The Outreach

There is no such thing as spiritual corruption. But the act of giving and providing salvation is something that can drive people to commit leap of faith.

Imagine Baghdad which had population of 5million people (compared with Klang Valley 1.5million) rocked by bombs, mortars and artillery shells. The earth shook like a thousand trains or rollercoaster starts to rumble on its tracks. Apartments were without facades, roads turns into replicas of moon surface and air were filled with smells of weaponry carbide. The only entertainment is a mono-stereo battery powered ala-walkman radio, looters are everywhere, food were scarce and soldiers were ravaging homes for something to please their homesick bone dry libidos. They're bored of playing blackjack rummy while chomping on tobacco.

During war, there is always a spot called the ‘sanctuary’. A place which these struggling to survive, war torn people seek salvation and protection. A safe place where blankets and bread were miracalously available in such situation . A confinement which the military would not deliberately fire on, or bombs fall onto, neither shelled. This is due to a pact made to confirm that the ‘sanctuary’ areas belongs to the ‘White Zone’ as what being ruled out in laws of engagement or whatsoever convention. During wartime, these so-called sanctuary are actually The Church

Churches exist not only in warzones. Of course, in warzones, they don’t just pop up out of osmosis when the machines of war is rolling at full throttle, but even before the initiatives of war, churches are already there, erected with a cause to spread Christianity practice the teachings. Lets shift our focus on slump and poor areas. Churches may established by small groups of missionaries in the midst of the slump. In the crowded unplanned high density urban slump, where the inhabitant were living merely enough to feed themselves, getting themselves cleaned in communal bath-house which just a piece of corrugated zinc is separating their naked body from the public eyes. Living in a depressed situation where they were surrounded by the hectic and catalytic urbanization and highly competitive mechanics of capitalism, they become nothing but a bunch of depressed city workers. The churches started preaching, doing activities, contributing charity drive on weekly basis, later on daily basis. Finally, fully involved with the communities of the slump.

It’s these churches that starts giving them the materials needs and protection. War aids were sometimes made available at the hands of the churches first, which, in effect made these refugee seekers or civilian war victims seek their help in an act of survival. Like a stream of ants seeking sugar crystalline. How did the churches got the deal of receiving the war-aids firsthand? Or come to a term with military commanders to declare their areas as ‘white zone?’. The chain of organization which these Churches belonged has ensured that their demands were made heard through influential entities. May it be United Nation, or nations which had war superiority or bargaining power of terms. Connection runs globally, funds for churches seems like inexhaustible.

Of course, without prejudice, help are given without regards of religion background. Churches were there to help. And the act of giving eventually made the receiving end to feel owed. The role of churches as sanctuary and lifeline to those who had lost everything during the war, had nothing to repay except by submitting themselves to the causes which saved them at the first place. Thus, they decided to join those who had helped them tirelessly. They even jumped into the same cause, reason and finally faith.

The terms spiritual corruption never existed. No single religion conjures corruption. They were translated into the ‘art of giving’ or in other words ‘giving is caring’.

This might be the new paradigm of Christianity spreading of their teaching. Through lightening the burden of others in need especially when war, crisis, poverty, famine and instability is everywhere. This are their chances. The terms ‘spiritual opportunist’ also does not exist, since religion do encourage us to offer assistance when someone is in dire need of help. So, the missionaries made themselves available and presence seen through churches in a middle of urban slumps or in the deepest jungle tribal villages. If medical officers were needed, the church had theirs delivered. If teachers were needed, the church may even built schools and provided the sylibii

In Malaysia, where peacefulness happens like hot and humid happens all year long, the pagan, atheist or ancestral worshipping in the deepest regions of Borneo are those which were approached and offered by the gives. The missionary were the first to approach them and their preachers were the first preach them about ‘revealed’ religion. Even in the less jungle covered peninsula Malaysia, the orang aslis are most likely to be approached by these determined missionaries with their makeshift churches.

As a Muslim, living in Malaysia which had a repeated stance as a Islamic nation ( negara Islam), we should have felt the brunt of being left behind in finding possible mualaf (Islam converts). We even have lost counts of those who converted to Islam but received poor attention and supervision in leading their life of new faith. Which in the end, they decided to revert, with our syariah court justifying this on grounds of ‘not practicing or no proof of practicing the Islam’ (look who is talking?). Are we capable of maintaining a single surau located near a deep jungle tribal village 100km southeastern of Miri, Sarawak? Lacking funding? No willing worker, sponsors? If not then maybe our organization is weak somewhere somehow.

What made church comfortably available and stood the worst situation ever imagined? The bombarded, artillery shelled Baghdad? The rebellious post-Taliban city of Kabul? The densely populated and depressed slumps of Jakarta or Calcutta? Sudan scorching hot sun exposed refugee camp? They are well financed, well managed, and well received by the locals. A blessing, some might say. What motivates their organization to have access and bargaining power in almost all of situation? How did they get much funding? Where did they round-up the expertise (doctors, engineers, geologist etc. etc.)? What made them contribute very generously? There must be a motive which had thrived this places of worship to flourish and wins the heart of the locals . Perhaps, if we had found out the real motivation, the ulamaks over here too would scramble quickly to the deepest plateau of Sabah and Sarawak to approach the tribes and start leading them the way of our straight path.

