malaya. The Alternative Constitution was ignored by the British. It was better as it was written by the populace, much fairer, and just.

The Left-wing statesmen were silenced when their influence unsettled our colonialists. The silencing was done through the veil that was named “The communist Emergency” where 28000++ people were arrested and dibuang negeri etc for
 Being a communist
 Colluding with communists
 Involved in suspicious activities, communist sympathizers

In which over 10000 of those were Malays. The communist emergency was an excuse to remove these nationalists who were doing too good a job at awaking our sleeping populace about their rights and the colonialist’s wrongs.

2) The Mainstream Media- exactly like what we have today, have bootlicking policies and thus painted a bad picture of PUTERA-AMCJA. The Racist agenda have been subliminally planted by these ppl who claimed
 Chinese and Indian immigrants are only here for the ride- to grab what they can and send everything back home to China and India. NONE of them plan to stay so why plan our country’s constitution with them in mind
 That these immigrants, being here, stripped the “hujan emas di tanah Melayu” from reaching the Tempayans of the Malays… siphoned it away…
 The sowed mistrust, further consolidating the British’ ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. ( this policy ensures the 3 races will never unite, and without unity, the British will continue to rule with impunity)
 ( The British’s pre-requisite to allow independence was: Only if there was unity of the races—ahhhh, how ironic eh?)

3) Dato Onn’s attempt to Change UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) to United Malayans National Organisation which will enable non-Malays to enter.. did not receive support from the members, and he stepped down. (this was in our history texts, but was not significant when not interpreted in context)

These are some of the messages---

But the take home message: Learn about the True History of our Nation. Not the glossed over –snipped edges one

Comments:

Fahmi Reza is a first time director and his efforts must be commended. The Movie was interesting and the subtitles helped a lot. But the length and myriad of topics covered are not necessarily in chronological order and tends to confuse me. Maybe an edited short 5 minute version may pique the interest of the masses to see the full length version. 


PART 2

Human Beings, All born free and Equal

This part of presented by Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos and pastor Sivin Kit. (the name intrigues me to no-end and in fact I can’t get the name out of my head! What-the…)

 

Quotations from the Quran dominated Mr Jaha's presentation and while the content was clear, It did bore me-
I think part of it had to do with my discomfort and disagreement with Islam’s and Christianity’s holy scriptures that state that
- Their creator created earth and all beings on it for Mankind’s use- and we are entitled to use whatever we set our eyes upon, all the natural resources, all the animals are for our consumption. The Creator offered Animals to lead. But they declined, so mankind stepped forward and took charge instead.

Being an Agnostic, I disagree.
First, the concept that earth was ‘created’ is moot. Second, that we are stewards of mother earth and we have responsibility to care for it is not highlighted, instead, we are told to use all that we see.

Where lies prudence? Consideration for our progeny? Sustainability?
The environmentalist in me is considerably irked whenever I hear such statements
“ all flora and fauna are created for men’s use. “

ditto when The Selangor Department of Environment- Puan Che Asmah Ibrahim, gave her Keynote address during the See Green, See Life Environmental Carnival

Therefore I made my exit 10 minutes into the presentation to view the stands outside, only to comeback midway into Sivin Kit’s Presentation. His slide presentation was unique and technologically appealing, (note to self- must learn what programme was he using) but regrettably, I phased out and didn’t quite grasp the message.

Edit 27/1/10 His slides can be found here
After having a full look at his presentation, I find his slides very meaningful and it makes me regret not being there throughout. Thus I have removed my comments from previously

Comments


PART 3

Art Harun: Dispelling myths of the constitution (if does have another title, I think)

 

First we are enlightened on the principles of a constitution. (written here with my layman understanding of it)

 A constitution or Perlembagaan is a document of a country where all laws and ordinance are enacted with the constitution as a blueprint, as a template… A suitable analogy for the scientifically inclined is it is just as how proteins are encoded based on genes imprinted in our DNA

 Such a document is not static. It is not set in stone. It is subject to revision, to amendments, to fortifications, to repeals- by parliamental debate and voting. So far around 600 different alterations have been made to our constitution. It is intended to be revised, intended to be so by Lord Reid, by the British, by our Late Tunku

With that In mind, lets come to what Articulations Harun has to bring to the fore

A few Articles of the constitution are laid bare here

1) Article 153 – Special rights of the Malays and the Indigenous people
Where the rights are actually special positions.. to be looked after by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who merely acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. So when people claim debating the constitution (as in the Perak Constitutional crisis) is an ACT of TREASON or menderhaka, it is incorrect.

