Canning - What is so Alarming ?

I've been caned in my life while i was in an aided school many many years ago, in the 1960's. I was caned on the palms of both hands just to get the 50% marks required for a pass in my Nature Study. The teacher was a Malay muslim who was at that time unpopular because he liked to cane those who failed to pass them, perhaps as a way to get us students to study so that we pass. I failed so I got caned by someone who liked canning students. Simple.

Recently, the canning of 3 muslim women in KL who were involved in illicit sex alarmed human rights groups in Malaysia and around the world. That did not paint a good picture of our country. Some called it a "cruel and degrading punishment" which I think is just a matter of opinion. If they have broken the Shariah laws, so be it, they must face the consequences. The irony is, the flesh trade or prostitution is rampant in Malaysia, muslim women are not excluded from this oldest trade known to mankind. You can go down to Limbang in Sarawak or just roam KL at anytime of the day to witness such brothels and massage parlors carry out their businesses quite openly under the noses of the authorities. Patronizing such places are Malaysians plus foreigners and muslim men too, let's be clear about that.

If canning is a deterrent, let it be done in a regulated manner. We have our Shariah laws, we must respect that. I am a Christian, I am not a lawyer, I will not go against it. If you asked me whether there is pain when you are caned, i would positively say yes, it could cut through your flesh, we must not deny the fact that there will not be pain. Come on, this is punishment!

Opinions matter a lot

People are born to form opinions. Opinions come from the mind and controlled by our thoughts which are influenced by perception, that of what we see and hear, and what we take as being acceptable or unacceptable. Acceptability in itself is an opinion created in the mind. We all do that everyday and it can be good or bad, weak or strong, we either accept things or reject them. We said we choose. It’s a matter of opinion.

Many may argue that opinions are neither good nor bad as bad opinions may be accepted by those bad in thoughts including groups, communities and society. To these people, good opinions are bad and vice versa. But of course, the rule of thumb is that a bad opinion is not normally accepted by the majority, but instead we can be scorned for it, more so with leaders who make bad decisions out of misinformation on opinions made by others or having been ill informed of a subject matter. Win or lose is therefore a matter of making the right decisions based on opinions. You win because you have been accepted.

Our opinions can be biased when we take sides, sometimes unintentionally. When we are conscious of making a strong opinion, we shall defend our opinion and stand our grounds. We say we have principles. When we are not conscious of our state of mind in deriving at a decision, things can turn sour. We say that’s a bad decision. Opinions made hastily are normally not well thought out, thus rebuttal of opinions of this nature will invite repercussions and arguments beyond imagination. People disagree because of such opinions that are unacceptable, seen on the outside as decisions made without much thought or due consideration.

People making strong opinions may not necessarily allow for a good decision, they could be bad and damaging, even misleading. However, opinions based on the principles of good can materialize in many things good. Morality in behavior is one of them. But there again, what is good to you may be bad to me. Even in religion, good or bad is a matter of opinion. So, it’s back to the mind and arriving at an opinion, our thoughts managing the opinions we make.

The foundation of a good opinion lies in the person, who he is what he is. When a person makes an opinion, it would normally be based on certain aspects of life which have been influencing him or her. As life is shaped by our belief and faith, these form the basis of all opinions. Of course, our upbringing, our culture and our education play a part as well in any judgment that leads us to form our opinions. The key to a good decision is in the mind, our engine of thoughts mold our behavior, our belief, our faith, our opinion.

Certainly opinions matter a lot and very much so.

All Hell is Breaking Lose

It really broke the silence in many ways because FIRE CRACKERS are banned in Malaysia. While I am writing now, the thunderous sound of the crackers are awakening babies in their cots in Miri, it's Chinese New Year of course, many would say it's OK for the crackers to be fired on this particular night. Perhaps it's OK if it's not banned, therefore, it's not OK.

My mum is Chinese and I remember in those days in Miri when it was OK to fire those crackers during CNY, we had one hell of a good time firing them especially when it was about to strike midnight. But times have changed. We now have a law, not only on the firing but the importation of the stuff. Obviously, tonight the law has been broken in Miri by the Chinese community at large, you only need to be here to believe me. It's OK as one of my friends, a Police Officer puts it, only for tonight. How puzzling it is and surely, it would not be wrong to say that such a ban is somewhat "a blessing in disguise" for those assigned to see its enforcement. Corruption or whatever, the question is, "How did they get in?".

These "explosives" are being sold quite rampantly in Miri in the "black market" and indeed, if they could be smuggled into Miri and be purchased here, it means that the whole of Sarawak could have them, all at a price of course. Probably the thunderous sounds are well ushered in too in Sibu, Kuching, Kapit, Limbang and the rest of the State. Well you can say, it's Chinese New Year, let them have the fun.

Certainly with the law, I would say ALL HELL IS BREAKING LOSE on this Chinese New Year's night. Kong Hee Fatt Choi from me.

The Saiful vs Anwar Movie

It’s like a James Bond movie with most Malaysians watching closely the Saiful vs Anwar Ibrahim saga, the courthouse you can be sure is packed, I am miles away in Miri, Sarawak, I couldn’t be there. But with the internet, you don't really need to be there to know what is happening.

The politician in Anwar is obvious with his followers calling for reforms while the man plays the hero’s role even in the courts. Of course, he is innocent until proven guilty, that’s the law. The young guy Saiful is all groomed and getting just as much attention from the media as the man he either once “idolized” or “hated”. There are 2 versions really to this part of the story.

Many bloggers have called him names and he’s not at all liked by members of the opposition. He has been degraded by some to dirt but don't you think he has made a name for himself, even the kampong lady knows who's Saiful whom some called the "stupid arsehole". Well, Sodomy is the cause of it all, the dirty "controversial" word which is morally wrong in all its right meaning, something absolutely unacceptable to Muslims, Christians and Buddhists alike.

It would be interesting time for all Malaysians to watch how the court will proceed with the case. The Judicial system in Malaysia is certainly going through an acid test. Whether professionalism prevails will be left to be seen. The intervention of politics, if any will leave a footprint many will not welcome, let's hope our judiciary will remain impartial, free from all ills. And let's all watch, wait and see what will be the outcome. The question many people may ask now is, “Will it be a political one?”.





A friend on facebook says, if you feel SODOMY is IMMORAL, let's called it SAI=DOMY. wow... he's giving me a message...lol...

Upon watching some of the video clips of these 2 unfortunate gentlemen, I couldn't help but come to the conclusion that Anwar played his part well, he's a politician who wanted all the limelight at such times but the young man Saiful, with his body gestures and all seems to be giving himself away.

Thoughts on Responsibility

Leaders carry with them responsibilities and with that, they are sometimes compelled to make decisions which could turn out to be good, bad or even wrong. Many too would take responsibilities on themselves without realizing the consequences of their actions. The following video clip tells us that the state of consciousness upon ourselves is paramount when we do take on responsibilities, as wrong decisions may create and invite sufferings that can go out of control.