What is your inside?

Last Friday, I was in a taxi on my way to Bangsar.  As is usual, the taxi driver looked at me through the rear-view mirror and asked, "What are you, ah?"

I smiled and said, "I'm Malaysian."

There is a red light so he stopped and turned around to look at me again.  He said, "I mean, what is your inside?"

I smiled again and said, "My inside is also Malaysian".

I understand what he wants to know.  He thinks I don't.  Exasperated by my answers, he narrows down the options for me, "Chinese?  Sabahan?  Eurasian?"

I responded firmly, "I was born in Malaysia and so I am Malaysian." 

Before he could react, I asked him, "What is YOUR inside?"  

Confidently he declared, "I'm Chinese; born in Malaysia."  So I said to him, "You are Malaysian and your inside is Malaysian".  He smiled and is amused.  I am, too.

We had a lovely chat all the way to Bangsar.  He thanked me for being so friendly and I thanked him back for sharing his thoughts.

(pics from WWW)

Malaysia Day at RABM

“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.”, said Zig Ziglar.

I now understand what he means.

When SABM had their launching two years ago today, I was all fired up and eager to go. Somehow, that didn't translate into anything. Not all the time and energy I thought I would commit materialised into what my heart and head had hoped to do.

Motivation doesn't last and Ziglar hit the nail on the head when he said that we need daily doses. 

There's something special about rubbing shoulders with fellow Malaysians. It holds a kind of magic that transports the mind to a special place where dreams of a better Malaysia seem to be within one's grasp.

I am a full-blooded and able-bodied Malaysian and I haven't lost hope for Anak Bangsa Malaysia. As I sit here with their little black souvenir booklet in my hand, I feel the stirrings. I feel the struggle. I feel the pride. I feel the tears stinging my eyes.  

There is hope.

Some pictures from the gathering can be seen here.

Happy Malaysia Day!

In the last year, I've made more friends than I ever did since I left school.  Thanks to Facebook, we interact and have groups and, often, a friend of a friend of a friend can turn out to be a good friend.

One thing I've noticed is that the Malaysians on my Facebook list seem to not notice race, colour or creed.  It's what I don't take for granted at all.

No one makes an issue if there's a lame joke about a particular race or religion.  People seem to be easy-going and understanding.  Tolerance and kindness become the order of the day.  Yes, in the comfort of my Facebook Account, I've the luxury of choosing who surround me.  Be that as it may, I still get the feeling of one bangsa and one country. 

United we stand and divided we fall.  So on this Malaysia Day, let's carry our kindness and goodness to beyond the virtual world and into the real world.

By the way, there will be a celebration here at 7.00 pm on Friday, 16 September 2011.  Jom!!

Yellow

WARNING

NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!

Leave now, if you are anti-BERSIH.

*grins*

Apparently, the colour scares some people.

I didn't know that until today.  

BOO!

(gif from photobucket)

What do YOU see?

The pictures are not clear because it's taken from inside the bus, with my Blackberry.  I meant to take more but I got so excited when I realised  what was happening that I managed to get only these two.

It was 13 May 2011.  I was half way to Singapore that day.  We had stopped in Pagoh for the obligatory break in the journey.  

When I boarded the bus to wait for the remaining passengers, I noticed another passenger, an old man, walking very slowly back to the bus.  Two younger guys strolled up to him and then one of them took his hand to help him cross the road and board the bus.  Simple enough.  So what do you see?

At first, I saw 2 Malay men with 1 Chinese man.  

I had to chide myself and correct the bad programming in my head.  

Then I realise that what I saw was 2 young Malaysians helping another old Malaysian.  This is how it should be always.  Not only on May 13 but every day. 

What did you see?

Of Ambiga Sreenevasan, Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice and Others

In the year 2009, a Malaysian was honoured to be one of the eight recipients for the 2009 Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage Awards.

