Sunday, April 02, 2006

Official Family Fanatic

Church today was, as usual, thoroughly enjoyable. Maybe slightly more enjoyable than usual due to the spag bol (with garlic bread!) we got for church dinner. MmmMMm. It was truly tasty.

So far the talks on the passion narrative at church has been really eye opening. Pete's an amazing speaker. I love how he manages to sneak in at least one new fact in your everyday bible sermons. Especially difficult, I know, is to make Jesus' death and ressurection seem just as interesting as when you first heard it. One new thing I learnt about today is the significance of Peter, John and James falling asleep in the garden of Gethsemane. I never gave much thought to it and always just skimmed through it. But now I see that its to further emphasise what Jesus had to do all by himself. What only He could do. And I can only but think, how deep the Father's love for us.

When thought about in all soberity (soberness?), that story always brings tears to my eyes. Just because its beautiful like that.

Anyways, pertaining to the blog title, there were two questions posed at church today:

1) Has anyone ever asked you why you spend so much time at church? What would you say?

Well....I guess my answer to that would be, its cos its the closest thing to Heaven I'll ever see before Jesus' return. And its definately a joyful thing, to take part in his ekklesia.

2) Has anyone ever told you that you were abit fanatical about christianity? Like how its good to have a belief but not to be so obsessed by it?

Yes. Countless times. 95% of the time from my family. In fact, my sister and dad has dubbed me the family fanatic. Which I guess places the responsibility on me to make sure I don't complacently watch them slip away from a shot at eternity in God's favour.

Upon reflection, I'd like to say that I spent that extra one hour from daylight savings watching Bleach with Tet. I reckon it was time well spent :3 Time is so arbitrary...not like Truth.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Sherine!
It's encouraging to read about your faithfulness in God + serving him
See You around :P

Anonymous said...

Racism is an integral part of the Malaysian socio-political system.

Every year, there are stories of non-malay students with straight As who cannot gain admission into local universities or attain scholarships because of the racially discriminatory quota system.

Clearly, any affirmative action should be directed at the impoverished and marginalized communities such as the Orang Asli and all other communities in need - irrespective of their ethnicity. It is widely acknowledged especially by the ethnic minorities in Malaysia that the issue of racism and racial discrimination is the most critical yet unresolved problem in Malaysian society.

Today it is clear that beneath the normally tranquil surface of Malaysian society, dangerous tensions and the potential for violence still lurk.

Racism is also rampant in the Malaysian society, although many of us don't realise that some of the words we tend to use are forms of racism. And every race in Malaysia is guilty of this.

With such mindset, it is hardly surprising that violence does not erupt when racial issues are raised.

But the solution is not the ISA or banning the public from talking about it. The key once again falls to education.

Without any effort to educate the public, how else does the government hope that the attitude and mindset of Malaysians are ever going to progress beyond racism and begin to learn to accept - not tolerate - each other's differences?

We have to learn how to communicate without needing to insult each other because the differences of our skin color.

Although racial acceptance and integration takes time, steps have to be taken now, in view of the fact that racial polarisation has only worsened in recent years. The situation will only improve if we continue to lobby the government to change its policies such as the race-based affirmative action to a policy based on income brackets.

This is to ensure that only the most deserving people are given special privileges and it should not be provided only to the malays.

There are poor people from every race. It is illogical and unfair to continue to provide support to those in the middle and upper classes of our society over those in the lower income group.

It is also obvious that if the minorities were the only people to lobby the government, the dream of racial equality would remain as it is - a dream.

Even the government must see that good reforms are viable and necessary for the future of this country and its people.

Have we Malaysians got our priorities right?

To attract successful Malaysians from abroad, high pay and incentives were generously offered yet there were few if no takers. Instead of luring home those from abroad (most of whom left because of the unfair system which still exists), wouldn't it be better to offer scholarships to deserving cases irrespective of race, with a bond to serve upon graduation?

And if our government is prepared to offer lucrative pay and tempting incentives, why can't it liberalise its system of promotions to encourage deserving people to stay on? In a few years' time, we would have enough doctors, engineers, scientists and so on.

