Culture meets Scripture.....

My thoughts....

For the past four days, I have been a participant of an eye-opening workshop of “Culture meets Scripture" anchored by two wonderful energetic speakers in Dr. Amy C.West and Joanne Shetler. I must admit that when I first stepped into the workshop, I have no idea of what the workshop is all about but I have read Joanne Shetler’s powerful faith book entitled “And the Word came with Power “ as it was indeed a privilege to finally meet the author of the book. My Wycliffe sister, Evelyn Gan was the one who gave me this book and I finished reading it in a day. It was such a powerful and gripping book for me especially involving the lives of missionaries who obeyed the call of God to go to a far away place, learn a foreign language, lived with the people and to teach the truth of God. As I was quite a graphic reader, I could feel the anxiety, the drama, the tension, the excitement, the love of God and the effort in putting this book together for the good of many for generations to come.

 

Joanne Shetler & Amy West - our lovely speakers

Coming back to the workshop, I guess, being a working individual, I am used to the fact of the post modern mentality of “ Okay, these are the facts, discussions and so on. These are all good but what is the answer?“ This line pounded my mind ever since I started out on this workshop and it irked me a bit at first. But before you wield and throw axes, knives and parangs at me, hear me out. Could you blame me for this as I have been in such “routine” in life every day that everything is either a firm “yes” or a “no” that it has become part of your daily “culture”? I even told this to Joanne Shetler during our dinner in Cheng Perdana restaurant and she just bend over in laughter and told me if only she had another hour to spend with me and explain to me on this matter! But I must say this - I have never been so wrong in my life and how narrow my thinking was after completing the workshop!

My family and the speakers....

So, in many ways, I was distressed and uncomfortable but yet, I have enjoyed every moment of discussion, group work and fellowship. A good friend of mine says that it was good that I am distressed , agitated and uncomfortable because of God’s work and Word rather than anything else. In that way, at least, I will learn and put something into this skull of mine. Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaa………. Ah! Anyway, food was good and in abundance too, I must admit. In any culture or any event happening, food is the binding agent of all cultures! Anyway, the atmosphere of the workshop was good and lively but yet lingering thoughts of “Why No Answer?” swirled my mind all the time.

 

Joanne Shetler signing my sketch.........

After hours of laborious yet significant examples, identification steps and explanation through the Balangao experience plus the drawing of the yam tree, I finally got it. Initially, I had failed to grasp the whole idea of the workshop as I was pre-conceived and pre-occupied with answers that I had failed to take a good look at myself for the answers. Yeah, it is about what choices we make and how we honor God with our choices. It was interesting that our cultures are important to us and some cultures we have are good and in line with the Word of God while some are not. It is such a fascinating fact too that our cultures make us diverse in many ways but yet there is this underlying same reason of honoring God in our cultures.     

Amy West signing my sketch.....

I speak for myself that I can be analytical, cautious and headstrong in my views at times and I give no excuses for that but I must say, I have learned a lot especially on the 3^rd and final day (4^th day ) of the workshop. I guess, the 1^st and 2^nd day was for the introduction of what we were going to do and to move our mind to a renewed mindset of what’s to come.  I guess, once, you got the idea of what is being taught and shown, digest and digress, the learning kicks in nicely.  I mince not my words in saying that I am as cautious and not easily taken in as I am these days as I have seen too many crap speakers and so-called proclaimers of being workers of God who make blunderous fools out of themselves by remaining high and mighty of themselves and inconsistent. Maybe, I am being harsh and judgemental in that way but I just don’t want to be led astray in these later days.  

 

Working hard penning down group idea... 

I guess, as in any setting, we see what our speakers say and do.  I am no different though.  Their actions speak louder than words, really.  For me, I see two lovely women who gave their all to serve God and it has not been easy for them either. I see two women of strength, wisdom and great faith. I am deeply honored and privileged to have been taught and able to interact with these two women of faith. You could see straight away that these two women spoke with much conviction and much love as they unveiled each situation and each circumstances of culture meeting with scripture. The laughs, the remarks or even their actions show much humbleness, experience and convictions. I was impressed by them but I tell you what, they were not out there to impress us. That was very important for me. They were out there to make sure we understood what we need to do to make choices that honor God in every way. I have never seen such conviction in emphasizing the need for prayers (individual & corporate prayers) and the other support group of prayers.

 

Loreen presenting our group findings.....

As in any workshop, we have group work and presentations too. Our group consisted of Pst. Joanne, Pst.Tan Yong Heng, Teo San Tuan, Loreen Lim, Cassie Ng, Errol Gan, Jessica Han and myself. Loreen Lim became our natural leader in the group and it was fun all the way. From our formulation of a cultural event chart to a skit/drama and finally, a singing effort, we did not do too badly though. ( I laughed myself hoarse every time I looked at our singing video! )  But I must say, it was hilarious and fun all the way. I guess, that cheers the heart a lot for as working individuals like me, we are so wrapped up in every day serious crap that we sometimes forget to laugh, act silly or even enjoy the simple things in life like loosening up a bit and smelling the flowers in our garden. Well, I truly enjoyed our “hidden & buried” talents being unearthed during the drama and singing acts, though!    

 

My Singaporean sister, bubbly Hin Ann....

As in my nature, I like people watching and watching the people at the workshop was no different.  I have come to understand why certain people do the things they do. I am particularly impressed with one super duper bubbly individual, Hin Ann, a young tall, skinny Singaporean woman who joined in our workshop. She had had a stint with Wycliffe attached to Mukdahan,Thailand and she was thinking of going full time on missionary work and so on, so we were told during our break and lunch session. What a personality and such positivism, I must say! Always a smile away, creative, sporting and infectious bubbly happiness. The very essence we all needed in our crazy world today! Now, that is a real natural talent, a great teacher, leader and a truly gem for any organization, I tell you! So, all the best to you, Hin Ann and have a time of your life wherever you serve. May God bless your every journey!

 

Dinner with the speakers, Amy West & Jo Shetler, Evelyn, Richard & wife, Hin Ann and the Gans.....what a privilege! 

