the telescope

Melting All Races In A Pot

2010-04-09T23:24:00.001+08:00

A response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting ' From perkasa to pekasam -- with bonus Bob Dylan song and Mongolian music ' ,

http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html

Why 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia? Because all races in this country can identify with it. Therefore a common identity.

What does this phrase ' melting pot ' mean? A pot where all ingredients can be put in, like beef, potato, carrot, chilly tomato, pepper, salt etc..

The purpose is to mix and cook all these. And what would come out from this mixing is a pleasant and tasty dish.

From this analogy, the creation of this nation should be done along the same line. The mixing process is the uniting of all races to create a national identity 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia.

This country is a melting pot of all races, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan/Dusun/Murut, Bajau, Brunei, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh etc. and why should not these races be combined to produce a common nationality.

Is it wrong to do so? Why must the unity of races be politicised? Shouldn't it be considered a civil development. And to be out of bounds for both the Ruling and Opposition Political Parties.Let it be a people and citizen oriented movement Therefore no race should be afraid of being overwhelmed by another. Afterall, it is only an exercise in human relations.

That is so. But it is the basis of how unity is created in a nation.

A high mountain can slide down and crash if its base is faulty.

In the same manner when organisations like Perkasa create a sense of fear in Malays that the other races would bully and financially take advantage over them. It is like saying that Malays are weak people and can be easily influenced

This line of argument is wrong and insulting to Malays especially their dignity, ' maruah '. After forty seven years of independence, a big Malay intelligentsia has been created whose intellectual capacity are as good as the Chinese or Indians.

Or even better. And can easily compete in a level playing field. So what is Perkasa talking about, protecting the rights of Malays and so forth !

The educated Malays know their rights. If Perkasa have to teach them these. Then Perkasa is telling them that their qualifications as educated people are questionable.

It is tantamount to Perkasa questioning their dignity, ' maruah ' as Malays who are knowledgeable. Usually,intelligent persons do not need an organisation to potect what are rightfully theirs. They know what they are?

Perkasa is therefore irrelevant to modern Malays who are more outgoing and global. While Perkasa wants to teach the ' katak dalam tempurung dan sentiasa terancham ' philosophy.

No Races Want To Stay In The House, Malaysia Built

2010-04-07T07:21:00.004+08:00

A response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting ' From perkasa to pekasam -- with bonus Bob Dylan song and Mongolian music ' ,
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html

Where have all the Malaysians gone?

If everybody wants to be Malay first, Chinese first, Indian first, Kadazan/Dusun/Murut first, Bajau first, Brunei first, Iban first, Melanau first and Bidayuh first.

Who will stay in the House that Malaysia built?

As every race wants to create their own homes,

nobody is interested in this edifice.

Even though this house is equipped with modern amenities for comfortable living.

And there are many and enough rooms for every race to live comfortably in this beautiful Palace called Malaysia.

But the strange thing is, no one wants to stay in that building because they are afraid of being labelled Malaysians.

They are scared that living in the same house, they will get on each other's nerve, quarrel and fight.

So eventually the structures of the House of Malaysia weakens. It becomes dilapidated and stand solitary.

The people of different races just pass her by and go their separate ways.

Just because, no races want to stay in that beautiful home called Malaysia. They don't care, even if it falls into pieces!

Perkasa - Do Not Create Disunity Among Malaysians

2010-04-02T12:31:00.006+08:00

Comment made in response to Dr. Azly Rahman's posting entitled ' From Perkasa to Pekasam? '
appearing on 31 March 2010 in his blog AZLY RAHMAN - Between Cybernetics and Existentialism,
http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-perkasa-to-pekasam.html

Dr. Azly is doing the right thing. Though, he is far away, he is still concerned with what is happening to Malays and Malaysians.

He loves Malaysia and want her to be strong economically and a respected country among the nations of the world.

Perkasa, it seems doesn't care one bit about having a united Malaysia made of various races living peacefully. Working together to improve the economic position of the people and the country.

What has Perkasa done to teach the Malays to stand on their own feet? To motivate them on how to fish rather than depend on handouts.

The wealth of the country, oil, oil palm etc. will one day be finished because of depletion or because of new technologies and discoveries. Malays will suffer because there will be no monies to be given out.

Perkasa should have a programme to encourage Malays to be financially resilient through teaching them in seminars, forums, dialogue, articles and books.

Otherwise, Perkasa is like a father who does not want his children to grow up. He wants them to depend on him for all their necessities.

Perkasa is underestimating the Malays and insulting their intelligence by assuming that Malays are not smart people and need to be defended and protected.

If this is so, it is Perkasa who is the villain who do not want the Malays to be independent. Perkasa wants them to be enslaved by the taboo of affirmative action - forever crippled and dependent on the government for all their needs.

The fault would be Ibrahim Ali's and Perkasa if the Malays are caught in a time frame that never
move. Forever living in the past - Bangsa Dan Adat Lebih Penting Dari Negara Malaysia.

And the saddest thing is that Tun Datuk Mahathir is involved with Perkasa. Being an exPrime Minister and Elder Statesman, he should not. Because, when he was Prime Minister of Malaysia, he was the Prime Minister of all Malaysians irrespective of race. How is it, he is no more the former Prime Minister of all Malaysians but now of only one race.

Malaysians expected Tun to play an important role in bringing 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020 into reality. He should have therefore deter the formation of such an organisation as Perkasa in the first place.

And instead be in the vanguard in the setting up of Gerakan Untuk Menjayakan 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Visi 2020 Yang Tidak Mengira, Kaum,Keturunan Atau Agama ( Movement To Achieve 1Malaysia/One Malaysian Race/Vision 2020 Irrespective Of Race Or Religion ).

Tun Datuk Mahathir, a man with a stature and credentials bigger than life should be the chief promoter of the above movement. And people from all walks of life will only be too happy to join such a group whose objective is to unite all Malaysians.

And in this regard, Datuk Najib being the Prime Minister of Malaysia and UMNO's head must stop Perkasa at all costs by taking strong measures to neutralise it. Otherwise the objectives of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020 will not be achieved. It will only remain a slogan.

There maybe factions in UMNO against the concept of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia/Vision 2020, Datuk Najib must dealt with them too, sternly and come up on top. A purge might also be necessary. If, this is not done, it will weaken his Prime Ministership. His policies will always be under attack and he will always be under pressure. And which is bad for a person sitting in that position - making him a lame duck.

Perkasa - Think Also Of Other Malaysians

2010-03-30T18:21:00.002+08:00

Comment below was made in response to a posting by Kee Thuan Chye in Free MalaysiaToday,
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/fmtenglish/opinion/comment/3929-now-showing-in-bolehland

Datuk Ibrahim Ali

Indeed sad, for former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir to be involved with such a group as Perkasa whose objective is not to help create 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia but instead to impede it.

What is wrong with all races being united under the Malaysian sun? Why is Ibrahim Ali so much against the Unity of All Races in this country? As if he is taking vengeance on the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans/Dusuns/Muruts, Bajaus, Bruneis, Ibans, Melanaus and Bidayuhs whose only desire as right thinking citizens are to be united as a nation with equal opportunities for all.

Is this wrong? If so, then what is Malaysia all about? Is it about, after forty seven years of independence, to be still divided by race and religion?

This organization will create a negative impact in the country. It is undermining the philosophy of our founding fathers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and the other leaders whose original concept of Malaysia was that of a nation made up of various races, united and existing as a democratic country.

By its action, Perkasa is saying, it is not interested in Malaysia as a united nation. And therefore, it is against the notion of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia.

Meaning, it does not support the move by the Prime Minister to bring all the races together under the banner of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia. In brief, it is hindering Dato’ Najib’s plan to do so as mentioned above.

Not only that, Ibrahim Ali’s action is not supportive of making Malaysia a succes. Instead he wants to create a detriment. And using Perkasa as the vehicle to do so.

Such acts are very damaging and UMNO should take serious measures to stop it before it adversely affect both UMNO and the government.

Second Hand Generators Installed In Sabah ! !

2010-03-24T16:53:00.004+08:00

YB Datuk Ghapur Salleh

Member of Parliament For

Tawau

A second hand power generator,
a simulated picture

Sabahans were angry when they read that the SESB generators installed in Tawau were second hand. And prone to breakdowns. Ghapur Salleh stated in parliament, it was not fair for the people of Sabah especially those in Tawau to get such machines. And this indirectly hurt the people - it appears as if they are being treated as second class citizens.

Datuk Ghapur has a point there. Secondhand generators are susceptible to regular maintenance. And are therefore financially not viable. It would be much better for the generators to be brand new. Thus saving the board from extra expenses due to zero upkeep of the machineries concerned. After waiting for so long and in the end getting a second hand - is truly insulting to the intelligence.

The authority must remember that the 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia concept means giving the best to its citizens. Sometimes, the foreigners and non-citizens get a better deal. While Malaysians have to make a lot of noise and anger before they are heard. Have been mentioned elsewhere in this blog, it is easy to make Malaysians happy. Give brand new, give the best.

Giving the best, carries a message of deep concerned and understanding for the situations people are in - more so to Malaysians who are citizens of this country. Every political party including the government should make it their top priority to give the best to the people of the nation. And the political profit made from it
would be invaluable.

Man Has No Nature, What He Has Is History - Ortega Gasset, Spanish Philosopher

2010-03-10T18:33:00.001+08:00

A quotation taken from Azly Rahman's article of 8 March 2010 which appeared in his blog, http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2010/03/malay-construction-of-illusion.html

I am in total agreement with you 'Man has no nature, what he has is history' as quoted by Ortega Gasset, the Spanish Philosoper. Specifically referring to race. Race can be whatever is appropriate as seen in the eye of a leader. It could be used as a political instrument to preserve power. And this has been proven in the past and also in the present.

Man is an adaptable being. He can change to suit his position in order to survive. This is a primeval instinct. In the modern context, it should not be encouraged especially in countries whose population are multi-racial. So by nature, human can plan his action to benefit himself or his group. And it is something flexible, determined by the environments.

Nature in all individuals is an attribute which is personal and intangible. So much so, only when such action is recorded, it becomes history. History is therefore the act of man. And it will be the indicator of where a nation has failed. Past events has shown that certain political philosophy is contradictory to human nature. Thus Democracy came into being because it answers the basic need of man for freedom and equality in all fields of human endeavour.

A country should not be afraid of multiracialism. It should consider it as a melting pot to obtain the best from every race, its culture and heritage. Americans has proved that this is possible and Barack Obama, the first Black President is the living example.

So a nation should consider that it is fortunate in having so many different races as her citizens as this will enable it to draw the various intellectual resources required in building a strong and stable country - Malaysia.

UMNO's Greatest Challenge

2010-01-26T18:19:00.002+08:00

The comment below is in response to Art Harun's posting, "The symptoms and the disease" on his blog Articulation at http://art-harun.blogspot.com/

Picture of UMNO's Leadership

Right on. This is a negative and destructive culture. In the end it would retard Malays from excelling in all fields of human endeavour and instead becoming an insular race.

Like China and the Chinese before Deng Xiaopeng introduced the concept of an 'Open Society', China was inward looking. Everything must be done the Chinese way, culture, commerce, industry etc..

At what price! China's development was way behind Malaysia's. Then China changed, it became a cosmopolitan nation and within a decade its economy is second only to the U.S.A..

Malaysia can also do the same, our country need revamping. And we have already got the instrument, 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia to help us. UMNO must understand that the other races also have aspiration in wanting to improve theirs' and their families' position
financially or otherwise.

UMNO must therefore ensure that more opportunities are given to non-Malays in education, senior and top posts in government agencies as well as in the police and armed forces.

Their skills, experiences, knowledge etc. must be tapped and utilised to help the country move further up in the status of a developed country. These resources should not be ignored. As there are reports stating that non-Malay Malaysians are playing a crucial role in the economic, industrial and commercial life of their adopted countries.

UMNO must realised as pillars of the government, it plays a very important part in determining the survival of Malaysia as an economy and as a nation.

In the same manner,the best brains of the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Bajaus, Ibans, Melanaus etc. should be heads of both governmental and private enterprise. Smartness and capability are not the monopoly of any particular race.

UMNO must be realistic that Singapore has benefitted from recruiting qualified Malaysians into their society. Giving them privileges and citizenship. It is a fact that Malaysians has contributed greatly to Singapore's position as a regional power house.

During the British era, the non-Malays also contributed to the economic boom of Malaya.

What is being said here is that UMNO must acknowledged the role of the non-Malays in contributing to the robust financial health of the country both pre and post independent period up to the present time.

If there are elements within UMNO that are against this pragmatic policy, then the UMNO leadership must take a firm stand. And ensure that practicality and reality must win.

Because Malaysia is a plural society, it cannot afford to create a discord among the different races.

UMNO's foremost responsibility is to make certain that the brightest, the cream of all the different races, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Bajau, Iban, Melanau etc. are given prominent function to ensure that Malaysia's financial position remains strong and viable.

This is UMNO's Leadership greatest challenge and if this is achieved UMNO would have redeemed itself. It will not only become the champion of the Malays but also the non-Malays. And the key to such success is UMNO's multiracial concept of making sure, every Malaysian has the opportunity to better themselves in whatever area of industry.

Don't Underestimate The Cleverness Of Old People

2010-01-25T21:33:00.001+08:00

Appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article

The IRS decides to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office.

The IRS auditor is not surprised when Grandpa shows up with his attorney.

The auditor says, 'Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable.'

'I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it,' says Grandpa. 'How about a demonstration?'

