Seed

I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains. Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal. Whoever wants to serve me must follow me, so that my servant will be with me where I am. And my Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:24-26

That time of the year

It's that time of the year again. Oh yes.

That wonderful time of gathering and fellowship...

... of Christmas carols and bright and colourful Christmas trees...


... of makan-makan from house to house...

It's also the time when red bombs flood the market and drain the pocket.

Hehe, how many red bombs did you get around this time of the year? I got err... one, two, three, four...

A belated Merry Christmas to all of you out there!

Sorry for the blurry photos... I've quite stretched my little Canon S2IS to its limits. Perhaps it is time to look out for something with a CMOS sensor. Hmmm... putting that into my new year resolution? Ho ho ho ho... Merry Christmas!

Teaser 1

Two house break-ins in a year is no good. We had to do something.

For a start...

Busy

What a hectic week it has been.

On the 17th December, I with the Keningau Chinese Inter-Church Committee
organised a Christmas feast at the local Majlis Daerah Complex hall. Thank God we had all the 57 tables filled. Will tell you about this later, when I got the photos sorted out.

Left for KK on the 18th, coz I had to sit for an exam on the 19th Tuesday. It's called the PTK exam, a government exam for civil servants to naik pangkat (esp for those who are not becoming specialists anytime soon). We stayed in a nice hotel in KK (comfortable enough for some last-minute mugging). It was so nice that I had to take some photos la.

Christmas is in the air. Try guess where we stayed :-)

The exam went quite ok (goreng goreng lo), considering I hardly did any studying. Aiya, with Christmas and Year End mood around, how to study la. Just hope for the best.

And to our shock, we came back in the night to find our house in Keningau broken into by thieves... again. Sigh.

I have a dream

An interesting read... Bar Council: Know your human rights

And I thought of THIS:

In 1950's America, the equality of man envisioned by the Declaration of Independance was far from a reality. People of color, blacks, Hispanics, Orientals, were discriminated against in many ways, both overt and covert.

Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister, was a driving force in the push for racial equality in the 1950's and the 1960's.... They marched and protested non-violently, raising the ire of local officials who sicced water canon and police dogs on the marchers, whose ranks included teenagers and children.

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, he evoked the name of Lincoln in his "I Have A Dream" speech, which is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The next year, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segragation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.

In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true.

We dream like you too, sir. The dream of a Malaysia for Malaysians.

And it is truly amazing, that while your country has moved forward from the binds of racial supremacy and racial discrimination half a century ago, such sentiment is still very much alive over at my place called Bolehland.

Disquiet

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, the courageous Malaysian human rights lawyer has started blogging in his Disquiet blog.

Here are some quotes from his early posts.

A Matter of Protection, Not Privilege

I believe the time has come for us to ask difficult questions about this country and who we are when we say we are Malaysians. In the same vein, I believe that it is time for Malaysians to stop offering avenues of escape to those responsible for our well being and our collective future. We must confront the fact that something is very wrong at the heart of Malaysia.

Despite the feeble attempts to subsequently soften and explain away the obviously painful impact of the speeches, the truth had revealed itself; those who claim a virtual monopoly to lead this nation are racial supremacists and proud of it.

I have Malay friends who were equally disgusted by the goings on at the assembly. They show me that the attitudes celebrated at the assembly are not universally those of the Malay community at large.

Political expediency has resulted in the provision being mischaracterized and used to particular ends. This in itself is not surprising as politicians will operate as politicians do. What is of interest to me is how and why the characterization has been permitted by Malaysian society to perpetuate to the extent that as we come into our 50th year as an independent nation, the ‘two-tier’ notion has become so entrenched in our social landscape.

The Tragedy of Rayappan

Seen from this perspective, and when viewed in the context of manifest abuses of powers as noted above, the question is really why the government does not appear to be doing anything to correct the obviously incorrect application of legal principle. By its inaction, the government is accountable for what is clearly state supported
discrimination.

