Small yet significant

Today, while having our breakfast I noticed a group of Chinese having their breakfast. Looking from their appearance I mistook them to be Taiwanese but hearing them speaking Malay while ordering their foods. Well, I didn't hear them but as the waitress was a local thus they definitely used a local language.

After awhile, I overheard them using Malay and I immediately pointed them out to my wife. She nonchalantly said well, that's our uniqueness living here in Sabah. I agree with her absolutely as Sabahans are the best example of their highest sense of tolerance but many of us even those living here do not realised such uniqueness. We lived in a society where everyone can tolerate others' differences and at the same time very accommodating towards such differences.

Oftentimes at the barbershop, it was usually to see and heard aged Chinese conversed interchangeably between Hokkien, Mandarin and Malay but what was astonishing was that they conversed in a good Dusun. These were only a few out of countless others life stories that reflected our often ignored uniqueness. We should be grateful and proud of what we have and most significantly remember our roots. Everyone should showcase our accomodating way of life.

Proud to be a Malaysian! Are you?

Thank You Amazon.com!

This is my first entry after awhile. Just come back from K.K after spending the night there. Yesterday my wife told me that my parcel has finally arrived. I've been pestering her to visit the Post Office since last two weeks. Finally the books I bought at Amazon.com are within my grasp. Alas, she told me that she left the books at home for she thought they were heavy! I've to be content with the fact that those books finally arrived,waiting at home.

I bought The Best Defence by Alan M. Dershowitz and Black's Law by Roy Black. Initially, I read my friend's review on Dershowitz's book in his blog, it was appealing to me though it has been years since I read something directly connected to legal matters apart from reading Grisham's masterpieces. I immediately went to Amazon.com to find the books. At first, just checking whether it was available. Meanwhile, Amazon had Black's Law in stock and they were offering them at a bargain - $5.99. I know, the price was in Dollar but still I considered it still within reach and it was hard cover not paperback. How often we'll come across such books at a very low prices? Thus, I made up my mind to purchase both and they'll be delivered immediately and January 18 was the expected date of arrival.

Since then I kept referring to the calender. I was anxious as that was my first time buying something from foreign soil. The wait was finally over today and the books now are on my working table in mint condition. Imagine books coming from a distant place remain creases free! Thanks to Amazon for their excellent handling. Now, I can't wait to start my reading but first I've to finish Bourne Ultimatum first, not long now. I might finish it within a day and then I might start Dershowitz first. Well, wait and see!

Hopefully what my friend said about Dershowitz were true and as for Roy Black's Black's Law, which I discovered from reading a few pages in Amazon more or less similar to Dershowitz. In fact I've heard and came across Black's Law years ago, I thought it was a kind of reference or a dictionary and never did I think it would be a fiction.

I really feel like a kid who has just got his birthday gift!

Islam in the end of Time

I guess today was my prolific day as this is my third entries of the day. I've just visited a blog which first I thought from a well educated and well versed attorney. What I discovered was utterly disgusting beyond words. Now, I have mixed feelings; sad, disappointed, crestfallen but most of all angry. Why?

The blogger who identified himself as Peguam Terror wrote about Islam, at first I thought he was a devout Muslim looking at his biodata. He inter alia stated that he belongs to Allah. I guess I have forgotten that such word connotes other deities as well apart from Islam. His entry "Quran was not God's words" really attracted my interest. He started by quoting a hadith but he never finished such. It was a hadith sahih by Bukhari. I could not finished his entry as it really deviated from what Islam stands for. He simply quoted everything to his liking and devious purposes. For instance, he said Allah was lying and Al-Quran was full of lies when he haphazardly quoting Quranic aya' on the creation of human beings. His was an act of a disillusioned man about his origin and ultimately his Creator.

I think that despicable guy is an atheist. He boasted of having Muslim parents who later converted out of Islam. His blogs were full of unfounded and malicious criticism not only about Islam but other religions as well. Again , I would like to say that I'm not a perfect Muslim but Alhamdulillah Allah bestows upon me His greatest gift; Iman and Hidayah. I am truly grateful that I was born Muslim and through my foundation years I've learn about my faith. Truly I'm thankful to my mom and my alma mater IIUM for guiding me on Islam tenets.

Coming back to the guy, I didn't leave any comments in his blog as I feel that he wouldn't budged from his misleading belief as it was clear that he had been writing on such topics for some time. Hence, one comment will not change him. Alas, the workings of Allah is beyond my and our comprehension. It is my hope that he and the rest like him will eventually come to their sense and finally iman and hidayah will once more fill their empty heart.

Suddenly, a hadith dawned on me, the Prophet saw was reported to have said that;

"Islam arrives as a stranger and in the end of time it will again be a stranger."