The Stepping

Kids, teen and adult. Like a rule of thumb, the stepping of 7,14,21 are the important ages of which every level, the treatment and relationship with parents took a drastic turn.

I used to listen to one tazkirah ( preach ) by an ustaz regarding family management ala kursus kahwin ( marriage course ). Ustaz was really serious at the time as his mood swings from light sarcastic to seriously sharp eye stare. I almost felt like a sharp beam of radioactive laser pierced through my retina as he stared at me and everyone else in the surau. He mentioned about the gift of child by god is a rahmat ( blessing) and we were given the amanat ( responsibility/accountability) to grow the child up into a useful and resourceful person. He simply referred a child has three stage of growth and each stage has its individual style

Lifting his thumb into the air, all of us stared at his thumb like he is going to cast sprites of Magical aura. Instead, he mentioned a thing which I still vividly remember till this moment:-

" Children, should be well taken care and given the attention he/she needed. At times, the children can be pampered accordingly. Do not hit them as they are too young to accept punishment as method of teaching. They should be fully guided and supervised in almost everything they do to avoid damaging mistakes”

Then, he raised his forefinger joining the thumb, he later explained: “ When a child has grown older, till his/her age made them eligible to perform prayer ( usually at the age of 7 for boys, when menstrual cycle start for girls ) , then, parents should teach them in a strict manner. A child at this age shall be hit or punished in whichever way as long as it does not cause injury or handicap. Advice should be given to them as much time as possible to ensure they internalize the moral and civic values which the family stood for all this while. Guidance and supervision is still given but gradually lessened to ensure learning has taken place. So does the environment of being pampered must be reduced to an intermediate/minimal amount “

Later, he proceed and lifted the middle finger in a combination of gapless three finger arrangement and says: “ Sampai takat ni, buat macam kawan saja la…” (At this level, then a parent shall treat their children as friends ). Everybody was either half nodding, full nodding or just looking at their friends followed by occasional laughter. It was a clear indication that at that level means any parents intervention on decisions, stance and thinking is ineffective or non-compulsory as at that age, rationality had reached to a maturity level. In short: Independence of thoughts.

It was on my 21^st birthday a month ago when my dad dropped by in KL. I fancied myself with the ‘best meal in the world’ at a hotel in Jalan Sultan Ismail, when dad mentioned something ‘out of this world’. A word which is very eerie eversince I was whispered by his azan when I was still an infant.

“ Now that you have grown tall and big, you can think on your own, make decision on your own and choose paths that’s really fits you well… You are on your own “. My eye become extremely rounded, rounder than that eye-of-Malaysia, that I thought that his words immediately means I need to pay the rent of the apartment room. The whole rent, electric, water and internet bills?. Worst my college fees. My heart skipped triple beat. It sounded like he is leaving everything down to me, cutting all ties. Along the way to Cyberjaya, I knew that his advice were more of deeper meaning that he wanted to convey, which he wanted me to realize that at 21, I should be in a way or another capable of making the best choice for myself. He had put much hope that with this kind of liberty, I would lead myself to someplace better and would not get too drunk in liberty since it can be damaging when not exercised properly.

Then, I realized that the moment has come when a big change has occurred. I recalled, that when I entered primary school, my dad always hit me when I did something wrong or inappropriate. All the privilege which I used to have when I was still a little tot are gradually lost and never ever felt again. At 14, it became more frequent that I’m being severe punished. Felt like life is dwindling into a world of invisible ‘curfews’ for almost everything. I’m not wrong this time that liberty is fully mine at 21^st , perhaps, as property planned by my parents, are the time when I shall be decide freely without much ‘veto-rization’.

Tomorrow I received a call from mom informing me that I have gotten the ‘kunci’ (key) in which she will never again interfered my decision, action and thoughts. She mentioned about reduced nagging session which made me smile a bit. She repeatedly mentioned ‘The key is all yours’. How should I respond? Yahoo! at the top of my lung? No. Infact, Worry irks me.

I admit, it was the best birthday present to be able becoming the sole-pilot of myself. Not much obstruction or interference from this moment on. It is a transition which I had anticipated for the past decade of my life. It is the perfect time to move on as how much longer would I be stuck with the ‘rules and regulation’ and time-consuming parental advisory, yet, there is serious doubt that I can handle this liberty very delicately as it demands. For surely, I lacked of brotherly figure to give views relevant to generation similar to mine. When a fatherly figure has decided that its significant power to intervene to be drastically reduced/withdrawn, I probably become virtually lost, in terms of guidance. It is like a leap of faith similar to that acrobat jumper which is thrown without anyone to grab. Which will be my prerogative of how should I grab the next rope, which hung is not covered by safety net.

As for now, I do not rely on single person for self-benchmarking. I had multiple friends which project qualities in different fields. Like the Malay sayings ambil yang jernih buang yang keruh ( Take the good, put away the bad ), I had observed them as an exemplary. Do I follow them?, honestly, it is not my way of doing things according to other people, but I had adjusted and indeed I did look them as mentor with many of them not realizing it.

It is a Malay proverb which really stirs the conscience to be less egoistic such as ‘ Sudah bodoh tak mahu diajar, sudah pandai kedekut mahu mengajar’ , in times like this the cold-harsh bit of reality has fully become the disciplinarian. Punishment of reality is sometime very shocking and tragic to bare. Like proposal to couple-up with an uptown girls being squarely rejected? . Nevermind, multiply it by seven.

