The perfect system

I am enjoying Malaysia at the moment. What I do not enjoy is the political situation. In addition, I find beautiful Malay girls having girls as their boyfriends rather annoying. These pengkids as the are known, have short-hair, walk like they have bolas and talk in a rather strange voice.

I have said it many times, people become like this pelik because they are just being emotional. The girls might find the boys less interesting because of their gatal behaviour for example. However, they missed the part where they need we boys to have a normal life.

I even found one pengkid rather beautiful one night at Pizza Hut.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Indians in PKR are somewhat disappointed with the Pakatan rulers. Some even have opted oout from the coalition party. Many are following suit because they feel that they are being marginalised.

This is somewhat expected when I recalled saying "who will be on the Indians' side?" after the GE 2008 results. The disgruntles among the Indians in Pakatan has proven yet again there is a real need for race-based politics.

If you ask me, I wouldn't know in details what are the needs, cultural values and religious values of the Indians. It would take me months of research to know every single bit of them. Imagine you are a leader of an association and you have members of from multicultural, multi-ethnics background. The easiest way is to delegate it to a respected, knowledgable Indian comrade.

That is why Barisan needed MIC.

That is why Barisan needed MCA.

That is why Barisan needed UMNO and other race-based parties.

You cannot compare the Malaysian scenario with the US, Australia and even Singapore.

In fact, why do we have to settle for a political system same as them when we have a unique system which has a very strong basis? Multiracial parties like PKR might seem like a sensible solution for racial discrimination, but what does a Malay leader know about the Indians' plight and rights?

They feel unease because again, they are being marginalised.

I had a chance to watch the movie Australia and it's obvious what happened to the aborogines. What happened to the Red Indians in the States do they even have a Minister who takes care of the Red Indians? Are they not the original people in America?

The whites from Britain invaded these lands and implemented free for all political system because they believe they have better technological prowess and knowledge. Of course the free-for-all would favour them. Same goes to Singapore. The Chinese had the economic supremacy over other races in Singapore of course, being majority they would settle for equality.

So what happen to the Malays in Singapore. I have friends and families from Singapore and none of them had said good things about how they are being treated there despite being the original people there.

I am sure we would feel wrong when we see a land being invaded and the original inhabitants are being victimised then. These inhabitants include the animals if you ask me.

And so our fathers have taught us the need for race-based politics. Not to be racists but to take care of our own people. Because human beings tend to live with the people they are familiar with, from skin-colour to religious beliefs. And if you think the US have shown how equality has made them belief anyone can be the President, but how come Barrack Obama is seen to be black rather than a creamy/mixed/beige? And the term African-American is still being used and this ethnic group mostly voted for 'that guy'?

Again I believe the system is perfect. I don't care what the Londoners have taught me. I believe we have a unique system and should be used to take care of our beloved multiracial Malaysia.

What the leaders in the system should do now is to cherish the real values of the system.

Some idealists has condemned the NEP as an apartheid system but if you ask me, if we were to have equality right at this moment, the minorities will prevail and then we will have an apartheid system.

Salam Maal Hijrah and Happy New Year 2009!!!

Finally, a politician who thinks like me

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief aspirant Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has called on the Government to abolish the vernacular school system to enhance unity among the people.

He said a single school system was the only way to check racial polarisation.

“The Government should consider introducing only a one school system with Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction, except for the teaching of Science and Mathematics, which is already in English,” Mukhriz told reporters at Parliament House yesterday.

“Of course, pupils should then be given the option to study their mother tongue. Under this system, the Malays will also have the option of studying other languages like Chinese and Tamil, and this will further boost unity among the races,” the Umno Youth exco member added.

In an immediate response in his blog (www.ongteekeat.net), MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat made a very short posting on the subject.

“Datuk Mukhriz is just one of the many who are now repeating the same polemics that are a few decades old, simply because of the advent of their party’s poll.

“It is saddening because politicians cannot think out of the box,” he said.

Earlier, Mukhriz said it was time Malaysia did away with the dual school system, which was practised by only a handful of countries in the world.

He expressed hope that the leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties would not view his suggestion in a negative light as it was meant to resolve once and for all the problem of racial polarisation.

“If they reject this suggestion, then they should explain why they are against it,” he said. “If you want equal rights then you cannot have a different school system. You cannot have your cake and eat it too,” said Mukhriz.

He also urged all parties to stop harping on issues that could create tension among Barisan component parties, including talk of Malay supremacy.

He said there had been many statements made by leaders of component parties that had the potential to create anger among the Malays and Umno members.

“If they insist on making such statements, then do not be surprised if the Malays start talking about the economic supremacy of the non-Malays,” he added.

“Despite all that has been said on the issue of Malay supremacy, the Malays do not feel in any way superior or that they are the masters when it comes to the country’s economy.”

