Hari Raya Datang Lagi

Masa berlalu dengan cepat sekali. Aku terasa macam baru seminggu lepas aku mula puasa tapi minggu depan dah nak Aidilfitri. Aduhh, masa berlalu macam ribut tapi kadang-kadang life berlalu macam semut.

Apa-apa pun aku nak wish kepada semua rakan Muslim; Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri dan Maaf Zahir dan Batin. Mintak maap dan mintak ampun kalau tersakitkan hati, terbuat korang berbulu atau pun ber ignore existence korang. Ikhlas dan tulus dari hati saya yang diberi nama F*rid.

Pada sapa-sapa yang akan drive untuk balik ke kampung, jaga-jagalah pemanduan korang. PDRM skang ni kuat buat roadblock. Kalau takmo kurang RM300 buat downpayment duit raya pada PDRM, sila-sila lah buat adjustment pada F1 style driving korang ye. Lesen memandu kena check, kot2 dah expired ke macam lesen L motor aku ni (next week aku renew lah aih).

Sapa-sapa nak datang ziarah aku di Ampang, sila-sila lah call dulu. Silap aribulan aku tak dak kat rumah, korang dok telan air liur ajer laa ye.

Tahun ni aku beraya seperti biasa di Kelantan. Ni jer la peluang aku nak guna untuk visit kawan-kawan Alam Shah yang berasal dari Kelantan juga; Hafiz Zahri, Labu, Dr Md Nor, Dr. Sobrie aka Moie, Awe etc. Plus visit Linda & Anis di Wakaf Che Yeh. Cari baju golfer yg cantik2 kat Rantau Panjang ke kan.

By the way, hari Isnin lepas Raya...ada sapa-sapa nak main golf tak? Hehehehehe....

Malay rights
Friday, 19 September 2008 00:23

The Malays are 'technically' in power governing the country but it is also this same controlling group that demands the right to correct economic imbalances and disparities for its own race.

What does this say about the 'majority governing' Malay race for the last 50 years?

I dare say that most Malaysians (regardless of race) below the age of 40 would like to see all opportunities be spread amongst those who deserve it on meritocracy.

We do not need the keris anymore to tell others to be careful of what they say and do because in the survival of the fittest, the keris is of very little relevance!

If we continue to hide under the 'bumiputera' tempurung as most Malays have been in the last 50 years or more, the catch-up game will just get harder and the gap wider.

If we continue to expect without earning it, we will never learn how to be a race that succeeds on merit. There is NO substitute for merit. The Malay politicians continue to shout about Malay rights and bumiputera rights because the very nature of our local politics is sadly racially biased.

In this day and age, a great nation is built upon joint success stories, meritocracy and the
combined hard work of its people WITHOUT any fear or favour of racial biased politics governing our daily policies. Sadly, the Malay politicians have ended up completely corrupt, racialists, twisted religious fanatics.

I am below 40 and as much as I love the 'idea' that Malaysia is tanah tumpahnya darah orang Melayu, I can't help but also feel that this country is for ALL Malaysians alike including the Chongs, the Kumars, the Xaviers, the Singhs & Kaurs etc who were born on the same day in the same hospital as me here in Malaysia.

If we feel that WE (the Malays) deserve this country more than THEM , then WE (the Malays) should have shown them a long time ago that we deserve the 'control all' status.

We have to earn it. The policies FAILED because the very concept of Malay rights or the NEP/DEB is like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it aims to eradicate wealth disparity but on the other, it has made the Malays oblivious of what reality is. Our (Malays) success is only reflected in the 'perceived' political power which today can collapse in a matter of minutes.

I would also like to see my children succeed in their country, Malaysia, for reasons that true success should be based upon, which are merit and hard work and NOT because they are Malays or bumiputeras.

For as long as the Malays don't see this, there is very little point in fighting for Malay rights.

It just makes us look more ridiculous. We have taken this notion of being privileged a bit too literally in that it now simply means we want this country and its fruits all for ourselves without accepting the responsibilities that come with it. I blame the MALAY politicians for this because we want to only fight the cause without strategising for the true substance and need of the cause. We have been given fish all the while without being taught how to fish.

It's funny how two different generations can be so diverse in their thinking and the recent elections proved
just that.. We are no longer concerned with racial problems but more so the never-ending Malay agenda issues. The rakyat has spoken and the landscape has drastically changed. Is this change welcomed? Is it good?

The answer is 'NO'. Because we,the Malays, have been caught with our pants down - we are
not ready to compete on any level playing field (we can't even compete on advantageous grounds!). Even with three or five more continuing policies for Malay rights or bumiputera privileges over the next 50 years, we will still be in exactly the same position as we are in today.

The truth hurts and the truth will always prevail. And the truth of what's to come will NOT go away. I am cynical perhaps because I feel that Malay rights is NOT relevant anymore.

The right to be safe, to be treated fairly, to have a world-class healthcare and education, to enjoy equal prosperity, to have good governance, to live in a clean environment and to be war-free is what I want for my Malaysia. NOT for MY race to be artificially powerful.

