Unity & Stability

Unity and stability are priceless commodities and essential ingredients for the future of any country what more in the case of Malaysia – a country of multi ethnicity, religions and so on and so forth. Without the correct handling of sensitive issues, it could lead the country to an abyss and anarchy. We should never allow our beloved nation to go down that road, no matter what the personal or community agenda that one is championing for.

Malaysia was borne out of determination through compromises, accommodation and sacrifices between our great leaders. Let us not to shatter the dreams of seeing Malaysia becoming a great nation: a nation that stand tall among the international community. But the news coming out of the formal or informal media in Malaysia is too distressing to us, Malaysians residing abroad.

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Are we losing grasp of the true values and meaning of understanding, tolerance, etc.? Is this the Malaysia that we want or hopes for? What are we turning Malaysia to? Why are all this only happening now? Does it mean that the values practiced by the older generations of Malaysia that have managed to live side and side, peacefully with respect and tolerance are of no relevance in this era of so-called globalized development.

Perhaps we should look at how our education system in the past had managed to bring about a peaceful and tolerance society as compared to the current system. Education is an important element in shaping society. Subjects such as Civic or appreciation of society should be exposed to the children at the young age. Program such as the National Service, though very well intended, was formulated with the vision to strengthen the spirit of patriotism and unity in the hearts and minds of Malaysian youth. But the program is only meant for those above 17 or 18 years old and above, an age which is considered already too late to mould them into responsible citizens. Looking at the number of cases (based on newspaper reports), there is already an increasing trend of disciplinary problems involving secondary school children such truancy, drugs, and the list goes on. Hence, the success rate at turning this irresponsible behavior would not be as high as that we hope for.

In this respect, we should have some other programs that could instill this spirit of team player, patriotism at a much younger age such as having summer camps, etc. They will then learn those values in a fun manner and not kind of regimented. Universities should also look at encouraging their students’ associations/clubs to have more community oriented programs during semester breaks. All these programs will go a long way in teaching them how to assimilate and integrate in a multi-racial society.

May Malaysia continue to develop and prosper!

Merdeka!... Merdeka! …. Merdeka!

Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka………and the resounding rapturous echoes from the packed Merdeka Stadium during that historic moment 52 years ago again keep on being replayed in the comfort of our living room. But do we really understand and appreciate the history behind it? Or are we now totally detached from our own history that we felt our right to write our own version of history according to our own interpretations based on our shallow appreciation of events that led to that momentous event now termed “Merdeka”. Are we a nation capable of coming up with merely empty rhetoric or slogans to denotes the occasion?

As Malaysians, we should always be proud of who we are and what we have achieved thus far. Though considered a small and young nation, we could still stand tall among the comity of nations. We have been cited by the international community as a nation that have developed and thrives through tolerance and co-existence the basic premise of our independence. Our slogan of being a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society is now being put to the test and questioned not by the international community but by our own citizens. Where have we failed??

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It is thus timely for us to really ponder about what is happening in Malaysia and where are we going from here? All of us as individuals have rights but individual or community rights should never takes priority over the nation’s right. Without the nation we are nothing! You are firstly recognized internationally for the nation that you belong to. Do not drag Malaysia down the roads of many other great but fallen countries just to accord the rights of individuals or community.

Let us take stock of our 52 years of independence in relations to our history to continue preserving the concept of identity, society, balance and through this we remember who we are and where we come from (quoted from the words of Datuk Dr. Sharom Ahmat during his acceptance address as a recipient of a honorary doctorate in philosophy at the last Universiti Sains Malaysia Convocation).

Let us all together conscientiously work towards Vision 2020 for all Malaysians. Without continued unity and stability, we would not achieve development and greatness that we as loving citizens aspires Malaysia to be. As responsible citizens, we have a duty to work as hard as we can and make whatever sacrifice we must in order to make Malaysia as good as we can make it for the benefit of our future generations. Let us not be remembered and cursed by them for not taking the opportunities to make Malaysia great.

Selamat Hari Merdeka.

Kimo & Moki

Kimo & Moki – the two cats that I have. Kimo is now about 8 months while Moki is just 5 months. As mentioned in my blog in March, I got Kimo from a Syrian lady while Moki was brought to the house by my house helper after finding her in the street injured. Both are getting along fine now and very playful though at the initial stage Kimo find difficulty in accepting Moki into the house. Kimo and Moki are of different breed as could be clearly seen from the accompanying pictures. Kimo is more like Garfield, the adorable cat in the movies. Moki is more lean and slender in body shape but I am not certain of her breed.

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Both are litter trained and now enjoyed playing in the garden trying to catch the birds flying around the house but both will come into the house to do their ”business”. To date two vases that I got while serving in Japan has been broken by either one of them during their running around in the house.