Standing My Ground

Ever since the Linggam case, the Judiciary in Malaysia has been shoved under the public’s scrutiny. Some will point out the demise of the Malaysian Courts System began in the 80s under then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Why the fuss? Because the Courts are the last bastion and platform for justice and appeal for the people and the final stronghold against the many political and personal agenda of politicians. Where one is wronged, she ought to be able to expect justice being dispense when she approaches the Bench. But with the development and exposure, she can expect her case to loose anytime its against the Government or a big corporation… (Urm… Why am I talking like a socialist?! I’m Tory!)

However, as a independent and sovereign federation of states, we have another institution where her dignity, honour, position, function and position is being compromised by petty bickering, ignorance, arrogance, politicking, self-interests and immaturity of those privileged to be part of: Parlimen (Parliament) and the various Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assemblies).

Read the rest of this entry »

The stage is set. The players are beefed up - slowly but surely, they are shedding their skin to reveal their true colours. These colours are captivating; Malaysians are beginning to react in favour or with displeasure. The once proud and arrogant party who once fought for the people now see cracks. Cracks within themselves and in their relationship with those around them: the people, their allies, the country and their supporters. Truly, the foundation - though solid and strong - has reached its limit. That, dear reader, is how we can describe the current political landscape of Malaysia.

Yesterday, on June 19, 2008, the Barisan Nasional was shocked by the statement of Datuk Yong Teck Lee, President of the Sabah-based SAPP. Datuk Yong announce that his party intends to leave the ruling coalition due to inaction by Prime Minister Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi with regards to issues in Sabah.

Allow me to set my views down. The reason the BN lost in West Malaysia was because of the weight of the inaction, arrogance and ignorance of the ruling coalition led by UMNO. Voters in West Malaysia, including Penang - home state of the Hon. Prime Minister and Member for Kepala Batas, were tired of how they were being played with. The Barisan Nasional, though insisting on the message of unity, in the same breath tried to sow fear among the populace on what would happen if the Malays voted the DAP Chinese. They toyed around with who shall be the next Chief Minister of Penang. Despite being the Government of Malaysia, the Pak Lah Government blamed the Elections Commission for failing to study the ink issue and the former Prime Minister for causing disunity. The methods employed to handle protestors were questionable. Flip flop policies and actions - similar to inaction - became the straw which broke the horse’s back.

Immediately after the elections, while pointing out the weaknesses of the Opposition, the ruling Coalition continued to hang their own dirty laundry. Bickering between members of standing in the Coalition helped more cats escape the bag.

In Parlimen, the elected reps acting like children defies the sanctity and dignity of the House of Parliament. Politicking overtakes the nation’s interests and denies real issues into the centre spot. Seemingly biased House rules were adopted and sustained under the the shadow of a whip. Not doing any good for BN’s case in West Malaysia.

At the end, it all comes down to Sarawak and Sabah. Sarawak helped the Coalition obtain 30 seats while Sabah giving the coalition 25. With the SAPP, two would be lost. The Pak Lah Government enjoys 140 seats in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat. Without East Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional has 85 seats. How much does the Opposition have? 82 seats in total. Pardon my ignorance, but I am clueless as to how many Opposition MPs are from Sabah. But from the map, they have at least one. What I do know is that Sarawak sent one for Bandar Kuching. Disbarring the recent development, East Malaysia, it seems, play a crucial role of kingmaker. The Opposition just need 30 seats to be Government.

Where did we go wrong?

Now it’s time to consider: where did we go wrong?

Many pointed out the arrogance of the ruling coalition and UMNO for the loss. The latter has consistently patronised other parties. The impression that the Malay-based party bosses everyone around is there in the mind of the rakyat, especially in West Malaysia. The way they played the Penang CM post, how they would bicker with the Sultans of Perlis and Terengganu, how they - it seems- pressure Gerakan to manage the latter’s affairs. These are among the seen and reported. I’m sure there are many unreported factors. Heck, I was told that the Kelantanese were furious of the way UMNO played and insulted them with the “Clean Up” campaign. Fundamentally, the rakyat is fed up with how the Federal Government conducts its affairs.

