Mungkin Nanti - Peterpan

Saatnya ku berkata mungkin yang terakhir kalinya
Sudahlah lepaskan semua kuyakin inilah waktunya
Mungkin saja kau bukan yang dulu lagi
Mungkin saja rasa itu telah pergi

Dan mungkin bila nanti kita kan bertemu lagi
Satu pintaku jangan kau coba tanyakan kembali
Rasa yang ku tinggal mati
Seperti hari kemarin saat semua di sini

Dan bila hatimu termenung bangun dari mimpi-mimpimu
[Mmm] Membuka hatimu yang dulu cerita saat bersamaku
Mungkin saja kau bukan yang dulu lagi
Mungkin saja rasa itu telah pergi

Dan mungkin bila nanti kita kan bertemu lagi
Satu pintaku jangan kau coba tanyakan kembali
Rasa yang kutinggal mati
Seperti hari kemarin saat semua di sini

Dan mungkin bila nanti kita kan bertemu lagi
Satu pintaku jangan kau coba tanyakan kembali
Rasa yang kutinggal mati
Seperti hari kemarin saat semua di sini

Tak usah kau tanyakan lagi simpan untukmu sendiri
Semua sesal yang kau cari semua rasa yang kau beri

Notti Games 2007

I reached Notts around 12.50p.m on a Friday and took the Rainbow 5 bus as suggested by Aizad. Later I met Sab unexpectedly and she showed me the way to Kamal-Seow-Aizad's house. I had to wait for Sab to say Hi first because I wasn't sure if it was Sab. I wasn't feeling well and my head's all drowsy and I guess had to be sure.

It's been a year since I last visited Notts and it was great to meet Aizad, Kamal and Seow again. Menumpang Sabtu hehe. We went for Jumaat prayers and bought someone a cake before lepakking in Dunkirk again. Later I made one last ditch effort to recover by purchasing some drugs from the pharmacy. (Oooo.. drugs)

That night Seow and Aizad prepared us (Arwin arrived at about 4pm) dinner. After a few rounds of ProEvo and Guitar Hero, I later found out that they actually made us sushi!!! I was about to cry when I saw the sushi, california roll, pratha and beef/chicken stew, one by one being served in the living room.

Kinda reminded me of Ahong and Lin who were the first to serve me sushi. Missing them :(.

Ittara kimasss.....!!

That was an excellent stuff. Really, Seow Hoong can open a restaurant! I ate a lot despite being sick and loss of appetite. Who needs appetton when you have Seow Hoong? You guys should move to London hehe. Later, I had to sleep early. Hoped for a bright shiny morning.

However, though expected, I was not be able to recover before the games.

"Hello this is your Captain speaking, all players please be ready for the game. Not much. Treat it like main petang-petang. Avoid being emotional on and off the pitch. Just have fun and ignore those whiners who thought we played rough. We want to win in style. Roger and out."

Oh look at that wind effect!

This is football, my friend. You can swap for chess if you don't want to get injured. Sore losers. 4-0 drubbing was so hard to take, Pompey boi? Oh didn't I tell you your goal-keeper was the only cool one from your team? (no, it's not simply because he is tall and handsome do I look like I'm turning G?)

Haha so defensive!

And what's up with that Bad-ass-rul guy from Liverpool? Just a pat on his back reminding not to make that cynical challenge again and you gave a slap in return?

What you want a cat fight now? And this small, sickly guy had to intervene?

Grow up.

After a few runs on the pitch, missing a few chances in the process although assisting one, the Kapitan subbed himself and didn't start since. The mercenaries (jedie, Rafie and Aiman) played a major role with each of them scoring twice each in the tournament. We won two games, lost one and squanderred the final game with a draw.

Ta Top Dawg Arwin, Smurfy Dogg Jeg and Limp Biz-kit

Noone realised how important that game was! But it's ok. We had fun. We played well as a team despite not everyone being fully fit. Met some old friends Mazlina and her husband. It's such a small world that they went to BTN Balik Pulau together with Arwin and Apeq. That's how they got to know each other and Arwin was startled Mazlina was my high-schoolmate last time, together with Nik Harris.

"Since when korang main bola ni?" Mazlina asked.

"Since we got taller.. dulu kat KYS takda chance langsung despite playing everyday and turning up to training. We were small.." I said in which Nik echoed.

The girls from the netball team played O.K. They got one thing better than the CASSanova Football Team. They lost more than us hehe. Just kidding girls. You know I love you all... Muah2! Ain was their top scorer (expected) and they were whipped 20-0 against Champions Notts. Our GS notched in one super score as she insisted that she wasn't even aiming. :)

We went to have our lunch in Portland Builiding before heading back to Power League to witness the semi-final. Birm vs Arabs (can't remember which team they are representing). It was a good game with many goals towards the end of the final whistle, to the Birm side. Later we headed back to Sport Center to see the final. We went inside the building first to see the basketball game and later paved our way to see the eagerly awaited finale between Birmingham and Soton! Jeng jeng jeng! Tet-tenett-tenneett!! Boom-boom-chakalaka!! Ooo-oo aaah-ahh!! Hooray!!

*Fart*

The game was delayed for almost an hour! I was cursing like a mad man because this would distrupt my plan for tonight, I thought. The players were all ready, taking pics and all. But where the fart were the officials??? I threw away one glove only for it to be cheekily picked up and thrown back by the celebrated one!

Hehe. He didn't know I was being emotional for him...

Later we saw one lady with her green handbag, just arrived from God knows where to check on the venue and 10 minutes later, it was the kick-off. Finally. It was damn freezing and some good displays by the boys helped ease my tension and emo.

In the end, the Underdogs Soton won with the golden gold rule! Birm top striker was cocky and even demonstrated an annoying goal celebration in the semi-final, asking the opposing keeper to wear spectacles. Ironically, they subbed him and they lost the match!

I bet the shamed striker would say "Haaa.. sub aku lagi..!" hehehe.

We rushed to Kamal's house and I met Dina Sr and Hanafedora on my way. Didnt get to talk much because I lost my voice. Gotta save it for the singing...

That night, was a pre-planned surprise for Arwin, the birthday boy on the very same day! I don't buy many cakes for friends' birthday but I hoped that would cheer him up a bit. He was complaining about his performances on the pitch and all. And, am I not a sweet guy?

Bwa-ha-ha!

Ah well, just to let you guys know that I love all of you. You've taken good care of me when I was sick. Now that I'm missing the flu simply because of you guys' good gesture. Hehe, so being sick is not that bad I guess! Not to forget I got a first class bed (Kamal's bed) while having to listen to Kamal's Live version of Manja. Lena aja aku tidur dilayan seperti Raja.

The day after, I went back to London. You know, fish, chips, cup of tea, bad food, worst weather, Mary Farking Poppins, London! I later met Ihab, Aien, Lan, Shu and Batrisya (in her mom's tummy) at Leicester Square to have some sushi. I didn't take any sushi that night. I wanted to. But my heart said no. It was a great night out dinner. We were talking, eating, pangkah-ing each other and I hope it's good for the baby Batrisya hehe.

That's how Uncle Jeg got closed with Dada. :)

Seven hungry lot at Hi Sushi. Keep counting.

We got back to Willesden Green and I couldn't stand it any longer. After a few medic checks using Ihab's stetoscope by Lan, I had to pass on Pro Evo with Lan and I felt terrible for it, bro. I hope we could rematch one day you know it would be unfair if you beat me when I was sick, right Arwin? Oh wait, Arwin lost a match to me although me bing sick heheheh!

Anyway, it was indeed a Notti Games. Somebody was notti that day and it was not me.

It was the flu.

Going... going...

Gone!

The Recent Rally

I am very sure many Malaysians are now aware of last Saturday's rally led by the Oppositions party to demand for fairer elections. I have seen the videos, RTM or Al-Jazeera and also got some infos from some insiders. I am sorry that I couldn't join the Gelombang Kuning simply because...

... it's an illegal rally.

When you don't get a park permit to put your car in a council area I would see it as a common thing to do in my younger days but after I was issued 11 summonses for illegally parking everytime I went to Takaful Ikhlas for an internship programme in 2005, I now consider obliging the rules is one way of getting people's respect and of course will prevent you from getting into trouble.

Personally, if I were the PM (I wish lah kan), I will let the people express their feelings through peaceful rally as we had last Saturday. In fact, I will see it myself into the details on what demands they are asking for. However, the question is, is the rally really necessary?

I am more interested on the consequences for each incident. Will it change anything after the rally? Was it for a greater good? Is it good for the media? How would the world perceive us?

Will the US now try to invade Malaysia for not thoroughly practising democracy?

Oh-oh. Lets not think like those imaginative dillusioned bloggers trying to hijack the Malaysians youths' minds with tales from hell. Of course it's stupid to think that way... or was it? Come to think of it they might though. Are they not the so called Sherriff of the World?

What I see now is how some foreign investors packing their bags and leaving the country as they don't feel they are in the same wavelength with the government as peceived by the rally and the video blogs. Hamish from Al-Jazeera even said that he was sprayed with ACID and I started to imagine, 'did it feel like how the bad guy from the movie Robocop got washed up completely by a drum of acid?'.

Oh my I can't blame the reporter I know he was just doing his job exagerrating things at the same time. I mean, acid it's not the word to use when describing such things! It's merely mild acid that only irritate your eyes for a few seconds. It's not like pH 2.3 acid that can penetrate your skin into your black heart! Of course the common public will be terrified by that statement. What more, the prejudical minds of some westerners thinking we muslim leaders actually torture our own kind, remember Chemical Ali?

Well that's the problem with the media. They blow things out of proportion to sell.

Ok-ok enough chit chat on the outworlds lets concentrate on the rally and its domestic impacts. Having look at the memorandum, I think the demands are quite clear and I am happy for it. I don't see any problem with the recommendations they made but only for one thing.

