Bahasa Malaysia and a bit on overcoming boredom

A friend who now lives in Vancouver sent me a Wassap message this morning to check whether I'm alright.

He was wondering why I have not been writing for a week.

The longest stretch previously when I didn't write was  when I spent 10 days in China several years ago due to the blog censorship there.

Well, I'm actually okay. Just that I don't have the mood to write about anything.

It was one of those lazy spells I have from time to time.

Everything seemed boring and not worth commenting.

My life too.

Maybe because it was Raya.

For today, I think I can comment a bit on this story,

No BM waiver for civil service jobs

excerpts;

According to him, there were only 23 doctors undergoing housemanship who were given the waiver (on the SPM BM pass requirement).

Eleven of them are Malays who are children of diplomats and went to medical schools abroad.

“I do not want it appear as though 300 or 3,000 people are affected,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, stressed that the Cabinet was very committed to defend Article 152 of the Federal Constitution (position of Bahasa Melayu as the national language) as was shown by the proactive step today.

Wished this has came earlier before all the noises in the cyberspace.

Another case of poor communication management, I think.

I'm not really a strong advocate for the advancement of the national language but in this case I believe the government must make it mandatory for those working for it to be adequately proficient in Bahasa Malaysia.

Otherwise it's like the US government hiring people who can't speak proper English or understand it.

Anyway, the Minister and officials who were involved in the issue should had made things clearer from the start.

Does this really need to go all the way into a Cabinet meeting? Isn't the policy on Bahasa Malaysia clear enough?

I think it's their fault that the whole thing became an issue.

Well, it's just too bad that they are not so intelligent.

Okay, moving on to the political front....it's boring of late isn't it?

Still mostly the repeats of usual stuff.

I think if BN could really do their job well running the country and do so without irritating the people too much, they may most likely win the next general election.

It's all about doing the job without screwing up too much,actually.

And of course, if only Najib can get rid some of those stupid people around him.

But of course he would not do that.

I have been bitching about it long before the war with Dr Mahathir started and nothing happened.

The irritating faces are still there and flourishing.

What to do...I don't like them, but Najib feels otherwise.

So, nothing much could be done there.

Well, some of you all may say let's just vote them out.

I'm not going to dispute that. It's your right.

On that, I'm just concerned about seeing the country being governed by jokers from the opposition side such as Mat Sabu, Tian Chua, etc.

Are they any better than the jokers on the BN side?

Never mind.

For myself , I will decide that on the morning of the next general election.

If I'm happy with my life that morning, I will vote for BN, but if I'm unhappy, I may vote the opposition....or just sleep at home.

As simple as that.

No need to get a head ache to understand about 1MDB and other such complicated issues.

Okay, enough lah.

I'm feeling sleepy in this office.

This lap around Monaco with Aryton Senna helps to keep me awake,

The sound of that McLaren MP4/4 is truly awesome.

If only I could drive one of those....really, never mind.

The best way to be a liberal Muslim

I honestly don't mind being labelled a liberal Muslim.

That's because I do think that I'm one of those.

I'm not going to be a hypocrite and deny it.

I'm definitely not the so-called conservative type of Muslim.

I don't even really live the so-called proper Islamic lifestyle.

For one thing, I don't believe that voting for Pas makes it easier for me to go to paradise in the afterlife.

And I don't really like all those Arab things people said to be Islamic.

I don't even like Arab food that much. I think I'll get very fat if I eat all those lamb kebab.

I prefer Japanese food and the kawai stuff.

Still, I'm a Muslim, okay.

I don't do some things they said to be demanded by Islam, but I don't debate on them either.

I hate religious debates more than any other types of debate because I think that's when religion brought out the worst in people.

For me, my faith in Islam is something between me and Allah. Not with other people.

I hardly commented on religious stuff because of that.

And with that, let me write a bit about Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of DAP, whom everyone said is a liberal Muslim like myself.

I think he should consider doing the same, that is not to talk too much about prayers, Islam or other religions.

