1) What is the responsibility and role of each Malaysian, especially the youth, in upholding the
constitution, and working towards creating a society with integrity?
The Federal Constitution of Malaysia is the supreme law of the country. It lays out the rights and responsibilities of the federal government, the member states in the federation and the citizens and their relation to each other. The constitution amongst others, enunciates the basic rights of its citizen providing them with fundamental liberties. There’s a co-relation between the adherence of the constitution and the creation of a society with integrity. When the constitution is followed, rights are protected, laws passed in Parliament aren’t arbitrary, and integrity of the society is well intact. However, when the contrary occurs, there will be no respect for one another, rights of the citizens diminished, laws are nothing but created for the ideals of the elite few causing integrity of the society to crumble. Therefore, each and every Malaysian has a compelling if not imperative responsibility and role to defend the sanctity of the constitution. The least that every Malaysian, especially the youths can and should do is to be aware of the basic fundamentals of the constitution. Ignorance is not an option. It is only when we have this knowledge of the constitution that we are able to scrutinize and question the powers that be, creating a check and balance mechanism to ensure that the constitution is not opened to abuse.
2) Why is it important for youth to realise that they each have a role to play in creating a
Malaysia we can be proud of?
The youths have to realise as a matter of fact that the many grouses and discontents we have today in this country will be their inheritance resulting from the doings of the older generations whether they like it or not. Being the “beneficiaries” of what it already is, the obvious is that they are mainly the ones to steer the direction of what they want Malaysia to be. Whether for Malaysia to remain in the rumbles, or to stand tall among nations therefore lie in their hands. Their realisation of the importance of their role is the key to change. This realisation will give birth to initiatives, passion, ideas and sense of belonging. Quoting Mahatma Ghandi, “You must
be the change you wish to see in the world.” So in short, for change to happen and to create a Malaysia we can be proud of youths have to initiate the change and this can only happen if they know the importance of their role!
3) What are the ways we as Malaysians can stop complaining and start doing things to instil
in ourselves and each other a sense of nationhood?
We Malaysians generally like to complain. And too often complaining is the end of the process for many. As clichéd as it sounds, the quote “Ask not what can your country do for you but what you can do for your country” by JF Kennedy is the classic question one should ask himself to instil a sense of nationhood. One can only feel the sense of nationhood when he feels a sense of belonging and ownership. It’s only logical that when we own something we want the best for it and would do our best to ensure that it is in a good condition. In this context we want the best
for the country. Then how can we start? We want the best for the country in terms of
infrastructure, education system, economy, governing and etc. And this can only happen when we vote for the best policies by the representatives or candidates during elections to implement it in the best way possible. Surveys have shown that many Malaysians are still not registered as voters. So instead of complaining, those who have not register themselves as a voter can do so as a good start. On top of that, we can also help create awareness on issues and highlight problems which might affect us and the country, making them known to the government of the day to who is responsible for implementing policies to take action in rectifying them. One of the
effective ways in expressing what is best of the nation is by taking active part in NGOs which are bent on voicing out issues and problems that the nation faces. For example, UndiMsia provides a platform, especially for the young to promote greater participation and workable solutions in problems and decisions that affect them and their communities. It also has the aim to assist young Malaysians to ask the right questions and make informed choices when they vote at any process which requires the election of leaders, facilitating young Malaysians to identify issues in election campaigns and to vote based on those issues. Knowing what’s best for the country and
wanting it to be done for the country generate a sense of belonging and ownership for an individual Malaysian which in turn instils a sense of nationhood within him.
5) What are the key values (moral and religious) that are crucial for a society to be one that
can live in harmony and be civic-conscious?
