The People have Spoken

The results are out and the voters have finally expressed themselves through the ballot papers. The BN won an embarassingly simple majority, thanks to Sabah and Sarawak.

Does this mean we will see more ministers coming from West Malaysia. They definitely have the power to demand so because if it wasnt for them, BN would have suffered a beating of their lifetime!

What saddens me most is that the government still has not learned anything. Despite promises that the earliest results will be shown on TV at 7pm, nothing was coming through. Thank god for Malaysia Kini!

However, after sometime, even Malaysia Kini was barred.This happened while we were observing a recount at the Rembau Parliamentary state seat-Khairy lost, then a recount, then he was leading by 800 votes. Then poof! the website server went down. This is how we practise democracy in Malaysia. Do they really think they can fool us?

When the people are tired and fed-up, they will say so. And lately, despite cries and appeal, the government just sat on their laurels. Well, serve them right and hooray to the people power.

This being said, I do feel sorry for some really hardworking BN MP's and state assemblymen. Its nothing personal. People voted for party, people voted for a change. Lets hope from now on ministers and politicians stop thinking they are indisposable. Samy, you were too arrogant and ignorant for your own good.

Some say the Indians will not be well represented in the parliament. Who cares? Were the Indians ever well represented in the first place?

Now, we just hope there will be more fairness and just in the system and equal rights for all Malaysians.

Special thanks to Hindraf and Bersih. By the way, Malaysia kini server is still down.

Election fever with Indian theme

Its always interesting to read the papers prior to the election. Ministers and MP's going all out making their usual promises. This year, there seemed to be a focus on the Malaysian Indian community. Thaipusam being declared a national holiday after all these years.

Then of course, we have the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo setting up a special unit to handle the plight of Indians without birth certificate. The star carried the story:

A special committee under the Home Affairs Ministry will be set up to handle the plight of 40,000 Indian children nationwide who do not have a birth certificate.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the decision to set up the committee was made after he highlighted the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the Umno Supreme Council last week.
He said many Indian-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had approached him to help raise the plight of the children.
“These children are unable to attend school, register for programmes or get jobs as adults.
“The Prime Minister was shocked when I informed him and immediately asked for a special committee to be formed under the Home Ministry,” he said during an Indian cultural show organised by the Barisan Nasional Volunteers Association here on Saturday night.
Dr Khir said the state government was working closely with several NGOs to get the parents to register their children.
He added that the birth certificate should be issued quickly if all the requirements were met.
He said the requirements included information on the hospital of birth and supporting facts from grandparents or close relatives.
“We have to be careful. We have to safeguard against foreigners who might use the chance to register for citizenship,” he said.

The prime minister said he was shocked. Shocked?? Why? Is this the first time he's heard of this problem despite all the publicities on many Malaysians without birth certificates and IC's?

Well, I am of course glad that it is being done but like the sms that has been going around, lets not be fooled by promises and fly by night actions. The welfare of Malaysians as a whole has to be taken care of despite race and religion. Malaysians want follow through, quality of life, fairness and equality in every aspect be it education or business.

My Vacation in Europe

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Buon Giorno...The hellos we exchanged in Europe. It was the longest vacation. Three weeks Trafalga Tour in Europe on a coach. It was a juxtaposition of excitement, disappointment, lethargy and romance.

Travelling with 48 people on a coach from different parts of the world may be a scary thought to many but for me and my 3 companions, it was an exciting plan. They turned out to be boisterous, fun, energetic and caring bunch of group.

Our trail: From London to Calais via Dover. We boarded the bus and drove through Belgium to Amsterdam. From Amsterdam to Koln, Germany then to Heidelberg then to Schaffhausen to Zurich in Switzerland and to Luzern. From there it was to another country Liechtenstein and on to Innsbruck, Austria.

We headed south to Italy with Verona being our first stop. It was to Venezia later, Bologna and celebrated Christmas eve in Vatican City, Rome and off for a sight seeing in Firenze (Florence), Naples, Pisa, Genova then to Monte Carlo, Monaco. From here, it was to Nice, France then Cannes, Avignon and straight to Lyon. From Lyon, we headed to Paris to usher in the New Year.

We must have travelled at least 6500km. Fantastic!!

On top of Mount Pilatus, Switzerland, lovely mountains in Innsbruck, Austria

Breathtaking views of the alps

(from left) David by Michealangelo and street painters in Sorento, the Collesseum in Rome

The Vatican City, gondola ride in Venice and ruins in Rome

The leaning tower of Pisa, the lifestyle of the rich and famous in Monaco

The Eiffel Tower and the garden of Versailles in Paris

Welcoming 2008

Celebrating New Year's Eve with a bang is probably on everyone's list of must do, as it has been said the way one usher's in the new year reflects on the quality of life the rest of the year. I have friends who welcomes the new year by holding on to cash and gold. Apparently, you will receive more money for new year. Interesting theory and it has worked for her.

I was in Paris on New Year's Eve. It was wonderful and was beyond my expectation. What was more important was the fact that I was with 3 other wonderful people. That's what made the difference. The company you're with when you celebrate festivals and happy occasions.

