Kongsi Raya is OK

As far as I recall,my family had always been on good terms with anybody that we know and call friend,whatever race,color or religion.Rich or poor,smart or dumb,whatever. Every festival,be it Hari Raya,Chinese New Year,Deepavali or Christmas,we always join in the festivities as they would enjoy Hari Raya with our family at our house. Our parents were very affectionate and kindly to all of our friends,no matter who or what. My dad used to call every boy who comes to greet him 'son' and girls 'dear' or 'sayang'. It was a spontaneous thing with him,no bad intentions. Our pals don't come to our house just for Hari Raya,they are always around every day. There must have been something that they can't get enough of at their own home. Our parents and family made them welcomed and accepted. One of our uncles is a Chinese Muslim.Chinese New Year is observed as a festival and tradition.He gives red packets to his nephews and nieces and on Hari Raya he gives green packets.He remained a staunch Muslim until he died. Festivals are not all about religion.It does not mean that you have deviated by joining in the celebrations with your friends and neighbors. This has been the understanding of all Malaysians since ages ago. And then comes the religious zealots ,trying to break the national spirit. Making the meek insecure Muslims remorse and regret. Scaring the non Muslims,already suspicious of the Islamic faith. Kongsi Raya is blasphemy say THEY. I'm glad the government didn't bow to these extreme views. Keep on Kongsi Raya my Malaysian friends.

His Way not Your Way

Once you had it all. You ruled the land. Some loved you.Some hated you. Some shook in their pants when you glowered. You could not tolerate dissent.You could not take criticism. To say No to you is a no-no.Only Yes Sir. But you had great vision.Wonderful ideas. You made us feel proud that you lead us. We were envied by others.Copied too. And then you wanted to call it a day. There's someone new to lead us. His way was not your way.Made you furious. Things did not turn out as you planned. You turned to old foes to ridicule him. But he respects you still . He keeps quiet. But a man can take just so much beating. Be wary when he loses his patience.

Ulu Klang Landslide

At 4.45pm yesterday,during a heavy downpour, 3 blocks of longhouses in Kg Pasir,Ulu Klang,Selangor were buried under a landslide. Four lives were lost. Only recently I mentioned that Man will inflict disaster upon his own kind because of disrespect to Nature and because of his own greed. That's exactly what I feared would happen.It was proven yesterday in Ulu Klang. Ulu Klang used to be a nice cool place back in the old days.Lots of hills and trees and streams. There was once a waterfall there too. Look at the price we paid for development. Selangor MB Khir Toyo was very angry with the developer of an adjoining project on the hill.This developer was supposed to erect a retaining wall at the hill slope.He just completed construction (of the retaining wall) one week ago. The rain water must have accumulated in the voids behind the wall. The back filling was not compacted properly I'm sure.The soil would have been soggy and too dense for the new wall to retain and the wall collapsed. Bringing down the rocks and earth on to the poor settlers at the foothill. The people who provided those houses at the foothill are also responsible for the tragedy.That's the only place they can afford probably. Developers in Ulu Klang are only interested to sell those million ringgit bungalows on the hill.Who cares about the poor people living on the foot of the hill. The Ulu Klang Highland Towers lesson has not been learned.

Disasters

Disasters. Why do they pounce on us so suddenly ? Catch us unawares.Hit us when we are sleeping.When we are having a good time.When we are living peacefully. Some say it is God's `wake up call'. Some say it is God's retribution. Why not just hit the bad evil guys,not those innocent kids and good guys. Think of it like this.If you are still standing,that means you have been given another chance to fullfill your `mission' in this world. Those who have perished,God loves them more,or maybe they have completed their `tasks' on Earth. Mankind have devised so many ways to predict and warn us about impending natural disasters.But they can never predict `when'. All humankind can do is just be prepared. Sometimes we are just asking for disasters to happen.Look at how we abuse the hills.rivers and seas and even the air that we breathe. Don't ever say it is the Act of God when something bad happens. We asked for it. Powerful nations can bring disaster to your doorstep.All it takes is for one small country to defy them.Next thing you know,the country that you love becomes Hell on earth. What would you do,if your town or village is suddenly hit by an earthquake,landslide,erupting volcano,building high tidal waves. Save your own family first,naturally. How about your neighbor ? I cannot answer that truthfully.