project rain

What Future for Muslim Identity?

2006-11-29T18:12:00.000+08:00

Today, the Muslim world faces the most critical period of its history. It is a civilization standing at the crossroads, seemingly unable to carve a niche in the community of nations. The colossal tragedy that struck the United States on September 11, 2001, has once again put the House of Islam at the forefront of world affairs. And it can be decisively argued that a strategy for change in the Muslim world is one of the crying needs of the hour.

Though it would be erroneous to characterize the Muslim world as a monolith, it is fair to argue that not a single Muslim country today meets the criteria for modern political and social governance, religious liberty, economic evolution, gender equality, cultural prosperity, and human dignity. Muslims continue to live under dictators, autocrats, kings, and authoritarian rulers—in grossly oppressive conditions. Having lost the ability to face the outer world, which is motivated by concern for human rights, multiculturalism, and tolerance, the Muslim social fabric has seen little beyond sectarian strife, tribal wars, and suppression of women and minorities. Nearly one-fourth of the human population—1.2 billion people, living in fifty Muslim countries—face a grim and uncertain future. And those who habitually put the blame for their ills upon the colonial oppressors need only to be reminded of intra-Muslim carnage: witness the Muslim-on-Muslim violence that led to the division of Bangladesh from Pakistan, a country born in the name of Islam; the decade-long Iran-Iraq war; and the abject neglect of the Palestinian refugees by the wider Arab community, to name a few examples.

Historically, Islam absorbed and comprehended other cultures and gave them expression. The early Muslim civilization, heir to a rich and diverse intellectual stock—Roman, Greek, Indian, and Persian—accomplished a unique synthesis of ideas in all branches of knowledge. From the eighth to the thirteenth century, there were more religious, philosophical, medical, astronomical, historical, and geographical works written in Arabic than in any other language. And the religious code itself—that is, the Qur'an and the tradition of the Prophet—was a very liberal, forward-looking code of ethics.

So, in turning a critical eye to Islam, my focus would not be on the religious code. Rather, it would be on how to revive the culture of learning, how to revive the culture of tolerance, how to revive the culture of liberalism, which have remained at the core of Muslim civilization for centuries. We must ask: What are the factors that have gone into pushing that culture back into the Dark Ages, which is what we see today all over the Muslim world in this cultural impasse?

The Prophet of Islam, in his own city—in Medina, where he lived the later part of his life after he was forced to emigrate from Mecca—allowed Jews and Christians to coexist there. Did he subdue them? Did he force them to become Muslims? Did he kill them? He did not. This is the ideal. So we need to find out why this ossification has occurred in Muslim thought and behavior, which is now denying or altogether ignoring its own heritage—to its own detriment and to the detriment of the rest of the world. In the last few centuries, Muslim culture has grown inward instead of growing outward. There has been a rejection of anything “other.” It has become xenophobic, not in the racial sense but in the epistemological sense. It has an inward-looking attitude at the global, civilizational, and community levels. And this creates a literalism, which is equal to fundamentalism, that is the rejection of tolerance, the rejection of the other's opinion. This, to my mind, is a great hindrance to the peaceful coexistence of different ideals, different ideologies, and different religions, and it is a great obstacle to the Islamic world becoming a participant in global transformation. So I think this cultural impasse has to do with the current Islamic worldview, and we need a dynamic invocation that can play a pivotal role in breaking its grip on the Muslim mind and culture.

The formation of a democratically governed Muslim world must be driven by an imperative born out of a new Muslim recognition of their rights and responsibilities in a globalized world. For this mindset to emerge, Muslims must learn the magnanimity of critical self-analysis. While democratic freedom does not germinate out of the barrel of a gun, neither is it obtained by being oblivious to self-identity, to our own tradition. According to the teaching of the Prophet, one's cognizance of the Almighty is inseparable from the cognizance of the Muslim tradition of liberalism and tolerance. And the future of Muslim identity in the twenty-first century and beyond lies with that vital cognizance, not with confrontation.

Source

When A Knowledge-Driven Vision Seems Unclear, Assemble An Inferior Vision?

2005-08-15T10:50:00.000+08:00

Tangents
When A Knowledge-Driven Vision Seems Unclear, Assemble An Inferior Vision?
By A M Ubaidah S

A Brief Reason For This Piece

In the wake of the public uproar over AP Abuse and the Tax Under-Declaration of Imported Automobiles into Malaysia, the issue of the feasibility of Proton, the principal Malaysian national car project has again come into question. This also well coincides with the Malaysian Government’s long awaited re-look into the National Automotive Policy (NAP).

Whatever the views of the Malaysian public over the state of Proton the company and the quality and make of its cars, the dismissal of Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff from the post of CEO of Proton, some three months prior to his contract’s official end, has been seen as a move against a vision that he has championed and shared with the founder of Proton, Tun Dr Mahathir (Dr M).

Though some have pointed to the poor relationship between the Proton Board of Directors and Tgk. Mahaleel as the reason for his dismissal, one would hope that such high-level corporate decisions are made for reasons more fundamental to business than just an issue of personal likes and dislikes. There had been some indication that the main issue leading to the dismissal is the difference in views between the board and the Tgk. Mahaleel-led management on the way Proton is managed, from the management decision-making process, through to Proton’s overall vision.

Soon after Tgk. Mahaleel’s dismissal, Wong Sulong of The Star newspaper presented a new spin that Tgk. Mahaleel was dismissed because of just such a fundamental disagreement with the Proton Board. According to Wong’s article, it seems the board wanted Proton to consider amalgamating Proton with all other national car companies and car assemblers in Malaysia into a big consortium to gain ‘economies of scale’. Tgk. Mahaleel believed the idea mooted by the board is not in the best interest of Proton and that Proton can succeed on its own.

Interestingly, Wong Sulong’s article was the first time I, and many, had ever heard of a ‘new vision’ by the government to consolidate the nation’s many auto industries into a single ‘mega-assembler’ so to speak as the reason for the tension with Tgk. Mahaleel; and I for one hope it was not a new excuse someone spun to justify the unjustifiable

Let me start by saying this. In my view, Khazanah’s and the Proton Board’s decision to proceed with the dismissal of Tgk. Mahaleel is flawed especially if it is to advance this so called ‘new vision’ for Proton. This is because this so called new vision for Proton, as part of a mega-assembler instead of a proper car company, is a backward step for Malaysia as a nation.

I have no idea if the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, or Pak Lah as we all know him, was well briefed and consulted on this decision. This is as astoundingly when Khazanah allowed Proton’s Board to dismiss Tgk. Mahaleel for the sake of this change of vision, they basically went against Pak Lah’s repeatedly stated public policy of transforming Malaysia from an economy that makes and assembles things, to an economy that is based on innovation!

Why do I say the stated ‘new vision’ for Proton is flawed?

There is one thing that differentiates Proton from any other national car project and the myriad assemblers in Malaysia, or even in the region, including the so-called Detroit of Asia, Thailand. Proton has the ability to design cars from the bottom up. Though many point to this being a result of the 1996 Lotus acquisition, much has changed since the acquisition, such that Proton’s design team now has a Malaysian core, with a higher percentage of its newer cars designed locally, the Savvy and Gen2 being the most recent, quite promising results.

Before anyone scoffs at the idea of the Savvy and Gen2 being promising, note that both cars, as well as the Waja, meet one of the most difficult standards that cars face in the world today, the European emissions/environmental standards. Others may also be surprised to know that the suspension and other structural platform features that are applied on the Gen2 is actually ahead of those of some Korean brands - e.g. the Kia platforms tend to under perform versus engine-size compared to Proton cars because the Koreans have been using old technology in this area.

As such, Proton is currently the only company in Malaysia, or even ASEAN, with the capacity to evolve into a full-fledged global player in the automotive sector.

Why is Proton the only ASEAN car company that can evolve into a global player?

This is because unlike other car companies and assemblers in ASEAN, Proton owns its own intellectual property (IP) in car design. This is in turn significant as the business model of the future in all industries, from cars, to furniture to mobile telephony, the ownership and growth of intellectual property is the key to long-term growth and sustainability. This business model is precisely the type of knowledge driven business model that Pak Lah, and Dr M before him, has been urging Malaysians to pursue.

We see the success of such a business model in mobile phones, where Nokia, a company from Finland, with a population and market far smaller than ours, dominates the global market. Interestingly, Nokia does not own much in terms of assets, as much of their capital-intensive activities, including the making of mobile phones, are outsourced. However, Nokia owns its own intellectual property, and continues to build on it, allowing it to earn enormous profits and to sustain its growth into the future.

And Nokia is not a unique example either. The world abounds with examples of global brands coming from countries with small populations that have not just a significant share of but are acknowledged market leaders in their respective global markets through control of IP. Among them are household names such as IKEA (furniture) from Sweden, and Nestle (food) and Novartis (pharmaceuticals), both from Switzerland.

Let us call this business model that is applied by Nokia and many others, and pursued by Proton under Tgk. Mahaleel, the “Knowledge-Driven Business Model”. This is as opposed to the new vision that was conveyed by Wong Sulong’s article, which I call the “Assembler-Driven Business Model”.

Hence, Proton, as it builds its IP whilst practicing this Knowledge-Driven Business Model, would be rapidly evolving into a model like Nokia's in mobile phones - it is able to transform into an IP, marketing, finance and distribution organisation, where even the few manufacturing assets it owns are also really for production R&D, with the majority of capital intensive activities like assembly and manufacturing being outsourced. This model is being used by other carmakers globally and Proton is the only car company in ASEAN on the verge of achieving this.

Why do I link Tgk. Mahaleel’s vision for Proton to the Knowledge-Driven Business Model here?

Actually, Tgk. Mahaleel as an individual here is less important than the type of individual that he represents. Individuals like Tgk. Mahaleel interestingly understand the importance of pursuing a “Knowledge-Driven Business Model” for Proton and this is publicly demonstrated, both by his words and by his actions. In terms of action, his tenure in Proton has been clearly defined by the following efforts:

1 - Building Proton’s intellectual property, even in a roundabout way if there is no clear direct way. This he picked up from his mentor, the late Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad (who interestingly is an individual not unlike Tgk. Mahaleel).

A good example of this was Proton’s acquisition of MV Augusta. MV Augusta was not purchased because Proton wanted to start making motorcycles. It was bought so Proton could gain the expertise of building smaller engines. Augusta’s engines, though for motorcycles, were high-powered engines, with engine sizes near the size of small cars - precisely the engine sizes that Proton lacked expertise in.

Tgk. Mahaleel and his team’s plan was simply to gain the intellectual property from Augusta to able to build engines for the class of cars like Savvy, or even smaller, with the vision of eventually for Proton to produce such smaller cars or maybe even to allow Proton to sell such engines to Perodua and other small car companies in the region.

Analysts were convinced that the MV Augusta purchase did not make sense for Proton - but then again, the same analysts may not be individuals like Tgk. Mahaleel and TS Yahaya Ahmad - and hence are unable to see the point of acquiring a company to gain its IP.

2 - Tgk. Mahaleel had repeatedly stated that any alliance between Proton and foreign manufacturer has to make sense to Proton, but where Dr M was keen to protect Proton’s Malaysian ownership, Tgk. Mahaleel has been consistent in saying that the alliance must grow Proton’s IP. In the case of the VW JV/alliance for instance, the first thing that came to Tgk. Mahaleel’s mind on the benefit of the alliance when asked by Malaysian Business is Proton’s urgent need to learn more about power-trains from VW. Other benefits like cost reduction were mentioned later.

3 - One of the greatest battles that Tgk. Mahaleel won for Proton was the battle with EON, with the main issue being that EON did not want to fund development of new IP at Proton. EON then, as sole distributor and main financier, generated far more cash from the business than Proton, so much more so that EON could build its own bank, whilst leaving Proton carrying the higher cost burden as the manufacturer and without IP development monies.

Tgk. Mahaleel succeeded in wresting the distributorship deal from EON and has been building Proton’s own marketing network and financing business, not just to allow Proton to enjoy more % direct profit, but to allow Proton to have access to its own IP development funding.

Even if Tgk. Mahaleel is clearly a “Knowledge-Driven Business Model” supporter when leading Proton, why do I say that his removal and the declared new vision will result in Proton adopting an “Assembler-Driven Business Model”, not a Knowledge-Driven one?

