Smartphones can reveal secrets

The headline “Man discovers wife’s infidelity after she accidentally calls him during sex” should be a lesson to those planning to have a fling behind their partner's back. According to the news item, the wife accidentally dialled the husband's number on her touch-screen smart phone as she was having sex with her lover, just in time for the husband to hear her breathing heavily on the line.

I guess the lovers were in such a passionate moment that she did not realise that her phone was nearby. The lovers did not plan their time together in detail and did not cover all possibilities. Most probably the thrill of being caught might even have a role here. Unconsciously perhaps, the wife wanted to be found out and it is her way of informing her husband that their marriage is not what it used to be.

In a way, this is quite a good advertisement for smartphones. It shows how easy it is to dial a number when we have a smartphone even when we are in the throes of passion. It is also a reminder to anyone that the phone should not be too near you while engaging in something that should be a private affair in case you accidentally dialled a friend or family member. Unless of course you purposely want your love-making to be made public.

Another astounding fact from this particular story is the excuse that the lover gave when caught in the closet. The lover told the police he was visiting the woman, an old friend, and had gone into the closet to masturbate when she was having a shower.

Can anyone beat that as an excuse?



The full news item taken from the Star 30 June 2012 is below:

A NEWLY-WED woman in Taiwan accidentally dialled her husband's number on her touch-screen smart phone as she was having sex with her lover, just in time for the husband to hear her breathing heavily on the line, reported Kwong Wah Yit Poh.


The husband, only known as Zhang, rushed home after he received the call at work, thinking that his wife could be in trouble.


However, the engineer was shocked to find his wife sitting on their marital bed only in her undergarments. The blanket was also missing.


The wife told Zhang that she had taken off the bed linens to wash them and was about to take a shower.


Suspecting something amiss, Zhang searched the house and found a man, wrapped in the blanket, inside the guest room closet.


“My heart was broken,” he said, adding that he had seen the man's photo in his wife's Facebook profile.


He later lodged a police report.


At the police station, Zhang's wife claimed that the man was merely visiting as she was going for a shower after cleaning the house.


The lover meanwhile told the police he was visiting the woman, an old friend, and had gone into the closet to masturbate when she was having a shower. 

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Tuition's importance in the Malaysian education system

What is the role our schools as it seems tuition has gained more importance than the actual time spent in schools itself? Shall we scrape schools altogether and just concentrate on tuition centres?

Those are my thoughts after reading the news item below from the New Straits Times, 29 June 2012.

The government has approved an allocation of RM2 million from a special fund to implement the interactive 1Malaysia People's Tuition programme (iTR1M) to give free tuition to 10,000 students in Selangor who will be sitting for public examinations this year.


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the programme implemented by the Malaysian Teachers Foundation Berhad (YGBM) at Seri Perdana, here, today. Also present was YGBM chairman Tan Seri Alimuddin Mohd Dom.     
Alimuddin said the pioneer project, implemented in Selangor, would benefit poor students who could not afford to attend private tuition classes but would be sitting for the UPSR, PMR and SPM examinations this year.    

"The iTR1M programme will help boost the academic performance of students from low income families to achieve excellence in the examinations," he told reporters after the launching ceremony.    

Alimuddin said the programme which started on June 18 and will end in October, was implemented in 107 schools, namely, 30 secondary schools and 77 primary schools in Selangor.  

He said 350 teachers from the schools concerned would give tuition in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathmetics and Science every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"The aim of the iTR1M programme is to give free guidance outside of school hours for children of low income earners from the various communities and help them optimise the use of the 'Netbook 1Malaysia' and ICT facilities provided by the government," he said in a statement.    

Alimuddin said under the programme, UPSR candidates used the learning and self-evaluation method online from houses, schools and community centres (Rural Libraries, Community Broadband Centres and rural information hubs).    

He said for PMR and SPM candidates, conventional guidance in several selected secondary schools would be held from 3pm to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.    

Furthermore, he said SPM candidates sitting for pure sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) would use the learning and self-evaluation method online from home.    

"Preparatory seminars and workshops to face the examinations would be held towards the dates of the examinations," he said.

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Watch out for termites if you save your money at home

The news that a Taiwanese undergraduate loss all her life savings of RM106,000 to termites seem incongruous at first as most of us keep our savings in the bank. In this case, she did not trust banks. I'm glad that I have not read any similar incident in Malaysia.

The fact that we have not had anyone losing their money in such a way is proof of how much we trust our banks. Some might say there may be people who do keep their money outside the banking system and as far as we know they have not lost that money to insects or other natural calamities. That is food for thought.

In Malaysia we are assured of the safety of our deposits through the auspices of the deposit insurance system administered by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM). Aren't we glad that we can sleep peacefully knowing that our savings would not disappear overnight even if a member bank fails.