4 points of Article 153 is with regards to
 the giving of scholarships
 the placement in civil service
 the entrance to institutions of learning
 the giving of contracts and tenders

one key point to note here that the entrance to institutions of learning only applies to academic placements after MCE. That is, after SPM. So the MRSM system for Secondary school education where only a quota of 10% are given to Non-bumis entrance is contravening the constitution. So, should that be revised?

By questioning the suitability of the articles, we promote debate on whether such an article is still relevant in this day and date.. because the constitution was set up more than half a century ago. And as said before, It is intended to be revised. In fact, the British had in mind to repeal Article 153 fifteen years post independence, where they believed our Malay citizens have reached equal footing with the rest of Malaysians. That is by 1971 or 72, this article should have undergone revision and removed should it be appropriate.

Harun is of the opinion that now, almost 40 years after the intended date of revision, where our Malays have reached economic superiority…… why should the so called tuan Tanah still require protection, why are they thought to require crutches?

 

2) Article 11 (if not mistaken) Islam as the official Religion of Malaysia
Here, Harun shows that in no way should article 11 be interpreted to mean that Malaysia is not a secular state.

Islam is the official religion Malaysia means: It is the official religion for official ceremonies, for Islamic prayers to start begin during fuctions, for Islamic holidays to be national holidays, and many more interpretations, but all within this understanding.

No where does it say that Malaysia is a Religion based Country with Islamic Laws overseeing Common Law and all its peoples must profess one religion. That would be contravening article 12 (once again if not mistaken) that grants the right of religion to every citizen of Malaysia.

Many other people would be able to explain this better than I can but this is the gist of it.

The confusion arised because our dear Dr M told the Parlimentarians that Malaysia is an Islamic state and many jumped the gun to give fantastic spin to its interpretation.

Previously (and some say they still do) PAS was adamant on making Malaysia an Islamic Nation. As per the constitution it is not possible, but that doesn’t stop people from harping over it.

Comments:
(I’ll be taking off at a tangent here, skip this part if you want to stay on course )

I don’t really see what benefits one can gain, Islamic state or not. Civilian laws are quite adequate to police our peace. Syariah law may put some people off, but I for one, and I speak for myself only, favour Hudud laws. Chop the thief’s hand off and he is very unlikely to steal for the rest of his life.

Yes, yes you may argue its uncivilised, barbaric and such. But laws from western nations are not that perfect. Civilised laws did nothing to prevent school shootings to occur. On the other hand, School Canings and other forms of capital punishment, which our parents were brought up with, served the nation well.

Too many young children of today are much too sheltered and protected in bubble wraps that they grow up indifferent, unapologetic, demanding, materialistic and individualistic, if you ask me

note: I do have double standards. I don’t think Karthika deserve to be whipped. But I really hope snatch thieves can have some of their appendages separated from them. It may not be the answer to the root cause of the issue, but it certainly works as a deterrent.


INTERLUDES

Tea break: Observations
1) The food was tasty! I like the corn pudding very much!
2) A big Thank you to the organizers for choosing a caterer that avoids the use
of polystyrene. The white coffins are in my sights far too often.

 

3) The crowd didn’t mingle that much- hmmm, make that I didn’t mingle that much-
- I felt out of depth, somewhat shy because everyone seemed to know at least someone else in the crowd, me being an exception. There’s no need to be shy, I know- I’m not that shy actually but somehow I didn’t know how to start a conversation with this crowd. Felt I was too young and knew too little.

Musicians: 5 minute breaks serve to break the monotony; where a busker (street musician) and one of the Voter registrars (Danny) gave a political pop entertainment!

1) the musicians were obscured becaused they didn’t take centre stage. Literally, they were given a spot just at the left side of the hall where they were not very conspicuous.

2) the PA system experienced technical faults on both occasions… the audience were not captured in the first few crucial minutes so many left the hall during this interlude

3)The Drums Session:

 

I don’t know the name of the coordinator, but I met him once during a Jom Tangani Stress Carnival At Sekolah Menengah Taman Permaisuri passing percussion instruments into young hands and coordinating a fruitful musical session. He is back here today, apt at ‘making noise’ and making that racket tuneful!

