The Punchline

1Malaysia. It still hasn’t capture either yours, mine and millions of other Malaysian attention. Why ah?

When Tun Mahathir took the prime minister seat in 1982, he mentioned the importance of three factor that needed to be brushed up by the government service and administrative arm as a whole: Bersih, Cekap, Amanah. (Clean,Skillful and Trustworthy )

In fact, there were earlier punchlines that were well understood by the people of Malaysia. They are not much of verbal lines that would become phenomenal like Raja Lawak “lu pikirlah sendiri” or Phua Chu Kangs “dun play play”, instead, they are like words of mementos. A promise or commitment that leaders made when curtain had just opened and people had their ears anticipating the first word from a leader. Tun Abdul Razak did mention about ‘ketahanan nasional’ (national resilience) which focuses of national stability through political stability. It is Ketahanan Nasional, other political party were invited to join Barisan Nasional for the benefit of whole nation.

Back to Mahathir’s era.

Bersih, Cekap, Amanah. It was the three things that kept echoing in people’s ear. People were expecting a paradigm jump in government service with this three words being kept murmured from mouths of Pak Cik in Kedai kopi and Mak Ciks when they had to grab their clothes from the drying post behind their homes. The introduction of nametags amongst administration staffers, usage of by-then hyper bulky computers, and mandatory punch cards were tangible testaments to the government commitment towards the those three factors.

It was in 1994 when I still see the tin plaque of “Bersih, Cekap, Amanah” hung along the cement floor, corrugated zinc shaded walkway of my previous school in Mentakab, Pahang. I was registering myself for primary school and honestly had nothing to look at as I was dragged by my parents to the class.

Then came the economic boom of the mid-1980s when Tun Mahathir once again created another line that somehow remained sticky in our mind. “Malaysia Boleh” is the new cool. It convinces Malaysian that we can somehow match what developed countries could do. They mass-produce vehicle, we had ability to mass produce, promote and sells our vehicle proudly carrying our brand name. They had iron and steel smelting complex, we had ours too in the form of Perwaja in Kulim and Kerteh. They had petroleum refineries, we had them too in Kerteh. “Malaysia Boleh” become the zealously chanted words when our athlete compete in any sporting competition.

Then, when all else looks bright and promising, we moved to ‘Wawasan 2020’ , a national aim to join the league of developed nation by the year 2020 soonest. It was the anticipation of 2020 when Twin tower spurned out together with the hosting of 1998 Commonwealth games, Formula1, Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and finally the administrative capital of Putrajaya. Wonderful reason why young generation tends to look at Dr. Mahathir as an icon is because we used to write about Wawasan 2020 for BM karangan most of the time. When, we wrote those karangan, there were plenty of examples to write about. F1, KLCC, KLIA they all become the generic content (isi lazim) of our karangan. We were thought that our nation is reaching out to become a somewhat ‘shining star’ among the plenty of nations we seen in Geography. There are hundreds of nations out there!

It was the evil Western fascination of categorizing nations between ‘first worlds, third worlds’ that made us played their games to achieve that ‘first world’ status without ever knowing where the heck the second world had gone missing. Utusan even had daily countdown towards 2020 printed on the frontpage some when in 1998. It counted for 7000 over days over and I was giggling and pondering will Utusan give out free editions when the countdown finally reached its destination. Or a mega party?

Yes, that was some of famous utterance that ran out of Malaysian lips nearing the late 20th Century. In 2004, Tun Abdullah Badawi took over and his first lines that were adapted for mass-information were “ Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang” (Excellent, Glorious and Respected ). It did become famous for a moment because people favor for Pak Lah were somewhat high. Yet, as people woke up each morning, this utterance clearly had no meaning or whatsoever purpose. It serves as verbal impetus without any destiny or reward at the end of road, or at least had any tangible effect. It sure rhymes, but its merely becoming too subjective to what intend those three words could bring. Of course, the slightest idea would to improvise whatever available at the moment for the better. But did it happen? Where is the big-bang of Cemerlang, Gemilang and Terbilang? Did Pak Lah impose death penalty to those who came late for work? Did Pak Lah assembled all government servant and asks them to adjust their clock to a standard time?

Government agencies building began to display huge posters bearing “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang “, something that had given two unreasonable advantage; beautifying the agencies compound and adding pocket money for those contract banner printers. Yet, I had to admit, being in architecture line, I had noticed government graphic designers were weak in employing the most effective graphics. They were more likely conformed to the presets. Maybe those banners played a small part in government dissipation of information; yet, the government should have known that graphic played a significant impact to attract and persuade anyone. They leave a psych footprint just like McD with its golden arches and bright red, yellow writing theme.

It seems Suara Keadilan Online had better graphics – never downplayed the importance of graphic – even Procter&Gamble had spent enormous time and energy into changing the cover of its shampoo bottle in such short period. Why?

Most had gone bored and began to realize that Pak Lah maybe needed some time. Instead, the three rhyming words became mere gimmick as Pak Lah came out with another punchline; this time in a form of religion-centric calls for “Islam Hadhari”. The Islam Governing agency had given the task to inform the public on the concept of Islam Hadhari which until today puzzles me. What is this Islam Hadhari? I dare not to comment. Did the Pendidikan Islam syllabus were changed to accommodate another bab regarding Islam Hadhari? Did the SPM students were forced to elaborate in a 3000word karangan on Islam Hadhari? I would have failed by then as there will be no content to elaborate. Am I a bad muslim because I do not understand this ‘Islam Hadhari’? Wauallahualam.

