Toh in China

Kecelakaan Buatan Tempatan (revisited)

2008-12-10T23:34:00.002+08:00

Weather: Clear
Temperature: 9 c

I am so tired and lazy to blog tonight, and I have no plans of writing anything. But after reading the news of the recent landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa, I just couldn’t switch off my computer and go to bed. I am furious. And more than being furious, I am feeling sad. How can things like this happened in my country, Malaysia? Aren’t we governed by a strict set of moral values and religious virtues? What happened to Rukun Negara # 1 – Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan? Aren’t we supposed to be God-fearing? We even ban yoga for that sole reason.

I am talking about the lootings that happened to the landslide victims. It was reported that the search and rescue operations team did not provide prompt assistance to a buried victim, which resulted in the death of a woman. They did something of course – they gave the victim’s husband a spade and expected him to dig her out himself.

As usual and expected, the officials swiftly denied such allegations. But we have lived long enough to know who can be trusted and who cannot. Our police force is definitely not on the top of the list of people you can trust. Otherwise, tonight, you can leave your doors unlocked when you go to bed, because according to our wise leaders, Malaysia is safer than Japan and Hong Kong, even comparable to Singapore. So, why lock the doors? What are you afraid of? Why do you lock your car doors even before you put on the seat belt? Why do you need to pay the private security guards to guard your neighborhood? All these are unnecessary. Why? Because we are safer than Japan and Hong Kong. Aduih! Kepala sakit…

I know lives were lost due to this landslide and I should not make jokes out of it. But please be informed that I am not the joker here. The real joker is the one who said this:

"You don't expect an ambulance driver to save a buried victim. He is not trained, so if we request untrained personnel for help and they refuse, we shouldn't blame them.

"This is because their lives are in danger too. I think we should respect their decision. To dig and save someone, one has to be trained. For an untrained person, it's a very dangerous task."

No prize for guessing who has the intelligence to utter the above statement. Yes, he is none other than our Selangor Police Chief. He was trying to defend the rescue team members who refused to help the buried victim. I think his argument is quite logic and reasonable, i.e., it is unfair to expect an untrained individual to carry out rescue mission.

However, my question is this: If they were untrained, WHAT the hell were they at the scene? Sightseeing? Makan angin? And WHY sent an untrained team there? Where were the trained ones?

Further, do you need proper training to dig? I am sure even a monkey can do that! Haven’t you seen our wise leaders using a spade to “tanam pokok” in front of cameras? If an “untrained” politician can dig, do you need to go to school to learn how to use a spade?

On another issue, is this landslide an act of God? Is this unfortunate incident unpreventable? Who should we blame? Of course, it is always convenient to blame God. Hujan kuat mar… berhari-hari hujan, banyak air mar. Air masuk tanah, tanah runtuh lah! Senang saja, bukan? Takkan kita suruh Tuhan jangan hujan pulak? Ini kejadian tidak boleh elak.

Interestingly, in this case, there are 2 parties which you can’t sue: one is God; the other is the local council, which enjoys immunity in such incident. Yes, our local council is God-like. Why can't we sue them? Go read the Federal Court’s decision in the Highland Tower case.

Aiyor kepala sakit…

Happy 光棍节

2008-11-11T23:03:00.004+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 12 c

One is a lonely number. It is so lonely that, when 4 of them line up together, they become a day specially dedicated to bachelors. Yes, 11 Nov (or 11.11) is "光棍节" (or bachelor’s day) in China. On this day, the bachelors will organize meetings (or 联谊) with the opposite sex, and try their luck to put an end to their bachelorhood. If they fail, they would have to try again next year.

Of course, my bachelorhood ended without any untoward incidents or surprises 2 years ago. Therefore, though I am on leave today, I was not invited to any of these 联谊. Anyway, even if I have gone to these 联谊, I would not be that stupid to write about it here. Engtee is one of the loyal readers of this blog, remember? Blogging about one’s own indiscretion is outright brainless, if not suicidal. I am not Chua Soi Lek.

Years ago when I was in Klang, out of boredom and curiosity, we did organize a 联谊 somewhere in Bukit Tinggi (to prove how boring I was, Engtee was there). One of my Rotaract Club members promised to bring her female classmates, and my guy friends went crazy. We went to the restaurant with an overly excited heart. Our hearts were pumping furiously. We were imagining what kind of ladies with whom will we be chatting. Were they hot? Were they cute? Would they give us their phone number?

Minutes later, the ladies came, and all bubble burst. Fantasy became reality, and we never organize such kind of 联谊 ever since. I don’t think I have to elaborate further in this regard.

This evening, my good buddy’s sister, Xueyan, was in Shanghai. We managed to meet at one Italian restaurant for dinner. She complained about the food in Shanghai, and she already missed nasi lemak after spending merely 8 days in China. She didn't like the weather too, which is too cold. She will be flying back to Malaysia tomorrow, and one of the first things she will do is - eat nasi lemak!

Who will visit us next?

.

Harnniann is back!

2008-11-05T23:08:00.002+08:00

Weather: Fog

Temperature: 19 c

Here I am facing my blog which has not been updated for more than 2 months. What could I say, other than apologizing to my readers, who have come to my blog only to be disappointed again and again?

Exciting events have taken place during the silence of this blog. Beijing successfully held the Olympics and Paralympics, my parents came to visit me during the mid-autumn festival, Anwar failed in his bid to oust Pak Lah, Abdul Razak was acquitted, Najib won the UMNO presidency uncontested, Obama will be the next President of the USA etc. There are hundreds of things to blog about, but I did not. Using the word of my ex-boss, I must have been “brain-jammed”. On many occasions, I wanted to write; but when my fingers touched the keyboard, no words came out. My mind was completely blank. I don’t know why. Maybe I have not been thinking for a long time.

Anyway, here I am, happily blogging again. So mama, please stop complaining about me not updating the blog. I know part of your daily ritual is reading your son’s writing.

I will not write anything substantial now, as this is just a warm-up entry. More will come soon once I am into the mood of blogging regularly again.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.

My parents and Mr and Mrs Leong were in Shanghai

Apartment Hunting – Déjà vu

2008-08-17T23:04:00.003+08:00

Weather: Light Rain
Temperature: 29 c

In a funny way to show my love for my country, I signed my present tenancy agreement on Aug 31 last year, which will expire on Sep 1 this year.

I love my current apartment: it is neither too big nor too small, just nice for a couple; its gardening is well maintained; its lobby looks like a hotel; and more importantly, it is near my office.

2 weeks ago, I called my landlord to discuss about renewing the tenancy. I wanted to extend for another 1 year. To reflect the appreciation of property value, I was prepared to increase the rental by 5 to 10%. Well, since I was a good tenant, who always paid his rentals on time and did not cause any big trouble for his landlord, I was confident that my landlord would no doubt want me to stay for another year. Apparently, I underestimated my landlord.

According to my landlord, after he rented his apartment to me, someone has offered a much higher price for the apartment, but he had to refuse such offer as he had rented the apartment. Therefore, my landlord said that it would only be fair if he increases the rental by 50%. Yes, 50%. Even though my current monthly rental, maintenance fees and utility bills are much more than my salary in Klang, my landlord still has the cheek to increase my rental by 50%. This is ridiculously unreasonable. Is every landlord in Shanghai crazy?

I certainly could not afford an increase of 50%, so I politely told my landlord to F himself. “Good bye and good luck” I said. If circumstances permit, I would tell him to cut off his 2.5-inch dick and shove it up his ass. 50%??!! He really thinks his apartment is painted with 999 gold.

Anyway, it means that I had no choice but to look for a new apartment – an extremely tiring process – a process which I initially wanted to avoid.

Engtee and I called up and requested the real estate agents we knew to look for suitable apartments for us. Our requirements are simple: somewhere near Xintiandi; 1 or 2 bedrooms/1 living room/1 bathroom; and modest rental.

The Shanghai real estate agents are very efficient and hardworking. They have to be because they know they are facing stiff competition. A few agents wanted to show us some apartments near our area, and we went.

Unlike 1 year ago, this time we have some experience in choosing our apartment. We know what to look for, and that makes things easy in deciding which apartment to rent. Some apartments are lovely renovated but are badly located; some are strategically located, fully furnished, and nicely renovated but your instinct tells you that you just can’t “click” with the landlords.

Like I said, apartment hunting is a tiring process. We have to go to many places in 1 day and see many different types of landlord.

After a few days of hunting, fortunately, we hunted down 1 today. It is a 2 bedroom/1 living room/1 bathroom apartment with 78m2 area (my current apartment is 1 bedroom and 55 m2). The rental is cheaper than my current one. We will move from 1 bedroom smaller apartment to 2-bedroom bigger apartment. But, the new apartment is located farther to my office. So, I am not sure whether we are upgrading or downgrading.

Here are some photos of our new apartment taken this morning:

Living room

Dining room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Guest Room

Bathroom

Sodomy Story

2008-07-29T19:40:00.003+08:00

Weather: Light Rain

Temperature: 26 c

Sorry, I just can't leave the sodomites alone for too long. I tried very hard to force myself to write about other things, e.g., the Beijing Olympics or the global fuel hike, but my focus is still on the backsides of a few individuals.

Admittedly, I am a big fan of the Sodomy Story. I have been following that story more diligent than watching my favorite “Boston Legal”. This is completely understandable. When episode 1 of the Sodomy Story was released 10 years ago, I even went to the streets to feel the thrills of being chased by the red-headed policemen and the taste of the chemical-laced water. I was among the tens of thousands of mob hitting fists in the air while shouting in unison “Re-For-Ma-Si” until our throats gave way.

Yes, episode 1 of the Sodomy Story was phenomenal and amazing. It made young people like me go crazy. It has all the ingredients to make a superb Hollywood movie: sex (remember the mattress?), violence (remember the black eye?), conspiracy (remember the charges were amended a few times?), and a team of handsome lawyers (remember the courtroom drama?). It was at least 10 times better than “Brokeback Mountain”.

However, many years later, many forgot what caused them to take the streets on that day. And life went on whether the star of the Sodomy Story was inside or outside the prison.

When episode 2 of the Sodomy Story was released last month, I felt that a part of me (which has died for a long time) suddenly came back to life. Maybe I have this ass-fetish, especially between 2 male adults.

Like most sequels, episode 2 kept part of the cast in episode 1. The individual who played the role of an investigating officer in episode 1 is now the Inspector General of Police in episode 2; and the individual who played the role of a prosecutor is now the Attorney General. The star of episode 1 and 2 of the Sodomy Story remains the same, while the alleged “ass-victim” has been switched from a personal driver to a private aide. The “ass-victim” in episode 2 looks more promising as he is a former student leader (though an university drop-out) and, more importantly, he is handsome.

Some argued that episode 2 of the Sodomy Story is less dramatic than episode 1. I humbly disagree. Remember when the star of the Sodomy Story was about to report himself to the police? He was sieged by heavily armed S.W.A.T team in balaclava. Wasn't that dramatic? I thought we could only see that in American movies!

To add the latest twist to episode 2, a leaked medical report (which is supposed to be private and confidential) shows that the ass-victim was never sodomized! His asshole (I apologize for my language, but I am too excited) is as smooth as a piece of toufu, no wear and tear, no bleeding, nothing. Maybe even look like a shape of a sunflower. What makes this twist more interesting is the fact that the doctor who prepared the medical report is now missing. It is dangerous to be star witness these days. Remember the private investigator? He and his whole family went missing too.

And mind you, we have yet to see the whole story of episode 2. More twists and turns are expected in the not-so-distant future.

So, are you a Sodomy Story fan now? You might want to consider joining the fan club. I can guarantee it would not be a pain in the ass.

.

Engtee is 28 now

2008-07-27T23:49:00.004+08:00

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Temperature: 29 c

Let’s forget about the Malaysian sodomites for a while and do some lighter stuff.

Last Friday (July 25th) was Engtee’s 28th birthday. My great friends in Shanghai threw a simple but meaningful party for her. Thanks guys!

Bom booked a table at a Malaysian restaurant somewhere near my office. The food was great and authentic. We felt like we were having dinner in Kuala Lumpur (except that we had to take bus home after the dinner, as opposed to driving our own cars). We even summoned the chef (who is a Penangite) to personally thank him for the great food. It temporarily cured our homesick.

After the dinner, we continued our Malaysian chit-chat at another Italian restaurant. Bom’s wife was gracious to arrange a birthday cake for Engtee. It was a tiramisu cake. Not bad.

Yes, Engtee is 28 now. May your wish come true!

World's Brain Factory

2008-07-25T12:15:00.004+08:00

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Temperature: 34 c

Last Friday, I found out that another Hin Hua mate of mine and his wife, who is also a product of Hin Hua, have joined the Malaysian community in Shanghai. He previously worked for a Japanese company in Singapore and was recently seconded to work in Shanghai. He is currently staying in a RMB15,000-a-month (approximately RM7,350) apartment, so please go figure out how much he is making per month, and how much tax he is paying to the Chinese government per year.

I did a quick audit on my former Hin Hua classmates and realized that almost half of them are not in Malaysia but scattered across the globe. We are not talking about illegal immigrants who are washing plates in Chinese restaurants; we are talking about professionals. To my knowledge, we have a chemist and a computer scientist in the US, a food scientist in Singapore, a dentist in Taiwan, an accountant and an engineer in China, an architect in Australia, a gym instructor in New Zealand etc. Imagine the total amount of tax these professionals contribute to the foreign countries they are currently living in. Besides tax, imagine the contributions these professional could have made to Malaysia's nation building had they chosen not to leave Malaysia. I am sure you get the picture.

And we are just looking at my classmates, what about the students from other classes? Take my siblings for example (who are all 100% products of Hin Hua). My elder brother is an engineer who is helping the city of Los Angeles to come out with ways to prevent flood (while Klang cannot even endure a 30-minute downpour); and my younger sister is a nutritionist who is making the Taiwanese healthier (while some Malaysians still believe that adding some Tongkat Ali powder in teh tarik will help them perform better at night).

China is labeled as the “World's Factory”. You can't really deny that. It is hard not to find anything made in China in our home these days. Keyboards, DVDs, kitchenware etc are manufactured in some parts of China. However, if China is the World's Factory, maybe Malaysia could be labeled as the “World's Brain Factory”. While China manufactures and exports goods for profits, Malaysia manufactures and exports brain free-of-charge.

The next time you drive pass Hin Hua High School or any Chinese independent schools for that matter, please spend a few minutes to toy on these questions: For which country are these schools built and for which country are these students trained?

The saddest part is, though many Chinese school students provide their services in overseas, the governments of the USA, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia etc do not provide a single cent to our Chinese schools. They enjoy the fruits of the Chinese schools without having to pay for it. The Chinese schools are funded by the generous donations from the local Chinese communities. Every year, Hin Hua has to send out lion dance troops and risk the safety of its students to collect money for the school's operations.

However, once a doctor, a dentist, an accountant, or an architect is fully trained using the hard-earned money of the local people, we send them to serve in other countries. In other words, we are using our own money to train professionals for other countries. Are we that stupid? Apparently, we are.

Not long ago, I remember our government was talking about K-Economy. K in this context stands for Knowledge. I am not sure if the government is still serious about this K-Economy. But, how can we have knowledge when we don't even have brains? When we are shipping out tons and tons of brains to other countries F.O.C?

I would like to end this article with an excerpt from Namewee's (who is also a Chinese school's product) infamous Negarakuku:

独中生毕业了要进local大学西北难。
其实这件事情我们更不需要赌懒。
这个其实是政府的一个伟大计划。
他要我们到处跑，出国自己找希望，然后学习东西回来报答国家。
这个计划真的是好到没有话讲。
世界各地都会看到Malaysia的孩子，好像逃难一样，西北爽.

Shrinking Ringgit

2008-07-24T15:48:00.005+08:00

Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 40 c (someone kill me please...)

I received a call from my good friend Lai Kuan, who is a practicing lawyer somewhere in the KL vicinity. She called on other matters, but I grabbed the opportunity to find out from her the conditions in KL. I was sad to learn that a glass of Milo is now sold at RM1.80 to RM2.00. She advised me not to drink Milo in mamak stores. “Drink Milo at home…” said Lai Kuan.

It is definitely not a good time to stay in Malaysia now. Previously I needed only RM3 to 5 to have a good time in a mamak store. Now, I could only order roti kosong and milo kosong (forget about the funny rotis like roti pisang, roti sardine, roti KLCC, roti milo, roti Cheese etc).

Today's paper tells another bad news: CPI for June surges to 7.7%

I have little confidence in the figures and statistics published by the authorities. But 7.7% (which is is slightly more than double the May CPI of 3.8%) tells us the seriousness of the matter. It is a wake up call.

It looks like my retirement plan has to be postponed for another couple of years. I need to work longer and save more money to buy more teh tarik after my retirement.

If someone has clearly proven that he does not know how to manage the economy, can we have someone who at least claims that he does?

Can we not focus on whose butt was sodomized but how to strengthen the economy instead? By the way, if you do not already know, please be informed that oral sex will also, theoretically, land you in jail. So, the moral of the story, next time you want to be naughty, please do not stray but go "straight to the point" and finish the job.

If you are asked to choose between a sodomite who gives you cakes everyday and a normal (but incompetent) man who gives you shits everyday, what would be your choice?

.

Gear Box Problem

2008-07-21T01:07:00.002+08:00

Weather: Haze

Temperature: 26 c

Have you ever heard of the saying that “switching to Mercedes is a cut-cost measure”?

Even if someone were to be so stupid to say it, would you have believed it?

I am from Terengganu and I am a proud Terengganu boy. Don’t doubt it. But I am not so proud of my Terengganu Menteri Besar. Why? Read this.

Terengganu state spent RM3.43 million to purchase 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars “in a move to cut cost”. Yes, according to this brilliant Menteri Besar, getting rid of your Perdana V6 and replacing it with Mercedes are moves to cut cost.

Our Menteri Besar further said that “We are not saying that the national car is not good but in reality we are coughing up more money for maintaining the Proton Perdanas, particularly the gear boxes.”

"In the long run, Mercedes cars are cheaper to maintain and could also save us fuel costs” he said.

If I were to believe my Menteri Besar, these are the conclusions I could make:

1. Mercedes cars are cheaper to maintain;

2. Mercedes cars save us fuel costs; and most importantly

3. PROTON PERDANA IS A F**KED-UP CAR!!!!.

So, if you are so unlucky and driving a Proton Perdana , what the hell are you waiting for? Sell it and buy a Mercedes car. Don’t you want to cut cost, just like our caring government? I just hope that the second-hand value of Proton Perdana will not be affected by our Menteri Besar's statement.

The next time you want to buy a national car with an aim to save cost, please think twice. Maybe buying an expensive European car is a more feasible option. Don’t ask me why, ask the smart Menteri Besar.

Oh God! Some politicians could really fart through their mouth. Can you smell it? If you are staying in Terengganu, you’d better get used to that smell.

.

Melabur di Shanghai

2008-07-17T21:27:00.001+08:00

Cuaca: Cerah

Suhu: 30 c

Petang ini, ku jumpa dengan seorang anak guam dari Malaysia yang ingin melabur di Shanghai. Saya dah kenal dia sejak bulan Mac lalu. Syarikatnya besar dan kuat di Malaysia, kalau saya sebut nama syarikat itu, pasti kamu pernah dengar.

Dia berhasrat nak melabur di Cina dengan berpakatan dengan seorang rakan kongsi Cina. Jumlah wang yang dia nak labur di sini bukanlah banyak sangat, tapi juga tidak kecil. RM3 juta sahaja. RM 3 juta tak kira banyak dalam konteks pelaburan di Shanghai. RM 3 juta boleh dikatakan “sap sap sui” atau “chicken feet”. Nak sewa kedai pun sudah kena habiskan berpuluh-puluh ribu ringgit, apatah lagi yuran guaman, kos ubah suai, kos kerajaan dan lain-lain. RM 3 juta nampak banyak saja, tapi kalau kamu betul-betul kira, kamu akan terperanjat bahawa RM 3 juta memang tidak boleh buat apa-apa yang hebat.

Anak guam saya ini bukan tak ada duit nak melabur banyak. Tetapi, memandangkan ini adalah kali pertama dia melabur di Cina dan dia kurang faham dengan suasana pelaburan di Cina, dia terpaksa berhati-hati. Pelaburan kali pertama adalah percubaan. Kalau berjaya, pelaburan seterusnya boleh dibesarkan. Belum cuba belum tahu. So, dia pun try lar. Dengar cakap orang lain, Cina ini mempunyai banyak peluang dan pasaran yang amat besar. Banyak orang telah berjaya menggali berjuta-juta tan emas balik. Dia pun tak tahan nak cuba nasib lar.

Dia nak berpakat dengan seorang rakan kongsi Cina. Rakan kongsinya ada kilang di Guandong. So, rakan kongsinya boleh membekalkan barang-barang kepada dia di Shanghai dengan harga yang murah sekali. Dia hanya perlu keluar modal untuk membuka kedai di Shanghai. Kedua-dua pihak mencapai satu “gentleman agreement”.

Kamu tahulah macam mana orang Cina buat bisness. Dengan janji mulut saja tanpa sebarang kontrak, anakguam saya pergi sewa kedai, bayar deposit, upah orang datang ubah suai kedai itu, dan membeli perabot. Bukan sahaja itu, anakguam saya ini mengajak rakan kongsinya datang ke Malaysia untuk melawat syarikatnya, tengok kilangnya, serta bawa dia pergi menikmati “entertainment” tertentu. Kamu tahulah apa yang saya maksudkan. Banyak bisness sebenarnya dibuat di atas meja pub, bukan di meja pejabat!

Pendek cerita, anak guam saya dah keluar banyak duit untuk pelaburan ini. Tapi, dia belum dapat tengok apa-apa janjian yang konkrit. Kontrak pun belum ditandatangani! Anak guam saya rasa tak beberapa betul. Dia tak selesa dengan keadaan macam itu. Mana boleh ada pelaburan berjuta-juta ringgit tanpa sebarang kertas yang sah? So, dia pun cari peguam untuk membantunya. Sayalah peguam itu.

