Mawi mania

At last the final Akademi Fantasia concert crowned Mawi officially as the winner of the third season. He had garnered almost a third of the weekly votes consistently with adoring and countless fans country wide.
What made him such a phenomenon? A conbination of boy next door looks and humble down to earth attitude. He was not even in the first batch of students but was recalled as one of the surprises from the organisers - the other person was Marsha who also made good by being placed fourth.
Mawi's almost all encompassing popularity was one of the reasons that triggered debates on the relevance of reality shows. As usual some quarters felt the shows were too Western oriented but I'm sure everything was done above board especially since this is Malaysia. Anyone and everyone tend to self censor themselves. But there are some who are willing to take chances and try their luck pushing the boundaries of accepted behaviour.
Mawi's supporter tend to be fanatical about him since he is their idol with that wholesome image. Will he be the male version of Siti Nurhaliza? Only time can tell.

Petrol prices go up again

Here we go again. Didn't petrol prices go up just a few months ago. I hope we don't have to endure another price rise in a few months' time. The government did try its best to soften the effect. I guess postponing another rise immediately is a strategy to soften the impact. At least the populace was in preparation for another price increase. But I'm not sure how long the common people can endure the increase.
As always the majority will feel the greater impact. How will those with many mouths to feed cope with the almost seasonal upward adjustment to their budget. Can something be done. This is more like macroeconomics to me and I doubt any changes can have an effect immediately. In the meantime we'll grumble and cajole the goivernment to do some positive action. The consumer affairs mininstry has threatened to take action against those who take advantage of the situation.
How effective is that threat. They might be able to catch a few but overall it is a doomed effort. I have not seen any trader or business concern giving any thought to the consumer whenever prices of essential goods increase. They will still take an advantage when prices go down. So the consumer is at a losing end whatever happens.
Tighten your belts, everyone.

The government knows what is best for the people

That sentiment seems to permeate those at the top of the pecking order. They might know what is best but the implementation usually leaves much to be desired. Is it arrogance that makes rulers think they know what is best for those governed. I'm sure they have their panel of advisors but are they in touch with reality. I have not seen any major shift in policy since this country gained its independence in 1957. Yes, the ruling party tries very hard to uplift the people's standard of living.
They have succeded in a way but there are still pockets of hard core poor in the country. That will need a major revamp in policy. As long as the government says they know what is best for the people, there will always be people marginalised in the race to that developed nation status in 2020. The authorities may listen to the people but no action has been taken to take the bull by its horns.
A problem that has been a part of the nation's landscape needs drastic measures. A government that listens and takes action rather than mouthing "I know what is best for you" will be welcomed. But there are no alternatives on the horizon at the moment.

Rainforest Music Festival 2005

This is my third year attending the festival and the euphoria has not diminished for me. It was good to meet up with another festival goer who has been a participant since the beginning in 1998. The good feedback has strenghtened my belief that the organisers have done a wondeful job bringing a myriad of performers from around the world onto a single stage. The festival might not be as big as the Womad events but the camaraderie among those present make the whole trip worthwhile.
My only grouse would be the heat. But what do you expect from a venue in the rainforest. Unfortunately the afternoon workshops are held when the sun is directly above your head. I wished the organisers would consider putting those mist sprouting fans at the venues.
The night performances are excellent especially with the forest backdrop giving the whole proceeding an ethereal feel. I have goose bumps whenever a performer's voice is slices through the pristine jungle. The effect is magnified ten fold when the music is just a soft tune or a lone voice weaving stories of his homeland.
I'll definitely be there again next year.

Live8

I missed the live concert during the weekend. I doubt my non-presence has any impact on the efforts of the organisers to get as much aid as possible for the Africans. I was glued to the tv screen when the first live aid was aired throughout the world about 20 years ago. I have not seen that much change in the lives of those in need then and their present circumstances. Maybe the success stories have not been highlighted.
Concerts in aid of worthy causes do serve a purpose. At least the issue is current in everyone's mind or else we will just go on living our usual every day lives. I do not think too much of others' sufferings unless and until they are in front of my own eyes.
I tend to be heartless in that sense. I've bulit up a defense mechanism against the beggars in town. It is not that some of them do not deserve the help but I'm not sure whether the aid given goes to the deserving person. I'm very sceptical that those entrusted with giving that aid really do their job. I'm of the opinion that any aid should be given directly to those in need.
I'm sure this theory is not practical for all circumstances. The needs of these people are varied and they are found in all four corners of the earth.
Aid agencies come to the fore in this aspect and the genuine gets my vote. But who are they? How can I differentiate between the scams and the true blue thing. I'm still looking for a way to fine tune my instinct so that I can at least be sure that whatever I give goes to the rightful person.
That instinct comes only with experience but there are always bad hats who manage to filter through and make a profit out of those in need. I hope they realise that the poor and needy of the world deserves the aid that comes from everyone and DO NOT belong in their own pockets.

