Malaysia today.

It’s a disappointment to know that at this stage of development and progress our country has, some of the citizens still possess a third-class mentality. It’s a shame that while we have skyscrapers and foreign countries actually cover us on their news, all people are hearing about us is how ridiculous of a state the country is in.

I know many people are sick of the whole Bersih debate already and I’m not going to debate. I’m going to express my views as a Malaysian because I love my country and contrary to popular beliefs, just because we are not in favour of the government – it does not mean we are anti-Government. That’s totally absurd and that’s how unnecessary quarrels or fights occur, due to such assumptions.

What’s with these people organising “butt exercises” at Ambiga’s front gate? Not only her religious beliefs probably restrict her from consuming beef, I heard she’s a vegetarian too. Yet there were such inconsiderate individuals who decided to give free beef burgers right in front of her home? She was kind enough to offer isotonic drinks to those who wanted to do some “stretching” at her home, but was turned down with a statement which went something like this “we only drink warm water because our religion says so”. Seriously? How immature and foolish can some people be? Don’t they feel embarrassed that they did something so unacceptably stupid?

And while she lodged a report for the offensive burger stunt, I believe no action has been taken. If it were the other way round, I’m pretty darn sure the culprits will be under the “protection” of ISA. And is this how the government wants to portray its system to the nation and its people, as well as to the public eye globally? Obvious double standards and special treatment according to races?

I have heard people saying things like we are ungrateful because the government has done so much for us and we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for them. Which I agree, partially. I’d like to ask just one question, does that mean you’re implying that the government is the only party that has brought us here today? The people did not work for it, did not contribute to the economy? And we have not been paying taxes? Where we are right now – is a result of each and every individual we call a Malaysian.

The country does not belong to the government, neither does it belong to the King. It belongs to the rakyat. Anyone would like to state otherwise? I don’t think so. Who doesn’t want the best for the country they live in, the country their children and further generations are going to live in? I’m not saying the Government has been awful and terrible all the way, but there are many things that are not right and when things are wrong, they have to be set right.

What we call for is for fair and clean elections, with so many transparent proof and evidence how can some people still believe that there is nothing fishy going on? And I’m not saying that if the Opposition gets the most seats in the next elections, they will do it all right. Because I believe that humans have a horrible nature and that is they always put themselves first. But that does not mean we have to put up with it. We are just trying to make things better, because we deserve so.

If you think we should just close one eye because the Government is doing their job in certain ways, let me give you an example. If a father loves and cares for her daughter deeply, he buys her anything she wants and needs, and there is nothing he would say no to when it comes to her best interests, but behind closed doors he abuses her sexually, does that mean we should overlook that because at the end of the day, he carries out his duties as a parent, except that one little flaw? I don’t think so.

And it’s so silly for people to put all the blame on the lady who came up with Bersih. Because what does she get when the nation is in chaos and the Government steps down? Does she get to rule? No. Does she get money or any sort of benefit out of it? No. She’s the only one with a neutral perspective, and that is clean and fair elections for all. I can’t say the same for other opposing parties because each of them is with a certain hidden agenda.

55 years into independence but  I still think we are still way behind time. We are still facing the same racial issues just like how we did at its core in 1969. We are still under the same kind of system where there is no improvement whatsoever because when people get too comfortable, they refuse to change.

So when you say what we want is unnecessary and we are just creating troubles because we want to “tumpaskan kerajaan“, you’re either ignorant or you have no idea whatsoever what’s going on in this country you call home. If a change is not made now, then when? When we go into 100 years of independence?

Because we are all in this together, we shouldn’t be on different sides, our objective should be one and identical: what’s best for us and our future.

July 9th, Part II.

It’s sad to know that there are people from my generation who seem to think that this whole Bersih 2.0 thing is nothing more than some unnecessary burden to the public. I can’t believe some choose to be so ignorant. Have you learned nothing from the news and current affairs that have been clouding our nation?

Roadblocks and congestion are due to the rally, yes, these were all expected way ahead before they even happened. The police force and whoever of the same intentions, are obviously taking this opportunity to make it seem like people in support of the Bersih 2.0 are to be blamed for all the inconvenience caused. If you are one of those who agree then, why, you must be pretty stupid.

