As I sit here writing (typing actually) this post, another 1 hour remain for all of us to bid adieu to 2007 and welcome 2008. The year has been rather interesting with many attention grabbing incidences. Most notably in the Malaysian sense, the continued failure of the government to provide proper checks and balances to the general public resulting in a period of heightened awareness. This period saw 2 major events taking place, namely the BERSIH and HINDRAF rallies that managed to ruffle a few feathers in the seat of power. While the former highlighted the need for a fair and just electoral system, the latter brought up the issue of discrimination against the minority Indian community that made the world sit up and notice. What ensued was the customary spin-doctoring of facts and manipulation that tried to restore some face value to the government.
On the international front, chaos continued to grow in the already problematic nation of Pakistan with the recent assassination of former premier and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Apart from that, the weakening US dollar continues to be of concern as it could lead to another worldwide economic recession. No one needs reminding of the last time a major recession hit in 1997. The civil unrest and domestic violence in Myanmar was a major concern with the worldwide community forcing the ruling Junta to enforce a democratic rule but it is yet to be implemented. Other than that, the civil war in Sri Lanka still wages on while South Korea, Australia and Thailand saw new leaders emerge from their respective elections.
On a personal note, I have moved to a foreign land in search of greater experience and knowledge. The awareness towards all lies that had been and continued to be spread has increased as well as the aspect of responsibility. To showcase the changing times, I have renamed this blog and hope to mature as a better writer who is able to speak his mind and make others see and understand what I'm trying to say.
As for my hopes, I want to see a more peaceful year ahead where everyone treats each other with respect regardless of race, religion, colour and status. There should be greater respect of every religion in the world as all religions preach on doing good but a few people with vested intentions try to use religion as a veil to justify some of their actions. I also hope to further develop myself to be marketable by being up-to-date with all the current market trends. On a lighter vein, I hope I can make and find time to spend with loved ones.
To everyone, I wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2008. I hope that the new year brings an abundance of wealth and good health. At the same time I wish for better understanding among people and for love to prevail at the end of the day.
Take care :-)
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
2007: The year in review
In another 8 days, 2007 will come to an end and we will be welcoming in 2008. For me on a personal level, 2007 has been unforgettable and filled with many memories. To start off, this was the year that I finally stepped into the realm of working life, no more a carefree student who had all the time in the world to goof around and while away time with buddies. This is a whole new world where time management, work ethics n discipline rule the day. Yeah I can proudly say that I'm a working-class Joe now.
It all started in January when I began employment as a Junior Network Engineer in Viewqwest Pte Ltd. The company was based in Singapore but has business interests in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia. Being a newbie to working life was quite difficult to cope at first but as time went on I began to get the hang of it. I had another 2 guys joining in with me, Mak and Charles. It was difficult at first as I had to leave home in Cheras early (around 6.30am) and take 3 buses to get to Damansara Utama for work that starts at 9am. You can say it was very taxing and the painful part was after work at 6pm when I had to do the same routine again (take 3 buses). The time I reach home would be almost 9pm and I'd be dead tired, having just enough to shower, have dinner and hit the pillows.
Come February I was beginning to get used to the routine and find myself becoming a zombie. As things were going okay, I was floored by Chicken Pox and was unable to work for 2 weeks. Falling sick is really irritating but on the flip side, you get treated well by everyone and become more like a king when all your whims and fancies are taken care of. All in all, life was going quite smooth and it was a new experience to 'makan gaji' as you work and wait for the salary at the end of each month.
In March, there was shock as Mak and Charles decided to quit the job leaving me all alone to man the ship but luckily the load was divided among the NOC team thus not burdening me too much. Come end of March, there was a big surprise in store for me, I was called by my chief and he asked me if I would consider the opportunity to move to Singapore and work full time there. For a moment I thought that I was dreaming because during the interview process, it was mentioned that there would be chances to go to Singapore for work related training but not a total migration. Feeling the urge, I grasped the opportunity to move and experience a new way of live.
