The Allowance

Love conquers all. When fuel price rises, still the wheel has to spin to watch the apples of any men eye smile, giggles and shine.

There is in fact some ritual involved before a boy meets a girl during the regular basis dating. To turn this regular into something special, most boys had gone to certain extent to make the best memories out of it. I had friends that do hair treatment at studios morning before the evening meet up. I wash my car before having a special occasion, got the shirt ironed out when ironing would be next-to-never after getting out of the washer, trimming moustache when I intend to keep it like A.Samad Said length, researching for conversation subjects (because I rarely talks third party), checking out Google Maps to pick her up, checking food blogs (because franchise is boring) and the list can go on further.

Yes, we also emphasize on filling up a considerable amount of fuel so that we can have a meaningful conversation while the air conditioner is providing constant supply of cold breeze, giving us extra confidence if we do stumbled upon unwanted traffic jams. We never want a worst case scenario of calling up friends to load a few bucks of petrol to get our stalled vehicle moving in a middle of dusty and noisy KL traffic jams. Not forgetting the watching eyes of massive traffic jams. Extra worst, if we had to pay the taxi fare so that the girlfriend can make home safely.

Money isn’t a thing for lovers who live on a shoestring. Although times are not that good, with prices of everyday things driving us mad, there is no stopping for couples to get along together as many times as possible. I recently read some articles regarding low-cost dating that includes visiting public parks, dropping by pet stalls/SPCA and playing husband-wife looking for house in housing estates. Things that kept the sparkle lit.

Shift for a moment

With UMNO’s General Assembly coming close, we will once again witness massive amount of politician taking the stage and deliver their fiery and punchy speech regarding perjuangan. Some delivers witty and humorous talk about their thoughts leaving the perwakilan in stitches. We’ll see charismatic overseas student of foreign UMNO clubs coming down and sharing their views. I hope Tun Dr.Mahathir would deliver a piece of his mind especially in hard times like this. The fledging spirit of UMNO veterans who never lose faith brazing the thin or thick and finally (and thankfully) the young Puteri’s with their pink cheek and joyful smile in their neat baju kurungs.

The General Assembly is the moment which could become UMNO testing ground. Screaming setia! (faithful) bersatu! (united) and sedia berkorban! (ready to sacrifice) make no sense if its not tested. Like a Bangladeshis seller along Petaling Street who would go to the extent of momentarily burning their leather-based merchandise to authenticate its quality and durability, UMNO members too had to do this. Of course, when I suggest we should test UMNO members, it does not have to be burning them alive to see if they would die for UMNO, that would be counter-productive and silly.

The Assembly, like previously done, will be held at Putra World Trade center on 13th October till 16. All the invited perwakilan shall in some way or another bare all the costs of travelling down to the hall. There should not be any huluran (allowance) from any branch towards their member who wish to attend the assembly. When love conquers all, money isn’t a thing. When money isn’t a thing, Perwakilans from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang would hurdle along the East Coast Highway to Karak highway to Genting and finally Gombak down to KL with their own money. Perwakilan from Kedah, Perlis and Perak would straddle for hours along PLUS highway bearing the cost with their hard earned money. Johorean, Malaccan and Negeris perwakilans would ride up north with every drop of fuel bore from their pocket money. Not forgetting, Sabah and Sarawakians UMNOs would fly in full heartedly with not a single cent comes from any sort of huluran.

If perwakilans felt this is too expensive for them to bare, they could pool their resources and rent a bus. Let them travel in one bus or vans where they can cement their relationship and reduce travelling costs. In Malay words ‘mengeratkan silaturahim’. The bus would not have to have UMNO emblem outside, it can be a rented bas kilang or bas persiaran.

Accomodation wise, party members of any ranks cannot be allocated/reserved with plenty-of-stars hotels scattered around KL. They can instead opt to stay at relatives houses to again mengeratkan silaturahim. Eventhough that particular member of relative is not actively involved in politics, it’s the best time to approach the rakyat. Brushing up the mesra rakyat skills which every UMNO members should have. Have breakfast with them, prayers with them instead breakfast in hotels which is all about glamour and class.

Even if PWTC can accommodate all perwakilan in its grand dining hall, save that catering money for better streamers for PRU-13 and let them eat at stalls around KL. Did UMNO know that if Kuala Lumpur weren’t a federal territory, Kuala Lumpur would have a DAP chief minister. Let the thousand perwakilans scattered around KL, thriving business for foodstalls, meeting new people and personally explain that UMNO is a party with a strong stance that never ever involved in any elaborate ploy to commit systematic genocide on other races living in Malaysia. That is just pure paranoia.

If UMNO starts to implement this, where no allowance money/huluran is given (directly or indirectly) we’ll see how many of the perwakilan becomes reluctant and lazy to come by. We will witness how attendees could significantly reduced and come to an inconvenient truth that UMNO is a party greased up by money and not love for the bangsa. They would prefer to come by in their big SUVs discussing with their cronies on what project to scoop if they had chance to meet Najib or Muhyiddin or the three vices.They would like to stay in big hotels near shopping complexes where their sons and daughters can go scoop some expensive item from contract money. This all could be the harmful thing that runs through UMNO perwakilan when comes to General Assembly and perhaps, this is wrong!

The high ranking UMNOs would be filthy rich by now and would be minimally affected if they were such actions. They still can afford Ritz Carlton with all the fancy optional of valet parking and fresh roses delivered at the doorstep every morning. But what these politicians would think when they were barely anyone in the hall as they speak? By now they should realize and differentiate the meaning of true and fake patrons of UMNO.

Do we need to be constantly reminded about the posters and newspapers that were printed before merdeka was bore out from our forefathers money? In times where the best job a Malay could attain at the time was government officers or teachers? How about them who travelled by walking and cycling to attend protests in tens of thousand in Alor Star and Kota Bharu? These are the spirits of true lovers where money isn’t a thing.