His comment the other day on the AirAsia pilot who asked passengers of the troubled flight D7237 to pray as he tried to land the plane safely was really stupid.

Sorry, that's the only way I can describe it.

You all can read what others said about it at this link,

Netizens defend AirAsia pilot after Zaid’s criticism on prayer request

Zaid, being a liberal Muslim may not really believe in prayers that much, but he shouldn't antagonised  others who really believe in it.

He achieved nothing by doing that, except in a way confirming what the Umno people have been saying all these while that Malays who joined DAP are not true to their race and religion.

Honestly, again, let me repeat, Zaid needs to really shut up on things he is really not good at, especially religious stuff.

Hey, I don't wear a tudung, but I don't go around saying that wearing tudung is stupid because of the country's hot and humid weather.

People want to wear tudung because they believe that's what their religion demands them to do, so let them be la.

Why the need to insult them, right?

What could be achieved by doing that, anyway?

Is it all just about the ego of being supposedly smarter and superior than other people?

That's why I said Zaid was stupid.

In Islam, as far as I know, when we are in trouble, we pray to Allah for help. Probably other religions also suggest for us to do the same to their respective gods. That's what the pilot did. That's what most of us would do in that situation.

Why did Zaid have to gatal-gatal comment on it?

I 'm certain that myself, despite being categorised as a liberal Muslim, would pray to Allah in such a situation.

Well, actually I did that once several years ago.

I was on a night flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka when the aircraft hit a turbulence over the Indian Ocean.

It was the worst flight I ever had. The plane even at one point dropped several thousands feet after hitting an air pocket.

I actually prayed to Allah until the plane safely landed in Colombo.

I do wonder whether Zaid would pray too if he's in the same situation.

Maybe he would.

Now, he talked only like that.

He is still a Muslim, after all, okay.

Just a bit too liberal, I guess.

p.s Sisters in Islam and others of the same type, please take note, ya.

Mat Sabu almost wreck Annie's Hari Raya family gathering

There was a bit of political discussion when I was berHari Raya at my uncle's place earlier in the day.

Some of my father's siblings are pro-opposition while others are pro-BN.

My father had initially wanted us to go to his sister's place but everyone in the family turned out to have gathered at my uncle's place.

I have to admit that I was guilty for starting the political discussion, which at a point got a bit heated.

I had asked my uncle how it has been since he jumped ship from Pas to Amanah.

It got heated when the name of Amanah president Mat Sabu was mentioned.

It turns out that one of my aunts can't even stand the mention of Mat Sabu's name due to a personal bad experience of him several years ago.

Knowing my aunt, I knew that she didn't lie about her experience.  She's the most truthful person that I have ever known.

Furthermore, I always think that Mat Sabu is not exactly the most gentlemanly or refined man.

"It baffles me how anyone can support a party led by such an immoral person," said my visibly angry aunt.

I'm glad that my uncle didn't retaliate and just kept quiet.

Otherwise it wouldn't be much of a Hari Raya family gathering for us today.

My father scolded me later for starting the whole thing.

Well, sometimes I forgot how passionate people can get when it comes to politics.

Whatever it is, Mat Sabu is indeed a liability for Amanah.

Nobody can take the party seriously with someone like him at the helm of it.

The guy has been clowning around too much for too long.

Too bad for Amanah, as they are stuck with him.

I think the party will not get far after the next general election just because of him.

Raya updates

This is the first Raya that I didn't receive a single greeting card.

Guess it's really out of fashion now.

Received a single SMS from a former senior colleague from my previous work place.

Well, that's out of fashion too.

I also only got two phone calls wishing me Selamat Hari Raya.

One is from that rich Chinese guy who sponsored my current medical treatment and the other from my Chinese friend whom I previously wrote as being friendly with Pekida and Tiga Line gangs.

Received plenty of Hari Raya Wassap messages though.

Mostly from friends and former colleagues, which was very nice.

Yup, Wassap seems to be the most preferred choice to wish Selamat Hari Raya these days.

It's easy and free.