Excerpt from Facebook

In the ceremony, the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton commented, "... Ambiga Sreenevasan, has a remarkable record of accomplishment in Malaysia. She has pursued judicial reform and good governance, she has stood up for religious tolerance, and she has been a resolute advocate of women’s equality and their full political participation. She is someone who is not only working in her own country, but whose influence is felt beyond the borders of Malaysia. And it is a great honor to recognize her and invite her to the podium."

Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan (born 1956) is a Malaysian lawyer who served as the Malaysian Bar chairlady from 2007 to 2009.

In March 2009, she became one of the eight recipients for the 2009 Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage Awards. In the ceremony, the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented, “… Ambiga Sreenevasan, has a remarkable record of accomplishment in Malaysia. She has pursued judicial reform and good governance, she has stood up for religious tolerance, and she has been a resolute advocate of women’s equality and their full political participation. She is someone who is not only working in her own country, but whose influence is felt beyond the borders of Malaysia. And it is a great honor to recognize her and invite her to the podium.”

In the picture, she stands between two women who will go down in US history.  I think Ambiga will also make it in the annals of Malaysian history.

For this reason, it is amazing that others recognize her good work and contribution to society (see here), while in Malaysia, there are some who think otherwise. (see here).

(pics from here)

You can call me, Datin!

Hah!!!  No matter how many times I think I won't be surprised, I surprise myself when I am.

No, Stephen hasn't received any Datukship for me to inherit the Datin title.  Stay with me here.

For some time now, I have observed that people love it when you call them "Datuk" or "Datin".  It has become an invisible but immediate elevation of their self-esteem.  I wonder if it's because they had a low self-esteem to start with. 

Anyway, this reminds me of two stories:-

Recently, I heard that a non-Malaysian couple had dinner with a Malaysian couple.  After introductions, the nice non-Malaysian lady leaned to the Malaysian lady and said, "No need to call me Mrs Doe, I'm Jane to everyone". To this, the Malaysian lady sweetly replied, "and you can call me, Datin".  Go figure that out!

Another story, which I also heard, is about a Malaysian Delegation that went to Peru in 1996.  There was an announcement, upon their arrival at the airport.  On the PA system, they were paging for a Mr Tan!  "Mr Tan, please go to information counter.   Mr Tan!  Mr Tan!"  No one responded because the Mr Tan, they were referring to, was a Tan Sri so and so.  Go figure, again!

If you are my friend, you'll be the same friend to me, with or without your Tan Sri/Puan Sri/Datuk/Datin title.  So if you are one of those people who insist on being known by your title, I have this to say to you

(all pics from photobucket)

A Helping Hand

I read this on shar101 yesterday and it had been playing on my mind until I watched CNN and see that the oil spill is still unresolved.  To make matters worse, the attack on the flotilla dominates the blogosphere and news portals.  

Then I forgot about it until this evening.  