The whole of April I was still in Malaysia as I could not find accommodation in Singapore yet but luckily at the last moment I found a savior in my old school mate Jason who told me that I could stay at his place in Singapore. With that settled, I prepared to move as I had to report in Singapore on 2nd May. During that period in April, I came to know that my dear friend Wafi was being treated in HUKM for suspected cancer. I say suspected because doctors hadn't confirmed it yet as they needed to run some tests. I spoke to him before leaving and he sounded his cheerful self as usual.
Come May, I was living in Singapore and it was a new experience. Life here is almost similar to Malaysia but for a few things like there aren't many 24-hour mamak joints or the fact that the public transportation here is so good and punctual as compared to the horrendous public transportation in KL. It was in May that I got news that doctors had confirmed Wafi had lung cancer that was at an advanced stage and he had only 9 months to live. All of our gang were shocked to hear of this. I returned home to visit him and what I saw was really sad, he was a pale shadow of his normal self. You could see it in his eyes that he was suffering.
In June, Wafi was no more. He lost his battle against cancer and has left us. It was really shocking as initially doctors gave him 9 months but this was way to soon. Well as usual fate had other plans for him or God must have loved him so much that He couldn't wait longer for Him to have His son. Everyone who had known or lived with Wafi were really devastated by his loss. Until today I can't believe that he's gone.
July, August and September passed without anything noteworthy but in October there was something. I bought my 1st car, a Perodua Viva 1.0 (M) Premium Edition which I named as Christine (inspired by Stephen King). She was the new love in my life and I adored her and was hell-bent on making sure that it was me who completed the first 1000km in order for her to be sent for the 1st service and inspection. This I managed to do in the long road trip that I went on my way home to KL for Deepavali. The sad thing for me now is that I'm unable to see her as she sits currently at home while I'm here in Singapore.
Now is December and the year ends in 8 days time. The main things that stand out for me are Wafi's passing, my move to Singapore and me buying my 1st car. All in all 2007 has been quite an eventful year for me, I lost a dear friend (God bless your soul Wafi), moved to a foreign land and also began to understand the term purchasing power.
Until my next post on New Year's Eve, take care.
It all started in January when I began employment as a Junior Network Engineer in Viewqwest Pte Ltd. The company was based in Singapore but has business interests in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia. Being a newbie to working life was quite difficult to cope at first but as time went on I began to get the hang of it. I had another 2 guys joining in with me, Mak and Charles. It was difficult at first as I had to leave home in Cheras early (around 6.30am) and take 3 buses to get to Damansara Utama for work that starts at 9am. You can say it was very taxing and the painful part was after work at 6pm when I had to do the same routine again (take 3 buses). The time I reach home would be almost 9pm and I'd be dead tired, having just enough to shower, have dinner and hit the pillows.
Come February I was beginning to get used to the routine and find myself becoming a zombie. As things were going okay, I was floored by Chicken Pox and was unable to work for 2 weeks. Falling sick is really irritating but on the flip side, you get treated well by everyone and become more like a king when all your whims and fancies are taken care of. All in all, life was going quite smooth and it was a new experience to 'makan gaji' as you work and wait for the salary at the end of each month.
In March, there was shock as Mak and Charles decided to quit the job leaving me all alone to man the ship but luckily the load was divided among the NOC team thus not burdening me too much. Come end of March, there was a big surprise in store for me, I was called by my chief and he asked me if I would consider the opportunity to move to Singapore and work full time there. For a moment I thought that I was dreaming because during the interview process, it was mentioned that there would be chances to go to Singapore for work related training but not a total migration. Feeling the urge, I grasped the opportunity to move and experience a new way of live.
The whole of April I was still in Malaysia as I could not find accommodation in Singapore yet but luckily at the last moment I found a savior in my old school mate Jason who told me that I could stay at his place in Singapore. With that settled, I prepared to move as I had to report in Singapore on 2nd May. During that period in April, I came to know that my dear friend Wafi was being treated in HUKM for suspected cancer. I say suspected because doctors hadn't confirmed it yet as they needed to run some tests. I spoke to him before leaving and he sounded his cheerful self as usual.