As we wind down the curtain of the day with dinner at Cheng Perdana restaurant together with Richard & wife ( another Wycliffe couple ), Hin Ann, Amy, Jo and the Gans, it was sad to see all of them leave but I take heart that many more would be blessed and would stand to acquire good sound Bible living knowledge from the teachings of Amy & Jo. Thank you, Amy West and Joanne “Jo” Shetler ! ~ I've learnt a lot and I treasure the opportunity to learn from all of you.

Ama id Chaya (  * The Lord's Prayer * in Balangao Bontoc )

Ama id chaya machad-ayaw nan ngachanmo.
Omali nan en-ap-apowam.
Maangnen nan nemnemmo isnan lofong ay kag id chaya.
Ichowam nan kanenmi isnan kawakawakas.
Pakawanem nan fasolmi,
tay pinakawanmi akhes nan finmasol ken chakami.
Ad-im ogkhayen chakami isnan maawisanmi ay enfasol,
mod-i ket isas alakam chakami isnan ngaag.

Joanne "Jo" Shetler book  entitled  " And The Word Came With Power"

Pssssstttt...... just a little secret between you and I, go get the book....it has real power la.......for the mind, body and soul...... I tell you.

Sanity...

Living in our environment today, I often wonder if we are “sane and strong enough” to face the day and to walk through the day without getting mangled and mashed up throughout the day. I am particularly concerned as more and more people are diagnosed with medical hypertensive conditions and depression. These two medical conditions go hand in hand despite our constant denial of its existence or rather playing it at safe levels. Sometimes, it is mind boggling that people still do not understand the constant dangers as one live on the thin verge on these two medical conditions. There is certainly a huge denial among the professional individuals as such people are constituted as “weaklings” or “weak links”. In all honesty, these are very real “sanity” questions as the mind and expectations are stretched beyond the capacity of a person.

Well, weaklings or weak links, these two medical conditions exist to plaque our society each day as many fell against their fight each day. Many too have survived these ordeals and I am glad for them. But the question remained :- So, what is the root cause of this? Simply, the ever present human need to be better than the rest and the ever bouncing high expectations. I would rather put it down to induced pressure and in-born pressure. Induced pressure is when your company or your boss “expects” you to produce greater input in your work or production to compensate the salary you take home each month.  They don’t care how you do, just do it. Just like NIKE slogan, actually. This is when the impossible tries to be or have to be possible while the possible is no more the expected impossible. It goes beyond the boundary of impossible or possible but “I don’t care ; you just make it happen”.  In the world we live in today, that is what a worker is expected to do. Nothing less or else the consequences are just too great. I guess, I may be wrong but I am speaking for myself and the many I have seen slumped on their working desk and just die. I am speaking primarily of myself who had had experience of knowing how colleagues are run down with harsh and uninspiring words while the sleazy and rats executives and balls carriers are often given recognition they neither worked for nor worked at. More often than not, the down trodden are troddened even further while the ego massagers/patters/balls carriers and sleaze cheese are given more opportunity to spin their deceits and other webs of spin story.

I often hear big bosses especially the enormously a lot of white hairs or thinning hairs ones exclaiming their wisdom and profane proudness that they can distinguish between the hardworking employees from the lazy employees and yet the shit continued to splatter on their faces as these wolves in sheep clothing continue to massage the inflated egos of such big bosses. Yeah, claims such as “I’ve eaten more salt than you.” Or “ I know every trick in book.” are sure indicators of excess proudness, decadence of trickery ways and mule stubbornness are at the forefront. This is how those sleaze balls executives get away with so much rubbish that even the 1MDB scandal would look like child’s play, man. I guess, the real hardworking ones are the ones that slogged behind those high cubicles out from the eyes of the boss and just barely making ends meet despite hours poured into their never ending work as files and work piled up. They are often been given works by the cunning executives who themselves do not want to do or even the bosses passing the “dead end” works for these staff to do. When the job is done, these same idiots will claim the glory/accolades and the initiatives for themselves. Sometimes, that put enormous pressure unto the hardworking staff over the years but their outlook that it was for survival and to earn a living are factors that made them continue to work without recognition. So many times, I have seen and witnessed undeserving individuals with suspectful/colorful characters and behavioural patterns getting recognition and positions for their trickery ways.The annoying part of it all is that this is an “acceptable” trait/ trend in our society today. These people are lauded for “being smart”, “work smart” and “play their cards right to the top.” What happened to honesty and hardwork or even humble ways? Have we all forgotten the ways and take the short cut of success?  I would put it as “riding over the success of others” and “riding over the hardwork of others.” Is there no shame in that type of “glory”?

Uncaring management and uncaring policies have been one of the contributing factors of stress related inducement and causes the increase in mental health disorderly in our people today. Unrealistic targets, late night works, unnecessary demands, poor public relations with clients and unrealistic demands of clients often wears and tears our minds. I am realistic and well aware that the company we work in is NOT a charitable organizations but we definitely can identify and ensure the sanity of our staff are in balance. A warped and snapped mind will do anything and usually it ends up in a tragedy. Believe me, the Mental Health Ward in the hospital and the daily patients registered at the GH to seek treatment are on the increase each day. I have seen young students going for mental health treatment and running around at the clinic prior to seeing the doctor for the day. Parents, in all their loving ways, running after their sons and daughters at the clinic, calming them and cajoling them to see the doctors. What about parents or friends who had to restrain their loved ones from going over the windows at the 2^nd floor of the Mental Health Ward? It is a devastating sight as far as I am concerned. It is so sad, really. Look, we cannot shoot all these down by citing poor time management, not-so-quick mind nor not-so-bright EQ or IQ or whatsoever. Even the cleverest people will turn to be stupid and depressed if he/she is continually told that he/she is not up to mark, lack ingenuinity, lack drive or even barrage of unsupported criticism day in day out.  I would call that mental bullying, mental abuse or badgering.   