Now, come Datuk Seri Najib and the ideals of 1Malaysia. But what are the gains and benefits of 1Malaysia has yet to be seen. Is it a concept that is too vague and subjective that a layman just couldn’t understand? Where is the big bang of 1Malaysia because the billion-repeated already-archaic word of perpaduan has become too lame that any given Sunday, hold a poster making competition, the kids will surely draw three main races in Malaysia holding hands. The theme of perpaduan hasn’t moved beyond that.

Lets not pollute 1Malaysia. Limit its usage and educate the public with its concept first. Kementerian Belia dan Sukan recently had initiated this SatuBelia (OneYouth, not to be mistaken with OneU in Damansara Utama), I’m compelled by how many ‘Ones’ will pop out within the cabinet ministers out there. If tourism ministry came out with OneDestination campaign, then, I lose faith with the bodek-ness and lack of ingenuity of these jet-setting well exposed ministers. At least Rais Yatim were rational enough when asked to comment why P.Ramlee movies were enjoyed by all races, he openly refused to refer to it as OneMalaysia concept because its apparently clear that P.Ramlee did not come from Najib Tun Razak generation. He is just himself. Unless, the government had some sort of time travelling machine to brief P.Ramlee about OneMalaysia. Different story lah.

The Flowers of May

As usual, the month of May have brought me memoirs of Mayday and its connection of workers day, thus, its relation with proletariat, Stalinism and eclectic vision.

Communism; there is no sense of heroic to talk about it. But there is nothing wrong to be in the know. It is because, in 1991, the largest country that embraces had collapsed resulting in formation of Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and a bunch of other independent nations. If Soviet Union had triumphed, this ideology should have been perceived as the best thing. Today, our textbook talks about how ugly communism can be, restricting citizen from actively observe any religion.

Talking about socialism openly can make you dreaded unpopular, just like the case of Kassim Ahmad, a daring thinker whom openly stated that Hang Tuah is merely a blind follower of the Malacca Sultan. Instead Hang Jebat has a brain that calculates and rationalizes. A talk that would otherwise be a kedai kopi humor turned into a national controversy, with some parties suspecting Kassim of being mockingly subversive. Added that socialism comes naturally/almost spontaneously when absolute powers, per se, kings were brought down added more worries. Like a pure lime extract on fresh wound, it was in the 1970s that witnessed the tumultous period and uprising of the ‘normal people’ against monarchs and oligarchies.

Kassim Ahmad headed the PSRM ( Parti Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia ) then, he was then detained under ISA, before being released under Tun Dr. Mahathir premiership. Compassion had softened this thinker heart when he accepted invitation to join UMNO in 1986. This, however, upsets fellow patrons PSRM he used to led. Kassim Ahmad quit active politics in 1992.

Nothing much was heard about him today. He ages 73 as of this year. He never received much scholastic limelight neither invitations to any thinking convention. Perhaps, Kassim Ahmad is a man born with right thinking, but at a wrong place. Only God knows where he will be in years to come. It serves a reminder to all thinkers that being in crossroads of ideologies can be a life changing decision.

On national front, socialism might seem taboo and lethal to the societal fabric, Soviet however had pioneered it with enthusiasm.

Beginning from the Bolshevik takeover ( October uprising ), they hustled to create an identity that would have made the rest of the world recognize them as stable, superior and ideal nation runs on an ultimate ideology. Soviets had visions that are beyond wild imagination which any of budding architects would like to have a peek at.

Soviet Union during its formative years (1930-1950’s), seems to be a land of high ambitions and eclectic visionaries. They wanted to craft a country that as if it existed on its own planet. Pride above any measure which today we antagonizes it as fools pride. Indeed, their geographical influence covers more than 25% of the available land on the face of earth. It is of no wonder if they wanted to transform their landscape into an exotic state the planet has ever seen.

Like Hitler had ordered Albert Speer to create a metropolis that symbolizes the greatness of third Reich, Stalin ordered engineers and architects of his time to construct monumental structures that would capture the imagination of anyone who visits formative Soviet. Both had one thing in common; they never materialized. Nazi German fell and Soviet was engulfed with ever changing leadership reprioritization.

Stalin had apparent feared that the capitalist nation would look more prosperous and progressive with their shiny glass and steel skyscrapers. He feared the Soviet would look too inferior in the eye of world citizens. He desired a perception of socialism on communism means prosperity.

Stalin started the so called seven sisters project, carpeting Moscow with huge landmarks. Summoned seven teams of engineers and architects that made suggestions, drafts and proposals that is subject to Stalin personal approval. One of them would be the scrapped ‘Palace of Soviets’ ( picture right ). Stalin was confident that he could initiate a homebrew design without references to the American counterparts.

Innovation starts deep within academic institution roots; like the Russian Higher Arts and Technical Studios, known to the Soviet as VHUTEMAS, started under the decree of Vladimir Lenin, the predecessor of Stalin. Lenin was quick to realize that measure of great nation also determined their ability to effectively design things. In Spartan-like Soviet Union, everyone would expect they would build more military academies. At VHUTEMAS, budding Soviet designers were though multiple disciplines regarding design and constructivist way of doing things, in accordance to visions of equality and how working-class triumph over absolute powers. Stalin was unhesitant to pick up among the pool of talents.