Come May, I was living in Singapore and it was a new experience. Life here is almost similar to Malaysia but for a few things like there aren't many 24-hour mamak joints or the fact that the public transportation here is so good and punctual as compared to the horrendous public transportation in KL. It was in May that I got news that doctors had confirmed Wafi had lung cancer that was at an advanced stage and he had only 9 months to live. All of our gang were shocked to hear of this. I returned home to visit him and what I saw was really sad, he was a pale shadow of his normal self. You could see it in his eyes that he was suffering.
In June, Wafi was no more. He lost his battle against cancer and has left us. It was really shocking as initially doctors gave him 9 months but this was way to soon. Well as usual fate had other plans for him or God must have loved him so much that He couldn't wait longer for Him to have His son. Everyone who had known or lived with Wafi were really devastated by his loss. Until today I can't believe that he's gone.
July, August and September passed without anything noteworthy but in October there was something. I bought my 1st car, a Perodua Viva 1.0 (M) Premium Edition which I named as Christine (inspired by Stephen King). She was the new love in my life and I adored her and was hell-bent on making sure that it was me who completed the first 1000km in order for her to be sent for the 1st service and inspection. This I managed to do in the long road trip that I went on my way home to KL for Deepavali. The sad thing for me now is that I'm unable to see her as she sits currently at home while I'm here in Singapore.
Now is December and the year ends in 8 days time. The main things that stand out for me are Wafi's passing, my move to Singapore and me buying my 1st car. All in all 2007 has been quite an eventful year for me, I lost a dear friend (God bless your soul Wafi), moved to a foreign land and also began to understand the term purchasing power.
Until my next post on New Year's Eve, take care.
Dilemma...
The recent issue pertaining to the HINDRAF rally and its aftermath seems to have quietened down a bit now after the arrest of the 5 leaders under the ISA. At that moment, in the heat of things, I figured that I also should say something on the issue but that turned out rather disturbing as after being "pointed" in the right direction by some friends, I saw some light and decided to retract my statement.
Now I feel I am in a dilemma because in actual fact, what HINDRAF was trying to do was to make sure that my life and that of my future offspring does not get shoved aside by some biased and discriminative outlook by certain people (you'll know who I'm talking about). Some friends say I don't know how it feels to be discriminated but in actual fact, I have been a victim and being naive at that time, chose to ignore it by putting the blame on me.
My story may not be such a big deal but it did happen and looking back at it, I feel that I've been discriminated outright. Here goes my story...
"It was when I was in Standard 6. I was in the best class of my school (a national school)at that time and was considered as one of the best in the whole school. Teachers normally rated me as the Top 3 guy in the whole school. When I did my UPSR exam that year, the target for the school was to have 30 straight As (4 As at that time) students. My name was in the list of guaranteed as I had aced my trial exams. When the eventual results came out, I only obtained 3As 1B. If you look at it, people would say that it was a good result but to my teachers it was a disappointment and a great shock to me. I was so distraught that I didn't want to go to school feeling that I'd disappointed my teachers who had great trust and hopes on me. At that time, in Seremban (where I grew up) all student's target (excluding those who get offered boarding schools) for Secondary School would be KGV as it was considered the best school but they only took in students with straight As. I was sad that I could not go there and instead was offered another school (which till today, I am proud to have been an alumni). As if obtaining a result of 3As 1B wasn't hurting enough, imagine my shock when I came to know that a Malay friend who got 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D had gained admission to KGV. Being naive, I thought I shouldn't blame anyone else but me for failing to get 4As." Many would think this is petty but to me on a personal level it was a bitter pill to swallow.
There it is my experience at being discriminated and I don't know how many others are out there like me. This is my personal experience and many others out there may have a similar story to share.