The auditor thinks for a moment and says, 'Okay. Go ahead.'

Grandpa says, 'I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.'

The auditor thinks for a moment and says, 'It's a bet.'

Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops.

Grandpa says, 'Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye...'

Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.

Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Grandpa's attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.

'Want to go double or nothing?' Grandpa asks. 'I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.'

The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again.

Grandpa stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightily, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.

The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win.

But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.

'Are you okay?' the auditor asks.

'Not really,' says the attorney. 'This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!'

Don't Mess with Old People!!

Attack On Churches - Condemned By Muslim Professionals Forum

2010-01-13T21:43:00.002+08:00

Appreciation to my friend, John B. for this article

This condemnation made by the Muslim Professionals Forum regarding the attacks on churches and also the protection provided by Muslim NGOs to such buildings have touched the hearts of, not only Christians but all Malaysians. The same deep appreciation to Marina Mahathir, Khoo Kay Peng, Art Harun and other Muslim Brothers and Sisters. It shows that the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood is alive in our society. We, whatever our race or religion are concerned and care for each other whenever tragic and unfortunate event happened to anyone of us.

May God Almighty bless you for your understanding and good deeds. And may God Almighty also bless, all Malayians of goodwill.

Below is the message from the Muslim Professionals Forum:

By Muslim Professionals Forum
editor@thenutgraph.com
THE cowardly and utterly senseless act of a group of misguided, chauvinistic bigots in torching at least three churches in the Klang Valley this morning must be condemned in no uncertain terms by all peace-loving Malaysians.

This act of arson, committed presumably in the name of Islam, desecrates the very religion it purports to protect. The Holy Quran unequivocally prohibits destroying the houses of worship of all religions, as warned in Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 40:

"... Had not Allah checked the excesses and aggression of one set of people by means of another, surely would be destroyed monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated..."

During the reign of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second righteous caliph, the religious freedom of the citizens of Ilya (Jerusalem) and the sanctity of their synagogues and places of worship were confirmed:

"This is the protection which the slave-servant of Allah, Umar, the Commander of the Believers, extends to the people of Ilya: The safeguarding of their lives, properties, churches, crosses, and of their entire community. Their churches cannot be occupied, demolished, or damaged, nor are their crosses or anything belonging to them to be touched. They will never be forced to abandon their religion, nor will they be oppressed ..." (At-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol III, p. 609, ed. Dar Al-Ma'arif, Egypt.)

In the light of these tragic turn of events, the Muslim Professionals Forum:

1 Demand the authorities immediately conduct an impartial and thorough investigation to identify, apprehend and punish the perpetrators of this despicable violence lest the country spirals into a vicious cycle of retaliatory acts which would fracture the very fabric of Malaysian civil society.

2 Urge the authorities to either refuse or revoke the permit for the planned demonstration in order to contain the heightened emotions and sensitivities among Muslim quarters, angered by the recent High Court decision on the usage of the word "Allah".

3 Urge individuals, organisations and political parties to refrain from further issuing provocative and inflammatory statements related to the High Court verdict.

4 Urge all Malaysians to emphatise and stand in solidarity with our Christian community in their hour of grief and need.

5 Urge all peace-loving Malaysians to maintain composure and let cool heads prevail.

May Allah guide us all in these most troubling times.

Dr Mazeni Alwi
Dr Shaikh Johari Bux
Mohamed Ali Ghazali
Dr Jeffrey Abu Hassan
Datuk Dr Musa Mohd Nordin
(Board of Directors)
Muslim Professionals Forum

8 Jan 2010

Nazri's Criticism Of Dr. Mahathir - Considered As Fair Comment

2009-12-14T14:48:00.010+08:00

Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz

The statements that Nazri made against Dr. Mahathir can be considered as fair comment. Although critical, it is referring only to action done by Dr Mahathir and not on his person. It is not character assasination. In fact it
is putting Mahathir's policy and philosophy when he was the leader of the government and UMNO respectively under the microscope.

And Nazri has put it rightly that there are defects in what Dr Mahathir espoused now and then. For example, during Mahathir's time, all Barisan parties and politicians have to toe the line. So there is very little criticism on wrong doings. Everything is suppressed. And on the surface it looks good. Underneath, it's simmering and waiting to explode.

The first principle a leader must learnt, he is not above the law. Whenever a leader act with this in mind, he is applying a voluntary self discipline so as not to break the laws of the country including those connected with morality. A leader's legacy is judged by its consistency. In other words, there shouldn't be any difference in what he believes. It should be the same for today, yesterday and tomorrow. There is no wavering.

When a leader is inconsistent, there is a danger that decisions, he made may be emotional rather than rational or realistic. Nazri has correctly pointed out that leaders are human. They are not divine. Criticisms are part and parcel of a politician life. They must be accepted as a form of feedback and changes be made accordingly to rectify the defect whether spiritual or physical. And that is the challenge every politician must face.

Saints - Their Bodies, Well Preserved. Is It An Act Of Divine Intervention ?

2009-11-28T15:23:00.010+08:00

With appreciation to my brother, John M. for this article. It is published for information only with no affirmation given to its truth.

Beyond explanation, some christian saints have been dead for centuries, but their bodies have been well preserved and have not been corrupted by time. Is this an act of Divine intervention?

St Maria Goretti (died 1902)

St Rita of Cascia (died 1457)

St Pio of Pietrelcina (died 1968)

St Bernadette of Lourdes (died 1879)

St Francis Xavier (died 1552)

Solar Power, The Best Choice For Power Generation Programme In Sabah

2009-11-21T11:28:00.008+08:00

More organisations are joining in to support the ' Anti-Coal Powered Generation Protest '. The latest is the Sabah Women's Association ( SAWO ).

And it seems from feedback, more NGOs and individuals are convinced that Solar Power is the best alternative. Sabah is a land of plentiful sunshine. So it is an appropriate step if this source were to be used. Instead of coal which will create pollution and cause fatal toxic effect on human beings and the environment.

Portion of the statements below were taken from the BBC News of 20.11.2009 entitled ' Solar power technology takes its next step ' Its website address is http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/default.stm Maybe this approach as mentioned below could be used in order to prevent massive destruction of salt water biodiversity ( which took million of years to evolve ), flora and fauna including climate change.

The question that Coal Powered Generator is the only way does not hold water because the BBC article as shown here proves that Solar power is the best choice.

The authority concerned should therefore switch from Coal to Solar for its Power Plant Programme in Sabah due to the evidence given technical or otherwise by NGOs and interested parties.

This Spanish solar farm uses the heat from mirrors to create electricity Heat power

' Just outside Seville, hundreds of mirrors track the sun as it crosses the sky and reflect their beams to a single point at the top of a tower.

This Spanish solar farm uses the heat from mirrors to create electricity The intense heat is used to boil water and create steam to power a turbine - which creates electricity.

Engineer Valerio Fernandez, at Abengoa which runs the solar farm, says the resulting heat is the equivalent of 4,000 times the power of direct sunlight.

"With this amount of energy we can generates very high temperatures, about 2,000 degrees Celsius," he said..................'

Comment - On Articulations' One Story

2009-10-12T03:12:00.005+08:00

Kota Damansara

Very sad indeed for victims of criminals like this lady and her family (staying in Kota Damansara, KL ). And other residents living in the same area.

The police are suppose to be the guardian of the people to protect them from harm and injury. Instead robbers are ruling the streets.

It reflects badly on the image of the police. The reason why they have much to do is because they failed to catch these criminals. That is why they are recieving many reports. Thus more work !

What they should have done is to set up a special task force assigned to deal with this sudden increase of felons roaming freely in the residential and shopping places.

The police should also have a profile of these offenders and the way they operate. This would greatly help to identify potential suspect even before they commit these crimes.

As public safety and security is the concern of every Malaysian, the police should therefore give it their highest priority.

MCA - Needs Fresh Leadership

2009-10-12T00:04:00.006+08:00

Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat

The ouster of both Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, president and Dato Choi Soi Lek, deputy president indicates the majority of MCA party members wanted someone who is untainted to lead the party. This is a good sign because it shows that it is serious in its aim to clean the party. And to be in line with the wishes of the grassroot.

There is a saying that when the leadership is right, it is moving in tandem with the aspiration of the people. Politic is the art of the possible and as long as political leaders listened to the people, their decision cannot be wrong. Whether MCA have experienced leaders should not be an issue, the question is whether the leader elected has the qualities to be able to lead the party.

And in this regard it must be a person who is farsighted, accomodating but not to the point that it must sacrifice the party's objectives and aims in so far as it relates to its position in BN. A party's objectives is sacrosact. It is the reason for its existence.

No doubt MCA has got a lot of fresh leaders and anyone of them can become the next president of the MCA as long as they have the right qualities.

Plan To Build A Controversial Coal Fired Power Plant At Kg. Sinakut, Lahad Datu, Sabah

2009-10-10T18:43:00.006+08:00

Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan
Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah

Deputy Chief Minister,Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan made a statement today ( Daily Express issue of 10 October 2009)that the State Government wants to discuss the proposed controversial power plant with Tenaga Nasional Bhd. ( TNB ).

It shows that the authority are taking the question of pollution by such generator very seriously. And as Mr. Wong Tac, the President of the Sabah Evironmental Protection Society in his press conference pointed out that the implication to the country especially Sabah would be very serious. The destruction of its fauna and flora including its marine biodiversity would have repercussions on Sabah's ability to survive.

Datuk Wilfred Lingham, the State's former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment was also of the same opinion. Nature had taken many million of years to create this system but man it seems can destroy them in a twinkle of an eye. Japan being a leader in creating and inventing green and environmental friendly technique for power generation etc. is a good source of assistance in this type of situation. And Malaysia should take the initiative to get Japanese help in looking for alternatives.

Sabah is a very sunny and windy land. It also has many rivers. Why are these not use in producing energy generation? If it is a question of expertise, then help should be obtained from countries who are already advance in green technology like Japan and others.

It is heartening that the State Government is taking a firm stand on this matter which shows it is serious in its policy of greening the state.

Sabah Should Rely More On Solar, Wind And Hydro Power Rather Than On Coal

2009-10-09T23:57:00.009+08:00

Coal fired power plant.

Mr. Wong Tac, the president of the Sabah Environmental Protection Society ( SEPA ) has strongly objected to the construction of the controversial coal-fired power plant at kampung Sinakut, a kilometre away from Sahabat Resort in the Dent peninsula within the District of Lahad Datu. In this beautiful and unspoilt location where the sea is teeming with corals and marine life, Mr. Wong said that if this project proceeds, then the fishes and other living organisms, corals, etc. would be destroyed ( Daily Express issue of 1 October 2009 ).

This vast salt water biodiversity which took million of years to evolve would forever be gone in a matter of moments. Imagine the huge amount of chlorine pumped everyday into the sea by an injection process to prevent barnacles from affecting the function of the plant's condenser pipe network submerged undersea which are used to cool it. Also affected are animal and plant life on land as this power generator would be discharging powdery ash like substances that can kill and destroy such fauna and flora.

It would be foolhardy and suicidal to implement such a venture which might even bring about climate change in Sabah. Thus causing diseases connected with cancer of the lung, skin, etc. Just think, the quantity of this powdery substance that would be suspended in the air and falling on trees, plants, vegetables and fruits. Polluting them. And causing death or seriously damaging the organs of the body when eaten.

The alternative is to use solar, wind or hydro power which are evironmental friendly rather than coal. Every Malaysian has the utmost responsibility in ensuring that all power generation used must be non-polluting. Otherwise, we would have failed in our social duty of keeping our country permanently green and helping her to survive into the next century.

Michael Jackson Returns - To Settle Unfinished Business

2009-10-02T21:38:00.005+08:00

Well, Michael Jackson needs to return because he has so many unfinished business to settle. He has also got to put right all the things said about him. Some are just pure speculation without an iota of truth.

One thing though, he will come back a stronger person. No need for drugs, pills, etc.. And best of all, his dances will be heavenly. More divine......so to speak.

Finally it seems that Michael is much more valuable dead than alive. Just by looking at all the books, pictures, videos and television programmes which has been produced currently.

Some people, like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson never die. They remained a star even in death - this indeed is real star power !

He Died, He Rose Again - Stanley Villavicencio's Testimony On The Mercy Of God Almighty

2009-09-29T09:51:00.005+08:00

Appreciation to my friend, John P. for this article

Stanley Villavicencio was born in Bais, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. He was raised a Roman Catholic and had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart (Divine Love) of Jesus Christ. It is a devotion that started when he was in grade school at the Sacred Heart Academy in Bais, Negro Oriental. He married a nurse, Melissa Gantuangco Villar and moved to Cebu in Mambaling. Close to his house was a chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This had a great bearing on his decision to buy the house. Unfortunately, after moving, it was discovered that the chapel was portable, erected only during the fiesta celebration and was dismantled afterwards. In 1983, Stanley became Chapel President. A neighbor donated some land close by in order for a permanent chapel to be built for the Christian Community. Stanley was basically an ordinary man. In 1993, he was an employee of AVSECOM (The Aviation Security Command). He also became a member of the Perpetual Dawn
Rosary Association in Cebu.

