Foto Friday

This picture means a lot to me.
A big shout out to all who volunteered to observe GE13!
 

133:89

Results are out for Malaysia's thirteenth general election.

Dear all, please refrain from reacting too emotionally. Try not to make yourself look like a fool by the words you use and information you share. Be more wise lah.

80% voter turnout. Well done, people. I'm sure we can do better than this come next GE.

What to do in the next three to five years? Register as a voter! Start paying attention to what is going on in the country. Stop complaining.
 

Awaiting finalised GE13 results

I write, as I now wait for the official results. At this moment, BN already gets to form the next government with a simple majority of parliamentary seats.

Many of my friends are expressing disappointments on Facebook, to the point where I wonder if I need to "unfriend" some of these people or just deactivate my account. Deliberately forgetting my password should work too. Not trying to judge my friends, but I really dare not know how many of these people are expressing grief because they have the right to. By possessing the right to grieve I mean having done all that could have been done yet the results came back unjustly. That, my friend, is having earned the right to feel angry, because of love.

If you joined the trend of expressing disbelief and/or sadness over the announcements of polling results, I urge you to keep silence as the people who earned their right to feel anger, make their feelings and thoughts be known. If you do not know what is going on, please do nothing to just follow the "trend".

Please stop showing your cheap support to causes or even peoples whom you do not know so well before.
 

Foto Friday

Foto Friday

Rethinking my principles and ideology regarding what I stand for.
Need a break after GE13.
 

GE13: Ubah?

Went for a Pakatan Rakyat ceramah in my hometown this evening. Lots of people turned up; parking space was not easy to find, which I did not quite mind. The crowd was big and loud. And the speakers were also loud and clear about their ambition to form Federal Government.

Politicians will be politicians, they need not to only convince their voters to vote for them by mere performance in Parliament and/or Cabinet, but also have to engage with voters through speeches with good conviction about what they talk about. From experience, such speeches seem to be rather fiery and I have noticed that energy levels rise with the size of audience.

Just one observation I feel might be worth sharing, a good majority of the turnout this evening belonged the Chinese community. Not trying to imply anything here but I believe this to be a truth: Without support from the Malay population, Change can never take place.
 

My few words on GE13

We are living in exciting times as polls are nearing. I have been given hope and I have been disgusted as well; by both sides of the political divide. I believe that it is beneficial to the country and its citizens if the ruling government and its opposition counterpart were to receive near-to-even support from the voters. Therefore neither side would dare to do anything stupid due to the high risk of losing power. The fact is, people should not fear the government but the other way round, because the people who choose a government also possess the power to change it.

I have my own preferences as to which side should form government through this general election, but I would not want the other side to totally collapse. Both coalitions need to do a lot of "spring cleaning" and sort things out among themselves in order to serve the nation better and bring Malaysia to higher heights. In my humble opinion, both sides need to check and critique each other so that nobody becomes too arrogant and everything could be more transparent. It is never healthy for any government to be too strong.

Needless to say, I care about who wins in the 13th General Election but I care more about the winner winning by proper means because a fair electoral system is fundamental to any democratic society. And for a better democratic society, voters ought to stop casting their votes blindly. Time to start giving our support based on good judgment of the candidates' characters and careful review of their parties' plans for the nation.

Again I say, I do not wish to see either side of the political divide lose too badly because the truth is they need each other.

Foto Friday

These people, not unlike their counterparts on the other side of the political divide, are merely human, imperfect too.
There is hope for the nation when good people rise up against corrupted rulings; but no man is incapable of corruption himself.

Malaysians, remember that no human being is perfect as the country expects its 13th General Election soon. Look out for how the various parties campaign and get to know the candidates whom you would be voting for. Listen, observe and give your support wisely. Judge wisely those standing for election based not policies, values and past records. Watch how they speak and how they carry themselves.

Cast your vote! Vote for BN, vote for PR. Whoever you vote for, please fulfill your citizenry responsibility.

