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.

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.

Middle East,UPM,Siti

Being a nosy web browser (isn't everybody?) I find that these incidences seem to be the main talking points in the blogs I've visited. Israel attacking Palestinian and Lebanese settlements. Looks like Israel is not relenting on its bombing raids and rocket firing on the defenseless Palestinians and Lebanese. The reason, to free one Israeli soldier being held by Hamas militants and 3 more held by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel said it is retaliation for some minor raids by those militants. But do innocent people (including women and children) have to pay for their lives and have their homes destroyed.Its just that the Israelis don't like the newly elected Hamas government and want to get at Syria where the Hezbollah are stationed. And of course,cheerleaders Bushwhacking George and Blur Blair encouraging them. Uncle Kofi can keep on imploring for peace,nobody cares. UPM's Ethnic relations handbook and UPM student fiasco The handbook on ethnic relations compiled by some UPM brains was found to be factually incorrect.Some politicians say it is seditious,and historically false. The Cabinet has ordered UPM to withdraw the book and make historically and politically correct editorial amendments. There is this video clip being distributed on the Net,where a bunch of Malay students were harassing a bunch of Chinese students in one of the UPM cafetarias. The Malay students were preventing some Chinese students from distributing some leaflets. The Chinese students were asked to leave as they were from an unregistered group. Lots of shouting,abusive language and pushing and shoving. The Chinese group stubbornly held their ground. Some Malay guys were seen shoving shoes at the camera. These guys bring shame to their race and the university. If the proffessors could not write an unbiased manual on ethnic relations,how would you expect their students to behave. Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra,the first prime minister of Malaysia,may he rest in peace.This university was named after him,University Putra Malaysia. Sorry for the students who really wanted to study and get along well with the other races. Siti and Datuk K After playing coy with the media for months,Siti finally announced her wedding date with businessman Datuk Khalid. A press conference was specially called just to announce a wedding. Anyway,Datuk K had to settle his divorce proceedings with his first wife,before he was freed to marry Siti. That was why they were so secretive with the media then. Quote Datuk K's 14 year old son "I don't know whether to call her Kak Siti or Mak Siti" Just to remind you,whatever I have written is not verified,it is just impulsive writing.

The Wedding & The Uninvited

The father of the bride looked sternly into the eyes of the young man who was going to be his son in law ,seated in front of him.He stretched out his hand and the young man clasped it firmly. The bride's father then recited the 'ijab kabul' and shook the young man's hand. A little tear betrayed his stern countenance. The young man recited the acceptance ,clearly without fumbling, with no mistakes. The kathi, his witnesses all agree 'sah'. So,Aiyee and Lara are now legally married.Alhamdulillah. Lara's parents held a reception at their Subang Jaya residence. Most of the good people of USJ were present,except a certain blogger who might be sulking somewhere,looking at a 'card' without his name on it on his monitor. Of course,Lara's parents invited all their close `influential and powerful' friends, and their close 'powerful and influential also' relatives. There was another reception,the next evening,held at a hotel in KL. The same 'powerful and influential' guests and relatives attended this do. Last but not least,the BIG DO in Penang. Where all the Who's Who of Malaysian politics and journalism attended. Our forgotten blogger in Subang must have been sulking,missing out on the pics he could have shot if he was there.Uploading a pic from The Star is consoling,perhaps. Some of his sympathizers were so kind to him,supplying Lara's and her sister's My Space url. You voyeurs got nothing to do or what ? I really feel sorry for you misguided trouble makers. Congratulations Aiyee and Lara. Don't let these idiots spoil your happiness. Borrowed these lines from The Beatles : Although you laugh and you act like a clown Beneath this mask you are wearing a frown What have you done to deserve such a fate You realise you have left it too late. You're a loser,you're a loser And you're not what you're supposed to be You're a loser,you're a loser And you're half the man you used to be. P.S. Happy Birthday Jeni.

Jeff Ooi Gone Too Far

Malaysian bloggers are familiar with the blog `Screenshots' by Jeff Ooi. A blogger from Subang Jaya, reputedly 'the most influential blogger in Malaysia'. And it is no secret that he has an ongoing 'feud' with the New Straits Times' especially the former GEIC, Kalimullah Hassan. They can call each other names or exchange threats and innuendoes for all I care. And thats as far as it should go. We know that Kali's eldest daughter is getting married soon. I'm sure Kali did'nt invite this Jeff Ooi to the wedding reception, neither did the groom's family. So why must this Jeff post a screenshot of the wedding invitation from the groom's family on his blog ? Trying to be funny,cute,sarcastic or what,Jeff ? Or just anticipating with glee for idiotic comments from your fans and supporters. At least some of the commenters gave you a piece of their mind. They sensed something fishy in his crude mind. What he did was very lowdown,cheap and disgusting. In trying to hurt the father,he hurt the daughter,the mother and the family. Shame on you Jeff Ooi. We have no respect for you .Only contempt.

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.