To put it simply, businesses that succeed need to focus on one business model and pursue it to the best of its abilities. This is because different business models require fundamentally different approaches that may be in conflict in each other. For instance, compare the 2 models in question:

Knowledge-Driven model: Significant amount of money needs to be spent on R&D and IP creation, money that is only recoverable if efforts succeed and adds to cost of production in the short run, with the medium-longer term benefit of higher profits from new IP.

Assembler -Driven model: Cost saving model, where all cost are minimized to maximize profit. Majority of IP adopted is to further reduce assembly cost and is not developed in house, but directly or indirectly bought from outside party.

As Knowledge-Driven needs to spend money to develop IP first to make money later and the Assembly-Driven wants to cut ALL cost, a company can only choose to pursue one model in order to succeed.

When we compare all the car producing and assembling companies in Malaysia, it is clear that Proton is the only Knowledge-Driven one, whilst the others, including its nearest counterpart, Perodua, are Assembler-Driven ones. Perodua for instance still does not have a design house capable of fundamental design changes such as to its car’s engine and structural platform, whereas Proton is actually actively pursuing sales of its structural platform designs.

This signals a fundamental difference between Proton’s focus towards a Knowledge-Driven Business Model and the Assembler-Driven model of the other car companies and assemblers in Malaysia.

Therefore, if the government via Khazanah chooses to pursue the merging of all the car producing and assembling companies in Malaysia, only the one business model, Knowledge-Driven or Assembler-Driven can be pursued, not both together. As the majority of car companies in Malaysia are Assembler-Driven and Proton is relatively new in applying a Knowledge-Driven business model, it is more likely that when the merger occurs, Proton will be downgraded from a promising Knowledge-Driven car company into a plain Assembler-Driven one.

But then again, how can you be sure this is the case? Khazanah may still choose for Proton to lead the merger and remain a Knowledge-Driven car company.

Actually, I think this new vision of merging all the Malaysian car-related companies clearly involves absorbing Proton and destroying its Knowledge-Driven drive and establishing a single Malaysian Assembler-Driven car company. This is because all the local business leaders from outside of Proton that are being touted as future successors of Tgk. Mahaleel so far are from Assembler-Driven companies, and so would likely impose an Assembler-Driven business model rather than a Knowledge-Driven business model.

Again, I reiterate that Tgk. Mahaleel the individual here is not as much an issue as the type of person he is. If Khazanah and the Proton board were serious about building Proton as Knowledge-Driven Company, the names being touted would have been different. They would have been people with a reputation in innovation, or senior execs from companies that have a culture of innovation or indeed practice a Knowledge-Driven Business Model.

Now there are even media reports, especially from The Edge, about Khazanah considering the sale of either a majority or a controlling share of Proton to one of two foreign car companies. In both cases, it seems the aspiration of the foreign partner is to turn Proton into some sort of subsidiary to focus on local or regional production or on assembly of their own marques.

This idea of selling Proton to a foreign entity clearly indicates a view that Proton should not simply to be downgraded from being a potential Malaysian Knowledge-Driven global player in the car industry into a large but local run-of-the-mill vehicle assembler, but that it could potentially be sacrificed to becoming a local subsidiary of a foreign car-maker!

If Khazanah was really interested in having Proton continue to grow and fulfil its promise as a global or even regional car company, I would have expected Khazanah and the Proton Board to be protecting the Knowledge-Driven vision for Proton by seeking individuals with attributes very much like that of Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad and Tgk. Mahaleel to be its next CEO.

With such aspirations, Khazanah should indeed then leave it to Proton to enhance its Knowledge Driven model and as best as possible support further foreign or even local acquisitions and the formation of alliances for the purpose of nurturing and building Proton’s IP pool. Khazanah could then aspire for Proton and its leadership to then be an example, maybe via industry councils, to transform other Khazanah and other Malaysian companies into Knowledge-Driven concerns too!

In supporting a Knowledge Driven Proton, Khazanah should thus certainly not be contemplating the destruction of Proton’s Knowledge-Driven aspirations by entertaining ideas of diluting Proton’s focus through a merger with other local companies and assemblers, and especially not by surrendering control of Proton to a foreign car company. Such actions would not just result in a loss of business potential, but as mentioned, it would also run contrary to the aspirations of the nation, as repeatedly iterated by Pak Lah in many forums.

If I say that the local business leaders being mentioned as potential successors of Tgk. Mahaleel are unsuitable, does this mean Proton has to consider a foreign CEO to guide it into the future?

I don’t think so. The truth is, there is local talent in Malaysia that fits the mould of a TS Yahaya Ahmad and Tgk. Mahaleel, who were themselves of course local talent with a Knowledge-Driven outlook. Potential successors need neither currently be managers of other local car companies or assemblers nor need be a leader in a company even linked to the automotive industry.

Remember that the mindset of the future CEO is the key to his success in pursuing a Knowledge-Driven future for Proton, a mindset that is preferably nurtured by experience in a company or companies that exercise a Knowledge-Driven Culture. Tgk. Mahaleel for instance had the benefit of experience from a Knowledge-Driven oil company and Knowledge-Driven food company, Shell and before that Nestle respectively. Pick up any business book on these 2 companies and you will see that both are Knowledge-Driven.

The other key players in Proton’s evolution, Tgk. Mahaleel’s mentor, the late TS Yahaya Ahmad and Dr M are also similarly Knowledge-Driven leaders. I am sure there are other leaders of this mould waiting to be given the opportunity to advance Proton into a Knowledge-Driven future.

However, a greater concern for me is the capacity of the Proton Board, or rather its potential lack of, to recognize a person with a Knowledge-Driven leader as a potential next CEO of Proton.

Surely Proton’s Board Of Directors Is In The Best Position To Decide The Most Suitable CEO To Fulfil Proton’s Vision

But that is precisely my concern over the board’s choice for the future CEO of Proton. In the first place, if Wong Sulong’s article was accurate, then the board seems bent on turning Proton into an Assembler-Driven company, despite this being against the public aspirations of Pak Lah for the Government Linked Companies (GLCs). If this is so, how is the board able to choose a CEO suited to mould Proton into a Knowledge-Driven company. The board’s fundamental views on this must first be changed.

In addition to that, the board demonstrated in the treatment of its relationship of Tgk. Mahaleel that it wished to control and reign in the maverick drive that tends to be inherent in leaders of the Knowledge-Driven mould. You see, Knowledge-Driven leaders and CEOs tend to be also difficult and maverick individuals that need a lot of leeway and open support from their company board to succeed. Such mavericks are commonplace in the history of the car industry.

For instance, the great car industry leader, Lee Iacocca, was actually forced to resign by the General Motors (GM) board for his maverick tendencies. However, Iacocca then revealed his brilliance when he turned around Chrysler from being an ailing company into a thriving competitor to GM in the 80’s and 90’s prior to its merger with Daimler-Benz.

Even the founder of the modern car industry, Henry Ford, was once dragged to court, in large part due to his apparent arrogance causing many powerful people to be unhappy with him.

If Proton’s board not only does not have a Knowledge-Driven vision for Proton, but also does not have the patience needed to support typically maverick Knowledge-Driven leaders, how can it be expected to select a Knowledge -Driven CEO? They actually just dismissed a Knowledge-Driven CEO remember? And the CEO they dismissed was actually successful in making Proton profitable and viable for the future!

Ah, but some actually say that Proton has managed to succeed and remain profitable so far, despite the much quoted quality problems of its cars, because it has always been protected by the government through tariffs and high import taxes on foreign cars. Shouldn’t such protection be removed from Proton after 20 years?

Actually, I tend to agree with this statement. Of course Proton has gained from protection over the many years, and there is no denying that this has helped enormously to ensure Proton’s success and profitability as the leading carmaker in the country. Nevertheless, one should not deny that this success would not be possible if Proton was not able to produce cars that are of increasingly good design when competing against foreign imports, knowing how difficult a market Malaysian can be when it comes to cars. And again, the protection allowed for this success too.

I actually also agree that maybe it is time for Proton’s protection to be removed. Sure, most countries continue protecting their local car companies, directly or indirectly, for more than 20 years, with Korea, the US and India being the most blatant over the past few decades. But Proton has grown sufficiently I feel into an increasingly Knowledge-Driven car company that the protection should be removed as a final test of its resilience.

In addition to the removal of such protection being beneficial by relieving the burden that Malaysians had been in most part willingly supporting to develop our national car industry, i.e. Proton, this would also allow Proton to prove to its detractors that it has the wherewithal to survive on its own, without protection, and that Malaysians should be proud of it for its merits as a national champion.

However, as often mentioned by Tgk. Mahaleel and consistently repeated by Dr M as Proton’s adviser, Proton as an entity need not be protected any longer for it to succeed as a Malaysian, regional, or indeed global car company as long as the government:

1 - Address the problem of AP allocation abuse that were being committed to benefit the individuals now known as the AP Kings and their ilk and partners. It is understood that the government is pursuing this after much public outcry.

2 - Address the problem of under-declaration of price of the imported vehicles. This practice has been allowing Korean car marquees, among others, to be dumped in the country to the detriment of our local car industry and costing government millions to billions of Ringgit in tax income. The guilty parties such as owners and manager of the Naza group for instance should be charged in court for their crimes.

3 - Most critically, the government allows Proton to source its parts from non-local sources, the way Perodua does. At the moment, the national automotive policy forces Proton to be the nursemaid to our local vendors of auto-parts, despite their lack of quality even after many years of experience. Indeed, technical audits have proven that most if not all Proton’s quality problems arise from the poor quality parts supplied by some local vendors that Proton is forced by government to support.

But why should Proton be given a chance to continue as a Malaysian owned and controlled Knowledge-Driven Company if it has not been able to address its quality issues during the period of government protection?

Actually, Proton should be given the chance to prove itself first in an unprotected environment before anyone says it cannot survive without protection! No analysts, journalist, critic or even industry leader can claim to be able to predict whether or not Proton will succeed or fail without protection. However, how will we ever know Proton’s worth as a fledgling Knowledge-Driven entity if it is not first allowed to face the challenge of zero local protection?

Certainly Proton has a lower likelihood of success without protection if the government does not first address the 3 matters highlighted above, but if the government addresses the AP abuse and under-declaration issues, as well as allows Proton to source higher quality non-local parts, Proton has every chance of success.

Indeed, based on the history of other car-makers, Proton certainly has a better chance of succeeding long-term as a Knowledge-Driven car-maker of its own right rather than as part of a patched together mega-assembler of cars or even a subsidiary of a foreign car company; the Rover car story being very instructive in this matter.

Certainly, one of these foreign carmakers that are reported to be interested in controlling Proton sees an inherent value of Proton to their business beyond its cash and manufacturing assets. There must certainly be something in Proton’s Knowledge-Driven core, its IP, which has resulted in this carmaker declaring a clear interest in Proton’s design capabilities. If a foreign carmaker sees Proton’s value as a Knowledge-Driven carmaker, we Malaysians certainly should certainly think twice before abandoning Proton to an inferior assembly-driven vision.

But what if Proton then fails?

If it fails, it fails! What is important is that in that journey to be a Knowledge-Driven carmaker, Proton also provides the opportunity for Malaysians to be exposed to the experience and ability to develop IP and technology in a competitive industry. Such an enriching experience is really the basis of why Proton as a Knowledge-Driven entity is such an important legacy of Dr M’s, not just its potential to industrialize Malaysia and prosper the nation.

To be a truly developed nation, Malaysia and Malaysians must have the capacity to nurture Knowledge-Driven entities such as Proton was evolving under TS Yahaya Ahmad and Tgk. Mahaleel. And even if Proton fails, by that time, its journey would have enriched the nation such that there should be other Malaysian Knowledge-Driven corporate champions competing at a global level.

The author has been an employee of a Knowledge-Driven Oil and Gas Super-Major for 8 years. He has worked in Manufacturing, R&D and Supply Chain Optimisation in operational roles and projects across 6 continents. He is currently performing a Downstream Oil Marginal Economics role from the Asia Pacific regional office in Singapore.

We Are All Collateral Damage

2005-07-27T10:43:00.000+08:00

By Zaid Shakir

The Roads to Peace

The roads to peace are paths of war,

The gentle dove will leave her scar.

The moral men to say the least,

Will kill us all to get their peace.