3. Hapuskan undi pos. (Abolish postal voting)

Personally, I want to vote as well. I have only recently registered to vote dammit! (Sorry I'm still angry with the way trojan viruses attacking my PC). It went the same way to 'Abolish ISA' or 'Abolish NEP'. These idealists didn't even see the impacts before coming out with those slogans!

I think I have touched on abolishing ISA and NEP being damn impractical at the moment. So dont let me start on it again because it will go on and on and on. But to be fair there are many loopholes in postal voting but we have our rights too! There are like so many Malaysians outside the country who are hoping for a change/continuity in the government but, 'abolishing postal voting' will not make you popular. What you can suggest is actually insisting on having the country of current residence to accomodate for voting facility or something. I think that would be a wiser demand to show how intelectual you really are. I know it's a hassle yada-yada but it's simply a recommendation that you can make not only winning the votes but even the government as well! You might get lucky with the way you ask for things, being persuasive and all.

Like it's gonna change anything!

Remember Hartal? Well I don't. How can I know about Hartal? I was not told about in my entire life! I only got to know about that WORD yesterday! Did it change anything? Their leaders in fact were jailed by the British invaders in 1948.

Were their demands approved?

Like I said, I am more interested in the end result. What will be the end result?

You tell me.

Enjoying football in London

Recently I've been quite busy playing rather than studying and it sorta like reminding me of the old days in KMYS which can be a good or a bad thing. I remember leading the Sapphire team improvise our position in football while enjoying it at the same time and I was told of how the Blue Team Sapphire conquered all after we left.

I have to admit I am always looking forward to play football rather than going to school. This is obviously a bad thing. However, you know how I can't resist football it's like a second wife to me. With Arsenal playing well at the moment, I'm sure it will further fuel up the desire to improve my game week in and week out.

"Macam star je Jeghui"

I think I remember a close friend telling me of that quote and I still do not know who said that.

As if he was that powerful.

I never take football so damn seriously to be honest and this might be a contradicting statement with what I said earlier. But generally it is an understatement really. First off I never lose my marbles on the pitch despite provocations from the opponents and I tend to laugh off whenever it happens. I have to keep reminding my fellow teammates not to lose control of their emotions in the coming tournaments especially in Notts Games where it could turn very ugly.

Come on! This is not World Cup. It's a shame when I heard how fightings occurred in major Msian events over some bad calls by the referee. I bet everyone has got the minerals to flex some muscles but come on. This is not World Cup!

Kalo Zidane headbutt takpa gak, dia memang superstar!

I will try to bring the same method I used before when leading the team this time. I think we have such a wonderful character in the team where everyone is trying to improve their game each time in our weekly football (sometimes twice a week). We admit our mistakes and try to bring our game to the next level every next game, which is very-very important. Although we lost the vocal and reliable former NS player Ismas, I think the morale in the squad is superb.

I will try to give each player minutes to play as I did last time. Like I said, I prefer enjoying playing football and getting the results we wanted rather than keeping players unhappy and provoke disharmony with that sort of leadership. As for now, everyone will play.

Come on this is not World Cup!

Of course we are all prepared for some emotional moments that might occur on the pitch and the only way to win that feud is to keep your heads down and get on with it. No point arguing with emo people you see. I will start laughing if someone from the opposite side started shouting and abusing verbally. Meanwhile, I will talk to the refferee each time there was a bad tackle or a poor decision and hopefully he got the minerals to take control of the game. That's what referees for; control the game.

However, I will be very disappointed if it came from our side which I think will have a probability of 1 to a miliion. In fact I will be responsible for it but I have faith in my team's attitude.

On the other hand, the undergrads are playing well too and their first years really, really put good depth in their squad. It's worth mentioning of Hsien Loong's talent and leadership on and off the pitch. We have been playing quite regularly against each other recently and I have to say it's been a pleasure.

For the Notts Games, we already registered two teams for City University. Last year, I missed out on the Games through squad unavailability (apparently my KMYS friends tend to avoid Notts Games since the 2005 incident) but I really think we look better this year. But then again I am more particular about the teams' character rather than winning the trophy. I also find myself on an unfamiliar but effective role in central midfield but this is 5-aside football. Running up and down the middle dictating play is somewhat crucial.

"Kalau menang, menanglah"

At the moment it's not really about Notts Games or Cardiff Games. It's about playing regularly so that we feel good to .... study..... err.. hopefully that's true in all cases!

Probable line-up (from); Mushana (GK/DF), Saiful Azril (DR/SW), Nik Harris (DL/WB/FW), Nurman (DL), Mohd Azrul (MC/SC), Afif Ter (SC), Arwin Idham (FRL)

Kelab UMNO vs UKEC

Saya ada juga dengar cerita-cerita AGM UKEC hujung minggu lalu. Ain ada mengajak saya melihat karenah manusia dalam manifesto-manifesto mereka. Namun, ajakan Pojok Musik dan bolasepak lebih kuat dan lebih penting buat masa ini.

Namun, adalah tidak keterlaluan jika saya memberi sedikit komen tentang organisasi yang ada di serata United Kingdom ini. Bukanlah hendak mengadu domba di sini dengan tohmahan tetapi sekadar sekelumit pandangan daripada saya, jiwa yang kerdil ini.

Masalah pertama yang saya ingin ajukan ialah, apakah tujuan sebenarnya sesuatu organisasi seumpama itu ditubuhkan? Sungguhlah ia untuk membantu para pelajar yang jauh di perantauan ini mendapat informasi dan menurut serta aktiviti-aktiviti yang disediakan. Berbuka puasa di Holiday Villa, umpamanya.

Pernah juga saya dibisikkan kisah-kisah kelab yang berunsur politik sebelum dan semasa saya berada di London ini. Ada juga yang telah disenarai-hitam. Dan ada juga yang masih begitu giat menyampaikan agenda dan seruan masing-masing. Namun saya tertanya-tanya, bukankah pihak kerajaan yang bersusah-payah mengfasilitasi bakal-bakal graduan United Kingdom ini untuk menumpukan perhatian sepenuhnya kepada pelajaran? Seingat saya, kami juga pernah ditegaskan berkali-kali sebelum terbang ke negara orang agar jangan terikut-ikut dengan kelab-kelab politik ini?

Persoalannya sekarang, bukankah Kelab UMNO itu juga kelab politik? Sungguh berbeza dengan UKEC yang bertujuan membantu pelajar-pelajar di sini, dan diketuai oleh pelajar-pelajar sendiri supaya dapatlah mereka menguji kepimpinan masing-masing. Dahulu kita ada Hizbi, saya sendiri tidak begitu yakin dengan cara mereka yang agak ekstrem, bukanlah mereka berperang mengebom orang awam yang kononnya fiisabilillah, tapi begitu ekstrem di mana mereka memboikot majlis-majlis ilmu dan sambutan yang menyatu-padukan orang-orang Malaysia di bumi orang putih ini. Mereka juga menyalurkan ide-ide yang sebenarnya bertentangan dengan ajaran agama Islam dengan memulaukan orang-orang BN atau UMNO khususnya. Bukankah Islam mengajar kita hidup bermuafakat dan bukanlah berseteru dan berpuak-puak? Alhamdulillah, setahu saya kelab itu telah pun di-'ban'.

Persoalannya sekarang, Kelab UMNO itu juga kelab politik! Saya diingatkan oleh penceramah-penceramah BTN Ulu Sepri agar tidak mengikuti kelab-kelab politik tetapi lebih menumpukan kepada pelajaran. Ini sangat bertentangan antara keduanya. Bezanya sekali lagi Kelab UMNO dan UKEC adalah di mana UKEC itu merupakan organisasi yang neutral dan ini amat diterima baik oleh saya.

Mengapa?

Bukankah kita sekarang sedar agak kroniknya hubungan sesama orang Malaysia lebih-lebih lagi apabila timbulnya persoalan politik. Masing-masing mempertahankan ideologi politik masing-masing. Ada juga yang sampai tidak bertegur sapa. Dan jika ada pun Kelab UMNO mengadakan aktiviti riadah bagi memupuk semangat kekitaan, pertandingan bolasepak contohnya, mungkin ada yang sukar untuk menyertainya kerana "Kelab UMNO yang anjurkan... nak ajak kita sokong UMNO lah tu...". Ini sangat biasa di kalangan pelajar-pelajar yang sebenarnya bingung dengan keadaan ini. Mereka disarankan jangan berpolitik tapi kini seolah-olah mereka diajak bermain politik. Wujudlah pula kelab UMNO di serata U.K. ini. Untuk apa?

Sebenarnya, kerajaan boleh sahaja membantu dan mewujudkan kelab-kelab pelajar yang neutral. Ini mungkin juga menjadi senjata rahsia memenangi hati pelajar-pelajar. Jelasnya di sini, sambutan kurang menggalakkan bagi merebut jawatan kelab-kelab UMNO seraya U.K. Hal ini kerana, kumpulan sasaran bukanlah kesemua rakyat Malaysia di sini. Tapi cuma rakyat Malaysia yang menyokong UMNO. Perkara ini amat merugikan kerana saya yakin ada sahaja bakal-bakal pemimpin di luar sana yang tidak dicungkil semata-mata kerana kelab itu berunsur politik.