Now I feel I am in a dilemma because in actual fact, what HINDRAF was trying to do was to make sure that my life and that of my future offspring does not get shoved aside by some biased and discriminative outlook by certain people (you'll know who I'm talking about). Some friends say I don't know how it feels to be discriminated but in actual fact, I have been a victim and being naive at that time, chose to ignore it by putting the blame on me.
My story may not be such a big deal but it did happen and looking back at it, I feel that I've been discriminated outright. Here goes my story...
"It was when I was in Standard 6. I was in the best class of my school (a national school)at that time and was considered as one of the best in the whole school. Teachers normally rated me as the Top 3 guy in the whole school. When I did my UPSR exam that year, the target for the school was to have 30 straight As (4 As at that time) students. My name was in the list of guaranteed as I had aced my trial exams. When the eventual results came out, I only obtained 3As 1B. If you look at it, people would say that it was a good result but to my teachers it was a disappointment and a great shock to me. I was so distraught that I didn't want to go to school feeling that I'd disappointed my teachers who had great trust and hopes on me. At that time, in Seremban (where I grew up) all student's target (excluding those who get offered boarding schools) for Secondary School would be KGV as it was considered the best school but they only took in students with straight As. I was sad that I could not go there and instead was offered another school (which till today, I am proud to have been an alumni). As if obtaining a result of 3As 1B wasn't hurting enough, imagine my shock when I came to know that a Malay friend who got 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D had gained admission to KGV. Being naive, I thought I shouldn't blame anyone else but me for failing to get 4As." Many would think this is petty but to me on a personal level it was a bitter pill to swallow.
There it is my experience at being discriminated and I don't know how many others are out there like me. This is my personal experience and many others out there may have a similar story to share.
Monday, December 10, 2007
An Apology
Call it a spur of the moment or naivety to downright stupidity but a mistake is a mistake. Here I am today humbled and seeking forgiveness from anyone who had been directly or indirectly hurt by a recent post on HINDRAF(removed from blog). I may have tried to convey a message but probably the delivery wasn't acceptable or the manner of delivery was not proper. To err is human and I stand here in total regret of my actions to criticize without proper thought and understanding the sensitivity of the situation.
All I wish is for my dear brothers and sisters of Indian ethnicity to UNITE so that we can build a better future for our children and the generations that will come after them. There is no more point in trusting sweet words and kind actions as the General Elections are nearing and we know what is the common scenario always. Let's keep the recent incidents as well as all the bullshit that has been happening for the past century in mind.
There will be change if we want it to happen and we can make it happen. We don't need another protest on the streets because facts will be twist and turned to portray us in bad light through the so-called mass media. Freedom of speech is an illusion and democracy does not apply to iron fisted ruling.
So once again I sincerely apologize and lets UNITE for a change. God bless us all.
All I wish is for my dear brothers and sisters of Indian ethnicity to UNITE so that we can build a better future for our children and the generations that will come after them. There is no more point in trusting sweet words and kind actions as the General Elections are nearing and we know what is the common scenario always. Let's keep the recent incidents as well as all the bullshit that has been happening for the past century in mind.
There will be change if we want it to happen and we can make it happen. We don't need another protest on the streets because facts will be twist and turned to portray us in bad light through the so-called mass media. Freedom of speech is an illusion and democracy does not apply to iron fisted ruling.
So once again I sincerely apologize and lets UNITE for a change. God bless us all.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Becoming a weirdo...
Well the weekend's here but wait a minute, what am I doing you ask? Well I'm right now sitting in my office doing a weekend duty of manning the data center. Sitting here I began to think on how things have changed. It's the weekend and people will be looking forward to it and planning on how to spend time but me, well I seem to enjoy working more...
Hmm...pretty weird though as I'm a self-confessed lazy slob who tries to talk his way out of working but things have certainly changed a lot now. I wasn't suppose to work at all this weekend but I don't know why I actually agreed to it. Partly could be due to the fact that my planned outing to JB had to be cancelled due to the worsening flood situation there or the other reason is feeling pity on John who had to work 2 days in a row this weekend. Which ever it is, it made me think.
