Leaving for a week amidst `exciting' time..

I'm flying to Kunming, China, early tomorrow morning for a short-term mission trip with my church members..

I've been quite excited about it, and after hearing a bit more from pastor last Sunday on the trip, I know my earlier concerns were unfounded (I was actually worried that the trip would be more a sight-seeing tour than actually mission-based) But the thing is, we can't put up too much on what the actual itinerary is due to the sensitive nature of preaching the Gospel in the nation..

Today is Sept 16, 2008 - it's the unofficial but the real birthday of Malaysia - it's this day 45 years ago that Sabah and Sarawak joined the Peninsular and thus born MALAYSIA. But we put all importance on August 31st where Malaya was born after independence from Britain.

But this year, Sept 16 held a bigger meaning to the patriotic Malaysians who want to see a change for the better for the nation. After the political tsunami from the 12th general elections in March, the then de-facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has announced with full confidence that the PR opposition front will form the new government on September 16.

The anticipation was great but as the date neared, most people knew it won't happen so soon.. And true enough, today we still woke up to the same old government. BUT the events that had been happening, especially that of three innocent ind. being detained under ISA and the aftermath, has indeed brought more heat and excitement.. We're living in a sad and corrupted and uncertain time, yes. But we're also living in an exciting, changing time..

To be honest, I have not been very updated at all with current affairs especially since I left the newspaper.. I only know of the `big' news. So if a person like me who is `half-pail-full' where politics is concerned, also sit up and follow the latest development these few days.. I think it is an indication that something big is happening, and the world is also watching..

But tomorrow, I will have to temporary leave my homeland and embark on our one-week trip. To be honest, it's not the most ideal time to go... if I've a choice, I hope the timing is not such. Not after I just read from Malaysiakini and other new sources that Anwar says he is just time to the PM but has the ability to form the new government with the numbers of detractors.. Ok, maybe he's playing political mind game. Maybe the Patakan Rakyat does not even have the majority to form the gov. But still, the battle is fully on.. and we aren't mere spectator as we live in this country.

Also, I'm quite concerned of when our MP Teresa Kok (yes, on paper, she is my MP cos I voted for her at Seputeh - where we once lived) will released from ISA detention.. and how's her exact condition as she was said not be too well.. I really hope by the time I'm back next week, she would be released already, and so would blogger RPK as well.

I'm going to have a week of new and I believe memorable experience in a foreign land (though it's supposedly be my ancestor's home but Malaysia is only my one home) - and it will be quite a hectic one where I will have to check out of our accommodation at 8am daily and travelled on road for hours. But I'm praying the Lord will open up our spiritual eyes to the needs of these places.. which are afflicited with poverty and harsh environment too..

I don't know how much i can share publicly after this trip but I still believe in freedom of speech on blogs - whether it is political ore relligious - provided we do not offend and incite another person's belief..

Mixed feelings - that's what I'm having now. I'm excited yes, but a bit heavy-hearted due to the current situation at home.. Oh well, whatever it is, I guess I'll just go in faith.. and right now, I better finish packing - I'm really doing it light this time!! :p

I'll be totally offline for one whole week - don't think there's time or maybe even the facilities to go on line! So till then.. tata for now.

Pls pray for justice to prevail... and also spare a prayer for Kitty

I actually wanted to post an update about Kitty (see previous post)... but with the recent event that just occurred in the country, I think that should precede the poor dog's update first..

If you're Malaysian, or maybe even not, you would probably know of the `mini op lalang' that saw three individuals being arrested and detained under the I.S.A. (Internal Security Act)

I won't go into details but pls refer to online news report such as this and this and other SoPo blogs around.

At press, I mean blog time, the Sin Chew reporter Tan Hoon Cheng has been released but the whereabouts of MP Teresa Kok and Malaysia Today's Raja Petra Kamarudin are still unknown.

Why it bothers even someone who is not really politically-conscious like me? Because these individuals, esp Teresa and Hoon Cheng, had not done anything that threatened the internal security of the country.. well, Raja Petra who is vocal enough arguably may get himself into trouble with the gov, but again, that's his freedom of expression and speech. But to arrest a reporter who merely reported on an event that had someone else inciting racial hatred, the real culprit wasn't even punished by the government but the reporter was!

What kind of logic is that?!! Ok, at least they have the basic decency to release her after 20 hours but still...

To be honest, I don't follow politics closely these days yet I'm still miffed at the grounds on which Teresa was nabbed.. whether it has to do with some mosque-related complaints (which she denied earlier) this is a hardworking and well-respected MP with integrity. Can't say so about some others politicians!

