Marginalised

I read with amazement the recent outcry about certain people being 'marginalised' in the state of Penang. And the irony is, those who are leading the calls of 'marginalised' are probably living in big houses and driving luxury cars that most ordinary folks can only dream about.

OK, lets do a quick comparison...

Which people in Malaysia:

• Have a economic policy that gives them huge advantages (if not monopoly) in almost all areas, with all the goodies and handouts legitimised?
• Have the liberty of producing as many offsprings as they want, knowing well that the children will be well taken care of by government (tax payers') money... boarding school, matriculation, college, scholarships?
• Get big discounts on purchasing of properties, regardless whether they are poor or filthy rich?
• Are monopolising top positions of most government agencies and departments, institutions of higher learnings, GLC companies?
• Form the majority of the country's leadership and policy makers?

And who are those who...

• Although being the true natives in this country, are still living in jungle huts and left out by the mainstream development?
• Are denied university places and scholarships despite getting top scores in their exams?
• Have to raise their own funds to maintain their schools, due to pathetic funding from the government, and a large portion of those funds being embezzled along the way?
• Work hard but are denied promotions, coz those places are reserved for certain people?
• Most often mentioned when it comes to alcohol addiction, suicide rates, broken families, crimes of desperation?
• Despite being good citizens and diligently paying their taxes, are constantly reminded that they are less rightful than others?

If those who are given so much handouts still have the cheek to say they are being marginalised, it's either they are lazy, ungrateful, incapable... or unendingly greedy... or the lucky ones who have pocketted the handouts are not helping their own needy people.

This is not about race or politics. It's a matter of calling a fact a fact, and calling a lie a lie. Something is seriously wrong, somewhere.

Liar liar?

Lee Kuan Yew said...

"Our neighbours both have problems with their Chinese. They are successful. they are hard-working and therefore they are systemically marginalised," Lee said. [...]

Indonesia and Malaysia "want Singapore, to put it simply, to be like their Chinese -- compliant", said Lee, who was Singapore's prime minister from 1965 to 1990.

Najib said...

Najib said Malaysia did not marginalise ethnic Chinese or Indians in favour of majority ethnic Malays, who are known as bumiputras (sons of the soil).

"Malaysia does not practise a policy of blocking opportunities for non-bumiputras to progress further," he said.

Just ask anybody with some integrity, it's obvious who is lying. Just makes me amaze how leaders can tell such obvious big lies on newspaper. Hopefully they can refrain a bit during fasting month.

I recall the sad annual scene where high-scoring STPM students are 'rewarded' by rejection from local universities, denied scholarships; while watching undeserving Matric students filling up the uni places, or getting scholarships to go study-cum-travel overseas... and don't need to pay back, don't need to come back lagi.

Read more about it HERE.

A funeral

A friend passed away in a horrible car accident two Tuesdays ago. He and two colleagues were travelling in a Land Cruiser wagon towards Nabawan when it hit a truck. Mr Lau, the front passenger was killed on the spot. The two others sustained serious injuries.

Mr Lau leaves behind a wife and 3 schooling children. Both his parents are still around. A brief funeral was held on Thursday early morning, and then the body was sent to KK for burial. Church members held a memorial service at their home on Sunday.

Think of it, life is pretty fragile, isn't it. One can't tell when is his time to move on. There's a saying, 'Coffins are not made for the elderly; they're made for the dead'.

During the memorial service, I asked an uncle (who sells chicken in the market) "so... today didn't open stall ka?". He said, "Got. Closed early. Nowadays just do a bit of business, enough la. Do a lot also, can just go like that anytime". I suppose he meant he would rather spend time doing things he enjoyed or spending time with his family. By the way, he likes to trap birds, go hunting, and cooking roti canai and chicken curry.

Actually I enjoy going to funerals. It makes me face of the reality of life: that no matter how great is one's achievements in this world, the day will come when he lies motionless in a coffin and leaves everything behind. Poor or rich, weak or powerful, they end the same way. Attending a funeral is a humbling experience, reminding me of the vulnerability of life, and that day will come when all things will go to pass.

People buy insurance for many things that MIGHT happen: accidents, loss of income, critical illnesses, permanent disabilities etc, life insurance too. But there's one thing that will DEFINITELY happen, which many people don't consider much about: death. I don't mean the amount of wealth we leave to our loved ones if we say 'goodbye' prematurely. I mean, the finding out of what happens after our death, whether there's judgement day or not, how to opt to go to heaven or hell, how is life after death... things like that. Aren't those too worth spending time to seriously consider and take care of?

As for Mr Lau's family, though mourning over his sudden demise, is rest assured that he has gone to a much better place. There is no need for monks to chant mystical prayers for his safe passage in the after-life, or to burn hell bank notes (as if assuming he's in hell?) to bribe the hell-guards, or whatsoever. Mr Lau has his assurance of heaven well taken care of.

The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life---you that believe in the Son of God.

