Way before broadband and even dial-up internet services came into existence, I read somewhere about writing to oneself if any, just to give a pat on the back or, at other times, to be self-critical of one's work or accomplishment. I tried it several times, writing to myself, that is. But I got nowhere as each time I reach half a page, I would just crumple the paper and either mumble or smile at myself. This time though, I hope to be able to finish it.
To do so, I would need a new pseudo identity in hope that no one will recognise me except for the bloggers and friends I met. Otherwise, it will certainly be embarrassing with all the mistakes I am prone to make when writing. So, here goes nothing...or everything.
Dear Iddin,
I hope you are in high spirits when this letter reaches you. Coming at a time which I hope you do not find it an inconvenience at the very least. Having read the position you have been put in, I do have to admit I sort of understand the tumultuous moments and anxiety you are going through. Permit me then to part some words which perhaps could put you to ease even for short while, or help you in the direction which only you can make, but one that would definitely affect many.
Iddin, I think you still remember a mutual friend of ours. Having landed a position in a small organisation, he thought his luck had changed for the better and did try his level best to bring some changes that would propel the organisation to greater heights. But somewhere along the line there he made several wrong,,,shall we say, turns? And let's not use the word 'wrong' too. Rather, let's just use 'misguided'. For in truth, many of use, if not all, are misguided fools who stray from a path. Who knows why we do it. Sometimes it's due to greed, sometimes ego, and yet sometimes, it maybe due to sheer foolishness. And still, with all the misguided turns we took, there are some things to be gained. Oh, I do not mean ill-gotten wealth or worldly pleasures, for those would be far too obvious.
A cliche now as it may be, but someone once said "To defeat your enemy, you must know them". I could not understand it before but our dear mutual friend brought me into the light. Just as he did with me, and so I hope to be with you. But by now, I am very sure you already have grasp the idea. Wily fox that you are, how can you not, eh?
Back to our mutual friend, when the clouds descended upon him, blotting out the sun and put him in mental and emotional disarray, he fought back with all he had. Oh, those clouds were not brought down by angels, but the devils who were angry with him for not toeing the line. He thought he was alone in his battle but surprisingly received support from unexpected quarters. To bring the story short, with their help, Alhamdulillah, he won. Those devils had to turn tail and their names tarnished forever. And can you guess what our mutual friend did when he was standing triumph? Even before the dust settled and smoke dissipates, he tendered his resignation. Yes, he quit. For he knew he was as guilty as the devils themselves. Apart from those misguided turns, he chose to keep quiet about the evil deeds he knew committed. That's right Iddin, having knowledge of a wrong and not doing anything about it makes one an accomplice. Hmm....think I heard that in a TV show. 'Law and Order', perhaps.
It is still not too late Iddin. If you do not make a bold move now, it might though. And if that do happen, it might be too late for many too. Think carefully, Iddin. No, don't! Don't think at all! Act on it! Now! Do not let the list of Serial Victims grow longer.
Your Otherself,
Iddin.
ps.
Oh Iddin, do not cry over spilt milk. If it's any consolation to you, everyone makes mistake. Perhaps this old video and song may cheer you up a bit. And yes, Iddin, I know a few might laugh at the props and dressing but like I mentioned, it is an old video.
PS PS.
Horrors! Iddin, I was drifting into slumber land when it occurred to me that some might think our mutual friend is that Doctor Guy. No, no, it can't be. While our mutual friend may have been slightly wayward, he tried his best to be a good law abiding person as opposed to that Doctor Guy who did as he pleased. Some even said he initiated the Serial Victims list. So I hope, Iddin, you do not get more confused as you already are now.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Hold Your Horses, Hombre.
"On whose authority?" asked the motorcyclist (not verbatim).
After trying to get the man's cooperation nicely, the resident felt that the question was more of a challenge and shouted back "I'm trying to be nice and polite and you want to pick a fight?"
The motorcyclist clearly taken aback at the reply showed signs of backing down and the resident pointed to the main street and said "Go, get out of here!", ignoring the motorcyclist subtle plea for calmness.
.
Sometimes, people are so strangely stupid and arrogant. I'm sorry to be writing this but that seem to be the way of the world now. In a place where there's a Police Traffic Headquarters and a law that require motorcyclist use safety helmet, minors are riding not only without helmets but without licence too. Worse still, many times, 3 riders on a single bike. For a place with a name that means a city or fort, this place surely does seem like a kampung area. Mind you, I have no disrespect for any kampungs but this is the situation. Added to the 'insult' the Police conduct roadblocks on monthly basis looking out for errant drivers and guess what...motorcyclist without valid permits! What a laugh! But that's life here when even the ruling regime does not understand the meaning of law...or order. What more it it's Law and Order.