I, and so many others I'm sure, feel really saddened and enraged about this.. What democracy? It's like anarchy and dictatorship that we're living under!

Unfortunately I won't be able to take part in the candlelit vigil by DAP and Gerakan this evening due to prior commitment.. but I'll be praying for the detainees and also for justice to prevail.

On another note, Kitty's owners did not take heed at all to my letter. Yesterday and today, the poor dog was confined in that garbage compartment again. and now I know how long hours that is!!

I knew I had to do something.. Glad that I have the blessings from my dad to report it to authority as he believes it's better than confrontation. I seriously doubt very much if anything would change if I go talk to them. If they didn't feel a slight bit remorse about their action, the only way is for the authority to take care of them.

After speaking to furry friends who only would house the dog if I can take her away to them..I called up SPCA and reported this case which they classified as `solitary confinement' - which is a form of abuse and mistreatment. I would need to follow up with the inspector on Monday and they would send someone over to investigate and speak to the owners. They would first warn them and if after that they still go on mistreating Kitty, SPCA would report to the authority and seize the dog from them. I really don't want Kitty to end up an unwanted dog so I am praying that these neighbours would care just a little to NOT abuse her like that. Is it so difficult to fence up their gate and get a crate?!! Sigh..

My dad is so funny. We know at this moment Kitty is being locked up in that awful place.. so my dad actually wrote a note to the owner on behalf of Kitty. Basically it says in both Chinese and English: `Please Don't Lock Me In Here!!! Your poor dog Kitty' And later we will put the note into the garbage compartment.

I doubt that would change them at all but I guess it's another form of `warning' to them that what they do is wrong..

I am quite concerned about Kitty being locked up like that for another few more days... I am praying for her welfare..

Sigh.. you get sick people everywhere - in whatever positions and capacities..!!!

(over-due) update on Kitty: (sorry, I should have posted this much earlier.)
When I got back from China, dad said the SPCA officer did come a few days later and dad took her to the house - but Kitty wasn't there anymore!!

I also went to check - indeed there was no sign of the dog - she is not in the garbage compartment nor in the compound.. till today, she is still not there..

As an optimist, I'd like to believe that the owner decided to give away Kitty to some one who wants her.. I can't enquire as well, even when Jelly pooed in front of their gate and we were cleaning up after her, the daughter shouted at us!! They were still angry at me or maybe they know I have informed SPCA...

Anyways.. I pray and hope Kitty is doing better in whatever new place she is in..

Steep petrol increase - what a farce!!

I know millions of motorists around the country share the same sentiment as me..

But thought I would just blog for the record - an increase of 78 cent/ litre of petrol over night is really pretty HEFTY! If my memory serves me right.. past increase has never been that drastic.

So.. for me personally, I've changed my car rejoicing that now my 1400cc car would help me to save in petrol price! So instead of say RM93 for full tank for my old car, I pumped a full tank for my new car and it came to RM63! BUT didn't know that it was more a delusion because as of midnight last nite, I would need to fork out RM90 for a full tank for my little new car!! ARGH!! So it's like back to square one?

For the record, petrol price is now RM2.70 per litre - taking in the earning powers of Malaysians I think that is pretty steep!

But of course it was good timing too to change car for a full tank for my RAV4 now with the increase will be RM130!!! This is just absurd!

Speaking of absurdity.. last night the roads were real madness! Already I was stuck in massive jam (quite rare these days but maybe the rain contributed as well) at Mid Valley ring road.. which made me miss my choir practice. But when I headed home about 9pm, the earlier stretch of Connaught Highway was sardine pack and I found out later that it was be because of petrol station pile up! Even on the Grand Saga highway, I could see cars queuing up a few hundred meters spilling onto the highway just to pump up their petrol tanks!

I guess I was kinda fortunate as i already pumped up the night before since my tank was empty. But even then, I wouldn't go through the hassle and patience of queuing easily up to one hour to save maybe RM10 or RM20. It really shows the kiasu mentality of Malaysians too. Don't tell me all of them have empty or near empty tank at the same time?!!

I got even more angry as the road turning into my housing community was also jammed up because about 500 m down that road was a petrol station! At one point I felt like going down to scream at those kiasu motorists..!

Ok, enough ranting. Now we all just have to grit our teeth and bear with the harsh new reality of it all. OR we could all boycott driving and cycle to work! hahaha or if you can make do with the lousy public transports! And that's another story!!

Ecstasy from Election Tsunami!

Blogger failed me early this morning! It went kaput probably due to heavy traffic.