Please read what Monica wrote and see if, like me, you feel compelled to do something.  

~~~~~

I’ve seen 10-year-old Raj for months. He’s neat, clean, courteous, helpful and obedient. I must confess I favour him in my heart. Though I know I shouldn’t practice favoritism.

He’s ten and attends a Tamil medium school. Understands almost no English and very little Bahasa. Communicating with him comes with exaggerated hand gestures and facial expressions, as well as interpretations by his English speaking friend. Given that I only get to spend a couple of hours a week with them, getting to know each one better is challenging to say the least. One thing which I can definitely say though, is I feel much affection from them. And in this way, they actually give to me way more that I give to them.

Today, I had a little more time with Raj and to my utter amazement, he has ten other siblings! His eldest sister, 17 is already married to a 20-year old. They are both quite illiterate! In this day and age! No: 2 is 13 years old and all the way down to the 8-month old baby. Satu tahun, satu. The eldest 17-year-old looks so worn and if you ask me, she looks more haggard than her smiling from ear to ear 33 year old mother. A quick calculation will tell you that her mom had her when she herself was only 16. A mere child herself then. And now, the cycle repeats itself.

Raj’s parents, 33 and 38 years of age are both “tukang sapu di highway” and “potong pokok” respectively, living in Lembah Subang. Their family is just one of the many there who survive miraculously if you ask me. How do they feed a family of 13 on their meagre income? And yet, none of them are skinny or look undernourished to me. Thank God. Their eyes are bright, eager, expectant, joyful and full of life and hope. Except for the eldest, the 17-year-old. I see the light has all but dimmed. Are these the same eyes that I’ll be looking into in Raj’s eyes a few years from now? I don’t want to. Talking to him, his siblings and his parents today has so clutched at my heart. To do a little more.

I asked Raj’s mom if she’s taken steps to stop further pregnancies. She says, “Mahal lah”. I said, “Pergi HUKL lah. Murah mah.” She says. ” Tak ada duit. Satu ratus lebih….tapi ada ubat boleh makan….”, and gives me a wide grin. I want to cry. I cry.

Later, the Indonesian worker and I talk. And she says, “Mengapa dia orang tak fikir…. ada anak banyak-banyak, anak yang susah…..” I said, “Kita yang lebih mengetahui bisa berpikir begitu, tapi dia orang kurang mengetahui…..”

And therein lays the problem. They know not. They have not had their learning. They have not been taught. They have been deprived of that basic right to education. Education which is so important to the pursuit of knowledge that can break the shackles of ignorance, fear, dependency, helplessness. And not knowing better, they live according to their basal instincts, and who are we, how can we point a finger and fault them?

I notice the children from the families with fewer children – two or three – speak English and Bahasa as well as their mother tongue. Their parents had received at least lower secondary education. Their lives are better off. They have higher ambitions for their children. And very likely, these children will do better than their parents before them. So, education is still key.

But what of the many who are deprived? Where the ugly cycle repeats? And daily, this number is growing. Biologically as well as legacy of the race regime in this country. Meanwhile, the haves continue with their 1.5 children plan. I shudder when I imagine the overflowing poor, hungry, angry, disenfranchised striking back if things in the country continues on its present course.

DSAI et al talks about not having the space to address the rural marginalised. Label me naive or shallow, I don’t care. But it sounds to me to be such a very vacuous, stalling excuse.

Is it such a monumental obstacle?  Is it?

I am nonplussed. Absolutely.

Saya Tetap Anak Bangsa Malaysia

Monica

~~~~~

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1.  Visit their website.

2.  Check their wish list

3.  Go for their Launch 

All I'm asking is for your small "change -RM1, RM5 or even RM10" and "making a difference" to those who really, really need it.

On their website, they say this

We cannot change the world but we can make a difference. 

Please help us to make a difference in their lives.

It's true, we cannot change the world.  We cannot do much but what little we can do, we should, without even thinking twice.

We can't do much about the oil spill. We can't do much about the senseless attack on the flotilla. But we can do this!

 Will you?

Doing my bit for Hulu Selangor!

Click link to read more.
Internet service disruption from tomorrow till Sunday


Hmmmmm!  Well, what do you know?
*wonders about the timing*.


I suppose this won't affect me since I'm in Singapore, for the weekend! LOL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, It's all about Hulu Selangor, this weekend, folks! 


If you have access, however, limited, do read news from both sides and be informed before you vote!


I don't suppose it would make any difference to the people of Hulu Selangor that I would choose Zaid Ibrahim, if I lived there.  


It doesn't matter in the virtual world because, I think, even a virtual vote sent out to the universe, must count for something!


It's all about choosing well.  Go here (Zaid untuk Rakyat) to have a look at his site.

For me, the moment that he lent support to the anti-I.S.A., he became my hero.  He has a heart and he uses his head.  


And if you haven't read this yet, here it is for easy reference (without permission)!


Hold Your Horses, Mr Muhyiddin

As the shootout for Hulu Selangor draws near, the dirty campaign of UMNO has begun in full swing. Predictably, UMNO are not focusing on the issues of the rakyat. UMNO are focused on the only thing they know, and that is: to spread lies and misinformation.


