The Talking Asshole

William Burrough's famous segment, "The Talking Asshole" from his novel Naked Lunch:

Did I ever tell you about the man who taught his ass to talk? His whole abdomen would move up and down you dig farting out the words. It was unlike anything I had ever heard. This ass talk had sort of a gut frequency. It hit you right down there like you gotta go. You know when the old colon gives you the elbow and it feels sorta cold inside, and you know all you have to do is turn loose? Well this talking hit you right down there, a bubbly, thick stagnant sound, a sound you could smell.

This man worked for a carnival you dig, and to start with it was like a novelty ventri-liquist act. Real funny, too, at first. He had a number he called The Better Ole that was a scream, I tell you. I forget most of it but it was clever. Like, "Oh I say, are you still down there, old thing?" "Nah I had to go relieve myself." After a while the ass start talking on its own. He would go in without anything prepared and his ass would ad-lib and toss the gags back at him every time. Then it developed sort of teeth-like little raspy in-curving hooks and start eating. He thought this was cute at first and built an act around it, but the asshole would eat its way through his pants and start talking on the street, shouting out it wanted equal rights. It would get drunk, too, and have crying jags nobody loved it and it wanted to be kissed same as any other mouth.
Finally it talked all the time day and night, you could hear him for blocks screaming at it to shut up, and beating it with his fist, and sticking candles up it, but nothing did any good and the asshole said to him Its you who will shut up in the end.

Not me.

Because we dont need you around here any more. I can talk and eat AND shit. After that he began waking up in the morning with a transparent jelly like a tadpoles tail all over his mouth. This jelly was what the scientists call un-D.T., Undifferentiated Tissue, which can grow into any kind of flesh on the human body. He would tear it off his mouth and the pieces would stick to his hands like burning gasoline jelly and grow there, grow anywhere on him a glob of it fell. So finally his mouth sealed over, and the whole head would have have amputated spontaneous - except for the EYES you dig.

Thats one thing the asshole COULDN'T do was see. It needed the eyes. But nerve connections were blocked and infiltrated and atrophied so the brain couldnt give orders any more. It was trapped in the skull, sealed off. For a while you could see the silent, helpless suffer-ing of the brain behind the eyes, then finally the brain must have died, because the eyes WENT OUT, and there was no more feeling in them than a crabs eyes on the end of a stalk.

I wonder whether this thing in the novel would reflect the attitudes of some politicians today.

Forgotten Promises

Surprised to find out that close to 400 people viewed my previous post 'Civil Disobedience'. I've checked the statistics and turns out that a lot of them got redirected from MalaysiaKini (maybe it's their spiders tracking the magic word.)

And this would be the continuation and related to Civil Disobedience.

The Mamak Man from Merbok has accused LKY of saying that newspapers are partisans towards one party and also accused him of showing the sympathy towards the Sun as being the only newspaper in Malaysia to show the truth and promote Bangsa Malaysia - something called as deliberately part of the opposition's tactics.

I have to admit that the statement by Lim Kit Siang is indeed true. The Star deliberately blacks out yesterday's statement that Malaysia is an Islamic State. I believe it is borne out of the fear of as being the largest English newspaper in Malaysia, those guys are under pressure not to make something out of the guidelines fearing the backlash from the mob-rule group. Besides, the English newspaper is read by all groups of people, not just one - hence the extra caution measures.

Extracts:

This is most extraordinary and unthinkable – MCA newspaper The Star “blacking out” the MCA policy statement on the “social contract”!

The Chinese newspapers gave front-page headline treatment to the policy statement issued yesterday by the MCA Presidential Council following the shock declaration of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Malaysia was an Islamic state and not a secular state.

Strangely enough, the policy statement was reported by the Sun but it is also conspicuously omitted in the New Straits Times and the Malay newspapers.

Releasing the MCA Presidential Council statement, MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the Federal Constitution should be the reference to resolve controversies or confusion over the social contract.

(Lim Kit Siang)

********

What is theSun up to? Are they fighting for a Malaysian Malaysia? Is this what (Datuk Seri Dr) Lim Keng Yaik says is a newspaper that fights for Bangsa Malaysia?" he asked.

"Bangsa Malaysia must be founded on the social contract, the country's principles of law, not outside this (aspect)," he said, reports Malaysia's national news agency Bernama.

Zainuddin said theSun should be viewed as a newspaper that supports the DAP because it fought for a "Malaysian Malaysia", which is the DAP's objective.

(ZAM)

But has ZAM read LKY's statement of the current affairs in Malaysia? That is the question I am keen to find out. Hey...this doesn't appear in the Sun alone. But let's remember a line from his remarks on Sunday:

" We've now forgotten that. It's now 2007 and after 33 years, we've forgotten what Barisan Nasional (National Coalition Front) is."

Indeed he speaks the truth. The purpose of BN as said by the late Tun Razak Hussein was to stop politicking among each other and go for nation development. But it seems that the squabbling among BN component parties has started again. Just as the saying by LKY, you do yours and I do mine. What is worst is indeed the grim reality that we are facing and yet the big guys in Bolehland do not and I presume they are stuck back in the 80s: We are entering globalisation and if we do not work together regardless of creed and race, we will lose all the 33 years of effort in one swift stroke.

Am I saying something that is close to Civil Disobedience? The symptoms that might force the hand of this cure called Civil Disobedience. Another sign of the disease is this:

Given what ZAM has said in paper:

Zainuddin said theSun should be viewed as a newspaper that supports the DAP because it fought for a "Malaysian Malaysia", which is the DAP's objective.

"What is theSun up to? Are they fighting for a Malaysian Malaysia? Is this what (Datuk Seri Dr) Lim Keng Yaik says is a newspaper that fights for Bangsa Malaysia?" he asked.

Actually, this has nothing to do with DAP's tactics or whatsoever. As I've said previously, we are suffering from the racial polarization, all because of ignorance, and the believe of each toeing their line, doing their own work and stick to their own race. So far, have I seen people in private companies going out together for lunch in a mix race, as Bangsa Malaysia? Hardly, because of the ignorance.

What is spoken by ZAM implies of the intention by the Bolehland guys of keeping the groups seperated, each championing their own race and with those policies such as proposal of changing from English Common Law to Syariah Law further means of providing a back door in heightening religious tensions among the three big races.

As LKY said, if all the newspapers are sided to one party, "The Chinese press are sided to one party and the Malay press are sided to another party. Is there any Malaysian press where we can talk as Malaysians and as Bangsa Malaysia?" (according to him, where else but The Sun?)

The words of wisdom is indeed there: "You cannot play on one race only. If you do that, you're going to burn all of us (Malaysians) alive."

But I had the hunch that those Bolehland guys think we're talking bullshit and try to keep on playing the hero that saves the day. In this scale and scenario, it will not work. This has been the umpteenth time that the Mamak from Merbok has spoken something that drew the ire of the thinking Malaysian community after his accusation of bloggers as stupid and calling for a blogging classification program. Everyone thinks that's a stupid idea. Every online community member in Malaysia who has blogs got insulted.

And top men at Bolehland seems reluctant to admit their mistakes. An Indonesian referee got assaulted by cops. Have the officers forgotten their promises to the police force in terms of rules of engagement?

Clearly, not only this scenario, we people are starting to forget the promises made many years ago. It's time to think back and stop for one minute before things go out of control.