Ya Allah, I beg for your mercy and for your continuous guidance and love upon me and my families and all my Muslims brothers and sisters. Let us remain in your blessed faith forever until it is time for us to return to you. Amin.

Iman - The greatest gift

Belasungkawa buat Rizal Aris Fernando

"Sesungguhnya pemergian Allahyarham amat mengejutkan.Namun demikianlah ketentuan- Nya yang wajar kita terima. Saya amat mengagumi Allahyarham dan mula mengenali beliau ketika kes DSAI lewat tahun 1998. Malah beliau saya kira sebagai pembakar semangat semasa masih dalam pengajian. Sesungguhnya kehilangan beliau amat dirasai.
Buat DSAI khasnya dan rakan -rakan, teguhkan iman dan kuatkan semangat kerana sesungguhnya semua ini ada hikmahnya. Di ketika anda semua bergelumang dengan perjuangan merubah kegawatan negara satu persatu permata perjuangan gugur tanpa mampu melihat hasil perjuangan yang begitu didambakan. Kehilangan para sahabat sedemikian wajar menjadi pendorong and pembakar semangat agar matlamat perjuangan mampu dicapai sekalipun terpaksa membayar harga yang amat mahal.
Sekali lagi Al-Fatihah untuk Allahyarham.

Patah tumbuh hilang berganti

Demikian antara komentar saya dalam suatu laman kegemaran yang saya kunjungi. Permergian Allahyarham Rizal Christopher Fernando amat mengejutkan walaupun saya telah mengenali beliau secara langsung hanya lewat laporan akhbar ketika negara heboh dengan pemecatan Anwar Ibrahim.

Saya amat mengagumi beliau dan rakan - rakan kerana berani dan lantang mempertahankan mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri itu di tengah - tengah kecelaruan yang cuba ditimbulkan oleh Augustine Paul dengan tidak relevannya yang begitu terkenal. Ketika itu, terfikir juga akan watak - watak yang bakal menjadi Pembela Anwar di mahkamah memandangkan kesnya yang kontroversi sehingga ada yang melabel pasukan pembela Anwar sebagai anti establishment. Pada mulanya saya kurang yakin akan adanya mereka yang sanggup membela Anwar kerana membela 'Pengkhianat' seperti Anwar samalah seperti mencurah pasir ke dalam periuk nasi sendiri. Seolah - olah tindakan membunuh diri. Namun kehadiran Christopher Fernando dan rakan - rakan amat mengujakan walaupun digasak hebat dan akhirnya anak guam mereka merengkok selama 6 tahun di Sungai Buluh.

Wajar kita tidak harus terlalu beremosi dalam kes berkenaan dan hujah haruslah berlandaskan fakta dan undang - undang dan itulah yang mungkin cuba dilakukan oleh Augustine Paul sehingga menyumbang kepada kenaikan pangkatnya ke Mahkamah Rayuan dan seterusnya Mahkamah Persekutuan. Diakui memang beliau seorang hakim yang mahir dan hebat, kalau tak masakan tulisan beliau menjadi sumber rujukan para pelajar Perundangan seluruh negara. Namun, saya kira wibawa beliau tercalar teruk setelah kes berkenaan.

Allah Maha Adil lagi Maha Berkuasa akhirnya Anwar dibebaskan daripada tuduhan rasuah dan salahguna kuasa di bawah Akta yang beliau sendiri perjuangkan. Memang ironis malah lebih ironis lagi setelah Tun M meletak jawatan, Mahkamah melepaskan Anwar daripada tuduhan nakal yang membawanya gelaran mantan banduan. Demikianlah hebatnya kuasa Allah ke atas makhluk yang dikehendaki-Nya.

Sekali lagi belasungkawa buat Christopher Fernando dan keluarga. Semoga roh dan semangatnya berkesinambungan hingga keadilan mampu ditegakkan tanpa mampu digugat lagi. Insya Allah.

Teringin kembali bergelar Peguam, tapi mungkin rezeki belum tiba

Of Prejudices and Disillusionment

Reading Yam Siew Mei's insights on teachers were really unnerving as she had the guts to say something that has been in the minds of East Malaysians for a long time, including myself. She wasn't apologetic in her article rather she was blunt enough to share our common feelings towards our fellow Malaysians from the West. She succinctly pictured what had happened and sadly continues to happen in the teaching world.

Among others, she claimed that most of them are fresh graduates who have no prior teaching experience and to make matter worst they are sent to places alien to them for their 'real training' before returning back to their homes. Such indeed is the scenario based on what the Education Ministry's claim as shortages of local teaching staffs in both Sabah and Sarawak. The lame excuse by the ministry is no longer valid since every year our local universities and teachers training institutes produce increasing number of local teachers and yet those greens are still being posted here. Such is indeed a mental torture for them as they are being separated from known faces and familiar grounds. Yes, they should realised that they may be posted far from home and indeed they verbally and in writing agreed to such condition. Yet again we are human and human are known for their weaknesses. Being in a foreign place among unknown faces surely added up to the pressure hence the name calling.