Let’s take a look at the Opposition now. Hey, I am a Member of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak after all. The problem with the so-called Pakatan Rakyat is that they have no common ground, no common vision for Malaysia or any state. That is why many citizens are complaining, especially in the five Pakatan states, that they feel that it’s like no change in government happened! I think it’s because they only focused on winning the March 8 elections and forgot all about the days after. I’d like to point out, from my personal experience playing in Political Simulations (read: Politics UK <Link>), it’s easier to be in Opposition that to be in Downing Street… urm… I meant Putra Perdana. Take it from a one time Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food then Secretary of State for Health (90s Game) and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (80s Game). Being a Shadow Secretary of State is way much easier!

The Common Problem: Leadership

One common problem that both sides of the floor have is leadership. It’s either the case of knowing the destination but clueless on how to get there or knowing how to get there but clueless of where they are going. Being in public office is unlike being a CEO. Your voters must know you genuinely care and work for them. Yes, politics is politics, but your responsibility is paramount.

In UMNO, there are calls for a change in leadership. In the Malaysian Indian Congress, the Youth Wing Office Bearers were asked to resign. In Parti Keadilan Rakyat/PKR, Anwar’s return isn’t as smooth sailing as they once thought. In PAS, well, they’re at loggerheads with noisy DAP leaders. Too many voices.

Fortunately, Sarawak is blessed with YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Hj Mahmud and his Team. Under the same person, we get to see rapid development in the past 20 years or so compared to those in Sabah, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Labuan FT. With limited resources unlike Selangor, Penang and KL, it is a challenge to lead a state having the size larger than West Malaysia. When people point out the corruption of the Taib family, especially if it is from West Malaysians and the Opposition, it is because they want to do the same thing. Remember Animal Farm, now it’s four legs good, two legs bad. Sooner than you know it, it will be four legs good, two legs better.

When Pehin Sri introduced the politics of development and consistently pursued it, Sarawak began to prosper. Today, we have the largest cash reserve among the states of Malaysia. Do not you forget: prior to March 8, Sarawak was the stepson and colony of the Federation. From what Pehin Sri has done for the State, I’m more than happy to support him until the day he retires. The next person to fill in his shoes will have a hard time. Hopefully it’s not another Pak Lah.

I don’t mind pointing out Pak Lah’s weaknesses here on my blog. However I would like to continue my studies in Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia for this final year in peace. So I will leave it as it is.

What I admire of the State’s Leadership is the way they conduct themselves in these tough times. They continue to fight for Sarawak, I assure you. Though it is not in ways that would jeopardise the State’s development.

Deny Them Presence

During the election campaign, the Opposition’s battle cry was “Deny them 2/3 majority”. For this section, deny them presence is the most appropriate.

I hope you remember, as Minister of Finance, Anwar Ibrahim never raised the royalty rates paid to the State. We did ask from him, but he said no. He barely did anything for us. On the issue of New Economic Policy, he once supported it, then he ‘realised his mistake’ and now oppose it. We’re talking of a career politician here. Remember why Parti Keadilan was formed? To secure the freedom of Anwar Ibrahim. Now he is free. What next? To make Anwar Ibrahim Prime Minister. Is that a vision for the country? Sounds more of the ambition of one family.