Yes, we would be buoyed by mental stress from time to time but people who are constantly in such pressure cooker each day would find it hard to release themselves from such strain. Yunno, I am sad that we have turned out like that. I am sad too that it feels like a mortuary each time I take a step into the office with zombies working alongside. That’s my rendition of office setting these days. Yeah, maybe that‘s difference from your office setting. I can’t argue with that. It is just an example.

I am sad that Chairmans, CEOs, Directors and big shots have failed to see that which eventually culminating in the death of an employee. To some of them, death of an employee is just some compiled money of “pak kam” or putting out fistful of monies or even a big wreath of flowers but hell, it would not resurrect the dead employee who may be a father, a mother, an auntie, an uncle, a grandpa or a grandma or even a good friend to people who care for them!  We can all prevent the death of an employee. There are better and more glorious way to die than to be slumped on the work desk! I most definitely don’t want to end up like that, my dear friends.  

Here is what we can do. Allow care and concern to come into our hearts. We can all play a part by being concerned with our staff and friends. A cup of coffee session or even a short break for the employees goes a long way. Even if our bosses don’t show concern for our staff, we can all help out by being a friend to our colleagues. Do not ply any more misery to the already miserable staff. Show your heart by being a friend. Listen intently and understand. Give solutions and ideas for solutions rather than orders.

Have surprise birthday party or small “makan” in your office to celebrate birthdays or even any good occasion of success. Allow flow of communications and caring gestures to move through the staff and not create “competition” which mostly happened between staff and groups within the staff. Stop emphasizing the need to reward to successful individuals but rather reward a team/group effort rather than individual selfishness. We may be selfish in many ways than you’ll ever know. Gain respect and trust from staff by understanding their predicament rather than their shortcomings. Lend a helping ear and give constructive criticism rather than demoralizing scorn or show of power. Genuinely care for your staff or your family members. Listen to what they have to say to you. Show faith and utmost good governance of people by leading a good example and doing things the right way.

Let us all make an effort today to help our colleagues and our loved ones. The plot on the ground is not big but the implication of losing someone you love or your family members goes beyond the 6’X4’ plot…..and the echoes of losing that someone rings so much farther than you can ever imagine…………believe me, the loss of loved ones can be deafening.....crushing to the soul.............

Freshwater prawning....

Macrobrachium rosenbergii ! Yup, you would have scratched your head pronouncing this and probably asked “ What the hell is Ivan talking about ? “ , right?  Well, that is the scientific name for giant freshwater prawns or udang galah in Bahasa Melayu. Now, you get the picture?

“ Wanna go prawn fishing, Mr.Ivan?” That was the question that was popped to me by my colleague, Firdaus as we sat for small talk before starting our mortuaristic work in our office one solemn; turning to brighter, Friday morning as weekend approaches. In fact, I asked twice if he was sure and I was told that we needed to get small live prawns for our endeavor in the night. Yes, you heard me right. The fishing will be done in the night time. I immediately answered that I was game for night prawn fishing on a Friday night. To be honest, I was excited. I knew that prawn fishing isn’t easy while the harvest can be small if one doesn’t rent the sampan out in the river. But I was ready for anything. It’s the Royal Rangers way la………

That day, I was busy calling my brother, Liang if he could get some live prawns for me and when he said he will do his best, I was excited as Liang usually delivers the goods nicely. True enough he did while he added three ikan ketutu or marble goby or soon hock fish to his tank collection after scooping out small prawns for me at nearby ponds and rivers.  So, I asked Firdaus enthusiastically of the time of pickup and place to go that night. The venue was Kg.Jorak in Muar and the pickup time was by 7.30pm. That was set.

Anyway, looking for Firdaus place was a nightmare for me as googlemaps brought me to a different place and after a while, managed to get to his place. My sifu, Firdaus brought two rods & reel and a small Banax bag – a far cry from my backpack and two rods & reels too. We were off and throughout the journey, we talked of things that had happened and general fellowship between two colleagues.

At about 9.30pm, we arrived at Kg.Jorak  and I was pleasantly surprised. It was really a river side kampong with so much surprises like medan makan and nice cement structure jetty. The kampong is rustic too with its sprawling wooden jetty along the river. I love the simplicity of the place. We alighted from the car and headed toward an elderly Chinese man who informed us that he had been fishing for prawns for about an hour now but nothing to show so far. He even joked and remarked that he might not have river prawns for his Maggi mee treat that night. As we spoke on, we were told that there were plentiful of sizeable river prawns years ago but pollution and indiscriminate rubbish dumping had reared its ugly head in the river eco-system. The Chinese uncle went on to lament about the lack of responsibility on the part of people to take care of the river eco-system. Yeah, he was right in many ways – plastic bottles, plastic bags, aluminium cans and floating tree debris fills the river. It was starting to have high tide and we excused ourselves and got ourselves ready for some prawn fishing.

Sitting on a wooden plank jetty, we started fishing and it wasn’t long before Firdaus fish out a medium size ikan baung ( catfish species or known as ‘pak suk kong” in Cantonese ) It was an ice breaker that we needed and then it was frenzy pulling but we were just unlucky not to get any prawns or fish. Yeah, the bites were there but I must admit , I wasn’t competent to fish river prawns. I must admit that it needed a very special skill and lots of patience to do prawn fishing as these prawns are extremely good at stealing your bait away. Firdaus showed me the techniques to prawn fishing and he lost a couple of fights to these smart prawns. There is something very addictive about prawn fishing. They will pull your bait and looked as though they would be stuck to your hook but when you actually lift up, they are long gone making you look stumped and stupidified! Yeah, that was how I felt that night but it was something exhilarating about the “prawn runs” and “prawn pull”.

That night, we shared a lot relaxing moments and laughters too. I guess, my sifu, Firdaus was more under pressure to get some prawns….Pity him….but he is really good at the prawning as he took the time to explain to me the characteristics of river prawns. We also had a good time laughing at ourselves as we talked and fished as the night wore on.