As for me, however obvious it may seem with regards to who would I be voting for, my mind is not made up yet! The people in the picture above have potential to bring about good change to the country, but they are also only human.
 

Say hello to 2013

It is a new year, everybody! I just got home after celebrating and counting down to year 2013 with a bang. The day exhausted by energy and camera batteries. I cannot wait to go to bed but here I am at the computer desk, writing as my hair dries up because I just took a bath.

To be glad or to be sad? Venturing into a new year. Lots of significant changes are going to take place in this year. For Malaysia, the 13th General Election is nigh. What will be changes be and how will they affect the people? We shall wait, while doing what we need to do for the benefit of the nation.
On a personal level, I am expecting to go through quite a few transitions in this very year.

Happy new year?
Phlegmatics are not big fans of change, not that change is no good. Phlegmatics prefer the status quo, in general. Just saying.
Am I looking forward to the changes that I am awaiting? Should I be happy? Can I be?

To be very frank, I would do whatever it takes to go back in time if it could ever be possible.

Pardon me if you did not feel happy after reading this; I sincerely have no intentions of dampening any spirits but I did not wish you a happy new year anyway.

Food for Thought: Sabah and Sarawak

Today in history: Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya came together to form Malaysia.
Today: Sabah and Sarawak remain with Malaysia. For 49 years already, but really, are they a part of us?

Have Sabah and Sarawak truly united with the Peninsula? Pardon me but as far as I can tell by my still very young mind and limited knowledge, I do not see the two Malaysian states integrated well with the rest of the states on the federal level. For all I know, it might be so for a reason. So that the people here can use the people there.

May I please use one simple example- giving up PPSMI. After so much unnecessary fuss, our wise and farsighted government decided to let the medium of teaching Mathematics and Science revert back from English to Bahasa Melayu. Why? To help the Bumiputeras! Rural Sabahans and Sarawakians are already having a hard learning, forcing them to learn in English makes education even tougher.

Wow, the government was protecting rural Bumiputeras? That's nice, because I am used to hearing news of Sabah and Sarawak natives being exploited by none other than the government itself.

Too often have the names of Sabah and Sarawak been used to serve political purposes. Everybody claims they are protecting them, however in the various levels of ruling within Malaysia, we know that most of the power seems to be from the Peninsula. However, why does the majority of parliamentary seats come from Sarawak?

Just a thought to ponder on. I did not mean to cause anyone to be overly solemn or angry.

Today let us celebrate Malaysia. Continue to work towards unity. Don't you dare celebrate 1Malaysia for it is nothing more than an empty and blatantly abused slogan. Celebrate Malaysia, celebrate unity. Forget 1Malaysia and open your eyes to what the empty slogan has done to our country. Start helping people and doing good deeds daily. This is how a nation progresses- by citizens helping each other in need. Sabah and Sarawak do not need our discrimination, they certainly do not need to be used by politicians who claim to be helping them.

Sejahtera Malaysia.

Foto Friday

Pair these with some red socks and you'll see all the colours on the Jalur Gemilang!

My heart shall remember where it belongs no matter where my feet will stand.

Foto Friday

A girl wearing the Malaysian flag on her head 

while her brother wears a part of it on his. 

At Kluang this morning. 

Merdeka?

"Merdeka, merdeka, merdeka..." some people were shouting at the stroke of midnight.

Merdeka is a Malay word which means independence, or freedom. Indeed this land ceased being an English colony on this very day in the year 1957, therefore we were free ever since in that sense.

Are we truly independent today? Have we broken away from the barriers that were set among the races? Are we free from extortion by the people in power?

By the way, August 31 is not Malaysia's Independence Day. And each time we behave as if it were, we are insulting Sabah and Sarawak, ignoring them as part of Malaysia. So, as you celebrate Independence Day, ask yourselves "What am I celebrating exactly?" and "Is this nation truly free?"

I shall just enjoy the public holiday, and free parking if I can find any. I shall take time to appreciate as well as to forgive our forefathers for all that they had contributed to make Malaysia what it is today. However, nothing can make me celebrate this day as Malaysia's Independence Day.

