22 years: silence, or

“He articulates the views of the silent majority and hopefully with this book, the majority will decide to be silent no more.”
-Marina Mahathir
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For the moment:
The Way I Are (Remix) – Timbaland feat Francisco & Keri Hilson
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I read the rear cover of the new book I bought, In Good Faith by Zaid Ibrahim. I read something I find either fascinatingly annoying, or confusingly amusing.
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There are four quotes by public figures from Malaysia. I refer specifically to the quote that came from Marina.
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It is difficult for lecturers to get university students to verbally participate in class. On top of the not-outspoken nature of most Malaysians, most of those from the generation that are currently in universities, went to 11 years of a compulsory education system. This is where they were perpetually and relentlessly told to ‘SENYAP!’
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I call it the ‘11 Years of Conditioning SENYAP.’
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I don’t quite blame my peers for their lack of will or inclination in verbally participating in class discussions. It is quite a task to change someone or change by own self after 11 years of being conditioned to do the opposite.
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For 22 years, Malaysians have been conditioned to be silent. Either that, lose your job and/or be incarcerated. Quite an irony under a leadership led by a leader, globally known to be vocal on various issues. So much so that when he rebelliously spoke against the developed nations, on behalf of his developing brethren in Rio de Janeiro (1992 UN Conference & Declaration on Environment & Development), word around the campfire was that there was a plot to assassinate him for his courage.
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While I am not a big fan of either the present or his predecessor, it was a shame that when the people were allowed to speak up, (a Malaysian milestone that took place in 2003,) it was looked upon as a sign of weak leadership. And not sheer practice of a democratic right that was infringed and denied of for 22 years. The conditioning that distorted the Malaysian understanding of the concept of proper democracy, good governance and fair leadership.
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Indeed no one person is perfect. I don’t blame anyone for labeling me a cynic who “decide to be silent no more” as our politicians and public figures alike insult the intelligence of my fellow citizens. And while undeniably Marina has done some good work, suffice to say, I have a kind and pleasant remark to share with you regarding what she said about Zaids recently published book.
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Bollocks.

Girls in barbados

“Good Girl Gone Bad is a metaphor for growth.”
-Rihanna

For the moment:
Shut Up & Drive-Rihanna

A few days ago I saw the video clip.

I suppose, where she comes from, girls grow and mature differently.

To the FC that loves coming in second place

“In Boston, there are no tall buildings. They’re minds are taller but we can definitely challenge and perhaps even be better than them. Firstly though, we have to be rid of our inferiority complex and that’s something the Japanese and Koreans have been doing successfully.”
-Khairil Ridzwan Annuar, The Star Newspaper

For the moment:
Hey There Delilah-Plain White T’s

I am not a big supporter of football or a football club but enough for general knowledge and making conversations.

Yesterday, for the fun of it, I emailed this picture, to a relative of mine (hint: David Brent) who is in his late thirties. In that email I said,

Something to light up you day. Or blood pressure.

His reply read:

Nice stadium. Too bad theres an ugly motherfocker spoiling the photo.

:)

‘In good faith’ & ‘I am muslim’

“Whateverr.”
-Paris Hilton

For the moment:
Sorglega-Sigur rós

I bought two books today. I feel good. And smart.

I know that you mutants out there, it is no big deal. But for a bright immigrant Black boy from the suburban ghetto who only ‘discovered’ reading at 16, it is simply a revelesyen.

I bought the books despite moving remarkably slow on a remarkable book. Orientalism by Edward Said. I started in late July I only covered 50 pages. It is just too heavy to read before sleep. But its simply brilliant work.

In Good Faith by Zaid Ibrahim. I first saw this book about 2 weeks ago while in MPH Midvalley. Something told me I must have it.

Now a politician, he used to head the largest law firm in Malaysia, Zaid Ibrahim & Co. Like me, this chump also graduated from UiTM Law School. Although standard price, for a Malaysian, RM30 is costly for a book. However, all proceeds from the sale of this book will fund the activities of the Kelantan Foundation for the Disabled.

Only shortly before the purchase of this book did I discover that is a collection of writings and responses. In a way, it is not a book he set out to write. He wants to be Carrie Bradshaw.

I Am Muslim by Dina Zaman. I read a few of her articles in the past. I don’t agree with her views entirely but she is a fairly good writer. Different perspective. RM30. All proceeds of this book will go to a healthy bank account. I initially borrowed this book from Ayu for about at least 3 months and returned it to her, having not read a single page. Should I start reading this book by 2011, I should receive a trophy. Big big one. Silver colour from Queensway, 2nd Floor, the low yah shop.