Hours passed by and we eventually moved from place to place as boat operators went out to do prawn fishing on their own as a source of income for these fishermen. We met a few nice boat operators who informed us that they would be going out to do their fishing. We also met with a group of three local Muarian anglers who were just out for a good time and they managed to get some prawns. As usual, the Hokkien dialect profanities were widely and punctually articulated as these anglers missed the prawns or fish at that area. All in all, it was a very relaxing night and cool night for Firdaus and me.

We finally settled back to the first place we started and it was here that my luck changed that night. I guess, I must confessed that I prayed hard for the good Lord to supply me two prawns for the night and yessiree, He provided me the two prawns – a male and a female prawn. For the first prawn ( the female one ), it fought really good ( typical nature of a female, I guess!!! No offence intended towards the ladies, please! ) and the sensation of pulling out a prawn from the river was absolutely fabulous. It was like I had won the World Cup of patience, man! Yeah, it was that good feeling inside. The minute I put the bait on the hook, I threw it out near a sampan and then reeled in slowly and carefully. I set the rod down and let the live bait the freedom to move a bit. Then it happened. The rod started to bend a bit with some movements Then more slow movement and then slightly more vigorous pulls. That’s when I lift up the rod and started reeling in. Lo and behold, my effort was rewarded with a female prawn of the size of my palm length as a reward! It was such a great feeling inside.

For the second catch, it was typically the same but it did not move or at least that was what I thought. You see, after hours of fishing, your eyes will start playing tricks with you under the dimly lit atmosphere. Your mind will tend to tell you that the rod is moving or bending. To me, I thought tiredness had crept to my entire brains and eyes when I thought I saw the rod bend ever so lightly! I left it as it was and about 2 or 3 minutes later, I decided to check on my rod. So, I lifted it out and there was another male prawn ( long pincers and blueish body to tail end ) at the end of the line. Yippeeeeeee was all I could mutter at that moment. After some snaps shot , I had the nasty experience of pulling out the prawn from the hook. Firdaus had asked me to use the long scissors to remove the hook from the prawn but being the idiot I am, I tried removing the hook with my stubby fingers. Well, the pincers of the prawns clapsed and tightened at the fingers and they do give quite a pinch, actually! They are a nuisance, I tell you. Somehow, I managed to yank the hook off the prawn and placed the prawn in a container. I must admit that I also “lembu” (stubborn and not listen to advice ) in a way!

Soon, it was time to go while we still got some exciting bites that early morning. Yeah, it was already about 4.00am when we cleaned up and left the place for home. All in all, it was a good night of prawning and fellowship. I really love the moonlight rays across the river while the chatters of the anglers in their Hokkien and Bahasa Melayu chats together with the stillness of the nights makes it all such a great night. I still would not be disappointed if I do not get any fish nor prawns that night. The sheer calmness and beautiful setting was enough for an old fool like me to enjoy……

Over the past couple of months, there had been "war cries" of seeking blood over the new government and many other mud-slinging names being hurled at the new government. I want to tell these so-called people ( detractors of PH ) who are hurling abuse to the leaders of the new government to give those buggers in power today a chance to work out things. I may say that these detractors are probably from the sore loser team from the other side of the fence. I guess.  I am particularly annoyed to people who still failed to understand that the new Malaysian government was formed only in May, 2018. If ever they are as experienced like the previous government ( good at giving out money until the Treasury goes bust! ) we are all as good as dead! That is my honest opinion. Our lives would have been so sweet that we would have died by being diabetic to sweet goodies!

Come on, people! The government is a new government. Cleaning up the mess of 61 years is no easy task. I really and truly sympathised with the new leaders as they are trying their best to do what is right for the country and so are the state governments. Give them a chance to start afresh with new ways to tackle the economy of the country. I believe, many of us are well aware of the ills of the previous government and the clean-up act can be quite a momentous task. There are still many supporters of the previous "dedak" government and this is still evident in the government machinery. Afterall, being accustomed to dedak culture can be quite a task to clean up...need to "alternate , control and delete" re-load new software of " clean-up virus" before can re-boot. That too may not be enough to eradicate the "dedak virus" which had been enshrined in the system for such a long time. I am very sure, you people can understand that , right? Yeah, I am also very appalled why a post mortem report on a simple death in Kuala Lumpur hospital still needs 6 months to write while the family still suffers by the constant " masih dalam process. Mungkin akan ambil masa 6 bulan hingga 1 tahun untuk disiapkan" Does these hospital staff at Bahagian Rekod understand the trauma faced by the family members needing to go through the normal process of insurance claim, property transfer, banking procedures and so on? Yeah, their incompetence are hanging up the entire process? Yeah, I am hitting out at those people sitting behind the damn desk at Bahagian Rekod in the hospital! Do your DAMN job! This is one example that will tick off the public la.......One example la that people can complaint about the new government. Like I said, I sympathised with the new leaders of the government but I don't sympathised those staff in the new government who still have the previous government mentality! From the Pengarah right to the clerk/kerani  should be given red card la! Tukar budaya ...buang yang keroh dan ambil yang jernih la...I want to tell these Pengarahs and little Napoleons at the government department, this is not the era of "same old same old". If you cannot do your job, resign and move on. Jangan menyusahkan hidup orang lain la....

I dare say that the leaders are coping with the task ahead of rebuilding the country but there is also a need to ensure that new policies and policing be done to ensure that these government officials do their work and not spend time on golf courses la or having taklimat here and there just to waste time or having kumpulan karipap meeting all the time. Like I said, hard mules of 61 years of corrupted culture still lives strong in some of these people and the only way to get things done is to genuinely eradicate these  so-call hard core mules of the old mules. These are fattened cows and mules over the years while good and hardworking servants are being asked to leave or even severely punished over the years by serving the people. People also forget that the government is still young and not so forgiving not because they don't care. The public cares ( that's why they voted for change! They did not vote for DSAI or Rafizi only! ) They voted because they want a change in the direction of the country. Yes, there is a need to be patient with the new government, for sure. But stop la from fighting the same old lines of the former regime! Stop on fighting for racial base politics. Cukup la dengan politik perkauman! How many times you want to overkill the racial base politics? Balik-balik same issues - race, religion and rights! All these are already enshrined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia! No one mengugat kedudukan ini! No one is trying to change the Constitution! No one is trying to curi hak-hak instimewa ! No one is trying to bully anybody! CUKUP la with all these "api-api" and all these unnecessary threats! Politicians are the only ones fighting for survival of their own balls, I dare say! 