If you think that it’s as simple as that, then I believe you need a knock on your head. Maybe twice, to make sure you get the message. The condition we have here in Malaysia? It’s in a dire state. Most officials are corrupted, we have politicians with their own, very different and selfish agendas – sometimes you’d think they have forgotten that they are supposed to be working for the people. Their job; is to make sure the country is a place where the rakyat are happy.

So maybe Bersih 2.0 has its own agendas too. Maybe they are not what they claim to be. But the objectives and requests are for EVERY citizen. Citizens who think that everyone deserves the right to decide what they want best for their country and themselves. It calls for fair elections, it calls for transparency in governing the country, it calls for corruption to be stopped.

Instead, the people who were supposed to act for the best interests of the citizens – they are the ones who over and over again prove, they don’t really care what the hell we want. They just want to ensure they remain in power because that’s all that matters.

When the King decided to meet the chairperson of Bersih, some ministers expressed disappointment while others think it shouldn’t have been that way because the King should act after he has consulted the Prime Minister. So you see, now they are questioning our King too? Maybe the King is in favour of fairness to all. And where is our Prime Minister? Somewhere else while the country undergoes a major, critical event. And, he should have done what he said he would, which is to provide a stadium.

If you have read the news, Bersih organisers did everything they could to make things as simple as possible. They said they would call the street march off if the King says so. They agreed to the suggestion that they hold it in a stadium instead. And while those people in charge claimed they are also looking into it, what they really did is not give a rat’s ass.

So tell me again, if there is nothing to be afraid of, why are these so-called good people, so afraid of these people who are speaking on behalf of many, awaken Malaysians? Why are they so worried that this event would come to life that they try to make everything impossible for those in support of it? Is it because there are things that cannot be revealed to all?

If there’s no fishy business then why are they losing so much of sweat over it? One thing that is absolutely obvious is that the people are not stupid. More and more are coming to realise what sort of situation we have here and if you choose to be ignorant, if you choose to forego your right to ensure that your interests are well taken care of as a citizen, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Political parties and politicians may have their personal agendas, that’s without doubt. But the people’s voices don’t. We want what’s best for ourselves, our future, our future’s future.

So if you still think it’s all about being silly, causing all these trouble for nothing, and nothing good will ever come out of it – I suggest you take a good look at where we are right now before you make more statements. Maybe someday, very soon, we won’t even have a country anymore.

A democratic country is one where its people have equal rights, a good government body is one that ensures the people’s needs are considered and met if appropriate (which in this case I think are very appropriate, don’t you think?). A good country to live in, is one where you feel at home – not one that makes you feel like an outsider who should be grateful to have been invited for shelter.

So friends, never give up hope that we will someday have a better country. We will, someday see the change many have been fighting and waiting for all these years.

July 9th.

Most of you should already know by now what July 9th is all about. If you don’t, then you probably know nothing about this country you’re living in (if you are a Malaysian). It’s sad to know that over 50 years into gaining independence, we still have to come up with such activities and chaos has to be triggered to get our voices heard. Minority voices. Voices some people think are insignificant just because the amount is little, but would make a huge difference when it comes to the polls.

What I do not understand is why the government and the police force have to lock those with BERSIH T-Shirts up. What I can’t comprehend is why they are so afraid of this rally taking place, when the objectives of the entire event are simple; the people want fair and just elections. No more double standards, no more tricks and dirty work. Isn’t that what the government should be proposing as well? If the government is against this event, then is the government sending out the message that they are not in favour of fair and just elections?

Democracy means the people should have the right to speak out, to determine what they want for their country. But now it seems like we are living under dictatorship. Why are the opinions and thoughts of citizens of Malaysia placed into a healthy event – a threat to the nation? The intention is never to start a war, or to jeopardise the harmonious environment that we currently live in. It is just a form of getting the eyes and ears of people to see and listen, what they have to say. And I would say it’s actually very fair, they are not demanding for double standards being turned the other way round, they are not asking for special rights to be reversed the other way round.

It is just ridiculous when you just grab people off the streets and throw them into jail because they chose to wear a T-Shirt of something they support. Whatever happened to human rights? If the government decides that Nike-branded items are a threat to the national economy, whoever seen wearing a Nike merchandise will have to be put into jail as well?