Saya nasihatkan dia untuk membuatkan satu JV contract. Dia setuju dengan cadangan saya. Tapi pihak rakan kongsinya tidak ingin nak upah peguam untuk membuat kontrak. Mengikut rakan kongsinya, yuran guaman amat mahal, kenapa nak bazir wang? Dia cuba nak pujuk anak guam saya supaya jangan guna servis saya. Mereka boleh sendiri sediakan kontrak itu dengan menggunakan contoh-contoh kontrak yang sedia ada. Tapi, anak guam saya tetap ingin mengupah peguam. Tiada pilihan, pihak rakan kongsinya terpaksa mengikut cadangan anak guam saya lar.

Tapi, rakan kongsinya tidak beberapa berkerja-sama. Deraf kontrak hantar kepada dia untuk komen, dia diam sahaja. Saya kena kejar dia tiap-tiap hari, baru dia kata dia nak ambil beberapa hari lagi untuk menyelidik kontrak itu. Bila dia dah tak ada alasan untuk melengah lagi, dia terpaksa memberikan komen-komen yang tidak bermakna. Tak apalah, saya pun ikut komen dia dan menyediakan “final version” kontrak untuk ditandatangani oleh kedua-dua pihak.

Pada hari tandatangan kontrak, kedua-dua pihak datang ke pejabat saya. Saya sediakan 6 set kontrak untuk mereka. Tiba-tiba, pihak Cina ini kata dia nak tanya saya berkenaan dengan satu klausa. Klausa itu tentang kuasa-kuasa dan obligasi-obligasi pengarah. Pihak Cina itu kata kuasa yang diberikan kepada anak guam saya terlalu besar. Ooi! Kenapa sekarang baru cakap?! Memang orang ini tak ikhlas nak sain dokumen ini. Saya cuba sedaya upaya untuk menerangkan maksud sebenar klausa itu. Tapi, Si Cina ini memang sengaja nak buat kacau.

Akhirnya, kontrak itu tidak ditandatangani. Si Cina kata dia nak 2 hari untuk meneliti kontrak itu sekali lagi. Saya pun tunggu lar. Anak guam saya sangat marah tapi tak ada apa-apa dia boleh buat.

2 hari kemudian, saya panggil dia, tak jawab. 1 minggu kemudian, pun tak jawab.

2 minggu kemudian, anak guam saya panggil saya dari Malaysia dan beritahu saya bahawa dia diberitahu oleh kerani Si Cina itu bahawa Si Cina nak batalkan kerjasama di antara mereka tanpa sebarang sebab. Anak guam saya sangat sedih dan marah, tapi dia gentleman. Dia janji yuran guaman saya dia tetap akan bayar.

Hari ini, anak guam saya datang ke pejabat saya untuk membuat bayaran. Dia beritahu saya bahawa dia dah kena tipu teruk. Si Cina itu kini menggunakan kedai yang disewa oleh anak guam saya untuk membuat bisnes. Anak guam saya sudah membayar sewa selama 1 tahun! Tapi malangnya, perjanjian sewa adalah atas nama Si Cina itu. So, Si Cina boleh guna kedai itu dengan sah. Bukan sahaja itu, 2 pekerja yang dilatih oleh anak guam saya untuk membantunya di Cina juga telah melompat ke pihak Si Cina dan kini berkhidmat untuk Si Cina itu. Takut tak?

Anak guam saya cedera parah dalam pelaburan pertama di Cina. Orang Cina kata: tengok hantu, takut gelap. Tapi, anak guam saya tidak putus asa. Dia nak cuba lagi.

Lepas dia bayar yuran guaman, dia beritahu saya bahawa dia akan datang ke Shanghai sekali lagi untuk mencari peluang kedua. Masa itu, kami akan dapat berkerjasama lagi.

Kepada semua orang yang nak menggali emas di Cina: Semoga Berjaya!

Polis dan roadblock

2008-07-15T18:03:00.005+08:00

Cuaca: Cerah

Suhu: 30 c

Memang ku dah tak ada mata nak tengok apa dah terjadi di Malaysia. Kalau mataku boleh tahan, saya rasa tekanan darahku pun tak dapat tahan. Apa dah terjadi ni? Kononnya ada demonstrasi raksaksa di kawasan parlimen. Ada ke? Kononnya Anwar akan tiba di parlimen bersama dengan penyokongnya untuk membuat kacau dan mengancam keselamatan orang ramai. Ada ke? Itu semua dengar cakap.

Tapi Malaysia memang boleh. Dengan bukti yang berasaskan kepada dengar cakap semata-mata, perintah mahkamah boleh diisukan terhadap Anwar dan orang lain untuk melarang sesiapa yang tiada urusan di parlimen daripada menghampiri kawasan parlimen. Bukankah parlimen suatu tempat suci dimana suara rakyat dibawa masuk untuk pembahasan? Bukankah parlimen suatu tempat dipenuhi dengan “yang-berkhidmat” yang dipilih oleh rakyat? Bukankah parlimen satu simbol demokrasi? Kenapa tiba-tiba parlimen dijadikan bagai satu kawasan perang (war zone)? Siapa musuh kita? Siapa nak ancam kita?

Apa yang paling “potong steam” ialah tiada apa yang berlaku pada hari Isnin. Anwar tidak pergi melawat parlimen, usul Pakatan Rakyat ditolak, dan Anwar juga tidak pergi ke balai polis untuk memberikan keterangan. Habis cerita. Jadi, apa yang sebenarnya berlaku di KL pada Isnin? Traffic Jam saja.

Siapa yang menyebabkan traffic jam ini? Bergantunglah siapa kamu tanya. Kalau menanya polis, Anwar dan konco-konconya yang menyebabkan jam teruk ni. Tapi, saya rasa kita semua tahu siapa yang sebenarnya perlu bertanggung-jawab keatas semua kesulitan ini. Jawapannya amat jelas. Sekali-sekala rakyat memang bodoh, tapi tak sebodoh begitu.

Saya memang hairan kenapa perkara sebegini boleh berlaku. Seakan-akan tiada kerja lain untuk polis selain daripada mengganggu keselesaan rakyat. Rakyat dah banyak menderita, tak cukup lagi ke? Sudah banyak merisau macam mana nak bayar petrol, macam mana nak bayar tol, macam mana nak bayar makanan, tak cukup risau lagi ke? Kenapa masih nak memangsakan rakyat?

Saya ingat kerja polis adalah untuk menjaga keselamatan dan keamanan rakyat. Bukan? Tiada pencuri di Malaysia ke? Atau tiada perogol di Malaysia ke? Saya ingat kes jenayah di Malaysia masih meningkat? Siapa yang pecah masuk rumah saya? Kenapa tak turun padang untuk menyelesaikan kes-kes jenayah ini? Kenapa nak bazirkan masa dan wang rakyat dalam hal yang tidak produktif ini? Ini kerja polis ke? Saya tak marah. Saya dah malas nak marah. Lebih daripada marah, saya rasa sedih. Kenapa boleh jadi begini? Malaysia masih ada undang-undang, dan sifat dan kegunaan undang-undang adalah untuk membela nasib rakyat. Di manakah undang-undang Malaysia pergi? Insiden sebegini memberi satu gambaran seolah-olah pihak polis sudah terhilang kawalan. Mereka boleh buat apa-apa pun dengan sesuka hati tanpa perlu bimbangkan akibatnya.

Saya kesian orang-orang yang tertangkap di dalam traffic jam ini. Berjam-jam mereka terpaksa tunggu di dalam kereta. Tentu bukan satu pengalaman yang sedap. Perjalanan yang biasanya mengambil 20 minit, kini kena ambil 2 jam. Terima kasih kepada roadblock-roadblock yang tidak bermakna ini. Saya tidak percaya mata saya apabila saya baca berita mengatakan polis berkata roadblock ini adalah "successful". Successful apa?

Apa yang menyakitkan hati saya ialah bila saya baca berita tentang seorang bakal-peguam gagal menduduki pemeriksaan CLP (sijil amalan guaman) kerana dia lewat sampai di dewan pemeriksaan. Kenapa dia lewat sampai? Sekali lagi, terima kasih kepada pihak polis dan roadblock-roadblocknya. Budak ini terperangkap di dalam traffic jam. Kita semua tahu betapa susahnya nak lulus CLP. Kalau kamu gagal lebih daripada satu kertas, kamu terpaksa mengambil semua kertas sekali lagi. Siapa yang sepatutnya membayar ganti rugi kepada bakal-peguam ini? Tiada. Pihak polis hanya akan kata: Too Bad… Haraplah Majlis Peguam boleh membuat sesuatu untuk membantu bakal-bakal peguam ini. Tindakan tegas mesti diambil terhadap Polis Raja Di Malaysia (maaf, Polis Di-Raja Malaysia) untuk mengajar mereka bahawa mereka tidak berhak melukai rakyat dengan sewenang-wenangnya dan dengan cuai sekali.

Sedih sungguh ku nak berpantun pulak:

Penolong kata ia kena liwat
Belakang sakit terpaksa duduk tepi
Walaupun bertolak awal nak elak lewat
Malangnya masih ku gagal CLP

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Missing the court days

2008-07-14T18:04:00.003+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 32 c

It was a very hot weekend. So I stayed at home most of the time, trying to avoid the merciless sun. While at home, I watched the American series “Boston Legal: Season 2” which was downloaded and forwarded to me by my colleague. I used up half of my Sunday watching up to episode 6 before Engtee and I decided to go for apartment-shopping (no, we are not buying an apartment; our current lease will expire soon, so we need to look for a new apartment to move into).

“Boston Legal” reminded me of my legal practice in Malaysia. When I was in Klang, I had no idea what kind of case was coming my way. This morning I may see a client with marital problem, and in the evening I may have client with problems evicting his tenant. If I was unable to resolve the matter amicably, then a summons had to be filed in court. Oh, I miss going to court.

For the avoidance of doubt, I never liked court paper work. Yes, there are many documents involved in a civil litigation. First, you need to draft a statement of claim, then after the serving the summons, you need to prepare an affidavit of service. If the defendant enters defence, you will need to prepare a reply, and thereafter numerous bundles of documents and witness’s statements. The paper work was definitely not the fun part.

However, I loved going to court (especially if I was well prepared and knew I was going for a kill). I don’t know why but my Malay suddenly became better whenever I spoke in court. Maybe it was the adrenalin. And I loved listening to my own voice in court.

I had my bad days in court too. Once, I had a sure-win case, which I had no idea how to lose. But as they said, anything could happen in a trial. I was having a good time with that case; I was well prepared and had enough supporting case law to throw my opponent counsel out of the court room. But just when I thought everything went as planned, my opponent did something which shocked both the judge and me. He pulled out a Koran and kissed the holy book in front of the judge. He said whatever he had said was the truth. The judge was a Muslim too. I don’t have to tell you what the judgment was. Yes, I lost that case. Maybe 1 day, I will write more about this case. Injustice was done to my client. When I left Malaysia, this case was still undergoing appeal process.

Having said the above, I still miss my court days. When will I go to the Malaysian court again? Not so sure…

p/s: I was listening to this song the whole Sunday. Hope you like it.

My last day in Court (photos taken by Engtee)

Spot a Liar

2008-07-10T10:52:00.004+08:00

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 33c

I have seen many liars during my not-so-long legal practice. Most of the liars were my own clients. Initially, they would not be honest to their lawyer. Instinctively, they would want to cover up or twist parts of their stories. My high school teacher said, we should not lie to a priest, a doctor and a lawyer. That makes sense. How could a priest, a doctor or a lawyer help us if we were to tell lies?

Anyway, I do not blame my clients. It is only natural for someone to turn on his/her defensive mechanism when faced with a stranger. As long as I do not gain my clients’ trust, they would not be truthful to me.

Therefore, it is part of my job to tell whether or not a client is lying. For example, some would tell me, and expect me to believe, that they woke up 1 day and decided to divorce their husbands; but what they did not tell was that they were seeing some other guys. Some would say that they were being wrongly sued; however, the truth was they had received the goods but had difficulty paying for them because of cash flow problem.

Some lies are easy to spot; while some are not that easy. Some liars are easy to identify. You can tell from their expressions, tone, body language etc. Do you want to know how easy is it to identify a liar? Look at the pictures below and tell me who is telling the truth.

“Najib had sex with that lady…”

“Najib DID NOT have sex with that lady…”

Chinese or Malaysian?

2008-07-09T16:10:00.001+08:00

Weather: Sunny
Temperature: 35 c

Throughout my stay in Shanghai, I have been asking this question: Am I a Chinese?

I think before I can answer the above question, I need to answer this first: Who is a Chinese?

In this connection, I found this article (click here) which more or less provides me with some form of guidance. Please read it and tell me, based on your opinion, whether I am a Chinese.

Enjoy!

TOH is HOT

2008-07-07T14:40:00.005+08:00

Weather: Sunny

Temperature: 38 c (ooh... I am melting!)

Ok, enough of liwat meliwat in Malaysian politics. Today I will leave the sodomites alone. Allow me to briefly write about something else in Shanghai. The heat

The outdoor temperature now is 38 c (though yesterday the weather forecast predicted that the maximum temperature was 37 c), and it will not get any better. Summer has arrived and is here to stay until early October. Did I say I prefer summer over winter? I am sorry but I wish to retract my earlier statement – taking the cue from the now missing private investigator.

You may think “What lar, Harnniann. Malaysia lagi panas!”. Sorry, you are wrong. Last night it was 27 c in KL, and 32 c in Shanghai. Yes, 32 c at night! Can you believe that?! I have to take a shower before I go to bed, and Engtee has to take shower before she goes to bed and also while halfway sleeping. We were soaked in our own sweat. I have no choice but to walk naked in my apartment. At night, if you listen carefully, you can actually hear the drop of your sweat on the floor.

This morning, I could not walk to my office anymore. I was pretty sure that I would die halfway. When I walked out of my apartment’s lobby, I felt like as if thousands of hair dryers were blowing at me. Engtee called me to advise me to take taxi instead. We all know what is Engtee’s stand on taking taxi – it is a horrendous sin. Yet, she advised me to take a taxi to the office; so you can imagine how hot it must be.

Together with the heat, come the crazy mosquitoes. I don’t have to tell you how irritating these mosquitoes are.

After I complained to my office manager about the unbearable heat in the office, I was given a “private” portable mini air-cond. See the picture below.

According to my colleagues, I should not complain about the heat because I am from Malaysia. True, Malaysia is a “hot” country. But what my colleagues do not know is: in Malaysia, I drove to work. So I did not feel the bite of the morning sunshine. I usually took lunch in a air-conditioning restaurant. When I came out from my office after working hour, the sun has already set and the air was no longer hot. But in Shanghai, the temperature can go as high as 32 c even at night!

Maybe I am spoilt by the spring…Ooh, how I miss the cool breeze…

You trust the police?

2008-07-06T01:12:00.005+08:00

In my earlier articles, I was asking in whom the Malaysians should believe.

The PM? (yeah, the parliament would not be dissolved tomorrow, remember?)

The DPM? (yeah, he has nothing to do with the private investigator’s retraction of previous statement; the private investigator woke up the next day and felt like retracting his statement. You really believe that shit?)

The Ministers? (yeah, Damansara primary school will be reopened soon, yeah right… )

The Judges? (correct, correct, correct?)

The Attorney General? (yeah, he could help you to lodge a police report as he did for the DPM, remember?)

Today, I read one ridiculous news which really amazed me. I don’t think I can take shit kind of shits anymore. So, I will blog about it and then go take a cold shower and then go to bed.

I feel so lucky I am not in KL now. My sympathy goes to those KL people who had to be trapped in massive traffic jam for hours. What causes the traffic jam? Our Polis Raja Di Malaysia. Oops, sorry, it should be Polis Di-Raja Malaysia. Instead of catching the thieves who broke into my Klang house and stole my DVD player, these morons set up road blocks all around KL areas. We all know that KL traffic is very fragile; one minor accident can cause serious traffic jam. Imagine what would happen when these morons set up series of roadblocks in KL? Acute Traffic Constipation

Why these morons want to do such a thing? The taxpayers pay them to protect the Malaysians, not to inconvenient the people; but that is what exactly they are doing – shove their roadblocks up the people’s ass.

If you think the police can be trusted, please read this:

“Police say the roadblocks around Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya on Saturday were part of the normal crime prevention measures and did not have any connection with the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) rally at Stadium Kelana Jaya on Sunday.”

Was I born yesterday? Everyone and his dog know that the police is setting up roadblocks to intimidate and prevent the people from attending the gathering in Kelana Jaya tomorrow. Normal crime prevention measures? My ass!

Anyway, I must put my hands together for the police force. They have this unique talent to lie with their dicks in their mouths.

Yet, when you read the newspapers (from the Mainstream Media) on Monday, this will be the headline: "Unlawful Gathering Causes Massive Traffic Jam".

And the newspapers (from the Mainstream Media) will also report that Ah Chong complains that his business is seriously affected by the illegal gathering; Mutu complains that his mamak store business drops by more than 50%; Ahmad says that the people should not resort to illegal gathering, unless the police issues permit.

Aiyor... Are Malaysians really that blind?

Shanghai is very hot now, and the weather does not help in cooling the heat inside me. I am so pissed. I am going to take a cold shower now.

My good friend Harley tried to calm me down by saying that “it is for reporting purpose only, don’t take it seriously”.

True, since when we take our police seriously? Didn’t they say the crime rate in Malaysia is “manageable”?

Please be afraid and be very afraid. If all the crimes that are happening in Malaysia now are considered “manageable”, I would not want to be in Malaysia if one day the police were to tell me the crime in Malaysia is “not so manageable”.

Nabeh!

No, it was not Najib

2008-07-04T22:25:00.003+08:00

Weather: Clear
Temperature: 37 c (Hooooot!)

If you think M Night Shyamala’s “The 6th Sense” is good, you have not read about the recent news in Malaysia. What happening now in Malaysia are much better than movies. According to Mark Twain, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't.”

And Malaysians are not sure what the truth is and who to believe any more.

24 hours after making the explosive revelation, the private investigator today retracted his statement. He now has a new lawyer and a new statutory declaration. He claimed that he made the first statutory declaration under duress.

Some of my friends were very angry at this private investigator. They said his retraction of his earlier statement was really “potong steam”. Just when we thought we had Najib’s ass in our pocket, the bugger said he was forced to implicate Najib. Really anti-climax lar...

Yes, I am not very happy with this private investigator. Yesterday he said yes; today he said no. One of his statutory declarations must be false. Either way, he is a liar. But, I will not simply dismiss him as a liar and move on. Such a view is too simplistic. We should study the chain of events as a whole and draw some inferences. The show is not over yet.

Yesterday at the press conference, the private investigator dropped a bombshell. He shocked the whole world by hinting that our DPM had anal sex with the Mongolian lady. Later, it was reported that he was brought to the police station for "investigation". We did not know what actually took place in the police station, but my guess is the police did not throw him a kenduri. He must have had a “great time” with the police officers.

24 hours later, the same private investigator came out with a new statutory declaration. In his new statutory declaration, he kept most of his previous stories but specifically deleted all the paragraphs that made references to the DPM. Wow… My question is: Why would a reasonable man of sound mind do that? Can you smell something fishy here? I do.

Imagine this. One day, Ah Kow rushed into the kopitiam and told everyone this:

“I wanted to buy rice. I walked to the nearest shop with RM3 in my pocket. I was very happy because I was going to be a father soon. I was also wondering if I had enough money to buy a packet of sugar. Suddenly, I saw Ah Meng. Ah Meng was holding a broomstick. Ah Meng’s wife was crying loudly. But I continued walking. I bought rice with RM2 and I used the balance RM1 to buy sugar. This is my story.”

Hours later, you saw Ah Kow being brought into a small hut by a group of Ah Meng's friends.

The next day, Ah Kow quietly walked to the kopitian and said this:

“Hi, everyone! I made mistakes in my previous statement. I wanted to buy rice. I walked to the nearest shop with RM3 in my pocket. I was very happy because I was going to be a father soon. I was also wondering if I had enough money to buy a packet of sugar. But, I did NOT see Ah Meng. Ah Meng was NOT holding a broomstick. Ah Meng's wife was NOT crying loudly. I continued walking. I bought rice with RM2 and I used the balance RM1 to buy sugar. This is my story.”

Can you sense something wrong here? Why did Ah Kow repeat his whole story but specifically emphasize that he did not see Ah Meng?

The reasonable inference any reasonable man would reasonably make is: Ah Meng must have done something to Ah Kow, something that is not so nice.

Now, back to our Najib's case. The private investigator's new statutory declaration states:

"I wish to expressly state that at no material time did (Abdul) Razak (Abdullah) Baginda inform me that he was introduced to Altantuya Shaariibuu by a VIP and at no material time did Razak Baginda inform me that Datuk Seri Najib had a sexual relationship with Altantuya Shaaribu and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse.

"At no material time did Razak Baginda inform me that Datuk Seri Najib instructed Razak Baginda to look after Altantuya Shaariibuu as he did not want her to harass him since he was the Deputy Prime Minister.

"At no material time did Razak Baginda and or Altantuya Shaariibuu inform me that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, together with Razak Baginda and Altantuya Shaariibuu, had met and all been together at a dinner in Paris;

"At no material time did Altantuya Shaariibuu inform me that she wanted money in the sum of US$500,000 as a commission for a submarine deal she assisted with in Paris;

"At no time whatsoever did Razak Baginda and/or Altantuya Shaariibuu inform me that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak met with Altantuya Shaariibuu in Singapore;

"At no time whatsoever did Altantuya Shaariibuu inform me that she wanted me to arrange to see Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak;

"At no time did I tell the police during the course of their investigations about any relationship between Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak andAltantuya Shaariibuu as no such relationship existed to my knowledge. Accordingly, the statement I signed before the police is complete;

"At no time did Razak Baginda inform me that he had sent Datuk Seri Najib an SMS the evening before he was arrested; and

"At no time did Razak Baginda inform me that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had sent him an SMS on the day of his arrest to the effect that he was going to see the IGP (Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan) that day and that the matter should be resolved and for Razak Baginda to remain calm."

See my point? Isn't that TOO obvious? Again, my question remains: Will Najib sue this private investigator?

2007 is Tahun Melawat Malaysia; 2008 is definitely Tahun Meliwat Malaysia. : )

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I did not have anal sex with that lady

2008-07-03T18:25:00.004+08:00

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 33 c (hot!)

There are currently 2 hotly discussed topics in Malaysian politics:

“Is Anwar a sodomite?”

“Is Najib a murderer? (and also a sodomite?)”