In a country as diversified as ours, we need to eliminate racism. Every now and then we hear politicians and community leaders making racist remarks which do not augur well towards harmonious living. The key is to respect each other and be understanding of other cultures other than our own. We need to show humanity without prejudice. Most religions teach us to love our neighbours and to be kind to others regardless of race. We need to advocate for a society which abhors injustice and corruption. A society with integrity and good governance will always ensure that fairness and justice are displayed and manifested in action. One example would be the criteria for selection of scholarships for education or selection of business tenders. How transparent are these processes is crucial. The constitution also incorporates many provisions which ensure the citizens are entitled to be treated and fairly. We have to guard the sanctity of the constitution jealously. If done so, this will lead to a contented society with less grouses which in turn result in harmonious living.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Seek Him first
Just want to share a little. Many of us are now either busy studying for exams, waking up to our daily routine to go work, going through the same stress and tiring days week in week out. Many of us would have also prayed the same prayer like I did. For strength. For peace. For wisdom. Many of these prayers that I've prayed just weren't forthcoming when it comes to God answering them for the past week. What happened to all the oh-so-frequently quoted verses like "the joy of the Lord is my strength"? Or "He is my Defence and my Fortress, I shall not be moved"?
Honestly when it comes to moments like this, it is definitely not one of the easiest in your life. Imagine having to go through this dryness in your walk with Him yet putting a facade that all is good and well. Communication with Jesus just seemed to be going like a one way traffic. Prayers were nothing but murmurs bouncing back and forth the ceiling. I felt so unsure of the "steps" that I wanted to take. Nothing seems to be in place.
But that simple verse of that humble page from the Bible struck me today. We took Matthew 6:33 for granted almost all the time because of its plain and general form of text. But that's it. As general as it seems, that is the cardinal rule. In context, the whole passage talks about not being anxious over provisions; that God will provide. But do remember this. The same requirement is enunciated in the form of the 10 commandment. And to further highlight the importance of this, God made it the first to all the 10 ie. There shall be no other gods before Him. How these two rules can be reconciled is clear. YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT GOD AS YOUR NUMBER ONE.
As I began to understand the depth of these two verses, joy came overflowing, peace ran deep in my veins, courage came bursting from my lungs. And there it is. It says that "the rest will be added unto you. These commandments are made not for the benefit of the Creator, but for the benefit of His children like how a parent would do for his/her child. So obey Him. Hold on to Him even when you're going through that dry moment. And by you putting Him first, the "rest will be added to you". NO,He did not say that it "may be" added. It WILL and SHALL be! So guys, don't let busyness or exams nor work or stress be a hindrance to obey this rule. That in everything you do, put Him first and the rest, will just fall into place. And let's be assured about it.
Have a great week. =)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Aku, Pelacur Tua dan Penagih Dadah
8 Mei 2005
Cuaca makin panas. Lapisan ozon semakin nipis dan dunia makin tua. Di Rawang pun dah ada puting beliung dan ribut. Kacau!
Aku masih berjalan di tengah-tengah kota. Aku singgah di Lorong Haji Taib. Lepak di gerai makan untuk membasahkan tekak yang haus.
Sudah lama betul tak ke Chow Kit. Ramai orang berbangsa Indonesia di sini. Tanpa mereka susah kita. Bangunan-bangunan tinggi pencakar langit di sekeliling aku kebanyakannya hasil keringat mereka. Mahu harapkan orang kita? Mereka masih dalam kategori pemalas dan suka berangan. Mungkin sebab kurang tekanan hidup.
Aku punya hormat yang tinggi terhadap bangsa Indonesia dan konsep pancasilanya. Di sana yang lepak tepi jalan, yang menganggur atau yang gelendangan kebanyakannya punya hobi yang telah menjadi rutin hidup iaitu amalan suka membaca. Bahan-bahan berbentuk sastera bukannya yang bentuk hiburan yang remeh dan fantasi seperti filem Hindustan. Di sana penulis mampu hidup senang dan kedai buku boleh hidup. Sastera dan kesenian megah berdiri sebagai salah satu lambang kemegahan negara mereka. Sekiranya berhasrat untuk menemuduga penyair Rendra untuk satu jam kena bayar USD 2000. Mungkin sebab penduduknya ramai. Namun itu bukan alasan. Bagaimana pula di sini?
Pemuda-pemudi kita kebanyakannya masih tidak tahu apa-apa pasal hidup. Apa yang penting bagi mereka ialah membelek majalah dan bagaimana untuk menjadi glamour. Apa trend terkini, apakah skandal yang menarik, artis mana yang hendak kahwin, artis mana pulak yang bercerai - itulah suasana dan bahan-bahan yang penting dalam dunia muzik kita. Itulah sebab filem-filem seperti Sembilu dapat sambutan sehingga kutipan box-office. Kebanyakan orang kita pula sensitif, tak boleh cakap sebegini. Selalunya mereka akan memberitahu, "pergi Indon ler,cari makan, apasal duduk Malaysia?".