Timing was incorrect when pieces of metalwork’s originally mend for foundations were dismantled for fortification as Soviet was enduring war with advancing Germany during the time. Stalin was a powerful figure until his death in 1953. When Nikita Khrushchev took over the helm, he cancelled the project for reasons of ‘past grandiose in necessities’

For a large country like that, nothing is too small. The proposed constructivist buildings were many. Here we witnessed many eclectic designs that would recall how Jetsons cityscape would look like on earth. The Commissariat of Heavy Industry, 1934 ( picture left ), included here is an artist impression of the towering structure with a group of Tupolev ANT20 super-aircraft gracefully hovering in the sky, a teaser poster glorifying Soviet industries might and flagship engineering product. Both cease to exist.

Apart from that, other entries were seriously considered, including the ambitious, gigantic and imaginative Konstanstin Melnikov’s proposal of figures holding gear wheels symbolizing the proletariat struggle in moving and thriving Soviet machinery of industries. The stairs leading to this building is tall and beyond practicality for any sane man to use them ( picture below, red background ). This project remained on paper.

In areas of architecture, the Soviet Union had nothing much to prove apart from supremacist and politically motivated aim. In terms of technology, their building was constructed with materials that usually stick to its bare form. A brutal approach per se where concrete were never adorned with ornamentation. Their foundation are heavier and needed deeper excavation than those of Americans, albeit, consuming more materials and costing more money per meter square.

Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, effectively dissolved in 1992 resulting in the formation of new nation along the Eastern Bloc of Europe. Today, when you visit Eastern European nation, traces of Soviet Union can be seen through their buildings. Socialism is still evident in their political system, although not much of communism. The collapse of Soviet left pretty much to be learned.

History never sided with those who lose the war/struggle. Soviet cold war with the United States had shown us that when there are two great powers escalate, we may choose sides and mistake in pledging allegiance may result in bad consequences. Kassim Ahmad may be the one who had constituted great time thinking about the mechanics of socialism; pros and cons. He perhaps, went to Soviet Union to study socialism. Instead, capitalism triumphed. Cold war has long ended and perhaps, the remnants Soviet Union loyalist can ponder how hammer&sickle grasp imagination of people nowadays with Sputnik, Yuri Gagarin, Mir space-station and the dog named Laika.

The Leverage

We all have to admit it, our inability to become an ‘all rounder’ is just too frustrating, or much too sore to mention. So, perhaps, with much denying we resorted to leveraging the weak, towing it with our strength.

It is no shocker, we sees company like Apple tying its strong product like the infamous iPod to iTunes. In Apple website, it is made clear that these two products tightly integrate with each other forming a single entity of ‘iPod+iTunes’. Apple made virtually everyone in this planet that uses the iPod to also use the iTunes, thus leveraging the latter to a better and higher level. At first, I personally think that iTunes is a weak media player that wouldn’t become my preference, if not because of iPod.

Alternative software to load music into iPod is scarcely available. They are reluctantly supported by the music players, providing more trouble than solution. Until today many companies were trying to seek an anti-trust action against Apple Inc. for their monopoly in chaining iTunes with iPod

Geography wise, Putrajaya, when it was established as Malaysia administration centre had directly leveraged Puchong and Balakong ( now renamed to a subtly, and beautifully sound Seri Kembangan ) into a better place. Last time, these places just happens to be in the outskirts of urbanized Petaling Jaya/Subang and local council had just given up the land for landfills. Nowadays, concept housing estate spurn just like mushroom ( For example; Taman Equine, the concept of riding horse as your weekend activities ). Puchong has become a full fledge commercial center bustling with businesses and office building.

In real life, I witness people applying the same strategy, in order to maintain a clean and capable look. You may call it compensation or balancing-up; it all has the same mechanics of the strong tethered and trying to pull the weak into a much leveled field. We seek to make friend with popular, influential and outspoken people, in the sense, we might be endorsed by these people. The sayings of ‘friends forever’ being made motto of much people that I had stumbled upon are merely sayings that were picked up from Hollywood teleseries when indeed it boils down to popularity and influence.

Realistically, we all have to swallow it no matter how distasteful that we get lost without testifying to people an impressive list of ‘I know whom’

Sometimes, leveraging happens within social circle. It’s similar to doing a favor where a well-known person tries to bring another lesser known member to a better position. This is when the popular Malay saying of “ budak baru nak naik” applies. It’s a situation when a young person seems to become fascinated with the things surrounding him/her. As a result, they took a particular thing very seriously with much enthusiast.

Some even had resorted to ‘whatever happens, happens’ method where they struggled to be good in a single particular thing with the expectation that when they had reached the superb level, other aspect of life can be leveraged too. Such as trying luck in reality talent shows, where chances are there.On the other hand, parents reminded us that the only effective and reasonable leverage transporters are to graduate and finish our studies as quickly as possible. In short, social mobility where the leverage factor would be knowledge.

In politics, Tun Dr. Mahathir, which stills a fair amount of influence and followers, had leveraged the newly installed Prime Minister, Datuk Najib Tun Razak. Tun Dr. Mahathir had openly gave his endorsement towards him, and also his deputy, Muhyiddin Yasin. Datuk Najib, not to say weak, but had a gargantuan task of recovering the National Front from its trauma of political tsunami. Added with the much talked about the killing and exploding of Mongolian woman allegedly linked to him, it seems that Datuk Seri Najib had inherited so many problems. Whether he seeks it or not, a leveraging from renowned statesman like Mahathir seems to do as much as little to regain people trust.