Meanwhile, it will brag on the shelf of my room to boast to my visitors the impression that I am well read.

Oh yes, there is also a ‘foreword’ on the back cover of the book by Farish Noor. Farish writes well, but not entirely consistent (so I hear). Nevertheless, I have been looking for something good by this guy. Should any of you know of any, by all means enlighten me.

After I saw most of Barack Obama on Oprah, I thought that Audacity of Hope should be a good buy. Especially since Deity Oprah said that he is at he same time, a good writer and that she did finish the book. But RM 98 for a book. I’d rather buy something more intellectual and mind stimulating.

Like a life size mirror with an Oak frame.

Domestic engrossment hinders growth

“Charlie Murphy! Unityyyyyyyy!!”
-Rick James
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For the moment:
Yiri Yiri Bon-Ricardo Lemvo
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How many pages must you flip in the local newspaper before you come across international news?
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Is that the projection of the media, or a reflection of public demand, or the direction set by the government?
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When I was in Cape Town I noticed that, they were moving against anti-racism. Only fair, considering that it was only in the early 90’s that they got over Apartheid laws that the globe was very much against.
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In Malaysia, I trust that we are well ahead of that. We are at a phase, I assume, one (or two notches) past anti-racism. We are, evidently, at unity.
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I find it…”fascinating”, how few comments, let alone condemnation of the current Apartheid practice in Israel demarcating the Jews, Palestinians, Armenians.
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As it is, the affluent class, its fraternity and its disciples are (generally) made of the those Malaysians who either were raised or live in (sub)urban Malaysia, studied in western institutions, travels or a combination of either 2 or more.
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An amount of them have to put up a facade in order to mirror to the people that they are the mirror of the people.
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Nevertheless, with the unbecoming of the fairy tale called Globalization, and the increase of access of travel for more and more Malaysians, a mild if not bolder cultivation of the perception of things by Malaysians is occurring. Namely regarding Malaysia.
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*Travel here includes of physical self and/or travel of information.
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Globalization, if any, is a baby step journey a path flanked by oasis’s, with a ‘final’ destination: a desert mirage of the Great Oasis.
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How many of them? I don’t know. How significant is the change? I don’t know. How influential is it to Malaysia as a whole? I don’t know.
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Albeit, there is an increase of the number of categories of the people. There are more kinds of Malaysians. Less generalisations.
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You can’t slice water, but they break into a thousand particles.
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I am hoping to tie things up here, just stay with me.
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The more engrossed Malaysians are with domestic “issues”, one of it-the Malay or Bumiputera issue,-the more it is a disadvantage to Malaysians altogether. Not to the Malays or Bumiputera, nor it is to the Natives, Indian, Chinese and Others. But Malaysians altogether. It is more than just a friction in the growth and progress curve graph.
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There are domestic priorities of course. Patriotism, awareness etc. I don’t dispute that. But the more growth you absorb and acquire, the more growth you demand, the more you need to work with your immediate and extensive neighbours. This starts by being aware of them and recognizing and understanding them to what ever extent feasible. And not just them as neighbours or an economy or an entity. But them as a system, culture, custom, unique human beings who, at the end of the day, like us, draw the same colour of blood.
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While not everyone or every class or group of society is directly or even indirectly involved but Malaysians must realize that this world is (fckin) bigger than Malaysia.
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After studying in Algeria, Fibonacci published Liber Abaci, promoting Arabic numerals to Europe. Even when Rome was great, it took them (and Europe) quite some time to admit and apply that Arabic numerals 1 2 3 4, were more convenient than Roman ones I II III IV.
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I wonder how frustrating it was for him waiting, waiting, for his peers to realize that there is something(s) out there (much) better than the greatness his fellow peers already acquire.
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I admit that it will take time. But right now, I am frustrated.

My close face friendster

“Why you cryin? Stop cryin. You wanna Happy Meal? Mira then get happy.”
-George Lopez

For the moment:
Tease Me-Chaka Demus & Pliers

In Friendster, you can have 6 Featured Friends. In Myspace, I heard it is 8. In Facebook, it can be everyone on your list.

‘…In the early 1990s, scientists…conducted research which suggested that most people have around 150 friends and acquaintances, but only five close friends.

This figure also holds true for users of social networking sites.’

I am going to start a new social networking site. A fusion. Much like an Anglocised Arab born & raised in Malaysia.
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www.(My)Close (Face) Friends(ter).com
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You can have only 5 friends.