According to The Deputy Prime Minister and his hired hands, one of the issues plaguing my candidacy is my disciplinary record, specifically of being suspended by UMNO for money politics. As a result of that, they conveniently use this to accuse me of everything under the sun: corrupt, greedy, wealthy, etc.

As always, the truth will set you free. It is perhaps something UMNO is unfamiliar with. Time and time again, they continue to underestimate the intelligence of the rakyat and try to confuse them with fiction, but the rakyat knows better.


I have defended myself from these accusations many times, but will do so again.


So here it is…


In 2001, I won the contest for the post of UMNO Division Chief for Kota Bharu. Took me three attempts and 10 years to do that but I did it.


That position left them with no choice but to field me as a candidate for March 2004 General Election. I won a hard fought contest for the Kota Bharu Parliamentary seat, although the 3 State Assembly seats in that parliamentary constituency was won by PAS. (Somewhat similar to the present situation in Hulu Selangor where the 3 State seats were won by BN in 2008, and now I am trying to win it again for PKR). I expected a more supportive reaction from UMNO considering the significance of the victory — it was the first time after 15 years of PAS rule, that BN at last won the Kota Bharu seat.


But it was not to be. They were ready to knife me again. By June 2004, there was again another contest for the UMNO Kota Bharu Division. Fortunately, I was able to retain the seat as Division Chief, uncontested.

But other positions in the party were up for grabs. During that contest , certain individuals issued complaints by way of signing false statutory declarations that I had given money to “my agent”, the late Datuk Zahari Wahab in exchange for votes, purportedly on my behalf.


On the 16th of October 2004, I was charged for money politics. I found this charge to be utterly ridiculous, because I won the seat uncontested. There was no opponent. So, how could I be charged for money politics, when there is no contest? But within UMNO, I guess anything is possible.


For the charges to have any merit, there must be a witness to support the charge of money politics. If accusations against my friend Zahari Wahab of giving money for votes had any merit, how were they certain it wasn’t for Zahari’s own campaign? At the time, Zahari himself was contesting for the Vice President of the Division. Even if it was true that Zahari had indulged in money politics, he might have done it for himself as he was the one contesting. By the time the 1st hearing came up before the UMNO Disciplinary board, Zahari Wahab had unfortunately passed away. Incidentally he too, was charged with money politics which I believe was also false.. But with his demise, the UMNO Disciplinary Board could not put forth Zahari to support their claims. They did not put forth any other witness to support these accusations, other than the false statutory declarations which I had no opportunity to challenge the maker of these statements. I described the proceedings as a sham and that upset them. They were determined to pass this judgment on me without any basis whatsoever.


It was clear that I was being framed. I challenged and questioned the system of how the Board arrived at their decision without any supporting proof or evidence.


In the end, the UMNO Disciplinary Board ruled that I was guilty of money politics. But, they were indeed willing to spare me any punishment, on the condition that I apologize to the UMNO disciplinary board for questioning their process and authority.


Under no circumstances was I ever going to apologize to the board. Any apology for my alleged actions to the board would implicitly be admitting my guilt, and I was not going to compromise on the principle of the matter and my innocence. When I refused to apologize, that was when the UMNO board suspended me for 3 years.


In 2008, when I was made a Minister, I did not wish for there to be any doubt as to my character and credibility as I undertook this important responsibility in what I consider to be a reformist Government. I wanted to clear my name of any suspicion of those charges. So, I requested the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate me further, to clear my name once and for all. Till today, they have not come forth with any outcome. If I was really as guilty as so they claim, why did they make me a Minister? Because the truth is, I did not do anything as claimed by my opponents in UMNO; that is why I was made a Minister.


Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin suggested today that I was picked as the candidate for Hulu Selangor supposedly because of my deep pockets. My lovely wife and daughter, Alysha are very excited now; they asked me where did I hide my wealth and they insist that I take them out shopping. Now, I’m in trouble!