Sadly, this kind of activism is mostly shown by the opposing party members – surprisingly supporters too. We saw them bravely protesting on the streets, admitted to Kamunting and making statutory testimonials against big figures, making their small presence noticeable although for them this means a lot of trouble. So, why UMNO with huge amount of followers are seen quiet and inexperience in handling this kind of situation? Seriously, does missing huluran spells trouble?

For those who never expect/gets huluran and did make it into the dewan from start till finish, god bless you.

The Nostalgias

Stadium Merdeka hold significant events of great importance to our beloved nation. But just like our wedding reception (if we do have), do we expect that dreamy all-white tent to stood there for a long time because that single wedding is a-time-of-our-life?

Once Kuala Lumpur mooted with the idea to erect a new, shining, all-modern stadium. A multi purpose sport facility that will hold big games and seats tens of thousand spectators. We have all the expertise, architects and engineers at disposal to work marvel on ideas that could tremendously alter the cityscape of Kuala Lumpur just like what Commonwealth did to Bukit Jalil. KL had the land allocations, amidst the high density city center, several acres of reserves may be available along the outskirts which someday shall be flooded with development as KL expanded.

One problem that lingered at that time is the lack of fund. The council had to spend millions per year in maintaining the city public amenities. Back then, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad has been approached to consult this matter. In his progressive ways of decision making, Tun suggested the land which stadium merdeka currently sits to be sold to any interested land developers in return for funds which can offset/fully cover the cost of a new stadium.

The suggestion was perhaps met with uncomfortable responses. Indeed, Tun got his share being painted as a person who downplayed the importance of merdeka (independence). The oldbuilding perhaps was considered sacred as Tunku Abdul Rahman taunted Merdeka! seven times which symbolically proclaimed the independence of Malaya on 31^st August 1957.

It is unbeknown what crazy ideas were going through the minds of the suggesting party, still, do they expect Tun to dig from Petronas deep pockets? No, the development plan was in fact in its first gears when Stadium Merdeka were handed over to UEM ( United Engineers Malaysia )Berhad. UEM even had proposed to redevelop the area into an extensively urban-planned clusters of office tower together with a splendor of shopping complex, retail units, amphitheatre, parks and ala-leisuremall entertainment center. Conceptual sketches (pic below) is a testament of UEM to tear down stadium merdeka and replace it with the ultra modern ‘Plaza Merdeka’

Nobody would have thought that if this 1-billion ringgit project took off, we would half-smilingly asked our KL dwelling relatives “mane awak beli baju ni? “, they’ll responded “ sayer beli di Plaza Merdeka jew “

A billion ringgit is considered by far a huge amount of money back then in 1998. The reason Plaza Merdeka did not come to realization is because the economic turmoil at the moment halted the progress beyond a couple of impressive conceptual sketches. Finally, UEM dropped off its plans to redevelop Stadium Merdeka in order to consolidate itself as it wobbles along the tightrope of economic uncertainties.PNB ( Permodalan Nasional Berhad ) had replaced UEM in the ownership of stadium merdeka. The Plaza Merdeka is surely ambitious and would become a one prestigious address for all, yet, PNB never had the financial capability to execute the project. From that moment, the decline of Stadium Merdeka had taken a nose dive as new, much modern and pleasant looking stadiums spurn elsewhere. Selangor FA had its own home with the monumental calm-like Stadium Shah Alam in 1999. Stadium Merdeka is plague with desertion and faces the threat of degradation as tropical sunlight are harsh and torrential rains punches hard on building structures.

A quick history of Stadium Merdeka provided a glimpse of how joyous this infant nation had prepped itself for independence.  With too little money to spend, Tunku had ordered a special place to commemorate the merdeka which will hold thousand of fellow Malayans as witness. Tunku had envisioned a piazza/pavilion which citizen would eventually utilized to hold activities and meet

ing points. Thus, a British architect heed that call and proposed a lowly elevated hill to be excavated ( Picture Stadium Merdeka as a stadia carved out of a flatten hill ). This idea infact, saves cost and minimize the time taken. On top of all, it serves the purpose without any beams or columns falling off during Tunkus taunt of Merdeka!

A Leash of New Life.

In my 22years of age, I never stepped my foot to Stadium Merdeka. The closest that I got to the stadium would be the Monorail ride as it swiftly passes the Maharajalela station. For whatsoever reason, I had never felt the calling to bring myself in there. And, if you randomly ask 10 other young people they would not prefer to be there. Perhaps they would be there if Black Eyed Peas were to perform there, but the intention to be there would purely be the BEPs presence. The building mostly would fall into the category of semi-presence, worst, absent.

Stadium Merdeka witnessed plenty of sporting events and international artiste had sweat themselves out performing there ( which includes the late Michael Jackson, Avril Lavigne, Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance. In short, Stadium Merdeka is never that sport-stricken facility in terms of utilization. Thus, ongoing daily-basis activities such as mini-gig, creative craft sales, playact classes or public outcry corner can be held over there. Through this effort, StadiumMerdeka may save its grace and avoid desertion.

Breathing Stadium Merdeka a new life is no easy task, but whenever there’s a will, there will be a way. Arsenals’ Highbury Stadium had been gloriously transformed into The Highbury Square, a collection of high-class apartments flanked the football field which has turned into a modern garden. Bare in mind, the Highbury stadium itself is 93 years old when the rejuvenation project was initiated, nearly twice the age of our Stadium Merdeka. Arsene Wenger was invited to the launch of Highbury Square recently, as I can recall, he did not make any architectural remarks about the redevelopment. Only he felt saddened as the place vividly brought out the nostalgics he had while managing The Arsenal. Well, Wegner need not to feel sad, as the Highbury Square still retains resemblance of the stadium superstructure, only, the purpose had been changed. It’s a blessing that Wenger could recall those sweet memories rather than seeing the site being radically replaced by gigantic structures of alien shapes.

