Are we that stupid?

By Amdee Sidik

Following the last post, a friend asked, if I have finished saying it or writing of what I think about our Malaysian Information Minister –Zainuddin Maidin.

My reply, “surely not” it is not my idea to nail him, but it is just because of my concern about the image of Malaysians as a whole. Because of him, we all look stupid in the eyes of foreign countries. Yet we talk so much of achieving the wawasan 2020 to be a developed nation equating ourselves as those of superpower or partly because… we been to ISS? Yet, we keep on comparing our nation, by saying ours is better than Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam alike, see what I mean?

The portrayal of our cabinet minister, the so-called representing the government, indirectly represents Malaysians, and in many occasions was so pathetic and seen so amateurish as if the government is his Sdn Bhd and we people mutters are nutters.

However, to my amazement looking at one blog belongs to a politician, is exactly like what I have saying many times. A parrot belongs to Long John Silver –in Qatar, parrots are used to clean up the high raise buildings- of course this is beside the point.

What I am saying is the particular politician whose blog was supporting whole-heartedly what the Information Minister was saying. Bloggers in the internet are telling lies. Bloggers are tarnishing the government’s good image. Bloggers should be banned, so on and so forth.

Is this not too naive? I would want him to study, read more, try analyzing things with open mind, mix around more not just with yes man but also with no man-get the jest of it, you may find that you are not the cleverest man on earth after all.

You see if only there are venues out side (print media) that prepared to print what ordinary citizens feel and think surely blogging in the internet becomes less significant, but in our country, this is the only media. Much argument in the blogs is not only entertaining but also equally educational. In my case, I do not need politicians to filter for me what I should and should not read. Moreover, I believe very strongly Malaysians who surf in the internet as well as bloggers are good enough to make judgment for themselves. They surely are capable to make judgment whether New Strait Time, Rockets, Harakah and blaa... blaa are worth reading.

The quality of our Minister: I'm ashamed and you?

See Vedio Clip...A Minister!! at General Link

By Amdee Sidik

Of lately I have heard loud and clear, about the general impression of Malaysians towards our country's Minister of Information- Zainuddin Maidin.

His style of answering questions posed by Aljazeera- an international TV interview, downgraded him from a status of statesman to a mere ketua kampong or perhaps even less . (Watch the clip at U Tube).

A man who is known to have journalistic background, who I thought could provide young Malaysians a fine example, by portraying skill in language, tactful and skillful in answering political questions. However, found to be no superior.

'No standard lah-cakap lintang pukang!' some said.

I would also assume a journalist turned politician could be far able to handle his public image i.e., being exposed to media’s strategy and should be far at ease when facing questions off hand, less panicking, unless of course one is lying.

In another video clip Zainuddin was seeing pointing fingers to a local journalist behaving erratically, apparently upset and angry. He is obviously having difficulty in controlling his emotion.

With this quality, if he is my wakil rakyat, I would be looking for different person next time round.

I would rather choose a person, not the political party. A political party has no soul, the souls of political party are people, without good people inside there is no such thing as good political party.

What makes the interview looks bad was Aljazeeza is Muslim owned TV Channel, which is sensitive, and equally proud to propagating Islamic cause. Malaysia appeals to them, this Muslim country may have something to offer, and that is why it chooses to have its sub station in this country.

When the minister replied by saying Aljazeera knew nothing on the ground and gave bias reporting of the event organised by a group called BERSIH, Malaysian public is far from sympathetic to the minister, instead, some began to ask who voted this man to office? What kind of voters does his constituency has. Surely, the credibility and the quality of country's minister as this one is below our standard of expectation

Ah! You are privileged lot (?)

Wishing all

Jogging track

A view of restaurant buildings , middle picture, and a bridge cut crossing the lagoon

By Amdee Sidik

Today, if finished two rounds of the track, it would mean I have covered fourteen tracks in my seven days walking without breaking a single day. One round of the track is about two and a half kilometers, so in a day I did about five kilometers. Seven days means I have covered thirty-five kilometers. I said to myself that is not bad for a lazy person like me.

This is new aspiration and new way of looking after my body and mind. Someone says healthy body contributes to healthy mind. Let us see.

First, let me say about the place. In the past I have been changing places of jogging or I prefer calling it walking. However, I come back to the Tun Fuad Stephens Park; some called it simply Bukit Padang. About three kilometres from the bustling Kota Kinabalu city- a land mark say, from Centre Point. First, it is very close to where I live, and it is only logic not to drive far when petrol cost is rocketing and clamouring to be increased soon after country’s general election. It does not make sense to some people a country that produces petrol and gas. Look at our little neighbour Brunei!

Second, I think Tun Fuad Park is the most beautiful open space for keeping fit activities that one can find in the state; if not in the country (see some pictures I took with my little pda). The environment- trees (green) produce plenty of oxygen, the track is fairly clean, the track is not entirely flat which is good for legs muscles, the smell of trees and grass or even wild flowers makes oneself elsewhere not in Kota Kinabalu. In the middle is a lagoon, but the water is not to our liking, because in the middle is a putera and puteri-prince and princess- restaurants (one of the eateries center for the city) I do not like it. I would reserve this topic for my future write up.

However, today is my seventh day of walking; one young lady whose head wound up with wire plugged her ears with MP3 earpiece walking beside me and said:

“Hi! My name is Rebecca (not the real name), you do this everyday?”