Let’s move on to Parti Islam Malaysiaor PAS. PAS’ playground is Islam. They have been consistent in promoting Islam. No problem where Muslims are the majority. But for Sarawak? Heck, the break down of religion would see Islam being in the minority. The lifestyle they promote and their mentality are at the opposite of those of the Sarawakians. We are a multi-ethnic society with our various religion. They, like UMNO, cannot comprehend unconditional and pure unity. One group must have an edge: the Malays and the Muslims. What about 80% of the Sarawakians? I find politics using religion as a platform is despicable. It’s worse than being race-based. They banned Mak Yong. Imagine all the cultures and heritage of the Sarawak people vanishing from existence, courtesy of PAS. I was told that in the last State Election somewhere in/near Lambir, the way the campaigners promoted their candidate was by saying “don’t vote the BN candidate, her father was Chinese”. Talk about meritocracy.

Then there’s DAP. The Opposition party with the most members in the DUN. Besides bickering and complaining about the songkok, I do not see them walk around like Datuk Tiong from Bintulu (Kidurong). They talk about this, then they talk about that. But that’s all they are good for: talk. Have you ever heard any DAP MPs talk about Sarawak’s interests in Parliament? Besides Bandar Kuching, that is.

None of the Opposition Parties are interested in the welfare and the development of the State or her People. All they care is becoming Government. That’s all. Have you heard them form a Shadow Cabinet all this while? Have you heard them offer alternative policies? Have you ever seen them walk about - outside election time? Have you seen them do what they blamed the BN MPs or Assemblymen not doing? They do not know how’s life in Sarawak. They live in the Klang Valley where there are Chinese, Indians and Malays. They don’t give a damn for the Iban, the Bidayuh, the Kayan, the Kenyah, the Melanau, the Penan, the Orang Ulu, the Orang Asli, the Kadazandusun and all other indigenous tribes of Malaysia. Why should they? They want power to advance their own agenda - to be Government. No more.

We’ve Still A Lot To Go

I will not sing the song of praise calling Malaysian voters as mature nor will I condemn them for being ungrateful. But I will say this: we have got a long way to go.

West Malaysian politicians are lost and confused. As they resort to bickering and politicking, they continuously smear their faces with coal. One is in denial - trying to cling on to power. Another is counting his chickens before they hatch. Two are bickering and complaining. One wants to avoid a Watergate scandal while his counter-part wants to bring the party back to its roots. One is still licking his wounds while facing pressure from another.

But if worse comes to worse, I’d rather Malaysia be just this:

Where are the two? Forming their own sovereign nations.

Finally got my hands on a copy of J.K. Rawling’s final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Borrowed from the Perpustakaan Majlis Daerah Betong/MDB (Betong District Council’s Library) last Tuesday. Completed reading it by noon the next day.

Oh, c’mon! Hard to let down a good book! Because of that, I didn’t exactly sleep that night. lol

The book is a great read, no doubt. Many angles here and there from where you can approach and discuss. What attracted my attention, dear friend, was Dumbledore’s take on leadership position.

In the beginning…

O.K. It wasn’t really in the beginning. It began with my [fortunate] loss during the last campus elections. I came in third place after Zawani and Rafeizi. Somewhere after, an ‘new’ idea hit me which shook my understanding on leadership to the very core. This understanding replaced the previous philosophy I once had.

Back then, I would attach position with leadership. It doesn’t have to be a public office like a premiership of a country or chairmanship of a company. In fact, a goal in the past was to have hold the office of Deputy Chief Minister sometime in the decades to come. Yes, decades. The benchmark and inspiration of that goal is the present incumbent, YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Alfred Jabu ak. Numpang. Heck, back in high school, I even aspired to stand for either Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly in either Betong or Mukah. My maternal and paternal hometown respectively.

While in Universiti Teknologi MARA Kedah, I contested for a seat on the Malinja Residential College Representative Committee (Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Kolej Malinja) and succeeded. Came in 10th place out of 18. Was surprised by the results. The 15 candidates who received the highest votes would win. It’s a single constituency sort of arrangement. There aren’t any wards. A few months after, I was vying to contest in the Students’ Representative Council Elections representing my programme, the Pre-Degree in Law (PI005). Take note that prior to that year, we elected two representatives before a policy change which disqualified our programme. In 2006, when I did get to Shah Alam, I stood again in the 2007 campus elections. The rest was history - as I lost.

