MY NEW YEAR WISH

Today is the first day of 2008.

Like many others I would usually go through a fleeting mental ritual of thinking about a wish for the New Year (if for no other reasons than just to be ready for those, especially my youngest daughter, who might ask for my New Year wish). Probably, also like many others, I have usually wished for good health, happiness, and well-being of family members and loved ones.

This year though my wish was more deliberate - given more serious thoughts and contemplation, thoroughly considered, and sincerely wished for. This short poem reflects the thoughts behind the wish.

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HAVE I DONE ENOUGH?

Bless this wonderful country, bless its people, and keep them forever free
Though once, for centuries, many times exploited in your history
In bondage, fought over and bartered away, denied your freedom and liberty
Yet you now hold your head high with pride, spirit, and dignity

A country generous to a fault showering its people with everything in plenty
A country spared of nature’s tantrums and uncertain ferocity
A country where things come easy, where strangers search for prosperity
This place where I was born to which I owe my eternal loyalty

Yet I wonder if I had done enough to repay you for what you have given me
To fight all those who violate your sanctity, trust and dignity
The armed would-be invaders, wayward leaders, extremists, disloyal others
Or have I merely been one of your many ungrateful passengers?

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And as for my wish...

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I wish "for us Malaysians, as a whole, as a nation, to become truly empowered to help our leaders make this nation become yet a greater nation still, and do greater things".

We need to positively support them with our ideas, sincerely and honestly – after all the millions of us must be smarter than their smaller number. We need to let them know the direction they must take, the examples they must set, and the values we want to inculcate in our people as a nation.

They might not listen to us immediately but then again they might (in the longer run I'm sure they would), but whatever we choose to do or say should be in the sincere interest of the nation, and within the bounds of our established framework and systems always.

MONEY POLITICS

All the indications point to a general election soon, and the grapevine “confirms” this! Maybe it is a good time to talk about politics – money politics.

Actually I have very often wondered what the big deal is about money politics. Doesn’t everything in politics involve money? And is it not the common practice in politics that anything goes? Is it not true that everything is fair in love and war – and politics? The big deal, it would seem, is really about checking the creeping blatancy of the “anything goes” aspect rather than the intent – the blatancy of the act (carelessness and arrogant stupidity in some cases) rather than the morality.

This is a very significant point to make. It means we are actually condemning form rather than substance.

Now, some may say that this is merely the first-step, the first phase. They would argue, for example, corruptions and briberies in some countries are practically institutionalized, and out there on the table. Ours are still below the table (masih ada segan-silu – or perhaps more likely because of the lingering fear of reprisal), and keeping it that way is a first step. Similarly with money politics – meaning, the exercise is to ensure they remain under the table, discreetly hidden!

Of course, this is only the first step, merely a containment initiative. Assuming this phase can be effectively and successfully implemented, what next? Perhaps it hasn’t yet been thought through given that we are still focusing on the first phase, ensuring that they remain strictly under the table. The irony, though, is that if we become very good at keeping them hidden under the table, then money politics will be visible no more. Who, then, can actually say they are still there? What a brilliant Catch22!

So, am I to really believe that the big-to-do about money politics is a genuine and sincere first step – that it is a well-considered move, fully and thoroughly thought through, and not simply a knee-jerk reaction for political expediency or, worst still, a shrewd move just to allay a growing concern? Am I to be optimistic and trustingly believe that politics can really be made honest, and respectable, through the concerted and willing initiatives of the players themselves? I think not.

The only sure way any such change can come about is through the will of the people.

The Rakyat themselves must truly want honest, fair, respectable, and productive politics, and leaders who are honest, accountable, and responsible – and they need to show it. The Rakyat must empower themselves to think, reason, and speak their minds, and voice their views – fairly, rationally, responsibly, and correctly; and within the established systems. And, above all else, they need to always exercise their fundamental rights judiciously.

Easier said than done? Of course, without a doubt – otherwise we wouldn’t be where we are.

But if the majority of us feel a change is really needed, whatever it might be (wiping out corruptions, arrogance, money politics, cronyism, etc. in our system or demanding better performance and greater accountability from our leaders) and we are all ready and willing to work at it, change can come about. Although we put the leaders up there entrusting them to conscionably show us the way, sometimes we, the Rakyat, might have to show them unequivocally what we really want – and the way we want them to go about it!

And as for money politics – if they are still around at that point, and if doing the right thing is still too difficult or risky or both (or if the temptation is too great) – “as a first step” take the money but do the right thing thereafter nonetheless!