Listen to this man, the ex-IGP Rahim Noor: “That means my identity card or passport must state that I am a Bangsa Malaysia. My religion must also be left out as it is strictly between me and God. "

Bolehland Wars Episode I: The Kapcai Menace

You better be careful if you see them if you are planning to celebrate Merdeka at Merdeka Square itself. They would come in groups.


A Mat Rempit is defined as an individual who participates in illegal street racing using standard motorcycles but they have the reputation to rob, rape and sometimes murder people in cold blood. Most of these guys are Bumi guys with some of them use stolen motors or do not have valid driving licenses for these.

As for the others, if you are in dire need to stop that kind of menace, you need this:

Not convinced? Watch this:

Civil Disobedience

I don't really how to hit this.

I am very concerned of how things will be shaping up with the actual fact from MalaysiaKini. Quote:

PM: Yes, we ARE an Islamic state
Yoges Palaniappan
Aug 27, 07 7:35pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has today for the first time said that Malaysia was an Islamic state and not a secular state.

Abdullah, in a parliamentary written reply, said that Malaysia was an Islamic state ruled by Islamic principles, and at the same time, was also a country that believed in Federal Constitution.

"Malaysia is an Islamic state, ruled based on Islam Hadhari which I have introduced," he stressed.

This is a clear departure from his stand made earlier this month that Malaysia was neither 'a secular nor a theocratic state' without saying the country was an Islamic state.

This was indeed contradicting what was written in Bernama. Malaysia is ruled by a big group who utilizes the mob-rule mentality to make the others follow according to their ideals. In the recent case where Wee Ming Chee produced the 5 1/2 minute track of Negaraku, they started bashing at Wee and demanded for punishment for insult. From what the statement by MalaysiaKini says - indeed the truth one - , this implies that the polarization is getting bigger each day and again, I stress that the minorities are the ones suffering, in terms of rights, freedom and religion being trampled by the majority Muslim enclave.

If that is the case, there would be need to call upon Thoreau's concept of Civil Disobedience.

According to Wikipedia, Civil Disobedience, being used by key figures like Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi means the active refusal to obey certain commands, laws and demands made by the majority or the government - with non-violence and used only if they are in a position of being threatened by any means.

The rule above absolutely forbids killing a person. Satyagraha is a philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance developed by Mohandas K. Gandhi. Gandhi deployed satyagraha in campaigns for Indian independence and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa. Satyagraha theory also influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. during the campaigns he led during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

Many who practice Civil Disobedience do so out of religious faith, and clergy often participate in or lead actions of Civil Disobedience. A notable example is Philip Berrigan, a Roman Catholic priest, who was arrested dozens of times in acts of Civil Disobedience in antiwar protests. Also, groups like Soulforce, who favour non-discrimination and equal rights for gays and lesbians, have engaged in acts of Civil Disobedience to change church positions and public policy.

Civil Disobedience inflicted on the basis of religion is often controversial. For example, disobeying Catholic policy in Northern Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day may be viewed by Irish Catholics as defamatory. Also, disobeying religions persecuted during the Holocaust has been equated with neo-Nazism.

Civil Disobedience only plays a part of what has to be done if cases are worst. If we trace back the causes of potential polarization, it is mainly because of in terms of maintaining the line that defines peace and religion, there has been hardly a mixture or mingling of people of many races. While at the same time, each religion champions their own - resulting in a battle of wills of seeing who is better of the lot.

Malaysia is now facing a Constitution crisis that is worst and the first time ever since the removal of rulers immunity in 1993. Maybe clinging to the help of the nine Rulers would be the last resort that every Malaysian who is suffering has to depend to.

According to this article:

The next general election is not due until 2009; but analysts say Abdullah wants an early election to pre-empt a challenge from former deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of the opposition Parti Keadilan (Justice Party). The charismatic Anwar, who has been convicted of corruption charges, is barred from holding public office until 14 April next year. Although Anwar’s party is unlikely to unseat Abdullah’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno), at the polls, analysts say he could take away enough Malay votes from Umno, the dominant party in the 13-member Barisan Nasional (national front) government, to humiliate Abdullah and force him into retirement.

Constitutional experts say the Malaysian parliament is Abdullah’s only recourse to neutralise the rulers. His government controls two-thirds of the votes in the House of Representatives that would allow him to amend the constitution to take away the last vestige of power that the rulers and the king now enjoy. But there are doubts as to whether Abdullah could muster enough support in parliament in his confrontation with the rulers, they say. Since winning an overwhelming mandate in the 2004 general election, Abdullah’s popularity has plunged to its lowest ebb as he has failed to deliver his promised reforms to weed out corruption, stop wasteful spending on mega projects, and overhaul the judiciary and the civil service.

Remember of Article 150 of the Constituition where the King has the right to refuse a recommendation / call of elections, if less than 5 years, and can force the hand of ministers if there is substantial proof of malpractices and things that could split national unity apart.

Continue quote:

Analysts say many Malaysians, particularly the non-Malays, are increasingly clamouring for the rulers to force Abdullah’s hand in reforming the judiciary that has fallen into disrepute over allegations that the Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Rahim has promoted lesser and errant judges to important judicial posts. The Chief Justice has denied these allegations and has demanded proof of his judges’ misdemeanours.

Whatever the outcome is, analysts say, the king and his fellow rulers have made their position clear: They are not Abdullah’s rubber-stamp. And they expect Abdullah to do their bidding in cleaning up the judiciary. In this, the Malay rulers have most of the 27 million Malaysians on their side, they say.

Now to the point: if we are put in a situation where we are forced to do things that we don't want or it is against your individuality / privacy, what are likely to do except to show total disobedience to directives? Remember Smith's line from Matrix Reloaded: "I was compelled to stay and to disobey..."

The Rich and Greedy

Image by Mob's Crib

This is a classic example of fat men. Not the physical fat men, but those who are rich, corrupt and worst of all, this man is a Member of Parliament. Member of Parliament of Klang.

You are an MP but you built your own house - a rich man's house in front of a garden estate populated by normal people. People will look kind of little jealous about you.

Last week, this man and a few company directors were cleared of 37 charges against them.

Show off. Isn't that a show of vanity? MP, make money through other businesses and build your own house like you don't even care of your duty?

As an MP, it is foremost a duty to help and serve the public who had entrusted you with the job to lead them, speak out for their troubles and always be ready in the time of their need.

But hey - he's shaking his legs. Building his big mansion, opening an illegitimate food shop without the council's permit and you still can get away with nothing?

Surely there must be someone above that is pulling the judiciary strings. In my opinion, maybe the judiciary was told not to do so against the VIP man like this man above for the risk of losing promotion. But who would be that mysterious party?

VIPs getting a preferential treatment or special treatment? They are spared from the blushes. But what about this scenario against an ordinary person like Wee Ming Chee? Wee was never given the chance. The idea of keeping him in leash despite apology shows how these big men practice double-standards. It's like clubbing a person to death, unconvinced of the sincerity.

I'm still scratching my head trying to understand that thing.

The Bangsa Malaysia Report

Over a hundred of bloggers and ordinary Malaysians attended the Bangsa Malaysia gathering last night at the Blog House in Damansara Heights. Initiated by Haris Ibrahim - the intention of the gathering is to put an affirmation that Malaysia is consisted of people of various races known as Bangsa Malaysia.