The rakyat is very aware of the powers in our hands. If you don't perform, you will be replaced. If you are corrupt. you will be exposed because no one is going to stand seeing you take in or telan so much money without opening their mouth to talk these days. I learned a long time ago from our forefathers that it is better to stay poor than to steal. Yes, you can say I am from the old school of thought but I believe those cultures and way of life are good roads of principles. 

Look, people forget that these leaders are trying their best. If they are corrupt, we expose them. The electronic media is one way while people in the right places will continue to expose the corrupt because a good dose of the fear of God can be quite the road of making our country a better place to live in. So, stop playing the same old sentiments to stay in power. I dare say that a 93 year old Dr. M can only do that much. It is the new leadership that needs to stand up and build new Malaysia for Malaysians. Please la, stop playing the game "Who Wants to be a Billionaire?" or watch too much "Games of Thrones". Concentrate of making the country well again.....Malaysia is like one tropical paradise with very very sick leaders la.....Our leaders really need penicilin and Panadol for creating headaches after headaches! 

As for the retired army personnel and friends in the army, I am dissapointed that you people who had once fought with your lives for this country are the ones making it very difficult for the new government. Your pension fund was siphoned off by the old government. Let the new government look into ways to help you people. I am sure, they are trying their best. Hitting out at the new leaders ain't helping because I am very sure , jasamu tetap dikenang. For those bigshot retired Brigadier General and Generals, I am sure you are aware of your own code of ethics and conduct, right? Give these leaders a chance. I am sure you are well aware of honor and integrity. In fact, I have a lot of respect for my retired army personnel who campaigned for the wins for PH team all over Malaysia. I shall not forget the day I heard this ex-serviceman at the PH rally in Melaka in May, 2018 who spoke at length at the support for the PH government. That is honor and integrity at its best, SIR! I am not making excuses for the PH government. I truly believe, they are doing their best but yet, at the back of the minds of many Malaysians, " How clean are our leaders? How trustworthy are our leaders? Are they corrupted as the previous ones or worst? Are they fighting for rakyat or for themselves? " Let us not kid ourselves that everything will be okay. The road to recovery is still long and unpredictable. Let us give that benefit of doubt to these new leaders, shall we ? 

In saying so, I also want to warn the PH government and state governments of the enemy within. Those wolves in sheep clothings. Please, please check the background of these people before you appoint them in Cabinet or local authority or even join your party.  Weed out these corrupters of the previous government and pretenders of goody two shoes!  Don't sing the same tune of the previous government lest you will fall like a ton of bricks. Yes, we may not see what you are doing but God sees them. At least, have the fear of God in you. These wolves are waiting in the wings or already in the PH team waiting to walk on the shame road like the previous government. We have had enough money stolen under our noses. We have HAD ENOUGH scandal in 1MDB! Let us have no more of such scandalous blunders and blatant rompaking la.....The rakyat is already very tired of being robbed, raped and make to look like bloody fools of the world! Get the country moving to the right road. CUKUP la! Jangan mempersendakan rakyat MALAYSIA lagi dengan skandal-skandal dan pemimpin-pemimpin yang tak berperikemanusiaan di negara ini. The racial card trump and the adulteration of religious hatred should be stopped dead at the tracks or else it will be the downfall of any government. We have seen perpetrators, pengkhianat negara and unsavory leaders willing to use disharmony and such dirty tactics to win the elections and to create trouble in this country. It should be stopped. There is no room for such hatred and such fanaticsm in this beloved country of ours, MALAYSIA. We are MALAYSIANS - Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Kadazans, Eurasians, Ibans; each and every one of us. 

This is my plea and plea of the millions of people in Malaysia who wants to see the country move forward to greater economy, greater well-being and nasib rakyat terbela. We need a responsible government. We need a hardworking government. We need a trustworthy government. Please, don't let us down.....we need to rise up. Rise up to the dawn of a new Malaysia. Please, let us put our hands together to re-build MALAYSIA, our country.......our home land.

1MDB! Rats.....big fat RATS....

The month of September has always been a busy one for me as there is a flurry of activities happening from death anniversary to birthdays greetings and the usual meeting up with people. But what I really like was to have some time to do some reading which is one of my favourite pastime. However, there was just hardly much time these days to read and the long holidays over the weekend has helped me in many ways.

Firstly, I got to meet Clare Rewcastle Brown which is a real honor and listening her speak about the Malaysian scandal of 1MDB was just great. I guess, it was surreal to see this person in flesh and blood for people who exposes such scandals do not stand a chance when they step foot on our soil. Malaysia has had such a reputation now for being the country that supports kleptocracy of the highest level, haven for JI supporters, breeders of ISIS  stalwarts, religious fanaticsm   and disappearing people. But all this could not compare with the 1MDB scandal whereby billions of dollars were practically taken out from your pockets and my pockets for the pleasure of the thieves of this country from the once highest chain of commands.

I knew about the 1MDB scandal from our political rallies and political dinners not too long ago plus my usual reading up of thing via the Net. But I just couldn’t comprehend the sheer veracity of these thieves to brazenly take our money and use it as though they were plucked right off the ground. When the money dries us, take some more from the people, cook up some story about need for further investment and use them like there is no tomorrow with the purchases of apartments, condominiums, mansions, jewelleries, yacht, parties and fund dirty money taking politicians back home in Malaysia. It is just so shameful when you learn of the money trail line and how bankers not just in Malaysia, Singapore and all over the world just let slip dirty money into the hands of such traitors, criminals and perpetrators of criminal intent. What is more shaming is the fact that such layering of dirty money with shell companies front are recycling and turning these monies into legitimate money for the at-will spending of these criminals. 

