Social networking has engulfed the face of the earth and broken the communication barrier, the internet has set the pace for people to stay connected, and facebook is just a big and popular website, coming on scene at the right time and in the right place. Websites come and go, they make people rich, they influence governments and leaders to change things, they flourish. It's the trend.
Today we have been constantly warned about "getting hooked" to the internet and getting ourselves hooked to facebook. This is simply saying that the hazard is there if you are not making best use of your time. There is really nothing to fear because humans evolve to change and at some point we have to go with the process of change.
So, be it bad or good, we are all experiencing change in the way we interact and communicate, the internet is a great tool we must always cherish, it has spun us to a new beginning in the way we manage ourselves.I will not go with negativity as far as getting hooked to facebook goes. It is a new way of life we have to live with, learning to adjust ourselves is and will be a great challenge. That's evolution.
And most importantly, it's freedom to your mind, you are free to express. It's not a war after all, just expressions you post on facebook, ideally to be shared. Thank you.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Peep at my Own Backyard
Malaysia is a land of beauty, its culture is so diverse that the Government has no choice but to allow for the major festivities to be declared "public holidays" so that its people comprising the ruling Malays, Chinese, Indians, and an array of ethnic minorities that make up the population can celebrate such occasions with the traditional Malaysian styled "open" houses. This is when you can visit one another to say hello as a gesture of goodwill to mark the festival. Each and every celebration has with it a unique festive style, the Malays the Aidil Fitri, the Chinese their New Year, the Indians their Hindu festivals , the Dayaks in Sarawak their Gawai or harvest festival and the list for joy and merriment goes on and on if one takes into account all the minority groups in Sarawak and Sabah.
The above is well and good, harmonizing relationships during festivities is an excellent way to promote goodwill and mend bad relationships among family members as well as friends. Foes too can forget and forgive during such a time, if they so wish.
But what is not bright in the horizon is Malaysia's failure to address "civil liberties" in its entirety. Malaysians especially the Chinese and Indians are looking for equal opportunities in both the economic and social sectors, they want rights to ownership of land and more opportunities for higher education at tertiary level. Not until such issues are addressed in no uncertain terms, dissatisfaction and the call for equality will continue.
The present Government under the leadership of Najib Tun Razak and controlled by UMNO, a Malay based party has brought its partners in the coalition known as the Barisan Nasional to the forefront of politics in Malaysia but it is not without its own problems especially on the question of integrity of its leaders. Corruption has been a a hot issue and still will be.
The birth of a 2 party system is in the offing in this beautiful land. The opposition pact headed by the vibrantly composed Anwar Ibrahim is calling for change in almost all areas of the economy. They too are not free from their own internal squabbles and perhaps their popularity and acceptance by the people will soon be gauged during the 13th General Election which many quarters have predicted will be held in the 1st half of this year.
The opposition leader Anwar has recently been acquitted of a sodomy charge by Malaysia's High Court and that is in itself a big boost as far as his morale goes. As it is now, he's all geared up for the Elections and may "dethrone" Najib. But he cannot do that without the support of the majority of Malaysians.
The above is well and good, harmonizing relationships during festivities is an excellent way to promote goodwill and mend bad relationships among family members as well as friends. Foes too can forget and forgive during such a time, if they so wish.
But what is not bright in the horizon is Malaysia's failure to address "civil liberties" in its entirety. Malaysians especially the Chinese and Indians are looking for equal opportunities in both the economic and social sectors, they want rights to ownership of land and more opportunities for higher education at tertiary level. Not until such issues are addressed in no uncertain terms, dissatisfaction and the call for equality will continue.
The present Government under the leadership of Najib Tun Razak and controlled by UMNO, a Malay based party has brought its partners in the coalition known as the Barisan Nasional to the forefront of politics in Malaysia but it is not without its own problems especially on the question of integrity of its leaders. Corruption has been a a hot issue and still will be.
