My Ramadhan thoughts.

On this the eve of Ramadhan 1435H, I woke up to the news of the cow head thrown at the gate of a DAP state assembly person's house in Penang. This same representative had earlier used the term "celaka" on UMNO.

This incident is sad enough on its own but the worse came later in the morning. A federal minister commented that the DAP representative deserved the cow head for having a loud mouth.

What has this country got to?

Just when you thought that things cannot get worse, JAIS (the state religious body for ISLAM) issues a statement that they will not return the bibles siezed from the Malaysian Bible Society. This despite the Attorney General's decision that JAIS has erred in siezing the bibles and the State government's instructions to return the bibles.

So as we approach the holy month of Ramadhan, it looks like the "defenders of Islam" are all out to disgrace the religion.
Islam teaches forgiveness and respect. It teaches tolerance and sensitivity.

However, what we see done by Muslims certainly run contrary to the teachings.
Nevertheless, lets pray that they will come back to their senses this holy month. May their fullfilment of their religious obligation to fast bring peace, love and respect to their hearts and soul.

Fasting is not just to abstain from food but to appreciate the suffering and challenges that those less fortunate have to endure. In appreciating it , our hearts are open to care, to love and to give.

However, one important element tends to gt forgotten and that is to live in moderation.

I wish JAIS and those defenders of Islam will come out with strong statements against waste and excessive spending on lavish Buka Puasa feasts and the likes.

Yes, coming together to break fast is encouraged but it must be in moderation and to always remember the less fortunate.

I wish all my Muslim and non Muslim friends a blessed Ramadhan. May GOD give us the strength and  courage to fulfil this religious obligation that it will bless our soul and make us better people that bring glory and not disgrace to GOD.

Im off now to celebrate Ramadhan eve with a visit to Masjid Jamek, to draw in the sight, the sound, the smell and the spirit of Ramadhan with my Muslim brethrens.

Amin.

The Petaling Jaya Folklore Festival

The Petaling Jaya City Council had successfully organised an International Folklore Festival in conjunction with their City Day celebration from 20th to 22nd June 2014.

I congratulate the City Council for a successful festival bringing cultural troupes from 14 countries plus many local troops from across the country.
Pre opening events were organised throughout the city at shopping malls with pocket performances. These pocket shows culminated with a grand opening which included street performances officiated by no less than the Mentri Besar himself.

What is significant for me about these performances is that culture unites us from across the world. We may have different instruments, colours, movements and language but we unite in rhythm and energy. We unite in a common language of music and a common story of love and unity.

Even within Malaysia, each state showcases their own unique cultural performances. Each tells a story of its own history but all reminds us the common uniting theme of respect, love and unity.

Yes it was a great week for me. I took the effort to interact with the performers from all over. I enjoyed the performances even more because I learnt the significance of the music, the movements and the story they were telling.

Well done Petaling Jaya!

A child in need...

My son Darryl lost his handphone whilst playing basketball this aftrnoon.

He left his phone and his wallet on the bench whilst playing basketball with two others.

After the game, he discovered that his phone was missing along with RM50 from his wallet. The wallet was not taken.

Darryl and his friends suspected it was taken by one of their other friend who was loitering around when they were playing. But without proof, it remained a suspicion.

Later in the evening, he tried going to a nearby phone shop known to the family. Yes, his stolen phone was there, sold to the shop earlier on by a young boy for RM150.

CCTV recording showed it is his friend. The shop called the boy and told him to return the RM150 or a police report will be made. The boy immediately returned the money and pleaded for forgiveness.

He said he stole the phone as he needed money to pay for his tuition. He normally works for his tuition fee but have no job at the moment.

At only 16 years old, this boy has to take such steps to pay for tuition. The bigger question is why should he need tuition if our school system is sufficient.

This is a really sad situation for this young boy to go through. However he must still learn that theft is theft is wrong no matter your reason.

I can find it in my heart to forgive him but I sure hope that both he and Darryl will not forget this lesson in life.

To YB or not to YB

Surrendran has correctly highlighted the issue of honourifics amongst our elected representatives.

