Stunner!

Today, I was on my way to work when I decided to stop at a petrol station to fill up for gas. Two other cars came in together at the petrol station and we parked our cars at the gas island pumps available at the petrol station. As usual, I came out of my car and so did the other two decently clothed car owners probably one was in his early 20's while the other was probably in his early 30's. I then glanced at their cars - a Honda car and a Toyota Vios car. They headed out to the inside of payment kiosk counter with me tagging behind them.

As the younger one reached the counter first, he took out RM 10.00 and told the cashier, " Pump 2 " This was the owner of the Honda car! I was stunned for a while. RM 10.00 petrol ????!!!! I just scratched my head a bit but hey, it's his life ,man. Then he went off to pump petrol into his car. Then came the turn of the early 30 year old guy. He went to the same cashier and said " 5 ringgit - Pump 4 ". My jaw just dropped, stunned and my mind was like " What is the freaking matter with you?" screaming in my head!!! Toyota Vios car and this guy is pumping 5 freaking ringgit of petrol in the tank!!!!!!!! Unbelievable, man..............truly truly unbelievable! I thought the 10 ringgit one is already shocking enough and this guy is pumping 5 ringgit petrol ! My God, truly untahanable and untelanable, man!

I then watched these two car owners gleefully drove their cars out of the petrol station, turned into the heavy traffic crowd and blending in nicely. Me? I was still putting petrol into my car tank and wondering how crazy one's life could get from such an experience. Well, that's life, right? The show must go on! This is the make-believe world we live in today. Afterall, "Gaya mesti ada. Poket takda duit takpa!". Hahahahahahhahahahahahhhhhhaaaaaaaaa!

Same Ol' Story.....

First of all, I want to applaud Datuk Idris Jala for his "revelation" that this country could /will potentially go bankrupt financially if our nation continued to give out subsidy and do borrowings to keep up with our financial situation. I am 100% in support of his revelation of our nation's financial situation but what I am questioning is the governance part. So what if we were to take away all the subsidies and tighten our belts in the national spendings but what happens to the excess monies; where do they go ; is there proper governance or it is another magician trick of taking the money out from the left pocket and putting it into the back pocket or the right pocket? Listen, for the past 53 years we have had this problem of good financial governance in our country. I am not even questioning the subsidies, concessionaires and what not. It is not a new issue anymore. How not to have this problem that we are facing today when we continue to plunder our nation with white elephant buildings, nonsensical spendings, privatising our highways, sending people the moon, building crooked bridge, buy submarines, buy aircrafts whereby engines land up somewhere in a third nation airstrip, shoot some satellite to the open sky or even give out scholarships after scholarships while scholarship/study loan defaulters list longer than the toilet paper roll in our bathrooms! Explain first to the people how things like that doesn't eat into the finance of our country. That's why, I still say that everyone in the our nation's Parliament today is guilty of this unnecessary spendings. The blood of this nation is in your hands, you Policy makers! The people had voted you in the Parliament with hope that you are to do what is right for the nation and instead, you , the politicians, had come up with more plans to plunder the country resources. It is like the famous Malay proverbs, " Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi."

I quote from a group of elderly people comprising of two Malay men, one Chinese man, an Eurasian and one Indian man who were obviously good friends in a park I went jogging one evening. As they gathered to rest, one of the Malay man said this and I quote in translation to the BM they spoke to one another, " I don't understand this country. We have so much wealth in natural resources and we are definitely not a poor country! What has happened to our country today? Where has all the money gone? This is worst case of corruption I've ever seen in my whole life!" This was agreed by all his friends who echoed the same. Then the Indian man spoke, "Yunno, I was not happy when I came to know that this rich Datuk's son, don't want to mention names-lar, got scholarship to study overseas-lah on JPA scholarship some more. He already got two children studying overseas on JPA scholarship some more. Aiyoo! Why can't lar they give it to a more deserving case -lar! Where is the fairness, lar? " Again, they agreeed in unison. Well, that's the sentiments that is being echoed by a group of elderly people. I just smiled and left the resting area for them to discuss more. Need I say more?

