ISA detainees weevil and wild life meals

A quote from Malaysiakini,
Jeffrey Kitingan and four of his fellow inmates managed to catch a small snake on two occasions and a bird to supplement their diet when they were detained under ISA.
---end---

Is it not bad and cruel enough for people to be detained without a trial under ISA? Why treat them even worse than criminals in normal prisons by not giving them the same privillege accorded to criminals to buy food and drinks from canteens? If the authorities are not willing to spend a little more money for better food for the detainees, allow their families and donors to provide food for them or run a canteen for them. ISA detainees should not be treated badly as most of them these days are politically motivated arrests. They are not hardcore criminals.

First, Teresa Kok complained about the food and I thought that she was being choosy but slowly the truth is coming out from other detainees. Imagine having to catch wild life like snakes and birds to supplement your food or having weevil infested food.

If Syed Hamid thinks that the food is alright, then he should stay there for a month and eat the same food with additional weevil protein added.

I urge the government to have a heart. To those who believe in God, you would not do this to another human.

MANSUHKAN ISA!

Let not heroes like Raja Petra cry alone

This morning I stumbled upon this particular blog by Sheih Kickdefella (his blogger name) touching on the arrests of Raja Petra and how we Malaysians are all talk and no action. It is indeed true. Malaysians rather grumble, curse and talk behind or come online and scream profanities and then hide or give one thousand and one excuses for why they are not able to show support for those who have been detained unfairly under ISA. How do I know? Well, I've tried convincing my friends to join me in Kamunting to show support for RPK and other ISA detainees during Raya and disappointingly, their replies were er.......

My dear Malaysians, don't grumble or regret when you see your country going down, when you see no future for your children or grandchildren coz what have you done to help make Malaysia a better place for all or even support the people who fought on your behalf. Don't let these heroes and their families suffer alone is my plea to all. Ever heard of the saying "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone"? Don't let it happen to these heroes.

Quote from his blog:
So truly Malaysian we are, we will rather relax and enjoyed our forthcoming holiday sipping Earl Grey in the balcony of the resort and yes, we will have no problem seeing our once beloved fella rotten in the Kamunting Detention Centre. Well, he is not the first, right?

--end---
To read more on his article, click below:

http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/bariah-ishak-marina-lee-and-the-rest-of-the-heroes/#comment-39211

Hari Raya visit to Kamunting

I almost missed an important event today. I overslept. hehehe Anyway, I rushed and was one of the few earlybirds to arrive at Bays Water (near Tesco), the meeting place for all wishing to go to Kamunting to convey our Hari Raya greetings and show of support to RPK and the other ISA detainees.

Halfway on the bridge, there was a slight jam due to an accident and up pulled this car and the driver waved to me. I wound down my window and it was my friend who said "Wah, you also going?" Of course, I was going. How can I miss or not show my support for RPK after all he has done for us.

We made a stop immediately after the toll at Kamunting, took some photos (unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera along, so those who took them, please either post them here or email them to me at malgal128@gmail.com. Mohan, your email is not working for some reasons) and many said they were here because of RPK. RPK didn't have to do this and risk himself being in ISA but his sense of justice is so strong that he did it so this is why they were all here to let him know that he is not going to walk this walk alone. I must say that I agree coz that was what woke me up too. How can I let a man who has done so much walk alone?

My dear friend brought along cookies and other stuff for RPK and the other ISA detainees. I wanted to cook some curry chicken for them too but was told not to as they were not allowed to receive things like this. It is really inhumane of our government not to allow these detainees to receive food brought by well-wishers during this Hari Raya. Where is the spirit of forgiveness and compassion? Like I have mentioned before, these people are not criminals so don't treat them like one.

To the Malay guy who gave us chocolate cakes to eat, I want to say thank you for your kind gesture and support.

To the rest of the Malaysian who didn't go, please try to in future to help make a difference in our country. Abolish ISA. Freedom!

Win a person over with understanding and not ISA

Can ISA and all the counselling inside change the person into what the government wants them to be? I think not, observing and listening to the many people released from ISA. In fact, after their release, they are even more determined to get rid of ISA and if they were not from the reformasi movement, the detention has turned them into one.

