Malaysia- Truly Asia or Purely Asia?

NEXT year Malaysia will celebrate its 50th birthday. Half a decade has not made its citizens any wiser as racism still pops in the minds of its 23,953,136 (as of July 2005) men, women and children living in this country.
Opposition parties, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in particular offer sling shots at the ruling government’s racial discrimination, no thanks to the ‘Dasar Ekonomi Baru’ (New Economic Policy) which was initiated right after the infamous 13 May (1969) horror whereby the Malays felt out of place compared to their Chinese ‘friends’ who, despite being newer immigrants, were influential in charting the country’s economy. (it has been proven most Malays are from Indonesian descendants but they have been in the country far longer than the other races which migrated from China and India during the British empire.)
Fast forward to the future, let’s take a look at the just concluded MyTeam v Malaysia Selection last Sunday. The MyTeam, a commercially driven but yet said to be a nation motivator, lost 2-1 to the national side mostly comprising of K.Rajagopal’s Under-20 side at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Some said the Malays supported the Malaysian team, while the ‘nons’ supported the MyTeam.
The national selection had only one non Malay player (K.Nanthakumar) who is part of main national team. MyTeam meanwhile fielded two Chinese players and several Indian players besides the bulk of Malay players.
But to the rest of us, it was merely a game to prove who had the extra edge. While it was unfair for the young national team to be jeered by its own nationals, it was nevertheless a game that kept the people in the stands entertained. However Harian Metro playing spokesman to KJ's invention (I guess a back page lead criticising the Malaysian team and idolising the losing team was overboard..but heck isn't NSTP UMNO's baby??) was clearly uncalled for.
And can the Malays be blamed for being good in the world’s greatest game as it is known the others are all education driven, often despising a career in sports.
In politics, racism often shows it ugly head. DAP leader Lim Kit Siang often fights for a fair and just system, especially in the education system. Nevertheless, with all due respect to Kit Siang, he is a hypocrite as his support in the establishment of Chinese and Tamil schools only defeats the purpose of creating a ‘Rakyat Malaysia’.
Why cant every man, woman and child in this country come from a Sekolah Kebangsaan? Why shouldn’t every man, woman and child in this country speak four different languages- English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil- fluently?
The United Kingdom, under Tony Blair’s Labour party has spent millions to initiate a programme where every British child will be able to speak at least one foreign language besides their mother tongue in the future. Here, millions need not be spent as the remaining expertise can be utilised, and mind you four languages can be learnt.
If the government continues to suppress the issue without taking means of changing the mindset of its people, another May 13 could very well happen. But the government alone can’t do much; it’s the people who need to be more pro-active.
If the Chinese or Indians or even the Malays are so afraid of losing their culture, well they have lost it a long time ago. Someone once said, the problem with this country is simple- the Malays are too contended, the Chinese are too money minded and the Indians are too power driven. If a balance can be produced, then there would surely be a ‘perfect’ Malaysia. But then again, no one is perfect.
So is Malaysia truly Asia..or purely Asia? You decide.

-The Man Who Sold The World-

uncreaming stupidity

STUPIDITY is everywhere. Period.
It emerges in the forms of materials we read, images we see and emotions we feel. There’s always not enough action in life, not enough time to work, not enough love to be share, not enough food to go around but yet, stupidity defies all odds and often appear in abundance.
To simplify things- Fact 1; A shampoo commercial from a particular brand which is currently being aired on Malaysian television is a perfect example.
Stupidity number one- how can shampoo be associated with a wrapped up head (as the person wears a headscarf. No prejudice towards the practice of wearing a headscarf but it just doesn’t make sense how shampoo can be associated without the image of user’s hair).
Stupidity number two- husband being romantic to his wife after she uses the shampoo, this despite she wearing a headscarf and no hair can be seen or smelt.
Stupidity number three- the whole commercial itself.
While this is no personal attack towards the said company (whom I have been using their products personally), it is rather baffling to note such shallow values being portrayed.
Fact 2; When TV presenters and Malaysian media get confused with names. Eg. A Malaysian man of Chinese origin, Ai Kan Fatt. Notice how his name will be referred to as Kan Fatt after the next sentence while his Malay friend Mohd Jantan bin Kecik will be known as Jantan thereafter. However, note a foreigner, eg. Gaylord Focker, which will then be referred to as Focker.
Foreigners are acknowledged by their sir names while locals by their first name. Now the stupidity arises when our presenters blindly follow their ignorant Western counterparts by referring Asian including Muslim names with the same foreign equation. In short, why are we calling Osama bin Laden as bin Laden when we know for a fact bin Laden is Osama’s father’s name! It should be Osama for crying out loud. It is he who has done terror, not his poor father…sigh!
Fact 3; The Malaysian youth were awarded during the Youth Day a couple of days ago by the Prime Minister. Stupidity- All those winning the awards were in their 40s. How is that youthful?
Stupidity comes in various forms, shape and sizes. However, we can put a stop to stupidity by encouraging some common sense and realistic thinking once in awhile.
Stupidity is like a disease. If kept uncheck, it will cream you all over with stupidity.

