#AllianzCrazyGames2016, and the Awesome 3some!

Gosh, it's been a long while since I've written anything here. This blog has become eerily quiet since I started work; Maybe I gave it up out of fear it would compromise my employability. Of course, we all know we're not supposed to be judged based on our political leanings, but it's something that's hung over our heads regardless.

In any case, I don't want to talk about the current political climate. It's depressing to think about and pointless to discuss. So let's talk about how I've decided to avert my attention:

A couple of weeks ago, a good friend of mine whom I've known for eons called me up, and asked if I'd like to join him and another friend in the #AllianzCrazyGames2016. I, of course, was all over it, as contrary to popular belief, I love activities and events like these just to break up the monotony of daily life. And as part of the pre-event tasks given to us, we were asked to talk about the healthy, outdoor activities that we love most.

The first time I properly went hiking was with a full-on hiking group, called the PELOPOR Adventure Team. At the time, the team was assigned to assist with training a group of VPs and department heads from a leading telco in Malaysia, and I was roped in to help where I could. Although I didn't engage much with the technical side of things, I did get to enjoy the physical aspect of the course, which required us to climb and 'cave' through the various nooks and crannies of Gunung Senyum, near Temerloh, Pahang, to reach the summit.

Admittedly, I'd never been much of an outdoors type, so this was indeed a challenge and definitely saw me thrown arse-over-head out of my comfort zone. But I enjoyed the expedition so much, that I found myself hiking more and more often. 6 years on, I am happy to report that I continuously seek out adventure whenever possible, be it hiking through the mountain ranges of Pahang, or off-roading in remote areas of Selangor, or just walking through some of the beautiful paths of Taman Rimba Kiara or Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam.

Hiking feeds my need to explore and discover things on my own. Often, I am forced to think out-of-the-box to deal with situations at hand, and it reminds me to always be prepared and be aware of my surroundings. A city boy by birth, I have to ensure that I am never complacent or stagnant, and these outdoor outings serve to ensure I am never truly in a rut.

"I see foreign people."

Our friends in the south are having something called an 'election.' Apparently, they poll and cast votes and choose the wisest man or woman to lead their nation for a few years. This is called a 'democracy,' I'm told.

One of the hottest topics in the Singaporean election is the topic of foreign workers. Singaporeans argue that too many foreign workers take up Singaporean jobs, at a margin that's something like 1 in every 10. Of course, like Malaysia, most jobs like customer service, waitstaff, and menial labour go to foreign workers. However, unlike Malaysia, a ton of high-level executive positions are given to foreigners, too. This is probably what bothers Singaporeans most: High-paying jobs in their own country are going to pendatangs. Hmm.

Malaysia, however, sits comfortably in the hands of its own people. Company executives, CEOs, and the like, are mostly Malaysians. Malaysians of every colour, every religion, from every corner of the country. This makes me very happy. It's one of the things I ponder on whenever things get a little hairy. The reason for this is because, Malaysia offers great things to those who make a decent living. There's freedom of lifestyle, with little restriction on car ownership (another bane of contention for our southern friends), a decent quality of life is guaranteed, and our EPF schemes aren't half bad. Sure, income tax is ridiculous, but that's for another day.

We suffer from having to host a large number of foreigners, too. However, the situation here is different. Here, our foreign labour is restricted almost exclusively to low-level labour-intensive positions. Our nation was built on the backs of hardworking foreign labour, and that's just the reality of things. They clean our streets, they maintain the order of our offices, they make our food and they clean up after us. At home, they watch over our children, they layan our elderly relatives, and they cook according to what we want (with some success).

We don't like our foreigners because they come here in questionable circumstances ("Ada permit ke tidak ni?"), send a bulk of their earnings abroad (which aids the continued devaluation of the Ringgit), pretend like laws don't apply to them (have you seen how they treat our sewage systems?!), and a considerable number of them turn to a life of crime (I have met three foreign weed dealers in my travels). I think our distress at the foreign labour issue is warranted, especially when the media tell us we'll be looking at over a million of them on our soil as soon as 2020. Pretty sure that wasn't a part of Tun Mahathir's Wawasan.

To my Singaporean friends, read on. Your issue is with the number of highly-educated foreigners filling top-level positions. Please understand that many of us flock to the City State because you offer a better, more stable, more orderly quality of life than the nations we come from. The fact of the matter is, your foreigners aren't quite like ours. They don't run amok like ours do. Lain keadaan, bro. I'll be damned if I see my boss, a Ph.D holder, litter and loiter in the Central Business District the way many of our foreign labourers do on the streets of KL. So there's no need to get your knickers in a twist.

Foreign labour flocks to Singapore because Singaporeans leave Singapore. Highly-educated types will try and forge new lives in Australia, or in England. The grass is always greener on the other side, so away they go. Malaysians specifically fill the jobs that Singaporeans themselves aren't interested in. We can't talk about the large Filipino population in Singapore, as most of the time, the waitstaff I meet along Orchard Road are Filipino. Can't really live without them, the same way we can't say anything about our foreigners. But the highly-educated types... go easy on them la.

The situation is more complex there. Not so much so here. So don't compare Malaysia's situation with that in Singapore, or vice versa. It'd be awfully bumptious of you to do so. And you wouldn't want to do that, now do you?

Mana Merdekanya?

When I was in school, August was always a month we'd look forward to. Our independence day was a day of national pride, and eager students like myself would happily sacrifice time in the classroom to participate in patriotic activities and celebrations. Yes, really.

But that was a decade ago. It's 2015, and things have changed. I failed to see flags scattered liberally around the city centre; My street was equally devoid of the Jalur Gemilang. I didn't see creatively decorated taxicabs, or cars festooned with flags in every shape and size. Somehow, Malaysians weren't in a celebratory mood.

