What I don’t understand and what I noticed

I think everyone would agree that the last few months, more like since the election, the country has been a bit chaotic. I really don’t understand …
1. What makes one thinks that he or she can reduce the price of petrol down fifty cents per liter if he leads the government? Point given was the eighty billion in the reserves. You do realise the county has debts to pay and it is an installment payment. You do realise to subsidise that, somewhere else of the nation budget has to be reduced. What if it’s at the expense of some other funding budgets to satisfy the people over something that is impacting everyone globally? This is the reason why we’ve been so protected all these while that the country can’t stand on her own two feet economically. Too much protection and the semi-closed door economy. Those of you who believed that he can reduce the price, shame on you for not knowing and being ignorant to the fact that it’s a global impact and a country like Malaysia cannot be shielded forever.
2. Why one won’t trust their own country’s local hospital, police force and legislation that you’re not willing to provide your DNA to prove your innocence? Or why conveniently have sudden faith in the Islamic law that one can only be found guilty if there is four witnesses to a sodomy accusation. And when and if ever you do lead the government, you’re going to fire everyone in those three industries? Because you don’t think they are carrying out their work.
3. Why would the leading Islamic opposition party be making statement of reconsidering having talks with their rival rather than resolving within the new opposition coalition party? Then, the next day, it’s just talk. Nothing much to it. No consideration or whatever so that is in the pipeline.
4. Why would an ex political figure be so involved and actively criticising current leadership and members about their past, their weak and timid characters, the validity of their accusation by digging up the past etc? Why say it was a wrong choice of appointing the successor when he wasn’t even given a chance to prove himself? And someone else can do a better job? Yes, it’s good to keep them on their toes but the publicly made statements via the blog are just causing lower confidence in the government. I’m not saying don’t, but why can’t do it discreetly and ask them to improve themselves? After all, you chose your successor then.
5. Why would road blocks deter if supporters are convinced of their values and believed in what they support? And everyone be late for their appointment. Those poor CLP candidates! Who’s going to be responsible for that?
6. Was it necessary to provide a specific date for when the government will be taken over? What? You went to see the feng shui si fu is it to give you September 16?
7. Why focus your energy and your so-called capability of a leader to lead the government by bringing up the old case and questioned the likelihood of evidence being tempered? I understand if you want to charge the guys who gave you the black eye but surely the last sodomy case was not worth the precious time and effort. I think the nation would rather see what you can do after all the political empty promises.

What I noticed … all these chaos happened after …
1. that once fallen hero is out of prison and served the grace period of being politics-free.
2. the general election and win of a simple majority.
3. the opposition coalition party was formed.
4. the end of the M’s era.

What I also noticed is …
1. Why is there no support of the other parties within the coalition party?
2. Why some opposition parties who won are working hard in proving themselves at their respective state government and some would rather just talk and complain and provide empty promises? You’ve been voted by the people to replace and be given the opportunity to prove yourself, so go do it and not by putting others down to make yourself look better. Maybe everyone should take a breather and self-reflect as the news of Malaysia is very shameful and embarrassing, especially countries that have bigger social problems like war and poverty to deal with. It’s like a spoilt brat not given his or her sweets to stop from crying.

Stop whining … and get on with our lives

It’s about to reach the magical number of $150 per barrel and everyone is looking for reasons of “why” and the government is looking for answers to the “how” and “what”. It was getting a bit crazy in Malaysia with plans of having different pumps for foreigners i.e. only Singapore and Thailand; Malaysians smuggling and selling petrol to neighbouring countries; Malaysians protesting for the hike in fuel prices; and the list goes on. This all came about when the prices of oil peak its historical high and with the government deciding to reduce subsidy thus increasing the price to US$0.83 (RM2.70) per liter.

On the day the new oil price was announced with an increase of 40%, everyone (don’t deny it, you know you did too) scrambled to the petrol kiosks to have the tank filled and caused chaos with massive traffic and vehicle owners accusing petrol kiosks owners not wanting to sell the petrol at the old prices.