The roads that lead to victories gained,

Are filled with people full of pain.

Only our Creator knew,

We’d kill so many to save so few.

The recent terrorist tragedy in London is disheartening. Once again some nefarious force has seen fit to totally disregard innocent human life in pursuit of a vile agenda that few of us know and even fewer could understand. The response of the world leaders assembled in Edinburgh for the G-8 Summit is perhaps more disheartening, as it promises more of the misguided policies that have proven so ineffective in prosecuting the war on terror. The leaders of the Western powers continue to imply that they will fight violence with more violence of their own. If current events are any indicator of future developments, such a policy will only serve to beget yet more terrorism.

This is a war being guided on both sides by self-righteous hypocrites whose motives and proclamations mirror each other. Each side sees God as being exclusively with them. That being the case, the restraint and judiciousness urged by Christian and Islamic theology to guide the execution of war is cast aside with wanton impunity. Each side manipulates a vulnerable public to create a climate that allows for the perpetuation and the inevitable escalation of the ongoing slaughter. Each side reserves the right to use the spectacle of indiscriminate violence to "Shock and Awe" the opposition, yet will deny that its tactics can be described as terrorism. Each side sees their civilian population as hapless, innocent victims, while the suffering innocent civilians on the other side are acceptable collateral damage.

There will never be any real progress in ending this terror war, until we realize that we have all become collateral damage, unacceptable collateral damage. That being the case, there is no they or we in this affair. We are they and they are we. When a child in New York never sees his mother again because she was crushed in a collapsed tower at the World Trade Center, we all have suffered an irreplaceable loss. When an impoverished family in Afghanistan is bombed from the face of the Earth by a misguided missile, something of our collective humanity is destroyed by the blast. When a child in Iraq is born with gross birth defects due to his mother’s exposure to depleted uranium, we have all been deformed. When London commuters fear ever again entering the underground, because of the ill-advised actions of a handful of desperate fanatics, their insecurity touches us all.

We, the collaterally damaged, will continue to exist in a state of dehumanizing loss, deformity, and insecurity until we rise up, unite, and refuse to support at any level the policies of leaders who continually fail to heed one of the surest of all political lessons: killing innocent civilians will never lead to a positive outcome for the transgressing party. This realization is the first meaningful salvo anyone could fire in a real war on terror. However, as long as we are not as moved by the suffering of innocent civilians anywhere as we are by the suffering of those close to us, it will be a salvo that remains unfired.

Imam Zaid Shakir

Be part of it

2005-06-30T17:00:00.000+08:00

Live8, the biggest rally to pressure the governments of G8 to look at Africa. Bob Geldolf, the original organizer of Live Aid said:

"This is not Live Aid 2.

These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison.

This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children."

Further Info
Live 8

And please sign the petition.

In Defense of Malaysia and Singapore

2005-06-27T13:38:00.000+08:00

In Defense of Malaysia and Singapore

by Andre Vltchek

All of you probably had a chance to hear or read it somewhere: Malaysia and Singapore are two dictatorships, two systems that violate basic human rights and limit freedom of speech and of the press. Their leaders stay in power for too long and their ruling political parties go unchallenged in every election.

Sounds bad, doesn't it? The only major problem with this (mainly Western) theory is that the great majority of the citizens of two above mentioned countries would strongly disagree.

Wee Gee, an owner of a trendy jazz club in Singapore, has his own theory: "They all come here - Australians, Britons and other Europeans, and they can't stand the place because it destroys their theories about Asia. They like to see underdevelopment because it makes them feel secure and superior. After two days in Singapore, they realize that we have probably the best social system in the world, good city planning, clean, safe streets and excellent public transport. So they think: 'Wow, how did these Chinks and Malays and Indians achieve such a high standard of living? There must be something hiding in the closet. And they start bashing us. Understand, for an average white Australian it is simply psychologically unacceptable that there is an Asian country that is richer than his."

Neighbouring Malaysia hardly escapes devastating criticism either. It is bashed in the Western press from the right and from the left, accused of almost feudal governance by some, of introducing affirmative action for the Malay majority by others, for spending too much money on mega-projects (tallest buildings in the world, new capital city, gigantic international airport, the largest Muslim museum in the world to name just a few) or simply for harshly attacking Western foreign policy and two recent US-led invasions.

Both Singapore and Malaysia are attacked by the Western left for being "too capitalist" and by the right for "not having free, open and transparent economies" (referring to extremely cosy relations between local companies and the government, a model that originally comes from Japan and is known in Malaysia as 'Malaysia Incorporated').

So, what is it really that irks the West about these two countries in Southeast Asia that were nicknamed dragons and tigers and other potent creatures before 1997? Without any doubt, the answer is: their success!

Malaysian GDP per head is only 3,920 dollars a year (The Economist: 'The World in 2002'). That's only slightly higher than in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Peru. The difference is that there is almost no extreme poverty left in 'undemocratic' Malaysia, while one would have a hard time trying not to notice the widespread misery in the above mentioned South American countries that we consider 'free' and 'democratic' (and at least it is probably true in Brazil after the latest elections that brought Lula da Silva to power).

Before the 1997 economic crisis, Malaysia made incredible progress, mainly due to a well-planned economy, an extremely hard working population, and huge investment in social policies and infrastructure. As was the case in Singapore decades earlier, against all the odds Malaysia became a relatively balanced middle class country, transforming itself from a traditional agricultural society into a developed industrial nation. During the crisis, for which international currency speculators were largely to blame, Malaysia lost around forty percent of its wealth overnight, but, unlike neighbouring Indonesia, did not plunge into chaos.

Today, six years after the beginning of the crisis, Malaysia is again a socially balanced, multi-racial country with relatively good medical care, education and infrastructure. Although the Western media constantly reports on its 'hidden racial tensions', it is probably one of the most tolerant multi-racial nations on earth.

Nearby, Singapore managed to completely eradicate poverty more than a decade ago, creating one of the best (if not the best) social systems in the world that provides not only basics like an excellent medical care and education, but also subsidized housing, advanced public transport and world class cultural institutions including museums and concert halls.

Writing bitterly and defensively, an attitude born out of the1997 crisis, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad snaps at the West: "We have tried to defend ourselves as best as we could, but, for some of us, every move we make to revive our economies has been immediately condemned as a ploy to help members of the ruling parties and their cronies. It is impossible for non-Asian foreign detractors to believe that Asian government leaders can be honest at all. If Asian leaders do anything at all for the good of their countries, it must be because they are corrupt and want to help their cronies and their families. Such prejudiced and stereotyped views will, I fear, persist for a long time to come. The people who espouse such views, it must be remembered, are the descendants of the old white-supremacist colonialists. They cannot get rid of their old bugaboos no matter how far their civilizations have supposedly advanced. We simply cannot expect justice and fair play for Asians and Africans; we have had to ignore all the prejudice and get on with rebuilding our economies." (Mahathir Mohamad:"A New Deal For Asia", Pelanduk, 1999).

It is true that Malaysia and Singapore (as well as other developed Asian countries) are facing continuous and vicious attacks from the West. Malaysia is far from perfect, but in no way can it be called a dictatorship. After the 1997/98 crisis that impoverished millions of Malays while enriching hundreds of foreign speculators, Mahathir declared that the free market system had proved to be a failure and fired his finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim. Mr. Ibrahim was beaten by police, and accused of sodomy and corruption. Almost one year later, he was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison.

That was enough to trigger an enormous media campaign against Malaysia in general and against its political system in particular. The fate of Anwar Ibrahim attracted more attention from Western analysts and media than did the millions of citizens of Malaysia who became victims of an inhuman, brutal global economic dictatorship and saw the fruits of decades of their hard work being wiped out overnight.

The opinion of foreigners about Malaysia didn't change much even after Ibrahim's wife, Azizah Ismail, formed a new opposition 'National Justice Party' but gained only five of the 193 seats contested in the November 1999 elections.

So why are Malaysia and Singapore the centre of negative attention for people in the West, while there is generally a consensual silence about so many other places on earth where injustice is undisputable? Speaking about 'political cronyism' (the highly popular expression for describing Southeast Asian leaders and business elite) one doesn't have to leave the West itself to find examples that would make almost any Southeast Asian nation look like a model of order and civility by comparison. Italy, for example, with its Fascist and criminal Prime-Minister Silvio Berlusconi who, (just by coincidence?) exercises almost unlimited control over the media.

In the great majority of 'democracies' in the Western Hemisphere, Malaysian economic, social and political standards (not to mention Singaporean standards which are even higher than those in the United States) would be seen as an impossible dream.. One explanation could be that almost all injustices in Latin America are the result of the Western (white) colonial rule. Our policymakers, analysts and servile media do not want to touch and illuminate issues that could remind us how undemocratic was, and still is, our rule over the world. Most of the people in Latin America are still controlled by a white minority, especially in countries where indigenous people form the majority. Those who dare to challenge this state of affairs are either killed, marginalized, ridiculed or driven into exile. Even the Peace Nobel Price Laureate Rigoberta Manchu was forced to leave her native Guatemala after vicious attacks against her (her main fault, it seems, was that she was 'fat, indigenous and a woman') and move to neighbouring Mexico.

The distribution of wealth in our Latin American protectorates is the worst in the world, and coherent social policies are almost nonexistent. Freedom of the press is mainly the preserve of those who can afford to print newspapers and magazines. However, there is almost no serious criticism of Latin American semi-dictatorships by our media.

n comparison to most of the 'third world' countries, Malaysia is a star. To make things even worse and more dangerous for the Western post- and neo-colonialists, it promises hope and shows alternatives. Its social model is applicable more or less everywhere, its proud (but pragmatic, non-extremist) refusal to follow European and North American economic and social models can eventually attract followers from all over the world, undermining Western hegemony of global power. Last year in Lima, I was even told by Raffo Munoz (First Secretary of the Communist Party of Peru) that he "is studying the Malaysian model very carefully and is extremely impressed by its achievements".

Belief in 'Asian Values' (although this expression itself can be a bit dubious, and those very values can sometimes be compared with old Christian fundamentalist values of the past, as Mahathir himself admits) are putting Malaysia and Singapore in the forefront of the movement for Asian (or at least Asia-Pacific) unity and resistance against foreign domination and negative influence.

And let's not forget that the Malaysian government is extremely outspoken when it comes to criticism of the Western invasions and 'world order', our economic and cultural hegemony, our re-emerging habit of disregarding international opinion and our willingness to act openly in (exclusively) our own interests.

It seems obvious that the unpopularity of both Malaysia and Singapore in the West is because almost all the achievements of these two countries were based on domestically grown models and had their roots in local cultures. The main purpose of those models was, and is, an improvement of the lives of Malaysian and Singaporean citizens. Enrichment of our Western companies was something secondary, nonessential. We have never been able or willing to tolerate such an approach! In the past, we destroyed entire countries, killed democratically elected Presidents and supported vicious right-wing dictatorships for much lesser shows of independent thinking.

In many Asian countries there is still a popular belief that the 1997 crises was triggered by the West, in order to prevent the Asian model from truly taking off. Although there is no proof that there was any coordinated, pre-meditated design to ruin the Malaysian, South Korean and Philippine economies after the collapse of the Thai baht (although the pressure of international advisors and organizations on the then still well-performing Malaysian economy to devalue the ringgit only because of the speculation that 'it will not be able to be competitive after a Thai devaluation of the baht' did enormous harm to start with), it was obvious that the world's institutions and most powerful governments did nothing to stop the insane and unjust economic downward spiral of the late nineties.

Today, Malaysia is again a developing country with first world infrastructure and social systems. Its streets are safe, its hospitals clean and its highways as good as those in Germany or France. Its bookstores are well stocked, providing the latest reads from all over the world, except for a few censured titles. There are no homeless people on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, no ghettos for minorities, and no child prostitutes.

There is a death penalty for drug traffickers. For those of us who see the death penalty as something immoral and perverted, this system cannot be viewed as perfect. For those of us who write books, Malaysia is a place that should improve in many ways. For those of us who believe that one of the basic and undeniable human rights is to have his/her religion or to have no religion at all, the constant emphasis on fate may be something deeply annoying and disturbing.