Upon registration, the form, which every attendee has to fill up has something very interesting - on your discretion, you have the right to say no, irrelevant or something else on certain fields that you usually see in signing a form - that is race, religion and sex. Which was why everyone was warned earlier to read the instructions before proceeding on.

The get together started at 8.30 p.m., but I thought that there could only be light refreshments like tidbits and drinks so I had dinner before coming over. I could have accepted Edmund's invitation to join him for dinner with his family but I couldn't accept it over this meet.

The rest of the photos can be seen at my Flickr photo page.

Of course the usual lot is there, with Jeff, Bernard, Tony Yew - there are three Tony's there BTW, Rocky, Nathaniel, YL, Marina and Tony Pua there. But the ones I met there are new faces including Chris (Mob) who was working under Patrick Teoh - mum's friend, Clifford Tan (Ghost line), the organizer, Harris and a few more including Eric Woon and Stephen Francis.

An interesting fact, according to Bernard, Clifford actually caught a cybertrooper red-handed attempting to plant a seditious comment over his blog. He managed to trace the identity of the person involved and through some common sense.


Howsy (The Sensintrovert) showed me a trick to pull more attention - by pinging the portal called the Petaling Street project. Something worth to try out but it seems that I need to wait for a few more days before my blog is added to the directory. TV Smith, the famous satirist was also there, and it was a big chance for me to meet the man in person as one of my favorite parodies written by him would be the MOB Blog.

Of course, the show starts and ends with the National Anthem. There's food and drinks and dedications to the nation by singing and poetry recital. Jeff did the rectal and Azmi and a few more youngsters sang some songs dedicating to the nation.

We're facing a lot of problems in society and they have launched a initiative called PELITAR -Penyayang Legasi dan Inspirasi Tunku Abdul Rahman, which aims to achieve what the Tunku idealizes for the nation. Overall, it is a very enlightening experience of being there to celebrate the spirit of Merdeka among the bloggers who aimed to achieve a better Malaysia.

The Bangsa Malaysia Gathering!

Tonight at 8.30 p.m. -- Blog House in Damansara Heights.

I get to see a lot of people there, Bernard's one of them...Harris Ibrahim, etc..

I really wanted to see things in the spirit of Merdeka. Merdeka fever is on and it's only less than one week away from 31 August 2007. I should have bring my camera for some photography session this morning.

There was a rehearsal of the march past at Merdeka Square. No wonder traffic to the area was sealed off. Had to take alternative routes to the City Hall to settle some thing with a friend of mine.

You Always Were An Asshole!

You always were an asshole, Gorman.

(Vasquez, Aliens)

And so is Mat Taib. The Muhammand son of Muhammad is reportedly refusing to face Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who challenged UMNO and Mat Tyson himself to an open debate scheduled a month from last week.

Excerpts from a source I've found in Malaysia Today: (sorry, but in Malay language)

Bagaimanapun, Muhammad dilaporkan enggan berbuat demikian dengan alasan Raja Petra cuba mengalihkan isu sebenar.

>>He refused to do so with the excuse that Raja Petra tries to shift the real issue.

27 Julai lalu ahli Umno menggangap Muhammad sebagai ‘hero’ apabila membuat laporan polis terhadap Malaysia Today.

>> UMNO members consider Muhammad as a hero when making the police report against Malaysia Today last 27 July.

Malah ‘kejantanannya’ kononnya semakin terserlah apabila beliau berkata sanggup mati dibom demi mempertahankan Raja, agama, bangsa dan negara.

>>He showed his guts of being a man when he declared that he was willing to be bombed to defend the King, religion, race and the country.

Rupa-rupanya apabila diuji, ‘jantan’ mereka hanyalah di kelompok penyokong dan nampak gah dalam media milik mereka. Apabila diajak berdepan secara terbuka mereka akan kecut dan menikus - tidak lebih dari itu.

>>But it seems that when the guts of male is only revealed to be among the groups of supporters and with the media to support. When invited to show up openly, they would be afraid and hide like rats - not more than that.

Muhammad salah seorang daripadannya. Beliau menolak cabaran Raja Petra dengan alasan pengendali web Malaysia Today itu cuba menutup ‘kesalahan besar’ yang kononnya menghina Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Islam dan Melayu.

>>Mat Tyson is one of them. He turned down Raja Petra's challenge with the excuse that the Malaysia Today web owner tries to cover his big mistake of allegedly insulting, the King, the religion and the Malay race.

He's a coward after all. Maybe he is afraid to react since there are tones of evidence of his wrongdoing. I've lost count of how many mistakes he has done, by I would like to invite you, especially the international audience to read this article: Muhammad son of Muhammad, I accept! He's chickening already. If he doesn't show up, it means, you are giving RPK the clear fact that you are in the wrong already.

He's afraid of the truth hitting out.

Mat Tyson is always an asshole - another Vasquez echo courtesy of Aliens (1986)..PWAAK!

Bloggers as karaoke singers?

Today ZAM compares bloggers as karaoke singers:

He said some people might enjoy their "singing", especially those who shared their views, but many rejected them because they sang "out of tune" and their views were unacceptable to the majority of the people.

He said some of the bloggers were those who had once received the attention of the mainstream media, but were now rejected, and so had to find a new avenue to vent their frustration. However, not many people read their pieces.

"Anyway, I see this development as something positive because with the opportunity to "sing in the karaoke", they can relieve their tension and 'addiction'.

And the statement of saying the mainstream media will sway more people than blogs. Of course the mainstream is government-controlled, fools. There is definitely censure and our editors are under pressure of not letting a single thing hit the fan that is the government or they will risk losing their job. Is that something they had to bear and don't like? I mean the editors? Yes!

You dolt! If people starts to know the truth then what happens to the politicians. Some are cheered, some are jeered and some will be arrested by the ACA.

But you are also comparing those who write diaries, life rants and those who love cooking as karaoke singers! Your statement is encompassing every living person in Malaysia who might not be involved in social commentary but women and children!

I told you many times already. Start a blog and let your stories and information tell you the actual picture of what blogging is. If you don't have...don't open your mouth on this subject. But I am not forcing you. I have lost count of the number of times people hit back at ZAM because of this ridiculous remarks.

All images are courtesy of Mob's Crib

You always were an asshole, ZAM - another round of line from Vasquez (Aliens)!

The Merdeka Retrospective

I think today would be a good time for me to provide my commentary on the state of Malaysia in view with the nation's 50th anniversary coming next Friday. It is high time for me to provide my own retrospective. It is important for people to understand more of someone being inside Malaysia, as a citizen of this nation so that they may have a better perception of the actual reality rather than understanding by cover.

The first 50 years:

I did spend some time to sit down and ask my relatives including my family and my dad (interestingly was born 7 weeks before Merdeka) about what Malaysia was like before the 1969 riots. Most of them told me colorful stories of them able to mingle with their non-Chinese neighbors without fear of discrimination.

Everyone had high enthusiasm of what is going to happen in the future with big plans for nation development, economy and social along with the Tunku at helm and having some of the non-Malay ministers like V.T Sambanthan and Tan Siew Sin - Tunku is a man who understands the importance of respect and sensibilities of the other races and is willing to make compromises for others..minorities to be part of Malaysia. For him, he aspires an utopia, like JFK does. When my family was in Melaka in 1967-1970, the house that they stayed is at an estate that comprised of a mixture of races. They never show hate or greed but instead treat themselves as friends for life. At that time, there was only a secular state - a state with mixture of people from various races.