I can understand Barisan Nasional's reasons for continuing their self-serving policies, but by going along and not complaining, I get the impression most of us have also lost our common sense.

Anonymous said...

The problem with this Malaysia country: Too many cronies greedy hands that are asking for easy money, instead of creating and earn for it!

The government can come up many plans, but nothing will succeed. Since Mahathir became prime minister, the plans are for cronies to become rich. It is good to have long term plans to develop and to set direction for the future, but in Malaysia it is more for the ministers and cronies to make good bucks out of it.

Firstly, the government must be transparent in awarding contracts, improve the existing infrastructures, weed out corruption, which are in dire state.

All in all, they actually want is to see the reverse of what it is now, i.e. the malays in control of everything.

As long as the malay have the subsidy mentality, 100 years of NEP will not accomplish anything. They will forever be a backward race.

Take it away from him/her, the child will cry out. Forget about the 50 years as I am willing to bet my top dollar that it will last forever. The NEP will never die off and Umno will fight to the very end to make sure that it will go on forever.

As pointed out, the plan is not going to improve racial harmony as the NEP has been extended further. The government must plan to remove the crutches provided to the weak communities and allow them to progress on par with other races.

It may even be 100 years and we still vote for BN because it seems we have no choice at all. However, we all capable of making radical change through ballot box but still reluctant to do it since everyone fear of change.

I agree with one. Most youngsters now are ignorant of their rights - and many (among my own group of friends) have not registered as voters although they are eligible.

The question of building a just and fair society is a dead ideal. Malaysia is already in the history book of legally accepting apartheid of a minority. There is no other possible historical interpretation.

If Malaysia is lucky, it will be said and apologized for it some day but if it is unlucky, it has to live in denial and eventually implode.

We should stop discussing this digging grave policy. Let us join the ruling (since we cannot beat it) - make our money and think of what other country we can emigrate to.

Anonymous said...

Time and again, our Malaysia leaders refuse to take unpopular measures to solve problems.

Umno president Pak Lah's speech is commendable in being frank and acknowledging the problems at hand, but we have to wait and see whether it is going to be implemented or whether it will remain just rhetoric like the others.

The so-called meritocracy for university entrance seems farcical when there is a dual system in place at the entry level.

Yet, after so many years, we seem to be still grappling with meritocracy. Any lower percentage of acceptances of malay students will be taken as discriminatory. Of course, it is discriminatory, but not based on race, only on merit, which should be the case.

In spite of the political power and resources at their disposal, Umno leaders have failed in their educational policies. The correct approach should be to raise the standards in schools, in particular, malay students performance and not take the easy way out of manipulating entry requirements to please the masses.

This short-term solution will only postpone the problems and not solve them. Lowering entry requirements only lowers the standard, and the graduates will find difficulties in getting jobs later.

We had been experimenting with educational policies. We now discover there is a generation of students and graduates not proficient in English and as a result, lack skills in information communication technology (ICT) and international communications, and generally unemployable without further re-training.

The significant drop in standard of English was also due to the relegation of English to an optional subject, when formerly it was a compulsory subject for obtaining a full certificate.

If we have politicians that cannot differentiate between national and party objectives, we have people who do not know what is right or wrong, then we have a problem.

Anonymous said...

Malays today are nomadic people that originated from the China as well.

The Chinese made their money before the NEP anyway. Before there was no any affirmative action. All the people like Robert Kuok and the rest of them made their money before 1957 when there was no affirmative law.

Probably it is time to take away the cane from the rich malays and give it solely to the poor ones. I am sure the nelayan and petani would appreciate the aid better.

The very reason why Malaysia has not yet to achieve a similar status like Singapore is due to the very reason that we are arguing or disputing on the malay special rights. There is just no unity among races. We manage until now is due to tolerance. And this would not get us very far.

What has become of this nation of our? Is it going to the dogs? To be fair, I don't blame it on the Pak Lah government, this all started some twenty-five years ago during Mahathir era and it has been left to rot. Twenty-two years is a long long time he ruled the country, but did he care to rectify the situation?