I hope nobody gets hurt in the rally and politics in our country change for the better. Tough luck, but not impossible. Not likely, but it could be reality someday. As long as the people are aware of what is really happening in this country we call our home, and we are not afraid of standing up for what we believe in. Also, do not forget to practise your rights.

The world’s current breaking news.

The entire world was (perhaps still) in waves of shock and disbelief when the news of Osama bin Laden’s death circulated every inch of the media globally. Many were celebrating, some were doubtful, others didn’t really care. Let’s just get straight to the point: Yes, he was a terrorist. Yes, he was the mastermind of the 9/11 incident which caused the death of many innocent people.

Despite the things he did, a corner of my mind finds it wrong to celebrate a person’s death – regardless how he/she used to be during life. Maybe it is because I was not directly affected when it happened, I was not there when the suicide bombing took place, I did not lose anyone I love in the incident. But that’s not exactly what I’m trying to say.

Many would say he deserved to die. And I’m not disagreeing, I’m not saying he was not wrong or he was not a bad person. I guess what I’m trying to say is that when someone we care about dies, we mourn. Yet when someone we hate/dislike dies, we have a celebration. The bigger picture is that someone died. A death took place. Someone lost her husband (in this case, a few), children lost their father. At the end of the day, we are doing something that does not seem right – celebrating something tragic.

I guess it’s a mixed feeling. Do not get me wrong, I’m not saying terrorism should not be everybody’s ultimate enemy. I’m not saying we should feel bad for him because he’s dead. I’m just looking at it in a different perspective. It is a lot like because you’re a killer, I’m going to kill you. Gandhi once said, an eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.

Nonetheless, I am glad the people who suffered tremendous losses and agony due to the 9/11 incident can finally have some sort of closure, some sort of comfort knowing that justice has been served. They deserve at the very least, that.

But after 3,000 Americans dead on 9/11, countless more in the Middle East, up to half a million Muslims dead in Iraq and Afghanistan and 10 years trying to find Bin Laden, I think it is time for the world to finally work towards world peace and harmony. End every political conflict. Stop placing citizens sandwiched between two parties with one wanting to achieve greater power than the other. Move towards putting a stop at poverty, starvation, wars and what not.

On another note, I think it is time for people to brush off that mindset of “every Muslim with a long beard could be a terrorist“. After the 9/11 incident, Muslims get stopped at airport security checks. When you sit next to a Muslim with a turban on the plane, you have a little fear growing inside of you. The entire world sees Pakistanis as supporters of Osama bin Laden.

The thing is, most people in Pakistan just want to live. They just want to lead normal lives where they do not get branded as “the same type as the number one terrorist in the world”. There were hate crimes in certain Western countries discriminating against Muslims just because they shared the same religion and beliefs as the most wanted terrorist on Earth.

I think it is very important but very difficult – to make people see that what one man had done does not reflect his entire community. He was a terrorist, he was a horrible person. Does that mean his family members are too? All of his friends as well? Including his children? Imagine growing up being labeled as a terrorist’s child when all he/she probably wants is to be known as just another kid?

I think Islam is a good religion, just like every other religion because I believe every religion teaches good and only good. However certain people decide to manipulate it whether for their own personal gains or not – and it should not be the picture used to describe others who practise the same religion/beliefs.

Talking politics.

I recently came across a Twitter user who responded to one of my frequent article attachments regarding the political condition we have here in Malaysia. As I went through his very few updates, I read one which prompted me to come up with this post. It went like this: sangat tipis peluang MCA kawasan majority Cina.cuma harap undi Melayu,kawasan majority Melayu. 

Another reference: link.

I think what many people (probably including most politicians as well) fail to see is that most Malaysians are not voting based on the race facet. They are not choosing who to win the elections in relation to skin colour or religion. UMNO, MCA, MIC are considered as one because they are the government. So when people choose, it’s either they are in support of the government or they are not. So when a Chinese or an Indian does not support MCA and MIC respectively – it does not mean they are not supporting their own races. It means they are not in favour of what the government is doing, how it is functioning.

I’m not here to diss the Malaysian government neither am I going to praise them. What I’d like to do is point out hard facts, facts that nobody can deny and it will not raise controversies because they are well, facts.