I suggest it is best for the DPM to hold his tongue. It is certainly not befitting of a DPM to stoop so low and make such claims. If he were to make such claims, then he must stand by those statements.


I was never wealthy, unlike other UMNO Ministers. I was a Minister for only 6 months. And before that I was never a crony of any one, nor obtained any concessions or APs or even blocks of shares. In the interest of transparency, I would be prepared to disclose to the public my possessions and my so called ‘wealth’; and that of my family and my children as well, on the condition that the DPM and his colleagues in Cabinet are willing to do the same of their own possessions, of their families, of their children, and their nominees.


During my brief tenure as Minister, (Tun) Pak Lah and I suggested that Cabinet Ministers should declare their assets. To show that BN Ministers are clean and not afraid of full accountability and transparency in their dealings . Many senior ministers opposed this idea. They opposed everything good that Pak Lah wanted to do. I wonder what the DPM has to say about this now.


If he hasn’t got anything useful to add, I suggest to the DPM that we move on and address the issues I have raised for the people in Hulu Selangor. And the issues facing the country. Lets have a fair fight and see who has the support of the people!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Simply And Basically Malaysian - S A B M

S   A   B   M

I'd been challenged to define what this means to me. Although I made efforts to push it to the bottom of my "to do" list, some events kept bringing it to the top, again and again. Finally, I gave up the fight and thought about it during my "driving home from work" time.

It stands for SAYA ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA. To me, this just simply means, "I AM MALAYSIAN" without the trappings of any form of discrimination.

I have been reading a lot about this on the official website here and on blogs/news/comments/emails. What is gratifying to know is the spirit that the SABM website speaks of, packaged in flesh and bones is real. It's me! It's you!

I am that spirit. Whether I realised it or not, the moment I was born in Malaysia, I inherited that spirit. Many of us forget that this is our right and not a privilege! Our right to be called a Malaysian.

In an earlier post "Of being Number 4", I light-heartedly wrote about it and garnered quite a bit of attention. This, in turn, spurred me to write more and led me to where I am now, sitting at my computer on a Friday night and writing again.

What has happened since that blog?

Wow, I can't really squeeze everything here but suffice to say that I've seen enough to believe that the SABM idea can work. Yes, I believe it and I believe that is half the battle won.

Giving up and thinking that nothing is going to change is too easy. No, I mean, it's being too lazy!

We are constantly bombarded by the naysayers doing their best to convince us nothing will change. Well, I've seen and heard enough recently, to be convinced that something will change and it already has its wheels in motion. We can't perceive it yet but it's alive and deeply rooted in our subconscious mind awaiting an awakening.

We permit the idea of being a Malaysian to be dissected by racists. We stand by and allow our young to be influenced by the concept of a 1Malaysia, which resonates of double standards and inequality.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me about my race.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking, "Bumiputra" or "non-Bumiputra".

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me where I pray.

I'm a Malaysian. I don't want anyone asking me anything.

I'm a Malaysian.  No further questions, please!

S IMPLY

A ND

B ASICALLY

M ALAYSIAN

Nothing more but nothing less, than any other guy or gal born here!


(pics from SABM and SanJiun with thanks)

The Colour of Blood

What is the colour of human blood?  It's red.

That is a simple question with only one possible answer.  Red.  Methinks that this fact should already be the key to everyone accepting that we are all equal.  No matter who you are, what colour your skin is, where you live, when you were born or how you think.  No matter, either, if your blood group is A, B, AB or O.

The commonality is that when we bleed, our blood is red.  You.  Me.  Them.  This is what we should remember.  Yet, this is a detail we overlook because it is covenient.

Yesterday, I went for the SABM "Believe Instead" Forum at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.  It turned out to be a "helluva" eye-opener for me.