This insurance does not give carte blanche to the banks to do business recklessly. As a business entity we are certain that commercial banks would prefer to see continued growth rather than sudden dramatic spurts which ends with a big flop.

We are however uncertain of the human factor. Those in management might prefer the spurt and flop scenario in order to line their own pockets. It is tempting to make the hay while the sun shines. We are fortunate that our central bank is always vigilant and banks that show anomalies will be investigated and remedial action can be taken.

We have to emphasise to those who doubt the credibility, trustworthiness and strength of our banking system that what we have in place is well-managed and has the full support of the government and people. Our deposits are tiny compared to savings worldwide but account holders need not have any doubts that their money is in safe hands.

We do not need to stash our savings in our own house.

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The DBP should not be an enforcement agency

I disagree with the idea that the government-run language and literature institute Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) should be given the power to act against advertisements in public places that do not use proper Malay. The Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi said currently the power to take action against such outdoor advertisements lie with local authorities.

That division of roles should remain so that the DBP can concentrate on its objectives to promote the language and its use. DBP must maintain its advisory role and not be the judge, jury and prosecutor in one swoop. Education will always be the best way to promote the language and DBP's research department must continue to develop the language in all sectors. The onus is on the DBP to be more aggressive in promoting the correct usage of the language in all spheres of life.

The most common misuse of the language is the regular habit of literal translation of terms from a foreign language. This contributes to miscommunication as the intended message is not conveyed properly to its target audience. The DBP is always there to help or advise but most of us take the language for granted, giving rise to a hybrid version of the language.

The cyberworld has exacerbated this trend when a mixture of Malay and other languages are strung together in a sentence. All thoughts and desires tend to use a short form as time is of the essence in today's world. How often do we use grammatically correct sentences when using facebook or twitter?

In the name of saving space, we sacrifice the beauty of the language. DBP might be able to take a proactive action by encouraging the usage of for example, the pantun as that form of the language can be succinct and to the point. Pantuns are open to so many possibilities and those who are adept will be able convey a myriad of emotions in just a few words. Saves a lot of space and time.

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Will other convicted rapists follow asking for maximum sentence?

This is the first time I've read that a convicted rapist has asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence for his crime. He has pleaded guilty to raping a girl in 2009. The prosecutor mentioned that the rapist, S. Thiyagaran is an habitual offender based on previous convictions and is currently serving a 50 year sentence for two previous rape convictions. 

The judge in this case sentenced the man to a 20 year sentence in jail and 10 strokes of the rotan. The jail time is to run consecutively from the current jail time.

The man will serve a total of 70 years in jail and as he is now 35 years old, the chances of him being a free man again seem quite slim. That would at least keep him from repeating his crime on others. He said that his crime cannot be forgiven and we do not actually know why he has made this conclusion only after repeated offences.

How many other rapists have come to their senses and realise that the crimes they committed have long-term effects on the victims. In this case, at least the rapist will be able to reflect again on what happened in the past and might be able eventually to come to terms himself. He as the aggressor would never be able to amend or turn back the clock for the victims.

The victims who are reading the news on his plea for the maximum sentence would be able to heave a sigh of relief that at least the perpetrator will be behind bars for a very long time. The psychological scars might still be present and they would still need the emotional support and assurance from those close to them.

One rapist behind bars for a long time does not guarantee that  the crime will not occur again. We must still be vigilant and on alert as potential perpetrators are always present to pounce on unsuspecting victims. I doubt S. Thiyagaran's example will have any effect on potential criminals as   those who want to commit a crime especially rape will not give a second thought when they feel the urge to do it.

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SPAD is doing a 'good' job

Any loyal Malaysian would take offence at the insinuation conveyed by the last paragraph in the letter to the editor today “One wonders whether this is due to SPAD being too skilful in the art of quantitative management, the enforcement personnel having vision defects, or practise of the culture of “semangat tolong-menolong.””

How could the writer say such things? All of us know those who worked at the SPAD since its inception have been trying hard to make the life of a commuter much more pleasant. The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has been entrusted in improving road and rail-based public and freight transport in the country. The heading in their website shouts out that the SPAD is to lead the transformation of public transportation to become the rakyat's preferred mode to commute.

The rakyat would be the ordinary folks and not those with the outriders or even the SPAD management. That distinction has to be made clear from the beginning. The commuters are those lucky enough to be under the care of the SPAD. At the time of writing, many do spend a few hours every day commuting to and from work. The transformation of our public transport system overseen by the SPAD will take time to bear fruit and in the meantime we should all be thankful that our roads are still packed with many cars that has just one occupant.

