你真的走了

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 15 c

Written by my good pal Lai Kuan just days before I left Malaysia.

如果你真的走了
出差皇城的时段
无聊

如果你真的走了
免费法律咨询服务
中断

如果你真的走了
邮寄写实漫画
绝版

如果你真的走了
那些关于桃色，政治，办公室的等等八卦
消音

如果你真的走了
我真的希望你走
不为家人，爱人，或朋友
就这么一次
为自己
出走

拥抱那沉淀已久的
民族情感
感受那文化冲突
所带来的
快感
像你决定出走的那一刻
一气呵成

我到新公司上班了

Written by Engtee

我到新公司上班了！！由于员工的不足，我被”outsourced” 到浦东一家电脑软件公司为期3-6个月。路途好遥远。原本45分钟 - 1小时就可以抵达公司的我，现在却要花费30分钟走路，45分钟乘搭地铁（从一号线转二号线）接着还要乘搭15分钟的班车。可怕吧！！！

别以为地铁比巴士方便。告诉你吧，其实并不一定。上海地铁逐渐四通八达，方便市民出行，但随着上海轨交客流量近段时间连创新高，越来越多的人发现，现在的地铁反而比原来更挤了。尤其是上班高峰期。许多换乘短通道设置限流护栏和工作人员在旁边值守以减缓换乘客流的行进速度。地铁真的太拥挤，令你无法透气。幸运的话，等两班地铁就行了，有时可能需等上几班地铁才有机会。有机会的话，我一定会照一两张照片给你们瞧瞧。

3月7日各线客流量比较

- 1号线 112.4万人次

- 2号线 91万人次

- 3号线 46.6万人次

- 4号线 55.6万人次

- 5号线 11.5万人次

- 6号线 9.6万人次

- 8号线 21.6万人次

- 9号线 5.5万人次

（看到吧，我经过的路线是客流量最高的）

其实我早已放弃了。是在韩念的鼓励及说服之下，我才心不甘，情不愿的接受老板的这一份差事。偷偷的告诉你们，韩念为了减轻我的负担，还送了我一双蛮贵的上班鞋。羡慕吧？！

下班了。我正享受着热腾腾的罗汉面（RMB 5）。回家之前，我总会到地铁附近的小食店用晚餐。虽然不是很美味，但经过一天的折腾之后，一切都变得美好。

早上6：15起床，回到家已是8：30晚上了。其实接了这一份差事之后，我的私人时间都被剖夺了。每天早睡早起，而他却早出晚归。见面的时间少了许多，一天根本就聊不上两句话。一天又过去了。

真期待周末的到来。。。

A small world

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 10 c

Before I came to Shanghai, I paid a visit to YB Teng Chang Khim. He told me that the world is very small, so I should not feel like I was going to some place far away. Yes, he was right – the world is really small.

This morning, I received a call. When I pressed the answer button, the other side shouted “Toh!”. I was shocked. The caller ID showed that it was an oversea call, so I thought it must be my father. But my father would not call me “Toh” because he himself is also a “Toh”.

I slowly answered “yes?”

“Silas ar…” Silas? My master Silas? The master that gave me hell during my chambering? The master that taught me everything I need to know to survive in this vicious legal practice? Silas to me is like what Master Yoda is to Luke Skywalker.

It turned out it was indeed my master, Silas. He is in Shanghai! Since today (March 20th) is a public holiday for Malaysia (Prophet’s Birthday), he thought I would be on holiday too. So sorry I had to be stuck in my office until 6pm, I told him. We nevertheless promised to have dinner together after working hour.

At 6.30pm, though the work is still flowing in like a broken fire hydrant, I quickly switched off my computer and rushed to my master’s hotel, which is about 20 minutes walk from my office.

Never had I imagined seeing Silas in Shanghai. But since the world is so small, I won’t be surprised if one way, if I see my grandparents, my parents, my friends, or even Sammy Vellu in Shanghai.

It is such a small world.

Roller Blade to Work!

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 11 c

I am not going to write about Malaysian politics, at least not for now. My dreams of hopes, expectations and excitements have been turned into dreams of frustrations, disappointments and despairs.