-The Man Who Sold The World-

cream the ball

FOOTBALL. Every man’s dream game- well almost every man.
While the activity of watching 22 grown men kicking a ball all over the field may not amuse some quarters, our European, Asian, Southern American and African friends are often in frenzy when the game is played.
The World Cup will be ‘the’ conversation amongst us in coming weeks. While there have been weekly dosages of the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and not forgetting the German Bundesliga, the zenith of football emotions is seen during the four year once international event.
While many get hyped up over the World Cup, from stationary companies, book stores and even clothing manufacturers jumping onto the bandwagon, many have failed to look into what football is all about. Unity. Governance. Totality.
Countries are given a berth in what is seen as the most intense sporting event. The viewer ship- an outstanding 28.8 billion viewers as seen in the previous South Korea-Japan 2002 edition.
If football were to be a religion, the figure above would be its followers. While the passion runs deep within the veins of the fans, sadly, the enthusiasm is not brought forward into daily life.
Football, or in fact any sport, would be the best mean to show war torn nations of what life is all about- a purpose to live-. Most countries are either enveloped in civil wars while the others are embroiled in political unrest.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair akin himself to a football manager. While his popularity may have taken a dip over the months, he nevertheless was on track by equating himself to a sporting head.
Ever wondered why Holland have performed miserably in previous World Cup outings despite having the services of good players within their stable? Arrogance of the selected few coupled with poor leadership have been their downfall. When a manager fails, he ships out. But when a government leader fails, he is given a second chance, third chance….and so the count begins.
If only people took the passion of football and equated into daily lives more seriously, there will be better understanding between one another, better governance and better lives led.
It is surprising many understand how an ‘off-side’ works but are ignorant of the everyday workings of the system we live in. It’s surprising how many can name footballers within a single breath, but yet pause for long awkward moments when asked about their local parliamentary members.
Thus, an equation towards local governance and football can be made. A good manager ensures a great team. A great leader ensures a developed nation. And now its time for the ‘fans’ to learn how to make their voices heard- in and out of the pitch.
And in the football spirit, a sporting reminder to our leaders; if you can’t cream the ball, please ship out!

-The Man Who Sold The World-

cracker up the biz, cream up the sex

SEX sells. Period.
The flesh trade is seen as the oldest occupation alive, surviving generations of wars, recessions and natural disasters. However, sex has evolved- from a paid ‘contract’ between a man and a woman (or man-man, or woman-woman- whatever the scenario maybe) to sexual elements capable of spurring up the buying power. In fact children too are lured into such evolution.
Manufacturers of products, ranging from innocent dolls to perfumes, have strapped on to the sex attraction, thus possibly risking younger children to be exposed to adult related materials.
While Barbie was told to be ‘less shapely’ and even asked to ‘cover up’ in some countries, the latest to be lambasted by the public is British retailers BHS. Padded bras were added to the tops while sexy knickers were made available at their under-10 girls counters.
Such attitude by business makers has received stern words by British political party, Tory, official David Cameron.
“I’m concerned by the impact on children of the increasingly aggressive interface of commercialisation and sexualisation,” Mr Cameron was quoted.
“I’ve no desire to wrap kids in cotton wool. Growing up is about finding out what goes on in the real world but the protection of childhood innocence against premature sexualisation is something worth fighting for,” he added.
Film makers in Hollywood too have jumped on the sex bandwagon for years, in a bid to earn profits by showing some flesh. Even Music TV (MTV) ought to be blamed for their offerings of raunchy clips towards their targeted audience, mostly young teens all over the globe.
Heck, even singers and songwriters ought to be blamed. ‘Where is the love’ sung by Black Eyed Peas shows sheer hypocrisy of the group, blaming the media and everything else for ruining the moral delinquency in the lyrics but later come up with sexily seductive songs about their ‘humps’.
Can they, or in fact all manufacture-ring organisations be blamed? It is a business at the end of the day and as long as it is ‘legal’, anything sells.
The impact on children will be great, as this can be seen by the increasing number of juvenile cases, both in third world and developing countries. A study showed UK teens have lowered the age bar for sex to 15, and it could very well drop within the next 10 years or so.
Even the stringiest legislation cannot overcome the problem and it now lands in the hands of the consumers who could in their way make a difference. But then again, people are comfortable with what is being offered and it seems no one is very perturbed over the issue.
Thus, its true- the best way to cracker up your business is by creaming up the sex.

-The Man Who Sold The World-

cracked Pearl, creamy Jam

BLACK

by Pearl Jam

Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Lays spread out before me as her body once did
All five horizons revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn
and all I taught her was everything
How quick the sun can drop away
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything
The pictures have all been washed in black
Tattooed everything...

I take a walk outside
I’m surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter, so why do I see her?
And twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I’m spinning, oh, I’m spinning
How quick the sun can drop away
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything
All the pictures have all been washed in black
Tattooed everything...
All the love gone bad turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see, all that I am, all I’ll be

I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky, but why
Why, why can’t it be, why can’t it be mine?
We belong together

-end-

cream and craker

RELATIONSHIPS are like a pair of chopstick; it's either both work together or not work at all.
The next time you eat chinese, remember of the chopstick theory. The next time you go out with a guy or a gal of your interest, remember the chopstick theory. The next time u remember the chopstick theory..remember you got it from a cream and cracker site :)