The birth of a 2 party system is in the offing in this beautiful land. The opposition pact headed by the vibrantly composed Anwar Ibrahim is calling for change in almost all areas of the economy. They too are not free from their own internal squabbles and perhaps their popularity and acceptance by the people will soon be gauged during the 13th General Election which many quarters have predicted will be held in the 1st half of this year.
The opposition leader Anwar has recently been acquitted of a sodomy charge by Malaysia's High Court and that is in itself a big boost as far as his morale goes. As it is now, he's all geared up for the Elections and may "dethrone" Najib. But he cannot do that without the support of the majority of Malaysians.
Friday, July 22, 2011
BERSIH Cleaning Up Malaysia
Malaysia has been gripped by the colour Yellow over the past month, this royal colour of the King is somewhat ridiculed when the organizers of the BERSIH rally calling for a free and fair Elections opted YELLOW as a symbol for their cause. The direct translation of the Malay word BERSIH in English is "clean". It's perplexing how clean do the Organizers of BERSIH want future Elections to be. The present Government under the strong grip of the UMNO Party led by Prime Minister Najib has declared BERSIH as illegal, one reason is that BERSIH has been said to have been sabotaged by the Opposition groups headed by Anwar Ibrahim, a man very much disliked by many in the UMNO Party.
YELLOW has therefore been splashing in most websites, even fb has been swarmed with yellow captions by Malaysians who think that change should be made first by being clean. Clean in this context covers the whole arena of corruption, mismanagement, nepotism etc etc etc of the present government. But is the BN Government that "dirty" to deserve such whipping? That is left to be seen in the Elections due in 2 years time. Like in any democracy, the people will decide for better or for worst.
In the state of Sarawak where the Ibans and Chinese form the majority and where the recently concluded State Elections gave BN (Barisan Nasional Party) another 5 year term in office, matters are quite under control. Or is it? The Police is vigilant in keeping an eye on the opposition groups who are now trying hard to convince the people that BERSIH's cause is a step in the right direction. How well will they succeed? Let's observe.
YELLOW has therefore been splashing in most websites, even fb has been swarmed with yellow captions by Malaysians who think that change should be made first by being clean. Clean in this context covers the whole arena of corruption, mismanagement, nepotism etc etc etc of the present government. But is the BN Government that "dirty" to deserve such whipping? That is left to be seen in the Elections due in 2 years time. Like in any democracy, the people will decide for better or for worst.
In the state of Sarawak where the Ibans and Chinese form the majority and where the recently concluded State Elections gave BN (Barisan Nasional Party) another 5 year term in office, matters are quite under control. Or is it? The Police is vigilant in keeping an eye on the opposition groups who are now trying hard to convince the people that BERSIH's cause is a step in the right direction. How well will they succeed? Let's observe.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
"The OBAMA SYNDROME"
"The Obama Syndrome" - wow! what is this? I would define it as an impetus for CHANGE, a CHANGE invented by Barrack Obama. I have called it The Obama Syndrome.
I am a lecturer living in Malaysia. I wish also to introduce another terminology which I called “The Protest Syndrome”. Seen and taken in both context, the 2 syndromes have prompted people in the Middle East to energize a power so great that they are willing to come to the streets to die to shake up their corrupt Governments and leaders.
The Obama Syndrome has brought with it a message to autocratic rulers the world over that real power is still in the hands of the people and not them.
I watched CNN and BBC almost every other hour when I have the time and goes roaming into the world of cyber space whenever there is time. The world today is small, just a click will tell you who’s right and who’s wrong and what’s going on. This in itself is CHANGE. Even classified state secrets have been revealed, Wikileaks has proven this.
The recent upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt calling for CHANGE have made me to coin this thing I called “The Obama Syndrome”. It stems from the word CHANGE which he advocated. Barrack was the guy, now President of the world’s greatest country who polarizes this word “CHANGE” with democracy. He won his Presidency banking on it.
The United States, a free country where its Government is for the people and with the people, a state where democracy is the cornerstone of the system, gave a new meaning to people all over the world that CHANGE can bring with it new hopes and new beginnings.
Of course this syndrome for change picked up pace and now seems to be the crystal ball of all the Middle Eastern countries. From Tunisia to Egypt and Libya, mayhem has broken out due to the want of CHANGE. All have echoed for CHANGE and it still goes on at this very moment.