The first topic is nothing new. It is played with the same old script written by Dr M 10 years ago. 10 years ago, Malaysians learned all they need to know about sodomy. 10 years ago, Malaysians witnessed mattress being brought in and out of court to prove an act of sodomy. 10 years ago, Malaysians were made to believe that it is possible to commit sodomy in an apartment which has yet to be built. 10 years ago, Malaysians understood that, though the alleged victim repeated 3 times in court that he was not sodomized, the accused could still be convicted.

BN is really suffering from creativity bankruptcy. But, what they did was entirely within logic and human instinct.

When I was a small kid, I ran into trouble for accidentally breaking a piece of furniture. I knew I was going to get it hard from my parents. I also knew I had to do something to save my ass, literally. When my parents confronted me and repeatedly asked me why I was so naughty, I did not know what to say for I have no defense at all. I was guilty as hell. They were expecting me to say I was sorry and therefore they could whack my butt with a clear conscience. But instead of admitting my guilt, I did the unthinkable… I told them my brother did not do his homework and was punished by his teacher. My parents were confused. Minutes ago, their minds were focused on how to whack my butt. But things took a sharp turn: they now knew that my brother was punished by his teacher for failure to do his homework.

Was I a brilliant kid? Instead of spending the next 30 minutes whacking my butt, my parents spent only 15 minutes dealing with me and the other 15 minutes probing my allegation that my brother did not do his homework. I cleverly pulled my brother in to share unwanted attention from my parents.

This is exactly what happened in Malaysia.

Someone could not bear the heat any more. He did not want the public’s attention. He wanted to shout “leave me alone!” but the public would not accede to his request.

When Raja Petra made a statutory declaration that he was “reliably” informed that Najib’s wife was at the scene when the Mongolian lady was C4ed, Najib dismissed it as pure lie, fabrication and garbage. But nevertheless, he will not take action against Raja Petra. Why? Tak ada duit nak upah peguam?

Ok, maybe Najib was right. Please give him the benefit of doubt. Maybe Raja Petra’s allegation was really a lie, fabrication and garbage, because Raja Petra heard it from someone else. It was hearsay.

But what about this? A private investigator, who has personal knowledge, just made an explosive revelation in the form of a statutory declaration:

“Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak informed Abdul Razak Baginda that he had a sexual relationship with Aminah and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse.”

“Aminah” in this context refers to the poor Mongolian lady.

The ball is kicked back to Najib’s court. What will he do now? A hesitated denial again? Will he take action against the private investigator? If he refuses to take action, what would that mean? He has 2 statutory declarations stuck up his ass, yet he does not fight back? Will a reasonable man keep quite when his balls are being squeezed twice?

We shall see whether our DPM is really afraid of the TRUTH. Oh, aren't we living in exciting times? This is much better than EURO 2008 final!

National Integrity Perception Index

2008-07-02T22:28:00.003+08:00

Weather: Thunder Storm

Temperature: 28 c

I almost fell off my chair when I finished reading this news.

I just don't get it. Why these morons can live in a state of denial for such a long period of time. I did quite a number of divorce cases before. I understand that when a marriage turns sour, the couple (usually the injured party) will normally go through a period of denial. During this period, he/she will deny that his/her marriage has problem. He/she will deny that his/her spouse has problem or has cheated on him/her. It may take a few weeks to a few months before he/she could wake up to the reality and face the truth.

But, unlike the injured party who has been cheated by the husband or wife, these morons take even longer time to get out of this period of denial. I have little hope that they will ever wake up to the reality and feel the gravity. They live in their own fantasies, and in their fantasies, Malaysia is free of corruption, crime, inflation, and maybe pollution (until the morons from the EC burnt the ballot papers near the KLIA).

So, what are they denying this time?

Well, it appears that our PM, while he was still conscious, used his limited creativity (or maybe his boys from the 4th floor came out with this idea) to propose a survey called “National Integrity Perception Index Survey”. I do not know how this survey works or if it actually benefits the country, but I am pretty sure tons of money had been burnt to undertake this survey. Anyway, our government's motto has always been: “spend first, see result later; if no result; spend differently next time.”

It was reported that the survey, a mechanism to assess integrity in the local context, involving 14,967 respondents nationwide, came up with an overall score of 6.97, among which, corruption scored 6.76, social responsibility and ethical business practice 6.90, courtesy 7.07, strength of the community and family institutions 7.38, and public security and quality of life 7.41. The 3 sample groups were households (10,023 or 67%), public sector (4,031 or 26.9%) and senior officers in the private sector (913 or 6.1%).

So far so good. And I continued reading…

Then I came across this statement which reminded me of the sushi I ate last night and made me want to puke:

Datuk Dr Mohd Tap said the 6.76 score in the local corruption perception index was better than Transparency International’s 5.10 for Malaysia that was based on a survey of foreign businessmen.

"It is expected public perception will continue to improve, based on the Government’s development policy, greater transparency and the announcement of an independent Anti-Corruption Agency."

Adui! This is the government's typical mentality – “we are better than Ghana”.

To me, the score of 6.76 is not acceptable. Based on the standards of Hin Hua High School, 6.76 barely crosses the passing mark. I would have to hide my result card if I score 6.76. But, our government does not look at it that way: the score of 6.76 is still better than 5.10, the score given by Transparency International.

This reminds me of a reply given by one of the deputy ministers. Asked why UM is not a top 200 university in the world, the deputy minister said UM is doing ok because we have more than 35,000 universities in the world, so if we are not within the top 200, we are still ok.

Now you see my point? As long as we are still better than Ghana, we are doing fine. Actually, in what way we are better than Ghana? Ghana played in the World Cup! Can our national soccer team beat Vietnam? Yes, Vietnamese female soccer team, maybe.

Please read again the statement made by that Datuk (who is a PhD). It makes me wonder where he was for the past 1 to 2 years. Was he living in space? I doubt so because we only have the budget to send 1 handsome space tourist to space.

Government's development policy? Greater transparency? An independent Anti-Corruption Agency?

Where did he get the idea from? The New Straits Time?

This is my father's standard posture at home. Why do I risk my life publishing my father's picture here? Because today is his birthday! Happy birthday, dad!

(Note: this picture is used without his permission)

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Rosmah will not sue Raja Petra

2008-07-01T15:22:00.001+08:00

As a follow-up to my earlier post “Oh... Not Again!”, I just learned that Najib's wife will not sue Raja Petra for alleging her involvement in the murder of the Mongolian lady.

When Anwar was accused: immediate denial + civil action

When Najib was accused: hesitated denial + …

Who is afraid of the TRUTH now?

杜评委，您好

2008-06-30T18:09:00.004+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 27 c

Last Friday (27th June), despite the heavy downpour, the bilingual speech competition went on smoothly. As I have said before, I was one of the judges and performers.

I doubt I would have this kind of experience in Malaysia. The contestants are qualified lawyer or notary public. Yet, they all addressed me as “杜评委” or “杜老师”. Of course I was not comfortable with my newly given title.

Initially, I was scheduled to give my comments, but due to time constraint, the organizer had to cut off some of the programs to let everyone goes home early. So, I was not given the chance to give my “two Renminbi” worth of comment. Nevertheless, I still had the chance to satisfy my itchy backside of performing on stage. Further, I was rewarded with nominal cash payment as a token of appreciation. 主任 said he will visit me at my office one of these days to personally thank me for my contribution.

Please click here to see the video footage. Here are some of the photos taken on that day.

主任 and me

Oh... Not again!

2008-06-29T19:54:00.006+08:00

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 27 c

I was not shocked by the news that Anwar is again being accused of sodomizing his aide. I belong to the “Reformasi” era; therefore, the allegation that Anwar is a sodomite is not really news to me. I have heard that more than a thousand times, literally.

Though such an allegation may magnify how pathetic and uncreative the BN government is, I wouldn't quickly conclude that it is not a brilliant tactic engineered at this stage. It at least shifted some of the public attentions from “C4, Mongolian case and statutory declaration” to “whether Anwar is a sodomite”.

Our DPM is badly bruised by the Mongolian case, particularly, the statutory declaration made by Raja Petra. He was placed in a very difficult position. It was so difficult that he could not even lodge a police report himself but had to seek the AG's assistance to do it on his and his wife's behalf. Personally, I am perplexed as to why the “victim” did not go to the police. If what our DPM did is acceptable, next time, if your house is burglared, please ask your neighbor to lodge a police report on your behalf, and if the police refuses to entertain your neighbor's complaint, ask the police why the AG could make a police report on behalf of our DPM.

“To sue Raja Petra or not to sue Raja Petra”, that is a question currently lingering in our DPM’s mind. If a reasonable man is maliciously defamed by someone, the reaction we would expect from that reasonable man is filing a civil suit in the courts of law to ask for damages and, more importantly, to clear his name.

However, one must know that the defendant’s best defense in a defamation suit is the TRUTH. I can defame you by saying that you kissed someone’s ass (literally), and you can sue me for calling you an ass-kisser. However, if I can prove, on a balance of probability, that you in fact have kissed someone’s ass, you would have no case against me. So, before you take any civil action against me, please think carefully whether you have actually kissed someone’s ass before; if yes, do I have the evidence, and assuming I have the evidence, do you want you want me to disclose such evidence to the public?

That is why our DPM is in a tricky position right now. The only thing he did till to date was merely denying. He said Raja Petra’s allegations are lies, fabrications and garbage. But, is a mere denial enough to brush off Raja Petra’s allegations? Our DPM’s press statement versus Raja Petra’s sworn statement: which one carries more weight?

“Denial” is aptly defined by Wikipedia as follows:

Denial (also called abnegation) is a defense mechanism postulated by Sigmund Freud, in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence.

Obviously, the people would expect the DPM to seek civil remedy against Raja Petra. I think Raja Petra would also have expected a civil suit forthcoming. But, our DPM’s inaction casts more doubts on his denial to his involvement in the Mongolian case. Why didn’t he sue Raja Petra for defamation? I don’t know. But the only logical answer seems to be: he doesn’t want the TRUTH to be used as Raja Petra’s defense. He is afraid of the TRUTH.

Nevertheless, can he safely distant himself from, and cut off all the links between him and, the Mongolian case? C4 was used to blow up the Mongolian lady and he is the defense minister. If he really has nothing to do with the use of C4, I could only draw 2 conclusions:

1. He slept on his job to the extent that C4 was smuggled out and used without his knowledge. If this is the case, he should resign due to dereliction of duty;

2. C4 is not securely kept in the military base and can be used without the express authorization of the defense minister. If this is the case, our DPM should also resign.

Our DPM is a cornered rat. He could not bear the heat anymore. When you corner a rat and it cannot escape your intentions, the rat will do what its basic instinct commands... attack you.

Now a police report has been lodged against Anwar (by the way, it appears that the accuser is linked to the DPM, read here), what should Anwar do?

Unlike the DPM, who took a few days before coming out with a denial, Anwar immediately denies such allegation, and ironically uses the same words used by the DPM: the allegation is a “complete fabrication”.

Now, the DPM is haunted by the Mongolian soul, while Anwar is haunted by the reminiscence of his 1998 ordeal. Both have adverse allegations hurled against them. Both have denied such allegations. We will have the privilege to sit back, relax, and see how these 2 veteran politicians react to such allegations subsequently. Oh, this show is promising!

Will the DPM sue Raja Petra? Will Anwar sue his accuser? In my opinion, if both have nothing to hide and are as clean as they claim, they should immediately initiate a civil suit respectively.

But what if they are not clean and have something to hide? (Indeed, I just learned that Anwar is currently hiding in the Turkish Embassy in KL)

Update at 4pm 30 June: Anwar Ibrahim files a suit at KL High Court civil registry against former aide for allegedly lodging false and malicious report. Najib has yet to sue Raja Petra. What the hell is he waiting for? Now we know who is afraid of the TRUTH.

You bakar apa tu? Kertas Undi??!!

2008-06-26T12:03:00.004+08:00

Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 23 c

I was shocked by the news I read this morning. Based on the recent events that are happening in Malaysia, it appears that Malaysia is no longer governed by simple logic and common sense. The chaotic state Malaysia is current in means that anything is possible, regardless of how stupid or dangerous it could be.

Before I write about the news I read, I will first deal with how elections were conducted when I was in high school.

Every year, Hin Hua hostel will have an election to select its Hostel Committee. On the election day, all hostel members gathered at the hall to cast their votes. Each member was given a ballot paper on which the member would write the name of the candidates he/she wanted to vote for. 3 scrutineers would be appointed by the teachers among the hostel members to ensure the transparency of the vote counting process. One of the scrutineers had to make certain that all the distributed ballot papers were accounted for. After the result of the election was announced, the ballot papers would be kept by the teacher for at least 2 weeks. In case someone wanted to challenge the result of the election within that 2-week period, a recount could be undertaken.

Though we were just high school students and were merely electing our Hostel Committee, we fully understood the need for a fair and transparent election, and that every ballot paper must be properly accounted for, to avoid any unnecessary allegation of fraud or misconduct.

Unfortunately, it seems that these simple principles of fairness and transparency are inapplicable when we elect our “honorable” Members of Parliament.

Bernama reported that “EC Need Not Investigate Why Postal Votes Not Returned”. I could not believe my eyes.

“The Election Commission (EC) need not carry out an investigation to find out why some postal votes were not returned and where they were kept. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said that under the existing law, the EC was only responsible for the postal votes that were returned before 5pm.”

Now you know why I said it appears that Malaysia is no longer governed by simple logic and common sense. Our general election is treated like a circus by our moronic leaders with their “main-main” attitude. Election is a very important and serious process in a democratic society. Despite the fact that 72,058 postal votes had not been returned in the last general election, our minister who has the cheek to tell us that “for postal votes that were not returned before 5 pm, they were no longer under the jurisdiction of the EC”.

Just when you think that missing the 72,058 postal votes is bad enough, it seems that we have more morons in the EC, please read this:

State EC rapped for open burning of ballot papers

PORT DICKSON: The state Election Commission has been rebuked for open burning of ballot papers from the March 8 general election at a landfill in Sua Betong near here on May 14.

State Department of Environment director Rahani Hussin said the commission should have obtained permission from the DOE before going ahead with the open burning of the ballot papers.

Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abas had lodged a complaint with the DOE on May 15 stating that the commission had conducted open burning of ballot papers for the Telok Kemang parliamentary and Chuah, Lukut, Port Dickson, Linggi and Bagan Pinang state seats. Kamarul said this was against the law.

Port Dickson assemblyman M. Ravi, who was also present, said he had advised the officers not to proceed with the open burning.

"In fact, the guard on duty at the dumpsite had also told the officers that they were not allowed to burn the ballot papers there but they ignored him. This is blatant abuse of power,” he added.
Rahani in a letter to Kamarul said his complaint was legitimate.

She said the DOE gave special approval to those who wished to conduct open burning provided that this was carried out in a controlled manner and was not done during dry weather or on hazy days.

"We have notified the commission that if they wish to burn ballot papers openly, they must write to us first and adhere to all the rules.

"Also, they are not allowed to conduct open burning within 30km of the KL International Airport,” said Rahani.

“We have proposed that they destroy the ballot papers by burning them in incinerators,” Rahani said.

State Election Commission director Abd Latif Baba confirmed receiving a letter from the DOE on the open burning of ballots.

“We will abide by the DOE’s instructions from now on.”

The Star

Adui! I am sure there are more than 1001 methods to get rid of the ballot papers; but our moronic EC officers used the traditional kampung method. Further, they did it somewhere near our international airport!

You still believe we will have a fair and clean election?

Honeymoon is OVER

2008-06-25T12:18:00.002+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 22 c

I hate to write this article, and this article is written with great reluctance. However, in the name of fairness and in the spirit of democracy, I have to voice my comments on this Pakatan Rakyat state.

This morning, I read the news about more than 100 unhappy PKR members failed to meet their de facto leader. Apparently, they were unhappy over their failure to be appointed local councilors.

Selangor state's 288 new local councilors will be from non-governmental organizations and professionals, with the rest from PKR, DAP and PAS. More than four-fifths of the 288 councilors have either a diploma or a degree, and are professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, environmentalists and academicians.

This appears to be a good development towards the right direction. Under the previous administration, even a former gatekeeper could be appointed as local councilor. Not only that, the son and daughter-in-law of the former gatekeeper were also appointed as local councilors.

So, why are these PKR members unhappy?

Oh, according to this unhappy group, many party members had been sidelined as the Menteri Besar had chosen professionals over them.

Shit! After kicking out the previous corrupted, inefficient, and arrogant administration, and witnessing the new alternative getting into power, we are back to square one. The members of this newly elected government want to be “rewarded”. They want to be appointed as local councilors not because they think they are qualified to serve but because they have “braved water cannon and beatings and have been loyal to PKR for years”.

Now we see their true colors. I honestly thought they were different from the Umno buggers. I honestly thought we will be able to breathe some fresh air after the recent general election, which saw our former Menteri Besar “demoted” to an opposition leader. But now, I can only smell the same old soup with different cook.

Pakatan Rakyat, please buck up! Honeymoon is over, and the people are watching.

BN subsidies

2008-06-24T15:45:00.003+08:00

Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 26 c

I received an email on the following illustration of BN-style “subsidies”. I find it very interesting and think that it is worthwhile to reproduce it here for the benefit of my readers.

I do not know who wrote this, and I am not an economist. Therefore, I would not be able to tell whether the illustration makes any sense: you will have to judge it for yourself and I welcome discussion on this topic.

*****************************

讓我說個農場的故事﹐讓你知道什麼是國陣說的"津貼"。。。

在一個農場裡﹐每天可以生產10粒蘋果。農場裡有5個工人和1個場主﹐總共6個人。他們每天一人吃一粒蘋果﹐就足夠維持農場裡的運作﹐所以還有剩下4粒蘋果。

場主把這4粒蘋果賣了﹐一粒RM10。結果賺了RM40。場主把這RM40拿來提昇農場裡的所有設施﹐設備﹐但是一天最多也需要RM25罷了。多出的RM10就拿來發給5個工人﹐每人有RM2。還有RM5拿來當作自己的盈利。

日子這樣下去﹐這個農場就變得很先進而且工人的住宿和環境都是一流的。5個工人也存了一筆錢。

但是不久這個好場主去世了﹐來了個新場主。新場主說﹕"我們要提昇農場素質﹐要有一流的思維。現在你們吃的蘋果﹐需要給RM1.00。但是你想想﹐這是很便宜的﹐你去外面買蘋果一粒要RM10叻﹗"

工人沒辦法﹐就繼續做工和每天給 RM1.00來吃他們以前每天吃的免費蘋果。結果他們現在每天只得到RM1.00。

現在﹐新場主還是把多餘的4粒蘋果拿去賣﹐賺了RM40﹐還是像從前一樣﹐RM25拿來提昇設施﹐RM10就拿來發給5個工人﹐RM5拿來當作自己的盈利﹐再來﹐現在那5粒蘋果他賣給工人﹐賺了RM5.00。現在他共有每天RM10.00盈利。

不久﹐蘋果售價突然大漲了一倍﹐外面售價RM20一粒。現在新場主還是把多餘的4粒蘋果拿去賣﹐大賺了 RM80。農場的設施提昇工程現在換了是新場主的朋友承包。新場主的朋友說﹐蘋果售價大漲﹐設施提昇工程的費用也要漲價了﹐變成RM50。其實真正費用才RM30﹐新場主把多出來的RM20和他的朋友平分。

現在新場主有﹐RM10 (和他的朋友平分的提昇工程費)
RM20 的盈利(RM80-RM50-RM10=RM20)
RM5 的賣蘋果給自己員工賺的錢。
總共是RM35.00。

比起以前的RM10﹐新場主多賺了RM25.00﹗

哇﹗﹗﹗暴利叻﹐蘋果售價突然大漲﹐農場賺多了RM25.00。但是工人還是每天只賺取RM1.00。

但是﹐貪心的新場主卻招來5位員工﹐對他們說﹐"你們看看﹐蘋果現在的市場售價是RM20一粒﹐但是你們卻用RM1.00來買一粒蘋果﹐你看你們多幸運﹗"我就辛苦了﹐我需要津貼你們每人RM19.00﹐總共 RM95.00來給你們蘋果吃啊﹐你看農場的津貼負擔多麼的重﹗農場真的很辛苦了﹐再這樣下去﹐農場會破產﹐倒閉。現在我賣你們每粒蘋果RM1.50吧﹐我辛苦一點來津貼RM18.50。"

那麼現在新場主的暴利又增加了﹐RM20 + RM10 + RM7.50 = RM37.50。又賺多了RM2.50。這RM2.50是從哪裡賺來的﹖就是從自己工人的口袋賺來的。

現在我問你們﹐比起當蘋果還沒暴漲前和暴漲後﹐農場主變辛苦了還是變有錢了﹖之前﹐RM10.00﹐之後﹐RM37.50。這麼簡單﹐你不是看不明白吧﹖

場主說津貼很辛苦﹐有嗎﹖他有從他自己口袋拿出那個他所謂的RM95的蘋果津貼嗎﹖農場有因為津貼而破產嗎﹖他現在比起之前賺多了3.75倍﹗會破產嗎﹖

所以說﹐別被主流媒體的"津貼論"騙去了。國陣成員說國家會破產﹐你相信了嗎﹖國陣政府從以前一直以來都沒有從口袋裡拿出"津貼"來給我們。

說520億汽油津貼﹐哪裡來的﹖這筆錢從來都沒有出現過﹗現在國陣政府起油價﹐其實就是伸手進我們的口袋來搶我們的錢。你認命嗎﹖你就這樣站著給它伸手進你的口袋拿走你的錢嗎﹖

China fuel hike

2008-06-23T14:20:00.003+08:00

Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 26 c

Engtee called me this morning to complain that she had problem getting into the subway train as the crowd in the subway station has suddenly swelled. Instantly, I knew the reason for the swelling crowd – petrol hike!

China has recently announced that with effect from 20 June, the petrol price will be increased by more than 15%. The electricity tariff will also be increased by less than 5% in July. The increases represent the largest single increase in fuel prices in China in a decade. The announcement helped push crude oil prices down by more than US$4 a barrel as international investors expected the move to ease Chinese demand.