 

This session was fun, somewhat too loud if you’re in the front ten rows, can’t see the performers that well if you’re beyond ten but it made at least 3 quarters of the audience stamp their feet or clap their hands! And just as the organizers intended it to be- it is a wake up session for the attendees! My ears rang for 10 minutes into the next presentation though hehe.

 

PART 4
Haris Ibrahim from the People’s Parliament

Haris Managed to drive the message home strongly, straight to the heart. I felt my heart sink, and saw an elderly gentleman take off his glasses and ran his arm beneath his brow…

Haris’ Title was Are we a nation in distress?
I say: "The Hell we are."

 

- We are the world’s laughing stock for so many reasons!
We’re at war over a single word.
We are caning a woman,
We lost two jet engines,
We’re buying decade old train carriages for astronomical prices,
We are now on the way to the international courts for debt on the loan of THE EYE ON MALAYSIA,
We could not accept Chin Peng, but open arms wide and gave almost state burial for the terrorist, Nordin bin Md Top
We’ve slipped off the ladder of transparency international, our ex-PM claims “a few” corrupt politicians have been given the boot by the current PM, but wouldn’t say who are the rest?

- Mat rempits are given offers to journey to the north pole and rehabilitated while our indigenous people are being trampled
- Our education system is going nowhere. We’re still debating on the medium of instruction, flippity-flappity-flap. Our graduates have no motivation nor direction in life.


- Religious harmony wise, after the cephalic bovine incident, we are now dealing with arsons, some idiots are stoking the fire by burning THEIR own place of worship

- The poor are poorer, the rich aren’t that well off, the very rich are moving their businesses overseas.. they claim its just too volatile here

- Our ministers claim that we have eradicated poverty. We have a poverty percentage of 3% country wide. But that’s based on the cut off point of RM760/mth. Jayanath recommended any family of 5 who survives on that paltry sum to be the advisor of our Economic Planning Unit.

 

 

Are WE not a nation in distress?

DID WE LET IT HAPPEN?
Haris drove the message that the state of the nation, all its failures, all its institutions’ failures (the police, the executive, the judiciary, the Elections commission, the civil service) are to be borne by us, its citizens.


When A. Kugan Died- with 1805 others in a span of 7 years (averaging at 23 deaths per month under police custody) we pointed fingers at the men in blue.

When Teoh Beng Hock Died we pointed our fingers at MACC

When PKFZ happened we point our fingers at the Public Accounts Committee, and so many others

When corruption occurs we point our fingers at the police, at the bureaucratic red tape, at the greedy officials…

We sought to distance ourselves from these events, saying:
“It’s their fault, not ours.”
“Those greedy pigs, only know how to fill their pockets”
“those ma-ta only want duit kopi and never catch criminals”

But the failure of the system is our failure. Why is it our failure?

It’s our failure to push for change
It’s our failure for not ensuring check and balance occurred
It’s our failure for giving duit kopi when we are arrested, instead of letting the law take its course.
It’s our failure to voice our dissatisfaction, to show that we, the people will take no more shit.

We gave up the chance to show that we the citizens care, we take notice and we will take the matter into our votes; when we did not join the Bersih rally, the Bar council March, The anti-ISA candlelight vigil…

If 200 000 gathered in a peaceful rally- (its enshrined in the constitution as a freedom of expression, provided it is done peacefully)
The authorities would certainly get the message that people are angry, that they can no longer act aloof as though nothing happened, that we are watching, that we will kick them out should they continue.

Here’s my imagination of a typical rally

People come in the hundreds, the FRU and police come with their batons and tear gas,
The people run, or they stand, but in the end they disperse, a few get arrested, maybe one gets charged in court. Should it be done on a weekday, the authorities will say don’t disrupt the economy, people will complain about traffic jams that occurred, Economic losses will exaggerated out of proportion and the PM will say” don’t la go rally, stay at home la and be good citizen”. The Mainstream media downplays the protest of 500 people into “50 ignorant troublemakers”


Now imagine a Ideal Rally.

On a Weekend, with a permit if possible, with a suitably titled agenda
“ We want ISA abolished”, for example

-People gather in the number of two hundred thousand, 200,000.
-(It’s not impossible- KL has the population of 1-2 million)
-All the police and FRUs will be outnumbered, in fact if the whole crowd stamped
their feet at once KL will experience a Richter 3.0 earthquake,
-The Lockups of the whole KL will not be able to fit 1% of the crowd
-The Magistrates will have a headache trying to charge 100 people.
-The Blogs and facebook and the internet will be a flurry of activity and the
mainstream media will be forced to report the truth as the evidence is too much to be
silenced.