Before this when I was living in Yishun, I would loathe working on weekends as I had to travel halfway around Singapore to get to Pantech21 but now that I'm in Jurong East which is much closer, I don't mind much. Looking at these facts have given me the answer as to why I have changed, and the answer is change itself.
Yeah in Yishun the place was rather lively and you wouldn't feel bored but here the place is rather dead and not to mention that the place I live in currently does not give me the feeling of solitude that I normally look for. To escape the clutches of uneasiness, I found an escape route in work. People hearing this would seriously think that I'm a sicko but hey you got to do what gives you pleasure and peace of mind.
All this would not be for long as end of this month I'll be moving back to Yishun again. I keep my fingers crossed that it won't turn out equally boring for me again.
Until then, take care and chiao
Hmm...pretty weird though as I'm a self-confessed lazy slob who tries to talk his way out of working but things have certainly changed a lot now. I wasn't suppose to work at all this weekend but I don't know why I actually agreed to it. Partly could be due to the fact that my planned outing to JB had to be cancelled due to the worsening flood situation there or the other reason is feeling pity on John who had to work 2 days in a row this weekend. Which ever it is, it made me think.
Before this when I was living in Yishun, I would loathe working on weekends as I had to travel halfway around Singapore to get to Pantech21 but now that I'm in Jurong East which is much closer, I don't mind much. Looking at these facts have given me the answer as to why I have changed, and the answer is change itself.
Yeah in Yishun the place was rather lively and you wouldn't feel bored but here the place is rather dead and not to mention that the place I live in currently does not give me the feeling of solitude that I normally look for. To escape the clutches of uneasiness, I found an escape route in work. People hearing this would seriously think that I'm a sicko but hey you got to do what gives you pleasure and peace of mind.
All this would not be for long as end of this month I'll be moving back to Yishun again. I keep my fingers crossed that it won't turn out equally boring for me again.
Until then, take care and chiao
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Merdeka - A view from my perspective...
Sitting here in my new environment on the night of 30th August 2007 at 9.45pm in a home away from home in Singapore, I begin to think on to some things that I have taken for granted in the past. The more I think of it the more I begin to feel a longing for my motherland, Malaysia. Tomorrow will be her 50th birthday, 50th year released from the clutches of the colonialist and 50 years of freedom - a fact that I used to take for granted but now beginning to sink in.
It is now that I begin to ask myself the same question that the late President JF Kennedy asked the American public - "Ask not what the country has done for you but ask what have you done for the country" - a question that I feel a burning desire to answer. It is true that when you are away from someone or some place it is then you begin to realize how important the person or place really means to you. For me it is now that I begin to realize that Malaysia has been and will always be the place I call home no matter where I may go in this world.
Many people have the clichéd thought leaving Malaysia is the best thing they could have chosen in life and let me make myself clear on this - as I don't want to be looked upon as a hypocrite - it was never in my dreams that I wanted to leave Malaysia as it has been a place that gave me the identity that I carry around today no matter where I go. I had to leave as it was an opportunity for me to gain some much needed knowledge in my field of career which I hope to develop and expand before returning to serve my motherland some day soon. The grass may always be greener on the other side but it will never give you the same feeling of belonging as on this side; what you feel is something artificial and can never be real, just like genetically engineered products make you feel it is better but never the same feel you get from the old fashioned produced product.
Malaysia may have changed and taken many steps forward by leaps and bounds but there are certain matters that we seem to have taken a few steps backward. The most visible is racial relations. I still don't get it how a nation that used to be so united and see each other as brothers and sisters suddenly become so estranged from one another. How this came to be can never be explained as the reasons can be so diverse that some may border on the very sensitive of issues. Normally our leaders demand tolerance towards one another but in my opinion tolerance is not what we need, we need the spirit of brotherhood to be reforged. Where you and I see each other for not what color we are nor what status we are but see the person deep inside, the heart of the person. If there is one wish I have, it is for our nation to go back to the days of brotherhood, the times we call ourselves Malaysians not by race - Malay, Chinese, Indian etc but when you and I accept each other and call ourselves Malaysian.