Want to know how much are gasoline and diesel sold in China? Here you go:

Diesel: RMB 6.03 per liter (RM2.83)
Unleaded 97: RMB 6.42 per liter (RM3.08)
Unleaded 98: RMB 7.00 per liter (RM3.29)

Now you see? The Chinese pays much more than the Malaysian. No! No! No! If you think that the Chinese are loaded and therefore they do not feel the pain, you are dead wrong. Take Shanghai, one of the richest cities in China, for example. The average salary of the people in Shanghai city is merely RMB 2,892 per month (RM1,360). But, not all of them own a car. The majority of Shanghainese use public transport (and some, who previously drove a car, have switched to public transport recently. That was why Engtee had problem getting into the subway train this morning).

Pak Lah was right after all! Despite the recent “unconscionable” fuel hike, Malaysians still enjoy cheaper energy, if compared to some other countries. We should be grateful. So, please do not demo, protest etc. Instead, we should kiss the BN poster 3 times a day to show our appreciation. Listen to the government: Change your lifestyle!

Sell your buggy (also known as Iswara) and drive a 850 cc toy car (also known as Kancil). Stop drinking teh tarik (good for your health and wallet). Get up early to walk to your office (however, if you plan to walk back to home at night, please reserve some money for medical expenses, just in case you are mugged by some illegal foreigners).

How to measure one's personal growth and improvement?

2008-06-22T17:14:00.005+08:00

Weather: Rain

Temperature: 25 c

They said, you are a learner until the day you die.

Since I left my university and started my career, it was very hard to tell whether I was improving and learning.

When I was in school, it was easy to judge if I was improving and growing. For example, 2 months ago, I could only do “Exercise 2 A” of my mathematic workbook; 2 months later, I had advanced to “Exercise 3 C”. Obviously, I had improved.

Further, I could also tell whether I was improving and growing by looking at my result card. Last semester, I got 85 for Biology and this semester I scored 90 – another clear sign of improvement.

However, I was not given a “result card” once I finished my academic studies and stepped into the real work. Unlike schools, there is no well-tested “learning program” in the real world; I would have to figure how to learn things in the real world.

I can’t really tell with reasonable precision how much have I improved since I started my legal practice 5 years ago. One thing for sure: I am no longer the rookie who had problem addressing the judges. I had 2 extraordinary masters – one sent from heaven and the other one from hell. Both had been very generous in sharing their knowledge and had taught me about the legal practice from different perspectives. They opened up my eyes and made me realize that legal practice is not all about citing the relevant laws and authorities in the courts, but also includes making sure that we are paid by the clients for our services, so that our firm’s employees could get their salaries.

And, I am still learning.

I still remember when I started my work in Shanghai, I almost cried and wanted to throw in the towel and go home. I was asked to prepare a memo for a multi-national company, and was given a few precedents to follow. I did not know what to do and was so afraid to ask. My colleagues expected me to know what to do, but I had no knowledge on the subject matter. To rub salt into the wound, the deadline was “close of business” that day. I only had a few hours to figure out what to do, and do it. In the end, I survived the ordeal and somehow managed to pull it through. But the pressure was tremendous and unforgettable. I wanted to call my wife and tell her that if she does not like Shanghai, we can book the next flight to return to Malaysia. Amazingly, she fell in love with Shanghai. From that day onwards, I knew I have to work like a hamster running the wheel.

Time flies. A few months have passed by since then. But, am I improving and learning? I wasn’t sure until one evening I stopped and observed the work scattered on my desk. Oh gosh! I had 2 memos, 1 contract, 2 checklists and a dozen of emails waiting for me to complete, and I went home at around 12 midnight that day. A few months ago, I wanted to go back to Malaysia because I could not handle 1 simple memo. I wanted to go back because I thought working beyond 8pm was both sinful and crazy. Certainly, I have grown up.

Shanghai has toughened me up. I am not sure if that is a good thing. If I had stayed in Malaysia, I would definitely have an easy and enjoyable life (of course, until the recent "unconscionable" fuel hike that ruined everything). Well, life is fair: you win some, you lose some.

My ex-boss sent me this picture after he knew about my status in Shanghai

Bosses should be on high alert

2008-06-19T18:20:00.002+08:00

Weather: Rain
Temperature: 28 c (it's hot!)

Sorry for harping on the issues of fuel hike and inflation, but these issues seems to be the topics which are widely discussed in Malaysia now, be it in the political arena or coffee shops. Therefore, my today’s article is still centered on the recent “unconscionable” fuel hike and its radioactive impacts.

During this difficult time, human’s survival instinct will tell us to make more money. If you are earning x amount of money a month and that x amount of money is insufficient to cover all your necessary expenses, there are 2 things you have to do: 开源 and 节流 (increase income and cut down expenses). But these 2 things are easier said than done.

Cutting down expenses is definitely easier than increasing income. If you drank 2 teh tarik a day, now you can only drink one. If you enjoyed watching movies in the cinema, now you have to buy pirated DVDs with funny subtitles. If you smoked, now you will have to quit. But there are other expenses that you can’t simply cut, for example, your baby’s diapers, your children’s education, your health insurance premium, your car loan, your housing loan etc.

How to increase one’s income? Take the cue from our civil servants – get a part-time job. But not everyone enjoys working for 2 bosses – 1 boss is already a pain in the a**, imagine having 2.

A good friend of mine sought my advice recently. He secretly went for an interview (using the common trick of applying for personal leave or medical leave) and secured a better offer. He wanted my opinion – should he cross over?

Under usual circumstances, I would have advised him to stay loyal to his current boss. I would have talked him out of that idea. I personally dislike rolling stones. If he is happy with his current working environment and the present job provides him with ample learning opportunities, why risk everything just because of a mere few hundreds increase in salary? Further, I personally know his current boss, who is also my good friend. Do you think I will backstab my good friend by advising his best employee to jump ship?

But now, Malaysians are not living in “usual circumstances”. When a Malaysian needs to think twice before having a teh tarik at a nearby mamak store, something is definitely and seriously wrong. Malaysians are living in difficult time, and every sen counts. If by switching job, he could earn more and work less, should I not ask him to leave his current job ASAP? Yes, as an employee, his must be loyal to his employer; but doesn’t he owe a duty of care to his family and himself too? If he could spend more money on and more time with his family, is he not duty-bound to look for greener pastures?

In the end, I did not give him my view. I stayed neutral. I just told him, if he really wants to move, he should serve a notice ASAP; otherwise, please erase that thought and move on.

This brings me back to the title of this article. As far as an employee is concerned, the fastest and most direct way to increase one’s salary is looking for a new job. Say, if your salary is increased by RM200 each time you change your boss, your salary will be RM1,000 more if you change your job 5 times.

For the above reason, bosses should be on high alert: the next time one of your employees applies for sick leave or personal leave, he/she might be going for interview at your competitors’ office. If that happens, there is really not much a boss could do: match the offer given by the competitor or let the employee go. Both choices are painful and the boss needs to pick one which inflicts less pain.

You can’t really blame the employees for jumping ship during this difficult situation. Even a BN component party has just announced that it will support a vote of no confidence against our PM. No one would want to bet on a losing horse. When it is time to make a move, it is time to make a move. There is no room for hesitations.

父亲节快乐

2008-06-18T13:37:00.003+08:00

Weather: Cloudy/Rain

Temperature: 25 c

Written by Engtee

愿祝天下的父亲，“父亲节快乐”。爸，你是我心目中最伟大的父亲。不求丝毫回报只求儿女健康快乐就是他一生最大的安慰。

爸，我好想当您的面前亲口的对你说“爸爸，我爱你”您的伟大是笔墨难以表达。我愿永远成为你的女儿，是开心是骄傲是温暖的。

回忆起六年的中学生涯的那段日子，不论是雨天还是严酷的热天，不论手上的工作有多忙碌，您每天都准时的接送儿女上下课。从来没有一句怨言。而我们却让您担心失望。

记得十二月三十日结婚当天我哭了。我的泪水是感激的。不论是金钱或精神都给了我很大的支柱。若没有父母细心的安排，无怨无悔的付出，我的婚礼不会那样如期顺利的进行。是你们给了我这一切一切。你们的爱是伟大的。

原以为结婚之后的我可以减轻父母对我的担心，可是事实并非如此。家里的一切大大小小的事情只要摇一摇电话爸爸就会马上出现。我还记得有一次车抛锚了，他把车子让给我，自己却乘搭巴士回家。我深信这不可能是一般父母所能做到的。

一波未平一波又起，家里进贼了。我并没第一时间接到通知，家人害怕独自在外头的我担心了所以隐瞒了真相。为了防止故事的重演，他决定加强一些防范措施。就这样，他每天奔波劳碌的为这工程而懊恼。带着一身的疲惫，看着他汗流侠背的背影真叫人心痛。爸，让您辛苦受委屈了。

工作了几年的我们，辛辛苦苦省吃俭用的，最终有了一些些的储蓄。可是父母却没有希望得到任何回报。相反地，却希望这些血汗钱能够储蓄起来为自己的将来计划一番。

爸，您有多少梦想但因我们而没有实现？不管家中经济状况如何，总是给我们买最好的。而我们却没有想过您为了照顾我们而做过多少牺牲？

爸爸，您真的很伟大。

Miss you all!

Tips on Saving Costs

2008-06-17T14:18:00.002+08:00

Weather: Rain
Temperature: 25 c

Against the background of the recent “unconscionable” fuel hike, many Malaysians are seriously and creatively thinking of ways to cut down their expenses. Here are some of the methods you can use to save money to survive this difficult moment:

l If you can eat in, don’t eat out

l If you can sms, don’t call

l If you can call, don’t meet in person (as this may incur traveling expenses)

l If you have to meet in person, ask him/her to come to your place instead

l If you have to go out to meet him/her, park your car at the nearest LRT station and use LRT

l If you use LRT, eat the foods sold by the hawkers at the LRT station (that way, you don’t have to eat at a restaurant after the meeting, save further cost)

This morning, my good friend Harley shared with me an interesting fact which I find it worthwhile to write about it here.

According to Harley, previously he needed RM30 to fill up his mother’s 850 cc Kancil; after the fuel hike, he needs RM42 – an increase of RM12. His mother has to fill up her Kancil every week; which means in a year, she has to spend an extra of RM624 (RM12 x 52 weeks).

With the government's rebate of RM625 (please go to the post office early to avoid the long queue), her mother will be able to withstand the hike.

Moral of the story: SELL YOUR 1300 cc ISWARA AND BUY A 850 cc KANCIL!

Oh, just imagine if all Malaysians drive Kancil, how “third world” we will look? If a 1300 cc Iswara is a buggy in the eyes of the Americans, what is a 850 cc Kancil? A toy car? No joke, Malaysians drive toy car to work!

What is wrong with this Country？

2008-06-16T13:58:00.003+08:00

Weather: Rain

Temperature: 23 c

I read about this, this and this in today’s The Star Online, and was deeply disturbed by the current state of affair in Malaysia.

The civil servants are given green light to undertake part-time job? Are you serious? Since when they are doing their full time job anyway? Even without a part-time job, they are notoriously known to have packed their bags and refused to render any services after 3.30pm. Now they have a part-time job waiting for them, I could only imagine what kind of quality we could expect from our civil service.

Before Fuel Hike:
“Cik, boleh tolong saya semak borang ini?”

“Yeoh… kenapa tak datang awal sikit? Dah hampir pukul lima ni. Lain kali jangan datang lewat sangat.”

After Fuel Hike:
“Cik, boleh tolong saya semak borang ini?”

“Sorry. Ku kena balik awal. Ku nak pergi buat part-time job ku. Sana start pukul lima setengah, so kena pergi sekarang. Mu datang lagi esok.”

“It's impossible for anyone to make ends meet even with a RM3,000-monthly salary” some people complained. While RM3,000 a month seems to be a “decent” salary, which is usually earned by the white collars, many white collars are finding it hard to continue with their existing lifestyle with their current salary. One-third of their RM3,000 salary will be used to settle their car loan for the purchase of a car the value of which is depreciating on a daily basis. For the newly married couples, who just bought their house, another one-third to half of their salary will be used to settle their housing loan. The balance sum is for petrol, entertainment, saving etc. In other words, even though you are earning RM3,000 a month in Malaysia, your disposable income may be less than RM1,000.

But what can you do with that RM1,000?

I heard that the price of steels, cement and other building materials have increased significantly. I feel sorry for those who are planning to purchase a house. The increase will eventually be absorbed by the end users.

I was told that now you need more than RM100 to fill up a 1300 cc Proton Iswara. Hello?! A 1300 cc car is supposed to help us saving fuel! But, now this so called fuel-efficient car is eating up the wallets. My brother told me (and also confirmed by my American colleague) that in the USA, vehicles which are less than 2000 cc are not considered as “cars” – they belong to the same category as the “buggies” used in the golf courses.

Going by the Americans’ standards, many Malaysians are bleeding their wallets in order to drive a buggy, which is only used in the golf courses in the USA. No wonder my American colleague always sees us as “third world”. I don't blame him. I will not blame him either if he thinks we still live on trees. Putting ourselves in their shoes, imagine how would we see a country whose people spend half of their salaries in purchasing and maintaining a bicycle?

Mmm... do they play snooker in third world countries?

Speaker of Selangor State Assembly

2008-06-15T13:59:00.005+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 23 c

When I went back to Malaysia recently, I had this rare opportunity and honor to meet with the Speaker of Selangor State Assembly at his official office.

Before I went to Malaysia, I sent an email to YB Teng informing him that I will be back to Malaysia and whether it would be possible for me to meet and have a brief chat with him. If he answered “NO”, I would understand and wouldn’t blame him for his is now a Speaker of the state assembly and therefore has every excuse in the political world to refuse seeing someone like me. But, being a humble gentleman as he has always been, I was invited to visit him at his official office.

Initially, knowing that he is presumably a busy man, I only asked for 10 to 15 minutes of his time. However, I enjoyed our conversation so much to the extent that we spent almost more than 1 hour talking about so many issues. Obviously I learned a lot from my conversation with the Speaker. After all, it is not every day that you have the chance to chat with the Speaker!

Life is indeed full of surprises and promises. When I came to China last year’s August, YB Teng was still an opposition leader who was suspended from entering into the state assembly. Now, he is the Speaker of the state assembly and the former Menteri Besar is “demoted” to the position of an opposition leader. What comes around goes around.

The people of Selangor should really feel fortunate to have such a Speaker who has the interest of the state and the people in his heart. I have met with a few politicians before and I can tell that YB Teng is genuine and sincere.

I can’t remember how and when did I know this gentleman. 君子之交淡如水. Our friendship took off without us realizing it.

子曰：圣人，吾不得而见之矣；得见君子者，斯可矣。《论语 • 述而篇》

One of my Dreams

2008-06-12T21:19:00.001+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 27 c

I remember the first few days of my study in HELP College, my classmates loved to ask each other this typical question: Why do you want to read law?

The most common answer was: Because I want to make a lot of money. (How naïve we were! I can’t see how making RM 2,000 a month falls into the category of “making a lot of money”. Fantasy is always better than reality.)

The most disgraceful answer was: Because I want to uphold justice. (Wasn’t that crappy? Upholding justice? How? By preparing the same old sale and purchase agreement again and again? Or issuing letter of demands to loan defaulters day in day out?)

The most pitiful answer was: Because my parents want me to become a lawyer. (Yeah, understandably, a lot of parents do want their children to become a lawyer. But, unfortunately, not everyone has the stomach for legal practice.)

The strangest answer was: Because my mathematic is not good. (What?! Are you telling me that you want to read the law books which are as thick as the phone books, just because you can’t count 1 to 10? Why not join the army? Or join politics? Why lawyer?)

My reason for doing law was a mixture of the above 3 answers (except that my mathematic was good). I was encouraged by my father to do law (he got me convinced that lawyers are not the smartest guys in the world, and he was right). I wanted to make big bucks (how can I be blamed? The lawyers in the Hong Kong series drive big cars and stay in big houses). Further, I also wanted to uphold justice. It was during the “reformasi” time and young kids like me believed that Anwar was victimized and brought to court on trumped-up charges. Anwar must be freed!

I told my classmates that I wanted to specialize in criminal law (ironically, the only criminal cases I have handled so far were defending a convicted dog-abuser and alleged prostitutes). I wanted to join the Anwar’s defence team to defend Anwar. My friends reminded me that by the time I am called to the Bar, Anwar’s case would have been closed. It was too late.

I then half jokingly said, “then I will defend Mahathir.” What?! Defending Mahathir? My friends of course laughed at me. Firstly, you need to charge Mahathir for some criminal offenses before you could defend Mahathir. Will Mahathir ever be charged in a court of law? On what charges? At that time, it was very difficult to imagine Mahathir being brought into a court with handcuff on. So my dream of defending Mahathir was more difficult than landing on the moon.

10 years has passed since I dreamed of defending Mahathir. Things have definitely changed. A once opposition leader who was barred from entering into the state assembly hall is now the Speaker of the state assembly hall. Who would have imagined that?

The March 8 political tsunami has not died down. There are more indications that the full impact of the tsunami has not been felt – more interesting things are coming. Last year, we have Lingam tape fiasco; now a high court judge openly said that judges were sent to “boot camp”. Looking at the events as they unfold, do you think there will be a day when my dream could come true? Stay tuned.

We are definitely living in exciting times.

.

Me and the recent fuel hike

2008-06-11T18:41:00.002+08:00

Weather: Rain

Temperature: 26 c

Some of my friends were of the view that I was lucky to have escaped the impact of the recent fuel hike in Malaysia. According to them, I should not have complaint because I am not living in Malaysia now. While I could nearly smell the burnt in my Malaysian brethrens’ wallet and feel the pain inflicted upon them, with respect, I disagree with their view.

Yes, short term wise, I will not feel the immediate impact of the fuel hike. But, in the long run, I am also a victim of this unfortunate event. I am not an economist; therefore I will analyze things from a lay man’s perspective.

Say, one day, I bring back from China RM100; if a glass of teh tarik is sold at RM1 at that time, I would have the ability to buy 100 glasses of teh tarik. But now, with the fuel hike, I don’t think teh tarik will be sold at RM1 anymore. It may be increased to RM1.40 per glass (40% increase inline with the fuel hike). Now, my same RM100 could only buy me 71 glasses of teh tarik. In other words, when a glass of teh tarik is increased by merely 40 sen, my RM100 becomes 29 glasses of teh tarik less valuable.

I am talking about teh tarik only. What about rice, bread, electricity and other essential items which we could not live without? It means that I will have to work longer and save more in China before I am “allowed” to go back to Malaysia for retirement.

Talking about retirement, assuming I have enough money to retire, will I be able to retire peacefully?

Together with the price increase, crime rate is also expected to increase. I am going back for “retirement”, not for “excitement”. I don’t want to sleep at night with my mind wondering if a burglar is coming down from my roof. I don’t want to get worried every time my wife comes home 10 minutes late thinking that she might have been robbed, mugged, or even r*ped (touch wood touch wood!). My worries are not without basis. Since I started working in Klang, I have stayed in 2 places: one in Jalan Meru and the other in Kampung Jawa. Both these 2 places were broken in by burglars. So, my current record of house being broken in is 100%! And almost all my Malaysian friends can tell me at least one experience about car theft, burglary, snatch thief, robbery etc. Do you think I can call that a retirement?

Now you see my point? I am a victim of this fuel hike too.

Sorry, maybe I should make it clearer: I am a victim of this incompetent government too!

Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen...

2008-06-10T20:48:00.005+08:00

Weather: Rain

Temperature: 28 c

The Justice Department will be organizing a bilingual speech competition some time end of this month. The competition is targeted at the legal firms with the aim of encouraging the use of English language.

I was approached by my office manager few weeks ago. The Justice Department wanted a bilingual speaker to be on the panel of judges, and asked our firm to provide one. My office manager immediately thought of me. I happily accepted the challenge without hesitation. Later, when the Justice Department found out that I could play guitar (I do not know where they got this information), they insisted that I perform a few songs. This, I also happily accepted. Anyway, I was looking for a small stage for me to satisfy my itchy backside of performing on stage. The opportunity just materialized.

To show the sincerity of the Justice Department, last Friday, 3 officials came to my office to pay me a visit. They called it a 礼貌拜会 (or a polite visit). I was there alone in the meeting room, faced with 3 Chinese officials. They asked me what made me wanted to work in Shanghai, and I fluently told them 10 things I love about China. I noticed that they wanted to be polite and said something good about Malaysia too, but unfortunately, they knew nothing about Malaysia apparently. One younger official tried, “光良的歌很好听”.

Today, I was invited to the Justice Department office to join a preliminary “screening process”. The Justice Department received 15 application forms so far but they do not have time for 15 contestants. So, they organize this “screening process” to filter out those which are obviously “hopeless”. I have the honor of selecting the right candidates for the contest. This is something which I have never done before – I doubt I will have this opportunity in Malaysia.

I heard 15 contestants delivering their speeches in Chinese and English. I made (or pretended to make) notes about their performance. After all the 15 gave their speeches, I was invited to give some comments (or 指教指教). What do I know about giving speech? I am not a good orator. But since this is China, and everything is possible in China, I have to say something (and say it professionally). I guess the officials and the 15 contestants were very impressed with my comments. After I finished my 3 minutes of bull-shitting, the Justice Department 主任 even told everyone: 这就是专业. I was speechless. Maybe I was good, or maybe what a professional does is bull-shitting. I don’t know.

The speech competition will take place on the 27th of June. I will be one of the judges, and performers too. I did not expect all these when I came to Shanghai. This is literally putting my talents (whatever they may be) into good use. Ooh, I love Shanghai!

Harnniann, the idea is not to pocket the ball; but to pretend you know how to pocket it!

.

10% allowance cut

2008-06-09T23:17:00.005+08:00

Weather: Rain

Temperature: 27 c

We should be proud of our Malaysian government. Why? Because our government is going to lead by example: they will “change” their lifestyle. How refreshing.

How? Well, our PM just announced that one of the cost-cutting measures implemented by the government is to cut the monthly entertainment allowances of the top government officials by 10 percent.

Wow! Big thing! The fuel price was increased by 41 % and our government’s official’s monthly entertainment allowances are cut only by 10%! They are really leading by example. If our top government officials are role models of our society, we should also follow suit and cut our monthly entertainment costs by 10% only. But, will that really help? Let’s see.