In her article, Ms. Yam has correctly points out the reason for those teachers' misleading and degrading views on us. Advertisements meant for foreign tourists picturing the lush greenery with people wearing loin clothes and holding blow pipes are indeed scary for the faint hearted. Nonetheless, living in the 21st century where we are no longer living in seclusion with the advent of Internet and other communications gadgets should be the best answer to those teachers. In fact, they themselves are highly educated and such misleading and unjust prejudices should never have occurred in the first place. Being intellectuals they should know the difference between the reality and what they see from the advertisements.

Based on my experience, some of the local tourists from the Peninsular have done some basic background checking of what they are expecting when they come here. These are not those computer savvy people but ordinary folks just like most of us. Thus, when they actually arrive here, there's no more of the culture shock craps we are used to hear. Therefore, those teachers especially should do likewise to prevent from emotional stress which in the end caused them to start doing terrible things to our students.

Admittedly, such horrible scenario is becoming a thing of the past, a self indulging history for everyone to learn from. Teachers irrespective of their origin should always remember their sacred calling and the students who are desperate to gain something from someone who are supposed to be knowledgeable and having impeccable attitude. Saying or accusing those West Malaysian teachers of bad behaviour per se is unjust as local teachers themselves are partly to be blamed since they too are unwilling to be relocated far away from their hometowns. Some, despite of their own origin from the rural areas too are unwilling or reluctant to be sent to their place of birth.

As Ms. Yam and many of us feel that teaching is indeed a sacred calling irrespective of the place or location, all teachers especially those in Sabah should strive to deliver only the best for their students. Teachers should be blind to location in the first place. Nonetheless, being humans they too need comfort and convenience therefore the relevant authorities should on their part do their best to accommodate the needs of those teachers. Asking them to sacrifice all the time is improper if nothing is done to improve their living and working conditions. Continuous efforts as planned under the Education Development Master Plan should be implemented while improvements to it are done along the way. Relocating schools to nearby and existing facilities should be the priority rather than building schools in the remote areas where basic facilities like electricity and living quarters for teachers are scarce or even non existent. Students too will tremendously benefit from such when they are accorded with comfortable hostels and healthy food which some may not have access to in their places.

As a final note, all these may remain grandiose plan without the co-operation from all including parents and the society who should remember that the task of educating children is not the sole task of teachers but should be shared together since they are the biological parents.

"Indebted to all my teachers for what I am today"

Buletin Utama: The doubtful reporters

Another week coming to an end but this week marks our first ever Friday prayer at the musolla headed by Ust. Marzuki. It was heartening to see most of the hostel's residents as well as the staffs' children turned for the prayer. What made it more memorable was the khutbah or sermon by Ust. Marzuki himself. He shared his insights on the significance of respecting and valuing the contributions or the mere presence of parents in our life. Among others he said that everyone should take the efforts to care for our parents and the need to show our appreciations to them at all times. While some may view such as trivial and a non issue but it really got to me thinking about my parents. I felt that although I had not abandon or forgetting them but I have not done enough for their endless sacrifices.

On similar note, Buletin Utama tonight highlighted the plights and sacrifices by Southern Thai teachers by starting with the phrase while our education system is beleaguered with blown out of proportion matters, those in Southern Thai faced with even serious matters like losing their lives for the sake of educating the children. Their opening was indeed a sarcasm of teachers who aren't willing to do more sacrifices even to the extent of suing parents for false accusations.

While admitting that we are lucky enough to earn our living in a peaceful surroundings but such insinuation was something uncalled for. Comparing us with the chaotic Southern Thai was a step backward. Looking at what are happening in Malaysia nowadays, teachers who are only humans are facing with tremendous challenges to oversee that our education system manages to produce high quality human capitals. Teachers nowadays are prone against attacks by selfish quarters. They want the best for their children but at the same time will not even tolerate disciplining unruly behaviour of their children. Compared to the old days, students nowadays have become more and more unmanageable due to various and sometimes irrational restrictions.

If we compare ourselves to our parents we'll see a stark contrast whereby they are more resilient and resourceful than even our graduates. Students nowadays have no backbones as they are to dependent on assistance while at the same time are spoiled by overprotecting parents. They will not tolerate teachers disciplining their children as what they have experienced themselves. Because of the harsh but fair treatment of the old regime now they managed to become functioning human beings. They aspire to see the children to achieve excellence in their studies but they forget that academic excellence is far from sufficient. Just look at our corruption rates, this should serve as an undeniable proof that academic excellence is inadequate if there's no discipline. Islam itself allow some kind of physical punishment if eligible children fail to perform prayers and even matured women too are liable for such if they become unruly.