Singapore is the perfect example. Most of you should know that Singapore was once a part of Malaysia. Horrible events took place in between and Singapore became Republic of Singapore in 1965, having cut merger ties with Malaysia. Now let’s just see how advanced and developed Singapore is now – compared to Malaysia. We became independent countries (meaning no longer attached) at the same time so it was a fair game.

When such an issue was raised, certain Malaysian politicians could only give a respond like this – it is not fair to compare because Singapore is a much smaller country to manage. Which is absurd really, because it is whether you want to see it happen or you simply do not care. If that really is the case, let’s just say yes – Malaysia is really massive and it is too much to handle – then why don’t start with one state at a time? If we would have started since 1965, imagine how developed Malaysia would be now? You can clearly tell the differences in the management.

This is something I picked off a news article on MalaysiaKini:

Genuine multiracial Malaysia is not possible and can never be ready. It was not ready 50 years ago, it is not ready now and if will never be ready for the next 100 years. How can it ever be, when racism is being inculcated and accentuated day in and day out. (link)

On another note, Malaysians above 21 should register themselves as a voter. There is no point criticising the system and making complaints, leaving trails everywhere on social networks but you do not practise this right that is given to you. It is a simple procedure and it’s not going to take a lifetime. Register yourself and then show up on the designated date to cast your votes. That’s all.

Politics.

When someone mentions the word politics, people usually envisage it as our government or the Cabinet & ministers. What’s presently hot in the politics air right now would be our Opposition leader’s allegedly sex video with a woman, which surfaced about a week ago. There are actually people who think that he should step down and quit politics altogether if there is enough substantiation to prove that the man in the video is indeed him.

What’s ironic is that our current MCA president was once embroiled in a sex video scandal too and look where he is now! So I don’t get why people are making such a big fuss out of this. I’m not choosing sides here, because how could I possibly know for certain if the man in the video is really the man people claim he is? Not to mention the timing of this video being exposed couldn’t have been better. But what really makes me wonder is how come no action is taken against those who had the tape (possession), those who distributed it, and what more, how can a sex video be watched in the Parliament with all the ministers present? It’s not a circus show.

The person who placed the hidden video camera in the hotel room violated both the man and the woman’s human rights and privacy. But that’s of course not as important as determining who’s the man in the video huh? Because what’s more electrifying than that right?

That’s not the only kind of politics all of us have to tackle or know of. When you think of it, we deal with politics at home, at school, at work, and so on. Family members’ bickering and sibling rivalry are also politics. Two or more parties are battling each other to obtain one objective. The only difference in the many types of politics would be the goal, the aim. At country level, those involved in politics fight for the power and the money.

As for family, it could be due to nepotism & jealousy or again, wealth. At a workplace, everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder quickest with minimal effort. Every staff wants to be the superior’s pet, they want to be liked and even favourited among the senior staff so that it imposes a positive effect on their work performance and/or job prospect. In school, everyone wants to be the popular kid or at least get to hang out with the popular clan. Schools are never lack of “drama”.

Everywhere you go gossip about others will be knocking on your front door more often that you could imagine and if you’re unlucky, the topic could be on you. It’s best if you try to stay away from giving suggestive remarks when it comes to conversations like that. When your friends/colleagues are bad-mouthing your superior/s or someone else, you should only listen and not chip in your part (regardless whether you too have complaints & rants or not). Neither do you agree or disagree. Simply nod your head or say something like “Oh really?” or “I didn’t know that“.

The thing about hearsay is it unfurls more rapidly than STDs, or rather quicker than you can say no I don’t think it spreads faster than STDs. And it always gets back to the person who is the topic of the gossip. So when something like that ensues, if you were the one who generated the story or started spreading it, chances are you will face the music sooner or later. If you have contributed, that’s practically the same thing.

Most idle talk and rumours are usually due to women and that’s one hard fact. Most women just can’t ignore the excitement of spreading a juicy piece of story that she knows would excite her other women friends as well. Sometimes certain types of gossip are harmless and could be fun even, but there are some which could jeopardise relationships or in this case, your job. Never go overboard when you’re too caught up with gossip. In extreme cases, it could also cause suicide attempts and a person’s reputation.

So before you say anything, think if you would like it if someone were to say something like that about you. Think about how you would feel about it, and the corollaries that could crop up.