In the Cebu Roman Catholic Community, there is a tradition that whenever a special family occasion occurs in a household, the head of the family receives into the home a large statue of the Virgin Mary. March 2, 1993, is the birthday of one of Stanley's children, therefore, that morning, he was to receive the statue. However, when the statue arrived just before eight o'clock in the morning, Stanley was not up and so his mother-in-law received it. Being concerned, she entered Stanley's bedroom.
Stanley, the night before he retired, was perfectly healthy. But this particular morning his mother-in-law found him convulsing. Blood was spurting from his mouth with incredible force. She felt his pulse which was too weak to detect. When she forced open his eyes, they were white. An ambulance was called and Stanley was taken to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu. He was rushed to the Emergency Room. There, still bleeding profusely from his mouth and convulsing, he was injected with the maximum dose of Valium to try to stop the convulsions and slow down the huge quantity of blood pouring out from his mouth. The doctors ran all sorts of tests. They could not locate the source of the bleeding, nor any kind of illness. They took a blood test with the view of giving him a blood transfusion, but his blood count was normal which was medically impossible. It meant that his body was not short of blood, despite the fact he had lost so much blood. Stanley then slipped
into a coma. His heartbeat became slower, his skin color turned gray and then he stopped breathing. He was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit, where a specialist inserted an Ambue Bag, the end - tracheal tube being placed through his nose, going down to his stomach. This was the only form of life support that the hospital had available. An I.V. drip was placed into a vein in his hand, running dextrose fluid into his system.

However, very quickly, Stanley's organs shut down. He was declared 'brain dead'. His family at first did not believe this. Mainly because Stanley had shown no previous signs of being ill and the doctors were unable to determine what was wrong. However, by the second day, the family prepared for Stanley's funeral. His coffin was arranged, a burial plot, and a burial gown. By the third day Stanley's blood had congealed at the bottom of his legs and feet and rigor mortis begun to set in.

Early in the morning on the third day, Stanley's wife brought the burial gown to the hospital to prepare her husband. Neighbors gathered outside of the chapel to receive Stanley's coffin. Flowers were laid out for the wake.. A death certificate was already signed.. But Stanley came back from the dead, perfectly healthy, as if nothing had happened. While his heart was flat line and his brain dead, Stanley had in spirit met for the first time 'Jesus Christ of the Divine Mercy'.

Now, the fact is, that all of Stanley's medical records show that this had happened. He was first in a coma and then dead. Every sequence of his medical attention was, as is the custom, really documented. On investigation, these records were examined and all medical staff involved, questioned.

Stanley came to England in the year 2001. Here, he very kindly gave an interview, in which he described the events and his experience during death, and how after he was sent back with a mission. This is his testimony. No attempt has been made to edit Stanley's account or accent: the way he speaks the English language.

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Stanley's words:

'Before I will give my testimony, I just want to inform you that after what happened to me, I was just going around giving my testimony in my own dialect. You see, the Philippines is composed of more than seven thousand islands and almost every island has different dialect. The Philippines is divided into three major parts; Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas. I belong to Visayas because I am living in Cebu. So I was giving my testimony in Visayas only, until one time Father Seraphim Mekalanco, the Spiritual Director of the Divine Mercy nationwide invited me to give a talk in Manila. At first, I am happy because I can go to Manila, but then a day before I was so worried because I do not know how to speak the dialect, because in Manila the dialect is Tagalog and I do not know how to speak Tagalog. I was worried and so I asked the Lord 'What shall I do?' Then the following day, early in the morning Jesus appeared to me, to my dream and said: 'Do not worry. Just
do your best and I shall do the rest'. So I went to Manila and when I am holding the microphone to give my testimony, I am thinking my testimony in my own local dialect, and it came out in Tagalog. So they understand me.

'And now comes Father Seraphim, the Head of the Divine Mercy International based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. He invited me to give a series of talks in the United States, Canada and Mexico and the problem is, I do not know how to speak the English. So again I was worried and because in Cebu, the owner of the University is a Divine Mercy devotee, so he instructed the English Department to translate my testimony from our local dialect to English and after several months they finished the translation.

'They give it to me and it is as thick as this! And they said to me, 'Stanley you memorize that'. And, I said 'No. I cannot memorize it anymore'. Then they said 'Ok you just read it' and I said, 'I cannot read it also because it is my testimony, if I will read it, it will be lifeless.' So I went to America leaving behind the translation and upon reaching the States I confided to Father Seraphim everything, so Father Seraphim was so worried because my first testimony will be at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. And I will be speaking together with Mother Angelica, the audience is almost seven thousand. Father Seraphim was so worried, so I told him, 'Father don't worry. Anyway, I did not come to America to proclaim my mercy, I am here to proclaim God's Mercy'. So when I was holding the microphone, I am thinking of my own local dialect, but then it came out English and after that I already know how to speak English.

'What I am going to tell you is what happened to me. About my own personal encounter with Jesus Christ of the Divine Mercy. When you hear my testimony, I hope it will increase your faith, and that you know that there really is a God and that God is a living God.... What happened to me, happened on March 2, 1993. That was a Tuesday and a birthday of one of my children.. By the way, I had ten children, but now I have thirteen. And by the way, I am a member of the Perpetual Dawn Rosary.

'It is our practice that whenever there is an occasion at our house, we invite the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it is also our practice that whenever the Virgin comes into our house it is I who has to receive the Virgin. But on that day, when the Virgin is already in our house, whatever they do to wake me up, I cannot be awaken, so it is my mother-in-law who received the Virgin.

'At eight o'clock that morning, my mother-in-law said, she heard me moaning and moaning. So she tried to look at me in my room and she found me lying in bed. Trembling vigorously. Blood coming out of my mouth forcefully. And it was the sister of my father-in-law, who is a nurse, was present, so attended to me immediately. And as she touches my pulse, she cannot find any pulse anymore - and as she touches my chest, my heart beat is already very slow. And when they open my eyes, both eyes are already in white, so they asked help from our neighbors and they brought me to Chong Hua Hospital. At Chong Hua Hospital, we have four specialist doctors and the doctor said that my chance of survival is one in a million, because my heart beat is already slow.'

As I enter the Emergency Room I cannot breathe anymore, even with the help of oxygen, so they transferred me to I.C.U. or the Intensive Care Unit, so my breathing can be aided, or forcing oxygen inside. At the I.C.U. my trembling did not stop and the blood was still coming out from my mouth, so the doctor injected me with Valium to control everything.

'Because Negros Island and Cebu are just very near, so that day my relatives arrive. Among them is my father who is a doctor and my sister who is also a doctor and the cousin of my wife were already present. By the way, my wife is also a nurse.

'The following day, the doctors called up my wife and asked her permission to take me off of all the life support apparatus. So my wife called up our house and asked that my long sleeve shirt, for my burial be prepared. And my mother-in- law says she has a memorial plan and that her memorial plan is transferable. So she had it transferred to my name. Meaning, I will be the one using her coffin. And it also happened we had a reservation at the Queen City Garden Cemetery in Cebu, because when my father-in-law died in 1987, we bought three lots, so they process all the papers so they can bring me to the Queen City Garden. Meaning, everything is ready. I have the long shirt to wear for my burial, I have already a coffin to sleep in, I have already a cemetery to live in.

'But God had a different plan, because my wife did not agree to remove the life support apparatus attached to my body. In fact my relatives, they take in turns to watch over me. But it is only my body present at Chong Hua Hospital, because I saw a light, a very big bright light, but not glaring. You can stare at it. It is like a fountain. It is like a fog as it slowly evaporates, until I notice someone is standing in front of me. And when I look at His face, I recognize Him as Jesus.

'As we are looking at each other, He raised His left hand and when He raised His left hand, the clouds above were sucked downwards and when they reach just above us, the clouds keep on turning and changes in color and when it stops it becomes like a video screen. And He showed me the film of my life, from my childhood up to my present. And I notice that every time I do good, it just goes on normally and I also notice that every time I commit a sin, suddenly it would go into slow motion as if He wants to show us that what we have done is wrong, as if He wants to show us that what we have done is a sin.. And because I have also committed bigger sins, sins like what we call the mortal sin.

'Every time it shows up, suddenly it would stop, came closer and enlarged it... Then I said to myself: 'Why should this be included? There must be no word of sin saw in Heaven, because it is just too bad to look at, but even if I closed my eyes I could still see it.

'Also I notice that every time I commit a sin, I could feel the heaviness. I could feel the weight. The more I commit a sin, the more the heaviness, the more the weight. And I also notice that every time I do good, for example, if I give something to the poor, I could feel as if I were floating. So it is really true what is written in the Bible, 'That what so every you do to the less of your brethren, that you do unto Me.' 'And I also notice that the sins I did not confess to a Priest it is too heavy, and also I notice that the sins that I confessed to a Priest, it is lighter. And we cannot deny anything because the screen is so big and very clear and also the pictures are also big and below the pictures are written the day, the month, the date and the year. And below that it is also written the hour, the minutes and the seconds. So, we cannot deny anything, even the seconds are recorded. In fact, He reviewed my film three times and after our long
conversation, He tapped my shoulder and as He was tapping my shoulder, He said to me, 'You go back now, because you still have so many things to do. You still have so many things to finish. If I have something for you or if I have a message for you, I will just appear to you in your dream.'

'After He say that, I was at the I..C.U. of the Chong Hua Hospital. Suddenly I got up. I could feel my body so light and my head suppressed. That when I got up, I removed the oxygen from my nose. After removing the oxygen, there is a tube going down into my intestine, so I slowly remove the tube because it tickles me. And after removing the tube, I slowly remove the I.V. from my hand and because there is a nurse who saw everything, and that she was so afraid that she ran away. In fact, she said, one of the heels of her shoes was broken. 'When the nurse returns she has other nurses, doctors and the technicians, they are all running and when they reach me, they put me to bed again. And one of the doctors put on his telescope and examined me and after a short examination, the doctor put off his telescope, put it beside him and he asked for another. Meaning, he did not believe his telescope. He was given another telescope and he put it on and re-examined me
again and after a long examination, the doctor looked at my E.C.G. because every bed in the ICU has its own ECG. And he said, since I was admitted at the ICU my E.C.G. was just a straight line, but now they were so surprised because my ECG was working normally and because the technicians were already present, so they subjected me to X-rays, laboratory tests and brain scan. And now, all the results are in negative, meaning, I am not sick.

'The doctors were all surprised and they asked permission to have another set of examinations, because they said there might be something wrong with the apparatus.. We consented, and they subjected me again to another ultra sound, laboratory tests and brain scan, all except the X-ray. And again, all the results were in negative: meaning, I am not really sick. So the doctors said 'There is nothing now that we can really do, it is really a miracle.'

When I woke up, I woke up at eight o'clock in the morning of Friday. If you will count from eight 'clock in the morning of Tuesday, to eight o'clock in the morning to Friday, that is exactly three days. And because of that, the media was alerted. The television, the radio and newspaper And because our Church, the Roman Catholic Church do not easily believe in miracles, so it has to be investigated and the investigation was led by Cardinal Vidal of Cebu.

'Cardinal Vidal leads the investigation in March. At the middle of September, Cardinal Vidal released a letter confirming what happened to me. And he gives me an endorsement letter, so that I could give testimony around the world.

'One of the doctors who was assigned to me at the I.C.U., he is not just an ordinary doctor because when he took his medical examinations, he got the highest score all over the country and when he entered the Chong Hua Hospital, he was awarded as the most outstanding P.G.I. doctor. He was assigned to me at the I.C.U. from the very beginning, until I woke up. And because he cannot sleep anymore, so he entered the Seminary to become a Priest, and now he is already a Priest.

'From March 1993 up to now, Jesus keeps appearing to me to my dream. That is also accepted by our local Church. Because my Spiritual Director is Msgr Chris Garcia. He is one of the most holiest Priests in Cebu and he is also gifted.. He has the gift of inner locution (inner telepathic voice), meaning he can also talk to Jesus. But he cannot see Jesus. But Jesus appears to me, to my dream, where I can see Him, where I can talk to Him, where I can touch Him, where I can even embrace Him. And what is best for us! Every time Jesus appears to me, He also tells my Spiritual Director, so there is a confirmation. That is why, wherever I go, it is embraced by the Church.

'Also during my investigation, the doctors asked the Priest, 'Where does all that blood come from?' The blood coming out from my mouth is with force and continuously for several hours and why there was no blood transfusion. (Blood count showed no reduced level of blood). So the Priest prayed and after praying the answer that this blood coming out from my mouth is for cleansing. I have to be cleansed because I have to face the Lord - and they also said that is it also said in the Bible, that whoever sees the Lord will have to die, so I have to die. But because I have a mission, so I have to live again.

'Also they ask me: 'Why you? Why did Jesus choose you?' So I answered them. 'Maybe because I am nothing. May because I have nothing to be proud of except for my sins...' So, when I have a chance to talk with Jesus, I ask the Lord, 'My Lord, my God, why me? I am a sinner. I am a sinful man.' And Jesus answered, 'You cannot appreciate the beauty of My mercy unless you experience the misery of sin.' And so I accepted my mission.

'Also so many are coming to me, so I ask the Lord: 'My Lord, my God! So many are coming to me and entrust their problems to me, what shall I do?' And Jesus answered: Just let them pray the chaplet unceasingly and they will be guided....'

'That is why now, in the Philippines, the chaplet is very popular, not only among the Catholics but also the other Church dominions because there are so many miracles that have been attributed to the chaplet. For example: Several months ago, my Spiritual Director, Msgr. Chris Garcia, he had a slight stroke. So he was admitted at the Hospital, and the doctor said that he had a brain tumor and that there is a virus in his brain and that he cannot open his eyes because it is too painful. We went to the Hospital and we prayed the chaplet of Divine Mercy, together with Msgr. Chris, and after we prayed the chaplet, several minutes later, he asked for his laptop computer. So you see the power of the chaplet. The miracle of the chaplet.
'The following day, we prayed again the chaplet. The doctors re-examined him and found him negative of everything. So on the third day he checked out of the Hospital as if nothing had happened. Do you see the power of the chaplet?