I believe that in all fairness that the Government is to be given the chance to do what is right and to do needful rectifications but if for the past 53 years we are still having this same old "sickness" of corruption hanging over our heads, how are we to progress? Then, the Government had failed its people. As a layman on the street, I need to know that every ringgit I pay to the government agencies goes into worthwhile nation building [ not the physical building! ] activities and not into some dirty pockets. The last time I checked with some friends in Sabah and Sarawak, there are still many places which are still without basic necessities such as clean piped water and electricity supply. Look, it has been 53 years and do the companies/politicians have to be told that these folks need their water and electricity supply to their homes? Are politicians turning deaf, dumb and muted senses to all these needs? So, okay, some may argue that they are not in the ruling party bandwagon, then by all means, use the peruntukan meant for your constituent , get the best price and not some inflated pricing for the works. I dare you to ask any government contractor today and see if the prices of works had not been inflated? Many years ago, audit teams had discovered shocking prices to shocking items, right? If I remembered clearly, the issue just died down and soon, no news were heard about it. This is what I meant by governance....where is the governance? Sure, the contractors have to feed their family and getting a profit from the works they do. I am not going to "rob" them of this livelihood or stop them from getting a profit for they dearly deserved so but if the prices are at a ballooning price or ten folds then that's wrong. If those people in power of the day/authorithy constantly ask the question , " Tiada apa-apa kah?" or " Saya tak minta, kamu kasi kan?" or "Boleh jadi kawankah?" then this country will DEFINITELY be in ruins one day.

The other wastage mentality is the numerous, constant, time-wasting and unproductive meetings. I have dubbed such people in these meetings as "KKK" or Kumpulan Kuat Karipap! It is always "Kita makan dulu baru cerita." with a spread of curry puffs [ which wil probably puff their egos and heads more! ], sweetened tea which will probably send all of them to the hospital for serious diabetes , kuih keria [ everyone can be beria-ia and built a career ! ] and kuih lapis [ so that they can get inspiration to hide all the dirt; layer after layer to hoodwink the people ]. Yeah, I've seen it and been through it all before. When will we ever learn?

So, we need to tighten our belts, kan? .....hmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnn..... whose belt again?

Take Back Your Turf, Teachers!

Yesterday evening, I was kinda shocked when I read about what is happening in our schools today particularly the one in Rawang. My initial reaction was , " How could this happen?". Today, my reaction is " Crap! BS! " and disgusted when I read the responses. We are living in the 21st century and things like this should not happened at all. This is what you get when you put over-emphasis on school academic performance for kenaikan pangkat of headmasters and what not, apple-polishing of the local education authorities, favoritism, "tidak apa" attitude and overloading of the teachers with non-academic duties and what not.
It is really atrocious to hear of gangsterism, bullying, molestation, extortion , rapes, alcoholism and drugs taking over that particular school. I was even madder when the principal and teachers stop doing anything about the deteriorating moral hazards in their school. I tell you one thing very honestly today - Had I been a teacher of that school today, I will defend the school to death if I have to from these clowns and goons. Come on! Wake up! This is a school we are talking about. The very institution that we send our children to be educated NOT to be molested, extorted or being bullied. It is about time too that the so -called big shots in the Jabatan Pendidikan to come out from their comfort zone and ass-worshipping at their ass-fitting seats and working places to get to the root of the problem. If expelled students get back into the school after 3 months, then it is the fault of the Jabatan Pendidikan and NOT the school. Buck up and STOP SHIFTING blame to the school involved. Enough of pencil pushing and pen jotting "pegawais" in the already overstuffed ministry of not doing anything! At the end of the day, it is always the teachers in the schools who had to shoulder the overloading paperwork of this form and that form and this compliance and that compliance. If teachers responsibility is minus the unwarranted and overloading paperwork then you will see a change in attitude and working capacity of each teacher. So, where is the so-called big , fat KPI for the officer in charge of this school, huh? Or is he turning deaf to complaints, mute to questions or dumb and numb from "kita cerita esok-lah" mentality, huh? Or " I scratched your back and you scratched my back" mentality? I shudder at our future if we have officers like that!

