SELAMAT HARI GAWAI 2011

Sa, dua, tiga, empat, lima, enam, tuuujuh!

Enda ku busung ngelangkah gunung,

Enda ku tulah ngelangkah tanah,

Enda ku danjan ngelangkah bulan,

Enda ku tumbang ngelangkah remang,

Laban kaki ku bediri segi batu angong,

Pala tata lala minyak duyung,

Jari kanan ku genggam cendawan besi belumpung,

Jari kiba genggam sua manuk sabung,

Mulut ngetup silup besi selumpung,

Lengan tanggam simpai kurung betikung,

Belakang tinggang mang bajung burung,

Aku tu ukai mungkal ukai nanjal,

Ukai nerantang ukai nengkebang,

Endang niti endang nali,

Baka ijok tampung penduk,

Baka wi tampung tali,

Baka rutan tampung danan,

Baka ira tampung lemba,

Pecah periuk tanah, ganti periuk tani,

Padam bulan ganti matahari,

Pambu sida ke tuai ganti kami ke dudi,

Laban 1 haribulan 6 tu ila Gawai Dayak deka nyadi,

Nitih ke pekat diadu ke tuai bansa kami,

Dikelandik ke orang matak pemansang muai kelesi,

Ngasuh bansa badu merinsa lantang senang nguan negeri.

Ohhaa...

Nya baru aku ngagau ke Aki Lang Sengalan Burung,

Aki Jugu Menaul Tuntung bidok linggar natar disenggal gumbang besabung,

Belang Pinggang ke belang nyembayang punggung,

Surong Kempat ke berarat muting jelatung,

Bui Nasie ke berumah di tisi lambur gunung,

Antu Abu ke datai ari Munggu Gulu Puchung,

Bunsu Buau ke datai ari rantau dalam kampung,

Sida ke di Panggau Libau, lendat dibiau takang isang,

Sida ke di Merawa Lama munyi ke berimba bung nebang,

Orang Gelong batu nakung nyingit nyingung beliung kabang,

Engkeranji Padi menua ke sigi richah rami munyi negeri mayuh orang,

Kita ke ngabang bakanya mega,

Anang tubuh puang tubuh sebatang,

Anang mai tubuh murus tubuh untus,

Tang datai mai ubat serangkap genap,

Mai batu teruba nemu,

Mai pengaruh gembar tuboh,

Batu Bintang ngambi ka terang mandang nyuluh pemetang,

Batu Uras ngambi ka raja kaya badu merinsa dibaruh orang,

Tanduk rusa ke penunduk mai sempekat badu beperang,

Taring Uting ngambi ka kebal nadai belaya bejai pangan,

Batu Pangkor ke pengering rajin gawa mai pemansang,

Imbai Sempandai ngembuan runding landik bedagang,

Rajut Penemu kena sekula tinggi pelajar tau tepang,

Laban aku tu ukai ngangau ngapa ngangau pia,

Aku ga mai kita datai ngabang datai mansang,

Mai makai mai nandai, mai piring mai ading,

Mai keresa bemban wi, penganan ke alas nyawa, Tuak ke basu kaki,

Nya alai, aku minta tulung minta sukung,

Minta chelap minta embap,

Gayu guru lantang senang nguan menua,

Ngambi ke kitai udah ke ngintu Gawai tu ila,

Bulih ringgit betambah jereki, jelai rita manah nama,

Bekebung baka langit betuchung baka bukit,

Terang baka bulan, tampak baka bintang,

Ia ke tuai umur panjai nguan menua,

Ia ke biak gagit ati rajin sekula,

Bulih degree pangkat Dr.,

Ia ke bujang ampit sida ke dara,

Ia ke indu enda runggu beranak tiga,

Gayu ko Sentuku, gerai ko Sempandai.

SELAMAT HARI GAWAI 2011!

AN INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE CULTURE

As part of the field trip program planned by Kyushu University, we managed to have a glimpse of the very essence of Japanese cultures during our visit to Nagasaki few days back. The first day of of the trip, we went to Yoshinogari Historical Park and Ishiibi Historic Water Facilities at Saga-ken. Yoshinogari ruins during Yayoi period (3BC–3AD) is believed to be the ancient country of ‘Yamatai’, modern day Japan, which treasured lots of historic importance in terms of relics including copper/bronze knives, glass beads and cultivation of red-grained rice. This period also witnessed the shift from nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlements thus, elevating its cultural value. One is undoubtedly mesmerized by the pristine beauty of the civilization; the systematically planned settlements, the existence of rules and order in the community, the advancements in terms of fortification against invasion and the advance used of mortar paste (cement and sand) for construction. It was indeed a life of seclusion for the people back then – a culture that continued for generations until Japan opened itself to the rest of the world under Meiji Ishin (Restoration) in 1868.

On the other hand, Ishiibi Water Facilities offered a completely new spectrum. Once an artificial gutter and irrigation channel designed to enhance the cultivation of rice in the Yamato-cho area, the restored Megumi River proved to be functioning effectively. The restored river is currently open to public as a recreational park where visitors are expected to be impressed by the astonishing views of cherry blossoms, sakura (桜). The main uniqueness of Megumi River lies in its design of being among the first Japanese man-made river restoration program. The main channel was diverted to smaller canals allowing sufficient amount of water to flood the adjacent paddy fields thus, improving the rate of rice production yearly. Also, the river diversion allows longer distance for water’s self-purification process in removing suspended solids that present on its surface.

We checked-in at Nanpuro Hotel in Shimabara for a night. This was the author’s first time experience to stay in a typical Japanese hotel, complete with its very own famous public bath, onsen and massage therapy spa. At dinner, we were all fully fed and watered by the traditional style Japanese dishes and beverages, served in a way that might prevent the weak of hearts to savour! The session ended up with brief speeches and introductions among the participants as well as the 先生’s. As the night gets older, one can no longer resisted the dripping sounds of water that splashed from the nearby onsen. The author together with his friends rushed to the bath and enjoyed the night in full immersion. To our dismayed, the onsen was not the type of mixed men and women hotspring we had hoped for! As the hot water spring (40⁰C) washed away all the remnants of the past of our bodies, so as our spirits and thoughts were weaved anew into the kind of which we never felt before – for sure, that’s the transformation that we had wished for! We concluded the day with a mini nomikai (飲み会) and spent the rest of the night listening to what the others had to say with stories as myriad as science, geeks, cultures and supernaturals. The last thing we know was that we were scrapping the bottom of the o-sake (お酒) bottle, the next moment we opened our eyes, it was already dawn and Nagasaki’s morning sunrise greeted us with a smile!