In the end, the police and FRU stand and watch, the protesters get their message across. The politicians will be afraid, very afraid that the protestors will translate this action into votes come the next election-----

AND THEY WILL MAKE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW AND CONSTITUTION.

Should you think this is impossible, Think about the Everyone Connects event at Jalan Bukit Bintang just 2 months ago featuring the hit song ‘Through my Window’, by the group bunkface. Multiply the turnout by a couple of times, and we have a perfect rally.


PART 5: THIS IS MY HOME. I CARE. I WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER
JAYANANTH APPUDURAI

 

 

 

Mr Jaya brought the audience down memory lane into nostalgic café, he told us why he loves this country, and invites everyone to think of their children.



The take home message: “CAN/ DO YOU WANT TO TELL THE CHILDREN OF THE NATION THAT MALAYSIA IS A LOST CAUSE?

Part 6
Question and Answer

 

The Q&A session to me was very fruitful, and it lasted around an hour, if not for the time, 7.45pm, we could have continued on…. But we overshot the time by a whole hour, skipping the film screening of Gadoh

Everyone felt the roadshow was a success, but everyone chipped in to make it better

A question from the audience took everyone by surprise: “how did you all fund this?”
I guess that part escaped most of our minds …

the answer to that was, funds are only raised through donations and the sales of SABM merchandise- such as the T-shirts and badges.

So someone suggested “let’s get a donation box going!” and most chipped in generously.

Food for thought:
It seemed very appropriate when a member of the audience suggested it, but I’m not quite sure it would have been very nice if the organizers started passing the donation box around from the outset.

Some Questions and Suggestions exchanged

 

1) The medium of the roadshow should be in Bahasa or English? According to Mr Jaya, the organizers tried using Bahasa in Penang, and it did not work out too well.

I think a healthy mix of both would be fine. Since all screenings are subtitled, they are not a problem. Also, since the whole event is videotaped, SABM can store it in their website archive for people to download, and subtitled inserted where appropriate. That way, the topics discussed in coming roadshows can by dynamic and continuously evolving, since the public can refer to previous topics online, or through CDs.

alternatively, when the public registers for the roadshow, probably the organizers can ask them to include the preferred language medium- and they can adjust the presentation accordingly, at different localities.

2) The time- someone felt the whole roadshow was too long. It should be more concise, and to the point.

 

I THINK- each topic attracts different people - the length may be maintained, but have a thorough overview of each topic/ event of presentation and let the audience decide which particular event attracts them, and they can come for that.

That said, The Q&A session should be right after each presentation, with a review at the end of the day. Lumping it all at the end of the roadshow risks the presenter being not around, or the audience that sat for that event has already left.

Probably SABM can have a FAQ section on understanding MALAYSIA on their website too.

Having the recordings also solve part of the problem.

3) Another interesting question was: Can the Voter’s vote be tracked by the SPR?
The answer – IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. Haris himself found a polling officer scribbling something down when he was registering to vote, he confronted him and the guy tried to downplay it. Haris remained firm and said- “if its nothing, erase it now “

I THINK – many Aunties and Uncles fear for their safety, and Ricebowls. They are not assured that their votes are not tracked, and they do not know the consequence should it occur. I guess, “it should not happen” is not a good enough answer for many, as their concerns lie with “what if it does”. I don’t know the answer- and I’ll let the organizers answer this.

4) It appears this roadshow only appeals to the educated professionals, how can the roadshow appeal to kampong-folk, and would they be interested?

The panellists’ answer
- kampong folk may be more enlightened and brave compared to urban folk, and
Haris cited a very humorous example!
- They are going for roadshows all over the country, the next one- February 6 in Ipoh
- the public can help by urging their relatives, friends and colleagues to attend the
roadshows slated to happen in other parts of the country.
- if there is a kenduri/ wedding somewhere in Sekinchan/ Sungai Petani- try to gather round the community over there and do ask the organizers to make an appearance.. they will definitely try to make it there
- The audience can pass what they learned from the roadshow to their friends, and the campaign to “balik kampong bawa berita” must go on to enlighten the masses who have been brainwashed by the mainstream media. SABM and the bloggers will be coming up with printable articles that the public can bring home during festive seasons- this coming CNY is a good opportunity. Let the atuks and neneks read the articles from the MSM and the alternative source and make their own comparison.

