Boleh in Birmingham: What Does Being A Malaysian Means?

At last it's started. Lee Chong Wei against Lin Dan for the All-England champion's title. The Malaysian crowd's reception is fantastic. Each time the camera pans across the arena, you see Malaysians cheering and waving.  Who wouldn't? After all it's a worldwide 3 seconds of fame.

These fellas aren't paid to sing "Boleh, Boleh, Boleh" in Birmingham (yes, I swear I heard boleh and not Olé or Oé). They scream for their fellow countryman, jump, and clap side by side.

Back home, it's a little different. When I say little, it's actually heaps. Here we're told not to mingle too much lest we go astray (rightly or wrongly, I'll leave it to the 'learned'). Here, we're taught day after day since 7 years old that the Ahmad, Beng, Chandran, and Dominic ak. Embong have evil plans waiting to be realised. So, we cheer for our own and we jeer at someone who speaks a different tongue.

*Hey, that's another questionable call by the umpire!*

Living/studying abroad was never an option for me but I reading about what life is like over there and I'm always moved by the unity displayed by Malaysians; the most recent one being the worldwide BERSIH rally. I learn from a friend studying in the UK that whenever there are student-organised events, the Malaysians always do food. Ha! Home or abroad, food's on our minds.

But there's more at home. We have bread war! And on Facebook, racially-motivated rumours has been circulating and many gobbled it up blindly. Nobody cares. Why do anything when you can get the people to suspect one another and remain divided?

*Lee Chong Wei conceded a walkover to Lin Dan. Damn! Better game next time, Lee.*

Yes, we've heard this time and again. We're Malaysians outside the country's border and in here, we live within our own racially-demarcated enclave. Enclave because some are still considered immigrants; or made to feel that way.

This is purely my opinion but I suspect it's a fact. Perhaps this one comes a little too late: 55 years late. But whoever said we shouldn't push for a change? A change in [insert your favourite noun here].

Time to dream about change. Good night Malaysians abroad. Good night my friends. Oh, come back and vote-lah! Satay and teh tarik alone ain't good enough, y'know...
   

CNY Cometh

Lent my strength today at Tesco to help cart away two boxes of honey mandarines and three cartons of canned drinks. I'll settle for the two cans of Coke Light in the fridge during the holidays. I know, artificial sweeteners aren't the best thing around.

As I grow older, preparation for reunion dinner gets more wearing. Part of growing up and growing old I suppose. Luckily I can still choose to not go to the wet market. The atmosphere's the same (excited, anticipatory, and work done in a feverish manner) but the feeling's different now. Is it because there's nothing great lined up for prime time TV? Maybe it's the nagging feeling telling you work ain't done yet and the deadline's coming soon?

How I miss those harum-scarum days of yore when the sum of the two digits of my age is more than 1 and less than or equals 10. Or in recent years, the tear-jerking TVCs by Yasmin Ahmad [for Petronas]. This year's – I missed the last – TVC ain't that great. There's too much going on in the first two minutes I started to lose interest by the 60th second.

You've been warned.

The other locally-produced CNY vid on YouTube has more views and less painful comments. More importantly, the message is clear. I felt Malaysians can better relate to this video than, say, someone who never lived here before. And the subtitles didn't help much. =)

The Prime Minister's CNY wish to all Malaysians is that we "continue with our best Malaysian tradition by sharing the celebration with all communities; to open our doors to all Malaysians."

Point well taken. The last thing he was quoted as saying is, "Let's tear down the divisive walls and barriers and build bridges between our hearts."

Well Mr PM, the walls and barriers that divide and separate us were built and preserved by the present government. How long more do you want to be in denial? I guess you've stopped listening long ago.

Happy Chinese New Year, people!

        

It was great, people!

Good food and great company. 

And I stand by my statement. We had a blast last night and we've proven, time and again, that gatherings can be smashing without booze.

Anyway, I've never laughed so hard for a long time now and Kak Mimi's nieces and nephews are adorable. They reminded me of the time during such festive season where we run around the house without a care in the world. They kept coming back for fire to light their lanterns. I guess they have their interpretation of "carrying lanterns". One of those lanterns was annihilated, much to their joy as they shrilled in delight.

I'm glad we came up with the idea of bringing the Mooncake Festival to Raya open house. By the time we're barbequing the chickens (with an incredible consisting of lemongrass, somehthing, and something - sorry for my sense of taste, or the lack thereof).

Remember my digital dinosaur? I realized, after a few blurry pictures, that the auto-focusing is off at the shortest (widest angle) focal length but I'm quite happy with the outcome. Ah, I should have borrowed the DSLR...

It's sad that two of our "gang" members weren't able to join us but we did a little conference over the phone's loudspeaker and "chided" them for their absence. Of course, a commonplace for all gatherings, there were updates about the present and the future. Some good, some not so good, some bright and others dim. Still, it's great to know how they're doing now!