In the case of Stadium Merdeka, when a building lost its connection with its occupants, through eventually being left by the latter, than, that building is considered useless and fit to be replaced or adapted to a more useful purpose. Without downplaying the events deemed significant to Malaysia, the subsequent cost to maintain it could prove to be an ongoing financial burden. As usual, some taxpayer may do that usual ‘money is better off spent for the homeless/poor’ which requires the government to again review its stance on the stadium.

Perhaps, like Highbury Square, Stadium Merdeka can be transformed into a courtyard-styled park with each evening people would jog around its track, a lavishly landscaped park with interconnected ponds is possible. A vast corridor can be a welcoming sight with a few flamboyant artist can do a live shows or live painting. A few seats along the astaka can be retained and a small elevated platform would be erected for city folks to practice some freedom of speech. A small memorial can be made within the parameter where Tunku chanted Merdeka as future generation would come and learn. The stadium alone with the hype cannot do this, it is our responsibility to enhance its appeal.

Endless possibilities awaits our historic stadium. Heritage status granted upon Stadium Merdeka in 2003 alone does not mean total immunity from demolition. Its change or perish.

The Expo

Curtain falls as Ramadhan took off the stage. Hari Raya is finally here! We turned into a happy lot who enthuastically munch on our distinct traditional delicacies. But for how long?

On second day of puasa, I went to a friend of mine who supervises a bazaar ramadhan stall here in Bangsars’ Jalan Telawi. As usual, there are streams of people who wanted to grab their meal for berbuka. Not forgetting, others do not puasa (due to different religion or some other reason) who tagged along enjoying the wide selection of food and beverages offered by plethora of stalls over there. That’s fine, Its great to see the different faces of Malaysia wondering at the same bazaar looking for treats.

Everything from sotong bakar, nasi briyani and ayam berempah were present. Smoke billowing from ayam golek madu (honey grilled chicken) tickled my appertite. Sizzling Ikan bakar pre-wrapped with banana leaf whose tempting aroma rises from the frypan ignited a flood of acid inside my tummy. All this, occurred while the first hand of the clock is nowhere near six. Oh! How dreadful waiting can be especially on the second day of puasa.

At the corner end of bazaar, I stumbled upon the Chinese pasar held simultaneously connected through a series of stalls selling fake crocs sandals, potted flowers and China-made clothing bundle. I proceeded walking through the Chinese pasar which stall flanked to my left and right. There is nothing different from the bazaar as the amount of visitors are almost the same, as usual walking through the narrow walkways are painful when you had nothing to see. In terms of items traded, the Chinese market has got a few perishables such as fresh fruits, vegetables and fish (exception of meat), as I am well aware that the market is akin to pasar tani.

One thing that attracted me to walk further into the Chinese market is their inclusion of foodstuff. Earlier on, the bazaar had offered me a visual feast of meal. But this time around, the Chinese market had more to offer than the Malay dominated bazaar. A walk past middle-aged soya seller had me paused a moment along those narrow walkway, staring how the soya being poured into the individual plastic bags before being tied and sold. I know I’m not disillusioned by the many foods displayed that day, but I’m fascinated by the frothiness of the soya milk. Its one of those magic moments for soya lovers like me to grab and taste those thick fresh soya milk.

Of course, this blog entry is just too ridiculous to talk about thick soya milk and magic moments. I proceed and walk farther into the Chinese pasar which by now had my sight on Chinese apam balik. The seller is very generous to give more nuts and corn into the apams. The smell of roasted nuts just enough to drive me nuts, again, it made me walk past the stall very slow that it might had the person behind me grumbled inside their mind “ tengok mau, nak beli tak nak”

At the end of the Chinese pasar, there is one ;perhaps- long established stall that sells laksa which happens to provide seating for its patron. There were plenty of people enjoying their meal. Again the sight of the preparation of food is top notch as the equipment are clean and stills gleams when metal parts are susceptible to fungi growth especially near the bottom edges. I sighted none. Again, generous seller had the laksa kuah thick and much more wholesome ( why am I obsessed with thick gravy?), it seems the content is not compromised. Smiling faces across the three-quarter full stall is a testament that the laksa stall sells good food.

After elapsing a round, Im back to the bazaar ramadhan. Yes, indeed, they do have soya milk, apam balik and laksa( things alike ) here. Sold by Malay Muslim traders  which undoubtedly sells halal food. But halal does not mean halai balai (parents use this northern jargon to refer half-heartedly done job). If I were a food critic, the Chinese pasar food offerings would have won and beaten the bazaar hands down. The Malay-dominated bazaar has got options but lacked that ommph! Imagine soya pouring like tap water. Thin and light that it would ran off your tongue without any traces of texture to devour? They even dare to lie when I ask: “ Kak, soya ni pekat ke?” “ Pekaattttt…..”

I should have uttered “ *insert your curse* “ to her face. Yes, all this hindered from happening, as ramadhan is better rewarded when we exercise patience. In short, Ramadhan is a gateway for these traders to exploit and extort money.

I am saddened by attitude of some of our Malay traders at the recent bazaar. They went ahead to sell their food as if to reach that ‘thousand-ringgit’ critical point and pay down-payment for a new car to show off during Hari Raya. We cherish our food and recipe regarded it as turun temurun yet we failed to appreciate it as much as our pride. Kuih Melaka had its core too small, that it come to a point that it wasn’t sufficient to soak my tongue with gula Melaka. An Ikan-bakar seller in Putrajaya bazaar sells half cooked fish which tasted pungent, I had to call off my buka puasa  since the fish terribly looks, feels and tastes like an alien meat (you’ve seen predator in alien vs.predator? Picture those predator dreadlocks being chopped off and char-grilled ).  This is what it meant by halai balai.