The next day, we visited Yutorogi no Yu (Hotspring for Foot) and sightseeing at Shimabara Castle (島原城). The hotspring for foot is quite similar to a normal hotspring, the only difference is that visitors are only allowed to immerse their feet. Shimabara Castle stands majestically like any other typical Japanese castles. Built by Matsukura Shigemasa in 1624 and demolished in 1874, the present structure was reconstructed in 1964. One of the attractions was that visitors would have the opportunity to snap pictures with individuals impersonating samurai and shinobi around the castle’s entrance – if you’re lucky! – because they are the hotshots!

Lastly, we went to Oonokoba Observation Post for Volcano and Unzen Disaster Memorial. Both places were built not only to commemorate and showed what happened to the affected areas and how people confronted it but also aim to raise public awareness in regards of Mt. Unzen-Fugen volcanic eruptions in the early stage of Edo period and 1990 – 1996 of Heisei period. The site reminded me of how lucky I am to be in a country with less significant natural calamities. Despite countless blows from Mother Nature, still Japan proved to be a worthy son by being the frontier of sustainable developments and tirelessly championing the course of environment.

This field trip has been truly a memorable exposure to the author personally. It has imprinted a more intricate yet remarkable site of the Japanese in particular. Should anyone look for a place where traditional cultures coincide with modern lifestyles, then search no further because Japan is the answer!

Till the next posting folks!

THE BLUE GOLD?

Is water a basic human right or human need? This simple but intriguing question was asked by Dr. Takahiro Kuba during one of the lectures I attended. Being true to its existence in nature - elegantly in abundance yet ungenerous, one may found it difficult to obtain freshwater. He was quoted as saying, 'if the earth was a sphere 1.5m in diameter, how much freshwater would it have? 1 bucket? 1 plastic bottle? A glass? Sadly, it's not. It's just 1 spoon of water!'

Water plays important role in humans' daily-life in terms of public (recreational means, catchments, agricultures, fisheries etc.) and private usages (drinking water, industries and household chores). That said, clearly, one can gauge the weightage it carries along should the already scarce water we have (do we really own them?) plunges.

Water gives life to plants and is essential for food production. Needless to say, like everything in the planet, water has become a commodity taken for granted, believing it'll be there forever. As the world is faced with diminishing water resources and reports predicting acute shortages in coming years (F. Chowdhury, 2010) we seriously need to address water issue the attention it deserved, instead of waiting for the catastrophe to unveil!

Governments all over the world admittedly acknowledged its vital value - either naturally or at the instigation of peer pressures - leading to more sagacious decisions (or so they were implied) with regards to water issues. The truth is, billions of lives in Africa consumed approximately 60L, less than 3L for some people in Latin America as compared to global average of 170L/person/day.

Through the Washington Consensus, it was made common philosophy under the new economic model that the entire world should engage in a free-market based economy which enables the benefactors to deregulate cross-border policies (relaxation of regulations, tariffs reductions, market liberalizations, investments etc.) which includes water privatization policies ('commodification' of water being common good to commodity) designed to further strengthen their dominance of right to water.

Before long, injustices with regard to freshwater supply and privatization issues arise in almost all continents. In Phillippines, it was reported that water price increased by 4 times in 1997, in 1980s water prices increased by 30% in UK. Similarly, the poor get expensive (often polluted) water in buckets while rich people are offered cheap and sanitized water from taps in Lima, Peru. Likewise in South Africa, more than 100 thousand people were contracted with cholera in 10 months with approximately 220 people died as a result of water supply deprivation (The World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2002).

Narrowing the scope to Malaysia based on the World Bank: Environment at a glance (2008), access to improved water source was recorded as 94-99 % in 2004. This data seemingly indicated an impression that almost all areas in the country has been covered with better water access - note that the criteria was improved water sources not access to water supply. In reality, thousands of families living in the outskirt of urban areas are still in the fell clutch of tap water supply. Anyway, to the government's credit, there were 'improvements' in terms of majestic dams, exaggerated projects etc. but at what price? The river - considered to be the source of life by the indigenous - quenches not only their daily needs/rights but also their blue gold!

Although, it's common sense for the the elected government to end up with rigorous plans in order to spur development, common good such as the case of freshwater should not be thoroughly sidelined. If the price for developments must be paid with massive environmental fallouts (though can be controlled and restored with technology - our willingness?) then it's fair, I guess, to realize some thing like water, air and nature in it's full glory are humans' basic rights; deserving protection, preservation and continuity of existence.

The importance and scarcity of water today, if not properly handled, may trigger century of water wars in the future. Ismail Serageldin, former World Bank Vice President (1995) was quoted as saying 'Many of the wars of this (20th) century were about oil, but the wars of the next century will be about water.' Aggravated by the impending chaos it may brings, one must opt to treasure water as a blessing and starts to regulate water issues vehemently.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY FORETOLD IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

Christmas has never stop to mesmerize me - even as it becomes part of the you-must-do kind of event annually. As anticipated, merry makings, goodies, presents, santa claus etc. are the highlights of the day. Minus the part of which I'm no more fit to experience the wonder of Christmas like in the good old days (everybody was once a child), this year's celebration is somewhat different. Better still, I managed to celebrate it in Fukuoka, Japan.

To cut long story short, I attended the Christmas Eve at Itoshima surrounded by melting pot of people. In no time, I found myself to be in a bunch of Americans and Japanese! There at a corner, I stood as I introduced myself to a mid-50 years old man sitting next to me. Though I appreciated his effort in trying to engage in a conversation with me, we both literally speak in body languages. Thanks to his so-so English, my terrible Japanese and the art of body language! They seem to flow gracefully together. Not to forget the nimble mind too.

After countless fingers' flicking, hands moving and face expressions exchanged between us, I allowed my mind to be in harmony with the song "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" that came from the sound of the organ played by the pastor who administered the church. For a moment, I was picturing choirs of angels trotting on clouds with Gabriel leading the way, as the pastor's dainty fingers danced on the keyboard. Such a soothing moment - well at least for someone who is far from home that is.

With the theme 最初のクリスマス (The First Christmas), the service started with a play that went back to some 2010 years ago where the baby Jesus was born in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem. The performance was awesome beyond words to describe and I would say best actor should go to the baby Jesus - simply because he is a baby (a real cute kicking baby!). I believed he took away all the glory that night as the crowd focused their attention to him. Best part is, in the middle of a dialogue, he cried up to the point that required a short break just to get him out of scene. I can't help but to name him as the next Robin Williams as the crowd burst into laughter!

We had coffee and some home-made tidbits after service. I managed to chat with some new faces and luckily this time body languages are off the table. A couple of words exchanged with the pastor's little son named Kento-kun turned out to be amusing as he thought me Japanese phonetically - fresh from a 10 years old! Then, met with Bob and his wife Joan Verme - an American couple which has been living in Japan for the last 40 years as missionary. Will elaborate more about them later.