Like I said, I gave “The Sarawak Report” book, signed by Ms Clare Rewcastle Brown, to SLing to read first and after reading through a few pages one night, she turned to me and said, “ Ivan, I just want to vomit thinking of all these people’s involvement in the 1MDB.” That’s a typical reaction one gets when speaking of 1MDB these days. 

Anyway, good friends sent me a copy of the electronic book “Billion Dollar Whale” some time during my birthday and I never got the chance to read it until 2 days ago. My head was spinning and I could have sworn that profanity, “not-so-nice Hainanese & Hokkien “ words plus some nasty words escaped my lips ( God, forgive thy servant’s words! ) It is atrociously unthinkable how millions are spent for parties at the posh clubs and the fanfare of it all. The worst part of it all was that it is just the first few pages of the electronic book. It is nauseatingly enough of corruption of how people in any country wealth fund administrators can so blatantly turn the other cheek as long as their pockets are lined up with dirty money. Corruption at every level from the government to the banking sectors, law services and even to the people in power are truly mind boggling indeed. Celebrities, well-known figures and movie stars who attended the parties sponsored by dirty monies; fuelled and stenched of rotting corruption and partakers of robbing monies, food and shelter from the poor of our country. I would likened these people to a pack of hyenas tearing into the spoils of a recent kill.

I am appalled as I read on especially on the part of the dispensing of the illegal monies into the pockets of the political allies and cronies to remain in power  in our country. As I read on, as long as the supporters are happy and well fed with these dirty monies, support remains there and worst of all, the main culprit is the head of this country.  While dirty monies are distributed to the cronies for political support, jewellery, apartments and mansions followed suit with the ill-gotten gains just to wet the ever deep greed appetite of the one they call Baldy and Hippo. Expenses while holidaying and expenses while shopping were all taken care of from offshore accounts dirty money. This is the biggest scandal the world had ever known and Malaysia is right at the top of that list! My goodness gracious ( so help me , God ! ),  monies were siphoned off right under our noses and we have allowed a perompak  ( robber ) and his family to steal off pension funds and hard earned rakyats’ monies. Millions and billions were tapped and songlap! ( went missing ).  Already the rakyat of Malaysia suffered so much due to rising cost of daily living, rising cost of food essentials, pressure of working environment and even difficulties in making ends meet while these corrupted leaders of ours, who sit on the thrones and pedestal of power ;  spinning racial and spewing religious hatred  and yet no one uttered a word about the suspectful scheme in 1MDB. No one from the leadership of the past regime to government servants uttered a word about this and allowed the country to be robbed dry and left out to be hung dry and die! 

There was not an aorta nor an ounce of concern of what would happen to the citizens of Malaysia or our future generations for the matter. What type of leaders do we have? Yes men and women who are afraid of only losing their position of influence and status? Men and women who are equally corrupted as “ monkey see , monkey do “ mentality? What type of leaders and leadership who would rob even their own treasury and ruin their country? What type of business investment are two drill ships? Why is there no question on unsound monetary conditions of the investment funds? How on earth did banks in Malaysia continue to give out loans to business investments in 1MDB which has nothing to show at all? Truly thieves running thieving schemes!

Yeah, I did finish reading the book “ Million Dollar Whale” and it appalled me to know that no leaders in the former government has the balls nor the audacity to stand up for the truth! Things are just being swept under the carpet not just this time for the past 61 years. I would say that  It was all down to fear and following the herd mentality leadership or pockets had been lined up nicely with wads of cash. Mind you, leaders, God is watching. I pray that each and every one of you who had in one way or another received direct kickbacks and funds from this 1MDB scheme be cursed and accountable for your actions. It sickens me to know that you rob the rakyat and raid the treasury chest all in the name of your own kind and so call development and yet the rakyat suffered in great silence each day. Suffered right to the bones of the people and yet you feign innocence?  Bollocks of the highest level!

I also cannot understand the stupidity and the “bodoh bebal” mentality of the 1MDB management board or even board members who are all “yes men” and supporters of the ruling party. We cannot blame the foreign banks alone for this scandal as they are only interested in making money for their banks and indirectly putting large chunks of money in the form of bonus and pay outs when they saw and seized the opportunity. When are we going to wake up and see all this. Whenever a deal is made, someone profits from the endeavours or schemes because that is the way it is in our society today. Foreign banks, overseas investors and even our own regulatory bodies are the same – crooks and more crooks. I detest it so much when the writer mentioned that there are always kickbacks when dealing in the South East Asia countries and our country is no exception. It is very saddening but very true indeed. It is really embarrassing that such loopholes exist in our country and we should be plugging those loopholes with detrimental law sentences or put these offenders behind bars. Instead, we use draconian laws to stop and silence the people from speaking the truth or highlighting the truth. It is no secret that people do go “missing” in our country and no one talks about it. Intimidation and pressing of fear & reprisal had been indoctrinated in the minds of the rakyat and fearfulness not of God but of man-made leaders had signaled the death of a civilization of human beings.

The other thing I have come to see happening is that whenever there is a scandal tainted scheme on-going, there will also be an image of charity or willingness to do charity for positive imaging. Positive imaging is mainly to mask the overwhelming lies of the past, present and future! How gullible people can be with such PR company stunts! Give awards to the greatest thieves in our country for caring for children education, you say? Pttuuuuiiiiiiiiiiii……. All these are image publicity stunts which rake in thousands if not, millions of dollar for positive image publicity companies!

I believe that celebrities too have social responsibilities to be responsible for their actions. Sure, they are just human beings too who have needs and more greedy needs, that’s for sure. It is unbecoming when big names of celebrities are mentioned in the book and that shows a lot about the morality level of that artist or celebrity. Have you no conscience that the thousand dollar drinks held in your hands, the gifts at your sides and the outrageous food you partake comes from robbing of the livelihood of families in Malaysia? Have you no conscience at all when doing all these? All the bullshit about global warming, preserving nature, environmental healing and climate change issues are just publicity stunt indeed and just to polish a positive outlook for your image. It sickens me knowing that they just don’t care – just party like there is no tomorrow and spending the money that are not theirs in the first place.