Based on what had happened to date, the Barisan Rakyat has failed to convince the people that they are indeed a better alternative to the corrupted and incompetent BN government. This very loose coalition of PKR, DAP, and PAS really makes their supporters wonder whether they are ready to run a government, or they are only good at throwing rhetoric assaults at the government.

My friend Saudara Teng Chang Khim, despite being the opposition leader in the state assembly for the previous term, may not even be appointed a state exco. Is DAP serious in retaining its talented and capable leaders? Is DAP practicing favoritism? Further, Lim Kit Siang has problem accepting a PAS MB in Perak and had openly instructed the DAP state assemblymen to boycott the swearing-in ceremony. He must have been in the opposition for too long that he thought he must oppose to everything under the sun. Just when the people expect PKR, DAP and PAS to unite under one umbrella to join their forces in giving BN hell, this is what PKR, DAP and PAS offer to the people. What a shame.

Until and unless the dust is settled, I will not bother to read and write about Malaysian politics – it is just too heartbreaking.

On a separate note, I would like to share about something lighter.

Every day, I have to walk about 20 minutes to office. While it is healthy to walk every morning, I always think of getting myself a bicycle. But the problem with cycling to work is I would have to figure out where to park my bicycle, both at office and home. Further, my colleagues told me that my bicycle would likely be stolen in the first few weeks.

Yesterday, I thought of an alternative; please don’t fall off your chair: I will roller blade to work! Yes, roller blade! I have never used a roller blade before. So, I bought the cheapest roller blade at Carrefour (RMB99, come with knee and elbow protector) and started my training this morning at my apartment's compound.

It was not that bad, and I was proven to be a fast learner. Within half an hour, I was able to perform simple moves. Emm… I will keep on training. Once I can master the speed, balance and maneuver, I will roller blade to work. Wow!

I am not sure whether my quality of life in Shanghai has been degraded. In Klang, I drove to office; in Shanghai, I would need to roller blade. But one thing for sure: roller blade is cooler and fun!

Do you see hope?

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 14 c

I have been discussing about the outcome of the recently concluded general election with my friends in Malaysia via MSN. One common statement, which always came out, was “so, you may come back to Malaysia now”.

I have never told anyone about the reason for me to leave Malaysia, because I myself do not know either. Was it because of the money? Yes and no. I did not really complain about my pay in Malaysia. Was it because I wanted to stay away from the corrupted government and its unjust policies? Well, I am not sure either.

Granted, the Barisan Rakyat has taken 5 states and denied BN its much cherished 2/3 majority in parliament. I did not hide my excitement and joy over this fact. In fact, instead of wishing for a i-phone or ipod or other cool gigs as birthday present, I had wanted only a stronger opposition in Malaysia. Thanks to all courageous Malaysians, my wish had come true.

Having said that, are we Malaysia heading towards a brighter future to the extent that all oversea Malaysians feel comfortable and confident to go home? I am sure it is still too early to make that conclusion.

Has Malaysia’s political landscape entered into another phase i.e. one which is not based on race and religion? Are you sure Anwar is telling us the truth? One thing positive about the outcome of last Saturday’s election is that the largest opposition party, PKR, is truly a multiracial party. Though DAP also claims to be one, it is largely perceived as a party which only champions for Chinese’s rights. DAP is hardly accepted by the Malays. It is much easier to sell PKR to the Malays as PKR’s de facto leader is Malay.

Since now PKR is the largest opposition party in the parliament, will it conflict with DAP, which is traditionally the largest opposition party? Are we going to witness infightings between these 2 parties? Can these 2 parties work hand in hand like brothers? Even if they could, can DAP treat PAS like its partner? Will this political “threesome” have happy ending?

These are just part of the many questions many Malaysians have in mind right now. Most Malaysians were shocked (some were “shiok” nevertheless) by the result of the election. True, the Malaysians had had enough with the incompetent and arrogant BN government. We wanted to teach them a lesson. We wanted a stronger opposition. We wanted to deny BN its 2/3 majority. But only a few were really prepared for the opposition to form government, be it at state or federal level. Initially, we were murmuring about the wind of change; but this wind of change transformed into a political tsunami. Many did not expect that giants like Sammy Vellu could be a casualty of this tsunami.