Sometimes punishment can cause more harm and damage. It will make the person hate the government responsible for making their life miserable. Their families and friends will probably feel the same. So, what has the government accomplished by this punishment? Temporarily put fear into the people and temporarily stop them from talking. However, the government has forgotten that in this internet age, you stop someone, someone else takes over so the news doesn't stop.

A better approach would be to engage that person in an intellectual discussion, try to win him over. You definitely cannot win someone over by making his life miserable. Show a person kindness, care, sincerity, understanding and love and you might just win him over without incurring the wrath of the people.

Threats and punishment work only with cowards but not on courageous and righteous people. The more you punish and threaten them, the more they will fight you.

Happy Hari Raya Puasa

To all my Muslim friends, Happy Hari Raya Puasa.

I get to eat lemang this Wednesday and another one on Thursday and then on Saturday. hehehe

God bless you all, take care, drive safely.

Al Jazeera documentary on ISA

We need to get rid of the draconian law. The citizens must be given a right to defend themselves in the court of law. Today, it is them, tomorrow it might be your or your loved ones. Let us all come together to abolish ISA. Have mercy on those who are separated from their families during this month of Ramadan.

Violence not the way to change Teresa Kok

What is becoming of our people? Why use violence against people whom we think or feel have spoken wrongly? Haven't these people learned from the mistakes of other countries where violence have destroyed the whole country?

Talking about peace is not enough to convince others you are peaceful people. It is practising peace that does the deal. To these violent people, think before you react. If you are unhappy with Teresa's words or actions, vote her out next time. If you cannot wait till the next time, write letter to her to express how you feel. Email her. Comment in her blogs. There's not need to resort to violence.

Lots of people are unhappy with Ahmad Ismail but they don't resort to violence. They practice restraint. They express themselves through words.

Love your country and people, then love peace.

Abolish ISA Candlelight virgil

Last night was my first experience participating in a candlelight virgil for the abolishment of ISA. It was a very good and fulfilling experience as I felt that I have played my part in trying to help people who are being imprisoned unfairly without a trial. It made me feel good that I now walk the talk instead of complaining behind the scenes, a cowardice act.

Met a Chinese couple friend and a Malay lady friend there. We kind of gave each other the big-eyed surprised look. Anyway, it was great seeing friends there lending support to a good cause.

However, I must say that I am disappointed that only about 300 or more people came in this city of millions. I know many of my Chinese, Malay and Indian friends are very angry with this ISA thing but why are they not there? Is it because generally good Malaysians are also very passive? It really contrasts when it comes to the racists demonstrations. Again, it might be bccause unreasonable people are usually very vocal and will do anything to attract attention or disrupt anything they deem not right to them.

My appeal to good Malaysians of all races, come out to be with your brothers and sisters and support each other to get rid of this oppressive ISA law. Let the Government know that we are really unhappy. They would not know if you do not come out to show your support. Think of all the sufferings these detainees go through and how their families are suffering. You might not be suffering today but who knows one day someone in your family might and support from good people is what you need. Do your part regardless of race and religion. The ISA has people of all races and religion.

We need you good people to come out.

RPK, a hero not to be forgotten

I never expected that I would be so overcomed by emotions or would shed a tear for someone whom I don't know personally. Yes, RPK or Raja Petra has done this to me. Made me into an emotional wreck since his arrest under ISA. Now, how did he managed to make me feel this way? In this world of today, most people are selfish, caring for themselves and their families only. Few would sacrifice all they have and risk being sent to prison just to see justice and speak the truth. I thought I would never live to see a Mahatma Gandhi in my lifetime and especially in Malaysia. RPK, a Prince who gave himself to all of us so that hopefully Malaysia will see a brighter future.

RPK made me and many non-Muslims see that Islam is a good religion, practices fairness and justice. It is people like him that gives Islam a good name. Unfortunately, our government has chosen to twist it around and use religion to imprison him. It is our government that practices injustice by imprisoning people under ISA under the pretext of religion that gives religion a bad name.