And then 1969 riots happened. My family stayed in the house whole day, afraid of getting bashed up.

After that, there was no more Bangsa Malaysia. Not even during the Hussein Onn period and the disco era of 1977-1981, when he tried very hard to . I talked to one of dad's friend, who was also from Ipoh - told me of the change in the NEP and the education system - was showing the shape that is against what Tunku had idealized. Take for instance of the secondary level History syllabus - before the 70s, there was a fair spread of covering history of Asia, Europe, Malaysia and Islamic. When I was studying Form 4 and 5, almost 1/3 of the Form 4 History syllabus was Islamic History...don't you notice that there is something wrong there? It's like subverting everyone to follow the ideals of the predominant and leaving no respect for the dignity of the others?

The lack of foresight and the incorrect decisions in the education system made has caused many people to be focusing on passing exams, incapable of speaking well in English, causing an embarrassment to the foreigners.

Although there have been changes to the nation in the last 50 years, there are still things that has yet to be eradicated in order to achieve what the Tunku idealized for all time. You still have high crime rates, corruption still high, political interference, bureaucracy, and incompetent people who still cling to power. There's still more to do and we can never achieve Vision 2020 as what Dr. M once spoke of.

I've read recent cases of potential policy changes and I feel that some ridiculous decisions are made because of the lack of foresight, insight and shallow perception by politicians.

Merdeka is like Malaysia's way of saying Selamat Hari Raya or Gong Xi Fa Cai to the nation itself!

What I want for this year's Golden Jubilee Merdeka:

• Better reduction of red-tape interference and bureaucracy.
• A much more better education system that focuses more on creating productive people that are able to think of their own, make good decisions, practical and contributing more to the people.
• A change in governance where government guys are able to look into things with better insight and wisdom together with better depth of perception.
• A fair chance for everyone to speak out of their problems and suffering.
• The nation's economy must be as strong as the its state before the Asian Financial Crisis before year end. That will put a big stop to poverty and as well as improving the quality of living for middle-class people.
• Put a stop into corruption and malpractices of high-ranking officials
• A major change in policies including a retooling of the NEP as to give other Malaysians, especially our non-Malay friends to contribute more to the economy.
  

The next 50 years

No...that's not all yet. Do you know what I wish in the next 50 years given of the current situation? The Tunku wants a Bangsa Malaysia, a society where people can live together in diversity, not by racial division as what some policies are. At times, I find it very frustrating to bear with some laws and policies that are indirectly enlarging the gap between the races. Does this say that I cannot talk to an Indian friend of mine just for casual acquintance? Does it mean that I can't go out for a drink with my Malay schoolmate?

Where is the unity and diversity that people want? We are free of the past already. We are already free of May 1969 already. Why can't we drop the mob rule mentality and live on together with people? So much blood has been spilled. Innocents and minorities are the ones that suffer more while the guilty walk free.

I could times where ridiculous things happen because of mentality. I hope that line is blurred out in the next 50 years. There are people who have great knowledge and perception out there who aspire to make the nation a better place. Have we forgotten the words of MJ's song Heal The World? Why can't we take that message to guide us now?

It's a harsh world out there, with incompetent officials making things worse for the citizens - they are the ones that suffered most now -. In Europe the society structure / hierarchy is already moving forward, not like Malaysia that is still left behind. Even we are losing to our neighbor Singapore in terms of social structure and order.

All in all, I just want to go back for the happier, sepia times of Malaysia.

A Tough Choice

I was invited for a business preview of the E-Kiosk system that someone referred me to. I tried scratching my head on guessing the identity of the person referring me to that, but never mind.

I was showed of the features, and the returns, assurances and etc. The assurances encompasses of emergencies, vandalisms, and conformance to government laws.

The returns was a tempting for me. They can actually put the machine that I invest into one of the universities like IIUM or TAR College for a good turns of $5000 plus per month

But the price is a problem. The guys from that company knew it and they tried very hard to
make it a worthwhile for me, then even lowered the starting price to pay to $2100.

I was torn on making the choice. Those managers who sat down with me were describing me of people making money out of investing this and a senior manager told me of her colleague, a year older than me driving a Compressor instead of a old junk. Told me that it's the choice that matters.

Dad gave his opinion: no...for the fear of being a scam. Told him that I would give him all the details for him to be convinced. I stayed there until 10.30 still trying to think hard over the things that they are offering. Great features, well-thought out contingency plans, good returns and etc..

But what if he's wrong and I'm right? What if I had squandered a golden opportunity of that?
I was told that investing on that day means earning more money than commercial areas since it is placed at colleges like IIUM or TAR.

I tried saying no two times, but they are trying to convince me otherwise. Finally, I said no for the third time straight in the face. Told them I can't take it.

I was waiting to collect something from them but the expression of those who were talking to me seemed to be disappointed, and maybe they are talking behind my back about me squandering the offer. If dad make a poor judgement about this, then what am I? Regretting for not going for that?

Tell me whether if I am wrong. I just squandered a chance to make thousands of dollars.

And They Agree With Us

I've two extracts from the letters published in today's InTech section of The Star that speaks in relating to blogging. After reading them, I tend to concur with their opinions.

The first one is about the truth exposed about politicians. Quote:

Clearly, the bloggers have been unearthing irresponsible acts by some politicians.

The simple fact is that if any of these individuals are so degraded and defamed by the bloggers, they can just take them to the courts and secure justice by proving that the falsehood bandied about has gravely affected their reputation.

Failing to do so simply tells the bloggers and their readers that these individuals who make a dance and song about the website postings lack courage and are probably guilty of the accusations hurled at them.

The second one is speaking of not to block blogs. At this time of writing, the link is down.

First...Monkeys, Second..Stupid, Third..Coward

First..Son-In-Law says...bloggers are monkeys.

Second....ZAM says we are stupid, no one reads our stuff.

Third...Mat Tyson Taib says that we are cowards.

Quote:

"Why I say they are coward? Because they are afraid of using (web) addresses in the country but use overseas addresses to slam our country leaders. Is this the character of a man? This is not a man, this is a 'pondan'.

Hello..hey are you sure that this is the true fact? Come on, Blogger or Wordpress does not use a Malaysian host. If you open a blog, the blog's server is in the United States. Has Mat Tyson checked his facts properly before he starts opening his mouth? With exception of Jeff, how many of those bloggers have their own websites inside Malaysia? Malaysian websites are meant to attract Malaysian traffic. Let's not forget that are international readers elsewhere. U.S, Europe, Asia, Africa and hey, even the Middle East are reading posts like this!

But on a light note, the statement that Son-In-Law admits is that UMNO is losing the cyber-war against bloggers for they are not well-versed or understanding the thing to reach out to the people. And now, he said that it's time to have a debate between them and the bloggers.

If Mat Tyson thinks that we're talking crap, you can start thinking again, he's an asshole that doesn't know how to convey his message to the international audience. Come on, he only speaks Bahasa Malaysia only. Isn't this against Son-In-Law's message that grads should be at least trilingual? Or Bilingual, if certain exceptions apply?

Mat Tyson is talking crap against bloggers because he has no facts regarding blogging to back up his statement? Am I talking crap here? No, I am just saying this that I am just simply insulted by his remarks by him calling every other bloggers, even those who do not write socio-political stuff as cowards. Does the statement encompassed those who write stuff of past times, diaries, cooking and etc..?

