Yong Vui Kong

Ok, I'll be frank about this.

I don't give a damn about the guy's sob story. It's not that I'm some heartless guttersnipe who doesn't feel a thing about a man who was impoverished and not well-educated, complete with a complicated family background. I get it.

But was there no other way out? Really?

Was it really worth the risk, taking drugs to a place notorious for drug crackdowns like Singapore?

Was he ignorant to the fact Singapore punishes this offense by death?

My condolences to Yong Vui Kong's family and friends, but I have to agree with Singapore's Law Minister Mr K. Shanmugam.

“Yong Vui Kong is young. But if we say ‘We let you go’, what is the signal we are sending?”

 I understand that Singapore has it's own issues regarding nationality and what not, but the core message to the  kids out there.

 DON'T GET INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING

&

DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID YOU KNOW YOU WILL REGRET.

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 3

I was reading Khoo Kay Peng's blog (Straight Talk).

I read about Najib's indecision when it comes to the zero tolerance thing.

For starters, I would say that Namewee had it coming. He said he loves Malaysia and wants to make it a better place for ALL Malaysians, but honestly, after watching his videos I can't find anything in myself to agree with the way he conducts himself in a video. Sure, bad words attract crowds, but really, is it the way you foster good will? 

I sometimes agree with the messages he tries to preach, but the presentation would have been so much better if he had practiced more tact.

About the headmistresses case please refer to Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. I've said everything I wanted to say there.

 Anyway, Pak Najib. Play your cards well, but let as far as I can see, it's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't/ telan mati bapa, luah mati emak" problem. Easiest way out I can see is to prosecute both parties. As I said, Namewee had it coming. He just couldn't express himself better. And the 2 headmistresses should be used as a warning to the other civil servants.

Just as Yong Vui Kong might serve as a warning to the other teens of the reality of drug trafficking.

If Ibrahim Ali, Chua Soi Lek and Bung Mokhtar are thrown in, it'll be a real sweet deal.

I was also unpleasantly surprised by the mention of Dr Ridhuan Tee's name as one of the guys who are named as instigators of racism, 'cos I did have a great deal of respect for him. Until, of course, I found out that he HAS a blog and read it. My respect for him was unceremoniously diminished, somewhat.

I used to have a lot respect for the guy cos he was this Chinese guy who dared to convert into Islam when it was such a taboo thing to do at the time. (Still is for some reasons) He was on tele doing a few series of talks about Islam and seemed (to the young, impressionable me) to be really knowledgeable about Islam, more than some of the so-called ustaz. He was a charismatic speaker, fluent in Malay, yet held on to his Chinese roots.
Or so I thought.

Some years later, I saw his name and read his blog. The crystal cracked.

"My God, he lived in a bubble??!" was my first reaction. What was this "ultra kiasu" thing he's spewing? Yeah, I do admit that some Chinese are real bastards, but isn't it the same for all? In every group that makes up the population, there are bound to be good and bad people. 

Let's talk about stereotypes.

1. Malays are lazy.
• NOT TRUE. At least not all of them. Some of my Malay friends are extremely hardworking. In fact, I actually get very disappointed by Chinese people in group work cos they don't pull their own weight.
2. Chinese are rich.
•  NOT TRUE. Why the heck do you think there are Chinese laborers. For KLites, go to Jalan Alor and Sam Peng Flats to see the POOR Chinese, and Bangsar to see the RICH Malays.
3. Orang asli are poor.
• NOT TRUE. One of the settlements in Dengkil area has reasonably higher paid Orang Asli (Temuan, if I'm not mistaken). They own tar roads, concrete houses, running water and electricity and cars (not Proton, Perodua or Naza, mind you). I've a Semai friend whose family is pretty well off.
4. Indians are stupid.
• NOT TRUE. Who do you think are the real kings of Silicon Valley and Hospitals? Who came up with THAT stereotype anyways?

So anyway, Dr Ridhuan, come out of that bubble and look at all of us Malaysians in the fairer manner.

Oh, and please get your facts straight. The Malays are not the indigenous people of Malaysia. The Orang Asli are. The Malays are just as immigrant as the Chinese and Indians. Only difference is that they were here longer than the others. Where did you think Parameswara, orang Bugis, orang Minangkabau, Adat Perpatih  Adat Temenggong, etc. came from?
Did you know that the chillies synonymous with Malay cuisine was introduced by the Portugese?

Bet you didn't.

