I have always loved drums...and dancing (hmm, did any ustad out there say it is harm? Baca kitab mana dek?)
The skills of these kids are amazing! They can use their creativity because no stranger is breathing down their neck telling them what they can and cannot do. Trivia!
Anyway, tell me if you like this too. For your weekend!..:))
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Gangsterism, Politics and People-bullying (“GPP phenomenon”
Gangsterism, Politics and People-bullying which I call the “GPP phenomenon” is not something new in human history. Let us not be mistaken about it. It has been around since time immemorial in various shapes and shades.
The GPP phenomenon has to do with power and wealth. There are always that few in society that can never be content with the basic power to live – they want godly power. That is that power to influence and control other human beings, to achieve “glory” to be “immortalized” to be remembered and often praised even after death. “godly” power. He wants to lead the pack where he thinks they should be heading.
Wealth and power go hand in glove. There are always that few in society that can never be content with the wealth to survive – they want more. They want to be able to “stand above the crowd”, to that that financial string that can make others do their bidding, if possible turn them into loyal, unthinking slaves.
Power and wealth alone is never enough for the narcissistic leader. He needs to have that tool of fear. That tool to intimidate, even hurt those who would dare challenge his leadership at the head of the herd. The fear factor always works most of the time – though not all the time.
But remember, the GPP phenomenon only affects a few. The MAJORITY of the people are normal and mentally able to live lives as decent human beings should.
As I said, this is nothing new in history. Study European, Chinese, Indian or even Malayan history, and you find this GPP phenomenon at work. During the royal leadership period in history, you find the Kings and the King’s men bullying ordinary citizens who were mostly peasants and made to remain so. We called these the feudal mentality deeply ingrained in the minds of the peasants that their destiny lies in the hands of the Kings and the Kings’ men. Did the MAJORITY remain silent?
For a very long while they did remain silent. This did not mean that they were unaware what was going on. They felt and were hurt by the bullying, the demeaning of their existence, the rape of their children in various ways by the elitist in power and their crony wealthy abettors. Human beings have a breaking point as history as shown again and again.
One day, the silent majority rose. They decided they do not want to play the game set by the elitist anymore. Enough of humiliation. The people wanted their dignity as human beings back. In Europe came the French Revolution with the unthinkable beheading of the King. The rise of people power spread all over Europe such that the Czar of Russia was correctly concerned. Even the powerful Czars could not survive the wrath of the ordinary citizens when they rose.
Even way, way before that, you had the Pharoahs of Egypt. Where are they and their families now? How developed is Egypt?
Eventually, politicians replaced Kings and became Kings unto to themselves. Like the Kings before them, they stole and raped the nations they were supposed to lead in the name of law and the People. They ensured that wealth only moved among the circle of their family and cronies. For the people, they threw bread crumbs. The GPP phenomenon affects them severely. They take the people for fools and a doormat to sustain themselves in power and wealth.
Again, study history and you find the silent majority, the people rise to say enough is enough. There has been many peaceful means of completely changing the political landscape. It is just a question of how much pain and humiliation the politicians can cause the people before the People decide to throw all of them out to be replaced by TOTALLY new leaders from the PEOPLE. This is the historical wheel that can never be changed.
PEACE.
The GPP phenomenon has to do with power and wealth. There are always that few in society that can never be content with the basic power to live – they want godly power. That is that power to influence and control other human beings, to achieve “glory” to be “immortalized” to be remembered and often praised even after death. “godly” power. He wants to lead the pack where he thinks they should be heading.
Wealth and power go hand in glove. There are always that few in society that can never be content with the wealth to survive – they want more. They want to be able to “stand above the crowd”, to that that financial string that can make others do their bidding, if possible turn them into loyal, unthinking slaves.
Power and wealth alone is never enough for the narcissistic leader. He needs to have that tool of fear. That tool to intimidate, even hurt those who would dare challenge his leadership at the head of the herd. The fear factor always works most of the time – though not all the time.
But remember, the GPP phenomenon only affects a few. The MAJORITY of the people are normal and mentally able to live lives as decent human beings should.