The term coward in the context of Mat Tyson's statement refers to the hosting area in Malaysia. This born out of the frustration that the government cannot act against those who hosted their servers outside Malaysia. I think that's what our big man RPK said.

I remembered one line that someone brought out regarding The Half-Blood Prince:

"I am not a coward" - well, it's true. Most of us are not cowards for they carry the truth.

Well sir, I admit that you have the guts to speak out against that asshole with tons of evidence to back up the claim. I hope that there's a space for you to convey the message on TV. Just imagine the ratio of how many things that RPK has compared to the amount of things Mat Tyson has. The swinging punch that Tyson tries to dish out isn't as strong as he has. There was a saying that the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, if the sword represents the laws that can be used again people who may or may not be part of this, just wait to see the pen hits the sword hard.

Offdays Explained

There are a few people who actually asked me, especially Edmund who asked me of why I didn't write posts for the last three days given that I was so used to the one post per day rule.

Well, the main reason is that my family just came down to K.L on the weekend, just left this evening and they went to visit relatives, and all the coincidences with my father's own agenda.

I actually met them after a seminar meeting with Ewen Chia, the number 1 market affiliate in the world, who offered me some tips on helping me to get start with my own web page. I'm still looking for books to help me improve my web page development skills, by starting off with an html page.

Of course there's dinner with the relatives.

The next day it's meeting people including my granduncle and as well as taking my brother who recently joined Christianity - I didn't know until he revealed to me in dinner - and stopping by my house to get some things for him, before meeting them.

We had dinner two of us alone. And today I took a leave off to help them - in case there is a short of hands.

Enough? Hahaha....and later I will be making a post later on - what's happening in the Malaysian scene, as requested by a friend of mine.

Mob Rule Mentality

Let's remember that 60% percent of the population of Malaysia (currently standing at 27 million people) are Malays. And they are the ones that have the mob rule mentality - hence if there is case of a change in policy, such as increasing the allocation of non-Bumi seats in universities, there majority would protest against the minority. In such cases, the minorities are the ones to suffer.

Much of the people in the majority are swayed by the word of mouth and the moment the phrase of 'threaten the rights' are uttered. Not many would do the thorough math nor the deep consideration of actions against them. Most of them adapt the follow the figurehead approach.

The late Tunku envisioned Malaysia as a nation where everyone gets the same treatment as others, mutual great respect for all and no one can be spared from it. However after the 1969 riots following the opposition victory in the general elections, the vision was not accomplished.

Such kind of behavior can be mirrored as what is documented in Rousseau's Social Contract - as uttered by Zam a few times before. Part of The Social Contract states:

1. The myth of the king as God to legislate is over and legislation is run by the citizens, in the form of sovereign.
2. A society is controlled by the general will of the populace. In the Malaysian scenario, it is clearly stated who dictates the society.
3. Freedom under the social contract is living according to the code-of-ethics imposed.

What is documented here speaks about mob-rule mentality but shows the lack of respect for the minority:

PAS wants KL mayor to cancel Stefani’s gig

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territory PAS Youth Exco members have handed a memorandum to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Hakim Borhan calling for the cancellation of Gwen Stefani’s The Sweet Escape 2007 concert next Tuesday.

A five-man team, headed by Kamaruzaman Mohamad, handed the memorandum yesterday to KL City Hall Enforcement Inspector Adnan Baba at the City Hall lobby. Adnan passed it on to the Special Officer to the Mayor, Mohd Nazam Harun.

“This concert does not bring any good to Malaysians except invite youngsters to enjoy themselves, mix around too freely, get drunk and commit sins,” he said.

Asked if he had seen any of her concerts, Kamaruzaman said he had not but had seen her pictures on the Internet and advertisements on television and they were indecent.

Earlier, the team also handed over a memorandum to Maxis Communications Bhd, the parent company of Hotlink, the concert’s presenter.

Stefani, 38, will be performing at Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur at 8.30pm.

The mob-rule mentality has resulted of racial tensions between the majority and the minority with the minority are the ones to suffer. Not only that, it results in the inconsistent allocation of wealth to all the citizens. Only the majority elite are the ones to be exempted from this. This results in corruption still running rampant and the country can never progress or possess the mentality that can be respected by everyone.

The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah has ringed the call for a change in mentality if we are to combat this situation. And it has to start with the majority and a change of figureheads. The ones that is likely to influence and sway the herd is not the government, but the UMNO youth division.

If this thing prolongs without putting a stop to it, expect to see much of the anger from the minorities in the future. My worry is that this might start at the post-Abdullah period.

The Complete Translation of Rap

The following here is the complete translation of the lyrics of the song performed by Wee Meng Chee in Taiwan.

“2007 Visit Malaysia Year Theme Song
I Love My Country
Negaraku”

(Repeat) Check it out, yo, yo, yo
(Repeat) Negaraku, Negarakuku
I love my country, only when you have a country you have a home
Only with a home then there will be me, standing here with you
Loudly singing, don’t be afraid
Even though I curse all the time
My song, is just like the durian
Tough and spiky, only
To see if you dare to open it, to look at the truth inside
It can be very stinky, it can be very fragrant
It only depends on what kind of nostrils you have
Our police, is called ‘Mata’
Because they have very shiny eyes
Once it’s New Year, they will be very hard working
Holding pens but they will rarely write you a receipt
Because they are thirsty, they need to drink tea
Also kopi-O, want to add sugar?
If they add sugar, their mouths will sweetly smile at you
When you are leaving
They will even go ‘Tata’

Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju

This phenomena, doesn’t need improving
Neither does it need strengthening, the police and the people work together
A cup of coffee makes sure our relations don’t turn cold
I so very suka
At least I won’t go home and receive a ’saman’
My dad will sure be pissed
I will also ‘kiong kan’ (a swear word), with no car to drive
What to do, this time so very ‘kao lat’ (meaning something like ‘aiyo’)
With no car, how do I go out and play
With no car, how do I wage ‘wild war’ (I don’t know what it means but I assume it has something to do with a girl)
With no car, how do I go and watch ‘ah kua’ (transvestites)
This country, I like it very much
5 in the morning
There’s even a morning call to wake me up
Sometimes a few of them will sing together
When you listen to it, it’s like a love duet
The voice ululates like singing R&B
Even though sometimes they sing until it’s out of tune
Even though sometimes they even sing until their voices break
Some sound like cockerels, but they wake up earlier than them
This way we can know the time to get ready for class and for work
Don’t blame, the government only takes cares of the natives
Don’t blame, we don’t receive equal care
Only this way we can prove that us Chinese are not afraid of hard work
Only this way we can train ourselves to find a solution in hard times
Don’t feel weird about their standards
Because this only shows that we are smart (or capable)
Children who are not spoilt will not be dependant
You see some children are still not off being breast-feeded

Rahmat bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita
Selamat bertakhta