In entertainment front, we see subscription based television channel had been doing heavy leveraging tactic. Overnight celebrities like Mawi were asked to act in lame dramas and host programmes, when he was originally auditioned for signing talent. He would become one of the overexposed faces that majority of the society never get bored to look at. When the company realized that he can such a great asset, they never hesitate to ‘perah habis’ before his fame flame lit out. This would be the finest example of how strong elements within an organization were mobilized to aid the weak elements. Well, nothing much can be said or done, after all, he is an entertainer.

Let’s move to the west. Movie studios across Hollywood tries to rope in established directors to direct movie title which they had rights upon. With superheroes movies are somewhat smeared with ‘boring and common’ label, studios which had purchased rights or made a joint agreement desperately needed to squeeze money from it, let alone, avoid loses. So they roped in established direction with intention to increase fanfare and leverage things up.

The reason I’m pointing this out is just to articulate matters that popped out of self-conscience. Whether it is wrong or right to tether ourselves so that the strong can pull us, that is not within my prerogative and broke neither any general rules nor principles. Possibly, if we are the influential person considering to do a big favor and tether someone else into the mainstage that we had enjoyed big audience, it is up to them too. In short, leveraging would be a subjective matter.

The Niche

Proton had a well done job by releasing its first MPV, the Proton Exora. It hinted that proton need not to try hard to reach that high sales pitch if....

Even though our economy is seriously at risk of collapsing, the spending power of Malaysian never seems to deter by the current occurrence. Some say that we never dealt with money trading like what Singapore and United States did, instead, we run our economy the ol’skool style. Selling tangible items for money. That is why we remained resilient and steadfast in facing uncertain situations.

Talking about tangible item, there is nothing more satisfying for a family man getting a vehicle that moves his family comfortably, safely and economically. This kind of concern was shown by Proton Exora. These were the things running in their mind perhaps when the first lines were drawn to form its silhouette till the details of dashboards and cup holders.

Proton is of course, a national carmaker company which we either hate or like it. For nationalists Proton represented a national pride that showcases the nation possibilities and marvel of automotive engineering. The Perak Tanjung Malim production plant are hailed as one of the most latest car assembly line; if you have not seen it, then take a time and look at the Malaysian RM100 banknotes, Frankly, It is not easy to establish a car making company with its own platform, design studios and production facilities. Countries that had their own car company could only be hand counted during the inception of proton itself in 1983. That is why, when proton were brought into the United Kingdom some when around 1987, proton motto goes by “Japanese technology, Malaysian style “

Like other carmakers elsewhere, Proton had a long and painful teething period. Widely known, Proton has somehow become one of the most protected companies in Malaysia, its road down the carmaking business are full of thorns; starting from partnership with Mitsubishi which lets us improvise their design but refuses to share drivetrain engineering knowhow. Then, Proton turned to Renault, a French carmaker that we hoped to turn into sexy French maid and make Proton wishes come true; instead, Renault had thrown us dirty laundry to be cleaned off. They supplied us with engines that are barely reliable, as a result, Proton Tiara turned out to be troublesome car that sells cheaper than Vitara VR150 scooter for second hand.

Then, we turned our heads, back on Mitsubishi shoulder supplying us blocks of drivetrains without our engineers practically knowing what formulas were used by Japanese to achieve such reliable, compact and robust engines. Mitsubishi were not there for long, final batches of engines were fitted into the Proton Waja 1.6 ( The 1.8 variant were supplied by French Renault ), then, our engineers came out with purely homegrown CAMPRO engines which can be considered as excellent starting point. Then, Proton seek to synergize its production after realizing that lots of other carmakers began to merge and share platform. That is when the idea of ‘strategic partner’ first mooted.

It gave me a ray of hope when Proton strategically approached Volkswagen for talks of co-operation. Volkswagen is not a performance car company, but, it’s a legendary car company. It’s the living brainchild of Hitler ideas of personal mobility within the fatherland of Germany. Volkswagen can have the bragging rights of first successful mass produced vehicle through its Beetle. Volkswagen is a testament of German affinity for technical precision (have you saw Volkswagen Eos retract its hardtop? ), plus, Volkswagen had a successful track record of reviving troubled carmakers; for instance the incorporation of Czech Republic Skoda in 1990. The pale yellow Skoda Fabia that you may see on road actually shares the same floorplan as Volkswagen Polo, frankly

Yet, we failed to reach ultimatum for some unforeseen reason. I was daydreaming that Perdana would be sharing its base with the sleek, sexy Gisele Bunchen-esque Passat CC. Now, we’re back hunting for foreign partners.

History teaches us something

Renault, the French carmaker that we wished magically turn into a wickedly sexy French maid had been through thorns earlier than Proton had gone through. Their ‘saga’ started during the launch of 1982s’ Renault25, which Renault intended to fight head on with German marquees such as Mercedes Benz and BMW. Quite an ambitious aim to offer the world an alternative of French taste.
They were engulfed with quality problems and production flops. Equipment keeps falling off even though the power of this car is nothing short of 5-Series and E-classes. Luckily, the nationalistic French did check this car out, which in turn helped Renault to stay afloat in the executive market segment.