I wonder what caused it. Our slumping economy, perhaps. Though many will try to blame it on the devaluation of the Chinese yuan, and then follow up by saying that the whole region has been affected, the continued descent of the Malaysian Ringgit has nothing to do with China, and everything to do with Seri Perdana. You know how national economies slump a bit whenever there's an election, to account for the possibly drastic change in policies following the (possible) introduction of a new administration? Yeah. Think about that for a second, and then wonder why the Ringgit continues to plummet. Kalau AG pun boleh dibuang kerja dengan sekelip mata... 

Maybe it was the denunciation of the BERSIH rallies. They called the demonstrators 'unpatriotic' and 'troublemakers.' Though I admit, a handful got a tad rowdy and crossed some lines (sorry la, it's never okay to step on someone's face, even if you have 2.6 billion reasons to do so), BERSIH4 was the most peaceful rally organised by the Malaysians in Yellow there has ever been. I personally commend the Malaysian police force and other emergency services for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of BERSIH participants throughout the 36hr demonstration. Many of my friends slept on the streets of KL that Saturday night, and never once did they feel vulnerable or at risk. That's a big thing, especially in that part of town.

Or possibly, it's the brazen idiocy of our ministers. Some will tell you that it isn't a big deal, while others share recipes for 'tax-free rice.' There are always a few that are a sandwich short of a full picnic, but never have I seen a cabinet filled with empty bowls. Yes, bowls. Sebab depa semua mangkuk. In the meantime, the handful of good eggs scattered here and there are getting pummeled and squashed by the majority who insist on 'towing the party line' like the good brown-nosers that they are. Maybe if they all pulled their heads out of the one massive ass, they'd realise how full of shit they seem (and for good reason).

I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Malaysia was feeling incredibly patriotic. Maybe it was the love of the country that made 200,000 people take to the streets of KL, from every corner of the country, to fight for a freer, cleaner, more transparent Negara.

Or maybe I'm really stupid, and only 25,000 turned up. Who knows, really?


"I'll be pro-government once you give me a cabinet that's pro at governing."

The Elephant in the Room. (+VAT)

It's the end of March, and a households' two breadwinners are budgeting for the month ahead. Let's call them Rosham and Sara. They're figuring out their finances, putting money aside from their meager salaries to cover things like car installments, utility bills, groceries, and rent for the home they share with their children. Everything seems normal, until they tally the amounts. They've noticed an increase, and a sharp one at that. And so they begin to deliberate on which luxuries to axe, and they raid the savings they've put aside for that family holiday they wanted to take in December, just to make it through the next couple of months comfortably. How will they tell the children...

This is undoubtedly the situation faced by hundreds of thousands of households in the country. GST is upon us, and its effects are widespread, as per expected of such a unilateral move.

Some of us knew it was an inevitability. Most Asian countries have brought about VAT already. And with our Government spending as much as it is, we knew that our VAT, christened 'GST' for reasons unknown, would come sooner rather than later. We've turned into a nanny-state, giving handouts to the majority, who actually survived pretty okay without it in the past, to ensure the security of another term in power.

I yawn at the short-sightedness of it all.

GST is the perfect example of the fundamental problem with our Government. They, like the majority of our nation, are reactionists. We only know how to flinch when burned, not how to prevent ourselves from getting burned in the first place.

Our economy is in deep trouble. 1MDB exacerbates the situation. Falling oil prices and dwindling treasury reserves have caused the Ringgit to weaken steadily.

The Malaysian economy could've weathered this. We could've remained steady as the global economy shivered slightly. We could've made our treasury fat while still handing out money to the general public, without it having such a detrimental effect on our balance sheet. "How?" you ask.

The answer is all to familiar. Gee Ess Tee.
... but 20 years ago.

The Malaysian economy was once a thing of beauty. People marveled at our drive and our resolve, with then Dato' Sri Dr. Mahathir Mohammed at the helm. This "arrogant little nation," as he once put it, placed itself firmly on the map, and made no intention (then, at least) of vacating. Malaysia was happy, Malaysians were happy, and our accountants were pleased.

The benefits reaped by countries who implement and enforce VAT cannot be denied. England has one of the most comprehensive care systems for its citizens. The Singapore Dollar is one of the most stable currencies in the region. And Thailand has so much lying around that its Prime Ministers help themselves to billions at a time. Cough.

But GST, now, will only pour salt into the wounds of the average Malaysians like you and I, who slog and slave every day to make ends meet, what with the insane costs of living and the equally dizzy income tax rates. Had GST been implemented during our economic prime (and at 3%, half the impending rate), I doubt Malaysians would've felt the pinch. And they most certainly wouldn't be feeling it now.


Not too far away from Rosham and Sara, a woman looks at herself in the mirror. Pleased with what she sees, she hands over a large sum of money to her hairstylist, who says her thanks and goes away...

A Minority Within the Majority: Liberalist Malay coming through...

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have one hell of a temper. Really, I do. Even the most minor of triggers can set me huffing and puffing enough to bring down everything but my blood pressure. Just the other day I lost my temper at a woman who misused an OKU parking bay at the local Tesco's. I got so mad I felt faint. I am as much a victim of my hot-headed nature as the morons that trigger it.

In my line of work, I am forced to deal with differing opinions every day. Some from clients, most from the audience they target. This infuriates me too, and it has taken a toll on my health. A month away from 20 years old, I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. No joke.

But no matter how cross I have been in the past at anyone over anything, including greedy business partners and cheating ex-girlfriends, I have never once dreamt of resorting to violence to appease my anger.

Might it have something to do with my upbringing? Maybe. Might it be due to my attitude toward the Malaysian political scene in general? Maybe. But the fact of the matter is that I, a Malay-Muslim youth, a public-school alumnus, represent a majority of my fellow Malaysians. And yet, it seems, I am a minority within the majority, because I don't immediately resort to violence.

Having had a front-seat view of the Aisyah Tajuddin fracas as it exploded, I am as entitled to an opinion on the matter as anyone else, if not more so. And I will publicly state here and now, that I wholly-agree with the opinion and point-of-view expressed by Ms. Aisyah on her BFMKupas program, as well as those expressed by media stalwart Jahabar Sadiq in an article titled 'In PAS, a Study of Arrogance and Ignorance' (which you can read here).