I THINK- THIS IS GREAT! I have nothing to add :-)

5) “How to appeal to the masses.” “All the talk is great- but not all can relate the problem to their rice bowl and thus not many are keen to act”. -Others don’t know how to act.

 

The proposed solution offered by members of the floor - Make the presentation more related to the public’s everyday life- make the examples heartfelt, “it could happen to you”, relatable

For SABM to list down the 10 things for people to do- easy simple things that can help spread the message.

I THINK-
- 10 tahun sebelum merdeka did a good job of comparing the effect of the People’s Constitution in comparison with our current Constitution
- Interfaith Dialogues to follow up on the discussion on religion
- Art Harun’s discourse of the Constitution’s articles- how does it relate to our current issues.. why should we be concerned, what are SABM’s following up action- proposing an amendment to the constitution? This is a good time to garner support
- Haris Ibrahim told us that by supporting the rallies we are making a difference. Many Chinese (I feel ashamed for my brethren) are not willing to put their necks out on the chopping board, they try to avoid trouble… how to change this mentality? Is there any other way for the public to show their support for a cause… something more concrete than a petition but less ‘risky’ than a demonstration?
- Mr Jayanath- try to beef up the presentation so that many Malaysians feel the warmth of the country, that patriotism isn’t that demanding, that we can make things happen—give examples of things that we MADE HAPPEN, so that people are inspired. Once again- the Chinese have the tendency to abandon ship when there’s any signs of failure… utterly ashamed of this: How do I convince them that we are not a lost cause?
- Q&A: before the start of the Q&A: the Mc can probably recap the questions from previous roadshows, so the audience would be aware of overlap.

 

6) This will be my section on the whole event, probably some repeats what I have mentioned above, briefly

The Good:
 The event was a success! My estimated audience turnout was aroud 300 people
 The panellists were good! The content was good! We learnt a lot


The Bad
 The hall arena was air-conditioned, but just behind it, some members of the audience and some of the organizers smoked… that wasn’t very nice. My dad was wondering whether I have a newfound habit when he caught a whiff

How to make it better:
- More details on the content of the speakers, to interest the public
- Topics should have clear goals and objectives,
- Q&A should be after each event, with a concluding Q&A session at the end
- Based on this Q&A- an FAQ section can be posted on the SABM website, thus avoiding repeats
- The screen at the Chinese assembly hall was small, but most likely it couldn’t be helped.
- Depending on the location and venue- ushers may be needed to fill up the blank space
- The anti-ISA booth and voter registration booth was in a cramped position, also I don’t think the organizers had a choice
- Attendees really shouldn’t smoke in a non-smoking area
- To encourage people to vote- cite concrete examples on how important each individual vote is. Have simple calculations of “what could have been” in so many states? Let the voters do the math and know what influence and power they could have. I’m only one person- why should I matter is a mentality that must be tackled with in so many different issues- Global Warming, Recycling, Voting, Rukun Tetangga, Gotong-royong… Let everyone come up with suggestions on how to address this.



Finally I want to congratulate the organizers for doing such a great job!!
Thank you guys for giving your time, money and energy for such a noble cause.
It will not be thankless, and we will help see the effort through~
Because of you, MALAYSIA IS NOT A LOST CAUSE.

 

 

 

P.s- Let us all help to promote the subsequent roadshows!

Great Roadshow- Forum not to be Missed!

Think that our country is sinking?
That every other word is sensitive nowadays?
Think that something should and can be done?

Well, you're in luck coz

Saya Anak Bansa Malaysia is on a roll with another road show, This time in Klang Valley!

Topics and Speakers on the day include:

The founding of the Nation, The truth
Fahmi Reza, Art Harun

Human beings, all born free and equal
Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos
Sivin Kit

Nation in Distress?

Did we let it happen?
Haris Ibrahim

This is my home. I care. I want to make it better.
Jayanath Appudurai

In the tradition of SABM, do please bring along a friend of another race!

Date 23 Jan Saturday
Time 2pm

To register
Call 03-2095-0435 12pm-7pm
or email events@sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net

for more info, click here


Note the difference with between Jibby's 1Malaysia, here

if you ask me; One's an effort through the heart, another's a half-baked farce

James Cameron's Avatar Review

It’s been a long night… but a very happy night!

First off, I’m feeling in the mood to blog again.