The tragedy of Rayappan's case is that the Constitution does not seem to matter any more.

The Government also promised when Murthi's burial became a very public issue last year that the scenario would not repeat itself. Well, it has, repeatedly, in one form or the other.

The Government owed a duty to Malaysians to allow civil society to assist it in solving a situation that it does not appear to be able to solve. In killing the debate on the wrongs being caused by a misapplication of the law, the Government intentionally looked away.

The same question i asked Auntie Liz... where are the voices of Christians who are placed (or fought their ways up to) in national leadership positions? Funny.

Imported goods

I've been trying to find some decent casseroles in the supermarkets in Keningau. There was hardly any. Probably not many people in Keningau are into cooking with a microwave oven. Maybe la.

Today my mum flown over these stuffs from West Malaysia.


Together with these, it should keep my loupo busy for a while during the holidays, and maybe add some inches to my waistline.


Now how do I fit a turkey into those casseroles...

Silent majority

Got these from HERE.

If the leaders cannot lead, then we, the people, will lead, and the leaders will follow.

The silent majority that speaks once every four or five years at the ballot box are beginning to realise that their silence is at Malaysia’s peril.

My friends are planning to start an "I am Malaysian first" campaign to build up to Merdeka Day next year. We want it to be a joyous and proud time where we celebrate the wealth and strength of our diversity, and build inter-ethnic bridges that politicians intent on using race and religion to polarise us cannot rend asunder.

Gifts

A patient who endured a "cut" brought me some gifts two weeks ago.

This week she came back with 4 bag-loads of fruits from her family's farm... bananas, papayas, seedless guavas...

In my line of duty, the stakes are high. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And when you lose, it could be a matter of life and death. It could mean someone losing a baby, or worse still, a family losing a mother.

In the midst of such high-stress job, it's really encouraging to get gifts like these.

I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.
I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains---but if I have no love, I am nothing.
I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned ---but if I have no love, this does me no good.
1Co 13:1-3

Harvest

It is mango season in Keningau!
Have you tasted mangoes this big? There are even bigger ones!

My neighbour's farm is famed for its giant mangoes, like those in the pictures. They used to be in season around June and July, in time for the annual church Fund Raising Bazaar. This year the fruits are a bit late. Anyway, glad that they're here finally.

If you happen to be in Keningau, let me know and I can arrange you a trip to the farm for a "back to nature" experience.

Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things.
I will not let insects destroy your crops, and your grapevines will be loaded with grapes.
Then the people of all nations will call you happy, because your land will be a good place to live.
Mal 3:10-12

Childish la

When was the last time you had such hearty laughs with your buddies?

As people get older, we tend to build more fences in our hearts, being on guard against people, always considering the right way to behave, to impress, social etiquette...

Back to the question, when was the last time you had such hearty laughs with your buddies?

Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people.
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Mat 19:13-14

INFJ

That's another of Da Vinci's Code for you... hehehe...

My church friend uncle Danny has been blogging about Personality Types these days. Reminded me of my initial excitement when doing one of those tests so so long ago, and the surprise in finding out that some of those descriptions about my Personality Type were pretty accurate, even those that I never gave any thought about.

According to Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I am an INFJ.

A snapshot of an INFJ...

INFJ
Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.

Ahhh... no wonder Michael is so wierd. I hear you say that!

Shall blog more about INFJ another time.

Feedbacks

Some feedbacks to the recent "Amok" General Assembly.

*quoted from the articles by their original authors.

Feedback 1

The MCA Youth leader’s statement that even the opposition has not been as poisonous with their words compared to the racist remarks spewed by the Umno delegates, sums it all. The noticeable difference was in the Wanita and Puteri Wings, both focusing their attention on more relevant issues, displaying a characteristic level of maturity sorely lacking in the men.