The Singaporean government cravenly supported the US invasion of Iraq, despite public opinion against the war (but was it much different in Spain, Italy or Japan?). Malaysian 'cooperation with the war on terror' leaves plenty of space for criticism, as does its mishandling of illegal immigrants (mainly after 9-11), in Kalimantan (Borneo) and elsewhere.

However, to deny Malaysia and Singapore their greatness just because of those issues would be a mistake. There is no perfect society on this planet. In other societies with less than 4,000 dollars GDP per capita (as in Malaysia), millions of people starve or live in subsistence conditions. They rot in understaffed hospitals with no basic medicine. They live in polluted, overcrowded cities with enormously high crime rates. Malaysian achievements (not to speak about Singapore's) are enormous.

If I had to choose either to live in increasingly orderly Kuala Lumpur or in insanely divided, polluted and poor Lima, I, as a writer, would choose Lima. However, there are not many writers in the world, but there are enormous numbers of people who don't want to go back to colonial and post colonial misery, who want to have their own house and small car, a good, safe school for their children, clean, attractive streets for walking and fast trains to get them from point A to point B. These people with families and children who aim at security and good middle class life wouldn't hesitate one second: they would choose Kuala Lumpur.

We all know that with such a small GDP per capita, countries like Malaysia "shouldn't have all these social privileges". According to our world order, the Malaysians should concentrate on feeding OUR economies, OUR companies, sacrificing their children and their families in the process. The reason our media people and opinion-making gurus hate Malaysia and Singapore is not only because these countries learned how to say "NO" to us, but also because they are putting the interests of their own people first. That's why we can't forgive them, but at the same time can forgive everything to our Latin American colonies and their white elites who are always happy to sacrifice entire nations for their allegiance to their European/Western blood and culture. We can forgive them their many forms of apartheid as well as the swollen bellies of the starving children in Northern Nicaragua and South-western Honduras. We can forgive racial segregation in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia; former strongholds of great cultures that we managed to destroy! We can forgive Mexican latifundistas and still call Mexico a democracy.

But we can never forgive those who are not willing to sacrifice their own people on the altar of our greed.

Every inch of progress made in Malaysia and Singapore is another nail in the coffin of Western domination and modern day colonialism. Malaysia should reform, it should drop censorship, but it should stay on course. It should never change its principles, its essence - it should always put its people first and we (those who oppose this insane world order and Western dictatorship) should defend its right to do so, instead of bashing it. Malaysia should teach other developing countries world-wide to do the same, to care about the welfare of their own people, to unite in order to defend its culture and principles, to say 'no' to the superpower, even to the entire world order if necessary.

During the Spanish Civil War, Czech anti-Fascists and volunteers used to say: "In Madrid, we are fighting for Prague." This old expression can be now paraphrased: "They are building new Lima and new Abidjan in Kuala Lumpur".

Copyright © 2003 Andre Vltchek and World Confrontation Now

Breakup

2005-06-21T11:53:00.000+08:00

I have decided to split up my blogs. Project rain will serve mainly to help others to realize the need of us putting our opinion across to others in order to build our great nation. Basically serious stuff.

For the personal side of me, i will be writing at bird of passage

I will also no longer be known as grease-bar as only very handful of people know this nick. As blogger kennysia once wrote, "I like to match the writing with a face". From now on, I will be writing using the name a lot of people know me; BJ.

New Look

2005-06-20T12:15:00.000+08:00

The site is being restructured. More details later.

Walk On

2005-05-26T06:45:00.000+08:00

In every man’s life, there will be a moment where you will be down on your knees crying. Those moments don’t come too often and they always leave a long lasting print in a page of our lives. It was not the cry of despair but merely in joy. An overwhelming pleasure that you thought you could never feel again. And last night I was on my knees. After more than 20 years of supporting them, Liverpool finally came through to become the champions of Europe. What a dream!

From talklfc.com
There is a very simple problem with having dreams, the fact that some don't come true. With forty five minutes played Liverpool were not only faced by the reality that the dreams might not come true but also the fact that it had been replaced with a nightmare. Yet the Champions League has never seen a comeback like this. This was no fortuitous two minute moment of madness. Liverpool's became masters of their own destiny in a show of character that will not be understood many years into the future. Dreams sometimes don't come true - but if you're prepared to believe in them, sometimes, spectacularly they do.

So roadie, what happened to "i close down the blog, shave my head, stop drinking Kilkenny "?

O Captain, my Captain!

2005-04-13T13:49:00.000+08:00

This particular comment was posted by Neil in this post. To certain extent, I agree with Neil. I have been in charge of hiring for the past few years. My usual complaint is that their inability to think irregardless they are fresh or not. These people should at least watch the movie "Dead Poets Society"

On top of that, the whole education agenda is politically linked. Most policy are either racially motivated or some promises done during some election. What is going on here.

The country is in serious problem with this unemployment issue.

Someone recently muttered that facing his company's two vacancies were 3,000 applicants.

The HR ministry has been coming out with one vacuous suggestion after another:

- send the graduates back for another round of training; what for?

- make them do door-to-door sales; selling what? tongkat ali, encyclopedias, unit con-trusts?

- send them to do vocational courses; hahaha!

- define bluecollar jobs to include plantation workers; sacre bleau!

One asks - where are the factories for these vocational-retrained degree-holders when the whole of SEAsia is rapidly DE-industrialising? why train graduates to compete with vocational diploma and certificate holders who are equally affected by the factory-flights from this country? how do you change tertiary mindsets from planner to machinist after a six-month course? meanwhile, what do you do with the factory workers who've been retrenched, with the foreign workers you're reinviting in, with the midaged specialists who're now walking in shopping malls?

One also asks - why insist that 51% of jobs must go to locals when that patently will drive the last nail into the coffin of national competitiveness? The remnants of foreign-invested factories which are here because of foreign workers like indonesians, bangladeshis and burmese will take the cue to leave tomorrow rather than next month. Furthermore, just writing a policy doesn't mean the employers won't face problems getting locals to apply, especially if these be the jobs for muscles rather than brains. Isn't that a new policy that wasn't well thought out in advance?

One asks again - was the new policy to relax the requirement for housemanship and attachment of returning medical graduates if they've two years overseas experience not an act of desperation rather than brains? If your children have been denied places to do medicine locally on grounds that had nothing to do with hard-earned meritocracy, after which you have to sacrifice almost all of your life savings after much trial and tribulation for them to slog further to earn a medical degree overseas, would you then ask them to come back to serve the very government which has blocked their development at the most critical periods of their lives? Is it any wonder so many of them have moved to Singapore instead to set up practice?

In the past it was parental duty of the highest magnitude to provide tertiary education for the children. Now the parents would have discharged their duty if they ask their children NOT to return after graduation but continue to earn a masters AND get a permanent residency elsewhere.

Is it any wonder that only 250 locals returned when 200,000 were solicited? Other reasons aside, the education system was perceived to be the primary reason. Their collective conclusion - it sucks. The govt cannot possibly be so blinkered that it can still have the nerve to advance 'incentives' like tax-free cars and PRs for foreign spouses within six months. ...or CAN it?

Now we have another new policy... arabic is to be made compulsory for malay students in national schools to facilitate the study of religion. How does that jive with what the Deputy UMNO youth leader has admitted that the national schools need to be reinvented so as to have less malay-centric and islam-centric elements, that coming from the same guy and others like him who have been too quick to block chinese vernacular education because it was counter to 'the' national education policy? WHICH national education policy now?

On YET another thing, the DPM recently said there would be MODEL schools in Putrajaya. What has happened to the smart schools then, one asks to this minister who also recently said no to admission of Australia to the caucus WHEN it was already hinted by other ministers who were/are overseas that it was admissible?

Can't we all see what's happening to the govt these past months? I repeat, if the govt is (supposed) to be running the country, who's running the govt? is there right/left brain connectivity? is it running at 16kbps or 2 Mbps?

Elsewhere, sandwiched in between eco-destruction and EPF-destruction on the one hand, and state councillors being chewed up by the rakyat over the moving of some potted plants on the other hand, one asks of this new last link of the tolled road in the FT; it's called DUKE and it has been awarded to a consortium which comprises MRCB. The question is: was there an open tender in compliance with the PM's original mandate? could this 34-year concession be hiding something 'insidious'? is there transparency or just lip-service?

If my memory still serves me, Radzuan Halim had written sometime ago a marvellous piece in the Edge on toll privatisation; i wish he's around to add his admirable comments to this post.

Let me finish by going back to this thread: all three categories of business admin, IT and engineering are business-building jobs; if there are not enough jobs in these categories, it means the business-building sectors of this country have vaporised or at best stagnant. Which flies against the face of those rosy statements and figures portrayed fancifully. If they can mix up 80,000 with 18,000 with 66,000, what next won't they mix up? The data of the 9MP?

Wake Up Malaysia
More Brains Please
Care More Now
Substance Over Form
Pragmatism Over Idealism
See the !@#$# Big and Full Picture
Now

Google News

2005-04-03T14:10:00.000+08:00

Everytime I am interested in a particular news, I usually try to find information, stories, response from all sources. But this can be quite troublesome, tedious and down right pain in the neck. Fret no more as Google came up with a solution(again).

Try Google News. One stop for all(almost) sources.

p/s: This also means another step for Google in Web domination. I'm not complaining though.

Pope John Paul II Dies at 84

2005-04-03T14:07:00.000+08:00

By VICTOR L. SIMPSON, Associated Press Writer

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II, who helped topple communism in Europe and left a deeply conservative stamp on the church that he led for 26 years, died Saturday night in his Vatican apartment, ending a long public struggle against debilitating illness. He was 84.

Full news here.

Defunct

2005-04-02T13:42:00.000+08:00

Murtadd.org is now defunct. I guess. Too much attention was created after the blogging world decided to propogate the information

Dato' Azhar Mansor has also responded to the allegations. As reported in Kosmo, and presentend in JeffOoi.com

Much ado about nothing

2005-03-29T14:04:00.000+08:00

The recent racket about Ikea serving pork laced sausages has stirred the nation. Muslims where upset how, Ikea, a multi-national corporation could be so insensitive. Ikea in return holified their food preparation area in accordance to Islam's requirement.

However, the story took a turning point when the Government released to the media that the two companies did not use any pork or pork related items in their food processing. DNA revealed that its chicken, sheep and vegetable. The only thing they were guilty of was an expired halal certificate that they should have renewed.

Another news source

Even when the owner of Muller Sausage Haus, a Muslim himself, cried foul over the allegations, nobody listened to him. Now everything is cleared but the damage is done.

I was in Ikea few days back and I chatted with one of the staff there. Sales has been bad for them. Muslims averted from consuming any food that was served there. Now, what will the relevant authorities do to compensate to the affected parties. I have not seen any kind of formal apology or even an acceptance of error.

To err is human. But doing it again and again is plain stupidity!

Hear me roar!

2005-03-18T12:02:00.000+08:00

Recently, there has been uproar among the community, well at least with the ones I am around with, that Dato’ Azhar Mansor has converted into Christianity. The full details of the story can be read here.

It's hard to verify because its a forum and anyone can basically say anything. But the website does exist, and they give information for Malaysian Muslims to be an apostate (Christian or other convert). If you are curious, check it out http://www.murtadd.org/

But warning, the website states the truth about the apostate level in Malaysia and if you think you cannot handle it, I advise not to go in.

I think it’s a make believe story. It’s like what was said about Neil Armstrong (The First Man to reach the Moon). It was said that when he made his few steps on the moon, he heard the sound of Azan. The story goes that he actually met someone, maybe a prophet or vision or something like that there and said that Islam is the way and stuff like that. Once he got back to earth, he converted to Muslim and brought his family too. For a Muslim especially convert, this story makes us believe more in our faith. This story makes those who are a bit confused that they are on the right track in believing Islam.

I guess this Azhar Mansor story goes the same for the apostates that someone highly regarded has also chosen the Christian way. Or maybe just someone want to tarnish his image.

On a different note, I kind of don't agree with the law that does not allow people to convert out. Islam has already guaranteed that there is no force in the religion.

Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat 256:
" Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things. "

I don't see the point why the government forces people to be Muslim when they don't want to be. It's a sad thing to do. Instead of educating these people, forcing is just making it worse.