For once, I was content on being a student who held no office whatsoever. Living the life of a has-been isn’t bad. It’s like being liberated from confinements of commitments and duties.

But alas…

Since I got my hand on a copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad back in 2000, I have had a keen eye on businesses and entrepeneurship. Making money became an interest. Before I continue, you better pause and digest that last sentence first. I said “making money became my interest”. As opposed to “earning money”. While I did harbour the political ambitions back then together with this love of enterprise, as I reflect on it, it would be hard to make money while leading the country/state. As long as the money is meant for me, that is.

I still as keen on giving back to society and my race. Urm… My race prior to 12/2007. Last December, my race was changed from Iban to Melanau when I updated my MyKad. Save the typical ‘Toyad’ look, I’m anything but Melanau. lol…

I began embracing the prospect of being a businessperson first before politicians. After all, I reasoned, there is no room for politics in business, but politics would welcome business anytime.

Dumbledore’s Policy

Albus Dumbledore described it the best. He knew that power might get to him, so he refused all offers to become Minister of Magic. While being over-qualified, he choose to remain as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This is one philosophy I now share with the fictional great wizard.

Where do I stand now?

For now, I can say that my focus is more towards business and commerce. After all, if the money was raised privately and legally, I can opt to spend it as I like. To donate it to any charity without fear of collapsing to lobbyists. To travel the world anytime from anywhere on any airline. So long as I comply with the law, I can do as I like. So can you.

I’m typing this entry at 9.41 am while tuning into Bernama TV and, later, CNN, BBC and CNBC. The big buzz now, apparently, is the announcement of the petrol price increase made by the Government last Wednesday. I’m personally appalled by this group of people who seem to capitalise from this rise.

Let’s do a reality check, shall we? Before a certain Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance was sacked in 1997, the price of oil was less than US$30 per barrel. Today, it’s passing the US$130 per barrel mark. Heck, there are predictions the price will march onto US$200 per barrel!

The Federal Government’s move is not populist one, as we can anticipate. But when global market dictates the prices of commodities traded internationally, there’s little thing that a nation’s government can do. Sure, as a country with it’s own oil and gas reserves, we can ban export of oil. If we’re going to do that, I hope that we could ban the export of oil and gas from the states producing them, i.e. Sarawak, Sabah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The equilibrium, if you may, is a rather complex one. Certain quarters were insisting that the Government use the profits of PETRONAS, the National Petroleum Company linked to the Government, to subsidise the rising cost of gas. On the surface, it sounds like a sound idea. But throw in the number of employees, the rising cost of oil and gas exploration, the development programmes of this company etc. etc., will the idea be viable? Yes, if you want to see major retrenchment and a possible bankruptcy filed by the national oil and gas company. The then Minister of Finance could not offer the States of Sarawak, Sabah, Terengganu and Kelantan an increament in royalties rightfully entitled to that states then, now he’s promising the world? Good God!

Yes, the rising price of fuel and gas will take its toll on the lower income group. I’ve been saying this over and over again orally, the group to be under the spotlight should be on the poor. Those in the middle income and higher would be able to absorb the costs. But right now, the Government is seeing the backlash in policies which damages the mental of the populace. Namely, the subsidies and protectionist policies and its generics.

Again, the group which promotes demonstrations and offer nothing but criticisms and condemnations disgust me. While they proudly call themselves the Opposition and walk as if they are the next government, they offer nothing new to this country at the Federal Level. What they will do, I anticipate, is that they will initiate populist policies while under the same breath do away with the Barisan Nasional’s policies and intiatives. After that, it wouldn’t surprise me if they introduce similar policies but with a new and different packaging. Take the Internal Security Act, for example. Many members across the floor (pardon my Parliamentary Language… No, these words aren’t employed by the Parliament of Malaysia. I look up to the Parliament of the United Kingdom when it comes to decorum, order, dignity, honour etc.)… Any way, the members across the floor calls for its abolishment. Strangely, none from Pakatan Rakyat talks of repealling Article 149 and 150 which allows the passage of the ISA, nor do they talk of revoking the Proclamation of Emergency. These two components are the roots of the ISA, Sedation Act and all preventive measures laws. It seems that they do not like the leaf which grows but they want the roots.