As I went for a refill of my hot chocolate drink which happened to be irresistible that particular night - I don't know why either - I came across Zack and his brother Jack (both are the sons of one of the church members I regularly attend in Meinohama). We exchanged stories of Christmas. Both kids shared their stuff like an epic. They really enjoy their holidays and how they effortlessly beg for presents from Santa when Christmas is approaching. Both kids may not said it straight but they are all written in their cute little eyes of American and Japanese parentage.

On the way back to hostel, one can vividly witnessed the colorful buildings and streets decorated with lights. Not to mention the 24 hours non-stop recording of famous Christmas songs like "Feliz Navidad" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas" all the way. One who do not know the Japanese culture well, might be made into believing that most of them are Christians. But, they are not. On the other hand, according to the local pastor just now, only 0.99% of the total population of Japan are Christians. Most of them are either Shintos or Buddhists.

Nonetheless, I feel a little bit shocked. Sincerely, I appreciate their acknowledgment of Christmas by putting up lights and Christmas trees around but, I believed to know the real purpose of Christmas in commemorating Jesus's birth as the savior is more important. To do something without knowing the purpose of doing it, is like driving a car to a middle of no where on the interstates! Yup, one may had the fun of it but to what extend? Anyway, I'm not here to pass on criticism whatsoever. Before long, I found myself in front of the university's bus station entrance.

Next day, I had a memorable dinner together with Duane, Brian and the Vermes as we discussed about broad topics of interests. From religion to America, from baseball to Sumo, California and Malaysia etc. A game called "Upwords" concluded the evening as we played. Frankly, it was my first time of playing. The game is just like "Scrabble" - words game but in contrast to scrabble, the alphabets can be on top of each other as long as it carries a meaning. Also, the board is half the size of Scrabble. Duane (the reigning champion) scored the highest points followed closely by Brian in the second place. I only managed to secure third place, a step ahead of Joan. I bet that was a gesture of kindness as an advantage to a newcomer, isn't it? LOL. Truly, it made my day guys! Ah, almost forgot, Dibby! The well-mannered dog belongs to the Vermes.

Till the next posting.

CHEERIO USM

Today is my second last day in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as an undergraduate and these dainty fingers of mine can't help but to dedicate this posting especially for that purpose.

Well, to cram everything (mind you its a 4 years journey) into a single piece, I can't imagine how long would it takes. But, thanks to the beautiful art of summary - long stories became short.

Being an undergrad at the School of Civil Engineering (Pusat Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam) had thought me a lot. To say that they are all bed of roses, is seemingly bluffing. There are times when you think that your own voices are suppressed, your mouth gagged and your touch numbed because the sound of the lynch mops were to loud that you feel lost in the very small world you've created. Far in a distance, you longed for reaching hands that over time ceased to be. For when you wake up in the morning facing reality, all you can say is "Believe in Me"

Ranting aside, I found out that the word AWAM itself bears a definitive answer to my search of contemplating this farewell note. So, here it goes;

1. A - ab initio (Latin for 'from the beginning')
I believed everything is written. There is no such things like 'by fate we met' or 'we slipped by chances'. Who would have imagined, out of several universities in Malaysia, why did you came to USM? Out of the departments, schools, institutes etc in USM, why PPKA? And most importantly, out of any batches, why 2005/2006 intake? Fate again? Unseen hand playing behind the scene? You bet! My view is that because they are to be so. It is destined that a Kampung Boy like me will be nurtured here in USM by of course dedicated lecturers, superb supervisor and not to mention pretty good friends. Should I not coming here, I wouldn't be falling in love with Geotechnical Engineering! I wouldn't appreciate the beauty of Reinforced Concrete, Pre-Stressed Concrete, Steel and Timber Design using British Standards. I am far from knowing that cement is made up of limestone, how mechanics of material work, how Laplace Transform or Partial Differential Equation can be solved using Fourier Series etc. Above all, I may not be able to meet wonderful faces that colors the harmony of the batch.

2. W - wonderful
Everything here is wonderful. Though the campus is slightly off to rural areas but somehow that's good. You can enjoy the evening breeze with ease (except the pungent odors that may spank your nose to sniff every now and then when the time is right for the chickens to be slaughtered). Once in a while, Penang here we come! Not that anybody will be outing all day long gallivanting around Komtar, Feringhi or Padang Kota should the campus is to be located at the island. I remembered when we were just in first year during Family Day and Annual Sport's Day - we were little but our spirits were no match even to the seniors. Prove? We won the Dean's Cup for 4 consecutive years. Also, not to mention our stunt in record breaker. You know what I mean. Just for update, till now it is unbeatable guys! And that makes it all wonderful.

3. A - all rounder
I believed those fruitful 4 years has been great for everyone. We are now all-rounder! Be it in career, skills, personals or even shapes! The very own Big John and Lil Suzie (bukan nama sebenar) have now grown up. For the record, our batch is the first to fully adapt English as lecture medium, implementation of OBE and PEO and not to forget, we were the subject of conduct for the BEM accreditation. In the end, we soared above all with flying colors.

4. M - memorable
Lost in words, I'll end up with memorable. The journey we had together is now coming to an end. To those who have and plan to work, be a responsible Engineer guys! To those who are planning to further study, ambition has no limits! To the very few who chose the road less traveled, to you I salute. Till our paths crossed again somewhere. See you when I see you again. God Speed all!

p/s - Others see great students in us but PPKA inspired us to become men..

TIT FOR TAT

RM0>Promotion's SHELL.SDN.BHD.
Tahniah..
Sim kad anda
Berjaya meraih
Cabutan bertuah
RM19,000
Sila Call di Talian
PEJABAT SHELL
0178949116

sender:+60145641200

This was a message sent to me this evening while I was enjoying the movie Confucius (clap2 to Chow Yun Fatt). When I first saw the message, I feel like my feet were millimeters above ground (we are talking about $ here) but as I came to my senses, I recalled some friends who had advise me to stay alert on possible scams which are lingering around freely on the net without proper supervision.

I directly googled the net; just to confirm that indeed it was for heaven's sake, a scam! So, what's there under their sleeves?

Actually, their modus operandi is quite simple i.e. those filthy scammers wanted us to believe that we are the 'lucky' one who had won their special draws by promising quite an amount of money (which of course, didn't belong to them). Out of excitation, victims will be forced to make contact and disclosed their personal particulars i.e. details, bank account, address etc. Once the victims were cornered, off they go! After couple of days, while the victims are busy listing down their shopping lists to make full use of the money, those scammers might have been already enjoying their vacation in Phuket! Sayonara to us, Sawadikkap for them.. Fair? Surely not.

Here are some 'rule-of-thumb' basics to counter this kind of scams BEFORE it happens because AFTER that, it's your own business duck!

1. Almost everyone knows that important matter as official as this can't be simply conveyed via a message. That's unprofessional so to speak. Why don't they just called or came with a formal letter?