1 John 5:11-13

Laos photos, at last

Hi friends... I have posted some Laos photos in the LensaMalaysia forum, an online photography forum based in Malaysia. Click HERE to take a look.

If I get good comments over there, I will post them here also la, shy la. Still need to delete the 'not-so-nice-ones' my online gallery, and I haven't uploaded my travel partner (Pstr) Jun's photos. Pretty busy these days, hospital is going for AKREDITASI a week from now.

A trip to Tenom

The 8th Sabah State Clinical Conference ended well last Friday. Initially my duty was just to collect PowerPoint presentations. Somehow I ended up as the IT guy. Well it was quite tiring having to take care of those things... running about and skipping some lectures. Didn't had time to take pictures, left the job for the cameramen. Had good hotel food for 2 days. Glad to see the participants enjoying the whole event. I think we organised it quite OK.

The closing ceremony was done over a dinner on Friday night. I left early, was really tired already.


On Saturday morning, the conference organisers arranged for a golf tournament and a trip to Tenom, as recreational activities for the participants. I certainly don't qualify for the golf tournament, so I went to Tenom for some photo-shooting.


Quite a pity only 7 participants joined us for the trip. Nevertheless, we had lots of fun. Our first stop was the Tenom Agricultural Park, the star attraction of interior Sabah. The park has beautiful landscaping (good place for wedding photos), lots of fruit trees and other plants, a mini zoo, and a wonderful collection of gorgeous orchids.


We were in luck that day. The park was having an open day of some sort, probably to coincide with the school holidays. There were many groups of visitors, and there were organised events in the park. We had a great treat at the Fruit Tasting session, trying out exotic fruits. There was this 'miracle fruit': a red little fruit the size of your thumbnail... after chewing on it, take a limau kasturi and bite... and it will taste sweet! We had a nice park-guide Mary showing us around and explaining the orchids. There were two Rafflesias too, but both were dead ones, black already.


At noon we left to visit the Yit Foh Coffee Factory. There're two things you must do when visiting Tenom: go to the Agricultural Park and drop by a coffee factory. Alex, the factory boss welcomed us. He gave us a briefing about coffee and the history of the factory. Then, we had free flow of coffee... kopi susu, kopi O, kopi expresso. I myself gulped 5 cups, or was it 6. Loved the ice kopi susu and the expresso with vanila ice-cream. We were shown a couple of coffee jugs and expresso devices.


After that we had a quick lunch at Perkasa Hotel Tenom. Hmmm so so food only la. Then the participants left for Keningau and back to KK, I went to my loupo's place.

Click HERE to see more photos.

State Clinical Conference

The 8th Sabah State Clinical Conference will begin this Thursday. Tomorrow the team will be going over and set up the stuffs... computers, screens, tables, backdrops... I thought my task will be pretty simple, just to collect the presentations and compile into one computer. Then today, the chairman asked me to do a couple more PowerPoint presentations lagi. Luckily, they're all done in an afternoon. A big thanks to AUNTIE LIZ for your PowerPoint lessons, if you are reading this. The venue will be pretty crammed... 200 people in a small hall. So, those from Keningau might have to sit on the floor if the seats are full. On Saturday, we have organized a trip to Tenom Agricultural Park, and a Golf Tournament. Aiya sayang I haven't learned golfing yet, even though the greens is just 5 minutes away from the Hospital. My loupo said: GOLF = Game Orang Lupa Family. You agree?

Bought tickets to go to KL for 27th Sep to 2nd Oct. AirAsia la of course, even poor doctors can fly ma. Want to go to SPA in Putrajaya to sort out my Pengesahan Jawatan stuffs, if it's still not done by then. Need it for Masters programme application. My ex-uni classmates went there last Oct, got everything done in a day, and are now in 1st year Masters already. Mine ah, all documents sent early January, now still DALAM PROSES. Gosh, aren't you dissapointed about the government agencies? My friend Jastin is also going on a one-week 'retreat and refreshing' trip to School of Acts in KL; I might drop by there and visit him. We happen to be on the same night flight to KL.

Chills in Keningau

It has been raining a lot in Keningau. Weather is nice and cool all day, and in the night in gets really chilly. Walking in the streets is like walking in air-con everywhere. At times it gets horribly COLD. Guess I shouldn't be envying people who live part of their lives in winter each year. Then again... would love to have a try at making snowman and throwing snowballs.

Two colleagues are attending an O&G course in a hotel in town. I drop by at the right timing for the nice meals. Department is a bit short of manpower. Pretty tiring work.

Next week my hospital will be hosting the 8th Sabah State Clinical Conference. This year's theme is about Cancers and Management. We'll be having doctors and paramedics from all over Sabah gathering in Hotel Perkasa Keningau listening to authoritative speakers lecturing on Cancers and Management. I am in the Scientific Committee, so got some work to do la, cannot just shake leg and watch all the fun.

Got a piece of good news coming... but I'll keep the suspense for now. Hahaha...