One bus can accommodate at least 30 passengers and is equivalent in length to two or three cars bumper to bumper. That one bus does take up space when the car is much more deserving. More cars is a sign of progress, right? Buses inadvertently are always the first choice for some. It does not matter that some of our buses can be a furnace in a heat wave when the air-conditioner breaks down or we can play dodge the dripping water from the roof top when it rains as this is just a temporary nuisance. The SPAD has so many plans in the pipeline that will make commuting such a pleasure in future.

The recently announced Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia scheme will definitely change the face of the industry and we will be the envy of the world. The days of rude, unresponsive and picky taxi drivers will be past history. Welcome to better public transportation and many thanks goes to the SPAD. Don't forget this is for the rakyat and please remember that in this Orwellian world, there are rakyats and there are rakyats.

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KTM services needs to be punctual

Being on time does not seem to be top priority for KTM as the letter to the editor today highlighted numerous incidents when the train did not arrive on time. It can even be a two hours delay and have involved passengers who are visiting our country.

That is the image they will bring back home, a public service provider who takes the consumer for granted. All of us have seen and heard many pronouncements that the service will be improved but when the core service, punctuality is not up to mark, what do you expect the public to say? Is the KTM management waiting for heaps of praise for the “good” service they have doled out to the public.

There is a definite disconnect in reality between the management and the passengers. The management will always apologise for the inconvenience caused, but do they actually feel and embrace that apology. It is just a word, conveniently put out to conform to the key performance index matrix as proof that they have taken action on a complaint. There will be another apology for inconvenience caused in future when another problem occurs.

The time lost and wasted by each passenger can be better used productively in other areas and it could be time spent with the family. No wonder many are stressed out by the end of the day. Taking the train was supposed to lessen the stress level but the delays have the opposite effect.

The town planners want more people to use the public transport as a way to ease the traffic congestion in our urban centres. The commuters want to do their part by taking the train but when they are confronted by frequent delays and breakdowns, an alternative has to be found.

Many choose to drive instead of taking the train out of frustration with the level of service provided. Then we are back to square one. Commuters are willing to be stuck in a traffic jam in the comfort of their own car rather than being cramped at the stations waiting without any assurance for the next train arrival.

Minutes ticking by, at least in the car, the driver knows that he is inching away to his ultimate destination even in the worst of conditions but at the station platform, the clock showing the arrival time of the next train keeps changing. The goal post keeps changing and your team will never win.

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A glass of warm water is 80 sen at a kopitiam

I wonder why the kopitiam mentioned in the letter to the editor today charged its customer 80 sen for a glass of warm water. They are either making lots of profits from plain water or the water authorities themselves has increased their charges.

Water is a basic necessity and if the price of a glass of warm water keeps increasing, what can the public do? Shall all of us make daily trips to the nearest natural water source, rivers or lakes and take whatever we can while we can? Another way would be to collect rain water which should be in abundance when there is a thunderstorm in our area. At the moment, the rainfall is just a trickle and has not helped much in cooling off the heat brought on by the annual haze phenomenon.

We are supposedly a tropical country that enjoys heavy rainfall throughout the year and yet water is an expensive commodity. The authorities will say that the cost is related to the water treatment process and added expenses providing clean water to the consumer. Fair enough I guess but 80 sen per glass is a lot of money. I realise 80 sen is not a big amount in this day and age, therefore charging that much for a glass of water is just plain daylight robbery.

I cannot fathom the reason behind such a price. Water must now be a controlled item too or else speculators will take advantage of this precious commodity. Agreed?

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Scientific research for its own sake

Today's letter to the editor gives an insight on how we have come to the stage when anything and everything must have a value. In this instance, the letter mentioned scientific research which might be confused with the development in the much used term R&D.

As the writer reiterated, scientific research for its own sake, which is usually out of curiosity on the why and how our surroundings work has always been at the core and basis of a study. No one knows whether any application can be gained from the research but we definitely gain an insight on the workings of our surroundings. Research done just for research's sake seem pointless but has not man been always curious at heart.

This in a sense is the dilemma faced by the curious at any period of time. He might want to pursue further and satisfy his inquisitiveness but more research would depend on more funds. Funds meanwhile can only be procured if the research findings has a value to the fund provider. There are doubts whether any philanthropist would provide funds into the esoteric. The fund provider has to be convinced that his contribution is not just money down the drain. Practical considerations will always take precedence in the decision.

A research scientist would have to compromise and find a balance between his pursuit of answers to   theoretical questions and a practical solution to problems. It seems unfair but unless he has made good in the practical application of his research, he would not have the luxury of pursuing research for its own sake. The way of the world.