More cynical

It has been a month since my last ranting. The political situation in Malaysia seems topsy-turvy as usual. Last week we had the shock, maybe an expected shock that one of the vice-presidents of the ruling party had been suspended from the party because of money politics. Corruption.
When did this start. I'm certain this malice did not happen overnight. All guilty parties, and I'm sure they know who they are, must have started on their career paths quite early in their careers. Maybe some of them started in with noble intentions but was waylaid along the way by the glitter of material gains.
That pull factor is very strong and needs a similarly strong personality to withstand the continous onslought to reap benefits from their exalted position. How many can muster the courage. We're only human as most people would say. A convenient excuse.
I wonder how long our Prime Minister will be able to hold to his ideals. I'm sure there are lots of supporters who have gained tremendously from their positions throughout the years. How will they cope with a new regime. What is certain is that they would not give up without a fight. There is a long way before any semblance of normality and decency comes back as a winner in society. The ideals of a pure Man is still a hazy dream. We can only hope.

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.

Krishen Jit

Krishen Jit, the doyen of Malaysian theatre passed away yesterday. I have seen him now and then at performances and read his writings but do not know him personally. It is always admirable to have someone so dedicated to his craft and expanding the circle of like minded people.
It was good to hear a few years ago that he married Marion D'Cruz, a well known dancer in theatre circles. At least they were on the same wave length. It would be quite difficult for someone not in tune with Krishen's vision of the dramatic arts in Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia in general to stay abreast with him.
Sadly, our government has not given the right incentive to the performing arts. In the pursuit of developed nation status, those activities presumed not contributing to the national coffers are neglected. There is now and again a call for Malaysians to be more involved in the arts. But that call gets all the support and media attention for a limited period. No continuity. A character flaw of the nation.

Borders opens in Kuala Lumpur

At last Kuala Lumpur has a Borders bookshop and according to the write-up they will open more branches in future. It is quite a good idea to franchise Borders using a business giant who has the experience handling Starbucks.
The bookshop gave a good first impression on me when I went I visited the premises last week. There was ample space and there were stacks of 'bargains' on tables facing the customers before he moves to the bookshelves further back or on the sides. The 'bargains' are bargains to those looking for particular titles. I was tempted to grab a few but held back since I wanted to explore the two floors of book heaven.
I walked slowly and almost scrutinised every shelf. I was looking at certain titles that might grab my attention. The Dan Browns were prominently displayed. That author and his books has not lost its attraction yet. I'm sure all bookstores that stock his books are making big bucks.
I went to the Malay language section and was a bit disheartened since the titles were mostly confined to the romantic novel genre. Nothing wrong in that choice but I was looking for variety and the only ones I could find were shelves of study aids for the major Malaysian school examinations.
My next stop were the non-fiction section and they had almost the same titles as those stocked by Kinukuniya. I wanted more. I expected more. Greedy.

KL Book Fair

The event was disappointing to say the least. I didn't see crowds with bags of books coming out of the exhibition halls. Such a contrast to similar fairs on travel, housing or computers. The atmosphere last year was much more lively. At least there were a few well publicised book launches but the scene seems deadly quiet this time around.
What has happened to the Malaysian Book Council and the other participants in the Book Fair? Have they lost their enthusiasm in attracting more people to buy books and read. The book importers say they could never lower the price of books when the reading public is in such small numbers. There is no justification for them to lower prices based on volume discounts since there is no volume to speak of.
It is an egg and chicken situation. The reading public, at least those who makes an effort to read always argue that they will be able to buy more if the prices were at a more reasonable level compared to what is offered at present. The importers and sellers say they are not charitable institutions and have to make a small profit to continue in their business. They would point to the unfavourable foreign exchange rate and high shipping costs that will affect their bottom line.
Meanwhile, the government does not seem to be fully committed in their efforts to encourage more Malaysians to read. The tax exemption is a miserly RM500 per year. A pathetic amount when you want the public to read more than 2 books per year (the average number of books read by Malaysians compiled in a literacy survey a few years ago).
Students do not read other reading material after finishing the recommended book list for their particular courses. The IT generation prefer the internet. The internet does stimulate the reading habit in some instances but finding the books is such a hassle even in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

Grass is greener on the other side

I'll always feel at home whenever I visit Bangkok. This is the case again when I spend three nights there during the weekend. The hospitality and the smiles welcomed me. I still venture into the dark streets and alleys but I feel so secure compared to the bright lights in Kuala Lumpur. There are more beggars and strays along the pavements but they do not pose a threat in comparison with the lurking danger from smart looking executives in my own home turf.

Does this have anything to do with that incident in 2002? Most probably I still carry the emotional and psychological baggage from that night. Did the knock on my head jumbled up my grey matter. Maybe. No one knows for sure. Thankfully the doctor did not find any damage in when he had my head x-rayed. I guess the physical aspect has healed but emotionally I'm still so vulnerable.

In that sense, Bangkok has come to the rescue repeatedly without fail. I managed to see 5 films during this visit. Interestingly three of them had love triangles in different modes. The film directors may have felt that love is ever expansive and encompasses a wider circle of participants rather than the usual duo combination.

Trying to link

This is just a test to see whether I'll be able to read any writings here on another site.

First Try

Here I am. My first try at writing something. I'm not sure whether I'll be diligent enough to update the site frequently. I'll try, that is the least that I can do. No harm trying. What shall I write. Will I name names. I'll try to keep private or put others who know me off the track. It wouldn't be fair to air the dirty linen of those who are involved in my personal affairs. It is my interpretation anyway whether someone is bad or good. Who am I to say for sure. I tend to meander and ramble. I hope those who read this will be patient and able to endure the torture of navigating a circuitous path before reaching the final destination. It is just my way of letting it all hang out.