At least two issues struck an uncomfortable chord. No, not the sickening religion issue.
One was an advert placed on page B4. Congratulating Mahdzir Bin Khalid for his appointment as the Kedah menteri besar. Nothing wrong with that cos lots of "ass-kissers" do that in Malaysia. Its a culture. But wait. This advert is placed by "THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF KEDAH DARUL AMAN"
Isnt the menteri besar part of the state government? What an utter waste of public funds, or did some rich person looking for a "big cable" pay for it.
Whats more sickening is the new campaign the government is having now. See Page B24. "Jangan membeli berlebihan - itu membazir!" It is launched by the Minstry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. A cool RM15 million allocaed for a "Smart Consumer" campaign ...".... as part of its efforts to help curb escalating household debt"
WTF lah. First you tell the people not to overspend. Then they put out a whole page advert congratulating themself! And to add salt to wound, they have the cheak to allocate RM15Million of OUR money to tell us to reign in the spending.
Any prick will tell you all you need to do is control the banks. Stop issuing more than 3 credit cards to a person. Have lower limits of spending. Revert back to the olden days where only someone earning a certain limit could apply for a card. Control financing of properties. Say NO to 90% or 95% or 100% financing. Whats so difficult? But when the government itself isnt spending our money wisely, this charade appears to be nothing more than another attempt to let someone get rich the Malaysian way (i.e. the RM15 million budget)
Friday, December 30, 2005
as a new year beckons
I dont feel that good. A year has almost passed by without much highs. And its ending with a lot of low points. That doesnt augur well for the coming year. For the past week, I have been very discouraged to blog. To start here would be to vent a lot of frustrations that we seem to be facing in this beautiful yet sadly, badly run country. It doesnt help when work on the table piles up and theres many things to be done for the new house.
This is a scary scenario. I could be unconscious in a hospital, and someone can just take my thumbprints and then claim that I had converted my religion. My entire estate, if HE thinks my time is up, then is taken from my family. All because theyre not of the same religion, it can be claimed. It becomes as though I did not exist for my family. It doesnt make sense. At all. The details of the case is still a bit sketchy, but whats been reported has scared the wits of lots of people. And YET we have NOT seen our MIC, MCA, Gerakan and other political parties saying a word on this matter. When the idiotic MP uttered the word "Keling" in parliment and was rebuked by DAP (of all people), where were MIC, PPP and Gerakan? When one knows something is considered an insult by others, one wouldnt (if one was a decent person), utter such insulting words. But then again, decency is a subjective matter nowadays. Perhaps i should at all times keep a small piece of char siew, sealed in a plastic bag, in my wallet. Now, thats a thought.
Then we have the proposed laws affecting the majority here. Husbands can divorce and then seek maintenance from the wife! Equal rights, it seems. Our PM has the cheek to say that whatever unjust provisious can be amended later. And so, we tolerate third class work and allow for amendment later.He has lost all credibility. It is very obvious he is not in charge of the country. These women are being treated like objects.
So much for saying theyre of compassion and fairness.
I was driving to work this morning as usual, and this hit me. In the indian dialects, the word "swami" is a primarily Hindu honorific, loosely akin to "master". It is derived from the Sanskrit language and means "owner of oneself", denoting complete mastery over instinctive and lower urges.It is a title added to one's name to emphasize learning and, of course, mastery of a specific field of knowledge, most often religious and/or spiritual.
Why do i bring this up? In the Malay language, theyve adopted this word i.e. spelt as "suami", to mean "husband". Is it a cultural thing then. The Lord and master of the home. Owner of himself and all who are tied to him.
What else has been bugging me. Work related ones. Someone appeared to have screwed up in the branches. Its a bit worrying.
On a general basis, theres no signs of control over over-building in the country. The financial institutions are bearing the weight of this potential nightmare.
On a somewhat lighter side, can one really believe that students nowadays are getting smarter? The number of students getting sraight As is absolutely mind-boggling. I wonder if those getting As in English at PMR level are able to speak decent English. (Naturally almost anyone can speak indecent English)
There is no accountability at all anywhere. Government or GLCs. Everyone spends money like its their right to. They manage as though its their house. Not as a responsibility held in trust for the public.
Then we had the year end circus act. To drape the grand pyramids with flags. Sigh. An equivalent to the normal government department and local authority "lawatan sambil belajar"/study tour, where the tours are primary reasons, at taxpayers expense. Now it seems the Egyptian authorities will NOT approve of such stupid things.
Which brings back to how we seem to be donating millions all over the world, but find it difficult to fund the needy here. It is downright sickening. Millions collected for victims of the tsunami have yet to fully trickle down to those deserving.
I guess I could go on and on and on. And it wouldnt serve a purpose. I complain not because i hate this country, but because i hate the way it is being screwed by the managers. We should be comparing ourselves with first world economies, but instead the defenders would say we are doing so much better than indonesia or african countries.