Malay traders must upgrade their food standards. Stop doing nasty jokes like telling people tap-water quality soya is thick to their standard when Chinese soya seller were capable preparing ‘melted-chocolate viscosity’ soya milk. Lard added soya milk might sound ridiculous to what these Chinese soya sellers could achieve, instead, the Malay soya sellers should start thinking instead of throwing tantrums and cast viciously wild doubts about the secret of soya thickness. It goes to the apam balik and laksa too.

Display of true passion

A bazaar ramadhan should have been a food exposition. Like car exposition where automobile companies feature prototype of their best technology and design their minds could ever produce, so does a bazaar ramadhan. It should have showcases the passion of our Malay traders towards their turun-temurun recipes, with their offerings of best-est and high standard that shall impress any living soul that visit the bazaar. Through these food expo, people from different background could have a taste and traders could tugged a few regulars that would bring in good money for the rest 11months or years to come, in the scenario of the traders had a premise. Even though if they do not have fixed premise, an excellent food will undoubtedly receive special orders that these traders could cater to.

As far as I have seen, some sellers are keen to take advantage of the many people that flocked the bazaar. There is clear indication of these sellers pushing for quantity rather than quality. Perhaps, for that down-payment for a new car?  I spent average RM5 for each bazaar visit and I know this amount of money would not make a significant wealth to any traders out there. But, I expect the bazaar stall gave a bit of value stretching to that money. I know my decision is not impaired if I grabbed those thick, more texturized soya from the mid-aged Chinese soya seller. Do not rest on your laurels due to the fact that a Muslim like me MUST find halal food. Halal must include cleanliness, appropriateness of materials and quality.

Regardless of turun temurun or not, a shift can occur if the Malay traders fails to catch up. Chinese had daring ventures from making curries till nasi kandar. No doubt these are not their indigenous food but they can do it well.  Come to think of it, we live in houses made by their contractors, worn shoes repaired by their cobblers, could the food that runs into our bloodline prepared by their hands? Its very possible, and it could be very soon.

When the rendangs I ate and soya I drink are from them. Do ask why I lost faith towards the ones made by ours. Sure, my RM5 would not make anybody poorer. Apalah sangat RM5 tu, ingat besar sangat duit banyak tu… Nak sedap-sedap buat sendirik la…..

Selamat Hari Raya 2009!

Part2: Floating Speck of No Origins

A lecturer stated that Malaysia is merely “a melting pot where various races landed here and began their life” then I see a few heads nodding. The lecturer reinstated that Malaysia belonged to the orang aslis.

There must be a sense of pride when someone has to endow the idea that they indeed never belonged from anywhere and just landed here out of osmosis. Or is it just the fear of being regarded as chauvinist lingered the mind of this lecturer? Where is his sense of belonging? If Malaysia is a melting pot, is he ready to denounce Malaysian citizenship because only orang asli exclusively deserve them? Thus he shall float and wonder without knowing where his family tree originates. If Malaysia is a melting pot, maybe this kind of person might be better to find other melting pots? Say, Singapore?

It is rude to tell that Malaysia belonged to anybody. Malaysia definitely belonged to nobody, it is not run purely by somebody, or its economics regulated by somebody. In fact, the diverse background of Malaysia made it possible to achieve such degree of success added with the combined values found in South Asia and Indo-Sino, we had this sense of diversity far beyond the understanding of Western worlds.

Undeniably, there are nations which hosts to several ethnic groups. For instance Indonesia and its hundreds of ethnics with most forming their organizations in hope for their voices, concerns and demands are heard. These ethnics sometimes came out with demands which the pemerintah themselves had a hard time to think of. They include formation of their autonomous region and state assembly seats with elected representatives. Together with its own administrative capital. Same goes to India and its various ethnics which scattered from east to west, spanned from north to south. Deemed as the largest democracy in the world, just imagine what kind of manifesto had to be chartered when that nation of 800million population faces its election? Undoubtedly, there are still a few ethnics over there struggling to push for their own region and assembly hall for chosen policymakers.

That is why people like Mahatma Gandhi are heralded as the greatest leader in India. Many things can be learned from his pervasive and persuasive way. Through his soft spoken, humble and rounded spectacles gaze his mind had formulated a definitive way to unite all of mighty India and head out for independence from colonial British. He succeeded and became an idol, an icon too. Unfortunately, there are people who used his image to portray their struggle as noble and persistent yet never realized it’s causing more troubles and mockery towards the harmony.

We are currently facing a similar situation whereby we hosted multiple ethnic groups. The political rights granted to them, in exchange for special rights are deemed as never enough and breach of human rights for equality. Malay as majority ethnic can never establish themselves as the anchor ethnic as their political influence are slowly eradicated while badly losing in the economy sector. While numbers of Malay ethnic were high, leaders failed to quip them to become much more valuable to the nation, as what Mao sees its many population of China as an economic asset a few decades ago. Now, the opposition are ready to exploit this slow and painful effort to quip the Malays as liability. Whispering to unsuspecting ears that Malaysia is carrying dead elephant on its back when it could sprint ahead into fully developed high-income nation without the ‘loads’. We wondered why a speck of these ethnic can be ‘potent’ and impolite to an ethnic like Malays?

Respectfully adapt, it’s not racial genocide or forced assimilation

Imperial China had a respectable image as an empire that less likely to interfere with other domestic matter. Like their merchant which landed here a few centuries ago, beginning with their emissaries and other official representatives, they brought news of trading rather than conquering. When they needed spices from Malaya, they pointed out they needed spice in exchange for infamous Chinese tea or silk. Perhaps gold if the ruler insists.
The other way happens for European colonizing powers which came to Asia with their big guns and assertive advisors (opium for China), and we were enthralled by how disrespectful they invaded and bore out soil for valuable minerals to feed their thriving industries. They should have properly asked to trade with us instead.