You don't question divine law. You simply don't. The Quraan is literary perfection, and its teachings are beyond the reproach of mortals. However, it isn't the divine law that I, like so many Malaysians, am questioning. It's the lacklustre 'politicians' in their white robes and turbans that are tasked with implementing said divine law that raises doubts. It's the self-righteous fogeys whose priorities have been blown about by their own arrogance, that I question.

And the reproach for even coming close to mentioning such a thing? Threats of rape, of violence, of being set ablaze and shot in the head. My, how we've come to forget that our political representatives are nothing more than people themselves, just like you or I. They are not beyond question, beyond reproach, or indeed beyond consequence. How dare you place them higher than you place yourself. And how dare you act this way, targeting a helpless young woman and her equally helpless family, if you believe yourselves to be proponents of a religion that preaches harmony, unity, and peace. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Such is the state of our youth that they respond with violence and intimidation, rather than understanding and reason. The compassion has gone from our society, and that makes me very sad.

Hudud is the collective feather in the PAS cap that they've been working on since, seemingly, the rebirth of Christ. And the reason behind this? So they don't look like the mere Coalition-placeholders that  they are.

Proton launches new Iriz hatchback: RM42k - RM63k

‎Hello from Proton City! I am here with members of the media, covering the official launch of the hotly-anticipated Proton Iriz hatchback. 

Most of you have probably read about the specs and details on the many Malaysian motoring websites, but here's a recap of the headlines: Available with 1.3 and 1.6 engines, the Proton Iriz goes head-to-head with the ever-popular Perodua Myvi, while craftily undercutting other B-segment rivals such as the Honda Jazz, Ford Fiesta, and Kia Rio. Available with up to 6 (!) airbags, the 5-star ANCAP rated Iriz puts safety in the forefront, offering class-leading safety at a price point that's hard to beat. 

Across the board, the standard safety features are tremendous to say the least. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), traction control (TCS), and hill-hold assist (HHA) are the headliners, along with ISOFIX mounts for child seats, adjustable seatbelt height fixtures (a feature some more expensive competitors lack), and electronic brake assistance (which helps to increase braking force during emergency situations). 

Now for the properly interesting stuff. The top-of-the-range 1.6 Premium gets all the goodies, and the exterior reflects that. It gets a two-tone bodykit, daytime LED running lights, 15" alloy wheels with a design exclusive to the Premium, and a large rear spoiler to round things up. Inside, the Premium gets leather on the seats, doors, steering wheel and gear lever, as well as a touchscreen multimedia system featuring GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, and reversing camera.

Finally, a real contender to take on the Myvi. "A car built by Malaysians, for Malaysians," said Proton Chairman Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed

The price and respective specifications are as follow:

"How... seditious."

Let's start with selfies. Yes, selfies. Photographs taken by insanely self-absorbed people who believe that the world genuinely wants to see their faces, and not much else. Often, these narcissists wi‎ll feature more recognisable things in their selfies to make themselves seem more interesting. Famous artwork, popular tourist attractions, celebrities... basically anything under the sun. 

Political figures have not been immune from this widespread disease. President Obama of the United States, Chancellor Merkel of Germany, and President Jokowi‎ of Indonesia are among many who have taken to photographing themselves and circulating these photos on social media platforms, in an attempt to seem relevant. To woo the hearts and minds of younger voters by making them believe that their politicians aren't as out of touch as some may seem.

And our politicians are no exception.

Malaysian MPs and ministers are becoming quite well-known for their selfies, some more than others. Periodically, social media sites are set ablaze with photographs of politicians doing... political things. They show to the world that yes, they do indeed work, for the sake of the people (and that it's important that the people are harassed with photographs of them doing this work, as if it isn't part of their job description). It seems clear now, more than ever, that our politicians are desperate to seem more relevant to the increasingly IT-savvy voters out and about, as we're seeing more and more of these selfies as the days go by.

Ah, relevance. 

One must wonder then, how a government so keen to remain in touch with its voters, can stand steadfast behind a law that can only be described as a floppy disk in an era of 1TB thumbdrives, or dial-up internet in a world of high-speed broadband. I am referring to the Sedition Act of course, in case you're particularly thick. Here's a law that's akin to gangster-style intimidation, in a country that "promotes healthy dialogue between the people and their representatives, for a more progressive Malaysia." Uh huh.

It's like an iPhone app that launches a catapult. Or a brass chastity belt on Amazon.com. Pick a bloody era, damnit. 

Clearly, our Government is suffering from a serious case of Foot-In-Mouth Disease, which has caused a bout of Hypocriticitis to boot. These men and women with decades of experience in the political arena under their belt, are somehow clueless on how to treat this outbreak. Maybe I, of little age and equally little political experience, can shed some light on the situation:

Ammend the act. Let the Sedition Act apply only to the Monarchy, as it should. Rebrand it, if you must (did I hear "Harmony Act?"). In any case, the Sedition Act cannot be left as-is. Ministers, MPs, senators and the like are nothing more than servants to the people who elected them. And so they should be, as we are, open to criticism, however harsh or unconstructive. Because this is a democracy. And that's that.

One Plane. Two Countries. Three weeks.

When Najib took office in 2009, one of his first PR campaigns was the 1Malaysia slogan. It’s 2014, and we are still being bombarded by 1Malaysia products and services that kind-of sort-of serve the public, in the roundabout fashion that is so typical of local politics. Year after year, government expenditure to service the aforementioned products rise, especially ‘Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia,’ or ‘BR1M.’ I do not moonlight as an expert in sociology, and so my opinion is not based on data. But from what I see, hear, and feel on the ground, as a proud Malaysian, is that racial tensions are as flared as they’ve ever been, and that the 1Malaysia campaign and all its correlated by-products haven’t really helped.