And as if that’s not enough chaos from the fuel price hike, the political bickering between ex-DPM and current PM and (may as well get the whole family tree in) ex-PM all paying attention to the government’s strategy in handling this issue. Wrong move? Could have been better? It’s the right move? Everyone started questioning the price hike reactions.

Putting facts and figures together, the current oil price is nothing worth calling an “issue” that one political party can do better than the current government or one ex-PM can do better than the current PM and his team. Don’t get me wrong as I’m not taking either political side (as I didn’t even vote in the last election due to unforeseen circumstances, not because I’m an irresponsible Malaysian). I just want to pen down the facts that I managed to gather (the closest approximation I could get off the internet).

From the graph, which is self-explanatory, I’m not going to write an analysis on it and not going to find reasons of why it’s (ever) rising, rather would like to focus on “what” can we do to address the global oil price rising.
1. Transportation - Build a better and more efficient transport system so that we don’t have to drive or the old fashion car pool.
2. Alternative source - Use bio-gas if you have to. Re-cycle our waste (like how Singapore re-cycles for water).
3. Financial aspect - Strengthen the Ringgit currency as our purchasing power is so weak out of Asia.
4. Market forces - Let the petrol companies trade in a free market and competitive advantage will prevail to the benefit of consumers.
5. Floating price - Don’t let it be at ONE price. Float it on daily basis, some days you gain, some days you lose.
6. Last but not least, my personal favourite solution - People aspect … STOP WHINING AND LIVE WITH IT!

For the Wrong Reasons

There were only two occasions in the last three and the half months I’ve seen our country, Malaysia making news in the media here in Sydney.

The first one was around in May when an Islamic group caused a stir by stating that uniforms of schoolgirls were too sexy and invited 'rape and pre-marital sex'. That deserved the attention in the daily free papers MX few days after that statement was made.

This morning on the local TV network news update, we had video on the fiasco around people shoving and pushing trying to get into the stadium showing support for the former DPM. Given the political whining and bickering going on in Malaysia, we made the headlines in Australia with the Prime Minister’s office making a clear statement that he will not be meeting with our former DPM in showing his support to him as hi predecessor did 10 years ago.

Of course we’ll claim that westerns media picks only the “juicy” news about Malaysia and depicts the unsettling scenes of our country’s domestic issues. Maybe it’s just a way of getting publicity and global political support by some party’s for their personal interest knowing that many developed countries are frustrated with Malaysia’s semi-closed door economic policy. But we can’t deny that it’s true! It is happening; they are not falsifying the situation back home. It is embarrassing that not only does Malaysia hardly make the news but when we do, for the wrong reasons.

It’s like watching two school kids taking revenge over each other. Rather than focusing their energy onto effort in being a government or being the opposition barking on the government’s heels, both parties are calling each other names telling tales to see who wins the lollipop.

Hybrid Chinese

Hybrid Chinese, that’s me …
Upon stumbling a few articles and news on skilled migrant workers in the local media and all were discouraging the government in taking in migrant workers into the country, thus suppressing domestic talent. It started me thinking, where is my home? Technically (and proudly so), I’m a Malaysian. But my Chinese roots started me thinking where I can call home, as a Chinese.

Our education has instilled in us that Malaysia is a society of multi-race, what we call masyarakat majmuk. We’ve seen many countries where a racial dispute breaks the peace and domestic economy underachieved. Many Malaysians appreciate how we can live with each other from the city to the smallest kampung. Just recently, a Malay man’s daughter was to wed in a Chinese ceremony as he was respecting his minority friends, who were Chinese. However, we all know the famous event on May 13, 1969 left a scar that Malaysians will be reminded of. This strengthens the appreciation of what we’re living in now. There are still minority (or maybe even majority) of Chinese feels that we’re treated unfairly. Any of these thoughts or questioning the privilege of bumiputras is deemed an ethnic incitement but it never dither it from crossing our minds, home and business loans, education, subsidies and the list goes on.