A bit impersonal but that's the way it is nowadays.

Well, I'm okay with that.

I didn't go anywhere to celebrate Raya yesterday.

Still not well enough to visit relatives as I had planned.

It's actually quite tedious to do that in my current condition.

I also did't eat much of the rendang, ketupat and kueh Raya.

Guess, I'm still in puasa mood.

Received a message this morning from my mother who is elsewhere which cheers me up quite a bit.

So today, I'm toughening up myself to go with my father to visit his sisters.

Just that because I still don't really have the strength to do more.

Well, that's about it.

Getting up to go now.

Cheers.

Raya eve thoughts

Raya eve, the last day of Ramadhan...most likely.

I think everyone should stop fighting and reflects on things.

We should try to see each other and seek forgiveness.

Well, of course that's just my wish. It will never happen.

The fighting will continue.

Even on Raya day, I think.

Too much bad blood already.

Never mind. It has been like that for quite a while now.

But still, I miss my friends whom I have not seen ever since the fighting started two years ago.

I'm also missing my beloved. Miss....so much.

Another sombre Raya for me, I guess.

Honestly, I don't really enjoy Raya much these days.

I will just be doing the usual obligatory rituals of wearing the baju Raya and eating and visiting relatives of my father's side of the family.

That's about it.

I'm not even going to balik kampung.

The mosque of my kampung

None of my father's family members is in Kluang anymore. All of them are now in KL.

Good also. No need to go through the horrible Raya highway jam.

Well, Raya is indeed not much of a celebration for me these days.

But that's me. I hope you all enjoy your Raya very much instead.

For today, I still have an appointment with doctor this morning.

Going in a short while.

I think I'm getting better but most of the time I still stay in bed.

I'm writing this lying on my chest in bed, actually.

After seeing the doctor, I'll be joining my father at the family house.

My mother is not around. She's busy as usual. Miss her too...so much.

No serious thoughts for today. Just want to take it easy.

I better get up now.

Need to put on a happy Raya face later for my father.

Otherwise, the old man would be sad and starts pestering me to be happy.

Always got on my nerves whenever he does that.

Okay, here's a song for Raya,

That's nice, isn't it?

Sorry ya. I don't really like the usual Raya songs.

They played them too much at shopping malls.

Whatever it is, cheers for your Raya, okay.

Italian Ducati, Malaysian Proton

Ducati is the Ferrari of motorcycles.

But I don't really care much for it, preferring the more mundane but practical Japanese of Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha.

Still, I always have respect for the brand.

It's after all Italian.

At least that's how I always see it.

So do most other people who care about motorcycles, I think.

However, this morning I saw this story,

Harley-Davidson enters race to buy Italian rival Ducati

excerpts;

U.S. motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is lining up a takeover bid for Italian rival Ducati, potentially bringing together two of the most famous names in motorcycling in a deal that could be worth up to 1.5 billion euros ($1.67 billion), sources told Reuters.

Indian motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto and several buyout funds are also preparing bids for Ducati, which is being put up for sale by German carmaker Volkswagen.

So, Ducati is actually own by the Germans and about to be sold to the Americans or Indians or whomever else later.

By the way, the Indian Bajaj is the one which recently partnered Malaysian Modenas.

I think everyone knows Harley. That clunky and noisy American contraption of middle-aged men :)

Still, somehow I think Ducati will still be Italian.

I never see it as German despite all these while it's own by Volkswagen.

It still seems Italian sexy even though I prefer the technologically superior and efficient Japanese bikes.

Only a Lady Ducati can ride wearing heels like that. I know I can't.

It just feels that way.

Doesn't matter who will owns it later, the bike still feels Italian.

It's the same with Volvo being Swedish despite now it's own by China's Geely.

It just feels that way.

No one will say Volvo is Chinese, right?

Somehow, that's the way it is with other automotive brands too.

Rolls Royce and Jaguar, for instance, will always be British even if they are own by Martians.

Therefore I think, Proton which is now partnering Geely will always be Malaysian.