Gosh I had so wanting to blog (but delayed till now) cos I was, and still am, so excited!! By what else but the amazing results of our 12th General Election!

I was first told that DAP's Tony Pua was way ahead of incumbent Chew Mei Fun at around 6pm, then the shocking results came in one by one.. rookie oppositions beating long-standing MP, Oppositions winning seats that once considered stronghold of BN, and that Penang has fallen to the Opposition.. by dinner time, the atmosphere was brewing hot at home.

After dinner, dad and mom came to my room to watch news on TV while I stayed glued to the Net to get the latest results from Malaysiakini. There were lots of `Wows' and `Ahs' from the three of us!

As time passed, we were hearing more and more shocking results to our joy. Experienced ministers have fallen to young fresh first-timer.. the whole constituencies held securely by BN for many years were `wiped out'. And guess what? FIVE states have fallen now belong to the Oppositions! Goodness, never in our (at least my parents and I) wildest dream that we expected such results!

My dad, who has witnessed the nation's politics (and himself quite involved in his younger days) since independence day, was delirious, crying out: `bien tian! (loosely translated as big upset). He said this is truly a historic election and the results were even more amazing than the GE in 1969 - ie. the Opposition's best performance.

Consider just the last election in 2004, BN had won by more than 90 per cent majority.. and this time, they are denied their 2/3 ruling majority!! What's also great is that we are no longer playing the racial card. It's not about Chinese against the ruling government. We can see multi-racial candidates on both side of the coalition.

The voice of the people had spoken - the voice that calls for a change - to rid corruption, injustice and inefficacy and the many woes that the government had exhibited. The Rakyat is not blind and this time we have bravely come out to vote for change.

This is the 4th time I voted and followed the G.E. but I have never felt sooooo excited before. I'm not alone of course. Even at 3am, i was chatting with a few friends online who were equally ecstatic of what had just happened!

And I had difficulty getting to sleep.. just too excited still. I can't imagine those involved in the elections could actually slumber as well..

So a wind of change has come. And man, it started off with a tsunami election that blew everyone away - a turning point and defining moment in our country's politics. But this is just the beginning. Lets pray that the leaders would work together to bring about a true change for the better.

Wind of Change?

It's barely 36 more hours only to THE day - the polling day of Malaysia's 12th General Elections. Mine is not a SoPo (social-political) blog so no, I'm not here to give any political commentary.. but for such a big, significant event that occurs only once every 4-5 years, remaining mum on it won't do as well.

This will be the 4th time I'm going to the poll. While my `track record' (ahem) could make me feel proud, I must confess I had not been a wise voter in the past. In fact, the first and second time I voted quite blindly you can say. The first time, I voted the candidate because I wanted to support a woman. The second time, I voted out of sympathy for the candidate for I know he would get the lowest number of votes (and the fact that I covered him during the election for my newspaper then). The third time round, I was a bit wiser, and knew who was a better candidate and could do the job.

I got the chance to cover the 1999 General Elections as I was attached with the news desk of The Malay Mail then. Somehow my race or my ability to speak Chinese meant that I was asked to cover most of the MCA and Chinese oppositions candidates. It was quite an eye-opening and interesting experience - getting to meet many of the Wakil Rakyat (some won, some didn't) although it was tiring. On polling day itself I remember we all had to stay back till like 2am in the newsroom waiting for all the results to be out.

For 2004, I was already doing entertainment and wasn't one of the `lucky' ones who got roped in to cover the elections. I remember although quite relief, I was somehow also feeling a little bit `left out'. Not that I was that political conscious nor had a clear political stand... although I know who I would like to support.

I guess now no longer being part of the mainstream media, I'm even more of a spectator. However, as a blogger and one active on the Net, I have been `bombarded' by all types of information and articles ranging from political commentaries to personal accounts that has everything to do with the elections.. Many of such info was enlightening, and I also kept abreast with news from the SoPo blogs as well. Also, from what I've come across, I guess the Internet has become the Opposition's voice and `campaign platform' while `big brother' BN has basically monopolised the electronic and print media.

Personally I think BN is over-doing it. Who are they trying to kid with their `cangih' advertisements on TV and radio and huge well-designed billboards and banners? All these publicity stunts need lots and lots of MONEY and whose money are they using? It just sickened me to hear all those poetically-sounding promises and self-praises over their ads, accompanying images of patriotic and harmonious undertone. Hello, you're far from providing utopia here!