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Malay one of the most popular Cambridge IGCSE subjects among students in Malaysia

The fact that more students are taking the Cambridge qualifications examinations should not come as a surprise to us in Malaysia. The University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) is a provider of international qualifications for students between the ages of 14 and 19, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 150 countries. CIE first developed the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) more than 20 years ago for an international student body and if I recall correctly they were the examinations body before we gained independence from the British.

A long history of excellence gives them an added advantage in attracting students. Students and parents are confident that these qualifications would open doors to greater opportunity in further education and career prospects. That confidence in what they can offer is their selling point.

What intrigued me most about the news item was the fact that Malay was one of the most popular subjects taken besides English and Mathematics. How did CIE manage to instill confidence to such an extent that even students from Malaysia are taking the Malay subject offered under the Cambridge examinations? I thought our Malaysian Examinations Board despite the brickbats hurled against them would at least be the premier examinations board for the Malay Language paper. I guess I'm mistaken.

I still remember a time when Malaysian teachers were marking Malay Language examination papers from all over the world but I guess that was under the auspices of Cambridge too and not the Malaysian Examinations Board. It is strange that Malaysia which enshrines the Malay Language as the National Language in its constitution is not the premier centre for the language. Can someone shed some light on this?

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Caning does not solve the problem

The heading of the letter to the editor “Not just by caning alone” is quite apt when we looked at the effects of the punishment on the children. The writer believes that it is the teacher who carries out the caning who might be the problem since some of the reasons for the punishment seems very unreasonable such as forgetting to ask parents to sign off the student's homework.

In this day and age, caning does not leave the desired mark that the teacher wants to impress on the student. Caning might work when the student is still a child but once he can think and reason for himself, there will be doubts and questions on why he was punished for such and such misconduct.

Now even a child who is in kindergarten will ask why he is being punished and the adults must explain the reasons behind the action taken. The adult will be asked repeatedly until the child is satisfied that the punishment was justified. The present day child is exposed to so many external influences and most often has developed the curiosity as well as reasoning skills to think for himself . He needs logical and appropriate answers.

The same or even more would be expected from those in school and especially the teenagers. The children's growing up years is the most trying and stressful period for any parent who wants to see their brood well-behaved and well-adapted socially. Caning or any physical punishment does not help in attaining that goal. It might even backfire if the child rebels against the adults and vents his frustrations by taking the wrong path.

It would be very hard for adults to resist from using the cane but we must try. Never give up and we must always remember that the seeds have to be nurtured from the beginning. The children's behaviour when they reach their teens is the culmination of lessons learnt since young. When a two-way communications have been established from the beginning, there is more room for the adult to find out what triggered an act, whether good or bad.

We must be ready to hear and listen, then only can we resolve the problem faced by the child. The child needs compassion, not the cane.

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Long live Lynas

It is refreshing that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant committee chairman, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin answered "Why not?" when asked whether he was willing to live near the Lynas plant since the PSC found it to be safe. It would remain to be seen whether anyone from the committee had actually made plans to shift near the site.

The authorities must take this golden opportunity to promote the area surrounding Lynas as a safe haven, a model for others in terms of safety and transparency. The site could be the new booming suburb for Kuantan and the catalyst for an unprecedented growth spurt for the East Coast.

We have been told numerous times that Lynas will be the start of a new era for the country in terms of new technology and the downstream industry that will benefit from the plant. The country at the moment is at the threshold of the giant leap into the league of developed nations and the Lynas plant is a start. The public must never doubt the sincerity of those in power as I'm sure they have the best interests of the people whenever making a decision.

The decision by the PSC to award a temporary operating licence (TOL) to Lynas as it has met all the requirements must be welcomed and greeted with thunderous approval by all who want to see the country in the forefront of this new and exciting cutting edge technology. The committee mentioned that the Lynas project has complied with standards and laws in Malaysia, which are in line with international practices. In fact, it seems more stringent rules have been imposed on the plant compared to international standards.

So folks, there we have it, Lynas in all its glory. Long live Lynas.

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We can still grill and barbecue despite the haze

The Department of Environment (DOE) has announced an immediate ban against open burning for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya until a date to be specified later. Director-general Halimah Hassan said exceptions would only be given for religious and funeral rites, and grills or barbecues.

I wonder why grills or barbecues are in the list of exceptions as I doubt many would continue with these culinary treats in the present conditions. As far as I know, grills or barbecues are not common in high rises unless the place has event areas specifically for such cook-outs. That leaves those with landed property having the choice in having the grills or barbecues at their premises. I'm quite sure we're willing to forego grills and barbecues momentarily in the present hazy conditions. They are not a life and death compulsory event.