Second off, Avatar Rocks.

(THANK you thambi, and your generous friend!)

Third Off, I met Danny, A Jovial Taxi Driver who makes me realize a lot of things.


Uh… Now I’m reading the above lines… and the “….off” do sound weird, LOL!

I’ve been away from blogging for quite some time.
Paeds was hectic, and I didn’t quite put much effort into writing.
Ortho was less so, but I was caught up with the Environmental Carnival.. and since my Blog is about pushing for change, about opening eyes and minds, and I’m doing that much better by etching the Carnival out than writing here… I let resonating-ripple rest a bit :p

What made me blog? Avatar Did!

I really have to say, It’s the prettiest movie I’ve ever seen.
Especially those biolumisnescent Jelly Fish- Dandelion chimeras… They are so… dazzlingly beautiful…
And despite their size and short on-screen time, I’m made to believe they’ve each got their own personality.

The 3D rendering of the world,
- the waterfall that dropped off into misty sprays
- the tubeworm like plants
- the “TOUCH-ME-PLEASE because I glow pretty” plants (touch me nots, you’re a shame!)

-the communion dance around the tree, pulsating waves of light and energy going to the heart of Eywa…..

Ever felt like going to a place you’ve seen in a movie?
This movie is so SAD because It’s a place you can’t go to! I so Wanna Go there!

James Cameron,


I give you credit for
-Out Lucas-ing George Lucas! You’ve achieved your dream.
And as Sam Worthington Said “ It feels like that’s real, and this world is a dream”
-Sending a message so subtle yet so clear
-Doing all That in Style.

15 years was worth the wait. Salute, Salute.


Why?
Jimmy had his own fantasy movie in his head since he was 17.
He grew up drawing fantasy characters in his notebook with his Maths textbook shield-up in front during lessons.
He pictured his planets, his characters, his heroes, their powers….

Then he saw Star Wars… he went home.. and punched the wall.

He felt that he should have been the one to make that movie. Lucas Stole his limelight!


Fast forward his teenage and young adult years…
Now He’s in the Director’s chair of Titanic..
Building half a cruise liner on solid land only to blast it away…

But the time, 1994 I believe, was a sad time for America…
the mood of country at that time was sombre .. for economic and other reasons..

His movie went over budget by twice the original amount

Titanic’s Screening date arrived and went and they needed more time for post-processing so they had to make the Cinemas worldwide wait and change their release dates

If that wasn’t bad enough, He made a movie that in which Everyone Died!

“OH GOD!” He said to himself… “WHAT WAS I THINKING!”
He was given the ultimatum by the powers that be to wrap it up …but he persisted and relinquished his pay as a statement, a guarantee that he would see it through…

And Titanic Rose above the waves of doubt and became the best selling movie of the decade.



His reputation intact… and confidence building… he set out to film his dream movie…
ONLY to discover that technology couldn’t catch up with his imagination.

He had to wait, and he had to push
-push SONY Japan to Come up with a camera the world had not seen
-push Silver Screen conglomerates to accept Modifications in their cinemas worldwide to be 3D ready..
-Push Directors, Companies, Disney to come up with movies that sell so that the Conglomerate bosses would see that People want 3D movies..
(and that’s why we have Spy Kids 3D, Bolt 3D, Journey to the centre of the eath 3D, and yes, a Christmas Carol 3D…but of course, these were just appetizers.. coz he was cooking up a hell of a main course )

Through many trials and tribulations…

working with Weta Digital NZ (the company that made LOTR’s spectacles possible)

with Oxford Linguists- he made them craft out an entirely new language..

with biologists and scientists- Who thought up Common names, Scientific Latin names as well as Navi’ Names for each and every plant, animal and rock you see on screen, and catalogued all of that into an encyclopedia many times larger than Star Wars’.

He came up with this! And what a ride that was!

Back to the movie, It’s… groundbreaking, it’s Awe-inspiring.. it’s……. drool-inducing LOL….. and heart-breaking

Love it.

I mean, to come up with a technologically advanced movie is no mean feat…
But to add on to that a meaningful story, romance, action, adventure, all in beautifully rendered 3D…counts for much.

It certainly will be the movie of this Decade.

there are many messages woven into the storyline,
but the one I elaborate here resonates with the conservationist in me.

Human greed knows no bounds.
what you see happening on screen, is but a miniscule part of what is happening on our world.