As for the school involved, I failed to understand the teachers mentality and I questioned their moral responsibility. How could you , as educators , failed to protect the innocent victims of such violent and abusive behaviour? So what if you have seen thousands of such cases before. Investigate and protect the innocent. Instead, the vicitims becomes the target of your unprofessional attitude of handling the matter. Each case forwarded should be treated with all fairness and due dilligence- not some "cin can bo chai" investigation just to close up the case or worst still, intimidated with fear of this gang leader or that gang leader. If this is the case, then please resign as a teacher , resign as a human being and join the animal kingdom. At least, you'll get better respect there! I really can't understand that some teachers even have the cheek to know that students do drink alcohol in school but do nothing about it! The last time I checked, Guinness Stout has a distinct alcohol beverage smell and you DEFINITELY can't miss that smell! So, educators, you actually just turned the other cheek because the victim of abuse is not your son or your daughter, right? It is this type of mentality that sickened me to my guts. I would suggest that you, the educators of the school if you ever consider yourselves to be educators, to "clean up" your act and start owning your turf called the school! Stand united and do what is right. In the street language, the turf is yours but you have allowed others to get to your turf because you fail to protect it in the first place. Look, we have Rakan Cop [Sigh! I wonder! But in all fairness, it was very successful in one of my former school when implemented ] in our schools today. Speak to the men in blue and make sure they patrol and do their job. Send those delinquents , offenders and contact gang persons to the police at once when you have trouble in school. Nab the kingpin and eliminate the source. No compromise and no fear. Call the Police in eventhough it is countless numbers of times you have called them. Like I said, if you want to win your turf, you have to "fight" for your turf. Send a strong message out to these delinquents, gang heads and what not that your school is a place of education and not some territory to make money or free rapes! Don't forget, these victims are someone's son or daughter and the trauma is really intense. Please, don't turn a blind eye and do nothing because if you do nothing, you are an accomplice and accessory to rape, extortion, bullying, molestation, fights, drugs and alcoholism. One day, it may be your son's or daughter's turn. By then, what will you do? My question to you is : Is it okay to rape someone else's daughter but it is not ok to rape your daughter? Or Is it okay to beat up someone else's son but not ok to bash up your son? I leave this question to your conscience!

Teachers, the school has always been YOUR TURF and YOUR RULES! Let us not turn a blind eye to this! Gosh! I really wish I was a teacher..............with my demolition dream team................

The Card..

I was on my way out from the secondary building , after putting out some "fire" in the toilet, when I heard some children voices calling out my name. As I turned back, I saw two rows of young children waving and calling out my name. These tiny tots were really a happy bunch of kids, I must say! They were with their Sunday school teacher and she was smiling too when she saw me. I must be honest to say that it was pretty nice having the children called out your name like that in the middle of their Sunday school class and it was a nice tonic to my heart, actually. So, I waved back, blow some kisses in the air and put out the peace sign. I heard giggles and laughter after that.

Well, the children are so innocent, happy go lucky and even so ..............free in spirit. I guess, I had hoped that life would be simplier like the children's lives. Yup, in a sense, I felt so trapped in the hustle and bustle of life, stress and even mountaineous pressure cooker working life. Yeah, I've heard thousand and two sermons of getting a stress free life which I believe will only happen when you lie down in your 6 by 4 feet patch! Like it or not , there will be good times and rough times ahead, so, might as well savour & treasure the nice ones like this one when you get it, right?
Well, after church service, I was sitting down at one of the tables, when Sean Teh came over to my table and handed me a card. He told this, " Comdr. Ivan, I want you to have this. This is for you!" I was speechless for a while and it was the very first card I had ever received from any boy/girl after serving for some time in the ministry. Most of the time, I would win major awards for being an ogre or the strict one or the monster who would make children cry. [ Well, can't help it. It comes with the hazards of this responsibility to shape young lives! Somebody has got to do the "dirty" job, ok? Hahhahahahaha~! ] It was really very thoughtful of him. Though I didn't know what to make out of the card but it touched me a lot. '[ Lots of red, lots of red - ang ang - blessings-lar!! ] I am keeping it in my Bible where many of my "treasured" items are kept, actually. Then, I read the inside of the card and he signed it. It was really the most beautiful card I have ever received. To get this card from this special kid , Sean , makes up for all the sleepless nights, hazards of planning for camps, strain of time, crack the whip and all the pain I had to go through all these years.