This is what RPK said in one of his blogs :
RPK says: No, I am not a deviant or a blasphemous Muslim of the worst kind. It is those in government who are. And I will uphold the true Islam and oppose these deviants till my last breath and the last drop of my blood. Sure, punish me with laws that Islam forbids. Today, I will face you in a kangaroo court to face punishment under laws that Islam forbids. Tomorrow, I will be the witness in God’s court where you will then face trial for violating God’s laws. In God’s court, I will be assured justice denied me now. And the punishment you receive in God’s court will be many times worse than what you can do to me in this world. And God will determine if I am a deviant and a blasphemous Muslim of the worst kind. That is not for you to say. God never appointed you His assistant here on earth. Instead, God said He knows what is in our hearts and only He will know
---end--

I appeal to all Malaysians to search your heart and give your support to RPK and all the ISA detainees. Fight to abolish ISA. Today, it is them and their families suffering. Tomorrow, it might be you or someone you know or love.

Go to this website to see what you can do to show your support.
http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/13056/84/

You shall not be forgotten RPK and whatever happens, your name will definitely be in our Malaysian history as a hero. We love you.

Silencing of bloggers under ISA

The government must stop the silencing of bloggers by using ISA. It is indeed a worry trend to arrest them because they dare to speak the truth about the government. To try to give all kinds of reasons for their arrests does not go down well with the people. The people are not stupid anymore. The more the government does this, the more the people will vote against them.

If they are wrong, use the court to judge them. Give them a fair trial. However, instead of trying to arrest them, why not try to listen and understand why they are saying these things. There must be a reason and many times, these reasons are valid reasons of the people. Engage them, have dialogues with them for they may teach the government a thing or two about what is right and what is wrong. The government must learn to take criticisms from its rakyat and not stiffle or silence them. A lot of good will come if only the government will listen to them.

Set RPK, Penarik Beca, Sheih Kickdefella and all ISA detainess free!

We will pray for all of you until you are released.

Calling all non-racists to come together

So well said, Shirina Rashid in Malaysiakini at http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/90065 in her respond to racists statements by Ahmad Ismail. It is people like Shirina and the many others out there that give hope to this world plagued by evil people.

I know of many good people around but as usual, good people are also gentler and choose the peaceful way of not making a fuss even though they are hurt. The racists on the other hand will choose to rear their ugly head and as be as loud as possible so that everyone can hear them. Maybe, it is time for the good people to stand up and be counted.

We, non-racists must do something to start bring all races together in harmony. We need a good leader (doesn't have to be a political leader) to organise and start the ball rolling. I suggest that the leader organise and event asking all Malaysians to invite a friend or family of a different race to a specially organised friendship function. Do this now to start showing our solidarity and make it a frequent even.

Another thing we can start doing is maybe to keep in touch by emails or by some social networking sites to start bonding and be true friends. We must start somewhere and soon.

However, remember this is only to start the ball rolling but there must be other measures like the education policies I have mentioned in earlier blogs for long term harmony.

The biggest hurdle in Malaysian mix marriages

Mix marriages is great for racial unity in any country. I, for one, really do encourage it. However, in Malaysia, it is a little more difficult when compared to other countries, including Indonesia. Malaysia is unique as one must convert if you want to marry a Malay and there is no way of getting out of the religion once you convert. People are afraid of being forced into something and have no way out.

On the whole, people are afraid to convert to any other religion. The same happens when once upon a time, you have to convert to Christianity if you wish to marry one. This made most families angry when their children want to marry a Christian. However, these days, a Buddhist marrying a Christian can keep his or her faith until one day he or she chooses to convert or not to convert. This relaxed rule has brought about more mixed-faith marriages.

I do believe that if everyone is allowed to keep his or her own faith in marriage, there will be many, many more mixed-raced and mix-religion marraiges.

Why advertise for candidates who are Mandarin speaking?

I was reading some comments from http://test.chedet.com/che_det/2008/09/malay-unity-and-malaysian-unit.html#comments and came across this comment by Azlela saying the Chinese are racists because of their adverts.

Well, at one time, I thought the same even though I am not a Malay but am not Chinese educated. I thought they were being unfair to the non-Mandarin or non-Chinese educated. However, there came a time when I, myself had to employ someone who had to be able to speak Mandarin. It is not because I am a racist but because I have no choice as the job required the person to be able to speak Mandarin or some Chinese dialects. It then made me realise that I was wrong. There were times when I had to put "only those fluent in English may apply". All this is not because of racial discrimination but because of what the job requires. I also heard from a friend of mine that her husband (Chinese but English educated) faces problems at work in factories as these days most companies have some kind of dealings with China.