'Also, one of our Divine Mercy leaders in the Philippines, his wife was ill early in the morning. So they brought his wife to Hospital. The doctors gave him a prescription to buy the medicine and because he has no money, so he has to sell his pig. And the buyer paid him for the pig, but the buyer said that he would get the pig the following day.

'But that afternoon of that very day, the pig refused to stand up and refused to eat. So, he was so worried, because if something happens to the pig, they will be in trouble because, they buy the medicine. So he called all his children and explained to them everything; that they have to pray the chaplet for the pig. So they prayed the chaplet for the pig. But at the middle of praying the chaplet the children were laughing. They were all laughing because they said it was better to pray the chaplet for a human being, but not for a pig.

'He explained it again to them. He explained it again and again. And on the third time that they prayed the chaplet, the children prayed intensely and they finished praying the chaplet. After they finished praying the chaplet, the pig suddenly stood up and one of the children ran and got some food for the pig and the pig consumed everything. And the lesson is, if Jesus answered our prayers for a pig, how much more if we pray the chaplet for a human being.

'We have another leader of the Divine Mercy in the Philippines. He has several acres of rice fields and because he is poor he cannot afford to buy fertilizer, he cannot afford to buy insecticide. So, what he did every morning, he would roam around his rice field and pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy, everyday! Every morning! And also every afternoon. During the harvest time, his neighbors were all surprised, because during harvest time his harvest is much more than those using fertilizer and insecticide. So you see the miracle of the chaplet!

'Where ever I go, so many would ask me how soon is Jesus coming back? Or is the three days of darkness really true? Is the chastisement really true? So I answered them. Jesus said to me 'Don't be afraid'. Jesus said to me, 'Don't be afraid because I will take care of your future. Blessed are those taking advantage of My mercy while it is still the day of mercy but beware, because the day of Judgment is nearer than everyone thinks.'

'I asked the Lord, 'What are the sins that You cannot forgive?' Jesus said, 'All sins can be forgiven except if you refuse to believe that your sin can be forgiven.' That is the sin He cannot forgive, because Jesus said by refusing His mercy you are also refusing to believe that He is a God. (That is a sin against the Holy Spirit). That is why Jesus said, 'Before I come as Just Judge I will open wide the doors of My mercy'. But Jesus continued that it is also written in the Diary of St. Faustina, that 'he that refuses to pass through the doors of My mercy will have to pass through the doors of My Justice.'

'Now, after a long while that Jesus is opening this door of mercy and after a long while He will close that door of mercy. Then He will open that door of Justice. And if He will open the door of His Justice who can enter Heaven? When Heaven is only for the pure, when Heaven is only for the clean. And who are the clean? And who are the pure? All of us are sinners. All of us are unclean. We can only enter Heaven through His mercy, through His love. Without God's mercy, without His love, it is too difficult to enter Heaven.. That is why Jesus now is begging us to go out now and proclaim His mercy. Jesus also said, 'Proclaiming My mercy is not enough, you have to put mercy into action, by living as an example of My mercy.' He said, 'He who will save a soul will save his own.'

'I am not allowed by the Church to pray or to do healing or lay hands on anybody because Cardinal Vidal said I would just do my evangelization, (tell people what happened to me), because he said, 'there are some who are given the gift of healing, they will also continue their healing..' But then it cannot be avoided that during my talk so many sick people are attending, so Cardinal Vidal arranged a veneration to the image of Divine Mercy, so the sick people will ask directly to Jesus their healing, not through me because I am only a human being. After that, this image becomes a miraculous image, because there are so many instant healings and also sometimes when I give my testimony, people see lights. Lights coming out from His body. That is why there are some ripples in His body (of the image). The light has a heat and the heat destroyed the plastic. Because so many people will say Jesus is emanating lights and sometimes they say that Jesus gets out
from the frame, and He will transfer right behind me and they say He is taller than me... And they said each time Jesus gets out from the frame, the frame is empty.. And it not only happens in the Philippines. It also happened in Hong Kong, China, in Rome, in New York, New Jersey, all over the States and in Canada and Mexico. So it also happened in Ireland and so during veneration, (showing respect and appreciation) , you have to ask Jesus what favor you want. Because, if what you are asking for is not against His will, He will give it to you. Especially, if what you are asking for comes from the depth of your heart.'

End of Stanley's words.

It is an amazing testimony. But did it happen? If so, was it a miracle? There is no doubt that medically what happened to Stanley took place. This part of his story is true. He was convulsing, pouring blood, went into a coma and then died. No doctor wants to take a very ill person off of life support equipment. The thing is, medical treatment is not free in the Philippines and law determines that no doctor can remove medical equipment without permission from the next of kin. Stanley's medical records were examined, all hospital reports regarding him, and all staff involved in his care, questioned over and over again. The investigation first began when peoples talk was picked up by the media. It was given more credence, when a well known doctor resigned to become a Priest, because of what he saw medically, which he deemed as 'Impossible, a miracle, an act of God'.

A person from the Philippines sent a telegram to Father Seraphim Mekalanco - who is the Director of the John Paul Institute for the study of Divine Mercy, appointed by Pope John 11. Father Seraphim received the telegram in Rome. He launched an investigation. Medical records were studied by Cardinal Vidal, Cardinal Sin, and twelve Bishops. Another person who independently examined the medical records was Paul Regan from Malden, who is the founder of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the Sick and Dying Institute, in America. The fact that Stanley had died, and woke in full health, with no brain damage is against all the science of nature. So, yes, this part can be termed a miracle. Certainly one that had the main doctor leave his profession and become a Priest. Certainly enough to have a whole nation's television studios and radio stations, halt every day at three o'clock in the afternoon, to pray the chaplet publicly. To have people of all faiths stop in
the street at this time to pray the chaplet.

Now, what we have to look at is whether Stanley is being honest about his spiritual encounter. What is convincing is that Stanley described both rays coming from Jesus as white, and not one red and one white as is in the image. The white ray is described as a washing of sin, as in baptism. But Stanley's account would have been obviously more convincing if he described the rays as they are shown in the image and as seen by St. Faustina, but, I think the fact he described seeing the rays differently makes his account more authentic; who would deliberately want to complicate a con?

The other thing than makes Stanley's account believable is that he describes some of the sins he committed and saw. He was President of the Chapel to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He saw himself pass the chapel seeing people inside gambling. He saw another time his neighbors in the chapel drinking and gambling and did not stop them. Another time, he saw himself inside the chapel drinking with them. This is not someone trying to show a 'holier than thou' image. Quite the opposite.

Stanley himself received a request sent on behalf of Pope John Paul II to go to Rome. When asked what language he spoke to the Archbishops, Cardinals and Bishops, given that they were from all over the world, but each would speak Italian, Stanley was very firm that he spoke in English, not a mystical Italian that rose from the Spirit of God.

The profound effect that Stanley's experience has had on a whole country is the largest mark of authenticity. . In the conversation he said he had with Jesus, he was told that the chapel was not to be used for any other purpose other than that for which it was built. Jesus requested, that the chapel be extended, and a new door was to be placed on it, in the shape of a large heart, representing His Sacred Heart. All the people of Cebu and surrounding areas, contributed material and labor to comply with this request. People of many religious dominions joined together to fulfill this task.

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INTERVIEW
While in England, Stanley offered to answer any questions asked of him.

(Q) 'When Our Lord appeared to you, did He appear to you just as in the Divine Mercy Image... How did He look?'

(A) 'When you are in front of Jesus, you cannot just totally describe Him, because He is everything. When you are looking at Him, you cannot describe your happiness, your satisfaction, the peace and everything. In fact, you forget your family when you are in front of Him. All of the pictures of Jesus, there is likeness, but not totally, not exactly, but there is likeness, but you cannot just totally describe Him when you are in front of Him.'

(Q) 'How would Jesus like our future? What would He like us to be, a part from the Commandments? How would He like our future to progress as years go on? What does He want us to do with our lives?'

(A) 'That is why He said that now is the time for mercy'.

(Q) 'Yes, but with all the problems we have had in Society, with contraception and abortion?'

(A) 'Contraception and abortion! All that is a sin. That is why Mary is crying with blood already. That's a sin. That's why for example, last night, four ladies approached me and they said after my testimony, they said they are planning for an abortion, but after hearing my testimony, they changed their mind, because they said they do not want to see their films, that the other one killing their own child.'

(Q) 'Could I ask you, did you actually see Jesus at the gates of Heaven or did you actually see Heaven?'

(A) Cardinal Vidal said that it is the Garden of Eden, because, it's a garden and in it all beautiful flowers. That is why Cardinal Vidal described it as the Garden of Eden.'

(Q) 'Did you actually see that yourself, or just the clouds and the light?'

(A) 'I see it yes. It is the Garden of Eden. By the way, Jesus said to me that we have to pray for His beloved Priests, because He said: 'They are My precious jewels and some of them cause My Heart to bleed.. But I will bless them abundantly, in time, and in eternity; much more if they will stay longer in the Confessional, because it is in the Confessional that My mercy flows greater than all the sins committed by any living creature''.

(Q) 'How do we ask our Priest to promote the Divine Mercy? Should we do it very quietly or should we implore him to promote Divine Mercy?'

(A) 'Give the Priest some real stuff he can learn, because some of the Priests do not promote Divine Mercy because they do not understand Divine Mercy. You have to inform them, and give them some literature that will guide them. And, you have to pray and ask Our Lord's assistance because we cannot change a person, only God can change a person, so we have to pray'.

(Q) 'Stanley, because of this Divine Mercy, especially in the Islands of the Philippines, is there a great change in the Philippines? Do they now keep the Sabbath holy?'

(A) 'In the Philippines, at three o'clock in the afternoon, all the television stations, pray the three o'clock prayer, and also all the radio stations. And, not only the Catholics are ringing their bells, but also the other Church dominions, because I have also given my testimony to other Church dominions, so at three o'clock every body is ringing their bells and also I find it surprising that the Malls especially in Cebu and Manila, at three o'clock, they would stop and pray that three o'clock prayer. The Feast of Mercy will be celebrated throughout the universal Church. Jesus promised that the souls who are in a state of grace (been to Confession) who receive Holy Communion on that day, at the Feast of His Mercy, will be granted complete forgiveness of sins including their punishment, meaning after the Feast of Mercy, whatever happens to you, you will go straight to Heaven. Because even the punishment is forgiven. Because, when we go to Confession,
when we go to a Priest, our sins are forgiven, but the punishment remains. That is why when we die we cannot go straight to Heaven, we have to pass through Purgatory to pay for the punishments of our sins. But during the Feast of Mercy, all the sins and the punishments are forgiven, so that's a very wonderful grace.'

(Q) 'Stanley, what does Jesus think about other religions and other non-Christian religions? Hindu's and all different religions?'

(A) 'Well, God's mercy is for everybody, not only for Catholics - because if Jesus is given the choice, He wants all mankind to enter Heaven. But only man loves so much the world that he does not want to accept God's mercy... He does not want to return to the Lord. In fact, they are just denying their sins.'

(Q) 'Does Jesus want us to approach people in our work places; strangers, non Christians, to tell them about Divine Mercy? If so, how does He want us to do it? Because it is very difficult to go up to a stranger who does not believe in God or does not know Jesus and try to tell him about Divine Mercy.'

(A) 'We can do it. We can do it by being an example. We have to show them, that's why Jesus said: Put mercy into action. For example, you visit the prisoners and you explain to them God's mercy. And also at hospital, tell them and you give them the chaplet and you teach them how to pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy.. You can do it, because the chaplet is welcomed by other religions, because God's mercy is for everybody, not only for Catholics. That's why Jesus said that we have to multiply our prayer for the sinners because Jesus said that the sinners do not pray for themselves anymore. So we have to increase our prayer for the sinners because their salvation depends on us..'

(Q) 'If those of us who have celebrated the Divine Mercy Sunday, in a state of grace, if our video is shown to us when we die, would it go back earlier or would it begin at the last Divine Mercy Sunday?'

(A) 'Others would also ask me, if your sins are forgiven, it is also forgotten with the Lord, that is true! But during the shooting of the film, you will see everything, because Jesus wants us to see how sinful we are. But then He will forgive us and that is a sign of mercy and it is mercy itself, shooting our film, showing us how sinful we are, then forgiving us. That it mercy itself!'

(Q) 'Does Jesus speak to you about His Mother?'

(A) 'Yes! He always do. That's why He said we have to pray the chaplet and the rosary unceasingly, as our last weapon against the enemies'.

(Q) 'One of the problems is the difference between the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and having the image over our fire places, and Our Lord asking for the image of Divine Mercy. Sometimes, the two seem to be in conflict and some prefer the Sacred Heart and some prefer the Divine Mercy?'

(A) 'For me it is not conflict.. Before what happened to me, since I was a kid I am already a devotee to the Sacred Heart, until I grew up, until I got married. In fact I built Sacred Heart Chapel, just in front of our house. That's why Jesus said, because I ask Him the difference: Love: Love is the Sacred Heart. Love is the flower. Mercy is the fruit. Because you do not have mercy if you do not have love. So love and mercy go together.'