I found all the speakers to be excellent.  I'm not arrogant but I can be quite a wicked closet critic of people who, I think, talk without much conviction.  Hence, today's speakers, with their individual and varied styles, satisfied all my expectations.  Each one had a story to tell.  Each one delivered their message in a simple and effortless way.  I don't know about the others but I was enthralled and impressed by their commitment and dedication.

For me, it was a refresher course of what I have always believed.  The Forum rekindles the flames of feeling 100% Malaysian.  Why should I feel anything less than that?  I am reminded that my fears are shared by others.  I sit in a room filled with other Malaysians who are mostly strangers and I feel safe.  It's a feeling that is my right.   Why did I allow fear to slowly clutch my heart when I am among other Malaysians?  I know why.  I allowed the dogma, the stigma and the enigma of inequality to seep into my being.

Now I feel like I've been through a mind cleansing and I feel renewed, re-energised and ready.  I can do something.  I can make a difference. 

I’m going to do it.

Malaysia is my home.  I care.  I want to make it better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Voter Registration

If you haven’t registered, do so!

If you need help, send me an email! 

I promise to give you a hand.

Malaysia Day

46 years ago, a new nation, Malaysia, came into being, comprising Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore today treads a different path but Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak continue to share a common destiny.

I got the intro from here.

It's so simple to understand and yet it begs the question of why we don't have any official celebration to recognise this unity.

In my own small space in the virtual world, let me just say

HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY
EVERYONE!

Truth is stranger than fiction!

What on earth is happening in Malaysia? Are we safer today with the police working so hard?

According to Suaram, a Human rights group, these are the recent arrests since 5 May 2009, as follows:

5 May 2009
1 arrest – Wong Chin Huat
(He was released on the 8th May)
Arrest at apartment in Seri Sentosa, Kuala Lumpur and taken to Bukit Aman then to IPD Brickfields, KL
6 May 2009
3 arrests – Sani Md Shah, Saufi Mihat, Yasir Sheikh Abdul Rahman
(Released under police bail on the 7th May)
Sending birthday cake to Prime Minister in Putrajaya
6 May 2009
1 arrest – Mohamad Sabu
(Released on the 7th May)
Near the Harakah office in Jalan Pahang Barat, Kuala Lumpur.
6 May 2009
14 arrests
(Released under the police bail on the 6th May)
Candlelight vigil outside IPD Brickfields, KL
7 May 2009
69 arrests
(Released on the 7th May)
Ipoh, Perak
7 May 2009
20 arrests
- Law Teck Hao (arrested on 6 and 7 May)
(Released under police bail on the 8th May)
Candlelight vigil outside IPD Brickfields, KL
7 May 2009
1 arrest – Eng Kiat
(Released under police bail on the 8th May)
Candlelight vigil in Penang
7 May 2009
10 arrests
(Released under police bail on the 7th May)
Candlelight vigil in Sarawak
19 May 2009
11 arrests
- Teo Nie Ching (arrested on 6 and 19 May)
(Released on the 20th May at 3am)
Candlelight vigil outside DAP MP Teresa Kok’s office
21 May 2009
16 arrested in Teratai, Ampang
(They were remanded for 2 days)
- Jenice Lee (arrested on 7 May in Perak ,19 May and 21 May)
Candlelight vigil outside DAP Teratai Service Centre
Total: 146 arrests (142 individuals)

Perak, oh Perak!

Perak, oh Perak!
Mengapa engkau sakit?

Macam mana aku tak sakit?
Tunggu snap election - Tunggu snap election.

