The Return of Lassie?

Can you imagine Lassie venturing into unfamiliar territories? What if Lassie takes on the role of Luke Skywalker? Like mind control to get things done. Imagine all that goes in the mind of the one being controlled is "Doggie treat, doggie treat". It is just weird.

Or using light sabre? Er, can we get paws enabled version? Or better yet, Lassie on two legs holding a light sabre with both the front paws? The ruffling of the long well groomed hair. It is just unthinkable for any hair stylists. Imagine the hours wasted to make that darn hair straight!

Source: http://www.kennels.co.uk/Pastoral/RoughCollie.htm

I can't imagine it. Seriously. The Lassie on TV portrayed a very good bitch that endears rough collies and her canine kind to the general public. "She" helps people in her own ways. She is the link that that draws help from police, fire and ambulance personnel even if she utters no recognisable human pleas for help. Even if that means staring down at them with those cutie, sympathetic doggie eyes, and running back and fro and of course, barking. Never mind she is a he and it is only on TV.

And of course, real life is often stranger than fiction. The party epitomised by their election logo, "Working Quietly. Effectively. For Results." that failed to speak up before election finally decided to just do it. And of all things, the party president himself decided to do so in the motion of thanks on the royal address. In fact, some of his suggestions are good (though I believe it should be less case by case prescription). For instance:


- On contentious issues arising from non-Muslims converting to Islam

...non-Muslims should not be subjected to any form of syariah laws. Also non-Muslims who convert to Islam after marriage should be allowed to renounce the religion after the marriage has ended.

"Similarly, if a child was unilaterally converted to Islam by one parent without the consent of the other parent, the child should be allowed to maintain his or her original religion until he or she attains a majority age where the child can decide on the religion of his or her choice," he said.

Ong said in a situation where one parent embraces Islam, the religion of a minor must be decided by both parents.

"Should a dispute on the child's faith arise, the religion must remain as status quo until the child reaches the majority age of 18 years old, upon which the child will decide," he said.

- On IPCMC

...he urged the government to set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

"The rakyat expects the police to be effective in arresting snatch thieves, rapists, robbers and other criminals. Meanwhile, corruption is rampant among law enforcers," he said.

- On judiciary

"We cannot help but notice that the composition of our judiciary does not reflect the multi-racial aspect of our society. I am not suggesting that a racial quota be applied to judicial appointments as it must be based on merit, capability, intelligence, independence and integrity.

"But at the same time, we must correct any perception that our judges will not be able to adjudicate fairly and impartially on sensitive issues, particularly relating to religion if a person's faith becomes an issue before a panel of judges whose religious faith and belief may differ from him or her," he said.

He also proposed that for serious criminal cases, the trial by jury system be brought back.

Source: http://www.lassieweb.org/lasslink.htm

Well, now that quietly has been dropped, would they redeem themselves by finally working for the rakyat and putting their interests above political ones? Afterall, his party has representatives in the Cabinet and Parliament. Could they walk the talk, be proactive, push for real lasting reforms and stay true to the pledge that all these MPs swore (since now they don't have 2/3 majority to decide what the constitution should actually say)?

"I pledge my true loyalty to Malaysia and vow to preserve, protect and defend the constitution."

Otherwise, would it just be another choreographed feel good program filled with replaceable look alike dogs acting as a good bitch?

Ketuanan Melayu is not Malay Suzerainty?

I am quite shy in using my Bahasa Malaysia when I converse as I don't have a strong command of it. It is not because I don't love the language of my nation, but rather, I lost my familiarity with it when I left my secondary school.

Unlike many who chose to pursue their higher education in local universities, I often felt with limited places accorded to non-Bumiputeras, I would not be able to compete with the smarter and deserving kids who decided to try their luck by pouring out their best to enter into the fray of intense competition. My SPM results was neither here nor there as it was a mixture of 3 As, 3 C3s and 3 C4s (Incidentally, I got C3 for BM). And no, I don't like extracurricular activities if it means marching like an idiot under the hot sun and being screamed at all in the name of building character (no offense intended to those who did it though).

Anyway, I chose to study my pre-university course in a private college and later went overseas to pursue my higher education. It was English the whole way through. On my return, I work in the private sector which of course use English as the main language of communication. BM was restricted to correspondence with the government agencies, like when I want to appeal for reduction in fines as well as the occasional ordering of food in mamak stalls.

Source: http://www.executedtoday.com/category/where/poland/

So when I hear Abdullah's explanation today as reported on the Star Online on what Ketuanan Melayu actually means, I am taken aback. Have my command of the language deteriorated to the extent that I must hide my SPM certificate lest any prospective employer becomes suspicious of my command of the language should they ask me what is the definition of Ketuanan Melayu?

I don't know about you but I never know we live in a world where there are only strictly masters and coolies. I always believe that it is better to serve than to be served and surely, we should not look down on those who serve as Jesus said, the least amongst us will be the greatest in His kingdom in direct reference to those who truly serve but gets little recognition for their job well done.

At different roles, which is interchangeable, we serve as well as be served. The problem is people often wants to be served but never to serve. The stigma we place on serving and attitude towards servants have certainly created a lopsided view of the world.

Anyway, by equating success and capability to suzerainty, while weakness and inability to slavery, wouldn't one infer that he is going a round about way to explain that ultimately, success and capabilities beget supremacy hence dominance since the other option is lack of control hence to be dominated?

To put it in another way, he gave the example of succeeding in many fields as an example of supremacy, not forcing or ruling over others. But the examples from history would clearly indicate that the successful ones often dictate the terms of the game and isn't this, dictating of terms, a sign of dominance? You don't have to force it on them, they can choose not to play. You know, like telling your opponents to balik kampung if they don't like it?

I am happy when the Malays succeed. Or the Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Orang Asli and so on. It doesn't matter if it means as a whole we achieve Malaysian suzerainty as mentioned by Anwar on Black 14 where irrespective of race, religion, creed or political inclination, everyone has their share under the sun. But to emphasis on success of only one race with the clear exclusion of the rest, one must wonder, isn't this a clear promotion of racial suzerainty?

It is possible I don't understand the concept of Ketuanan Melayu. Would anyone care to explain to me then why I still feel so unhappy after Abdullah gave his version of it?

Little Napoleons : Well & Alive Despite Change in Government?

After meeting with our client on Friday, my boss and I decided to have lunch in a food court centre in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur. We seldom do this by the way because most of the time, I eat with my peers (i.e. those from the bottom of the food chain). So while having our lunch, we decided to talk about our nation's current affairs.

Perhaps I am naive but I told him I look forward to September 16. Perhaps on that day, Malaysians can truly celebrate Malaysia Day where reforms and changes will finally come.

My enthusiasm however, was met with a cynical observation. My boss is of the view that regardless of the political parties that come to power, 1 or 2 generations of mediocre mindset has afflicted the entire government machinery (READ: Civil Service) and he doubts any political parties can really change how things are being done. He also felt setting up commissions and creating new laws will not bring about real changes.


I have to admit, I overlooked that part of the equation. Has this country reach such a hopeless state? A docile judiciary subservient to the executive while the executive powerless against its own little Napoleons running loose in their respective ministries, departments and agencies?

I don't have a solution in sight. Much as I would like to see some civil servants getting sack for their failures to perform up to standard, it is too simplistic and I doubt will have lasting effect. Real change requires paradigm shift in mindset and mentality but how do one reform a complacent workforce which have been blamed for having an agenda of its own and yet, no one to keep them in check?