Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Merdeka

Malaysia is 48 years old today. Actually Peninsular Malaysia is 48. Sabah and Sarawak will only be 42 on September 16th Our history books say UMNO fought for our Independence. Really ah? I read somewhere that the British gave the country to UMNO under Tunku Abdul Rahman because Tunku accepted their terms. Some unknown freedom fighters were jailed for actually fighting the British government at that time.It was these heroes that fought for Malaya's independence. That was how history was taught by the people in power at the moment.When the British ruled us,they taught all the good things about the British rulers.How well they treated the natives. Now we rule our own country,history is Malaysian oriented.We learnt that the British were not so good after all.They just wanted to steal our land and riches. No matter who is right or wrong, we adopted many British ideas.We ,older generation speak and write in English.Read English papers,sing English songs,etc.Our government follows the British system. The only thing that Malaysia has to show for its freedom from the English is we use our National Language in government and schools.It has not helped our young people.They cannot compete globally. Until 2020 Good luck Malaysia.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Allah's Test

Fahmie,my second son is in hospital. He was admitted yesterday,as recommended by the neurologist. My eldest son Firdaus and Fahmie both suffer from a rare sickness called hypo-kalemitic syndrome,which is a low count of pottassium and a higher count of carbohydrates in their blood. When their pottassium level drops,their limbs become semi-paralysed. They are unable to stand up and ,both legs and arms become weak. Firdaus had this problem before,and he is regularly taking the medication and cutting down on carbohydrates in his diet. It really depresses me that my sons are not as healthy as they should be. Firdaus and Fahmie have this pottassium problem. My third son Fadzlil is paralysed from a motorbike accident. My fourth son seems to be okay,no serious sickness. My youngest son Shafiq born with Down Syndrome. My only daughter Lina is also okay. I think that Allah is testing me and my wife Milah to see how we can handle all this misfortune,and we must accept.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Happy Birthday Shafiq.

Happy Birthday Shafiq. Today is your 11th birthday. Think about all the fun things you can do at this age. But you are not like other boys.You are special. You will always be Mak and Bapak's baby. You are forever the Adik to your Abangs and Kakaks. We love you as you are,as Allah meant you to be. May Allah bless you Shafiq.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

After 1968

August II was my father's birthday.He would have been 87 years old. He died in 1968 at the age of 50. He didnt see his children got married,and his 30 grandchildren. A lot of things happened in Malaysia since 1968. The Penang Bridge was built . The country's administration was moved from KL to a new town called Putrajaya. The International Airport was moved from Subang to Sepang. We have two national car makers,Proton and Perodua. Our currency is called RM (Ringgit) not Malaysian Dollar. In 1968 our population was 10 million,now its 24 million people. Many foreign workers have been working here. There are no English medium schools,all schools use Bahasa Malaysia as a medium. English has only recently been introduced in Science and Maths subject. The school teachers and government servants speak rotten English. Even the universities use BM in their courses,our graduates dare not go overseas because of their inferior command of English. The children of rich Malays and ministers go overseas for their education. There is no integration among the races ,every race eyes the other with suspicion. Even the Malays cannot get along with their own race,because the government leaders only help themselves,their family and cronies. The simple kampong folk is still as poor as he was back in 1968. There are many roads and highways and so many vehicles speeding . Road deaths and accidents occur almost every day. Its not safe to walk on the streets,there are snatch thieves,rapists. Nobody is safe from these brutes. The police do not patrol the streets,they just drive round in their patrol cars and block small cars and motor cyclists and threaten these poor people for bribes. They woudnt dare haul up those driving expensive Mercs,BMWs ,it culd be some big shot's son or wife.Because of these kind of cops road bullies get away. The air we are breathing today is not so fresh.All the nice shady trees and hills are being cut to make more houses,more roads. When those trees are burnt we get haze. Although we have made impressive progress throuh the years after Merdeka,we still have to change our attitudes. Like our PM said we have first class infrastructure but third class menatlity.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Shafiq's Dental Appointment

Today,Shafiq had an appointment with the Dental Surgery Department in Penang Hospital. Two years ago he was refered to the hospital by the local Govt Clinic.Too much `carries' were forming in his teeth and had to be surgically removed.The hospital removed quite a number of his teeth that were badly decayed, and he spent a couple of days in the ward. so today he is going for a follow up inspection,every 4 months or so. He woke up early as usual,he thought he was going to school.Lina skipped school to keep him company.He was happy travelling so far and to some place other than his school.We travelled on the ferry so he can watch the waves and ships sailing by. I handed over his clinic card to the HA and we waited,he was happy and relaxed. And then they called him `Muhammad Shafiq'. I took his hand and he pushed it away. He knew he was going to be examined.Its no fun being held back on the dentist chair,with the bright light blinding your eyes,someone gripping your jaws and prodding your teeth. After some gentle coaxing and encouragement,Shafiq good boy,Shafiq clever boy, he relaxed and allowed himself to be examined but not without some resistance.Someone had to hold his legs,someone had to hold his head.Finally it was over.His teeth are okay ,clean.The nurse just applied some fluoride.As a reward for being a good boy,the clinic gave him a balloon.On the way out,he gave his balloon to a little girl. I am pleased with his attitude today,maybe he has been through this several times and he has learnt to cooperate. His next appointment is in January 2006.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

What's Hot in Malaysian Blogs

Malaysian bloggers currently hot blog postings are: Rafidah Aziz and Mahathir's squabble about APs and Proton. Proposed extension of NEP as promoted by UMNO Youth. The dubious background of Putra UMNO Chief Azeez. The heartless SMS going round about the health of Endon.PM's wife. The party elections of MCA and Gerakan. Akademi Fantasia 3. Siti Nurhalizah's relationship with a certain Datuk K.(not Kali) The resignation of Proton executives. The resignation of UMNO disciplinary board member Zaki Tun Azmi. The demolishing of Ayah Pin's commune,but where's Ayah Pin. Wait for more hot news when Rafidah comes home to attend the Cabinet meeting tomorrow, and Pak Lah will be back too. My advice to some Malaysian blog posters,if you must comment please do it in a decent manner,don't slander people's race or religion. I observe that there's too much rubbish being posted on the net.