2. Should a company desperately ought to send messages (we understand the impact of global crisis) why not use an official company number which is registered in the licensing board?

3. Esteemed company as great as Shell will never barge in to this kind of special draws, promotions etc. They have many great things to do in their mind. Rather than giving up capitals like this, I believed they would rather invest in something better. So, Shell would not involve in this type of play in the very first place, let alone pouring you RM19k.

4. Those scammers should mind their language the next time they wish to swindle. Tell you guys, your languages are very so-so.. Idris Jala wouldn't even think of you as Shell's counter receptionist with that level of command.

Should I learned something from this experience, it will be two things. Firstly, there's no short cut to everything. Yes, there maybe roads to success but as we journey on along the way, still there's loopholes that require us to be prepared all the time. Lastly, 'Google' really helps (thanks to both Larry Page & Sergey Brin)

p/s - The moment they said "You are lucky... winning..." is the part I realized that this is truly a scam because; I never gets lucky & I don't believe in luck!

Till the next postings.

INVICTUS

I am no fan of literature so to speak. Yes, English maybe fun but it takes more than some skimpy knickers to get my head nailed to it. However, recently I've came across a poem written by an Englishman about 135 years ago and it's straight away became my favorite - without any second thought.

The poem called 'Invictus' which means 'Unconquerable' in Latin was a masterpiece by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903). Written by him on his hospital bed while he was being treated for bone Tuberculosis (TB) resulting in an amputation directly below his knee as the only way to save his life.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole.
I thank whatever Gods maybe,
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance,
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
Looms but the horror of the Shade.
And yet the menace of the years,
Finds, and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my faith;
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley, 1875

I like the poem not because of the typical urge that someone needs something to hang on to - never crossed my mind. I like it because of it's straight-forwardness, simplicity and nature, that to me act as beacon in the storm, unbent and indomitable. The kind that steer one's determination through actions against whatever circumstances in life, that is to remain unfettered till the end.

If hardship and countless ordeals in life make you feel like the world is going to an end (which is common) then you are normal. If yesterday was your greatest regret, then you are still the human being you should be. If you are in pain, thanked God cause everybody felt it too. Everyone knows how it's like to walk the street and feel like the whole world is turned against you. Anybody knows what it's like to feel helpless and unable to defend yourself because the roar of the lynch mob is so loud that you are convinced that your voice can never be heard anymore.

But hey, remember this; your reaction towards the problems, the way you look at them with the thoughts of your loved ones around you and the conviction of your belief, might yield different outcomes. And that sometimes require you to be of the normal track - most of the cases, you go against the current. And that people, makes you a hero, at least to your own life. That's how 'Invictus' had influenced mine.

Till the next postings.

YEAR OF INNOVATION & CREATIVITY: ARE YOU READY?

The Malaysian government has named 2010 as 'The Year of Innovation & Creativity' (YOIC) of which the emphasize is to promote, inspire and empower youths to the verge of their inner instincts by tapping and maximizing unsung talents lies within. That said, are we ready as in unison ready?


But before we are to jump into conclusion, here are some day-to-day basics that we need to realize firsthand (some pundits may call them trivial but unless these are subdued, more likely to me, YOIC is but another utopia)

1. Anyone is born creative! Believe it or not? Believe it. During my first lecture in an engineering course, one of my professors used to say that he gave us 100% marks for his subject in the first class, meaning, it is our responsibility, choices and actions that'll ensure what we'll get by the end of the semester. Taking that into account, I want to think that in life, being creative and innovative also imply the same way. Anybody, anywhere was given the same opportunity to be creative, it's a matter of whether one used it fully or nearly a scant 2 pounds. Creativity must not be limited to mere arts, musics, science and talents. There's much more rooms for it to expand - if we allow it to be. I'd rather say, trying something new and off-trend is creative & innovative in nature i.e. restraining yourself in using plastic bags while shopping is creative - you helped reduce amounting of non-biodegradable substance! Also, shutting down your PC while it's not operating is innovative - you shoot 2 birdies with a bullet! (you helped to conserve the depleting energy + somehow, you literally pro-long your lappy's lifespan. What's more creative than that?

2. Failure is also a result & yet, you ignore it? Most people look for perfection that failure is not an option anymore. I recalled, my supervisor always mentioned that; failure is also a result! That it should not be ignored because the fruits of innovation are the labors and the hard work you planted before old. Remember Thomas A. Edison? Ludwig V. Beethoven? Erwin Schrodinger? How many roads of failure they walked before gazing upon the interstate of successes? It's hard to swallow, but the truth is... sometimes, creativity & innovation came as a result of incessant failures. Should you fail next time, don't hesitate to admit it folks, who doesn't anyway?

3. The next time you see the door slide, it's not due to hungry ghosts whatsoever, it's the wind blowing. This is something bounded by cultures and traditions. Likewise, we are fond with taboos, do's and don'ts since childhood living in a culture that is special in it's own way. I'm not saying that one should abundant cultures & traditions to be creative & innovative. No. But, once in a while, why not get on with it? I mean i.e. why must relate a cracking sound under your bed with some petty ghosts playing Big 2 cards waiting for you to scare? It can be also due to rutting woods generated from your squirming movements and deformation of material due to temperature different (being exposed during day so, it's time to stretch back at night! You see, even nature needs a break)

4. You felt that you've done your thinking, think again! Sometimes, people can be ignorant. Hellishly ignorant. Just because you won some competitions back in school, doesn't mean that you have an IQ level the same of Einstein's. Let say, your parents are doctors, it doesn't means that you'll automatically be a doctor just like them. The word is AUTOMATIC! Should you wanna be like them, you'll NEED TO be a doctor NOT AUTOMATICALLY popped out & voila, doctor you are. Nope. It's like going to church doesn't make you a Christian, anymore than standing in a garage makes you car! That's our greatest lousiness of all: the intuition to think! And just for the record, thinking is the only job in the world that may sparks you millions (should your ideas are peachy) but cost you nothing instead free of charge. But why wouldn't we take thinking seriously? Because we're taught that everything can be made instantaneously. That's what we're lacking of - thanks to 'instant' mania. You know, instant noodles, instant drinks, instant deliveries, instant prescriptions... instant death!

To wrap up, wise man once said;"innovation & creativity at best are often momentary in nature". I'm gonna have to agree with that - Maybe yesterday, they were in The North Pole, but today they maybe in China and who knows, tomorrow they maybe just under your nose waiting for you to tap! Everyone has the equal rights to be creative & innovative and as always it begins with YOU. Yes, you.

Till the next postings.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Celebrating 1 year anniversary of As I See It. My utmost gratitude to all readers alike. My wish is that those pieces written here may become catalysts of change and beacons of truth over crooked misleading scribes.

Because I'd rather be in silence vice than cowering
in ostentatious virtues - DMBL.

