Que Sera Sera ( Kau Salah Salah )

Que sera sera
( aka Kau salah salah )

Not too long ago,
a narrow minded soul with misplaced angers told me,
that his father was a dedicated arm force personnel,
that his father risked his life to fight and defend the country.
So we must not forget history, and as a son,
he must be given more privileges in this country.

Silently and under hot toiling sun
my father, a vegetable seller,
worked day and night,
to make enough money,
to contribute to the bullets,
uniforms, and wages for the uniformed personnel.

They said, bullet does not discriminate.
But so is sweats, determinations, and hard earned money....

So, ungrateful arrogant sons,
please remember the many sacrifices
of all the silent patriotic men.

Forget we must not.
But this country is not founded
by fathers of the ungrateful and arrogant sons only.
This country is evolved and constituted
by people from all walks of life,
with their sweats, tears, and hardworks.
In their own unselfish way,
they had silently and willingly contributed
to the success and sovereignty of this country.

So, please do not be misguided by selfish desires
to conveniently rob the rights of others.

So, am I supposed to claimed more privileges,
because my father contributed to the feedings
of the uniformed personnel,
who in turn defend the country ?

The question you should ask yourself is,
What are your contributions thus far,
that has contributed to the betterments of future generations ?

Do we want to forever
live like parasites begging for special privileges ?
Is that how you want your children to emulate ?
my friends,what happened, happened.
What ever will be is not que sera sera.
The future is for us to determine.

Let us has the self respect of not having
to live on other people past.
Yes,
our fathers has sacrifices and contributed a lot,
and, praise the heaven,
we are all now enjoying
the fruits of their hard labours.
But let us not overstep our limits
to conduct unfair demands,
Let us not resorting
to live under the shadows of the past,
Let us not live like parasite now, and
let us not
build another generation of parasites.


Negara ku,
tanah tumpah nya darah ku.......
I sincerely do not wish to see my future generations
shed even a single drop of bloods.....

Teach our children
to respect other religion, race, and culture,
to accept equality, fairness, and tolerances,
to have the pride of not depending on charities of others,
to not blaming others for our own failures,
to not having to depend on hand-outs,
to not be a parasite and a communcal pariah.

Teach our children to be
a hardworking and responsible Malaysian.
And, together, let us all now work hand–in–hand,
to create mutual respect, and better understanding
of our cultural diversities and differences.
Let us acknowledge and defend each other's rights.
Together, standing tall and side by side,
we shall claim our equal places
in this blessed land of perpetual sunshines.

I can see the beautiful rainbow now on the eastern sky...........
Namo Amithaba Buddha

Let the bitter winds pass through...

Found this article published recently in The Sun very interesting. I am indeed very lucky of never having the opportunity to experience this early dark chapter of political confrontation and civil war in the early statehood of Malaysia. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry “Lest we forget and never forgive”, it is about time now, we all closed rank and move forward.

In any confrontations, there are casualties and deaths on both sides. Let's us learn from the lesson of this divisive confrontations, Let's now us forgive and forget, let us move together in unison to bring greater progress to the nation.

In reading some published articles in the local newspapers and the Internet regarding the political ideological confrontations, I believe Chin Peng was a misguided Patriot who do love Malaysia with his communist ideology. The British lead a multi nations armies including Australia, Gurkha, etc to help us to forced out the communists..... but I am also involuntarily draw to the parallel comparison between the US lead invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. A sad chapter of humanity and let's pray that the goods shall triumphed over evils.

At one point or another, we must be sensible enough to acknowledge that, having different ideologies does not made a person less patriotic. Similarly, being more outspoken against the government does not mean the person love the country less. Being a fence sitter and harbouring misplaced angers, intolerances, and disrespect for other people way of life in the name of patriotism does not make a person more patriotic either....

What is past is past, no amount of logical or illogical arguments is going to turn back the clock. But what we can do now is to hold true to our religious upbringings and our respect for humanity – STOP spreading hatreds, stop influencing, and stop forcing upon others to carry the burdens of our own hatreds ! Sow the courage now to forgive each other of our past deeds. Show some respect to our religions and upbringings, let us all accept the diversities in thoughts, religions, way of life, and cultures and live together as a united nation to bring peace and progress for all future generations.

Negaraku, tanah tumpah nya darah ku, rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju.......

WWII veteran to the defence
THOSE WHO DID NOT LIVE THROUGH NIGHTMARE OF THE WAR ARE NOT IN POSITION TO CALL FOR BAN ON THE LAST COMMUNIST, SAYS CAPT (RETIRED) LAWRENCE CHEW
by Giam Say Khoon
The Sun