People who hide in government departments are even better (even more capable)
They can do everything so slowly
Even when the people in the queue, are cursing stinky ‘lelai’ (what’s that?)
Their feelings will still be free and easy
Sometimes they even bring out their kuih
They eat their nyonya kuih
Your queue can keep on queuing
Even when you curse stinky ‘lelai’ it doesn’t matter
Because the guard at the side is dreaming
And he won’t scold you one lah
They wrap up their heads; walk slowly and cross the road slowly
When you pass in the car you even have to let them pass first
The most important is to live happily; the most important is to live comfortably
Don’t be like the Chinese
Busy the whole day, so very tough
We really cannot, not admire this spirit
Because this is their attitude in life
(Attitude, attitude)
I’ve been saying good things in this song
I believe those of you who are pissed at me will like this now
The world is peaceful, and full of hope
No one is hurt, neither are there any riots
You’re so classy, you’re so elegant
Your shit is fragrant, and you don’t curse
You guys are the most high class, every day it’s just romancing
Listening to ‘Guang Liang Pin Guan’ (this local Chinese artiste)
But he has already ran to Taiwan
Private school students graduate (the Chinese private high schools, like the one I attended)
It’s so very tough to get admitted into local universities
Actually we don’t have to get pissed about this issue
Actually this is the a very noble plan of the government’s
It wants us to run all over the world, to find hope for ourselves
To learn things and come back to repay the country
This is plan is so good until there’s nothing to say
All over the world you can see Malaysia’s children
Like they’re refugees, so very shiok
2007, Malaysia’s having Visit Malaysia Year
The Chinese culture is brought out and paraded
The government doesn’t even care about private school students
The certificate is thrown into the longkang, just like me
Graduated and went to Taiwan
Learnt about things, and got ready to come back to repay my country
I stood on the streets of Taipei with my guitar
But my mouth still sings

Rahmat Bahagia
Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita Selamat bertakhta

Took me a while to try and understand that track, but allow me to stress that if you read the content a few times, you will get the actual message intended to be conveyed. Clearly, Wee intends to tell the nation in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of independence of this message. Buck up, correct the mistakes, change the current perception that some people are looking at and so on.

It will be the right time for all of us, Malaysians and even the government to correct this mistake. It is not too late really and we can do it.

Turn The Tables At Them

Today's remark by the de facto Law Minister Nazri Aziz on the Cabinet's decision in refusing to accept the apology of student Wee Ming Chee shows that the Cabinet is unfair in showing mercifulness to some people and some parties.

As I've posted a comment to Bernard in his latest post:

To say this in the capacity as the de facto Law Minister proofs that he is incapable of judging things well. A person who is well versed in law should know black and white about law and be able to distinguish between serious and satire.

The message intended to be conveyed by Wee is actually something that cannot be ignored. They should instead take the initiative to fix things rather than making boo boos out it.

When it comes to the case of Harry Lee making an apology over the IDR remarks, the Cabinet simply accepted his apology - end of story. But when it comes to one little man making a joke out of it, they said no. I mean, it doesn't make sense. But of course, rather than being embarrassed by the international media, since it involves Singapore, they would show their nice PR face to the world.

They think that Wee case being a domestic case...sorry, assume is more of the right word as they think this news can never reach the international media. But have they forgotten that Yahoo Malaysia has news reported from Malaysia that can be sent over to the other side of the world in a few seconds?

The Bolehland guys are like the Vaticans of the era where they refused to accept Galileo's proven and certified findings. They absolutely refused to accept the criticism that the public leveled at them. What? They think that the public has no right to say over this? They think that the public has no privileges to tell them straight in the face of their problems? Are they trying to keep the secret from spilling all over?

Sooner or later, the secret will eventually be spilled out like beans eventually.

The recent things of unfairness stirred something in my mind. If we are to report something against the government through our policemen, we can never expect quick action to be taken. However, if a government official were to lodge a complaint to the police, the police will act fast. I am still scratching my head, trying to understand this unusual pattern of reaction. Are they bound by the command - take direct orders from superiors rather than thinking on their own. Are they becoming like the stormtroopers of the Galactic Empire? Hell yes!

Tian Chua, one of the PKR's top men was summoned to make a statement regarding a doctored photo that allegedly done by him. He requested for the proof, and policeman in charge showed him the photo - but the photo was not the one doctored by him. He didn't make the statement for he knew that a religious council finger-pointed him over a photo that they did not ascertain the identity of the creator.

Strange contradictions? Yes indeed.

If we report things to the police, we carry the exact proof to show to them. But if they are to report, they would be fumbling for proof. And they brought supporters and journalists with them to report. Actually, you don't need it. Ruhanie Ahmad just came alone to make a report. Ronnie Liu came alone and make a report. Are they really afraid to do it alone?

Uncle Bernard came out with another statement to support Patrick's statement:

So mata-mata di Raja Malaysia...what more do you want before you submit this for trial with the AG who currently believes in the big picture. After Tun Hanif Omar's high octane blast of the police, do you think Nor Asmadi's employer(s) will whist him off into hiding. You never can tell when we have some key players involved. Ahemmmm. Just another item to remember:

When police reports were made against Nathaniel Tan and Raja Petra, you mata mata acted with lightning speed. When Lawyer Malik Imtiaz received a death-threat, his police report even provided the culprit's office address.....no action yet is forthcoming......and you all pakai the "Saya anti-rasuah" botton over your hearts. Pordah!

If that is the situation above, it is actually Malaysia Tak Boleh - not Malaysia Boleh! They can't live up to that slogan that they've concocted! And most of socio-political bloggers have identified the person who sent the threatening SMS to Mr. Ruhanie Ahmad.

I'm writing this because I am simply concerned and worried of what will happen if this thing is not put to the stop. As what Dr. M said yesterday, the only thing that can put a stop to the out of control mess is bloggers. Tell to the world and people truthfully and without fear.

Too many mistakes have already been made, according to Dr. M and he added, that he tried hard to help the Malays to achieve equal status as others, but he failed and he was ashamed of his own kind. The attitude portrayed by them is simply unacceptable and even contradicts what are the principles of man defined in the Quran or the Bible.

In Garuda Puranam, this kind of attitude can be punished through a form called Puyodham - a punishment where sinners are swarmed by snakes everywhere. One of the 28 punishments meted in Hell.

If they are weak, we can help you, if you can help us identify your problems. If you think we, bloggers and citizens and patriots are a menace instead of samaritans, think again - as the tables can be turned against you.

Afraid Of The Truth?

It seems that the government has failed to deliver on the promises as mentioned in the 2004 manifesto.

"There is something rotten in the state of Malaysia."

The statement by former PM Mahathir Mohammad rings true. Major newspaper only published the smell of roses, but behind the roses would be the smell of shit.

True to the fact, not many projects got kick-started despite big announcements.

Politics, bureaucracy and mismanagement including red tape as well as corruption are the five main factors which impede the economy's progress. No wonder I feel that we are losing out to Singapore. And now, the PKFZ project is just but a talk in the air. No real progress was documented. And the claim that politics and mismanagement by the Transport Ministry is hitting the sink.

Speaking of the truth, the rap Negaraku portrays the intended message. They should be taking this message and buck it up - take lessons from it. Instead, they manipulate the law for their own needs and instead push for Wee's apology.

The Indians in Malaysia are the ones that under the minority group that tends to suffer more than anyone else. They find themselves being singled out among all the races in Malaysia.

The government is still consisting of corrupt officials - the same ones that would bribe people money for votes in elections - party or general elections. But the problem here is that most of the 60 percent of the population tend to listen to pleas and sweet words of those who are campaigning without a single thought. A voter can be swayed to vote for them when they are offered at least $200 in exchange for their vote.

Seems that they are afraid of the truth. Are they afraid that the citizens cannot handle the truth?