Jika kita lihat UKEC, sekeras-kerasnya mereka menyangkal idea politik disalurkan ke dalam organisasi mereka. Ini terbukti apabila berlakunya sedikit pertikaian di dalam AGM yang lepas sepertimana yang dilaporkan oleh seorang rakan saya. Mereka yang dari UKEC ini juga bebas berdebat dan menyalurkan pandangan tanpa rasa takut dan ini akan terus menerus membantu meningkatkan kredibiliti kelab itu sebagai organisasi yang boleh diterimapakai oleh kesemua rakyat Malaysia. Jika kita lihat, UKEC berjaya melahirkan pemimpin-pemimpin yang bakal menggegarkan persada politik Malaysia meskipun ia sebenarnya tidak sekali pun menyalurkan ideologi-ideologi politik, kerajaan ataupun pembangkang. Mereka juga ada sistem undi dalam memilih pemimpin-pemimpin dan ini sedikit sebanyak memberi keterbukaan kepada pelajar untuk membuat pilihan sendiri. Tidak perlu pun satu calon itu mengajak rakan-rakan bolasepak mereka mengundi untuknya.

Saya pun sebenarnya kurang arif tentang bagaimana UKEC ini mendapat bantuan kewangan tetapi yakin juga saya katakan ia bukanlah dari mana-mana parti politik. Tahniah saya ucapkan kepada kelab ini dan harapan saya, objektifnya tidak akan bersimpang jauh di masa akan datang. Gah saya garapkan di sini, walaupun saya langsung tidak terlibat dengan persatuan ini, saya lebih gembira mengikuti aktiviti-aktiviti yang mereka jalankan dengan senang hati.

Sebagai makluman, saya bukanlah anti-kerajaan. Malah jika diamati pandangan saya ini, ada juga kebenarannya dan saya cadangkan kelab UMNO dibubar serata UK ini.

"No politics for the students! Let us enjoy our lives and study peacefully!"

-Ruud van Nisjerooy, simply can't forgive himself for missing a lot of chances today.

Football and PADI

It was a Saturday morning and I rushed towards Barbican to have a kickaball. The weather has been OK in the morning recently as I noticed a glare of sunshine on the way to the Finsbury Leisure Center. Me and Nik were quite early but we couldn't for any latecomers/traitors.

I think it went better than last Wednesday when we actually got to play footie properly. Had a couple of goals but that woudn't matter as fitness is more important at the moment. I think the place is perfect because if we happened to be late for the street soccer fields, there would be replacements such as the basketball court and a park nearby.

Later in the evening, me and Smq went to get something to eat for dinner before the Pojok Musik. With Dug coming all the way from Bristol, we had such nice grubs at Nusa Dua. It was one of the best Singapore Laksa if you ask me. The best part was, it was Smq's treat as he revealed after the gig. Thanks man!

As for the Pojok Musik, we were expecting one Malaysian band (Spoonmen), one local band (Debt Offensive? - such forgettable name) and Padi all the way from Indonesia.

I bet my sister Nadia would be jealous because first of, I was never a Padi fan (except for the Menanti Sebuah Jawaban song I first heard in UiTM). Secondly, Padi performing for the first time in London, with their new song as well.

The gig was started off with Iedil and the gang with the band Spoonmen. I honestly do not know the rest of the team but they went off with a good start with the Weezer Song Buddy Holly. But one thing's for sure, the drummer Jason was one of the best amateur drummer I have ever seen. The 'talisman' failed to impress the crowd although he sorta pushed it too hard with the swearings. Malaysia-bound Iedil as usual, woo the headbangers with his easygoing and having fun attitude.

Next we had this Debt Offensive local band. They did their part and I think the music was cool. However, they had a dodgy vocalist. Could do better.

Finally the moment we had been waiting for (I think we waited quite long as we wished Debt Offensive had a dead guitar or something)...... PADI!

I must say I thought Padi would look like the Dewa guys, young, long hair and all. But I tell you, like Smq insisted, the vocal guy looked like an Ustaz! Although I only know one song which was the Menanti Sebuah Jawaban, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest. I don't jump around that much you see but I did for that very night.

Some dodgy/funny experiences were encountered as well... first was this cute tudung girl jumping like a smurf on the front row. I couldn't hold my tears laughing when I recalled it the first time. Such a sport. Next, was when somebody poked me repeatedly unnoticed and I straight away thought who the fart was that? This is not facebook so that you can poke around goddammit!

On my right were the boys from Indonesia and yeah it came from their side. Behind was the Minister from Indonesia with his wife. But I tell you I wouldn't dare to look back each time I was poked. First, it could be some gay Indonesian guy. I know there were girls as well but unless they had plastic-man-arms I would have considered them as well. Worse, it could be from the minister's wife! Haha! And the worst case scenario would be if it was from an Indonesian Toyol/Anak Kerak import mari (Indonesian goblin).

Oh no! That would scare me to death!

From jumping up and down like a monkey to cold sweat trickling down my ass. I later shrugged off that moment keeping myself busy asking Dug to take pictures of us.

However, we didn't get any shots with Padi which was very, very disappointing. Nevermind the Spoonmen or Death Offensive or rich, overmake-up fake-up girls or even Ziana Zain lookalike or that beautiful GF of our friend. Atleast we gotta have one pic as a proof we were in front row with Padi right? And yeah it was worth it because.. come one, they were Padi!

Damn. Gotta get myself a new camera....

Anyway, I hope last night was a perfect sending off for Iedil.

If you are reading this, all the best bro!

Later we headed home feeling very happy and we had our supper back in Everwood Court. I dunno if there were anyone smoking weed at the gig because I was feeling a bit drowsy but gleefully happy at the same time. I had to call it a day and dozed off quite early.

Padi! Padi! Padi!

Lagi! Lagi! Lagi!

Raya in London 2007 (Day 1)

It was a better raya this year although it came as a shock since we all thought it was going to be on Saturday. But we had an unexpected guest when Acik came down from Newcastle to join for Eid-Fitr in London.

That very Friday morning, we all went for the raya prayers in MSD and Acik was confused with Smq's Takbir on MP3 thinking it was from a mosque nearby. As usual, the missing-Malaysia feeling started to pinch my heart as more and more Raya songs were played.

It was a short and sweet khutbah after we had a 30-minute takbir together and when it all finished, people took their already basi nasik lemak for breakfast before posing for the cameras. I had a few shots of myself while thinking how old I already am since I was the most senior in the KMYS get together photoshoots. Smq already left for work and Ihab could already be on his way to class. Then we had the UiTM people, the Cass Business School people, KYS people, old flames, new flames, Ramadhan crushes and others set to be immortalised on Arwin's now-wrecked digital camera.

It's one of those days, my friend.

And then we (Acik and me) needed a place to crash before the Jumaat prayers and so we went to Arwin-Atiqah-Soraya-Afif's place in Shadwell bringing along the rotten sambal nasi lemaks which were deemed as 'Harta Rampasan Perang'. Being a greedy small guy with a big belly I thought of eating two sets of nasi lemak before the girls Didi and Atiqah discovered how the sambal not being 'eatable'!


We chatted and had some Cadbury 'kuih-raya-wannabe' candies before leaving for the Bangladeshi mosque under the DLR where to my surprise, there were 'millions' of them. We met two Malaysians the moment they opened their mouth and they were actually working in Canary Wharf.

Such inspirations.

Next, would be our adventurous journey to the Hicom's open house in Hampstead. I had never used this route before and thought I gambled a bit. It was simply because of the long journey I had stopping at Finchley Road, took a bus and yet had a tiring walk to that castle last year. We had our second thoughts when we met a dead end where actually it wasn't. It was pretty quick though from the Hampstead Station via the Northern Line to that grand mansion.

At the Hicom's, we met some familiar faces and also the faces of people who went to approach you only when they are in some actuarial-academia-related difficulties. It's quite weird when they weren't even waving at us but only boasting their dodgy green handbags. Soraya remembered one of them as an old friend back at school but she was ignored as well. However, the spirit of raya sort of shadowed that incident and we had a wonderful time munching on the kuih rayas. Ces sont rares!

Of all the incidents, the part where an old 'pimp' trying to woo all the pretty girls stood out the most! This guy, codenamed Jeffrey had the courage to persuade one of the girls (won't tell her name) and asked for her number. You got lucky your old wrinkly *(censored but plural)* didn't get smashed by her absent boyfriend! It was so funny because I thought that Jeffrey (not that Special Branch guy) was her supervisor or sponsor official. We couldn't hold our laughter when she revealed Jeffrey was asking for her number and all. We even noticed he tried many other girls on the first day of raya! Obviously, Jeffrey is back on his fitrah after a long-month Ramadhan -- Pimping! haha!

So watch out girls for this sick man. Don't tell me I didnt warn ya.

I met some friends of mine too. The KYS juniors. The Arsenal lady-supporter. Siti who came back for her graduation with her family. PNB Scholars super juniors. Touch rugby people and others. I guess this is what Raya is all about. Meeting people. Meeting new people too. It's up to you to decide to take it as a bad thing or a good thing. For me, it's a good thing. Unless when they were acting like they didn't notice as if they were Paris Hiltons or something. Haha!

But anyway, it was a great raya though when finally we decided to leave Datuk J (Datuk K wannabe Jeffrey) all by himself struggling for a 'Siti Nurhaliza', consistently wiping his dodgy moustache with his saliva and we strolled back through the bushes for home. Like elves, we were!

The next day would be another cracker. Shadwell's Open House and Sushi as Lemang raya.

Ramadhan Recap

I've been quite emotional recently since Ramadhan is leaving us all with only 2 days to go.

It's been quite a different Ramadhan in London compared to last year and I wonder why.

Is it because I sorely miss the bazaar Ramadhan in Malaysia?

Is it because of the great free food in MSD?

Is it because I put on more terawihs then before?

Is it because the time I spent with Nik Harris breaking fast, checking out the chics, then Maghrib, then Live Football in the bar and then terawih on everyday schedule?

Is it because of the arrivals of some good friends to pursue their masters in Cass?

Is it because I finally come to the point that I am prepared to leave PNB? (Don't worry I dont play the blame game)

Is it because of the new friends I met in MSD?

Is it because I feel like I have more life now than last year?

Is it because of the exemptions obtained?

Is it because of the pulut kuning they serve everytime when there's a special occassion in MSD?