So, to Sean Teh, my special buddy, Comdr. Ivan says THANK YOU very much and YOU ARE THE MAN!~

Dustbin politics...

Today, I want to speak on Malaysian politics and politicians in particular and I must say that I am pretty pissed about the entire mockery of this system. Issues of politics had become a contest of mud-slinging, fear tactics, money in the form of peruntukan corruption, extra ballot papers and even gone into personal character assassinations. Politics had become such a foul stench in our nation that even the stool that comes out from our rear smells so much nicer. Yes, the public had lost confidence in the government machinery. Like I said all the time, if we continue to cloud ourselves with sweeteners from politicians all the time, we will get a gangrenous diabetic society which eventually the fabric of the society will crumble and die. For the past few "buy"-elections and times, I was really agitated that everytime some clown in the form of candidates from the ruling party loses, at least, one particular race of people will get blamed for it. It is either the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians, the Ibans, the Sikhs or even the Kadazans will be blamed. It is never about the corrupt system or corrupt & bankrupt political ideas but it is always about this race or that race. Believe me, no one particular race is spared from getting the brick brats from these losing candidates or even worst , our government leaders today. We also have one racist particular NGO leader who kept shooting his mouth off like some racist lunatic and words that flow like the dirty drains in our backyard and hey, he gets scott free by doing that, man. I wouldn't be sure of where we might land if we were to speak like that, probably get blown up , do time in Kamunting or end up like Kugan or Aminurasyid, man. We are sure to get some charge somehow and end up bruised, broken bones or even charged for sodomy, I guess. You will never know, right? Really a barrel of stench!
Let us , as rakyat of this nation, ignore such individualistic racist who is only out to fish more votes in GE13. BTW, this so-called champion cannot work with any party and that only shows his selfishness and lalang mentality. Lalang mentality means I'll stick to where the power is and harness it! This is exactly the kind of people that simply have no respect to all the races in our country today and should be rejected by all. We do not need leaders like this. We need leaders who are brave enough to work through the webs of deceit and mounting abuses of corruption in our nation today. Let us fight for the cleaning up of corrupt practises in our country today. Let's put an end to such filth that had invaded our society and our nation!~

Friends, we all have friends from all races of people in our country today. Ask yourself this very important question : Is our race such an issue to be friends with one another? Yunno, we may differ in our religious beliefs but we are still a human being and a good Malaysian. My parents (God bless them and I am eternally grateful ) had taught me to respect people of all races and all walks of life even when I was young and I had done the same with my children. I am sure, you too have been taught by your parents to respect the other races in our country, right? So, let us not let politicians play up such idiotic and dangerous notions in our society. Let us join hands to fight corrupted politicians and politicians who drums up hatred towards other races. These are politicians that should be ejected and rejected by all who love this country of ours. We have built this nation from the bloody blood sheds of our yester years and we do not need to be reminded of this grim and devastating consequences by irresponsible acts from our politicians who seemed to have forgotten this sick times.

Instead, we should rise up to fight corrupted politicians and send them packing for their "racial goods" are not welcomed. I daresay that there are many honest, hardworking and peace-loving Malaysian - be in a Malay, a Chinese, an Indian, a Eurasian, a Sikh, an Iban, a Dusun or even an Orang Asli, who knows the fact that we love this country. It is the massive corruption, the biasness , cronyism, favoritism and the racism that we reject outright!

MACC, Police, Election Commission, government agencies - Wake up and serve the people - not politicians, not Parliamentarians and definitely not self serving individuals. SERVE THE PEOPLE! That is your sole responsibility! I have often wondered if there are any good men in our government agencies today. I shudder at this thought, really. I appeal to these officers or people in government departments to do your job with all fairness, integrity and with clear conscience. Don't serve evil people for the wrath of God will be on you one day. Afterall, no one not even me or even the top people of our nation can escape from redemption day with God!