Those outside Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya meanwhile can continue with open burning activities and we'll see how the wind blows. The short-lived morning rain today has given hope that there might be a respite from the haze. That hope unfortunately will depend a lot on the vagaries of the unpredictable weather. Will mother nature have a heart and help us? As it is, we have brought this situation onto ourselves and know that the solution is within our hands.

That will be like asking for a miracle as the annual haze has been going on for at least a decade and nothing has changed since we found out that the main cause is the open burning in our neighbouring country. In the name of development and progress, we shall endure another haze this year and the next and the next ad infinitum.

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Please spread the news on VenusBuzz CARing project

The initiative by online women’s magazine Venusbuzz to champion the safety of women and children in public spaces with its CARing project is not only laudable but must be supported by everyone concerned with the recent crimes against women.

The authorities are entitled to say that crimes rates are down and those highlighted in the media are the exception but the public has to take precautions. We may choose to believe or disbelieve all the reports that have been appearing in the social media but why would anyone take the trouble to put up photos of their brutalised faces and body injuries for all the world to see? I'm sure they are not pranks.

It not a ride in the park but a traumatic experience when someone becomes a crime victim. Those who have been through the ordeal would know that it is far from a pleasant experience. We do not want anyone if possible to go through that harrowing moment. Unfortunately, those who compile the statistics would treat those incidents as just mere figures to be reported to the higher management. The policy makers would not be able to empathise with the victims as the crime did not happen to them.

The denial syndrome might be a solution to prevent reality from encroaching their own perceived safe havens.  As long as the crime happened to others, they feel safe and secure. Most of us do not have a 24 hour security detail ensuring our safety which some in the upper echelons of society can afford to have. Those who can afford that buffer zone in terms of security are worlds apart from the ordinary folks.

We will eventually have two groups of people living in this nation. A privileged group who enjoys an almost crime free environment and the other who will struggle everyday just to be safe and sound. Can't the first group acknowledge that our crime rate is NOT going down?

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Air Asia apologised for the inconvenience caused

I'm glad that the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia has ordered AirAsia to refund a Medan, Indonesia one-way fare worth RM646 to a private secretary to a minister. The private secretary to Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob filed the claim on May 28, after his May 20 flight was postponed indefinitely preventing him from going to Medan on a working trip with the minister.

The flight was supposed to be at 1.40 pm but he received a text message from AirAsia saying that it had been postponed to 8.40 pm. Unfortunately when he arrived at the LCCT, the flight had been delayed again and the airline staff were unable to confirm a definite departure time or reason for the delay.

Air Asia's legal department representative has apologised on behalf of the carrier for the inconvenience caused and informed that the flight was delayed due to technical problems. Why did AirAsia wait until the secretary took the case to the tribunal before acknowledging the problem? The standard apology for inconvenience caused is similar to the announcement we hear whenever there is some problem with the light rail transport system. An apology does not compensate for the time lost.

AirAsia, the transport operators or any public service provider must at least keep the customer informed whenever there is a delay. Keeping silent will definitely agitate the customers more and add to the stress level of everyone.

AirAsia as a leading low-cost carrier in the region has always emphasised that they want to keep their costs at a minimum so should not the same principle be applicable to their customers? Keeping a customer in the dark does not augur well for the airline's reputation. They might be a giant among their peers but others are always waiting for the opportunity to entice their customers to the opposite side.

Some have even opted to fly with regular carriers and pay a premium rather than go through the hassle of not knowing what happened to their flight. It might have been an isolated incident but the question still bugs me why AirAsia waited for the case to be heard at the tribunal. A responsible business will acknowledge their weak points and try to rectify the problem as soon as possible. They could have responded immediately when the incident happened but I guess they felt they were not obliged to make customers their first priority.

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Sentences run concurrently

I was pleased reading the headline that two men will be jailed a total of 75 years for raping two underage girls in 2010. Unfortunately on further reading, the sentences are to run concurrently. One man was sentenced 15 years and two strokes for each of his two offences while the other received 15 years and two strokes for each of his three offences.

In reality each man would serve less than 15 years as good behaviour while in prison might shorten their stay there. Their defence counsel has requested for a stay of execution pending an appeal. If the appeal is successful, they will be free men again.

A crime has been committed and two teenage girls are the victims. I do hope that the sentence would run consecutively if the appeal is unsuccessful and the men are found guilty without any doubts at all. A consecutive sentence effectively means that the men aged 36 and 38 would at least spend 30 years in jail. That should be ample time to reflect on what they have done to the girls who were 13 and 14 in 2010.

Why do some people take advantage of those who are underage? Adults should be protecting and guiding them not abusing the power they have over these children. Yes, they are children even if they are physically well-developed. It is a sign of the progress that we have made and enjoyed under the guidance of our beloved leaders that most children are well fed and reach their physical maturity quite early.