Decisions decisions...

Phew! That was tough. I was expected to fly back to London tonight in time to start work with Maybank UK on Monday. In a sudden turn around, I was offered by MNRB to join their industrial training scheme with Guy Carpenter (or other companies) in January.

After godzillion times of rejections in the midst of recession, it's quite understandable how the UK companies are not keen on employing foreigners especially dodgy Malaysians who have the reputation of abusing their Visas. However, I focused on getting Maybank London and MNRB since I am supposed to be working with PNB (or be sent to court to settle the bond). As you can see, they are the subsidiaries of PNB and after my conversation with Puan Rukiah A. Samad, I am quite positive PNB will let me go.

Some people just don't care about legal matters. I do.

The opportunity came when my father was asked by a neighbour during his Raya Open House about me doing Actuarial Science . Being a prominent figure in MNRB, he is willing to help me get a job in the UK because he understands how hard it can be these days. My father texted me about this matter and I said I would be delighted to be given that opportunity and would return for the interview on the 18th November.

However, 3 days before my flight, I received a call from Mr. Tan from Maybank London. He told me that Maybank is employing and invited me to the interview on the same day later in the afternoon. It went quite well despite I was being told off by the General Manager for writing unprofessionally to them earlier this year asking if there was a job vacancy. I got the feeling that I excelled because I sounded desperate for the job by saying "yes" to all their offers/terms. I got the job but had a mixed feeling about it as it is non-actuarial. I told Mr. Tan to let me balik kampung and think about it first.

After one week since the MNRB interview, it seemed that there are so many obstacles. MNRB asking for a release letter from PNB but the latter would only do that when an offer letter could be presented. The thug-of-war scenario made me feel quite uncertain of getting the placement. Finally, I was prepared to take Maybank because they were so keen of employing me and the question of uncertainties did not arise. I wrote to Mr. Tan that I will be flying back to start work with Maybank. The whole of two-week was full of drama, and then two days ago, I received the offer letter from MNRB.

Then after a long thought, I decided to take the challenge to qualify as an actuary i.e. rejecting Maybank in the process. I was offered a 1.5-3 years job at Guy Carpenter while taking actuarial exams. The bond would be for the maximum of 6 years. However, all this is subject to getting a written consent from PNB. Fingers crossed everything will be done or I will have to fork out RM95,000 to pay them off.

I am happy with my decision. I hope my decision is right. The last time I did was very troublesome (signing up with PNB). However, with the likes of Puan Rukiah in the HR, it is hoped that one day PNB will realise that they have to change their views on their scholarship restrictions/terms/system.

Pray for my success.

Snippets

On Arsenal's Carling Cup win over Wigan...
The youngsters have shown yet again they can be a Premiership side. Carlos Alberto Vela was superb but overall I would give the Man of The Match to Aaron Ramsey. I wonder if the Senior team can give a better score against the same strong Wigan side in December.

On the 'one woman two husbands' issue in Malaysia...
I am surprised where are the liberals or seculars or that 'Thilaga and friends' group protesting over the rights of this woman? The Mahkamah Syariah (the power that some so-called fatwa hating people question most) has asked politely the woman to file a divorce with one of the men. However, according to your liberalised minds that the woman is just doing it for LOVE! My God! When will these people learn that there must be some limitations in life. In-denial. Unbelievable!

On anyone can become the PM of Malaysia...
Realistically speaking, like Singapore, a predominantly Chinese nation, it is still hard for Malaysians to have a Non-Malay Prime Minister. I am surprised Pak Lah and Mahathir both disagree on this opinion but I am just being realistic. However, it depends on the people. If the people want a Chinese or Indian Prime Minister it's really up to them. As long as the PM can control the nation. I am just pissed with all this chaos in Malaysia. Oh well, the people voted for a change but 2/3 was not achieved by any of the parties. Of course the Malaysians are restless now.

On abolishing ISA...
I don't understand these morons on the streets thinking we are safe from terrorists. I understand their feelings over the misuse of ISA but come on, again, abolishing ISA is not right at all! What we can do is to remedy it. To make it as a better tool for the nation. Not for political purposes. Nama pun Internal Security Act. How much I detest Raja Petra over his Islamic comments, I don't think he is a terrorist. He is just an uneducated Islamic preacher liberal wannabe.

On Ivy Josiah comment regarding fatwa...
She has got no right to comment. Her sources are.. Sisters in Islam and Anwar Ibrahim. That's not good enough sources for you to absorb and tell all. I think she lets the hate got into her to see how Syariah law is bad in every way. Anti-Islam. Racist. And I am sure, like Thilaga and Friends, her actions would spark some discontent among the Muslims. This is avoidable.