LET ME SHOW YOU REAL SARCASM

As much as the hot weather is concerned, the atmosphere becomes worse as it is heated by the uncalled, condescending remarks by both Hani Tarmizi and Mohd. Samad who blatantly dissed Sarawakians by their words in Facebook.

Now, this is not the first time ever did I heard these kinds of wild remarks. I remembered when I first came to further study here in Peninsular, one of my friends asked me "How did you came here? By boat?"

Thinking that maybe everyone is still adjusting to the brand new university life as undergraduates, I let it passed. Then, surprisingly again during orientation week when we was having group discussion, he said "You are lucky to be here, if not, you wouldn't make it should you still live on trees in the jungle."

Again, thinking that it was a prank (you know, orientation) I simply ignored him. You see how considerate I am, after all, 1Malaysia kan? It is not until one day he blurted out that matter again that I can't stand it anymore - hot weather coupled with hot issue, behold the hot temper!

I poured it all out in front of him saying how 'uncivilized' he was until his face turned red. You know, it's somehow really irritating and appealingly unpleasant to be called 'kampung' by someone who's actually knows nothing about what he said and yet behaved like he's living hundreds of years ahead of time.

Yes, I am from a kampung, living all my life in a longhouse isolated deep inside a jungle, so what? The way I see it, it is this kampung boy who came from a longhouse as he said, is the one who clearly understand the concept of 1Malaysia as proposed by the PM, that is to stay united and UNDERSTAND each other by living in harmony, and he, being so-called civilized living in cosmopolitans, exposed to various type of hedonistic cultures don't? Who's the real 'kampung'?

Regarding the question of me coming here by boat, I think any sane person who IQ is competent enough to logically think, wouldn't ask this type of question at the first place. It really makes you fall short of the average human intelligence. Anybody who's ever travel outside would abruptly know that Sarawak is the home to the second biggest airport in Malaysia after KLIA. Yet, you said I came by boat. Clearly you never once took an airplane, I guess. Latin Americans still live in places like Grand Canyon and in Northern America, there are people settling in Alaska, does it means that United States of America uncivilized? Babo!

Back to these 2 fellas, here are their nasty remarks.




To an opportunist, these remarks are yet another tool to create the already taken place tension among the various ethnicity in Malaysia unless of course we make things right. To me, as the one of whom these words are directed, it's inevitably uncalled for and worthy of condemnation. Worse comes to worse, you posted them on a social network such as Facebook that connects millions of people in the globe, though it maybe said to be unintentional, isn't it done on purpose when it comes to social rights?

Now, I'm not labeling all Peninsular people are ignorant. Never. In fact, most of my friends are from peninsular and we make good buddies. I am by comparison only referring to these 2 and those who said "Oh, you're Malaysian, where are you from? Sarawak, is it part of Brunei?" whenever I told them I'm from Sarawak.

It makes me wonder and ponder in deep perusal, WHY did some of the Peninsular people (not all) keeps on calling that we are uncivilized, living in the jungle, hunting wildboars and still have weird cultures like The Na'Vi in the movie Avatar?

My Conclusion: People's perception!

1. Firstly is through education. I recalled the last time when I was in primary school learning Kajian Tempatan and Geography made me almost puke. Not because of the subject but due to the loop-sided information in it. Whenever, there's an information about Sarawak, the only things that been mentioned about were pictures of rumah panjang, headhunting activities, weird rituals etc. Never did I saw any striking building like The A Famosa, KL Tower etc. being printed in the textbook - leaving people to believe that there is none of such in Sarawak. So, every single primary school kids who read Malaysian Primary School Textbooks are made to believe in their mind that Sarawak is nothing but a bunch of rumah panjang, headhunters and eccentric ethnics' dwellers. I know the intention of the ministry is to promote diverse rich cultures in Sarawak (2 thumbs up) but once in a while why not pictures of modernization i.e. the capital city, places of interests and tourist spots? Why must all the time portraying the past?

2. Secondly is entertainment and commercial influences. Almost every time when there's an advert regarding Sarawak, the contents are most likely typical - that same advert always shows Dayaks in loincloth using Digi, pictures of Orang Utans & hornbills, people living in rumah panjang and Jessica Alba playing the role of a maiden in Sleeping Dictionary - But, that's not all. Where's the picture of UNIMAS, Sarawak Cultural Village which host the annual World Rainforest Festival (attracting more than 100,000 visitors), Waterfront, Highland of Bario (home to the infamous Bario Rice), Mulu National Park (melting pot of natural biodiversity & dubbed as the biggest cave in the world which can accommodate 40 Boeing 747 aircrafts), Kuching International Airport etc.? Why must every time these adverts keep on showing the dull side of the beautiful land? Instead of jungles why not once a while show something more realistic? Not that we don't have one!

3. Politics. I'm not going to talk about this here because politics is not my forte. I just want to ask this question: Where did the politicians (Sarawak indigenous leaders) - the one who is elected by the people to make their voices heard - cowering during this time when their support is much needed?

I'm not suggesting that the commercials industries to stop promoting Sarawak. No. I'm making myself clear that sometimes why not let people see it the other way round. Enough with jungles, isn't it time for something more realistic and aesthetical? And to those 2 ignorant scums, do plan a visit to Sarawak the next time before you comment because you know what, the state you are now makes you looks silly.

God's willing, maybe by that your perspectives towards us may thrive to greater heights. Because to be called savages when you are not, hurts.

Till the next postings.

SLICES

This posting is called slices due to its nature which is appealing to the contents - bits of things here and there. Frankly, I spent the whole week in front of the computer, final year project and of course, movies (some pundits may claimed it to be puerile, I called it multi-tasking!)

The first movie was The Blind Side directed by John Lee Hancock based on the 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a game by Michael Lewis. A true story of a 23 years old Michael Oher a.k.a. "Big Mike" (an African-American) who had always getting the shorter end of the stick in life due to his past yet miraculously re-shape the face of American Football history upon his adoption by white family (The Tuohys) who cared and raised him as part of the family. For synopsis, click here.

From what I saw throughout the scenes, Sandra Bullock's performance (who acted as the loving-mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy) is without doubt worthy of her Oscar, seriously. My overall rating would be saccharine-sweet!

"No matter who you were in the past,
let it pass... what counts is now and the way you live it
will definitely affect the future"

Leigh Anne Tuohy.

As much as I wanted to finish up my work, I simply can't resist the temptation to watch another movie directed by Thomas Carter entitled Coach Carter. Based on a true story of a basketball coach named Ken Carter which in his unwavering principles made shocking headlines in Richmond, California, 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.

Richmond High School was back at that time dubbed as incompetent school athletically and academically with poor enrollment grades for students to college was the center of the story which in time will transform America's perception on 'student-athletes' concept. A term which Coach Carter believed to be purposely misinterpreted by many (including the school's administrative board) - since you're an athlete, why bother study and have good grades?