The Chain Letter that Saved the World

2005-03-14T16:54:00.000+08:00

This post is inspired by Hyelbaine. Well, just creating the post, not the content though

I hate chain letters and have never, or perhaps very rarely, forwarded them as I think they're a load of crap -- but this one is really worthwhile and expresses EXACTLY what I think about chain letters. I did not write, so I don't take any credit for it. If you know who wrote it, please let me know.

The Best Chain Letter Ever

Hello, my name is Candy and I suffer from the guilt of not forwarding 50 billion fucking chain letters sent to me by people who actually believe that if you send them on, a poor 6-year-old girl in Arkansas with a breast on her forehead will be able to raise enough money to have it removed before her redneck parents sell her to a traveling freak show.

Do you honestly believe that Bill Gates is going to give you, and everyone to whom you send "his" email $1000? How stupid are we? "Ooooh, looky here! If I scroll down this page and make a wish, I'll get laid by every good looking model in the magazine!"

What a bunch of bullshit. Maybe the evil chain letter leprechauns will come into my house and sodomize me in my sleep for not continuing a chain that was started by Peter in 5 AD and brought to this country by midget pilgrims on the Mayflower. Fuck them. If you're going to forward something, at least send me something mildly amusing.

I've seen all the "send this to 10 of your closest friends, and this poor, wretched excuse for a human being will somehow receive a nickel from some omniscient being" forwards about 90 times. I don't fucking care.

Show a little intelligence and think about what you're actually contributing to by sending out these forwards. Chances are, it's your own unpopularity. The point being? If you get some chain letter that's threatening to leave you shagless or luckless for the rest of your life, delete it. If it's funny, send it on. Don't piss people off by making them feel guilty about a leper in Botswana with no teeth who has been tied to the ass of a dead elephant for 27 years and whose only salvation is the 5 cents per letter he'll receive if you forward this email.

Now forward this to everyone you know. Otherwise, tomorrow morning your underwear will turn carnivorous and will consume your genitals.

Where was I?

2005-03-07T16:47:00.000+08:00

OK, I have been gone since New Year. Some thought I went to Banda Aceh. Some thought I was up it everything and migrated to Greenland. I like the latter though, get a fishing boat, do some deep sea fishing. Backed by some blue whales, walruses and musk oxen.

Anyway, back to reality. I was seconded to this Japanese company in Cyberjaya. Initially was excited with the prospect of not being with my dullard colleagues. Alas, my joy was dashed when the first thing they told me that I will not be given Internet access. Apparantly my function did not require internet access and its a privilege to have one. And they are a bloody IT solution provider. Which century is this company in? So with the daily 120KM travelling and no internet basically cut me off for a while. Weekends, I was just busy with life.

I was back for a while. I thought I got my freedom back. The Japs were impressed with my work, they want me back! So my boss saw an opportunity that he could not miss. So now I am back there for another two months and another possibility of an extenstion for another two months. Oh my god!

We Might As Well Dance

2005-03-05T16:37:00.000+08:00

I got an email from a friend I haven't heard in ages. It reads:

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

Because we cram so much into our lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to us gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to, not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!"

I was actually moved by it, where else usually I just dismiss it as internet junk. We are so busy in the rat race we forget what is our passion. My guitars have been collecting dust ever since it came back from the states. My fishing rod, I don’t even know where it is. All my photographs that I have taken through my journeys are somewhere in a drawer. Everything has been put off. I need to do something about this.

Almost Defunct

2005-02-14T10:56:00.000+08:00

Project Rain almost died. But its back. Wait up for new posts.

Donations Update

2004-12-30T15:03:00.000+08:00

If you're looking for a place to send these clothes and blankets to, call nationwide express at 03-55121000 extensions 306, 237 or 297, and they'll advise you where to send them. They’ve been assigned by Mercy (Malaysia).

The Buddhist temple in Brickfields is also collecting food, clothes and anything else for them. Donations should reach temple by Friday.

If you have a Maybank account and want to help Mercy, you can bank in your donation directly to Mercy's Maybank account number 5621 7950 4126. You’ll be helping mercy doctors and volunteers bring medical supplies to penang, kedah, acheh, and sri lanka.

If you would like to donate money for relief to the victims, you can do so through Islamic Relief

Update: As some of you may have received emails or word of mouth about a relief efforts at Dataran Maybank, Bangsar, this is the latest news.

Items such as blankets and clothes are sufficient. In urgent need are baby or children clothes, disposable diapers, school stationery and dried/canned food products. Wrapped or packed merchandises are to be labeled as such and may be sent to the following location from 9:00 AM to 5.00 PM tomorrow (31/12/2004).

Automobile Financing Department
Level 16, Mayban Finance Tower (Tower A)
Dataran Maybank, 1 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar

For further information, kindly contact Mr. Amir Hamzah (603.2297.1744) or Mr. Razif Mohar (603.2297.2331). All collections will be sent tomorrow night to Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah by convoys.

Personal Affair

2004-12-29T11:56:00.000+08:00

I am posting here an email sent by my friend who was in Penang when the disaster struck

I was in Penang and had to evacuate our hotel coz the whole buidling all 17 storeys SHOOK. Ry was white as a sheet. I thought it was all a joke till i realized it was serious and i was trying to get my garndma, walking stick and all, down the stairs. Said my prayers and just hoped. Some idiot in the hotel said it was a bomb - and thats what scared us.

Then things were cleared and we went on with our day. Had a lunch reservation at the E&O at 2.30 - got there on the dot and found the hotel closed as it had been struck by a tidal wave FIVE times -and at 2.20pm. The waves were the height of the buidling. If we had been 15 mins earlier, we would have been drenched, if not swept away. My grandma HOBBLES with a stick. Thank God everyone was calm and there was no pandemonium.

What was sad though was after the waves crashed the shore, all the Malaysian tourist where busy checking out of the hotel and running for their lives, while the foreign tourist where giving a helping hand in clearing the damange, helping the people and things like that. They even got their kids to chip in.

That last statement just saddens me. What have we become?

There is a blog dedicated in providing information, news, aid and volunteer resources. Go check it out. Give your helping hand. Click here

I also received a link about a video taken during the tsunami. Devasting. Click here(WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT, LARGE CONTENT,12MB)

Donations

2004-12-27T15:52:00.000+08:00

There are few places you can go but I suggest you to Screenshots for the most updated news.

NST Disaster Relief Fund

Contributions can be sent to the New Straits Times or Berita Harian at Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur and cheques should be made out to New Straits Times Press Berhad. On the reverse side of the cheque, please write NST-BH Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund.

MackZulkifli Donation Campaign

For now, pledges are welcome and we will forward the list to the Red Crescent Society for them to make collection later. Please email your name, phone number where you can be contacted and amount pledged to prf@brandmalaysia.com or an email to Jeff Ooi.

Sonic Boom

2004-12-26T15:46:00.000+08:00

I guess Asians were bad this year, Santa decided to give a very bad present this year.

It is really a devastation when an aftermath happens right around the corner. Things would have been worse if there wasn't a Sumatra. We should be thankful that most of Malaysia was protected by Sumatra island.

The day is not over yet, and they are expecting more tsunamis.

Till now, up to 24 earthquakes has been detected in the vicinity of the disaster. Click here for real-time information

My condolences goes to the families who have lost the loved ones. You can't help to wonder and pause why these things happen. May God bless your soul.

I am still looking for information for those interested to contribute. I shall post later when I have them.

The system works

2004-12-14T17:01:00.000+08:00

The recent move of Bank Negara has been lauded by many parties that the Central Bank has finally has decided to collocate with the consumers. Banks have been imposing these “hidden charges” to trap consumers. With Bank Negara’s move to consolidate the banking industry, consumers have been reduced for choice as on limited no of competition is left. The trend was unsettling, as when one bank imposes new charges, the rest just follows. “If he can do it, why not me” mentally started to sprout.

But now all is good. Hopefully. This also reminds of a story between me and bank and my attempt to stop this atrocious behavior.

During the height of ATM card identity theft, commercial banks have decided to change all existing ATM cards to those chip-based cards. So basically everyone was forced to change to this new type of card. I approached the customer service to get my card replaced. After a brief chat, I was filling in all necessary details regarding the change. I was done, and the officer asked me “Would like to pay my cash, or just debit your account?” I was puzzled. Pay for what I asked. She happily told me its for the new card. I told her I didn’t ask for a new card, the bank forced me to change. Then she told me, its for your own security, it has better features. I asked her again, it’s the bank problem that there are lapse in the security system, and as far as the features go, the chip has nothing to do what the ATM can offer. She was stunned as obviously no one had challenged them for this charge. She had no answers to my questions. After an awkward moment, she replied “if you are not happy with the charges, then you can cancel the ATM card”. Then I thought, I am screwed. I cannot live without my ATM card. I have no luxury to queue in the bank for every withdrawal. Damn, whoever said “Customer is King” never met this people. I without choice had to accept the charges and curse the bank on my way home.

Vote for Pok Ku

2004-12-07T13:13:00.000+08:00

The man, Pok Ku has been nominated for Best Malaysian blog in this year's Asia Blog Awards. I think he really deserves it, and those who thinks the same can do that by voting too.

I'm Back

2004-12-07T08:52:00.000+08:00

It was such a long layoff. Started off as a Hari Raya celebration for 11 days. I was going through "blog-detox" as no blogging, blog hopping or to the extreme of not even going to cyberspace. It was refreshing, revitalising. When I came back, I was sent off to Brunei. So now I am back.

p/s - I still haven't bought the new U2 cd, can't seem to find the Special Edition with the DVD. Have to try Tower Records this weekend.

Greetings

2004-11-10T16:03:00.000+08:00

To all Netizens,

Selamat Hari Raya & Happy Deepavali. Have a joyous holiday. I'm sure having one because I will be off for 11 days. And please drive carefully.

Yesterday

2004-11-09T15:22:00.000+08:00

This is dedicated to my friend who lost all his data yesterday. Now he ponders while shitting in his pants.

Yesterday,
All those backups seemed a waste of pay.
Now my database has gone away.
Oh I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly,
There's not half the files there used to be,
And there's a milestone hanging over me
The system crashed so suddenly.

I pushed something wrong
What it was I could not say.

Now all my data's gone
and I long for yesterday-ay-ay-ay.

Yesterday,
The need for back-ups seemed so far away.
I knew my data was all here to stay,
Now I believe in yesterday

p/s - The author of this alteration is yet to be found

All I Want is You

2004-11-04T11:48:00.000+08:00

I am not going to bother to blog about US Elections results. I am too darned depressed. I found a cure though. Apple just released this special edition iPod. Damn, I could use one right now. Probably I should setup a find like JeffOoi did for his server migration. The fund I shall call "The Great Depression Cure". Anyway, below is the specs for the masterpiece.

The gorgeous new iPod U2 Special Edition for Mac and Windows.

Paint it Black

Like no other, iPod U2 Special Edition stands out. Jet black, it bears a prominent red Apple Click Wheel and, on the flip side, the autographs of each U2 band member. Available for just $349, it comes with an exclusive U2 poster and, of course, the signature white iPod earbuds. As an extra special treat, it includes an iTunes Music Store coupon you can use to get $50 off your purchase of "The Complete U2." As unique as the iPod itself, this digital boxed set brings together an amazing 400 U2 tracks. Songs span the band’s celebrated career. From "Boy" to "War" to "The Joshua Tree" to "Zooropa" to the soon-to-be-released “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” it includes every U2 album and brings us over 25 rare and unreleased tracks. Look for it on the iTunes Music Store at the end of November.

The Cure

Like other members of the iPod family, iPod U2 Special Edition makes listening to music sheer delight. The fabulous Apple Click Wheel lets you scroll through all your songs, albums and playlists effortlessly. And you can certainly keep plenty of your music on this 20GB iPod. In fact, after purchasing and downloading “The Complete U2,” you’ll still have enough room for as many as 4,600 other songs

No matter how much music or how many Audiobooks you bring with you, however, iPod Special Edition remains small and light enough to carry in your pocket: it’s no bigger than a pack of playing cards and weighs just 5.6 ounces. It also offers up to 12 hours of battery life, so you can listen to music practically all day. And thanks to 25 minutes of skip protection, you can lead a really active lifestyle — jogging, bicycling, skate- or snowboarding — without missing a beat.