KUALA LUMPUR: A World War II veteran who first fought alongside the communists during the Japanese occupation, and then against them after Japan was defeated, says the ban on The Last Communist (Lelaki Komunis Terakhir) should be lifted.
"The government should let the people judge the film for themselves," retired Captain Lawrence Chew (pix), 82, said.
He said those who did not live through the nightmare of World War II are also not in a position to call for a ban on the Amir Muhammad documentary which traces the towns in which exiled Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng lived.
Chew, who served the British Army from 1941 ­ when he was just 17 ­ to 1950, said many comments about the documentary made by those who were not even born during the time of the war were baseless.
Although the Censorship Board approved Amir's semi-musical documentary for viewing by all ages with no cuts, the Home Ministry banned the movie on May 5 citing sensitivities at a time when Umno was celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Amir has charged in his blog that the ban was the result of a campaign by Malay daily Berita Harian, which carried criticisms of the movie by people who had not watched it.
Chew said that during their occupation of Malaya, the Japanese killed many, especially the Chinese because of the long war between Japan and China.
"Chin Peng gathered people and led them into the jungle for survival. He later taught and trained the British forces to fight the Japanese in the jungle.
"I would say he was a freedom fighter who believed in his own ideology," Chew told theSun at his home in Selayang.
He added that during the Emergency between 1948 and 1960, Chin Peng fought against the British who had re-colonised Malaya after the Japanese withdrew, and not against the people.
According to him, Chin Peng worked closely with the British to liberate Malaya from the Japanese before the falling out between the communists and the British.
"I believe something went wrong between him and the British, which led to the communist insurgency, as the two parties must have made agreements that were not realised after the liberation (from Japan)." From friends, the communists became foes, Chew said. "We had no choice left as it was either kill or be killed." He remembers that the communists were experienced jungle fighters and the British army was no match for them.
Chew said it was ironic that while the world has forgiven the Germans for waging World War II, Chin Peng, who is no longer a threat to the country, is not allowed to come back to visit his family.
Believed to be living in Thailand, Chin Peng, 82, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, last year filed a court application on behalf of himself and other former CPM members seeking, among others, a declaration that they be entitled to enter and reside in Malaysia.

Taiping - Ngah Ibrahim's Fort

The Ngah Ibrahim Fort is situated at Matang, Taiping and was built in 1855 as the administrative center as well as for the handling of tin ore. The total area of this fort is 0.4 hectare, the length is 131 meters and the width is 110 meters. This fort became the centre for administration, trade and defence. For more information and photos on this historical building, please visit HERE and HERE



The following is a news item published in the local New Straits Times on June 5th 2006 :

Cross Country: Restoring Ngah Ibrahim’s fort
05 Jun 2006
Jaspal Singh

TAIPING : The restoration of the 150-year-old fort in Matang built by Tengku Menteri Ngah Ibrahim, the richest Malay aristocrat of his time, is nearly complete. Arrangements by the National Heritage Department to bring his remains back to Matang from Singapore, where he died in exile, is also on the cards.That’s the good news. The bad news is that the last leg of the restoration, the reconstruction of the fort’s two large watchtowers, is likely to be tricky.Museums Department’s assistant curator Osman Kassim, who has been supervising the restoration and conservation of the fort since 2001, said the absence of data on the original shape and layout of two towers was hindering reconstruction."There is hardly any evidence in the form of drawings, sketches or otherwise to guide the Museums Department in its restoration of the towers," he said.Osman said the department was gathering as much information as possible as to the shape of the towers, including from local folklore and from the design of Fort Cornwallis on Penang island."The department wishes to complete the restoration of both towers before Ngah Ibrahim’s remains are brought back to Matang sometime this year," he said.Made of small bricks said to be imported from India, the watchtowers are located at the south, facing Sungai Melawati and the sea, and the north, overlooking the hinterland.While the battles fought around the fort between Ghee Hin and Hai San in the late 1800s, and the crash of a Japanese fighter plane into the fort during WWII, damaged the fort, a century of neglect and erosion was the main cause of the destruction of the towers, said Osman.The department is planning to leave the breach caused by the fighter plane as it is an added tourist attraction. Pieces of metal, including engine parts , were found at the base of the destroyed portion of the fort during the excavation.The fort has a rich history. It was built in 1856 by Ngah Ibrahim when he succeeded his father, Long Jaafar, as the administrator of Larut and he ruled his fiefdom with pomp and ceremony from the fort. It was also in that fort that he, Raja Abdullah, Datuk Maharaja Lela, Datuk Sagor, Laksamana Mohd Amin and others were tried by assistant resident Captain T.C.S. Speedy for the murder of the first British Resident, J.W.W. Birch, in 1875.Ngah Ibrahim, Raja Abdullah and Mohd Amin were banished to the Seychelles while Maharaja Lela and Sagor were hanged from a tree just outside the fort in 1876.

One cuckoo flew over the rest ?

The requirement for prospective employees to be fluent in Mandarin should be made optional. Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn said making it a must would limit employers to a small pool of people when searching for dedicated and hardworking staff. “I will talk to the private sector on this and I hope this demand for Mandarin proficiency when employing new workers will stop”

Let me see if I get it correctly. If the job requirements need proficiency in Mandarin ( or other languages), and our Mr Datuk want to put a stop to employers from hiring relevant candidates with the right language proficiency ? Mr Datuk, the employment market is just like any supply-demand market. If the market demand it, you meet it. How about the requirements of “ Candidate must have a minimum of CREDIT in Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level” usually put up by the government agencies ? Would you also made this requirements optional and put a STOP to it ?