“For the last seven days, yes” I said.

“I am looking for work, I am a trainer, you know, I was trained in London. I lived in London for five years a long period”

“Kalau you tau ada employer cari, saya professional dulu kerja hospital-you cakap English?” she repeated in Malay

“What sort people you are training, and what kind of training is that?” I replied. I am not sure if I sounded more like a KGB or CIA agent. She looked at me and asked if I am working in the state, as civil servant? CEO or Director of Government Department, or Public Agencies- or am I senior Government Officer from Kuala Lumpur?

None of those I said.

“Ahh… you retiree?” she said.

“Some sort, not too old but not very young either. I did not retire based on government retiring scheme. I retired myself”

“Have you been to University? What course did you do and where” she continued asking.

I find that a bit too personal for a professional asking kampong questions. Now this conversation disturbed my rhythm of walking. Initially I was about to select places to take photograph, rehearsing my pda, though I have it for about half a year but I have never got opportunity to use it.

“Are you Malay? You people have a lot opportunities, government helps you” she started again.

This is weird, how am I going to tell her who I am, and what do I think on issue like this. In normal circumstances, I have no difficulty, give me round table lay down the cards and I will lay mine. Let put the ticks later, count how many each has. Declare a winner!

I more or less understand the questions she asked, and I know roughly, why such questions are important to her not only that she must ask but she must also hear reasons.

To begin with my simple lecture that morning:

Yes lady I attended universities and obtained a few degrees. I am not smart and never was may be it was just by coincident. Yes, I got scholarship for my first undergraduate degree just like many other Bumiputra living in the jungle those days. I borrowed money for a couple postgraduates qualifications and on my own in another and another…Yes, I was in the country you mentioned…

About my race, in general, yes, I am Malay from Malay stock, but to be precise I am not. However, our state constitution says I am native. My ancestors must be from Murutic group according to my study-see The Mystic of Borneo-Kadayan, Published by Bookstand Publishing 2007, and Borneo Publisher (for Malaysian Edition) May be I am sharing ancestors with the Sultan of Brunei if you know what I mean.

Am I the privileged native? My answer, yes to a certain point just like many others. However, it was not so in another.

I have not been a CEO of any Government Agencies not now not before. I have been a senior legal officer, but not to the extent as you expected. I was not given silver plate let alone gold plate. You know why young lady? It is because I was as I am and am as I was. May be one day you will get to know me better. Excuse me; let me take a picture of this little butterfly.

My butterfly

A closer view of the restaurant buildings

My journalist friend

By Amde Sidik

Let talk about my journalists-friends who work for our mainstream printed media in the country. One particularity, they have one thing in common when they write. Their opinions are identical to each other.

Generally, they are friendly; they would enthusiastically participate in any discussion even if they do not agree. Say this in kedai kopi or warong mamak scenario. However, that the same topic that we agreed or disagreed upon at the kedai kopi may turn out to be completely the opposite when you read the papers they wrote the next day (I do not talk about Malaysia TV Channels)

So what can we make out of this? Why talking and doing is different in this context, is this a lesser kind of hypocrisy? I may say something like 80 percent of them behave this way.

The other 20 percent come from other non-affiliated government media, for example, the on line media-bloggers, and with some very small printed media. This group do not think the same way as mentioned above. They would dispute or disagree for any reason under the sun, but to certain extent, they do provide entertaining reasons.

This small group can also bemuse others in particular the blogs like Malaysia-Today, Malayskini and many more are getting ever popular among younger Malaysians. Because Malaysia does not have alternative media that could critically observe the administration of the country. Day and night we hear one-way traffic flow, I am sure even those in the government find it boring! Yet at the end of the day, many would just say…what to do? No better than saying good night.

Whilst, another very small fraction chose to be quiet for reason of cari makan thus would not like to disturb the hornets’ nests, especially on controversial subjects like politics, race, religion, and morality. Remember the infamous cases, Lina Joy and Morothy all to do with religion. Whilst an example of ultra sensitive subject is immorality issue-one can have many wives but no one can be gay, the case in hand was Datuk Anwar Ibrahim. No journalists from the mainstream media would want to give their views openly.

In politics, none other than corruption, and see how government agencies take charge, even the integrity of ACA is questioned. Next, the way our police force behaves, the latest judgement in High Court by Judge Datuk Mohd Hishamuddin Mohd Yunus with regard to ISA detainee (Abd Malek Hussin) awarded the victim for 2.6 million RM –mentioned in previous posting. Did any one notice how our newspapers downplayed this explosive news?

I would have thought the media (the journalists) should inform public even at least succinctly about the real world and about the events that are damaging to the country.

Journalists should play a role by reminding those need reminder. I do not see Malaysian columnists in the mainstream media doing it.

Far too many malpractices committed by the executives- the gatekeepers of the country.

Of course, we understand, journalists too are cari makan.

Sometime ago I was with one journalist friend who said to me, he does not really think that journalists these days have their own mind to tell the truth. For example, one simple token, a hand phone, given by honourable YB- a gift for covering a function of his ribbon cutting ceremony at his constituency would be enough to tie a knot between journalist and politician. Is this not a form of bribe?

I highly admired my friend’s view. I pray he would remain as he is, devoted to his work ethic, except, I guess, he would remain materially poor and even have fewer friends to invite him for dinner.