MODERATES MUST LEAD

The Prime Minister, headlined in today’s The New Straits Times, said “moderates must lead the fight against fanatics or extremism will prevail” and emphasized “we must not allow any form of extremism to destroy our nation”. And he asked the “moderates to speak up” and play their role to stop the extremists and the fanatics from taking centre stage.

I agree totally with Pak Lah on all counts.

Although most of us are already very familiar with the essence of the message, it is a message that needs constant revisit to remind us of the lessons of understanding, tolerance, moderation, and restraint – basis of harmonious co-existence in any given society. The majority of Malaysians support this mainstream view and the government’s position on it. Those who do not, I believe, are very small, and are probably genuine trouble-makers and agitators. There are many such people in this world and we too have our share.

Given the occasion (Christmas function on Boxing Day), Pak Lah’s message was mainly focused on inter-communal harmony and the danger of extremism – of both views and actions. While the intended focus might be simply that, I thought his message, especially his call for the “moderates to speak up and play their role”, could and should be taken in its totality and in the widest possible context, as long as they are constructive and helpful to the nation.

Extremism and fanaticism, in the widest context, should include all forms of excesses, while the moderates that Pak Lah called upon should constitute the majority of the people, the majority Rakyat. In essence Pak Lah was asking us, the Rakyat, to speak up and make our voices heard and fight against all excesses wherever they might be in this land, but always within the bounds of our existing systems (and most certainly not through arrogant, disruptive, and unlawful street marches).

And only yesterday I wrote at the end of my blog: Perhaps it is time for us, the majority “up-to-now blissfully unconcerned passengers” to be concerned. Perhaps it is time for us to do some really serious soul-searching and honestly examine what we can and should do, within the bounds of our established system, to help correct the situation! See posting immediately below "LEADING WITHOUT LEADERSHIP".

Now, you can see why I was excited with Pak Lah’s message – it was the exact message I wrote yesterday. I actually wrote the same message on my blog on the same day Pak Lah was delivering his. What coincidence!

Pak Lah was worried about excesses in certain quarters – that they might destroy the country, so was I. He was concerned about building a peaceful and stronger nation, so was I. He was urging the moderate Rakyat to speak up and play a role to help fight these excesses, so did I. My appeal to my few readers was in total sync with Pak Lah’s appeal to the entire nation; and I wholeheartedly pledge my support for him on this issue.

Strange… but somehow I still have this nagging feeling that Pak Lah and I did not actually mean the exact same thing!

LEADING WITHOUT LEADERSHIP

During lunch at a recent Leadership forum I was asked by one of the participants at the table, “How come many politicians and political leaders seem not to bother or practice all this Leadership stuff – don’t they understand what Leadership is all about, or are they supposed to practice a different kind of Leadership grounded in very different leadership values?”

It was really more of an assertion than a question, heavy with sarcasm and sounded like it was vengefully prompted by pent-up frustration or disillusionment – but it was an excellent question. And the fact that it was not brought up earlier in the morning during the actual leadership session was also interesting. So, I said exactly that – that it was an excellent and interesting question! And that seemed to be enough to make everyone at the table shed any and whatever hesitation and eagerly jumped into the discussion, or more accurately an outpouring of one-way critique.

How I wished all those politicians and political leaders were flies (well…maybe something else since this was over lunch, remember…) on the wall listening to all those concerted and concerned views. Of necessity in trying to keep the discussion meaningful, I found myself drawn into a role I have not been able to sincerely play of late – defending and speaking up for the politicians and political leaders. It was a difficult challenge made impossible by the odd (seven to one) and their overwhelming conviction. At best I might have persuaded them to be more objective in their views and perhaps less bias in their stereotyping - but the basic observations, although mostly quite familiar and oft-repeated, had much truth and were indisputably valid.

In total, emphatically registered by each and every one of them, was the perception of blind arrogance, continuing blissful smugness, and sheer ineffectiveness of the leadership at virtually every level (I have “expunged” their assertion of “rampant corruption” since that calls for a different kind and level of proof and forum). The vehemence, conviction, and the consistency of their common views were most telling, as telling as the logic and coherence of their overall arguments, examples, and conclusions.

