Why Malaysia is still a third world country… July 25, 2009
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Opinion, Politics, Public.add a comment
Having had numerous conversations with a lot of people from various backgrounds with different opinions, I have come to a conclusion. Malaysia is still a third world country because we lack the ability to think. No, not the ability, the desire to think.
So on that note, let me share with you what I think..
First, lets look at the TV series that we have here in Malaysia, and try and compare them with the ones that we are used to watching in the US . Grey’s Anatomy for example, even though none of us can deny that this series is more entertainment rather than intellect (as compared to a discovery channel documentary), has a decent amount of valid information in it. You can tell that a considerable amount of effort was put into researching the medical conditions, the backgroud of their education, what their work encompasses and how REAL examinations are being done. The actors made sure that they took some time observeing and shadowing real surgeons so that they can play the part convincingly.That is why their acting do not seem fake. They actually do what scientists do if you think about it. They observe, formulate their own understanding about what is going on and reproduce their thoughts into their acting. It is not attributed to talent alone nor is it just merely “pretending to be in someone else’s shoes”.What about the ones that we have here then? I do not deny that there are very few good movies out there, but thats it, they are very few. Hence why we have a lot of ridicilous and unintelligent shows out there. I am sure you wouldn’t have any difficulty thinking of one. What about series like CSI, Bones? I am certain that none of our series can even come close to the standard that these series have.
Now lets compare the education system that we have here in Malaysia with a country like Britain say. Here we are taught to just accept what ever that is being said or taught to us by a body of authority. No objections. In order to excel in our exams, all we need to do is read, memorize and do lots of latihan. There is actually no room for understanding what we are learning, to actually fathom, digest what is being taught to us. We are not taught how to learn, we are taught what we need to know to pass the exams. There is a big difference there. Kids are not given the freedom to explore, to experiment, to be creative in their own right.
In order for us to become a negara maju, an inquisitive mind is essential. Only through that will we be able to nurture young minds into becoming scientists, good politicians who make good policies for the betterment of the country, good teachers who are creative in discovering ways to make their students interested in learning, parents who know that it is important to instill good thinking skills from young, university students who are engaged in whats going on in the country that one day they will inherit. Only then will we be more than just an ordinary citizen whose only priority in life is to get straight A’s, obtain a dgree, get a good job, make loads of money and live a comfortable life, but to hell with what ever else that is going on outside.
But hey, this is just what I think. You on the other hand, might think differently. If you do think that is..
Peace =)
Small Talks June 21, 2009
Posted by Jannah in Family, Malaysia, Medicine, Opinion, Public.2 comments
Salam.
I hate making small talks. I don’t really fancy events where you need to mingle around so that you’ll be able to establish networks and ‘make friends’. I don’t mind the occasional, meet someone new and get to know them, but when its at events that you know people are just there so that they can take advantage of you later on, I feel like running away.
I was at an event with my dad today for IJN. Not to say its one of those things that I mentioned earlier, but it was along those lines. Mak saya takde, pergi kerja kat Kuantan, so I had to fill in for her. It wasn’t too bad, I did meet a lot of interesting and famous people and I got to dress up 
I think I have always been one of those people who prefers to do the background job instead of the one who gets to go up and take the credit and the fame. I prefer being the one who does the dirty work and builds the foundation daripada pergi attend bende2 macam nih. No offence to them, but I do feel as if its all a bit fake sometimes. there a genuine people out there, but, c’mon, lets be realistic, you could probably count them with your hands.
Dulu, when I was a part of the MSSM commitee, there were a few events that we had to attend as certain VIPs would be there. It would be good oppurtunity for us to make ourselves known so that nanti senang nak mintak sponsor untuk M night. Uggghh, I so did not like it. I felt as if I’m being rude or something. Bukan ape, macam nak amik kesempata jer rase. Good for those who are good and are able to do it, because I for one, was not comfortable with it. In the end, I ended up directing M night pun, bukan cari sponsor.
I guess, this is one of the main reasons why I want to be a doctor – you do a lot of hands on jobs, not mere administration and corporate stuff. I aspire to be like my mom one day. She has spent her whole career being a public servant. I admire that and I hope I can do the same thing one day 
CBN, The shining star of my life~ June 18, 2009
Posted by Jannah in CBN, English, Malaysia, Opinion, Public, Reflection.add a comment
Salam. Hello folks, its been awhile huh? No inspiration I guess..