Umno were responsible for our Malaysia Malay, Indian and Chinese identities in their divide-and-rule policies. Racial and religious bigotry is the result of a long history of discrimination, lack of political and cultural space, and abuse of power for the non-malay Malaysians.

This nonsense and tyranny has gone on for too long. Malaysians want a clean, corruption-free, just and transparent government that ensures equal rights to all Malaysians, without the current institutionalised racism and blatant discrimination.

The New Economic Policy has degenerated into a subsidy policy and programme, benefiting a handful of Umno-members at the expense of the many bumis.

But they came across as smug, hypocritical, conceited humbugs when they lectured the people about the need to be weaned from the subsidy mentality - when they are not prepared to set an example of eradicating such a subsidy mindset in the first place

Without accountability and transparency, the record of the use of the Petronas hundreds of billions of ringgit to bail out mega-financial scandals like the repeated Bank Bumi rescues, Malaysian International Shipping Corporation and Renong, and to fund mega-projects like Twin Towers, Proton, Formula 1 Circuit, and Dayabumi - the most spectacular examples of a subsidy culture and mentality - is it any wonder that the people are not convinced by the government's case for the hefty hike in fuel prices?

They were elected through the grand subsidy of the politics of money, running into hundreds of millions and even billions of ringgit, totally against the principles of free, fair and clean elections.

Malaysian students are sadly very ignorant of what is happening around them now. When I look at some of my friends in the universities now, the most they care is how can they pass in the exams and even if they are reading the newspaper, most probably they will be reading the entertainment or sports section rather than national or international news. The things that are really affecting them are ignored.

We must educate our young on the freedom of choice and he responsibility of electing a government that truly upholds and protects the freedom of all Malaysia people through the rule of law and the constitution of Malaysia.

Any government who fails to protect the constitution and the Malaysia people could be removed from government seat.

Anonymous said...

With regards to the report drama, the words uttered by the Badruddin just demonstrate the sad state of affairs with regards to how the Umno looks upon non-Muslims.

It is no enigma the views or scepticism that non-Muslims face. It is disappointing to realise that the people we voted for as Malaysians to represent our interests politically, are actually out there to ruin us. Makes us wonder, do we really need people like Badruddin who cause more harm than good.

I am not here to debate on the right or wrong of what opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said. Regardless of what it was, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And it can be safely said that Lim voiced out the opinions of many Malaysians. Not just his.

And I would like to ask on what authority did Badruddin tell those who don't like the idea of Malaysia as an Islamic state to leave the country? He has gone beyond the line in displaying immaturity that the Dewan has been blossoming with of late.

As a multicultural country, we would expect a certain amount of respect from everyone regardless of race. I would like to bring to Badruddin attention that Malaysia wouldn't be where it is today if it wasn't for both the non-Muslims and Muslims alike.

It would be better to say that Malaysia wouldn't be where it is if it wasn't for the people that constitute the whole of Malaysia. It would do well to have a certain amount of 'quality control' for our ministers so that they would understand that Malaysia is a multicultural country and everyone deserves to be treated with respect - not just the rich and influential.

It is a sad outlook for Malaysia as many of my peer are just waiting to get out of this country. And they are the well-educated people that Malaysia could really use. And to think that they were once complaining of brain drain.

Anonymous said...

It is true that Malaysia has its negative side. Snatch thefts, parang-slashing and break-ins experiences are some of which I can do without.

Of course, I am well aware that crime happens in all parts of the world, but I also know the difference between what is occasional, frequent and common. What does all this do to us? It embitters, hardens and de-sensitises the human spirit.

How does it affect the economy? As corruption reigns, the fabric of society breaks down and public safety declines, our country risk goes up. It makes it more difficult to attract foreign direct investments.

In a globalised world, where we have to attract the best and brightest to our upcoming biotech park, educational institutes, Multimedia Super Corridor and other industries, we have to address the concept of a truly civil society.

Why? Simply because the best and brightest in any field will be in great demand anywhere in the world and are thus very mobile. They have many options.

They seek environments that satisfy the very basic human desire of a civil society, of freedom, of safe public places, of societies of laws and equitableness way beyond monetary rewards.