Tonight at the stroke of mid-night, the fireworks will lit up the sky as everyone revels in the celebration of nationhood but sadly I won't be around to be part of it. I will be a spectator who watches from afar knowing that one day I will be there celebrating and when the Jalur Gemilang is hoisted to the rhythm of Negaraku, I will be singing with full of pride and honour.
The time is 10.30pm right now, another 1hour 30minutes to show time. To my beloved mother land, Malaysia, I wish you happy birthday and in this moment of solitude, pray that as a nation, we move forward with greater belief and co-operation, love and care for fellow Malaysians regardless of race, colour and creed. Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!!
Gemilang, Terbilang, Malaysiaku Cemerlang - 50 years of nationhood
It is now that I begin to ask myself the same question that the late President JF Kennedy asked the American public - "Ask not what the country has done for you but ask what have you done for the country" - a question that I feel a burning desire to answer. It is true that when you are away from someone or some place it is then you begin to realize how important the person or place really means to you. For me it is now that I begin to realize that Malaysia has been and will always be the place I call home no matter where I may go in this world.
Many people have the clichéd thought leaving Malaysia is the best thing they could have chosen in life and let me make myself clear on this - as I don't want to be looked upon as a hypocrite - it was never in my dreams that I wanted to leave Malaysia as it has been a place that gave me the identity that I carry around today no matter where I go. I had to leave as it was an opportunity for me to gain some much needed knowledge in my field of career which I hope to develop and expand before returning to serve my motherland some day soon. The grass may always be greener on the other side but it will never give you the same feeling of belonging as on this side; what you feel is something artificial and can never be real, just like genetically engineered products make you feel it is better but never the same feel you get from the old fashioned produced product.
Malaysia may have changed and taken many steps forward by leaps and bounds but there are certain matters that we seem to have taken a few steps backward. The most visible is racial relations. I still don't get it how a nation that used to be so united and see each other as brothers and sisters suddenly become so estranged from one another. How this came to be can never be explained as the reasons can be so diverse that some may border on the very sensitive of issues. Normally our leaders demand tolerance towards one another but in my opinion tolerance is not what we need, we need the spirit of brotherhood to be reforged. Where you and I see each other for not what color we are nor what status we are but see the person deep inside, the heart of the person. If there is one wish I have, it is for our nation to go back to the days of brotherhood, the times we call ourselves Malaysians not by race - Malay, Chinese, Indian etc but when you and I accept each other and call ourselves Malaysian.
Tonight at the stroke of mid-night, the fireworks will lit up the sky as everyone revels in the celebration of nationhood but sadly I won't be around to be part of it. I will be a spectator who watches from afar knowing that one day I will be there celebrating and when the Jalur Gemilang is hoisted to the rhythm of Negaraku, I will be singing with full of pride and honour.
The time is 10.30pm right now, another 1hour 30minutes to show time. To my beloved mother land, Malaysia, I wish you happy birthday and in this moment of solitude, pray that as a nation, we move forward with greater belief and co-operation, love and care for fellow Malaysians regardless of race, colour and creed. Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!! Merdeka!!!
Gemilang, Terbilang, Malaysiaku Cemerlang - 50 years of nationhood
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Malaysian football - What the future holds?
Uzbekistan 5 Malaysia 0....... not a very heartwarming scoreline that. This is the current state of a once Asian footballing power house. We are no more the power we once were and I don't ever see that happening. Day by day, the standard just keeps deteriorating and all the efforts by the governing body FAM seems to have come to a naught. Pathetic display from so called professional footballers who play in the Malaysian Super League (MSL). The only thing super seems to be the big pay checks this over grown babies seem to take home. There is no pride what so ever when they pull on the national jersey. There is no commitment, fighting spirit nor interest to prove that they can take the nation back to its heyday of footballing prowess.