If we want the Malays to fail, then by all means continue the fight for Malay rights. Go and polish your keris..

Shaik Rizal Sulaiman

There are many random thoughts in my mind right now. For one, it's about the power transition between Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat. Many people welcome the idea. Some corrupt politicians in Barisan Nasional are dreaded for the same idea. I am eagerly to see who's who in the next government in waiting.

The question whether September 16 will truly take place or not isn't really a matter to me. For the first time, Malaysians are challenged to think about political change. Would it be possible? If it is, what sort of government should be formed right after that. Previously it was almost impossible for the rakyat to ponder on this idea. Previously it was almost impossible for the opposition to effectively warn the impending dire of bad governance of the country. However, the tide has turned and the ball is truly in Barisan Nasional's court. The question is, do the BN MPs have the ball to keep it rolling or just let their balls being squeezed by the fear of losing lucrative government contracts and scavenging the wealth of nation?

It is the same with the French Revolution except the French Revolution was a fail revolution. Unlike the American Revolution, they managed to get out from the turmoil and formed a new government, freed from the colonization of England. It was a complete round from chaos to order.

Since Hari Raya is just almost two weeks away and I believe, Hari Raya should be a celebration for the triumph of defeating an nafs or desire, it is best to be blessed with the winning of Pakatan Rakyat and formation of new responsible, just and fair government.

Some of my friends label me as Malay hater. To be frank, yes, I do hate Malays. But I hate only those Malays who are so narrow minded and single-mindedly racist as if there is nothing can be changed except for hatred and mistrust towards non Malays. For other Malays who believe we can co-exist peacefully with other ethnic, I truly welcome them as they celebrate this universal solidarity with other Malaysians.

I've been writing consistently about the importance of being united and be known as Malaysians. I also have been writing about the importance to respect other ethnic's culture and custom. We've got to be fair in dealing in such areas because we live in multiracial community. The question is, what is the universal definition of fairness? Surely, each community has their own definition of fairness, especially the Malays.

Through my short period of existence, I do realize if we are coming from the sense of lacking, it is almost certain that we will be forever lacking of that quality. For example, if we feel that we are lacking of prosperity, it is truly enough that we will forever be in the state of lacking. However, if we keep focusing on abundance, yes, then we will keep seeing opportunities propping here and there in our life. It is in our paradigm that dictates our reality. It is our mindset that will dictate the end game of our life. We can forever be living in such wicked feeling towards other and at the end, we have got nothing except wicked feeling enveloping ourselves and clouding our judgment.

Therefore I choose to see abundance of anything in my life. It could be love, money, prosperity, understanding and etc. The most important aspect in dealing in such delicate issue like race relationship is to seek understanding and fairness. Sure enough, given some time and conviction, we shall overcome the barrier of mistrust and injustice.

Let this coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri to be a universal of celebration for Malaysians in this nation. Let us come back to our 'fitrah' of loving, peaceful and harmony nation. Hate and malice have no place in our hearts.

Learn the other side of History which we were never told in the school. Now I realized why the late Muzaffar Tate, the history text book writer, were saddened by his own published text book before he died.

I'm a little bit overwhelmed for the past few days of few issues. Not to mention I'm feeling anxious too about the coming September 16th. But anyway, I prefer to keep that thing aside.

Tonight as I drove along the SPRINT highway coming off from TTDI area, I saw two Indian men were strolling by the sideway of the highway. One of them was pushing a person in a wheelchair. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them doing that at about 11.30 close to midnight. I was thinking, "Why can't they just haul up a cab and ship straight away to their destination". But later I realized that by the way they dressed themselves, I don't think they could afford to pay for the taxi.

I felt bad at myself at first. In fact, I felt very bad because as though we live in a very sophisticated city, yet we still have poor people who can hardly stand for themselves. For a few minutes I was fighting with my own feeling, whether I should turn around and help these poor fella or just let any passerby to aid them. Then I recalled something that I wrote somewhere, "If I want to see miracle, let me be the miracle". I made up my mind and took the immediate exit after the SHELL Station and turned around. Just as I got back on the highway again, I saw a grey Iswara stopped by the roadside and gave these men a ride.

I couldn't be more grateful to see the aid given to these people. I still believe there is still some kindness in ourselves. But I wish to see the person who helped these poor men is a Malay, or Chinese or from any ethnicity, other than their own. Yes, it was an Indian who pulled over by the roadside to lend assistance. I wanted to offer my help but I played too much unnecessary noises in my head, trying to rationalize my action. Therefore, I just gave up my opportunity to help other people because I subdue much to my own noises.

I certainly hope that I won't think twice again to help other people in need. The world will be much better place if we show our love towards each other, regardless the skin color, creed or political idealogy.

Now I remember, it was Mahatma Gandhi who said that, "If you want to have miracle, you be the miracle".

Good nite Kuala Lumpur.