Then, three weeks ago, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared not long after takeoff at the Kuala Lumpur International airport, headed for Beijing, China. The Boeing 777-200 vanished into the inky blackness of the night, taking with it 239 passengers, and 12 crew members. Malaysia was thrust into unwanted limelight, and forced to deal with a crisis never before seen in history. Some members of government rose to the occasion, while others sat in corners, making a nuisance of themselves in the international arena. Naturally, some chaos ensued.

In my lifetime, we as a nation have never had to face such an incredible situation. And never have I stood opposing our nations’ critics.

The Chinese government and the Chinese people have been very vocal about how the Malaysian authorities have been handling the situation. On multiple occasions, they have hurled items at our representatives, demanding they be told information we do not have. To put it plainly: I wonder what they’re smoking, because I wouldn’t mind some of it.

Even someone as vocal and critical as I am forced to wonder what it is that the Chinese expect of our government. Maybe they wanted us to take a page out of CNN’s book, by declaring leads and then retracting them due to lack of credibility. We have watched for X days now, as international news networks clutch at straws to fill the information vacuum. We have heard the unlikely, the unfathomable, the insane, and the preposterous. And I am proud to say that none of the above came from the mouth of a Malaysian official.

Weird that, huh?

My grandmother is convinced that the Chinese are merely opportunists, vocalizing the sentiments they cannot express toward their own oppressive government. Although her theory holds water, and many of her friends agree with her, I am convinced that the issue at hand is due to the Chinese convoluted idea that the Government is almighty. More often than not, the Chinese government can eradicate whatever issues may face their people with one swift movement of a pen. Such is the belief of the Chinese people. And so they stand, outside our embassy in Beijing, asking us to return the plane that we have misplaced. Because obviously, we hid it.

Keep praying with your little red book, my friends. Mao isn’t going to save you this time.

To the twenty six nations that are assisting us in the search for MH370, my gratitude lies at your feet. To the families, friends, and loved ones of those aboard MH370, I would like to extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. I pray every day that the plane be found, but until then, I hope you all can find peace, and closure. I leave you with a poem, recited to me by a friend long before your loved ones departed, which has been playing on my mind since:

God looked around his garden, And He found an empty place.

He then looked down upon this earth, And saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you, And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain

He knew that you would never, Get well on earth again.

He saw that the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb.

So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered “Please be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone

For part of us went with you, That day that God called you home.

Al-Fatihah.

the Malaysian nightmare

We all have things we are afraid of.

Following some (alleged) Africans breaking into my home, I have since become extremely paranoid. I leap out of bed and grab a baseball bat every time I hear a noise that couldn't possibly be caused by my beloved cat, Kenit. This fear or paranoia is what calls me into immediate action. This is my personal nightmare

Whenever a general election is on its way, certain members of certain parties like to 'call on the Kraken,' in a way. Malaysians live with their own nightmare, too. It has a name.

'May 13th, 1969.'

It is known among Malaysians that the previously insinuated political parties use the May 13th incident as a bogeyman to scare the people into submission, into not questioning the status quo. During the time of Mahathir, Tunku Abdul Rahman was quoted stating his displeasure over the use of May 13th as such:

"For the PM (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) to repeat the story of the 13th of May as a warning of what would have happened if the government had not taken appropriate action is like telling ghost stories to our children to prevent them from being naughty. The tale should not be repeated because it shows us to be politically immature."

If Tunku was still alive today, he would be crying on the streets of Putrajaya. With the ISA still standing as a testament to feudalism, and the national media only just enjoying (some) real freedom, we are far from being 'politically mature,' as he would have wanted. With the GE around the corner, I know the educated rakyat among us will lean back and watch as power-hungry idiots try to scare us into nodding. More so when the election gets closer.

Maybe one day we'll be able to stand tall, challenge the status quo, and build a better Malaysia. Achieve a 'Visi 2020' far better than Tun Dr. Mahathir's imagination can muster. One where we won't need some stupid gimmick to promote unity. One where we won't need 'subsidy stores' to stay alive. One where we won't need to incite fear to win at the polls.


via BlackBerry®

The 7% of Separation

Our tourism ministry loves us. By 'us,' I mean Malaysians. Peaceful, friendly, multi-racial and multi-cultural. As a large number of us are busy cleaning tear gas out of our eyes, they spend millions telling the world that there's nothing wrong in KL.

So you can imagine the degree of mind-warping that tourists experience when they arrive in KLIA. All they know of Malaysia is what they see in promotional videos and circulars. They are then confused further when they learn of our racially-based component parties, and something called a "Bumiputra discount."

I recently encountered this with a friend, fresh off the plane from the UK, who initially asked why we haven't done anything about PERKASA, which he described as "the beginnings of an extremist-terrorist cell." He went on to say he understood that "Malaysians don't live on trees and drive old Land Rovers," (which is a common thing), but thought "you guys had the multi-racial concept down pat."

"With the way things are now," he said, "it seems like KL's setting the stage to outdo the Rwandan genocide."

I laughed at the notion, despite knowing full-well that it was true.

For as long as we can collectively remember, we have been trying to drive a wedge between the races. Rwanda had the Hutus and Tutsis. Here, we have Bumis and non-Bumis. I have spent my entire life trying to find a difference between a Bumi and a non-Bumi. I haven't yet found an answer.

Let's sit back and think about this. When religion is removed from the equation, with all of its rules and regulations as well, you're left with Bumi-Malays and non-Bumi-everyone-elses. Define ONE difference.

Now let's see what's attached to 'Bumiputra' status. Bumi's get UiTM, MARA, housing and job quotas, ease of acceptance into tertiary-educational institutions, and the 7% discount, to name a few.

Even when religion is added to the fray, a difference is still not found. What makes a Malay-Muslim better than a Christian-Chinese, or a Sikh-Punjab, or even an Indian-Muslim? What is so special about Protos-Malay that the federal government has to design the country to fit Bumiputras? If anything, it shows that the field must first be slanted in our (Bumi) favour before we even consider crawling (and groaning) into action.

