Wednesday, September 17, 2008
916, 917, ...
The much hyped about 916 ended as an anti-climax. However, today, 917 has seen interesting development on the political front again. These past few days we have had a minister resigning, a minor party pulling out of BN, another blogger detained, a reshuffle at the cabinet level, Tun M to rejoin UMNO, etc.
With so many things happening all at once, it is certainly hard to predict the outcome. While many Malaysians believe that DSAI will have what it takes to throw out BN, it is naive to think that he will simply gets what he wants. The path to Putrajaya will not be easy and I'm sure BN will try to halt his journey every inch of the way.
And this is where my worry is. DSAI couldn't have picked a worst time to stake his claim to the PMship. With the current turmoil in the financial markets, the economy can only gets worse from here on. Rather than our leaders concentrating on managing the economy and lessen the impact on any global slowdown, they are spending their time trying to stay in power because of a credible threat to their rule.
While all these political news are very exciting and some of us are waiting with bated breath for a new era in Malaysian politics, I do wish once and for all, this power struggle can have an early conclusion so that the leaders can go back to governing.
It is quite tiring to keep hearing DSAI repeating that he has the numbers on one hand and the BN calling his bluff on the other. If DSAI does have the numbers, BN should be graceful in defeat and let him have a go at ruling this country. If he doesn't, he should just admit it and move on.
Well, I may sound a little idealistic but if there is a financial meltdown globally and we still have two sides battling it out on who should rule, the people who would suffer the most would be the ordinary man in the street.
With so many things happening all at once, it is certainly hard to predict the outcome. While many Malaysians believe that DSAI will have what it takes to throw out BN, it is naive to think that he will simply gets what he wants. The path to Putrajaya will not be easy and I'm sure BN will try to halt his journey every inch of the way.
And this is where my worry is. DSAI couldn't have picked a worst time to stake his claim to the PMship. With the current turmoil in the financial markets, the economy can only gets worse from here on. Rather than our leaders concentrating on managing the economy and lessen the impact on any global slowdown, they are spending their time trying to stay in power because of a credible threat to their rule.
While all these political news are very exciting and some of us are waiting with bated breath for a new era in Malaysian politics, I do wish once and for all, this power struggle can have an early conclusion so that the leaders can go back to governing.
It is quite tiring to keep hearing DSAI repeating that he has the numbers on one hand and the BN calling his bluff on the other. If DSAI does have the numbers, BN should be graceful in defeat and let him have a go at ruling this country. If he doesn't, he should just admit it and move on.
Well, I may sound a little idealistic but if there is a financial meltdown globally and we still have two sides battling it out on who should rule, the people who would suffer the most would be the ordinary man in the street.
Labels: Politics
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Don't Question Malay Rights
Lately, there have been hot issues raised over the social contract and Malay rights. As usual, the non-Malays are told not to question those rights which the Malays will supposedly defend at all cost.
Actually, I think the government has brainwashed me quite successfully in this aspect. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when the people who benefit the most from it are a select and corrupt few. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when it has become a tool that is conveniently used to divide and rule. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when politicians use it to further their own personal agenda and line their own pockets.
I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when my Malay ex-boss who earned a few thousand more than me can get a 7% discount when he bought a double-storey house. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when Malay students much smarter and in a better class than me still had an easier entry into local universities. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when those Malay students chauffered-driven to school still qualify for government study loans.
I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when there are still many, many poor Malays who cannot afford to buy their children a pair of school shoes. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when I still get to see two poor Malay kids hugging their father tightly on a motorbike ride to school. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when I see such misallocation of resources. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when the Malays that need it the most are not the ones that are getting the most out of those rights.
The list can be longer but you get my point. Yes, I know I cannot question Malay rights. I should not. It has been ingrained in me not to. Whether it has been misused, abused or whatever, it is not supposed to be my problem. Even if there are still so many poor Malays after so many years of these rights, is also not my problem.
If we don't question, don't debate, we can't improve. But then again, it is not my problem because I'm not supposed to say anything about Malay rights. Let it be that the rich-poor divide among the Malays are getting increasingly obvious, all in the name of Malay rights. Let it be that our university rankings are sliding, all in the name of Malay rights. Let it be that the country is losing its competitiveness, all in the name of Malay rights. It is my "duty" to remain silent.
Actually, I think the government has brainwashed me quite successfully in this aspect. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when the people who benefit the most from it are a select and corrupt few. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when it has become a tool that is conveniently used to divide and rule. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when politicians use it to further their own personal agenda and line their own pockets.