As what precisely kind of treatment I will get, shall remain questionable as I have not back since PAS took hold of Kedah in March this year. Politics has nothing to do with parents-child relationship, yet the family institution is the smallest institution to govern, and there are style dealing with the various paradigm of family

One of the paradigm is the reality of the 7,14,21 stepping. I have reached the end of the stepping and wandering: What Next? The number 28 seems to echo a call for another commitment of a new dimension. And the 7,14,21 cycle would start all over again perhaps?

The Clockwork

Situation 1:A Singaporean clerk earns 2000S$ and their petrol costs RM5+.
Situation 2:Our clerk earns RM2000 and our petrol costs RM2.70.
Telling people that a tonne of feather is heavier than a tonne of steel is silly, yet,ministers were screaming that our petrol is the lowest in the region.

I’m always having trouble with precise timing. I often discussed it with my mom over the phone, the deal is, when class starts at 3pm I’m supposed to be at the bus stop as soon as 2.40 as busses comes around 2.45pm ( Go to hell with the RapidKL 15mins interval ‘Tempatan’ routes statement, they indeed come every 45+ mins ). My mom said that if that happens, then leave the apartment as early as possible. Probably 2.30, so, I’ll be doing exposed to radiant heat and staring at strings of big-sunshade wearing college girls which indeed have ugly eyes.

Doing architecture, every minute is very vital. The trouble and hustle of writing a 2’’x7’’ name tag on six days and six night’s model really worth taking . Without a tag on your hard-to-made model simply means a refusal to grade the model, not even look. Every minutes is tried as hard as possible to not to be wasted on hasty unproductive things, thus, making the act of walking down to the bus stop 30minutes early as virtually unviable solution.

Yet, with an intention of precise timing, I did reach the bus stop before my 3minutes before my forwarded clock strike 2.45pm. The estimation of time which the bus should have/will appear. Shockingly, as I arrived at the bus stop, I notice there was only a person there. Perhaps he wanted to go to the college too, as the way he casually dressed, does not look like he is going to drop by KL. I was becoming increasingly nervous as I approached the little stop with a person underneath it.

As my clock strikes 2.45pm, I stood still for another 4 minutes before proceeding to ask the only breathing person that exist there besides me “ Where is the bus? “ (Inappropriate question which that person too has got to ask), then he started explaining that he misses that last bus which arrived on 2.30pm. Yup, he is the first victim and I’m a poor man to join him in the statistics. Quickly I did a brief calculation in my brain which forwarded 45minutes from the previous bus passes and it will definitely arrive no sooner than 3.15pm. Yes, 15 minutes of doing nothing. Adding the ‘sweetness’ would be a sight of architecture student carrying boxes no smaller than a CPU casing ( ATX precisely ). Sitting, waiting and wishing upon the scorching heat of sun for the RapidKL busses to arrive early.

Still doubtful, my late attendance is obviously noted by the lecturers, but the nightmares of Rapid drivers going for some coffee breaks and perks has flooded my thoughts with possibility of waiting the bus as long as 3:45PM, Worst 4pm. Completing the 1-Hour cycle of nothing but bus-waiting. It would be unwise to walk back and climb up to the 11th floor of my apartment with the huge boxes I'm carrying.

This kind of situation, being retold to mom through the marvel of cellular network reaching hundred kilometers away to Sg.Petani is being treated with such a saddening explanation. I’am regarded as putting/shifting/transferring the blame on RapidKL instead of disciplining myself.

Who can tolerate this type of inefficiency and incompetency in Malaysia? Pak Lah who is vying to become and would mostly be nominated for ‘Bapa Pembangunan Insan’ through his cliché of Cemerlang, Gemilang dan Terbilang has made something contradictory? What has become of his word to improvise the public transportation system? Perhaps the lackluster of today Malaysia can be blamed on Tun Mahathir exhausting national reserves on megaprojects. The failure to eradicate corruption and ‘yes-man’ syndrome was blamed on Tun Mahathir whom planted the seeds of corruption and cronyism in the government, perhaps, in his 5th year at helm, Pak Lah can blame Tun Mahathir for triggering rapid urbanization and industrialization which reduces the hectares of rubber plantation vital for making tires of public transportation buses. Ironically, the nature of blaming 'legacy' problems fits the requirement for our current PM to step down and be replaced with someone really competitive like Muhyiddin Yassin, Rais Yatim or mostly Najib Tun Razak.

Do not forget the recent hike in petrol prices may have a very big impact on students like me. Indeed, I never drove any car yet at the moment, which means I heavily relied on busses and taxies to get to my college which is situated a little less than 4kilometres from my apartment. The case of unreliable busses leaves me with no option but to cling onto another alternative which is the taxis. Probably, it is too early to tell whether they are increasing the non-metered flat-priced journey fare, but it seems they will do it. The chain effect of fuel hike will see the immediate increased price of daily goods. They, the drivers, had to do something to earn extras in compensating with their rising cost of living, which means increasing the current fare. The victim: us, students.

