When the arms are of different length

Though it's not stated anywhere but a mere verbal kind of rule, no boy and girl are allowed to stay overnight for work in the lab for fear some fella's dirty thoughts will manifest themselves in the dead of the night.

Whilst some aren't too happy about the fatwa concerning them, I'm not that glad either being policed by these moral guardians of sort. It's not that I just love to go against a ruling but if it (enforcements) were carried out fairly, then I have nothing to utter.

Imagine, these guys have the time, energy and resources to patrol the buildings at night, hoping on some lucky night, to jump upon a couple performing steamy experiments: the ones that involve the reaction of acyl chlorides with air and also the combustion of potassium nitrate; both of which produce some kind of fume and smoke.

I'm not discounting the fact that other versions of chemistry doesn't occur at all but c'mon, you have other time, space and opportunity to exercise your authority. By all means, form a snoop squad and come catch immoral students but do the same for others too.

They said, if it's a rule it's a rule. Has smoking been allowed in the campus perimeter? I tell you, that one thing have been the bane of study life for most, if not all, students. I know for sure none will be able to stand not smoking all day. Ok, eye closed. Go do it by the lake, field, car park but not the cafeteria.

It's true that USM is going green, promoting health and all; that also focusing mainly on the environment. Once, I posted a comment on the blog of the Healthy Campus coordinator under the post titled "Say NO to Plastic Bags":

Dr. Lee & Co.,
Whilst I wholeheartedly support the varsity's NO PLASTIC BAGS drive as well as the NO STYROFOAM's (kudos to the actions taken like imposing the use of paperfood container), I question the silence on your part regarding cigarette smoking. It may not be an environmental sort of "problem", so to speak, but isn't it an irony if we preach health and cleanliness and yet students are breathing in second hand smoke especially in the cafeteria around the campus? As far as I know (or has rule been changed?) the campus perimeter is supposed to be smoke-free but why then the blatant disregard of [sic] the rules? If the high-spirited security personnel are all out enforcing other rules of the varsity, why then the two eyes closed scenario? Is the silence meant to protect and pacify a population of the university's smoking staff? I'm proud to see USM doing well and always reaching higher but something has to be done about this matter - especially after drastic measures have been taken to reduce the use of styrofoam, and now, plastic bags.

25 July 2008 09:49

Serious stuff. No plastics. No white coffin (styrofoam). Fantastic stuff. Real actions. What about no smoking? All I see are posters. I don't see them use ONLY posters to get the "NO plastics" message across. They implement it. Encourage bringing food containers. Mandatory use of cardboard food packages by stall operators. These are thing you can't do on smokers. So? Sit quietly and forget about it? Make full use of the security personnel. They have a ball of a time flagging down cars whilst selectively allowing some through and not to mention they way they spoke to you. I'd say it's a rather limited view to see the excessive use of plastics as a "Health" issue but not others.

Nothing is fair I know that but you got to be kidding me if you aim high yet you don't know how to manage things such as these. Talk about being good stewarts to the millions of ringgit in funding.

Biasa-lah. Who cares? I'm not a member of the Senate. Who am I to speak up on such issue? [Wonder to this day why doesn't the coordinator push on this issue instead of dwelling on plastics ans all] That's the disease affecting the higher-ups in this country. They couldn't be bothered by all these, even if it's wrong. These things are minor stuff. They're more concerned of how they look on the outside. It's just the same with our country. Deceiving oneself into thinking that we look great but in the eyes of others, a laughing stock. What's in the name of a status: Apex, Bestari, Wawasan when all these things function not to drive us in the right direction instead into perpetual blindness.

*Back to listening Koibito Doushi - Jyukai*

Be united and stay strong

My prayers and condolences to the people of India, especially to the people of Mumbai for the carnage that happened the day before. Stay strong and stay unified. God bless.

Also, praying that Hema Kasipillay is safe wherever she may be right now.

Mere Titles

Ah, tiring morning. Another 10 hours or so before I head home. Which got me thinking: people do change especially when they're at the - perceived - top. Be it in society, rich list, smart list, or anything that signifies glory and power.

We've heard things and we've seen things. We've seen how two person openly quarrelled, okay I've seen that. I've met people who - on their way towards the apex - treats everyone else as just another... doormat. Yes, doormat. Some appear to be wise and respectable but their very actions just seem to undo all the regards and admiration others have for them.

These are people who sat next to us way back in primary school; got into trouble with the discipline master in secondary school; a one-time love rival in Form Six; and one who studied, ate, and slept (on different bed of course) together with us. Then, tadaa, they're Dr. so-and-so, Datuk and Nenek, and you know-lah, people with titles. Might. Influence.

Suddenly, they're not the Ah Beng or Sor Chai you'd known for the past 20 years or so. They speak differently, dress smarter, smell better, and drive bigger and faster cars. One thing betrayed them though: their attitude. Some may well camouflaged it but for some, it's obvious. Selfishness. Bloatedness (the head that is). Tilted nose. And it goes on.