The Rwandans had their genocide. We had our May 13th. They've written texts, produced movies, built monuments, and created a museum. We have swept all evidence and documentation of the horror under the rug, and make as if it never happened.

When a mistake is made, its acknowledgement is the signal of progress. When the mistake is ignored, denied even, it is the signal of regress.

We're just asking for it, really.

via BlackBerry®

the Christian Threat.

(You can read the Malaysian Insider article here.)

The "Threat of Christianisation," a topic that is set to be lectured on at a teachers' conference in Johor next month. This lecture is not only supported by the state education board, but also by the Johor state government. This has sparked tension within the Christian community, who I'm sure is asking, "What on earth have we done wrong?"

I'd like to outline how the Muslim community is at fault here.

A common thought in the world of psychology is that the mind will see what it chooses to see, and is not foreign to fabricating the truth to fit its delusions (sounds a bit like Ibrahim Ali, doesn't it? That's a scary thought). The mind is also a sneaky bugger, because it'll find scapegoats to absolve it from blame. This is why the "Threat of Christianisation" exists; It's a scapegoat to hide the insecurities of the Malaysian-Muslim (or should I say, the Malay-Muslim) community about their faith.

I'm not saying that the Malays are questioning their faith. However, their hold of the faith is questionable. These are people who would, if asked to declare themselves non-Muslims under duress, call themselves Christians. Hindus. Buddhists. Even Jews, if you're pointing a ridiculously large gun at them. These are people who would, without a shadow of a doubt, consume alcohol and pork if it meant getting into a crowd that can fast-track them to riches and prominence.

The only threat, really, is the threat of Malay-brainwashing, nothing else. This is an issue brought upon themselves.

Here's another angle. Anyone notice how an imam, or bilal will very quickly chase out a vagrant that wanders into a mosque, seeking shelter? I've been in this situation once before, after a night out I'd rather not recount. I had sat myself on the steps leading up to the prayer hall, not even in the mosque itself, after having a car drive through a puddle and splash me as I walked along the pavement. The mosque in question had a security guard, who very promptly told me to leave.

No one loves exclusivity more than a Malay. No really, take it from a fellow Bumiputera (who spends his days convincing people - and himself - that he's Indian). And this is why I believe the "Christian threat" was brought upon ourselves; how many times have we heard stories of non-Muslims being excluded from events? So what if they're religious events; I've sat in during Sunday mass (and I don't have urges to convert, either).

It's very simple. The Islam taught by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH was one of love, and inclusivity. If you're familiar with the story of the Prophet and his Jewish neighbour, you'll understand what I mean. Yes, the Prophet was a man of war; He waged many an epic battle in the name of Islam. But to those who did not raise a sword toward him, he embraced with kindness and love. And that is why Islam grew to be the colossal empire that it is today, the empire that continues to grow at the fastest recorded rate in relation to other faiths. The Islam taught today in Malaysia bares little to no relation to the Islam taught by the Prophet. Instead of including, and teaching within the bounds of kindness, we seek to exclude, alienate, and ostracise those who do not conform to the very rigid stereotype of 'a good Muslim.'

The "threat of Christianisation" is an issue created by Muslims, to incite fear within Muslims. Now where's the productivity (or the 1Malaysia) in that?

We need to stop propagating, and start educating. I believe that the Malaysian public, given the right tools, can make an informed decision about themselves, and their choices in life. These tools are exactly what the Government does not provide in the federal education syllabus, but that's a story for another day. The fact of the matter is, we should be looking at ourselves, noting our flaws, our mistakes, and working on them, rather than blaming innocent bystanders for our shortcomings.

The only threat here is the threat of the Bumiputera, nothing else.

How long?

All it took was eggs and instant noodles.

The burnt remains of Nurul Nadirah, age 5, was found in a plantation somewhere in Johor. She was reported missing by her 25yr-old mother after she failed to return from a store on the ground floor of the adjacent block of flats, where she was sent (by her aforementioned mother) to buy eggs, and instant noodles.

It's astounding what people are capable of these days. And it's terrifying what you can no longer do in this day and age due to lack of security.

We very recently began complaining of income taxes as Malaysia began to weather one of the most inflated economies in SEA. Our tax money, the sum we so desperately wish we didn't have to pay, goes to fund our first line of defence when it comes to tackling crime: Polis DiRaja Malaysia.

Why can I not see my money at work?

The case of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin is still unsolved as yet, with her rapist-cum-killer still on the prowl. What have we done as a people, as a nation, to curb such heinous crimes from being committed?

TELL Magazine, then under the helm of editor Nuraina A. Samad and publisher Wahti Mahidin, released an issue detailing a proposed NURIN Alert; A sprint-warning system based upon the States' AMBER Alert. This proposal was dismissed by the Ministry for Women & Family Affairs. If implemented, the NURIN system would allow details of missing and abducted children to be spread nationwide within minutes of their disappearance. Such a system would, in theory, dramatically reduce the number of abductions, as well as halve the time required to alert the public and the media in such an event.

If the NURIN system had been implemented, I'm certain that it would have been much easier to track the movements of Nurul Nadirah's abductor, and primarily, her.

Post-Canny Ong, parking lots got brighter. How much longer before we see our streets get safer?


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Where's your vote going?

I had a very interesting conversation this evening with a dear friend of mine. What started off as a ranting regarding the recent banning of the Erykah Badu concert scheduled for tonight, ended up concluding in something rather enlightening.

The GE is coming up. Yes, we're braced for it. But are we ready? Er... not really, no.

Here's the reality of it.

The next GE seems slanted toward the Coalition. And that's due to years, and years, and years of Barisan screw-ups. They've made many, as expected of any government anywhere. As I spoke of my grievances toward the federal government, my buddy (a hardcore BN-UMNO) supported, began to argue both sides of the coin (which I most definitely was not expecting).