(Q) 'You talked about the time of mercy and there is obviously a time table, because seventy-years ago on February 22, this image was seen for the first time by Saint Faustina. The Holy Father himself is special because his mission on life is to bring in the time of mercy. Is there a time table that Jesus has for mankind? Because I have heard from radio shows in America, that's not to say prediction, because the time and the place is known only to God, but we are obviously in these final times. What is expected of society when the Holy Father decreed Divine Mercy Sunday in the year 2000, and the Bishops are indifferent to it, because the decree has gone out to the Bishops and therefore they are the ones to instruct the Priests and they wonâ€™t. We people are basically having to listen to the Bishops and the Priests, but if they don't speak of Divine Mercy or follow the Feast for us to celebrate, how do we raise that up?'

(A) 'We raise it up by giving more information to the Priests. Because some of the Priests do not understand Divine Mercy because they have not read about Divine Mercy, so we have to inform them. We can give them some leaflets, but before giving them information, we have to pray for them, that they will accept it, because, as I said, we cannot change a person. That's why we have to pray harder. And also, you see, Divine Mercy devotion is for salvation, saving life, saving souls. That is why the other side is also working the wolf.. The other side will also work double time because what you are doing is saving souls.'

(Q) 'Does Jesus say anything about the Scriptures?'

(A) 'He did not mention it to me..'

(Q) 'Stanley, how long were you dead?'

(A) 'I was clinically dead for three days.. 'By the way, because I am often asked about that three o'clock prayer in the morning and the three o'clock prayer in the afternoon. Because last year, when I give my testimony at the Vatican in front of all the Cardinals and Bishops, there were twenty-six Cardinals and fifty odd Bishops. One of the Cardinals asked me, 'What is the significance of the three o'clock prayer in the morning. Because there are so many answered prayers at three o'clock in the morning.' And I answered, 'That is the time of His Resurrection. ' And the Cardinal stood up and said that this was true, that in the Book, Jesus and Mary met at four o'clock in the morning. So they said, He must have resurrected at three o'clock.'

(Q) 'Can you tell me, what was your illness? What did it consist of?'

(A) 'Before what happened to me, I am just going good. I have no illness. I am very strong. This is why, after what happened to me, when I woke up, my wife was so stunned. She cannot believe it.. So I went down to the billing section and paid the bill. Then I drive the car in going home. That's why one of the Bishops in the Philippines commented that what happened to me was just an emergency meeting with the Lord.'

(Q) ' Stanley, when you were at the Vatican talking to the Bishops and Cardinals, was the Holy Father there as well?'

(A) 'No! He was scheduled to attend, but he was so tired and ill at the time.'

(Q) 'With the Cardinals and Bishops from all over the world, what language did you speak in? Italian?

(A) 'English'.

(Q) 'Italian?'

(A) 'No! I said English'.

(Q) 'When Jesus was preparing you for this trip to England, did He say anything to you about the people of England?'

(A) 'Yes. People of England are very dear to Him, but then much of them cause His Heart to bleed, because England is losing faith. That is why I am here, to increase faith. And now you heard from me. Do not keep to yourself, you have to multiply. Jesus said that if you save a soul, you save your own.'

Stanley continues to travel around the world, telling of the amazing event that happened to him and fulfilling the mission that Jesus sent him back to earth to complete, That is, to teach the message of Divine Mercy.

To His apostle, Saint Marie Faustina, Jesus made a promise in regard to both the image and the praying of the Divine Mercy chaplet.. He gave conditions. What is prayed for is prayed with a contrite heart. That it is not against His Will, in other words, it is doubtful this promise could be used to gain power and riches, which would be an abuse of His gift. He tells us that when the chaplet is prayed for a dying soul, that soul will receive His mercy and not His Justice. In away, when a promise is given to us from Heaven, then God because He is Just, is obliged to keep it.

Foetus ( Human Embryo ) - Exotic Delicacy Whether Truth Or Fiction

2009-09-22T08:41:00.011+08:00

With appreciation to my friend, Janet H. for this article

What Malaysia's Independence Meant To Me - Sharyn Lisa Shufiyan * Tunku Abdul Rahman's Great Granddaughter

2009-09-21T10:24:00.006+08:00

Formation of Malaysia, 16th September 1963,with Tun Fuad Stephens ( formerly Donald Stephens ) first Chief Minister of Sabah reading the proclamation of independence with Tun Datu Mustapha bin Datu Harun first Yang DiPertua Negara Sabah witnessing the ceremony held at the Town Padang Kota Kinabalu ( formerly Jesselton ).

' Both my parents are Malay. My mum's heritage includes Chinese, Thai and Arab, while my dad is Minangkabau. Due to my skin colour, I am often mistaken for a chinese.
I'm happy that I don’t have the typical Malay look but I do get annoyed when people call me Ah Moi or ask me straight up "Are you Chinese or Malay"
Like, why does it matter? Before I used to answer "Malay" but now I'm trying to consciously answer Malaysian instead.
There's this incident from primary school that I remember till today. Someone told me that I will be called last during Judgement Day because I don’t have a Muslim name. Of course, I was scared then but now that I'm older, I realise that a name is just a name. It doesn’t define you as a good or bad person and there is definitely no such thing as a Muslim name. You can be named Rashid or ALI and still be a Christian.
I’ve heard of the 1Malaysia concept, but I think we don’t need to be told to be united. We've come such a long way that it should already be embedded in our hearts and minds that we are united. Unfortunately, you can still see racial discrimination and polarisation. There is still this ethno-centric view that the Malays are the dominant group and their rights must be protected, and non Malays are forever the outsiders.
For the concept to succeed, I think the government should stop with the race politics. It's tiring, really. We grew up with application forms asking us to tick our race. We should stop painting a negative image of the other races, stop thinking about 'us' and 'them' and focus on 'we', 'our' and 'Malaysians'.
No one should be made uncomfortable in their own home. A dear Chinese friend of mine said to me once, "I don’t feel patriotic because I am not made to feel like Malaysia is my home, and I don’t feel an affinity to China because I have never lived there.
I know some baby Nyonya friends who can trace their lineage back hundreds of years. I'm a fourth generation Malaysian. If I am Bumiputra, why can’t they be, too? Clearly I have issues with the term.
I think the main reason why we still can’t achieve total unity is because of this 'Malay rights' concept. I'd rather 'Malay rights' be replaced by human rights. So unless we get rid of this Bumiputra status, or reform our views and policies on rights, we will never achieve unity.
For my merdeka wish, I'd like for Malaysians to have more voice, to be respected and heard. I wish that the government would uphold the true essence of parliamentary democracy. I wish for the people to no longer fear and discriminate against each other, to see that we are one and the same.
I wish that Malaysia would truly live up to the tourism spin of Malaysia truly Asia. Malaysians to lead - whatever their ethnic background. Only ONE NATIONALITY -MALAYSIAN. No Malays, No Chinese, No Indians - ONLY MALAYSIANS. Choose whatever religion one is comfortable with. "

Sharyn has put lucidly, the Merdeka wish of every Malaysian as citizen of this country.

Amde Sidik

And in this respect it would also be an appropriate reminder to Malays that we are one race Malaysian as quoted by Amde Sidik in his column, Group Should Know Better Than To Tarnish Islam appearing in Daily Express issue of 20th (Sunday ) September 2009.

Comments On Article - Stumbling Blocks To Nation's Progress (Mkini) By Khoo Kay Peng

2009-08-27T21:09:00.007+08:00

You have put beautifully what are the problems besetting Malaysia's progress in view of the current economic recession? And how they can be overcame? The difficulty is that, there is a blockage in the form of personal or vested interest. Connected with money and which has became a permanent feature of political life in the country.

Such entrenchment is not easy to remove. Considering, it is a part of the fabric of politic. It requires a general overhaul of all aspect of Malaysian Society's infrastructures. A gargantuan task indeed! It will need intense concentration and stamina as at every turn and corner it will be met by very strong resistance.

From those who are involved in such a lifestyle. To give up would mean like losing a gold mine. Nevertheless it has to be done. Othewise, like cancer, it will kill investment and the economic life of Malaysia. To the detriment of workers in which case, thousands will lose their jobs.

Money itself is not the root of evil. It is how it's used, like bribing in order to obtain favours from people holding political offices. With both parties having vested interest in the transaction concerned, it is not easy to pin down the culprits. As both sides will be protective of each other.

The difficulty is enormous but it can be done with a strong and determined political will.

Comments On The Article - ABC of Corporate Corruption By SAKMONGKOL AK47

2009-08-26T16:45:00.008+08:00

Agreed with Dato's observation, it is not the degree qualification of a person which will make him a good business manager. As has been proven, atitude and experience are the deciding factors. No doubt, having acquired knowledge from colleges and other learning institutions would be a plus factor for the individual.

It is not enough to make him a successful manager. Because to be familiar with the way a business is run, its philosophy and its culture, it is best to start at the bottom of the company's ladder. The grass-roots level where the actual action accurs. The heart of the company, its labour line so to speak.

This is where things get done. The production division. Knowledge of what is happening here is important as it will give a picture of the health of its physical asset, the workers. Are they happy? Are their morale high? These would be reliable indicators of what the workers are feeling? And whether necessary action is required to rectify any problematic issues.

The individual should also repeat the same process with other sections of the company like procurement,finance, human resource, etc. and finally top management. But before sitting on the apex, he must truly be tested by giving him real assigment to determine his capability or otherwise.

This would be appropriately applied on trainee managers with good academic results yet untested in discharging company's responsibilities. More like an apprentice system. However it really help newcomers to have a hands-down experience, bottom-up view of how the establishment function in its totality.

Of course the best would be, those who were involved in creating their own companies. As this will allow them to go through a similar process as noted earlier. This will enrich their actual understanding of how they should administer their respective companies. Learning the dos and don'ts as they progress.

It is through this method that they acquired a storehouse of business wisdom which they could use with their current or future ventures. It would appear that the creator of a business establishment would eventually become a good business manager because of the expertise obtained through this practical learning process.

Comments On Dr. Azly Rahman's Article - Rethinking The Malay Problem

2009-08-24T09:33:00.008+08:00

Dr. Azly Rahman's article on Rethinking the Malay Problem gave a fresh insight into this issue. And in this regard considering the position of the Malays in Singapore, they are doing very well regardless of the fact that they are given the same treatment just like other Singaporeans.

Also look at the situation in the United States of America today. For the first time in its history, it has got a Black president, Barack Obama. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the Blacks to be given equal opportunities. His dream was for Blacks to enjoy the same prospects like ordinary Americans.

In Malaysia the context is different and as mentioned by Dr. Azly,this might be due to historical, political and cultural influences. However, it appears that the concept applied in Singapore and the United States are working effectively for the Malays and Blacks respectively.

So the question, what is it? The answer is equal opportunities and the human spirit. The Malay Dilemma by Tun Mahathir disproves the myth that Malays are not smart or intelligent people. What they required is to have equal opportunities in terms of facilities, etc. so that they will be able to compete fairly.

The other point is the human spirit. The indomitable desire to succeed. It is race blind and is part of every man and woman. This spirit will only blossom if it is nurtured positively. Otherwise it will just lay dormant. And serve no useful purpose at all. The Malays need to be given the right motivation and their leaders must play a role in this.

Dr King had a dream that the Blacks would one day be a great race and play important roles in the corridors of power. That dream had already been realised in this century.

All Malaysians too had a wish - to see their Malay brothers stand on their own feet not because of helping hands. But because of their belief in themselves, that they have the capability to succeed in whatever they wanted to achieve.

And as Dr. Azly put it - Rethinking the Malay Problem may be necessary to enable the Malays to meet local and global challenges. And also to put to rest Hang Tuah's fear "takkan Melayu hilang di dunia".

Fantasy On A Hot And Slow Day

2009-08-22T20:10:00.006+08:00

Salute to Blogger Articulations for his breezy style which still manage to convey the messages intended whether in pun or otherwise. That's important because we need to have a fair picture of what is happening around us.

Especially in Malaysia! Surreal can become real. What is true can become untrue. It's not easy to live in a country with everything on a go-go mode. So much so that we need to be stretchless. Or else we will end in a stress. But don't be distress cause this is not a game but a race. And progress is not resting but racing.

That is why, Malaysians can now act like a computer. And this show that our brain has advanced to such a level, we need to use 'mode' or else, the rest of the world would have a hard time catching up with us. And to do that, they need to learn our 'modus operandi'. Sounds like spanish and romantic but be careful.

Born of that is the 'swing fever' Because some prefer to make the fever more action oriented. With the 'e' it would just be a fouled smelling word. The end is near but the mighty Karpal have to sink first. A formula have to be found. H1 N1 is not powerful enough for the job. Ultra Virus was the answer - a concortion produced by a computer generated mind.

They forgot that Karpal was sharp and fast. They were in such a hurry that they missed one ingredient. But Karpal like a lightning striker put one and one together. He managed to get that important component. It was 'e'. The secret formula is 'ultra vires' and not 'ultra virus'. So Mr. K is still upstanding because the ace is in his hands.

Well like you say, it's just fantasy on a hot and slow day.

Bahasa Malaysia Yes, English No - Minister Told Journalist Bluntly, To Put His Questions In Bahasa Malaysia

2009-08-22T10:48:00.011+08:00

It is improper for the Minister of Culture, Datuk Rais Yatim to humiliate a journalist or for that matter anybody whether a Malaysian or a foreigner as shown in the You Tube. The Malays have a saying which goes something like this " Pantang menjatuhkan airmuka orang lain." If he claims to be a gentleman and a cultured person, he shouldn't have spoken in such a way to this particular journalist.