Yes, we can celebrate the fall of Sammy Vellu. We can dance all night and drink until we can’t remember our names. But the fact remains that when we wake up the next morning, when we drive to work, we must still be slapped with heavy tolls.

Our friend Sammy may have gone, but the tolls are here to stay. Therefore, it is clear that the problem is not with Sammy; it is imbedded in the entire system. We may have got rid of Sammy, but MRR2 will still crack, school’s ceilings will still collapse and petrol cost will still kill us. Are we looking at a better Malaysia?

On a separate note, please do not think that all oversea Malaysians are pembelot or unpatriotic. When the election results were announced, a group of us did not go to bed but stayed close to our computer and handphone to share the latest information we could get. If we have abandoned our country (or more like our country has abandoned us), if we have let our country to rot, we would not have cared so much. Yes, we wanted the BN to fall, and we wanted it to fall badly. But that does not mean we are unpatriotic. It just magnifies our patriotism.

The next time the BN government tries to use its controlled media to tell us that criticizing BN equals to betraying the country, please tell them this:

Hooi! Apa lu cakap? Now we have 80 something opposition in the parliament too and parliament is part of government. Further BN does not control all parts of Malaysia. Some parts are governed by other party. So, why criticizing BN is betraying the whole Malaysia? Lu tau baca buku tak?!

If you are reading my blog now, it means that you have access to internet. If you have access to internet, I would suggest you to stop reading the "Main Stream Media", and get your information from online news instead. If you believe everything the newspapers tell you, then you should hang a sock near your bed - because you must be believing in Santa Klaus.

Miss you all, my friends in Malaysia...

.

A new Malaysia

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 19 c

Wow! It was indeed a super weekend for me and all Malaysians.

Personally, my birthday celebration was simple but meaningful: Engtee managed to come back from Suzhou just in time to celebrate my birthday and my good buddies Bom and Ryan threw in a party for me. My firm, based on the firm’s policies, bought everyone Starbuck’s coffee to celebrate my birthday.

However, it was you, Malaysians, who gave me the best birthday gift I could ask for: a day to be remembered in Malaysian’s political history. 8 March 2008 will forever be talked about and written in Malaysia’s history.

Thanks for making my wishes come true. BN has finally lost its 2/3 majority in the parliament. From now on, our Federal Constitution can not be simply conteng like what BN has done for the last 50 years. More than 600 amendments have been made to our Federal Constitution, with our rights being eroded by each amendment. Finally, enough is enough. We now have 80 plus opposition MPs sitting in parliament guarding our Constitution. It will be fantastic and interesting to watch the coming parliament debate. With elites like P Ramasamy, Tony Pua, Lim Guan Eng, Jeff Ooi, Wee Choo Keong, Sivarasa, Charles Santiago etc being sent into the parliament, the BN MPs would really need to think twice before pulling another stunt like the “bocor incident”. The BN MPs must realize that they will be facing a team of ferocious lions and tigers, who had waited the chance to go for their blood for years.

This election also witnessed, to the satisfaction of all Malaysians, the fall of a few “leaders”. Based on the level of satisfaction, I have ranked them below according to my own preference:

Most satisfied: Samy Vellu – The down side is there will not be anymore jokes about him like “jangan hisap dada”. Sammy, after cleaning up your office in the Ministry of Works, on your way back, please do not forget to pay tolls. Ok?

Very satisfied: Ling Hee Leong – Lee Chong Wei, now you understand why campaigning for Ling Hee Leong is not a national service?

Satisfied: Former Minister of Misinformation, Zam Zam - Earlier you had wanted your opponent to lose his deposit, but it turned out that you lost your seat instead! Next time, when you are interviewed by international media in English, please make sure you pronounce correctly: Malaysia does not have “erection” every 5 years!

More interestingly, 5 states are now jointly in the hands of DAP, PKR and PAS. I will therefore quit referring them as “opposition” for they will be the ruling parties in these 5 states. It is the BN which will be the opposition. Please quickly adapt to such switch of position. From now on, I will refer them collectively as “Barisan Rakyat”. Though officially there is no such coalition called “Barisan Rakyat”, I find no other alternative to refer to them.