The mental maturity is a different kettle of fish. The girls were lured by promises of prepaid top-up cards and one man even gave the girls RM30 in exchange for sex on several occasions. RM30? That amount does not buy much in KLCC and I guess the girls need topping up quite often.

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Do pedestrians have any rights?

The experience mentioned in the letter to the editor today of motor vehicles running the red light at pedestrian crossings in Kuala Lumpur is well-known to those who walk in the city. The pedestrian crossings are timed to allow the pedestrians to cross the road within 20 to 30 seconds. In reality, pedestrians have to wait a few seconds just to make sure the cars have actually stopped before crossing the road.

I'm sure there have been studies on why motorists love to speed when they see the yellow light whereas that is supposed to alert them to slow down. Most probably motorists are confident that they can make it before the lights turn red. Some motorists do try to slow down but those behind them would be honking impatiently and urge those in front to continue driving. I guess motorists are the only ones who have to reach their destination within a certain time and those precious moments must not be wasted by stopping to let pedestrians cross the road.

These motorists might not have the experience of crossing a road as a pedestrian so they would not know what actually happened. As kings of the road who pay the road taxes they are entitled to lord it over the pedestrians. One or two pedestrians being knocked down should not be their concern. It was the pedestrian's fault for not letting the motorist to go first as he has the right of way.

Some motorists on Malaysian roads do not see the pedestrians at all but just concentrate on other motor vehicles. A case in point would be the mat rempits and other motorcyclists who weave in and out of the lanes. The element of surprise would always be there when a motorcyclist is suddenly by your side and the motorist does not realise there is a pedestrian in front. The poor motorist has to be alert of not just moving traffic but the pesky pedestrians.

It would be ideal for motorists if pedestrian crossings are abolished and they can speed as much as they can.  Pedestrians are not welcomed in the city.

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Can we leave the gadgets for a while?

I can empathise with the letter to the editor today on “City folk tied to their smart gadgets”. One paragraph that rings true is when the writer mentioned friends whom he has tried to meet for more than a year despite them staying about 5km away. I might add that my friends and I do meet each other but the occasion would see everyone using their gadgets rather than talking face to face.

The other occasions friends and families meet would be at weddings, funerals and anything to do with food. Food would certainly bring many out of their fixation with the gadgets but up to a certain point. The food is finished as fast as possible so as to enable the person to go back to his gadget and check the latest happenings. No wonder each morsel taste the same as the next and the chef's efforts goes to waste.

I'm guilty as the next person in this aspect but try to put my foot down that our meets must set aside at least some time talking to each other face to face. This rule has to be put in place or else there would not be any point at all meeting each other. Keeping up to date with the latest events is understandable but doesn't anyone want to know what is happening to the person in front of  us?

We can be updated continuously on what is on going in anyone's lives who is in our network. We can even make video calls and would be able to see his facial expressions in order to gauge the emotional state he is in at that particular time. But once we are meeting each other in person, shouldn't we concentrate and make full use of that moment.

Time is precious and everyone is in a rush. The gadgets supposedly help us to be well-informed every hour of the day. It is a personal choice and some might want that kind of life but for me there are limits. There is a time and place for the gadgets. Real human interaction is much more fascinating.

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Give tourists the real Malaysia

The letter to the editor today, “Know visitors' wants” gave quite a few good suggestions on how to gain more mileage from the tourists that visit our country. I am particularly intrigued by the idea that there should be a tourist centre that houses all the local produce that a town or village has as well as the culture and traditions of that area in one place. He goes on to write that anything produced elsewhere, particularly from overseas, should not be allowed in such local tourist centres. 

This is one of the basic musts of a local tourist spot. Tourists visit a country to experience the local atmosphere and gain something different from what they have at home. The visitor would be wondering whether he had ever left his homeland if and when he finds similar handicraft as what he has in his country. Those objects should not be touted as Malaysian unless they had morphed into local variations.

Our geographical location made us the melting pot of the region and at the crossroads of many influences. We have to acknowledge that many of the traditions and cultures in this country came from somewhere else but has been tweaked through many generations and taken a decidedly local colour. It cannot be helped that the fluid movements among the peoples of this region has contributed to our rich heritage.

That is one aspect of our history that we should highlight and promote. We do not have to import handicraft from other countries and say it is made in Malaysia as any knowledgeable person would realise the real origins of a particular object. There are many local handicraft and traditions that we can proudly say is ours but the marketing has been poor at this point of time.

A classic example is the stalls at the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur. How many of them sell home grown Malaysian arts and crafts? As far as we can see, the moment we enter the main entrance facing the car park, we will be greeted by carpets from India and Pakistan as well as arts and crafts from the Asean region. We will be able to see pewter or silverware at some stalls but it is not displayed prominently.