There has not been many highs. I guess most highs have been related to D and K. They're a wonder to be with. Testing our patience to the limits most times, but nevertheless a joy to spend time with. To see them grow up to what they have become at times I wish we could do more. Spend more hours. Taking them around. Theyre heading to nursery and kindergarten next year. K coped well during orientation this week but appeared a bit fearful of being alone. She should do well. D on the other hand is taking time to get used to being in a classroom. She's excited yet she could be at a disadvantage for a while since the rest of the students had the benefit of attending nursery this year. On hindsight our decision to let her skip nursery may not have been a good decision.
We're heading to KL tomorrow morning for a couple of days. If weather is fine, I hope to drive up to Ipoh on sunday morning to meet up with an old friend and his family, for a day trip. By wednesday, work on the house should commence. And surprise surprise, i finally signed up with Clark Hatch last week, after procastinating about it over the past few years. Time to get back into decent shape.
Its going to be a very interesting start to the year. Lots of expectations and dreams. Only time will tell how the coming year will turn out to be. Anyone know a good feng shui master? astrologer? Time expended writing this. I should have used that time to finish up my work! Its already 330pm and its time to head to the bank. Looks like work will have to wait till next year.
Cheers! everyone. May you find what youre looking for in the following "mat salleh" new year.
vic
This is a scary scenario. I could be unconscious in a hospital, and someone can just take my thumbprints and then claim that I had converted my religion. My entire estate, if HE thinks my time is up, then is taken from my family. All because theyre not of the same religion, it can be claimed. It becomes as though I did not exist for my family. It doesnt make sense. At all. The details of the case is still a bit sketchy, but whats been reported has scared the wits of lots of people. And YET we have NOT seen our MIC, MCA, Gerakan and other political parties saying a word on this matter. When the idiotic MP uttered the word "Keling" in parliment and was rebuked by DAP (of all people), where were MIC, PPP and Gerakan? When one knows something is considered an insult by others, one wouldnt (if one was a decent person), utter such insulting words. But then again, decency is a subjective matter nowadays. Perhaps i should at all times keep a small piece of char siew, sealed in a plastic bag, in my wallet. Now, thats a thought.
Then we have the proposed laws affecting the majority here. Husbands can divorce and then seek maintenance from the wife! Equal rights, it seems. Our PM has the cheek to say that whatever unjust provisious can be amended later. And so, we tolerate third class work and allow for amendment later.He has lost all credibility. It is very obvious he is not in charge of the country. These women are being treated like objects.
So much for saying theyre of compassion and fairness.
I was driving to work this morning as usual, and this hit me. In the indian dialects, the word "swami" is a primarily Hindu honorific, loosely akin to "master". It is derived from the Sanskrit language and means "owner of oneself", denoting complete mastery over instinctive and lower urges.It is a title added to one's name to emphasize learning and, of course, mastery of a specific field of knowledge, most often religious and/or spiritual.
Why do i bring this up? In the Malay language, theyve adopted this word i.e. spelt as "suami", to mean "husband". Is it a cultural thing then. The Lord and master of the home. Owner of himself and all who are tied to him.
What else has been bugging me. Work related ones. Someone appeared to have screwed up in the branches. Its a bit worrying.
On a general basis, theres no signs of control over over-building in the country. The financial institutions are bearing the weight of this potential nightmare.
On a somewhat lighter side, can one really believe that students nowadays are getting smarter? The number of students getting sraight As is absolutely mind-boggling. I wonder if those getting As in English at PMR level are able to speak decent English. (Naturally almost anyone can speak indecent English)
There is no accountability at all anywhere. Government or GLCs. Everyone spends money like its their right to. They manage as though its their house. Not as a responsibility held in trust for the public.
Then we had the year end circus act. To drape the grand pyramids with flags. Sigh. An equivalent to the normal government department and local authority "lawatan sambil belajar"/study tour, where the tours are primary reasons, at taxpayers expense. Now it seems the Egyptian authorities will NOT approve of such stupid things.
Which brings back to how we seem to be donating millions all over the world, but find it difficult to fund the needy here. It is downright sickening. Millions collected for victims of the tsunami have yet to fully trickle down to those deserving.
I guess I could go on and on and on. And it wouldnt serve a purpose. I complain not because i hate this country, but because i hate the way it is being screwed by the managers. We should be comparing ourselves with first world economies, but instead the defenders would say we are doing so much better than indonesia or african countries.
There has not been many highs. I guess most highs have been related to D and K. They're a wonder to be with. Testing our patience to the limits most times, but nevertheless a joy to spend time with. To see them grow up to what they have become at times I wish we could do more. Spend more hours. Taking them around. Theyre heading to nursery and kindergarten next year. K coped well during orientation this week but appeared a bit fearful of being alone. She should do well. D on the other hand is taking time to get used to being in a classroom. She's excited yet she could be at a disadvantage for a while since the rest of the students had the benefit of attending nursery this year. On hindsight our decision to let her skip nursery may not have been a good decision.
We're heading to KL tomorrow morning for a couple of days. If weather is fine, I hope to drive up to Ipoh on sunday morning to meet up with an old friend and his family, for a day trip. By wednesday, work on the house should commence. And surprise surprise, i finally signed up with Clark Hatch last week, after procastinating about it over the past few years. Time to get back into decent shape.