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST. Part 2

From a guy named Lau Chee Kin.
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/note.php?note_id=432073840741&id=586500176
Hadn't got his permission but i don't think he'd mind :)

------

The typical Merdeka Eve night started with an urge to watch the fireworks celebration in KLCC ended up in a racist attack by a group of teenagers. So, me and a friend of mine thought of a good solution to avoid the traffic jam in that area by walking from the office in Jalan Imbi through Pavillion, to Jalan Kia Peng through Convention Center to KLCC.
Sounds like an ideal plan as the path is a frequent walkway and is even advertised in Pavillion as 'Bridge to KLCC'. (Just to note that we didn't go into any dark alley)

At 10.15pm, we started walking towards Pavillion, stopped to get a drink at Starbucks and proceeded ahead. As we walk, we came across people from various races and foreign tourists along the way.

On Jalan Kia Peng, we walked past Novotel Hotel, Hakka Restaurant, Menara HLA and was reaching the junction of Jalan Pinang when a group of about 10 teenage Malay youngsters walking from the opposite direction. They looked like typical youths, giggling and talking to each other.

As we walked past them, suddenly one of them turned around and started to make a flying kick to my friend. Noticing the 'fun' he is having, his other friends started to do the same to me. It was so sudden and all I was thinking at the moment was, "What the hell did we do to them?"

Both of us ended up kneeling on the ground for a moment before more kicks and punches came flying in. Even though both of us had our tripod strapped across our shoulder, we were too shocked to react to it. Eventually one punch landed right on my right forehead and I started to bleed profusely. Seeing that they eventually stopped and walked away.WALKED AWAY, damn it. They were not even afraid to run but just WALKED AWAY like winning a game or something.The last thing I remember hearing from one of them was "Baliklah ke negara asal"
Imagine hearing this statement on Merdeka Eve.

I knew I was bleeding but I didnt know how bad. I could feel the right side of my head swollen and wet but I did not try to look at myself through a mirror. My friend also suffered bruises on the body and face.  By that time there were more people walking around us but they did not stop to see what was wrong. I don't blame them, it was a poorly lit area just in front of Menara Pinang. We recovered and continued walking towards the Convention Center. The guards were symphatetic to let us in to use the washroom to clean up. It was then I saw my bloody face.

I did not take a picture of myself then as it is not my intention to send a horror message. This is not a message of sympathy. It's a account of a random person walking on a street.

Eventually after cleaning up, we walked back to the Police Booth in Pavillion to relate the incident. The response from the officer: "This cannot happen, we have all our men on the streets" (Well, not on the street we got beaten up ...)

Apparently informing the police booth stationed in a public area is NOT MAKING A POLICE REPORT. WTF? Apparently we have to go to a Hospital, get some treatment and make a complain/report at the police counter there. I would be dead by then, ain't I?

Is this how the police maintained that they have improved  street crimes? By not noting down petty crimes like gang bang which did not result into hospitalization? Would we be taken seriously if only we landed in the hospital?

What we did was, we went back to the office, rested til this morning, went to a nearby clinic to get some bandages and medic.What else to do? I can't identify my assailants, and my wounds are not death-threatening.

If I had not wanted to celebrate Independence Day, would I walk or drive to the venue?
If I was not thirsty would I stop for 5 mins to get my drink and missed them completely?
If I had held my tripod as a defensive weapon earlier, would I save myself or get more beating instead?
If I'm not Chinese, would I get the same 'treatment'?

All I want to say in the end is ...
Forward this to your friends (so that they will be careful on the streets)
Forward this to your 'friendly police' (so that they know the procedure is wrong)
Forward this to any politician/newspaper (so that he/she can be the champion for highlighting this to the government)

1Malaysia MY HEAD!

Malaysia Boleh...jadi RACIST.

In regard to the cases where one principal in Kedah and another in Johor told their students of a race/ethnicity other than theirs are less than human.

Principal Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Selambau, Kedah, scolded 10 Form 3 students who were eating outside the canteen for not respecting the Muslim community. My question is why can't they when the school decided to shut off the lights in the canteen? Are the Students supposed to eat in the dark. Besides, since when it was necessary to not eat in front of a Muslim? If you are a Muslim, please check your Qurans/Sunnah. The fasting month is meant for the Muslims to feel the pain of those who are destitute and often go hungry. It was meant to create empathy, not as an excuse to do these kinds of things. In fact, you should be thanking these people who do this unknowingly to you! Plus, there is no law that tells us we can't eat in front you.

Excerpt for Islam for Today, "Ramadan Rules and Regulations" compiled by Ishaq Zahid.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting. The word sawm (plural siyam) literally means 'to refrain', but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. Allah says in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2-183): 

'O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become self-restrained.'