Kursus PERASA

I went for a short course at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu over the last weekend. It was held in Zen Garden Resort, Kundasang, Ranau. A very nice and secluded resort with a grand view of Mount Kinabalu.

PERASA stands for Pembimbing Rakan Sekerja. Basically the course aimed to brainwash the participants to become nicer and more caring persons la. Something like Pendidikan Moral, but more relevant to the working world. There were 32 participants from all over Sabah... specialists, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and counsellors. The facilitator was an experienced counsellor imported from West Malaysia. The course lasted 4 days 3 nights.

It was a very intensive course. Sessions started from morning and ended past midnight. In between lectures there were group games, group karaoke (patriotic songs and Indon oldies), funny activities, video clips, assignments etc. Truly macam-macam ada. Besides learning good ethical values, we had to fix a 1000 pieces puzzle, make hampers, make group flag, collect token stickers, write little appreciation notes, do performances, wear a self-made silly hat all day long, keep a raw egg... the list was endless. Really tiring la! Other than that, food was great, weather cool and chilly, and participants were sporting.


We had a memorable evening at the Don Bosco Children Home in Kampung Bundu Tuhan on Friday. We went to entertain the kids, basically. The groups sang and danced with them and did plays. Some groups taught the kids to draw, others had singing sesions and group dynamics, interviews, planted trees in the garden, cleaned the compound... I chatted with a Sister Lioni to find out more about the Children Home. There are about 80 plus orphan kids staying there, from little children to form six students. In the day, they attend normal schools nearby, then come back to the Home, which offer them food and accomodation, friends and 'family'. It was started by a Catholic mission, and is now fully funded by public donations.


I was totally worn out after the course. Stayed a night in KK and had dinner with Uncle Sualim and family. Did a bit of shopping with my loupo on Sunday. PC Fair and Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival was in town. Later we drove back to interior Sabah.

Doa untuk Malaysia - 7.8.06

Today's prayer item for the 40 days Fasting and Prayer is on the topic of National Unity(Perpaduan Negara). Came across this on the bottom of the prayer list:

DOA: Komitmen orang Kristian untuk terlibat dengan lebih
giat dalam pembangunan negara dan mencari peluang untuk melibatkan diri dalam proses penggubalan polisi.

Hmmm, how to have more Christians into policy-making? I take it to mean, to have more exemplary Christian leaders in high positions... be they in the civil service, NGOs, corporate world, and ... umm politics.

Christians in politics. Some say, Christians shouldn't be into politics... it's too dirty and corrupting. Others say, if Christians don't care about politics, who is to blame if more and more unfavourable policies appear. What do you think?

Anyway, from Sabah there are two Christian ministers (i think) in Prime Minister's Department: Dr Maximus Ongkili and Tan Sri Bernard Dompok. Hope that they exude their Christian influence well while they are in high office. Don't let the you-know-who 'racist' guy call all the shots.

Current events

I am given the task of sharing a message in the PMM youth service tomorrow. As I was doing my research on the net, I have come across the following articles that to me, are written with good intention and sincerity.

Click on if you want to read more. I know, these topics are just not everybody's cup of tea. But like it or not, they are important issues in this country that we live in, and the outcome will affect your life sooner or later, for better or for worse.

Statement on Interfaith Commision Initiative
Has inter-faith friction occured in our multi-racial and multi-religious society? Yes, over and over again, and more to come. Is there an adequate platform to discuss such issues intelectually? None that I know of. Why? Coz the leadership says these are sensitive issues and we are too immature to be even allowed to discuss about it. The IFC initiative hoped to offer a platform to discuss and sort out such issues, offering itself as an advisory body. Unfortunately, some groups have falsely accused the intentions of the IFC, and making protests to protect their ideology. I dunno whether to call it hypocrisy or blind loyalty. More unfortunately, our leadership has bowed to such protests (of mob rule and chaos) and shot down the IFC before it could even begin. Here the chairperson of IFC initiative explains their stand.

Upholding our secular constition
Here's an interview with a senior Muslim lawyer on the need to protect our secular Constitution from increasing pressure from Islamisation and the push for an Islamic state. He is personally involved in the court cases of Lina Joy, Shamala, Moorthy and others. I admire his sincerity in upholding the rights of non-Muslims as guaranteed in the Constitution, despite him being a Muslim lawyer.

Rights of non-Muslims in an Islamic state
Your hear it over and over again... arguments whether Malaysia is an Islamic state or not. The most famous one was 'Malaysia ini negara Islam. You tak suka, you keluar dari Malaysia!' uttered in a shouting match in Parliament last year. The Constitution says Islam is the religion of the Federation. What does that suppose to mean? What is an Islamic state? I am confused. I stumbled upon this article (which is about Islam, not just Malaysian-Islam). You should read it to understand why some things are happening in such a way in Malaysia, and how far we have been led towards an Islamic state.

I say it again, pray for the nation.