Its going to be a very interesting start to the year. Lots of expectations and dreams. Only time will tell how the coming year will turn out to be. Anyone know a good feng shui master? astrologer? Time expended writing this. I should have used that time to finish up my work! Its already 330pm and its time to head to the bank. Looks like work will have to wait till next year.
Cheers! everyone. May you find what youre looking for in the following "mat salleh" new year.
vic
Friday, December 23, 2005
Seventh Rangers Mechanized
Its about time. We have our own heroes blogging about their past and their lives. Fantastic site, i would say, though i have just started reading a bit. Do check out this site.>> http://7rangers.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Another attempt to hijack
tulipcat (22/12/2005 10:00:44 AM): visit my site, has some photos www.yahoo-photos.tux.nu
Naturally i didnt fall for it this time around. The classic way to get people to divulge their ID and password by putting up a similar looking login page.
Naturally i didnt fall for it this time around. The classic way to get people to divulge their ID and password by putting up a similar looking login page.
40-year old virgin
Just finished watching the 40-year old virgin movie [yes, the cheap RM5 pirate dvd9 version) just now. Slapstick comedy, as usual. Would i recommend others to watch? Yes, for some mild fun and laughs.
The guy was a 40-year old virgin not because of choice. He did try to make out, but the movie potrayed him as a dork who kept on messing up. Eg kicking a gal in the face just when she was starting to suck his toe! After a few disasters, he built high walls around himself and the years just went by. It was somewhat implied he was into D-I-Y very occasionally. Or was he lying? Nah, i wont watch it again to verify.
That movie brought back old memories. Memories of a guy who went around chat rooms proudly proclaiming to be a virgin. (And boasting that women who met up with him wanted to have sex with him, cos supposedly he was good looking) Naturally when i asked if he indulged in D-I-Y, he got pissed off and refused to answer. (that answered my question,naturally) Of course i was just teasing the bugger. Virginity relates not to D-I-Y, but relations with another.
As for the issue of virginity, i would say the movie isnt about that though the title is. It isnt about someone waiting for true love or marriage before he/she surrenders themself.
Is there any movies out there about people wanting to remain virgins for strictly cultural and religion reasons? The way society is heading, the homely side of me knows in the years to come i may have huge battles to face on this issue.
The guy was a 40-year old virgin not because of choice. He did try to make out, but the movie potrayed him as a dork who kept on messing up. Eg kicking a gal in the face just when she was starting to suck his toe! After a few disasters, he built high walls around himself and the years just went by. It was somewhat implied he was into D-I-Y very occasionally. Or was he lying? Nah, i wont watch it again to verify.
That movie brought back old memories. Memories of a guy who went around chat rooms proudly proclaiming to be a virgin. (And boasting that women who met up with him wanted to have sex with him, cos supposedly he was good looking) Naturally when i asked if he indulged in D-I-Y, he got pissed off and refused to answer. (that answered my question,naturally) Of course i was just teasing the bugger. Virginity relates not to D-I-Y, but relations with another.
As for the issue of virginity, i would say the movie isnt about that though the title is. It isnt about someone waiting for true love or marriage before he/she surrenders themself.
Is there any movies out there about people wanting to remain virgins for strictly cultural and religion reasons? The way society is heading, the homely side of me knows in the years to come i may have huge battles to face on this issue.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
a note to the anonymous one..
No, i am not writing to myself.
I received a comment for one of my earlier blog postings. Surprisingly the comment was received via email and not shown in the blog. And, no, due to the nature of the content, i feel it best not to post it here.
Reading the email brought back some memories of pleasant times from the past. I appreciated the contents of it. Though i have a hunch on who could have sent it, naturally i have no conclusive proof. But it doesnt matter.
Perhaps i should state here that i am not into violence. I feel that violence does not solve the problem. Killing another human being does not bring back anything. There is no justification at all. Gratifying perhaps for the evil. So, when it comes to acts of terrorism, i am dead against it. I am also against the bullying hypocrite attitude of some countries. The feeling extends to a certain extent to the corrupt ways of most of our police (and society). [yeah..i know, am a hypocrite...i am but a weak human being after all]
And so, whilst we remember of the past, we must be prepared to accept the fact that things will get worse in future. We just have to exercise more restraint on our emotions, no matter how difficult it is. And battle ourselves to face what life throws at us.
I received a comment for one of my earlier blog postings. Surprisingly the comment was received via email and not shown in the blog. And, no, due to the nature of the content, i feel it best not to post it here.
Reading the email brought back some memories of pleasant times from the past. I appreciated the contents of it. Though i have a hunch on who could have sent it, naturally i have no conclusive proof. But it doesnt matter.