When they had us, they would build rail tracks which we thought a novelty contribution to enhance our transportation system. Instead, their true intention is too speed-up transportation of tin and other precious metals out of our nation through coastal ports, which, stubbornly named to their liking too: “Port Swettenham, Port Dickson etc. etc.

The bygones, let’s not get nostalgic.

Whatever is past is past. Yet, it will be noted in our nation history and we retained some of the ports name. The reason why China and Western colonizing powers were brought fourth is the difference between the two of them. The failure of Western powers to adapt with the local atmosphere.

Some must say a speck of Malays must be having attitude problem and becoming sickly too nostalgic due to their refusal to drop claims about previous trade-offs and surviving without protectionist policies. For those who had willingly accept the ideals of all-equal, all-same Malaysia they must be enjoying million praises and jumped into the positively liberated Malays bandwagon which voices and presence were artificially boosted.

Indeed, there is occasional thoughts inside my mind about how would it be if all this claims of ketuanan melayu are dissolved and just not being nostalgic, lets just let Malaysia become what my lecturer pictured it to be: a melting pot . Why not Malays become all that flexible ethnic which absorbs other culture identity like tunang, hookah and shuffle and never let the tide of change stop coming in. Replacing old one as soon a new one is found.

The lost conscience

Now, in this whole new generation, if I put myself as a Chinese or an Indian, there might be sort of kecil hati when I’m born in Malaysia, lived here for all of my lifetime and pledges my taat setia (dedication) to this land every Monday morning yet I’m granted a status which is sort of sub-standard compared to this other superior race. Of course, when I reached the age when I’am eligible to vote, I’ll cast my vote to a party which would make life for me in Malaysia felt like home rather than foster homes. My generation is a fully Malaysian blood although I admit my forefathers came from other country had crossed the seas and straits just to settle here.

A time machine would have resurrected the rationality of those that had jumped into the Liberated-Malays bandwagon about the mutual understanding that glued us together. Let the liberated think twice about the economic-justice ideals and why we unable to run on pure democracy, the western nation paid dearly for this type of democracy. In short, show them liberals are not even close to new-cool or whatsoever, and the artificial appreciation by benefactor of ‘economic justice’ will show its true face. Bring them back to witness the signed treaty between the Malays and leaders of Indian and Chinese back then. It was not about who should put a leash on whom, instead, its about sacrifice and thankfulness. A conscience which had lost. Today, people can easily refute claims by saying “What Agreement? What Treaty? That’s just a textbook lie“ a threat which is unable to be credibly challenged. Why? Why does it become so inconvenient?

Fair vs equality

No DEB! Abolish them!

When heads are nodding, it translated to hopes of freer and equal society. Economic justice is the music to the ear nowadays, so do freedom of speech and human rights. There must be a coordinated effort by certain quarters to educate the young of Malaysia that ethnic identifier is merely a gimmick. There are parties that wanted to make Malaysia a ‘colour blind’ society. Rather than a united divergent society.

‘Colour blind’ ideals is something that wanted to devaluate cultural importance and giving back hands to racial diversity of Malaysia. They, who endow them, shall speak of racism free Malaysia. Blaming the incumbent ruling party as segregationist with its bumis and non-bumis policies, when it was initiated to sort out economic imbalances and income disparities. With their twisted words and veiled accusation, ethnic is a damaging notion which every man and woman in Malaysia should never subscribe.

It is true that religion has long been the cause of wars. Islam and Christians went to battle in endless crusades/jihads, some win and some lose. For hundreds of years they proved to be many casualties involved in these wars. All for reasons to uphold the principles and beliefs which participants of war held strong. For that, should humans be barred from believing a religion?
As the age of religion wars had ended, Today, we stumbled upon this calls for ethnic-less nation.

The perpetrator of ‘Colour blind’ Malaysia is trying to seek broader publicity. It appeases taste buds of the young where merit is given to those who qualified, since success knew neither race nor religion. An imaginary converged society and culture which had lost their sense of belonging. It’s a subject where laymen necessarily agrees without knowing to what extend does ‘colour blind’ shall influence their life. Correct me if I selectively judged this calls for ‘colour blind’

One-for-all, all-for-one

Some may opine UMNO leaders as disillusioned nationalist, paranoid ultras or wrong-cause politicians; yet, past presidents which subsequently become the prime minister of Malaysia had given lots of attention towards non-bumiputras. They introduced policies had evidently benefitted the non-bumis, let’s take a look at land developers, wholesalers and contractors.

From mechanics to metalwork and foundries, they raked millions in profits and their possibilities are endless. Yet the demographically dominant Malays continuously supporting them through elections had surely been their sign approval, even though some compromise may be seen disagreeable at times. Or is it a matter of us lacking of options?

Change or perish, that is what Muhyiddin Yasin had called forth towards members of UMNO. It’s a clear sign that most of these protectionist rulings shall be dropped and the vile whispers of ‘leaving the weak behind so we could sprint ahead’ may hold partial truth and reap real rewards.

From that on, we are on our own.

It’s a heartbreaking effort to clean UMNO up, de-worm itself from the corrupt, buckle up and sprint ahead to fulfill second generation Malays. Follow their tendency to perceive this land liberally and equally. Like electric cars that kicked off without much fanfare, yet, we knew someday it will conquer the road for its low-impact on the greens, UMNO have to slowly embrace sentiment of liberties and freeze its ‘nostalgics’ for the moment.

In the process of de-worming the party, many sacred cows victims of UMNO purge could cross over to the other side. As soon as they switched ship, quickly they were baptized miraculously turning them from corrupt to trustworthy. Crook to angels. Chauvinist to fair. The de-worming process could trigger an exodus of members switching sides. The existing members might become a little disgruntled since they were the zealous lot who threw cabbage, carrots and tomatoes towards these ex-UMNO political showmanship, and later they had to accept these people as one of their own with open arms and happy faces. How can they complain? Anwar was one of them, an unhappy UMNO man who claimed he had changed and brewed a recipe for harapan baru.