As I said, this is nothing new in history. Study European, Chinese, Indian or even Malayan history, and you find this GPP phenomenon at work. During the royal leadership period in history, you find the Kings and the King’s men bullying ordinary citizens who were mostly peasants and made to remain so. We called these the feudal mentality deeply ingrained in the minds of the peasants that their destiny lies in the hands of the Kings and the Kings’ men. Did the MAJORITY remain silent?
For a very long while they did remain silent. This did not mean that they were unaware what was going on. They felt and were hurt by the bullying, the demeaning of their existence, the rape of their children in various ways by the elitist in power and their crony wealthy abettors. Human beings have a breaking point as history as shown again and again.
One day, the silent majority rose. They decided they do not want to play the game set by the elitist anymore. Enough of humiliation. The people wanted their dignity as human beings back. In Europe came the French Revolution with the unthinkable beheading of the King. The rise of people power spread all over Europe such that the Czar of Russia was correctly concerned. Even the powerful Czars could not survive the wrath of the ordinary citizens when they rose.
Even way, way before that, you had the Pharoahs of Egypt. Where are they and their families now? How developed is Egypt?
Eventually, politicians replaced Kings and became Kings unto to themselves. Like the Kings before them, they stole and raped the nations they were supposed to lead in the name of law and the People. They ensured that wealth only moved among the circle of their family and cronies. For the people, they threw bread crumbs. The GPP phenomenon affects them severely. They take the people for fools and a doormat to sustain themselves in power and wealth.
Again, study history and you find the silent majority, the people rise to say enough is enough. There has been many peaceful means of completely changing the political landscape. It is just a question of how much pain and humiliation the politicians can cause the people before the People decide to throw all of them out to be replaced by TOTALLY new leaders from the PEOPLE. This is the historical wheel that can never be changed.
PEACE.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Cabinet, MACC, The Late Teoh and The People
Of course our condolences goes out to Teoh Beng Hock's loved ones. It is a tragedy that should not happen to any family.
His death in the vicinity of the MACC building and just after having been in the custody of MACC for a 10 hour questioning does give rise to legitimate concerns in the minds of the People, especially the Raperas.
The cabinet has correctly decided on an inquest into Teoh's death and the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the operating procedures of MACC. I welcome Prime MInister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement as reported in the Star:
“The Royal Commission will be set up according to specific terms, which is to scrutinise and study the procedures related to interrogations that are used by the MACC. It will also identify if there were any violations of human rights during Teoh’s interrogation".
This is clearly important as MACC (previously ACA) has come under frequent accusations of having employed rather inhumane methods of interrogation. It is critical for the safety of potential witnesses that the interrogation techniques employed by MACC is brought under public scrutiny and in compliance with human rights. Likewise, the image of MACC as an institution must be guarded by putting in place mechanisms that are not open to abuse by "over zealous officers".
Peace !
Saturday, July 18, 2009
MORE THAN THE POLITICIANS…
I really wanted to believe that we have developed political maturity in the country. I notice that many citizens now blog and talk about politics than never before. One notices that there has been more protests and street demonstrations beginning from the time when Tun Dr Abdullah Badawi was PM. One may be tempted to equate this with more democratic participation by the citizens.
But my feelings and my mind do not seem to be too convinced with all this. At the best, I think that we are still maturing, albeit very slowly. The disturbing fact is that I feel we are maturing from an “infant stage to a preteen stage”. We, the citizens, are still very much mesmerized by our political “mummies and daddies”. Hence, we still react and dance to the political stage that our politicians erect for us.
Is the stage always set up by the politicians and we simply partake as puppets and pawns? If so, this cannot be democracy but manipulocracy.
Can’t we be mature enough to demolish that stage and say: “we do not like nor want to play that game anymore? That we are not political preteens but mature adult citizens who can think for ourselves?” What? We are scared that we will be send to stand in the corner and that we will not get the candies and the toys? Of course, citizens who will sell their soul for short term gains will be there forever as they have been since time immemorial.
But the majority of the silent, good, decent albeit politically inactive citizens suffer because of these sell-out citizens. Here, we need Raperas again with nation-orientated programs with long lasting objectives that plant good seeds for the future.