Perhaps i should state here that i am not into violence. I feel that violence does not solve the problem. Killing another human being does not bring back anything. There is no justification at all. Gratifying perhaps for the evil. So, when it comes to acts of terrorism, i am dead against it. I am also against the bullying hypocrite attitude of some countries. The feeling extends to a certain extent to the corrupt ways of most of our police (and society). [yeah..i know, am a hypocrite...i am but a weak human being after all]
And so, whilst we remember of the past, we must be prepared to accept the fact that things will get worse in future. We just have to exercise more restraint on our emotions, no matter how difficult it is. And battle ourselves to face what life throws at us.
aisey...
Too late to be anon huh, sic? :(
There goes my plans to pretend to be a tall well built aussie hunk residing at JB with a high performance german sports car :(
Well, the veil has been lifted. We shall see where this heads.
Looking forward to a break to KL next weekend. So many things to be done.. yet so little time. (yeah.. blog summore.. YM summore.. fantasy footie summore.. long lunch breaks....no wonder not enuff time!)
There goes my plans to pretend to be a tall well built aussie hunk residing at JB with a high performance german sports car :(
Well, the veil has been lifted. We shall see where this heads.
Looking forward to a break to KL next weekend. So many things to be done.. yet so little time. (yeah.. blog summore.. YM summore.. fantasy footie summore.. long lunch breaks....no wonder not enuff time!)
Friday, December 16, 2005
To be or not to be...anonymous
The online world since it first started has created the opportunity for people to be somewhat anonymous to others. The world of chat for instance allows you to create almost any identity and communicate with whomsoever you so wish within the yahoo, msn and other environments. In most cases the players here do exchange contact details and some do meet up either in a one-to-one or group meet-ups. Almost always nothing much personal is revealed and the parties in the game mostly see the exterior one wants the other to see. Occasionally the more confident or non-fearing (or foolish some say) even real almost everything real about themselves.
Then came the blogs or online diaries. What started off as personal diaries has today become online diaries for the world to see and share. What one may have started as a place to pen personal thoughts and opinions, ends up now being a place so share with others. In some instances, where interest is generated or amongst a pool of friends, theres an active exchange of banter within this domain.
And we keep reading in the media about how such blogs as they gain popularity and following exposes the writer to a larger audience then it was first intended to. Clients and colleagues and bosses get to know about it and they start to read. They start to see whats in your mind. Whatever comments you may have posted. They start to see if they were mentioned in the blogs. If their photos were there for the world to see. Issues of privacy creeps in. Things get messy when the blog contains not so favourable thoughts of others and those "others" start reading too.
And so, life potentially has the danger of becoming extremely messy and awkward. Why do i suddenly go into this phobia-like mode?
Well, what started off as an innocent and honest attempt to remain anonymous to a certain extent to the public at large, has now potentially the means of blowing over into unsolicited attention. Not that it really matters cos from day one, i have refrained from being too personal, and not revealing the characters that revolve around my life.
But yesterday as i was chatting up with an old buddy, i came to realise the person we were talking about, who maintains a blog in cyberspace, is someone i know in real life. And the person is attached with a company where i do extensive work for. Their staff and bosses are my clients...some are close friends.
Its funny how they say, cyberspace is a small world. Fancy meeting someone out of the blue whom you know in real life. I've experienced this before.
The oldest friend that i have, since standard 2 in primary school, mind you, used to be in constant contact up to our early uni days. By then my faculty was transferred to a different state and we only kept in touch like once a year or less. I had started casual chat within the yahoo chat rooms around 1997 and sometime in 99 or 2000, the exact year doesnt come to memory, a funny incident occured. I remember i was at home, and it was late nite. I was in this KL chat room and this guy was there claiming to be in JB. We exchanged pleasantries and he eventually claimed to be my junior at our secondary school. I thought..ok..this is cool. But didnt think much of it. Was it the next day? He messaged me and asked if ............. was my name. And i went :O wtf! He revealed his identity and we had a good laugh! The rest is history, and we have been in constant contact since then.
I digress too much, as usual.
So, here is a person whom i know, who's company gives me much work. And who's staff and bosses are people known to me. Its somewhat become awkward. There are many photos within that blog. Photos of people within that company. People that i know. Wonder if they know their pics are online for the world to see. Its a funny situation :D
Well, lets see where this goes. The question will remain unanswered for now, to be or not to be...anonymous.
Then came the blogs or online diaries. What started off as personal diaries has today become online diaries for the world to see and share. What one may have started as a place to pen personal thoughts and opinions, ends up now being a place so share with others. In some instances, where interest is generated or amongst a pool of friends, theres an active exchange of banter within this domain.
And we keep reading in the media about how such blogs as they gain popularity and following exposes the writer to a larger audience then it was first intended to. Clients and colleagues and bosses get to know about it and they start to read. They start to see whats in your mind. Whatever comments you may have posted. They start to see if they were mentioned in the blogs. If their photos were there for the world to see. Issues of privacy creeps in. Things get messy when the blog contains not so favourable thoughts of others and those "others" start reading too.
And so, life potentially has the danger of becoming extremely messy and awkward. Why do i suddenly go into this phobia-like mode?