DISCLAIMER: I speak of politics. Mostly politics, actually. But I admit that I don't really know everything. I do this because I respect my hardline so-po bloggers (like Rocky) and so on. As it would be said in Bahasa, nak bagi jalan lah kan. Because I can conquer everything, if I put my mind to it. Heh. Nanti mampus duit Nuffnang tak cukup nak masuk minyak BMW dia, kan?

Anywho. With the next GE coming round, I'm sure most of you eligible voters are writing things down. Who's done what, who's planning to do what, and who hasn't delivered on promises. And it was these three things that were discussed tonight over teh o' limau panas.

I stand by my belief that there is no one political party that can address the needs of Rakyat at this point in time. Each has its drawbacks, while none seem to have any plus points. It really is a matter of the lesser evils. Personally? I'm still lobbying for an extra ballot box that says 'None Of The Above,' or in its fully-expanded form, 'None of the aforementioned parties accurately represent my stand in society. Therefore, my vote is cast toward a grey-area that exists somewhere between the two.'

Think about it. You take Anwar, you get rear-ended (pun intended!) by the United States. You go for Barisan, you get Rosmah (there goes any notion of sleeping. Nightmares abound). And so my statement remains: My vote belongs to the grey-area that exists between the two mainstream political parties.

Just out of curiousity, I wonder how many of you, my dear (and few) readers, would vote for that grey area? Do let me know in the comments.

Forever fighting for a just Malaysia.

PDRM says the crime rate is down?

I nearly pissed myself laughing when I saw this.

The GTP set forth by our dear leader maintains a Twitter account (@GTP_Roadmap). The day after a nineteen year-old suspected (underline: suspected) robber was shot dead in Taman Tun, the GTP Twitter account started saying something regarding Malaysian crime rates, tagging the PDRM Twitter account (@PDRMsia), tweeting that "crime rates nationwide have dropped since 2011."

I think this view is highly limited. What they don't tell you that while crimes committed by the people have dropped, offences carried out by the police has risen. Case in point: Aforementioned nineteen year old. Have I said Aminulrasyid yet? No? Let me say it again: Aminulrasyid.

Need. I. Say. More.

The satirist in me says this is a big government plot to curb spending, as it's cheaper to shoot & kill someone than it is to try them following the criminal justice system in Malaysia. However, the truth is that our police force think they can get away with anything and everything. More often than not, they do.

Don't you find this worrying? I do. Honestly speaking, I think we'd have very different statistics if the crimes committed by our police force were recorded. Wouldn't you agree? Alas, that is but a dream for now. Najib SAYS he's trying to crack down on corruption, but I have trouble believing that.

Whatever it is, the police should stop celebrating their little achievements. They shouldn't be celebrating at all. They are servants to the people. And until the people are happy, they should be striving to improve themselves.

But that requires admitting fault. And just like that, that daydream disappeared. Tsk.


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Faith hardly needs a defence council.

There have been ripples in the fabric of our society lately regarding the JAiS raid on a Damansara Utama church. Apparently, the Church, who was hosting a dinner-cum-break-fast event, was trying to convert the Muslim attendees.

Someone pointed out to me one huge issue here (as if it isn't a big issue as it is): Which element of this said dinner-cum-break-fast supported the rumours of this apparent conversion? "Were they being given wafers? Were they asked to drink the blood of Christ? Tak, kan?" This person is a fellow Muslim with faith stronger than mine, in some respects.

What the predominantly-Malay-Muslim public here do not see is the sheer hypocrisy of the entire affair. We openly invite our non-Muslim friends & visitors to our mosques (just before the narrow-minded idiots who "care for the mosque" shoo them out). And yet Muslims are not allowed to visit other places of worship? We are allowed, in fact ENCOURAGED to preach the word of Muhammad S.A.W., and yet we limit the abilities of those of other religions to do the same.

And we live in a "free & fair" society? *snort*

The gist of it is the fact that the Islam taught in Malaysia, if it can still be called Islam, preaches paranoia & fear. "Non-Muslims will steal your food, rape your wives, and then thrust upon you a faith not sanctioned by Allah," or something similar to that. I can openly say that our Friday sermons (which need to be verified & edited by the State Religious Department, if I might add) are SLANTED in favour of the Malay-Muslim community (I repeat, MALAY-Muslim community. If you're not light brown with a tiny brain, do not apply). I have heard of a Chinese man, who converted from Buddhism to Islam, who goes to the Masjid Jamek mosque exclusively, because the sermon is fair & just. And also conducted in Tamil.
We have forgotten that Islam is a faith of love, kindness, and acceptance.

Oh Malaysia. We have religious departments (which apparently move freely without any political agenda *double snort*) who cater solely to the Malay-Muslim community (and openly shun converts), because obviously the Malay-Muslim community here have faith so very fragile, that simply sharing a meal with a non-Muslim will compel you to leave Islam.

Islam in Malaysia leaves a lot to be desired. The Church preaches with open arms. Any man, of any faith, of any creed, is welcome to the Church in times of need. They do not force you to believe in their ideals; but they do shower you in kindness regardless. The growing unofficial rate of Muslims leaving the faith is proof that the way Islam is taught here is SERIOUSLY flawed.

As a young man who is still in the system, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, that it is all about fear & intimidation. "Do this, or go to Hell," is the way they 'educate' (which kind of explains the Government, too). Hence you have people like Lina Joy, who is so much happier as a Christian, despite the Government refusing to acknowledge her new faith.

My Great-Grandfather, Tuan Haji Pateh Akhir, who was the Head of the Selangor State Religious Department back in the day, is probably rolling in his grave.

This is not Islam anymore.

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"I didn't know it was illegal."

A blind masseur was charged in court today for incest, after raping his daughter (one of eight children) repeatedly over a course of five years, resulting in her current pregnancy.

When asked by the court, he said he was unaware it was against the law. The judge then retorted: "Which state law allows such behaviour?"

This is the Malaysian system at work.