Of which Ken Carter replied "The name is 'student-athlete' isn't it? Student and study comes first, then you become an athlete." His principles and ways of dealing the issue was the limelight of American news in 1999.

The man, who believed in tapping into one's true potential proved his critics wrong when later not only that his basketball team made it to finals losing to St. Francis by merely 2 points but also managed to witness 6 of his students enrolled into various universities upon graduation. And he is Ken Carter.

"What is your deepest fear? Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. It is not in some of us, it's in everyone, and as we let our lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates other" - Ken Carter.

Ya it has been a lot of movies marathon lately but I assure you, they are all worth the day. Most importantly, to me, both stories echo the same message of believing in yourself, as John Ondrasik's latest song 'Chances' summarized it all: It's all about taking the swing and knowing the beauty of the scars.

Till the next postings.

JAKU ANSAH 2010

Nyadi tu digela aku,
Ai takang tunjang teberu terutu jemu ujan nyaya,
Ai buah apung sepugu keberai nadai lepa,
Ai tusu tanah ladu beri antu Bunsu Sempandai,
Ai tambak bukau galak tumbuh sekeradak keruang sungai,
Ai sepeta bunga jawa tumbuh di nanga kerapa melai,
Sua enjok suka tendok,
Datai ari teluk baya Bebangai,
Suruh anjung Burung Ketupung,
Surung anjung Burung Beragai,
Lalu dianjung Bujang Lempong ngagai landung tanah landai,
Ujak pulut lemak ujak selepak buloh balai,
Nyau kelama, peda nyadi deh,
Belayan padi ari kaki sampai serarai,
Peda mansang padi bangang nunda segang pasang lemai,
Peda buah padi mudah udu manah besai tangkai,
Lalu diambi Dara Sanji isi ngagai lanji tikai kemebai,
Simpan Dara Rawan dalam pelawan tajau rawai,
Tutuk Dara Gawuk ngena ceruk ngambi ka nyamai,
Pelaki Dara Mereti ngena ragi ulih meli tumpuk kedai,
Dipulah Seripah Dayang Ani, bini dudi Patinggi Ali Datuk Intai,
Dia ia lalu disimpan sida dalam kutak begambar singa,
Ditaruh sida teguh-teguh di supermarket kedai cina,
Lalu dibeli Bujang Wi ngena duit pala raja,
Nyadi diatu ia dipeda kitai nerachah mua bala,
Laban Ai Brandy campur Whisky aku tu,
Endang sigi pama pemadu-madu ia bisa,
Teleba ngerebah ka jelu gajah begading dua,
Kena sida ka bujang belaban bungah enggau sida ka dara,
Lebuh ka besemaya di kebun bunga muzium negara.

Tang ka saritu tadi,
Ia dikena aku ngansah terinting puting dabung seleka,
Enggi kita wai akan,
Ka terengkah di blog aku sapit tikai anyam tiga,
Ngambi ka seregah kita taing-taing inggar didinga,
Munyi pusin bilun terebai enggi Sultan tuan Raja,
Kena ia pulai ari matau menua,
Aku ga meda pala kita nyau repa ulih idea pukul rata,
Meda belakang nyau bebendang tinggang seludang baju kasa,
Punggung nyau penuh laban gelung rajut bisa,
Meda lengan nyan enteran sangkuh temaga,
Baju udu badas sempama kain permaidani sutera.

Gaga meh aku serta gagit,
Nyingkang ke bulang kaki chawit,
Miau kita ngena selanjau ijau manuk Kunchit,
Aku ga miau semang kita ari belakang mulai ka tumbit,
Ngambi ka Yang tinggi kita enda kudi ngeransi mimit,
Laban aku tu ukai biau sengapa ukai pia,
Tu ga endang nunda Aki kami Apai Sabit Bekait,
Bujang Ancung Selung Bebelit ngetan ka pintu kota langit.

Nya alai nyau lelak kenu tudah aku di selepak ujung jari,
Miau kita enggau selanjau ijau manuk Lelaki,
Nunga kita ka kemumuk duduk bebandi,
Ba kerembai tikai anyam bediri,
Meda pakaian kita chukup manah udu rami,
Style baru putung tukang cina Miri,
Jangkuan kita tanggam jam tali luji,
Manuk tu meh kena aku miau semua kita ke lelaki,
Ngicha kita udah di biau aku,
Enggau selanjau ijau manuk Tawi tu lagi,
Pagila lusa ke dudi ari,
Pandai kita nya sekula abis Degree bulih Master bisi PhD,
Sida ka kerja kebun tulih ka puli mayuh jereki,
Kaban perintah arap ka ransing ngemaju bansa ngelui ari,
Chukup maya rebak baru megai menua nyadi menteri.

Naka penyuma aku nelenga ka rasa dabung kelabu,
Miau kita enggau selanjau ijau manuk Indu,
Nunga kita ka beketunga duduk empuru,
Ba kerembai tikai sapar rampu,
Manuk tu meh kena aku miau kita ti dara enggau ke indu,
Meda buk panjai kita tak lepai-lepai mulai ka dagu,
Mua tampak kita nyau radak-radak udu tampak baka telu,
Umba baju style baru bedabung iku,
Ngicha ka kita nya ila tauka diatu,
Pegari nama suah dikejaku,
Laban kita tu meh endang sempama Kumang Jawai dulu,
Dikeran ka orang kin kitu,
Mentas pendiau serta landik pengawa indu.

Lama ga meh kaki aku udah bediri kasak-kasak,
Miau ka selanjau ijau manuk Bejalak,
Nunga kita ka kemumuk duduk betapak,
Nasit manuk tu manah mimit peda aku,
Bisi dunggul silai tiga beserak,
Meda pakaian kita nyau melan-melan nyau kechirak,
Betanchut redam bebaju burak,
Nya alai manuk tawai luan pirak tu,
Kena aku miau sida ka anembiak,
Diatu amat meh sida nya agi mit lachit serta biak,
Tang ka dudi ari pagila lusa sapa nemu,
Engka sida bisi kenyap,
Dimbai Sempandai seduai Pandak Segatak,
Berani ati panjung nyeradak,
Nan ke pulau menua Sarawak,
Tan berujan ka leka meriam kempang betimbak,
Gagit bepekit ngemaju ka diri belajar berentak,
Mali sumbung kaban sekampung,
Nadai kepapas bela bebatak,
Nya baru gaga Petara Aki Petara Ini,
Meda peturun sama mansang angkat enchelak,
Amat gayu kenu Sentuku, gerai ko Sempandai,
Selamat Tahun Baru 2010!

THAT FIRST TWO LETTERS

Every time when the clock ticks passed midnight on the very eve of new year, new chapter unfolds. With hope in mind, to the future we must.