This result is definitely better than what I have expected. I thought Barisan Rakyat will capture Perlis and Terengganu too, but since we will now have Selangor and Perak, who wants Perlis and Terengganu? Remember, according to the standards set by “previous” (oh, I love to use this word) BN administration, Selangor is a developed state. Barisan Rakyat is controlling a “developed state”! Can you imagine that, say, 1 week ago?

I had the same feeling I experienced when Terengganu fell in 1999. It was a mixed feeling: excitement and doubt and fear. I had doubt (just for a few seconds) whether we have done the right thing. But I am very convinced that whatever the outcome will be, Malaysians have made the right move – the right move towards better and healthier democracy. The most significant effect of this general election is that it made people starting to believe that it is possible to remove BN government and that BN is just like any government in the world - it is fallible. On a personal note, I am quite happy that Selangor is now under Barisan Rakyat, at least from now on, we will not see the obscene signs saying “Satu lagi projek kerajaan BN” anymore. Further, I have a message for Zakaria: be prepared, I am sure the new government will go for your neck to make an example for everyone. (Update: I just learned about Zakaria's demise. May he rest in peace.)

Having said the above, I must put a caveat here. Barisan Rakyat, you have made a lot of promises to the people during the campaign. You are now in power, so that you have no more excuse not to deliver your promises. The role is now switched: you are under the spotlight while your enemies are everywhere in the dark. You will be monitored and scrutinized for every move you make. You advocated for transparency, good governance and justice. You promised fight against corruption and bringing back local council election. Well, let’s see if you will be able to live up to the end of your bargain.

Where do we go from here? I am sure once you have hit the rock bottom, the only way to go is up.

For a better Malaysia – Makkal Sakthi! Makkal Sathi! Makkal Sakthi!

I didn't know then I was taking photo with the future Chief Minister of Penang

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Women's Day, General Election and Birthday

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 11 c

When you read this article, you have less than 48 hours to prepare my birthday present. Yes, 8th of March is my birthday and this 8th of March will be my 28th birthday. What they said was true: as we get older, we become less excited about our birthday. Well, at least it is true for me. I just couldn’t help but wonder how fast time travels. When I was sent to Hin Hua High School, my father stood beside me at the hotel’s corridor and told me that he could not believe I was already old enough to come to Klang. That year, I was only 13, but it feels like it just happened yesterday.

On the 8th of March, besides celebrating my birthday, all the ladies in the world will also be celebrating Women’s Day. In Malaysia, we don’t really give a damn about Women’s Day, but in China, Women’s Day is a statutory holiday for all women: they get half day off. Unfortunately, this year, the ladies will get none, because Women’s Day falls on weekend. What a shame.

In China, the government really did a good job in promoting gender equality. Maybe that is because the women here are tougher. You can see female bus drivers, taxi drivers, construction works etc. I just can’t imagine what would be the consequences if some brainless idiot were to shout in the People’s Congress that “women bocor tiap tiap bulan”. He will certainly be slaughtered by the nation before he could walk out of that room. But in Malaysia, it’s ok lar. Some of our MPs could even go to the extent of saying “if you can’t avoid being raped, just lie down and enjoy it.”

This year, 8th of March will also be a very important date for all Malaysians: Malaysians will be going to the polling stations to decide who will form the next government. Emm… This statement may not be 100% accurate as we all already knew who will form the next government, the question is thus: how many opposition members will be sent by the people into the parliament.

I have been following this 12th General Election very closely. I read the online news, blogs and watch ceramah posted in youtube almost everyday. Hundreds of ceramah are being organized each day. I regret that I am not able to participate in any of them. It would be exciting listening to the opposition bombarding the BN with tons and tons of accusations and jokes, while shouting “Makkal Sakti!” (People’s Power). These past few days, if you were in Malaysia but decided to stay at home watching Astro instead, you did not know what you have missed. Phenomenon like that does not happen in every election. In 2004, I was in Klang, but the election heat was not really felt. This time, the wind of change is blowing, and is blowing really strongly.