The importance of Siyam in Ramadan is clearly expressed in several sayings of the Prophet(S.A.W.). It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said:

'He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.'
(Bukhari and Muslim)

Fasting in Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world. The most significant aspect of Siyam is the development of Allah-consciousness (Taqwa) in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. One must abstain from immoral behavior and attitude as well. Refraining from food and such is essential during fast but it is not sufficient. The Prophet of Allah is reported to have said:

'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.'
(Al-Bukhari)

Principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Johor, Siti Inshah Mansor, was quoted in police reports saying, "Chinese students are not needed here and can return to China or Foon Yew schools. For the Indian students, the prayer string tied around their neck and wrist makes them look like dogs because only dogs are tied like that.” All I can say is hari akhirat nanti, sendiri jawablah. Best part is that this joker actually had someone open a facebook page to rally support for her racist claims. The sad part? I got to read a lot of racist comments.

Another thing I found really funny is that after all the bigoted speech she gave, she was actually labeled "VICTIM OF POLITICS". Blaming it all on politics. It's, umm..., really "original".

Note to all, when you say something stupid and later try to cover your ass by feigning innocence and BLAMING it on dirty politics, it really shows you never used your brains. EVER.

Kudos to Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for promoting zero tolerance to racial disharmony.

He said, in regard to Hishammudin's comments about that two are the minority,

“Minority? That is not the point. I don't care about that. It’s not about whether it is a minority — not even one person in the education service should be a racist."

and kudos to Nazir Razak for recognizing that we as Malaysia need to grow ourselves economically together, and also for recognizing how NEP-type affirmative action policies had been abused by Malay and Bumiputera businesses. For slightly more than 5 decades Malaysia has seen independence, it's really unfortunate that we are no where near where our predecessors wanted us to be. 

Ibrahim Ali is an uncouth man who is given free rein to do whatever he wants. I don't know what his credentials are, but obviously he does not know much about banking, economics and, I suspect, politics. Since he loves our dearest Tun Dr. Mahathir so much, he really should adopt the venerable Tun's "Dasar Pandang Timur" and read "The Swordless Samurai" handed down by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who unified Japan.

Unfortunately UMNO seems to back him up on his unfounded rabid barking. How other else can he stay as the MP of Pasir Mas?

Senior Citizen's Outrage: Open Letter To Sharizat.

from an Email. True or not, I don't know but letter's good.

Open letter to Sharizat. Many senior citizens are outraged by your uncalled for comments about the RM100 given to them by the Penang state government in appreciation of their contributions to the development of Penang . Your comments indicate how uncultured you are, totally unbefitting of a cabinet minister. You said you are ashamed and offered your sympathies to Penang ’s senior citizens because they are worth — according to your absurd calculation — less than RM10 a month in the eyes of the state government. Can I ask you how much a senior citizen was worth when the BN ruled Penang ?  Absolutely nothing, Yes Nothing at all. You went on to say that you thank God that there is a federal government and a Barisan Nasional government to take care of the people’s welfare without which the poor in Penang will be starving. Yes, the BN government looked after the people of Penang so well that on 8 March 2008, they kicked the BN out of Penang! As a senior citizen, let me tell you this. It is not the money that matters. It is the thought, the appreciation and the caring attitude of the state government that senior citizens value most. Did you say that the BN government looks after the people’s welfare? Let us examine the BN’s track record. The NEP has been in existence for almost 40 years and during this period about 1 trillion ringgit was allocated supposedly to help Malays through ASN, ASB and numerous other government programmes involving many government agencies. Umnoputras hijacked the NEP and by masquerading as champions of the Malays siphoned off a sizeable amount of the funds to enrich themselves, their families and their cronies. These Umnoputras live in palatial houses and live opulent lifestyles. Look at the posh cars they and their cronies drive and the designer clothes they wear while the poor Malays continue to languish in poverty, even after 52 years of Umno’s total dominance in Malaysian politics. How much have these Umnoputras, their families and cronies invested in high-end properties overseas? How much of the loot is stashed away in overseas banks? A Morgan Stanley analyst estimated that between 1984 and 2003, RM360 billion was siphoned off by Umnoputras and their cronies. The Auditor-General’s Report bears ample testimony to the plunder of the nation’s wealth. After more than 52 years of Merdeka, many kampungs do not have basic amenities like piped water and electricity while Umnoputras are wallowing in wealth and luxury. No wonder the income differential in the Malay community is the highest among all ethnic groups in Asia . You were defeated in the last elections and came into the cabinet through the backdoor. We are ashamed of you No wonder Rafidah poured scorn on you. As minister of Women, Family and Community Development, you did little to genuinely empower Malaysian women, especially Muslim women whose problems — marriage, divorce, custody of children, alimony, property rights etc,etc have remained unresolved. Your failures in this regard are well documented by women NGOs and Sisters in Islam. You had the audacity to offer your sympathies to the senior citizens of Penang . Let me tell you this: Shut your face, honey. Guan Eng is making money (for Penang , of course), unlike you and the rest of umno gang. My advice to you is this: Don’t open your mouth to make a bloody fool of yourself.  Do us a favour; disappear from the political scene. Stop monkeying around.    Orang Lama Malaysia

Dating Tips? The what-not-to-do's.