The various scenes played out at the Umno general assembly at least confirmed that the non-Malays have been duped for a very long time. The delegates did not show a shred of evidence that the government’s figure of 21.8 percent for the bumi equity share in Bursa Malaysia is right. To the contrary, their sarcasm and racial overtones seemed to mean ‘Yes, we have achieved it, so what?’ Even more arrogant was Khairy Jamalludin’s remarks in saying the bumi equity share should be raised to 70 percent and dared the non-Malays to question it.

Feedback 2

I realise that while many of the delegates have good oratory skills, none of them was a true Malaysian at heart, one who cares for the country more then individual pursuits. A rational, sensible and one who is a Malaysian at heart is what is needed in this country. One who fights for all, who eradicates poverty amongst all Malaysians, who uplifts Malaysians of all colours and creed and who makes this country a safe haven for all Malaysians.

Honestly, should we still support the "Amok" Party after all the humiliation hurled at us? I just wonder what is wrong with their upbringing that made them harbour such hatred towards their very own countrymen. Imagine these people becoming policy makers... we seriously need to pray for this country.

Mr A used to be one of them. Now he has spoken more sensibly, since he's out of the "Amok" Party. Just hope that he is really sincere.

Feedback 3

The Umno general assembly was supposed to be an arena to raise issues that would help develop good economic polices. That did not happen. Granted, the economy is sluggish. But instead of debating on the matter, racial sentiments are blown as though our economic problems are caused by the non-Malays, in particular the Chinese.

I believe, the vast majority of Malays now begin to understand that the New Economic Policy is now becoming a gimmick for those in power in Umno to virtually rob wealth opportunities for themselves, their families and their cronies.

We also here to defend the rights of the Chinese, the Indians, the Ibans and the Kadazans as Malaysians.

I would openly challenge them to rationally debate this issue based on facts. Not based on racist propaganda. If anyone were to come and tell me, ‘Anwar, we are not ready to talk about a Malaysian agenda’, I would tell them that we have been independent for the last half a century. If you are not ready, you are not competent, you have to resign.

And so I travel

If you who know me personally, you would know of my love for travelling.

If you are trying to picture me nicely dressed, lugging a big luggage and a flashing a shiny compact digicam, in the company of a big group of middle-age uncles and aunties, listening to the tour-leader announcing well-rehearsed lines over the loudspeaker... gosh you're dead wrong. Those folks are tourists, not travellers.

By travelling I mean roughing it out: donning light-weight used cloths meant for getting dirtied, carrying all my entire provisions in a haversack upon my back and a daypack in front, flipping through a Lonely Planet travel guide, glancing at the train/bus schedule and making choices, brushing shoulders with the locals, savouring a local dish in a not-so-savoury roadside stall, chosing backpackers' lodges over nice hotels... that's more like it.


I have 'done' 8 weeks in Nepal (a dream came true!), 6 weeks trans-China, 1 week in Laos/North Thailand. Read about those old stories in My Old n Dusty Website if you are interested. I've had the opportunity to step foot in every state in Malaysia; I've explored the highlands of Sarawak and trekked the Kalimantan forests. I think I've travelled more of Sabah/Sarawak than most Sabahans/Sarawakians. That may not sound much to you, but given my circumstances I would say that's quite OK.

Recently I've been trying to figure out what is it in travelling that got me so passionate and excited about.

I think, it's the challenge to stretch my abilities that made travelling so attractive.


In planning a travel itinerary, I learn to access to information and travel tips, via guidebooks, online travel forums and word of mouth. I learn to establish contacts and set up a networking of some sort. I need to set priorities in terms of time spent in each place, to budget my expenditure, to compare the lodging options, modes of transports...

I learn to categorise my stuffs into essentials (that I must bring along no matter what), nice-to-haves, might-needs (that I can get on the field), and will-not-needs (don't bring!). Well you too would need to think like that if your haversack has only that much capacity and your shoulders could only manage that much weight.

