Clean and Fair - What is wrong with that?

Can anybody tell me what's wrong with wanting something to be clean and fair? That is what BERSIH 2.0 is about - clean and fair election. So I cannot comprehend why such a noble cause can be turned into something ugly. Their 8 demands, make perfect sense to me (but perhaps they are idealistic and cannot be achieved all at once). I don’t think there is anything wrong for lay citizens to demand these fundamentals for a democracy. I think the Government is over reacting in this fiasco. Comeon, how can a peaceful march harm the country? Some businesses are complaining it will affect their business, what about those numerous marathons and marches or parades that we have done before in the past? Certain roads in KL were closed too, that one no one complain meh? I am sure there were complaints but they were not highlighted. Come on lah, this is call selective reporting.


Before March 2008, I was rather ignorant about the politics of the country, I didn't even vote that year (because I just delivered my baby that time) but ever since that tsunami, I begin to pay more attention to what is happening in this arena. Coupled with many other factors, like TBH, Alanthuya, rampant corruption, Sodomy II, etc., you cannot but take notice. What is Malaysia coming to? If this is not corrected, Malaysia can only get worse. Some people ‘solve’ the problem by leaving the country and call somewhere else home. But for those who cannot or do not want to leave, we should all care to make our beloved country better, not worse. What could be done? BERSIH is an important start. If you still think that the country is fine must, you must be in LALA land. If you think that we are not that bad, well, can we afford to wait until we are THAT bad?  

For those who think that BERSIH 2.0 march could lead to a riot and lead to the overthrow of the Government, I think the idea is too farfetched. Malaysia has not reached such a stage as Egypt or Tunisia yet, but we are on our way there if we are not careful. I totally respect Datuk Ambiga, she is such a brave and smart lady (I wish a lot more people will be like her). And she has assured that this is a peaceful march, so why are the police overreacting, arresting people for no apparent reason? Even wearing yellow now is forbidden? Can my children still watch Spongebob Squarepants? Maybe ban yellow pages? Is this a lawless country? I didn't care for yellow so much until now, it's my new favourite colour! Shall I spot it for the weekend shopping trip?

Till then, let's listen to the Beatles:

Single Days

This week, I met a few new people at an external training. Amongst them are 2 single ladies and I can't help but think about the times when I was single. Kind of miss it. I have some old classmates who are still single and I would presume living their lives to the full. They can travel easily and enjoy companies of friends at any hour of the day/night. They can go to pubs and chat their heart out. They can go for food hunting during weekends and have short trips to Penang or Singapore with minimal preparations.

I remember back in the days when I was single, I was also carefree. I had a few colleagues who were close to me in my old workplace and we would go out almost every night to cafes and pubs. Go hunting for good food every where and people watching at popular places like Bukit Bintang, etc.. During the weekends, we will plan some other activities, maybe a short adventure to nearby place, or go someone's house for some feasts. All of us were single and did not have much commitments (financial or otherwise) . We could afford spending money and time like that then. Those were the days...

Most of us have moved on to other companies, some have got married, some haven't but we have grown apart sadly. We also seldom keep in touch but I think that is probably my fault mostly, for not having the effort to do so. So if you guys are reading this, I want to tell you I thoroughly enjoyed your companies then and wished we could have stayed in touch. Just like my friends in school and university as well. There was a period of time we see each other almost everyday. Then there were also my online friends, whom I have spent countless hours chatting with behind the comfort and safety of my PC, most are long gone. Now, people keep in touch with Facebook.

But life is so. Things changes, people grow apart, new people come into the picture and new friendships and relationships take precedence. To people whom I had the privilege of forming friendships/relationships with in the past and present (and future), all you guys made my life interesting and colourful at one point of time, you all contributed to who I am or will be as a person, I really want to say thank you. And I hope I had done or will do the same (even a little only) for you.

Of course, I wouldn't change a thing about my life because it brought me here now. I have a family and three kids whom I love so dearly. They are the center of our lives but once in awhile, I am allowed to day dream about those single days, right?

Race: Human Race

Are we getting to be less Chinese by the generation? In a sense, it is true. But what is exactly defined as being of Chinese descent?

Interestingly, I read recently in the MI article, YB Hannah Yeoh, whose husband is of Indian descent, is challenging the matter of defining a race in the birth certificate of their new born child, in court. I think it is about time these things are being set right. It is not right to ask parents to define a race of their child in mixed parentage cases like this. It's like, do you love your mum or your dad more, choose one and then define his/her race as your race. It's so unfair, to make a choice, especially on behalf of your child. I definitely support this couple's challenge in court to allow them to define their child race as "Anak Malaysia". Let's make it right once and for all! Better still, abort race all together, and don't make it any legal need to define someone's race.

But before you get any idea that I am ungrateful to my ancestors or that I am 'nut who forgot it's cover/skin' (kacang lupakan kulit), I am not saying you should forget about your parentage altogether. I am saying just that there is no need to define it in any legal/formal document. Because, in some situation, you are neither this race or that.

So back to my question, how do you define someone as of chinese descent? Someone who speaks chinese, act chinese and has chinese ancestors? To me, aside from my name, my look and food preferences, I think I am not distinctively chinese anymore. My values and my outlook in life is not typically chinese, I cannot read and write chinese, I am not familiar with chinese history or the many cultures, etc.. But if there is anything I think I would want generations after me to retain as chinese descendents, it would definitely be the food. Followed by the non-religous chinese festivals and then by the language (including the different dialects).

For example like the recent Duan Wu Jia, it's the 1st time I tried making 'chung' or dumplings with my mother-in-law. I think this is something wonderful of the chinese culture to be passed down to the next generation. I definitely will try to do that again and teach my kids at the same time. Next on my lists are to learn to make other types of food like yong tau foo, chu kiok cho, making rice wine, etc..Let's hope to hear about that soon.

Back again to Hannah Yeoh's dilemma. Some may argue that you should choose the race of your father and define that as yours because this world is still male dominated. But that is hardly right, in case you don't know, Beyonce sings: Who run the world? Girls!. So I will look forward to a good solution to her case in court but I won't put my hopes up too high. This is Malaysia afterall. But in the meantime, I want to believe in you, Beyonce...