As I peek to the intangible days ahead of me in 2010, series of events which took place in 2009 started to constantly bugging my head. Good ones and bad ones alike, I choose to let bygones be bygones. As one my friend back in matriculation always said "life is already complicated, why make it even worse?"

As an ordinary 22 years old yet-to-graduate student who believed in himself fondly, I am more or less like anybody else - grateful and enjoyed the full ride of life's roller coaster in 2009! Life a.k.a. the ride, is always full of ups and downs, for sure, but somehow it is filled with surprised and moments that defines it forever... In the end, though mind boggling, it's indeed worth the price! Don't you agree?

As new year approaches, it does not only bring a 'new year' by itself alone with it. Like it or not, it comes with countless of 'new' stuff package. New hope, new resolution, new goals, new surroundings, new attitudes, new clothes etc. new moon? That goes to Edward Cullen.

In short, when new chapter begins in one's life, almost everything becomes new. Since it is a new year, this article will be focusing on new GOAL for the year. Can you believe me people when I say that even though our GOALS may be different, there's something about it we should have in common! Yes, regardless of your dream of something which may be too small a punch or something that packs too big a wallop, I repeat we have similarity - Yep, THAT FIRST TWO LETTERS i.e. G-O-a-l


I don't know what President Barrack Obama wished for nor do I dare to question what YOU are planning for too, but the only thing ALL of us must do is to GO for our GOals!

When I attend my first lecture 3 years back, I still remember the phrase which my lecturer used to tell us "the poorest of men is not the one without golds but the one without goals"

Many dreamed and chased after theirs but very a few would really GO and grasp it. No matter what your dreams are for 2010, remember to GO for it because unless you GO for it, your GOal will incomplete - other wise, it's kinda weird to have --AL alone without GO in front! I can't imagine, people asked "what's your --AL for this year?" Funny isn't it?

Joke aside, that's the importance of that particular first two letters. Without them, the word becomes incomprehensible and to your GOAL, without you really GO for it, what's left is only an incomplete --AL!

Best wishes and all the best for the upcoming year to all. Till the next postings.

SEASON'S GREETING!

THE LAST TIME YOUR "BELL" JINGLES?

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, Oh, what fun it is to ride, In a one horse open sleigh..." That might be one of the most well-remembered Christmas songs ingrained in our hearts since childhood.


With the translucent-seductive-well-played-manner of the music that jingles through our ears, "Jingle Bells" seems to suggest a carefree, fun and joyful life one should take. Almost the same as Timon & Pumbaa's "Hakuna Matata" in The Lion King.

However, joke aside, LIFE isn't a BELL after all. No matter how much you tried, it'll ceased to jingle. Too much a force, your bell may be broken into pieces and likewise, too low a force exerted, it's voice dampen. That's the reality of our so-called "bells".

It is quite alarming to hear that most people considered richness, health, dreams etc. to be their greatest gifts of all and worse still, quite a number mentioned about money, power, lust, drugs, sex etc. Well honestly, I don't have the authority to pass judgments for at the end of the day, it is all our choices. Both of us may be right or wrong.

But, don't you think it's quite straight-forward notwithstanding to consider life itself to begin with? Something is missing and that is indeed the greatest of all. Our "bells!" Yep, LIFE itself. Can't you see peps, should you not being born, would you be who you are right now? Will richness, love, family, money, sex etc. come had you not coming to this world first? Perhaps, they may be counted in the other realm but as for now, I'm pretty sure that to be able to have the opportunity to live life as it is, I'm truly grateful!

Since it is Christmas, I would earnestly remind both you and myself about how Christ had jingled his "bell" very well that it surely was, is still and forever echoes till eternity. You see, He didn't need neither The Big Ben in London nor The Big Clock Tower of Notre Dame in Paris to do so, He simply jingled his, and the chimes follows endlessly.

Hence, it is not where was the last time your bell jingled but when? Me? There's a whole lot of walk-the-talk grabbing and renewal of hope in my window of soul lately - and that's when I know my jingle bells are coming in right all the way as 2010 approaches!

Till the next postings.

THE GREATER QUESTION

I am amused with this news reported by The Star today. Click. The news covered on the story of our very own child prodigy, Adi Putra Abdul Ghani, 10 years old who are now making his way to become a millionaire. By the age of 10, he is already a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 2 companies and earning RM6,000 per hour of lecture.

Stories of child prodigies are no shocking incidents at all. Even before this, Malaysia (partly because her mum is a Malaysian) was blessed to have a brilliant child named Sufiah Yusof who once entered St. Hilda's College, Oxford Univ. at the age of 13 due to her deep fascination in Mathematics.

"What did you do when you are 10?"

Apart from that, there are also stories of other genius kids all around the world such as:

1. Arkit Jaswal, who read Shakespeare at the age of 5 while performing a surgery at the age of 7 and became India's youngest undergrad student to attend Punjab Univ. by 11 years old.

2. Song yoo-Geun, who performed Schrodinger equation and enrolled at Inha Univ. Korea by the age of 8!

3. Mohammad Hossein Tabatabai, who is able to recite and interpret the entire Koran at the age of 7!

4. Or consider Tiger Woods who began to play golf at the age of 2!

5. And of course, the now higly-praised teen star Miley Cyrus who in 2008, was listed in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World. Forbes magazine ranked her 35 on the "Celebrity 100" list with earnings of $25 million.

While there maybe child prodigies around, let us also be reminded of those children who are less fortunate, underfed, massacred and side-lined in some other places due to terrorism, war disputes, famine and other disasters alike.

Most of us may be dragged into a conclusion that, we are less fortunate, less smart and exceptionally ordinary compared to these prodigies but remember, there's bottom millions worse.

You see, there are people who enslaved themselves dedicating ripe old 30 years of age working as a bread-winner for the family, yet in the end, dying in debts on hands while others (celebrity such as Miley Cyrus) simply hit their millions before the age of 20! Come to think of it, life seems to be unfair, don't you agree?

This brings us into seductive deductions of:

Premise 1: Miley Cyrus is rich.
Premise 2: To be rich is successful.
Conclusion: Should we become like Miley Cyrus?

Premise 3: Adi Putra is a genius.
Premise 4: Being genius is successful.
Conclusion: Should we become like Adi Putra?

I may not know what you folks there are thinking but to me, no matter what is the definition of success is, I'm still me! I guess, you should be YOU too. As for me, when I was 10, the only thing I can recall is the part when I was gallantly enjoying my vanilla ice-cream watching the then infamous cartoon Scooby-Doo.

Master Oogway in Kung Fu Panda summarized it all when he said "Yesterday was history, tomorrow's a mystery but today's a GIFT! That's why it's called the PRESENT!"

Since we cannot change nor reverse the past and that somehow we can influence the future, the greater question that needs crucial attention is "what will you become 10 years from now?" And that starts with YOU, NOW!