Instead, man made laws forbid such 'harsh' treatments on the basis that such are detrimental to the mental well being of the children. Disciplinary teachers nowadays have become toothless tigers where they could not even flogged unruly students without written authorisation. Public canning is now out of the question as it will make maters even worse. It might be true but what happen nowadays are mind boggling and excessively irrational.

Buletin Utama should check their facts before publishing degrading views against teachers. Even over packed classes seemed to be the teachers' fault. Tonight, there was also a coverage on a head prefect being beaten by students bandits while performing his duties. Let see whether TV3 will sensationalised later by sating such is the fault of teachers because there was no supervision by teachers. TV3 seems to be on a crusade against teachers nowadays preferring to air biased opinions while shutting down the views of those being aggrieved by such coverage. Giving them the doubts, they may have terrible experiences with their teachers and now they are taking revenge for the 'unfair' treatment they once experienced.

Getting tired of Buletin Utama's madman news reporting

Let Us Remain as Believers

Yesterday, I read about apostasy on my friend's blog. He wrote about his previous apostasy case which as the word suggested incurred the wrath of majority of the Muslim community including our colleagues. I read about his apostasy case in the Daily Express and soon his was the topic in our e-group. The caption horrified me beyond words, "Hamid Apostate"! Such accusation was indeed serious and shouldn't be uttered as if it was natural and common occurrence. Although, it was years ago since I dwelt in legal matters but seeing that caption rekindled my desire. Immediately, I penned up something to share my views particularly on my friend's decision to take up such case and our colleagues accusation of him being an apostate.

Some were still arguing on the validity and permissibility of doing so as it involved faith and on this I am inclined to be with them. However, as I mentioned in my 'piece' lawyers or counsels are merely helping the court to clear any ambiguities and never to judge the claimant. Judging is the judge's sole territory. I also shared my disappointed as they accused and judged one of us without that person's presence to defend himself. I hoped that I had done my part in defending another Muslim's honour.

Yesterday, that friend said in his blog that the Constitution allowed such conversion and he may be right if we interpret Article 11 as an opening for conversion from Islam. However, such approach is detrimental and will seriously erode the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation. Indeed, if such high status and the admission by the government that Malaysia is an Islamic state therefore conversion from Islam is something that cannot be allowed. In fact, Article 11 itself provides a clear and unambiguous term that propagation of other religions are prohibited among the Muslims. Conversions by some are caused by direct or indirect propagation of certain faiths. Although those apostates or those responsible will vehemently deny such but it is unthinkable for one who has been brought and taught the tenets of Islam could easily fallen into the fold of other faiths.

I'm not denying that it is the workings of Allah that one remains as a Believer or otherwise but He too has reminded us the danger of not protecting the faith by doing and following His commandments. I am grateful that so far the courts had categorically denied and rejected the applications by some to convert out of Islam. Nonetheless, it is disappointing to see weak enforcement by certain quarters of the government responsible towards safeguarding and spreading the values of Islam.

I have nothing against those non Muslims but I feel strongly against those former Muslims and by not recognising their conversion for me reflects the beginning of Allah's punishment upon them for forsaking Islam. There should be no compromise in terms of faith and belief. If we were to allow free and unchecked conversion therefore we are committing a great sin and grievous injustice to Islam as the official religion of this country.

I strongly feel that the government should not keep ignoring the gravity of this situation. Something drastic must be done immediately to safeguard Islam from being gradually stripped of its status and right. I am not saying that I am perfect or qualified to dwell in matters of religion but I am compelled to state what is necessary for I am a Mukmin! As Believers, we should not compromise on such important matter. Insya Allah.

It is better to be ignorant in worldly matters than to be poorly educated in faith.

Debate

Today we have our first Co-curriculum meeting which went on until it was nearly two. There were so much going on in there but most of the time we did something else, talking and joking although I did try to concentrate on the discussions in front but it was a futile effort as those surrounding me made the situation worse. Nonetheless, I managed to get those which I thought to be important as it was related to me directly.

Haha..actually there was none and I found out that I will only be responsible for one English team for this year Language Carnival; Public Speaking. It is simpler than debate where I've to prepare everything while those students just waited for all the materials. Even that wasn't enough as they took them for granted. They only did their practice when I was personally there with them, at home it was rest, rest and rest.

Hopefully, this time around I will not be burdened as for the previous years I've to do it on my own without help except maybe for incessant criticising. Now, please let them feel and suffer as I have gone through. I won't come nearer to them!