Well, what started off as an innocent and honest attempt to remain anonymous to a certain extent to the public at large, has now potentially the means of blowing over into unsolicited attention. Not that it really matters cos from day one, i have refrained from being too personal, and not revealing the characters that revolve around my life.
But yesterday as i was chatting up with an old buddy, i came to realise the person we were talking about, who maintains a blog in cyberspace, is someone i know in real life. And the person is attached with a company where i do extensive work for. Their staff and bosses are my clients...some are close friends.
Its funny how they say, cyberspace is a small world. Fancy meeting someone out of the blue whom you know in real life. I've experienced this before.
The oldest friend that i have, since standard 2 in primary school, mind you, used to be in constant contact up to our early uni days. By then my faculty was transferred to a different state and we only kept in touch like once a year or less. I had started casual chat within the yahoo chat rooms around 1997 and sometime in 99 or 2000, the exact year doesnt come to memory, a funny incident occured. I remember i was at home, and it was late nite. I was in this KL chat room and this guy was there claiming to be in JB. We exchanged pleasantries and he eventually claimed to be my junior at our secondary school. I thought..ok..this is cool. But didnt think much of it. Was it the next day? He messaged me and asked if ............. was my name. And i went :O wtf! He revealed his identity and we had a good laugh! The rest is history, and we have been in constant contact since then.
I digress too much, as usual.
So, here is a person whom i know, who's company gives me much work. And who's staff and bosses are people known to me. Its somewhat become awkward. There are many photos within that blog. Photos of people within that company. People that i know. Wonder if they know their pics are online for the world to see. Its a funny situation :D
Well, lets see where this goes. The question will remain unanswered for now, to be or not to be...anonymous.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The dinner
The dinner was fine. Only 3 of us sitting in a table meant for 10. Food was good, except for the soup. The szechuan soup was a disappointment and incomparable to the one served at the Mutiara. Naturally by the 6th dish we went back.
And what transpired. Well, we were told that the State had donated about RM500K plus or thereabout, and the temple had raised a few hundred Ks of their own funds. They now needed another RM500K or thereabout for the burners, fencing etc.
Does it really cost that much? I have yet to check it up. But as i wrote earlier, what concerns me is the community is being asked to raise the funds when it is, in my opinion, one of the fundamental duties of the State. Be thankful that the State has chipped in? I dont think so. They should be paying the full sum.
And what transpired. Well, we were told that the State had donated about RM500K plus or thereabout, and the temple had raised a few hundred Ks of their own funds. They now needed another RM500K or thereabout for the burners, fencing etc.
Does it really cost that much? I have yet to check it up. But as i wrote earlier, what concerns me is the community is being asked to raise the funds when it is, in my opinion, one of the fundamental duties of the State. Be thankful that the State has chipped in? I dont think so. They should be paying the full sum.
Friday, December 09, 2005
our basic right to leave in peace
I was at a temple a few nights ago (yes, occasionally i do go over, mainly to pray for my family's good health and happiness). A friend walked over and asked if i wanted to buy a dinner ticket. Well, i had the cash, so i took a ticket. RM200. At a seafood restaurant.
It was a fund raising dinner. The indian community in johor bahru, spearheaded by one of the temples in town and with the backing of the MIC was organising a fund raising dinner to build a crematorium here! Seems that the building was completed, and now they needed funds to get the burners and ancillary stuff. Seems too that part of the initial cost was forked out by the State Authority.
Ok, at this point of time, the basic details are such. Perhaps tonight i will get the exact information and the parties involved.
Upon receipt of the ticket, i engaged my friend into a discussion. Isnt it the right of the citizen of this country to expect the State (either the federal, state or local authorities) to be responsible for burial and cremation facilities?
Why is it for so many years there has not been proper allocation of burial spots for Hindus, within the city area? The one at Jalan Kebun Teh is so used up that some uneasy stories have been emerging over the past years. I heard of stories where old neglected graves being exhumed and buried deeper, and a new gravesite prepared over it! [this appears to be acceptable within some communities, supposedly]
Sad to say, up to now there is not a single crematorium built by the State within Johor Bahru. I am uncertain of the situation within other districts but do know that within the Klang Valley there are local councils that actually built and managed them for the public.
So, what do the Hindus do thus far? Well, most head to the Chinese creamatoriums managed by their community bodies, or to private facilities. And when all else is unavailable, they just opt for the traditional wood fire cremation within the existing cemetaries. The problems do not end there.
For Hindus, once the remains are cremated, the following day the remains are immersed into flowing water i.e. the river or the sea. There are various beliefs and reasons for doing so. After a certain number of days, prayers are also held at the waterfront and some items (bio-degradeable and non-poinsonous therefore ok for the environment) are also immersed into the flowing water. There has been many instances in the past where grieving parties holding such ceremonies being asked by local authority officers to move away. Thus instances of people even going to various extents such as doing prayers in the early pre-dawn times, just to avoid a summon, so as to perform a very basic prayer requirement for the departed. [trust me, sitting om the beach and performing prayers during pre-dawn with a drizzling rain, every rain drop hitting your skin like a needle, while grieving the loss of a loved one, isnt only a torture but an insult to the living, and the dead]
There is no imposition of our cultural or religious beliefs upon others. Is it too much to expect the government to be equally responsible for the departed Hindu, or for that matter non-muslim, tax paying citizens? Very very few Hindus wish to be buried. Cremation is the preferred choice, and it is a practical choice without placing burden on our scarce land. Yes, perhaps there environmental issues, but its nothing compared to the blatant pollution we're subjected to by industries in this country.