Thank you, people, for a great time and thanks to Kak Mimi for inviting us. Next stop: Indian cuisine for Deepavali next month.

All Set and Ready to Go

September. I have a funny feeling about September. A misgiving. Let's hope this month will be kind to me. When I visited my Dashboard (that's what the "home" page is called in Blogger) 10 minutes ago, I was greeted with a dialog asking if I'd like to try that new look that is supposedly streamlined for a better blogging experience. Well, for a start, my eyes hurt but I'm beginning to like light grey, orange, and blue.

It's September 3 tomorrow and we'll all be converging at 05.4668420°, 100.4555190°. Attempts to get my hands on some sparklers failed and I was informed that lanterns were already purchased, minus the candles. I'm not sure who's buying mooncake but my mind's on rendang. Kak Mimi delighted us with a trailer of what awaits us on the table and the backyard (we're having barbeque at night).

My Sony Ericsson K530i isn't going to cut it given the lighting of the place so I've purchased four AA batteries, which costs a bomb, to feed my power hungry digital camera. That's right, my camera's a triceratops by today's standard and nowhere as fast as those slim, velociraptor-like cameras that's rechargeable. Anyways, I'm hoping for the best out of my Olympus FE-310. Oh, by the way, it's an archived product @.@

Memory card's cleared. Date set. Clothing ready. A full tank of petrol. Tire pressure. Sunshades. Watch... I went too far. So yeah, starting September with good food and great company. After that, back to writing and bracing myself for any storms that might come my way.

Dreams & Reality: my third photomanipulation. Fall do evoke a feeling of dread in me, even when I first saw the stock. (Stocks and credits on deviantART)

September, end of summer break and beginning of a new semester for some folks I know.

Mile Marker 418: End of a Chapter

So, here’s the end of the journey. By that I mean the end of a colourful and a very memorable period of my life yet. I’d use the entire adjectives in the English lexicon but still, I wouldn’t be able to reproduce that wonderful feeling in everyone reading this.

They’re special in their own way – conspicuous or otherwise. Every mention of the lab and every piece of picture evoked both gladness and a tinge of poignancy: glad to have established that bond and poignant because two years ain’t enough.

I’m well aware that there will be (and there has been) a getting together but it’s different. Like most people, we always hope that the good things don’t go away. Still, I’m happy to see them all settled down in their respective locations and I’m worried when one or two complain about work-related illness.

The bond is real, the mirth genuine, and the openness something to envy. We’re not pretentious and that love we display beats the grandiosity in which racial integration is being portrayed in the media. If we’re anything to go by, then what people see on the silver screen promoting racial harmony is everything but. We don’t need a list of standard protocols because we’ve achieved that.

Here's more food to mark our mates' departure: Asyura - undergraduates - Kak Mimi - undergraduates & birthday celebration

Regardless whether they’re undergraduate students on a relatively short sojourn or a postgraduate researcher with a seemingly endless amount of work to do, these people deserve a mention. A shout out to them that has appeared in Mile Marker 418: Loh Keat Lay, Mimi Taib, Poh Keng Chong, Teh Boon Aun, Lim Wui Chen, Lim Gaik Ling, Firdaus Latif, Shamimah Parveen, Nur Asyura, V. Kithalakshmi, Kelvin Swee Chuan Wei, Erna, Kang Wen Tyng, Khairiah, Shi Rou, Amira Suriaty, Rajiv Ravi, Sinan, Kiourmasi, Joanne Lee Yenping, Haw Boon Ping, Yusof, Yen Ying, Xiao Wei, Eric, Sok Wah, Shau Leong, and not wanting anyone to be last in the list, me.

I hold each and everyone close to my heart.

52 Years of Independence

The country celebrates its Independence Day today, 52 years of nationhood after centuries under the rule of the Portuguese, Dutch, and of the British. It's really nice to see and reflect upon; the fact that the country is made up of not only a type of people, but many different races. Another thing is that we speak more than one language and we don't have to attend classes to be able to master them. And then there's the food. Scrumptious selection of food.

Although unity is the keyword, we've had our share of racial riots and tension. And we have communal-hero-wannabe politicians playing up racial issues. When we thought we'd be known by one name, we're given designations like Malay, Indian, Chinese and Others. In neighbouring Indonesia, they have over 30 ethnics/race yet they go around by the name Indonesians.

I've said before that unity isn't a yearly affair nor is it scripted for the silver screen. No doubt, we have some true Malaysians trying to send the message home via their short films and commercials and I don't have any problems with that. In fact, I love them and almost always touched by them, moved to tears if you like. What I'm saying when I mention silver screen and scripted in the same sentence is that we have, on one hand, politicians (sigh, again) preaching unity during some ceremonies and on the other hand sow mistrust among the people. And they have the cheek to promote the country to the world. Shame. I wouldn't invite guests to my house if I haven't tidied up.