One has got to review its platform. Reform itself to become a mighty think tank, organization for Malay intelligentsia consisting figures in many aspects (tok gurus, literature, economist, medicine doctors, psychologist, technologist, engineers) The party should purge its money-making contract-lobbying member to form a chamber-of-commerce that publishes itself an ala-yellow-pages directory consisting bumiputra business man capable in various services. UMNO should survive through contributions of its members rather than members sucking the party coffers dry. This is what it mends to do before facing the consequences of losing, in Muhyiddins’ word: perish.

Does Pure Lineage exists?

Guess UMNO one big party for all. You would not believe that Tun Mahathir, Khir Toyo and others which are not from pure Malay lineage had fought to see Malays thrive. Just like activist who fought for nature or animal rights; they need not to be flora or fauna themselves; they fought for something that needed care. It is of no shock to realize that any sane-minded governing power should put an emphasis to help the many and the weak. The benefit shall trickled towards the less affluent and already affluent shall feel that value added service of quipped and polished Malays, thus attaining balance.

Although membership of UMNO were restricted to Malays, but the party itself seemed to run on ideology instead of the claimed racial politics. Anyone who subscribed to similar ideology can join the party, and it seems that Malays itself had somewhat became ‘glokalized’ (global+local) with some can proudly claim they came from Malay-Arab-Mat Salleh or Malay-Java-Netherlands or the infamous lash-it-all Melayu-Bugis, this all had blurred the lines between who is Malay and who is not Malay. It’s the time when we ushers the brand new Bangsa Malaysia, when each ethnic shall shed their prejudice that other ethnic shall outdo another ethnic and vying for a hostile takeover. UMNO leaders should never become terminally shocked due to ‘lost conscience’ of current generation non-bumiputras as they were born here, loved the nation. Perhaps leaders are too slow in quipping-up the Malays for the tough challenges they had foreseen. Polishes The Malays to brace themselves for the demands which has become apparently clear.

Part1 -Tripartite Hydra

Once again it’s on. Looking back in time, PAS was telling all its supporters to ponder and think about this statement: Which is much more important, race or religion? Now a similar question arises; but in a different tone by broader range.

UMNO is fighting for the bumiputras. Do these bumiputras come from pure Malay linage? With all the mixed parentage of Zeiglers, Danishes and Karins does bumiputras exists?

It wasn’t much of a trivia. It’s a statement that emphasize that PAS was fighting on the right political platform. A holy path which nobody can deny or mock. If u deny any cause that is justified under the reason of God, you will be regarded as jahil (narrow minded) , zalim (unjust) or musyrik (imposter).

Our reasoning will be regarded paralyzed if we state that race is more important than religion. Na

turally religion comes before race. Yes, religion is important, in any way how can we deny it? Without any intention of cynical, we lived the five pillars of Islam and six pillars of Iman. The ‘one million dollar’ question is like a chain bomb; it comes with a plethora of other question like: Siapa yang akan menyelamat kita di dunia dan akhirat? Bangsa atau agama? ( Which of the two will save us? Your race or your faith? ) and Apakah malaikat soal bangsa kita apabila mati? ( Will they question your race when you are dead?) Yet, the question subtly referred to political preference between UMNO and PAS.

At the time, UMNO did not take that lightly, they responded and casuallyagreed that religion is the most vital part of anybody life which would made PAS smiling due to the credo. Yet, the idea of religion before race does not mean that someone has to be in PAS camp regarding it as the blessed political platform. With a billion over Muslims in the world in a state of instability and prejudice, we had to come to realization that binding medium of Muslims in 

Malaysia shall be that of ethnicity.

Smaller, manageable units of Muslim society – that is the way of UMNO.

The UMNO affair with the second most accounted religion is breaking it down to smaller, manageable part. Just like how family institution (dad authority, mom approval) can contribute to 

the success of the nation. Where is unity when this ‘breaking down’ happens? Though, Muslim brotherhood knows no geopolitical border, yet, Muslim seems to don bad face due to ethnic malfunction. Just like Saudi giving United States sponsorship to attack Iraq in 1991, an example of how brother spilt another brother blood. All of this due to ethnicity malfunctions; the Arabs failed to agree on commonality amongst themselves and allowed external influences to intervene.

It seems the idea of questioning race or religion first has backfired towards the other camp. UMNO starts questioning: What kind of sign tells us that UMNO way of fighting for religion through ethnic platform is invalid? God guarantees that each good deed done towards the sacred religion is being accounted, no matter how small it is. Did they mention deeds of PAS members received magnified values or triple bonus point? Worst, If UMNOs deed were deplorably unacceptable; they have got to be kafir? Don’t they?

Now, UMNO has to respond to the broader range of rakyat. PAS whom fundamental aim seeks to create Islam Statehood had join forces with unflinchingly outspoken ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ party to pose another one million dollar question: ‘Does Malay itself a race that is original or had become impure due to cross-breed?  A hard rhetoric considering the fact that Tun Mahathir father himself is an Indian from Kerala. How did former Selangor MB Khir got his Toyo? There are some whom admitted that there is no such race as Malay; as they explained: “semua darah sudah campur, Melayu takdak“ This is a salvos of question seeking to refute the platform which UMNO stood now.

Probably, Im well aware about UMNO mechanics after the 8^th March political tsunami. They are trying to tell the rakyat that there are two different way of thinking within PAS members. The so-called modern, much versatile, coat donning, blackberry utilizing ‘Erdogan’ sect and the conservatism ulama (Muslim clerics) sect. There is no use breaking up PAS because in the end of the day, PAS can be the Malays only salvation. Weakening it now may result in a quickening of Malays downfall as the demographically dominant ethnic in Malaysia. Thus, quicken the transformation of Malaysia into republic and quelling Malay hopes to reside in cities pushing them back farther into the depths of outskirts. Making the wicked orchestration come to its fruitation.

