Friday, August 28, 2015

Kita Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara, Satu Malaysia

I've always shied away from writing anything political related. It is my principle so to say that I would like to remain out of being embroiled in politics and comment on our state of politics, both local and foreign. This is simply because there is no perfect government, no perfect policy, no such thing as the one rule fits all. Like everything that we do, 80/20 applies. If I can satisfy the 80% at the expense of 20%, my job is done. HOWEVER, there are some lines to be drawn, integrity, governance and transparency must be at all times, at the top. This is like how as an individual, we have the 10 commandments to abide with and basically how to be a decent human being. We are not asking for perfection, as let's be honest, no one is perfect. But if you even lack the basic human decency, then you are no better than the common criminal. 

This is probably the most trying time in Malaysia in my 33 years of life. I'm proud to be a born or bred KL, spending all my formative years. I have friends who are of different races, I've also dated men from different races. I had never seen color or religion as a barrier to striking a friendship. I remember in my primary school, there are probably a handful of chinese with my friends mostly Malays and Indians. We could all speak malay and english fluently. Then when I was in secondary school I had friends that are Chinese, Malay, Indians, Eurasians, Punjabis, rich and poor and of different faith. I don't recall a day went by where we were identified by our skin color nor our beliefs. Even till now, I still get stared at when I go into a restaurant with my Malay friends. It is quite sad that this is not the norm. But I do lament a certain fact, working in a GLC, an environment created to safeguard the Malay sovereignty, I know that I would not be able to move the corporate ladder as fast as I would like to and chances are very high, that I would be sidelined as I'm deemed of not the right color.

All matters aside, I had never given up faith and hope that Malaysia will get better. But it had taken a turn for worst in the last few years. The play for money politics has worsen, I used to say that our current PM started off so well but he had underestimated his warlords that could potentially cripple the country's economy. And the existence of these warlords are the doing of his predecessor, the very same man that is now the current PM's biggest critics and suddenly, holding a moral high ground of doing the right thing. I guess, he had conveniently forgot that he had made those monsters and had for years enjoyed their kickbacks with probably the best office in the whole of KL. A whole floor at Petronas Twin Tower that overlooks KL in an almost 360 view. 

Amidst all the current economic woes that we are facing, we are also looking at a split country and unsure how we could go about to make the change. So we do like everyone else does, we take it to the streets in the name of protest and change. I have been part of the silent majority that had remained silent on issues like this for all of my life. But tomorrow, i want to help with taking the first step out. Making the change. BUT let's not kid ourselves that in just one protest, we will be able to topple the government or make the politicians vote for a no-confidence for our PM. But this is the start of the first step, the very first step to make that difference, to let the current government know that they need to buck up and be constantly on their toes to please their actual paymaster, us, the Rakyat. Not just the tax payers as we still have a lot below the poverty line, but those who contributed to this nation. The Rakyat. Because this coming Bersih 4.0, is not about toppling a government, a vote of no confidence or even hoping that things will change. But it should be the first step for the current government to realize that they can no longer hide behind someone. They should SERVE the Rakyat, they should all be transparent and uphold the high of integrity values. And if they don't change, we will change them out! 

That's my hope for Malaysia's 58th year Independence Day. And I will always hold true to "Kita Satu Bangsa, Satu Negara, Satu Malaysia"

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Hallyu Sweeping Over

Yes, it's been a busy month of July, filled with hospital stays, doctor visits, loads of medical jargon thrown in and suddenly a passion for Hallyu. Yes, I've been swept away by the onslaught of Korean wave and it is amazing how I finished all those dramas. Producers, Healer, It's Okay It's Love, Marriage Not Dating, My Love from the Star, A Gentleman's Dignity. Gosh.. Even I'm impressed with myself! But it's not just the drama, I started having korean food a lot more frequent, I understand korean faces now and I followed their stars' gossip. 

Oh well, I hope all these end soon, otherwise I'll be making another trip to korea just to see if I can bump into the dreamy Jo In Sung and hopes he marries me!