What is his motive in insulting this reporter? What is he trying to prove? Is his message also aimed at the English speaking businessmen and tourists who came to this country to do business or holiday here respectively. I assumed, the reporter had to speak English because his paper, the Star is an English tabloid. That being the case, it was therefore natural for him to speak English.

It was not criminal to do so. And furthermore, the minister, is himself an English speaker. He did his law in English. Another Malay saying is just appropriate for this situation "Kacang lupakan kulit." It would be a different matter if he was ignorant of the English Language. It would be excusable. But then, he should have put his request and explanation in a more polite manner. Shouldn't have done it, in an abrupt, haughty and abusive style?

For the minister to calm this storm in a teacup, he should apologise to the journalist concerned. That would indeed be a gentlemanly act and maybe a dinner treat too.

Demonstration - A Form Of Criticism

2009-08-03T22:01:00.005+08:00

The dictionary definition of the word, demonstration is a public exhibition of the attitude of a group of persons toward a controversial issue, or other matter, made by picketing, parading, etc.. In other words, it is another form of criticism.

The recent protest on the controversial ISA is a case in point. How nice it would be if both the government and the demonstrators could come to an agreement that it could be held in a public place with the organisers of the demonstrations guaranteeing, it would be held peacefully.

What better venue to hold it than in a stadium? It would ensure that the public would not be inconvenienced by traffic jams, etc.. In such a controlled condition, the duty of the police is only to stand guard. To watch that everything is proceeding in an orderly manner without any chaos.

This would avoid direct confrontation between the police and demonstrators unnecessarily. In addition, both parties would have fulfilled their responsibilities though each in a different mode. Nonetheless the burden has been discharged by both sides the police and demonstrators respectively.

Not forgetting its therapeutic effect on the picketers. For this has enabled them to release their anger and pent up emotion on the issue. Thus cutting down the number of heart attacks in the country ( just joking ).

On the part of the government, it must take the issue(s) raised by the demonstrators seriously and positively. And to immediately attend to the matter with a view to rectifying it. This is the secret antidote to lessening dissatisfactions in the country.

Determination And The Right Atitude - Keys To Success

2009-08-01T00:58:00.007+08:00

Education play an important role in preparing an individual to earn a living whether on his own or working for others. Therefore it is important that he recieved as much lesson on the information that would help him in this regard. In other words, to ready him for the working world.

Subjects taught should be related to this objective. And if in the end he should decide to start his own enterprise, the information he has obtained through education including online via computer would become handy and useful. It will become the basis of guiding him in running his business.

However the ultimate insurance for success is his own person. Not all that he has learnt. Because it is determination and hard work which will become the factor that will make the business rise or fall. Therefore having the spirit of wanting to achieve the goal set, whatever the challenges or obstacles, will be a very important asset to the individual concerned.

After-all, education is only a means. A bridge if you will, to help a person achieve his ambition in life. As mentioned above, success in any venture is a matter of sweat and toil. A working experience. And therefore, it is important for a Bumiputra to go through a similar process. Not to rely on a handout or government project.

By undergoing this exercise, he will have created a resilient spirit within himself, giving him the ability to overcome failures and to rise again until finally achieving success.

Every race whether Chinese, Indian or Bumiputra can be successful. Education can help but the most crucial components are determination and an atitude or spirit of not being afraid of hardwork and failures.

These are the tools of success which had been proven effective since time immemorial.

Government should rethink its policy on creating a rugged Bumiputra society which can stand on its own economically by applying the above-mentioned techniques.

Instead of helping just a few selected ones, this can be applied to all Bumiputras by inculcating in them the right atitude and spirit as mentioned above.

Critics Are Not To Be Feared - They Are To Be Listened

2009-07-30T07:37:00.005+08:00

Critics should not be viewed as negative. They should be looked at as people who are responsible, who love and want the best for their country and its citizens.

Loving and wanting the country to progress and be free from corruption, racialism, segregation etc. are just being patriotic and loyal to their motherland, Malaysia.

The authority should appreciate that they are Malaysians like Mr. Khoo Kay Peng and others who are very concerned about what is happening in this country. Have given their frank opinions as to what should be done to improve the political setting, governance and other related matters.

These are constructive suggestions and are the result of feelings and unhappiness of Malaysians over government policies and practices.

Critics can also be described as barometers for development of events in the country whether good or bad. It would be sound advice therefore, to take note of their readings.

Lastly, the most effective method to lessen criticisms is for the government to right the wrongs which have already occurred and to prevent those yet to be implemented.

By doing this, the government will win the respect of Malaysians and prove that it is truly serious in wanting to make its governance of Malaysia a transparent and people oriented one.

Introduce Better Techniques In Investigation

2009-07-29T16:00:00.006+08:00

With the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the authority should introduce better investigation techiques to be used by all investigative bodies including police, MACC and others. One important point to remember is, it does not mean that all investigations should end in prosecution of the person. There are times in the course of investigation, when it is found, there is not enough evidence to do so. In such a situation the case therefore cannot proceed to court.

Witnesses may have been interviewed or interrogated. Still there is a missing link. When this link cannot be established even after making all efforts, then the suspect should be freed. High profile cases in other countries are let go because of similar grounds. But it does not mean that the individual cannot be investigated for the same offence later. What is needed is for the evidence to be corroborated by documents etc. or by witnesses. Once this has been done, meaning jigsaw puzzle is in order, the next step is to prepare for court hearing.

There are instances during investigation when witnesses have been intimidated, threatened, blackmailed, put under duress etc. with a view to implicate the suspected party. This is wrong. Confessions made under such conditions in law are considered invalid or inadmissible ( legal term ) as they are not made voluntarily.

Of course it would be best if government could make it a law that when an individual is being interviewed or interrogated by an investigative body, he can have recourse to the sevice of a lawyer to protect his right or interest if he so wishes. This will ensure that the investigation will not deviate from its original course to the extent that physical intimidation real or otherwise can be made to the person concerned.

Be Careful When You Drive To The Bank

2009-07-08T10:37:00.007+08:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for this article - what can happen to your vehicle if you drive to the bank. Take extra precaution when you do so.

I drove to Maybank Seapark branch PJ last Friday evening at about 5.30pm, 29 May 09. I was pleased to find a vacant bay just outside the bank. I parked my car and went to do some banking at the machines, then I walked cross to Watson to get some toiletries. I came back to my car and noticed that the front right tyre was almost flat. Immediately I drove to the tyre shop nearby, which is about 100m away. I told the shop keeper I had a flat tyre. His prompt response: "Did you go to the bank?" He told me a few similar cases happened. It was a clean cut on the side of the tyre, about 1 cm long. I guess these evil-doers' tactic was to follow my car (if I had not noticed the flat tyre) until I could not go further with the flat tyre. Then they would either rob me on the spot or force me to go back to the bank to withdraw money for them. This reminded me of another time when I also parked in front of a bank in Uptown, Damansara Utama.. I did not go to the bank that day. I had lunch with a friend near the bank. I sent her back to Taman Tun and came back home. One of the tyres was flat. There was brand new nail stuck to the tyre. I suppose that evil person did not follow us as he noticed we did not go to the bank. Please be extremely careful when you go to the bank. DON'T PARK NEAR THE BANK YOU ARE GOING TO!!! You don't know who is watching you!!!

I thank God for His protection.

Eat Less Rice

2009-07-01T14:50:00.009+08:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for sharing this article

Though its veracity is not confirmed, it makes sense to take food in moderation including rice for health reason.

Above, left, illustrations of rice plant and right picture of a rice farmer. Bottom, left, picture of rice plants and right, picture of its seeds which are the edible part of the rice plant.

Eat Less Rice! The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognise our food or way of life. Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed.

Thus, he ate only those foods that you can eat without treatment with or by fire. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish (sushi anyone?), eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat! You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat. However, rice, like wheat and corn, cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. You were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, you not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of your food. In some parts of Asia , rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if you take rice, keep it to a minimum. Remember, it is only for your tongue - not your body. Actually, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. There are many reasons: Rice becomes sugar - lots of it! This is a fact that no nutritionist can deny: rice is chemically no different from sugar. One bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar.

This does not matter whether it is white, brown or herbal rice. Brown rice is richer in fibre, some B vitamins and minerals but it is still the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, you need to consume lots of kangkong-10 bowls of it. Rice is digested to become sugar. Rice cannot be digested before it is thoroughly cooked. However, when thoroughly cooked, it becomes sugar and spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour-almost as quickly as it would if you took a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the 'rainbow of anti-oxidants. ' This complete anti-oxidant rainbow is necessary for the effective and safe utilisation of sugar. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, they are not empty calories as the fruit is packed with a whole host of other nutrients that help its proper assimilation and digestion. Rice has no fibre. The fibre of the kangkong fills you up long before your blood sugar spikes. This is because the fibre bulks and fills up your stomach. Since white rice has no fibre, you end up eating lots of 'calorie dense' food before you get filled up. Brown rice has more fibre but still the same amount of sugar. Rice is tasteless-sugar is sweet. There is only so much that you can eat at one sitting. How many teaspoons of sugar can you eat before you feel like throwing up? Could you imagine eating 10 teaspoons of sugar in one seating? Rice is always the main part of the meal. While sugar may fill your dessert or sweeten your coffee, it will never be the main part of any meal. You could eat maybe two to three teaspoons of sugar at one meal.

However, you could easily eat the equal value of two to three bowls (20-30 teaspoons) of sugar in one meal. I

am always amused when I see someone eat sometimes five bowls of rice (equals 50 teaspoons of sugar) and then asks for tea tarik kurang manis! There is no real 'built in' mechanism for us to prevent overeating of rice: How much kangkong can you eat? How much fried chicken can you eat? How much steamed fish can you eat? Think about that! In one seating, you cannot take lots of chicken, fish or cucumber, but you can take lots of rice. Eating rice causes you to eat more salt. As rice is tasteless, you tend to consume more salt-another villain when it comes to high blood pressure. You tend to take more curry that has salt to help flavor rice. We also tend to consume more ketchup and soy sauce which are also rich in salt. Eating rice causes you to drink less water. The more rice you eat, the less water you will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice. Rice, wheat and corn come hidden in our daily food. As rice is tasteless, it tends to end up in other foods that substitute rice like rice flour, noodles and bread. We tend to eat the hidden forms which still get digested into sugar.

Rice, even when cooked, is difficult to digest.Can't eat raw rice? Try eating rice half cooked. Contrary to popular belief, rice is very difficult to digest. It is 'heavy stuff'. If you have problems with digestion, try skipping rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away. Rice prevents the absorption of several vitamins and minerals.Rice when taken in bulk will reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins. Are you a rice addict? Going rice-less may not be easy but you can go rice-less. Eating less rice could be lot easier than you think. Here are some strategies that you can pursue in your quest to eat less rice:

Eat less rice-cut your rice by half.Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet, advises 'eating rice like spice'. Instead, increase your fruits and vegetables. Take more lean meats and fish. You can even take more eggs and nuts. Have 'riceless' meals. Take no rice or wheat at say, breakfast. Go for eggs instead. Go on 'riceless' days. Go 'western' once a week. Take no rice and breads for one day every week. That can't be too difficult. Appreciate the richness of your food. Go for taste, colours and smells. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy your food in the original flavours. Avoid the salt shaker or ketchup. You will automatically eat less rice. Eat your fruit dessert before (Yes! No printing error) your meals.The fibre rich fruits will 'bulk up' in your stomach. Thus, you will eat less rice and more fruits. It's your life. Decide what you want to eat! But eat less rice!

A Tribute To Michael Jackson

2009-06-29T22:40:00.008+08:00

The death of Michael Jackson shocked the world. Never did it appear for a moment that with all the preparations and rehearsals for the grand concert in London, such a thing could happen. Something unexpected. But it did happen. Man can plan, God disposes. It simply means, we are not in control of our lives.

Michael Jackson came from a singing family, The Jackson Five, well known for their TV series in the late sixties and seventies. And naturally, the young Michael Jackson would become a full time entertainer, there was no doubt about it. The one thing which amazed everyone was, He not only did that. But he became a sensational singer and a pop icon to boot ! At a young age - when most performers would take nearly a lifetime to reach the top.

With his trademark dance style, he wowed the world from America to Malaysia. Nothing could stop the tsunami, everyone was doing The Moonwalk. With seven hundred million records sold, Jackson was a mighty big man. The one weakness, he was a great spender. Never counting the cost. Never Land Ranch was one of them. And stigmatized by accusations of being a paedophile which was later overturned by the court. Nevertheless, it affected his career.

Including his fanance were on a downslide. And these series of concerts, starting in London were designed for his comeback. To conquer the world once again with his exceptional singing and dancing. Unfortunately it was not meant to be. And Michael Jackson is now just a memory. Though a unique one at that ! R I P

Hill Cutting At Nambazan, Penampang - Bad For Environment

2009-06-24T11:46:00.007+08:00

Hill cutting around districts in Sabah are taking place more frequently now. And this is a cause for concern. Not only is it unsightly but it also allow erosion to occur. If no measures are taken to rectify these damages, then flooding, landslide etc. will happen and endanger the lives of residents within this area. There is no denying that hill cutting is unavoidable because of reclaimation works nessitated by developments.

A case in point is Nambazan in Penampang where hill cutting have been proceeding for quite a long time. It is understood that the operator has the relevant permit to carry out the operation. Even so, it would still be appropriate in future for the authority to require that an evaluation be made first regarding its long term environmental impact before approval is given.