So, from here you can see that it has nothing to do with race because English educated Chinese are affected too. Sometimes, we have to think deeper before we make assumptions. Once, we realise the real reasons, we should find ways to improve ourselves and our children so that they will not face this problem.

Look at the market trend and go for it. Otherwise, we will be left behind.

The ingredients for living in harmony

Just like in marriage, a harmonious multi-racial society requires the right ingredients and chef to make it work. What doesn't anyway? A prawn noodle dish will taste different in different stalls and different states. It all boils down to the ingredients and the chef.

So, what are the right ingredients for a multi-racial and multi-religion country like Malaysia need?

Malaysian Cake

Ingredients :
Seive A first -
3 cups of respecting others
3 cups of not doing to others what you do not like others to do unto you
3 cups of putting yourself in the shoes of others
3 cups of minding the language you use (remember to use only the best brands coz the fakes will turn your cake mouldy and poisonous)

B:
5 cups of loving the country


Method :
1. Put all the ingredients together and seive it to remove the "I, Me, Myself, My this and My that" bugs. They will definitely spoil the taste of your cake.
2. You also require a very good chief chef to make sure all the assistant cooks follow instructions properly. Never let them deviate from the main recipe as it would a disaster. The chief chef must get rid of cooks who bent stubborn on doing things their own way.
3. Add seived ingredient A to B. Knead it gently but firmly until the dough is mixed thoroughly and the texture is strong.
4. Bake it and voila, the Malaysian cake is born.

A school that unites all races

Malaysian politicians are a strange lot. Most of them have vision problems that are pretty hard or impossible to correct at all. They can only see extremely very short distances. So, they are actually as good as blind.

Look at our education system. We start dividing children up at such an early age. They only know their own race and religion. Worse still, some racists teachers start teaching these y0ung innocent children to be racists too. Every Barisan party only cared for their own race and fought for schools that based on language and indirectly race-based. If they really cared for the country and people, they would have fought for a school that unites all races. Shame on you politicians.

A SCHOOL THAT UNITES ALL RACES

My suggestion is that we have only one type of school but catered for all races.

1. Have one session schools 8.30 am - 3.30pm so that there will be more time for all activities. However, ensure they have at least 2 breaks - 20 minutes breakfast at 9.30 pm and 40 minutes lunch and rest break at 1.00 pm. Provide children with individual lockers and bathrooms to freshen up.
2. Use English as the medium of instruction for subjects like Science, Maths and Geography to improve the standard of English to be able to compete globally.
3. Have English literature classes and lots of comprehension and composition lessons.
4. Use Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction for subjects like History, Moral, Arts, etc. In fact, Moral should not be taught as a single subject. It is really ridiculous. It should be integrated into Science, English and Bahasa Malaysia. This way, the children have one less subject to study. Be sure to include lots of topics that talks about racial unity and respect for one another. Let children brainstorm ideas on how to achieve racial unity.
5. Teach Mandarin and Tamil (mother tongue) everyday during the last period of the day. Those who do not want to attend, have to stay in the library to study, read a book or complete their homework. Give parents and children a choice to choose.
6. Set aside three periods a week like in the good old days for group activities like football, netball, basketball, rounders, softball and so on. Play games that encourage cooperation.
7. Encourage small group activities and projects where children can socialise as well as brainstorm ideas and teachers must make sure it is a mixed racial group.
8. While Muslim children are studying religion, the others can either opt to study their own religion or go to the library to study, read books or complete their homework.
9. Do not group children into classes based on their abilities as it makes them feel bad.
10. Encourage peer teaching and learning in small groups.
11. Reduce homework, get it all done in school so that children have time to study and have some time for themselves at home.
12. Get qualified, native English speakers to teach our children subjects taught in English if our local teachers are not proficient enough in English until we can produce our enough of our own.
13. Additional activities like clubs, sports training or games for competition should be held after school hours, 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm. Make sure all children join at least one activity. Leave weekends free for spending time with families. No extra classes or tuition.