Conclusion? All these titles of respect doesn't carry any weight. People wouldn't respect you for your actions. There's this word called pariah. Crude and searing it may well sound but for one who thinks they're so superior, then this may just be the word to describe you in the same breath people address you by your title.

Dignified? Think again. These titles and accolades comes with the thing called humility and modesty. It comes with the knowledge that you're as human as anyone else. Well, a tad smarter and more privileged that's all.

Cold War and Frozen Minds

There should be an intellectual renaissance to open up and liberate the minds of students, and this should start in the universities, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Our education system must chan­ge. Our children are just not curious enough. They must be curious about the world. They must ask questions,” the Deputy Prime Minis­­ter said.
He cited a question at his daughter’s university that asked if the Cold War had ended, a question which even he would have difficulty answering.

The Star, Nov 14, 2008

So at last someone's talking about that huh? Then, walk the talk. Make sure we're not penalize when we speak up. You can have liberalized mind just for academic purposes can you? To be liberalized, I believe, is to be able to see things in perspective and not be biased towards the crowd favourite. We shouldn't be cowed into accepting completely/blindly policies and implementations by the government right? Then the AUKU must go. Or if it's not possible (never will be), then review it.

To be curious about the world eh? Are you people in Putrajaya ready to answer our queries and satisfy our curious minds? Are you ready for criticism or will you use the ISA? If you speak of liberalization, it's more than just for academic purposes. Can you open up the market and expect international traders not to influence the Ringgit?

As I suspected, even if this liberalization do occur, it'll be nothing more than a partial one. Half-hearted. Lukewarm.

Allow me to digress to ponder on an interesting question. Has the Cold War ended? I'd say yes since the collapse of the Soviet Union but judging from today's events, the tension is always present. North Korea, Iran, China, India, and now US-Eastern Europe-Russia. The latter being attributed to the proposal to set up a missile defence installation to be placed in Eastern Europe (Poland and Czech Republic). The Russian responded that they'd take some sort of military action if it goes ahead. The Cold War has ended but even so, there's always tension between the two. Although the active espionage, propaganda, military coalition, and weapons development activities that marked the Cold War era are absent, there are some going on below the radar. Everyone today is racing to be superior in economy and a recognized military might.

Coming back, I tend to agree with Datuk Seri that the education system here is merely for the sake of passing exam. It's normal to hear sophomore student saying, "I studied that before but forget already". No one bothered to look up anything other than the ones involved directly in an assignment to get the highest grade. Sometimes, the lecturers' response killed any remnant interests left for a subject. They'd say, "Can't you understand my language?" or "Go and find out". The latter is understandable but not each time they're asked a question. Maybe they're like us too - difficulty in answering.

Then there're talks that English in Science and Math may be scrapped. Just because they haven't got the hang of it? Remove the crutches if we'd want to see Malaysia emerge a strong nation. But after 50 years, we're still lagging aren't we?

Julian/Julien

Recently, I got a reply to an e-mail I sent to a supplier and this guy replied with the honorific Miss before my name! How'd this guy know I'm a female (I'm not)? The following, from Wikipedia, partially list the names (except Julian May) of people having the name Julian/Julien. There are chemists, humanist, biologist, actor, emperor, saint, musician, athlete and even a 70's porn actor. King Julien in Madagascar do sound like a male to me. So, for the last time, it's a male name!

Didius Julianus
Sabinus Iulianus
Julian the Apostate
Julianus ben Sabar
Julian, count of Ceuta

St. Julian of Toledo
Julian, bishop of Zaragoza
St. Julian the Hospitaller
Julian of Antioch
Julian, a companion of Saint Lucian of Beauvais

Percy Lavon Julian
Julian
Julian Cannonball Adderley
Julian Austin
Julian Austin
Julian Barnes
Julian Barrattn
Julian Bond
Julian Bream
Julian Casablancas
Julian Clary
Julian Cope
Julian Glover
Julian Golley
Julian Hartridge
Julian Hodge
Julian Huxley
Julian Illingworth
Julian Jaynes
Julian Lennon
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Marle
Julian May, American fiction writer (female)
Julian McMahon
Julian Mitchell
Julián Morrison
Julian Morrow
Julian Myerscough
Julian Opie
Julian Rachlin
Julian Rhind-Tutt
Julian Sands

Negaraku

Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta

Why do we sing the Negaraku? When do we sing it? Do we limit it to official functions or sporting events where I dare bet that many sing (some don't even open their mouth) for the sake of singing it without real feelings of admiration nor pride and I can't be sure if what was sung did eulogise the history, tradition, or the struggle of our forefathers. Oh yes, I always sing the Negaraku louder than the ones beside, in front and behind me. I'm a pendatang who has come to love the country I was born in and proud of her.