To minimise the aftereffect of hill cutting, conditions must be attached to the licence. That is, the operator is required to plant trees on the cutting site. And it must be strictly enforced. Otherwise it would just be an ugly place. At least with trees planted, it would ensure the coolness of its surroundings. Trees are good filter of hot air ( breeze and wind) because when it passes through the canopy of leaves, the hotness is removed. And the air is cooled.

The authority should also ensure that hill cutting should not be done on hilly terrains in which water catchment are located. As this may affect the availabity of water in future. Water is a fast depleting resources in most countries of the world. The more reason for the government to act cautiously and to make the conservation of water catchment areas its most important priority.

Finally naked hills are an eyesore and of course the most sensible action is to discourage hill cutting if possible. Nothing beats, well preserved hills with lots of greeneries. They add character and coolnes to the towns and districts.

The Solution To The Shortage Of Qualified English Teachers - Online English Studies For Students In School

2009-06-15T09:37:00.010+08:00

There is no turning back, decision has been made to make English a compulsory pass in school examinations. Now is to find the best means to make the teaching of it most effective. How? Go online and this would solve the shortage of qualified English teachers. This is the easiest and the most sensible approach. It is indeed fortunate that Malaysia is wired(it has computer friendly system available to all areas of the country including rural places), thus making online communication effortless.

Next, get all the best English teachers, retired English teachers and also good English speakers to be a part of the working national council on the study of English in Malaysia and its implemenation which shall be established by the government. They will discuss in depth the problems faced by non-English speaking students( good idea to get feedback from students themselves). Come out with a plan on how this could be tackled plus books graded for the different classes. English grammar would be the most important component of the language and must be given the greatest attention.

For herein lies the weakness of most Malaysians when speaking or writing English. Grammar wrongly applied could give an inaccurate meaning from what was actually intended by the speaker or writer. To be properly heard or read, the grammatical form must be correct. English is a language that has to be studied beginning from the youngest age possible starting from the level of playschool. And this should be made compulsory too.

Anticipating strong objection from certain quarters, the government must have a continuous programme of campaigns to neutralise these negative effects. Like having ' English Language Month ' annually. And durng this month long period, story telling, writing, poetry reading(writing) and debates, etc. contests will be organised in schools, districts, states upwards to the national level. These are to help Malaysians focussed on the importance of the English language.

To further assist the above-mentioned measures, government must put up posters and billboards across the nation containing positive and motivating slogans pertaining to English being an asset to Malaysia. In this connection, slogan writing competition should be held to enable creative Malaysians to participate. Another important step is, for the government to hold a nationwide roadshow down to the village level explaining and clarifying why English is essential for the country.

When Bahasa Malaysia was implemented to be the National Language of the country instead of English, similar actions were taken. It helped greatly. And people came to accept the language.

Lest we forget, this issue is very important to Malaysia, to Malaysians and to you and me because it does not only concern the very survival and prosperity of our nation but also the survival and prosperity of each and everyone of us.

English! The Language Of Survival

2009-06-10T16:34:00.004+08:00

Why should English be made a compulsory pass for students in examinations? The answer is only one word. Survival! Survival for Malaysia! Mastery of English means getting the latest knowledge and technology. Getting it fresh from the oven so to speak. And that would give lead time to the nation to make changes necessary for its wellbeing. To meet economic challenges and utilising the newest technical discoveries to help Malaysia be more competitive in the world's market place.

And all strata of Malaysians including non-governmental organisations, governmental and opposition political parties should not object to this policy. The question is, what do everyone in this country want?Prosperity! Not only for the nation but for each and everyone of us. If English can make Malaysia prosperous including you and me. Do you think, it is a good programme to implement in our educational institutions? I think, I need not answer that for you. You sort it out yourselves, whether prosperity is good for Malaysians?

English should not be politicised. It should be off limits to all. As mentioned earlier, when it can help the country to prosper, should we kill, the goose that lay the golden eggs? Definitely not! It's just stupid and illogical to do so. The proponents of Bahasa Malaysia should not be worried as regards to the effect of English on Bahasa Malaysia. Its position is already embedded in the country's consitution. It is forever the national language of this country and its official medium of communication.

That being the case, all Malaysians should be in favour of making English a compulsory pass in examinations for all educational establishments in the country.

Not Easy To Be A Civil Servant

2009-06-07T11:39:00.005+08:00

Most people thought that to be a civil servant is just shaking legs. It's far from the truth. The civil servant is a trained professional. And his main reponsibility is to carry out his duties well. In other words, able to deliver the goods. His political master must appreciate that a civil servant is assumed to have given his best advice on any given administrative matter unless proven otherwise.

Sometimes politician want a government officer to do a particular assignment which is unethical. Just so his political agenda can be achieved. This will put the officer concerned in a very difficult situation. Unless the officer has been politicised. Meaning that he owes his appointment to his present post through political interference. In such a case, the officer will become pliable because he was indebted to the politician for his position.

When that happened, the civil servant is no longer serving the interest of the public at large but those of the politician. In that sense, he can be said to have lost his impartiality. Service rendered to the people would be done not on fairness but on political consideration. This will cause even the ordinary person to notice that what was not the right thing to do, was done. For example in the solving of problems, implementation of projects etc..

But most times, politician and civil servant cooperate for the common good. Implementing works that will bring the maximum benefit to the constituents/public generally. There is no conflict of interest. In incident where there is differences, then the politician must listen to the civil servant's views pertaining to the issue concerned. As mentioned above, since the officer is a professional, he is therefore competent to make recommendations or options as to the viability of the project.

The politician can, after hearing such justifications propose to the administrator to come up with an alternative plan to resolve the matter. And if it is still not in the public interest to do so. Then the politician must explain to the interested parties the reasons accordingly. Instead of overruling the recommendations of the officer.

The constituency would therefore be better served by politician who make use of the expertise and knowledge of civil servant when performing his duty as a state legislator or as parliamentarian.

Must Must Visit For Malaysians - Mount Kinabalu, The Highest Mountain In South East Asia

2009-06-02T18:41:00.009+08:00

What better way to integrate Malaysians of various races than to visit each others' states to see their tourist attractions. And while in Sabah, Mount Kinabalu, the pride of Malaysia and the highest mountain in South East Asia should not be missed. It is 13,429 ft High. Located in the National Park in the district of Ranau. Malaysians in Sabah welcome our fellow Malaysians from the Peninsula to Sabah - Land Below the Wind.

It is about two hours drive from the state capital, Kota Kinabalu cruising at average speed. On the way, stop at Tampuruli, a town with its specialty Tuaran Mee (noodle), recommended to visitors because of its unique taste. Before reaching the base of the mountain, another stop at Nabalu, a place ( where a fair is held daily ) in which handicrafts , fruits even vegetables etc. can be bought. And finally, Bundu Tuhan meaning the Valley of God. A square, with an atmosphere like Nabalu.

Then onwards to the base of Kinabalu. While driving leisurely, you can feel the invigorating air. Refreshing and cool. And mood change occurs, becoming more relaxed and adventurous. If up to the mark, try to climb to the summit. Good to prepare for the ascent, with muscle training for the foot and thigh as well as improving the stamina. It's not a difficult climb but it's a long one. Other good alternatives are jungle treking and visit to Specimen Exhibition Centre, where plants, flowers, insects and animals are displayed. Also drop at the nearby Australian Soldiers Memorial ( built to remmember their death in liberating Sabah during the Second World War ).

Another, is to go to Poring for a spa like experience where you can bathe or dip in hot water. The water come from a spring and it contain sulfur which is good for the skin. Want to do some experiment! Put an egg in the water and it will cook. Accomodation is no problem. There are chalets, cabins and dormitories in the National Park. So many choices. Can also stay outside where there are similar facilities nearby.

This is a must, must visit for fellow Malaysians from the peninsula. Because Sabah is at the tip of the Borneo Island. The Tip of Borneo is another story. The number one reason is Mount Kinabalu. For as you drive up you can feel the sheer size of Mount Kinabalu, its physical presence is just overwhelming. Personal sharing as given above is just not enough.

You have to be here to know what I mean. And that will be one of your most unforgettable moments. In so doing, we are one step closer to integration.

Click the address below :

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Malaysia/Sabah/Kinabalu/Peak/

for a preview. As mentioned above, you have to be physically in the Land Below the Wind, to really experience the wonders and beauty of Mount Kinabalu.

Potential Nuclear War In Asia

2009-05-30T23:23:00.005+08:00

North Korea has exploded several nuclear bombs recently and she has put herself in a position that angered USA, South Korea and Japan. The ramifications however are on a much wider scale extending over to Asean countries. Her nuclear capability is real and can threaten South Korea and Japan immediately. Why has North Korea suddenly changed her stance? Is there any obstacle or issue in the North Korean side that she feels is not worth pursuing in view of the circumstances within the country at the moment.

Or is it a strategy to divert the attention of her people. There are indications that a power struggle is being waged between faction supporting the president and its rival. Sukarno used the same tactic to confront Malaysia, create a diversion so the people's attention are distracted from the economic chaos Indonesia was suffering at that time. Diversion is a handy technique to apply when internal problems exist in the country.

By provoking USA, South Korea and Japan, she is creating instant enemies for the North Koreans. Thus resentment and anger that should have been directed to the president have now been aimed at the Americans, South Koreans and Japanese. The danger is that, this state of affairs may go out of hand if people in America, South Korea and Japan reacted emotionally and angrily over these nuclear tests.

What was in the first place just a tactical move to resolve its succession issue may in the end become a real war creating massive deaths and destructions. It is best that Japan consider joining the nuclear club to counterbalance North Korea's threat to hold neighbouring nations in ransom. Japan is fully equipped and qualified to play this role. America, South Korea including all countries of the world should support such a move to ensure peace and stability in the region.

In Fairness

2009-05-27T09:22:00.001+08:00

2020 is coming on track. When we reach that momentous year, will we still be a divided nation? This is the question Malaysians are asking. Will we still be obssessed with race and religion? Will Malaysia just be the basket to hold the eggs together?

If we based on the above, it is indeed a gloomy outlook. Yet there is hope. Because we Malaysians believe in fairnesss. In fairness, we have enough for everybody. The Malaysian cake is sufficient to satisfy everyone. So what is the problem? Your guess is as good as mine.

Actually there is no problem? It is man made. If we are animals and we follow our instincts, we would have reached our destination naturally and safely. But man is a different specie. Man has that extra special - the superiority complex. This is the root cause of men treating his group better than the others. Call it by another name - unfairness. You know if we do a literal solution, just remove the - un.

And that would solve the issue. Right! It becomes - fairness. But literal is not the answer. It is something deeper. It is goodness. So you say what is good about eggs being in one basket? Security maybe, unity! Both are necessary, if you have security, you will certainly have unity. Otherwise, it will be chaos.

Eggs are supposed to be broken. If they are not, than they will not serve any useful purpose. For all the eggs to be one, they have therefore to be broken. So if you take one egg to represent one race or one ethnic group. How many eggs do you have in Malaysia? Definitely a lot.

Can we now solve the problem of why it is important to have a united Malaysian nation equals Bangsa Malaysia equals 1Malaysia equals Malaysians (equals broken eggs).

The final result, one race, Bangsa Malaysia and one nation, Malaysia.

It Should Not Be My Way, It Should Be The Perakians Way

2009-05-23T10:36:00.001+08:00

Sometimes a song can best reflect our action. For example, it is not appropriate to have your way when the masses are moving in the opposite direction. Good leaders should always listen to the voice and feeling of the people. In Perak, the men in the street want to have another election to determine who should be the popular state government of Perak.

No harm to accede to this demand. It is the will of the majority. And in agreeing, actually you win the favour of the people. War is not always won by advancing. A retreat could also help. In the Second World War, Montgomery was forced to retreat in the Tank Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. Rommel, the German general was the victor. But because of that tactical retreat, Montgomery was able to regroup his forces and made a counter attack to reconquer the region for Britain.

In war as well as in politic, strategic moves are very important. It should be done with Malaysians of every race in mind. Non-Bumiputra Malaysians are angry and disappointed on many things in this country. The rectifying of all these for example, like educational, job, economic opportunities etc. doesn't cost billion of dollars. It may only involve the adjustment of the relevant policies.

The danger however is that many little Napoleons on the ground who are supposed to implement these policies do not do so. Instead they sabotaged them and the government gets the blame and a bad name. The people's perception, it is only talk, no genuine action. A label once stuck is difficult to remove.

It can only be done if it is given the highest priority and monitored by the Prime Minister himself with a mobile Special Minister to check at all levels of implementation including on the ground. These are not billion dollar issues, and to the government they maybe considered as just small matters. But remember whatever concerned the future and survival of their children, non-Bumiputra Malaysians take them very seriously. So this should be reciprocated in the same manner.

Many big ships have sunk because the captain thought the small leaks were just something trifle. In politic, a similar situation could happen.

The Fed Up Malaysians

2009-05-22T10:59:00.001+08:00

All political parties should take note that there are Malaysians who are fed up with what is happening in the country. Angry, to see what should have been done correctly was done wrongly. What people in the kampong thought should be the honest way? Turned out not to be so. Villagers are the conscience of the nation. They make their decision based on traditions, centuries old. What is commonly called the wisdom of the ages?

When villagers say that this is wrong? We should take notice. Because they are looking at issues with unclouded eyes. Or rather with innocence. Again being innocent is being truthful. So tons of legal arguments cannot hide the truth. The truth will stand out. Sometimes we have to accept that truth can cause the downfall of a person. But what is that, compare to the condemnation and curses thrown to the individual concerned.