Some many years ago, I had the opportunity to interview the illustrious RPK. Yes, I do know he's fallen out of favour with many but back then, his, was a writing many could not give a miss. I don't think I can be a judge to a man who had given almost everything but would like recount 2 interesting episodes with him. One, as mentioned, was the interview. Well, not exactly, but a few moments after the interview was over.
On the way out, I asked him about the 1987 Team A and Team B fiasco: "Was not the ruling regime illegal already as that party was banned by the judge (who was later disgraced and replaced)".
"It was", replied RPK, "but no one in the opposition took the legal course (of forcing a snap GE)".
This, simply show why we have no law and certainly no order here.
The other episode is a bit hazy for me. No, not the episode itself but the time and place it took place. Anyway, RPK said, much to my shock, I admit "Even when the opposition takes over the mantle, we will always be the opposition" - not verbatim.
The shock I had was simply because I was being politically naive and very much supporting an opposition party as evident in the layout of this blog. But that was then. Now - with the strong exception of the Putrajayan regime - I give support to the man or party who is doing what is right for the people and the country.
The above is especially with regards to the recent event in Penang about the reclamation law. You do have to excuse me for I did not follow the matter from the beginning but when I read the sole DAP stand on the matter and his citation of the late Karpal Singh "In politics, there is no friend or enemy; only principles..." - not verbatim (I can't trace the news at this point of writing); I give him my support. The phrase by the late Karpal is also in line with a hadith which states "There'll come a time when holding on to your belief will be like holding on to (the embers) of coal". Simply put: A man has got to stand on his principles...ta da. (Whoever is reading this, please remember I am just sit-down comedian wannabe ya).
So dearly esteemed CM of Penang, kindly hold your horses, work around the perimeter and enjoy democracy as is should be. In truth, I respect you for all you have fought for in the past and hope to continue respecting you in the future.
Now, back to the idiot motorcyclist at the beginning of this entry:Except for the Sikhs who wears the turban, you people of other belief, why can't you set an example to the young of the nation? There is no law in your religion saying that you should not wear a safety helmet and in fact, all religion encourage safe practice in our daily affairs. So do be a good fella before a green monster appear before you and...whatever.
ps. The Resident Association decided to ban motorcyclist without helmets from using our road here to deter non-residents using it as a short-cut to other places. In the morning rush hour, residents find difficulties going out of their house simply because of the long queue to the junction caused by non-residents.
After trying to get the man's cooperation nicely, the resident felt that the question was more of a challenge and shouted back "I'm trying to be nice and polite and you want to pick a fight?"
The motorcyclist clearly taken aback at the reply showed signs of backing down and the resident pointed to the main street and said "Go, get out of here!", ignoring the motorcyclist subtle plea for calmness.
.
Sometimes, people are so strangely stupid and arrogant. I'm sorry to be writing this but that seem to be the way of the world now. In a place where there's a Police Traffic Headquarters and a law that require motorcyclist use safety helmet, minors are riding not only without helmets but without licence too. Worse still, many times, 3 riders on a single bike. For a place with a name that means a city or fort, this place surely does seem like a kampung area. Mind you, I have no disrespect for any kampungs but this is the situation. Added to the 'insult' the Police conduct roadblocks on monthly basis looking out for errant drivers and guess what...motorcyclist without valid permits! What a laugh! But that's life here when even the ruling regime does not understand the meaning of law...or order. What more it it's Law and Order.
Some many years ago, I had the opportunity to interview the illustrious RPK. Yes, I do know he's fallen out of favour with many but back then, his, was a writing many could not give a miss. I don't think I can be a judge to a man who had given almost everything but would like recount 2 interesting episodes with him. One, as mentioned, was the interview. Well, not exactly, but a few moments after the interview was over.
On the way out, I asked him about the 1987 Team A and Team B fiasco: "Was not the ruling regime illegal already as that party was banned by the judge (who was later disgraced and replaced)".
"It was", replied RPK, "but no one in the opposition took the legal course (of forcing a snap GE)".
This, simply show why we have no law and certainly no order here.
The other episode is a bit hazy for me. No, not the episode itself but the time and place it took place. Anyway, RPK said, much to my shock, I admit "Even when the opposition takes over the mantle, we will always be the opposition" - not verbatim.
The shock I had was simply because I was being politically naive and very much supporting an opposition party as evident in the layout of this blog. But that was then. Now - with the strong exception of the Putrajayan regime - I give support to the man or party who is doing what is right for the people and the country.
The above is especially with regards to the recent event in Penang about the reclamation law. You do have to excuse me for I did not follow the matter from the beginning but when I read the sole DAP stand on the matter and his citation of the late Karpal Singh "In politics, there is no friend or enemy; only principles..." - not verbatim (I can't trace the news at this point of writing); I give him my support. The phrase by the late Karpal is also in line with a hadith which states "There'll come a time when holding on to your belief will be like holding on to (the embers) of coal". Simply put: A man has got to stand on his principles...ta da. (Whoever is reading this, please remember I am just sit-down comedian wannabe ya).