Ah well, its rare that these days come by, so here I am, writing on…
The other day, Farhanah and I went by CBN to pick up Raudhah from school. Manje sungguh kanak-kanak ni, we used to take the LRT back under the hot scorching sun lagi! Anyway, Raudhah usually waits for us in the red hall, so we hung around there while waiting for school to end. As luck would have it, CBN 1 were practising for this action and sing competition they have the day after. Apparently, they’re at state level! So, me and farhanah sat there and watched as these kids performed their routine over and over again until Miss Low and Mrs. Phua were satisfied. Needless to say, Miss Low is still as garang as she was back when I was in school. Although the then often used ‘bangau’ word is no longer present, I can see that she still strike fears into these kids. Haha. Even I was scared! Nak beli makanan from the kantin and makan dalam red hall pun takut kene marah. Lol.
As I was sitting there, observing from a safe distance, the teachers drilling into these students that they have to be perfect and pronounce every single word properly (“open your mouths!!” / Miss Low: Its roooommm, not ruuummm; kids: “roooooooommm”), I can’t help but think no wonder we have quite a decent command of english. Not to blow on my own trumpet or angkat bakul sendiri, but I am proud that I can speak proper english (at least I think so!). Even the way these kids speak english is different than the average Malaysian. I think undoubtedly, CBN has a recomendable reputation for being a good english-speaking school.
I remember the days during english classes, we were made to read aloud and the teachers made sure that every enunciation was clear and loud. And my mom even made us do mouth exercises in the morning on the way to school. Memories of choral speaking competitions, drama competitions, public speaking and english days never fails to make my zygomaticus muscles to contract (that means smile, Apologies, I am a medical nerd). Even today, as I watch videos that my batch mates put up on their facebooks of our interclass drama competition back then makes me proud to be a CBNer
I think it is not the learning of the english that makes a difference, its the practice that you get from speaking over and over again. Listening to english songs and then trying to imitate the way they pronounce and speak does help. Who says listening to songs is a waste of time?! Maybe thats why our english sounds more American than it does British, we watch too many American shows.
Aah well..speaking and writing are two different things unfortunately for me. Too bad words don’t flow as well as it does for me when I write, hence the very limited entries. Its not that I don’t have ideas on what to write about ( I have loads, trust me), its just that every time that I am set to go clicking away, words just fail me. I guess I don’t express my thoughts as well as other people *sigh* Maybe I should talk more? Naahh, not me..
Ok, since I don;t have any ideas on what to say to close this entry, I shall just rant away..
Read the nwspaper today. I thought the government is on the right track to limit the numebr of SPM subjects to just 10 (although 12 would probably be more realistic). Its just unneccessary to take soo many subjects me thinks (kalau nak show off tuh lain lah cite). No disrespect to those who have (kudos to them for excelling), but I think taking too many subjects just increases the pressure on others (not to mention yourself!) to take up just as many. Plus, at the end of the day, how many subjects you take for SPM only takes you so far. Tak caye? Tanyelah mane-mane budak yang dah masuk university.
We focus too much on developing students who are excellent exam wise that we forget in order to survive the rat race that is this world, it takes more than a brilliant mind. I’ve seen loads of people who are not neccessarily the brightest students but have succeeded way further than the smart ones. You know what they had in common? They are all street smart, have good english and work their a** off. Of course, occasionally there are the ones who we like to call “pacat” but that’s a whole different story.
So, lessons for today, speak good english, be street smart and work hard! 
Right, till next time peeps, I need to get back to my puzzles and Kris Allen
Politics. And all the shenanigans that comes with it. February 10, 2009
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Opinion, Politics, Public.add a comment
I know its been a while (Ok, a long time) since my last entry, but in my defence, I have been swarmed with exams! (alasan untuk diri sendiri je sebenarnya nih =p)
Anyways, I’ve been trying to keep up to date with what’s going on back home. Although, I must say that reading all these news just makes me sad. Not to mention angry, dissapointed and all other negative connotations that you could possibly think of. Frankly speaking, I am just becoming more and more disgusted with Malaysian politics. Yes, I agree, politics are essential. Even Rasulullah (pbuh) was a political mastermind. However, one thing that I am able to deduce from all my observation of the happenings in Malaysian politics is that Politics brings out the worse in people.
