Turn to the Arts!

Posted on August 3, 2006 by Tricia

Every now and then, I get increasingly disillusioned with the state of what we strive for.

Yet, every now and then, simple things colour and liven your day, perfectly or im.

Listening to a compilation of Malaysian artistes, a CD of 24 songs called “Voices From Next Door”… songs on life, love and survival by Malaysian Singer Songwriters. It’s not mainstream music, which is why I like it actually. This is the Keane-Coldplay-Damien Rice sort of music that I fall deeply in love with. (Keane is coming to Bangkok, by the way!) Some songs are not really worth listening to, but some others are brilliant. So proud of our local scene.

When all else fails, turn to the arts scene. Troubadours is a group of independent musicians who play live regularly – instrumental in compiling this CD. It is inspiring to see people making things happen, converse to what happens in that other big structure – the building starting with the letter “P” and whose picture is on our ringgit notes.

When all else fails, turn to theatre. Read the review on kakiseni here – a play put up by Five Arts Centre over the next three days called “In 1969”, a tale of unrequited love based in 1969 – a controversial year in Malaysian history.

At least these people have the courage to do something proactive instead of endless debating and talkshop that amount to zilch. Kudos to the Malaysian arts scene….

And when all else fails for me, I will too turn to the arts. Perhaps sooner.

Posted in Music, The Cause | 2 Comments

Silence of the Lambs

Posted on August 3, 2006 by Tricia

Silence of the Lambs before the slaughter… we now see the silencing of writers online.

The Star Online 1 Aug Says: “Zam: Some control on Net media needed”

“We need to have a similar form of control over Internet media and blogs, as the medium is used to spread unfounded allegations that pose a threat to national security and racial unity,” he added. Zainuddin said he supported Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow’s statement that there should be some form of control over sensitive issues to protect national security. He said some websites and blogs had touched on Islam and Malay rights, which threatened harmony in multi-racial Malaysia. If left uncontrolled, the medium could be used as a tool to disturb the peace and stability in the country. “It is not our intention to curb freedom of speech. It is all right to present views but it is not acceptable if the content is instigative in nature,” he added. “We have come across cases and stories that are posted based on hearsay. Some of the comments and arguments are baseless,” he noted. Zainuddin said the Government had no intention of jailing those who write about racial issues in blogs. “We will not stop bloggers and Internet media operators from expressing their views, as long as the views are presented in an ethical manner,” he added.

And today’s news on The Star (2nd Aug 2006 issue), the front page reminded bloggers just that. The Prime Minister has issued a warning – those who spread untruths and slander on the Internet will face the law. If information in blogs, websites and online portals were incorrect, bordered on slander, caused disturbance or compelled the public to lose faith in the nation’s economic policies, their authors would be detained for investigation, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

Thanks Nadai!

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Passion and Ideals

Posted on August 1, 2006 by Tricia

What is there to live for if not with passion?

What guide can one live life upon if not on principles and ideals?  Is there another way to live, really?

Should it come as a surprise to many people that some really do work according to the vocations of their choice? That indeed, enjoyment and passion drive some to perform their best? This is Marxist in nature, since Marx himself said that work was the fulfilment of all mankind. In work one would truly find oneself – a very short paraphrase of course.

This also has biblical grounding. Christians believe that on the 7th day, God rested, because He was satisfied with His creations. After each of His creations, He was satisfied and saw that it was good. I see this as a reflection of what we ought to be as well – satisfied with what we do. In the “creating” or carving out of something, anything, in life – we ought to do it with full passion and at its fruition, stand back and feel with utmost satisfaction the joy of a work completed.

Likewise, in the sphere of Work and Life, one should derive equal pleasure from one’s creations – may it be a statistical chart, a product design, an econometric model, a research project, an article written, a painting, a poem, an electronic switchboard… may all these contribute to the joy of being human… and ultimately, “made in His image”. We are made to create and experience the joy of having completed a good work!

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Boy oh Boy-cott

Posted on August 1, 2006 by Tricia

KJ pulls another KJ stunt! Between him and his dad-in-law, it’s hard to say who is winning. It seems like they are competing in a contest these days on the most outstanding statement.

