Wanna be a local councillor ?

Wanna be a local councillor ? Why not eh ? First you don't need to get elected. That means no election hassle, no need to spend so much money and canvassing for votes. Just make sure that you are 'visible' to your party chiefs. You can be 'invisible' to your local residents. They don't know who their local council rep is. I too do not know who the hell is the councillor for my area. 'Invisibility' to your local residents can spare you the inconveniences now being shouldered by the elected assemblymen and MPs.Don't have to listen to 'sob stories',grouses about your council (very good, pass your problem to the YBs),settle summonses,recommend for jobs and colleges. Meetings, only once a month (correct me if I'm wrong)and you get allowance for that. You plan your projects at commitee meetings.Just go to the monthly meeting and 'setuju' every damn thing. About one quarter of our local councillors are not academically high achievers.Some just made it to Form Three. Yes , they got where they are by climbing the political ladder. Academics and professionals get to be appointed too.Some how they don't seem to make as much money as those 'survivors'. If you're lucky not to get caught (by opposition observers) you may get to build your 'dream palaces' on council land. You know what the council enforcers will do to the squatters. And this is the best part of being a coucillor, you get to go on 'study tour' in a foreign land. Study what ? Maintenance of public toilets in 'girly joints' in Hatyai,'dangdut joints' in Medan. Study landscaping on the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and many other interesting study tours. How do you get to be one ? Make your way up the political ladder in your state.Rub shoulders with your branch leaders,buy free lunches for the grassroots.Be the popular party man or woman.Make yourself noticed when a national leader or state leader comes visiting.Stand in the front row to welcome and send off your leader.Don't forget to kiss his hand.Your DNA on his hand might make him remember you. So, wanna be a local councillor ?

U Must Not Oppose

The kris is unsheathed, when are we going to use it ? That was one of the disturbing tones telecast live in our living rooms during the annual gathering of the U Must Not Oppose politicians and wannabees. If you are not a member of that race or religion, you better keep your two cents worth opinion to yourself and to your kind. Don't test their patience and hospitality, this race is famous for running amok. They said it, I didn't. Don't try to be smart and recalculate the bumi equity percentage. They still need the crutches. The chieftains want to keep on enriching themselves, while the followers remain poor and get 'good fortune' come party elections and general elections time. If you are in Penang, just drive round Bukit Jambul ,Bukit Glugor or Bukit Mertajam. Just ask who owns those big bungalows. Oh, they said Penang Malays are being marginalised. It feels good to champion the Penang Malays, make sure that I keep the Ketua post. I'm fighting for you. This community is against meritocracy in education. Working or studying hard is such a task. Mr Wong,Mr Muthu, your kids scored 10 As in SPM. Congratulations but your kids cannot fit into our public varsities. You see, the quota for non-bumi students already filled.The quota for bumis is still available, but we have to help our members' kids first. And what's with the teachers of today ? Some can't teach science and maths in English. Somebody's poor kids are getting confused. Is it the kid or the teacher that needs bucking up ? With their ever increasing salary, teachers should be motivated enough to motivate their students. And teachers make up most of the Umnoans. Oh by the way, did you know that other Malaysians, especially Chinese and Indians are labelled as ' immigrants' and 'aliens' (pendatang dan orang asing). Don't bother about that, that's their way of covering their own insecureness. Hey, I am a descendant of pendatang-pendatang too. Just like you, the PM, the former PMs, the kris wavers and sharp tongues spewing threats in that gathering. Come to think of it, we are all children, grandchildren,great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren of immigrants from other countries. Kita serupa ! Come next year, expect the same ethnic chest beating and ' others' bashing. We, Bangsa Malaysia don't need to get alarmed with their antics. When the GE comes next year or 2008, they'll come running to you. Take my word for it.

Bangsa Malaysia

Why is that MB from the south so worked out about that Bangsa Malaysia thing ? There can only be Bangsa Melayu, Bangsa China, Bangsa India, Bangsa Dayak, Bangsa Kadazan,etc. No such thing as Bangsa Malaysia ? Friend, our country is almost 50 years old and you are still thinking about the Tanah Melayu days. Check your history books, Perseketuan Tanah Melayu has become Malaya, and then Malaysia. The only Melayu left is the Keretapi Tanah Melayu and Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu ( United Malays National Organisation) and `baju Melayu' perhaps. Remember how our past and present leaders tried to integrate the various communities as one multi-racial group as Malaysians. When our athletes go out to represent the country, they are known as Malaysian athletes, not Chinese, not Indian, not Malay,etc. When our politicians and businessmen go overseas, they are recognised as Malaysian politicians, Malaysian businessmen. Any Malaysian person that goes anywhere is a Malaysian. Maybe its that word 'Bangsa' that makes you unhappy ? I urge you to consult a good Bahasa Melayu - English dictionary. The word 'bangsa' means 'race' or 'nation'. You guys had to play up the 'race' issue, did you. So 'Bangsa Malaysia' means Malaysian National, 'antarabangsa' means international. Not Malaysian race, no need to make a fuss over it.