There is always a very cynical solution amongst the less-constructive thinking people who might suggest me to quit studying in Cyberjaya. It may sound deeply rhetoric like “Why study in Cyberjaya when you start to see the costs is unbearable?” or “if you wanted to avoid pricey items and higher cost, then study elsewhere”. I assume this type of rhetoric is rather creating another barrier/problem on top of existing problem. Same goes to the present administration which had been cleverly rhetorical on Malaysian way of life. Instead of moving forward, they urged the rakyat to live more frugal; to the extent of driving less than 100kmph. The speed limit in Malaysia topped at 110kmph

But there is no rhetoric when facing Pak Lah and his league of capable cabinet leaders. The reason I say that is when UMNO and BN is blessed with abundance of economists, entrepreneurs, financial advisers, which knowledge had been garnered from various prestigious and established school of respective matter, yet, the failure to formulate an effective and well-conceived policy has hampered us as rakyats.

These heavily knowledgeable people inside BN/UMNO can make a lot of difference. They may follow the footsteps of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tun Daim Zainuddin which are regarded as the economy architect of modernized Malaysia during the Mahathir-era. Situation may be different 20 years back then and now, yet it has been a long way which Malaysia economy has been battered with the uncertainties of global economics, and believe me, we have learned a lot. But lessons have been wasted as none of these highly capable economists have debriefed Pak Lah on the cause and effects of actions. Perhaps Pak Lah himself is not interested in overlooking and making checklist to determine the implementation went well or not. I used to hear stories of Tun Mahathir overseeing the Twin Tower construction as if it’s a government building when its just an office spaces and shopping complex. Perhaps for Pak Lah, he is just interested in seeing paperwork reports that is submitted to him every week or so.

I guess, this is what happened to his noble intention to ‘improvise the efficiency of public transport’. The report that arrives on Pak Lah desk says that our public transport is at satisfactory level while the rakyats like me bore the brunt and went through hell of incompetent public transport. The newly established Rapid Penang suffered a huge blow as users and commuters complained about the bus inconsistency ensued with its bus drivers strike on some disagreement with the operators. Who to blame now? Fingers keep crossing here and there. Are the users not disciplined expecting to see busses arriving at their disposal? Or are the drivers were taking too much perks and time off? Or does the operators are doing some mission impossible stuff by pushing their drivers into doing long routes within a ridiculously short time span?

My opinion, neither government nor the opposition, cannot avoid the spiteful decision of increasing fuel price. But, at this dramatic 78cent level is somewhat painful to take, still, there is a logic in making this one-time decision. If the rakyat dragged this matter to the streets of KL into violent prolonged demonstration, worst case scenario, government would lower the hike to 50cent ( to RM2.42 per litre), prior to their lowest option to increase fuel price of 50cents, 78cents and 1ringgit . The best the government can show their lauded ‘concerns’ for the rakyat is to seriously improvise and consolidate the reliability of public transportation. Today, the public transport has become chronically less preferred (for various reason) even the college girls here are seeking boys with their own vehicle as perquisite to date them. This casts a serious doubt over my aim to end single life by October this year.

Yet, there is no need to have highly intellectual intelligentsia think tank persona to revamp the Malaysian public transport system ( perhaps all the intelligentsia were leased to the judiciary reform task, anti-inflation committee and EPU's ), well then, lets just have a highly motivated operation managers that would debrief Pak Lah on a concrete roadmap. Get Pak Lah himself to do a checklist on the progress. Checklist that he himself fill/ticks, strictly no more report prepared by kaki-bodek. It’s the least he can do if had lost checklist counts for his 5 bombastic corridors. Lets make public transportation as a preferred choice. Lets make it convenient and easy . If it happens, then Pak Lah is partially eligible to claim his ‘Bapa Pembangunan Insan’ title.

Part 2: Vying the Sixth

The best way to describe Mahathir wanting Najib Tun Razak to be the sixth prime minister would be simple: Terhutang Budi.

I suspect that during the Tun Razak minister ship, it was Mahathir only comeback opportunity. After losing in 1969 election and personally sending letters which demands Tunku Abdul Rahman resignation (which earned him the first ouster from UMNO), Mahathir landed between the cracks of the floor. Perhaps he may be at the crossroads and intend to pursue his carrer in medicine doctor at Klinik Maha of Alor Setar. Tun Razak at the time has realized that amidst the turmoil in UMNO which image tarnished pretty badly due to the 1969 incident, there is something else important to pursue: The gathering of Malay intelligentsia and future capable leaders. Names like Musa Hitam and Mahathir Mohammad was incarcerated into UMNO itself.

It was Tun Razak time when Tun Mahathir proceed from being a parliamentarian elected senator to a full fledge rakyat voted parliament member. Tun Razak may have set the path and foreseen the capability of Mahathir to lead the nation, in turn, leads Mahathir to hold high-profile cabinet positions such as Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education. Tun Razak surely has put Mahathir in a political highway which is fast and quick yet still vulnerable to political saboteurs. Tun Musa Hitam at the time was also a hopeful child of the UMNO party which was groomed well enough to possibly become the next prime minister. Like Captain Faiz to Sheikh Mudzaffar he is like a secondary astronaut back up crew which go thru the same thing as the prime candidate does. Tun Musa was under the senior political mentor of Tun Dr. Ismail ( Tun Razak deputy)

Perhaps, just a guess, Tun Razak may have left an unspoken or spoken vision of seeing Najib, his eldest son to carry on the legacy left by him. It may have made known by Tun himself. And as a return favor towards Tun Razak which has opened wide the political opportunity windows, Tun may have made a pledge/promise in which to see Najib become a prime minister before he dies.