A different strategy is long overdue in terms of marketing Malaysia. The strategy of building an Arab Square to attract tourists from the Middle East is another example of a poorly planned strategy. That square is now hidden behind the many garish stalls around the area and I doubt the Middle Eastern tourists want to congregate at the square when they come here.

Bring back the real Malaysia for the world to see so that when the tourists return to their countries they will remember a unique country, different from their own.

Image from tourist-attractions-in-malaysia

Following in the father's footsteps

It is with immense pride that we read the news touching on two Malaysian students who are going to further their studies at military academies in the United States of America. Others might not see this as of any significance but gaining entry to those academies is no mean feat.

What seems sweeter is the fact that both are carrying on their father's involvement in the military service. One of them, Chan Jun Kwan will study at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His father is Capt Chan Beng Cheong, a communications director in the Defence Ministry while two elder brothers are also going to be in the military after completing their studies. The other Malaysian is Suhanraj Rajasegaran, will study at the US Military Academy in Westpoint, New York and his father is a retired army warrant officer. Suhanraj has always wanted to be in the military and his father encouraged him to aim higher than just being a warrant officer.

Isn't that amazing that the sons are following in the father's footsteps. Most probably the military discipline did rub off on them when they were growing up or else how could the interest be so deep that they want to continue in the same profession as their fathers. Not many of the younger generation would even think of choosing a military career as their future profession. Most would harbour that thought only during certain periods when movies or stories with military themes are popular among the public.

Sustaining the interest throughout the school days and making an effort to excel not just in academic subjects must be proof that they really love what they are doing. That passion would help them during the next few years of study and we hope they will bring a new dimension to our military strategy. In times of peace, the military is not so prominent but we must always be prepared for any eventuality or acts of transgression across our borders.

Twenty Malaysians have graduated from various US service academies since 1991 and we hope the numbers will increase in future. We might even have more sons and daughters of the current military personnel following in their father's footsteps and continuing the family tradition.

Image from art.  

The children need empathy and consideraton

The article that appeared in the Sunday Star on suicidal tendencies among young children is quite an eye opener. The many problems mentioned faced by children seem so ordinary that adults take it for granted it is part of the growing up process. The adults will say that they went through the same daunting period but survived it whole and intact. Times have changed and the challenges are in a different guise. The article emphasised that communication is the key factor.

Communication is a rare commodity in many homes at present especially when both parents are working. The parents want to give the best that money can buy and try as much as possible to give their children a better stimulating growing up experience. In the parents' eyes, money will be able to buy the educational toys when the children are toddlers and help to give a head start in the race to success. Money will also support music and other extra lessons so as to equip the child to be an all-rounder. The parents want the children to have all those advantages that they did not have during their own growing-up years.

All these support and help to put the child at the front line is of course done with good intentions. Unfortunately, the child has not been asked his own opinion or likes and dislikes. Music, ballet, swimming, taekwondo and other activities are part of the children's every day lives in addition to the normal school hours. The child's time has already been allocated to each activity in such a way that there is no hours left for him to choose and do what he really loves.

The other scenario would be those families who could not afford all those extra activities for their children and they are left to their own devices. In this case, friends are always the greatest influence. When those of the same age group spend most of their time just among themselves without the adults involvement, they become more independent and form their own opinions. Any issues at school or personal relationships are shared among their peer group. Parents or adults are never around to be of guidance.

In both scenarios, the communication is missing. The adults would know their children are there at home after school or at the dinner table. The hours together might be longer if they watch the television together but many children would prefer to be left alone in their own bedrooms. The escape into their own world puts more distance between them and the adults.

Parents do not have the time and the children are not waiting patiently for that golden moment to talk. The children would decide on their own that they can solve their problems without the adults' input. Therein lies the possibility of another teenage suicide.

Image from naturalpatriot

Malaysian job seekers pick and choose

The letter to the editor today reiterated the fact that most Malaysian employers would prefer to hire locals. The reality is there are many hassles when employing foreigners but locals seem to shy away from the many jobs available. Why? A random survey would almost always elicit the answer that the pay is low and they would prefer the freedom of working in a more unrestricted environment compared to what is available in the job market.

Malaysian job seekers are now very choosy and selective. They will pick and choose which job they want and consider first the working environment. The questions at the job interview would inadvertently revolve around the benefits that the worker will receive from the company. That is even before the prospective employer has outlined what is expected from the potential employee.

Times have changed and job seekers want the best possible package that a company can offer. I guess life is too short and we must get whatever we can in the quickest time possible. The tables have turned at the job interview and the employer are quizzed relentlessly on what benefits and perks can be expected during the terms of employment. Working conditions should be at the optimal best for the worker as that is the only way to enable him to give his best.