So dearly esteemed CM of Penang, kindly hold your horses, work around the perimeter and enjoy democracy as is should be. In truth, I respect you for all you have fought for in the past and hope to continue respecting you in the future.
Now, back to the idiot motorcyclist at the beginning of this entry:Except for the Sikhs who wears the turban, you people of other belief, why can't you set an example to the young of the nation? There is no law in your religion saying that you should not wear a safety helmet and in fact, all religion encourage safe practice in our daily affairs. So do be a good fella before a green monster appear before you and...whatever.
ps. The Resident Association decided to ban motorcyclist without helmets from using our road here to deter non-residents using it as a short-cut to other places. In the morning rush hour, residents find difficulties going out of their house simply because of the long queue to the junction caused by non-residents.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
On Short Fuse
The man had just lain on the sofa hoping to catch a morning nap. It was 10am and it was a really lazy morning. As his mind begins to drift into an unconscious state, he hear voices from outside. As the doors and windows were closed and the curtains drawn, whoever is speaking out there must be speaking out loudly and the man deduced that someone must have not been happy with the new security arrangements the Residential Association has put up; venting it out towards the security guards on duty - nothing really to be alarmed about as such commotion is expected and should last only a while. But then the man begin to hear horns from several cars and several messages came through the phone and the man read each. Forcing himself up, he heads towards the front door and later the gate, stopping a moment to pick up a large piece of wood about the length of a baseball bat.
As he walks out the gate he notice a long queue of cars and the cause for it: a stranger had parked across the road, blocking the passage of traffic. With the wood firmly in his right hand, the man walk towards the stranger. The stranger, upon seeing the man approaching, ended the blockade by driving off. The man continue his walk towards the Guard House, ignoring the alarmed looks of drivers, passengers and a resident or two. Perhaps it was the blaze in the man's eyes, perhaps it was the sight of the wood; whatever it was, the guards felt relief that the stranger is gone.
When several toll concessionaires announced that they are enforcing electronic payment only on their highways, I was riled up and sent text to several people including politicians. Though I hardly used the highways involved on the matter, I was really angry that the bastard managers were allowed to do so bearing in mind that there are thousands of road users who still eke a daily living and now forced to make payment upfront for the use of those highways. The only reason I can think of those bastard-ly people is that they want to make a quicker profit and be damned to the users, forgetting that their very existance - those bastad-ly cronies and all - are there for the convenience of the users and not vice-versa. Damn to you too, you bastard-ly authorities for approving this. May any inconvenience and suffering the users face make all of you poorer and the users richer. May your greed lead to the fall of this lecherous and treacherous people in Putrajaya and huge triumph for the people who seek a just and righteous government.
This curse and prayer extends too to the Plus Management. Though they issued a statement they will not enforce electronic payment, they actually are heading towards it if the toll gate of one in Damansara is to go by. There, they have squeezed the cash gate and 'tambah nilai' into one. This has led to a longer queue if it is not already. Damn all of you but the users and the people. Oh, this is not the only matter which I'm pissed off at and I'm very sure Malaysians well know about the whole shitty situation of our country.
There was a report that a terror group plans to assassinate and kidnap the Putrajayans. I strongly believe many Malaysians would welcome the latter and even laud such a move. As for the assassination part, don't bother as those Putrajayans are not worth a single bullet, believe me.
As he walks out the gate he notice a long queue of cars and the cause for it: a stranger had parked across the road, blocking the passage of traffic. With the wood firmly in his right hand, the man walk towards the stranger. The stranger, upon seeing the man approaching, ended the blockade by driving off. The man continue his walk towards the Guard House, ignoring the alarmed looks of drivers, passengers and a resident or two. Perhaps it was the blaze in the man's eyes, perhaps it was the sight of the wood; whatever it was, the guards felt relief that the stranger is gone.
When several toll concessionaires announced that they are enforcing electronic payment only on their highways, I was riled up and sent text to several people including politicians. Though I hardly used the highways involved on the matter, I was really angry that the bastard managers were allowed to do so bearing in mind that there are thousands of road users who still eke a daily living and now forced to make payment upfront for the use of those highways. The only reason I can think of those bastard-ly people is that they want to make a quicker profit and be damned to the users, forgetting that their very existance - those bastad-ly cronies and all - are there for the convenience of the users and not vice-versa. Damn to you too, you bastard-ly authorities for approving this. May any inconvenience and suffering the users face make all of you poorer and the users richer. May your greed lead to the fall of this lecherous and treacherous people in Putrajaya and huge triumph for the people who seek a just and righteous government.