The poster-war (also include buntings, banners, flags etc..) is another pretty ridiculous aspect of the G.E. if you ask me. At most places, these `decorations' are just a big mess - with both contesting parties trying to grab up the spaces available. So sometimes you have a opposition candidate's photo right on top of a BN flag and vice versa.. and even as early as last week, so many of those posters and flags had fell off and turned in bad shape. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is such a blatant and grotesque WASTE of resources.. totally environmental unfriendly!

Anyway, this time round, it's a great thing to see a number of new candidates who are young in age, and many of them are women! These are people who really want to see a change in the way things are run in our country and avail themselves for it.. and many are intellectuals as well - quite a contrast to some of the older (almost good-for-nothing) MPs I've come across. And most of these `new breeds' are in the opposition parties - for they know that Malaysia do need a change!

While it is still impossible for any Opposition party to win the election, one can't deny that there is a wind of change blowing. Last year, protests like Bersih and Hindraf, and many issues from crime to religious rights to corruptions etc. etc.. have increasingly sparked off people's disgruntle towards the government. They have raised awareness and prodded even those who have been lackadaisical and contented with their lives..

So, to all my Malaysian friends who are eligible to vote, remember to go and exercise your right this Saturday! And for those who are still not registered, shame on you. You better do so soon for the next General Election.

Like what I was telling my cousin Viv who said she's not political, it doesn't take one who is political minded to vote. Voting is the basic right and responsibility of a citizen.

Malaysia's 50th Merdeka

Happy 50th Independence Day to MALAYSIA

It's our `Golden jubilee' after all since that midnight when our first Prime Minister shouted `Merdeka`" three times as the Union Jack lowered and our new flag that signified a new nation was raised...

176 years of colonial rule by the British came to an end that day. And now it's 50 years on. There were struggles and periods of political instability, such as the ugly and painful memories of the riots of May 13 1969 and there were many `proud' moments in technological breakthrough like the Petronas Twin Towers that were the tallest building in the world for a few years.

I don't claim to be patriotic..In fact every year, August 31st was just another holiday and it passed me without feeling of any pride or joy. You know I don't really go out into the street and celebrated like those folks you saw on TV did. But since this year IS a grand celebration after all, so I did turned on the TV close to midnight as well as when I got up this morning.

Guess what? I found a total of NINE channels - all six local channels and three from Astro broadcasting the parade live from 7:30am to 11am this morning! I also heard airplanes (for the parade) flown above the sky.. oh, of course there were fireworks at midnight and in the morning too.

I was `inspired' to write a post on this because this day causes to think and reflect of what I really think of our country. I am always quite proud and happy to be a Malaysian - after all, this is a `promised land'. We are blessed with beautiful land, abundant natural resources, devoid of any natural disasters; and we are a multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious lot that live together in harmony (more towards harmony than friction anyway) There are many things you can be thankful of living here..

BUT, yes, there is a but.. even a rather apolitical person like me can feel that not all is right and rosy. Especially in the last couple of years, politically and socially things aren't that great.. If you are a Malaysian you will know what I'm referring to. The `political climate' since the reign of our current PM has not been improving but there had been more tension between political, religious and racial groups.. and what about freedom of speech and all the antagonism towards bloggers (the Socio-political ones)? All that aside, there are the increase in violent crimes, the on-going corruptions within government sectors and police force.. With an upcoming general election around the corner, we probably will see something quite interesting.. and I hope that everyone, especially the younger generation will come out to make their votes count.

No, I'm not wishing for a revolution (maybe some people think Malaysia needs that!!) but I do pray for more wise and righteous leaders to arise and those useless, chauvinistic bigots who are more concern of making snide remarks on women or how Gwen Stefanie is bad influence on our youths will disappear from our sights (oh well, one gets to wish..)

So, on this milestone of our nation, I can't help to wonder whether we have really achieved what our founding fathers hope we would be in 50 years. Are we really moving towards the vision of a developed nation as our ex-PM set up to? Even if economically and technologically we might be doing that, being a developed nation means more than the infrastructure. The government and the people, their mindset, our education level, security and safety AND basic human rights and freedom of speech are all IMPORTANT ingredients.. Oh well, I feel we still need probably another 50 years and not 13 years to reach there..

All said, I'm still glad I'm Malaysian. After all, no nation and no government are perfect. There maybe many things we are unhappy about in Malaysia, I can also easily tell you a list of things that are good. Honestly I have never thought of immigrating though I know quite a number of people do and I don't really blame them for they have their reasons and preference.

But still to me, Malaysia IS my home and I never feel so at home living here than in any places I've been to in the world.. even Bali! ;)

HAPPY MERDEKA TO ALL MALAYSIANS AND MAY GOD BLESS MALAYSIA!