It is worrisome when the death of a political secretary of a political party is turned into a political issue. It is downright irresponsible and despicable for politicians to do this….but you can expect such behavior from most of them. As Dato Hishammudin Onn said investigation will be conducted and it must be conducted.
Due to the publicity given and the potential manipulation by certain parties, this investigation must be transparent, speedy and just (as should always be). At the same time, the standard operating procedures of the MACC should also be reviewed. The institution’s credibility must be restored if it is to operate as a respectable agency to weed out corruption and to be seen as corruption free itself. MACC has an important role to play and hence it must be “cleaned up” of any hangovers from the BPR days.
But let us remind ourselves that more than politicians, it is us that have to play that active role in safeguarding this Nation for the future generations. We have to develop citizens into Raperas.
PEACE !
But my feelings and my mind do not seem to be too convinced with all this. At the best, I think that we are still maturing, albeit very slowly. The disturbing fact is that I feel we are maturing from an “infant stage to a preteen stage”. We, the citizens, are still very much mesmerized by our political “mummies and daddies”. Hence, we still react and dance to the political stage that our politicians erect for us.
Is the stage always set up by the politicians and we simply partake as puppets and pawns? If so, this cannot be democracy but manipulocracy.
Can’t we be mature enough to demolish that stage and say: “we do not like nor want to play that game anymore? That we are not political preteens but mature adult citizens who can think for ourselves?” What? We are scared that we will be send to stand in the corner and that we will not get the candies and the toys? Of course, citizens who will sell their soul for short term gains will be there forever as they have been since time immemorial.
But the majority of the silent, good, decent albeit politically inactive citizens suffer because of these sell-out citizens. Here, we need Raperas again with nation-orientated programs with long lasting objectives that plant good seeds for the future.
It is worrisome when the death of a political secretary of a political party is turned into a political issue. It is downright irresponsible and despicable for politicians to do this….but you can expect such behavior from most of them. As Dato Hishammudin Onn said investigation will be conducted and it must be conducted.
Due to the publicity given and the potential manipulation by certain parties, this investigation must be transparent, speedy and just (as should always be). At the same time, the standard operating procedures of the MACC should also be reviewed. The institution’s credibility must be restored if it is to operate as a respectable agency to weed out corruption and to be seen as corruption free itself. MACC has an important role to play and hence it must be “cleaned up” of any hangovers from the BPR days.
But let us remind ourselves that more than politicians, it is us that have to play that active role in safeguarding this Nation for the future generations. We have to develop citizens into Raperas.
PEACE !
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Where Did RM253.6 billion go???
On Tun Dr Mahathir's blog, he asks: "Where has the money gone to?"
He wrote:
"I reproduce here the payments made by Petronas to the Federal Government since 1976. That year the Government received RM300 million. The amount increased to RM2 billion in 1981. By 2003 it paid RM15.6 billion to the Federal Government. The total from 1981 to 2003 is RM168.8 billion in 22 years.
From then onwards it increased from RM19 billion in 2004 to RM67.8 billion in 2009. The total for six years is RM253.6 billion.
I am sure the Government had spent the money wisely. It would be interesting to know what the RM253.6 billion was spent on".
YES, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RM253.6 BILLION? THE RAKYAT MUST KNOW.
Jebatmustdie writes on his blog:
"Wastage is one of the government’s worst enemy. But in our case, the main perpetrator for this wastage was Pak Lah’s own mismanaged administration. With RM173 billion for 28 years we have had Penang Bridge, PLUS highways, KLCC, KLIA, Sports Stadiums for the Commonwealth Games, Sepang F1 circuit, Putrajaya and many other infrastructures. And those were just infrastructures. Many other fiscal policies were made which required money yet the economy was vibrant while the cost of living was kept low.
What did we get after the government spent RM253.6 billion for the past 6 years?"
I think we need to know...WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RM253.6 BILLION?
Peace !
He wrote:
"I reproduce here the payments made by Petronas to the Federal Government since 1976. That year the Government received RM300 million. The amount increased to RM2 billion in 1981. By 2003 it paid RM15.6 billion to the Federal Government. The total from 1981 to 2003 is RM168.8 billion in 22 years.