Renault felt that hope is still alive, and head on to release the Renault Safrane ( beautiful name indeed ) . That was in 1992 which year I recognizes car had a clean cut design that tries to reduce materials similar used inside homes; such as furniture look alike wood paneling and wall analogue clock. Again, the bad reputation of the previous car had lingered to this model.

French, usually dissed for their giving-up never really applied this attitude for Renault, when its third tryst resulted in the awkward looking Vel Satis (a term referring to Velocity Satisfaction). Anyone in the industrial design would like to read stories what kind of erotic and exotic images were playing in the car designer minds while blueprinting this vehicle. Must be the ‘avant-garde’ (ahead of time) attitude which French designers subscribed themselves to). The Vel Satis is still positioned as an alternative option for Beemers and Mercs, which had already earned distinctive reputation.

This time around, Renault did what Proton did, but with a different twist. Getting engines from Japanese is nothing short of reliable. They got their engines from Nissan, a company which were partially acquired sometime in 2000. They kicked Japanese MD and replaced it with Carlos Ghosn, a figure which my dad used to enthuastically tell when I was more interested in Digimon. His leadership skill helped to turn Nissan fortune around.

Proton relationship with Mitsubishi was just partnership. While Renault had purchased a portion of Nissan. When Renault acquired Nissan, it means less obstruction of engine-making know how transfers, for the benefit of mankind. Like you and me, we get fuel efficient and quicker cars. If you happen to see any Nissan Latios, then, from its design, you may quickly notice its unusual rear body wrap and slightly tall proportion, the car has reminiscence of Renault Vel Satis. I wonder if they had the same designers.

Vel Satis is eight years old at the moment this entry is written and has never seen any refreshes. Honestly, I’m excited to see what those ‘avant garde’ French designer going to come out this time around, but, nah, not much news on Vel Satis. It signifies Renault buried effort to compete with Beemer and Mercs, too far being an alternative, so where did Renault go when for the last eight years?

Instead of executive car market, Renault just went on to develop hot hatches. Cars like Clio and Megane seems to experience more development thus shedding more limelight on them. Renault knew after three trysts and a few decades of effort, they cannot achieve that ambitious aim to dethrone German marquee out of the ring, so they went to a lighter category which is the lightweight championship. Hot hatches really have lots of appeal for both young and old. In times where fuel price is very unstable, a hot hatch would be a cute, quick and efficient city transporter. You can park it easily without worrying much the rear would hit the concrete divider or you might want to trail another car as close as possible as hot hatch usually has shorter-spanned engine boot.

Renault instantly gained a reputation of making performance hot hatches. A reputation neither set or foreseen by the bosses last 15 years. A Blue Renault Megane had just passed me by a few months ago, and by its presence aura, I’m just impressed, until I can vividly remember till today. Not forgetting the red hot Renault Clio RS197 selling at price nearing Volkswagen Golf GT, which perhaps has got the same performance parity. Care for a chariot race with 197 French horses in-front of you?

This should give Proton an example that it wouldn’t be a handicapped carmaker if its product range lacked of four-door full sedan or two-door hatchbacks. It wouldn’t become a stumbling block if Proton lacked of its performance tuning division like R3. If that carmaker were mine, I would have dissolve R3 and dropped Gen.2, Satria Neo and Perdana. Instead a family-oriented, fuel saving cars like Savvy, Saga and particularly Exora will be farther developed and enhanced.

We all know, Proton wants to be the alternative carmaker for all categories of vehicle; minivans, sedans, hatches, entry-level, executives, but yet, if Proton can only compete for its price points, then, things can become really torture for customers that are forced to purchase a vehicle just because they are cheap but lacked certain necessities like ABS, fire extinguishers and airbags. I suggest Proton retreated to the value segment. Proton advertisement shall features users with their pets enjoying comfy smooth rides, or a mak cik going to surau for maghrib prayers signifying the practicality and fun. The dissolved R3 engineers shall be incorporated into researching for best shock absorbers that are suitable for Malaysian pot-hole rich roads, in the end of the day, Proton can have a reputation for silky smooth rides similar to what French Citroen had now with their unique Oleopneumatic suspension.

Although electric or hybrid engines are far out of reach, Proton can possibly make an outstanding fuel economic cars. Say, 5litres per 100kilometers? Sadly, we have sold MV Agusta due to bad management. Whatever is done is done, yet, if MV Agusta is still here, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad had predicted that the superbike company can produce small ‘potent’ engines to power supermini like Savvy. This make real sense, as Majlis Perbandaran contract workers responsible for grass cutting routine, had their backpacks powered by single cylinders engine (yes, they are wearing petrol consuming internal combustion engines on their back). Superbikes like Caviga had even powerful engines that may outrun Kancil if transplanted into four door compacts. Why not? Let Proton be known for low fuel guzzling car.

Performance is a subjective matter. If anyone is addictive to speed and burning petrol, they can get the Masseratis or Gumperts. When entering value segment, its mend for people who would want to spend their cash with prudence. It’s a balanced ratio of many features per ringgit. The Chinese preferred to purchase Honda City or Toyota Vios, most of them think they are economical, comfortable, spacious, low maintenance with reasonable resale values. If Proton had downsized its range, perhaps, they can gain more saving and concentrate researching to enhance Proton Saga. So that, the 3rd generation Saga would be the best competitors to next generation Vioses and Cities.