Banning hawkers to curb obesity?

I DON'T ALWAYS read the mainstream newspapers, but I did so this morning. As I usually find, the first few pages were quite full of shit somehow dedicated to praising the Government for its good work apart from other important news.

After reading for some good fifteen minutes, I couldn't help but to reread this particular news report on a directive made in one of our states, banning unlicensed hawkers from doing business within a 40-metre radius from each school compound. And this is the fun part- to curb obesity among students! Hello, near or away from schools aside, why were illegal hawkers allowed to set up stalls in the first place?

Okay, let us thank the local authorities for being such merciful and easygoing law enforcers. How understanding of them! So, that grace is about to come to an end. From now on only licensed stall owners would be allowed to carry on with their businesses near schools. Illegal hawkers, do not cry yet. Since the authorities are known to be such nice people, I do not think it would be difficult to apply for a licence to sell snacks near schools. Anyway, just my humble opinion.

However, those who wish to sell food or continuing selling food near schools must "adopt strict hygiene practices and not sell junk food," as reported in The Star.

Among the items that cannot be sold by licensed hawkers are all types of sweets, chocolate, pickled tidbits, foodstuffs with artificial colouring, preservatives and alcohol, those resembling lipstick and rings, and products that come with free gifts like balloons and picture cards.
Also discouraged are burgers, sausages, nuggets, ice-cream and carbonated drinks.

Wah! They banned sweets, chocolates, foods with artificial colouring, etc. Oh, even any product that comes with free gifts like balloons and picture cards. What if a particular product happens to come with a free gift but is not junk food? Also, ice-cream and carbonated drinks are discouraged. I may not hold a bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Food Science, but I believe most ice-creams and carbonated drinks contain artificial colouring, must I look it up on Wikipedia to be sure of this? "Foodstuffs with artificial colouring" cannot be sold, but ice-cream and carbonated drinks are discouraged. That made sense, if I were really stupid. Next, If hawkers outside the school compound are not allowed to sell snacks that fall into the category of banned items as listed, I assume that the school canteen owners ought to adhere to similar if not stricter regulations; I might be curious enough to make a trip to one of the affected schools to see how this directive is implemented. Haha! No sweets ah? Maybe no more sausages and nuggets along with your nasi lemak? Maybe no more carbonated drinks?? Oh, I would most certainly like to see how all these can be done.

To be frank, if I were an illegal hawker operating near a school, upon reading the news today I would simply carry on with my business, just outside the prohibited 40-metre radius. At least that could keep the students happy and give them a little exercise of walking an extra few steps. By the way, I might even achieve more than their Physical Education(Pendidikan Jasmani) teachers.

Banning unlicensed hawkers from schools to manage obesity? That's cute; Why not stick to the less-creative but more effective methods like providing education and raising awareness among students on the importance of staying fit?

Registered

To the post office today, I went.

Although it bewilders me why the granting of voter statuses still cannot be automatic in Malaysia, why are we not eligible to cast our votes in elections upon turning twenty-one, I went to register myself as a voter this afternoon. While waiting for my turn, something that someone once said a few years ago just came to mind. I remembered a minister who made a comment stating that the lacking of non-Malays in civil defence is because they are less patriotic. I know I could let this go and not bring it up here in this blog. Well, this particular minister was being plain stupid or irresponsible for the least, by making such a remark. No need to mention names lah. I give him face.

Patriotism can be displayed in many forms. Entering the public service does not validate one's loyalty to his or her country.

What about voting? Does it display patriotism? I wish to make one point here as a kind reminder, hope this is not what you do not yet know. Nevertheless you should understand if you have not already do. Allegiance to the government does not equate allegiance to the country! It is a citizen's duty to choose a capable government to rule the land. Wittingly supporting a corrupt government is tantamount to betraying the country, in my humble opinion. And being indifferent is not any better.

