I am a Malaysian......

In my own country, very seldom we are acknowledged as Malaysians, out of political correctness, we refer ourselves as Malaysian Malay, Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indian, etc.. Occasionally, Some of us are being racially referred as the "Kaum Pendatang" or "the immigrants" by some individuals seeking cheap publicity and popularity along communal lines.

Occasionally and perhaps quite often, We are constantly being labelled with racial tags by some narrow minded individuals. Sadly, there are still some narrow minded Malaysians attempting to racialize the citizenship of Malaysians. As citizens, We have all contributed to the nationhood of Malaysia. All of us know what it take and what it meant to be a Malaysian. We have all learned to appreciate each other strengths and weaknesses, and we have all learned to live together in this blessed land. We are all first class citizens of Malaysia because of our great propensity to sacrifice and our willingness to give in the name of national interests. For those who still want to question each other's legitimacy of citizenship, kindly state your contributions to this country first before you open your smelly mouth.

In May 13th 1969, I was 9 years old then, Malaysians learned the bittered lesson of senseless racial riots caused by irresponsible communal instigators. Do we as Malaysians want to allow ourselves to be manipulated and repeat this painful and shameful history again ? Let us all be fair and sensible to each other's needs. If some Malaysians work very hard to built a castle for themselves, let them enjoy the fruits of their hard works. Let us not let jealousy rules our head to the extent of derogatorizing their achievements. Let us admire them and emulate their hard works to build life better for ourselves. Robbing from the hardworking citizens to enrich ourselves is the most despicable acts. Let us all value each other economic contributions as Malaysians and stand united to reject communal instigators.

Back in the good old days, irregardless of ethnicities, we are educated and trained to play games together, go camping together, eat together, etc. We were taught the strengths of diversities and the importance of unity and tolerance. When Mokhtar Dahari, Santok Singh, and Soh Chin Aun scored the goals in the Merdeka Cup tournaments, all of us cheered for Malaysia. When the national team beats Indonesia and China to brought back the Thomas Cup, the whole nation cerebrate as one. We all enjoy durian, nasi lemak, chap fun, roti canai, tosai, etc. There are so much cultured similarities in all of us. Needless to say, we are all proud to be a Malaysian. Ethnicity was not a issue then, we have learned to live as one big family extending helping hand and respect to each other. We must now learn to live as ONE again.

Let us all look beyond religions and skin colours and start acknowledging ourselves as Malaysians in a united country. I beamed with pride whenever I see a Malaysia flag being raised or the National anthem is played. For I know, I have sacrificed and worked hard to contributed to the success and economic miracles of Malaysia.

Sometimes traitors do disguised as community heroes with incredible rhetorics. There is no benefits for all of us, to be misguided by selfish and narrow minded parties or individuals, to belittled each other contributions. We acknowledge there are always morally bankrupt individual resorts to sow hatreds and mistrusts in any country. Let me put forward to you, a true patriot will never use religion and race as the agenda to gain popularity at the expense of national unity.

As citizens of Malaysia, all of us has been accorded certain privileges. Let us all learn to appreciate and share these privileges. Let us all not be blinded by selfish egos and greeds to seek more privileges. Let us all rise above religion and race to be a true global citizen in this globalized village with pride and dignity.

So, Mr troublemakers out there, there is an old saying that, you can fooled some people all the times, and all people some of the times. But only a fool thinks he can fooled all people all the times. As Malaysians, do we want to be a champion of human rights or do we want to be a shameless hypocrite. Of course we can go around condemning other countries human rights records, but, what credibilities do we have when we can't keep our house in order ? It is indeed very sad in mankind's modern history we do have international pariahs going around the world insincerely preaching human rights, peace, and love. It give me the impression that the one who shouted the loudest is the guiltiest!

Crying babies get the milks ? I don't have milk any more, but you are welcome to have my last cup of black coffee without sugar.....

Bigfoot Found in Johor Malaysia ?

Footprint casts hope of finding Bigfoot

by Chuah Bee Kim JOHOR BARU,

Feb 21st 2006 New Straits Times

Foreign journalists tracking "Bigfoot" in the jungles of Johor have made a plaster cast of a fresh footprint measuring 60cm by 30cm. Almost three times the size of a human foot, they feel the evidence indicates they are close to finding and filming the creature.
"This is very close to an actual sighting," said Joshua Gates, 28, who is part of a seven member expedition to the jungles of Kota Tinggi. Gates, who found the foot, is the host of Destination Truth, a new television programme to be shown over the Sci-Fi Network in the United States.
The Sci-Fi Network is an NBC Universal television network dedicated to programmes exploring the mysterious, paranormal, fantastic and unexplained. Gates and his crew have been in Kota Tinggi since yesterday to shoot a documentary on the creature.
The group travelled deep into the jungle and found the footprints in Kampung Lukut after searching an area covering 30 sq km.
"One of the footprints, showing five toes, was especially well preserved in the mud. We made several plaster casts of it."
"This is most credible evidence to date that the Bigfoot might indeed be roaming the jungles of Johor," he said.
"We believe we are on the trail of something really big."
"The size of the footprint doesn’t match that of any primate or animal we have ever seen."
"This is bound to stir a great deal of interest in the US when the documentary is shown."
"It might prompt more researchers and journalists to come to Johor in search of Bigfoot."