When I wrote earlier about the ridiculously long list of products linked to Israel that is currently being boycotted, I had no idea that this was also being initiated in our very country! By one of our leaders!

He says in the Bernama report here, that UMNO Youth will release a list of these products soon. KJ said that the move was to inform the public of the products so they can be boycotted. If you’ve seen the list, you’ll know it’s an incredibly long one.

Does he know what he is really saying, in actual fact? Is he thinking about the many Malaysian employees working in that line? How about the managing directors/ country representatives in that area of work who are going to be affected financially if these products are really boycotted by more than 60% of the country?

He is an influential leader. And so whatever he says might just be followed, without thinking of the ramifications. Perhaps those working in these companies might also abandon their jobs. This will contribute to the growing number of unemployed in the country. Already the country is grappling with the high numbers of unemployed graduates. What then for these graduates to work in such Israel-related (or so the list claims…I’m not sure about its truth) MNC companies?

Sure, there is the issue of religion involved and all. I could blog about that but another day… At stake here is the economy of the country. Malaysia is fighting to be world class and rise up to achieve its GDP growth outlined in the 9MP and all our beloved politicians can do is make use of these for their own reasons. Furthermore, reading from a comment on a blog, it is true isn’t it, that his investment company engages in global investments. Think about that.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

I gotta shut up soon

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Tricia

According to our dear Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, or otherwise more fondly known as ZAM, websites are going to be controlled by the government. Ooooooh… And why?

The government must control the internet and websites to curb the spread of rumours and news that can harm racial unity in the country, said Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin today.

He said he agreed with Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow that stern warning must be issued and action taken against rumour-mongers for causing problems to the extent of disturbing public order.

Now doesn’t this seem like a backward clock that our country is experiencing. And the citizens are getting more and more confused over the state of Malaysia, its direction, and what the leaders foresee for the country’s future. First they say they want openness, transparency and so on. Then there’s stopping the forum on speaking rights – more ridiculous is that they are propagating rights from the Constitution, the very legal document that forms the backbone of Malaysia. And now this clamping down on online websites and media.

The control was not to muzzle press freedom but to stop the spread of news based on rumours, articles and features with racial undertones, he added.

Now let’s see…. his reason for doing so was to stop the spread of news based on RUMOURS. Okay, I do understand the government’s concerns that rumour-mongering will certainly harm race-relations in the country. But what the government does not seem to understand is that a country that is seeking to move towards being a developed nation by the year 2020 is also characteristically practising liberal democracy. The aspect of giving information freely to all its citizens is apparent.

Whether or not this information is true is a different matter altogether. Daily we receive lots of data on the internet – borders are no longer in place. It is really up to the individual to THINK for oneself and SIFT through the facts and figures one receives. Furthermore, it will be disturbing to note who will decide upon what is fact and what is fiction!

That we are not mature enough to decipher rumour from fact is all the more TELLING of our EDUCATION SYSTEM. This means we are not educating our children enough to teach them CRITICAL THINKING!!

The control on media content will boost credibility of a website as the people will know the news published was accurate and no longer based on rumours.

Does he know how ridiculous he sounds? Who gets to “control the media content”? Oh yes, the government. And we superly duperly trust that.

So, I guess, the price that we bloggers and site builders have to pay for a poorly executed system of teaching Malaysians how to THINK for themselves, is that eventually we have to shut up. Let’s count the days till the close of this blog. Boo hoo for the Jeff Oois, Raja Petras, Aisehmans (men?) of Malaysia. Boo hoo for Egalitaria.

*Note: i’m not saying online media is all that reliable. I’m just for freedom of information, so people can judge for themselves. Saying we are not able to – is just downright insulting.

Posted in The Cause | 5 Comments

Breather

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Tricia

Everyone needed to take a breather from the heated week we just had. Cool down the rising temperatures!

Everyday something new comes up. Ethnic relations guidebook, Article 11 Forums, Dr M sprayed with mace, his firebolt speech and comments, 10000 people gathered at a mosque gathering etc.