Probably, this is why Tun Dr. Mahathir is in strong urgency to see Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister to resign .The position can be succeeded by Najib Tun Razak as he is currently the legal ‘prime-minister in waiting’. This can further be proven by Tun Mahathir repeatedly saying that he intends to make Najib his successor, but the factor of his early age has hindered it from happening at this moment. The alleged Tun Mahathir deal with Pak Lah seems to put the picture much clearer, as the latter was supposedly to step down after a single 5 year term. The alleged ‘deal’ was refuted by Pak Lah.

Of course, the above are some of the wild guesses as observed from the past UMNO political scene, but the truth is when Tun Dr. Mahathir denounced his membership, Najib Tun Razak was thousand kilometers away from Malaysia. He was attending a trade related convention in Sharm-al Sheik somewhere in Egypt. When the news came to him that the former 22-year UMNO leader has quit from the party, the media reporters and journalist rushed to see him. Response was pretty shocking: He was seen crying with eyes a bit watery and voice a bit wobbling.

He even reinstated that he would personally meet Tun Dr. Mahathir to talk on his quit from UMNO, perhaps, to pursue the former PM in reconsidering his decision on the grounds that “his guidance and advice is very much needed in hard times when the party is in bad shape and badly need to strengthen up after a political tsunami during the march election”

The reaction in Egypt was so much different in Malaysia where Pak Lah henchmen were lambasting Tun action. From Rafidah to Zaid Ibrahim. From Shahrir Samad to Muhammad Tyson. They said that the old men is blackmailing, short-sighted, had a personal agenda, disloyal, etc. etc. What else the smaller UMNO branches leader can do? They did what they usually do before, being like a lackey, they gathered and discussed over a teh suam and a bunch of bananas. Pledge their undivided and loyal support to Pak Lah. Yet, giving this PM another comfortable imagery of being the ‘untouchable’, a similar comfort which Pak Lah gets before the March election. The Wanita had become like a bitch who had found a richer and more influential men to sidestep her own husband, literally, by dismissing what Tun has been saying lately. The other Tun who once worked hand-in-hand with Mahathir had turned his favor in joining the ‘others’ in dissing Tun. Apparently, like a rule of thumb, it is easier to hate people that people commonly hates. Almost everybody in UMNO does the same thing as the Malay sayings ‘Lalang kena tiup angin’

It has brought to me a question which why these screaming ‘Hidup Pak Lah!’ chanters were really into him leading UMNO or just had to plain pretentious loyalist?

Along comes the UMNO old timer, Aziz Tapa with his suggestion to drag the Monarchy along to settle this in-house political dispute. As he described “Both is fire. Fire going heads on against fire isn’t going to settle a thing”

On the opposition sides, the odds are very cloudy and uncertain. ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ party may be plotting their own agenda/drama/counter-reaction if the royalties were to oppose their candidacy of prime minister after what had happened in Perak. This plot got to create a big bang as it marks the zenith of their success and epitome of their effort which may be brightly marked in the chapters of their establishment in ‘revolutionizing’ Malaysia and altering the social fabrics.

The royalty, indeed must be prepared to answer a few questions posed by the ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ which had spend millions of human thinking hours digging the constitution in to find a way in asserting their desires. They may start with trivial ‘trigger’ question such as: - Why have you shown sense of dislike/fear/disgust when our candidate is being proposed democratically as PM? They would ask what have you done back then till you feared our candidate as PM today? Are you implying that our party members are non legitimate citizen of Malaysia? As the constitution stated that being a Malaysia citizen is prerequisite to become a PM.

Instead, it can be a less prerogative affair. Do not forget, this "Malaysian Malaysia" party has Malay members too. Perhaps, they would have placed a Malay candidate and made him/her as a ‘vacuum’ prime minister. As for top-crop leaders, they turn themselves as masters of puppetry.

The PAS side may take a spiritual approach and their vision of Islamic Malaysia may catapult this wonderful nation into the pre-independent era where Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis were in non-aligned states while the rest took a liberal way, putting their own ‘prime minister of non-aligned Malay states’ perhaps their own shadow cabinet . Surely, this is what we predicted by marriage of convenience, a polarization not by race, instead by ideologies according to regions. Anwar, the un-surrendering hustler vying to be the first non-national front PM has got his hands shaking frantically to carve his name in Malaysia history textbooks ( by September 2008, he expected an early election, just in time I would be a legal voter. Yay!). His dreams: The first defect of UMNO which made it to become a PM, making UMNO looking like the worst decision of the century.

His road is never that easy. He may be strong willed and laid spectacular promises like reducing the price of fuel ‘exactly the day after he was sworn as PM’ (Harini saya jadi PM, esok turun harga minyak!) which makes the mat lumba+custom kereta roaring like lion king and queens. He should have not forget the terms of understanding between his party and the other two forged were rather towards toppling BN and stuffing leaders like Mahathir into jail, not any concrete terms/guides/understanding of ruling this nation in a harmonious way if God willing them to create a federal government. The other two parties too may be vying for the PM position and had long established in the arena of politics. Why should they bow to an amateur party?

In this tumultuous period and tireless race for the sixth PM, what can we as a rakyat do? Where does UMNO and Malays lead after all this? Time never waited for anyone as this the fifth PM seat becomes hotter.

Thank you for reading this second and final part of the Lackey series. You may leave your share of thoughts/feedback/response on the comments section!