Is it because of the queueing up to the free food, haven't got enough space to squeeze in towards the end of ramadhan in MSD?

Is it because I made it too obvious when I left the table to join Apeq and Didi instead of sitting with a student leader wannabe who persistently reminds Nik Harris that they are cousins?

Is it because of the Holiday Villa iftar incident conducted by UMNO London, sponsored by Shell? (Private message me to know the details as I won't make this public because one of the UMNO members had since apologised and admitted her mistakes)

Is it because the Mosque in Willesden Green doesn't offer free heavy grubs anymore to support for the expansion and renovation costs?

Is it because we found another mosque in Cricklewood that offers very nice beriyani?

Is it because we get to live at a very beautiful and modern flat at a bargain price?

Well, I guess all of the above sorta contributed proportionately.

But I believe it's all down to God's mercy and kindness.

Selamat Hari Raya Eidil-fitri. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

While waiting for Touch-Rugby in Hyde Park

.. I was at the MSD canteen when I saw 5 girls queueing up for food. One really caught my attention with her athletic body.. I didnt blink much at that moment until...

I found out she was a he! And I realised so were the rest of the gang when they started talking to each other.

I cooly waited at my favourite corner in the canteen but I couldn't hold any longer when one of them expressed his disgust over a blogger's comment about them being 'pondans'. I was so afraid I would burst into laughter so I made my move and quickly left the scene.

I guess I made it too obvious that one of them was staring at me like one kind (Manglish: pandang aku satu macam) haha!

I didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings you see.

While on my way to the park, another question popped up. "Diorang ni tak puasa ke? I am damn sure they are Malays. Only one of them was Chinese."

So a friend suggested that they probably in their mens. (PMS). What??

Or maybe they have left Islam to justify their practice?

I pray that one day they will realise their mistakes and may Allah bless them with guidance and good health.

Happy Ramadhan.

Jose Mourn-inho

I know I know this is quite outdated. But I'm still mourning the loss of Mourinho in the Premier League boo-boo-be-boo...

NOT!

Well actually, I was taken aback a bit, atleast initially. It came as a shock to me when he left Stamford Bridge after a 1-1 draw with Rosenborg (ironically Shevchenko scored that one) because the next game he supposed to manage was againts Man Utd.

Since his demise from Chelsea things got from bad to worse. A draw with Fulham? At home? I wonder where are the Bridge 'faithfuls' they seem so quiet now boo-boo-bee-boo...

Glory hunters.

So what next for Mourinho?

Portuguese National Side? Tottenham Hotspur?

'Appearing in a bank advert in Malaysia'? (that's what he said in an interview with Skysports if ye ask me).

Well who cares? As long as he has his family behind him (I hope). With a 20million quid compensation that he banked in, the talk of unemployment is not an issue. Atleast not yet.

Jose has his wife by his side. Two children one is a boy who doesn't resemble his charismatic but arrogant father at all. But still they are all behind him (I hope). The Portuguese people are behind him. And I hope, the friends of his wife are behind him as well.

He is not a failure. Although that's not the case according to Roman Abramovich. The innocent faced Russian tycoon really deceived us all. But that's what most rich people do. Not a sweeping statement there, I said 'most rich people'. They don't know what to do with their money, they buy themselves a model wife.

But that doesn't matter to me. I do a bit care for the people who fail. People like Jose. As Jose failed Roman. It was a little setback there. Statistically speaking he didn't deliver this season. But I do hope, pretty please, that the friends of the wife are behind him as well.

He is known for his effective tactical approach although somewhat boring, un-attractive football. But in three years he won the EPL title back to back in his first two seasons. Then some small cups. But still he has proven that he is one of the best managers at Chelsea.

And I do hope that the friends of his wife are behind him as well.

Please, ladies, do not question his ability. Or whether he's gonna make money or not this year by not getting employed. Please do not talk rubbish behind his back and trying to influence the wife to leave him because he's been a failure. Come on, we all know his ability and how competent he is. It doesn't matter if he 'failed' Abramovich with one defeat against Villa and a draw with an unfancied Norwegian club. Simply, ladies, please, do not question his ability. He is a 1st class manager.

Ladies of Mrs Mourinho, please do not regard yourselves as the elite ones. Please do not convey your evil ideas around Mrs Mourinho that Jose is incompetent. Jose is struggling with the big guns. Jose can't cope with the real elite people. Jose had a relationship with an unknown girl in Beiri-Mar that was near to nothing compared to us elite girls. Jose this Jose that.

The question is ladies, what makes you think you are better than Jose?

Mrs Mourinho, obviously, they are not good friends. Obviously I do not know who they are but one thing I know they love to see your marriage falter. They thought that you would be better off with someone richer or 'elite' or will get multi-million 'bonus' packages or get 'promotions' to the Director's seat in 'two years'. Someone like Alex Fergie maybe? Or Avram Grant boo-boo-be-boo Mr Magoo.

A good friend will support you through and through. A good friend will always wnat you to be happy. Nothing malicious. No hidden agenda. It's not that your husband has committed infidelity or something. It's just a setback. I know Jose quite well. He's a nice guy. He might be arrogant sometimes but I know he was only fooling around. He is very honest and speaks his mind. He is indeed, a special one.

So Mrs Mourinho, ignore all those evil people trying to tear your family apart.

You know it takes more than that to tear you two apart, right?

Last Night (Diddy feat Keyshia)

Diddy:]
Last night,
I couldn't even get an answer.
Tried to call,
but my pride wouldn't let me dial.
And I'm sitting here,
with this blank expression.
And the way I feel,
I wanna curl up like a child.

I know you can hear me
I know you can feel me
I can't live without you
God please make me better
I wish I wasn't the way I am

[Keyshia:]
If I told you once, I told you twice,
you can see it in my eyes.
I'm all cried out,
with nothing to say.
You're everything I wanted to be.
If you could only see,
your heart belongs to me.
I love you so much, I'm yearning for your touch.
Come and set me free,
forever yours I'll be,
baby won't you come and take this pain awayyyyy.

[Diddy:]
Last night,
I couldn't even get an answer.
Tried to call,
but my pride wouldn't let me dial.
And I'm sitting here,
with this blank expression.
And the way I feel,
I wanna curl up like a child.

[Keyshia:]
I need you,
and you need me.
This is so plain to see,
and I will never let you go and,
I will always love you so.
I will...
If you could only see,
your heart belongs to me.
I love you so much, I'm yearning for your touch.
Come and set me free,
forever yours I'll be,
baby won't you come and take this pain awayyyyy.

[Diddy:]
Last night,
I couldn't even get an answer.
Tried to call,
but my pride wouldn't let me dial.
And I'm sitting here,
with this blank expression.
And the way I feel,
I wanna curl up like a child.

[Diddy:]
Tell me the words to say,
to make you come back,
and work me like that.
And if it matters I'll rather stay home,
with you I'm never alone.
Don't want to wait till you're gone,
let me be, just don't leave me.

[Diddy:]
Last night,
I couldn't even get an answer.
Tried to call,
but my pride wouldn't let me dial.
And I'm sitting here,
with this blank expression.
And the way I feel,
I wanna curl up like a child.

[Keyshia:]
I need you,
and you need me.
This is so plain to see,
and I will never let you go and,
I will always love you so.
I will...
If you could only see,
your heart belongs to me.
I love you so much, I'm yearning for your touch.
Come and set me free,
forever yours I'll be,
baby won't you come and take my pain awayyyyy.

[Diddy:]
Last night,
I couldn't even get an answer.
Tried to call,
but my pride wouldn't let me dial.
And I'm sitting here,
with this blank expression.
And the way I feel,
I wanna curl up like a child.

[Keyshia:]
I'm so alone I'm soooo lonelyyyyy,

Why don't you pick the phone,
and dial up my number,
and call me a baby,
I'm waiting on you.

Why don't you pick the phone,
and dial up my number,
just call me a baby,
I'm waiting on you.

I'm sorry, blame it on me.

As life goes on I'm starting to learn more and more about responsibility
And I realize that everything I do is affecting the people around me
So I want to take this time out to apologize for things that
I've done things that haven't occurred yet
and things that they don't want to take responsibility for

I'm sorry for the times that I left you home
I was on the road and you were alone
I'm sorry for the times that I had to go
I'm sorry for the fact that I did not know

That you were sitting home just wishing we
Could go back to when it was just you and me
I'm sorry for the times I would neglect
I'm sorry for the times I disrespect

I'm sorry for the wrong things that I've done
I'm sorry I'm not always there for my sons
I'm sorry for the fact that I'm not aware
That you can't sleep at night when I am not there

Because I'm in the streets like everyday
I'm sorry for the things that I did not say
Like how you are the best thing in my world
And how I'm so proud to call you my girl

I understand that there's some problems
And I'm not too blind to know
All the pain you kept inside you
Even though you might not show

If I can't apologize for being wrong
Then it's just a shame on me
I'll be the reason for your pain
And you can put the blame on me

You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me

Said you can put the blame on me
Said you can put the blame on me
Said you can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me

I'm sorry for the things that he put you through
And all the times you didn't know what to do
I'm sorry that you had to go and sell those bags
Just trying to stay busy until you heard from dad

When you would rather be home with all your kids
As one big family with love and bliss
And even though pops treated us like kings
He got a second wife and you didn't agree

He got up and left you there all alone
I'm sorry that you had to do it on your own
I'm sorry that I went and added to your grief
I'm sorry that your son was once a thief

I'm sorry that I grew up way to fast
I wish I would of listened and not be so bad
I'm sorry that your life turned out this way
I'm sorry that the feds came and took me away

I understand that there's some problems
And I'm not too blind to know
All the pain you kept inside you
Even though you might not show

If I can't apologize for being wrong
Then it's just a shame on me
I’ll be the reason for your pain
And you can put the blame on me

You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me

Said you can put the blame on me
Said you can put the blame on me
Said you can put the blame on me
You can put the blame on me

I'm sorry that it took so long to see
But they were dead wrong trying to put it on me
I'm sorry that it took so long to speak
But I was on tour with Gwen Stefani

I'm sorry for the hand that she was dealt
And for the embarrassment that she felt
She's just a little young girl trying to have fun
But daddy should of never let her out that young

I'm sorry for Club Zen getting shut down
I hope they manage better next time around
How was I to know she was underage
In a 21 and older club they say

Why doesn't anybody want to take blame
Verizon backed out disgracing my name
I'm just a singer trying to entertain
Because I love my fans I'll take that blame

Even though the blame's on you
Even though the blame's on you
Even though the blame's on you
I'll take that blame from you

And you can put that blame on me
And you can put that blame on me
You can put that blame on me
You can put that blame on me

And you can put that blame on me

And you can put that blame on me

Make it Markov!