On field, I enjoy the feeling of having full control over my itinerary; while having little control over unexpected change of events, be it a cancelled flight, bus break-downs, illnesses, getting lost... I find exhilaration in taking such surprises head-on, working out solutions within limited time-frame and resources, and enjoying the new discoveries that come along. Call me a last-minute person if you like. The traveller's mantra is: Expected the Unexpected.


I enjoy being among the local people in their natural setting. I love immersing myself in a new culture foreign to mine. My style of travelling enables, or rather forces me to communicate and seek help from locals and fellow travellers. I love to see the surprised/impressed looks of the locals when I speak in their native tongue. In fact, I spoke pretty decent Nepali during my 8-week stint there. Those were the days. :-) I learn to blend into cross cultural settings, to observe and admire things that make those cultures unique.

Encounters with kind people are often the most memorable highlights in all my adventures. I remember the kind peasant girl that offered me a jug of cool water when I was on the brink of heatstroke and lost in the Nepali mountains... I remember the gracious new-found-friends in Xinjiang China that opened their homes to me and my travel partner...

The many lessons I gained through travelling enables me to adapt to whatever surroundings or situations I am in, and to draw upon whatever resources available, to modify to innovate to recreate... whatever it takes to be efficient and effective.

It teaches me to differentiate my needs from my wants; and to realise that one does not need lots of possessions to get on with life. I learn to live with little, and be content with it.


In my meeting with people from different cultures and backgrounds, I learn to appreciate what we have in common rather than harping on our differences. I learn to look beyond nationality, race, religion and social status... to find a person, a human being just like me.

Even while I am all alone in a foreign setting, far away from friends and family, I find comfort in knowing that I have my God as company.

I learn to live outside my comfort zone; I learn to explore, to discover, and to enjoy the new things I come across while taking the less travelled route.


And so, I travel.

Where's next?

What is God preparing me for?

Money no enough

Many people that I know of are finding more ways to make $$$ these days.

I've got some friends in the hospital playing SwissCash, a high-risk high-yield internet investment scheme. Not too long ago, it was direct sales for XKL SkyFruit, Moringa, Cosway and Avon.

A very bright ex-classmate of mine, an electrical engineer, is now becoming an investment guru. He has set up a blog to provide financial/investment tips for newbies. Visit his Kaching (Not a Hokkien word. It's the sweet sound of the cash register) blog HERE if you are looking for something like Finance/Investment for Dummies.

The hospital has not been paying my allowances for the past few months already. Next month I'll be eating sand.

钱不够用。

Interrogated by Special Branch

I was called for interrogation by the Special Branch police!

They wanted to send me for summer camp in Kamunting !!!

Hehehe...

No la. Just joking. I don't qualify for Kamunting la.

It was a friendly chat with the Special Branch guys in Keningau. A cordial get-to-know-you meeting with a smartly dressed officer with necktie in the local Balai. He wanted to know more about the Christmas Dinner (Feast would be a better word) that we are organising next month, a joint effort by the Anglican, Basel and Methodist churches.

Large group meetings are treated with much caution nowadays. Has to clear the CID (the officer asked 'nothing about politics hor?') first, then the SB, then the OCPD, then only they issue the permit.

Last year I got it through with just a simple letter.

Like the Old Man said, Malaysia turning into a police state? Hehehe...

LifeStrings from Singapore

We rushed back from KK after the meeting, coz... the LifeStrings are in town!


The 8 members from LifeStrings Singapore partnered a Taiwanese singer and they are on a musical outreach tour in Sabah.


It is not everyday that you get international artistes performing in this little town of Keningau.

Here they are.


The turnout was a bit disappointing though. Maybe we did not do enough publicity.


Here's the Taiwanese singer.


In contrast to the secular music industry where gorgeous looks and great figures outweight everything else (with rare exceptions of emmmm Sharifah Aini), I find this chubby lady really cute. Gosh she was smiling from ear to ear throughout the concert! And she was so enthusiastic in her singing and her moves that you feel like wanting to join her on stage. I suspect she is full of joy inside her.