If you usually spent RM100 per month on entertainment (this will include movie tickets, occasional teh tarik, etc), now you should spend only RM90. In one year time, you will be able to save RM120! Wow! RM120 is really a big sum! Meaning, after 1 full year of cost-cutting, you will save enough to pump 1 full tank of petrol for your Proton WAJA. [UPDATE: My friend Harley just confirmed that after the fuel hike, RM120 is insiffucient to pump 1 full tank of petrol for a Proton Waja. Thanks Harley.]

Now you know why we should always follow the footsteps of our top ranking government officials? They are our leaders, how could they be wrong? Yeah, yeah!

In case you are wondering how much do our ministers currently get for their entertainment allowance a month:

Prime minister RM18,865;
Deputy prime minister RM15,015;
Minister RM12,320;
Deputy minister RM6,000.

Hello?! The prime minister’s one month entertainment allowance is more than my one month salary! Initially, I thought the RM18k was for 1 year, but I was wrong: it was only for a month!

What a bunch of morons! (Sorry, I will not mince my words from now on. After the unimaginable fuel hike, my tolerance for this present establishment has reached a boiling point.)

Engtee: Can I order this?

Harnniann: No! We have a 10% cut! Remember?

Back in Malaysia!

2008-05-29T22:49:00.003+08:00

Dear All,

I am going back to Malaysia! But only for a very short period.

From 31 May to 3 June, I will be enjoying the food and sunshine of Malaysia. Anyway, it is sort of a business trip - I have to go back to my "home" country to sort out my visa applicaion as Hong Kong has stopped issuing work permits for foreigners due to the Beijing Olympic. So, "home" country that is!

I will be using 013-3777000 during my stay in Malaysia.

Hope to see you soon :)

Niann
Shanghai

坚持，再坚持！

2008-05-22T18:11:00.002+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 31 c

Written by Engtee

“地震了！上海的你还好吗？”电话筒传出成都同事的问候。“你在胡说什么？我一句话都没听懂。”当我还没回过神另一端的电话就断了。“铃。。铃。。”公司电话陆陆续续的响起来，隐隐约约听到同事们的谈话中提到四川在14时28分发生8级地震。我真的不敢相信自己的耳朵。

当时事情来得真的太快太突然了，在还没有得到全面详细报道我们显得不知所措。“上海会不会遭殃，待会儿会不会有余震，下班后该不该乘塔地跌。。”种种的疑问浮现在脑海里。

网上陆陆续续的报道有关事情虽不全面，但至少有了头绪略知一二。下班了，我也赶紧的回家给家人报了平安。

至今，地震已造成四川的死亡人数从8千多人至今天40,00余人遇难。我每当看到或听到有关报道我眼眶就会积满泪水，说真的心里特别不好受，感触特别多。

汶川约三分之一房屋倒塌，境内大部分地区通讯中断，公路完全中断，无法通行。供水、供电、等都受到很大影响。

虽然这次的抗震救灾工作遇到了种种困难，但坚强的中国人都不因此而退缩都一一的克服了。有钱的出钱有力的出力。各大商家也为地震灾区捐款。温家宝在第一时间飞到灾区进行指挥工作和安抚民心。人民齐心连夜的把道路打通运输粮食及医药品。有些青年还纷纷组织了青年志愿团。我的同事就是其中的一名青年志愿者，不顾自己的安危拯救受难者。有些大学生自得知四川灾区急需大量血浆，纷纷行动起来。上海也准备领养受难失去亲人的孩童。多感人的一幕。

五月19日至22日为全国哀悼日。19日14：28 全国人民向遇难者哀悼3分钟。此时此刻全国人民一道默哀3分钟，汽车、火车、舰船鸣笛，防空警报鸣响，全国下半旗志哀，停止了公共娱乐活动，报刊、网络则全以黑白色示人。

我佩服他们的勇气，他们坚强的意志力，他们的团结。他们让我体会到中国就是他们的家，感情就像亲兄妹一样团结可亲。我为他们感到自豪。

1 night in Nanjing

2008-05-04T17:08:00.007+08:00

Labor Day used to be a golden week in China but it has been reduced to a 1-day holiday. Though I would love to enjoy a 7-day holiday, I supported the government’s move to reduce Labor Day holiday and to replace it with Tomb Sweeping Day holiday, Duan Wu Festival holiday, and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.

1 May to 3 May is China’s public holiday. But, don’t envy us; we have to work on Sunday (4 May) to replace 2 May (Friday).

On 2 May, the Malaysian gang went to Nanjing (南京). I went to Nanjing 3 years ago with my family but I was with the tour group last time; this time, Nanjing gave me a different feeling.

I do not have the time to write a long article here so I will cheat by publishing some of the photos we took. Hopefully I will find the time (and inspiration) to write something about the trip. It was awesome!

牵手

2008-04-18T10:36:00.002+08:00

Weather: Sunny

Temperature: 22 c

Written by Engtee.

如今在上海已有八个月了。忽然之间听到了这首曲子。。。

苏芮 * 牵手

因为爱着你的爱
因为梦着你的梦
所以悲伤着你的悲伤
幸福着你的幸福
因为路过你的路
因为苦过你的苦
所以快乐着你的快乐
追逐着你的追逐
因为誓言不敢听
因为承诺不敢信
所以放心着你的沉默
去说服明天的命运
没有风雨躲得过
没有坎坷不必走
所以安心的牵你的手
不去想该不该回头
也许牵了手的手
前生不一定好走
也许有了伴的路
今生还要更忙碌
所以牵了手的手
来生还要一起走
所以有了伴的路
没有岁月可回头

这首歌是我蛮喜欢的一首曲子。。。听到它就会让我回想起在巴生的那一段喜怒哀乐的日子。。。

2007年八月前的我从来没料到2007年八月后的今天，我会生活在世界数一数二的大都会-上海。我回到了我公公的国土。其实公公是我最钦佩的。。从爸爸口里得知公公为了家庭的未来，身无分文无亲无故的独自下南洋来寻找工作。因为勤劳诚实的他受人重视。慢慢的，事业有成之后，他却没忘了他的妻子及儿子。把他们从中国给接了过来，一家团聚，才有今天的我们，快乐幸福的家庭。

然而，我万万也没料到今天的我已重回公公的国土上。这回我不得不称赞他，佩服他的勇气。他的决定让我大吃一惊。果断的决定，他马上把工作给辞了，一心一意的寻找工作。发送了好多的简历却一封封的石沉大海。有谁不慌张，有谁不失落? 但他却一点都没放弃。他的坚决，他的用心感动了我。

终于，上天不负苦心人。。。在三家公司的邀请下，他决定到中国面试。虽然只是短暂的几天时间却是决定他的成功与失败。所谓在家靠父母出外靠朋友，真的很感谢这一班朋友们。只因有他们的协助才能那么顺利的完成这一项任务。谢谢你们。

时间太短促，简单的向家人朋友们告别，他就带着我匆匆忙忙的飞往中国。我好不舍得我一手布置的家，现在的离去有点不舍得。

拿到了这一份工作并不意味着故事的结束。新的工作，新的生活其实才是故事的开始。我知道未来的路还很长，好多事情都是未知数。但我深信只要我们相信对方，手牵着手肩并着肩一定能克服一切。

.

A Stateless Malaysian

2008-04-15T23:55:00.003+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 14 c

Scene 1

Time: September, 2000
Place: Cardiff, Wales

It was the university’s orientation week. Many clubs and societies were busy setting up booths to recruits new members.

A few of my friends and I discussed about which club or society to join. We were nerds (though I really hate to admit that), so aggressive clubs like Latino Club, Basketball Club or Boxing Club were out of the question. We were searching for something mild, gentle and which did not require any physical capability. In the end, we picked one which showed how unimaginative and uncreative we were – the Malaysian Society. We filled up the application form, paid the membership fees, and were officially the members of the Malaysian Society.

The first meeting of the Malaysian Society was held in one of the small lecture halls. My friends and I were there early. However, we were so shocked to find out that almost 99% of the members of the Malaysian Society were Malays. We were the only Chinese there, and of course, we received funny stares. No one approached or greeted us. We surrendered into one dark corner and observed the whole event.

The president of the Malaysian Society gave his welcome speech (in Malay) and (to our shock and disbelief) followed by “baca doa”. We, the only non-Muslims, felt so awkward. What were we supposed to do? Pray along? At that moment, we felt like we had come to the wrong place or joined the wrong club. That was not a Malaysian Society; it was a Malay Society.

Immediately after the “baca doa”, we quietly sneaked out of the lecture hall and never came back.

Feeling lost, we really did not know which other club to join. Some of the senior Malaysian students suggested we join the Chinese Society. They were organizing a party at a restaurant and the tickets were not expensive. So, we went to the Chinese Society. We thought we would not go wrong this time; after all, were we not Chinese?

The Chinese Society was dominated by Hong Kees. Consequently, the whole party was conducted in Cantonese. I have no problem speaking Cantonese, but I would prefer Mandarin if given a choice. Further, why Chinese must speak Cantonese? Shouldn’t Mandarin or Putong Hua be a more suitable alternative? Anyway, I was the minority, I’d better keep quiet. If you can’t fight them, join them.

But, later we found out that those Hong Kees had some prejudices towards the Malaysians. For instance, they called us 马来仔 and 马来妹. We tried to argue with them that it was not appropriate to call us that. Nevertheless, the Hong Kees were not convinced. In their eyes, we were 马来仔 and 马来妹, and we came from a country stuffed with jungles and monkeys. 梁静茹 and 光良 were not famous then, so they knew very little about Malaysia. We concluded that we could not click with the Hong Kees, so we decided to move on.

In the end, we joined the club which we were really reluctant to join: the Singaporean Society. I do not need to elaborate further about the Singaporean’s attitudes towards the Malaysians. They have every reason to look down upon us.

We felt as if we were “stateless”. So, we ended up not joining any club but spending time on our studies instead (what a loser we were).

Scene 2

Time: February, 2008
Place: Shanghai, China

It was our company’s annual dinner. Everyone in the company had been talking about the annual dinner because the lucky draw prizes for this year were extraordinarily magnanimous. The grand prize was a 41’ LCD TV!

We were trained by an external instructor to waltz. Of course, we did not really pay attention to the dance instructor; we just wanted to have fun.

The annual dinner proceeded as planned with music, dance and great food. Everyone was enjoying the light evening. However, somewhere along the line, someone creatively came out with an idea of asking all the foreigners (老外) to perform on stage. Obviously, the American and Australian could not escape. They have to go on stage to either sing a song or tell a joke.

After that, they asked the Malaysians to perform. Wait a minute! We are not 老外, we screamed. We are Chinese, we are not 大鼻子 (big nose), so we should be spared. Nope, too bad. In the eyes of the locals, we are still 老外. Regardless of how well our Mandarin is or how we all look exactly alike, we are still stamped with the chop of “alien” on our foreheads and we have to walk up the stage to be ridiculed – because we are not “Chinese”.

Scene 3

Time: April, 2008
Place: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Faris Petra said that Malays had been coerced into giving non-Malays citizenship and the latter should therefore not seek equality or special treatment.

"Therefore, the rakyat must unite and never raise issues regarding Malay rights and special privileges because it is a quid pro quo in gratitude for the giving in of citizenship (beri-paksa kerakyatan) to 2.7 million non-Malays into the Tanah Melayu federation.

“Thus, it is not appropriate for these other ethnic groups to have citizenship, only (later) to seek equality and privileges,” said Tengku Faris.

.

A super weekend

2008-04-13T23:14:00.003+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 15 c

This weekend was a super weekend for me. I wanted to write about my fantastic weekend until I read about one sad and disappointing news on the website (I will deal with it later).

In the course of my work, I did a lot of agreements for companies which host various types of event, including concerts. Not to say that I know much about contract drafting or my contract law was good; in fact, I seldom prepared any form of contract in Malaysia. Only when a contract (which was prepared by other lawyer) went wrong, then only was I involved in the following litigation between the contracting parties. But in China, the majority of my job scope involves contract drafting. Well, you do not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out how a contract works; most of the time, it is just common sense.

Hard work does pay. Last week, I was offered 2 tickets to Celine Dion’s Shanghai Concert, free of charge. The organizer is our client and we assisted them to prepare various legal documents for that concert. As a goodwill gesture, they gave us 6 complimentary tickets and I got 2 out of the 6. The seats were not bad.

Last Friday, Engtee and I enjoyed a free concert, again. It was our second concert in Shanghai. It always feels good to go to a concert, and it feels even better if you do not need to pay for it. However, I must admit that I am not a fan of Celine Dion. Further, we rushed to the stadium straight from our office on Friday evening, without dinner. We were therefore tired and hungry throughout the concert.

Anyway, the whole event was worth it when Celine Dion sang “My Heart Will Go On”. It was superb!

The next day (Saturday) was our office outdoor outing. I was the organizer. It was an unprecedented outing because my company has not done that before. My colleagues are serious and dedicated workers and you do know how hard the Chinese works. They can spend 8 hours straight in front of their computers without stretching their bodies; they can come into the office at 9 am and leave at 3 am the next day, then come back again at 9 am. But, going to a park to have fun? That’s way beyond their imagination, something unthinkable.

Here is where I want to thank Rotary and Rotaract Club. It seemed like I have not forgotten all the trainings I got from Rotaract.

I sensed that the firm will work better and more efficiently if all the colleagues could work as a team. But, before you create a team, you must first create a strong bond between the members. How do you create such bonds? Rotary/Rotaract teaches you the best.

In Rotaract, I learned how to make a group of strangers into a team. More than that, I learned how to make people believe that it is necessary and in their interests to work as a team. Once I successfully did that, getting them together to do 1 activity would be so easy.

I sold to my colleagues the idea of organizing a team building exercise in one of the parks in Shanghai. Shanghai has so many beautiful and well-maintained parks, why not enjoy it? I then volunteered to be the organizing chairman. I told them I only wanted them to believe in me, that we really needed this outdoor activity. Further, this activity will be fun and exciting!

In Rotaract, we have organized so many events and projects, from a simple birthday party to hosting foreigners from another country. Therefore, organizing this outdoor activity was like a walk in the park. With all the trainings I have, it was really easy.

The hardest part is how to sell the idea to your target. Why do they need to wake up so early on a Saturday and sacrifice their precious sleep to be at a park? Initially, I have to answer that question repeatedly and personally. However, once my core group was formed, I have someone else to do the marketing for me. I learned that trick from Rotaract.

It was a great outing. We did some stupid and childish games, including “eagle catches chicks”. But who cared about what game we played? The whole idea is getting people together and strengthening bonds; the “games” or “other activities” are like a carrot hanging in front of a donkey – it is just a means to an end, not the end itself. Yes, I also learned that from Rotaract.

I am in a good mood now, so I do not feel like whacking my home country to spoil my day. Click here to read about the news I said earlier. If you don’t feel like reading it, the headline below will tell you the whole story. G bless Malaysia.

“Tengku Faris: Non-Malays should not seek equality”

.

Happy Birthday Big Brother

2008-04-11T00:24:00.004+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 13 c

I am going to write briefly about two things.

Yesterday was a big day for my big brother. It was a day when he has no choice but to kiss goodbye to his 20’s. Yesterday, he finally turned 30. My father now has a son who just joined the group of 30’s. In 2 years time, I will be joining the 30’s club too. I’d better live the remaining 2 years of my life before I turn 30 to the fullest, so I can kiss my 20’s goodbye with no regret and move on to enjoy my next phase of life.

Of course, a happy birthday to my big brother who is now happily living his life in LA. I hope you had a wonderful birthday party in LA last night. But, take it easy my brother. Today is a working day, and a serious hangover will not do your career any good. : )

I am now in my office room though the time (and my body) indicates that it is time to go to bed. The patrons of Xintiandi are slowly getting out of the pubs to go home, yet I am still in the office figuring out where to insert 1 particular clause into the termination agreement. But I am not going to write about my work, I am going to write about something else, which is more interesting than a lawyer’s life (Oh, father, why did you encourage me to do law?)

An hour ago, my colleagues and I were discussing about foreigners (老外) learning Mandarin. We don’t find it strange anymore to see a foreigner speaks fluent Mandarin. In fact, all my Angmo colleagues speak good Mandarin. The truth is, the only one who could not read and write Chinese in my firm is a Malaysian Chinese. Well, that’s another story for another time.

One Australian Angmo told us that his prime minister can speak fluent Mandarin. He was talking about Kevin Rudd, the newly elected prime minister. Quickly, we went to youtube to look for Kevin Rudd’s Chinese speech. It was amazing. It made me speechless. We are not talking about half-past six Chinese here; we are talking about good and proper Chinese with correct pronunciation. He can speak pure Chinese without referring to or borrowing from English words like we always do. For example, we like to say “你可以send sms给我吗？” or “这个agreement once 你terminate 了，它就没有binding effect 了”. After listening to his speech, I started to doubt whether Kevin Rudd can actually speak English. I thought his mother tongue is Mandarin!

If you do not know who Kevin Rudd is or have not seen him embarrassing the Chinese with his Mandarin, I suggest you click here to have a good look at it.

After watching the video clip, my Australian Angmo said he is very proud to have such a prime minister. He wanted to write his prime minister an email to tell him how proud he is to be an Australian because of Kevin Rudd. Here we have an Australian who wants to write to his prime minister to say he is a proud OZ.

He asked me whether the Malaysian prime minister can speak Mandarin. Oh no! I was hoping he will not ask this question. It was so embarrassing! Australia has only a handful of Chinese yet their prime minister can speak Chinese; but Malaysia has more than 25% of Chinese, yet our prime minister can’t speak Mandarin at all. Not only my prime minister can’t speak Mandarin, it is the government’s policy to make Chinese schools the second choice.

Nevertheless, I did answer my Angmo colleague’s question. Sorry, my prime minister can’t speak Mandarin. Further I would break coconuts at Batu Cave if my prime minister could speak good and decent English without “rojaking” with Malay words.

Am I a proud Malaysian because I have Pak Lah as my prime minister? You can help me to answer that.

Spring is here. 花开了

.

Open your mouth please…

2008-04-06T23:32:00.004+08:00

Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 14 c

This morning, I had to wake up extraordinarily early despite having only less than 6 hours of sleep. Last night, Bom, Ryan, me and the rest of the Malaysian gang had a wild night at a pub in Xintiandi, and we exchanged quality entertainment time with quality sleeping time. It’s been a while since I visited a pub. I felt disoriented when we left at 12 something midnight.

Back to the topic, I had to wake up at 7 am and get myself ready to leave the apartment at around 7.30 am because I had a mission: I needed to bring Engtee to see a dentist for some fillings.

Engtee, being a professionally trained senior accountant and my personal financial controller, had done some good researches on the cost of dental care in China and the results of her research got her worried. It was simply too expensive (based on Engtee’s standards). It may cost up to RMB 200 to fill 1 tooth. Unless her tooth problem prevents her from eating her favorite junk foods, Engtee will never spend that kind of money on her tooth.

But, Engtee is a resourceful financial controller. Her research did not stop at just finding out the cost; it extended to how to get cheaper but reasonable quality dental care. This is where Engtee used the knowledge she acquired in China to the fullest extent. She deeply understood the 2 Chinese characters that were most useful and crucial in getting things done in China: 关系 (guan xi, or relationship). This is how the Chinese society works – through Guanxi. In China, by using Guanxi, you can always get things done faster, cheaper and easier.

Her colleague knows someone who works in a hospital. Through her colleague, Engtee managed to “say hello” (as the Chinese would love to put it) to the dentist who works in that hospital. The colleague told Engtee that by “saying hello” to the dentist, she can expect cheaper and faster treatment. So, an appointment was fixed.

The hospital is quite far from our area. Since our appointment was at 8 am and we have to take 2 buses to get there, I proposed that we take the taxi instead. I was actually trying my luck. In Engtee’s eyes, taking taxi is deemed cheating and equivalent to committing an unforgivable sin. I tried my best to convince her that situations like this justify the taxi fare. Though I am legally trained to persuade the courts to give judgments in my clients’ favor, I rarely won an argument before Engtee. My oral application to take the taxi was summarily dismissed by Engtee even before I could start my oral submission to support my application. In the course of my numerous arguments with my wife, I learned one valuable lesson: if Engtee does not win, I lose.

It was not difficult to locate the hospital after we alighted from the bus. The hospital is a community hospital which provides medical care to the people within that community. It was smaller and very much cleaner than I had imagined.

We went to see the dentist (to be 100% sure that we were in the right hospital and seeing the right dentist) before Engtee registered. They did not ask Engtee to show any ID. She just needed to fill up a simple form (and they did not ask her what her race is!) and pay registration fee of RMB 8.50. Engtee used her Chinese name to register herself. I think the officer in charge had no idea at all that we were not Chinese citizens but nevertheless were using citizens’ facilities. I guess it is alright because in Malaysia, our general hospitals are used by (both legal and illegal) foreigners too.

Engtee was the dentist’s first patient of the day, so we did not need to wait. 25 minutes later, Engtee’s tooth was already filled, and the dentist gave her a small piece of paper for her to pay at the counter. To illustrate the power of Guanxi, the dentist told Engtee that since she has earlier “said hello” to the dentist, the dentist will give her some discount. I had in my wallet RMB 400, so in case anything goes wrong, we still have our backsides covered.

Happy that her tooth was finally filled, Engtee walked to the counter to make payment. She gave the officer the small piece of paper, and the officer typed something into the computer and asked for payment. Engtee had to pay RMB 19.70. Let me repeat, RMB 19.70 for filling 1 tooth (less than RM 10).

We looked at each other in disbelief. We expected something between RMB 50 to 60, but definitely not lower than RMB 20.

We, of course, happily made the payment and left the hospital.

It was our first time using the medical facilities of China. Not a bad experience.

The corridor of the hospital

Learned a new word - but I still think they should use simple word like "dentistry"

The English still needs some work, obviously

Malaysian from Malaysia

2008-04-03T00:26:00.003+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 12 c

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Martin Luther King Jr.

After the 8^th of March, I naively thought that everything in Malaysia was a bed of roses. I had every reason to believe so.

The bodyguards of UMNO, i.e. MCA and MIC, were disgracefully thrown out by the people. Now MCA needs to think twice before claiming it represents the Chinese community. MIC suffered the same fate. 13 Indian MPs were elected into the parliament and only 3 come from MIC.

PAS, DAP and PKR have officially formed the Pakatan Rakyat, which set the path for a two-party system in Malaysia. Pakatan Rakyat is not racially based, i.e., theoretically, you can join any of the parties under Pakatan Rakyat regardless of your race. The recent classic example would be the dissolution of 1 MIC branch where 110 former members of MIC became PAS supporters.