As it is, there is a brain drain from this country, which has been going on for decades. If we cannot even retain our own citizens who have to uproot from the comfort of familiar surroundings, what hope do we have of attracting top foreign talents?

We need to feel passionately about the wrongs we see around us and be able to express and show that passion. Only then can we become less embittered and show empathy for victims of injustice. Only then can we become truly more caring.

Anonymous said...

I applaud on what had said. They are presenting the real problems in Malaysia. I think any of you who say Malaysia could not be that bad is either in delusions, you are in denial or you are just got benefits from the government.

The non-malay students with excellent marks cannot even enter local universities. The standard of English is on the decline, is what the newspaper says, but it only of those who study in the local universities and they are predominantly malays as well.

It is not only shocking but also disgusting to see taxpayer's money being wasted on malay students who don't even deserve to go overseas.

The malays who are spending on your tax money on scholarships are not as deserving as they think they are. Why should they be deserved to be given that much when they don't deserve it.

The percentage of malays getting the scholarships are very high. These are the so-called future generation of Malaysia who thrived in mediocrity and racism and being rewarded for it.

One mentioned that don't see malays staying oversea. You are right. So far I don't see any too. Most of them would want to go back. Because like they realised they cannot be useful enough to stay.

They know they have to be unfair to win. They know they need the government to be behind them all the time to ensure their survival. So that is why most of these incompetence people choose to go back Malaysia.

But the situation is going to be even worse because in 10 years time down the road. The local universities churning out substandard people and the unemployment rate is going to go higher and higher.

Private sectors and investors from outside would not want people like them. They would just take in enough to fill the spot of their so-called quotas that the government put them in.

That is why you see the IT industry so popular but ironically employers prefer Indians from India or people from oversea. They would even go for expats because they know those are the competent people that can work.

So in years to come, the economy is going down because people in Umno and Umno Youth reward mediocrity and based on race. The scary thing is, they are proud of it too and think they are doing it right and can help Malaysia. Man - that is scary!

Also about the political sentiment they use, if you are patriotic, give more to your country. My response is, the country hasn't given me anything, why should I give to you Malaysia!

My friends once told me, I would rather to be treated as second-class citizen in other country like the US or UK than to be treated as second-class citizen in Malaysia. At the very least, your voice is heard than in Malaysia - where every good reason falls on death ear.

So if any of malay politician ask me to get out, provide me with the PR of USA and I am on my way.

So if the current PM want to make things right, he must not be afraid to put someone on the chopping block. He should think with integrity not rewarding people because they are cronies. By doing this, you are sending messages that you encourage things to be done this way.

So no wonder corruptions prevail and ton of incompetent people get to sit in the thrones of power. So there is literally no common sense involved except for the sake of covering their own ass. So it is really sickening to hear them praising about progressive society while the foundations of real civilization aren't there.

The malay scholarship holders are taking things for granted. They are paid insanely a lot all around the world as scholars. But look at it this way, that is the end of their career.

Well, not career, job, where you wake up day and night forcing yourself to the job you hate.

So don't get discouraged when you see them living the life. Envious are good, that makes you strive for excellence even more and more trying to beat them.

Since even the lowest pay in Australia, will overtake the pay in Malaysia, easily. If you don't believe me, ask an Australia graduate student how much they are paid a month with their fees waived.

I am sure that is a new goal you should set yourself to work on. So carry on, don't despair, and don't give up.

It is easy for one malay to say - I am not discriminating - but try living in the country as a non-malay.

Pork is banned everywhere but beef is served without any care whatsoever about others sensitivities. You cannot start a program with a Hindu, Christian, Buddhist prayer but Muslim prayer is a must.

For all the stale bulls who believe Malaysia still has hope……….best of luck, as far as I am concerned I am going to be out of this country that practices apartheid.

I believe my children deserve to have equal opportunity in this world.

Anonymous said...

None of our five prime ministers are pure malays. All of them are called melayu celup or melayu ciplak.

If you don't believe, you can ask MGG Pillai. He can tell you each one's orgin. So, the Umno is never at any point of time leaded by pure malay. It is the truth.

