Category: Random Musings

Yellow Snowball

The only reason that I decided to come home to Malaysia is this – to fight for our future.

If there was one thing that my experiences at Bersih have taught me – it’s that there’s hope for Malaysia yet – one where people treat each other like people, where rights are respected and not trampled over, where one is able to make an honest living.

Our parents generation have failed us and as a result, our generation is saddled with all the mistakes of the past and it’s up to us to tackle the problems one by one. While some take the easy way out, to run away, or to hide elsewhere biding their time, I would have none of that.

Bersih 3.0 marks a turning point in our country’s future. No amount of violence and accusations will distract from this. Our people have changed and the country has been changed forever by this. No way will we be going back to the ways of the past.

All parties of our government need to take cognisance of this. Regardless of who comes to power in the next general elections, the landscape and people have changed forever. Whomever comes to power will have to realise that the rakyat no longer blindly trust the government.

This event also marks the rise of the middle-class, traditionally the drivers of all political change. Thanks to various education and economic opportunities provided in the past, we have a burgeoning middle-class who are educated enough to see through the many lies told by all sides and figure things out for ourselves.

A lot needs to be done to regain that trust and all parties must realise that, particularly our police force, who have become a force of authority to a farce of one. Same goes for the main-stream media whose censorship, distortion and lies only serve to stoke further anger and provoke incredulity.

I don’t know what the future holds but I’m sure of one thing – nothing is going to be the same after this.

The snowballing has begun.

Freedom Square

A random thought occurred to me a couple of days ago – the government should just gazette Dataran Merdeka as a fixed location for peaceful assemblies and protests.

In many other countries, there are also such designated spots such as the Parliament Square in London – a square at the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in London that is one of London’s main tourist attractions and also the place where many demonstrations and protests are held.

Our Dataran makes a very good spot to do this. It is close enough to Jalan Parlimen, which leads directly to our Parliament. The square itself has its own history as the place where the Union Jack was lowered in 1957.

It is located opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad building, an iconic building that played many roles over the years. It is also located directly in the heart of KL and features prominently during our national day parade due to the massive road directly between it and the building.

Many cars drive through Jalan Raja into the heart of the city and therefore, protest causes can be easily heard by the people. It’s located close to several LRT stations. Underneath, is a small mall, which can provide amenities, food and the all important foot-traffic as well.

Dataran Merdeka is wonderfully positioned to be the place to protest and hold demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur.

My PSC Communications

Wow, I just came across the email communication between the High Commission and I, that I presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on elections – posted on our parliament website, archived for all posterity! They did not even bother to redact my email address but they did leave out most of the information. I submitted 10 pages but they only kept the most relevant ones, the initial and last communique.

Neu Geek-Chic

Introversion seems to be the new Geek-chic. I don’t have any complaints about that since I’m quite introverted myself, but I do find it useful that there is more attention being drawn to introverts.

  • I am the life of the party – No, I don’t get invited to parties. (Edit: I just got invited to one!)
  • I enjoy being the center of attention – Despite what others think, no.
  • I am skilled in handling social situations – Definite No. Faux pas galore!
  • I like to be where the action is – Yes. That’s why I get involved in so many things.
  • I make new friends easily – No, cautiously.
  • I am quiet around strangers – Yes, cautiously.
  • I don’t like to draw attention to myself – Yes, I’d prefer it if people didn’t know me.
  • I don’t like to party – Yes, it’s a waste of energy, time and money.
  • I like to work independently – Yes, I don’t like having to deal with people problems.
  • I often enjoy spending time by myself – Yes, but don’t take it the wrong way.

PS: That’s why I do my best work, in the dark comfort of my own room surrounded by my books, with the music braying at 3am in the morning.

Words with Teeth

I’ve been getting an education in Islam, more than before, in some of our law classes. It was during our last Consti class that I learned of another common mistake made by people who do not understand the true meaning of treason.

It is quoted that the first Muslim Caliph after the death of Muhammad (pbuh), Abu Bakr, said that:

Behold me, behold me, charged with the care of government. I am not the best among you; I need all your advice and all your help. If I do well, support me; if I make mistakes, counsel me. To tell the truth to a person commissioned to rule is faithful allegiance; to conceal it is treason.

To me, that just makes total sense.

That is why I complain and fuss so much about the bad things that are happening in my country. I even offer myself to serve on government committees to help shape the direction and discourse. However, I come in a thorny package and not everyone can handle me.

I was recently asked by a colleague to help out with an overseas job application. This colleague said something to me that made me laugh a little inside. I’m paraphrasing but it went something like this: “your comments are very sharp, but they are very good.”

When I’m asked for my comments, I usually put my honest opinion forward. They can be sure of one thing – that my comments will be sincere and true. I don’t waste my time with platitudes though and my comments usually come out raw, which is why others sometimes think them sharp.

Some people think that it’s unprofessional of me to sting and hit out strongly but I disagree.

To me, being a professional means being able to check your emotions at the door. We must all be able to go into the room, trash things out truthfully, curse each other honestly, and come out of the room to share a drink after. However, there are usually plenty of people with very fragile egos in the room.

So, I must wonder whether it would be better to speak softly instead of bluntly.

Unfortunately, I’m my mother’s son and it’s been said by others that her words have teeth, so do mine I guess, and I have no intention on changing that any time soon. I would not be honest to myself if I did and that would be doing a disservice to others too.

Once I stop stinging and start lacing my words with honey, you should know that I no longer care.