I don't think it will turn Chinese because of Geely's interests in it.

Proton will always be Malaysian, as far as I'm concerned, the same way Ducati being Italian despite being own by some Americans, or Indians or Nepalese or whatever.

I know, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was sad back then when the Proton-Geely partnership was announced.

That's understandable. I don't get it why some people mercilessly whacked the handsome old man because of that. They shouldn't, okay.

Dr Mahathir is the father of Proton and he wants Proton to remain totally Malaysian.

Just like a Kedahan father who wants his child to remain a Kedahan.

But the child needs to grow up and in the process he may not retain the original Kedahan ways like what the father wants.

The father may be unhappy about the changes but that's just the way things are.

It's unavoidable if the child is to grow up.

He needs to go to school and college and later on the workplace where he may learn other values than that of what he learnt as a child of Kedah.

But despite all that, I believe the child will remain a Kedahan and loves his father, no matter what.

At least that's how I feel about it. 

Okay, back to Ducati and Italy, here's a video,

See, it's still as Italian as ever.

That's all.

Ciao.

A hungry mob is an angry mob (updated)

UPDATES

Oh, okay. They have apparently just now cancelled the latest GST order.

Just received this,

Good lah.

ORIGINAL POST

All the Chinese newspapers' main frontpage story today are about the government going to start charging GST for some food items such as sweet corns, potatoes, grapes, mee hoon, kuey teow etc.

Apparently it was an "exclusive" story that they shared.

The other "mainstream" newspapers don't seem to have the story.

The Star Online was however quick to check and confirmed the Chinese newspapers story this morning,

GST on more than 60 food items from July 1

PETALING JAYA: More than 60 types of food items will have the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on them starting July 1.

These include certain seafood, vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee, spices and noodles, China Press reported yesterday.

Customs Department director-general Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy confirmed the report and said a full statement would be issued today.

“It’s only a few items not consumed by the masses,” he said.

The new items that will be levied with GST include eel, swordfish and imported fruits like avocados, figs, grapes, nectarines, cherries and berries. However, vegetables such as potatoes, long beans, peas, spinach and sweet corn would also be taken off the GST zero-rated list.

Other items include bihun, kuey teow, laksa mee and coconut oil.

The Government introduced GST in April 2015 in the form of a 6% tax on goods and services. For the complete list of zero-rated goods and services, visit gst.customs.gov.my or www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my.

I'm of the opinion that the timing of this whole thing is all wrong for the BN government.

Is it really necessary to do this now?

It's near Raya la.

These kind of stories are not good to be discussed when people get together to celebrate Raya.

Can't they do it bit by bit instead so that people don't get the perception that the cost of living is getting higher without end.

And the fact that the Chinese newspapers are the ones which broke the story is even worse.

Now the mainstream media have to follow their lead.

They should have at least preempt the story by being the ones who break the story, complete with the rationale on why the move was taken.

Now the damage done already, okay.

Some may argue, that a few sen of price increase is nothing much, but for the people out there earning small salaries, it means a lot.

Higher cost of living for me is a more dangerous threat to the government than all the other issues put together.

1MDB, for instance, is to me just an issue only understood by those who know the financial world. Ordinary people like me don't really understand it.

Sometimes I feel that those who claim to know the 1MDB issue and boasting about their higher intellect are merely a bunch of show off.

I found them irritating.

Now, issue of higher cost of living is more immediate and easier to understand.

Pricier goods - you go to the grocery store and you can understand what it's all about.

Townsfolk or kampungfolk, they all can understand it.

If they are not happy about it, then the government will be in trouble.

As simple as that.

Well, I'm just stating the facts here, okay.

If the BN government don't care about it, then that's not my problem.

If they care, they better do something to manage the people's perception on this whole thing.

I know, the opposition is in a mess, but as I wrote previously, if the people get too angry, they would just show their anger without thinking of the consequences.

Orang dah geram bukan peduli apa nak jadi.

Okay, that's all.

Here's a song to go with this post,