To show that Malaysia is going towards non-racially based political landscape, we have the first Indian speaker in Perak, and a Chinese speaker in Selangor. Half the Exco members of Selangor are non-Malays; while, though DAP holds the majority seats in Perak, a Malay MB from PAS was appointed instead. The notorious NEP will be reviewed and replaced by a new policy that will not only help the poor Malays but all poor Malaysians. Penang will no longer dish out state’s contracts to cronies and the well-connected; all contracts will hereon be subject to open tender.

We read from the blogs that people are seeing things beyond races: regardless of whether it is a white cat or black cat, as long as it can catch rats, it is a good cat (YB Teng, I think it was you who brought this idea up during one of your ceramah in Klang). I have read articles written by Malay brothers that they are prepared to accept a Chinese or Indian MB if that is what it takes to make sure that the state is well governed and the people’s money is securely protected.

Based on what I could gather from the internet, I slowly feel the movement that Malaysians are seeing themselves as Malaysians, not as Chinese, Malays or Indians – just Malaysians. The truth is, in Malaysia, we may speak different language, profess different religion and eat different food; but outside Malaysia, we always call ourselves Malaysians. I am not a Chinese in China, I am a Malaysian in China. I don’t read news about China every day but the first thing I do after I turn on the computer is reading about Malaysia.

After the 8^th of March, I have this vision that all the citizens of Malaysia are regarded as Malaysians. Diversity is not our weakness but is where our strength lies. Malaysia is the only heaven on the Earth where you can speak Hokkien to your grandparents in the morning, speak Malay to the government officer in the afternoon, speak English to your colleagues in the evening, and speak Mandarin to your children at night; or eat nasi lemak as breakfast, rojak and cendol as lunch, bak kut teh as dinner and roti canai as supper.

I was on MSN with a good friend of mine and she asked me what I missed most in Malaysia. I said it was the food. She asked what food I missed most. I said “a lot”. Then I made a list of food that I missed the most: nasi lemak, bak kut teh, asam laksa, roti canai, otak-otak, char kuey tiao, cendol, nasi goreng kerabu etc. Then I realized the food I loved (and therefore missed) were not all Chinese food – they were a good mixture of multi-racial food. In China, can you find a Chinese who loves asam laksa and bak kut teh at the same time? Clearly, I am not a Chinese from China. I am also not a Malaysian from China. I am a Malaysian from Malaysia (or so I thought).

Just when I proudly (or naively) imagined myself being a Malaysian from Malaysia, something happened this morning that poured a bucket of cold water on my face to wake me up from my day dream.

This morning, I received a package sent by a Public Mutual Fund agent (thanks Dad for arranging this for me). I was asked to fill up, sign the form and then send the executed form back to Malaysia. Yes, I wanted to open an account with Public Mutual Fund so that they could help me invest my money.

In the form, I was asked about my full name, IC number, address, salary, marital status and… race.

I have to tell them whether I am a Melayu, Cina, India or “lain-lain”. This woke me up from my day dream. I really felt like tearing up the form into pieces. I was really pissed.

All I wanted to do was to open an account and invest some money, why do they need to know whether I am a Melayu, Cina, India or “lain-lain”? What the heck does my race get to do with the money I wanted to invest? Is it because if I am a Melayu, my fund manager will be extra careful with my money; and if I am a “lain-lain”, then my fund manager can simply throw my money into Klang river?

I showed that form to my Australian and American colleagues and they simply couldn’t understand. “Why do you tick ‘Chinese’ when you are a Malaysian?” the American asked.

I don’t know. I really don’t know.

The next time you are being asked to identify in an application form whether you are Melayu, Cina, India or “lain-lain”, please think of this article.

Wake up, Harnniann, we are still very far from seeing ourselves as Malaysians from Malaysia.

Me and my colleagues

你真的走了

2008-03-26T10:29:00.002+08:00

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

2008-03-22T11:11:00.004+08:00

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

2008-03-20T20:56:00.002+08:00

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!

2008-03-17T00:20:00.006+08:00

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?

2008-03-11T22:51:00.004+08:00

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

2008-03-10T14:53:00.005+08:00

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

Women's Day, General Election and Birthday

2008-03-07T00:03:00.004+08:00

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

2008-03-04T22:26:00.002+08:00

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.

Lee, What the heck are you talking about?

2008-02-28T16:28:00.004+08:00

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 12 c

I was not in a good mood today. I am really pissed off actually. I just could not really concentrate on my work properly.

Why? Because I bumped into very sad news: “BN is government, Lee Chong Wei said”. Please click here to read the full story. Thanks Yeechee, for alerting me. Yes, we are talking about the Malaysia's No. 1 badminton player.

What the heck is wrong with him? Please don’t get me wrong. I am not criticizing him for supporting BN (though I really hate him for that) for the same reason that I should not be criticized for not supporting BN. That is his personal choice because when he walks to the ballot box, it is only between him and his conscience. I respect that.

What I really cannot tahan is his understanding of democracy (or lack of it) . He must be aware that he is not just another ah beng selling DVDs in the hawker centre. He is also definitely not just a badminton coach in a primary school. He is someone Malaysians idolized, for he possesses special skill: when he is on form, he could really kick the Chinese badminton team’s asses. In other words, his words carry certain weight.

When an ah beng says “MCA represents all Malaysian Chinese”, we can forgive him and brush it off by saying he is boh thak cek. But when someone like Lee Chong Wei says, “我为国家服务，国阵也是政府” (literal translation: I am serving the country, BN is also the government), we really can’t easily forgive such inaccurate and irresponsible statement.

If you still have no idea what is wrong with his statement, allow me to tell you: BN is BN, Malaysian government is Malaysian government, they are 2 different concepts and referring to 2 different things. I really don’t know why Lee Chong Wei could get this wrong, since he is so good in badminton.

I was once elected as the chairman of the Drama Club, and I did quite ok. When my term as chairman expires and there is another election, can my supporters say: we must support the club and the chairman, so we must support Harnniann? Can’t they tell Harnniann and chairman of the Drama Club are two different things? One refers to an individual and one refers to a position. Yes, as members of Drama Club, we must support our club and chairman, but when it comes to election of chairman, we do not necessarily need to support Harnniann. I am sure even a secondary school student can understand this concept.

But having said that, I am sure Lee Chong Wei is not the only one who got this concept mixed up. Since BN has been the government for more than 50 years, a lot of Malaysians were misled into thinking that BN is the government. Today, the reason BN is the government is because we people vote them in, if one day BN is abandoned by the people (maybe it has already happened), BN will no longer be the government. So, Lee Chong Wei, please get this right: campaigning for BN is not “serving the country”; just like bodeking Harnniann is not supporting the Drama Club.

I am really disappointed and saddened. Why must our badminton players always be used like a puppet? Before that, our badminton doubles were “invited” to play in Machap by-election.

I supported our Malaysian badminton team. I have said in this blog before, when our team played against the Chinese team, I supported our team all the way.

But now, I have to reconsider.

.

期待下一次的大雪

2008-02-25T22:59:00.002+08:00

Weather: Light Rain

Temperature: 5 c

I don’t know why, but suddenly, I have this urge to write about my family. Maybe I really miss them.

My family is not of a conventional type. We didn’t stay with our parents during our teenage and we took off to other parts of the world once our wings were strong enough to fly. My brother, who has an American dream, landed on the land of the free and home of the brave, while my sister slowly grew her roots in Taiwan. Me, who didn’t have any magnificent dream to start with, ended up upholding justice in Malaysia (of course that is not true, justice always comes with a price tag and must therefore be paid to be done). My younger brother who just finished PMR last year has left our hometown Terengganu to study in Klang.

My parents started raising their kids in Terengganu, but after a few years, they were again left alone with none of their children around them.

We seldom have the opportunity to spend quality time together as one family unit. My brother went to Klang before my younger brother was born. When my younger brother was old enough to understand the idea of “siblings”, all his brothers and sister have left him. My younger brother grew up being the single and only child with on and off his brothers and sister came to visit him during school holidays.

When my younger brother was old enough to come to Klang, my elder brother has already left for USA and my sister, Taiwan. I was the only one to take care of him in Klang but I didn’t do a good job, I was too busy living my life. Very soon after my younger brother settled down in Klang, it was my time to leave Malaysia. You can imagine how cruel and unfair that was to my younger brother. He was left alone in the hostel without anyone coming to visit him during the weekends. I vividly remember how it actually feels like when I was the only one in hostel and all of my mates have gone home. He must be very tough to face such loneliness. But he is only 16 this year, yet, he has to understand that when troubles come, he and only he could help himself, there is no one else, except himself. He has to solve his own problems. Daddy is too far away to save him.

This Chinese new year, my family reunited, with an additional member, my wife Engtee. I could not remember when was the last time our whole family met. It must be years ago.

It was a great feeling to see my parents and siblings celebrating New Year together. It was wonderful. It was beyond words. Though we did not express it, we all knew it. We have all grown up so much and in the process, our parents have aged. The first time I asked my mom how old she was, she was only 36. Time really flies mercilessly like an arrow.

I spent a good quality 10 days with my family. Surely, 10 days were not enough. There were so little things we could do for each other within that 10 days to make up for the time we have lost. I hope my younger brother likes the Nike shoe I bought for him. I have never bought such an expensive sport shoe before, but it was money well spent. I really felt guilty as hell when I bought a Hush Puppy for my father. I am already wearing my third pair of Hush Puppy but my father just finally got his first.

I don’t know where and how this article is going to end. But I have to go. It’s time to sleep. I miss my family. When my brother, sister and I have gone back to our respective places, I had a chat with my dad. I asked him how he was feeling and he answered: 人去楼空, 期待下一次的大雪. Though I laughed when I heard that, I could feel my father’s pain inside me. It must not be easy for him and my mom. Who would love to see their children leaving them? Who would love to waive goodbye to their kids?

I am back!

2008-02-24T23:25:00.001+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 5 c

It is time for me to face my own blog again. Sorry for my disappearance and sorry for the long wait.

This article marks the first entry of this blog since the Chinese New Year. I was happy that I had the opportunity to spend a very short time with my family in Malaysia during the holiday. If I was given a choice, I would have spent more time in Malaysia. There were a lot of friends whom I wished to meet, but due to time constraint and the many errands to run, I was not able to see all of them. Please accept my sincere apologies. Hopefully, the next time I am in Malaysia, I will have the time to catch up with you.

Well, after spending 10 days in Malaysia, I am back again in Shanghai. It would not be and was certainly not easy to leave Malaysia. There were tears and regrets at the airport when we flew back to Shanghai. Regardless of what I have said in this blog about Malaysia, I realized that I still see Malaysia as a home, and there is no other place better than home. Personally, I would prefer sunshine over chilly winter, though Engtee and Banfong would say otherwise.

What would I write about in my first article after Chinese New Year? The General Election is just 2 weeks away, should I write about it? Yes, but not now. I guess the Malaysian news papers have given great coverage to the election (though the impartiality of their reports is in question). Rather, I would like to write on something which I have touched on before: The Malaysian Chinese’s Identity Crisis.

My experience tells me: you don’t feel like a Malaysian until you leave Malaysia. That’s true. In Malaysia, I really don’t feel like a Malaysian, I am more like a Chinese. I eat with chopstick, I speak my mother tongue Mandarin more than my national language, I studied in Chinese school where everything was taught in Mandarin except Malay language and English, I listen to Chinese music, I celebrate Chinese new year and other Chinese festivals, I hang around with Chinese friends, I am reminded by the authority again and again that I am a Chinese, and when I die, my tombstone will be written in Chinese and my body be buried in a Chinese cemetery. So, it would not be unreasonable for someone like me to say that I felt more like a Chinese than a Malaysian when I was in Malaysia.

I think the situation has actually improved. Back when I was a kid, I used to hear the elders referred themselves as “中国人” (literally, China people), and they sang songs like 龙的传人and 勇敢的中国人. Now, the younger Chinese generation call themselves “华人” (Chinese). It would be weird if some Chinese in Malaysia would say he/she is a 中国人.

However, I am going to ask that stupid question again: Am I really a Chinese?

When I was in UK, I told the Angmos I was a Chinese but not from China and I got them confused. Why couldn’t I just say I am a Malaysian? In UK, everyone is English regardless of whether they are Angmos, Blacks or Indians. Same applies to USA, everyone is American. But I happened to be a Chinese who is not from China or a Malaysian who thinks he is a Chinese. No wonder the Angmos were confused. The Malaysian government is confused too!

Now I am in China, should I tell the American clients that I am a Chinese? That would certainly mislead them to think that I am a Chinese citizen. So, I tell them I am a Malaysian, but not Malay. Ooh! Why couldn’t I say “Malaysian” period? I don’t know!

Last Friday while having dinner with Engtee’s Chinese colleagues, they jokingly mentioned that in Malaysia, we are Chinese “华人”, but in China, we are just another foreigner “老外”, not very much different from the Blacks from Africa or the Angmos from Europe. That statement prompted me to think more about my identity. The Chinese colleagues were telling the painful obvious.

Yesterday a Taiwanese friend joined our All-Malaysian dinner. Running out of topics for a mature conversation, we tried to ask her about her take on the “One-China” policy, whether she feels like part of China. “No way! Taiwan is Taiwan, China is China! Taiwan is never part of China!” she claimed. As usual, the bunch of insensitive Malaysians kept on pressing her on what’s the big deal of having acknowledged being part of China. We surely did not understand. Then, I asked a Malaysian friend sitting next to me, “Will you be offended if a Chinese (from Mainland) tells you that Malaysia is part of China and you are a Chinese?” To be honest, all the Malaysians’ answers were the same: we would certainly NOT be offended. Some even expressed the feeling of excitement and happiness. That was why we, Malaysian, could not understand why the Taiwanese is so sensitive about being part of China as we would not make any complaint if someone were to shout at our face that Malaysia is part of China and we are all Chinese. But, of course, that won’t happen.

Waltzing in Shanghai

2008-01-28T18:17:00.000+08:00

Weather: Snow

Temperature: -1 c

That was not the first ball I attended. My first ball was the “Law Ball” organized by the law department of Help Institute in 1999. I remembered the ball vividly. Though we all dressed up properly and elegantly and the ball was held at 5-star luxurious ballroom, when it was time to dance, instead of dancing like European elites in the 18th century, we danced like Ah Beng and Ah Lian.

No classical music was played, but techno songs i.e., typical Ah Beng’s favorites.

The same applied to my CLP night: we wore ties and blazers, but when it was time to dance, we were no different from the DVD peddlers.

However, the dinner and dance in China witnessed something different. Believe it or not, I was wearing a tuxedo (the company rented it for us). Corporate image was very important. Nope, we did not dance the crazy frog, we waltzed.

Had I ever imagined learning how to waltz in China? No way.

Doctor vs Lawyer

2008-01-24T00:04:00.000+08:00

Weather: Haze
Temperature: 2 c

I had always wanted to become a doctor. It was a childhood dream. I do not know why but since I was mature enough to have to seriously think about my future, being a doctor has always been my first preference.

However, I know my shortcoming: have you seen a color blind doctor? Even if you have seen one, would you trust his diagnosis? Even if you trust his diagnosis, would you let him operate you knowing very well that he thought blood is black color and your skin is green?

Since I knew that I could not be a doctor, I opted to join the second oldest profession, namely, the legal profession.

There are many jokes about doctors and lawyers, and the lawyers always end up being the bad guy in those jokes.

“When a doctor makes a mistake, his patient is buried six feet under; when a lawyer makes a mistake, his client is hung six feet above.”

“One day, a rich old man summoned his lawyer, doctor and accountant to see him. He gave each RM1 million to hold as stakeholder and instructed them to put the 1 million in his coffin when he passes away. 1 month later, the rich old man died. The doctor, being the most honest one, put exactly 1 million back into the coffin. The account, after deducting RM1,000 as his service charges, put the balance sum back into the coffin. The lawyer wrote a cheque in favor of the old man in the sum of RM1 million and put the cheque in the coffin.”

The above joke shows that the doctors are most square minded and honest, without any imagination and creativity; while the lawyers are cunning, smart and not trustworthy.

In real life, that is also true.

When a doctor was caught on tape having sex with the wrong lady using the wrong position (believe it or not, oral sex is illegal in Malaysia, so 69 is definitely out!), he admitted to the public that he was the man in the tape and the woman was a personal friend: as honest as George Washington. There was no any other evidence, apart from the DVD, that could prove his identity. The maker of the DVD was not even known! Yet, this honest doctor decided to come clean and seek forgiveness.

However, when a lawyer was caught on tape trying to fix the appointment of judges and rig the decisions of the court, did he come clean and say: it was me? No no no! Never underestimate the imagination and creativity of the lawyers.

“He looks like me and sounds like me, that’s all I can say” was the lawyer’s standard reply. Was he fixing the appointment of judges and rigging the court’s decision? No, he talked rubbish when he drank too much. Was he talking to the former Chief Justice? No, he could not remember who he was talking to but it definitely could not be the Chief Justice as he did not have the Chief Justice’s number.

Can you tell me that was not brilliant? There were witnesses who testified that they were there with him when he talked over the phone. The maker of the tape confirmed that it was him in the tape. Despite all the concrete and irrebuttable evidence pointing at one inevitable conclusion that HE WAS THE MAN, our friend has the cheek to tell the whole world that “he looks like me and sounds like me.”

Luckily, I did not choose the wrong profession after all. This lawyer really makes us proud and inspires more budding lawyers to be like him.

While we are on this topic, not only the lawyers are smart genius, the judges in Malaysia were not bad too!

When our former Chief Justice was asked why he traveled with Lingam to New Zealand, he said Lingam wanted to tag along and he had no choice. Fantastic! If you are clever enough to believe that, then you would have to believe my story too. My story goes like this:

In 2005, my parents did not follow me to Shanghai for Chinese New Year vacation. I do not know why they were in China at that time. I booked 1 flight ticket and I wanted to travel alone. But when I was in KLIA, I saw my parents. They asked me where was I going and I told them I was going to Shanghai. They asked me whether they could tag along. I said, why not, after all, it was their money. So, my parents followed me to Shanghai. Did they stay in the same hotel with me? Yes, because they asked me where I stayed, so I told them the name of my hotel, and they checked into that hotel. Did we tour Shanghai together? Yes, but it was because my parents wanted to follow me. Did we take group photos? Yes, but it was because my parents wanted to take photo with me. I always obliged.

If you believe my above story then you would also have to believe that my parents waited for me in the KLIA to “accidentally” bump into me with their China Visa ready.

Oh… you don’t believe my story? I certainly hope that the Royal Commission of Inquiry would not…

下雪了

2008-01-17T21:52:00.000+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature - 1 c

At around 10.30am this morning, while I was concentrating on my work, my colleague who shared a room with me suddenly informed me that it was snowing! Without wasting a second, we quickly wound up the curtain and appreciate the beauty of the falling snow.

The snow got thicker and thicker as the time ticked away. There was I, standing next to the office window with my hands behind my back, enjoy every second of it. Yes, I still had thousand and one things to do, but compared to the gorgeousness of the white flying snowflakes, those thousand and one things could wait.

While looking at the snow, I was overwhelmed with emotions and couldn’t help but wonder how fast time travels. Not too long ago, I was driving my Proton Wira with my former boss and former client Chia to have lunch together and they were complaining about my air-cond – it was not functioning and we were sweating like hell. I jokingly told them if they would spend money to go to a sauna room, why not enjoy the heat in a small car which has the same effect as a sauna room free of charge? Of course, after that “grilling” ordeal, my former boss would not ask me to drive any more; he would rather use his car.

Yes, not too long ago, I was trapped in the heat of the tropical sun, sweating profusely and longing for the cool breeze of Genting Highland. Now, I am standing next to a window in a posh Shanghai office, appreciating the gentleness of the white beauty. It was so cold for the past few days that Engtee and I could not sleep alone – we need our body heat to warm each other up.

Yes, time really flies, and what lies ahead of us is so unpredictable.

.

Shall we dance?

2008-01-15T22:50:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog

Temperature: 3 c

From the early 80s to recently, China has gone through tremendous transformation: from international stranger to international player to international leader. I was informed that 15 to 20 years ago, the Pudong New Area (which is now the most advanced area in Shanghai) was nothing but farm land. Please look at the following pictures to judge for yourself what kind of development China has undergone.

Pudong New Area

When more Chinese people are no longer worried about putting food on their tables, they turn their attention to something else. They want to eat better food (really no joke, the world was worried about shortage of animal feeds because the Chinese people are now richer and could afford to consume more protein, i.e. pork, beef, etc). Not only the Chinese now want to eat better, they also want to do something that has “standard” which could elevate their social standing.

Our firm will be organizing annual dinner next week. Since no one in our firm knows ballroom dancing, the firm has specially engaged external dance instructor to teach us how to waltz. Really no joke. After working hour, we stayed back to learn about ballroom dancing.

Still think China is an outdated country? Think again. China is really catching up.

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Let's go to the zoo

2008-01-10T23:41:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog
Temperature: 15 c

Last Sunday, out of nowhere came the idea of going to the zoo. We learned from the map that Shanghai has a zoo somewhere in the western side of the city. We did some research on the internet and went to the zoo by bus.

Frankly, the animals in the zoo were not that amazing save for the pandas and the golden monkeys which we are not able to see in Malaysian zoo, but the scenery was breath taking, especially during the winter. By the way, anyone knows what happened to our Zoo Negara?

Here are some photos we took.

A Flat World

2008-01-09T17:54:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog

Temperature: 10 c

Shortly before my wallet was stolen, I bought a book titled “The World is Flat” for RMB25. Had I not bought that book, the RMB25 would have been stolen anyway. That’s why my parents always say buying books is always the smart choice.

The World is Flat is definitely a good read, especially for those who are involved in the IT sector. This book uses a lot of computer languages like HTML, HTTP, Apache etc which I know nothing about. I ashamedly admit that my knowledge with respect to computer stops at the boundaries of typing documents, checking emails, simple blogging and news browsing.

This book opens my eye wide for I am actually the living example of what the book was trying to say – a world without boundaries. To demonstrate to you that the world today is indeed flat, allow me to share with you a recent project which I was involved in.