I must explain to you that I am a very graphic reader meaning I would put those writers’ words or description of an event into graphic images and I could really see the fanfare and pageantry of the partying and so on in my mind. It hurts badly that some celebrities cares for nothing except appearance fees, party, drinks and gamble. USD$800,000.00 appearance fees for a party event? That’s RM 3.44million folks…..one night…one celebrity appearance. What about the appearing singers and bands? It is a staggering amount and I really cannot imagine this happening. What about the staggering amount of USD$1.5 million ( RM 6.45million, folks! ) spending spree on jewellery per night by the Hippo? Staggering!  For people like me, I just imagine how many pieces of Pak Din’s roti canai kosong and the tarik can bless the lives of the people in Melaka in years and years to come!!!!!!!

Bloody hell! Where is Captain Ahab when we needed him to spear the bloody whale? Perhaps, frolicking in a tavern bar on a US$50,000 champagne bottle a pop or bootlegging with some tavern girl paid to do lap dancing!  I know, I know, let’s get the Japanese fishermen whaler fleet to go on their ritual yearly whale hunting this year just for this particular rogue whale, shall we? But wait, they might get bribed and cajoled into accepting goodies from the offshore accounts from Cayman Island or even Curacao! ( where the hell is this , right? EXACTLY! )

Hmmnnnnn…..MOBY DICK lives on ………..Bozo and Hippo having some funny acts together too!  

                 

Vietnam, My Thoughts....

We are going home......

So, my trip to Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang, Vietnam had ended recently but the most important question that you people are going to ask me is :- " What have I learnt from the trip to Da Nang?", right? If you are expecting anything brilliant or profound, you would be hopelessly disappointed lar.

The answer is simple - It sucks BIG TIME when the holidays end! Yeah! That is my heartfelt answer to the ever universal question that had flashed over in your minds and mine too. Seriously, it had been a wonderful trip to Vietnam as a whole. I must thank Annie for organising the itinerary and the flights cordination for this trip. Teresa , SLing and SYuen had brought in input for the itinerary and guide that helped us shaped our trip this time. It was the most wonderful time of my life having to spent these days with the group. ( Alvin, Annie, Jonathan, Teresa, Richard, SLing and SYuen ). truly truly fun days indeed. Sure, we missed out on some dog or cat meat soup and dishes, testicles soups & the good stuff plus some crickets, worms, scorpions and what not but it was all good! If we did not get to eat them, the Vietnamese people could have eaten them earlier than us lar!  Just joking! Just joking! 

Sad to leave...

Everyone was easy going while there weren't any prima donnas, dominant kings/queens and even sourpuss in the group at all. This makes it such a wonderful time for all of us. I must say that we have had laughter and more laughter throughout our trip and it was just so wonderful. Sure, there are times our hearts and spleens exchanged places at the places we went  while our legs felt like coming off for some good old leg massage but we were genuinely happy and having fun. Yeah, blame it on our age for getting all our parts leaky and cranky but we made through it all.  We are alive! Thank God for his graciousness in our lives,man! I am ever thankful to Richard  & Alvin who provided us with great sense of humour and easiness in our conversations and great fellowship. The ladies were wonderful too as they were simple, easy going and fun all around. This made a lot of difference when travelling in a group as everyone has their own preference, needs and wants. What was important was the fact that we had a great time! Truly a wonderful time indeed. That is my heartfelt blessings of having such wonderful people in the travel group.

Lovely wooden arch in Hue...

I am grateful too that we had a great guide in Thanh Tuan, his full name. A thorough and true young Vietcong. ( Yeah, his boss googled our names to check us out while I googled his name to check him out ! Jeng! Jeng! Jeng! ) Jokes aside, what a responsible, caring, humble and informative guide indeed. I believe , what he has done for us was beyond his time and responsibility as a guide in those days when we put our lives in his hands!  He helped us to cross the streets, ordered food for us, checked our bill and ensured we have enough food before going on to have his food at a different table and ensuring our well-being in general. I wished we had guides like this is Malaysia and our tourism industry would grow tremendously. Tuan exuberates the fine example of the newer generation of Vietnamese young man in Vietnam who wants to move forward to a greater Vietnam. He is quick witted, humorous, very active and alive plus humble. Never a word of harshness even when the park rangers were sarcastic to him or even when the vendors were rough on him as he bargained the items for our group. I was most impressed with him when he brought out our seafood dinner one by one from the restaurant kitchen even when there was a long queue for our food even after we had picked out the seafood! That is truly going out of your way for your guests! My jaw dropped when he brought those dishes out for us to eat! Truly a remarkable young guide. He did what was beyond his guide duty to help us get food that night! I will always remember this gesture of kindness on this part! Thank you, Thanh Tuan! 

Left : Jonathan, Alvin, Tuan, myself, Richard and Kanh, driver....

I remembered speaking to him as we were at the side street of Hoi An ancient city near one of the tailor shops and he had asked me what Melaka was like. Throughout our journey with him, Alvin, Richard and the group told him of the influence of Portuguese, Dutch, British , Japanese, Chinese, Indian and even the influence of Malay culture in our lives. He is also a well read individual who genuinely seemed to know about Malaysia happenings. I had asked him about what was he looking forward to as a Vietnamese young man. He was quick to answer that he would like to see a growth in his nation and develop a greater Vietnam. He was saddened when he told us of how he had lost his grandfather, uncles and friends to the war and how most Vietnamese were bitter of the war. Those were hard times and  hardship of the never ending war of cruelty. I guess, we can all relate to that, right? Every country in the world has an ugly side of its history! I told him of the great potential of  tourism in Vietnam and the need to check on the greediness of progress in the coming years. If things like food, tourist attractions, hotels and souvenirs get expensive and cut throat stage in the towns we had visited, it would drive away the tourists and the much needed tourism dollars for the country. He was agreeable that there is a great need for control on the capitalism aspect of the tourism industry as more tourist begin to recognise Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang as worthwhile destinations in Vietnam. We had a good conversation and I must say that this young man is full of potential to make it big in Vietnam one day.