Yes, we refer to our elected representatives as YB: short for Yang Berhormat. The English equivalent would be The Honourable MP or representative of a given constituency.

These honourifics is in itself not wrong. It is a title of reference and respect for the people, not so much for the person.

What I find amusing and at times rather nonsensical how each of these representative would call each other YB in the Parliament. Yes, they all have the same name. It is not surprising that occasionally one would also forget the real given name of the person.

I would propose that the protocol in the House would be to refer to each other with the name of their constituency instead of YB.

The honourific YB is a formal salutation and restricted to use in formal events. In a formal event, the MC would refer to the elected representative as YB. Similarly, in dealings with government agencies, the YB is there as an elected representative and thus should be refered to as such. It is respecting the choice of the people more than just the person.

The elected representative should not and must not expect the constituents to refer to them as YB. However, in many instances it is the constituents themselves that uses the term as a form of social respect and there is nothing wrong with it.

The representative need not go around correcting his constituents. However the YB can sometimes remind his constituents to call him his name instead of YB.

If a representative is constantly on the ground and close to the constituents, it would be quite natural to be seen as a friend and be refered to as such, ie with his name.

Our elected representative should not feel overly egoistic and glow when refered to as YB by the man on the street. Many times, it is also meant to be a sarcastic term of reference for YB can also mean Yang Bodoh, Yang Biadap.

Thus lets not turn this matter into a storm in a tea cup. To YB or not to YB, let's just leave it to the individuals.

It is much more important that the elected representatives carry out the duties and serving the constituency.

By doing so than they deserve to be refered to as YB:  Yang Berkhidmat.

June 2014, here we come

I bid farewell to the late Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak n congratulate HRH Raja Dr Nazrin.

As we enter into June 2014, my thoughts are for the families of MH370. In a weeks time, it would have been 3 months from the disapperance.

Instead of being closer to closure for the families, latest developments bring us back to square one.

The immersat data made available to the families was certainly too little and too late. What was there to hide except incompetence and more incompetence.

Do we than blame the families for being suspicious of the given data. Previously when the cockpit voice recording was released, it turned out to have been doctored.

Therefore this raw data from immersat is seen very much as "cooked" instead of raw. Nevertheless, we await analysis reports from experts which hopefully can help find MH370.

How have I personally felt over this 3 months since the disappearance of MH370?

I have of course been approached by many different media from various countries for an interview. These interviews would probably be done next weekend.

Whilst in previous interviews I have given my remarks as a friend of Captain Zaharie, limiting my comments to details of him as a pilot and a friend.

After 3 months with no where near to a closure, I would now express my disappointment with the incompetence and unprofessionalism of our authorities.

I did not believe in theories of a conspiracy but with developments over the past 3 months, I am thinking otherwise.

Inside me, I have accepted the fact that Captain Zaharie is no longer with us but without a trace of wreakage, I keep a little candle of hope burning.

One fact remains constant in my mind, conspiracy or otherwise, Captain Zaharie is a victim and not a part of it, neither a terrorist nor a fanatic. He remains a caring husband, father and a sincere friend. I am proud that he shares with me a common interest as a fan of democracy.

Captain, you are no longer here, and yes democracy here is dead. But our search for MH370 continues and our struggle to resurrect democracy here goes on.

Bless our struggle for a Better Malaysia.

Al fatihah

In Malaysia, its all kinds of everything

The past week has been a very interesting week in Malaysia both politically and socially.

Two by-elections ongoing and political protests with threats of violence and spiked with racial slurs.

Malaysian ministers making even more stupid remarks and outright electoral bribes.

But the week ended late into Sunday night with all Malaysians glued to their television sets with one heart. Sadly, the dream of bringing back the Thomas Cup remained a dream in a nail bitting point by point final set.

We moved from Ramkarpal Singh to Dyana dan ended the week with Liew Darren on the tips of our tongues.

Congratulations to Ramkarpal for being elected MP. I have full confidence he will be yet another vocal MP in the Dewan Rakyat. Let the tiger's  roar continue through Ramkarpal.

Congratulations to TeamMalaysia for uniting Malaysians with a common dream. You may not have won the Cup but TeamMalaysia certainly won the hearts of Malaysians.

