Dewa Concert in KL

I can't help but compare yesterday's concert with the concert a few years ago by Gigi, another Indonesian group. One glaring minus point of both concerts was the venue. At least Gigi's concert was at a hall and everyone could see what was happening on stage. Dewa's concert had the luck of being staged at the KL Tower. It was cramped with fans and I was very surprised that a sound system stage was in the middle of everything whereas usually it would be somewhere at the back. The venue's unsuitability was further heightened by the lack of multiple escape routes in case of emergency. This was very obvious when the concert ended and the masses thronged through the only way out - a small space outside the main entrance leading to the two escalators.
The camera man did not do a good job highlighthing what was happening on stage when the audience looked at the two screens at either end of the stage. The audience lost the connection to the performers except for those fortunate to be in front. It was the magnetism of the band itself that saved the day. Everyone knew the lyrics to their songs and sang along with gusto. There were also a few body surfers in front. I saw a few kids with their parents singing as well as the grown-ups.
I felt humbled being in the midst of their brilliance. The highlight for me was when only the singer and keyboardist sang a few strains of a popular love song. The lyrics in Indonesian goes 'Cinta bukan sekedar kata-kata indah, cinta bukan sekedar buaian belaian peraduan'. Those word sung in that heavenly voice lifted me to a higher plateau.

Thinking of Bali

It has been 5 days since I came back from my fourth visit to Bali. The first visit itself in 2003 left a very good impression on me. I decided then that I'll try to return to the island paradise at least once a year. So far so good. I'm even planning to go again later this year.
I can't pinpoint exactly what attracts me to Bali. The people, culture, environment or the X-factor. Maybe all of these has left an indelible impact on me. I'm not talking about the beach areas like Kuta or Sanur but more of the unexplored and lesser known districts.
I did make a calculated choice with Ubud on my first visit but I've been a repeat visitor for the past three times. I've made friends with the workers at the hotel and been invited by one of them to his house. He was in the midst of preparing for his wedding at that time and I just missed the occasion by a few weeks. I was fortunate to be invited again to his wife's place and see their 2 months old baby girl during this visit. I missed again the opportunity of joining in another Balinese festival as they're preparing to celebrate the baby's 3 months birthday next month.
That new found friend is just one of the many hospitable Balinese I've met during my brief visits there. I'm just as taken aback by the serenity of the surroundings. I've chosen small hotels located in the middle of rice paddy fields and the sounds of nature is just perfect for my kind of holiday. I can just sit by the pool and listen to the wind. Exhilarating.

Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police

What a long title. It does take a mouthful to say it out loud. The aim is commendable and the public has spoken, at least those who dare. The proof is always in the pudding. Something that has taken a deep root in society's psyche would take a few years at least to even get a head start. I doubt any positive action can bear fruit in the near forseeable future.
Malaysia has always been slow in implementing changes that might benefit the majority. Unless the action benefits the top as well. The ruling party or whoever is in power might deny this phenomenon but reality stares in the face of the those in the lower rungs of society.
It is always the downtrodden and powerless who suffer the most whenever there is a miscarriage of justice. They are the ones who are not represented in the upper echelons of power. Those elected may say they represent everyone but most of the time they represent their own interests.
There are still people who want to join the police force to make a fast buck. That is the Malaysian police reputation at present. What does that sentiment say about the police force?

Guilty until proven innocent

The past week has put more weight on my feelings that in Malaysia, the justice system assumes everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
The first case involved that young man who absconded from his National Service because he was helping his mother eking out a living. The case could have been handled more humanely but the authorities pushes the responsibility back to the boy. They said he should have told them about his predicament and they would have reconsidered the order. How convenient. A good example of Islam Hadhiri, the much touted progressive face of Islam that the government wants to show to the people? I doubt the boy would in the same situation if he was "someone's" son.
The second case involved the Nepali worker who was jailed and whipped because the authorities thought he was an illegal. The Immigration Department head said that the Nepali should have told them the facts and they assumed he was guilty by the mere fact that he acknowledged his guilt in court using the national language. Has anyone in authority ever been at the receivig end of the law.
The way our Malaysian policeman asks anyone for their identity cards sends shivers to those who are not familiar with the procedures. Anyone in uniform has always been seen as someone powerful who could make or break their lives. There has always been a poor public perception of the police force. They are not seen as someone who will protect the public but more likely an unwanted element in their lives. Children are told that the police will get them if they're naughty. The black sheep in the police force seems to have increased its membership.
That sentiment also applies to anyone in uniform. That uniform gives the power to belitlle others. It is only when the situation is reversed that they realise how much hatred is attached to men in uniforms. Alas, that does not happen that often.

Price hike

As expected the recent increase in fuel prices has started a domino effect on the economy. Prices of goods and services increase without fail everytime the fuel price increases. The public wants a fairer system but I doubt that will ever see the light of day. There were long lines at the petrol stations before the midnight deadline. Tempers flared as everyone wanted that extra bit of fuel before the price increases. There has been grumblings from all quarters that their household budget has to be revised upwards as a consequence.
Malaysia is a net oil exporter. How did this happen. Alternative sources of energy has never been given top priority. For example, we should have been one of the top nations in terms of solar energy but even the research and development in that area seems to be in spurts. We were hoodwinked when new fields of oil and gas was found in abundance about 20 years ago.
When will we ever learn?

Jakarta bookshops

This is my third day in this huge city. This is my first visit and I should visit this city again to explore the other parts besides the area near my hotel. I've been to the shopping mall nearby - Plaza Blok M and it did not dissappoint. I've managed to go to two relatively big bookshops yesterday. Bookshops do help in nurturing the reading habit. The variety and the number of books help stimulate the curiosity of visitors. Something sorely lacking in Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia.
There are many Kahlil Gibran books. I assume they are bestsellers since I saw the same titles in the bookshops in Jogjakarta. No wonder the Indonesians' mind set is different from the Malaysians. The reading material that is available covers such a wider scope. The non-fiction section gives an insight into the workings of a person's mind. The topics stimulate and encourages the reader to venture deeper into a particular subject.
The fiction section cover the whole gamut of genres from chic-lit, manga to classics. The aisles were full of readers. They were enjoying themselves even the children. I even saw some children pestering their parents to buy more books for themselves. Some parents with limited budget had to scrutinise the number of books bought. But overall everyone seems contented with what they have bought and there is that feeling they will come again to buy more.