Perhaps those trying to raise funds will attempt to explain these issues. I have my doubts. For far too long, we are being treated like trash. And i dont foresee things to change in my short remaining lifespan. Perhaps this too explains why the chinese community had long ago spearheaded self-sufficiency in taking care of their living and their dead, amongst others. There will be some rejoicing the fact that finally there is going to be a facilty for the community.
But then, in the first place, shouldnt it have been the basic responsibility of the State to provide this decades ago?
It was a fund raising dinner. The indian community in johor bahru, spearheaded by one of the temples in town and with the backing of the MIC was organising a fund raising dinner to build a crematorium here! Seems that the building was completed, and now they needed funds to get the burners and ancillary stuff. Seems too that part of the initial cost was forked out by the State Authority.
Ok, at this point of time, the basic details are such. Perhaps tonight i will get the exact information and the parties involved.
Upon receipt of the ticket, i engaged my friend into a discussion. Isnt it the right of the citizen of this country to expect the State (either the federal, state or local authorities) to be responsible for burial and cremation facilities?
Why is it for so many years there has not been proper allocation of burial spots for Hindus, within the city area? The one at Jalan Kebun Teh is so used up that some uneasy stories have been emerging over the past years. I heard of stories where old neglected graves being exhumed and buried deeper, and a new gravesite prepared over it! [this appears to be acceptable within some communities, supposedly]
Sad to say, up to now there is not a single crematorium built by the State within Johor Bahru. I am uncertain of the situation within other districts but do know that within the Klang Valley there are local councils that actually built and managed them for the public.
So, what do the Hindus do thus far? Well, most head to the Chinese creamatoriums managed by their community bodies, or to private facilities. And when all else is unavailable, they just opt for the traditional wood fire cremation within the existing cemetaries. The problems do not end there.
For Hindus, once the remains are cremated, the following day the remains are immersed into flowing water i.e. the river or the sea. There are various beliefs and reasons for doing so. After a certain number of days, prayers are also held at the waterfront and some items (bio-degradeable and non-poinsonous therefore ok for the environment) are also immersed into the flowing water. There has been many instances in the past where grieving parties holding such ceremonies being asked by local authority officers to move away. Thus instances of people even going to various extents such as doing prayers in the early pre-dawn times, just to avoid a summon, so as to perform a very basic prayer requirement for the departed. [trust me, sitting om the beach and performing prayers during pre-dawn with a drizzling rain, every rain drop hitting your skin like a needle, while grieving the loss of a loved one, isnt only a torture but an insult to the living, and the dead]
There is no imposition of our cultural or religious beliefs upon others. Is it too much to expect the government to be equally responsible for the departed Hindu, or for that matter non-muslim, tax paying citizens? Very very few Hindus wish to be buried. Cremation is the preferred choice, and it is a practical choice without placing burden on our scarce land. Yes, perhaps there environmental issues, but its nothing compared to the blatant pollution we're subjected to by industries in this country.
Perhaps those trying to raise funds will attempt to explain these issues. I have my doubts. For far too long, we are being treated like trash. And i dont foresee things to change in my short remaining lifespan. Perhaps this too explains why the chinese community had long ago spearheaded self-sufficiency in taking care of their living and their dead, amongst others. There will be some rejoicing the fact that finally there is going to be a facilty for the community.
But then, in the first place, shouldnt it have been the basic responsibility of the State to provide this decades ago?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
The Malaysian way...
The Chairman wants our quote.
The exec calls and asks for quote
Quotation sent in
Without revealing too much of methodology or technical views
They call for a meeting with the COO
Wait a while and he comes in late and doesnt apologize
He asks if thats the best we can do, and we say yes.
He asks how we arrive at our opinion
We oblige
He appears to understand and says we should convey this to the Chairman.
Meeting with the government department is the next day
Asks us for reasons they can give to seek postponement.
We oblige again.
COO asks us to wait for their call whether we need to attend meeting next day
Shakes hand.
Out of the blue zaps a request for the one page calculations (work product)
Well, we've got the job, or so it appeared. So we give it.
We go back to our office. Ok, its a small job, but we should start preparing now
We wait.. and wait.. and wait
No arrangement to meet the Chairman
No calls, so we presume the meeting the next day is off
7pm or thereabout, exec calls to say they havent decided who to offer the job to!
We are to hold on, so to speak!
When pressed if there are others in the picture, exec relents and admits
Admits the other party was going to be appointed!
KNNCB!
Told the exec this is ungentlemanly conduct.They were using us.
Demanded views were conveyed to the COO
COO calls back shortly after
Says he had a meeting with the Chairman, and they decided to go for someone else
He didnt even read our note, or so he says.