Views of a small sample they might be but this same overall perception had become very commonplace of late, with the anger and passion behind the words seemingly driven by a mounting degree of desperation and rage born of genuine and deep-seated concern for the continuing well-being of the country. This spreading concern is ominous. There was not the slightest doubt in their hearts and minds that the country is heading for some difficult time given its current less-then-reassuring overall stewardship performance. And they might indeed prove right!

This is perhaps a reality most of us are understandably reluctant to accept because it can only complicate our domestic political equation and upset the overall scenario. Yet it is a reality that is better accepted sooner rather than later – so that the sooner we can begin some serious examination of this predicament and perhaps decide for ourselves how to avoid its debilitating prospect!

Perhaps it is time for us, the majority “up-to-now blissfully unconcerned passengers” to be concerned. Perhaps it is time for us to do some really serious soul-searching and honestly examine what we can and should do, within the bounds of our established system, to help correct the situation!

THE 2Rs - RACISM AND RESTRAINT

My nephew was ignored and given the “second class treatment” in a phone shop. He felt humiliated, belittled, hurt, upset, and angry – understandably so! He decided to let off steam through his blog, venting his hurt and pent-up emotion in words to be shared with others – unwisely so!

His story triggered an instant condemnation from a close and dear friend on another continent who scathingly accused him of being a racist, ending up with him immediately apologizing and deleting his “offending” story. What a shame – all so unnecessary. (And the original offending player is probably still about his business happily continuing with his brand of customer etiquette totally unaware of what he started - not that if he was he would be any different. We have to accept that there are people like that, even sales people - in every community!)

As for his offending story, when I read it I thought he was a bit “uncaring” in his choice of words – but racist, I didn’t think so. Perhaps because he is my nephew or perhaps because I wasn’t at the “receiving” end, although the narration did strike me as being less-than-wisely written on several counts.

Firstly, it touched on the race difference of the players as opposed to merely focusing on the despicably poor behaviour (perpetrated by whomsoever); secondly, it was written while the hurt and anger were still very much in control of him rather than the other way round; and thirdly, not much thought had been given to the likely reactions his words might create in some readers, (which in a sense speaks for naivety or perhaps even sincerity and trust – a weird contradiction – but this is not in any way advocating hypocrisy, merely emphasizing the need always for thought, balance and restraint).

What a wise and useful word, restraint!

It helps us strike a balance between succumbing to our runaway feeling and the need to be mindful of others and the reality of our being merely a small part (though, of course, always and in every case, very important part) of the society that we live in.

As for racism I believe we all have it in us, somewhere in some corner, for basically it is no different than simple bias for one’s own, be it friend, family, clan, associate, country, religion etc. – only that it seems to take on such a grotesquely hideous and contemptuous connotation when it comes to race, making it utterly contemptible. And rightly so because of its far-reaching emotive power, even transcending nations’ borders.

Thus the wisdom and usefulness of restraint – which should be applied in every case when airing our views, and making judgment and criticisms of others... including of this young man’s inadvertence.

THINKING ALOUD

I could really feel the emotion in my daughter's blog "Indecencies & Lies" and I can fully understand that. In fact it got me pretty inscenced too ... and the worst and scary part is that this trend of "authority abuse" (not to forget gross ineptness) is fast becoming an ingrained national trait as if given a life of its own.

To my simple mind this whole situation has come about, or at least made worse, in large measure because we (at the interface level between leaders and people) have created a grossly exagerated, overly differential, all-too-flattering, and completely less-than-necessary interaction protocol (just listen to the elaborate and wasteful introduction in speeches; and we don't even use "you" in letters any more but YB or YBh as both "subject" and "object" even in English - sounding as silly as a middle-aged celebrity addressing himself by name in the third person). And it would seem, not only has this grossly exagerated subservience gone overboard but so has the race to be really good at it while striving to be as obvious and as visible as can be.

In short the "bodek" process has been way way overdone (and unashamedly) to the point it makes those in position of authority believe they are a level (no, no, saveral levels) more wise, knowledgeable, clever, and able than everyone else, making them readily assume they can say or do no wrong - or be challenged, let alone atone for any wrong-doing. Imagine the sense of infallibility - imagine the lattitude for arrogance and authority abuse. And in the process we also effectively disempower ourselves (how can we ever possibly point out any wrong when we prostrate ourselves so?).

And we are perplexed by the increasing display of these disturbing traits in some of our so-called leaders and privately wring our hands and lament the trend - as if we are absolutely blameless! Remember, we always reap what we sow!

I have set out these thoughts in a poem "This Crippling Hypocracy" below - I think it captures the essense of what I want to say more effectively.