My economic understanding is guided by the supply-side school. Demand for fuel and gas are increasing but the supplies are deminishing. Meaning, the humankind needs an alternative to gas anf fuel, IMHO, thus the Government needs to encourage, if not compel, for study and R&D going in this direction. We need to increase the supply to meet the demands.

The Student Body of Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia/UiTM Malaysia (Translated: MARA University of Technology) can now check their results at the Student Portal <Link>. Though officially, the results would only be available on 9 June 2008. Whether it’s relief, anger, frustration, disappointment, joy or an emotionless reaction, it’s good to know how we fared in the last semester.

Result for 4th Semester

As much as I would like to say I passed all eight subjects, sadly it is not so. From the website, my results are:

1. BEL470 - Literature in English - B+ - LU;

2. HPD221 - Public Speaking II - L - LU;

3. LAW504 - Land Law I - D+ - F2;

4. LAW555 - Criminal Law II - B - LU;

5. LAW556 - Administration of Trust - C - LU;

6. LAW557 - Legal Research and Methodology - A- - LU;

7. LAW558 - Mooting - C - LU; and

8. LAW572 - Cyber Law - B- - LU.

Yup… I’m repeating Land Law I… again… Oikh~

Personal Assessment

Once again, it’s that time where I assess the strength and weaknesses of the semester followed by a fresh plan for execution. But for certain, in the long run, the likelihood of my pursuing the LL.B. (Hons.) programme is diminishing.

From what I can gather from the results - except for Land Law - the answering strategy seems to work. We march on with the other classes and continue the Land Law I classes in the coming semester. This is the last chance to pass and the Land Law II in the next semester in one clean sweep.

The Over-Arching Picture

Earlier I mentioned that I might not be pursuing the UiTM LL.B. (Hons) programme. However, my plans for further education would not stop at graduation withthe Bachelor of Legal Studies (Hons). Applying the principles of Henry Ford, I prefer to create the job opportunities and surround myself with people who are passionate of the area. After all, creating jobs means entering business.

At the current stage, it is 5 months since I registered a sole proprietorship with the Malaysian Companies Commission (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia/SSM). Since then, my writing career has started moving and progressing. In fact, I’m sure I can get this proprietorship profitable by year’s end. The platform is being set. I have erased the E mindset and entered the S mindset. It’s time to move from the Left to the Right landing in B. If you’re wondering, “what on earth is this guy talking about?” I was using the ESBI figure in mind. For more information on what ESBI is, I recommend reading Rich Dad’s Cash flow Quadrantby Robert T. Kiyosaki.

Engraved in my head is the Master of Arts in Communication Management offered by Kolej Damansara Utama <Link>. Why would I want to pursue my Master’s Degree in this field? This 15- to 18- months long programme is intended to increase the rates I charge. That’s all.

By the way, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich is one classic you cannot do without! Amazing! I bought my copy at the Times bookstore in Riverside Majestic, Kuching. Based on precedent, (read: Adam Khoo, Author of Master Your Mind, Design Your Destiny and I am Gifter) I challenged myself to achieve a net worthof €1.24million and cash flow of €10,000 per month by October 13, 2010.

Conclusion

The course of action now  is to come up with a plan for my final year and then act on it, balance my academic and my professional life (Corporate Writer, ahem… ahem…), and start capitalising on opportunities to generate positive cash flow.