I’m not just talking about politicians per se (although the statement is mostly attributed to them) but everyone in general. What else, if not politics, can provoke adults, intellectuals, professionals to beat each other up on the basis of ‘principles’? What else, if not politics, provides the medium for bribery and treachery to become oh-so-common? What else, if not politics, that can make a person throw all their ‘principles’ out the window? Surely this is not portraying good logical thinking, let alone the teachings of Islam.
Over the past week, I’ve seen countless videos, read numerous articles about protests (and not peaceful ones at that), fightings, bickerings. Over what?
I think, most times, people get into politics with the best of intentions which I’m sure most of us have. We want to change the world, make it a better place. Set right to the world. But sometimes I wonder if it is still possible to be involved in politics and come out of it saying, with confidence, that you did what you set out to do originally without sacrificing your principles (the good ones of course) even just a little bit. I am not sure that one can survive the political game anymore without being “coerced” into doing something that they swore they would not do before. Politics have just gotten so dirty lately that I’m not even sure its serving its purpose.
Honestly, I am not taking any sides because obviously both sides have their shortcomings. Nevertheless, it just bewilders me to think that we specifically chose these people to protect our rights and be our voices, yet at the end of the day, all they seem to care about are their own interests.
P/s: I’ve added new pictures! Check them out on the Photo Gallery page
How narrow-minded do they think we are??? September 13, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Opinion, Politics, Public, Religion.2 comments
It really infuriates me when politicains say things like “Hak keistimewaan melayu, sistem raja-raja dan perkara-perkara yang berkaitan dengan agama Islam adalah isu sensitif dan tidak sepatutnya dibincangkan secara umum”. As a malay, I honestly feel insulted by this. Not “protected”, insulted.
How stupid do they think we are? Do they think that lack such intelligence so as not to be able to stand up for ourselves? Do they think we are that narrow-minded? That immature??
C’mon laarr…we are living in the 21st century for God’s sake. Most of us are now well-educated, able to distinguish between what’s right and what’s wrong. Most of us are able to think for ourselves. We are not children who needs to be “protected” all the time. What’s the harm in arguing? In discussing what we are “fighting” for? If we believe that what we “stand” for and believe in is right, then shouldn’t we be able to defend it? When we keep saying that it’s a sensitive issue and should not talk about it openly, we are indirectly proving that our stand doesn’t have a strong basis. Embarassing don’t you think? I personally feel embarassed when our so called Malay fighter leaders say these kind of things. It just shows how unintellectually stimulated they are. We chose our leaders not just to fight for our “rights”, but to also represent us. To be a representative of our race to other people. That means they should be able to explain why certain thins are the way they are. By sweeping things under the carpet, you won’t make it go away. All it does is make it more and more dirty as time passes by.
This issue about malay rights is one thing. I personally do not agree with some of it. To me, by saying that we need these special treatments, we are incapable of fighting for ourselves. I agree there was a time when probably the malays needed a litle bit of a push to help us going. But that was 50 years ago. I dare say right now that we are, if not at par with the other races, just a little bit left behind. And from what I can see, all this special treatments that we are getting are not helping us, it’s just making us more complacent (stressing that I’m only talking about a minority here). It’s sad that some of us actually think that we are not good enough to compete with the other races and come up tops in the end.
Futhermore, I absolutely do not agree that Islam should be considered as a sensitive issue. We as muslims know and believe that Islam is perfect. Then what is there to be afraid of talking about it? Allah Himself says that agama Islam is for those who think. We can see the how magnificent Allah is through His creations, thru thinking. So, if we do not discuss Islam with our friends of different religions, how are we to fulfill our duties as caliphs in this world? Think about it. If during the time of Rasulullah (pbuh), he said, “owh, religion is a sensitive issue. don’t talk about it” what would happen to Islam? it would never spread as wide as it has today. By arguing (in a good and mannarable way of course), we stimulate our minds into thinking. When we think, then only are we able to distinguish between what is wrong and what is right.
I really do hope in my heart that a time will come when we can talk about things openly – without fights breaking out or people hurting each other. A time when we really, truly are a civilised nation. An intelectually stimulated nation.
P/s: The words that I chose to put under inverted comas are arbituary in meaning of it’s uusage in this particular context.