As I see it, there’s big possibilities of this unflinchingly brave ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ party becoming the dominant entity amongst the Pakatan Rakyat. Dominant, not in the sense that they will sweep many seats, instead, dominant as they will hold key seats – the populous, more cultured urban folks. This is apparently true as what we saw in recent election. The rich states shall fall under their hands. PAS on the other hand, will get the votes of Malay belt states ( such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis ), which economic output were still based on agriculture. That’s fine, early in the days; both parties can harmoniously form an alliance government

Epicenter of Republic in the high-hopes of domino effect

Hence, when the Malaysian Malaysia party had an upper hand, with their dominant seat they shall allocate meager funding to masjids and suraus, PAS will somehow become infuriated, yet they powerlessly obey. A furious uproar from PAS grassroots leaders from the corners of kampongs and desa sends chills to the upper echelon of PAS. PAS higher council shall asks the Rockets.

The Malaysian Malaysia party shall pose trivial questions like “ How many of you are pure Muslims? Why I can see a few/lots of you drinking alcoholic beverages? Why not many of your female is not wearing Hijab since it’s compulsory? “,in a way to justify the need to lessen allocations, further sidelining the Malays. If a revolt starts, the Islamophobia messages will spread through the arms of information channels. Whatever cause PAS and its followers fought for is considered futile.  Once Islamophobia were spread amongst city folks which will widen the gap, PAS have this image of recklessly backward thinking party which resorted to violence. While Rockets are sitting on their offices further suppressing PAS.

It is no harder to see, the ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ party will firstly play the racial card. We see them trying to create an ‘epicenter of republic’ in Perak, hoping the domino shall fall and rakyat realize that the grass is greener and laughter is filled with joy in Perak after the lost of Sultanate Intervention. They never succeed in doing so, yet they achieve a small degree of success giving tremors to Malaysian politics about their unwitting will to wipe the Sultanate in order for democracy to run smoothly according to their liking. Their action should be punished severely, neither; it is not a matter of faux pas and sensitivity of Malays (which they would gladly disregard, because their life run on the books of akta). This is a matter of Kings Prerogative and judgment when disputes occurred. 

As co-belligerence, Is PAS ready to be backfired? Does PAS ready to be seen as a party that represents a group of people which are non-existent? Is PAS really ready for the prejudiced Islamophobic gaze? Just like today opposition trying to tell people that UMNO represents an ethnic group that is nonexistent. Like some says “darah sudah campur, Melayu takdak” Does God assurance that Islam is a religion that shall be forever dignified, so does this let PAS rest on its laurels? PAS for all this while never agreed to become minorities of UMNO, then, PAS are willing to let itself being overcast by a more horrid shadows.

Not bridging the gap

If today we lauded the ideas Malaysian without ethnic identifiers (with intention to irrationalize UMNO), who might guarantee the Rockets might barred their thrusters from blowing fire about Malaysian without religion? The Rockets shall held the book of akta in their hands, spit out to the faces of PAS delegates that how once they refuted kesetiaan kepada raja dan Negara, now they are gleefully refuting kepercayaan kepada tuhan. Remember PAS,any force exerted, it shall heed with the annoying Islamophobic gaze. The Islamophobic is an easily available prejudice weapon which The Rockets will never think twice to use, especially against its non-like-minded ally-PAS

Like UMNO people admitting they are plain mad being regarded as chauvinist. How do PAS delegates responded when they had extremist tag on their forehead?

For Malay belt states, they shall prepare themselves to be gazed as regions that breed terrorists. Be prepared as our beloved nation split into two regions between the angry north and dominant south peninsula. Malaysia at that moment shall have a bigger problem to deal with; not more of ethnic unity, but national unity. Something that had been tackled since the Tun Abdul Razak generation.

“Kau ingat ini negeri bapa kau punya? “ this is what the late Tunku Abdul Rahman gets when he arrived in Johor to collect signature of all Malay Rulers as a sign of unity which paved way to the formation of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Now that is shameful and hard to swallow, Yet, today there is a party within Malaysia itself, for the sake of democracy to run at its liking, wanted to re-introduce regionalized Malaysia. It’s no secret; their daring first steps would be to create an epicenter of republic. Countless times said, they regarded the Sultanate as Malay Achilles heel, and it’s a joy to throw acid at them.

This is how the Pakatan will play their games and ploy the road to victory: breaking apart Malaysia between the urbanites and non-urban. When they imposed their holier-than-thou so-called ‘economic justice’, they widened the gap between the affluent and poor. With their self-righteous principle that a nation cannot wait for those who are uncompetitive and poses liability they retracted special rights and bumiputra privileges. Does anyone have to re-explain the consequences of widened income gap? Never regard this as a vile threat; this orchestrated effort shall face a vain consequence.

Of course, some shall regard this entry as very prejudice and full of hatred. Butter thick with sinister and racism. Wanting to saw seed of angst. The ideas of ‘silent orchestration’ would just be a by-product of my extreme paranoia. I guess I’m just being vigil to the mesra rakyat solutions offered. Could they become a more effective alternative option for incumbent ruling National Front?

This reminded me of Hydra, a Greek mythology which tells about multiple headed dragon-like monster. What happens when Hydra with all three minds of its own start biting each other? Yet they existed on one body. By the fact, it doesn't take Hercules to slay this type of conflicting monster. 

After all speculation, I guess, there is matter still left hanging here. How UMNO is going to respond a query regarding Malays are not being authentic anymore?