A lot of things are happening lately.

We are moving out to Maybury Gardens (Willesden) from Neasden (Only one station away but the 'Zone 2' label makes a lot of differences). I have to say it's such a wonderful crib I don't mind paying for the small room. Well actually not that really small lah. Kudos Smq and Sam.

I'm on the verge of leaving PNB after being rejected of another year of deferment (I will appeal through a respected figure!). The lads are great but they themselves urge me to seek other avenues.

Arsenal proving me wrong with their recent performances.

Changing the way I'm thinking about Malaysia and its consititution.

Leaving behind family and friends after a 2-month 'break'. Went to Genting, Port Dickson, Sunway Lagoon and even BTN Ulu Sepri resulting the 'rindu padamu' effect. Earliest I will be back to homecountry in August or September 2008.

Being granted a convertible loan as for the first time ever being sponsored overseas.

Happy to hear about the new budget. Effective September 2007, the Government will increase the Cost of Living Allowances (COLA) for students in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada by up to 97%, almost double the current rate. (Budget 2008. However I'm not sure if my case included.)

Pursuing MSc Actuarial Management after a year course of MSc Actuarial Science (I now only need to hand in the Project after passing all the papers but still writing it up is quite a trouble)

Didnt get to resit for exemption purposes for subject CT8 but still raring to do it externally via the Institute. Sacrificed 'holidays' in Malaysia, ended up signing up agreements and do other important stuffs.

Transitting from Pro Evo 5 to Pro Evo 6 (wanna fight come arr!). Beaten Top Player Mode but Kudin suggested I fight with real people.

Vow to work my ass off to obtain as many exemptions for ST and CA subjects and land a job in the UK to pay back 'someone'. I have to wait for the letter of demand after 31st October to know the exact figure.

"Ya Allah, berikanlah hambamu ini kekuatan dan keredhaan hidup di dunia dan akhirat."

Amin.

Baru-baru ini..

Tidak habis-habis tentang program susu sekolah. Kanak-kanak pula menjadi mangsa. Tujuan sebenar program ini adalah tujuan murni. Mahu memberi susu-susu 'segar' kepada murid-murid sekolah yang tidak berkemampuan. Namun, seperti biasa, pihak yang bertanggungjawab menyalurkan bantuan ini berkemungkinan tidak kompeten. Mengapa tidak kompeten? Hati skeptik saya berdetik. Saya merasakan mereka ini rakus mengaut keuntungan dan akhirnya lupa tentang tujuan sebenar program ini.

Atau mungkin tender dimenangi dengan rasuah? Mungkin juga.

Ibu bapa menjadi resah dengan telatah konsortium pembekal susu sekolah ini. Kini, tidak habis-habis menuding jari kepada satu sama lain. Manufacturer kah yang bersalah? Pengangkut kah yang bersalah? Penyimpan bekalan susukah yang bersalah?

Senang cerita, salahkanlah bakteria-bakteria dalam susu itu! Mereka yang bersalah sebab mereka tidak sepatutnya wujud di dunia ini!

Saya yakin proses pengeluaran susu seperti ini bukanlah suatu perkara mudah. Janganlah nanti nyawa anak-anak kecil dipergadaikan kononnya atas nama tujuan murni walhal syarikat susu meraih keuntungan yang melampau. Kita kembali kepada niat asal program ini.

Negarakuku.

Dalam isu yang lain, ia berkenaan seorang rakyat Malaysia yang mempunyai nama pena 'Namawee'. Bukan, dia bukanlah Mawi wannabe tapi giat merakam lagu-lagu sendiri. Sedikit keterangan mengenai Namawee, dia kini sedang menuntut pelajaran di Taiwan dan berasal dari Muar. Seorang pelajar sekolah Cina private, dia telah menghina negara Malaysia, lagu negara, agama Islam dan bangsa melayu. Perkara ini sangat-sangat saya memandang serius.

Bukan kerana saya ini Melayu, tetapi kerana saya ini rakyat Malaysia.

Risau resahlah hati saya melihat keadaan ini sekaligus memberi gambaran tentang hubungan anak-anak muda pelbagai bangsa di Malaysia. Begitu mudah jika saya hendak menuding jari kepada kementerian pelajaran tetapi apa yang saya amati dari blog beliau, ia menunjukkan betapa CETEK, BIADAP dan TIDAK BERMORAL penulis blog yang bernama Namawee ini. Beliau didakwa dalam akta menghasut sehingga membuatkan kekacauan.

Mengapa saya berkata begitu? Teringat saya tentang telatah anak-anak muda berketurunan Tiong Hwa menghina seorang wanita yang memakai tudung di hadapan saya di dalam gerabak LRT. Saya sedih kerana anak-anak muda sekarang tidak dapat berkawan dengan rakan-rakan yang pelbagai bangsa sekaligus mencetus perasaan perkauman antara mereka.

Sekolah satu aliran, bila lagi?

Banyak jugak 'merdeka wish' yang saya hendak nyatakan tetapi biarlah salah satunya Namawee dimasukkan ke penjara kerana menghina negara sendiri dan juga kaum lain. Saya harap di waktu ini, bolehlah ISA digunakan kerana jika hendak menunggu prosedur, sampai tahun depan pun tidak akan siap waran tangkap melihatkan yang dia melakukan jenayah itu di Taiwan.

Relevan kah ISA?

Semalam sempat saya berceloteh bersama dua orang rakan tentang Raja Petra dan ISA. Sehingga kini, saya yakin ISA (Internal Security Act) masih lagi relevan tetapi tidak seharusnya disalah gunakan oleh parti-parti bagi tujuan politik. Namun, ISA sangatlah penting bagi mengelakkan kekacauan di dalam negara. Sebagai informasi, menurut rakan saya yang merupakan seorang konsultan undang-undang menceritakan betapa pihak USA dan UK mencemuh kita tentang adanya ISA sebelum Sept 11, 2001. Kini, mereka tidak berputus-putus mahukan pandangan kita tentang ISA dan mereka juga mengemulasinya.

Tidak perlu kita pandang tinggi kepada mereka. Kita bukan lagi negara yang mentah. Jika kita begitu mengharapkan undang-undang yang dibuat dunia ini, penuh prosedur dan penuh kertas kerja. Terlalu lambat! Sempat juga saya memberi contoh kisah Ayah Pin, sepatutnya dia diberkas mengikut akta ISA. Namun oleh kerana waran tangkap yang dijadikan sandaran, Ayah Pin masih bebas sehingga kini.

Mahukah anda perkara ini berulang? Pokoknya sekarang, perbaiki ISA, bukanlah 'ABOLISH'-nya sahaja sepertimana yang dicadangkan rakan saya itu.

No law is perfect. Lihatlah apa yang berlaku kepada kes bunuh yang ditutup kerana laporan tidak lengkap. Ini jelas bahawa undang-undang dunia masih banyak mempunyai kelemahan. Atas kerana laporan tidak lengkap, dua orang pembunuh bebas? Ini mungkin persoalan yang timbul di kalangan rakyat.

Perbaiki. Bukan cakap-cakap saja.

p/s: Raja Petra adalah seorang yang berani. Tetapi beliau lupa cara berdakwah yang ditunjukkan Nabi. Cara yang berhemah! Janganlah jadikan cemuhan sebagai aset tetapi cara yang penuh tertib dan berhemah. Jangan berani berkata 'berhemah is irrelevant'. Bukankah itu cara yang diajar Nabi? Adakah anda berkata Nabi itu tidak relevan? Baginda mengharungi segala tentangan yang ada tetapi kini, baginda amatlah disegani dan dihormati.

Saya bukannya mahukan Raja Petra menjadi nabi baru. Saya cuma minta Raja Petra ikut sunnah nabi cara berdakwah. Jangan hanya mahu menang sorak dan menjadi kontroversial!

Sebab itu saya tidak respek Raja Petra. Artikelnya penuh tohmahan dan emosi.

Tidak ubah seperti blog-blog saya dahulu. Benar tetapi penuh kontroversi.

Blog hangat Jeghui.

Raja Petra grilled

Quote me of you like, I once taunted the Malaysia-today website's slogan "Your source of independent news" with strings of vibes on MSN as almost all of the articles are anti-government and provocative, causing disharmony in the country in that process.

How can one declares itself as independent and neutral when its nature is actually bias? (i.e. anti-government).

Before you (mostly negative thinkers) speculate, I am not one of those Government's cybertroopers backing up every single thing that has been said by the current rulers but I wish to re-iterate that I will make my own opinions based on facts that I have obtained and will try to be as neutral, as fair as possible. But as I said earlier, how can Malaysia-today be neutral and independent?

I'm quite confident that some articles are very constructive and thought-provoking but mostly the articles give a direct hit to certain people and resulting them seemed very interesting to read. Some might have valid grounds while others, are fuelled with political and hate agenda. Mythologies and fitnahs.