Well, since I was in Paris last year, lets hope I will be in New York end of this year....fingers crossed!

Happy New Year 2008!

Nazri, "Stupid and Insensitive" quote

“It was stupid of the officials not to be considerate (and) to look into sensitive matters like this. I believe it could have been done in a better way if (the state government) had just waited a few more days. Let the Hindus celebrate their Deepavali,” he said. “Deepavali is a religious festival. It could have been handled much better and with more sensitivity (to) the feelings of the Hindus,” said Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister Department.

Extract from Malaysia Kini- Nazri commenting on the destruction of the temple in Shah Alam by the MBSA.

You think....??!!! I am just wondering what took him such a long time to comment on the issue. Did he have amnesia or something? Hello.... its been almost a month now after the incident. How considerate of Nazri to think about the feelings of the Hindu community. Wait a minute, didnt the Umno general assembly take place during Deepavali? Hhmmmm.....

Gee, when will they learn that the rakyat are not stupid. All these sugar-coated words are not going to help with the elections. Here we have a government who silence the minorities, as they are not exactly represented in the Parliment (lets not even start about MIC). A government who do not listen to the plight of the rakyat, regarless of the race - Orang Asli, hardcore poor Malays and Indians. A government that makes promises to all people only before elections. And once the elections are over, its back to square one.

I remember as a student I used to burn the midnight oil during Deepavali. Yes, true to the spirit of Deepavali. Unfortunately, it was for the exam papers I was studying for the very next day. I hated it! I used to wonder why is the government so cruel. Couldnt they have allowed at least couple of days after the festival before the next paper...

Even as a child I knew we were different and that we may be discriminated. I used to wonder if I would do well with my skin colour and if I would be discriminated. Yes, not only because of my race, it is also due to the fact that I am a woman. I dont know which is worst. But I am surviving it.

But my feelings go out to the poor in the estates who have been neglected. What goes through their mind, I wonder.... Some living for the sake of it, hoping that one day change will come - for the better. So many afraid to voice out, some ignorant - probably kept that way so that its easier to fish for votes. But change is coming and its by the people.

The temple issue had just broken the camel's back. While I am not for structures being erected everywhere, there are ways of handling sensitive issues and it looked like the council members just had fun doing what they did. And to think there are so many illegal immigrants especially Indonesians who have gone on for years living happily in their illegal squatter homes and having legal IC. To think that these people have been allowed to do so by the government.

My point here is, it longer works if the government is merely making promises. You may just win the elections, but to a growing rakyat who are frustrated and they are not going to take it sitting.

I think Khir Toyo is in trouble....While Nazri does not think Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has any “personal vendetta” against Hindus, he said the manner in which the latter implemented the state’s ‘zero squatters’ policy leaves much to be desired.

“I think we (can) put it to experience, which he probably lacks. I agree with you that matters touching religious issues should be handled more cautiously and not in a wanton way according to individual whims and fancies,” said Nazri.

Scape-goat or not, its time to see some changes in the state government as well...

An obssession - Good or Bad

An article I wrote for a local website http://www.think.com.my/ some time ago. I have reproduced it here again.

One day, it dawned on me: something in my life was amiss.

As practised in my religion, I’m vaguely mindful that my self-worth does not come from wealth and possessions. But my actions said otherwise. Habitual shopping had gathered an array of ‘but it was on sale’ jewelry and ‘I must have those’ handbags. There were rotted handbags, clothes with price tags still intact and shoes with brittle edges. According to my spouse, I had filled the closet with unimportance.

The fact that my other half pointed out my materialistic ways was rather ironic as well. Coming from someone obsessed with watches, cars, bikes and trucks—and obviously unable to stock up on the real thing—he made up for it with magazines. Thousands of magazines. Dating back to the 1970s. With five more new magazines every week.

And irregardless of gender—although it’s clear that men have the more expensive ‘hobbies’—I discovered how much our lives were ruled by cravings for more, more and more. Truth be told, our casual hobbies had become ferocious obsessions. How? And why?

A SPADE IS A SPADE
A friend of mine collects antique furniture. He travels to different parts of the world to obtain that piece of furniture if it’s what he’s been looking for. He scans through the Internet and if he sees something he really likes, he goes into an ‘I must have it’ moment. If he doesn’t get it, he goes into depression. Almost all the time, he gets it.

He calls it a hobby.

But truth be told, an obsession is an obsession. Far from merely being a state of mind that affects a select few, obsessive behaviour affects just about everyone at some time in his or her life. From fascinations as ordinary as glass objects and bonsai plants to those as controversial as gambling or sex, it is a case of insanity that comes and goes like the flu.

There is a fine line that separates desire and obsession. It is normal to desire a better job, a compatible mate or spiritual peace. A normal state of desire patiently pursues these things with an openness to change when other options come into grasp. Yet when we come to wanting something so intensely, the shift away from reason is almost unnoticeable. Obsessive behaviour causes us to lose our ability to patiently and objectively look at the facts for what they are and make sound decisions rather than compulsive reactions.