Tunku - part Siamese;
Razak - Bugis;
Hussein Onn - part Turkish;
Mahathir - Mamak Keling;
Pak Lah - part Chinese.

Even many other top Umno leaders are not pure malays - Musa Hitam and Mohamed Rahmat - part Chinese.

In the opposition side - Wan Azizah is Chinese and PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayob is also part Chinese.

Anonymous said...

I am a young Malaysian woman currently studying for my undergraduate degree in the US. Oh, I have missed the delicious kuih-muih and various delights that make this country a culinary paradise! And the food has not disappointed. But the politics of this country has.

It was not two years since I left. Pak Lah was still a fresh PM and many of us believed that he would take the country forward and put into practice his repeated assurances of a transparent, liberal, and fair-minded government and public sector.

Pak Lah, what has happened? Not just does it seem that all your promises were for nothing, but also coming back, I find that my country - in some very important ways - has regressed.

2020 comes up in 13 years; we are not moving in the right direction towards achieving a developed nation status.

Being developed is not just about efficient public transportation and sophisticated infrastructure. It is not about health and education. These are basic rights that should already be in place.

If our women and non-Muslim citizens continue to be treated like pariahs, then we may as well give up.

Developed nation status is not for us. Let's get the United Nations to administer us; we are obviously a nation in turmoil. Even our courts turn a blind eye to the sufferings of its citizens!

Malaysia is a country of many strengths and much beauty. We are quite unique in our pluralism. We are blessed in natural and human resources. Yet our politicians are ruining our country and we are sitting back and letting them do so. We can continue to listen to our politicians empty promises. We can continue to be grateful for what small mercies and respites they allow us.

But unless we say 'Enough!' and unless we demand more and refuse to take less, then Malaysia will lose all that is best about it. Those citizens it treats as pariahs will leave, finally too frustrated to do much more.

See, the kuih-muih only goes so far. I would rather miss my hawker and mamak food than my human rights. Let it be known, however that should I and others leave this country, we do so even reluctantly.

And yet, whenever a crisis or controversy emerges, the same melodrama is played out on the front pages of our Malaysia newspapers with the same characters acting as if they have just awakened from a deep coma to decry the incompetence and unfairness of the process, for which they are ultimately responsible!

However, since he has time and again failed to live up to his promises to eradicate corruption, revamp the police force etc, I cannot even pretend to be impressed.

So ultimately, it seems the only hope for change lies in ourselves. There are just no shortcuts. Muslim or non-Muslim, men or women, we just have to take our responsibilities as citizens seriously and hold our elected officials accountable. And it starts by writing in, speaking up, and casting our ballot in the general elections.

Anonymous said...

I really feel sorry for DAP and opposition, but most of all, feel sorry for us Malaysians for having such inconsiderate Umno ministers in the parliament.

If only people can see this with their own eyes and hear with their own ears; only then something may change. Shame on these so-called Umno ministers and the BN.

Reading this post brought tears to my eyes. What shame is this - what our nation has come to. I am no longer in Malaysia having left it for good last year (in Europe) but selfish as this may sound - I am glad that I did.

Our Umno ministers are not only corrupted, they are so void of feelings for human.

The Umno always accuse DAP of being anti-malays. They used the media to portray DAP as one. They have created fear among malays. Consider them dogs barking at the moon. The moon does not hide its face. It keeps on shining regardless of the barking dogs from Umno. DAP continue to shine like the moon. These Umno ministers are despicable animals.

If the DAP is really anti-malays, I wonder why so many malay citizenry approach the party for help. I believe DAP must also be enjoying himself immensely whenever he starts grilling the morons with facts and figures and then watch them fumbling here and there with, "Eh............you racist!" And that is all they can respond. Remember the saying, "Empty barrels make the most noise."

Even a 3 years old child can also tell you who is the one that actually play the racial card. Your guess is as good as mine.

Umno is like a bunch of old and new boys trying to bully the nation. When a proper subject were brought up and needed to be addressed, all they do is always the opposite which don't make sense at all. Oh, by the way……….why should Umno-malays help when it don't benefit their pocket at all!