Yes, it was a proud moment for everyone when the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, proclaimed the nation's independence although I only see it in black and white clips (so I couldn't say I comprehend the whole affair fully) but are we really truly independent in the sense that we're able to self-rule and not model everything after our colonial masters? If the British employed the divide and rule strategy back then, I don't dare say we're a homogeneous society today. I don't believe that leaders of the same colour only represent their own i.e. Malay leader ensuring the rights of the Malay, the Chinese their own and the Indians too. If one is able, who cares if you're of a different hue?

Aren't there still outdated (or archaic) laws being used today? What was created yesterday for a specific purpose being used to silence the voice of dissent today. Sovereign state yes, but it seems that we're mentally shackled. Unable to make our own decisions, unable to make known what we truly wanted.

To sum it up, 52 years is a relatively long time and yet short if compared to other nations. In some ways, we can be proud of our differences but in others, it's a sad affair to see how we're still identified based on our colour and creed. The government uses the various laws to detain men and women perceived to be a threat to the nation's security / stability yet no real measures are taken to promote greater unity. Lots of speeches but no real actions. They preach tolerance but I wish to say that acceptance is the better word. No?

EVERY DAY, there is sure to be at least one news article about racism – be it to “remind” the nation to live in harmony, or a report about disrespectful behaviour towards another religion...

Read more >

Happy Independence Day!

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.

 

Anak siapa? Example of the undergraduate years

An eye for an eye. Stern actions. Sedition Act. Those are the calls. Google along these keywords: Ahmad Ismail, penumpang, pendatang and you'd get hits commenting on the recent remarks made by Ahmad "I don't mean it" Ismail.

No, not another bashing but a piece of my mind on the Bangsa Malaysia everyone (well, not everyone) hopes to achieve - in the distant future.

Whilst many hope that the "Race" column in application forms would be romoved and say, a political party which would do away with these 51-year racial policies and mentalities, it wouldn't be a success save on in a superficial manner; no different than the superficial call of equality for all races we that we have now.

Perhaps with time and the passing of the current generation that the next generation would be thought this concept of Satu Bangsa - but don't count on no parents who wouldn't inculcate some forms of racism in their children, however minute.

I see myself fortunate to be studying in a school (missionary school actually where there were calls to remove the crucifix, that's beside the matter) which subscribes to the national syllabus and to be able to mingle with people from various races. Fast forward to now, I've graduated from a local university whereby in my three years of studies, the nicest people I've met are my Malay friends.

It's not particularly comforting to see - in words and actions - a one-race group that thinks they're suppose to stick together or they'll lose out. Fear.

Fear is the thing that drives one to behave in an antagonizing way towards another and it affects, evidently, both the majority and the minority. With fear comes polarization and division and you end up with discrete colours even in a sea of crowds. It may not be excessive to say that coming from a mono type of school do actually causes culture shock and it needs some getting used to. If the latter fails, alienation thus sets in.

(From Left: Yamin, Myself, Amar)

Get one or two friends (better still of different colours) and you'd get a snapshot like the above but frankly, it was taken that day when I called out to them as they walked by: they happily obliged. Then there's this university photographer who ask us to post for her camera. Guess such pictures are hard to come by except if one would look for paid posers. Lol.

My point? To achieve things such as Bangsa Malaysia or to be more current, Muhibbah/Perpaduan, it doesn't take one party or one race to start/stop doing a certain thing but it's more than that. To the bigots out there, it's to stop having the impression that your race is more superior, richer, more hardworking, the pioneer, or better off doing things alone. Stop pointing fingers at others, whichever group you belong to. After all, none of us are not guilty of being a racist at certain points in our lives.

Sometimes, it doesn't take a racist politician's sanctimonious drivel to fuel a racial dislike towards another but rather, the policy of the nation (call it a contract if you'd like to deny) and the blatant one-sidedness favouring certain groups of people that causes much discomfort and disappointment. What more, our founding fathers didn't sign us up for less of a citizen.

P.A. Lesson: Perlembagaan merupakan undang-undang tertinggi negara ini... I love the words supreme law as it gives a kind of security - and security for all. It takes more than just requests to change the Constitution. No fear, aite?

In a nutshell, I have but a few friends and not all are Chinese but all are Malaysians. It may draw laughter and ridicule when I answer to these questions: Hang anak sape? Hang ingat hang leh buat ape yang hang suka? Saya anak Malaysia. Ini tanah tumpah darah saya. Save to say, the last phrase entitled me to the rights guarded by the Constitution.

PS. Woe betide you, bigoted leaders/politicians who drive the wedge between races for your own selfish gains.