All the legends - Super Mokh, Soh Chin Aun, V. Arumugam, Santokh Singh and etc will be looking on in utter disbelieve at the current state of affairs. At their time, there was no big fat paychecks or modern facilities like that of now but when they played, the pride of the nation took centre stage. There was always a never say die attitude that enabled Malaysia to be a truly power house in Asia. Teams like Japan, Korea, Thailand and others were the whipping boys and we could take them apart for fun. Nowadays it seems those whipping boys could dismantle us in a matter of minutes. Thats how bad we've become. Nations that picked up the game after us have prospered and gone on to greater heights but we seem to have taken many steps back.
What was our last big achievement? The gold medal at the 1989 SEA Games, thats all. Nowadays we can't even go far in regional competitions. The AFF Cup has been held for about 8 times and how many times have we been finalists? Our neighbour down south, Singapore have won the competition 3 times and are the current title holders after back-to-back wins. Singapore were once the minnows but now they are miles ahead in terms of playing capability.
The scoreline at the beginning is from the match at the ongoing Asian Cup tournament. The tournament is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The other co-hosts seem to be doing a good job of playing good football in front of their fans but sadly our country seems to be the most pathetic. Hammered in the first match by China for 5 goals and then again yesterday they shipped in 5 goals against the Uzbeks.
The current scenario does not augur well for the national team. Something has to be done and fast. A concerted effort has to be in place to take the nation back to the halcyon days of the Super Mokh and gang. For starters, I would suggest that the current national team setup be disbanded. Drop all the current crop as they do not have the heart to carry the pride of a nation. There should be a nation wide search for new talents to be nurtured and gradually bled into the national setup. There is no point if millions are gonna be spent on the players but they end up more interested in self gains rather than putting the nation first before self. Once you can prove that you can bring success to the nation, then only will you be rewarded. That should be the way from now onwards.
To Malaysian football, there is still hope provided we get the right people to manage and the proper players who have the hunger to achieve and carry the hopes of a nation on their backs.
All the legends - Super Mokh, Soh Chin Aun, V. Arumugam, Santokh Singh and etc will be looking on in utter disbelieve at the current state of affairs. At their time, there was no big fat paychecks or modern facilities like that of now but when they played, the pride of the nation took centre stage. There was always a never say die attitude that enabled Malaysia to be a truly power house in Asia. Teams like Japan, Korea, Thailand and others were the whipping boys and we could take them apart for fun. Nowadays it seems those whipping boys could dismantle us in a matter of minutes. Thats how bad we've become. Nations that picked up the game after us have prospered and gone on to greater heights but we seem to have taken many steps back.
What was our last big achievement? The gold medal at the 1989 SEA Games, thats all. Nowadays we can't even go far in regional competitions. The AFF Cup has been held for about 8 times and how many times have we been finalists? Our neighbour down south, Singapore have won the competition 3 times and are the current title holders after back-to-back wins. Singapore were once the minnows but now they are miles ahead in terms of playing capability.
The scoreline at the beginning is from the match at the ongoing Asian Cup tournament. The tournament is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The other co-hosts seem to be doing a good job of playing good football in front of their fans but sadly our country seems to be the most pathetic. Hammered in the first match by China for 5 goals and then again yesterday they shipped in 5 goals against the Uzbeks.
The current scenario does not augur well for the national team. Something has to be done and fast. A concerted effort has to be in place to take the nation back to the halcyon days of the Super Mokh and gang. For starters, I would suggest that the current national team setup be disbanded. Drop all the current crop as they do not have the heart to carry the pride of a nation. There should be a nation wide search for new talents to be nurtured and gradually bled into the national setup. There is no point if millions are gonna be spent on the players but they end up more interested in self gains rather than putting the nation first before self. Once you can prove that you can bring success to the nation, then only will you be rewarded. That should be the way from now onwards.
