What next....

September comes to an end now. What lies ahead; the overall economy does not look good - banks collapsing, people panicking.......

One interesting news item in Hong Kong is how these people who bought bonds of these collapsed banks. They bought them through local HK banks, and now when these bonds seem worthless, they blame the bank. They are asking for government's compensation. They claim the banks never told them of the risks involved in buying these bonds.

However, when the opposite happens, these same investors will pocket the profits happily to the bank. I wonder...

Every investment has a risk involved and these investors whould know better. Therefore, it is scandalous when these same investors ask for compensation in such a situation.

Gosh...rich man's talk; surely there are other matters more urgent for the government to consider!

Towards the end of September, October beckons...

As we approach October, I look forward to cooler weather ahead. However, typhoon season may not be over yet. Taiwan was badly hurt again and the storm is heading towards the mainland.

Come October 1st, China celebrates yet another National Day; this year's celebration would indeed be different. It would indeed be a special celebration: The success of the Beijing Olympics plus the success of the Space Mission. Truly good reasons to celebrate!

I am sure people of Chinese origin all over the world are proud of China's achievements. I consider myself MALAYSIAN but I am equally proud of what CHINA has shown to be capable of. My prayer and wish is to see the Chinese giving the West a run for their money; what they can do, the Chinese can do better!!!!

Whilst I would enjoy the Chinese celebration, my heart is still very much in Malaysia; What lies ahead for Malaysia in the coming months - my prayers are for changes for the better....for harmony and peace..and progress!

May this last quarter of 2008, see my dreams and wishes come true.

And The WInd Continues to blow....

This week started slowly but with the bad news that RPK detained for 2 years. Hmmm, all these is just bringing us back a few more steps in our journey towards CHANGE.

I am sure there will be lots more Candle Light vigils - for RPK's and the other detainees' release. Better still, get rid of ISA; it is no longer relevant in its present form!

Over here in Macao, the Typhoon Season continues....yesterday, yet another category 8 warning....causing offices to close early and this morning, offices resumed around 11am.

Last night the storm was strong...so many sign boards were torn down; this morning debris were all over the place. All last night, fire-trucks siren were all over the place, blaring away....

That scenario last night is perhaps what it is like politically in Malaysia. Warning signals all over, and the occassional scare with falling sign boards and lamp posts and uprooted trees.....and what it leaves behind will be debris all over.

The good thing is, it will all blow-over: after some cleaning up, everything is back in order. Better still, having gone through the experience, the next time round, we will tighten the screws on the notice boards a little bit harder, maybe change the location of the lamp-posts and grow stronger deeper rooted plants...

There will always be a silver lining behind the dark clouds.....

My prayers continue to be with RPK and his family, Manoharan and his family and all the rest in detention...

Amen!

The Silver Lining.....

It was a busy day for me today....meetings lunch and meetings. When I got back to office and went online, the great news greeted me: Teresa released!

It is a wonderful news to start the weekend. I quickly sent off a SMS to Teresa. Yes, even from Macau, I do send messages and make calls of support! My little contribution towards Khidmat Negara!

What now?

Hmmmmm, that we will see continuous positive changes in Malaysia. I continue to pray for the other ISA detainees: RPK, The Hindraf 5 and the others.

Meanwhile, PR versus BN, what is happening; there must be changes and I strongly feel that REFORM, there must be!

I look forward to the days ahead!

Dark Clouds .....

I woke up to an SMS informing me that Teresa Kok has been arrested under ISA. This cannot be true; I sent a message for confirmation to Hannah and the reply was positive.

Hmmmm, when I went online, there was also the arrest of the journalist. Plus the earlier arrest of RPK.....

What is my country coming to; it just does not make sense at all - the journalist arrested for doing her job, yet the guy that started it all, is out there? Is there no sense in Malaysia, where is justice? I hope all Journalists in Malaysia will stand-up and protect and defend their rights!

As I follow the events through both the Main stream and alternative media, i cannot help but feel sad for my nation. Especially so in this holy month and on the eve of the mid-autumn festival. Furthermore, we are still in the midst of our month long National Celebration.

I have removed the little Jalur Gemilang that I had flying in my apartment. In its place, will be a candle to be lighted to remind me of the sad state my country is in. It will remain lighted till a ray of hope shines through.

Until than, my prayers for my country; I am nevertheless still proud of being Bangsa Malaysia; that few ignorant guys up there, Malaysia, my great nation; is not theirs to keep! I will defend it ...

Looking In from the Outside

I have been following-up on the Penang guy making such stupid and irresponsible remarks about his fellow citizens. What was worse, was the fact that his leader; the Prime Minister took such a long time to make a decision on what to do. As a result, all kinds of remarks and opinions were expressed through the media.

Two things that were reflected in the whole incident. That racial issues continue to be used and exploited in Malaysian politics; that our Prime Minister is very slow in responding and very indecisive and lack a firm grip of the UMNO members.

One the latter issue, I am looking forward to a change in the leadership. Clearly the imcumbent is not capable of running the country. He is however more than capable in ruining the nation. If he is truly the statesman that he claims to be, he should step aside, now!

However, who is to take over. Clearly, we have limited choices. There is no clear succession plan within UMNO. Can ANWAR truly fulfil his promises and get rid of UMNO, hmmmmmm , the 6 million dollar question! Nevertheless, change is definitely still needed........things can only improve with change.

Back to the first issue, racial politics in Malaysia. We are always so proud to claim that we are a successful multiracial society; and this is where the problem lies. We fail to acknowledge that our success is more from tolerance than anything else. Tolerance, like an elastic band, can only be stretched to a limit, beyond which it would snap! I note sadly that we are near snapping point.

Thus, we have to seriously go back to basics: start respecting each others race and thus cultural and religious background. To respect means to understand not just to tolerate. That understanding starts from school. Thus, it would be many years to accomplish this new generation of Malaysians.

The mind-set change must also come with the political parties. There should no longer be any race based political parties: dare to take that step and be a truly multi racial party, where leadership rights are based not on skin colour but on one's ability. No longer do we first identify your race, because it should no longer matter. It is Bangsa Malaysia.........

How many forward thinking Malaysians are there, to dare make these changes and sell the idea to fellow Malaysians.

Still, I remain optimistic and I will do my part.......