Hey, look, we EARNED and WORKED DAMN HARD to be where we are today and I am not saying just this just because I am a true bloodied Chinese. I am not trying to say that I don't respect the other people in our country. Everyone of us - Malay ,Chinese, Indian ,Eurasian and others had worked hard and we STEAL FROM NO ONE. What we have today is from the very toil of our hands , the blood , sweat and tears. So, take your racist politics to your grave yard and bury it there. Dirty, corrupt, questionable character, money making, racist mongers, power crazed and bias politicians, government officials and leaders - Repent or you'll get shipped out to hell one day! The last time I heard, it ain't a nice place to be, you dig!~

Flyboyz...

Last Sunday, my son, JWee and his buddies [ Amos, Matthew and Joel ] were on Melaka Fm 102.30 station for the opening gig of Pertandingan Bintang Kecil Melaka hosted by the radio station. Though I was excited for him, I didn't show it to him because I wanted him to know that it was Him who had made it all happened. Nothing happens in coincidence. It is always His timing and His will. I am glad that my son, JWee knows that and knows my stand on this matter too. I must say that I am very proud of JWee but at the same time I just wished that he would turned that kinda of enthusiasm into his studies but then again, it's another matter altogether!
Anyway, that morning, we were the earliest to arrive and JWee told me that he was nervous. I just told him to go out there and have fun. He nodded his head and smiled. I guess, I don't speak much to him and that's why we have perfect understanding at times. Sure, I support him 100% on this matter but I am also rather strict on other matters and I don't compromise at times. I guess, being a father, I have to be the good cop-bad cop, all in one package.

Anyway, I really love to hear both my son, JWee and my daughter SYuen sing. I guess, they have been blessed by God for possessing nice singing voices. I am blessed too at times hearing them sing. They are often reminded that their voices are a gift from God and they should take care of it and no messing around. Anyway, I just want to thank God for bestowing them these gifts.

The gig went on at about 10.00am and everything went on smoothly. I guess, the open air stage and sound system were a little too big for their nerves and the nervousness showed. Anyway, friends and I cheered them on and they did better on the second half of the song. As I recorded their performance, I felt so proud of them. It took courage and lots of guts to sing in the public - on stage and one shot at the song. Yup, they did well for first -timers and they really had their fun up there. BTW, they also did an interview with DJ Lyn at about 9.30am in the studio and the boys were really excited. I guess, all in all , they did pretty well. Me? I am just enjoying the song they sang. Go, Flyboyz, go!

Something to ponder in humour!

Received this beautiful piece from one of my former students, Jacqueline Munsing which was not only funny but certainly brought some good cheer to the heart. So, you decipher it yourself and have a blast. Thanks , Jacqueline!

My Blessed Day!

Many times, I have often wondered if I had inspired anyone in life. Many times too I would like to believe I had made a difference in someone's life. But uptill today, I don't really know but I really care & thought of this a lot. I have often thought if my early years of teaching in Sabah had made a difference.
Today, I took the courage to be at a place where one of my students from Sabah who had been a teacher in a school nearby. I didn't really made any plans to visit but I was just driving back from my work outstation and since, her school was just along the way, I decided to make a stop over and that's what I did.

I searched for the school and after finding it. I parked my car along the road like any other parents and readied myself. I check my appearance and my clothing as I wanted to look......decent. Yup, that's the word. With grey hairs sprouting here and there, I took one look at the mirror again and just told myself, " Hey, handsome. You'll be fine!"...Yup, some form of confidence does help at times like this , right? As I walked into the school , I was met by this gruffy lady who asked me what was my visit all about. I told her that I wanted to see, Cikgu Cath. She looked at me for a long time and asked me what was my dealing with her. Honestly, I was kinda taken back by this show of "unpleasant welcome" but it was later that I learnt that the school had had some rather weird circumstances whereby parents in conflict had taken their child without permission from each other and caused quite a scene in school. So, I forgave her and came to understand of her dilema. Coming back to it, I told her that Cath was student and I would like to see her. Then her appearance and gruffiness changed and she flashed a smile. She asked me if I was really Cath's teacher. I answered that I was indeed her former teacher. She then went to the staff room and told Cath that someone wants to see her.