What’s more, with iPod Special Edition, you enjoy the best auto-sync in the industry. Just connect iPod to your Mac or PC, and iTunes takes care of business, keeping both iTunes and iPod in perfect harmony. Whether you’ve imported new tunes from CDs or downloaded and purchased them from the iTunes Music Store, iTunes will quickly move them to iPod. Create any On-the-Go Playlists? iTunes will spot those right away, add them to your existing playlists, and update play counts and ratings at the same time.

Americans Vote

2004-11-03T09:01:00.000+08:00

Today, Americans vote for their next commander-in-chief. Hope no blunders this time.

Anyway found this on one of Kerry's campaign websites. This is one hella of a reason to vote for him.

Mujo

2004-10-29T10:03:00.000+08:00

Got this from a friend of mine who is from Terengganu. I'm not from there but philosophy seems reasonable. Plus I tribute this to my Terengganu readers.

Originally written by Pok Ku, for everything Terengganu!

Mujo or mujur in Standard Bahasa means "fortunate" or "lucky". In Terengganu it means more than that. Mujo is an attitude, a testament to the optimism of the Terengganu folks. I believe that Terengganunese are optimistic. I haven't heard of any suicides there yet. No news whatsoever of people jumping down from coconut trees or drinking expired budu (preserved anchovy thick sauce) neat in order to expire themselves.

You must remember that Terengganu people lived with ferries, morning papers that came in the night and other things people in the West Coast take for granted. In spite of doing without 4D shops, discos, malls or Hot spot-enabled coffee houses, they are surviving well without any mental hospital in sight. All because they have mujo.

Like I mentioned previously, mujo encapsulate a philosophy in itself. It means one should thank God that it is not worse.

Time for an illustration.

(Cut to a scene of 3 village ladies in their kemban washing clothes by the village well)

Mok Long Selamoh: Guane doh adik mung Mek? (How is your brother Mek?)

Mok Teh Som : Bakpe pulok adik dia? (What happened to her brother?)

Mok Long Selamoh: Laaa! Mung dok tau ke Som? (You don't know Som?)

Mok Teh Som : Dok tau setarang kita. (I don't know anything)

Mok Long Selamoh: Adik Mek ni kena langgor lori kemareng. (Mek's brother was knocked down by a lorry yesterday)

Mek Beso : Bukang lori Mok Long, beng ikang! (It wasn't a lorry Mok Long, it was a fish van)

Mok Long Selamoh: Mujo bukang lori! (Lucky it wasn't a lorry)

Mok Teh Som : Pah tu? Terok ke? (Then? Was he seriously injured?)

Mek Beso : Kaki patah sebelah...... (One leg was broken)

Mok Teh Som : Mujo dok patoh dua dua (Lucky both legs weren't broken)

Mok Long Selamoh : Tu pong mujo dreba beng dang brek. (It was lucky that the van driver braked in time)

Mek Beso : Mujo beng tu dok laju.. (Lucky the van wasn't going fast..)

(Fade to black.)

If both legs were broken, the response would be "Mujo dok pecoh pala"(Lucky the head wasn't broken). If the head WAS broken, the response would be "Mujo dok mati" (Lucky he didn't die). If the worst happened and the brother died, the mujo would still surface. "Mujo lah bukang adik kita" (Lucky it wasn't my brother).

You get the drift.....

Mujo. A nice word. Adopt it. Embrace it. It will preserve your sanity.

How am I linked to Chow Kit?

2004-10-28T08:39:00.000+08:00

Out of boredome yesterday, I decided to go and check my sitemeter. As I was going through the statistic, I was quite stormed to see the search redirection.

Some of the search terms used by people who somehow end up here.

Datin Gila Sex
Kampung Boy
Sarung Party Girls Malaysia
Chow Kit Night Sex Live
Malaysia Gay Boys

Go figure

Sometimes

2004-10-24T13:19:00.000+08:00

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around.

You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.

You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement.

They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself.

Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around.

You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are.

The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever.

Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it's like being young again. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant.

Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn't exist at all.

A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day's work and always brings a smile to your face.

In their presence, there's no need for continuous conversation, but you find you're quite content in just having them nearby.

Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you.

You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon.

You open your heart knowing that there's a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that's so real it scares you.

You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end.

Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life. NOT

Groupies

2004-10-15T16:13:00.000+08:00

I didn't realise that I had a fan-base in this blog. Basically only 1% of my thoughts go in here. The rest just flies around aimlessly. I am supposed to document my cultural "heritage" as it seems to amuse and at the same time astonish people around me who keep wanting more. I also have this dream of writing a book(don't laugh) and yet to start on it.

The problem is, I need to change to a job that will give me more time for myself. Well, even when I have it, I just goof-off. More of recuperating I would say.

Anyway, I realised this is not going anywhere. So, Happy Fasting!

This Could Be My Moment

2004-09-23T20:08:00.000+08:00

The Verve may have split five years ago, but they left something to remember about. While most recalls their melancholic tunes of "Bittersweet Symphony", other worthy singles were not given decent credits.

"This Could Be My Moment" dates back to the band's 1997 Urban Hymns sessions, and is included on their best of compilation This Is Music: The Singles 92-98, out November 1. Not sure when it will hit Malaysian shores though.

However, you can listen to an exclusive sample of the track from today at thiscouldbemymoment.com

The other unreleased track on the compilation is titled Monte Carlo, making up the following tracklisting:

This Is Music
Slide Away
Lucky Man
History
She’s A Superstar
On Your Own
Blue
Sonnet
All In The Mind
The Drugs Don’t Work
Gravity Grave
Bitter Sweet Symphony
This Could Be My Moment
Monte Carlo

No Parking Allowed

2004-09-18T08:51:00.000+08:00

My domain registration has been declined due to payment failure. I was enraged as that was almost impossible, plus it was only US$25. After few calls and emails between here and there, my STUPID card issuing bank told me that my credit card cannot be used for online transactions. Plus I do not have any options to give authorisation or anything like that in order to use it online. I am a heavy user of internet shopping. I have cancelled all my other credit cards in attempt to curb my water-like-spending and just left one card for my transactions. And I have the crappiest one. Oh jolly!

The Battle is Over

2004-09-17T09:09:00.000+08:00

Johnny Ramone, founder of punk The Ramones has died after 5 years battle with prostate cancer.

Johnny Ramone was one of the original members of the struggling Ramones, whose hit songs "I wanna be sedated" and "Blitzkrieg Bop," among others, earned them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

Johnny Ramone co-founded "The Ramones" in 1974 in New York along with singer Joey Ramone, bassist DeeDee Ramone and drummer Tommy Ramone, who is the only surviving member of the original band.

Since its debut album in 1976, the band struggled for commercial success, but they left a formidable imprint on the rock genre. Though they never had a Top 40 song, the Ramones influenced scores of followers, including bands such as Green Day and Nirvana.

Even Bruce Springsteen was moved. After seeing the Ramones in Asbury Park, N.J., Springsteen wrote "Hungry Heart" for the band. His manager, however, swayed him to keep the song for himself and it became a hit single.

"The Ramones had it rough," said Vega, who's worked with the band for 30 years. "The band almost had to be protected from people who were taking advantage of them. There was never any money made."

Fans have remained loyal to the Ramones, and the Ramones over the years have been loyal to their fans. In 1979, while shooting scenes for the film "Rock 'n' Roll High School," the Ramones — ignoring the director's order — played a concert-length session for fans who had paid to be extras, Vega said.

"The Ramones never ever lost their image, their aura of being the ultimate underdog, the voice of the angry young man," Vega said.

One time, standing onstage at Madison Square Garden last summer, Eddie Vedder pulled out a cell phone to call Johnny Ramone at home. Before dialing, Vedder explained his motivation for the long-distance shout out.

"The Ramones ... they were maybe one of the greatest American rock bands ever," Vedder told a cheering crowd in the band's hometown. "They were a punk band."

Changing Times

2004-09-12T16:00:00.000+08:00

I decided to give away my morbid design to something more pastoral. Got the basic things up and running. Also considering to move to my own domain. Shall keep you all posted.

Diabolical

2004-09-05T18:28:00.000+08:00

Astro are currently replacing all the smartcards of about 1.3 million subscribers nationwide. In this exercise there was a clause added that you will need to use the services for a minimum period of 12 months or RM 500 fine will be imposed. This has caused an outrage. Who wouldn't? After the media uproar for few days, Astro issued a press statement saying people were confused and went on saying that the new agreement has been intact since 2001. The terms and condition only applies from the date of service activation not smart-card replacement.

One question though, if its that what Astro meant, why did Astro change their Q&A section from this

to this

and remove the FAQ which stated these

Astro is under pressure as Mitv and Telekom are trying to enter the segment. By tricking the consumers to be tied for another 12 months, that pretty much kills it for Mitv and Telekom as subsribers cannot switch as their are tied. Astro's diabolical project is foiled. Kudos to our consumers who are more awake nowadays.

Reform not Revolution

2004-09-03T10:41:00.000+08:00

2nd September seems to be a rummy date. Six years ago, Anwar Ibrahim was sacked, and triggered the biggest political upheaval in the nation's history. And so it is done. The court's acquittal of Anwar Ibrahim brings to a close a tragic chapter in the nation's bleak history.

What's next remains clouded. Digging the past would reveal some unturned stones. But are we ready for that? The fragility of the "res publica" will be scuppered from the facade that has been rendered. The nation was divided over the matter, but what would be interesting to see is if anyone decided to change camps. At the end of the day, it's who can steer you towards power & wealth that matters. Definitely there are people who are fervid about the reform; the rest is just going on the ride.

All that is behind us now. Not that the scars will vanish overnight. This is a time for the nation to reconcile themselves to the "Che Guevara" episode and to move beyond it. We need a reform, not a revolution.

Sentiments Around The Bend

Just Write
Nads
WooKooKoo
MGG Pillai
Najah
Dina Zaman
Jeff Ooi

Court frees Anwar

2004-09-02T14:11:00.000+08:00

In a 2-1 decision, the country's highest court today set former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim free after quashing his sodomy conviction. Also freed was his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja who had been convicted of the same offence.

From Bernama

The panel of judges answered the issue in the negative.

Among Justice Abdul Hamid's reasons was that the essential part of the offence had not been proven by the prosecution, as Azizan, being the only source for the date of the offence, showed inconsistency, contradiction and demeanour when giving evidence on the issue, therefore not making him a reliable source.

He said that Azizan's evidence on the date of the incident was doubtful as he had given three different dates in three different years, the first two covering a period of one month each and the last covering a period of three months.

From CNN

Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi, who succeeded Anwar as Mahathir's hand-picked heir, had been expected to take a softer line toward Anwar and put the divisive issue behind Malaysia after he took office last year.

Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamad read out the verdict over 11/2 hours. As it became apparent that Anwar, 57, would be freed, the former deputy prime minister -- wearing a neck brace and confined to a wheelchair -- exchanged excited glances with family members and gave a thumbs-up sign.

"We are not prepared to uphold the conviction," Abdul Hamid said. "We therefore allow this appeal and set aside the conviction and the sentence."

Abdul Hamid said that conviction was flawed because the chief prosecution witness, Azizan Abubakar, had repeatedly changed the dates of that he claimed Anwar had committed homosexual acts with him.

From BBC

Thursday's appeal to Malaysia's Federal Court - the country's highest - was the last legal opening for the former minister.

The court was reviewing an earlier rejection of Anwar's appeal - but decided to quash the original conviction by a vote of 2-1.

"We allow the sentence and conviction to be set aside. We find the High Court misdirected itself. He should have been acquitted," said Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamad, head of a three-judge panel.

The conscience urges us to go to a place of safety from condemnation. Why have a conscience if we can never live above condemnation?

Get live update from here

Get Court Jugment
Datin Paduka Rahmah Hussain
Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad

Neo-Colonialism

2004-08-31T00:01:00.000+08:00

By Grease-Bar

The nation welcomes another year of independence, another year of camaraderie, another year of sovereignty. The question remains, are we really independent? What does it mean to be independent?

The British may have left our soil 47 years ago leaving but they left behind a colonial guided government and thinking. And after 47 years, we still have not freed the ghost in the shell. The development of the nation moved from colonial imposition to western replication. We are trying to morph into something we are not.