It's strange, humans respect those who surrendered and gave way to the truth.Probably because this is a sign of intergrity. A sign of courage, a sign of being principled. And afterall, it's not the end of the line. The man who uphold the truth even when he lost, will have another chance to win the support of the people and to win his cause.

Politicians must remember that to accept the truth is a virtue. But to reject what is true and continue to fight is a stigma. It will make people lost confidence in the leadership of that person. So never fight truth, it will kill the individual politically even when it appears that he has won his case legally.

SAKMONGKOL AK47: Betrayals Masquerading as Progress

2009-05-20T09:54:00.001+08:00

SAKMONGKOL AK47: Betrayals Masquerading as Progress

The ' I ' Factor

2009-05-18T18:31:00.001+08:00

The 'I' is now the determining factor in Malaysian politic.Because the people realised that the sort of government they would like to have is up to them. The strategy of all political parties must therefore change to accommodate this new aspect of peoples' thinking. They should maximize their relevance so as to incorporate the aspiration/physical development of their particular constituencies.

It is no longer politician who will set up the programme of implementing projects to bring growth in their respective parliamentary or state seats. It is the people. Gone are the days when politicians called the shots. The 'I'power, when they combine to become the 'We' force, will be able to overcome whatever obstacles standing in the way.And thus can form government that are more sensitive to their needs.

These are not complicated demands. Just simple ones. Like getting places for non-Bumiputra children into local colleges and universities. Even when their results are very good,most of them are not given such opportunities. These are the issues they would like to be resolved. And at the same time,they will make comparison with neighbouring Singapore where no such practices existed.

Question will be raised. As to why Singapore goes to the extent of headhunting for smart students from foreign countries. Offering them scholarships. And when they have completed their studies, were offered good jobs, housing facilitiea including citizenship. Why are non-Bumiputra Malaysian students given a bad deal in their own country?Considering that they are also citizens of this country. And the billion dollar issue, why is there no action taken to remedy this glaring inequality?

Creating the loss of thousands of intellectual asset through brain drain. Malaysia could have reached developed nation status years back had they not made this blunder. Will this repressive situation be allowed to continue? Or will the demands of the 'I' factor be heeded to show that Malaysians are given equal treatment whatever their race or religion.

SAKMONGKOL AK47: Let the People Decide!

2009-05-18T05:18:00.001+08:00

SAKMONGKOL AK47: Let the People Decide!

The World's First....... Tree Of Democracy Is In Malaysia

2009-05-16T18:17:00.001+08:00

Malaysians must be very proud indeed to have the Tree of Democracy thriving well in Perak. The world's first! And Malaysian ingenuity would make sure that it will become a special attraction.An attraction that would make the backwater state of Perak,world renown. People from everywhere will make a pilgrimage to see this tree.

What was an upside down situation has turned out for the good. Must be the hand of destiny. For Perak has nothing to offer all this while! Suddenly and magically, behold! The Tree of Democracy appeared. The Tree of Life! For it will bring untold riches to Perakians and Malaysians. How? Through people. And people are what? Tourists.

Tourists bring what? Money lah! And lots and lots of money. This time, no political crossover is necessary. The ordinary people will benefit because of spillover effect from this giant tsunami of tourists coming to see for themselves this extraordinary tree. Where once, democracy was almost dead, it now has come back to life. Truly miraculous.

The only problem is Perakians and Malaysians are given an option. It is called ingenuity. How should they handle this Tree of Democracy? That's a billion dollar question. Surprisingly, the answer is simple. Just handle it right! And everything will fall into place. And the billions will come in. No big deal as the saying goes,if everything is done correctly. Correct!

A United Malaysian Nation

2009-05-14T20:37:00.001+08:00

I believe, it is the wish of every Malaysian whatever his race or religion to see the realisation of Malaysia becoming a united nation. A country can only be strong if its people are united. A country divided is like someone who is always fearful of others, believing that his life is being threatened or is in danger. And no one is to be trusted. Even fellow human beings.

This is not a positive or proactive philosophy. In fact, it is negative and destructive. Malaysia need to be positive and proactive. Because it has all the right ingredients to produce a great dish. Why do I use the analogy of food here.The answer is Malaysians are simply fantastic with food. They have a liking for Malay,Chinese and Indian dishes including western.

If we can build unity through food, what is there to stop us from creating a unity of Malaysians from diverse ethnicities and religious beliefs. The problem is we are good in talking. Very bad in finding the right and practical approach to realise this. My understanding is when politician speaks, their supporters listen and believe whatever they say. The danger here, ideas, bias, hatred and fear may have been conveyed to the hearers.

Even if these are false allegations, they will be accepted as true when they are repeated many times by politicians. If we want to unite people of different races,then the political leaders of both the government and opposition must speak on the same theme. Meaning, all of their political speeches whether in their own party conventions or public rallies etc. must eventually relate to unity.

Similarly when criticising the opposition, the government must do so on their performances and not on other considerations like race and so on. Vice-versa, when the opposition criticise the government. Why is emphasis given on this? Because,only then, can the right signal or message be conveyed to the parties' followers whether in the government or opposition.

And that message is the unity of all races for a united nation, Malaysia. Just like good food, the ingredients must always be right. But if everytime you use the wrong one, then you will never get the perfect and tasty dish you desire. That is also the case with nation building. Politicians must always remember this nugget of wisdom :

' Be a hero to all and not only to particular Malaysians '

Reunion - Always Something Missing

2009-05-12T14:42:00.004+08:00

Pic taken probably in the 1950s showed part of the Holy Trinity Secondary School on the upper floor left hand side, the Boarding House, first floor and the Bridge (Remove) Classes, ground floor on the right hand side. Foreground, the playing field. Courtesy of Bryan Paul Lai.
Note: When I visited Tawau during the Reunion Dinner, these buildings no longer existed.

From right, me, Lawrence and Paul at his spacious residence within the vicinity of the Tawau Municipality

From left to right, Lilian, Paul's charming wife, me and Paul waiting for the reunion dinner to start.

Reunion is always a time of reflection or remembering the good old days when everything was simple. No computer no nothing. And travelling from house to school or from house to town was either by your two strong legs or on a bicycle. That was the in thing. But now, all has changed in our wired world. And events happening thousand of miles away can be viewed from the TV screen on our sitting room or from the computer.

What has this to do with reunion! And why is there a feeling always,of something missing? That was part of my emotion when I attended a recent reunion in the east coast of Sabah. It was held in the municipality of Tawau at the newly opened Promenade Hotel. On a Saturday evening, 3May 2009. Four hundred Trinitarians and Ursulites filled the hotel's banqueting hall. Exstudents of Holy Trinity and St. Ursula's Convent School respectively. I came, expecting to meet only one or two of my classmates. But it turned out, I met six of them(Trinitrians). That was indeed a real blessing! And of course, hearing of friends who has departed to the next world by the one way express brought a tinge of sadness.

My last visit to Tawau was in 1984, 25 years ago. In that time, a young boy would have matured into a man. And a small tree would have become a giant. Everything changed. I suddenly realised, what that missing feeling was all about? The Tawau of my school days. I was hoping that Tawau would remain the same. Slow and relaxful. Sitting on my bicycle and watching the sunset on the seafront near the district office. Eating turtle eggs and meehon. That was what I wanted Tawau to be.

Time moves on. Progress follow. And Tawau developes. My friend Lawrence and me would have been totally lost in this modern municipality if not for Bryan(our boarding mate in Holy Trinity-we stayed in his house, well looked after by him and his charming wife,Lilian)and his brother in-law Anderson. They brought us round. And I just couldn't make out the roads, the buildings and the places that I used to know. I completely lost my bearing.

I could have transmitted all these pictures of the reunion and of modern Tawau. But unfortunately, my digital camera had a glitch. So my wife, Irene who was in Kota Kinabalu did not see what I saw. Of the municipality still growing spur on by the oil palm plantation and industry. Otherwise, she could have seen all these views just a sitting room away. And this is all due to the power of being wired!

1Malaysia - Do We Have Our Equations Right?

2009-05-10T20:22:00.001+08:00

1Malaysia equals Bangsa Malaysia equals Malaysian. So do we have our equations right here! This is the question that strike my mind. If we do, well and good. But my observation is that to make this truly workable, all parties whether in the government or opposition must not do a double talk. This is not a positive trend but a negative one, when political parties talking to their own members at political convention tend to be insular and protective of their people whether Malay, Chinese or Indian. But when outside they talk more on the interests of all Malaysians, unity, equal opportunities etc..

This is what double talk is all about. For public consumption a different story and for private, another variation. There is a mismatch here. Sending different messages to different races and people. So what is Malaysia's true vision and mission for its people? Simply put it can only be, either one race, one country or many races,many countries. And the logic is, whether it is easier to rule one race, one country or many races and many countries. It is obvious which is easier.

Our country is multiracial but we are scared to remove the word multiracial and replace it with Bangsa Malaysia which equates to Malaysian which further equates to 1Malaysia. All these are equations and they are one and the same. If I may elaborate to mean one race, Malaysian and one country, Malaysia. Take the example of the United States of America. If it were to govern the country by applying the concept of many races and many countries, it wouldn't be able to exist as the United States of America.

The Malaysian solution should be similar. And the role of all political parties whether in the government or opposition should make this their primary goal that of helping to create a 1Malaysia equals one race, Malaysian and one country, Malaysia.The Americans took more than one hundred years to attain it but we can do the same in less than hundred. Because the time is right. Political parties must talk straight whether in public or private. No double talk! And the ultimate result, Malaysia would become a united and developed country with Malaysians enjoying modern amenities and facilities.

Man Cannot Outwit God

2009-05-09T23:36:00.001+08:00

Funny! Man wanting to outwit God. That's what some people tried to do. They think they are already well equipped - stronger and more knowledgeable than God. In other words better than God. Man is creation. How can he be greater in comparison to his creator? It does not make sense.

Human against the divine. It sounds crazy. But to the challenger that is not the case. He feels he has what it needs to be like God. Intelligence and his ability to discover and invent. Come to think about it, invention is like creation.Bringing into being something that did not exist before.

This could be the root cause why man think he could take on God. And maybe to discredit God further, claiming the universe came into existence not through the power of a supreme being but through the big bang. Big bang theory, all about mega explosion which caused the world to appear.

The question which human being cannot find the answer yet is who made the big bang? Who created these very very powerful explosion. Only someone having the power to create can make such an impact. The saddest part is the big bang is only a theory. But man still refuses to acknowledge otherwise. They failed to see God's handiwork all around them,the fauna and flora.

What they see is only themselves and their achievements. God is just a name. If human are so smart, why are they unable to stop death. Even the richest and most powerful man on earth cannot conquer death. This proves that man is only a creature and he cannot live in this world eternally.

Greening Of Malaysia

2009-05-09T20:02:00.005+08:00

Trees within the compound of the house helps to cool the building.

Why is the greening of Malaysia so important? Because it is one way to keep the country cool. It has been discovered that a tree of substantial size is equivalent to twenty five airconditioners. Just imagine, how it would feel if you have a few trees around your house? Just nice! No more sweat and no more migraine. Malaysians must cultivate this habit of planting trees.

Not only within the compounds of the house or empty lands but also in areas where trees have been removed for commercial purposes. Companies responsible for such removal must also take the initiatives to replant them. The warming up effect that is being experienced in all parts of the country is due to this factor.

Western countries have come to realise the importance of keeping their tree stock to the maximum. And trees are being cut mnimally. To ensure that the climate of their countries remain the same. To make this possible they have programmes to replace trees that have been felled. The companies involved in tree felling are keen to participate in such activitities because this is one method they can give back something beneficial to society.

At the same time, they also educate school children about the benefits of this greening culture. This is done through talks, seminars, field trips etc. Malaysian and foreign companies can also do the same here. Thus it will not only bring many good things to Malaysians such as a healthy and cool environment which is conducive to development but which also help maintain the balance of nature.

The Debacle In The Perak State Legislative Assembly

2009-05-09T18:57:00.001+08:00

Well the debacle in the Perak State Legislative Assembly on 7 May 2009 left a bitter taste in the mouth of Malaysians. It is outrageous that the speaker have to be manhandled in order to remove him. Legitimate methods should have been used. Like applying the proper procedure for such a case. The house must have provided rules for this sort of situation.

The most important being that both government and opposition members should act within the ambit of the law. Parliament and State Legislative members are the guardians of the law. And they must exercise their duties upholding this spirit. And the people of Perak who are the prime stakeholder in this issue should be the determining factor. They should be the final arbitor.

Remember, if there is no people ( citizens), there is no country or state. Democracy is all about the people, of the people and by the people. So the best course of action is to turn to the people of Perak and let them decide who will rule the state.This certainly will help to stabilise the country's political situation. And focus could be directed instead to resolving the economic downturn. This financial crisis must be given the highest prority.

It involves the survival of Malaysia and the economic well being of Malaysians. The Perak issue should therefore be put right by the people of the state themselves. And the best way is through another election.

Telescoping

2009-05-04T21:52:00.000+08:00

Telescoping and telescope have two things in common. They both are used for observing. One is its action while the other is its instrument. So this blog is to serve that purpose of viewing the human species in their enviroments. Politically,economically, socially and culturally including their physical and spiritual development etc..

You, out there are welcome to make your comments and suggestion on any issues that would appear here. But make them in a decent and professional manner. In short, in a civilised way. Making possible to agree and disagree without the necessity of using violent and abusive language in putting across our ideas.

As this is my first posting, I would end here. Hopefully in the days to come, I would be doing a lot more telescoping. And thus be able to tell you, what is happening on planet earth?