I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when my Malay ex-boss who earned a few thousand more than me can get a 7% discount when he bought a double-storey house. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when Malay students much smarter and in a better class than me still had an easier entry into local universities. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when those Malay students chauffered-driven to school still qualify for government study loans.
I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when there are still many, many poor Malays who cannot afford to buy their children a pair of school shoes. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when I still get to see two poor Malay kids hugging their father tightly on a motorbike ride to school. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when I see such misallocation of resources. I'm not supposed to question Malay rights even when the Malays that need it the most are not the ones that are getting the most out of those rights.
The list can be longer but you get my point. Yes, I know I cannot question Malay rights. I should not. It has been ingrained in me not to. Whether it has been misused, abused or whatever, it is not supposed to be my problem. Even if there are still so many poor Malays after so many years of these rights, is also not my problem.
If we don't question, don't debate, we can't improve. But then again, it is not my problem because I'm not supposed to say anything about Malay rights. Let it be that the rich-poor divide among the Malays are getting increasingly obvious, all in the name of Malay rights. Let it be that our university rankings are sliding, all in the name of Malay rights. Let it be that the country is losing its competitiveness, all in the name of Malay rights. It is my "duty" to remain silent.
Labels: Politics
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Descendent Of An Immigrant
After reading about the "squatter" story and many comments on this topic, I'm reminded of the following:
- I'm a descendent of a pendatang and this is a historical fact. That other people's forefathers are also pendatang is a non-issue and irrelevant because they happened to come much earlier.
- Because I'm a descendent of a pendatang, I should honor a social contract agreed to by my forefathers and thankful that they were granted citizenships.
- Because I'm a descendent of a pendatang, I should also never question Malay rights nor ask for equality.
- I should be eternally grateful for being given the right of abode and the opportunity to make a living.
- I should never ever ask for more because I have been given a lot such as freedom to practice my culture and religion.
My question:
If my grandfather owed this land and her people a debt for being granted citizenship more than half a century ago, how many generations of his descendents would it take before this debt would be fully repaid and we are no longer known as kaum pendatang but share equal rights?
Labels: Politics
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Sodomy Saga
I'm actually confused and perplexed at the continuing sodomy saga starring our de-facto opposition leader and a uni drop-out. So many accusations and counter-accusations that I'm left wondering who is telling the truth and who is lying.
Take the latest news concerning a leaked medical report. Can someone tell me if this sodomy story is a conspiracy, why did this young man just simply walk into a hospital and asked to be examined? Don't tell me he is so silly to think that the doctor would just believe everything he says? Of course, a doctor would perform the necessary examinations and come to his own conclusion, right?
Therefore, if he is not sodomised but he is part of the plot to fix DSAI up, surely he would be made to go to a doctor who would be "co-operative" to ensure the medical report would be usable and not has a "no sodomy" finding. Why the risk to have to convince a skeptical doctor? Unless what they wanted is a referral by the doctor to go to KLH to make the whole thing more believable and they know that such reports are usually inconclusive?
But if the report is inconclusive from a medical point of view whether a sodomy or assault has indeed taken place, then we can't be saying that a sodomy has not occurred either, I suppose, and it would be left to the KLH doctors to have the final say.
But herein lies the problem. Malaysians no longer trust the various government institutions, including the health department. I feel pretty pissed off to write this because I think Malaysians will be left to speculate, theorize and rely on gossips and blogs no matter the outcome of the investigation and trial, if it comes to that. In short, we may never know the truth.
You see, if this happens in some other countries, the people can rely on professional police investigations and a fair trial to get to the bottom of the case. But in Malaysia, we simply cannot. If DSAI is indeed guilty and is convicted, many, many Malaysians will still think he is innocent because few trust the system. Me included, and if that happens, we might end up as fools blindly throwing support behind a guilty man.
However, as things stand now, the whole case is certainly very fishy with many unseen hands pulling the strings. If DSAI is really innocent and attempts are being made to fix him up, that only confirms that the nation's various institutions have sunk to its lowest level in terms of professionalism and integrity. We will degenerate into a nation with no rule of law (or we are already there).
I really don't know which is worse - whether DSAI is found innocent or guilty when this saga comes to its final conclusion. Do you?
Take the latest news concerning a leaked medical report. Can someone tell me if this sodomy story is a conspiracy, why did this young man just simply walk into a hospital and asked to be examined? Don't tell me he is so silly to think that the doctor would just believe everything he says? Of course, a doctor would perform the necessary examinations and come to his own conclusion, right?