Part 1: Enigma and Eclipse

1988- UMNO split into two and Team B created Semangat46; 1998 - Anwar was sacked and some of UMNO heavyweight did leave the party, 2008 – What now, UMNO ?

When a prime minister is sworn in, he or she had made a contract just like any other civil servant to provide the best service for the country. To bring out the best of their wit, brawn, strength and for the well-being of the country. To assist and ensure that the daily running of administration went as smooth as it can possibly be . They were summoned to give undivided attention towards the problems. They were given the duty to help And when times come, their service had been no longer needed or due age factor, perhaps, personal decision, they are free from these responsibility and continue their daily life

What does an ex-prime minister has to trouble themselves to involve in hectic government bureaucracy and criss-crossing politicking when they can enjoy the freshly crisp newspaper over a cup of tongkat ali while grabbing a pencil to settle a soduku or two at the comfort of own home. They may have more than enough to spend with their pension/gratuity scheme which keeps coming in every month.

But no money could compensate the trouble and tiresome role of prime minister. State assemblymen gets death threat and mailed with live bullets for their minor legislative recommendations, just imagine how prime minister with their vast influence of power gets live bullets and threats. During my fishing trip in Kenyir back last year, a man told me that a Mentri besar (state minister) he knew had six bomohs (shaman) to protect him everywhere he goes; staving off evil spirits and avoid any untoward harm. I guess, a prime minister then should be having a dozen of bomoh trailing wherever he goes as he is more vital and important. Just a thought.

For me no evil spirits or whatsoever jinx can influence the wisdom of a leader. The strength of thinking and the mantle of mind is the one that dictate the behavior and decision of a certain leader. The passion of leaders to get things organized and executed successfully leaves no room for little things

The fracas began when Tun Dr. Mahathir admitted that “ he sometimes made mistakes in making decisions”, even the strongest of bomohs cannot stave away the bad auras in making bad decision.

The moment Tun Dr. Mahathir started to criticize the current leadership of Malaysia casts confusions over me. I thought he was over with the government? It’s been a year since he passes the baton to his handpicked successor and now he wants to be replaced. Why would’nt Tun Mahahir just stays at his home and enjoy a fresh crisp newspaper and settled a soduku over a cup of tongkat ali?

Shouldn’t Mahahir showed his undivided support towards UMNO and his successor. Does the role of Proton advisor, Petronas University chancellor and President of the Perdana Leadership makes him busy enough?

Picture this, Tun Mahathir as a retired PM. Supporting all Pak Lah decisions. When reporters with their flashy cameras and sound recorders came by, he would have commented on the recent March election as “kita tak ada rezeki. Kita akan cuba lain pilihanraya akan datang”. Tun Mahathir then would be rhetorically writing a column or two in the newspapers that Pak Lah is the best and should be strongly nominated as Bapa Pembangunan Insan. Tun Mahathir would be praising Pak Lah because his non-confrontational method makes Malay a stronger and resilient race in Malaysia in-line with UMNO purpose. Tun Mahathir would just announced that he is stunned that Pak Lah can achieved 5 development corridors during his 5year tenure as PM while he can only made 1 corridor during his 22year premiership. Tun would have lauded Pak Lah decision in limiting the expenditure on superstructures and megaprojects. Tun publishing a book entitled “play safe: new trend of national spending for a developing country”. Picture Tun making rounds of speech urging the rakyat to wait and give Pak Lah time to initiate changes. Even though his policy changes are poorly implemented, ineffective or lead to bigger loopholes.

Of course, the above description is just an imaginary Mahathir which stood by UMNO right or wrong. Yet, its too far too sad to believe that as a fact. I wouldn’t believe that would be Mahathir. Tun Mahathir never wanted to associate himself with the weak and incapable. He is a political realist. He sees too many and too much of mockery towards the Malays due to UMNO failure to step-in and confront. Its Pak Lah style of reservist ‘elegant silence’ sets an example to other followers. Politics is a dirty game of no moral on grounds of freedom and equality. When UMNO showed silence, the opponents showed no empathy but keep beating the drum making more noises.

Noises during the Mahathir era are bearable and more sensitive. There were complaints of KL roads full of hole, Muslim civil servant not wearing veil, haze (which opposition blame on Mahathir megaprojects, partly blamed on Mahathir firaun dictatorship), Why Siti Hasmah did not wear veil, corruption which resulted in KLIA, Sepang F1 and Petronas Twin Tower coming out of nowhere and allegedly nepotism which now we sees Mukhriz himself became an MP at 43 while Khairy is 34 and aiming to be a PM before 40.

But politics now has been blown out of proportion and insensitive. The Monarchy has been virtually dragged into the scene. Opposition has become bolder in questioning the rights of Malay. Once is fine, twice is still comfortable, but comes three and countless of times, its not only morally degrading for the Malays but also may spurn new cadets that openly and bravely tries to refute Malay rights. Like blind loyalist hummed by the music of equal opportunities, they are like race horses which eyes were covered to win.. Honestly, the swiftly looked Malay rights and agendas seem incorrect and unjust, and would guarantee a good chance of winning if it were bashed. Frantically moving forward thinking they were right from the start

Yet, the idea of confronting head on is something that not all leaders could do. One mistake shall ruin a political career. Odds are, if Khairy wouldn’t have been associated with Pak Lah, this Oxford educated politician could have been the single strongest staunchest opponent of ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ ideologies brought forth by the opposition. He has proven himself to be capable of confronting heads on and are quite familiar with their tactics and stratagem. Poor boy, Khairy is proven not to be very popular outside UMNO.