Today, I understand that it has spread to some women’s groups in India. They too want CHANGE due to the rising food prices in the continent.
But admittedly by all practical norms, CHANGE cannot be brought about overnight. It must first be made known by the people through some kind of protest, be it mild, drastic or otherwise. This protest for CHANGE can by itself develop into a syndrome, evidenced by the current happenings in the Middle East. I have called it "The Protest Syndrome".
I am a lecturer living in Malaysia. I wish also to introduce another terminology which I called “The Protest Syndrome”. Seen and taken in both context, the 2 syndromes have prompted people in the Middle East to energize a power so great that they are willing to come to the streets to die to shake up their corrupt Governments and leaders.
The Obama Syndrome has brought with it a message to autocratic rulers the world over that real power is still in the hands of the people and not them.
I watched CNN and BBC almost every other hour when I have the time and goes roaming into the world of cyber space whenever there is time. The world today is small, just a click will tell you who’s right and who’s wrong and what’s going on. This in itself is CHANGE. Even classified state secrets have been revealed, Wikileaks has proven this.
The recent upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt calling for CHANGE have made me to coin this thing I called “The Obama Syndrome”. It stems from the word CHANGE which he advocated. Barrack was the guy, now President of the world’s greatest country who polarizes this word “CHANGE” with democracy. He won his Presidency banking on it.
The United States, a free country where its Government is for the people and with the people, a state where democracy is the cornerstone of the system, gave a new meaning to people all over the world that CHANGE can bring with it new hopes and new beginnings.
Of course this syndrome for change picked up pace and now seems to be the crystal ball of all the Middle Eastern countries. From Tunisia to Egypt and Libya, mayhem has broken out due to the want of CHANGE. All have echoed for CHANGE and it still goes on at this very moment.
Today, I understand that it has spread to some women’s groups in India. They too want CHANGE due to the rising food prices in the continent.
But admittedly by all practical norms, CHANGE cannot be brought about overnight. It must first be made known by the people through some kind of protest, be it mild, drastic or otherwise. This protest for CHANGE can by itself develop into a syndrome, evidenced by the current happenings in the Middle East. I have called it "The Protest Syndrome".
Sunday, February 6, 2011
A Man Disgraced
Egypt, a close ally of the US had a shock awakening when young minds rallied the call for their President, Hosni Mubarak to step down. People took to the streets, overcame police brutality and turned their Liberation Square into a makeshift campsite, it still goes on and the worst may yet to come.
After 30 years, their military styled President Mubarak was cornered, scorned and could be lynched if he was to appear at the Square but of course, he didn’t. He just fell out of favour, degraded as a man and blamed for all the unemployment and hardship that many Egyptians went through for the past 30 years.
The man who is a military veteran had lived and played by tactical games to rule and stay in power is eventually tested by his own citizens. Frustration however was shown by him when he admitted that he’s fed-up with his leadership role. Ironically he’s still holding on to power.
Mubarak is actually buying time for him to shuffle his cards although he knows that his aces are all gone. It would be interesting to watch what the man will do next amidst all the calls from world leaders for him to initiate democratic reforms immediately. Not until he does that, the so called pro democracy protesters have indicated that they will stay on at the Square.
As one journalist puts it, he is “a dead man walking”. Wow!
After 30 years, their military styled President Mubarak was cornered, scorned and could be lynched if he was to appear at the Square but of course, he didn’t. He just fell out of favour, degraded as a man and blamed for all the unemployment and hardship that many Egyptians went through for the past 30 years.
The man who is a military veteran had lived and played by tactical games to rule and stay in power is eventually tested by his own citizens. Frustration however was shown by him when he admitted that he’s fed-up with his leadership role. Ironically he’s still holding on to power.
Mubarak is actually buying time for him to shuffle his cards although he knows that his aces are all gone. It would be interesting to watch what the man will do next amidst all the calls from world leaders for him to initiate democratic reforms immediately. Not until he does that, the so called pro democracy protesters have indicated that they will stay on at the Square.