RPK arrested! September 12, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Politics.add a comment
This. is. stupid.
| Raja Petra ditahan bawah ISA |
| Sep 12, 08 1:37pm |
| Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin telah ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Negeri (ISA), kata isterinya Marina Lee Abdullah.Menurutnya, 10 anggota polis datang ke rumah mereka di Sungai Buluh pada kira-kira jam 1.10 tengahari tadi untuk menahannya.Ketika Malaysiakini menghubunginya pada jam 1.25 tengahari, anggota polis masih berada di rumahnya.Raja Petra kemudiannya dibawa polis dari rumahnya pada jam 1.50 tengahari ke lokasi yang tidak diketahui.
Pada 6 September lalu, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar telah memberi amaran bahawa editor lamanweb Malaysia Today itu mungkin dikenakan ISA kerana menyiarkan komen yang didakwa menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad. Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Maiwp) dan Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi), telah membuat laporan polis terhadap Raja Petra berhubung perkara itu. Mereka mendakwa komen beliau dalam artikel yang bertajuk “I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim” didakwa menggunakan ayat-ayat yang menghina orang Islam. Lamanweb Malaysia Today telah disekat sejak minggu lalu, tetapi sekatan itu telah ditarik balik semalam. Raja Petra, yang popular dengan panggilan RPK, juga didakwa telah membenarkan komen-komen disiarkan dalam lamanwebnya yang menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad, dalam artikel bertajuk “Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet”. Sementara itu, Marina berkata, mereka masih belum melantik peguam untuk mengendalikan perkara itu. Ini adalah kali kedua Raja Petra ditahan di bawah ISA, yang membenarkan tahanan tanpa bicara. Kali pertama, beliau ditangkap di bawah ISA pada 11 April 2001 ketika gerakan reformasi di mana sembilan orang telah ditahan. Pada masa itu, beliau merupakan webmaster lamanweb FreeAnwar.com Raja Petra dibebaskan selepas ditahan selama 52 hari. Bagaimanapun, enam daripada pemimpin reformasi itu dihantar ke Kem Tahanan Kamunting di Tapiling di mana mereka ditahan selama dua tahun. Taken from Malaysiakini |
An overdose of stale tactics September 7, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Politics.add a comment
I came across this article in The Star today. Can’t say that I agree more..
Sunday September 7, 2008
An overdose of stale tactics
SHARING THE NATION
By ZAINAH ANWAR
We are 51 years old and we still do not know how to disagree rationally, civilly, and intelligently.
IN Barack Obama’s inspiring acceptance speech at the recent Democratic National Convention, he used a line that I felt also described the state of public debate on contentious issues in our country: “ if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters.”
Over the past few weeks we have had an overdose of this display in Malaysia. We are 51 years old and we still do not know how to disagree rationally, civilly, and intelligently.
From the reaction to Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s proposal that 10% of Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) enrolment be made up of non-bumiputra and international students, to the Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam, to the PKR’s Malaysian Economic Agenda, those opposed to alternative ideas could only respond in the only way they knew best – scare mongering and demonising.
Why the fear of open discussion on issues of public interest?
Noisy dissent: From the reaction to Khalid’s proposal that 10% of UiTM’s enrolment be made up of non-bumiputra and international students, to the Bar Council forum on conversion to Islam, to the PKR’s Malaysian Economic Agenda, those opposed to alternative ideas could only respond in the only way they knew best – scare mongering and demonising. — FilepicWhy fly the flag of ethnicity and religion, questioning someone’s ethnic and national loyalties and Muslimness every time a person comes up with an idea that you do not agree with or you do not know how to counter with a better idea?
Be it the issue of affirmative action for the Malays, Islamic laws and policies, Chinese and Tamil education, those who anoint themselves as protectors of these sectional interests tactically reduce any attempt to discuss and redress the impact of these policies on citizens’ rights and national aspirations as moves that, in the end, will kill the special position of the Malays, the legitimate rights of the minorities and the mother of all accusations, constitute an insult to Islam.
These so-labelled traitors to the cause should therefore be detained under the ISA or charged under the Sedition Act or be declared an apostate.
This is not the way to move forward in our search for solutions to the dire challenges we face today. That among those most obstructive and most belligerent are political leaders themselves turns this into a dangerous game. In the contest for power, it is easy to resort to race and religion to demonise your opponent and totalise the discourse by defining differing viewpoints as evil and dangerous.
As Obama said in his speech, one of the things that we need to change today in our politics is “the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism”.