To Malaysian football, there is still hope provided we get the right people to manage and the proper players who have the hunger to achieve and carry the hopes of a nation on their backs.
50 years ago on towards the next 50
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! The holy phrase that was uttered 31 times by the late Tunku in the morning of August 31st 1957 at Stadium Merdeka - so named for the occasion it was purpose built - brought joy to a nation that had just been born. Malays, Chinese and Indians packed into the 45000 seater stadia to celebrate a new free, independent nation. That was the beginning of a new era for our forefathers in the development and upbringing of an infant nation. It took many great minds and a painstakingly planned constitution to enhance a better sense of respect, love and care for one another in this land of many opportunities.
After a hard fought battle and countless amounts of talks with our then British rulers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and his associates from the Alliance party at that time managed to set us free from the binds of the white man and allow us to plan our own destiny into the future. As a leader he sought the ideas and support from the leaders of the other communities that were now part of Malaya to work hand in hand and carry the nation forward. Plans were put in place to ensure that no one was left behind as the path to development and self sustenance gathered full steam ahead.
All races came together irrespective of language, colour, creed or class to help in the building blocks of our nation. There was no prejudice or racism, everyone were seen as fellow brothers and sisters in this new nation. Poverty was eradicated and there were no more people who starved, everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of success that came with each passing year.
In 1963, Malaya became Malaysia with the addition of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore(seperated to become independent in 1965). Leadership of the great ship changed hands with the transition of time. New leaders continued where the Tunku left and also brought about their own new ideas to further develop the nation and give it a standing in the international stage.
Today we stand tall with many achievements and firsts in the world. We have the tallest building in the world, the most modern racing circuit in the world and many other achievements that have made the world stop and notice this small nation of 25 million in awe. We are the living proof that different culture and believes need not live in trouble, war and conflicts. We are a cultural potpourri that has the genetic make up of many races which in turn makes us unique.
This year we mark our 50th year of nationhood in style as we say to the world, we may still be young but we have a maturity that is far beyond our age. To my beloved Malaysia, I salute you as I look forward to another 50 years of success and achievements that take us into the new millennium developed, strong and resourceful.
To my Malaysia, I say this - Malaysia Boleh!!!
- A special tribute to my beloved home, Malaysia, 50 years ago towards the next 50 -
After a hard fought battle and countless amounts of talks with our then British rulers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and his associates from the Alliance party at that time managed to set us free from the binds of the white man and allow us to plan our own destiny into the future. As a leader he sought the ideas and support from the leaders of the other communities that were now part of Malaya to work hand in hand and carry the nation forward. Plans were put in place to ensure that no one was left behind as the path to development and self sustenance gathered full steam ahead.
All races came together irrespective of language, colour, creed or class to help in the building blocks of our nation. There was no prejudice or racism, everyone were seen as fellow brothers and sisters in this new nation. Poverty was eradicated and there were no more people who starved, everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of success that came with each passing year.
In 1963, Malaya became Malaysia with the addition of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore(seperated to become independent in 1965). Leadership of the great ship changed hands with the transition of time. New leaders continued where the Tunku left and also brought about their own new ideas to further develop the nation and give it a standing in the international stage.
Today we stand tall with many achievements and firsts in the world. We have the tallest building in the world, the most modern racing circuit in the world and many other achievements that have made the world stop and notice this small nation of 25 million in awe. We are the living proof that different culture and believes need not live in trouble, war and conflicts. We are a cultural potpourri that has the genetic make up of many races which in turn makes us unique.
This year we mark our 50th year of nationhood in style as we say to the world, we may still be young but we have a maturity that is far beyond our age. To my beloved Malaysia, I salute you as I look forward to another 50 years of success and achievements that take us into the new millennium developed, strong and resourceful.
To my Malaysia, I say this - Malaysia Boleh!!!
- A special tribute to my beloved home, Malaysia, 50 years ago towards the next 50 -
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