Sewaktu aku sedang minum, ada seorang kakak tua senyum ke arahku. Dia datang melepak dan mahu duduk semeja.
"Apa khabar?" tanpa disapa pelawa dan menyapa dia.
"Baik...hari ni kurang sikit masuk, badan pun dah tak laku, adik tak nak langgan akak ker?"
"Emmm...he he...hari ni saya tak ada duit...saya pun macam akak jugak...masing-masing kita punya cerita, mungkin kita boleh kongsi kalau bukan tubuh pun. Pengalaman mungkin. Akak ada keluarga?"
Mengeluh dia.
"Keluarga? Keluarga dah buang akak. Suami dah lama tinggalkan akak. Memang elok pun dia blah. Sebab dialah akak jadi macam ni," beritahunya.
Aku tidah boleh cakap apa-apa. Hanya memerhatikan muka wanita itu. Kesian.
"Saya pun lebih kurang akak juga, cuma saya ni keturunan orang alim. Tapi bila kaji-kaji balik rasanya saya ni keturunan babi hutan. Mungkin babi tu lebih mulia dari keturunan saya dan saya ni pun asalnya dari spesis babilah."
Terkejut dia dengar kata-kata aku. Sekurang-kurangnya dia tidak merasa asing. Aku anggap aku dan dia masih dalam acuan yang sama. Pelengkap isi cerita dunia yang memang begini sejak zaman Habil dan Qabil lagi. Buruk dan baik itu pelengkap cerita. Aku ni busking di tepi jalan sahaja.
Memang ada jalan lain yang lebih baik sebenarnya. Namun, untuk proses praktikal, ini perlu. Kadang-kadang orang tengok macam sampah tapi aku buat persembahan untuk pelbagai jenis majlis.
Tetapi akak ni dah pilih jalan hidup dia dan dia sudah tidak boleh ke belakang balik. Dia sudah menerima takdir dia sebenarnya. Apa yang kita boleh buat? Cuma katanya, kalau ada kesempatan sebelum dia tutup mata, dia mahu jumpa anak dia yang diberi pada satu keluarga asing suatu masa dulu. Pada waktu itu, umur anakya satu hari. Sebenarnya dia jual anaknya atas masalah hidup. Suaminya pula penagih dadah. Mereka tinggal di sebuah bilik kecil di kawasan Chow Kit dengan kadar sewa RM 150 sebulan. Bilik tersebut hanya sebesar bilik air. Haru sebenarnya kisah dia ni.
Apa yang aku boleh buat? Dia dan aku sedang menjalani takdir yang hanya kami yang tahu apa itu hidup dan sengsara. Masyarakat tidak akan ambil peduli. Mungkin ada yang akan tanya kenapa tak nak berubah dan berusaha. Soalan itu bagi aku hanya melepaskan batuk di tangga dan tidak lebih daripada menghina, bukan memahami. Mungkin ada yang prihatin akan nasib golongan ini.
Petikan dari Meor, Sembang Tepi Jalan
Cuaca makin panas. Lapisan ozon semakin nipis dan dunia makin tua. Di Rawang pun dah ada puting beliung dan ribut. Kacau!
Aku masih berjalan di tengah-tengah kota. Aku singgah di Lorong Haji Taib. Lepak di gerai makan untuk membasahkan tekak yang haus.
Sudah lama betul tak ke Chow Kit. Ramai orang berbangsa Indonesia di sini. Tanpa mereka susah kita. Bangunan-bangunan tinggi pencakar langit di sekeliling aku kebanyakannya hasil keringat mereka. Mahu harapkan orang kita? Mereka masih dalam kategori pemalas dan suka berangan. Mungkin sebab kurang tekanan hidup.