Misleading accusations
To accuse Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Khalid as traitors to the race for pushing for a more inclusive multi-racial agenda, or to accuse Prof Mehrun Siraj as bersubahat (in conspiracy) with the enemies of Islam for defending the right of the Bar Council to organise a forum on the impact of conversion to Islam in a plural legal system, is a strategy used by fascists and extremists to appropriate truth only to their own discourse.
Thus others are demonised, their ideas portrayed as threatening to race, religion and country and therefore all public discussion must be halted.
Actually, it is not that all public discussion must be stopped; it is that those who hold a different viewpoint from the orthodoxy do not have the right to speak out, lest their ideas take hold among the voters who no longer believe in the traditional ideologies of the ruling elite.
Take the issue of affirmative action for the Malays. How can we conduct a public discourse and minimise the polarisation given the divergent ideas, beliefs and fears, founded and unfounded?
First, it would be helpful to generate a rational and intelligent discussion on the New Economic Policy if we stop labelling those who question, challenge, raise the shortcomings and abuses in implementation, the unintended consequences of the policy and those who offer alternatives as pengkhianat bangsa (traitors to the race), merampas hak Melayu (seize Malay rights), menjolok sarang tebuan (stir the hornet’s nest) and other such sinister representations.
Second, it would also be helpful if the media stop inflaming public opinion with such ominous language and headlines, without providing any counter viewpoints.
What the media must do is to promote understanding and rational debate with more fact-based understanding and analysis on why there is a demand for a review of the NEP, even among the Malays.
It must research and verify whether the fears and dire consequences articulated are supported by facts or mere gut reaction.
Third, it is necessary to build public understanding that any affirmative action policy is temporary by nature.
Such a policy puts in place temporary measures to redress the unequal and unjust status of a community that has historically been disadvantaged – be it on the basis of race or sex or disability.
Questioning the NEP, its strengths and weaknesses, and its future standing does not tantamount to seizing Malay rights or treachery to the Malay cause or to the repeal of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution. The NEP is but a policy instrument of Article 153.
What is being questioned is whether as a policy instrument it remains the most effective and just means to achieve its twin objectives of eradicating poverty and economic restructuring by eliminating the identification of race with function.
Fourth, the time has come for the Government to channel all this bursting energy and anger into a third National Consultative Economic Council (MAPEN III) to develop a new national development agenda.
Given the contentious debate on the NEP and the way forward for Malaysia to remain competitive in a new global environment, a new consultative process must be established.
MAPEN I and II produced the National Development Policy and the National Vision Policy respectively. In spite of the consensus reached, there are obvious dissatisfactions from all sides with the way these policy instruments have worked or not worked.
MAPEN III must also evaluate the escalating demand for a more equitable policy based on need and whether this would be more just and appropriate in a more challenging and competitive world.
Given the fact that bumiputras form the majority population and the majority of the poor, any new policy instrument will still benefit the bumiputra community the most.
Fifth, any review of the NEP must be an inclusive, collective and transparent process if the outcome is to be credible and accepted by all. It must reflect the views of a cross-section of Malaysian society, rather than just ethnic-based political parties and the business community.
If the Government does not have the will to take the lead on this, then it is the Pakatan Rakyat’s alternative Malaysian Economic Agenda that will form the basis of demands for change to deal with the abuses and injustices, perceived and real, of the NEP and the challenges of a globalised world.
How is it today that what Anwar Ibrahim espouses – recognition of the special position of the Malays and the legitimate interests of other communities in the Malaysian Economic Agenda – seems like new reason to the ears of many young Malays and most non-Malays, when this so-called”ethnic bargain” has actually been constitutionally enshrined since 1957 and formed the basis of negotiations within the Barisan Nasional councils to resolve the competing demands of the different ethnic groups?
Changed expectations
March 8 and Permatang Pauh have clearly shown that the language of ketuanan Melayu does not work at the national level.
For confident young Malays who can stand on their own two feet, the NEP is no longer the crutch they need to survive and thrive.
For disenchanted Malays who feel, whether rightly or wrongly, that the NEP has been so abused to benefit Umnoputras and the ruling elite only, the sense of fairness inherent in the “bargain” is something they can live with.
Umno’s leadership must decide whether it wants to share power fairly and equitably with its partners in the Barisan Nasional like it used to or it wants them to be subservient to ketuanan Melayu.