I personally needed a breather over the weekend before the battle begins again tomorrow.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Boycott Israel Campaign

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Tricia

An interesting site that has ramifications on marketers, brand and product development, international relations around the world:

Boycott Israel Campaign, that calls on the boycotting on hundreds of brands, amongst the list are included the following:

  • Banana Republic
  • Biotherm
  • Disney
  • Calvin Klein
  • Schweppes
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Kotex

And the list goes on! Imagine the impact when the forces get together and truly decide to abandon these products. Islamisation and globalisation: when the two meet, it gets ugly.

Posted in Religion | 2 Comments

Rise and Fall

Posted on July 29, 2006 by Tricia

We talked about the systems of government and why some failed and others succeeded.

One possible theory I postulated was that of the Russian example. Both Russia and China were still ruled under the Communist regime for the longest time. What happened after that, that made Russia collapse so suddenly and China maintain its stability until today?

Both countries’ leaders had for all this time bound their citizens with an iron rule in both economic and political spheres. Russia, under its new leader Mikhail Gorbachev, however, decided that it was time to open up its systems. He told his citizens and fellow leaders within the government to be open with him. Be critical and tell him what they think. Opening up the political and economic spheres, he thought, was the only way forward in imitation of the American model.

However, the timing was just not right. It was too quick, too soon. Gorbachev should have waited and bided his time. The government system itself was not ready. He was the solo man riding the tide of dissatisfaction. The system imploded and collapsed before you could say ‘democracy’.

China? Oh, China knew the time was never right. Their choice was to keep close control of the political environment but decided to liberalise the economy – slowly, slowly.

Zoom back to 2006, Badawi’s government. Are they losing control of Malaysia, both politically and economically? If yes, why so? Has the country not been liberalising itself in the economy sufficiently over the past couple of decades? Then why is it that political liberalism (although we proclaim ourselves a democracy – maybe just a pseudo one) has not succeeded sufficiently in this country? Is the timing not right? When will it ever be? And till then, do we observe an elegant silence whilst others continue to feel marginalised?

Are we really so immature and not prepared for the kind of liberal democracy that is practiced in 1st world countries around? And if so, isn’t that what we want at the end of the day?

Is Malaysia trying to look for a solution to its unique problem in its very own “Malaysian” style? If so, what Malaysian style is this? And how “right” can it be if this style totally disregards any form of international standards? (For this is what it tantamounts to when one says that international human rights are insignificant and not applicable in Malaysia.)

What then is our goal? We have to know this, or we confuse ourselves into thinking that Malaysia is capable of achieving its Wawasan 2020 of being a developed nation when it refuses to behave in a way that is befitting of one!! And that’s what we must think about.

Posted in Reflections, The Cause | Leave a comment

Read the Constitution for yourself

Posted on July 28, 2006 by Tricia

In the US of A, citizens can easily quote Amendments of their Constitution. They learn it at school. They regularly use it, it is within reach and disposal. This is why a country has a Constitution in the first place.

Malaysians should read our Constitution for themselves and form their own conclusions. Too much noise is playing in the background. Now, for starters you can click here for your perusal of the Federal Constitution. You can even click on each Article for your convenience! Note: the Articles of contention here are Article 11 and Article 121 1(A), which isn’t in its total form but I’ve extracted it here for you:

Article 121(1A) of the federal constitution – which amendment came into effect on June 10, 1988 (prior to which the High Court had unfettered jurisdiction over all matters in the federation) – provides that the (civil) high courts ‘… shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any matter within the jurisdiction of the syariah courts.’ It is important to reflect on the negative (as opposed to the positive) way in which the Article is framed. (Extract taken from malaysiakini.com)

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Sick sick sick

Posted on July 28, 2006 by Tricia

I’m getting so sick of each issue cropping up daily.

I need new thoughts, new issues, new hobbies to take my mind off the state of this sorry nation.

Let’s return to my love for astronomy. Found this society called Star Finder Malaysia. The website is here.  They get into activities that I yearned for years ago but never joined a club for – stargazing, meteor shower observation and so on. Let’s get that telescope brushed and dusted! Astronomy is a beautiful way of escaping far, far away from here.. burying oneself in the sea of stars above you.

On another note, Starlight Cinema is back to paint Sentul Park bright and warm in the cool evenings of KL.

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