It was Tun Mahathir himself that made himself available when on times like these. He never let him sharp critical mind and deep wisdom being consumed by old age. Never laid back at home enjoying a cup of tongkat ali while filling some soduku boxes. Never his style to let a disease inside UMNO festers. It is his timely move. So do the opponents themselves see this as a window of golden opportunity. Lately the opponent did not resort to personal attacks on Pak Lah, but concentrated on attacks of his administration. The opponents would love to see Pak Lah retain his position, as they smelled their victory seems to be on a straight well-tarred and unobstructed road. Weakening the outside before seeing the rot inside UMNO settle the rest.

Opponents were playing chicken switch game, where Tun’s every action were prepared with placards to lambast/condemn him with allegations. His urge for the PM to be replaced were being criticized as being ‘interference of government proceeding’. If Tun were criticizing the bureaucracy of Pak Lah run government he would have been accused of trying to be a PM for the second time. I hope, with long experience and strong political wisdom, Tun would strike a good chord in achieving his vision. Enduring in this three way argument is proven hard, especially Tun who can be seen as opposed by both sides and seen as the weakest entity.

If Tun wanted to see Pak Lah being succeeded with a new leader, whom would it be? If it were mend for Najib, why? And on the opponent side, who is vying for that post?

The Known Before

“ You are not the person I used to know before” is an extremely common reason to slip out of a relationship. A lame and blatantly cruel escapism which is similar to a men leaving out of a couplehood by meanly telling a girl: “ You’re Fat”

As usual, after a few weeks of break-up due to “Not the person You Used To Be” syndrome, you were left in the clouds of confusion and uncertainties. You tried to rationalize and doing quick flashbacks of how could the past be better than present? You brave yourself and reenter hell by confronting the problem face-to-face. Doing a quicky biopsy, you dialed your just declared ex-girlfriend number and asked her “ How was I when you used to know? ”

Too bad. There was no more magic in the conversation. The chirpy voice is no more there, in turn, you were given cold shoulder instead of first-class treatment. If your fuses blow, you might settle with nothing less than tragic.

Pardon me, Im not choosing sides of which gender is more righteous in this type scenario. Like we all know, during rainy days, everyone gets wet. Apparently, its got to be many different reason of why this kind of syndrome occurs. Mostly, I am well aware the failure to give a concrete reason but the knee-jerk urges to escape/abandon/betray a relationship made either male or female to tick-off with this lame and boring reasoning.

Why knee-jerk in wanting to abandon a relationship? There are good and bad reason. Of course, sensational counts brought the bad reason to light first. The involvement of third party can be primarily blamed. No doubt, the missing-shoulder-to-cry-on is like to a widely opened door of the Ali Baba cavern that contains loads of bountiful treasures. Chances are, the supportive and caring nature of third-party unintentionally or intentionally made them given the chances to get closer. In this hustle bustle world of where the are many things to catch up. Assignments and datelines crisis, why would a men lend their eyes, ear and concern to be a Michael Ong-esque messiah to hear tribulation of a female failing relationship? Surely the lure of intimacy and flings is what drive them?

Who knows? These people perhaps are honest bunch of people with a heart of a Samaritan to help and fix the broken pieces and let wheel of life rolls again. In that case, my statement above may be wrong and made me look like a negative thinker. Yet, too much had to be learned, as underestimating somebody whom popped out of nowhere to help the ailing relationship might turn the table around and gain benefit to themselves instead. In this light, I might be looked by people as someone incapable and weak in maintaining a relationship. Shameful. Decision traps are always around us to gladly cheer when we have failed to conceive a rock-solid solution.

You go too hard it may be wrong. You go too slowly, you might be wasted.

The You-Are-Not-The-Person-I-Used-To-Know-Before syndrome deemed us to be more intuitive in predicting the situation. Yet, our brains are not future prediction calculative machines which are able to make the right decision. Some made the right decision, but at a wrong time. Some made the right decision at the right time but at the wrong places.

Another reason why this easy-escapism say and leave YANTPiUTKB Syndrome would be the intolerance of either party to accommodate current changes. Like money, plants and animals, human grows. They went through various phase of life. Previously, you might be think its cool to listen to NSync, but now Arctic Monkeys is the uber cool music selection. Big Mac might be the largest burger you knew in life, not until Carls Jr. franchise came and change everything and might kill off McD like McD did on A&W in the early 90s.

If there are possibilities which we could save rooms to accommodate the different phase of life and changes that occurs. What I’ am implying is the abilities of oneself to become like a capacitors which able to differentiate the ‘low’ and ‘high’ voltages of companion vibes. Able to keep it when its too high, providing a cushion and release it to proper channels. Communication would be a great thing to do. We don’t want anybody to be lost in translation just because either one of the party were going too quick or too slow. We are scared communicate because communication means the revealing of our mortal weaknesses, which without guarantee may be big mistake if either one had decided to turn the table around. In this case, YANTPiUTKB reason is legitimately used.