However, in the midst of the good news, the week also saw the worst of a few Malaysians.

UMNO youth storming into the Penang State Assembly and the violent protest at DAP head office in KL and Kuantan is embarassing.

It is one thing when disgruntled party members do and say stupid things. However, for leaders to condone such stupidity is most unacceptable.

Condoning such undemocratic behaviour especially giving their blessings to storming the state assembly is just not on.

Adding fuel to fire is when the police, custodians of peace do not seem to be too seriuously concerned with upholding peace and the rule of law.

Party leaders instead of condemnng such action says DAP deserved what they got.

In the same week, we received the sad news that Sr Juliana succumbed to her injuries suffered in the hands of her assailants.

To be robbed and beaten whilst on the way to pray and in the compound of the church is sad indeed. And to loose your life from that injury is so unacceptable but let God's will be done. Im sure Sr Juliana is in a better place, a safer place.

Whilst crime and disrespect to the rule of law amongst Malaysians grow, what did the Minister do?

Minister Zaid went on record to threaten the Peace  Corp (RELA) members: warning them their votes are not secret:  That he knows if they vote the opposition.

He bribed them with new uniforms but only if ruling party's candidate won the Teluk Intan by-elections.

The opposition threw the spanner into the  wheel of the government's election machinery. They named a little known candidate who is young, capable and female. She is also Malay and the constituency is a mixed constituency with traditionally a Chinese representative.

Above it all, Dyana is also sweet and pretty, the government was thrown off balance.

As expected the BN machinery went into defensive mode, playing their racial and sexual inuendo weapon.

However, despite her youth and inexperience, Dyana returned every shot thrown at her. Even the seasoned DAP leaders would not have done any better than this young lady.

The best however remains with Dyana's mother whose words will remain one of  2014's quote of the year.

"I brought up my daughter to be like Mukriz but she ended up like Marina.."

If Dyana had kicked BN to the ground, her mum certainly made sure they remained sprawled.

But the best for this past week is still on MH370 when the Minister responded to why the airforce did not send their jets to intercept aircraft?

"Its a conmercial flight, do you expect us to shoot it down? ..."

Mr Minister, it may be commercial but its not supposed to be where it was. Our jets are supposed to identify it and guide it to safety.

The nation's security comes first and if at risk, YES, you shoot it down: commercial or not. No?

The taxi driver

In the taxi yesterday, driver said he is using a 3rd party permit. He tried for 8 years but cannot get his individual permit.
I replied if change government, all drivers will get individual permits. His reply stunned me.

"jangan tukar kerajaan, nanti perang. lebih baik macam ini masih boleh cari makan sikit. Kalau tukar kerajaan, hancur negara kita.."

He went on to explain that if change government , means the Chinese will run the country, like Singapore. The Malays will be forced into poverty and when Malays are forced to a wall, they will fight back and there will be chaos in the country. Better like this now, country is peaceful, everyone including the Chinese are grateful.

I kept silent and allowed him to keep talking. And there was more revealation.
He said, Chinese are good businessman and dare to gamble. He said in the whole region petrol is over RM4 but in Malaysia less than RM2.

If DAP run the government, petrol price will surely rise. Why sell at RM2 when market is RM4. So when petrol price go up if Chinese (DAP) run the country, the Malays will suffer. No taxi on the road because the Malays cannot afford. So when Malays go hungry, they will rise and fight.

Now UMNO give subsidy it is good although it is bad business for the government. At least Malays control the government not like Singapore where Malays are the poorest but the economy is good.

Than he asked me if I agree despite me having a China face. I just gave him my Apek smile and he continued.

"Walaupun di Malaysia ada banyak yang tak betul, tapi di sini aman. Menteri kita bagus tak macam Singapore minta gaji tinggi tinggi."

We reached my destination and as I got off the taxi he reminded me, "jangan tukar kerajaan, jangan kecoh di jalanraya. Tak guna."

Im still stunned but one fact remains, thats my fellow Malaysian's perception and he makes up 60% of our population.

There is a lot of work to do!