Shafiq gets MyKad

Our little boy Shafiq became 12 on 23rd August. Looking at him,one wouldn't believe that he is already 12 years old. With his cute baby face,soft and smooth skin, fine hair and clear sparkling eyes. And he stands four feet tall. He can hardly say a word,but he understands you. Can be precocious and cheeky like other kids. Can be stubborn and annoying too,sometimes. He is after all a kid that won't grow up. By the way,he is showing some signs of puberty.I can see some fine hairs growing in their respective places. According to the law of our land, every kid who turns 12 has got to have an identity card (MyKad) . On his 12th birthday Shahman and me took him to the nearest NRD office in Kepala Batas town. The office was not crowded at all, just some parents bringing their 12 year olds for registration,like me and Shafiq. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Shafiq was dressed in a blue checkered shirt and his hair neatly combed for his very important photograph. He sat nicely in the chair and was ready for the shoot. And then, they turned the spotlight on him. He turned his head away and just looked at the floor. He seems uncomfortable with the light on his face. We coaxed and comforted him to get a good pose.It took about 15 minutes to get a satisfactory photo. By then, his hair was tousled and his shirt was crooked. And they did not get a full frontal image, a bit senget like half turned face. Then it was time for fingerprinting. Parents are fingerprinted with ink on the application form. Shafiq held out his thumb to be inked. But MyKad applicants are electronically fingerprinted. The clerk took Shafiq's thumb to be scanned on the fingerprinting gadget. He saw the blinking red light on the gadget and pulled his hand away. That red thing must be hot,he thought. More coaxing, cajoling and finally managed to get both thumbs printed. In two months time, we'll see how his MyKad looks like. Note : For those who don't know, Shafiq is a 'special kid' with Down Syndrome. He is God's gift, to be loved, to be cherished,to be protected. He is my amanah as are all my children and my wife, that I will bear till the end of time.

In Memory of Bapak

'I can't remember his voice, I can't remember his scent.' How could you, little sis ? You were only seven when he left this world. Missing all the fatherly attentions in your formative years. Proudly presenting your report card for his approval and signature. Being cuddled in his chair,and to be told 'you're too big now to sit on my lap' A peck on the cheek as he sent you off to school. When you were a little baby, he lulled you to sleep with his deep gentle baritone. Just like he did for the rest of us. When you were naughty, he would be stern and did not spare the rod. After the punishment, he would embrace you and cried with you. He sang songs with you and Mak and all of us. He loved to sing your favourite song "Burung Kakak Tua' Sis, I had him for twenty one years.It was not enough. There were so many things I wanted to pick from his wisdom. I so badly wanted him to be my friend as I became a man. But God decided that we could'nt have him forever. God took him back when he was 49. Today,August 11th is his birthday. He would have been 88. Bapak,Mak, we your children, your children-in-law and your grandchildren and great-grandchildren ask Allah Subhana Taala The Almighty to bless your souls, forgive your mistakes and place you among the faithful.Amin.

Censoring Blogs

Just like several other bloggers, I was quite taken aback when I saw the headline 'Bloggers Beware'. The government is going after bloggers who criticize the government, disrupt inter-racial and inter-religious harmony, and generally make an ass of themselves on the internet. I believe,this decision was prompted by the not so favourable comments,remarks and name callings by some rabble rousing 'master's voices' and their herd. These bloggers are the 'seeking popularity and fame' types. They are the ones who should be penalised. Mr Minister, have you ever tried blogging ? Does'nt matter what language you are well versed in, it's very fullfilling. Is it true what they say, that you are not very I.T. savvy. Is that the reason for your phobia of the internet ? Mr Minister, you just browse the blogs and see. Not everybody is writing about politics. They are writing about their family,their friends, their pets, their plants, what they ate just now,what movies they watch, what books they read. You want to censor them and me too ? Most bloggers are opinionated,I agree. Is his opinion going to be read by 20 million Malaysians ? Will that small opinion influence the rakyat ? Will that small opinion shake the stock exchange ? I don't think so. Please don't be too harsh on us happy simple bloggers, go for the bad guys by all means. While,you are browsing, get your webmasters to do something about the various government departments websites. They suck.