I have to admit that I get very temperate/grumpy during submission weeks. We all are accustomed to last-minute work culture (which symptoms were never shown when I had a girlfriend as time calculated to have more spare times, seriously don’t laugh). Even the simplest of question of how to transfer a file from a folder to another would prompt a higher and aggressive intonation. Even simplest jokes may be regarded as cynical assaults. Same goes to a girl along their PMS. They tend to be more ‘prickly’, hit the wrong string and the tune just may being terribly disrupt. These are short term changes.

For long term changes, in which they occur and shows only after prolonged period of time, there are stories of which gets really subjective and mind boggling. Like a fungi that appeared out of cracks of a floor; the causes spanned down the historical record.

There are also changes which are not related at all with the relationship. Such as families influence; like breaking up of families and social influences; like the change of college means change of friends which may belong to different kind of interests yielding you to be a different person. It all incurred in the process of growth which is inevitable.

Yet during these phases of changes are vital if we stood still. It’s a sign that we are not arrogant and problem escapist, it’s a clear indication that we are willing to learn our partner emotional rhythm. And because we grow, we cannot possibly stop the cycle of growth. What am I today may be different from what I’ll be five years from now. May be worst and god willing may be better. Maybe I would be laughing my head off reading this blog in 2013 if God permits. Nothing is gained by hopping relationships, just a bit of ooh ahh-ing by people which knowing us for going in and out of love, for once, for twice and later people get bored by that.

Amazingly, our parents are living proof that humans have the ability to tolerate and survived the hi and lows of companionship for a long duration of time. Like what they may uttered ‘till death do us apart’, indeed, some of them may be educated in the busiest, funkiest and culture-forwarded cities and nation of the world yet still managed to maintain a very long relationship.

The Handmaiden of God

Who helped you to hush down those bad semester results? Who becomes a mediator when u had a terrible argument with dad?

Mother. They are our lifeline. The mediator when our badly failed mid-term exams demand a big serious explanation. The one that made it possible for candy snack grabs during petrol stops on long journeys and balik kampongs . The one who whispered the right thing to do when ayah gets really mad. The one who gave advice to us which girlfriend that really fit and good which would eventually carry her genes down the line.

My dad used (and still) to be a strict person that forbids me from eating inside the vehicle during long journeys. It was a painful struggle to do so when it involves such long journeys from Bandar Sri Damansara to Pekan Changlun. An almost 5-hour journey without snacks felt like a cat with its neck tied on a leash. Gazing upon a fresh fat fish which is so close yet impossible to reach. Occasional petrol stop made me crave for some of those colourful candies which would enlighten the day and gave the tongue an extra jolt of sweetness.

Mama went inside the petrol mart since ayah has wanted to read the newspaper of the day. I was told to stay inside the vehicle, and as a good boy I did. Looking through the window, I noticed that mama went out the mart only with the newspaper clutched under her armpit. No signs of carbonated water, candy packets, choki-choki or some tid-bits like asamboi. Darn! I cursed myself.

As ayah still busy filling up fuel and summoning the petrol pump workers to soak and clean the windshield with the miraculous squeegee (I thought it was a miraculous invention at that age), slowly, mama took out a packet of candy out of her handbag. I was surprised and excited, smiled from ear to ear. Oh! How nice and wonderful the world is, those were the things that you needed very very much! Plus, its my favorite brand with my favourite variant!

“ Pandai pandai sorok tau “ my mom reminded me. And I shall devour those candies when dad was on the reclined front passenger seat to pick some rest.

10years sure have passed quickly. It was some of my memoirs which I surely cannot forget. One of my ex-girlfriend still described the look of me seeing happy things as; she elaborately described; “a little boy who got his ice-cream”. In spirits of high and lows, mothers are purely reliable life supporters; they gave hope in ways where we should have run out of viable ways to settle problems. I am very ashamed that I can fail them in many ways. More ashamed, as I realized but changes were not as humanely swift as other kids had possibly done to their parents.

Besides mom, I have met plenty of aspiring and exciting women in my life. Women in Islam are regarded as The Handmaiden of god; their roles are not restricted to baby nursing, household cleaning and meal preparation. They are among the single strongest instrument of believers purveyor. They were given lots of advantage and rights including rights of education, keeping their earned money and dedicated verse in the holy Koran. They are even promised a position in paradise if their struggle to deliver babies ended in departure. Women in Islam are not restricted from liberties, if they love pretty and attractive clothes go ahead and wear it. All is fine as long as the clothes worn are not provocative. Mostly, there is no need to embrace the Western feminism.

The liberties of women in Islam can be simply proven through the equality of sexes which the God has shown. There were no such things as virgin robe, in which women can lead a healthy sexual life (provided done with legit husband) while showing as much divinity towards God. Their basic rights and purpose to function as a human (performing the hajj, doing prayers,having sex) were never taken away without questions of religion impurity.

Western obsession of expressionism/exhibitionism is a bit weird. They love show to the public in frank openness such as wearing lingerie outside just to bring out the vibe of feminism. While ethics rich cultures of hiding/covering a women body were regarded as our stigma seeing women body parts as something shameful. So here we are; like monkey trying to emulate how a donkey walks when we tirelessly tried to embrace western expressionism of publicizing life goings-on and problems, as if life is a one-hour prime-time television drama ala-One Three Hill. The eastern values have taught us the importance of keeping the vibe behind the walls of homes, within the vicinity of family members. And architecturally we see westerners had an affinity of creating big public spaces which contrary to the east side, particularly, the Chinese and Japanese, the importance of integrating gardens or open space within the enclave/enclosure of homes.