Aku punya hormat yang tinggi terhadap bangsa Indonesia dan konsep pancasilanya. Di sana yang lepak tepi jalan, yang menganggur atau yang gelendangan kebanyakannya punya hobi yang telah menjadi rutin hidup iaitu amalan suka membaca. Bahan-bahan berbentuk sastera bukannya yang bentuk hiburan yang remeh dan fantasi seperti filem Hindustan. Di sana penulis mampu hidup senang dan kedai buku boleh hidup. Sastera dan kesenian megah berdiri sebagai salah satu lambang kemegahan negara mereka. Sekiranya berhasrat untuk menemuduga penyair Rendra untuk satu jam kena bayar USD 2000. Mungkin sebab penduduknya ramai. Namun itu bukan alasan. Bagaimana pula di sini?
Pemuda-pemudi kita kebanyakannya masih tidak tahu apa-apa pasal hidup. Apa yang penting bagi mereka ialah membelek majalah dan bagaimana untuk menjadi glamour. Apa trend terkini, apakah skandal yang menarik, artis mana yang hendak kahwin, artis mana pulak yang bercerai - itulah suasana dan bahan-bahan yang penting dalam dunia muzik kita. Itulah sebab filem-filem seperti Sembilu dapat sambutan sehingga kutipan box-office. Kebanyakan orang kita pula sensitif, tak boleh cakap sebegini. Selalunya mereka akan memberitahu, "pergi Indon ler,cari makan, apasal duduk Malaysia?".
Sewaktu aku sedang minum, ada seorang kakak tua senyum ke arahku. Dia datang melepak dan mahu duduk semeja.
"Apa khabar?" tanpa disapa pelawa dan menyapa dia.
"Baik...hari ni kurang sikit masuk, badan pun dah tak laku, adik tak nak langgan akak ker?"
"Emmm...he he...hari ni saya tak ada duit...saya pun macam akak jugak...masing-masing kita punya cerita, mungkin kita boleh kongsi kalau bukan tubuh pun. Pengalaman mungkin. Akak ada keluarga?"
Mengeluh dia.
"Keluarga? Keluarga dah buang akak. Suami dah lama tinggalkan akak. Memang elok pun dia blah. Sebab dialah akak jadi macam ni," beritahunya.
Aku tidah boleh cakap apa-apa. Hanya memerhatikan muka wanita itu. Kesian.
"Saya pun lebih kurang akak juga, cuma saya ni keturunan orang alim. Tapi bila kaji-kaji balik rasanya saya ni keturunan babi hutan. Mungkin babi tu lebih mulia dari keturunan saya dan saya ni pun asalnya dari spesis babilah."
Terkejut dia dengar kata-kata aku. Sekurang-kurangnya dia tidak merasa asing. Aku anggap aku dan dia masih dalam acuan yang sama. Pelengkap isi cerita dunia yang memang begini sejak zaman Habil dan Qabil lagi. Buruk dan baik itu pelengkap cerita. Aku ni busking di tepi jalan sahaja.
Memang ada jalan lain yang lebih baik sebenarnya. Namun, untuk proses praktikal, ini perlu. Kadang-kadang orang tengok macam sampah tapi aku buat persembahan untuk pelbagai jenis majlis.
Tetapi akak ni dah pilih jalan hidup dia dan dia sudah tidak boleh ke belakang balik. Dia sudah menerima takdir dia sebenarnya. Apa yang kita boleh buat? Cuma katanya, kalau ada kesempatan sebelum dia tutup mata, dia mahu jumpa anak dia yang diberi pada satu keluarga asing suatu masa dulu. Pada waktu itu, umur anakya satu hari. Sebenarnya dia jual anaknya atas masalah hidup. Suaminya pula penagih dadah. Mereka tinggal di sebuah bilik kecil di kawasan Chow Kit dengan kadar sewa RM 150 sebulan. Bilik tersebut hanya sebesar bilik air. Haru sebenarnya kisah dia ni.
Apa yang aku boleh buat? Dia dan aku sedang menjalani takdir yang hanya kami yang tahu apa itu hidup dan sengsara. Masyarakat tidak akan ambil peduli. Mungkin ada yang akan tanya kenapa tak nak berubah dan berusaha. Soalan itu bagi aku hanya melepaskan batuk di tangga dan tidak lebih daripada menghina, bukan memahami. Mungkin ada yang prihatin akan nasib golongan ini.