On Malaysiakini...
I used to respect this media as unbiased... but clearly it does incline towards the Oppositions. The postings of inappropriate videos further pile the pressure on their credibility. It's hard to get unbiased sources these days. What we can do is gather all information and make good judgment. But yeah, most readers just follow it blindly. Like idiots.

On vernacular schools...
After a thought provoking conversation with a friend, who seems OK to 'let the Chinese and Indians win these small battles of having vernacular schools', in his own words, I still think in the future there should only be one school. I have nothing against the Chinese or the Indians and I am not racist. What I really want is the people of Malaysia to be integrated starting when they were kids. This can only be achieved with one school for all. And yeah we are Malaysians. We are not from China or India or Saudi Arabia. This is Malaysia. And we can still speak Arabic, Tamil, Mandarin, Hokkien, Haka and even French or Japanese in schools through subjects. I am sure if my son were to learn Mandarin from Standard 1 until he reaches 19 in the University, he could be fluent in that language if the syllabus is right! So I hope you get my point.

On going home...
I am sorry I can't take anymore kiriman from friends as I have about ten people asking me to bring home some stuffs. Some, unluckily, I have to charge them as I am having a cash-flow problem no thanks to certain people who hate Pak Lah for being slow and 'bodoh', but do not realise how they are slow as well. Probably slower. We are still waiting for the deposit from our last house. Proper documents are not completed yet and the landlord can't return the deposit to us. It's been over one month since we left the house.

I won't say it's a holiday it's more like an important trip back to Malaysia to discuss things with some companies. I expect myself to be busy each day. However, some kickabouts and wedding ceremonies wouldn't hurt.

Kingston Rules Notts Games 2008

We won. Yes, we won! Not Birmingham, not Dublin, not even star-studded UEL.

The Kingston University Football Team won the Notthingam Games Futsal Tournament 2008...

...for the best team spirit.

I don't remember feeling so happy being beaten in all games in a tournament throughout my football life. But to be honest, the feeling is true!

The real Kingstonians were only Shahmir and Arman Zakry, the rest were me, Jason, Hu, (all Cass), Abbas, Izham (both Cardiff), Muza (Bradford) and our aspiring leader Shahrin (Westminster). A make-shift team, it promotes football-loving culture, great team spirit and the main goal is to have fun.

And real fun we had. We were shocked to be pit in our first match against fancied side UEL comprised of Rafie, Taufiq, Herman, Abu (3rd choice keeper) and others I met during the UMNO League last year. The City Bus reached Notts quite late and we had to settle for four players and we conceded only 3 goals in the first half. We were beaten 5-0, something we can be proud about because we were expecting a double digit score from that side.

We went on to frustrate Imperial, UMNO Hull and Liverpool in the later games and how much we enjoyed ourselves on and off the pitch. The atmosphere was wonderful. Thanks to Arin's charm, I couldn't see anyone in our team grumbled for not having the minutes on the pitch. Everyone had every chances to impress.

We were there to have fun. Of course we knew from the start we were not gonna win anything!

I have to admit, even we didn't score any goals that day, the mood was incredible. Just look at the picture up there. We have proven again Notthingham Games is not World Cup. We veterans had a great time, one to be cherished forever.

Izham our goalkeeper, made wonderful saves that spared us the blushes from getting nailed to the double digit scoring from the oppositions. The tireless Abbas who was on a jovial mood since finishing his ACA papers recently. Muza the super sub holding the ball calmly. Arin the enthusiastic, witty defender whose leadership quality is flawless. Determined striker Rainy Hu who was our latest signing on the same day that showed remarkable impact. Shahmir (Adik Arin) and Arman showing great youth potentials and lastly our true Juventus fan lanky defender Jason Ong who is veteran at age, but very young at heart. This is sort of team with great characteristics that I respect a lot in order to make something special out of nothing.

Meanwhile, I also had the chance to become the referee for the match between Leicester and Newcastle A. I started the match like an old joker figuring out how to use the stop watch. The game was exciting and I think I faired well in that game. Amid the pressures from the young, darah-muda players, my decisions were firm. I did not move at all when the fans were calling for penalty or the goal-scorer was thought to have entered the D. My explanations were simple. Number 4 from Newcastle A entered his own D and he did not do it intentionally nor disrupting play, so I gave him a warning. The goal was valid for Leicester as the goal-scorer hit the ball outside the D but his foot touched inside the D as a follow-up and the goal should stand. Some rough tackles were allowed as they were seen as 50-50 challenges (although some loud noise could be heard). This is football. Some jokers were even trying to convince me that it was not a goal. I should have given him (the tall guy Italian wannabe) the yellow card for dissent. Hehe. It was fun umpiring. Will do it again next time.

On that same day, I was further buoyed by the result at Emirates. Arsenal won 2-1. Although this is seen as a good result, I am still pessimistic we can do it this year.

Next tournament, Kingstonians?