Times have changed from just the past ten or five years ago when school leavers would take any job offer that they can get in order to earn a living. Job seekers are willing to wait and stay at home rather than take any offer that come along their way. Meanwhile, some parents are in cohorts in this new attitude as they feel the children will be wasting their time if they work for a pittance in a job that they are not keen on. The children would of course be glad that the parents are behind them in their decision not to take the job offer.

That is the current scenario of the local job market. Jobs are there for the taking but Malaysians would prefer to bide their time waiting for that perfect job. The waiting is preferable to them.

Image from alexhilhorst

Ugly behaviour of Malaysian cinema patrons

The scenario highlighted in the letter to the editor concerning ugly patrons at the Malaysian cinemas is not surprising as many could relate to the incident. First of all, he mentioned the late comers disturbing others especially if they have the seats in the middle. This would definitely put a damper on those who made the effort to be punctual and were disturbed while trying to watch the movie.  

This habit is not only seen in cinemas but when ever we attend other functions too. The infamous Malaysian rubber time continues to be the norm as we think others will also be late. We always estimate that we can have the luxury of being late for at least ten minutes in order to arrive at the same time as the majority. We do not want to be the early birds and stick out like sore thumbs in an empty hall.

That should not be the case when we go to the cinema or a function that states clearly the starting time of the event. As it is a habit learnt from watching others, we tend to take it for granted that it is acceptable behaviour. Haven't we been taught that time is precious and not to waste time. In this case we have imposed our slovenliness on others. Most probably we have managed to get away with this habit for such a long time that it has become second nature.

The letter also mentioned that patrons seated behind were happily kicking the back of his seat at every exciting moment. Sometimes we feel the kick from behind even at unexciting moments during the screening. I guess these patrons felt they are entitled to do as they please since they have paid the price of the ticket. That ticket gave them the right to enter the cinema hall and watch the movie but not to kick seats in front of them.. These patrons should watch the movie at home if they want to kick or do anything else to their furniture or some other objects.

The third incident when the phone belonging to a woman on his right was ringing non-stop throughout the movie is the most common irritant when going to Malaysian cinemas. The phone was not switched to silent mode and I'm quite certain the owner was not even perturbed or felt any remorse that the noise disturbed the other patrons. I've always imagined and hoped that future seats in cinemas would be sensitive to ringing phones and automatically eject those sitting there. At least they will get a jolt and know how it feels to be upset suddenly when trying to enjoy what is on the screen.

These patrons who annoy others will always be in our midst as most of us do not want to make a hassle or a scene over the incident. We might ask politely for the kick to stop or phone to be silenced but prefer the management to take the initiative. We have always looked up to those in authority and in this case the cinema hall ushers should be bold and firm reprimanding those who flout the rules.

Many who go to the cinema look forward to the whole experience of being in a theatre with the latest sound and visual systems. How many of us can afford to have similar facilities at home. It is our escape from the tiny cubicles that we call home but others spoil the experience. It is not a fair world at all.

Image from wikipedia

Guilty until proven innocent

The opinion published in the Star today that “It is absolutely right that we be held responsible for what we post and say in cyberspace. But only if we indeed are the ones who wrote and posted it” has its merits. He mentioned that the new Evidence Act is quite scary and gave the example that anything posted on, say, your Facebook account is now your responsibility (as it should be, if you really did post it) and the real scary part is: you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. The Act assumes you are guilty until proven innocent.

It might be a good idea to extent this doctrine to other laws as well, for example crimes involving corruption, murder and rape. Using this method, anyone can be charged with corruption, and the accused has to prove that he is innocent. His gain might be ten ringgit or ten million ringgit but the onus is on him to prove that the money was received legitimately. The burden of proof will be on the accused and he has to find the means and evidence to support his claims.

It does save the public prosecutor's time and money in gathering evidence when this doctrine is implemented. He can cast his net wider so that more suspects can be hauled up to the courts. In the meantime, the rest of us have to be prepared for this eventuality and keep all our records intact for at least seven years, similar to what is recommended for income tax purposes.

We can even change all the laws such that everyone is presumed guilty of everything from the day they are born until the day they can prove themselves innocent. That is much simpler, isn't it? The courts need not worry about being burdened by thousands of unresolved cases as there is no perfect human being, as far as I know. Everyone would be guilty of something or other. Case closed, crime solved and a perfect record for the police and others who monitor our lives.

The question now would be the innocence of those who oversee our lives. If we assume everyone is guilty, would they be guilty too? In this animal farm, there is only one maxim that will be true, all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

Image from project-middle-grade-mayhem