'Is Jeanne (Abdullah) a Malay?'

Look at that title of an article I saw on Malaysia-today.net a few days after Pak Lah married a woman called Jeanne Abdullah. I am not sure the exact title but the moment I saw that, I couldn't stop thinking how people make controversial articles just to be famous. Petty issues! But common people are so interested to know. But for me, it's a bloody waste of time and not constructive. Of course, I wasn't interested to read the article. I exited the site and sighed "When will Malaysia-today change?" Later, the title of the article was adjusted into 'Is Jeanne a Malay? Yes, says UMNO Kepala Batas'.

Raja Petra is the webmaster of Malaysia-today.net and his controversial articles are said to be derived from many sources, not of his own opinions only. Maybe he was used by certain people to direct their agendas but I believe he is a wise guy despite people calling him a 'psycho with good command of English'.

About the allegation being put to him, I think it was blown out of proportion. He did not insult the King and Islam if you read his article carefully. From what I know, he is from the Royal blood himself, is he not? But he does provoke some people in his articles and that might have pissed them to bits.

Of course he wouldn't know where the comments on his articles were originated from and it was not clear why he was asked about that matter. But he shouldn't accused those people are the so-called Government's cybertroopers because they could be anyone. So, pint-pointing on one group of people clearly shows he is BIAS.

He was again being interrogated about a comment from a poster 'Why fight, we are Malaysians, let us live peacefully and be happy'. Raja Petra was puzzled why he was asked about this 'positive' comment but he actually failed to recognise the real point the policeman was trying to make.

Just like all those negative people, he has failed to do this. He failed to convey his ideas in a peaceful manner. In a correct manner. Constructive, less controversial but still thought-provoking.

Which I call as the correct way of blogging.

So please Syeikh Kickdefella, Raja Petra, there are better ways to enlight the people. Clearly you guys just wanted to be famous being controversial.

Just like Eminem. Just like that pathetic Lindsay Lohan.

Prosecute cyber criminals!

In the wake of an information bureau staff of Parti Keadilan's arrest, Nathaniel Tan (Nat), this is not the actual drama that I'm about to underline here. I'm still waiting for the real story behind this DSAI's aide being held by the cops while the rest of the party members are left wondering about his actual location. One source reported this has something to do with the doctored picture being made public and the other saying it has something to do with Nat's blog entry, commenting on the ruckus between Datuk Johari Baharum and Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

This is somewhat annoying. Who is telling the truth?

It is an understatement to say a blogsite plays an integral part in channelling information to the people nowadays, especially to the youth community. However, taking Nat's arrest as an example, with a lot of people giving information, whose is exactly telling the truth?

The original concept of blogging is letting the people express their feelings jotting down their everyday life with little much of drama, hoping people around her would care. However, nowadays, this is another way to publish your own opinions to be made for public consumption. However, the 'emotion' and 'feelings' are there to stay. Some bloggers fail to care for other people's feelings when expressing theirs or touching on the current issues.

Although the number of people giving misinformation and spreading lies are not that alarming, this 'small' number of people apparently became famous for their tales in their personal blogs. Take Salman Rushdie for example. He was a lowly-rated writer until when he came out the controversial Satanic Verses that spilled the anger among Muslims and finally was bestowed for knighthood-ship about a month ago. I strongly against this idea! The point is, Salman got famous since by causing disharmony and this is clearly being followed by Syeikh Kickdefella for example, although not to that certain extreme. However, I truly believe in the end, they fear for their lives for what they cowardly wrote.

I am particularly delighted if Malaysia could be more open-minded. Freedom of speech is one part of democracy. However, I am strongly against the idea of spreading lies and degrading certain people of any backgrounds. For me, I always try to give a fair view and as being said earlier in my previous post, expressing the other side of the story. What really agitates me is when people misuse the technology to pursue their quest on being famous.

Come on, admit it. Bloggers do want to check their blog stats everyday!

I am sad that some webmasters boldly published young Muslim girls having intimate moments while wearing the hijjaab. Their reasons for that they wanted to sort of give real examples of our rakyat nowadays and not actually trying to 'aibkan sesiapa'. It is so irritating they gave out that kind of statement. Why can't you tell the truth that you want people to visit your websites and pocket some money from adverlets or google ads? At least you are telling the truth! As far as I know, to show off these acts is also a BIG sin according to Quraan! And the number of videos obtained is increasing exponentially for some bizzare reasons. No thanks to you.

Of course there will be a lot of people watching the videos. Me included. I know those 'amateur Malaysian porn actors and actresses' are mere fools as well but is this how you correct things? I think it was their boyfriends who are the culprits. Most men love watching porn and now they want to have their own movie. Later, they plead their girlfriends to be on the cast and voila, you will have Malaysian porn movies on mykakis and sabul after stupidly recording and distributing the videos. Or maybe they forgot to delete the files when sending their camera-phones for repairs. Some got lucky when their faces are not shown in the videos. Some are not that lucky. One case even took her own life after realising her kissing video being distributed.

Since now we have the evidence of the people who made the video, why not look for these people mostly students and prosecute them? Or atleast they can stand for trial for making and distributing porn videos. As for the webmasters, there must be a way where we can alarm blogspot and wordpress providers about this matter. Or check their I.Ps or servers? Sorry I'm not an I.T expert but for what matter, these cyber criminals must be prosecuted.

On the other hand, I urge bloggers not to provoke disharmony in this country. You can write what you want but you must make sure what you write is true. Not something that you heard from a biased writer, for example. I like people writing something more diplomatic, not emotional, giving constructive ideas in improving Malaysia. I know that would sound uncontroversial. But atleast a friend of mine, Nik Nazmi can do that! He is DSAI's political aide if you ask me. You can still write in the 'sopan-santun' way you see. Isn't that not OUR Timur culture.

I know there will be obstacles when alerting a good cause and doing it is another mountain to climb these days. Good people are thought to be weak. Aggressive and emotional people are thought to be strong. Inilah dia akhir zaman.

Commenting on the doctored picture of Altantuya, DSNTR and Razak Baginda, some might find it hilarious and wasn't intended to hurt anyone. For me, I think it's heartless to even come out with the idea. I do not know who made the picture and I don't really care. Tian Chua or Soi Lek it doesn't matter at the moment. What matters is, find the culprit. It is an act of a cyber crime because while the hearing is still ongoing, why do you have to take the opportunity to sell your political agenda? I bet Altantuya's family will be hurt, with her being imposed that way. DSNTR's family will also be hurt. The accused Najib Razak's family as well. I call this a cowardly act because he or she never cares for the feelings of the people depicted in the photos. The feelings of Altantuya's family who are still grieving her death. You have the guts to think it was funny? You still think you did nothing wrong? What if I, a stranger to you, made a super-imposed picture of your dad doing indecent acts with a China-doll? Will you simply laugh at it then? O.k. That might sound a bit extreme. Ok lah, just one picture of your dad sipping a coffee with a beautiful lady from China. Will that be still ok to you? Will your mom be happy with that as well? No, right? How about the neighbours? Will they not talk about your dad and making up stories?

There will still be limits in life. If everything is free and very liberal, why not transform Malaysia into Holland, then? Legalise sex, cheap booze, gay marriages, marijuana and others. That will only add more crimes to the worrying numbers in Malaysia already, isn't it?

Freedom of speech is fine. But of course there must be limits.

Disclaimer!

Readers' discretion advised.

Sorry I have to put away the one that I wrote earlier. However, I'm writing this new one to give you a basic idea of what my blog is all about.

I first wrote a blog on www.kawanster.com. As you may aware, it was one of the most controversial though thought-provoking blog you have ever read. It was so malicious, emotional with a lot of personal attacks.

But the blog counter seemed very-very impressive.

As for now, 'My Side of Story' only manages about 40 viewers per day rate. Lacking controversies and hatred, this figure is somewhat predictable. The highest ever came only as 114.

You might find this blog having a less-hot barometer. Some entries were purposely wrote on the bright side of the story. The Singapore-issue entry for instance. Some might be ridiculed with the way I heaped praises on that country after my two-day experience there. But in my opinion, only the wise one would see the real point I was making.

I feel I had enough writing with anger and biased ideas, especially the negative norms. I think it doesn't work that way. Bakri Musa or Raja Petra or some that I saw on MalaysiaToday might be famous for their controversial writings, causing disharmony in the country. Although there is a need to be transparent, but petty issues and fitnahs must be avoided at all cost. For example, putting your blog entry title "Is Jeanne Abdullah a Muslim" or "Pok Nik menghalalkan carut-marut" may make a lot of people read, but I saw them as rubbish.

If you are looking for a controversial and fitnah blog, look away. Don't ever come here again. You will not find any in 'My Side of Story'. In fact, the title of the blog was derived simply as an act of counter-fitnah and trying to pose the other side of the story. So, for many cases of my articles, you will mainly find the other side of the coin. Singapore issue for example, as I heard many negative stories from my youth, I gave a general idea on what I saw from my trip and would like people to see the other side of Singapore.

That is only one example. But that applies to all. I will always try to get the other side of the story, preferably the positive side.

I never asked people to regard whatever I'm writing to be the sole information that you can ever get. In fact, some could be fictional. However, I always write carefully this time and not get too carried away and ending up generalising on certain issue. As a friend taught me about a concept, 'Sweeping statement', I always try to avoid that when writing and even when speaking.

I do NOT generalise. People who know me well know that fact. For that fact, I do NOT make sweeping statements.

I love to use words such as 'some', 'mostly', 'a few', 'plenty', 'many', 'much' and for that fact, I do NOT make sweeping statements.

The objective of the blog is to channel good and positive values and would hope people who read it will have a different perception. Not simply believing everything that you read on Malaysiakini, Utusan, Malaysiatoday or any other blogs. Not even mine. But I think I always remind people to do their own research and then make a good evaluation. And to be on the safe side, do not believe it at all.