I have always believed that sexual assault takes the cake as the most heinous crime of the twenty first century (closely followed by physical abuse). Knowing several rape victims myself, I have been privy to the Malaysian state of thought on issues such as these.

In most modern countries, those in power condemn the very act of rape, saying that the public needs to be better educated on the atrocities of sexual assault. The victims are consoled, given therapy, and helped to get them back on their feet. Rightly so; There is nothing quite as emotionally scarring as having your dignity snatched from you.

That is not the case here. In Malaysia, rape victims are more likely to be accosted, saying they 'provoked' attacks, by dressing or acting provocatively. Almost as if it was their fault that the perpetrator couldn't help himself.

... eh hello. It is a woman's prerogative to dress & act in whatever manner she sees fit, no? How is it their fault when a man can't keep it in his pants?

Worse still, rape victims are shunned by family & society in general, deeming them 'dirty.' This is the worst phase; coupled with the brainwashing into making them think it was their fault, they then lose all support from the people they're closest to.

The very act of violating a woman is atrocious. In this country, the ramifications are even more horrendous than the violation itself. Can we let society continue like this?

I most certainly will not.
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And it was all yellow...

The Bersih2 rallies are just round the corner. Latest updates tell me that steering committee chairman Datuk S. Ambiga has decided to hold the event in Stadium Merdeka, as a show of respect toward Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

... fitting that it be held in Stadium Merdeka, no?

Anyhow. After cracking up in front of the television yesterday, watching a Buletin Utama segment on how PDRM found stacks of Bersih2 tee-shirts alongside (brand new) parangs & (plastic!) Molotov cocktails, I've decided NOT to attend the Bersih rally for my own safety.

Not that I won't be there in spirit, of course. And in a show of support, I'll be wearing yellow every day until July 9th.




I find it hilarious how the Royal Malaysian Police Force has chosen to arrest anyone & everyone wearing a Bersih 2.0 tee under the Emergency Ordinance act. A case in Selangor has amounted to a victim posting RM4,000 bail.

For wearing a shirt.

Worse still, there are roadblocks everywhere around town, to nab Bersih supporters during their commutes. I quote a Minister who said the Bersih 2.0 rally would be a "nuisance" and a "general inconvenience to the public." Yet, those roadblocks, which are causing jams tens of kilometres long, somehow don't inconvenience the general public? HMM, I hear you say. HMM indeed.

Although the objective of Bersih is to rally support for free, fair & clean elections, I honestly believe that they've also managed to make the Government look more fallible. Politicians, pseudo or otherwise, have been toppled from their high perches, revealing their true colours.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one watching BN writhe & squirm as they watch their final vestige of hope, the Electoral Commission, be put under the microscope.

I'm looking forward to the next GE. Aren't you?



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An Answer for Anwar

After a long drawn-out trial which grabbed the headlines of every news publication which knew heads or tails, Justice Zabidin of the SodomyII trial rules that prima-facie was established, and that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is to enter defence when the trial resumes on June 6th.

Can I see a show of hands as to the number of you who actually believed he'd go free?

In this country, where the term 'dirty politics' is redundant, it was very clear (to me, at least) that this was merely a ploy to get the morality of the Opposition under question. It is a little-recognised fact that a large chunk of the Malaysian population live outside of town, and are not subject to the same thought-processes we new-age city slickers are.

We see that this is a BN trick... they see TV3.

I know it probably sounds quite uppity of me to reduce it to 'us' and 'them,' but I know my readers well enough to know that you get it. The fact of the matter is, the rural votes are the ones that get the majority into office, because the majority of the people live in rural areas. So while we base our opinions upon news & reports from unbiased sources, the majority is left with mainstream media.

And BN won by how much?

It's a bit like how constipated Saiful swore upon the Holy Qur'an within two months of his police report. It was a stunt by any other name, to win over the hearts of Felda settlers nationwide. Just like how a certain Felda reality-show contestant won Malaysia's biggest talent-competition, simply because the makciks in those weird kampungs we've never heard of would like him.

The truth of the matter is, we are relegating tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of the Rakyat's money to run this case. A case which would never see the light of day in most other countries. It is not wrong to be gay, it is not (legally) wrong to cheat on your wife (with a man, a woman, or otherwise). What (or rather, who) DSAI chooses to do during his personal time is his personal problem. As long as it doesn't affect whatever work he does in office, it's all good.

... hey, wait a minute. He isn't in office, either.

So why is this an issue of national importance, receiving the full attention of the national media?

The difference between politics then & now, is that during the time of Tunku Abdul Rahman and the time following his immediate predecessors, ministers & members of the Government didn't try to saint themselves only that far below Mother Teresa, and then vehemently deny allegations that they are actually human. Politicians then were womanisers, drinkers... hell, the late Father of Independence had the best collection of dirty jokes, so I am told. But at the end of the day, he did good by his Country & by his People, and that is what people remember.

Problem now is that when you don't do jack AND expect the benefits... hey man, you're a sitting duck.

For now, let's celebrate. Because between June 6th and June 30th, we can watch even more tax-money go to waste. FUN FUN FUN.

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the Mandatory Death Penalty.

When you think of drug trafficking, you immediately associate with it certain figures. Your mind stereotypes these figures; you will see someone downtrodden, with bags under his puffy red eyes, disshelved hair... the general look of the scum of society. This stereotype is so powerful that if you see someone on the street who fits this description, you will immediately assume them a drug addict, or at least a homeless person.

But as we all know, stereotypes are very dangerous things; something that actually works against our sense of judgement. So now I ask you: What if it is not so?

I spent my Wednesday evening at a Death Penalty Forum, held at the KL Chinese Assembly Hall at the top of Jalan Maharajalela in the city centre. The reason behind my being there is irrelevant; what is relevant is what was brought out of that room. The forum was spearheaded by the people behind the 'Save Yong Vui Kong' campaign, with support from the Malaysian Bar Council and the KLCAH.