The people ....in a drawing

His boss, Man Nguyen ( yes, Google lar! ) is an equally enterprising and good trip organiser/planner. His souvenir of Vietnamese lanterns and Highland coffee packs were a class act of appreciation for being his guests. I am deeply appreciative of what he had done and the gifts were really a great personal touch from him and his company.  Man Nyugen even called while we were on our way home to thank us for using their company services and that, my friend, speaks volume of a good trip planner/organiser. Even when I was back home, I wanted to rate his company services in TripAdvisor and he called me personally to thank me for doing so.  Sure, I gave his company an excellent rating as they did an excellent job for our trip. It was very satisfactory and humbling experience to have such wonderful guide and organiser in Thanh Tuan and Man Nguyen. I really wished the both of them and the company every success! 

Vietnam........

To me, Vietnam, in general. is rising up in the tourism industry landscape. Beautiful beaches in Da Nang and other places of Vietnam is the testament of what the future is about for Vietnam tourism industry. The towns of Hue, Hoi Ann and Da Nang are clean, I mean, really much cleaner than Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and even Jogjakarta where most UNESCO sites are situated. Rich historically and culturally in Hue and Hoi Ann, these are places that will see an influx of tourist in days to come. Food preparation and cuisine itself are generally clean and edible. Fresh vegetables and unique dishes of Vietnam makes it a culinary must for tourist. I love the fresh vegetables and their noodles soup based concoction which is just a delicious delight. The rice noodles, the rice cakes, the mi quang, banh beo, banh mi, bun bo, banh xeo and the list goes on are every day life food that is a must sampler for the tourists. The Vietnamese fish sauce tasted so much better than the Thai which I considered the best thus far.  It is generally not expensive to eat nor to travel to Vietnam making this hideaway a great place to relax and just count your blues away. If you are a beach lover, Da Nang beaches are quite a sight. The clustered boats together with the bamboo basket boats with the back drop of orangey setting sun plus soft sands can be quite a sight for those who love photography too. Thatched huts and thatched shades under the sun makes it a photogenic rest area.

The well preserved historical buildings, artifacts and historical architectures for history buffs like me can be both enriching, astonishing and exciting indeed. The rich cultural background and extravagant tombs, insignia and relics can be stimulating and mind boggling at times. I find it fascinating and exciting to be able to see the linkage of culture and civilization between My Son, Angkor Watt, Prambanan, Lembah Bujang and even Borobudur. I am also intrigued and fascinated that the Imperial City of Hue and the Citadel bears resemblance to the Forbidden City in China but at a much lesser extravagant way but very significant in the Chinese history.

One night in Hoi An....lovely

For those who just simply want to have a chill out moment, a walk along the Perfume River near the bridge or near the Dragon Bridge can be quite interesting as local desserts and food fare are laid out with amazing colors and a feast to the eyes and the tummy. If you are one that prefers the steady high chairs and soft music of cafes and pubs, they are in abundances in the streets of Hue, Hoi An and Danang. But if you are a coffee lover like me, cafes selling potent coffee in Vietnam is a real must for you. The flavorful and aromatics of the roasted coffee beans will definitely ignite your senses for an awesome day of coffee. My senses are tingling now even when I am thinking about it. 

The lanterns of Hoi An.....

I have learnt that the people of Vietnam are generally wary of people. Who could blame them after years of war, hardship, hunger and death! They generally resented the French and the Americans! All the rest are okay. ( Phew! Thank God I am a Malaysian! ). They eye all foreigners with great wariness but once you get to know them, they are generally simple folks just like us. Like the family of rice paper makers, they welcome people to their home and shared what they do best with the people. They served us with what they have best - rice cakes and Chinese tea. I truly appreciate that hospitality and I get to see first hand of how simple living is all about in Vietnam. I get to see too how houses in Vietnam used to be 14' X 40' while over the years, it had gone longer but not wider unless you have got the money for it. For me, looking into the small houses, I could not imagine living in such tight place - I would have nightmare, man. It is not that I am claustrophobic  but it is simply too small of a space. Sure, there are more modern and bigger houses nowadays but remnants of the old small houses are still around for us to see.  I love the country side of Hue , Hoi An and Da Nang. The lush green of the paddy fields and the plots of green vegetables plot. I also realised that Vietnam especially Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang are blessed with so much wonderful seafood. Lobsters, quality fish such as variety of groupers, pelagic fishes and bottom dwellers fishes are in abundance while shell fish are astoundingly in abundance. The best part - they are not that expensive in comparison with other countries I had been to.

The art in Hue.....

It is undeniable that in years to come places like Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang will be caught up with the tourist dollars development. I just wished that it would not be such an explosion of exorbitant prices and resentment towards certain types of tourists in the coming future as some tourist can be a pain in the yunno where!  I have always believed that Vietnamese are the smart, quick witted and would not take no shit from anyone because of what they had gone through over the years. Hardened by war, seasoned by hatred of oppression and arose through the ashes valley of civil war , the Vietnamese will want to make a better living in themselves. It is no surprise that Vietnamese workers, ladies in particular, would marry a foreigner but would want to return to Vietnam to catch on the fire of capitalism and growth in the new dawn era of Vietnam. There is definitely a bright future in Vietnam and I pray that the people would learn to prosper well and keep in their faith to go rebuilt a better and forward looking Vietnam.

Thank you very much, my dear dear friends........

I wish Vietnam all the best and I do look forward to visit Vietnam again some day.  I have wonderful memories of Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Good people made a tremendous impact and lasting impressions in your life, don't you think so? I must admit, Vietnamese coffee would never be the same in my life ever again! Thank you , Vietnam.

~ Tam biet va cho den chung ta gap lai nhau ~  simply means "Goodbye and Till We Meet Again!"~