Tired of doing a group's task alone

Slaves of Dreams

" If you can dream - and not make your dreams your master
If you can think - and make your thoughts your aim"

Such were poetic words of Rudyard Kipling in his complicated yet thoughtful words in 'If'. The first line taught us to dream but not succumb to the idyllic nature of our dreams. We should never become the slaves of our dreams because dreams are just dreams without efforts to realise them. Dreams are fact in their own perfect world but in the world of reality it becomes fictitious or even worse it is an impossible thing to begin with. Every faith commands its believers to take actions to achieve one's dreams. Without concrete and tangible actions then dreams will remain what they are - an action plan waiting to be implemented. We can have the perfect plan without any infirmities but such plans will be saddled with deformities when we fail to act positively upon them.

Living in dreams causes us of being guilty of inaction and such inaction will bring us down to the misery of the reality - that we are just dreaming. In our dreams we could be the Master of the Universe, the King of all kings but when we wake up, we are mere mortals who are weak in almost every aspect. We can defeat the mightiest of all monster but in reality we could even surrender to the minutes of all creations.

Such mundane and often being the core of any politicians urging the people to wake up and strive towards achieving the reality should never be discounted. We have experienced various impeccable plans laid down by renowned experts but those plans failed miserably due to lack of affirmative actions. The evidences are abundant - look at our pathetic football squads. They have the best if not among the best facilities but again and again, time after time we crumbled on the feet of unknown minnows like Myanmar, the Philippines and many others who are considerably backward if we compared to our so called first class facilities. Once we were looked upon by Asian giants in the likes of Japan and South Korea but now we are relegated of being their admirers instead. We are still stuck in our idyllic and unending dreams of ours by qualifying to the 1980 Olympic. That's the word 'qualifying' and not the eventual champion.

We claim to be successful when we produce our first national cars back in 1985, we started the heinous boasting by comparing ourselves to the leaders of the world's automotive industries. Yet, our cars fail to command any respectable credence in those countries. The best we have achieved so far was when our Protons were used as U.K's patrol vehicles and yet until recently our ministers were proudly parading imported cars for their fleet of official cars.

Malaysians are forced to buy our locally made cars because of the prices of imported cars are being jacked up due to unreasonable import duties while prices of made in Malaysia cars are being subsidised so that they can maintain their affordability. Although, we are moving towards liberalisation of trade but still imported cars are being unreasonably tagged with outrageous duties causing them to remain as the 'untouchables' by many. Many of us have to console ourselves with quality-doubtful local cars.

Now, it is prudent for the government and us to make our dreams as our slaves rather than becoming the servants of our 'unreal' dreams!

Like to dream, lots of 'delicious' dreams.

Fake, fake, fake

I've just returned from a long and tiresome journey from K.K. I am not use to travel a long distance and long distance means no activities, I can't read I can only talk or become a 'good' listener to my wife or the radio. Our cassette player broke down few months ago so we have only the radio as our travel companion. Fortunately, we are able to tune in to HotFM instead of the bland MuzikFm.

We took of at about six and reached K.K about half past seven. I somehow enjoyed these excursions. Away from my tiresome and routine task at the school. I'm not saying that I don't like my job but due to those commitments I seldom have the chances to go out. Usually it is to and fro between the school and my home. Fortunately, it isn't that far.

Coming back to the radio thing. Some of us are really unfortunate as we have limited choices with regards to our listening pleasure. The government owned stations are not as hip and happening as those private ones as we now that they have various regulations that they have to adhere to but could that be an excuse to become so bland and boring? Personally, their choice of songs most of the time are not as entertaining as private stations. Well, maybe this is due to my stigma that everything government controlled or owned is boring but if we look at their t.v stations, they are even worse.

Just now, I saw a drama where the Chinese actors trying their best to be convincing in Malay! That shouldn't happened in the first place. It's unnatural and thus boring to everyone. While some may opined that it is good for cultivating sense of belonging but then again they sounded fake and the actors were seen struggling to deliver. Look at Singapore, their sitcoms are better as they blend all those culture, languages into one making them fun to watch unlike ours it was torturing! It is better if the scripts are prepared in such a way to reflect the actual surroundings with a tinge of Malay, English or Indians even. Surely, Chinese especially those new generations are used to 'rojak' languages - Chinese, Tamil, Malay and English. Some may view that this will ruin the languages, true but it is even more damaging if they are forced to do something which they aren't used to. Yes, they are actors and they're only acting but acting itself reflects the actual settings in the director's view.

Other ethnics too should be given opportunities to share the screen with their own renditions of stories using local or native languages. I am sure it would be fun and entertaining to watch Dusun speaking people for a change. It proves to be entertaining as this has been done through radio sitcom where we can listen to Bu Dayang with her Brunei or Auntie Loinim with her Dusun. Not only it is entertaining but educational. We learn their cultures through the languages they speak. It is sad really to see actors trying their best? to act in a language they are not comfortable.