Diverging from the usual sarcasm on issues to a personal matter which occurred within the week.
This is (I believe) an education to all.

Class in session.

Lesson 1:

When someone says "I don't like you in a romantic way.", it really means "I don't like you in a romantic way". It's a no-brainer, unless of course, you, or the other party, is mentally and intellectually retarded.

FIY, there is no such thing as "he/she's just shy." That so-called shyness only happens in fictional work, especially animes.

Lesson 2:

Suggestion for a "one on one" date can only happen IF you have known each other for quite some time, which can defined as 2-4 weeks (for frequent meetings) til 200 years (for constant meet-ups).

Suggestions for such dates after only knowing someone within the hour of meeting that person strongly suggests that you're not really into the person. It says you're DYING to GET LAID.

This is especially if the suggestion was made after dark.

Lesson 3:

In any case you suggest having a meal together, for Pete's sake, EAT. Watching someone else eat when you suggested that unnecessary meal is downright RUDE.

Lesson 4:

When the person avoids eye-contact and gets you to talk a lot, without giving out much info about his/herself, take the hint.

THAT PERSON IS NOT INTO YOU.

Lesson 5:

When the person declines every single offer to go out the next time, with or without a plausible excuse, take the hint.

THAT PERSON IS NOT INTO YOU.

Lesson 6:

Thou shalt get the number of the person thou art like, but thou art not allowed to ask what time is most convenient to call that poor soul.

Unless you two are officially a couple.

Then again you wouldn't have to ask anyways.

Good endings in these kinds of setting only happens:

1. When both are mutually VERY attracted to each other.
2. Animes
3. Movies
4. Fictional works in general
5. In your dreams.

Lesson 7:

Do not touch unnecessarily. Be it hands, feet or anywhere else, really. It's spells lewdness. Accidents are accidents, but full on grabbing at least half of the hand every single time isn't.

Last but not least:

Lesson 8:

Chivalry/ Politesse/General courtesy is NEVER lost on anyone.

An unrefined soul may find it odd, even offensive at first, but I think it's quite obvious why Neanderthals don't exist anymore, no?

End of class. You're dismissed, hopefully with the lessons intact in your mind and actions.

Thank you.

Ah Beng talks about Singapore History & Current Affairs...

From a random email

Under the 'Ang Mo' we all live happily together, no complain.

Malaysia & Singapore is one big family in our brains.

One day we both like two durians cannot get along.

Got sharp thorns, poke each other until 'Buay Song'

One moment like brothers, can give and take.

Next moment we kena kicked out by the leg.

Wah! Our towkay also cry like mad,

We all also feel very very sad.

Our neigbours all say, 'Wah they all sure to die!

They got nothing, how to get next bowl of rice?'

So 'Boh Pian,' we all work day and night.

We also join the army so that we can fight.

We don't care others 'see us no up'.

But actually inside we very pain in the heart.

Then slowly hor we grow rich and a bit fat.

Now others talk about us also got some respect.

They scratch their heads and say 'Very farney'

Got nothing how come they can still make money?'

Last time also got no money to buy ice-cream cone.

Nowadays even small kids can also afford handphone.

Seaport, airport also can become Number One.

He! He! Sometimes think about it also very fun.

But some people look at us also not happy.

Actually they jealous don't want to say only.

So every time their country got something wrong.

They all say Singapore's behind it all along.

Everybody know we water no enough.

They turn off tap only we all cannot last.

They threaten us with water supply and shout 'Cut! Cut! Cut!'

Aiyoh! They all think the water is one big ketupat.

We all hear already also Buay Tahan'

Wah liao, they think we small can makan!

But now they 'cow pay cow bu' we all not very scared.

We want to build water desalination plant already so not so bad.

But their own economy now all go bust.

Got to sell water otherwise money no enough.

Then another neighbor say Singapore no friend friend,

Got so much money, a bit more also donno how to lend.

They say we all only one small red dot,

Like the center of a big dartboard.

Maybe they think we mouse and they cat,

That's why they suka suka anyhow talk like that.

But we all still send them a lot of rice.

Show the world we actually very very nice.

Sometimes we 'Cho Ho Sim' also kena whack.

But we all gentleman wan, don't want to fight back.

I think hor maybe they don't understand us very well.

That's why relationship sometimes like heaven sometimes like hell

Some say aiyah our prosperity is all due to luck,

That's why we all 'Siao Siao' can still win the Tiger Cup

I think hor, Singapore is like Chilli Padi in a pot -

Size small small but very very hot.