I encourage readers to provide more positive suggestions here.

A note to PKR runned states

Today an uncle from another state visited and asked this question "How is Penang doing under the new government?" I was like err..., nothing much yet really. Yes, how is Penang doing under the new government? This is my question too.

Last week, I attended a conference and it was during our break where a group of us, Malays and non-Malays were seated together and the same question popped up. Someone there mentioned that since the new government took over, no new projects have been approved. Geez, if this is the truth, it is very bad indeed. The rakyat did not vote for a new government to freeze all projects. We want to see development in Penang. We want to see business get approved without all the red tape. We want to see new business ideas, brainstorming, etc to get Penang and all the PKR governed states doing better than before. The poor must be helped, not with just cash but with a programme to help them to be financially indepdent in the long run. Give them free business training programmes or know how. Team them up with people who have funding. We know that the Barisan Government has punished us by taking away the important mega projects but let us now sit down and sulk over it. Do something to prove to them that PKR can do it without Barisan.

I suggest PKR take the initiative of setting up a rakyat think-tank online and offline and invite the people to give ideas on how to bring about development, business, solve transport problems, etc. As the saying goes, more heads are better than one. Choose the good ones and work on it.

Digging up Barisan's trash is good but if it is only that and nothing else, the rakyat will be very disappointed. Don't fail the rakyat. Stay focused and be result orientated.

Is Ahmad Ismail willing to do the same for the Malays?

It is a shame that Ahmad Ismail of UMNO resorted to describing the Chinese as immigrant squatters and therefore not to be treated equally. He also questioned the Chinese’s willingness to share and distribute their wealth equally with the other races.

I really cannot understand why some people, especially those from UMNO can come up with such remarks. But then again, coming from someone in UMNO, I really shouldn't be so surprised.

He also has the cheek to question the Chinese's willingness to share and distribute their wealth equally with the other races. What does he mean by sharing and distributing our wealth equally? Giving away our wealth to those who are not willing to work for it? Come on. Would he and other rich UMNO politicians and Malays willingly do that? I don't see any rich UMNO politicians or Malays sharing their wealth wih the poor Malays. The point is, I and I am sure that most, if not all, Chinese or any race or any one would do that.

However, I would be willing to employ, go into partnership or work together with Malays who are hardworking and capable. I would not hesitate to teach them what I know so long as I know they are not racists. Why should I share my knowledge or work with people who hates my race or me? In all my life, I have very good relationship with my Malay and Indian friends and staff. I love them just as much as I love my own race friends. Why? It's because they do not see me as a Chinese but as a friend and I see them they same way too.

So, do not ask others to do what you are not willing to do for your own race. Instead, ask all races to come together and help each other. Ask the Malays to be willing to work hard and be efficient instead and you will see opportunities opening up for them to succeed.

Political websites need to be interactive

A visit to MCA's website some time ago to try to post some suggestions came to a dead end. No where to post comments or suggestions. Today, I clicked on a link from a blog site and it ended up in Gerakan's site. Again, there was no where to post suggestions or comments.

Seems to me that they do not want feedback from the people. How can they, as representatives of the people improve their services or their party without feedback from the people who put them into power? Thnk about it, MCA, Gerakan and all those who do not allow feedback or comments. This is the age of the internet - Web 2.0. Be part of it or be dead like a dinosaur.

How do we unite all the different races in Malaysia?

Racism in Malaysia is a very hot topic these days. Let us not harp on this and condemn each other with vulgarities and sarcasm anymore. Instead, put all our minds to work and suggest to the government here on how and what they can do to unite us. The government does need help here, don't you agree? They, especially UMNO, is totally lost so let us, the citizens of Malaysia help them.

I invite all races to participate. One exception though, racists are not welcomed here. You can join UMNO instead. However, please do not do what the politicians do. Use common sense, have respect for other races and moderate language to express yourselves. To sum it all up, mind your language and be civilized.

Do put a subject title for your suggestions okay? I will put up those exceptionally good ones on a page by itself. Helps readers to locate it easier.


My first suggestion will be coming soon. Mine will be about schools.