Our client was a venture capitalist based in the USA (investor) and was interested to invest in a company established in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which mainly involves in operating international schools for non PRC residents (target company). The target company was owned by a group of offshore companies which were established in tax efficient territories like Hong Kong, Singapore, BVI, Cayman Islands and West Samoa. These offshore companies were owned by individuals who were scattered all over the world, including USA, UK, Canada, Singapore and Thailand. We were the PRC counsel engaged by the investor to handle the deal while a New York firm was also retained to take care of all the offshore documents. Like wise, the target company also employed a PRC firm and a law firm from Cayman Islands for this deal.

Ok, I hope I have not made things too complicated. To sum it up, the above deal involves people in the following countries: PRC, USA, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, BVI, Cayman Islands, West Samoa, and Thailand – fairly evenly distributed across the globe. Now, the first few things we had to do were to prepare a set of transaction documents which involved all the parties. Imagine, 20 years ago when people were still relying on type writers and snail mails, when internet and emails were in the same league with the fairy tales, how difficult it would be for a deal like this to be pulled through? When one party was busy drafting the legal documents, the other party across the globe would still be sleeping. Once a party has finished the first draft, he would need to courier it to all the parties for their review and comment, and it would take a very long time before all the comments could be collected and the next round of revision could be made.

But now, the world has been flattened. The type writers were slowly moved to the museum. In fact, many youngsters today have never used a type writer before! The internet, fax machines, phones, emails, Blackberry etc have made life so much easier. More things could be done more efficiently and cheaply.

With the advancement of technology, the time difference is no longer a barrier but an advantage which we could harp on. When the counsel in New York has prepared a draft document, he would send it to me in PRC via email and thereafter he could go back and rest. I would revise his draft when he was sleeping and by the time he got back to work, my revised draft was already waiting for him in his inbox. No time was wasted at all.

There was once when all the counsels (they were in New York, LA, Shanghai, and Beijing) were required to simultaneously discuss a list of all outstanding issues, all we have to do was arrange a suitable time through emails and the discussion could take place using a conference call. Sometimes, if necessary to see each other’s facial expression, we could even organize a video conference call.

We (the people in New York, LA, Shanghai and Beijing) went though the list item by item to make sure that we did not miss out any loose ends. That was a great experience for me. I witnesses first hand that the world was so flat that I sometimes forgot that the person on the other end was actually talking to me from the other side of the Earth.

Things which were so difficult to be done 20 years ago (e.g. drafting an agreement by counsels from different parts of the world) could now be accomplished in a matter of days. All thanks to the marvel of innovation. This world is moving ahead at light speed, and it waits for no one. I personally knew an American lawyer who is already 72 years old but still knows how to use Microsoft Office to amend contracts.

The Chinese says: learning is like sailing against the tide – if you are not moving forward, you are definitely moving backward.

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Sleeping with the wrong lady

2008-01-03T00:00:00.001+08:00

Weather: Fog
Temperature: 0 c

This is my first article of year 2008. To all my readers, I wish you a healthy and happy year ahead. The temperature in Shanghai dropped to as low as negative 3 degrees for the past few days. The surface of the water in the pond was completely frozen.

Initially, I had planned to write about my misfortune on the first day of 2008. Yesterday, Engtee and I went to IKEA to look for something to buy. No, we were not buying anything for our Shanghai place (we do not have any extra space to accommodate more furniture); we were looking for something to bring back to Malaysia.

While we were on our way back to the subway station, I realized that my wallet was missing. I was dead sure that it didn’t fall out accidentally as both my hands were in my pockets all the time due to the cold weather. It could only be the work of a pick pocket. So, fate gave me my New Year gift: a stolen wallet.

Luckily, my guardian angel was looking after me. That morning, before we left the apartment, there was a divine intervention. Something just struck me and I told Engtee we should take out all our personal and important documents such as Malaysian IC, driving license, ATM cards, credit cards etc because we should not carry it around since we were not going to use it anyway. As a result, we took out our Malaysian IC, driving license and other important documents from our wallets and left them in the apartment. Therefore, though my wallet was stolen, I only lost some cash, business cards and my room keys.

Without having to lose my Malaysian IC and driving license did save me a lot of trouble, my biggest headache after losing my wallet was only my room keys. However, believe it or not, the service industry in Shanghai is much more advanced than Malaysia. All I need to do was called up my real estate agent (the one who sourced for my current apartment) and told him about my situation. The next day, he helped me to handle all the procedures for the replacement of room keys. You are not going to believe this: he even paid the fine (RMB 80) on my behalf. Now I have to figure out a way to pay him back the money.

After having “victimized” by the “criminals” in Shanghai, I still think Shanghai is a safe place. At least the thief used some skill to earn his living. Unlike in Malaysia, where the “thieves” need no special skills – they confronted their victims with parang and demanded for money, that’s all. I frequently walked home alone at night at around 11pm to 12 midnight. Honestly, I never felt threatened. But I wouldn’t want to walk alone in Kampung Jawa at 12 midnight, even if you offer me RM100 to do so. Not even for RM1,000 for that matter.

So, I really thought my misfortune on the first day of New Year was going to make headline of this blog: I WAS A VICTIM OF PICK POCKET!! But I was wrong. Something much bigger came up and replaced my headline.

It was about a brave man who admitted having committed adultery. He is none other than our “former” Health Minister, Dr Chua. 2 days after the circulation of the pornographic DVDs in Johor showing a senior politician having sex with another lady, our Dr Chua decided to come clean and admitted that he was the man in the DVDs. At the outset, I must record my admiration for his honesty and courage to face the truth, though the truth really hurts. He could have taken a more shameless and cowardy approach, something which most politicians loved to do: IT WASN”T ME. I WAS FRAMED!!! Outright denial often seems to be the normal knee-jerk reaction for most of the shameless politicians.

Dr Chua came out of nowhere in 2004, after taking over the ministerial post from another Chua – Chua Jui Meng, his political career rose like a helicopter. People were speculating that he might one day challenge the post of Deputy President and thereafter, the President. He was a star in MCA.

I admit that I am not a fan of Dr Chua, not only because he is a member of MCA, but also because of how he had handled the “Negarakuku” incident. Not that I had high hope for a MCA leader, I thought he could have done better.

This morning, he had resigned from all his position in MCA and Government – obviously a difficult choice for him as he has said less than 24 hours earlier that he would not resign. Anyway, let’s discuss this: do we have any business in his personal life? He could have been a fan of threesome for all I care, but if he had done his duties right, should we ask him to resign?

I was all for Bill Clinton when he wrongly placed his cigar. My argument then was: Why impeach a good president when he could deliver?

However, Malaysia is not USA. Malaysians “officially” could not tolerate adultery. If Dr Chua were a Muslim, he would have been dragged to the Syariah Court to face charges. Luckily, being a non-Muslim Malaysian, he has all the license in the world to screw any ladies of his choice, the only legal consequence I could think of is that it creates a justification for his wife to petition for divorce. Further, if he continues to be our Health Minister, will he be able to speak with conviction and confidence the next time he convinces the people to avoid extra-marital sexual relationship as a measure to prevent AIDS?

They said the position of Health Minister is cursed. One will end his political career after sitting on that chair. Lee Kim Sai and Chua Jui Meng, among others, had proven that. Now, will we see the comeback of Dr Chua?

I doubt so.

Kuala Terengganu will be a city?!

2007-12-26T23:57:00.000+08:00

Weather: Cloudy

Temperature: 11 c

I must be too busy for the past few weeks until this news slipped from my radar, or maybe my informants in Malaysia might have thought that this is not important enough to alert me.

To my readers who know little about me, though I always talked about Klang, I originally came from Kuala Terengganu (KT) – the land of turtles (though not many left, even the fake turtle on the roundabout near Ladang has been mercilessly removed).

This morning as I was going through my daily routine of browsing Malaysian news before I start my work, I spotted this incredible news: RM10 millions will be spent for the declaration of KT as a city. The reason for me to choose the word “incredible” is 2 fold: (i) KT will be made a city; and (ii) RM10 million will be spent for the celebration.

Please don’t get me wrong, I am actually happy for KT. It’s just that I find it hard to believe that KT will be a city! The last time I checked, KT was still in the same state and condition as it was 15 years ago. I am really confused about what has improved since then.

Allow me to summarily audit KT based on whatever I have in mind right now. Ok, let’s start with the general hospital (GH). The structure of KT’s GH is the same as Klang’s TAR Hospital (I won’t be surprised if they used the same blueprint to build the hospitals). It was there ever since I remember anything about KT. Did any new hospital being built lately? Not that I know of, but I stand to be corrected. Anyway, I think Klang definitely has more hospitals than KT (taking into account the private hospitals).

Now, let’s talk about public transport. One thing I love about KT which neither KL nor Klang could offer: no traffic jam. Further, KT has airport. I was told by my dad recently that KT has just built a brand new airport called “Magnificent White Elephant”. That makes KT somehow “more advanced” than other towns/cities in the west coast. Why does KT need a new and big airport is beyond my comprehension. How many planes that take off or land in KT a day? Don’t be surprised but I think there may be more planes in Kandahar airport, Afghanistan. There are cities without airport, take Petaling Jaya for instance. Klang doesn’t have airport either, but Klang has commuter train which KT doesn’t have. Of course, KT has another thing which Klang doesn’t have: trishaw.

What about entertainment? When I was studying in primary school, there were cinemas in KT and the ticket price was only RM1 to RM2. Now, there is NO cinema in KT, not even one. There used to be some night clubs in KT but I was too young to patronize them then. Unfortunately, before I am old enough to pay them a visit, they were all closed down. I am not sure what the people of KT expect their young adults to do during their leisure. Do they seriously expect the young and energetic ones to go jogging and fishing everyday? I am not a fan of Karaoke or nightclubs, but let’s be honest, I would wish to occasionally spend some time doing something stupid and unproductive too. That’s what young people do! It is not surprising that KT is unable to keep its young people. Many young Anak Terengganu have left KT to seek greener pasture else where. The people in KT are aging to the extent that I was told that some associations were not able to continue with their youth wing: there is no young member! But somehow, KT will be a city soon.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am proud of KT. Regardless of where I will be in the future, KT will always have a special place in my heart. Which team do you think I supported when Selangor played against Terengganu in Piala Malaysia final? The answer is Terengganu no doubt.

But loving KT is one thing, declaring and accepting that KT is a city is another. If KT is a city, why Penang is not? This is another supporting proof that Malaysia will be a developed nation in 2020.

Another supporting proof that Malaysia is really “boleh” and there is “hope” in this country is that RM10 m has been budgeted for the declaration and celebration. I know there will be fire works, there will be “tarian tradisional”, there will be kompang, there will be “kenduri”. Let’s not kid ourselves. After the glorified celebration, the people in KT must still get back to the reality.

I can call myself Clint Eastwood, but instead of Dirty Harry, people could only see me as a Cina pek. Think about it.

Dr Lee has left us for 365 days

2007-12-25T15:27:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog

Temperature: 11 c

Today, the whole world celebrates Christmas. Even in country like China where religion is almost non-existent, the air and joy of Christmas are everywhere. Shopping malls and high end commercial buildings have been very busy with Christmas decoration. Christmas trees, fake snow, Santa Claus, Jingle Bell are seen in every corner. I am not sure whether China is the only country that celebrates Christmas purely from commercial perspective without any form of religious element.

Having said the above, while my friends in Malaysia, USA, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong etc, are enjoying Christmas holiday, I am sad to say that: maybe, China is also the only country that celebrates Christmas without an official public holiday! Yes, regrettably, I am working now: First time in my life doing something non-leisure related on Christmas. Though I am not Christian, I have always thought that Christmas holiday is something I deserve.

But today’s article is not about Christmas; it is about a friend of mine who has left this world exactly 1 year ago.

His name was Dr Lee. He was my classmate. After SPM, he pursued his study in medicine and in 2005, he successfully became a doctor. He once told me that he applied job in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, and ironically, only Malaysia turned him down. Apparently, Malaysia had enough qualified doctors already. So Dr Lee went to Australia to start his career: another sad story of Malaysia’s brain drain. I have had enough of telling the brain drain stories so I would not elaborate here.

I must admit that Dr Lee and I were not close in class. I belonged to the group that created the most noise but made the least revision; while Dr Lee belonged to the group that made no nonsense but fully concentrated on studies. Naturally, our worlds were poles apart. He couldn’t stand me cracking up jokes which he found not funny thus disrupting the class and similarly I couldn’t stand him raising his hands so often to ask the teacher questions, which I found unnecessary.

After we finished high school, we went our separate ways. There was a long period of time that we have lost touch with each other: until one fine day in June 2006.

I was watching movie at home when I suddenly received a call from Dr Lee. I intentionally used the word “suddenly” as I was in no way expecting a call from him. I did not even have his number in my mobile.

Dr Lee sounded ok. He told me that he got my number from another classmate and knew that I was practicing law in Klang. He needed a favor from me: he wanted me to draw a will for him. “May I ask why?” I curiously asked. Dr. Lee definitely didn’t fit the profile of a client who wanted to draw a will. He was only 25 that time. Which young adult at the age of 25 would have thought about writing a will to dispose off his/her assets when he/she is not around?

Dr Lee did not try to avoid my question; he answered me honestly without any hesitation. “I am dying. I got Leukemia and there is 70% chance I would not make it.” He told me calmly.

I did not know how to reply. I was shocked. But more than being shocked, I was sad. I have lost 2 classmates since I graduated from high school: one died of brain tumor, and the other drowned in the sea of Taiwan. I really could not take the news of a third one.

I tried to sound as professional as possible with little emotion. I thought it would not be appropriate to probe further on his health over the phone. I said surely I would help him and we would meet up to discuss the details. He said ok but the meeting would have to wait until he came back from his Chemo.

A week later, Engtee, Lloyd and I went to Dr Lee’s house. Engtee was scared by the presence of 2 dogs. Dr Lee slowly walked out of the house to lead the dogs away. We became speechless when we saw Dr Lee: he was bald, thin, and weak. He appeared tired when he greeted us.

3of us proceeded to his bed room. Instead of talking about the will, we were generally talking about his medical conditions (which initially we tried not to bring up). He was happy to tell us about his conditions. Being a doctor, he was able to explain to us clearly what Leukemia is, the symptom, the treatment, the side effect and the chances of survival. Once we were done with the medical jargons, we reckoned that it was time to discuss something more formal: his will.

I have drafted a few wills for clients before but this was different: I was helping my classmate to draft his own will in anticipation of impending death. The feeling was very bad. Even until now, I am not able to forget it.

After that Dr Lee went through a series of Chemo, including a bone marrow transplant. He was getting weaker by the days. We went to the hospital to visit him. He was cheerful to see us. But because he was too weak, we could not go into his room in one huge group; we had to be divided into groups of 3 and took turn to see him.

On Christmas last year, I received a sms informing me that Dr Lee has passed away. It was just a few days before my wedding.

I was prevented from going to his funeral to pay him the last respect due to some Chinese traditional “pantang” – I was about to get married and it would bring bad luck to my marriage if I were to attend a funeral. Of course I was not educated and brought up to believe in all these “pantang”, but I felt that I would be very selfish if I were to upset my wife and my in laws and place them in fear. Additionally, I did not want to give them the opportunity to say, “na na na I told you so.” if my marriage does not work out.

365 days has gone by since Dr Lee left us. I would remember him as a brave person who could face his own death fearlessly, calmly and with hope.

“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” – Bertrand Russel.

.

Welcome to the club!

2007-12-20T16:05:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 14 c

I really wish I was there.

There are events in our lives which we really wish we were there – my great pal Bom’s wedding was certainly one of them.

Bom was the third king among the 4 heavenly kings to get married. I was the first, then Lan Tat, then Bom. Borrowing the words of my former boss, Bom has been inducted into the Married Men Club without knowing the rules and regulations.

Fate must have played us both. Almost a year ago, Bom was not able to attend my wedding and be my best man in Malaysia because he was in China. A year later, I couldn’t attend his wedding and be his best man because I was in China. 2 great buddies who failed to attend each other’s wedding. He was not in my wedding photo album, and I was not in his.

Fate also must have played tricks on us both. Bom and I were classmates while our respective wives were also classmates. Bom has chosen his future in China while I later followed suit. I must admit that without Bom’s selfless assistance during the initial period of my stay in China, things would have been 10 times harder.

Bom and Stella, I am not sure you will be reading this because probably now you are enjoying your honeymoon in Bali. This article is specially dedicated to both of you, newly married couple. Bom and Stella, we have walked together the path of growing up, now together, we will walk together in China into the future. “不管世界尽头多寂寞，你的身边一定有我，我们说过不管天高地厚！” – 信乐团.

When a man holds his lover's hands before wedding - it is passion

When a man holds his lover's hands on the wedding - it is formality

When a man holds his lover's hands after wedding - it is self-defence

Good luck brother!

Who is the 阿灿 (Ah Chan) now?

2007-12-20T10:12:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fair

Temperature: 12 c

I remember in the 80s or even early 90s, there were many Hong Kong series or movies that made joke of the Mainland Chinese. On top of my mind is the movie called “花花公子” (or Playboy) played by Chow Yun-Fatt and Anita Mui. The Mainland Chinese were rudely referred to as “Ah Chan”. In those movies or series, the Chinese people were usually depicted as stupid, off-fashion, square minded and dirty.

During the 80s and early 90s, apart from portraying the negative image of the Mainland Chinese, the Hong Kong movie and series also frequently touched on the fear of “97” i.e., the return of Hong Kong to the Mainland. Everyone was talking about migrating to avoid falling into the hands of the Communist Government. Almost everyone was crazily saving money for migration. On top of my mind is the movie called “富贵逼人”. Hong Kong people saw no hope after 1997, only a few were optimistic about the future of Hong Kong after she was taken back by Mainland China. It was as if Hong Kong would sink on 1st July 1997.

In the 80s and early 90s, a few would have thought that China will be the future, especially after the Tiananmen incident in 1989.

This phenomenon was not only found in Hong Kong, Malaysia too has the similar feelings towards Mainland Chinese, even until now. When we saw a man from China in Malaysia, we immediately thought that he must be a con man; when we saw a lady from China, she must be a prostitute or “Little Dragon Girl”. Allow me to digress a little. Once, I witnessed that a lady from China selling DVDs to a group of Malaysian Chinese men who were enjoying their Bak Kut Teh. This group of men obviously has no intention to buy the DVDs but since the Chinese lady looked “ok”, they decided to “spend some time” with her. They made fun of her, some even bordering on sexual harassment. One guy said, “Your DVDs defective or not? Can be played? Or can only be played by made-in-China DVD players?” The group burst into laughter. The Chinese lady coldly replied, “at least China manufactures DVD players… You Malaysians don’t even have Malaysian brand DVD players.” The guys continued laughing but her point was taken.

Against the above background, let’s see our Malaysia in the 80s and early 90s. Malaysia was one of the 4 tigers in ASEAN. In the early 90s, Malaysia’s economy was booming. Everyone was making money, particularly through the stock market. There were so many things we wanted to build, KLCC, Airport, MSC etc (later, all these became magnificent white elephants). Those were the glorious days of Malaysia. The people were thinking that Vision 2020 was well within our reach, or we may even achieve developed state sooner than 2020. Let’s be frank, 2020 is just another 13 years away. Do you see Malaysia leaps into the club of developed states in 13 years time? Well, judging from what happened to Selangor in 2005 (Selangor is already a “developed state” since 2005 based on the criteria imagined by our Menteri Besar), I am quite sure the government will declare that Malaysia is already a developed state in 2020, despite the rest of the world not recognizing it, as long as we still have roads, hospitals, schools, commercial buildings, residential areas, “independent” judiciary and a so called “democratic system” then. Or you think that the Malaysian government will eat the humble pie, face the truth and announce to the people that we have failed the Vision 2020? You want to bet? Since we are on that topic, can someone tell me whether the Vision 2020 thingy is still on, since it was the brainchild of the old man?

Now, back to our original topic. I could tell you the different image between Shanghai and KL. I could also tell you the way Shanghai people live. But, instead of talking about my own observation or my opinion based on my own perspective which could be bias and inaccurate, let’s talk numbers.

From 2003 to 2006, Malaysia real GDP growth floated between 5% and 6.8%. Of course, our mainstream media will tell us that were good enough. After all, we were not looking at negative growth, right? Let’s see what happened to China’s GDP growth. From 2003 to 2006, China’s real GDP growth was continuously in double digit i.e. from 10% to 11.1%. It was an economic miracle that the world has never seen.

In 2006, Malaysia’s export of goods was USD160,814 million; while China’s was almost 8 times larger at USD1,212 billion. In 2006, Malaysia’s GDP at market price was USD572.6 billion; while China’s was almost 40 times larger at USD22,049.8 billion.

Now, who is the Ah Chan?

p/s:-

Hi Vincenzo, nice to see you again. Thanks for the good comment. Hope you could share with us more on your thoughts.

Hi Hong Seek, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. Your comment could already be made into a blog : ) Thanks for sharing your idea with us. Hope to see you more often here.

Money Printing Machine

2007-12-17T22:40:00.001+08:00

Weather: Rain
Temperature: 9 c

At last, I have the opportunity to sit before my laptop in my apartment with a peaceful mind to blog. Blogging during leisure has been a privilege. I really enjoy writing articles for this blog: it is my private time with my dearest readers (some of whom I may not even know).

This morning, I was looking at my timesheets for the past few days. Just in case you are not an animal in the corporate zoo, a timesheet is a document lawyers use to record time spent on clients’ matters. Of course, the primary purpose of timesheet is to bill clients based on the number of hours recorded on the timesheets.

When I was working in Klang, the concept of timesheet was so foreign, it was almost non-existent. We need no timesheets. The clients will negotiate for the fees at the outset; they want to know how much they will have to pay at the end of the day. For example, the clients want to know exactly how much you charge (in total), say, for handling a divorce. They want a fixed fee, so they know for sure whether they are able to pay you. If you tell them you charge on an hourly basis, they will run with their tails between their legs. Timesheet doesn’t work well for small individual clients. You really can’t measure your fees by the hours you spent. So, the earlier you could close your file, the better. Because the fees have been fixed, so the lesser time you spend on the file, the better. In addition, individual small clients will not trust your timesheets. They will ask, “how do I know whether you really spent that amount of time? How do you prove that the time recorded by you is accurate?”. Trust me, I have tried to introduce the concept of timesheet in my previous law firm and it was a disaster.