It behoves the leadership to go back to the country’s and the coalition’s founding vision as enshrined in the Constitution and re-formulated in the objectives of the Rukunegara:
> to achieve a greater unity of all her peoples;
> to maintain a democratic way of life;
> to create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared;
> to ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; and
> to build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology.
Can we please begin to have an intelligent, rational and civil discussion on the relevance of these objectives and the way forward in today’s confused and contentious times?
Note: the highlightings were made by me
The difference between man and animals are that God granted us with brains, akal. The mere fact that some of us have to stoop down to a level where we use personal attacks be it race, religion, social background or even their “personal” life to argue, is just right down uncivilised.
Being independant means that we are able to stand on our own to feet. It means that we are able to make up our own minds. To use the akal that God has granted us to think. So why is it that so many of us are afraid of thinking? Of arguing?
We need to change this mentality that our society posess of not b eing able to take criticisms personally. When one scrutinizes a poliicy it doesn’t neccessarily mean that that person is also condemning the people who came up with it. Why can’t we discuss, argue in a mannarable and civilised manner without getting personal and attacking one another? That just proves that we lack enough knowledge to be able to present our arguments and convince others why our theories are right. How embarassing.
I think sometimes we just do not realize that we might be wrong. Even worse, we know it but are to egoistic, to ashamed of admitting it. It’s human to make a mistake. But it makes you a better one for admitting that you have.
Visit-ed Terengganu 2008! August 28, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Public, Reflection, Vacation, random.2 comments
Last week was fantastic!
Went to Terengganu with the fam as it was the school holidays. Pushed off for Redang in the early hours of Thursday so that we could make it in time for the 3 p.m ferry.
I’ve always loved family trips. Not the sit-in-the-car-for-7-hours-straight part though. Just the ones where Fattah makes a stupid joke, Umaimah and Raudhah making noises (just to annoy everyone), Farhanah “sharing” random (and most of the time boring) facts that she has just read somewhere, Rashid fake-laughing evertime someone asks him something, Mak & Ayah joking around and me, taking pictures of absolutely everything It would be our last family outing for awhile as the 3 of us will be going back soon 
It’s been awhile since we travelled the east coast. We chose Redang this time around because Rashid and I are involved in this programme, the Jantung Sihat Sokmo Health Promo Programme, in KT on Saturday (will get back to that later).
I’ve been a city folk all my life. Born and bred in KL (and proud of it I might add ) But eversince I came home for the summer, I’ve noticed that KL is getting more and more congested. And I’ve only been away for 9 months! I’d hate to think of what it’d be like in 10 years time, let alone 5. My point is, after being “traped” in urbanisation for quite some time, it’s really refreshing to be able to break away from it all for a few days. the tranquility and calmness definitely won’t fail to captivate you. Not to mention the scenery and ambiance (romantic sungguh! ). Subhanallah. I don’t know how people can witness all these tremendous beauties and still not believe. You can’t help but be amazed (check out my photo gallery for pictures).
Sadly though, I noticed that the only place that was well-kept was within the hotels vicinity. From the jetty, we had to take a shuttle bus provided by the hotel that would take us up to it’s building. Along the roads, we passed by schools, housing areas and other community centres. It was a shame to see that the roads leading up to these tourist centres were not properly taken care of. Developing it is one thing but making sure that it was well kept was another. Considering the fact that it is, after all Visit Terengganu Year and Redang being one of the most popular tourist attraction in Terengganu, i wonder what the government is doing in terms of spending the money allocated to build up tourist spots. I mean what’s the point of developing new tourist areas if the existing ones are not properly taken care of right? I just hope the government are using the money for what it’s supposed to.
Back to my story,
Friday morning, we managed to go snorkelling for a bit. It was so much fun. Saw fishes, corals and tried our very best to locate nemo Spent some time under the sun, something that I’ve been lacking of for the past year. (tapi tak jadi gelap macam Farhanah :p)
Somehow, I have always been afraid of the underwater world. It’s not the creatures and habitants that scare me, it’s the thought of being alone, like in an abyss surrounded by total darkness and nothingness that seems endless. I’ve always hated being alone, dunno why.