Petikan dari Meor, Sembang Tepi Jalan
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Racist,me?
It's so common to hear the stereotypes that people have of different ethnic groups in Malaysia. The belief is that one group is always rude and indifferent with selfish attitudes, the other is lazy and pampered, while the third is loud and prone to being drunk and/or making trouble. We all have all grown up with these stereotypes. Some of us grow out of it, some don't. Sadly, the former are the minority. Worse still, it is wrongly assumed that maintaining such views does not make one racist.
We think racism exist only when one is given the runaround by authorities who choose not to entertain the person who doesn't speak the national language; or when the best candidate does not get a job or scholarship; or when the cops stop you because you are dark or have straight blonde hair and run a VCD stall.
Well, I think a lot of people need a serious wake up call. The moment you allow yourself to draw conclusions without any facts, when you decide that someone from any particular ethnic group is responsible for some wrong that has occurred, you are a racist. You are no different from those you accuse of being racist. Another form of racism is when one feels that one should favour "one of our own" simply for that reason and nothing else. A good example would be how the people vote in general elections. Often I hear from grown up adults saying that they would vote for a particular candidate purely cos of his/her ethnicity. It doesn't matter if that person does not have integrity or lacks moral values.
I have no qualms of telling such people off, even at the risk of being called an ignorant fool. On the contrary, I think it is their own ignorance that drives them to perpetuate racial stereotypes despite their education and knowledge.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that some of the things I mentioned above are entirely due to racist attitudes. But that does not give us the right to be racist, nor does it allow us to close our eyes to prejudiced attitudes held by those whom we know or are related to.
Let me give you some simple known facts. Poverty is something that occurs in this nation transcending racial lines, cultural differences, and religions. One just need to drive past Kota Raya at night to know what I'm talking about. The number of homeless people without having proper shelter, sleeping on hard floor pavements with just cardboards over their shivering body as blankets would just break any sensible compassionate onlooker's heart. Another fact would be sicknesses. Fatal or not, they do not choose their victims. In other words, it's colour blind. What I am trying to get at is that rather than us stereotyping and looking for differences, we should instead look at our similarities.
In the end of the day, we are all humans. We all have needs. We need love. We need compassion. We need to work to feed our families. Many children need proper education and care. But we need to show humanity without prejudice. If we allow ourself to look from a different perspective, we can change what we are not happy with now by firstly changing our ownself first. Learn how to love and to show compassion. Translate all these into actions. A simple deed might do wonders. I'm a Christian and I've been called to love one another. And if I can't do that simple commandmant from God, I ought to be ashamed of myself. It may be a tough ideal to live up to for most of us, but unless we set an example in tearing down this walls of racism, we are no better than those whom we accuse.
We think racism exist only when one is given the runaround by authorities who choose not to entertain the person who doesn't speak the national language; or when the best candidate does not get a job or scholarship; or when the cops stop you because you are dark or have straight blonde hair and run a VCD stall.
Well, I think a lot of people need a serious wake up call. The moment you allow yourself to draw conclusions without any facts, when you decide that someone from any particular ethnic group is responsible for some wrong that has occurred, you are a racist. You are no different from those you accuse of being racist. Another form of racism is when one feels that one should favour "one of our own" simply for that reason and nothing else. A good example would be how the people vote in general elections. Often I hear from grown up adults saying that they would vote for a particular candidate purely cos of his/her ethnicity. It doesn't matter if that person does not have integrity or lacks moral values.
I have no qualms of telling such people off, even at the risk of being called an ignorant fool. On the contrary, I think it is their own ignorance that drives them to perpetuate racial stereotypes despite their education and knowledge.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that some of the things I mentioned above are entirely due to racist attitudes. But that does not give us the right to be racist, nor does it allow us to close our eyes to prejudiced attitudes held by those whom we know or are related to.
