Feel Good Factor

By Amde Sidik

Of course, I am proud that my fellow citizen has made Malaysia a revelation to the rest of the world. A small third world country dying to be upgraded into a developed and industrialised nation by the year 2020. It means we are bypassing the second stage (the second world) status in good time. Wonder if this exists at all (?) It is no ordinary third world indeed. Malaysia has world’s astronaut now equivalent to first world’s achievement in space science (i.e., if you want to call it that way). However, this does not mean we cannot be critical to what our government is doing. If the country can produce astronaut, it can also produce other disciplines. All have the same right to contribute even if it means criticizing the masters. We need serious critical analysis by critical mind. Most importantly, we do not have to be UMNO members! So is to be patriotic.

Many cynics feel our achievement in space is still a bit superficial. It is only wise to evaluate once the dust has settled rather than rushing to send another one. We had this feeling before, among them were, we launched Proton car, we launched grandiose KLI Airport, we launched Petronas Twin Towers, and so too we launched Bakun project (I need not talk about them here). The truth is we are still floating in the mid air. This is why I am sceptical about this ‘feel good factor’. The nett affect is later. Say for example, how competitive we are in motor cars industry. Assuming had we the idea at that time of the current economic situation, would we still want to embark in motor cars industry? Alternatively, may be it is cheaper and more cost effective to do just like what some countries are doing, assembling foreign cars. No Lah! We want name, Malaysia Boleh!

This artificial, ‘Feel good factor’ can never be permanent and can never be as good as real. I mean real good is actual not made out or play act.

What is it I am hinting at here?

Well, I look at it this way; the whole nation has been glamorising the so called the success of nation's angkasawan mission. Hard to ignore when the whole government machineries are up beat. Do not blame the enthusiasm no matter how temporary it is.

My questioning (I am not alone) is not just for the sake of questioning. I am sure scientists are familiar with asking question (the art of finding out). Asking question is one of the ways of seeking knowledge. Sometimes it takes hell long time to get the answer, sometimes one gets wrong answers and some times one never gets the answer at all. That is normal.

Is it worthwhile spending that colossal amount of money going to space at this point of time? I am talking about weighing up the costs and benefits against the background of our country's economic outlook, because at the end of the day, whether we like it or not, we still have to see our balance sheet. For example, the country's petrol and gas productivity are running thin, a mere ten years or less to go. That is not the only sector, many more are not as rosy as what we would like to imagine. Foreign Direct Investment is reducing in numbers because elsewhere is more economically conducive.

Some snippets as to why this angkasawan project materialised at this time. First, it was by product of trade off between Malaysia and Russia. Malaysian government is buying fighter jets and other related hard wares, colossal amount $3.4 billion. Why do we need fighter jets for? I would not have enough space to elaborate here, and my answers could be different from many of you depending on accessibility to the sources.

Ah! Some may say, poor person like me would never agree to anything! That is exactly what I have said at the beginning, the fact is to come up with this argument I still have to spend time and energy to do sort of research, otherwise my reason would be of no different than the mainstream media.

Let digest a bit, I question the merit of the project, if it jeopardises the welfare of our people. I short; decision makers-political leaders must be responsible to their voters for their action or inaction. We cannot be continuously indoctrinated with the feel good all the time.
This mammoth project financed by people via various means including taxes, levies and other deductibles. Surely, people want to know whether their contributions to the country are justifiably utilised for public good. On other hand, there is talk about, and about everywhere that some small privileged groups earned commission via shoddy if not shrewdly dealings. Connected to it was even involving murder whose trail is still in the hand of the court of justice. Viewing it this way, and coupled with rhetoric, some of us are less keen to join the chorus. I would not blame Dr Muszaphar and others; I congratulate them for being as they are, they are lucky happened to be at the doorway at the right time and at the right place.

Justice begins in the Court of Justice

If we cannot find it there, justice can never be found.