We surely wouldn’t want Proton to collapse or shamefully being eaten up by other company and seeing our contractors crying foul. Downsizing and retreating to the value segment would probably the next best thing to do. Let Savvy, Saga and Exora do the work to impress. The rest of ASEANS too would love comfy cars like them. Lets get back to the ol’skool way of doing business; selling something tangible.

When things seems to be better, Proton may just retain the family-movers image and establish a performance spin-off brand; like Lexus for Toyota. Perhaps Prestasi for Proton? Anybody seen a 250 Malaysian horses?

The Thought Reservation

Did you know it only cost RM2 to be a member of UMNO.

A relative of mine is a member of UMNO, and that is what he told me about the fees. Pay it, and I’m officially a Pemuda UMNO, the youth wing of Malaysia biggest political party.

Wait! I never filled any form or pay any fees as I do not know the privileges or advantage of being a Pemuda. But I have to bear in mind that UMNO should be seen as a platform to express struggle and plight of the Malays. Much Malay struggle has been seen with UMNO in the scene; from gaining independence, establishment of universities, setting-ups of MARA and pooling of ready-to-use funds for small entrepreneurs.

Do I have to sacrifice my RM2 to qualify myself in showing respect, love and faithfulness towards my nation and race? This is not a trivial question. Once you join UMNO, you are in the game, your fledging nationalistic spirit will be channeled towards things that matters. Your sweat soak the skin due to following orders from leaders that seems to felt how much Malays needed that helping hand. Our ancestors which may have their deepest trust in UMNO (some may choose SABERKAS? PKMM?) had walked several miles under the scorching hot sun just to assist the anti-Malayan Union poster printing. Our ancestors may have ridden the bicycle from deepest region of kampongs to attend rallies.

If we, the current generation of Malays failed to realize the importance of UMNO and keep it relevant, then, the previous generation tiring walk and bicycle rides may just be nothing but just plain tiring.

But that is 1950s. Time had moved on and we are now living in time of One Utama can make your leg feel numb. In a generation where Louis Vuiviton has opened its boutique in Kuala Lumpur and the word ‘Allah’ has been a subject of debate for Christian usage. Malaysia has become somewhat a safe and fun place to live. And regional nationalistic are things easily to disregard, dropped into the rubbish bin for something much more flexible like liberal thoughts. Do not get shocked, if gay rights advocate already existed in the heart of this populous and ever-urban Klang Valley. Today, people who speak about being idealist nationalistic are labeled as close-minded people. In the 1950, gay rights activist may have themselves killed and bodies thrown into the river.

Why thrown into river? Are Malays bunch of uncivilized lynching mob ruling society? One word, every man has its breaking point. Things like bumiputra concept and the Sultanate, if anyone within this crowded highway infested Klang Valley felt its cool and safe within the liberal-minded neighbourhood to point out it is the Malay Achilles heel and ploy to throw acid and cause hurt on it while laughing like a SpongeBob square pants; does it sound these people had bad intentions?

No. Under the pretext of equal rights and freedom, acids are allowed to be thrown at bumiputra concept and Sultanate. They might be regarded as heroes which life struggles awaits movie-adaptation by some indie mop-like haired director, when people like me may just be another homo of Utusan reading and TV3 watching man.

Truthfully, I would want to be a Pemuda UMNO and strengthen it from inside, but, what are the odds of me bringing something fruitful when money are the grease that keeps UMNO running? Its ashamed to be part of UMNO nowadays, its much more ashamed to leave UMNO when its weak.

I reserved my decision about Pemuda. If Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of incumbent oh-so-clean UMNO president is the role model of next generation Pemuda, perhaps he might just picked up too much negative vibe. Yet, its UMNO blessing to have Oxford graduate as one of its leaders. Opposition party, as usual, they talked about Khairy as being “man with right university, wrong mindset”

If UMNO is a taboo word for you, perhaps, we can talk something else.

A television channel usually gained its revenue through airtime advertisement. Now, they seem to diversify through initiation of websites and carnival. Yet, airtime advert seems to be their prime source of stable revenue.

The problem with free-to-air commercial television station is to keep their advertisement short. Audience would have complained or shift channel once there are too many advertisement to watch. Losing viewership rating means losing popularity thus having low penetration rate, chasing away prospect advertisers. TV station had to balance things out, with each year, rebranding themselves with announcement like “10% lesser advertisement” to entice audience. While, on the commercial side, the TV channel kept convincing prospect advertisers about innovative advertise-on-air, advertising through sponsorship, website advertising etc. etc.

If wastage, corrupt and marking-ups amongst UMNO itself has become very critical, rampant and beyond repair, perhaps, UMNO leadership should consider things like balancing up. Vote buying is of course non-existent for commercial TV station added with reliable no-stake owed audit body. Yet, political party like UMNO should have known that thing can get really tricky when too much money rolling within its members yet votes from rakyat showed that they are losing ‘viewership’

When too much money used to grease the party, UMNO member ‘vote-value’ may varies greatly to a rakyat ‘vote-value’. I might as well remain as an affiliation-free rakyat.

Come to think again, if free-to-air TV station made us wait with their commercial, why not we do the subscription-based channel like Astro? They reduce the ads by charging certain fees to its audience? Can UMNO ‘model’ itself to be less government contract-reliant by pooling resources from its 8 million over members? Just like Obama collect money from his supporters to fund his campaign?

Looking at our economic strength, and the caterpillar money-hungry mark-up champion member of parties (not all), it seems like UMNO is far-far away from being a ‘commercial-free’. UMNO still had to do that balancing act of grease money and winning favors in-tandem.