That is the fear that they have. The people must now take up the right to decide the right leaders to lead their nation. They need them to guide, not to direct blindly.

More Pictures From Tunku

More pictures from Tunku The Musical as mentioned yesterday.

That's me and Zamil Idris, the lead player as Malik. For those who do not know who he is, he is the host of the RTM2 morning talk show Hello on Two along with Terrence Dass. This week, he would be appearing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

I met my cousin at the big room before the hall entrance, when he introduced himself to me.


It's the one and only Hannah Tan on the right. I met her the last time at 789 exactly one year ago. She can't seem to remember, but I do. She does have her official site - www.HannahSarahTan.com or you can find her at Friendster portal.

That's Faridah Merican being interviewed by The Star reporter. When the show was over, both husband and wife asked me for the feedback. Told them that most of the events are squeezed and get into point in the form of musical numbers. The feeling is like watching Reds.

They Still Never Get It!

Yes, they still never get it. It seems that AMNO men still thinks that bloggers are still spreading slander and lies over the net and claims that the truth spoken is an insult to the government.

Image by Mobs Crib

Bernama article, 11 August 2007

Umno Youth Wants Regulatory Control Of Bloggers

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said today the time has come for regulatory control of bloggers who resort to unethical means to belittle the country's leaders and mock national symbols and instruments.

He said the movement would not tolerate anyone, particularly bloggers, who threaten national stability, harmony and traditional values of the country.

"Umno Youth warns that freedom has its limits and we will not tolerate those who touch on the issues of national stability, harmony, cultural values and the personality of national leaders," he said when opening the Subang Umno divisional delegates conference here.

Hishammuddin related how irresponsible bloggers had victimised him and his family by spreading slander and even published the picture of an indecently attired young woman whom they claimed to be his daughter.

On Malaysian mass communications student Wee Meng Chee, 24, in Taiwan who rapped to the Negaraku in a video clip, Hishammuddin, who is Education Minister, said the student had discarded the cultures and values of Malaysian society.

How ironic that these guys make that kind of remarks if they had not examined the flipside, which is opening up a blog for yourself and speak to the people. In other words, increase more interactivity with a normal citizen. Why can't they embrace that kind of technology? Is it some sort of sin?

As the Education Minister, Hishamuddin should follow the example of certain MPs or other government people who do have blogs as to reach out to the people. To criticize this shows that you are pre-Internet minded. It's okay to get someone to teach, as long as you have understanding of blogging. Blogging is a blooming phenomenon, which attracts more and more people everyday.

At least the MCA is going for a more subtle approach, which is to give Wee a chance to explain his actions and it also allows them to understand the intended message to be conveyed.

There is a Malay saying of keeping the boat steady. This means that if a little friction happens to the boat, the boat will rock left or right.

Azalina is a dolt that follows what the boss say, according to this article. They think they are high and mighty. But in the past one or two weeks, the Rulers are starting to voice their dissatisfaction over the Bolehland administrators. The Regent Dr. Nazrin's Shah's message is indeed the actual thing that should be followed: The Constitution is law and Malaysia is a secular state with Islam as official religion. Simple as that. Why want to make more ruckus out of it? Is it to show how mighty some groups think they are?

Tunku The Musical - Review

I was invited by a friend of mine who's working at The Star for the opening night premiere of Tunku the musical, written by the husband and wife team of Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican at the KLPAC near my house.

The story is literally a love story cum investigation set at the backdrop of the prominent period where the first prime minster was the late Tunku Abdul Rahman from Merdeka, the expulsion of Singapore from the federation on August 9 1965 until to the May 13 1969 riots.

The is little real-time drama and most of the action and words are compressed into the form of musical numbers. Interestingly though, the story spanning 13 years has been compressed into less than 2 hours of singing and dancing.

I noticed that the narrative progression is quite similar to Warren Beatty's Reds, which is a drama love story of Jack Reed and Louise Bryant set in the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. After Merdeka, there has been a provocation of equity between the majority Malays and the bigger part of the minority - the Chinese which goes out of control which resulted in Singapore exiting the federation in 1965. The final half of the story is the aftermath of the expulsion in which the people chose the Opposition leading the government in 1970 where subsequent actions of certain groups led to the May 13 1969 riots.

Similarly, both the male protagonist, suffered grim ends at the end of the historical backdrop, just as Jack Reed suffering from Russian bureaucracy and typhus while Malik was killed by opposition party gangs.

I didn't know that my cousin was also part of the ensemble as well as those whom I met while watching the play Ah Steve back in March. I had not contacted my cousin since May and only met her after the show.

I was told by my friend that there would be a pre-show cocktail which dinner would be served. I get to meet a lot of celebrities and some prominent figures, including his boss - or the 'Big Sister' as he would call it, columnist Jagjeet Singh, PLUS chairman, department heads, celebrities like Jit Murad, Hannah Tan and of course Joe and Faridah.

At the end of the show, I stayed for a while and I met those whom I met previously including Johann Lim, Valerie Low, my cousin and of course Zamil Idris, whom I recognized as the host of Hello on Two. (RTM2's morning talk show). He's going back to the stage this week on Monday, Friday and Wednesday. I didn't guess he would be approached me first. I was talking to Johann first.

More pictures at the next post.

Below here, would be at pre-show, after show and maybe one or two more extra shots.

As of 7 p.m.

Pre-show cocktail party from first floor

After show - people leaving KLPAC

Venturing into Making More Money

I've decided to start into a new venture of making money - internet marketing that is.

Over the last month, I've spent time and money getting a web-host, setting it up together with an e-mail account and then the last few days, setting an account of where the money can be cashed in.

The money venues would be Clickbank, Paypal and etc.. but Clickbank is not Malaysia friendly so I had to find a Singapore address, which conveniently one of my dad's friends suggested his old address in Sengkang, Singapore.

Now that is all done, it's going to be another few more busy days to maybe setup a website or finding affiliates, traffic...that kind of work is not that easy and I don't really have an idea of which to go first...

Damn! Wish I could take a hands-on course of this.

Mocking But Has Points

The recent case of a student, NameWee (Wee Ming Chee) performing a parody of the National Anthem (Negaraku) that has triggered an outrage from the politicians shows that the Bolehland guys and the politicians still lack the open mindedness that was part of the National Front's 2004 manifesto for the general election.

These guys would make comments when the incident such as this spreads like wild fire.

But they have forgotten a few things before making their remarks like those AMNO people would do (since they rule the roost)

1. These guys had not examined the video footage entirely.
2. Though the video is deemed to have remarks that might hurt the reputation of the country, they have yet to examine the flipside of the story, which is the intended message to be conveyed by Wee.
3. The intended message conveyed is actually true, the non-Malay friends tend to suffer more due to policies that tend to expand the gap between races and the laid-back attitude of government staff as well as the inefficiency of the police force.

The government should take heed of the message intended to convey and start bucking up their mistakes rather than criticizing the person for making a sick joke at the national anthem. In the past 2 years, the government's reputation has been battered including the recent war of wills between them and the bloggers...etc.

Please buck up!

Do What You Think Is Right

I appeal to the authorities who are taking orders to from the officials of the Bolehland to use the Constitution as the guide in terms of enforcing the law. The should not be subjected to directives of high-rank officials that could be against what is deemed right and lawful.

It is time for officers who are in the service to use their conscience and do what is supposedly right.