The Geneva Spiritual Appeal

The "Geneva Spiritual Appeal" was signed on Sunday October 24 1999 by Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders. To all the two faced "peace loving" and "God Fearing" political leaders, spiritual leaders and religious leaders of the world, have you done your part to honour the words as scripted in this Geneva Spiritual Appeal ?

The text of the appeal is as follows :

• Because our personal convictions or the religions to which we owe allegiance have common a respect for the integrity of humankind.
• Because our personal convictions or the religious to which we owe allegiance have common a rejection of hatred and violence.
• Because our personal convictions or the religions to which we owe allegiance have common the hope for a better and more just world.

Representing religious communities and civil society we appeal to the leaders of the world, whatever their field of influence, to strictly adhere to the following three principles:
1) A refusal to invoke a religious or spiritual power to justify violence of any kind,
2) A refusal to invoke a religious or spiritual source to justify discrimination and exclusion;
3) A refusal to exploit or dominate others by means of strength, intellectual capacity or spiritual persuasion, wealth or social status.

Grounded in the Genevan tradition of welcome, refuge and compassion, our appeal is open to all whose convictions are in accordance with these three demands.

Taiping Market

The Taiping Market, located in the heart of Taiping town, is the oldest market in Malaysia. This unique timber structure was built in 1884. It consists of two blocks. The first block was built in 1884 and the second block was built in 1885. Each Block occupies a land area of 220 ' by 60'.

Anyone out there has a photograph of Taiping Market to share ?

As published in the New Straits Times - February 16th 2006

Facelift for Taiping market

By Mimi Syed Yusof

TAIPING, Feb 15:

The wet market here, the oldest in the country, is slated for a facelift that will make it almost a twin of Kuala Lumpur's Pasar Seni. Municipal council officers will be visiting the Pasar Seni soon to identify features to be incorporated in the renovation exercise. They will also study the designs of wet markets in Malacca and Penang for an idea of what should go into the 122-year-old market. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the facade of the market, built in 1884, would be retained in the RM10 million project.
"We want to give it a new look in line with the move to turn Taiping into a heritage town," he said after chairing the state executive council meeting at the municipal council building here today.
The project will get off the ground under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, with work expected to begin next year. The 200 traders at the market will be moved to a RM5 million market to be built in Pasar Tupai on the outskirts of the town while renovation is under way. About 1.5ha has been earmarked for the market.
"Traders must be willing to change with the times and adopt different business strategies when they return to the Taiping market," Tajol said.
On the State Government's move to turn Taiping into a heritage town, he said certain development regulations needed to be adhered to by residents. "The municipal council has been asked to do a study of the average height of the existing buildings in the town.
"There is a limit to the development of high-rise buildings in Taiping. For example, maximum height for any structure located in the town centre, near and around the Taiping Lake Gardens and Jalan Istana, is four storeys," he said.

Valentine Day ( Chinese Version )

FAIRY OF THE MAGPIE BRIDGE
by Qin Guan Translated by Kylie Hsu

Among the beautiful clouds,
Over the heavenly river,
Crosses the weaving maiden.
A night of rendezvous,
Across the autumn sky,
Surpasses joy on earth.
Moments of tender love and dream,
So sad to leave the magpie bridge.
Eternal love between us two,
Shall withstand the time apart.

Chinese Valentine day falls on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month ( during the month of August 2006). It has been celebrated since the Jin Dynasty ( 256AD). This is probably the only Chinese celebration devoted to love and romance. The Chinese valentine day is not as commercialized as the western version. Gifts of flowers, chocolates, greeting cards, soft toys, etc. are not the norm. However, the Chinese ( girls) prepare fruits, melons, cosmetics, and flowers as offerings to the weaving maiden (Zhi Nu ) and the Cowherd Boy ( Niu Lang) for smooth romance and soulmate. At the end of the prayer, the fresh flowers are throw onto the roof of the house ( I am still trying to figure out what is the significant of this gesture ).

To all of you celebrating the February 14 St Valentine Day. Happy Valentine Day !!!!!