Now why are we not given equal treatment? We’re not the “original” i.e. foreign, migrants, tidak tulen (not pure) and I liked to call myself a Hybrid Chinese. I started looking if a term exist for a Hybrid Chinese, and it’s actually called Overseas Chinese (“OC”). Anyone who is not from Mainland China, are OC. Some even debated if you’re not from the Han Chinese ethnic group, you’re not Chinese. During the mass Chinese Diaspora in the 19th century, my great grandfather came to Malaya from the Choon Kow in the district of Huai Ann of the Fujian province. So, he was Chinese and after three generations, I’m not.

With the figures above, apart from Republic of China (and Taiwan), Singapore has the majority of population being Chinese. Can these countries be called home to Chinese (because it makes up the majority)?

No, I’m not Chinese, Overseas Chinese, but a Hybrid Chinese called Peranakan or Baba / Nyonya or Malaysian Chinese and feels really good to own a sense of belonging. (at least it says so in wikipedia). The village once served as a home of origin to my great grandfather and grandfather is not where I’m from as I’m a Malaysian Chinese.

I’ve not lost sense of my roots but re-discovering myself and for my future generations where they will call Malaysia home.

Food in exchange for that pinch of local spice

Today is exactly three months of my secondment here and coming from any Malaysian, I’m sure you won’t be surprised that the one (and maybe to others THE most) thing I’m missing most is the local Malaysian food. From the hokkien mee in Jalan 222 to the weekly routine of Taman Desa fish head noodle and most definitely, mummy’s cooking. Even the simple roti canai with the fish curry and the morning smell of hot steamy santan rice flooded with sambal sotong or kerang are just thoughts that I’ll be holding for another nine more months.

Food are relatively priced here, with your average lunches starting from $5 to $15 at food courts, pubs, pizza or sandwich places. Between $15 to $30, you can have a good steak, ribs and fresh seafood. Beyond that, it will be find dining or more – such as Tetsuya, which is offering a ten-course meal for $195+ Given the unconscious mental calculation of converting every dollar spent to Ringgit (I really can’t help it!) I limit myself to indulge once a week lunch and dinner experimenting new restaurants or outings with friends. Even so, always look for the good deals and discounts.

The Thai restaurants here are almost a ratio of 2:1, being two restaurants on every street in CBD and surrounding suburbs. Other popular Asian restaurants are Chinese (which makes up of HK, China, Malaysian Chinese, Thai Chinese and whatever Chinese as long as their eyes are slightly oriental, I prefer calling them sepet) and I’ve seen a few Malay or Malaysian restaurants too. Of course you’ll have Australian cuisines, Italians and a few odd Middle Eastern and Lebanese restaurants.

So, am I spoilt with the selection? No. I’d give any of the above in exchange of the familiar aroma of the fresh nasi lemak and mummy’s cooking. Generally the portion here is generous. An economy rice for three dishes in Paddy’s Market is about $8 and it heaps up like a mountain. Trust me, the portion is enough for two of our Malaysian chap farn. Then every Asian food, especially curries are so (ridiculously) sweet. The Asian food here is localised to the taste and not spicy at all. If anything is spicy, it’s just spicy and there’s not much taste. I can’t say much about the Australian dining experience though as I’m still having trouble identifying what is Australia’s speciality?

Given all the food experience this three months, I have to share with you my experience today. It’s winter and something really hot and soupy would do good. I went to the food court, where there is at least 20 odd international stalls. And I picked the oriental like (cause I can’t figure out what version of Chinese it was) and ordered a spicy soup noodle with bbq pork (char siu). Again, it was overwhelming on the bowl with the char siu right at the top and to my disappointment, it was served with mee hoon instead of the usual wantan noodle (egg noodle). Anyhow, what was really surprising, the vegetables in that very bowl. The usual choi sam and bean sprouts was fine but as I ate along, there were broccoli, carrots, french beans, baby corns and (seriously, how odd can it get with) cucumber?! I was practically eating vegetables in hot water (mind you, I can’t even call it soup coz there’s no taste of any soup stocks at all). When I turned to the lady next to me, she must have ordered soup with vegetables as it was covered with nothing but vegetables!

What can I say? They like vegetables in salted (giving it a bit of credit la) hot water.