I am quite impressed that Marina Abdullah took only 90 minutes to have her statement recorded by the police rather than the 8 hour statement that was recorded from her husband RPK.

I urge our policemen and fellow citizens not to become the mere puppet of a government but instead should be able to think for themselves correctly and logically.

Let us heed to the principles and the call of the Regent of Perak Dr. Nazrin Shah to put aside differences and focus more on nation-building instead of squabbling which can lead to self-destruction.

Iron Jim Doing Harry Potter?!

I really wanted to write about the fifth Harry Potter movie that I've seen with my friend more than two weeks ago, but I just simply did not have the time nor the space to write about it.

A week before the show hit cinemas, I often drive back and forth from work noticing a poster of the film with all the six kids on magic brooms where something stirred inside me. They said that there's a chase across the Thames river. Two weeks after that, and just days after the book was out, my schoolmate called me out and invited to watch the show.

It is then I started to play a little fool out of it. I pictured something as similar to the storm-drain chase in Terminator 2. That liquid-man T-1000 driving a tow truck down to the canal chasing a kid who is of course the leader of the human resistance of the future.

Haha..


I got disappointed that the thing that I missed the first 15 minutes of the show due to my friend being late. He got up late - he had to work earlier than I - and then he had to go back to his house and retrieve his wallet. All and all, I just missed the opening and the Dursley segment. Damn!

I was quite astonished to see how an 870 page book (count 776 in UK cover) has been compressed into a 138 minute movie. The book that I've skimmed through is like a Dickensian style of text, full of humor and sarcastic moments but the movie was like removing the fat and getting things to the point, something that I think Mike Goldenberg (Peter Pan, Contact) - incidentally he lost the writing job of the series to Steve Kloves back in 2000 - should be commended for the effort that he has done. And the backstories - outside events that run parallel with the events in Hogwarts was interestingly placed in the form of newspaper matinee style sequence as what Coppola would do in The Godfather.

The one character that I like most in tha film was the crazed banshee Bellatrix (1951-1998). Helena Bonham Carter (Tim Burton's partner) did better than the original choice Helen McCrory would do. But everyone is looking forward to have either Kate Winslet or Naomi Watts as Narcissa but my choice would be Spooks' Keeley Hawes. In the book she has about 15 lines, but she speaks only less than 5 in the movie, which is more menacing than ever. She could speak the style of Gamal (the lead villain in Thief III) - which is the kind of old-woman witch type as of Snow White story could be!

One crazy banshee coming up to be skewered later on

They said that Evanna 'Loony' Lynch aced the role well before coming in. They are right, she is Luna - vegetarian, hippy-figure and the kind of person that relies on faith - a complete opposite of Hermione. The kind of anti-war women in the 70s particularly like Yoko or Jane Fonda...

But somehow, the movie just can't the narrative strength as Terminator 2. Maybe it's because of the stunts. But it is the story depth that just misses out. The character progression of Harry is just close to what I think it should be. According to the novel, he goes a little crazed after his friend Hermione got hit by a purple spell.

You can't beat Iron Jim in terms of narrative. He did better judging from the record in the first two Terminator movies and Aliens - remains the best narrative scope film that he has written.

Iron Jim had a hard time working in UK while making Aliens when an assistant director had inspired a crew revolt against him and Gale Anne Hurd - people would complaint to the studio of letting a little girl producing it!? He could be hard on our three heroes, Daniel, Rupert and Emma or even to those theater-trained veterans like Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon or even others...

Iron Jim would say to them: "That's okay. I worked with kids before."

or he would say this: "That's what I don't want!"

Autonomous as what people think of Jim Cameron...many people feared him but the studio executives are yelping as they would try to outbid each other to fight for the next movie.

I often felt that the forthcoming fight between Harry Potter and Voldemort is like what Iron Jim said before. "If the 800 series is a human panzer-tank then the 1000-series is a Porsche." This parallels to Voldemort - killing people since 1943 (noted in HBP) as a panzer-tank and Harry - plunged into this situation must become a Porsche. How about the T-X? In the context of the story, not as I see it as of now.

Hahaha.

I could have covered the whole thing but not if my friend had screwed the first 15 minutes. I thought of going into the room first and have him tell the attendant that I had the ticket with him. But he was begging me quite hard to wait for him and each minute past 8.45 p.m. on that day, my heart was beating stronger and there's a sense of tension like watching football!

A Little Too Late To Retract Their Words

I know everyone of us makes mistakes. One of the common mistakes that we humans tend to make is to response on instinct on what happens around us immediately. Sometimes the words that you utter may tend to hurt others and when you realize that you've make a mistake, it may be a little too late for you to retract it.

There have been cases in Malaysian high-level society and politics whereby politicians are criticized by the people over their remarks and they found themselves a little too late to retract their words.

For instance, Uncle ZAM branded bloggers as goblok - a Javanese word for 'stupid' and was convinced that nobody would read their rantings.

But he got it wrong. Youngsters coming from rural villages are starting to become more IT savvy than those politicians are. The current politicians of the ruling coalition are administering or representing the rural areas and they think rural folks tend to read more mainstream media than blogs or posts. However, don't forget that the mainstream media is government-controlled.

How ironic for a government whose majority of ministers and representatives a pre-Internet minded. The folks from generation X to the millennial generation are the ones who are at the top of the level of literacy.

Then later, ZAM clarified his statements. But then it was too late, as it presented the same message of hitting at bloggers. If you blog for leisure, cooking and something else besides social-politics, will you be insulted by that statement?

As Joceline Tan pointed out, if politicians are to attack bloggers for the so called bullshit, be prepared to come out with concrete proof, not the kind of botch job that Mat Tyson did against RPK. See how RPK hit Mat Tyson back real hard with solid proof.

Again, one of Covey's seven habits would be 'seek first to understand before being understood'. In order to understand the whole thing, you need to see the flipside of a coin - which means, start a blog, discuss issues with the people and get the feel of it. Again, why can't we follow the example of certain politicians like Subang MP Lee Hwa Beng or JB MP Shahrir Ahmad?

Before the Bolehland guys make more noise about this, please go for blogging and start one for yourselves. Just shut up. When Uncle ZAM makes noise about bloggers, Netizens hit back at him harder he does. See?

Alright another thing, non-Muslims in the country are getting tensed over recent cases that occured in the country such as allocation, bureaucracy and the Lina Joy case, which some perceived it is part of enlarging the gap between the minority and meant to appease the majority which is the Malays?

Don't forget that the UMNO organization party forms 60% of the National Coalition Front which can indirectly say Malay supremacy - more appropriate for certain policies and verdicts. But here's an interesting thing I found out from a friend: If you are a housing developer intending to develop an estate you must meet certain conditions imposed by the Housing Ministry or the municipal council like:

You must offer a 20% less for houses that are purchased by the Bumis (Malays)
A mosque must be built in that housing area.

The problem is that if your housing area is developed in a majority non-Muslim enclave like Kepong, hardly a Malay friend would be staying there. And what's the point of having a mosque there if they don't buy the property there? There have been orders by the municipal councils like in Klang to tear down the temples on grounds that 'being unsuitable!'

The inference from this is predictable. Add the recent declaration of being an Islamic State by Najib or a theocratic state by Abdullah, it tends to fuel more anger to our non-Muslim friends. In the end, it's an indirect statement of racism to them. Then Son-In-Law clarified that UMNO is not a racist. But they've spoiled the milk already. Too late for that.