As one journalist puts it, he is “a dead man walking”. Wow!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
My Thoughts on RELIGION
Why? Can't we talk about it? Of course we can. People make us not to. How silly? But let's not argue, that would be foolish.
If you argue about religion, it will bring anger and perhaps endless quarrels as to what and who is right and wrong. Religion has obviously made we humans more aligned with modern living. It is alive and well. If it is not, then we have only ourselves to blame. Unless we opt to be atheists, we fear God and things we consider as GODs. Humans came as creatures to this planet Earth, the process of evolution has relentlessly changed us Homo Sapiens into “high breed” beings where thoughts and morals control our living today. We have changed from the killing animals we once were, hunting for food to survive, to the most mannered animals we now are. But we still kill, domesticate animals, slaughter them and eat them. We called ourselves civilized. And ironically, we also use religion to slaughter them and we say it is acceptable.
So what has religion got to do with life and how we think? Is it a guide, some kind of a rule, an unseen order that we ought to follow because some great men made it as such, Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha. "Who is Jesus?", some have asked, “Is he God?” Now, let that be answered by God himself. I am in no position to say he’s not for I am a Christian and I honour every religion on the face of this Earth. Neither do I want to ask why a Muslim can marry 4 wives. That’s their religion, their teaching be it right or wrong, and it would be foolish and a waste of time to argue on such topics. That brings us to the fact that religion is indeed a guiding star in our lives. We see it, watch it, learn about it, cherish it, quarrel over it and treasure it. It guides us on, forever twinkling.
Michael York of Bath Spa University College, Bath, UK defines religion as:
"A shared positing of the identity of and relationship between the world, humanity and the supernatural in terms of meaning assignment, value allocation and validation enactment. A religion need not accept or believe in the supernatural, but it takes a position on. Likewise, some religions deny the reality or at least value of the world, but they still take a position."
Another says "The word 'religion' comes from the same root as the word 'ligament.' Ligaments connect muscles to bones. So the root word means, 'to connect, to bind, to tie together.' "Religion' literally means, 'continuously tying it all together.' Is it not therefore, an obvious deduction that that which is supposed to help us tie it all together should not be used to tear us apart?"
So don’t quarrel over it. It’s stupid of you to. In the worst case scenario, we all have to tolerate one another and understanding can help us tolerate.
If you argue about religion, it will bring anger and perhaps endless quarrels as to what and who is right and wrong. Religion has obviously made we humans more aligned with modern living. It is alive and well. If it is not, then we have only ourselves to blame. Unless we opt to be atheists, we fear God and things we consider as GODs. Humans came as creatures to this planet Earth, the process of evolution has relentlessly changed us Homo Sapiens into “high breed” beings where thoughts and morals control our living today. We have changed from the killing animals we once were, hunting for food to survive, to the most mannered animals we now are. But we still kill, domesticate animals, slaughter them and eat them. We called ourselves civilized. And ironically, we also use religion to slaughter them and we say it is acceptable.
So what has religion got to do with life and how we think? Is it a guide, some kind of a rule, an unseen order that we ought to follow because some great men made it as such, Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha. "Who is Jesus?", some have asked, “Is he God?” Now, let that be answered by God himself. I am in no position to say he’s not for I am a Christian and I honour every religion on the face of this Earth. Neither do I want to ask why a Muslim can marry 4 wives. That’s their religion, their teaching be it right or wrong, and it would be foolish and a waste of time to argue on such topics. That brings us to the fact that religion is indeed a guiding star in our lives. We see it, watch it, learn about it, cherish it, quarrel over it and treasure it. It guides us on, forever twinkling.
Michael York of Bath Spa University College, Bath, UK defines religion as:
"A shared positing of the identity of and relationship between the world, humanity and the supernatural in terms of meaning assignment, value allocation and validation enactment. A religion need not accept or believe in the supernatural, but it takes a position on. Likewise, some religions deny the reality or at least value of the world, but they still take a position."