From then onwards it increased from RM19 billion in 2004 to RM67.8 billion in 2009. The total for six years is RM253.6 billion.
I am sure the Government had spent the money wisely. It would be interesting to know what the RM253.6 billion was spent on".
YES, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RM253.6 BILLION? THE RAKYAT MUST KNOW.
Jebatmustdie writes on his blog:
"Wastage is one of the government’s worst enemy. But in our case, the main perpetrator for this wastage was Pak Lah’s own mismanaged administration. With RM173 billion for 28 years we have had Penang Bridge, PLUS highways, KLCC, KLIA, Sports Stadiums for the Commonwealth Games, Sepang F1 circuit, Putrajaya and many other infrastructures. And those were just infrastructures. Many other fiscal policies were made which required money yet the economy was vibrant while the cost of living was kept low.
What did we get after the government spent RM253.6 billion for the past 6 years?"
I think we need to know...WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RM253.6 BILLION?
Peace !
Monday, July 13, 2009
CrystalBall: The Wizard Of OX
To visit the wizard of OX,the Tin Man and his entourage have to take the road. But the road cracked and lo behold, the maker of the road will be axed before he reaches the wizard's place by Master Amasisi. The Master is always on the watch for the man who used cars while the Tin Man walks...he did not pay for the cars!!!
WHAT????
Apparently , the Star reported that Pak Lah said "Alhamdullillah (thank god), I am grateful to Allah that the person I chose to replace me has carried out his job well." By the way, remember him...er..the former "Mr NiceGuy" PM?
Barking Magpie has a reminder on this. You can read it here.
By the way Barking Magpie, please have some respect, he is Tun Dr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In 2006, He was conferred the doctorate by Syarif Hidayatullah National Islamic University (UIN), Indonesia for his concept of "Islam Hadhari". And I hear of a second doctorate from UUM is coming this July.
So DrM, you ada satu saja label "doctor", itu pun medical doctorate!..))
Peace !
Barking Magpie has a reminder on this. You can read it here.
By the way Barking Magpie, please have some respect, he is Tun Dr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In 2006, He was conferred the doctorate by Syarif Hidayatullah National Islamic University (UIN), Indonesia for his concept of "Islam Hadhari". And I hear of a second doctorate from UUM is coming this July.
So DrM, you ada satu saja label "doctor", itu pun medical doctorate!..))
Peace !
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Bravo Hypocrites and Cowards: Let The Children Suffer???
It looks like a victory for the cowards, hypocrites and the ignorant ones. On one hand, we all know that the international medium of language for science and mathematics is English and yet we regress it back to Bahasa Malaysia. The reasons given for the reversion or regression is the one that hurts the mind the most. Every single reason given tak masuk akal langsung! So many blogs have covered this and I do not wish to go through the pain of repeating them.
I was not surprised of course that some racially trapped dinosaurs are "happy" that the subjects can now be taught in their respective mother tongues! Knowledge and future sacrificed at the alter of language!
My "unrealistic" wish is this: I hope that the Government realizes its mistakes, do whatsoever face-saving strategies necessary quickly and come back with a policy that is in line with global developments.
Let us not play the fool with the children's future please!!!
Peace !
I was not surprised of course that some racially trapped dinosaurs are "happy" that the subjects can now be taught in their respective mother tongues! Knowledge and future sacrificed at the alter of language!
My "unrealistic" wish is this: I hope that the Government realizes its mistakes, do whatsoever face-saving strategies necessary quickly and come back with a policy that is in line with global developments.
Let us not play the fool with the children's future please!!!
Peace !
Sunday, July 5, 2009
US Ambassador Interacts with Malaysians.
(Photo taken from his blog site)US Ambassador James R. Keith has started a blog. He says: "And now, as an additional initiative I wish to engage with Malaysians from all spheres of life to find out from them what their perspectives are in bolstering our bilateral relationship, hence this new blog".
I think this is a good move as it will allow "real" Malaysians to put forward their views on how they see US and US-Malaysia relations. His blog is here.
The US Embassy in Malaysia's website is here.
Peace !