I am not faking this!

Why go to the Net? a.ka Why blog?

Reading and surfing as well as blog hopping makes me wonder the necessity and the reasons why we blog. By writing and submitting our thoughts online is liken to share our thoughts with real people as they can respond to our musings as it is. Again, why blog?

For those who like to write but prefer to remain anonymous, this is the best if not the only venue. If we write or intend to share our views in other kinds of media then we need to sacrifice our anonymity which for some is not the case. Blogging also offers the freedom of writing what is in our mind which we really want others to know but are unable to do so because of various factors. Some are good at writing of which I consider myself as one but having difficulty in expressing ourselves orally or face to face. Hence, blogging is the answer. Unlike personal diaries, blogs are for everyone or all to see, read and comment.

Through blogging, one has total control of what's going on, one is at the control to select whatever one intends to write and if one has submitted his or her entry, he or she still has the chance to do any changes to his or her original post which is not available for other medias. This is for the most important feature of blogging. If there's need for change, one can just edit the entry or just drop them from his or her blog. Such features are missing from the conventional ways where any changes are very difficult to be done and sometimes impossible.

Living in a globalised world where freedom is sacred, we must never forget that absolute freedom corrupts absolutely. There should be an automatic filter within us when it concerns the issue of sharing our minds with others, we must always remember that there bound to be opposition to what we say. Living in a country like Malaysia where traces of feudalism are still visible makes freedom a delicate matter. Going against the ideals of the establishment most of the times are frown upon and to a great extent makes those opposition liable for certain kind of deterrent in the form of fines, jail sentences and the like.

Although some may claim that they are open to criticism but again there will be limitations. People are turning to the Net nowadays for the reason that they want the full or at least an alternative view of certain issue. Reading or listening to the main stream medias will never achieve such purpose as most of the dissenting ideas are deleted or even worse become so tainted that they no longer reflect dissenting views. In the past people depend on the mainstream medias to get information but nowadays the mainstreams have become the secondary if not the third choice.

Although I seldom go out but the happenings around the world are very close to me like for instance the Bhutto assassination of which I got to know from the Net. I am always at awe when it comes to our nation political hullabaloos but the mainstreams fail to satisfy my hunger for the 'truth' or in other words the bird's view. Reading, sorting and listening to the main streams are just like knowing half the truth. Nonetheless, some local dailies like Sabah's own Daily Express should be commended for their professionalism. Whatever happens mostly in politics are covered from two different angles the for and against could be attributed to their independent stand. Sadly but true others do not share the same due to the factors that the major share holders are the powers of the day.

Would it be nice if mainstream medias provide some kind of breathing space for dissenting views? Let the people decide whether to accept those views or otherwise. Forcing someone's values and views on others will sooner or later backfire and regrettably it would be too late to retract when dissenting views spread to become bloody insurgents. The power of the day should not fear if they are in the right. Sadly but true power without check makes those in power blind or deaf to even the slightest dissent.

Plans for Saturday

Today it was just an ordinary holiday of which wasn't that necessary. Looking forward to Saturday as I'll be going to K.K to sign the loan agreement and to pay up cum register for the new semester. Intend to go to Eaton's and Popular afterwards.

The World Is Changing

Since few weeks ago, Malaysia is besieged with crisis after crisis and these seem endless as if there's some kind of concentrated efforts to undermine the government. The most ridiculous of all is the 'dire' shortage of cooking oil. Almost everyday we heard and read news about acute supplies of cooking oil all over the country. As if to add the insult, the government through the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer imposed the so called quota for purchases of cooking oil although they claim that it is not a permanent directive.

The irony is that we are the biggest or at least one of the major producer of palm oil. We have vast jungle of oil palms and whenever there's opportunity arise, everyone dreams to be a palm oil planter having thousands of hectares of palm oil. Now, the government is seriously considering bio-fuel from palm oil. Such may remain as a dream considering the current situation. All these reflect weaknesses of government machinery. I t was reported that subsidised cooking oil are abundant at the Thai-Malaysia border albeit the high price tags. Malaysian made cooking oil is highly sought after due to their quality and cleanliness.

Once again, we have to share subsidies provided by the government with others. These shameful facts would not happened if everyone are doing their shares as loyal Malaysians. Anti- smuggling agencies and unscrupulous individuals too certain extent are to be blamed for the sufferings that we all have to endure. If they are sincere in fulfilling their responsibilities all these can be avoided. Excuses such as limited personnel are no longer valid as smuggling is well known as an obstacle for economic growth ever since.