The panellists were Andrew Khoo, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, a prominent human rights lawyer, YB Gobind Singh Deo, lawyer & Puchong MP, and Madrasamy Ravi (or M. Ravi), Yong Vui Kong's defence council. Also present was the family of Chun Yin; another Malaysian incarcerated in Singapore and awaiting execution.

(Read: "Have a heart," Gwo Burne tells Singapore: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/04/08/have-a-heart-gwo-burne-tells-singapore/ )

M. Ravi, human rights lawyer and defence council to Yong Vui Kong, brought up several interesting facts. Among them:

1) The Mandatory-Death Sentence was challenged in Singapore, and has been declared as "cruel & unusual punishment" by all Commonwealth countries (except Malaysia & Singapore).
2) A judges' discretion is taken away by the Mandatory Death sentence, as it allows no second path for offenders.
3) The Indian judicial system as amended the Mandatory Death sentence, saying that "No civilised country can uphold this law." (Coincidentally, the Malaysian judicial system is based upon the Indian judicial system.)
4) Yong Vui Kong's appeal to Singaporean President, SR Nathan, would be the first of its kind in Singapore in eleven years.
5) The mandatory death sentence does not serve its purpose as a deterrence toward potential offenders, as statistics compiled by several NGO's have proven that drug-related crimes have doubled since the mandatory death sentence was imposed.
6) No other countries in the world uphold the mandatory death sentence except Singapore & Malaysia.
7) The Malaysian Minister of Law personally acknowledges that the Mandatory Death Sentence is ineffective.

M. Ravi closed his argument by saying Yong Vui Kong's case "must be brought to the International Court of Law by the Malaysian Government."

Andrew Khoo, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Malaysian Bar Council followed after M. Ravi, giving us a brief history on the mandatory death sentence. In 1975, the death sentence was not mandatory for drug trafficking. In 1983, the Act was amended, making death mandatory for those caught in the act of trafficking drugs.

Statistics:
Between 1988 – 1995: SUARAM says there were 194,797 drug addicts recognised by NGOs in Malaysia.
Between 1988 – 2005: PEMADAM noted that there were 289,793 drug addicts on record.
In ten years, there was a 95,000+ increase in the number of drug addicts. It stands to reason that we're either "not hanging enough people" as Andrew put it, OR more likely is that the mandatory death sentence is an ineffective deterrent.

Here, I would like to break off into my own words.
Both M. Ravi & Andrew Khoo make very compelling arguments (of course they do. They're lawyers). That having been said, it is very clear that the mandatory death sentence isn't doing its foremost job: To deter would-be offenders from involving themselves in the drug trade.

People in general have a thing about removing or disposing of items irrelevant or useless to them. We call it 'streamlining'; when we dispose of needless clutter. Clutter that is ineffective & irrelevant to our lives.

So since the mandatory death penalty isn't working... why do we still have it?

One of the most compelling statements I took away from the Forum last night was from Andrew, who said, "The mandatory death sentence removes the discretion of the judge in its' entirety. The Malaysian judicial system calls upon experienced judges who make their decisions based on their experience, yet at a juncture where their experience is vital, their right of discretion is revoked."

On the 10th of May 2011, BERNAMA released a report saying that the police rescued two women during a raid on an apartment in Puchong, who were being held there against their will & were forced to become drug mules. These women were duped into going to the apartment, and when they refused to haul the drugs willingly, they were forced to swallow the product, then held captive for several days.

Here's MY question to you: If these women were to have been caught for trafficking these drugs across the Causeway, would you deem it just to have the mandatory death sentence imposed upon them?
Should sentences be handed out upon the severity of the crime, with extraordinary circumstances being taken into account?

I, as a law-abiding citizen (where applicable), would like to state in my personal opinion that the death sentence should be retained, and handed out in only the most extreme of circumstances. I also believe that the MANDATORY death sentence should be abolished (in favour of life imprisonment) or amended, leaving it to the discretion of the judge to impose such a sentence. Don't you think so?

(I am fully aware as to how controversial this subject is. In light of that, I invite you to comment on this post, sharing your views on the subject. However, please bear in mind that as a citizen of the world, you do hold the power of justice in your hands. So think twice before you relegate someone to the gallows with your words.)

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@1Malaysia.com.my

Peace be upon all my wonderful readers.

The 1Malaysia email project has been one handed straight into the furnace of online furore. Receiving as much negative feedback as Rosie's hairdresser, the Project was announced by Prime Minister YAB Dato' Sri Najib Razak, expecting great applause for reaching out via new media. After getting a welcome so warm it was just short of boiling, Najib tweeted just before his curfew that "the 1Malaysia email project is funded solely from the private-sector, receiving no Govt. funding whatsoever."

Here's the thing: Why is the private-sector suddenly so keen on funding national-scale projects? Are we not in the worst recession in recent history? And more importantly: Why are private-sector projects getting media-time with Najib? If the private-sector has enough money to blow on insane ideas like this, then surely they can afford their own advertising.

Over & over again, I am being told that these 'private sector projects' is being done for the betterment of The People. Here's something for you:

RM50,000,000, the total amount spent on the 1Malaysia email project, can buy you:

- 12,000,000 packs of nasi lemak for the poor.
- 1,200 longhouses in Sarawak.
- 4 schools.
- 1 hospital.
- Electricity in rural areas.

Bearing in mind that there are some areas of Sarawak that have yet to receive electricity, it begs the question of WHY these private-entities funding 1Malaysia projects like this one believe they are doing so "for the People." The inconvenient truth is that the private-sector doesn't give a flying f*** about the People; they want to ride the glamour-train set forth by the 1Malaysia moniker.

I, being a regular Rakyat Malaysia with a blue MyKAD, can think of endless ways to spend RM50,000,000 that would bring more use to the People than somewhere to send your e-newsletters. That is all its good for anyway, with encryption standards so low I could hack it with a brute-force attack from my BlackBerry.

When all is said & done, the 1Malaysia email project is set to tank, just like every project carrying the 1Malaysia brand.

... suey ah. *wink*

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