So, I readied myself and there came Cikgu Cath, my student! She practically screamed with joy when she saw me and she quickly came out to hug me. I was flattered beyond words and I told her to calm down. She just held on to my arms like a little happy child and she told me she was really surprised. She was in giggles and laughing her head off when seeing me. She tugged me into the teacher's room and introduced to me to her teachers that I was her teacher in school in Sabah. My God! I never felt so old in my life! Hahahahhahahaha..... I was just kidding. I was equally estatic and thrill to bits to see her. She then told me that I really surprised her and I replied that I have promised to look for her when I am in her area. So, there I was with one of the nicest student I had ever taught and we have not seen each other for the past 18 years. Gosh! She looked the same though she had put on some weight which is perfectly normal, just like I did but her face looked the same. Her sense of humour is still as infectious as when she was in school and I am really glad to see her. We then went to the canteen and I had my drinks. We talked and talked about what had happened in her life and how she had changed her life completely. As I listened to what she had to go through, I was in awe for the strength of this lady. She is happily married with 2 boys and I am really glad for her. We talked about the good ol' days and when her teachers came to the canteen , I was introduced as her teacher and I have never felt so honored in my life. The joy in my heart was tremendous and I really felt........blessed.

Yunno, Cath has always been a bright student, playful, humourous but a very focused school girl then. She was also one of the nicest student who could actually tease me in class eventhough she knew I was a very "garang" teacher. [ That's how she puts it ! ] I guess, she was the one who would smile at me eventhough I was mad at her or her class but somehow, I could never get angry with a smiley face like hers. Ah...the good times.

Anyway, after spending an hour catching up with one another, we had to leave coz' I had to get back to work while she had to send her children to tuition classes. Before leaving, I gave her a good hug and told her that I was very glad to see her and she told me that she was very happy too to see me. I wished her all the best in her endeavors and then we left. I felt happy and I am thankful that God made this a beautiful day for me and Cath!

So, Catherine Dickson Gabu, if you are reading this - You have made this old man, a very happy man, dearie! God bless you!~

Ip Man 2

I have often believed that spending RM 40.00 for my entire family for a movie in the theatres is simply too much [ I would rather pay RM 7.00 for a DVD copy on the streets ! ] but then again, the sound effects and the big screen effect does make a difference. I would definitely flipped and grimaced in pain if I were to spend it on some movie but this was "Ip Man 2" we are talking about. I have seen "Ip Man" and I know I am in a real treat. So, I decided to let the pain to come to me slowly...afterall, it was a family affair and so, I have to enjoy or sometimes endure it , right?
With popcorn in one hand and a drink in the other, we barely make it into the theatres. As our bottoms barely warmed our seat, the show begun. The movie started really well and the plot soon unveiled nicely with some nice martial arts action [ Wing Chun style of martial arts ] sequences. I am really a simple guy when it comes to watching movie. I don't care too much on action and so on but the story line has got to be good or else I'll be asleep in a jiff. A lot of my friends used to make fun of me when I told then I saw "Schindler's List" at one time while most of them would be asleep and waking up when the credits rolled but to me, I really enjoyed the show and it was a fantastic movie for me. It just goes to show that not every movie is about chop, kick and crushed thingy. I like a movie with decently good conversation, good action and lessons we can learn from it. Well, "Ip Man 2" provided the essence ingredients of martial arts action, humour, the ugly truth of humanity and life lessons to be learned.

The martial arts action with Samo Hung on the round table during the sifu initiation was a classic scene of the best of kung fu demonstration. To me, this is a real classic. The fight sequence was superbly produced indeed. The fast hand movements and attacking flair were beautifully engineered, executed and such a delight to watch. I have come to appreciate what a truly master of Wing Chun martial arts can do and react in times of adversity. I must say, I really had a great time watching this movie. This is one movie I felt I had paid the right price though I am still of the opinion that getting the DVD copy would have been equally fun too. I wouldn't want to spoilt all your fun by commenting too much about the movie but I really felt that this is one heck of a movie to watch. Yeah, prices at the cinemas are pretty steep but watch it any way you can either through cinemas or thru street DVD. Have fun!~