By Amde Sidik

"When I am asked what I thought, my usual reply is that I wouldn't like to be tried by today's judges, especially if I am innocent." Tun Suffian, 2000

This is a landmark decision by the judge Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus from the High Court of Law of Malaysia. He awarded Abdul Malek Hussin RM2.5 million for damages he suffered when he was detained under Malaysian ISA law where according to the judge police took free ride on him and took away his liberty (my interpretations).

It has been a very long time since we hear a decision of this kind. All too often government takes it all by whatever devious means if necessary, for example, amending charges fancifully or faking evidence unethically, bringing mattress as evidence where and when there is no logic for probing it as anybody can use it. Still the presiding judge was far from questioning the relevancy.

Rais Yatim a lawyer now Minister or Art and Culture during his saint as opposition member wrote Freedom Under Executive Power in Malaysia. His critiques I greatly shared with. Analysing on what and where executives have gone wrong, now his book is a mere collection. Why? Because he himself does not believe what he wrote. A camouflaged Semangat 46 man soon became a team member of the executive all his ideas reduce to ashes. What a statesmanship we have! The rest of YBs-lawyers, I do not hear many except, Zahid Ibrahim, read In Good Faith lately? However, I feel Zahid political carrier would not go far, as square peg usually would not fit round hole, unless he turns another Rais Yatim.

So, what is next? I am sure AG is preparing to appeal to challenge this High Court decision. On the other hand and there are many Tan Sris wanted to be called Tun or Datuk to be called Tan Sri. As per Lingam and CJ fixing scandal. We are no short of expectations.

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I was with a few friends recently on our usual rendezvous supposed to be at kedai kopitian but upgraded to Coffee bean. I did not choose I could always come back to my kopitiam shop. But, you see, if I in insist on my own way I would not be able to see the other side of midnight. Mind you, they are politicians from the ruling political party. But as to why they kept talking and seeing me, I just cannot figure out, a mysterious game plan. Honestly, I have nothing valuable to offer.

I see it like this: they said being a member of political party … it really is rigid. One can only see but not allowed to say, and cannot say, if one does that, one is breaking the tradition and penalty awaits you. Just like saying, one is free to vote only in as far you vote the one they asked you to. Those reluctant or seen reluctant would be given some angpau ready bundled for general elections

Therefore, my friends have the idea. A person like me is outside of political cage. I can say anything to help broadcasting their ideas whatever subjects. Why? because they are lot of dissatisfaction over how the assets of the state is run, over the way the wealth of the state is distributed, over the policies are formulated and so forth and so on.

Surely, unless I agree, I would loss my independence if I have to be tied up with my friends’ ideas.

The bottom line is, on my part I would not mind being in the team, after all they are my friends. I can still say the way I want to say while discussing, trashing and analysing issues and subjects that are of interest me, and beneficial for community, except I am not keen to be associated with someone who thinks he is genius yet whose brain no better than the parrot in the hand of Long John Silver.

Selamat Hari Raya Idil Fitri-2007- Syawal, Hijrah 1428

By Amde Sidik

I have been away. Thus nothing came out during Hari Raya eve in this blog (pix of mosque in Semporna-on the left, where I performed my Idil Fitri prayer this year, 2007).

I wanted to post my Hari Raya massage while I was still on the shore of the east coast of Sabah. It is still possible using little pda, but it became impossible when I could not get access to a free fire wire, there are not many around yet in this area.

I wish everyone Happy Raya. For those interested in meeting friends or making new friends this is the fortune time.If you counter rejection by Muslim friends during your visit let me know...that is, if are not Muslim.If you are Muslim, a few friends and I would have a fair idea how to make them tremble.

I have not been sticking with the kampong ritual for the last seven years or so, meaning, I did not celebrate the first week of Raya in my kampong instead I have always been elsewhere. I only visit my mother around or even after second week of Syawal.

Some, may be wondering as to why? My reason though thoughtless it may sound. I always look for something different, in this context I would be meeting new friends –new people. Sometimes I could be a complete stranger especially if I am in overseas- myself alone in the middle of the crowd (I feel). That does not worry me or let alone depress me. Not at all. Whilst in Malaysia it is not really a problem no matter how isolated the place is, during Hari Raya, no sooner after the salam (Raya Prayer) I would bump into someone I know or some who knows me, so far.