This curse and prayer extends too to the Plus Management. Though they issued a statement they will not enforce electronic payment, they actually are heading towards it if the toll gate of one in Damansara is to go by. There, they have squeezed the cash gate and 'tambah nilai' into one. This has led to a longer queue if it is not already. Damn all of you but the users and the people. Oh, this is not the only matter which I'm pissed off at and I'm very sure Malaysians well know about the whole shitty situation of our country.
There was a report that a terror group plans to assassinate and kidnap the Putrajayans. I strongly believe many Malaysians would welcome the latter and even laud such a move. As for the assassination part, don't bother as those Putrajayans are not worth a single bullet, believe me.
A Stork moves out of the way of an approaching Monitor Lizard. Though ML are generally carrion eaters, they have been known not to miss a live prey when available.
Location: Sungai Damansara
Theme: Nature/Birds
Exif: F8 / ISO100 / Telephoto Lens 70/200
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Kindergarten RA
There were 13 people seated around 3 tables arranged in a row. Each man and woman present did not have the bored look on their face and nor were they busy with their smartphones communicating with other people on perhaps the other side of the world. In fact all of them either showed eager anticipation of something or were serious with their looks. This was a meeting, after all. And as they waited for it to begin, one guy started his coffeeshop talk.
The guy, Nigel, is well-liked by many simply because he loves being a comic. As he went on he was suddenly stopped by another when he mentioned '...kindergarten in Kota Bharu.
'No way! The Lady Fatima Kindergarten?' interrupted the other man.
'Yes way. Back in late '60s and early '70s, that was the only kindergarten in Kota Bharu' quipped Chong, one of the two practicing lawyers in the group and also the youngest of the trio by about 10years.
Having graduated from the kindergarten to Primary School, it took more than 35years and the forming of a new Residential Association for the three to know each other - a kindergarten that's more than 500 miles away!
There's a big oaf in town. One who is more talkative to strangers than he is with his friends. One who walks with a limp but walks the distance if it's needed, and sometimes when it's not too. Normally quiet in a group, this big oaf has been known to shoot from his hips when prodded only to bite his lips after that. Perhaps that was what dragged him into a new Residential Association Security Commitee. He also blogs in Talkonly.Blogspot. Oops!
Finally, after more than 7years in the waiting, the new Residential Association for this area looks all set to take off after the old one withered rather mysteriously. The Pro tem committee appointed several residents to steer the Security Committee and together, the 2 groups went along their merry ways along the streets of the area in an attempt to recruit more residents in.
The launch of the RA more than a month ago managed to get slightly more than a third of the 300houses in the area known as Phase1. Along with the SecCom members, the membership reached a more satisfactory number of 180, alhamdulillah. InsyAllah, we will continue the drive to reach at least more than 3/4. What is inspiring is that the people of both committees are made up of different background, race and belief. More than that, we even have a member walking with us, one who is currently seeking treatment for Stage4 Rectum cancer. I am unable to mention his name but how I wish I could, especially to the other residents who expects the best from this community but contribute the least, I'm sure you know what I mean.
"We can be like Kindergarten Cops!" the second of the three laughed quietly to himself.
The guy, Nigel, is well-liked by many simply because he loves being a comic. As he went on he was suddenly stopped by another when he mentioned '...kindergarten in Kota Bharu.
'No way! The Lady Fatima Kindergarten?' interrupted the other man.
'Yes way. Back in late '60s and early '70s, that was the only kindergarten in Kota Bharu' quipped Chong, one of the two practicing lawyers in the group and also the youngest of the trio by about 10years.
Having graduated from the kindergarten to Primary School, it took more than 35years and the forming of a new Residential Association for the three to know each other - a kindergarten that's more than 500 miles away!
There's a big oaf in town. One who is more talkative to strangers than he is with his friends. One who walks with a limp but walks the distance if it's needed, and sometimes when it's not too. Normally quiet in a group, this big oaf has been known to shoot from his hips when prodded only to bite his lips after that. Perhaps that was what dragged him into a new Residential Association Security Commitee. He also blogs in Talkonly.Blogspot. Oops!
Finally, after more than 7years in the waiting, the new Residential Association for this area looks all set to take off after the old one withered rather mysteriously. The Pro tem committee appointed several residents to steer the Security Committee and together, the 2 groups went along their merry ways along the streets of the area in an attempt to recruit more residents in.
The launch of the RA more than a month ago managed to get slightly more than a third of the 300houses in the area known as Phase1. Along with the SecCom members, the membership reached a more satisfactory number of 180, alhamdulillah. InsyAllah, we will continue the drive to reach at least more than 3/4. What is inspiring is that the people of both committees are made up of different background, race and belief. More than that, we even have a member walking with us, one who is currently seeking treatment for Stage4 Rectum cancer. I am unable to mention his name but how I wish I could, especially to the other residents who expects the best from this community but contribute the least, I'm sure you know what I mean.
"We can be like Kindergarten Cops!" the second of the three laughed quietly to himself.
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