The Words of Our Fathers

Ayah as I call him, usually gives short advises that make my ear glow red, sometimes for weeks and months. They are simple words yet bear the deepest meaning. I call it ayat-ayat berapi

Ayah is magnificent. I could not imagine how he grew up from a poor, rice farming family in Tunjang, Kedah with many siblings and thrived to give me what I had now. From a kampong boy which television and radio were barely available to a car driving man. I fondly remember ayah telling me that his first car was a Mazda 323 he got somewhen when he was 27. On 29, he purchased a land along Jalan Telok Wan Jah, Alor Star and constructed our little house. At 30, he married my mom. I do not mind what car model he bought, I wondered how he has this striving spirit to jump out of his little box of slumber. I could not imagine myself fully funding to acquire such vehicle let alone erect a house out of the bare soil.

Being in Kampung akin to being in total slumber. Espescially when farming season comes only twice a year. Other times were filled with societal activities held together amongst the kampong folks. Paddy is a fragile plantation, too much water they die and lacking of water they dry. If you ever been to Kedah, there will be a place in Jitra (further north of Alor Star) which areas were named ‘Pida’. The British came here and colonized our nation just to become sunken amongst the vast paddy field in Kedah. Stubborn to adapt, they were hesitant to call those vast paddy field to its original name (Kg.Tuk Uban, Kg.Ketoi, Kg.Darat, etc.etc.), so they divided the sectors and name them according to irrigation feeder numbers. In turns, the locals just named it ‘Pida’ followed the numbers. My dad is in ‘Pida3’

It was here when dad told me that going to Pekan Alor Star makes him feel relieved. He fondly remembers Tun Mahathirs’ Klinik Maha since it is close to Pekan Rabu, yet he never went there for any sorts of treatment. It was in pekan when he remembers dancing with his fellow friends to ‘Black Magic Woman’ at a funfair, loud music seems to rattle ayahs heart. When it is closing to dusk, ayah will cycle back with his friends 30km north back to his home. A 45-minutes long journey through the long and winding earthen road.

Ayah past story is both inspiring and thoughtful. Let alone his present advises which are sometime mind boggling. Ayah imposed a strict ruling of ‘anti-sensationalizing’ in the house. He deemed people who talk ‘sensational’ things as cheap talk and flimsy minded. He advises my family that human is imperfect and any bad stories we heard about someone shall ends with us. He never wants us to be part of the chain of gossipers. I once mentioned that Sheikh Mudzaffar our first astronaut could probably be a gay. Ayah first smiled at me and mentioned: “He would have been the most successful gay on earth to become an astronaut”, then he looked at me in disgust. Yes,I realized I’m sensationalizing petty matters.

He banned me from reading Mastika for reasons of mysticism and invalid reading material, I stepped forward and defended my action solely stating the benefits of reading without considering the content. He banned us from reading tabloids like ‘Harian Metro’ which highlighted cheap stories, yet, my mom at times enjoyed fresh copies of Metros.

Ayah had passion for reading. For a young man like me, I cannot apprehend the sight of my dad reading 3 titles of newspapers during weekends back to back ( that is The Star, News Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia). Ayah had a huge collection of books which mainly focuses on economics matter. It is what he majors in University Malaya. In turn, his expertise in economics made me squeeze myself in tight corners as they will be loads of question to answer when I make claims. As every cents count for him.

Money Matters, Style and Informed Decision

Regarding money matters, my dad barred the family from entering the pyramid scheme ( he calls it Ponzi scheme), as a financial manager, he knew the scheme were deemed to collapse in matter of time. He tells me a story that a nation (somewhere in Africa or South America) had collapsed due to Ponzi scheme, becoming incapacitated and fell to bankruptcy. He tells me the story of Carlos Ghosn, the Operation Executive of Nissan which helped the company to turn its fortune during turbulent times. He emphasizes the importance of good management, damage control and win-win situations. He talks the importance of leadership in which at times, the usage of persuasion skill and force needed to be balanced.

Ayah once applauded the Bangladeshis in Malaysia because they dress sharp. They had high sense of style that a drop-by to grocery stall to make international calls had them wearing slack pants and well-ironed shirt. Their hairs were groomed to the max and never seen them wearing flip flops except for silky black official shoes. My dad even gave early approval if my sister wanted to marry that kind of machismo Bangladeshis. No problem, as my dad believed that what people wear reflects their personality. He keeps persuading me to tug in my shirt. Oh, humanity!

He always told me about the importance of ‘informed decision’, in which, whatever I shall have, I need to ensure it is the best I can possibly get. He enthuastically reminded my mom to purchase any item in limited quantity but the one that gives highest satisfaction level. Rather than having many of a single item but varies in satisfaction. Perhaps, this is one thing ayah and mama cannot agree for sometimes. Mama should have known that ayah ‘informed decision’ had resulted him to get married at an extreme age of 30 and never, till now, committed to polygamy.

Ayah personally commissioned me to survey specifications of LCD TVs deemed suitable for our home, and that was three years ago, until now, ayah still have not acquired any of them. I fully understood his action of waiting and see. It’s his nature. He objected family request for the subscription based Astro as he frantically mentioned “ Free to air channels is too much for us, why pay for Astro? “. This had been a subject of debate between me and one of my friends as he regarded this as ‘outrageous’ and added that ‘dalam hutan pun ada Asrto’ ( even in the jungle, there’s access to Astro)

I fondly remember washing my bicycle inside the house compound. On the sight of a few young girls cycling across the street, I whistled. The usual ‘boy-call-girls’ whistle. Without noticing ayah was behind me packing the garbage bag to throw it out. He quickly smacked the rubbish bag to my face and tell me “that’s not the right way to court a girl”, and yes, I got that disgusted gaze.
Until today, I wonder whether I can continue the legacy my dad had left us. There are tonnes of wisdom that are lost in time and I know there is few more wisdom within my dad thoughts that I have not yet know. But when shall he let me know? Only time will tell. Happy Fathers Day.