This guy told us that he is suffering from liver cirrhosis (pronounced as sea-roses). Far from a bed of roses, it means a disease of progressive hardening of the liver with much increased risk of becoming liver cancer. You would think that somebody like this would be living in fear of death, blaming the world, and grumpy and demanding while counting his final days. Goodness NO! He was on stage sharing his life story, encouraging us to make our living days worthwhile, and singing the message of the love of God!


It was an amazing concert. The songs were great, the testimonies were touching, and their passion was infectious.

If only they would come again next year, we would gather a bigger crowd.


I bought 4 CDs (original leh)... and burned a big hole in my wallet. Emm... once in a while ma.

The meeting

We were in KK for the Sabah Methodist Church AGM.

Here's the very beautiful meeting location. But the seats ah... well, imagine sitting on those benches from morning till evening.



Bishop Hwa Yung gave the opening address. I think he flew all the way from West Malaysia for this meeting. He gave an inspiring sermon, setting the right mood for the AGM.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34,35

Some salient points...

1. Loving one another is not a new command. What is new is the second part... "as I have loved you".
2. How does Jesus loves? Here are two examples:
   He showed servanthood and utmost humility. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. John 13:5
   He died for the ones he loved, and that includes you and me. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
   
3. The most effective way of evangelism is when people see the genuine love among Christians, and find it much more attractive than what the world offers.
4. Such love is always costly. It cost Jesus his life.
   
5. Servanthood means doing things that nobody wants to do, but needs to be done.
   
6. Christians should focus more on "being" (the right kind of person) rather than just "doing" (the right things).
7. Love among Christians and unity in the church is something very close to Jesus' heart, so much so that he was praying for that even when approaching his death. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us...John 17:21

Before you point your fingers at me, I shall confess myself that I am way way far from that ideal.

The AGM was also an important day for the many Methodist pastors in Sabah. It was their day of ordination!

Junior and senior pastors singing a hymn. Do you recognise anybody there?

The pastor from Keningau also received his naik pangkat. According to the Methodist hierarchy, one has to accumulate a certain years of experience to rise in rank, and in doing so gets a new title and more areas of empowerment.

Pastor Ai Hua became a Reverend Pastor Ai Hua.

In closing, the Bishop gave the pastors some words of wisdom...

"Being a pastor does not mean that you are perfect, or even near perfection. You have made mistakes in the past, and you will continue to make mistakes in the future. However, the church members will be willing to forgive you and overlook your mistakes, if you do these three things... Firstly, you must live a good spiritual life with much emphasis on reading the Bible and praying. Secondly, you must work hard. Thirdly, you must show that you truly love your church members."

One thing that I am really impressed with the Methodist people, is that they are so systematic in their administration. There are precise rules and protocols for almost everything. Even the words to pray are printed in full text to be read together as a congregation, wow! Some may say it's too rigid, lacking room for creativity and "as the Holy Spirit leads" thingy. Well, if you look at the bright side, it saves the trouble of learning from mistakes which can sometimes be disastrous. It certainly saves lots of time, money and energy coz one does not have to start from scratch to reinvent the wheel all the time.

A trip to Kota Kinabalu

Immediately after my 3 EODs (I believe you have learned that terminology by now) in-a-row, I made a trip to Kota Kinabalu with two friends. We had to leave Keningau at 5.30 am, coz we need to catch a meeting at 8.30 am in KK. Well my usual record time is 2 hours, but our driver was going at 60 kph... so, had to leave early la. Not to mention the traffic jam in KK (hey, KK also got jam one la).

Why didn't you guys leave a day earlier, you may ask. I was still working la... how?

Since I didn't have to drive, and I could not sleep in the van, I took the rare opportunity to admire the scenery as dawn unfolds. And yes, capture a couple of pics along the way.

EOD

What is that? Another of Da Vinci's Code?

Na... I would much rather have an EOS than an EOD anytime.