Another says "The word 'religion' comes from the same root as the word 'ligament.' Ligaments connect muscles to bones. So the root word means, 'to connect, to bind, to tie together.' "Religion' literally means, 'continuously tying it all together.' Is it not therefore, an obvious deduction that that which is supposed to help us tie it all together should not be used to tear us apart?"
So don’t quarrel over it. It’s stupid of you to. In the worst case scenario, we all have to tolerate one another and understanding can help us tolerate.
Monday, October 18, 2010
No Harm Done to Talk Politics A Little
Wow, it's great to be back after a long spell!
That's the problem with us, human beings, we can forget things and we come up with all kinds of excuses when things don't turn out to be what we have wished for. Sometimes we cursed, although not intentionally, it is bad. In my case, I will not make any excuses. I just wanted a break and I had it. So I am back.
Our mind is a powerful machine that can turn the world upside down, not physically but in the abstract, if we want it to.We are builders, creators, destroyers of our own.
I have been watching the political scenario developing in Malaysia over the past couple of months and interestingly enough, our PM has indeed been trying his utmost to win the hearts of the rakyat. It also tells me that things are not alright in Malaysia when he started to cross swords with the opposition in the socioeconomic arena besides the normal political gambit. The Budget he announced lately was mildly acceptable by the majority but I thought the 500 ringgit as bonus for civil servants is not helping many "fence sitters" in the civil service who were expecting for more. Poor guys! Oh sure, we do get them, the "fence sitters" in the civil service. Many are sitting there quietly but supporting the PR groups. I have a few friends who are, certainly. Well, that's their choice which is democracy working.
Elections in Sarawak will soon be called and it seems we shall be seeing many "old" faces, tough incumbents facing not a plastic wall this time around but a brick wall being put up by DAP, PKR, PAS and their supporters. They are by far way ahead when it comes to internet strategy based on my personal opinion. Let's see how well our BN friends will climb and overcome the brick wall. Just don't fall!
I am incidentally from SPDP or the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party and the candidates from Miri belonging to the Sarawak United Peoples Party who know me will need my support and the Party's support. As SPDP is very much part of BN unless Datuk Seri William Mawan thinks otherwise, any BN candidates in the 3 Miri State constituencies will be supported by us in SPDP. That's a fair deal.
Politics is politics, sometimes you have to play it by the ear. wow!
That's the problem with us, human beings, we can forget things and we come up with all kinds of excuses when things don't turn out to be what we have wished for. Sometimes we cursed, although not intentionally, it is bad. In my case, I will not make any excuses. I just wanted a break and I had it. So I am back.
Our mind is a powerful machine that can turn the world upside down, not physically but in the abstract, if we want it to.We are builders, creators, destroyers of our own.
I have been watching the political scenario developing in Malaysia over the past couple of months and interestingly enough, our PM has indeed been trying his utmost to win the hearts of the rakyat. It also tells me that things are not alright in Malaysia when he started to cross swords with the opposition in the socioeconomic arena besides the normal political gambit. The Budget he announced lately was mildly acceptable by the majority but I thought the 500 ringgit as bonus for civil servants is not helping many "fence sitters" in the civil service who were expecting for more. Poor guys! Oh sure, we do get them, the "fence sitters" in the civil service. Many are sitting there quietly but supporting the PR groups. I have a few friends who are, certainly. Well, that's their choice which is democracy working.
Elections in Sarawak will soon be called and it seems we shall be seeing many "old" faces, tough incumbents facing not a plastic wall this time around but a brick wall being put up by DAP, PKR, PAS and their supporters. They are by far way ahead when it comes to internet strategy based on my personal opinion. Let's see how well our BN friends will climb and overcome the brick wall. Just don't fall!
I am incidentally from SPDP or the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party and the candidates from Miri belonging to the Sarawak United Peoples Party who know me will need my support and the Party's support. As SPDP is very much part of BN unless Datuk Seri William Mawan thinks otherwise, any BN candidates in the 3 Miri State constituencies will be supported by us in SPDP. That's a fair deal.
Politics is politics, sometimes you have to play it by the ear. wow!
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