Sharing is indeed a good thing but what happened is no sharing but stealing of what are rightfully ours to saviour. Sadly, we usually become pro active when it was too late and most of the time we never seemed to learn something from similar incidents. Apart from excuses we also become experts in finger pointing saying that such and such is not our fault but others. Due to our weaknesses, we become hostages to unscrupulous traders, manufacturers and wholesalers. We are not strict enough to say to ourselves and others ; enough is enough but we tend to be lenient and are experts only at uttering threats. If the government are strong enough they should consider using the ISA against those irresponsible as what they have done could threatened national security at long run. Government should not limit ISA to only political activities. Even though there are abundant laws on trade and smuggling but until today those fail to achieve what they are supposed to accomplish.

The environment suffered to the extent that it will take years and billion ringgits to ameliorate the damage caused by oil palm plantations for the so called economic growth and yet we all still suffer. Malaysian Palm Oil Board should consider abandoning altogether the quota in oil palm based cooking oil so that such shortage will be the thing of the past. Fomca' suggestion that we should allow import of cooking oil from outside is absurd because what happened is not due to shortage but because of hoarding by those involved in the distribution chains. All these happen because consumers prefer cooking oil in packets as their prices are cheaper. Such should serve as an eye opener to those involved by changing the packaging so that cooking oil becomes more affordable.

If we analysed these disturbing trends it will point to one major issue - subsidies. Starting from the school fees, diesel, cooking oil and lately flour, these commodities are all currently being subsidised by the government. Now, various sections of the community are starting to urge that subsidies should undergone thorough restructuring. They opined that society should now face the realities of the changing world whereby it is no longer economically viable. We should start to free ourselves from being over dependent on assistance since we have been independent for at least half a century. I t is sad to see parents complaining about their children in the school fees furore when in reality they are the one who supposed to care for their off springs.

The ability to make donations to less unfortunate fellow human beings in all parts of the world really reflects that Malaysians are becoming affluent and thus need not be pampered all the time anymore. What happened might be the doings of some very powerful yet visible hands to cause the government to rethink its subsidies policy so that many if not all subsidies that we have enjoyed for a long time will be gradually or even drastically called off. Such is not impossible and we should be wised enough to prepare ourselves for that eventuality.

Such happenings though very hard to endure should be seen as a blessing in disguise. Everyone should start to learn to be more independent and to prepare ourselves to become more self sufficient. History has really taught us during the Second World War where our predecessors used anything just to survive and they had proven that it could be done if not we would become what we are today or we even will not be here today. Germany and Japan once defeated nations themselves have now become among if not the strongest economies of the world. While our counterparts in ASEAN are enduring high if not exorbitant prices we are still lucky to have subsidies. Therefore, it is only appropriate to call upon the smugglers to stop whatever they are doing and the relevant agencies to improve their services as what they are expected to do.

Buletin Utama - Rantings on a Saturday

It rained till about noon and I spent almost the whole day in front of the computer filling up forms and retyping my yearly LP, I am not sure where did I put the original. I t was tiresome but I have to do it by today because tomorrow and afterwards I plan to concentrate on my proposal which I intend to submit next week, the latest by Wednesday.

No idea what to write, wait till Buletin Utama tonight as they have lots of irritating news! Love to listen to their nonsense thus stimulates my creativity to write. Thank you TV3. Hahaha.......I wonder what they(the newscasters) feel reading what they read, don't they have consciousness as to the validity of the 'craps' they read? Sure they are only doing their works but then spreading lies while badmouthing others and making something blow out of proportion should really make them thinking hard of their jobs. Their pronunciation of words oftentimes are incorrect like "bangunan" they pronounced as "banggunan". Difficult names are prone for mispronunciation like M wai Kibari instead of Mwai Kibaki. Once, newscasters of TV3 were trend setters with sebutan baku but since then they can't care less about their presentations unlike seasoned newscasters in the form of Mahadzir Lokman and Christine Ling? Now, in terms of presentation I think TV1 is much better!

See? Just thinking about them makes my blood goes upstairs already!

Free Education?

While we moving forward many still lag behind at least intellectually when they expect the government to provide everything or if its not they are entitled to get subsidies including the education for their children which in the first place is their own responsibility. In view of the increasing living costs which have doubled if not more compared to ten years ago, it is understandable for parents to feel the heat particularly if they have more than one school going children.

Free education should not be misinterpreted as education devoid of any costs which is rationally and economically impossible nowadays. They should see those expenses as invaluable investment for the future - the well-being of their children. Many parents nowadays spoil their children by providing extravagant clothes, shoes, branded school bags and many other unnecessary things. Instead of buying much needed books they bought expensive clothing for their Year 1 children! Instead of preparing home cooked meals they rather give money which their children use to buy soft drinks and unhealthy snacks.