First, you need to know what on-call means. It means, besides doing my day-to-day 8-to-5 job (finish seeing patients in the ward, finish seeing patients in the clinic, finish the surgeries on an operating day), I shall ensure that my handphone is turned on at all times (24 hours and beyond) to receive phone calls for referrals from health clinics, peripheral hospitals, my own hospital, the wards, anywhere. And yes that include meal times, bath and s*it times, sleep times...

Recently a colleague went back to India for one-month's leave, and another colleague took 2 weeks Cuti Raya, we were left with 2 people doing 4 people's job. And helloooo, ladies here do not stop giving birth just because you have 2 people, and they ain't gonna wait till Hari Raya is over. They will give birth, or get into trouble, NOW.

So, EOD becomes the in-thing. It means... (drum roll)... Every Other Day on call.

My schedule is like... seeing all the patients in the ward, sit in the Labour Room and getting referrals for ladies with problems, while keeping a watchful eye on screaming ladies enduring the beranak routine, in case someone needs a cut to speed up the process. And also, anticipating (sic) calls from health clinic or peripheral hospitals saying "hi we wanna send to you so and so, she's having so and so problem, thanks and bye.". Roger and out.

The merciless ladies don't spare you even in the wee hours. Silent Night is truly a luxury to be yearned for, even though Christmas is still a month away. I am quite sure The Beatles sang "It's been a hard... day's... night..., and I've been working... like a doc..."

Enough talk about having interupted sleep and getting up and about (measured in speed of regaining consciousnous and sanity, i.e. 0-100 in x seconds) a few times over the night. And while you give a breath of relieve that dawn has finally arrived (remember the oldie Morning Has Broken...), another day of work begins. Well, it's either seeing patients in the clinic, or doing surgeries in the OT. Things just start to get more interesting... ever seen surgeons operating with blurry eyes and cloudy minds? Hehe, just be glad that he's rightfully cutting the umbilical cord and not the baby boy's ahem... ahem... ahem... pride. They're located quite close together you know.

And the vicious cycle repeats itself the following day.
...
And another cycle the following day.
...
And the following day.

We show off our stamina by boasting to our colleagues... "wa, you EOD only 4 times ah, I kena 5 times in a row leh! Geng or not!".

Did I mention about the guilt of not spending enough time with your loupo or gf, not spending enough time with your parents, not drinking enough teh-tarik with your buddies; the pastor wondering why you are ponteng-ing church, the Boss waiting for you to spend quiet time with Him.

Probably that explains why medical staffs have a shorter life span, besides the higher suicide rate thingy.

I didn't kena too bad la. Only 4 times during Hari Raya, and 3 times this week. Cannot boast yet.

Hmmm... how on earth did I enrol myself into such hard labour in the first place.

A great speech

I find THIS speech truly great. Really.

Some quotes:

Although the EPU methodologies impacted the lives of every Malaysians in every walk of life, none knows what the methodologies are. Are they fair? Are they outdated? Are they flawed? Nobody knows as it is shrouded in secrecy by the Official Secrets Act. They are told to accept it without question as the EPU is the wise know-all and be-all!

No other country in the world has a policy or would want to associate with a policy which is unchanged for almost two decades which can still claim to be relevant to its citizenry today.

They see a flawed system totally ineffective in redressing the widening disparity between wealth and poverty in the country! They see the rich gets richer while the poor gets poorer!

They see a flawed system encouraging corruption and wastage! They see a flawed system where their hard earned monies go to help the politically connected and not put to good use like education, building roads, subsidizing the cost of petrol!

They see a flawed system devoid of check and balance – a system so porous that it sprung widespread leakages!

They see racial discrimination in everyday life – the award of scholarships, examinations, jobs in Government departments, promotions, Government contracts and myriads of others!

They see more squabbling and jealousy on of the awarding of lucrative contracts to the politically connected and their off-springs. And for them, more is never seem to be enough!