And to transfer the wrong information, would be equally ridiculous.

When I am writing this blog, I always make sure I write it carefully, to avoid being backfired. The information obtained, is mostly from my friends and other sources and have you ever heard, many times, that I said "Ini (someone) bagi tau aku, kalo dia tipu, maka tertipulah aku".

It applies in my real life and in this 'cyber' life as well.

No one is indispensible. A second hand information is still doubtful to me.

Only Al-Quraan is first hand. Read it and you will find peace.

Finally, I thank you for your continuous support. I will keep writing. I know there will be obstacles and criticisms. I can take it with a chin as that would only improve my ideas.

p/s: Please leave your comment. More ideas needed. Say no to racism and hatred preaching.

Pendidikan: Kunci integrasi kaum

Lupakan Sekolah Wawasan. Apa yang kita perlu ada ialah sekolah satu aliran. Satu sekolah yang diikuti pelajar-pelajar berbilang kaum. Satu sekolah yang tidak berdasarkan kaum.

Maka tiada lagi 'Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan'. Mungkin ini sangat mudah jika diperkatakan sahaja. Namun secara praktikal, ia mungkin melibatkan perasaan dan jatidiri sesuatu kaum.

Jika diamati, sekolah-sekolah di United Kingdom ini semuanya bercakap dengan satu bahasa. Bahasa Inggeris menjadi bahasa perantara. Ia merupakan medium yang paling mudah diterima oleh pelajar-pelajar yang berbilang kaum seperti India, Arab, Pakistan, Inggeris, Afrika, Cina dan lain-lain. Malah, ia merupakan alat yang sangat efektif dalam integrasi kaum.

Kunci kepada integrasi kaum adalah pendidikan. Tidak perlu saya bahaskan di sini lagi kerana ia adalah sangat jelas di mana kanak-kanak senang bergaul berbilang bangsa sejak di bangku sekolah. Mereka akan belajar bersama, bermain bersama dan meyelesaikan masalah bersama.

Jika tidak silap saya, sepertimana yang diberitahu oleh seorang rakan, Sekolah Wawasan adalah suatu ide di mana 3 sekolah berbeza kaum di satukan di satu kawasan. Tiga bangunan tetapi satu laman. Perkara yang diutarakan ini amat mengelirukan dan geli hati jika saya bayangkan jika ia dijadikan realiti. Risau jugak jika ketiga-tiga sekolah ini menjadi seteru pula!

Mungkin masyarakat Cina kurang berminat untuk mempersetujui konsep satu sekolah senegara sepertimana yang dilaporkan di dada-dada akhbar yang dicetak mereka. Saya yang berbangsa Melayu ini pula tidak dapat merasa sendiri apa sebenarnya yang menjadi batu penghalang kepada mereka untuk mengikuti sekolah satu aliran yang menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan sebagai bahasa perantara ini. Namun bagi saya kita mahukan yang terbaik untuk negara kita dan integrasi kaum adalah agenda yang utama. Saya sendiri lebih berminat menghantar anak-anak saya ke sekolah yang berbilang bangsa daripada ke sekolah yang 100% bangsa Melayu. Hal ini demikian kerana saya mahukan anak-anak saya membuka minda mereka bercampur gaul dan menyayangi bangsa-bangsa lain. Bukankah itu lebih menarik? Tidak mahulah saya lihat anak-anak saya menjadi stereotaip dan mula membayangkan bangsa lain begitu asing.

Apakah sebenarnya yang menjadi titik tolak batu penghalang sekolah satu aliran ini? Jika kita amati, United Kingdom menerapkan di sekolah-sekolah satu bahasa iaitu bahasa pengantar kebangsaan mereka, iaitu Bahasa Inggeris dan ianya tidak pula menjadi isu kepada bangsa-bangsa yang lain. Tidak pula masyarakat Pakistan memaksa Bahasa Urdu menjadi bahasa pilihan mereka di sekolah? Gadis-gadis India-British giat pula saya perhatikan berbahasa Inggeris siap dengan loghatnya. Tidak kurang pula masyarakat Cina-Inggeris di sini berdasarkan seorang rakan mahjong saya yang fasih berbahasa masyarkat berhidung tinggi ini. (Nota: saya bermain mahjong tidak berjudi). Jadi, adakah set minda seperti ini susah untuk digunapakai di Malaysia?

Apa yang penting ialah kita berbahasa dengan satu bahasa. Janganlah begitu menganggap bahasa kebangsaan itu milik bangsa saya 100%. Lihatlah dalam artikel saya ini. Banyak perkataan Inggeris telah dipinjam untuk menulis Bahasa Malaysia. Sebab itu saya mengambil positif apabila Bahasa Melayu telah diwartakan kembali kepada Bahasa Malaysia. Sebab ia juga milik bangsa lain seperti India, Cina, Kadazan, Bidayuh, Iban dan lain-lain. Dengan erti kata lain, bahasa ini milik semua rakyat Malaysia!

Mungkin masyarakat Cina dan India takut jika bahasa mereka diluput zaman. Usahlah risau. Jika kita lihat masyarakat Arab-Malaysia, walaupun bahasa mereka tidak diguna-pakai di sekolah-sekolah Malaysia, Bahasa Arab masih diajar secara elektif di sekolah-sekolah agama dan harian. Saya sendiri berkesempatan berguru menuntut Bahasa Arab. Dan ia masih lagi lekat di lidah walaupun hanya sekelumit. Jika mahu berinteraksi, sedikit-sedikit boleh lah di Dubai sebulan yang lalu. Kai-fa haluk? Kam dirham ila Burj Al-Arab? Mungkin tatabahasa dan penguasaan bahasa amat lemah tetapi boleh berinteraksi. Jika saya yang tidak bijak inipun masih lekat di lidah, saya yakin yang dipupuk sejak kecil lagi semestinya akan lekat terus bahasa itu di sanubari mereka!

Pokoknya, bahasa Cina dan Tamil boleh sahaja diajar di sekolah-sekolah satu aliran ini. Tambahan pula, di rumah, bahasa-bahasa ini lebih mudah diterapkan. Mengapa Bahasa Malaysia dikatakan bahasa yang tidak perlu kita pelajari? Atas alasan ia milik bangsa Melayu? Sepertimana yang disebut tadi, ia milik kita semua. Dan bukankah ia sangat penting untuk integrasi kaum? Buanglah segala ego dan perasaan perkauman itu dan belajarlah bahasa yang paling mudah di dunia ini.

Apabila saya cakap bahasa yang mudah, hal ini bukanlah kerana saya ini orang Melayu. Padahal ia sangat mudah atas sebab struktur tatabahasa yang sangat mudah difahami. Jika dalam French, kita ada 'feminine' dan 'masculine', di dalam Bahasa Malaysia, tiada. Jika bahasa Inggeris ada 'past tense dan present tense', Bahasa Malaysia kita hanya perlu tambah perkataan 'sedang, telah atau akan' sahaja.

Bukankah ianya sangat mudah?

Sukar untuk saya terima jika Bahasa Inggeris dijadikan medium perantara utama di sekolah-sekolah satu aliran ini. Kerana ini adalah negara Malaysia. Bukan lagi negara penjajah British. Namun, bukanlah saya sarankan untuk melupuskan bahasa ini sama sekali. Bahasa Inggeris masih wajib kerana ia adalah sangat penting di dunia ini. Tetapi kita mestilah ada identiti kita sendiri. Iaitu identiti Malaysia. Identiti timur. Maka, Bahasa Malaysia lah yang kita mahu gunakan. Siapalah kita ini jika bahasa asal dilupakan?

Apa yang paling penting ialah kita hidup bersama berbilang kaum dengan aman. Budak-budak sekolah belajar bermain bersama berbilang kaum sejak kecil. Sebab bukankah melentur buluh itu dari rebung?

Saya tidak rasa ini susah untuk dipraktikkan. Asalkan kita dapat bertolak-ansur, maksud saya, apa salahnya? Pokoknya apakah yang lebih penting? Keharmonian negara bukan? Kerjasama di antara kaum bukan? Saya perhatikan politik Malaysia masih lagi berteraskan etnik tetapi kita masih lagi dalam proses transisi ke arah integrasi kaum yang lebih mapan.

Lagi sekali saya mahu sarankan. Bahasa Malaysia bukanlah milik satu bangsa. Ia adalah milik kita rakyat Malaysia. Namun, kita tidak akan melupakan bahasa-bahasa asli seperti Bahasa Melayu Asli, Mandarin, Hokkien, Kantonis, Tamil, Arab, Portugis dan lain-lain di mana ianya semua diajar juga di sekolah-sekolah satu aliran ini. Ia masih boleh dikuasi oleh siapa-siapa sahaja. Bahasa Malaysia dipilih untuk menjadi bahasa utama kerana ia adalah bahasa kebangsaan. Maka persoalan tidak akan timbul jika ia dilihat seperti bahasa yang menyatukan kaum.

Tiada masalah!

Dalam konteks yang sama, saya juga tidak menghalang jika sekolah-sekolah berasrama penuh dibuka juga kepada masyarakat yang lain. Saya difahamkan, Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka telah membuka peluang kepada masyarakat bukan Melayu. Ini adalah langkah yang bijak. Saya juga tidak menghalang jika MRSM juga dibuka untuk semua kaum (MRSM Beseri contohnya telah membuka peluang kepada pelajar-pelajar Thai, India dan lain-lain). Ini juga termasuk MCKK, TKC, STF, SSP dan lain-lain. Apa-apa sahaja, asalkan integrasi kaum dapat dilaksanakan.

Ini juga termasuk universiti-universiti tempatan supaya kita lebih kompeten dan bekerjasama.