Instead of cultivating sense of responsibility and appreciation for what they get, children are being encouraged to show off their new and branded clothes, shoes and the likes. Children aren't properly educated of the value of those things thus taking them for granted. I am very fortunate to have parents who do not spoil me. I still remember during my primary school I was only given between 20 to 50 cents for my allowance. With that money I still managed to save a few cents. This practice continued through secondary school when I had just enough money to buy 1 bungkus of nasi lemak. I was told to bring my own drinks and sometimes my mom prepared me with home cooked meals. These all happened not in the village or remote area but in an area where money is very important.

I am not saying that the school fess should be extravagant but I view them as very necessary to cover some expenses which are not subsidised by the government such as sporting attire, school magazine and many more. The Minister has frequently stressed that the additional fees other than those stated in the fee packages announced not long ago are not compulsory for those who can't afford them. Therefore, if those parents in all sincerity cannot afford them they can provide evidences and proofs to support their inability. Very simple but many prefer to complicate things for the sake of getting free goodies.

It is mind boggling when rich parents who send their children to private schools demand that their children be given free textbooks. If they want free textbooks then enroll their children to government schools but no they don't trust the quality of those schools which impliedly means that they do not trust the government. So, why should they receive any assistance in the form of free textbooks? They are more than able to buy those textbooks as fees for private schools are very expensive, why the fuss over a meagre sum for the textbooks?

Malaysians are over subsidised!

Sorrow

Today was the first day of school and being the first day also means the very first day of work for teachers. I was supposed to have 4 sessions today but due to orientation and registration for form four students made me 'jobless'. Others have effectively took over my task. The happiness, laugh and may be sadness of those students were the news of the day. Although, personally I haven't seen a student cried but it really makes the teaching profession very unique. In the evening while fetching my mom from her school I saw a little girl wearing a baju kurung. There was nothing special about her except that she wore not a new dress (as i saw it) compared to those surrounding her. Theirs were brand new but this particular girl was different, well she might be very active thus making her clothes looked old.

However that experience touched me deeply. There are lots of unfortunate people around us but we may not realised them simply because they kept their stories to themselves. They prefer to go on with life rather than crying for their misfortunes. That incident solidify my resolve to see that my future children will never feel or experience hardship except it is deliberate for their own good. Let them wear new clothes with new bag and shoes but they should not forget that those are not free and thus taken for granted like us including me sometimes do.

Later, I read my friend's entry in his blog. Reading his once subdued me. The other day, one of my friend told something which for me was very inappropriate of this particular friend of ours. Among others he said that our mutual friend was desperate for attention but knowing his history I sincerely believe that he's trying his best to live life and no longer suffer as he had experienced long ago.

There's a big lump in my throat!

May Day

Alhamdulillah, today I received the e-mail that I've been waiting for since last year. In the mail, my supervisor said that I can submit my proposal anytime. I intend to submit mine early next week depending on his responses to my mail to him.

To certain extent I feel relieved reading his mail. On another note, today I went to Kundasang and afterwards I went to my office/cubicle to do some finishing touch to my file. While I was there, I checked my students' results and what can I say was that those who failed my subject were those who were academically challenged thus I wasn't that surprised except for two of my students in the other class who got D. Actually, they weren't as good as their colleagues in the class but still they managed to maintain 100% passes in that class.

Well, I am not pointing fingers here or making excuses for that debacle as Science had notched a remarkable increase compared to last year. But again, they could always refer to the Malay version if they didn't understand any part of the question. Nonetheless, I would like to take all the responsibility for the failure in view of one of my class this year is for those academically challenged students.

Anyway, without the blessings and assistance of my colleagues and most importantly Him, all will be futile. So, may Allah help me in my quest.

Anxious thinking about the academically challengeds!

New Year Hopes

New Year, New Year...2008. January 1,2008 marks the opening of a year saddled with predictions as well as uncertainties. How do I feel? For a few years now I don't feel excited or happy with the dawn of a new year. Last night while typing diligently suddenly the electricity was cut off, blackout. A familiar occurrence in a little town called Ranau and nobody seems to care. Three full paragraphs (or was it more?) were gone in a nick of time, 'd tried to save them but how could I when there's no electricity?

Yup , that was my new year's eve experience and for sure the same will be repeated through the year. This year marks the second phase before this nation of ours achieve its Developed status in 2020. How can a nation be a developed nation if such significant amenity like electricity is at par with those in the developing or even worse the third world? Do we have to endure this forever?

On a positive note, I hope that by this year I'll manage to complete my dissertation and with that my Graduate study. Yesterday also saw my new responsibilities which I pray to God that I can deliver better than last year. Another dark spot for last year was my first ever experience holding three exam classes of which two showed a marked declined from 2006. Personally, there's no excuses for that failure which also meant that I'd failed my students.

Well, enough for dark or bleak spots and I pray to Him to bestow me with unlimited energy to do my best in all my undertakings in this challenging year. Insya Allah

Looking forward to January 3.