Selamat Hari Raya

On this blessed day, I humbly seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanallah for my late parents, my parents in-law ,my late elder brother Emran, my late relatives near and far, and friends who have gone forever. May Allah bless their souls and and have compassion for them as they had been compassionate to us in their life time. On this day too, I sincerely seek forgiveness from my wife, children and loved ones who I may have hurt, offended or slighted in any way. I say these things every year, and then I forget and start being nasty and harsh. But it has to be said. Like a reminder. One way would be, is to put myself in their place and I might see what I have done. May Allah guide me the right way. Milah, I love you and the children very much. I will never let you be hurt, ever. Please forgive this cranky old man. Selamat hari raya everybody.

Ba'in and his Honey

Some time in the early 1940s. Ba'in (Ibrahim) was coming home to Penang for his vacation. He was so eager to see his mum and siblings again after some time. He was posted in the Singapore PWD as a draftsman. There was so much news he wanted to hear about his family. How his mum is coping with the family. He was very keen to see his little brother Naim's girlfriend ,Yon, whom he has heard so much about. One day they, Ba'in,Naim, and Rahim (Naim's buddy) cycled from their Jelutong home (Kurau Road,off Perak Road) to Yon's house in Western Road ( facing the psychiatric ward of the Penang GH). Having met Yon, he was introduced to two other girls (Yon's sisters). There was Z (Zohara) who was Rahim's girl , and the eldest one was Haniffa. They were all beautiful girls, but Ba'in was melted by Haniffa's classic looks and gentle ways. When he went back to Singapore, he couldn't stop thinking about Haniffa (or Honey as he called her). He would send ' epistles' ( those days people don't call or sms, they write letters called epistles). Naim and Rahim were his despatchers (postmen). It was the Japanese Occupation, and out-of-control Japanese soldiers were misbehaving and put fear in the hearts of parents with young daughters. The girls' father Azyze accepted Ba'in's suit and so Ba'in and Honey were married in 1943. The other sisters married later on. And so began Ba'in and Honey's life together. It would last for 25 years. But Honey stayed true to the love of her life for 46 years until her own death. That's our mum, Honey. A most gracious and loving soul there ever was. May Allah bless your souls Mak and Bapak. Happy Birthday Honey.We miss you.

There is 'Hikmah'

We are almost two weeks into the fasting month. Its quite an effort to restrain yourself from those little tiffs with the missus and the kids. Some times an off-remark or so can lead to a high decibel debate. That would taint our 'pahala puasa' wouldn't it ? To be fair to them, they can get uptight too at times. This is to be expected when we are tired and hungry ... and sleepy . I'm sorry if I have hurt or offended them. I am very impressed with my son Fadzlil. He is a role model for 'puasa slackers'. Despite his disabilities, he goes thru the day just like any abled person. Ever since his unfortunate accident some years ago, he didn't fast for the first two years. I paid his 'fidyah' at one of the pondoks in the neighboring kampung. This is his 3rd year of fasting since the accident. This year, Raya is very special to him.His birthday falls on the second day of Raya (Oct.25). Every day, tiringly to our poor ears, he drops broad hints like asking, how many more days to Raya ? People ask why I don't get around much anymore. Would they understand that I ,or somebody has to be around Fadzlil at all times to make him comfortable, swat a mosqito ,give a scratch, change tv channels, give him a drink. Milah will take care of the feeding. He doesn't like my feeding style.He says I'm messy. My special task is in the icky and yucky chores. We only get relief when his brothers are home. He didn't ask to be this way. If he could, he would not ask for help. We should feel his disappointments, his frustrations, his hopes and desires. He had everything to look out for, his star was shining bright. Has it all gone ? Look at him now. I still see the glitter in his eyes. The brave and stubborn jut of his jaw. Feel the love and glow in his heart. His fight is not over yet. He is not down yet. His mind is still sharp as ever. He can still out-talk you. His body may be broken, but his spirit is not. We should not look at his unfortunate incident as a calamity but as a reminder. Believe that there is 'Hikmah' or God's 'hidden ' blessings behind every incident. Insha'Allah.

Ramadan 2006.

Tomorrow is the 1st of Ramadan, the Fasting Month. During this month, Muslims are advised to re-examine themselves. Clean their thoughts and their souls. Obey Allah's commands, be faithfull to Islam and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Do your compulsory ibadah and as many provisional (sunat) as you can manage. Try to resist temptations . Don't 'bad mouth' others you don't agree with. Be understanding with your family and friends and magnanimous with your non-friends. Reach out for the poor and weak, help them if not by means then by ways. Fasting helps you to feel their hunger and weakness. Be kind to each other and to other living creatures and this good earth. Lets not be extravagant when breaking fast and waste food. Eat just enough to sate your hunger and thirst. Eat healthily. Have a good and 'berkat' Ramadan. InshaAllah.

What's happening to our beloved nation ?

What's happening to our beloved nation ? Can our leader keep focussed on his job ? Why does an ex-leader keep distracting his successor with his whining and tauntings ? He cannot accept the reality that he is not in charge anymore. He expects his successor to walk in his footprints. Or that his associates lost out to the new leader's associates. Why insult and humiliate ? In front of his former political foes, who are now so enthralled by his oratorial performances. In front of foreign pressmen, who once reviled him. Is that the way for a very distinguished, highly respected former leader to behave ? What happened to that dignified Malay/Malaysian culture of politeness and courtesy ? Does it pleases him to be likened as a scruffy street fighter. If he feels unhappy about his successor's work, engage him and advise like a father. More good will come from that, than going round the country, insulting your succesor,his family and friends. Age is catching up on us, so retire gracefully, make peace with God and ask for His forgiveness and blessings.