They see a flawed system doomed for globalization. They see a system where Malaysia will be left behind!

They see a flawed system which retards the economic growth of the country!

Do you see too?

Pass this on. And please vote wisely.

Jokes of the day

HERE and HERE.

Ok, enough of jokes.

HERE is something that I agree very much with, and very well written too. Please try to take a look.

HERE is also an interesting read, pretty long-winded though.

Ketara sekali DEB telah dijadikan alat untuk meraih pendapatan tanpa perlu berkerja. Kelompok tertentu mendapat pendapatan secara percuma daripada hubungan mereka dengan kerajaan. Akibat dari gejala ini, perbelanjaan kerajaan dibazirkan dan pembayar cukai tidak mendapat nilai dari perbelajaan yang dibuat itu.

The above quote is from HERE. Warning: Extremely long-winded. Read only if you really have nothing better to do.

While you are reading these, don't forget to read the Book.

A new member

I mean this...

Panasonic 7.0 kg, fully automatic. Came with a set of 5 air-tight containers, so-called Hari Raya promotional gifts. Went to the hardware shop to get some stuffs to modify a bit so that the hose is long enough to connect to the tap, without having to cut the nice white-original hose. And now it sits beautifully in my bedroom (huh?).

I can almost hear you scream... "now only you buy ah?! How on earth have you been surviving without a washing machine?"

Well, first of all I am very kiam-siap and lazy to maintain such a big piece of machine for one person's clothings. And yes I have been surviving without a washing machine for the past, say, seven years or so living out of hometown. God gave us hands, remember? I recall my student elective-posting days in Kathmandu, where the lady-folks bring their families' laundry to the public tap or river, and hand-washed them in full view of everybody... the line "do not wash your dirty linen in public" does not apply in a poor country like Nepal.

Well, I was actually doing quite well accumulating my cloths for one week, then washing them at one go on weekends. Emmm... do you know that a shirt or pants can be worn up to 2 or 3 days a week, provided if you don't wear them continuosly so that nobody will notice. Then, my very very kind neighbour auntie (God bless her) interupted my schedule by taking my clothes to wash in her washing machine and drying them and folding them and putting them back on my cupboard... before I get to complete my collection for one week. Then my schedule was again interupted when my girlfriend, then my loupo said aiya bring those clothes to her house to wash la, got washing machine there ma. I wanted to buy a machine in March after getting angpows from generous guests (God bless them) to our wedding. But then my house got broken in and the thieves (God bless them? why!) stole my angpow containing money for the washing machine.

Now that school holidays is coming and my loupo is coming to stay in Keningau, finally arrives the new member.

One pic was taken by me, the other by my loupo. Guess which is which.

Have you played this before?

Put a row of stuffs on the floor. Whatever. Ooops, wrong... must follow the list in mummy's childcare book. Then see which stuffs attact me first, second, third, and so on...

I chose the blue-balloon-filled-with-water first. So, maybe I'll be doing something related to water... hmmm... a marine scientist? Or maybe a yatch-club owner... or an offshore oil-rig boss?

Pleeeaaaasse... can i be a wrestler? I am macho like those guys on WWF. Nope, I am more macho than all those guys.

Kid's birthday

My neighbour's son Darren had his 1st birthday party on Deepavali day. I was "appointed" on the spot to be the photographer. So, here they are, the photos. My loupo and I got him some kiddie clothes from the local shopping center.

The party started with singing of hymms and songs.

Birthday boy with mummy and grandparents.

Pastor saying a prayer of blessing for the birthday boy. Obviously the kid was not paying attention. "Hey why are you taking my picture?"

Then he think's it's an arm-wrestling game!

I think I had this too when I was one-year-old. I am quite sure I remember seeing a party like this complete with a tray of red eggs in one of those ooooo..old photo albums at home.

"Look mummy I got a new hat... hey why aren't you guys looking?".

"OK, I am hungry and tired. Bring on the food for the new siew-yeh (little master)!"