...the greatest challenge that has surreptitiously arisen in our age is the challenge of knowledge, indeed, not as against ignorance; but as knowledge conceived and disseminated throughout the world by Western civilization; knowledge whose nature has become problematic...; knowledge which pretends to be real..., which elevated doubt and conjecture to the 'scientific rank'...(Al-attas, 1978)

I have personally have been affected by this apartheid. Try entering any nightspots in the city and order a non-alcoholic drink. Note the treatment that you will receive. You will perceive a pair of wretched eyes stark staring mad at you, questioning your very own sanity in the choice. Once I was asked why I enter these places if I don’t plan to drink, and then I ask, why bother having non-alcoholic drink on the menu if you don’t plan to serve. Even if they decided to serve, you can discern the difference of service.

Restaurateurs on the other hand choose to discriminate against you based on your origin. Some well known establishment had imposed a dress code upon us but this somehow does not seem to be applying to Westerners. People have been denied entry to some of the establishment in the city due to non-adherence of this invisible dress code. People were also denied tables with a better view citing the reason of being reserved. But this reserve status can be invoked if the requesters were Westerners. When questioned, they don’t even bother to address your vexation. Such arrogance which was seen during the colonial period now resurfaces.

The phenomenon not only rattled our social structure, now infiltrating our work. The influx Western consultants, knowledge workers and whoever has made us oppugn our own intelligence. We suddenly lose the ability to be judicious, critical towards their word. We display such helplessness, vulnerability, and impuissance at the very sight of a Westerner. Every word out of their mouth is like a commandment from God. It has reached to a state where this state of deity is demanded upon and any form if resistance is slivered and splintered.

It is such a piteous state to see people worshipping Westerners thus the emergence of Sarung Party Girls (SPG) and other unclassified social groups. In the working class, just hire any "mat salleh" for your company, I guarantee you can secure any project that your company wants. We are constantly dazzled by their presence or thought.

We are repeating the errors Meiji made during 1868 – 1912. But Meiji realized his mistakes when he was short changed by them. Are we going to wait to be short changed? The overhasty celebration of independence may masks the march of neo-colonialism in the guise of modernization and development in an age of industrial globalization. Paradoxically our mindset is still under the control of colonization.

Sex And The City, or, Melayu Mudah Lupa

2004-08-23T11:10:00.000+08:00

By: Zaim Al-Amin

As a kampung boy like any other, the topic of sex has never been in any breakfast table talk in my conservative family. It’s considered taboo. No one would be surprised if this innocent kampung boy would someday ask his mother to eat more so that she could get another baby, thinking pregnancy is, after all, a result of over-eating.

Ah, the bliss of ignorance.

Parenting during that time was a strict, regimental exercise that sometimes can even put Hitler to shame. Televisions are locked most of the time (yes, they did have built-in locks). Even telephone sets have padlocks, with Dad (or, more realistically, Ayah, Abah or Bapa) having the only key. So kids were, in every way, protected against the `evil outside world’.

But I was not to be deceived for long, and some self-made discoveries later, I was all the more wiser. Which, with the benefit of hindsight, was a feat in itself, considering the absence of the internet and Astro back then. And, yes, the court cases.

Kids nowadays are luckier (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) when it comes to sex education. While education in itself carries a positive connotation (even when coupled with sex), there’s always the possibility of abuse of knowledge. Not unlike knowledge of atoms; you could produce limitless energy out of it, or you could choose to produce bombs.

The internet made a forceful presence here sometime in the late eighties, offering limitless information at the fingertips. Of course, after typing a few boring URLs, one would soon be tempted to be a little bit more adventurous. It won’t take long before pornographic sites are found and downloaded. Thus is born another sex seeker internet geek who, in normal life, would not even know where to get a copy of Playboy or Penthouse.

Before long still, the satisfaction of feasting one’s eyes on photos and short films would wane. Some action needs to be done, and somebody introduced a more exciting way to while away time over the internet. Enter the chat rooms.

Originally known as IRC (internet relay chat), these chat rooms sprouted, bearing different names and websites, each suggesting what they have in store. It could be Teen, Veteran, Mischievous or Married But Still Cheeky. They are basically websites where one can assume a nickname, find another partner by nickname, then type in messages via his computer which will be relayed and displayed in real time on the other person’s computer.

It became quite a craze. Soon lots of people were chatting; irrespective of age, race, sex and location. In a way it was good; it opened up venues for friendship between people whom may not lift an eyebrow should they have met casually on a street. But on the internet, they become best friends, buddies, soulmates etc. And more often than not, they also happen to be someone else’s husband. Or wife. And more often than not, what began as a harmless, platonic relationship turns out to be otherwise.

Then came Astro, a subscriber television network that offers round the clock entertainment via satellite, providing programmes that made a mockery of the National Censorship Board. One would still remember how, just a few years down the line, some artists were blacklisted just because they sported long hairs which was, at that time, regarded as having a bad influence on kids. How far have we gone since.

As if all that were not enough, we were later bombarded with lucid details of sexual misconducts via court reporting by the newspapers. Details that made even seasoned husbands blush. Oral sex, anal sex, fetish sex, bondage and what have you. One of my friends once mentioned to me that he was beginning to wonder whether it’s those details that were outrageous, or it’s the sex in his marriage that was lacking. He later proudly confided to me that he has since 'deviated' from his otherwise 'normal missionary position', and I begged him not to tell what he meant by that.

Suddenly Malays have become so modern. We are now the race who work hard, fly up the corporate ladder, get paid high salaries and have a fair share of after office unwinds like spas, pubs, night clubs. And girls.

And so accommodating is our attitude that we allow positive connotations to be attached to them in place of what used to be 'dirty words'. Something like Pusat Istirehat or Pusat Kesihatan instead of massage parlours. And nowadays nobody go to discos or cabarets anymore. They just go 'clubbing'. And we no longer have agogo dancers to entertain us anymore. Now we just have some boring sounding officers like those Guest Relations Officers (GRO). Or for the expatriates, Sarung Party Girls (SPG).

So what does an open minded modern Malay parent do in the midst of all this? I’ve got four kids to look after; two boys and two girls, and already they are way beyond me when I was their age in terms of knowledge. How do I shield them from the notorious outside world that now and again rears its ugly head, either through the internet, media or from seemingly innocent but equally corrupted peers?

The next time the kids pop up questions that we think they shouldn’t have asked, should we look at them in disbelief, in total resignation, and painstakingly tell them what they really should not know, or hush them up with the false hope that it would eventually get out of their minds? I dread that frown on my eldest daughter’s face which I know would be accompanied by a sparkle in her eyes, meaning that she’s about to ask another 'brilliant' question.

Now, as I look up from the dark rows of parking lots underneath my condo unit and gaze at the brightly lit Kuala Lumpur city skyline in the distance, it suddenly dawns on me that the phrase 'Sex And The City' brings a whole new meaning…

A Malaysian Rant

2004-08-23T10:56:00.000+08:00

By: Mat Golek

If you ever wonder what National Service, Religious Freedom, Pos Laju, Astro, and the Federal Highway really mean to Malaysians - well, at least to one Malaysian - then look no further. Rants on uniquely Malaysian features.

National Service - where loyal and disloyal Malaysians are transported to in order to be socially programmed to be fairly more useful social creatures. It started with the possibility of weapon-trained Malaysians, in triple figures to the ones in Singapore, but now has become a three month pow-wow for school leavers before they start their matriculation or form six. Initial results from the camps have been poor. Some of the instructors have even beaten up the happy campers, just so they will know who is in charge of the training. And there is a bevy of beauties for the trainers to date when they feel bored.

The Malaysian Football Team - Which one? Olympic or national? But since there is only the SEA games where we compete as somewhat equals, there is only a nominal senior team. There are no theories in the national football league since most of the players playing in it probably would not know how to spell “Theory” let alone understand it. The President of FAM however would like to argue he will set it right. Since he has been in charge for more than twenty years, he is best equipped to rectify the errors since most of them began while he was in charge. The whole know the bug before you kill the bug, is wholly true, he argues feverishly. He has been the only one constantly present throughout all these failures, he knows it best.

Religious Freedom - Well, that is a completely erroneous topic, so the Minister says. Of course there is complete and unadulterated freedom when it comes to religion, up to a point. I mean anything that is too much cannot be a good thing. That does not explain anything, however the Minister indicated again and he would like people to remember, it is not his job to give answers that make people happy; he just answers to particular people and does the job that is asked of him. But Mr Minister, we just want to know how much freedom is there? No, No, No, this sort of confrontational discourse helps no one and it is typical, he insists, of recalcitrant forces like us liberals to ask for things that he surely would be crucified to address.

Africans in Chow Kit - They have a whole continent and they have to come over here, why is that? Arguments that Polynesians a long time ago also traversed the Pacific to get here is a non-issue, stick to the crucial pieces, or at least pretend to. We did have that police operation two years ago to rid them, and maybe another one should be due. How about treating them as people and letting them adjust to life here in Malaysia, to help them become useful citizens? Not likely, not likely at all. There is too much political cost, and remember we are in Malaysia, we just do not rock the boat! You just quietly sit in the boat and be very very happy that there is a boat for people like you.

Pos Laju - Just because it is the post, and the word speed is attached to it, does not mean the letters actually have to get to you in time. Neither is the trouble caused by the postmen who ask you to drive to their office on a workday to collect the document because you were not home on a workday. All of us can learn much introspection from this shoddy service. The document is urgent, but it is not the fault of Pos Malaysia that the people receiving it are too busy making a living for themselves elsewhere, to be at home waiting exclusively for the mail. Neither is it of any real concern if there are emotional and financial costs because the documents are retrieved days after they were useful.

Tenaga Nasional - The people who will give you black-outs when it is inconvenient and think it is insensitive of the tenant in a dark house on a Wednesday night to seek an official explanation from the national monopoly. Thank god for those well-lit spots all around the city at night - the tourists must like them a lot. I wonder if the chairman of the company, who is from Sarawak, is interested in the plight of the simpletons here in Selangor wanting some communication from the people who are very prompt in collecting the charges monthly.

Astro (MEASAT) - It is with due diligence the keepers of another monopoly declared an increase to the cost of subscription - it seems programming is expensive. And telling us this is only the first increase since 2002 is neither here nor there. Can we have another provider? Residents in neighbouring countries pay less for satellite TV, and since the cost is for the shows that ASTRO produces on its own, it can either cut them down, or break the cost up more - let viewers who do not want local content produced at a premium by Astro pay differently. Following the Astro rationale, pay for what you get, I do not need to pay for Astro Ria, when all I want is HBO and the BBC. I can live on the free local channels alone for the local content. Astro, we are not going to be suckers forever, remember the Bastille?

Chat sites - the only thing most Malaysians are using on the internet, in addition to some free email sites. This is the new vision of technologically adapt and forward thinking Malaysians, Malaysia indeed Boleh! I bumped into this girl on the site, and she said that she was personally offended that there are people in Malaysia that are still harbouring high pretences about the English Language when chatting in Malay is the way to go. And there is also the matter of simplified language patterns that you would only understand if you are an ardent reader of Gila-Gila. She hopes to be a doctor, so luckily she has nothing against Latin. Not yet anyway.

The Federal Highway - It is a monument of how traffic can be made by us mere mortals if we put our minds to it, and there are many that do just that. It helps if there are accidents on the road; that way, you can look at the accidents and go, hey! Now we have a really valid reason to slow down and make the five thousand cars right behind us also suffer. Someone told me, that it is the great design that there should be traffic there all the time, if not all the support toll highways will not get business. Makes business sense but how about sods like me in the bleeding heat trying to get to business appointments?

Community Centres - What community centres? I have met so many senior citizens that are more than irked with the absence of real infrastructure for them to enjoy their latter years in their community centres that they like to say, perhaps we do not matter anymore! Of course they do. Just because the government of the day does little for them does not mean the rest of us do not care. We tend to feel really really bad when cinema gives us a story about the pain and suffering of the aged. For about two minutes we feel their pain and that should be enough, those old geezers better do it themselves, there are no free lunches right? But they have our sympathy. Definitely.

Malaysiana

2004-08-23T10:52:00.000+08:00

As we countdown to the National Day, most of my post will be things related to Malaysia. If you have any pieces that you would like to publish, let me know, I shall link from here.

Being Twenty-Something

2004-08-18T08:42:00.000+08:00

They call it the "Quarter-life Crisis." It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get hot and scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you do not realize is that they are realizing that too and are not really cold or catty or mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you are.