The Fuzzy Logic

In this age of hybrids, metrosexuality and iMacs. We all wanted the best of two things.

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It does not take a rocket scientist to understand what is fuzzy logic. If you were asked about your age? How would you answer to that? If you counted your age relative to months ,then, you wouldn’t be any older till the month comes. If

counted according to years, then you age have risen up a notch as we step into new year. Apparently both are logical answer.

In this new age, even facebook seems to understand people affinity towards fuzzy logic; with its status preferences showing options of single, in a relationship, married, engaged, In an open relationship or just plain confused. Imagine how boring it would be to see either SINGLE or TAKEN shown on our profile instead when we are neither. Today, we usher an era where we don’t just answer a query in binary manner of either a 0=YES or 1=NO. Alternatively, world is not only painted in black and white. They consisted in many shades of grey.

There are no frustrating responses other than these ‘grey responses’. Being a simple minded person, we are subject to tremendous pressure of people telling you its not a NO but not a YES either. Its somewhere in the middle of unchartered territory. Like the age question: it can either be partially true and partially wrong at one time. This usually occurs in relationship.

When you have a relationship with someone, as we know, there is no way to calculate or measure affection. Mankind had gone to extreme length to measure moles of chemicals and photons of lights which seems to be too vague to calculate for the rest of us. Affection on other hand, an emotional response triggered by god-knows-what. The moment a couple seems to ‘agree’, it seems everything leads to YES. Unlimited and without holds.

In this fuzzy logic world, the term YES can branch into several types of YES. A 25%YES does exist and differs greatly from 75%YES. Occasionally, we met those kind of people that took advantage of fuzzy logic. A girl who uses the word ‘sayang’ to no matter whom she talked to. Sensible sense wise, sayang is a word reserved to someone who we really care. Its akin to honey. But perhaps, due to the oh-so-urban attitude and bye-bye-conventional kick-ass image projection, everyone gets their bit of sayang. She explained its simply not wrong to call friend sayang; She loves her friends. Then I asked what does she call the person she really affectionate? She cleverly answers “itu cinta”. I did asked further what a difference with kekasih, buah hati, teman mesra as there will be various type of parallel relationship, and there it goes a long list of this-can-be-done and cannot-be-done. Kekasih can co-exist with teman-mesra; buah-hati, sayang and cinta can exist simultaneously to form a threesome(?) and so on so on. Like a prepaid combo packages and cross-lines call tariffs. It differs.

I wonder why? When things can be as simple as binary YES or NO. ALL or NOTHING. BLACK or WHITE. There are people who subscribed to this type of complexity of OBVIOUSLY YES, PERTIALLY YES, HALF-HEARTED YES, NO-BUT STILL…, DEFINITELY NO, NOT NECESSARILY NO-NO.

Yet, I do not blame or get mad with these people and their ‘grey responses/fuzzy logic’ they are giving. We are not SQL server where there is a chart for each responses. We are not lawyers which strikes question and the responses are majorly YES or NO ( during trials ). We are humans, given ears to listen and brain to reason things out. So, I take time to listen and you are damn right, this ‘grey responses/fuzzy logic’ takes loads of time. Most of the time, its counter-productive and takes us into a confusing rabbit hole. Fuzzy logic is perhaps akin to ‘beating around the bush’ talk. That is why CEO only hears report during meeting, either they GAIN or LOSE. Military Commanders with their confirmation of either GO or ABORT. Quick and simple.

Fuzzy logic may be applied in good ways. As ways to avoid bursting people bubble or high expectation, we frankly tell them that the result varies from a degree to a certain degree. Fuzzy logic can form a distancing mechanism where once a couple declared their relationship, the affirmation is somewhat partial, in effect, there would not be an express make-love-on-sandy-beach getaway. YES is not a 100% YES. Fuzzy logic echoes the English superlatives for instance; good, better, best- logically, they all are what we wanted; but which one exactly?

Fuzzy logic can be played for the fun of it. Like hooking up with someone which serves as stepping stone before hooking up with much more desirable partner.It’s a logic that we speak, yet it has a blurry bottom line. And because our mind digests ‘logic’ easily it doesn’t matter if it has blurry bottom line, for as long as its logic!

The opposite of fuzzy logic will be crisp logic. A logical sense that is very much recognized, that it seems clear and crisp. In short; it will be like answering a Q like a binary machine: YES or NO.

The R-Word

No, R don’t make up another type of society level. R is the rest of us. R u sure?

As I browse through the newspaper a few days ago I came across a film advertisement. 

As usual, when a new movie are released ( also applies to going-to-be-release), there will be this small column on the left or bottom of newspaper with the simplified trailer poster. But this film 

advertisement had a rather interesting catch phrase on top of all; Program Merakyatkan Filem.( does it translate into ‘Bringing film close to people programme’? )

Title of the film is ‘Mekanik’ and one of the actress name mentioned that I still can recall is Susan Lankaster. It is not to be shown in couple-seat equipped THX-strapped cinemas. Instead, its being shown somewhere for free-of-charge. On the bottom, there is the Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan emblem.

A bit about the poster itself which sits on the lower left quadrant of the news page would be some sort of a illustration poster. With all of its cast being caricarturized, and main actor is seen holding a ridiculously huge spanner with ‘MEKANIK’ written across it. The poster reminds me of an era where Photoshop were still in its infancy level and bell bottom were as cool as hell. Not forgetting, Tun Dr.Mahathir might be a senator at the moment with chin reaching sideburn. Back to the poster, by the looks, it must be a comedy movie.