Till the next posting.

SERIES OF EVENTS

Quite a number of events (good, bad, new, old etc.) occurred these few days leaving this once hype, exuberant still in exam-mode silhouette young gun to be cornered. Thanks to the internet, though life seems pretty in hiatus (you bet, it's exam week peps!) still, each passing days continue to surprise us with shall I say, yet another mumbo-jumbo?

1. Enough said with the rankling THES-QS rankings, the recent view pose by USM's VC, Prof. Dzulkifli explains it all. I certainly amused with his argument stating that - ranking is nothing but a herd mentality takeover! Constituted of course, by geezers who had not come to their senses (at least, not for now) to figure out that old ways of ranking universities are obsolete and do not mean much for the readily extreme complicated world now we are living in. But, guess who's the one creating those mess if it's not per say, old-timer geeks from "world class" universities? If you catch my drift.

People pridely wishing to be champions of the world. Gearing up tiredlessly to meet standards in order to be ranked "world class" becomes their outermost priority. But look, few ever stumbled upon themselves asking this very important question, "whose world" or 'which world" are we talking about?

While there maybe hundreds of Nobel Laureates produced every year by this so-called celebrated "world class" universities, how much did it means to the bottom billions of the WORLD? I shall say that if you happened to be on the bustling street of New York with a penny under your sleeve, consider yourself lucky because on the other side of the real WORLD, someone might be starving to death in Kibera Slum of Kenya in Nairobi! Or, while Shah Rukh Khan may even 'own' lands on The Moon (report), thousands of people fall short of enough ration and homeless in India! This is the type of the real WORLD we are in. Unless this prevailing truth being comprehended dearly, I must say our understanding of the WORLD is seemingly limited. When I was a kid, I used to sing a song entitled "It's a small world" in Sunday School. Come to think of it, our world is the same the way it should be, the only thing which is shrinking and getting smaller is I doubt, our understanding on it!

2. Also, there was this story of an unfortunate 18 years old girl of Iban and Chinese parentage named Marina Undau from Sri Aman Division, Sarawak. Her story gained national attention when her application and appeal to enroll into one of the Malaysian matriculation colleges was apparently rejected by the Ministry of Education due to her being in non-Bumiputera (non-native) status. Click here for the news. Sincerely, in an any given day basis, termination of any application is normal - it's part and parcel of life - however, the reason given by the ministry has invoked a state of chaos on the land. The reason of the dismissal was that “the candidate is categorize as non-Bumiputera (father is Iban and mother is Chinese)” based on a definition used by the Student Intake Management Division, Higher Learning Department and Higher Education Ministry.

Their definition is as follows:

Sarawak – “Jika bapa dan ibu adalah seorang Peribumi Sarawak seperti mana yang ditakrifkan dalam Perkara 161A(6)(b) Perlembagaan persekutuan; maka anaknya adalah dianggap seorang Bumiputera.” (If the father and mother is a native of Sarawak as defined under Article 161A(6)(b) of the Federal Constitution, the child is considered a Bumiputera).

So, that is her case. She's being turned down because she is not a Bumiputera. To be frank, in the first place, the idea of being Bumis or vice versa should not arise. There's not need to be a Bumi when you are already a Malaysian. 1Malaysia concept, remember? Worse still, how can one ever permit a promised future of a girl scoring 9As in her SPM slipped away just because of silly wordings on a piece of paper? Enough already with the whole confusions, isn't it time to move forward?

Looking into this issue, I will not take it personally (though I'm an Iban myself) like others who blurted out passing judgments blinkered by emotions. Of course people can burst out and press on their feelings and complaining but don't we aware that, our whining actually complicates things more? In a democratic country, The Constitution is the supreme law and once a law is constituted, it shall be abided unless a motion is tabled in the parliment to amend the law with 2/3 majority support from all the parliment members. That's the truth. Can it be changed? Certainly!

The way I see it, in order to avoid such disgrace again in future, someone should stand up and this started with our YBs (representatives in the parliment) involvement to table up a motion to amend the law, but in time like this, when the plight of the people is at stake, where did our so-called YBs go? Sadly, most of them are cowering under the table, snuggling in comfort. Not only that, from my observations, many of our YB's married to non-Bumis, but still, the sons and daughters getting scholarships and were even sent to study overseas. How do you explain that? What a waste of my grandma's vote! If this is the case, then, I shall not voting. But, one thing for sure, given the opportunity, I'm still in favor of mix-parentage family come what may. So, bye Bumi status. I'm a Malaysian anyway.

I believed one's eligibility is not measured by one's status but his/her capability - regardless whether you are the son of a king or a farmer's daughter, should you excel in studies, scholarships and rewards are yours! No such things as double standards and as* licking here man, if you want it, prove it!

3. Recently, a video of some incorrigible young brats is circulating in the Youtube! What's the odd of a bunch of kids making video anyway? (news) Surely, it's nothing. Simple move here and there with a little bit of shuffle dance. That's all. But what triggers strain was their behavior of insolently mimicking 'solat' ritual in a church! That is completely wrong though you are a kid! Being pranksters do not mean that one can scrutinize others' beliefs. There's always a limit to anything let alone serious matter as far as religion. To my Muslim friends, I am deeply sorry for this irresponsible deed. Sometimes, some people just hate to look before leap.

This becomes my concern since that particular church of which this disgusting video was taken is my hometown church back in Betong, Sarawak - the one that used to be my sitting pew every Sunday without missed for more than 12 years because after that, I continued my study in other places. At first, I was struck to hear such news (bad news) about something that holds back countless sweet memories - of course not with the beautiful choir girls on the music chamber nor being an altar boy on the tabernacle - but of a place which you spent almost every bits of your childhood.

It still fresh in my mind, the day I was gonna recite my first prayer in front of other kids at the age of 5, the merry-making scenario during Sunday School. Not to mention Ms. Helena with her ever tender voice asking us to stay put (You know kids...) and my parents parenting on the pew style of bringing - whenever in church, you should sit in front!

I remember when there was a time when my friends Ching Ching (Buddhist), Zul (Muslim) and I were playing hide and seek just in the vicinity of the church area, yet nothing ridiculous happened, though all of us were grounded the next day as a result of Ching Ching accidentally broke some tombstone by the edge but that's all. No big deal because everyone knows their limits and holding on to respect each other. That's how it was back then. The issue of mocking each others belief and way of life is out of question! Guess nowadays kids are getting twisted by too much exposure to mass media etc.

Above all, I believed not a single religion in this world teaches their practitioners to be disrespectful towards others. It's the same goes to either Jesus or Mohammad nor Buddha and Krishna. All religions are good as they always are. The only thing less good is us, human. That's why things like these occurred. And you blame it on to religion, law and the world? Common peps, wake up!

Till the next posting.