In Malaysia,
Palm Oil plantations, Timber Merchants, Government Officials with pockets waiting to be lined up with Bakun dam overspending are all rubbing their grubby hands in glee while Malaysian Forests disappear off the Google Earth map that you see, hundreds of acres each day.

The Natives , the real bumiputras.. as I have so often said before
are the ones who suffer. Their lands get bulldozed over, their food, their home, their livelihood destroyed, their ancestral graves desecrated, their young women raped…their culture lost…

Nothing is left when $$ is allowed to rule.

Money is the root of all evil. Before you entertain the notion that I’m about to spew crap,
hear me out.

Humans started out like all other beings on earth, only taking what they need: food, and shelter.
Overtime, they traded through barter exchange what they didn’t produce…but because there is only so much leftover that you can swap…all is well.

After the invention of currency. EVERYTHING CHANGED.

With money you could buy a lot more that you need,
You end up with a lot of items non-essential for survival… take the mobile phone in your pocket, the Ipod your kid listens to while he ignores you, the multiple shoes your daughter keeps in her museum…

with the invention of money, people start to amass wealth, to indulge in frivolities,
and in the process, take away what once belonged to others.

Our tribesman drink from streams, from leaves
The healthy American drinks only bottled mineral water, but having dried up their own aquifers long ago, they are now globe trotting to Africa to pump away the land’s underground water supply, to be transported back home.

How much damage does that make, you ask? TOO MUCH.
The ground water having run dry, Africa’s Saharas threaten to evolve into more and more deserts and the land can no longer support vegetation. People have had to migrate from their homeland, and hman-animal conflicts become commonplace when food becomes scarce.

Is it fair? It is not. For someone to enjoy something on the expense of the suffering of another is unjust, and is not right.

For the rest of us using paper, timber, fuel, electricity,
remember that what you are enjoying isn’t guilt free.

I know these luxuries are now essentials and we really can’t live without them..
but the keyword here is moderation, and sustainability.

With each piece of paper that you use both sides, you are aiding the welfare of your countrymen by slowing down the destruction of their home.

With each kilometer travelled replaced by cycling or walking, you are reducing the need for petrol, the need for bio-fuel which comes from palm oil, the amount of green house gases and you exercise for your health at the same time.. Is that not a fair bargain?

With Each Kilowatt of energy saved by not putting the television on standby or leaving your computer on to download illegally, you are reducing the need for a new hydroelectric dam, or even worse, a coal plant to be built.

That is what you can do... for the sake of your people, for your children and grandchildren and it really is very easy to do.

I'll be writing on Mr Danny in the next post, considering it is 4am now.

If you've read this far, please do come to our See Green, See Life! carnival,
details at http://seegreenseelife.weebly.com

Event Website is Up!

See Green, See Life!
For a link to the Environmental CArnival @ HUKM @ 9/1/2010

See Green, See Life Environmental Campaign!

The event can be followed @ this facebook link
The official Website for the event

An environmental Campaign Organized by Medical Students of the National University of Malaysia (UKM) will be held in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM), Cheras
come January the 9th, 2010

Wtih the theme: See Green, See life!
Alternate theme : Alam Ceria, Warisan Kita



Below are the details of the programme, To be Finalized soon
there will be a better looking Poster version of the Event to be uploaded soon!

Here are some of the details of the programme.
Please feel free to comment or suggest on ways to improve upon our programme!

GENERAL INFORMATION

OFFICIAL SPONSORS : Tentatively CIMB bank, Digi Communications,
The Body Shop.

1. Exhibition themes :
• The Carbon Footprint –Global Warming
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Conservation

2. Workshops - Fabric Bags Painting/ Bookmarks/

3. Officiation ceremony :
Tentatively by the Vice Chancellor of the National University of Malaysia, Prof Dato Sharifah Habsah Syed Syahabuddin

4. Keynote Address Speech by
The Director Of The Department of Environment, Cik Asmah Ibrahim
Topic: Gentle Footsteps, Concrete action

5. Forum : Between Halal and Vegetarian Food
• A speaker from JAKIM - Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia ( to be finalized)
• Dr Pang CK, a practicing buddhist who currently is attached to General Hospital Kuala Lumpur. He is known for his books- {Don't worry be happy} as well as a frequent guest speaker for interfaith events
• Associate Professor Dr Poh Bee Koon.the honorary secretary of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, A Nutritionist as well as a Lecturer with National University of Malaysia, UKM.
• A moderator for the forum, tentatively, Associate Prof Dr Harlina Halizah Hj Siraj.