In a democratic society, it is every man's responsibility to decide which people can be in voted into office. And doing so is not that daunting a task at all. It can be as simple as taking some time to look around, see what has the people in power been doing for the nation, and from there evaluate if they have the ability and integrity to continue serving the rakyat.It can be as simple as being a little more concerned about benefit of the country rather than believing that whatever happens at 'their' level does not affect the daily lives of average civilians.

I do not tell you which government you should be supporting. However I must say that being a responsible citizen can be as easy as registering yourself as a voter. Come elections, when you are called to vote; vote, with the future of Malaysia in mind.

Foto Friday

Joel Yap supports the movement for free and fair elections

because they are a fundamental characteristic 

of a democratic society. 

Clean elections must be upheld 

to ensure that the Government is indeed by the People!

Hidup Bersih! Hidup Rakyat!

Friday Food for Thought

*The bells ring* School starts back in Malaysia for those under 18. "Good morning, teacher..." as the pupils start their day.

Not long later in the near future, bells will no longer be the only things that ring in between periods, as students may be allowed to bring in their mobile phones along into classrooms. Is this a good thing?

Mobile phones in schools, just like many other things, are not by itself good or bad. Take for example narcotic drugs, that can be put to good use in relieving pain but might be subject to abuse if fallen into the wrong hands. I do not own a smart phone, which frustrates me whenever I need to look up the Internet for information during a lesson. What tends to frustrate me more is when I forget what I wanted to find out by the end of the lesson. If a student could enjoy the privilege of having an access to the Internet in his or her pocket, imagine the benefits! Knowledge literally at their finger tips. Well, it depends on how this privilege is utilised lah, of course.

The argument regarding pros and cons of students bringing their mobiles to school will probably never end, at least for now. Food for though: Aren't they already doing it?
Maybe our teachers and school administrators had not been quite observant. Either that or this generation of students have grown to become smarter than mine. Haha, I remember being caught for bringing a mobile phone to school when I was fourteen. The discipline master confiscated the device for a few days and returned it back. Did that stop me from doing the same thing thereafter? Something for you to think about! Haha!

The problem of mobile phones in school compounds are already there. The problem of peer pressure, the differences between rich and poor, and the list goes on, these are already in our school; with or without mobile devices allowed in. Why the hassle in arguing whether lifting the ban will do more harm or good?

Here, I shall refrain from expressing my views on whether students' mobile devices should be allowed in schools or not. Nevertheless I wish to draw attention to the purpose behind the ongoing debate and drama with regards to the matter of mobile phones in schools. Does it enhance or impede learning? Can it enhance learning? Are our students matured and responsible enough in using the technology they enjoy? Are they taught about such responsibilities?

Debate

Can Malaysia have more matured debaters and audiences, please?

There is so much to be discussed that can benefit everyone. Why use debates as a platform to attack each other? We are all Malaysians.
 

Eye pain lah

These days, reading the news has become an activity more and more difficult to carry out. Just today, I read of an MP accusing Dato Ambiga of going against the king. Because of Bersih 3.0?? Walao eh! Did Ambiga single-handedly organise the rally for free and fair elections? Our dear MP wants Ambiga to be hanged, what about the others who were responsible for Bersih 3.0 as well? And besides the organisers, the April 28 rally couldn't have taken place without its participants. Shouldn't the rakyat who were present be sentenced to the rope also?

Hang everybody lah!

Sigh, ever since Bersih 3.0 took place, it has been two sides making accusations about each other. Even the Bar Council and Dr. M have appeared to be on a little skirmish.

Some people started making burgers in front of a vegetarian's house. Sell them at the rallies mah! If I were a stall owner near the Dataran Merdeka, I'd be happily making money on the eve of April 28. You can see from the pictures that the place was already crowded with people on that Friday night. Business affected? Big losses? Excuses.


Need I go on?

Just focus on working towards clean elections, will all of you please?
 

Foto Friday

Malaysians: 

Malaysia is in your hands.

Yours sincerely,
Malaysian.