I have already registered as a voter and I am very proud to announce that it was Fong Po Kuan, the Chili Padi, who helped me to fill up the form. I heard rumors that I will be able to vote in Shanghai if I go to the Malaysian embassy here to register. I was reluctant to register at the Malaysian embassy because, honestly, I do not trust them. How do they guarantee that my vote, which I have put a cross next to a rocket, moon or mata, will not be “changed” to a dacing vote? My concern was proven not to be baseless. Days ago, I read from the blog that someone related his experience that he registered as a voter at the Malaysian embassy but when it was time to cast his vote, the officer at the embassy told him that his has already voted – someone has voted on his behalf. Therefore, I would rather let the opposition lose my vote than risk my vote being given to BN.

On the 8th of March, I will be celebrating my birthday. Therefore, I am entitled to have my birthday wish. I will list down below what I want for my birthday gift, and you can help me get it.

Birthday wish # 1: BN loses its 2/3 majority in Parliament;

Birthday wish # 2: Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis and Penang fall into the hands of opposition (or BN is denied 2/3 majority in the state assembly in these states);

Birthday wish # 3: If none of the above is materialized, I hope all Malaysians realize what they have done to themselves. The people should have the government they deserve.

When I read the news on the 9th of March, will I get my birthday gift? You decide.





P/S: I am very happy that my friend Teng Chang Khim, who is running for Sungai Pinang State Assembly Seat, seems to be doing well. All the best!

Realizing our dreams

Before Rotaract Club of Port Klang Centennial was chartered, we (a small group of former Hin Hua students) unofficially formed a group call D. B. D. F. (Dreams, Bonds, Directions and Fellowship).

Being an unofficial gathering, we did not have a comprehensive program or detailed planning with regard to our activities. Nevertheless, we did have a relatively healthy organizational structure: we had the positions of chairman, secretary, treasurer etc.

Similar to Rotaract Club, we met every fortnight at a time and place convenient to everyone. When we met, we tried to figure out doing something constructive and productive that will help us in achieving our dreams (though most of us had none to start with).

Seeing that we could not chase our dream without first having a dream, i.e. putting the cart before the horse, we decided to do something fun and interesting (some may argue childish). We did something which normal young adult will not do. One fine morning, we brought newspapers, magazines, brochures, leaflets, drawing papers, crayon, scissors, glues, color pencils etc to Hin Hua canteen.

This was what we did: imagine ourselves in a not so distant future and ask these questions: What kind of lifestyle we want to live? What kind of house we want to live in? What kind of job we want to do? What kind of car we want to drive? etc

Then we cut out the picture of the house we want to live, the car we want to drive etc and pasted them on the drawing papers. After less then an hour, our dreams were physically “built”.

Well, you may say that was childish and unrealistic. To a certain extent, you may be right. But I am glad we did that exercise that morning. At least, now I could still remember how my drawing paper looked like and what were on it. I pasted a picture of a dog! I must have wanted a dog badly (and still is). One day, I will have a dog. This is my childhood dream.

I could still remember what was on Engtee’s drawing paper. She has a picture of a business woman sitting in a plane (business class) with a laptop. She told us that it was her dream to travel around for business wearing high heels and using laptop. Of course, she was not sure whether such a dream was indeed achievable.

That was years ago. We have moved on since then and in the process, we have forgotten about our dreams. We did not even keep that paper “dreams” of ours.

Yesterday, Engtee woke up very early – she had a mission. She was traveling to Suzhou for a business assignment. She will be there for 5 days. Being (or trying to be) a good husband, I decided to wake up early as well to walk her to the subway station, which is not very far from our apartment.

At the subway station, we hugged each good bye and she walked alone to the platform. I was standing there, observing her from behind. She held a laptop in one hand, and a travel suitcase in another. She wore high heels and a very elegant coat. She walked with confidence before disappeared into the crowd. Wasn’t this scene very familiar? Where have I seen it before?

Oh, it was the picture which Engtee cut and pasted on her paper “dream”! Without even knowing it, she was accidentally and slowly realizing her dreams. No wonder Engtee loves Shanghai more than I do.

It makes me think that coming to Shanghai may be a right move for her as well. If not, I guess she might just end up being another office lady in Klang, who doesn’t know her real potentials.