I can't say much about those singing them at PJ but back in Penang a month ago, it was about all about the hope in the country, knowing someday that it's one that's changeable. I'm in no position to judge how it'd be sung but I know that as long as it's sung, then one ought to show respect to it.

One asked what if robbers ran away whilst singing the national anthem. I hope these law enforcers won't be that stupid in such situation. There's this thing called judgement and discretion. When caught, the robber should be punished for not respecting the national anthem too.

I doubt that a permit is needed to sing a song, what more a national anthem, in public.

School Assembly

No, this isn't about school assembly actually. Just a reminiscence of what we're taught back in primary 1 during assembly. Stand straight/upright/in attention. Sing the national anthem with much patriotism and pride. Look at the flag. If any were to faint, fall face-first. That's how much one ought to respect the flag and the anthem.

There are many sources of videos showing how the police moved in on citizens doing just that. Imagine, candles versus truncheons. What threats were present? Isn't it a person's right to assemble?

Talk about double standards when it comes to policing certain quarters involved in mass gatherings.

Human Rights: Right Minds Think Alike

Thought it'd be great to share the words of some well known figures on human rights...

"Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic
dream."

- L. Ron Hubbard


"Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.
It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity
of man."

- Mohandas K. Gandhi


"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere."

- Martin Luther King Jr.


"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it."

- Francois Marie de Voltaire


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness."

- US Declaration of Independence written primarily by Thomas
Jefferson

Come December 10, it'd mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but such values seem to skip the minds of governments not fully implementing the UDHR

Jalan Mati

Don't we ever get bored and even sick if we'd do the same thing, eat the same thing, hear the same thing or see the same thing all the time? I do. The latest installment of the Nothing To Do After Meal series involves a lawsuit against the Penang state government for putting up multilingual road signs. I don't care what language it is as long as I can read them and Georgetown isn't that big either to get lost in.

What annoyed me was how selfish one tend to get. It's not that I'd expect people to be so selfless as to give up everything but there's this thing called tolerance and sharing, the former would be better replaced with acceptance. After all, one pious man said before that God created the world for everyone and that He created people of different colour and tongues so that these myriad groups of people called "human" could meet and live together. We're not created for war or to be subservient to another. All religion taught that we're equal; I said all.

Next, we'd read that this guy filing the injunction belong to a group bearing the word "graduate" in its name. I'd feel ashamed if I were to be in the news and then calling myself a graduate. As if Malaysian graduates aren't infamous enough, such group together with their actions, go on to prove what graduates are good for. I'd give them some directions: Look at social ills. If you're a champion of your race, then why not do something about your community? Then, if you're not so communal, then lobby for better education, better funding, and a better-equipped university. Think how you'd work to achieve unity and Vision 2020. Sorry, I forgot that it may not be possible. If only you people would be so noble.

What would I get if I write a certain word in the "Race" column? What is it that portray the existence and continuation of my race? Race (and culture) isn't something that'd be destroyed merely by not doing the Malay-, Chinese-, or Indian-thing. Just because I don't eat Chinese food doesn't mean I'm less a Chinaman. Or how I wish when I indulge in a Japanese meal I'd be a Japanese. It isn't how much you spoke per day in your mother tongue but it's more of knowing what you are, who you are, and where you are right now. Wrong ah? Oh...

Perhaps only in Malaysia where aid and other privileges hinges on what one wrote in the "Race" column and that is why everyone is so afraid of anything deemed dangerous and a threat to that. Did I mention power just now? As far as I know, no one is above the Constitution and as someone educated (or a graduate if you like), I'm able to sleep at night knowing my rights are protected. How come I don't hear of these graduates say anything about government actions that's against Articles 8 and 10 of the Federal Constitution and also Articles 3, 5, 7, 9, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Malaysia is a signatory.

There you go, do something for the country. After all, isn't it a place where your heart is and where your affections lie? Or am I wrong? God forbid, was it about wealth and power?

Know that more need to be done about the current state of security in Malaysia where criminals are given the free rein and on the contrary, voices of dissent were silenced. Remember that the road demons on two wheels are still around. Then we have drug use among students. What else? Corruption. And also the need for transparency in the government as well as the setting up of the IPCMC. Then the educated masses should clamour for a clear separation of powers, especially between the Judiciary and the Executive branch. How can these skip the minds of the so called "tomorrow's leaders"?

Gloomy isn't it? It's just like today's leaders and peoples' representative; fighting to be communal heroes whilst practising everything opposite of that in their lives. Blood is red, well, as far as we're concerned. Alas, this ideal of mine is also my naivete. We're selfish aren't be? But, knowing that our days are numbered, can't these people for once make life worth living? However we see it, the end of the road is a dead end; or in Bahasa Malaysia, jalan mati.