Therefore, if he is not sodomised but he is part of the plot to fix DSAI up, surely he would be made to go to a doctor who would be "co-operative" to ensure the medical report would be usable and not has a "no sodomy" finding. Why the risk to have to convince a skeptical doctor? Unless what they wanted is a referral by the doctor to go to KLH to make the whole thing more believable and they know that such reports are usually inconclusive?
But if the report is inconclusive from a medical point of view whether a sodomy or assault has indeed taken place, then we can't be saying that a sodomy has not occurred either, I suppose, and it would be left to the KLH doctors to have the final say.
But herein lies the problem. Malaysians no longer trust the various government institutions, including the health department. I feel pretty pissed off to write this because I think Malaysians will be left to speculate, theorize and rely on gossips and blogs no matter the outcome of the investigation and trial, if it comes to that. In short, we may never know the truth.
You see, if this happens in some other countries, the people can rely on professional police investigations and a fair trial to get to the bottom of the case. But in Malaysia, we simply cannot. If DSAI is indeed guilty and is convicted, many, many Malaysians will still think he is innocent because few trust the system. Me included, and if that happens, we might end up as fools blindly throwing support behind a guilty man.
However, as things stand now, the whole case is certainly very fishy with many unseen hands pulling the strings. If DSAI is really innocent and attempts are being made to fix him up, that only confirms that the nation's various institutions have sunk to its lowest level in terms of professionalism and integrity. We will degenerate into a nation with no rule of law (or we are already there).
I really don't know which is worse - whether DSAI is found innocent or guilty when this saga comes to its final conclusion. Do you?
Labels: Politics
Friday, March 14, 2008
Election Result
Malaysian election results are out already
A severe shock it is to everybody
BN lost its two-third majority
Plus 5 states which created history.
Kepala Batas still have PM Abdullah Badawi
But in Sungai Siput, it's bye-bye Samy
Koh Tsu Koon is no longer Ketua Menteri
While Ong Ka Ting sure finds himself lucky.
In Pekan, our DPM won comfortably
He must be the only one smiling, albeit secretly
For he could be the next Perdana Menteri
Oh dear, guess we’ll never solve the Alantuya mystery.
The PM is now obviously a liability
Since even UMNO members are grumbling loudly
Didn't this man once enjoyed a 90% popularity
My, my, how did he bungled things that badly?
Why does MIC still need Samy
When he has made all the Indians really, really angry
And what a birthday present from his own constituency
Oh, how cruel can voters be.
Next on the firing line is MCA's OKT
Voted in but the party did rather poorly
Aiya, why waste your saliva unnecessarily
You think he'll quit to assume responsibility?
Penang is now DAP territory
Gerakan was wiped out practically
What a slap in the face from the Penang community
Because without the state, what is Gerakan really?
Many top guns were dumped unceremoniously
Losing to unknowns from the opposition party
Leaving BN in shambles with much uncertainty
As fighting now begins for positions unashamedly.
Now everything is topsy-turvy
Everybody wants to become MB
Cabinet posts also can’t be filled quickly
New faces needed but hopefully, no Khairy?
If Malaysians no longer vote based on ethnicity
How relevant is UMNO, MCA and MIC
For so many years, we entertained their cock and bull story
Don’t know whether they were smart or we silly.
But now we are living in the cyber world, you see
People no longer rely on The Star and NST
When everyone is reading MT and M’siakini
What is the use spinning stories through Kali?
This election Malaysians behave admirably
Showing that we can act in unity
Especially when we have a common enemy
Who keeps sucking the rakyat’s hard-earned money!!
A severe shock it is to everybody
BN lost its two-third majority
Plus 5 states which created history.
Kepala Batas still have PM Abdullah Badawi
But in Sungai Siput, it's bye-bye Samy
Koh Tsu Koon is no longer Ketua Menteri
While Ong Ka Ting sure finds himself lucky.
In Pekan, our DPM won comfortably
He must be the only one smiling, albeit secretly
For he could be the next Perdana Menteri
Oh dear, guess we’ll never solve the Alantuya mystery.
The PM is now obviously a liability
Since even UMNO members are grumbling loudly
Didn't this man once enjoyed a 90% popularity
My, my, how did he bungled things that badly?
Why does MIC still need Samy
When he has made all the Indians really, really angry
And what a birthday present from his own constituency
Oh, how cruel can voters be.
Next on the firing line is MCA's OKT
Voted in but the party did rather poorly
Aiya, why waste your saliva unnecessarily
You think he'll quit to assume responsibility?
Penang is now DAP territory
Gerakan was wiped out practically
What a slap in the face from the Penang community
Because without the state, what is Gerakan really?