Yes, this morning, I was looking at my timesheets for the past few weeks. If you think that a lawyer charging RM300 per hour in Malaysia is obscene, try that in US dollar. Yes, you are right, in China, we charge clients in US dollar. A lawyer needs to bill clients certain hours a day to meet the so called “quota” or target. Now, looking at my timesheets again, I really look like a money printing machine. I start printing money the moment I finish my coffee and turn on my computer. And this money printing machine runs non-stop for a few hours before lunch time. On certain occasions, this money printing machine failed to stop for lunch break. Sometimes, this money printing machine didn’t even stop for toilet break: it was printing money in the toilet (I do not wish to elaborate further, please use your imagination).

On top of that, please note that I am not the only money printing machine here, we have more than 2 dozens money printing machines here, diligently printing moneys non-stop. That’s how big money was made, I guess. Certainly not by assisting an individual client in writing a letter of demand to his debtor and thereby charging RM75 per letter.

All this hours spent on certain clients’ matters will be recorded and sent to the accounting department at the end of each following day. The accounting department will collect the timesheets from every professional (here, they are referred to as wage earners), compile it into statistic and publish it at the end of the month like our results slip.

Fortunately, even though I am a junior in the firm, my billable hours ranked third in Shanghai firm for the month of September. No, not because I was good. It was because of my peculiar position, i.e. being bi-lingual. For the reason that I could read and write both Chinese and English, I was roped into many different projects. Each email to clients would have to be read and edited by me before it was sent out. Where a Chinese contract needs to be explained to US clients in English, the firm will find me useful. Some even gave me a nick name “Window Vista”, because they only need to give me instruction in Chinese and I will be able to type it out in English. Of course, through reading other people’s emails and contracts, I learned a lot about practicing law in China, not only about the law, but also about how to deal with Multi-National corporate clients.

p/s:

I am really tempted to write something about Malaysia, especially the current chaotic state of Malaysia, i.e. invoking the draconian ISA to arrest the Hindraf 5. The government said again and again that they have enough evidence to prove, among others, that Hindraf has links to the terrorists. If so, my simple question would be: if you have enough evidence, why not charge them in court of law and let them defend themselves? Why lock them up in Kamunting for 2 years without trial? Hey, we are not looking at just 2 years; we are looking at least 2 years as the government is entitled to continuingly extend the 2 years detention.

Are we still going to believe the propaganda that our PM is a Mr. Nice Guy? That he has big ears? That he vows to fight corruption? That he will walk the talk? That he is different from his predecessor?

I really wanted to write more about Malaysia, about Hindraf 5, about Hindraf 31, about the full version of Lingam Tape, about the 19 Dec “illegal” assembly, the Statue of Sea Goddess in Sabah, but, my good friend Harley reminded me this morning of my own words: why kick a dead dog?

Dear Vincenzo, it is nice to have you here. I wish to see you more often in this blog.

Engtee enjoying a Karaoke session in Shanghai. Yes, behind Engtee was my Angmo friend.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty... yeah right

2007-12-09T22:58:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 10 c

As I was browsing Malaysian news, my heart dropped deeply into the South China Sea.

31 Indians, who allegedly took part in the Hindraf rally on 25 Nov, were charged in Shah Alam Sessions Court for attempted murder. From the report, it appeared that they threw stones at the police officers, which resulted in the injury of a policeman. Of course, what the report did not say was that the police fired tear gas and water cannons into Batu Cave, a sacred place for Hindus.

On the date the 31 were charged, our honorable Attorney General, who is the Public Prosecutor, was in the court to handle the charge himself. I have no idea why the AG had to handle this case himself; I have seen other more serious cases being handled by his DPPs, e.g., the bombing of one Mongolian case. Why he has to come all the way to Shah Alam Sessions Court to handle the charge? From the available reports, I could not see any explanation.

My immediate thought was: will not the Session Court Judge be intimidated by the presence of the AG? If AG is the one on the prosecution side, can the Judge handle the case fairly? That was my fear.

In case you still don’t know, as far as the lower courts in Malaysia are concerned, there is no real separation of power. A DPP may be transferred to be a judge, a magistrate may be transferred to be a DPP, and a deputy registrar of the High Court may be transferred to be a federal counsel. They are all basically in one same basket: one day they may be a prosecutor, the next day they may be a judge. In other words, the AG, being the number 1 legal officer of Malaysia, is directly or indirectly the boss of the Session Court Judge. If your boss applies for or object to something, do you have the gall to tell him no?

My fear tuned out to be reality. The 31 were all denied bail: they will have to be locked in the jail until their case finds its day in the court, i.e., may be 2 to 3 years later. Being part of the system before, I can tell you the speed of our court system. Even tortoise runs like Carl Lewis in our court system. Can you see the sadness in our legal system? The 31 are being punished even before they are convicted. Liberty is sacred, which could not, shall not, and should not, be taken away without solid reason. Liberty is not something “main-main”. A lot of people, since the time immemorial, had sacrificed their lives for liberty.

When I was studying criminal law, my lecturer told me that the most terrible, unacceptable, despicable thing under the criminal law system is to put an innocent man behind bars. Therefore, the law always presumes innocence, and the burden of proof is always on the prosecution, for anyone must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, which means no one should suffer any form of punishment until being convicted.

The 31, although being charged for attempted murder (the merits of this charge is another big controversial issue, which I decide not to discuss here), are still just “accused”, they are not convicted murderer! Why put them behind bars for several years even before their trial begins?

To my readers who still can’t see my concerns and worries, please imagine this: if you were charged for something which you did not do, e.g., you may just be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and you were denied bail. After several years staying in jail, finally your case finds its way to the courtroom. After a lengthy trial (trust me, a postponement can range from 3 months to 1 year), you were found not guilty and acquitted. All you get after years in jail is: "Oops, we got the wrong guy, sorry". How would you feel? It really doesn’t matter how you feel, for your family, future, dreams have completely been ruined and torn into pieces. If it can happen to the 31 Indians, I see no reason why it can’t happen to ordinary citizens like you and me.

Please, free the 31.

Turning to another piece of news, I learned that a human right lawyer, a bar councilor, was arrested for stopping DBKL from removing bar council’s banners. The banners were on private property, so why there is a need to apply for permit?

I am really worried. Tomorrow the world will celebrate human rights day. Yet, in Malaysia, we see inhumane things happen every now and then. “Disappointment” cannot aptly describe my feelings towards Malaysia now. I initially was hopeful that with the exposure of the Lingam Tape and the setting up of the royal commission, our judiciary will be completely revamped and will one day become independent like it once was. I was too ambitious and childish, it seems. Zaki, the former UMNO Legal Advisor, who was appointed straight to the Federal Court 3 months ago, had been made the President of the Court of Appeal, bypassing everyone. Rumor has it that in 10 months time, Zaki, the most junior superior court judge, will be made a Chief Justice. An UMNO man has been planted into our judiciary, and I was hopeful that the judiciary would one day be independent again: how naïve.

As you can note from the tone of this writing, I am not in a mood to make jokes. I don’t find Malaysia’s current state of affairs funny at all.

Corporate 101

2007-12-06T00:46:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog
Temperature: 13 c

Again, sorry for not blogging for the past few days. The truth is: finally I have the time to sit before my laptop with a peaceful mind to blog and reflect on my personal lifestyle.

For the past few days, from the perspective of my personal life, it was a disaster. Engtee and I could only communicate over the bed. Please do not think dirty. I do not mean that kind of communication. Every morning, when Engtee was about to leave the apartment, she would wake me up and remind me what had to be done, e.g. pay rental, bank in cash etc. I would listen to her while lying on the bed half-asleep. When I came back after work (usually 10.30pm, sometimes even 1am) Engtee was already in bed, sleeping soundly. She would normally wake up once I opened the bedroom door. Lying on the bed, she will ask me how was my day. I would summarize my one day activity and work while getting prepared for shower. By the time I finished shower, Engtee would be sleeping again. So, the next routine of our communication would start after a few hours of sleep.

This was how we communicated as husband and wife. We only managed to see and talk to each other in bedroom for about few minutes per day. That’s why I called it a disaster. I was being robbed of my personal time. Even weekends were not spared. I had to cancel my karaoke session with my angmo colleague due to work-related reasons.

Like I always say, when G gives me shit, the good stuff is on its way (or already being delivered).

Career wise, I learned a lot of new things during the past few days. I was assigned to a team to handle a Merger and Acquisition (M & A). When the partner approached me whether I was interested to join the team, I told her I knew nothing but I was willing to learn new stuffs. Initially, my role is minimal: basically, reading the offshore documents (which are in English), editing the emails, editing the English reports, drafting emails to client etc. Nothing significant or substantial. I was just a higher level typist cum editor cum secretary.

The deal was not supposed to be sealed until after the New Year. So the partner took a few weeks off to focus on her PHD exam. It was during her absence that the deal was suddenly moving, and was moving at light speed. We were informed by the client that they expected to sign, seal and deliver all the legal documents within 3 days. As for our team, we only have 2 players: a senior associate and me (who knows nothing about sealing a contract the size of Mount Kinabalu).

Of course we were panic. The partner could not come back to help us close the deal because she has to take her exam. She could only advise us by using the remote control, the actual field works would have to be done by us. “Harnniann, you have to play an important role in this deal, including negotiating with the target and their counsel. They speak English! You have to help us.” said the partner.

Can you imagine the pressure on my shoulder for the past few days? It was like asking a monkey from the Amazon to swim in the seas of the Philippines. Drafting contracts was never my cup of tea, and my father could testify that I hated corporate works. Now I was caught in the battle zone. It was either lifting up the weapons and fighting the war or taking off my white colour underwear and surrendering. Am I a quitter in this situation? No way, I told myself. I didn’t fly a few thousand miles to China just to waive my white underwear and quit without a fight.

I must admit that I knew really nothing about M & A. My good friend YB Teng of Sungai Pinang told me that corporate work is about compliance. Well, he was partly right. But at that moment, I would rather be a litigator.

The Chinese say there is opportunity in every crisis. It was this crisis that provided me a platform or opportunity to jump start my learning of corporate stuffs. I was given a crash course on Corporate 101. Without this crisis, it would probably take years before I was given the knife of the surgeon, to be in the co-driver seat.

I am seriously deprived of good quality sleep. I was working until a few minutes ago (the time now is 12.30 midnight). Finally, all the documents have been negotiated, discussed, revised and finalized. They will be signed tomorrow. Once executed, the deal is officially sealed: well within the timeline. Of course, signing the contracts and other documents only marks the beginning of another phase of works. More works are definitely coming. If I can survive this assault, I think I could survive another one.

I am going to sleep now. Shanghai is getting colder by the days. We have to wear socks at home and maybe we have to change our blanket (we bought the cheaper one which was for Summer, oops!).

p/s: Harley, thanks for the update on the Tasik Banding Collapsed Building. Tasik Banding is a nice place to visit. It has nothing else to offer except for the beautiful tasik and scenery. We shall see what will happen to the collapsed building. Tutup kes?

Am I a Chinese?

2007-11-30T02:06:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 11 c

You may be thinking: what kind of stupid question is that? My father would probably knock my head and shout: are you crazy? Of course you are Chinese!

But before you start jumping, please let me explain, there are more to it than just a simple stupid question.

In Malaysia, though sometime I did want to just be a Malaysian, my country had repeatedly reminded me that I am a Chinese. When I fill in the form for my PMR exam, I have to disclose whether I am Malay, Chinese, Indian or others. What has that got to do with the exam which main purpose was to test my academic ability was way beyond my comprehension. The same applies when I applied for IC, when I made police report, when I applied for passport, I had to tell the government that I am a Chinese. Speaking about applying for IC, please allow me to digress a little bit.

When I applied for MyKad, I was asked to fill in my religion. I told the officer I have no religion, so please state “tiada”. The officer looked at me as if I just told her I have raped someone. She said, “tak boleh, mesti ada.” She was actually right. In her computer screen, there is no “tiada” for her to click. I must give one, if not, they can’t process my application. From her perspective, being a Chinese, I must be either a Christian or a Buddhist. Well, I believe in Charles Darwin and natural evolution, therefore, I couldn’t be a Christian and I do not want to insult Buddhism by claiming to be a Buddhist since I am a fan of sirloin steak, I kill mosquitoes, tell lies, watch blue movies and drink beer occasionally. Why can’t I just be a “orang yang tiada ugama”? Nope. Even the #1 Rukun Negara tells us to believe in God. I may be stripped off my citizenship if I live in a state of godlessness.

Since I am definitely not a Christian, I reluctantly told her to click Buddhism. She was relieved, she said, “so, you Buddha lah! Senang kan?”. I don’t think she understands the difference between being a Buddha and a Buddhist. So, I ended up becoming a “Buddha” against my will.

Now, coming back to the issue at hand. Not only the government constantly telling me I am a Chinese, even the private sector does the same practice. When I registered my prepaid mobile number, I have to tell DIGI I am a Chinese; when I opened bank account, I have to tell Public Bank I am a Chinese; even when I filled up forms for security guards to guard my house, I have to say I am a Chinese.

So, in Malaysia, I am a Chinese first or Malaysian first? If I am Chinese first, why did I support Malaysia’s badminton team when they played against China? Oh, that’s because I am Malaysian. But, if I am a Malaysian first, why can’t I enjoy the 10% discount when buying property? Oh, that’s because I am Chinese. I am confused here.

Ok, now I am in a land full of Chinese, 1.3 billion of them. The question is: am I still a Chinese when I am in China?

Again, let me digress for a while. I had a chat with my brother this morning and he was surprised that he needs a visa to come to China. “We are the descendants of the Dragon!” he claimed. Yes, we might be. But we still need a visa to come to China because the last time I checked, our passports do not have a Tiananmen logo on its cover: only 2 skinny tigers.

It’s funny. My country keeps on telling me that I am a Chinese, while China keeps telling me I am a Malaysian, a foreigner. I am not even a “华侨” (oversea Chinese). Surprised? The sad stories of Malaysian Chinese: our government treats us like outsiders from China, when China doesn’t even recognize us as Chinese from Malaysia – we are just foreigners from foreign countries. Period.

Hence, back to the title of this article: Am I a Chinese?

While you are pondering over this question, do you know that the Hongkee call us “马来仔” and “马来妹”? To them, we are not too different from the Malays, at least in terms of labeling.

p/s:- what has happened to the collapsed building in Tasik Banding? Any idea?

Inspired by Ghandi...

2007-11-26T22:56:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog
Temperature: 14 c

Sorry for neglecting this blog for the past few days. To those readers who popped in from time to time to check the latest updated articles in this blog, please accept my sincere apologies.

While this blog remained quiet and dormant, the world surrounding it was not quiet at all.

On a personal note, last Saturday, with the encouragement and support of Engtee, I have successfully and finally bought a guitar – my first guitar in China. It is a Spanish brand guitar which costs me RMB 1,300. Since I have not been practicing my guitar for more than 3 months, it hurt a lot initially. Now, I have a new friend in my house and his name is Lando (the brand of the guitar)!

Turning to another page. Well, since I left Malaysia, Malaysia has grown up a lot. It is more exciting than ever. I missed all the fun!

If you haven’t read about this, let me share with you. Our Hindu brothers have done something which is unprecedented and outrageously brilliant. A body called Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has filed a class action on behalf of all the Indians in Malaysia against the British Government at the Royal Court of England seeking damages of RM1 million for each Indian in Malaysia for bringing the Indians into Malaysia and neglecting them thereafter. Wonderful! Voila! Can you believe that? The suit can simply be summarized into these few words: you bring me into this mess and now you have to pay for it.

Of course, everyone knows that the success rate of the suit is next to zero. But the suit is not the end, it is just a means to an end, a smokescreen. The real purposes of the suit are to embarrass the Malaysian government, especially MIC, and highlight the sufferings and plights of the Malaysian Indians to the whole world.

The Hindraf heroic actions did not end with the suit, the suit was just the beginning. Inspired by Gandhi, a rally was organized last Sunday and was attended by thousands (some websites reported the figure to be more than 10,000) of Hindus. Hindraf wanted to hand over a petition to the UK embassy which requested the Queen of England to appoint a Queen Counsel to assist their suit in England. In other words, Hindraf wanted the Queen to appoint her majesty counsel to assist the Malaysian Indians to take legal action against her own government. Can you appreciate the beauty of this paradox? Again, no one expects the Queen to adhere to their request. It is just another slap on the government’s face. A nice slap. Phik Phak! But no matter how hard you slap, I doubt this government (who is now in coma and under ICU treatment) will ever be woken up.

Of course, as usual, the government did not just sit there and do nothing. Learning from the Bersih rally, the government did something unprecedented too. An ex-parte court order was issued by the court which prevented the organizers and participants from participating the banned rally. This is first in Malaysian legal history. You are basically banned from attending an event which has yet to take place. Wow! Who said we have no top legal brains in the government sector? How brilliant was that? It effectively means that if you attend the rally, you are in contempt of the court for you will disobey a court order. The court is inevitably dragged into this mess.

Few days before the Hindraf rally, the key persons of Hindraf were arrested and charged under the Sedition Act. They have now been discharged on technical grounds i.e. the prosecutor failed to include the original Tamil transcript in the charge sheet. Of course, the prosecutor can always re-charge them later once the technicalities have been sorted out.

Now, you still think freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are our fundamental rights which are safely protected by the Federal Constitution? Think again. When you vote in a government with 90% of majority seats, the government IS the constitution. The Federal Constitution becomes a piece of paper which can be “conteng” at any time. You don’t believe me? See? They are going to amend the constitution again very soon to extend the mandatory retirement age of the Election Commission Chairman. What did I just tell you?

Oh, before I sign off, can anyone tell me what happened to the collapsed building in Tasik Banding, Perak? Swept under the carpet already? What did I say? Samy, you are the man. Now you understand why I said there was no need to get upset? Things will be fine eventually for you are the man.

When all hopes seem gone, remember our # 1 of Rukun Negara: Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan…

G bless Malaysia!

Me and my Angmo colleague

2007-11-20T20:48:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fair
Temperature: 12 c

I wish to share an irony with you. When I was in UK, I was unable to get close to any Angmos even though I made efforts to get into their circle. I knocked on the door of my housemate (an English) and told him that if he and his gang were going out at night please let me know because I would love to join them. He politely agreed. But 30 minutes later, they just left the apartment without telling me. I once saw a group of Angmos playing football, and asked them whether I could join them. No problem, they said. But they treated me as if I was a retard (but I have to admit that my football skill was unlike Beckham's).

Maybe in their eyes, I will always be “chow mein”, “egg fried rice”, “spring rolls” or “chinky”. A Chinese living on the earth of the Great Britain should never be respected or treated as equal. I accepted that painfully. Ok, If I was not too welcome here, I would just take my degree and leave.

Then few years later I came to China. Of all places, I found a good Angmo in China, Cameron. He is my colleague: an energetic and cheerful chap with good manners and hospitality. What an irony, I didn't have Angmo friends in UK but I have Angmo friend in China.

I don't think he will get offended when I call him an Angmo. I have told him: in China, people call him “老外” or “大鼻子”; But in Malaysia, people will call him “红毛” (Angmo or red hair). He asked me why calling him “red hair” since he has no red hair. My answer was: in Malaysia, we all have black hair; so if your hair is not black, then your hair must be red, we don't care. I am not sure whether he has fully understood the rationale but I am sure he has accepted being labeled as “Angmo”. I wouldn't get upset if the English calls me “black hair”, but I would certainly behave like a pit-bull if they call me “flat nose”, “shorty” or “retard”.

It's fun and exciting to have a colleague like Cameron. He turns on the light of my room every morning when he comes in the office. It has become part of his daily ritual. His presence in the office will not be unnoticed. It is almost like a lion walking in the zoo of rabbits. If you do not acknowledge his presence, you will be bugged until you give a positive response or you are classified as “hopeless”.

In the office, we spent a lot of time talking about many things (of course, during the “vacuum period” where there was no urgent thing pending). Oh, did I tell you that he speaks Mandarin? He has been “Madarinized” for too long, now, he is “half” Chinese and considers himself an egg: white outside, yellow inside. I speak English to him (thus my opportunity to practice my spoken English) and whenever possible, he will reply in Mandarin. It's a win-win.

Having a half-crazy, half-professional, half-Angmo and half-Chinese colleague does make the “war” in office much bearable. I am sure he will appear more frequently in this blog going forward.

p/s:- As a sign of respect, Cameron has read this article and has consented to its contents being published.

In the end, it doesn't even matter

2007-11-19T00:30:00.000+08:00

Weather: Fog
Temperature: 10 c

The temperature was 9 degree Celsius. If not for the feather jacket 羽绒服 which I had bought in the evening, I would have been frozen to death. This must be the coldest concert I have ever attended.

Before we went into the stadium, there were many people selling “yellow bull tickets” (literal translation from Chinese 黄牛票). The RMB 200 tickets were sold at RMB 260. Some even offered to buy our tickets at very high price. The free tickets given to us were worth RMB 800 each, we could have easily sold our tickets and made a few thousands RMB easily, but the charm of Linkin Park way out-valued the few thousands RMB.

I could only take photos with my handphone as we were not allowed to bring in digital cameras. Our seats were on the football field: not too near or too far from the stage, just nice. Though we were given chairs, everyone stood on it.

One thing I loved about Linkin Park concert was that they were there purely for music: no funny costumes or cheesy dancers, only 1.5 hours of solid music. I really enjoy the music, especially the voice of the lead singer, it was so volatile that I was unsure whether he was a rock singer or a pop singer, because he could do both perfectly.

Linkin Park is not about electric guitars, techno, and drums. Its music is full of energy, hatred, anger, love, freedom, rebel and defiance. I am never a dancer but I realized my whole body was dancing in harmony with the rhythm of the percussion as if every cell in me was appreciating the songs. It made me wonder why I simply gave up music. But then again, after tonight, I realized that music was never too far from my life. I am blessed with the skill of playing guitar, and I should not let that skill go wasted. Between reading lengthy contracts and playing guitar, I could easily tell which one I like more.

I just came back from the concert. The blast of the speakers has left some effects on my ears. The songs are still lingering. I am certain it will go into my dream and disturb my sleep. Oh, speaking of sleeping, I just realized tomorrow is Monday. Who loves Monday? The definition of Monday is: forget about whatever good or bad shits you just had during the weekend and crawl back to the place which you hate to be but nevertheless have to be.

Time to sleep, cheerio!