Let me give you some simple known facts. Poverty is something that occurs in this nation transcending racial lines, cultural differences, and religions. One just need to drive past Kota Raya at night to know what I'm talking about. The number of homeless people without having proper shelter, sleeping on hard floor pavements with just cardboards over their shivering body as blankets would just break any sensible compassionate onlooker's heart. Another fact would be sicknesses. Fatal or not, they do not choose their victims. In other words, it's colour blind. What I am trying to get at is that rather than us stereotyping and looking for differences, we should instead look at our similarities.
In the end of the day, we are all humans. We all have needs. We need love. We need compassion. We need to work to feed our families. Many children need proper education and care. But we need to show humanity without prejudice. If we allow ourself to look from a different perspective, we can change what we are not happy with now by firstly changing our ownself first. Learn how to love and to show compassion. Translate all these into actions. A simple deed might do wonders. I'm a Christian and I've been called to love one another. And if I can't do that simple commandmant from God, I ought to be ashamed of myself. It may be a tough ideal to live up to for most of us, but unless we set an example in tearing down this walls of racism, we are no better than those whom we accuse.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
My New Found Hobby
I have finally found myself landed on a blogging site succumbing to the new wave (or rather "not so new" in relative terms) to pen down my pent-up thoughts and the going-ons in life. And yes, I would now have to face the very same people whom I've told them in the face in numerous occasions that I will never EVER EVER EVER blog. I shall prepare myself mentally and physically, awaiting their wrath upon me for not putting my money where my mouth is and for being so against blogs and bloggers. I used to believe that these people are merely little cute rabbits ranting about stuff or people who would like the world to know what hair dye they tried on, what shampoo brand or handbags they would prefer and etc, which I later found out that by stereotyping bloggers in this manner ain't doing justice to the entire blogging community.
Well, the sole reason I set up this blog is because I have so many things to say about everything yet I couldn't find an avenue where I could just vomit it out. I have so many viewpoints and ideas about God, politics, relationships, principles and etc etc that I would dearly love to share. I wouldn't say that I'm much of a thinker but usually I have all these small small thoughts on issues that would really stir my heart and emotions and hence the passion and desire to put it into circulation. However, all these zen moments would naturally slip away owing to the fact that I have this fear of writing and blogging. Just the other day, I was super gung-ho to start this blog after a friend gave me inspiration to do so over dinner. Later that same evening while having my shower, I had all the ideas being churned out in my head as to how I would go about my first piece. And before I knew it, the moment I sat in front of my desk with my laptop looking ready to taste the speed of my fingers, my inspirations cruelly left me. Haha. Am glad it came back today though.
So there you go. I hope you guys would have a good time reading my babbles. Would be more than happy if anyone of you could give me a tutorial or two since I'm GREEN. And learn I shall. Thank you for reading!=) BTW..I shall insert a disclaimer about what I might blog in the future. Yes, most of it would be from my own subjective point of view but it does not mean that I am right. I may be wrong. Oh, and I will never know if I would blog about the shampoo I'm using someday..NEVER SAY NEVER! Haha. Till then...
Well, the sole reason I set up this blog is because I have so many things to say about everything yet I couldn't find an avenue where I could just vomit it out. I have so many viewpoints and ideas about God, politics, relationships, principles and etc etc that I would dearly love to share. I wouldn't say that I'm much of a thinker but usually I have all these small small thoughts on issues that would really stir my heart and emotions and hence the passion and desire to put it into circulation. However, all these zen moments would naturally slip away owing to the fact that I have this fear of writing and blogging. Just the other day, I was super gung-ho to start this blog after a friend gave me inspiration to do so over dinner. Later that same evening while having my shower, I had all the ideas being churned out in my head as to how I would go about my first piece. And before I knew it, the moment I sat in front of my desk with my laptop looking ready to taste the speed of my fingers, my inspirations cruelly left me. Haha. Am glad it came back today though.
So there you go. I hope you guys would have a good time reading my babbles. Would be more than happy if anyone of you could give me a tutorial or two since I'm GREEN. And learn I shall. Thank you for reading!=) BTW..I shall insert a disclaimer about what I might blog in the future. Yes, most of it would be from my own subjective point of view but it does not mean that I am right. I may be wrong. Oh, and I will never know if I would blog about the shampoo I'm using someday..NEVER SAY NEVER! Haha. Till then...
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