Why are Malaysians so divided? The answer.

Malaysia has a very strange educational system. We have schools that are categorised by language and also religion. We have Chinese schools where most children are Chinese and some non-Chinese, Malay schools where majority are Malays and Tamil schools where almost all are Indians.

Does it have to take a genius to try to figure out why we are so divided? Come on, the children are taught from young to mix only with their own race. In doing so, they are not given the opportunity to mix with other races, learn other cultures and have other races as close friends. Therefore, is it suprising that why the different races look at each other with suspicion?

The best years for teaching tolerance and getting along with other races are when children are young. These are the years where they have best friends. These are the years where they play with everyone regardless of race because children are not born racists. Racism is taught directly or indirectly to children.

So, to all the Chinese, Indians and Malays who fight so hard to have this type of schools, this is the result you get - racism.

I know many of you out there, especially the Chinese will not be happy with what I mentioned here but you have to face the fact that this is the truth.

My next blog will be on suggestions on how to help solve this problem without taking away the right to learn your mother tongue.

Gone are the days when kids of all races played together

I remember my days as a kid where mixing with different races was a norm. In Kulai, Johor, my first neighbour was an Indian family. Their son, Ravi and me used to play together everyday. His mom would put the puttu or the "red dot" on my forehead. After they moved, a new Malay neighbour moved in, the Majids. They had four children namely Din, Noor, Nina and Nini. We played a lot together and my parents and their parents also got on very well. I was only about 5 or 6 years old when my parents gave permission for me to follow my neighbour to Muar for a week to attend a kenduri. We trusted each other fully.

Unfortunately, it was our turn to move after several years later. My dad was posted to Perak. He was in the civil service so we had to move quite a bit.

In Perak, my first neighbours were Chinese. When they moved, a Malay family with nine children moved in. I cannot recall all their names as it was such a long time ago. I can remember Mahathir and Marzuki the most as we played with our other friends of different races everyday.

Our parents, on the other hand would sit down at their stairways to chat every evening. We also helped each other to make kueh or some snacks for tea frequently. Other times, we would teach each other on how to make simple crafts.

Thursday nights saw our house packed with Malay friends. All were here to watch Malay movies together. At that time, we were one of the very few who had a television.

Every Chinese New Year, my parents would hold an open house day and the house would be packed with Chinese, Indians and Malays. We had a lot of fun without looking at the skin colour like today.

When we had to move again, this time to Kelantan, my father's colleague's son, Azhar followed us to Tanah Merah. He stayed with us for a whole full month. We respected each others faith. He would slaughter the chicken the muslim way with prayers and we cook it, making sure it was halal for him. He didn't condemn us for praying to our God either. We were like a family.

These days, we don't see much of this scenario around. Chinese kids stick with other Chinese kids, Malays with Malays and Indians with Indians. The muhibbah spirit is lost. Just look around you closely and you can see how divived we are.

What really went wrong? Why are we worse off than before? I'll share my views on this in my next blog.

Prove your sincerity PAS!

Malaysians who voted for the opposition that is PAS, PKR and DAP are all very disappointed with PAS right now. People voted for PAS because they believed it has better principles than UMNO and because they wanted to be fair to all races. Was it all talks just to get the votes?

Why keep talking about Malay unity? What about other races? Are we not human being? Are we not created by God? If PAS has morals and believe in God, then this would not be happening. It should be talking racial unity and working hard with Pakatan to make a change in Malaysia to get rid of corruption and unfairness and not working or the so called discussions with UMNO. By having these discussions, they have created uneasiness and suspicions in Pakatan and the people who supported them.

PAS can keep try to allay these talks as nothing but the people are not stupid. It is making PAS looking like a two headed snake. It is making the people who supported them very angry. Why is PAS betraying us?

If PAS says it is going to stay with Pakatan, then prove your sincerity. Stop all meetings with UMNO or any Barisan members immediately. Don't give the rakyat lame excuses. We are not stupid to believe your excuses.

Stay with Pakatan and work for all the rakyat with fairness and corruption free and you will be assured that you will always have our votes. We, the non-Malays are not that racial. We will vote for anyone who can lead this country and people to greater heights. Make us believe in you.