Welcome message by Mr Datuk in a human resource website - “Opportunities at the workplace today and in future belong to those who are proficient in at least two languages...."

This made sense. Very visionally of you to advise people to be proficient in AT LEAST two languages. Now a small group of employer with genuine requirements insist on proficiency in one extra language, and you want to put a STOP to it ? Please be consistent in your words and actions !

Mr Datuk, I have this to say to you. Please stay out and don't interfere in the affairs of private sector businesses. There is a only small number of private businesses that required to hire candidates with proficiency in Mandarin language. Leave them along, don't attempt to single them out and tell them how they should run their businesses. I believed you are not qualified to comment on them. Don't make a big issue out of small genuine requirements. This is not about woman's virginity where you can make a big issue out of a small piece of tissue !

Tow-kay, Seng Lee bai chor ! As it is, running private businesses is already a very tough commitment, don't make it more difficult for private businesses. With no or limited fundings, don't expect private sector business to be run like a charitable organizations. Kan nah sai.. chit hung beh sai, hit hung bei sai... lu chiat par kuey tow eng ah ? Choy Kang-lang lu pun ai char luan... wau kah lu kong ah.. wou si chin chin beh tar han liow..

As an important person in the Human Resource Ministry, the future of our nation's youth seriously depend on your strategic foresight and planning ! Do something about it... create a blueprint to train and deliver a pool of creative, skilled, and competent workforce for the future economies. Make no mistake about it ( Bush said it ), don't push the blame to employers simply because there are too many unemployed graduates out there.

Namo Amithaba Buddha

How come my Pot is blacker than your Kettle ?

“Mandarin Demand Is Discriminatory !” So shouts in the May 31st 2006's New Straits Times by a Encik Datuk Seri. The question is, is the requirement of proficiency of language constitutes a discriminatory practices by employer ? I am amazed that a Encik Datuk Seri, with his political maturity, claimed that this request for language proficiency is discriminatory practice. I am also equally amazed with the simplicity of his comments on unemployment problems in Malaysia.

Encik Datuk Seri, let me say this to you :

• Let us face the fact. As long as we are required by law to fill in any official form stating our racial origin, religion, and sex, then we can safely assumed that this information requirement is in itself a tendency for potential for discriminatory practices. Has the government take any initiative to put a stop to this requirement and lead by example ? You want to Talk the walk, but can you walk the talk ?
• If a private company has ascertained that Language proficiency is a requirement, please learn to respect and support this business requirement. Likewise, if the public sector or GLC ascertained that “Only Certain Race is encouraged to Apply”, then so be it. We have learned to respect this practice as honouring the social contract and affirmative actions. So, face it, depending on who using it, the word “Discrimination” mean different things to different idiots. Some cried wolf all the times and practised it with no sense of guilts !
• Depending on nature of the jobs, some jobs required proficiency in English language, some required proficiency in Bahasa, some required proficiency in Tamil, some required proficiency in Mandarin ( or Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, etc). This is part and parcel of the acquired unique competency and competitiveness of private businesses. So let's not burden or make it anymore difficult for the private sector with prejudiced and biased rhetorics. As it is, if you are not helping the private sector businesses, please refrained from giving incompetent demands. Perhaps, it would be wiser to look into how public sectors and Government Linked Companies' personnel policies first. Do what you preached !!! Stop meddling with the honest affairs of private businesses.
• Stop using the word “Discrimination” to force private sector businesses to participate in the employment of personnel with mismatched skills. This is tantamount to forcing private companies to degrade its competitiveness by wasting resources to feed parasites. I understand and can smell “discrimination” miles away. Requirements of proficiency in certain language is definitely not discriminatory but a business requirement. However, requirements of racial origin, religion, and colour of the skin is definitely a discriminatory practice. Am I politically correct enough to make this assertion !
• The private sector does not contribute to the unemployment problems in Malaysia. Unemployment is a complicated situation arising from formulations and implementation of government's policies against real market requirements.
• If the unemployed graduate are not passionate enough to equip themselves with relevant skills to be employed, what makes you think that they can be successfully trained to be passionate as an entrepreneur. What I fear most is, the unemployment problems may be levitate to higher level of not having enough projects to be awarded to all these “young entrepreneurs” few years down the road...
• Sometimes, it is easy for politically bankrupt politicians diverting political responsibilities by making irresponsible political statements to gain political popularity. But please bear in mind that this irresponsible sweeping statements tend to cultivate a culture of hatreds among Malaysians.
• Stop diverting the responsibilities of the unemployment issues to the private sectors. Stop spoon feeding the unemployed graduates ! They should be matured enough to equip themselves with the necessary skills to get real employment. They should be passionate enough to make practical changes to adapt to changing business environment. Don't burden the private sectors anymore. The milk has been unneccessarily spilled too often. Crying babies get the milk ? There are basically not enough milks to be given to all these parasitic crying babies !

So do the right things. Take a hard look at yourself, stop making incompetent political statements all over the place. I just simply can not understand why there are so many unconciously incompetent people.........