Saya berpeluang untuk kembali bersahabat dengan rakan-rakan bukan Melayu apabila memasuki Kolej Yayasan UEM (KYUEM) atau sebelumnya dipanggil Kolej Matrikulasi Yayasan Satu (KMYS). Sebelum itu, saya hanya berpeluang mengenali rakan-rakan bukan Melayu di sekolah rendah SRK St Francis. Di sinilah saya mengecapi kebebasan bersosial dengan masyarakat secara lebih terbuka di mana debat-debat perkauman dan agama dilakukan dengan penuh tertib dan ini membuahkan ide-ide bernas dan neutral. Yang penting sekali, integrasi kaum dapat dijalankan.

Seorang sahabat berkata "Why bother? We live in a racist world anyway!"

Maaflah. Malangnya saya tidak seperti kamu yang hanya mahu mengikut keadaan semasa dan sudah 'complacent' dengan keadaan sekarang. "I'm not willing to follow the herd. Why should I?" ujar saya sinis kepadanya.

Jika masih ada ruang untuk kita baiki negara Malaysia, 'I'm up for it'. Ceteklah fikiran saya jika saya memilih seseorang itu berdasarkan warna kulit. Ceteklah jika saya menghina pemenang sukan tennis wanita Wimbledon 2007 tanpa sebab contohnya. Lagipun, kita semua sama sahaja. Manusia semuanya.

Mungkin ramai yang tidak bersetuju dengan pendapat saya ini. Malah mungkin ada yang melabel saya 'perosak bangsa' dengan pandangan tak seberapa saya ini. Maaflah. Saya lebih pentingkan keharmonian sejagat daripada hendak menang sorak meraih sokongan bangsa saya sahaja. Insya Allah, sebelum saya menghembus nafas yang terakhir saya nanti, harap-harap dapatlah saya lihat perubahan dalam politik dan sosial Malaysia.

Sudah cukup jika ia bermula dengan sekolah satu aliran.

A blunder from Bakri Musa (more to come)

Old Versus New (Promised) Malaysia

Two school events, both widely reported, took place last week. One was the Speech Day at Malay College Kuala Kangsar, and the other, the graduation exercise at Kolej Yayasan UEM. The difference in the two events serves as a good metaphor distinguishing the old Malaysia from what I hope is the promise of a new one.

The ceremony at Kuala Kangsar was graced by no less than the King, the Raja Muda of Perak (the school’s Governing Board Chair), and the Minister of Education. You could not get a more distinguished company of visitors than that. Meanwhile KYUEM had such nondescript corporate figures as UEM Chairman Ahmad Tajuddin Ali and its Foundation Trustee, Sheriff Kassim, in attendance.

At Malay College’s Speech Day, there was no mention of the achievements of the graduating students, specifically which great universities they would be attending. There was a reason for this noticeable absence. None of the students qualified for university admission directly. They would first have to go to a “finishing school” elsewhere.

The headmaster at KYUEM proudly announced that 11 of his 183 graduates would be heading for either Oxford or Cambridge. In the preceding year, a fourth of his students secured admissions to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, and London School of Economics, an achievement any British grammar school would be very proud of. In the area where it counts, in fact the only valid currency for a school – the quality of its graduates – KYUEM easily trumps the venerable MCKK.

It is revealing that the item that received the biggest applause (according to a news report) was the King’s announcement that the minister had approved a new hall for MCKK! In his speech, the King suggested that other schools emulate MCKK. I respectfully suggest to His Majesty that Malay College should instead emulate KYUEM.

Jeg says: Why are you comparing MCKK with KYUEM? It's like comparing The English Premier League with The English Championship League! You need to go pass The Championship to be promoted to The Premier League!

The Old Malay of MCKK

MCKK, established over 100 years ago, had pretensions of being the “Eton of the East.” It is formal, resistant to change, and slavishly hanging on to “traditions.” Even the school motto is in affected Latin, Fiat Sapienta Virtus. Query the school’s alumni, students and teachers; few would know what it means. In short, Malay College epitomizes the old Malay ethos, obsessed with symbols and pretensions but devoid of substance.

KYUEM on the other hand is less than a decade old. Its mission statement, or motto if you will, is elegant in its simplicity and clarity, “To Educate, Not Simply Teach.” No pompous Latin phrases. And they – trustees, teachers, and students – have done an excellent job at it. They embody the good and the promise of a new Malaysia. Specifically, those Malays at KYUEM are my model of Melayu Baru (New Malay).

Before elucidating further the differences between MCKK and KYUEM, it is important to note that despite their “college” labels, both institutions are basically residential secondary schools. In case of Malay College, it is not even that. Since its graduates cannot enter university directly, MCKK is essentially a glorified middle school.

The foremost difference is that MCKK is a public institution, totally dependent on the allocations from the ministry. Despite its roster of luminaries as “old boys,” their contributions to the school are miniscule to nonexistent. The only time they visit their alma mater is to harass the headmaster for decisions they do not like.

KYUEM is a private institution, dependent on tuition and donations for its survival. As such, it has to produce to satisfy its customers – students and their parents. The school is not interested how many sultans, ministers and other luminaries it counts among its alumni rather which university will accept its students next year. Malay College is fixated with its past, Kolej UEM is confidently poised for the future.

Malay College is an all-Malay institution; KYUEM’s student body reflects the rich diversity of Malaysian society. Malay College students would carry their cultural insularity into their adult life. KYUEM’s students on the other hand have a much richer and more meaningful learning and living environment because of the diversified enrollment. They would definitely be better prepared for this globalized world.

Jeg says: I don't know how long Bakri has been staying in the U.S. (being a scaredy cat making controversial statements outside the country provoking disharmony in that process) but in Malaysia, MCKK is a secondary school while KYUEM is a pre-U college supporting A-levels studies only. I think Bakri was confused with KYSM which offers SPM and a like-to-like comparison with MCKK where the former having the upper-hand. Thus, it is WRONG to say KYUEM a 'secondary school'. You can compare KYUEM with Kolej MARA Banting (KMB), Taylors College or KDU, if you like!

Examine the Leadership

While everyone in an organization contributes to its success, the crucial differentiating point is leadership. KYUEM trustees are from the business world, individuals attuned to recognizing a need in society and then fulfilling it. In contrast, the Minister of Education appoints MCKK’s governing board. They are thus men with the mindset that there is no problem that a government cannot solve. The sinister corollary to this is that the government must control everything; it knows what is best for you and me, and our children.

Consequently, MCKK’s curriculum follows that the ministry’s rigid prescription, right down to the textbooks. KYUEM opted for global standards and chose the best traditions of British grammar schools. When there are no locals with sufficient experience with such a system, the trustees do not hesitate in hiring an expatriate. They do not have any negative lingering anti-colonial hang ups, or fear that the hiring of a foreigner would be viewed as a slight on the abilities of the natives. Those trustees are interested only in what is best for their students.

KYUEM’s outgoing headmaster, Richard Small, is an Oxford graduate; his successor, John Horsfall, is a product of Cambridge and a PhD-holder to boot. I gleaned these facts from the news reports of the graduation exercise. In contrast, at Malay College’s Speech Day there was no mention of who was the headmaster. That was the degree of respect the headmaster commanded, or was accorded. The King and the other distinguished visitors hogged the limelight. They were obviously more important than the headmaster, teachers, or students.

I am certain that the MCKK’s headmaster must glow in having the King, Raja Muda and the Minister grace his school’s function. Richard Small on the hand could hardly contain his pride in his students’ achievements. How revealing of the different priorities at the two institutions!

Leadership alone is not enough. The students do not see the trustees and headmaster every day in the classrooms. It is the teachers who are there for the students. “The most important learner in the classroom,” noted Headmaster Small, “is the teacher, because if the teacher is not constantly learning and changing, how can he be a competent role model for student learners.”

The caliber of the faculty at KYUEM is impressive, many with graduate degrees including PhDs. Its biology teacher, Norhayati Zainudin, is a graduate in Veterinary Medicine from a local university.

Impressive degrees mean nothing if the teacher cannot teach. My biology teacher at Malay College had a PhD from a Punjabi university. He was next to useless. Fortunately, my physics and chemistry teachers in the persons of Mr. Malhotra and Mr. Norton more than took up the slack in teaching and guiding us.

Readers might be puzzled to know where I garner these facts about KYUEM. Easy, from its website (www.kyuem.edu.my). It has a wealth of information useful not only for potential students but also for web visitors like me.

I tried to surf Malay College’s website. The operative word there is “tried.” There are many such sites claiming to be the “official” website, many hosted by “freebie” server and consequently cluttered with advertising banners. On one site, tts “Students Achievements” page was last updated in 1999!

Malay College is embarking on its “Sayong Project,” billed to take it into the new century. MCKK is also eagerly seeking ties with residential schools in other countries. I humbly suggest that MCKK looked closer to home, just a few miles south at Lembah Beringin.

Malay College epitomizes the feudal Malay system still very much alive under the veneer of modernity. Meanwhile those folks at Lembah Beringin represent the new Malaysia, confident of their heritage and at ease with the modern world.

Jeg says: it is obvious now how Bakri Musa gathers his information. Reading on the internet and he thought that would be adequate. When he said 'Easy, from its website' I straight away concur how short-sighted this Javanese guy is believing everything he sees in the internet. To know the real situation, Bakri, you have to go back to Malaysia and see these schools for yourself. I know what MCKK is from my housemate and other KYUEM friends and was informed you only attended MCKK in form 6, which simply the MCKK boys called as "BURUNG". In case you are wondering, I studied A-levels in KYUEM and is a KYSER (KYSM graduate) and atleast I know how we can't compare young mango (mangga muda) and riped mango (mangga yang dah masak). Get your facts right Bakri, or you will be a laughing stock among other budak Koleq (Old Boys) and others. As I made it clear earlier in our email conversation, come back and do something for the country instead of talking and seeking cheap popularity writing controversial issues.