Gawai 2008 would be a memorable one for me. Why? Around the season, I managed to throw away the “wall flower” mentality and behaviour during these gatherings. Helping out where I can as ‘co-host’ and relative was fun. More importantly, despite how much I would like to deny it - I’m getting to know more family members closer and getting in touch with my Iban roots. I guess the realisation comes after taking my heritage for granted for all so long.

Miring, or offerings/sacrifices, are usually made and prepared for important functions and celebrations by the Iban community. You can be certain that some sort of miring will be done before the Gawai Dayak, or the Dayak New Year cum Harvest Festival. This ceremony varies in degree of elaboration - the more grand the festivities are organised, the more elaborate and bigger the miring may be. The size of the household or longhouse, too, comes to play. The traditional purpose of the miring is to offer sacrifices and offerings to the Gods and souls of past. Back then, appeasing the various Gods and spirits as well as the departed was necessary to ensure the undertaking flow smoothly. This practice, however, began to loose out on the modern Ibans.

This Gawai, I had the opportunity to learn a bit of the ceremony on two occassions: once in Betong followed by in Kuching. The number and size of offerings differ based on the factors I wrote before engaging in theological debate. When I say size, it means the number of offering per plate. What do I mean by number of offering per plate? It’s indicated by the portion on one plate. The portion comes odd numbers of three, five, seven or nine. Three being the smallest and nine being the greatest. Whether it’s three, five, seven or nine, you need to know what the offerings was intended for and why. The preparations and conditions for each size differ as well. So far, I have tried my hands on the piring 5, or offerings of 5. The number of the offerings, on the other hand, depends on the size of the household or longshouse and the venue. Geographical and historical factors also comes into the picture here. The Dewan Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan, or Stephen Kalong Ningkan Hall, in Betong as an example is located in the Tanah Antu Gerasi or the Giant Spirit’s Land. Thus at least one should be made for this spirit.

Preparing the Miring

On May 16 and 30, in Betong where I witness the preparation and in Kuching where I tried it out myself, there were similarities. The preparation was led by an elder or a manang (Iban Shaman) and participated by some people on a mat. A rooster was nearby. The participants of the ceremony sat around the ‘ingredients’ of the miring. This ‘reciepe of success’ (as I’d call it) are:

• Sirih leaves;
• Sliced Pinang beetle nut;
• Kapu or chalk;
• Pengenan or Mexican-hat shaped bun;
• Pulut Mirah or Red rice dumpling;
• Pulut Bura or White rice dumpling;
• Pulut Chelum or Black rice dumpling;
• Pulut Kuning or Yellow rice dupling;
• Asi Tuci or plain rice;
• Beras kuning or yellow uncooked rice;
• Ketupat or rice cooked in coconut leaves;
• Hard-boiled egg;
• Cooking oil;
• Salt;
• Sagun or caramel flour;
• Letup or rice a la popcorn.

On the plate, five slices of pinang preceed all the ingredients. This is followed by five torn sirih leaves with chalk spread over them. Then, tobacco and five rolls of cigerette leaves as I’d like to call it were added before five portions of each pulut were added to the offering. Before five slices of bananas, you add plain  rice and half a ketupat. You continue with five slices of hard boiled egg - with the yellow. An uncle joked, “add the yellow, the spirits aren’t afraid of cholesterol”. One spoonful of salt, sagun and some cooking oil were added before we sprinkled some letup. To top it all off were some yellow uncooked rice. Worth mentioning that the yellow rices and uncooked rice were white before kunyit or turmeric were used to colour them. And voila, c’est receipe de le miring!

Before the ingredients were kept on the plate, the elder waived the rooster over the ingredients seven times before chanting the prayer, or called miaw in Iban. Sounds like a cat’s purr? Thought so initially. After the number of offerings were done, the elder then waved the rooster over the final products again. The ceremony indoors was led by my uncle, as shown in the picture below. In the picture, was taken by yours truly before we prepared the offerings.

And there you have it: the miring ceremony of the Sea Dayaks.