Claims its the Chairman who wanted it!
KNNCB!
Told him off for using and misleading us.Ungentlemanly conduct!
You dont do all of the above, and then at the last moment cut us off
Felt like slamming the phone but then, its the cheap nokia.
Cut the call off in disgust.
Its a small job. But its the principle that matters.
Trust doesnt count much in the jungle out there.
Work product got hijacked.
Lesson learnt.
The exec calls and asks for quote
Quotation sent in
Without revealing too much of methodology or technical views
They call for a meeting with the COO
Wait a while and he comes in late and doesnt apologize
He asks if thats the best we can do, and we say yes.
He asks how we arrive at our opinion
We oblige
He appears to understand and says we should convey this to the Chairman.
Meeting with the government department is the next day
Asks us for reasons they can give to seek postponement.
We oblige again.
COO asks us to wait for their call whether we need to attend meeting next day
Shakes hand.
Out of the blue zaps a request for the one page calculations (work product)
Well, we've got the job, or so it appeared. So we give it.
We go back to our office. Ok, its a small job, but we should start preparing now
We wait.. and wait.. and wait
No arrangement to meet the Chairman
No calls, so we presume the meeting the next day is off
7pm or thereabout, exec calls to say they havent decided who to offer the job to!
We are to hold on, so to speak!
When pressed if there are others in the picture, exec relents and admits
Admits the other party was going to be appointed!
KNNCB!
Told the exec this is ungentlemanly conduct.They were using us.
Demanded views were conveyed to the COO
COO calls back shortly after
Says he had a meeting with the Chairman, and they decided to go for someone else
He didnt even read our note, or so he says.
Claims its the Chairman who wanted it!
KNNCB!
Told him off for using and misleading us.Ungentlemanly conduct!
You dont do all of the above, and then at the last moment cut us off
Felt like slamming the phone but then, its the cheap nokia.
Cut the call off in disgust.
Its a small job. But its the principle that matters.
Trust doesnt count much in the jungle out there.
Work product got hijacked.
Lesson learnt.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
its a jinx
Go to a restaurant or eatery and almost always what i ordered wont be what i will get!!!!! Or somehow or rather the order will get screwed up or forgotten. This has happened all too often over the years. Sigh.
Took 3 of my staff out for lunch earlier at this new cafe on the ground floor of Landmark IT Mall. The previous outlet there, Coffee Company was hopeless. The new one has nice decor and strikingly red fabric chairs. Wish had taken some snaps, perhaps later.
Three of us ordered nasi briyani ayam just to check its quality. The fourth person took grilled fish with buttered rice. It was a set meal. Soup of the day and a choice of coffee or tea.
Table is set up. No problems there.
Then it starts! Coffee and tea was served ..LOL! Two coffes and two teas. The teas were almost to the rim of the cups. The coffee was only three quarter, it was strikingly odd!! Arghh dunno to laugh or scream now. WTF lah. Told the waiter and he was blur like the typical ah beng. Asked for the manager, there was none. Only 3 waiters and a cook in the kitchen, i think. The coffee was topped up, but then again it was so diluted and tasteless, so topping up was a waste of time. Strike 1!
Then the soup came in. Asked the waiter what was the soup of the day, and he said vegetable soup. Stirred it and i saw meat and crabmeat pieces! Asked him what meat, he wasnt sure. Tastd chicken. But the soup was bland... so very bland. Strike 2!!
So we had coffee/tea cups and soup bowls on the table for four. And they started serving the main dishes!!! Without clearing the soup! We were stunned, again! WTF! One hand takes the soup bowl, the other hand lays the main dish.
Guess what, every one got their dishes. 2 briyanis and a fish. I was served fish, even though i clearly asked for briyani. Dungu waiter! Any other familiar place, i would have graciously accepted the fish. But here, no. I was not happy to start with. This blunder now was plain annoying. No apology offered, there was a conference between the chef and three waiters and the i think the chef told them, no problem, he will get a briyani. Strike 3!!!
Food was hopeless. Rice was not briyani rice. It was more like nasi minyak with lots of colouring. Chicken was a drumstick piece that was deep fried and poured over with some "masak merah" gravy. Ejected from the stadium!!!!
I told my staff its the principle. If youre paying prices way above food court or hawker prices, then you deserve better service and food. If a mamak restaurant fella switches my order and makes that mistake, i would say no problem. Am not that particular about food.
Paid the bill and we walked out of the place knowing we wont be going there again.
And yes, sic. I ate everything except the chicken bones. Dont like to waste food, even if it doesnt taste great..LOL. Anyway, hungry lah.
Took 3 of my staff out for lunch earlier at this new cafe on the ground floor of Landmark IT Mall. The previous outlet there, Coffee Company was hopeless. The new one has nice decor and strikingly red fabric chairs. Wish had taken some snaps, perhaps later.
Three of us ordered nasi briyani ayam just to check its quality. The fourth person took grilled fish with buttered rice. It was a set meal. Soup of the day and a choice of coffee or tea.