Many top guns were dumped unceremoniously
Losing to unknowns from the opposition party
Leaving BN in shambles with much uncertainty
As fighting now begins for positions unashamedly.
Now everything is topsy-turvy
Everybody wants to become MB
Cabinet posts also can’t be filled quickly
New faces needed but hopefully, no Khairy?
If Malaysians no longer vote based on ethnicity
How relevant is UMNO, MCA and MIC
For so many years, we entertained their cock and bull story
Don’t know whether they were smart or we silly.
But now we are living in the cyber world, you see
People no longer rely on The Star and NST
When everyone is reading MT and M’siakini
What is the use spinning stories through Kali?
This election Malaysians behave admirably
Showing that we can act in unity
Especially when we have a common enemy
Who keeps sucking the rakyat’s hard-earned money!!
Labels: Poems
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Arguing over the Hindraf Rally
I read some interesting posts these few days following the Hindraf rally last weekend. There were arguments for and against joining this march and quite a lot of people are against this protest due to its racist overtones. Many bloggers take the view that a protest to highlight the plight of all downtrodden Malaysians are acceptable but to bring only Indian issues to the street is racist and does nothing to enhance the vision for a Bangsa Malaysia.
Picture from Malaysia Today
My view is that perhaps, this Bangsa Malaysia concept is still too far ahead of our time . Poor Malaysians of different ethnic backgrounds exist all over the country but over the last 50 years, it is also hard to deny that the Indians are the worst lot compared to their fellow Malay and Chinese Malaysians. You can say that they should be protesting in front of Samy Vellu's house instead but I think that is beside the point here.
If we truly want a Bangsa Malaysia to emerge, we cannot have one ethnic group being marginalised and largely poor. And if they bring their plight to the forefront as they are doing now but get accused of being racist instead, then we in effect are already snuffing out the chance to emphatise and forge greater unity. If the community as a whole has valid grievances, then I thought the Bangsa Malaysia concept means all Malaysians should stand by their Indian friends to get their problems heard. Or am I misunderstanding the concept here?
Malaysia is a country with different races and religions and I think it is a bit naive to say that Bangsa Malaysia means only fighting for matters that benefit all Malaysians with no room for the support of specific grievances from individual communities to emerge. We are all Malaysians but each race also has its own type of problems and I don't see why those cannot be highlighted in some way.
However, I do not support the Hindraf march because firstly, I don't particularly like rallies of any kind. Secondly, I do not know Hindraf and its leaders and what is their true agenda. And thirdly, rallies will not solve any problem and in fact, could be making it worse.
But I don't think I want to say that for the Indians to highlight their plight is racist and that it would run contrary to the vision of Bangsa Malaysia. Whatever content of the now infamous letter that is now circulating on the net may be, though it contains very strong remarks, the fact that this community is in dire need of help starkly remains. And that letter is written by one or two people with perhaps, their own secret agenda while the poor and the needy is the general Indian population at large. I guess what I want to say is condemn the rally if we must but we should refrain from labeling those who participated and highlighted their problem as racist.
Labels: Debate
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Another Rally?
This time it seems that Hindus are planning to take to the streets this weekend in protest of their marginalisation. As I have mentioned before, I have never like street rallies. You can disagree and say it is a form of freedom of expression but I still hold my ground that Malaysians should minimise such protests.
I think people are now emboldened by the success of the BERSIH rally. And if we say that the BERSIH rally is right and should be given the greenlight, it would seem double standards now to tell our Indian friends that they should not be walking.
The reality is Malaysia is a difficult place to govern with a combination of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minorities. This weekend we will see Malay police personnel watching over a mainly Indian rally. Every skirmish, every single clash and beating can be turned into a racial argument and when things turn racial, emotions always tend to run high. And if the rally is broken up with force, the me vs them mentality will become even more entrenched.
Yes, Malaysia have many ills at the moment but if we continue to hold more and more rallies, are we actually making it better or worse?
I think people are now emboldened by the success of the BERSIH rally. And if we say that the BERSIH rally is right and should be given the greenlight, it would seem double standards now to tell our Indian friends that they should not be walking.
The reality is Malaysia is a difficult place to govern with a combination of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minorities. This weekend we will see Malay police personnel watching over a mainly Indian rally. Every skirmish, every single clash and beating can be turned into a racial argument and when things turn racial, emotions always tend to run high. And if the rally is broken up with force, the me vs them mentality will become even more entrenched.
Yes, Malaysia have many ills at the moment but if we continue to hold more and more rallies, are we actually making it better or worse?
Labels: News
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