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THIS CRIPPLING HYPOCRICY

In their path we bow low – such great respect we show
Their words we echo with meanings we do not know
We scramble to get close to them as close as can be
And to them we sing their praises all too generously

Their views we readily champion – defend vigourously
Like holy verses never wrong never doubted certainly
No amount of contending truth can ever make us see
To voice our dissenting views even if we do disagree

This charade we continue for as long as they are there
The pretense we perpetuate with such passion and flair
That we add to the myth of their sacrosanct infallibility
Regardless of the merit of their judgment and ability

We never ever analyse or really listen to what they say
To verify the wisdom or the foolishness they display
Let alone contradict them or point out their weaknesses
For such is our blind reverence, the truth regardless

Yet this exhibited reverence can cease all so abruptly
When the positions they occupy in due time they leave
When their ideas become at best just boring repetition
And if they get too bothersome accuse them of sedition

And so it seems that all the respect and utter reverence
Is no reflection of quality or ability of the incumbents
We agree with whatever they say with no hesitation
For as long as they continue to occupy their positions

And so whatever they do or say do not really matter
For right or wrong we do not really care or even bother
Unconcerned if they are genuine or just glib pretenders
For as long as we can ensure our own narrow interests

When will all these end and where will they take us?
Are some pertinent questions we need to seriously ask
A self-disempowered society is what we are cultivating
Self-interests, blissful impotence, and selfish uncaring

If all these be true as indeed they would appear to be
Truly unfortunate is the fate of my people, my country
Deprived and denied of the telling contribution of many
The crippling consequence of such shameless hypocrisy

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Now, dont't get me wrong, I am all for showing respect - I once sincerely kissed a politician's hand (because he had, still has, and possibly will always have, my genuine respect). In fact, respect is a basic right and is due to ALL, everyone, but it must be correct and appropriate, not overly "under" or "over"; no undue excesses for some and gross lack or indifference for others.

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Our leaders (and even some of the so-called) serve a very necessary function and carry some huge burden and responsibilities (although most of them often seem to forget that most of the time) - burden and responsibilities that many of us may not even be interested to be associated with ... and we should therefore at the very least show our support and respect for them - but not blindly, or for the wrong reasons, or for less-than-sincere motivation.

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I hope some of those who act, speak, and behave as if they are saveral intellectual levels above the people they lead, (and those who help make them feel that way) get to read this ...but then even if they do they'll more likely think it applies to others and not them, but it will be a start!

FEELING PHILOSOPHICAL

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Our front neighbours (the lovely Soo couple) is having thier house renovated - quite an elaborate make-over. I think it is rather tastefully done, and the people working on it have been very professional. The only regret I have is that in the process they also got rid of my favourite flowering shrub just ouside their gate - a shrub that had been there for the last 28 years!

I was told the workers needed room and "accidentally" chopped it off. Sadly, a week after I registered my regret, the remaining stump (about a foot high- sufficient for salvage) was also dug up and disposed off. Again it was wrongly assumed by the workers that the stump was no longer of any use! Mr & Mrs Soo agreed with me that it was such a shame to lose that magnificent shrub, although I suspect they were not half as upset as I was over it (and it was'nt even my shrub).

In Mrs Soo's words "we have another smaller plant that we can put there!", which underscored her practical wisdom versus my mushy and perhaps less practical sentiment. Come to think of it there really are many things we can get philosophical over, often feel want to do and should do, but for one reason or another just never can get round to doing them - if only we can ...

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IF ONLY WE CAN


If only we’d spend time to observe closely
Everything around us, everything we see

To seek wisdom from those ordinary things
To find lessons in every surrounding
To learn from the tiniest and the humblest
To discover greatness in the smallest
To appreciate each of nature’s own creation
To analyze each case in each situation
To understand oneself as rightly one should
To strive and search for only the good

How much better the world would really be
If we could all these things observe and see

In the floating petal sheer grace and beauty
In the ever busy bee thrift and industry
In the tiny ants success and strength in unity
In the inching snail patience and humility
In the marching clouds the silence of dignity
In the morning mist the breath of purity
In the fading sunset a farewell and a wonder
In the distant stars a humbling reminder

It’d be great to watch all these; me and you
But then nothing else we’d have time to do!

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I guess Mr. and Mrs. Soo have other more pressing things to worry about related to the renovation than to overly lament the loss of a 28-year old flowering bush ... they have their priorities right and I should too!