Inspired by this Malaysian folk song! (Does anyone remember singing this?)

bangau oh bangau,
kenapa engkau kurus?
macam-mana aku tak kurus,
ikan tak mahu timbul – ikan tak mahu timbul
ikan oh ikan,
kenapa engkau tak timbul?
macam-mana aku nak timbul,
rumput panjang sangat – rumput panjang sangat
rumput oh rumput,
kenapa engkau panjang?
macam-mana aku tak panjang,
kerbau tak makan aku – kerbau tak makan aku
kerbau oh kerbau,
kenapa tak makan rumput?
macam-mana aku nak makan,
perut aku sakit – perut aku sakit
perut oh perut,
kenapa engkau sakit?
macam-mana aku tak sakit,
makan nasi mentah – makan nasi mentah
nasi oh nasi,
kenapa engkau mentah?
macam-mana aku tak mentah,
api tak mahu menyala – api tak mahu menyala
api oh api,
kenapa engkau tak mahu menyala?
macam-mana aku nak menyala,
kayu api basah – kayu api basah
kayu oh kayu,
kenapa engkau basah?
macam-mana aku tak basah,
hujan timpa aku – hujan timpa aku
hujan oh hujan,
kenapa timpa kayu?
macam-mana aku tak timpa,
katak panggil aku – katak panggil aku
katak oh katak,
kenapa panggil hujan?
macam-mana aku tak panggil,
ular nak makan aku – ular nak makan aku
ular oh ular,
kenapa nak makan katak?
macam-mana aku tak makan,
memang makanan aku – memang makanan aku!!!
betul juga tu ye…
memang makanan engkau – memang makanan engkau!!!

Russian Poker

In Russian Poker, thirteen cards are dealt and if you have 6 pairs with one loose card to spare, it may be considered a bad hand!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HRH Sultan Azlan

HRH Raja Nazrin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Barisan Nasional
Pakatan Rakyat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin
Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BN-installed speaker Datuk R Ganesan
Speaker V Sivakumar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
High Court judge Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim
Court of Appeal judge Datuk Ramly Ali
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mandela
Gandhi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PM Najib!

In solidarity for the people of Perak!

My dad was born in Perak! That's as good a reason as any to wear black on Thursday!

Look who else is doing it!

(1) http://delcapo.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/nationwide-campaign-1blackmalaysia-07may09/

(2) http://dawningeyes.blogspot.com/2009/05/black1malaysia.html

(3) http://jelas.info/2009/05/05/1blackmalaysia-ipoh-may-7/

(4) http://jkwy.blogspot.com/2009/05/black-thursday.html

(5) http://www.arifabdull.com/?p=484

(6) http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/may-7th-1blackmalaysia-democracy-first-elections-now/

I'll add more if I find any.

I'll post a picture of anyone I see wearing black on Thursday! That is if they'll allow me! *cross fingers*

Of what is felt by the heart

In the last 2 weeks, most Malaysians talked, read or wrote about and participated in something related to Kugan a/l Ananthan. That also included me! Of course, I read whatever I could to follow the story.

In life, what makes us relate to events is also what is personal to us.

What drew me to Kugan’s story was that he was 22 years old. 


My son is 22. 


What tugged at my heart was also Kugan’s mom and how the death of her son was so publicised. The horror of losing her child must have been compounded by the rumours that abounded as well as all the speculations about the cause of his death. 


Having known only the pain of losing a child, I can only guess how the other emotions would have been for her. It would probably have been so difficult for her to fully understand the gamut of emotions she felt. Probably it would have been, just, shock first. Then very quickly, it would have been followed by the bombardment of information from all sources. It would have been so hard to reconcile all that.

I hope that, in the midst of it all, she was surrounded by people who looked out for her. I mean, really for her. It’s what I would have wanted, no, needed, if I were her. I pray that she’ll be well.

KUALA TERENGGANU UPDATES

Thank God for the internet and for being able to keep abreast of the latest updates about anything, anytime, anywhere!

I am told that I will be able to get news about Kuala Terengganu, from this blog site, which is new and which will carry live updates.

http://beyond51.blogspot.com/
(to kick off at 11.30 am)

Physically, I am in Singapore!

Spiritually, I am in Kuala Terengganu!

Emotionally, I am with all the Barisan Rakyat Bloggers there!

Haris wrote "Pakatan Rakyat & Barisan Rakyat: One people, one nation, one purpose".

To this, I say "amen".