You look at your job. It is not even close to what you thought you would be doing or maybe you are looking for one and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and are scared.

You miss the comforts of college, of groups, of socializing with the same people on a constant basis. But then you realize that maybe they weren't so great after all. You are beginning to understand yourself and what you want and do not want.

Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging a bit more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and add things to your list of what is acceptable and what is not. You are insecure and then secure.

You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly change is the enemy and you cry and cling on to the past with dear life but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward. The stupid ones plateau, the smart ones rise.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough to get to know better. You love someone but maybe love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you are not a bad person. One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap and getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision.

You wonder what in the hell is wrong with you. You worry about loans and money and the future and making a life for yourself and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender! We are making a lot of mistakes, but helping one another learn from them.

We will piss one another off, and laugh at the end of a conversation that started with angry words. We are a group that talks behind the backs of the same people we call to meet up with on a Friday night, but we are sorry about it and we know that we were just being insecure like they have been.

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it and we are all in this together. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out. We are friends, and in 10 years we will be friends who have figured out where we fit in this world.

Anonymous

The One Time

2004-08-10T15:49:00.000+08:00

The One Time I decided not to use Micorosft Word to pen before i publish, the stupid connection got timed-out and my post is gone. Will rewrite gain as the juice in my brain comes back.

Double Take

2004-08-10T15:32:00.000+08:00

Few weeks back, I was privileged to witness the grandeur of Double Take.

Where's John Hammond when we need him?

Well, he's dead of course, but someone else needs to step up, to go out and discover musicians not currently on Hollywood's radar screen. It was Hammond who made a career as top talent man by driving around the country looking, listening actually for new music to bring to the public. In this manner, he found Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

These days, the bushings are pretty well beat; be hard to find a band that's had the time to percolate and grow without being found by the major labels, but there's a load of talent elsewhere just waiting to be discovered by the public.

Roger Wang and Mia Palencia, for instance.

They hail from Sabah, Malaysia, although they spend much of their time performing in Kuala Lumpur these days.

And they are creating some of the very best jazz anywhere on the planet, both together as Double Take and Wang solo.

Look, we realize that John Hammond is dead, but someone out there must be smart enough to take a chance on Palencia and Wang, to sign them to a distribution deal, bring them stateside for a tour. Hollywood may like blaming online music piracy for its declining sales, but our guess is that if the music suits would offer the public more artists like these two and fewer Backstreet Boys, they might turn those declining sales around.

Apologies

2004-08-05T10:39:00.000+08:00

I know I have not been updating my blog. I'm running out of hands at the moment. I promise will be back soon.

Superman

2004-07-24T17:36:00.000+08:00

One word of advice, never show to your employers that you are superman. You may rescue them during time of distress. Instead of appreciating you, they keep on giving you mission-impossibles since you have demonstrated you are capable. I just been handed another mission-impossible. Fifth one for the month! Damn leeches.

World vs Microsoft

2004-07-22T17:30:00.000+08:00

I have discovered the menace behind by encrypted messages. I usually type my post in Microsoft Word before I post it. The reason behind this is that I was a lot of time waiting for people. While I am idle, I take this time to write off-line. When I get connected, I usually just cut-and-paste the text into blogger. Apparantly all special characters in Microsoft is converted to jibberish in blogger. Why, I have no idea. So now I have retype the characters in order to display them correctly.

Why is everyone against Microsoft?

Utter Madness

2004-07-18T11:40:00.000+08:00

I am going berserk here. For some bizarre reason, all my special characters(apostrophe, etc) somehows turns into some gibrish i don't understand. Is this a message from another world. Maybe I should decrypt this unknown yet beautiful language. What? I'm hearing. You want to me to shoot them all?

On a unrelated matter, my keyboard has lost the ability to type colon/semi-colon. I think that key died of humiliation. I rarely used it(i think so), so it decided to end the suffering. It could not take it anymore. May its soul rest in peace.

Utopia

2004-07-17T22:24:00.000+08:00

I am now obsessed with the whole inkling of building my own nation. I have moved on from the virtual craze. After sleepless nights, restless days I discover the world project. World project? "Is this the project where government is secretly selecting the inhabitants of a new planet?" a friend asked. For heaven's sake, please stop watching TV! Anyway, The World Project will consist of 250 islands strategically positioned to form the shape of the world map.

Problem with this solution, I need to come with at least US$ 100 million who buy my own nation. Mr Bill Gates, would like to fund to my project?

p/s What else are they going to think of next?

Boneheadonia

2004-07-16T21:58:00.000+08:00

I was seriously pondering on the whole notion of moving to Jupiter. It follows that my dream came true, well, at least virtually. I am able to create my own nation, choose which region I want to be in. Build a nation and administer it according to your own political ideals, however warped they may be. You can create a Utopian paradise for society's less fortunate or a totalitarian corporate police state. Care for your people or deliberately oppress them. Join the United Nations or remain a rogue state. It's really up to you.

Check out my nation, also known as BONEHEADONIA as I am firm believer that "logic is always controlled and altered by boneheads". This nation portrays the inner workings of me. Mostly my dark side and hidden desires.

Somebody needs a hug

2004-07-14T13:44:00.000+08:00

Recently I was introduced to the awesomeness that is GroupHug.us. It's a site people can use to anonymously confess their sins, or anything else they may feel guilty about. The confessions are then posted on the site for all to read. Judging by their traffic, for many people GH.us is a reasonable alternative to making the long trek to church.

The site claims to be a source of therapeutic release ("It actually feels good to know that someone will read it."), but I'm pretty sure the drive behind creating such a venue is to attract people to read the nonsense rather than relieve people of their demons. Just as the old saying about television news goes, "If it bleeds, it leads." Our culture is obsessed with disaster. And I'm not any different.

I scoured the site for about an hour, and will likely return the next time I get bored enough. But most of them are moderate, admitting to things we've all done or can relate to. Like lusting for pre-marital sex, or stealing gum at an early age.

Wading through the many entries can get monotonous, but every once in a while you come across a gem that makes it all worth it. I thought I'd share a few of my personal favorites (some are paraphrased, while most have corrected spelling)

"I asked my mom to commit suicide for my 19th birthday. 37 days later, she did just that."

"My mom has no idea I have had sex with three of her friends. If she ever found out she would kill me."

"Sometimes I like to lick the counters at fast food restaurants. I don't know why."

"Recently a guy offered to give me ice and suck me off and I let him. We got really high and had sex for five hours. Nothing unsafe but I feel bad because my wife doesn't know."

"I have an anger management problem, and no one knows. When I get mad, I hit concrete walls, hit myself, and things like that. There was this one time, i just ran myself into my bedroom wall just because I couldn't find a jacket. I need help."

And my favorite...

"I have a square testicle."

Looks like planet Earth is no longer virtuous to be inhabited. Is Jupiter still available?

Monday

2004-07-12T17:21:00.000+08:00

This six-letter word, powerful enough to blow up an inhibited south pacific atoll into ashes. It is so dreadful that the force causes a disturbance in the earth's magnetic fields, causing the migrating birds to the south ending up in North Pole. They eventually rot and die. This is what some people think of Monday. I never understood why.

Conversation with a friend on a Monday:

"Don't try to humor me, it's Monday." she said.

"What's that has to do with Monday." I squawked.

"The weekend is already over!" she exhaled.

"Did you have a bad weekend?" I was curious.

"No it was good actually. Very refreshing."

"So what was the problem? I could not figure it out. You did not get wasted, or hung over, or even got a tattoo that should exist. Everything was good, now you are fresh, what else could you ask for?" I rose in disgust.

The next thing I know, I was left on the curb of the streets walking to work. Ok, that's fiction, but the look from her eyes says it all.

Moral of the story: Never question the sanity of the person who is driving you somewhere.

Weddings, arrghh!

2004-07-11T16:30:00.000+08:00

I hate weddings. Unless you are someone who might worth something in my life and feels my presence will bless your wedding (which I don't understand how); don't even think that I will be there. In courtesy basis, based on your historic behavioral records, I might make an appearance, but fifteen minutes top before I get sniped from the smug married. The smug who? The Smug married!

The smug married are the ones who have been married pretty recently and with no progeny. They think they are better than everyone else there. They love listening to relationship problems faced by you. They find it amusing; therefore they make good listeners and would give well thought feedback and advice. Not! Their diagnosis for everything is something is wrong with you. You come alone, something is wrong with you. You come with someone different every time, something is wrong with you. If you don't come at all, what the hell is wrong with you?

With enough training, you can skim through the battle zone and escape death. One clue: they always wear matching colors. If you managed to escape, bravo; but be wary. Scavenging the scenes are the Singletons. These are god's complex creatures. They even evolved into two different sub species. Subspecies A are the crusaders of eternal love. They are usually well-groomed, over-zealous and constantly trying to establish their existence in the world. The subspecies is predominantly male. The rare females do pops in once in a while. In this event, the rarely seen violent mating ritual takes place. Its madness, parental guidance suggested. On the other hand, subspecies B are the more peaceful bunch. They are the self-proclaimed non-believers, lurking quietly at failures of past loves. Their creed is career. More of a pathetic excuse than creed I would say. Insecurity and loneliness is what both have in common. Both deal with loneliness in different ways. The former would just date or have relationship with anyone they meet while the latter drown themselves in their career.

But there is one creature you should fear the most. The Comrade-X. You should tremble in fear, even with the sound of their whispers and the sight of their shadows. They are also known as "The Punishers". They are bleak, depressing and sadistic. They are your ex's friend. Predominantly female, the rest is self-explanatory.

Who am I? Beats me.

Connection engaged

2004-07-05T10:12:00.000+08:00

I never understood people who cling to the notion that "whatever you do you need to have an insider connection". What's up with this dire need?

I happen to befriend a bunch of people in various important places. I used to know them way before where they are now and don't plan to use them in any way. I don't mix life and business. Period. I don't see the need in any sort.

I also happen to know a bunch of people who wants to use these connections for their personal benefit. What I don't understand is why need to go through this while you can still go the direct way like other ten million people who went through it. Its not like you are in a desperate situation where you have no other options. For some bizarre reason, when something comes up, first thing that seems to come to peoples mind is that "Who do I know?" or "Who owes me a favor?". Why can't they do it the normal way?

Everyone says the world is about who you know not what you know. In certain aspect its true but for your everyday life its not. All you have to do is try. If you are right, nothing can go wrong.

Without Prejudice

2004-07-02T15:18:00.000+08:00

I just came back from a business trip two days back. I arrived at the airport five hours before time as there was nothing else to do and nowhere to go. While I was lazing on the benches, I was watching with astonishment, a coltish kid; local muslim boy who was playing with some balloons. I was not the only one watching him; there was another pair, pearly blue, gazing at him but in despair. It was a little girl; Caucasian to be exact; who cannot share the same fortune of the moment. The boy sensed the anguish, decided to give one of his balloons to the little girl. This was the finest moment for humanity. At this current climate, act like this cannot be witnessed anymore even though it is as simple as sharing a balloon. I ask myself, "How was it possible?" If the same situation was applied to a grown man, I bet the outcome would have been the opposite. What made the boy to give up on his balloon? I realized that the boy was thinking without prejudice. All he sees is a little girl in quail of amusement. If he would have thought with prejudgment, he would assume people from the west equals corrupt. On the other hand, if the little girl thought the same way, she would have assumed that there is a bomb in the balloon!

But how can we achieve humanity without prejudice? What if the new millennium were a new beginning, an opportunity to turn, all together, the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence? Is this possible? These questions linger in my mind. I do not have the answers to these. Then I came upon this pledge:

PLEDGE FOR PEACE
I pledge
in my daily life,
in my family,
my work,
my community,
my country and
my region, to:

Respect the life and dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice.

Practice active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and social, in particular towards the most deprived and vulnerable such as children and adolescents.

Share my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and economic oppression.

Defend freedom of expression and cultural diversity, giving preference always to dialogue and listening without engaging in fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others.

Promote consumer behavior that is responsible and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet.

Contribute to the development of my community,with the full participation of women and respect for democratic principles,in order to create together new forms of solidarity.

You too could sign it!

Virtual Insanity

2004-06-23T17:53:00.000+08:00

I have decided to join this bandwagon. Freedom of speech so they call it. So let's keep on rocking!