It is indeed difficult when you are living in a place like in Malaysia. To please this race would be to displease that race. I said before that there is no real racial unity but what brings all Malaysians together is the love for peace which bring about a tolerance for one another and it is seen as unity.

I do not mean to irritate anyone because I keep wondering at all the racist or racial bickering and yet at the same time the different races can come together and work together. Call it a pretense. Call it an hypocrisy. Call it a friendship. Whatever it is, it has seen Malaysia through thin and thick.

It happens the other way too. Malaysia is too very malay. You see malay in many things. From the everyday dress code to the everyday language to the mass media to the politicians to the religion and to the when foreigners come, what they have in mind is nothing but malay and Islam.

No wonder some person said that only malays can solve malays problems and other races must not interfere. And if malays cannot help malays, is it so wrong for other races to help malays? Just tell what government has been doing to those cases mentioned and if they have not done a single thing or that the ministers are too busy doing other things, just say so. Is that so difficult?

Better be honest than giving people the impression that you don't care. And if you don't care, then Malaysia will never be fine, good, well, as desired by the prime minister.

As a person or party that cares…........race should not be an issue at all. We help anyone regardless of race that needed it most. That way we retain our principle no matter where we are.

Anonymous said...

I feel ashamed to call myself a Malaysian. I might not be a smart man, but neither am I stupid, yet I am Chinese.

It pains me further to know that as advanced or intellectually superior we claim to be, we are still unable to see past skin color or beliefs.

Let me ask you a question, if your mother treats your brother much better than you, give him a car, education and house and you "zero" - how will you feel?

You malays are so lazy to even talk, what can you do? If you don't like us arguing, you can go back to Indonesia!

Malays being strong? Even with all these racist quotas to help the malays, the malays are still weak, so don't talk rubbish here! If we take away the tongkat, don't you think you will fall? Strong? Strong people don't need tongkat in the first place!

If the Chinese were to leave Malaysia as when they leave Vietnam, Malaysia will be just like Vietnam - one of the poorest countries in the world!

Malays are sharp? Copy food and marriage festival from Indian, copy language from English. What are your original things that you guys invented? I think even the sarong is borrowed from the Indians!

I know one thing you guys didn't borrow from people - laziness and stupidity!

I forgot, you are a Muslim but I thought Quran ask people not to lie. So do you think you will go to heaven or hell by your religion standards?

If Malaysia was built by malays, the British won't bring in Chinese and Indians to develop the economy. Malays are well known for being lazy and stupid, that is the reason why the British brought in foreign labours, were you sleeping when Mahathir pointed out this fact?

Does a strong man need a tongkat to walk? Only those paralyzed malays like you need tongkat.

What is wrong with Mahathir saying a person who needs a tongkat is weak, because that is the truth. Other people can run but the malays cannot even walk without a tongkat!

Then why don't we use your logic: Give the special rights to non-malays, and malays have no special rights. By then, you will complain and should you go back to Indonesia?

Why do Indonesians come to Malaysia to work when they are so strong? Because they like to be parasites and feed on the Chinese's income tax! Use your brain, which has not been used because you are so lazy.

The reason why Malaysia suffered a currency plunge is because the government was giving out a lot of loans to people who cannot pay back (the malays) and they were helping a lot of government cronies based on race.

Why didn't the Singapore suffer a similar fate? Because they are efficient. In Malaysia, it is all about malays subsidies and saving malays asses.

If the Chinese didn't save the economy in 1997, the currency would have plunge even lower and the economy suffer even more! This is all because of the weakness of the racist policies.

Isn't it stupid to see these racial bashings, and to think that we consider ourselves a successful multi-racial country?

If you do not want Malaysians and even foreigners to criticize Malaysia due to their racist policies, please remove them. That is the biggest obstacle to unity and not because we have Chinese or Tamil schools!

I am trying to tell everyone this country is belong to every Malaysian - a country which left majority Chinese will develop like China and a country only left malays will become like Indonesia - there is nothing special about this country anymore.

If I am wrong, then forgive me and just treat my statements as a rambling of some poor misguided fool.