Just Follow Laws

Whenever you travel along the highway from Tawau to Kunak, there is this army check point that has been there for umpteen years. Men in the street always wonder the purpose of its existence when the number of illegals and crimes show no sign of reduction.

Last Friday, as I was travelling along this road in a contractor's vehicle to attend a site meeting near Kunak, we were talking about the subject of how lorry drivers deal with check point set up by JPJ personnel meant to book overloaded vehicles.

The Contractor seemed annoyed to have to "grease the palm" of these personnel to avoid being booked or detained and kept by the road side for hours under the pretext of waiting for verification of the overload amount.

But when asked whether he preferred to live in a civil society like US or Australia where the bulk of the people follow the laws; it didn't take him long to confirm that he prefers the "present system" because this is how Malaysian society operates. He would be at a disadvantage if he is to follow the rules of laws while the rest don't.

I thought to myself, there is still a very very long way before Malaysians can expect to live in a civil society where the majority would live by the rules of laws. My feeling is, it never will!

Gutsy Young Man

This afternoon at my office, a young man knocked at my door and asked for a moment to see me. He has long unkempt hair and in short pants. He is dark skin and looks Malay. He was apologetic for not being well-dressed because he did not expect to just drop in like this. An abstract of the conversation goes like this:

Me: So, what do you want ?
Young Man: I wonder I can have your permission to certify some of my documents for submission to BEM (short for Board of Engineers Malaysia).
Me: Tell me a bit about yourself.
YM: I studied my primary at SRK Lok Yuk, Likas. Then did my secondary at Maktab National. My Diploma in Mara. My Electrical Engineering degree in University Technology Petronas.
Me: So, what are you doing now ?
YM: Doing my Masters at MU?
Me: Why do you choose MU ?
YM: That's my mother's U.
Me: May I ask, what year did your mom graduate?
YM: 1977.
Me: (Thinking to myself that's about the same time I was in MU) may I ask, what is your mom's name?
YM: MR.
Me: What a coincidence. I know your mom. She is now no longer called MR.
(I knew, she has an Abdullah behind her name because she married a muslim).
We talked a lot more and I could see that he also enjoyed the conversation.
Me: If you have a chance, you should try to go overseas and expose yourself to different kinds of experience.
YM: Well, I wish I could but my mom can't afford.
Me: Did you notice many students who are studying overseas are not coming back?
YM: I noticed. I have many classmates who are now overseas.
Me: You know why? Malaysia has an unjust system. The system does not reward people based on merits. (I took the chance to remind him on this issue. I think if there is any chance of change, may be it has to start with the younger generation. I thought).
YM: I agree.

At the end of the conversation I gave him my name card and he expressed his desire to see his name ending with just as many professional titles as well one day.

This young man reminded me of my two gutsy sons as well. One ventured on his own to pursue his dream in a foreign country. Another went to the country down under literally on his own and is thriving there despite the fact that there is very little Malaysian content so to speak, just orang putih.

This young man's positive attitude bodes well for his future. He is polite, affable and holds himself well. He has a bit of roguish humour and I can't help but like him (especially when he reminds me of my boys).

080108

Paul was a year older on this unique day of 080108. As usual, it was celebrated with yummy food.

Session 1: Dinner at this new Italian restaurant with Italian chef, Grazie. We had Carpaccio Tonno, Lingui. Marinara and Lasangna. I couldn't make out of these until the dishes finally arrived.

Session 2: Immediately after the Italian food, we went to Foh Sang for round 2-porridge. Somehow, the dosage of the Italian meal was slightly undersized.

That's a record - to celebrate a birthday with 2 meals at two separate locations non-stop.

Some of New Year 2008 SMS Received

"All of life is a series of choices, and what you choose to give life today will determine what life will give you tomorrow"

"In this outgoing year of the pig, you are slaughtered. In the coming year of the rat, you will be caught. If you want neither, then throw away feng shui and exchange it for God's Grace through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May you New Year be Holy Spirit-filled"

"This year is almost gone but made us strong. The path was long but we walked with a song..... There were fears and tears but we also have reasons to cheer ! Wishing you happy memories of this ending year and hope you will have a wonderful New Year filled with joy, good health and success"

"Later, Mr. Chung and his family will visit me. I will ask them to visit you too ! The Chung family members are : Chung Ma Piu, Chung Tai Choi, Chung ToTo and Chung 4D. They will be there to wish you good luck for 2008. Don't worry ! One of the members will not visit you for the whole year - Chung Sa Man is out of town this year"

"A new start, a new beginning, a new chapter, a new year. Forget the bad. Cherish the good"

"My very very good friends, Mr. Fatt Choi (money man), Mr. Ken Kong (healthy) and Miss Happy-go-Lucky visited me last night. They promised to stay with me in year 2008. I thought of you and asked them to see you through 2008. They said"Yes, No Problem!""

"Wisdom from God for a better tomorrow. USE THINGS AND LOVE PEOPLE. DON'T USE PEOPLE AND LOVE THINGS"

"Fresh year, fresh hopes, fresh plans, fresh efforts. May 2008 delight you with good health, happiness, success and joy.... Happy New Year"

To all out there "May 2008 truly be of significance to you and blessing to others"