For example, desire says, “I’d like to be married, someday when the time is right.” Obsession however, says, “I want to get married. I will get married. I must get married. Oh look, here is a chance to get married. I’ll do it.”

THE DRIVE FOR SUCCESS
So is it bad to be obsessed with something? Anything?

Not really. In fact, what we often call ambition—the ‘drive for success’—is in fact a distant brother to obsession.

Take Thomas Edison, the man who discovered light. In his search for a suitable filament in the creation of the common light bulb, he tested over 3,000 different materials. Everything he used heated up and burned away in seconds as electric current passed through it. As the months passed, his family and friends (all of whom would have been accustomed to using gas lamps) would have considered this strange hobby a ridiculous, impossible obsession. They may have thought he was going mad.

But Edison was not mad—simply obsessed. He was determined to accomplish his goal, and eventually realised that it was not so much the wrong type of wire but the necessity to vacuum out the air within the bulb. He succeeded, and thankfully too.

It works the same for us. The same trait that destroys a life can also enhance it. When the obsession is for something generally admired, others may look upon it with a sense of wonder. However, when that obsession is for a goal that is not easily related to, it is seen as the beginnings of possible mental illness.

It even works with regards to material things. Take buying property. Logical rationale says that we cannot afford such an item presently. But what is wrong with investing in a house? Many of us have managed to own a house knowing that we will struggle to pay the monthly instalment, because we view it as a solid investment. Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad states unequivocally that the only way to become rich is to do as the rich do, i.e., accumulate financial assets. Rich people buy assets; poor people buy liabilities.

* * * * *

Naturally, I sense a contradiction in myself in trying to justify material obsessions. I tell myself that it is reasonable for someone to be obsessed with great athletic achievement, curing cancer and social reform, yet I lack the conviction to follow such noble paths of desire.

But all is not lost for the average simpleton like me. I recently cleared my closet of those unused clothes and donated them to charity, friends and family. I have told myself that I can live without my material possessions, and that the things that matter most are whether I have been a good, kind and generous person to my loved ones.

And speaking of loved ones? I hope my husband will one day realise it too. For the moment, he’s still holding on to his old magazines.

Not an Enriching experience

This may come out looking like a complaint letter. But after what I went through it must be said that many locally owned company or GLC (Government Linked Companies) are truly what they are thought to be-Grossly Lethargic Confused Bunch. Why oh why in the world do they set up a customer service department when they have absolutely no idea how to handle or help the customers.

As a frequent traveller with MAS, my husband applied for the Enrich card. This with the hope that he will enjoy benefits, convenient ticket booking, change of flight schedule, redeeming travel points for vacation or flights with much ease, as claimed by MAS.

He was actually a Gold card member but was downgraded to Silver as he no longer thinks its beneficial flying MAS. With an accumulated 60,000 points, we decided to redeem it for a Golden Holiday vacation. This is after we were unable to redeem for a flight to London (and yes we requested for it 4 months before the flight date).

Anyway, we called the Enrich customer service to book for our vacation in Cherating a week ago (2 wks before our vacation date). So, in the back of my mine, I should be able to start making plans for my trip once they confirm it in the next 3 days, perhaps. But of course, as predictable as their incompentency, they couldnt confirm with us even after a week. Hey, we need to pack and etc etc....just tell us if its on or not. They couldnt even do that.

By the way, the customer service said we would actually help ourselves if we personally go to the MAS office.

So, my husband and I were feeling quite adventurous and we decided to go to MAS office Enrich counter. And yes again they couldnt help us. Apparently, the Enrich bunch could only minus points! The obvious thing for them to do is to send us elsewhere -down to ticketing Golden Holidays. So we did, took a number and waited.

Well, after waiting for 2 hours, the Golden Holiday ticketing officer said "you should not have come here until your holiday is confirmed. This is the payment counter". Imagine our frustration and anger! Do these people really know what they are doing?

I am wondering what is the point of having Enrich, when they cant even help us with a simple task like booking a holiday via the phone (talk about convenience). The hotel is either booked or not! Thats all we want to know. If its not, we will make plans for another holiday....Hello!!!! Does anyone have brains over there?

Thank god, the ticketing officer was quite helpful and patient although he had customers who equally wanted their flight plans changed etc and were equally frustrated. The scene at the ticketing office was that of passengers waiting exhaustedly for their delayed flight. Many were even sleeping.

Anyway, the officer confirmed the bookings for us, although it clearly wasnt his job. We too, called to hotel to check for room availability. Plenty were available. Why then, couldnt the customer service book and confirm our bookings within a week and inform us via a telephone call? Do they need 6 months notice?

Come on guys, you are suppose to make life easier for your customers just like what you have claimed. But obviously you guys are so complacent and have absolutely no idea of what to do and what other departments do. Frankly, there are too many of you with little substance. No smiling, no politeness, lethargic like the Government Departments and the list goes on.

We are leaving for Europe on a long vacation and we are flying SIA. Its cheaper by RM900 too!