Nothing much to elaborate. I never intend to watch that free preview and never really understood what kind of approach the Program Merakyatkan Filem is going to be. It might be an Ibanese, a Malay, a Chinese, an Indian, a Siamnese, a Dayak Laut and Dayak Darat being seated side by side in during the preview. Just my two cents.

Yet, the word merakyatkan seems to caught my attention. With the multi paradigm, multi racial with different class, academic and economic status each branching in different idea, outlook and belief in many aspect, how to merakyatkan something? My dad says Alleycats did it once. Alleycats bridged the gap of the carefree poor and taste-concious rich. The bumiputra and the non-bumiputras. The Bahasa speaking and the non-bahasa speaking. Rumours has it that the lead singer never understood a single of Bahasa word. He just sang the whole song just like some of us whom become erraticly obsessed with Korean drama Winter Sonata and could sing the soundtrack verbatim. Without getting a clue what it means.

As I flipped through the daily, then, came across the B. Sathianathans’ somewhat hyperbolic punch line that says ‘M-League is not a football’. I do not know what he personally meant. It can be that he’s trying to tell the rest of us that ‘M-League is not a football, it’s a lawn bowl! ‘, but it just left there. Ironically, it is true, fans of local football is quite frustrated and rather go with Barclays due to the lack of sporting spirit in local football – In short, it is not football. There are powerful figures inside of football that neither has anything to do with football nor lawn bowl.

But why football? Are these powerful figures has got any stake in the young blood that fuel the national theme? Or is it huge amount of money poured into Malaysian football? Or is it prestige of high-ranks? Whatever advantage these people are sapping from national football, they should realize that football can be one of an instrument to unite people. I do come across an article where a coup d’état occurred in Argentina. There have been civil clashes and most of the people were plain mad. But one thing kept them in one piece. Football. At the time, Diego Maradona and his teammates were hustling to help Argentina climb into the final of World Cup. It was the mad Argentinian only reason to hold their fierce breath of fire. Indeed, Argentina made it into finals.

The Malaysian football must go through a process of dirakyatkan.Not to say, that each rakyat must vote through SMS for the nation first eleven. But, to ensure that the first eleven has got the real talent. Let the professional have full rights to pull the string without much obstruction or pre-conditioning. I strongly believe, professionals, without the silver spoon and platter, have gone through failure many times, before they gained their hard earned professional treatment. Yes, we have our sports research and sport science faculties that endlessly brewing on performance enhancing techniques. Do not let football become a lame sport that has no future, but packs lots of glamour. Parents today are hesitating to let their kids venture into the football career, they all clearly voice their concern about this ‘risky and regulated’ path. Effectively, the World Cup 2018 aim remained sketchy. I’am eager to see and totally confident that we will be Asia best, if not the world. All, without importing and giving residential status. But how?

Speaking of dirakyatkan, it is no wider usage apart from entertainment or sports other than politics ( pardon me, if you already had heavy doses of politics these few weeks, then, you may stop reading this entry from here ).

The UMNO defeat in Kuala Terengganu exposes us lots of responses in different frequency and modulation. What more can UMNO say to regain confidence of mainstream thinking Malays other than to trying to deflect allegation thrown at them.

But I am not a political observer that can list down all of that. What I am just plain concern is the ‘elite’ image of UMNO. Like several post which cynically remarks the pompous event related to UMNO and its figures. They were like a bunch of breakfast in London, Lunch in New York folks. Why are they inclined to become this ‘high maintenance select society’? When an individual or organisation becomes spendthrift, how are they trying to turn it around? Remember. UMNO used to have no money with its supporters ride their bicycles braving the sun and curfews to protest against Malayan Union and other interventions. They took trains and busses and slept in friends/relatives homes to attend rallies in major cities. The old UMNO.

Patrons of UMNO consists of people that can live with small pocket money, like teachers; names like Tun Ghafar Baba and Datuk Razali Ismail (former Kuala Terengganu MP) urges fellow teachers and academician to support UMNO and its ability to thrive this small race called Malay. Teachers and academicians, they had have their own circle and talk in a language that they’re familiar amongst themselves. Names mentioned above are the people whom can speak this language and convey it to the upper echelon of UMNO, vice versa.

PAS once had sasterawan negara Shahnon Ahmad working for them in 1999. He contested to become an MP for Sik constituency, Kedah. He lost and did not seek to contest in any election since then. It is not a bad idea after all. He may have the widest bandwidth in terms of articulating his ideas either verbally or written. The writers/sasterawan circle may be the keen listeners and would probably helped PAS candidate elsewhere. PAS won Terengganu in 1999 general election while retaining Kelantan.

UMNO. Somehow, somewhat they have to be an effort to turn this party into a thinking powerhouse that swerve through the ever challenging world of politics with full of pragmatic decision and respectable actions. A thinking powerhouse which ideas bears fruit that benefitted the race they represented. No more a money-making-powerhouse. Leave that contract giveaways to the business chambers etc. If high ranks of UMNO being polarized to a certain profession, it will have a hard time to come out of this current ruckus. Other profession like teachers and doctors also have ability to lead. Most importantly, they are part of rakyat. Lets merakyatkan the party. Or they shall remained a ‘high maintenance select society club’.