That same afternoon my brother and I took the ferry back to KT to join the rest of the team for the Jantung Sihat Sokmo Programme. It was a health screening programme aimed at increasing awareness about cardiovascular risks co-organized by IMAM, IJN and UiTM. After 2 months of hardous planning and several tensed up meetings with IJN , the big day finally arrived. I must say that this project is one that I am very proud of. It was a privilage for me to be part of such a great team. To think that we basically did everything from scratch and to see it finally taking place made me so happy Alhamdulillah it was a huge success. More than expected came and aside from a few glitches here and there everything went well
I learned a lot of things while taking part in the planning of this programme. Met a lot of people and experienced a lot of ups and downs. I guess at the end of the day, what matters most is your intention. Your nawaitu. InsyaAllah if you do things for the right reasons, Allah will always make the path easier for us. And being part of a great team definitely helps as well
As I said before, I learned a lot of things during the programme. One of them is about the mentality of Malaysians, at least some of us. Let me tell you a story..
Jantung Sihat Sokmo Programme, Health Screening, Glucose & Cholesterol Station.
As the test for cholesterol would need atak kalau nak mintak cepat sikit few minutes to produce results, there was a long waiting line. The YB whom we invited to officiate the programme was giving a speech. Nevertheless, the health screening was still going on.
Pakcik: Saya buat screening tadi. Dah lepas station BP dengan BMI. Tengah tunggu dalam line untuk station yang nih (cholesterol/glucose). Tapi kene layan YB. Kejap lagi bile YB balik saya pun kene ikut. Macam mane? Mintak cepat sikitlah. Mintaklah orang IJN nih, mesti tak kesah punya..
Me: Urmmm..ktorg memang tak kisah pakcik, cuma makcik dengan pakcik yang lain nilah. Kesian jugak dorg dah tunggu lama..takut dorg je yang tak suka nanti..
Pakcik: Whateverlah!
Me: (tergamam)
YaAllah pakcik…nasib baiklah mak ayah saya ajar jangan kurang ajar dengan orang tua kalau tak, lepaslah mulut saya nih (you know I’m pissed when I rojak my bahasa). One thing I’ve noticed about some Malaysians, (and this comes from various experiences lining up in Immigration offices, airports,etc) is that we are not ashamed and do not have any disregard for other people. All we care about is ourselves. We have to finish this fast! Need to get back to work soon, nak balik cepat. So the solution? Try to find a way to cut the que. If you have a valid reason for it, then fine. By all means go ahead. But when you disregard the fact that other people have the same rights as you do to be treated equally, to be given the same chances, that’s when you’ve crossed the line. At least in my books. If you think you have other things to attend to, errands to get back to as soon as possible, what makes you think that other people don’t? Why do you deserve it more than these people?
I’ll give you another example.
On our way back from Terengganu, there was a road block. Cars were queing up as it was the last day of school holidays and everyone was going home. Everything was fine when one car started to use the emergency lane to try and cut the que. I should probably give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he probably had something “urgent” to get to, to allow him to use that lane. What I could not tolerate were the cars after that. Soon there was a third line over in the emergency lane. Orang-orang nih kan memang tak fikir. If it so happens that there was a real emergency and someone needs to use the emergency lane macam mane?? Selfish. Thankfully, the car in front of us, went int that lane and blocked all of them. I swear I would have gotten out of my car and shook the driver’s hand if it wasn’t in the middle of the road and we were moving.
I have never quite understood how people can sometimes be so blatantly selfish as to not care about other people at all. For me, it is one thing to look out for yourself, but in this case, how can you “step over” someone else and totally disregard them without even the slightest bit of guilt? At least show some remorse!
People say that with urbanisation. moral values become less and less important. If that really is the case, I can’t bear to think what will happen in the years to come. I just hope that there are enough people with sense in this world who will teach their children the values of living in a community.
Somehow or rather, I can’t help but think that this same principle applies to other things as well…
Here In My Home :) August 2, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia.add a comment
A friend of mine showed me this video and I instantly fell in love with it. The message is simple; we are one. Regardless of race, religion, what colour our skin is, what language we speak, we are all MALAYSIANS.
“No Matter Where I roam, This Home Sweet Home”
What Is Going On??? July 7, 2008
Posted by Jannah in Malaysia, Politics.add a comment
I spent most of today reading newspaper articles, opinions, blogs and many more about the political happenings in Malaysia. And it saddens me. It saddens me that personal gains seems to be more important to these people than the fate of the country and its people. Don’t they realize that all they are doing is just making a fool of themselves. Malaysians are not stupid you know. We can think for ourselves.