Table is set up. No problems there.
Then it starts! Coffee and tea was served ..LOL! Two coffes and two teas. The teas were almost to the rim of the cups. The coffee was only three quarter, it was strikingly odd!! Arghh dunno to laugh or scream now. WTF lah. Told the waiter and he was blur like the typical ah beng. Asked for the manager, there was none. Only 3 waiters and a cook in the kitchen, i think. The coffee was topped up, but then again it was so diluted and tasteless, so topping up was a waste of time. Strike 1!
Then the soup came in. Asked the waiter what was the soup of the day, and he said vegetable soup. Stirred it and i saw meat and crabmeat pieces! Asked him what meat, he wasnt sure. Tastd chicken. But the soup was bland... so very bland. Strike 2!!
So we had coffee/tea cups and soup bowls on the table for four. And they started serving the main dishes!!! Without clearing the soup! We were stunned, again! WTF! One hand takes the soup bowl, the other hand lays the main dish.
Guess what, every one got their dishes. 2 briyanis and a fish. I was served fish, even though i clearly asked for briyani. Dungu waiter! Any other familiar place, i would have graciously accepted the fish. But here, no. I was not happy to start with. This blunder now was plain annoying. No apology offered, there was a conference between the chef and three waiters and the i think the chef told them, no problem, he will get a briyani. Strike 3!!!
Food was hopeless. Rice was not briyani rice. It was more like nasi minyak with lots of colouring. Chicken was a drumstick piece that was deep fried and poured over with some "masak merah" gravy. Ejected from the stadium!!!!
I told my staff its the principle. If youre paying prices way above food court or hawker prices, then you deserve better service and food. If a mamak restaurant fella switches my order and makes that mistake, i would say no problem. Am not that particular about food.
Paid the bill and we walked out of the place knowing we wont be going there again.
And yes, sic. I ate everything except the chicken bones. Dont like to waste food, even if it doesnt taste great..LOL. Anyway, hungry lah.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Malaise? Rhymes with Malaysia, doesnt it?
We were having lunch at Hai Tien Lo at Putri Pan Pacific Johor Bahru. Why? Out of convenience for the clients. Never because its good.
Service was bad. The waiter/captain was mostly wasnt giving full attention when we arrive. Its like you can enter and go out, and nobody would care less. That was perhaps indicative of how things were going to get.
The menus are handed to us and the guy leaves. 3 other tables only are occupied. Another indication that the place isnt doing well. The waiter doesnt come back to ask for orders, you have to call him over. Dont bother about recommendations. He recommended "mapoh tofu" or something sounding like that and claypot tofu as the so-called customer favourites. And he didnt know what "mapoh" tofu looked like or how its cooked.
A mix of ala-carte and dim sum was ordered, and guess what. The venison black pepper style arrives first and the dim sum about 10 minutes later! And the waiter doesnt even ask if we wanted rice/noodles. Eventually the dim sum arrives. Everthing comes. Food was average.
Your saucers/plates arent changed unlike in good restaurants. They dont come to pour chinese tea, what more to top-up. They dont ask if they can clear plates, only doing so when the table is too crowded for new dishes.
Nobody asks if dessert is wanted. We got to ask for choices. Clearing of table is extremely slow.
Would i go again? Food was average. Thats the first time i am going there after about 2 to 3 years at least. And i am reminded again today not to in future.
Perhaps this malaise is reflective in almost all sectors within the country. Most leaders cant be bothered. Most guys in decision making in running the country cant be bothered. Most civil servants cant be bothered. Most local authorities cant be bothered. Theyre all bothered about "whats in it for them, personally".
Service was bad. The waiter/captain was mostly wasnt giving full attention when we arrive. Its like you can enter and go out, and nobody would care less. That was perhaps indicative of how things were going to get.
The menus are handed to us and the guy leaves. 3 other tables only are occupied. Another indication that the place isnt doing well. The waiter doesnt come back to ask for orders, you have to call him over. Dont bother about recommendations. He recommended "mapoh tofu" or something sounding like that and claypot tofu as the so-called customer favourites. And he didnt know what "mapoh" tofu looked like or how its cooked.
A mix of ala-carte and dim sum was ordered, and guess what. The venison black pepper style arrives first and the dim sum about 10 minutes later! And the waiter doesnt even ask if we wanted rice/noodles. Eventually the dim sum arrives. Everthing comes. Food was average.
Your saucers/plates arent changed unlike in good restaurants. They dont come to pour chinese tea, what more to top-up. They dont ask if they can clear plates, only doing so when the table is too crowded for new dishes.
Nobody asks if dessert is wanted. We got to ask for choices. Clearing of table is extremely slow.
Would i go again? Food was average. Thats the first time i am going there after about 2 to 3 years at least. And i am reminded again today not to in future.
Perhaps this malaise is reflective in almost all sectors within the country. Most leaders cant be bothered. Most guys in decision making in running the country cant be bothered. Most civil servants cant be bothered. Most local authorities cant be bothered. Theyre all bothered about "whats in it for them, personally".
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