6. Undergraduate Presentations:
• Introduction to E=MC2 UM and UM Cares
• Premiere of “When I was Young” Environmental Competition Video Entries

7. Environmentally Themed Competitions

8. Invited Speaker __________ Topic: Crisis of Our times


9. Free Movie Screening: An Inconvenient Truth

10. Tentatively- A Green Artiste will be invited to perform.
11. Booths :

• Clinical Booths by UKM Medical Students

• NGOs- Malaysian Nature Society, World wildlife fund for Nature, Wildasia, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Save Our Seahorses, Turtle Conservation Centre etc

• Companies- Ecopak, Melsom, other companies selling recycled
products/ environmentally friendly products, Companies
offering Ecotourism packages

• Smaller SOHO companies selling environmentally friendly products:

• Governmental Organisations- Jabatan Alam sekitar, Ministry of
Environment and Resources

TARGET AUDIENCE
1) The General Public
2) UKM Medical Faculty Students
3) Staff of UKM Medical Centre
4) Undergraduates of UKM, Bangi
5) Undergraduates of Universities such as UM, UPM, MMU, UTAR, KTAR
6) Secondary school students from the area (Cheras.)


INFORMATION FOR GUESTS/ INVITED NGOS/ COMPANIES :

Location : UKM Medical Centre
(Pusat Perubatan UKM)
Jalan Yaacob Latif Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur

Meaning of Life? Examplified 人生意义

This was seen in an email.... Didn't expect the moral of the story to be in such a different direction! ;-)

有一對兄弟，他們的家住在80層樓。
>
> 有一天他們出去爬山，回家的時候，卻發現大樓停電了！雖然他們揹著一大 包的行李，但看來沒什麼選擇，於是哥哥對弟弟說：「我們爬樓梯上去吧！」
>
> 於是，他們就揹著一大包行李開始往上爬。
>
> 到了20樓的時候，他們開始累了！
> 哥哥告訴弟弟說：「包包太重了，這樣吧！我們把它放在20樓，先爬上去，等電來了再坐電梯下來拿。」，
> 弟弟說：「好！你真聰明！」，於是他們就把包包放在20樓，繼續往上爬。
>
> 卸下了沈重的包袱，輕鬆多了！他們一路有說有笑地往上爬。
>
> 但好景不常，到了40樓，兩人實在累了，想到只爬了一半，往前看，竟還有40樓要爬，兩人開始互相抱怨，指責對方不注意停電公告，才會落得如此下場。他們邊吵邊爬，就這樣一路到了60樓。
>
> 到了60樓，也許是累得連吵架的力氣都沒有了，哥哥對弟弟說：「只剩20層樓了，我們就不要吵了，默默地爬著 樓梯 ！」。
>
> 於是他們安靜地繼續走，終於，80樓到了！到了家門口，哥哥擺出了一個很帥的姿勢：「弟弟，開門！」，弟弟說 「別鬧了！鑰匙不是在你那兒嗎？」......，
>
> 結果，如你所想的，他們把鑰匙放在20樓的包包裡了！......
>
> ********************************************
>
> 有人說，這個故事其實在反映我們的人生。
>
> 20歲之前，我們活在家人、老師的期望和期許之下，背負著很多的壓力、包袱在走，自己也不夠成熟有能力，因此步履難免不穩。
>
> 20歲之後，離開了眾人的壓力，卸下包袱，開始全力追求自己的夢想，就這樣過了愉快的二十年。
>
> 可是到了40歲，發現青春早已過去，不免有許多的遺憾追悔，於是開始遺憾這個、惋惜那個、抱怨公司、抱怨社會、抱怨政府。。。。，就這樣在抱怨遺憾中度過了二十年。
>
> 到了60歲，發現人生已所剩不多，於是告訴自己，不要再抱怨了，就珍惜剩下的日子吧！於是默默地走完自己的餘年。
>
> 到了生命的盡頭，才想起自己好像有什麼事還沒完成。。。。，
> 原來，我的夢想還留在20歲，沒有完成。你也是如此嗎？
>
> 想想: 您的夢想是什麼？最在意的是什麼？不要到了40年後才來追悔。
>
> 想一想希望將來的自己和現在有何不同，就去做吧！。。。把握現在，記得，今天就是禮物。