We had a little ceremony on the first Hari Raya Day in Semporna- a little talk on Hari Raya at the resident of one, prominent community leader.

I presented them with a copy of I Beg To Differ and The Mystic of Borneo-Kadayan, I wrote the later specifically to partially entertain readers. This book has been making me busier compare with my earlier two books. A few bookings have been made for me to appear to talk.

I have been invited to see life on boat somewhere on the sea in my next visit with assurance, that is, after they saw me raising my eye brows that I would be protected by them.Volatile area here if you know what I mean...

Perhaps I shall talk later on this subject.

Books presentation

Technology vs. Santubung

By Amde Sidik

How many of us these days are over relying on technology? The answer is very many indeed. Think about little beast- a mobile phone, just imagine what do you feel if all of a sudden, at the time you need it most it turns out dark! Battery runs out. Or on the other hand, say you have forgotten your mobile phone in a car or on the dinning table at home and you are now about 100 kilometers away. It isn’t a nice feeling, is it?

I was in Santubung with my family-my wife and my 10-year-old boy recently (August, 2007). The journey wasn’t really planned but somewhat to make up the the last school holidays we missed or perhaps the abrupt decision has the bearing on my son’s influencing us upon listening to the advertisement over the Dot FM radio. The djs often saying or were they insinuating the listeners: why going to Paris, London, or New York, when we have Santubung, Kinabalu-Kundasang or Sipadan, Langkawi, Port Dickson alike!

Off we went to Santubung Sarawak about 40 kilometers from Kuching City.

As always, we were equipped with gadgets: mobile phones, MP3, pda (personal digital assistant) and the most important one as family tradition is camera. Three people means three cameras, no sharing. Loaded with at least with, a one-gigabyte SD memory cards each-I don't means to be pompous or indicating I have special knowledge on this stuff. No, but it is just something I would like to keep up with while still kicking.These gadgets may provide little spark while on the journey and back home.

I have a new camera –not that new, but I called it new is because I seldom used it as I have another Ixus 750 with 7.5 mega pixels. This one is 10 mega pixels.

I have not spent time studying this one- this is where I had problem. You can say, that new does not mean better or productive in my case. I forgot the manual and now relying on what I know from the older camera. Click! Click! Click! That is what you do, isn’t it?

With the new camera I took hoooo…many dozens snaps! Anything unusual in my eyes. Sometimes I talked and asked questions to people- what's that, what's this, how why and when sort of. Some respondents are friendly some are less so. No, I am not a reporter, but without answering those questions mentioned, one has no way of knowing what one wants to know from what one sees. The moment I have time I would enter the details into my little pda.

One more thing I do not trust camera that attached to mobile phone even with three mega pixels I would prefer it separate, that camera is camera and mobile phone is mobile phone. Why? In my experience it never work as good as separate hardware.

I stored enough pictures to select from and with the aid of pda, my work is handy, I have enough time to relax, sleep or do nothing. That what the technology can do. It makes us happy, or it makes lazy at the sometime.

While waiting for boarding in I was then happily playing with my toy- the camera. Without really using my brain as I didn’t really need to, and forgot about logic plays important role in technology-press-press-press. I had in fact pressed the wrong button the whole pictures, that many dozens taken-zeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrp gone! Screen turned whitish! Bloody hell! I said. Wow! That's very English said my son sitting at the other end of the bench.

Back at home, trying to tidy up the contents of my little pda, using usb connector to my notebook, appeared: yes or no, trash or save. Wrongly and hurriedly clicked- trashed! All has gone whitish again, like what I did with my camera. What has happened? I can’t really tell, no matter how many times I pray in a day thing like this can still occur. What I was left with was one little picture of mount Santubung, see on the top!^ No, we in Sabah don’t call it gunung Santubung but bukit Santubung. It is not qualified to be called mountain-Picture on the top, a legendary Gunung Santubung of Sarawak

Thank you Nancy for Ice Kacang (Hajjh Nancy Shukri, my old friend- on my right) Political Secretary to Sarawak's CM-
pix by Ameerul