I used to feel safe in Malaysia. Because we had very strict laws on gun ownership.
We do not have the right to arms.
Whenever I hear of mass shootings in the US, in their colleges or cinemas, for no better reason than an individual feeling depressed or whacked out, I thank God that guns are not freely available in Malaysia.
But not anymore.
I don't know about other Malaysians, but I am feeling very frightened now. Very worried about the state of safety in Malaysia.
The latest victim to be gunned down in broad daylight in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur is Arab Malaysian Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi. He was murdered yesterday (condolences to his family). In a busy and well-known area of Kuala Lumpur. Hunt for Najidi's Killer
What has happened to security in Malaysia?
What happened to gun control?
What has happened to the priorities of our police force that has led to the situation Malaysia is in today?
What is our government going to do about it?
30 July 2013
27 July 2013
Children left in car - Vehicular Heat Stroke
We have all read about the tragic cases of children being accidentally left inside a locked car that is parked in the blazing sun - children too young to know how to free themselves and get out of the car.
The consequence of this, if the child is not discovered soon enough, is death as a result of heat stroke.
It is heartbreaking, a real tragedy.
How do we prevent something like this from happening?
For the parent:
No matter how busy or distracted you are, try to make it a habit to look behind you, at the back seat area of your car, before you leave your car. (Similar to advice for a lone lady driver to look into her car before she gets in, in case someone managed to sneak into the car, waiting to do her harm)
For strangers passing by the car:
Be a busybody.
If you notice a young child inside a car in the sun, who looks distressed or is sweating a lot, and the car engine is switched off and the windows are shut, be concerned. Do something.
This video re-enactment is sure to move you.
Update
A child was left in a locked car, with its engine switched off, right here in Ipoh.
It was very fortunate that firemen managed to persuade and guide the child to unlock the door. It was also fortunate that someone noticed the child in distress inside the car.
What was the mother thinking!
This news was reported here.
24 July 2013
Tee Lin Say, you gotta read this face
Our renowned and home grown face-reader Tee Lin Say stirred up quite a storm with her article "No Benefit Being Fat" where she demonstrated her excellent grasp for words that mean or relate to "fat".
In her professional opinion, she said, among other things, that:
I don't know if Lin Say is naturally caustic and was just being her honest self or if she actually thought she was writing an entertaining piece or perhaps she was just seeking exceptional attention.
Whatever her motivation, she has had to issue an apology.
Her rudeness aside, Lin Say should know that there may be more people of larger stature who, contrary to her views, do lead the good life. I know of one.
The person, in Lin Say's books, would be fat and carrying around dead weight. But despite that, Lin Say, this person is married to a very loving spouse, who did not run upon seeing her. If he did that, they would not be together today. And this person also happens to lead a very comfortable, care-free life with nothing wanting in the material sense. In addition, this person is an animal lover who rescues strays. Aren't these good attributes?
Perhaps you might wish to revise your face-shui techniques. Good luck for your next article.
In her professional opinion, she said, among other things, that:
- I would personally never bet on a person who is bordering on obesity
- it is always bad news when one has no neck. You know, when a person is so fat that his head looks as if it is directly connected to his body
- you see, when one is too whalelike, one simply cannot function perperly
- keep that waistline trim. It's a huge indicator of how financially well a person does.
I don't know if Lin Say is naturally caustic and was just being her honest self or if she actually thought she was writing an entertaining piece or perhaps she was just seeking exceptional attention.
Whatever her motivation, she has had to issue an apology.
Her rudeness aside, Lin Say should know that there may be more people of larger stature who, contrary to her views, do lead the good life. I know of one.
The person, in Lin Say's books, would be fat and carrying around dead weight. But despite that, Lin Say, this person is married to a very loving spouse, who did not run upon seeing her. If he did that, they would not be together today. And this person also happens to lead a very comfortable, care-free life with nothing wanting in the material sense. In addition, this person is an animal lover who rescues strays. Aren't these good attributes?
Perhaps you might wish to revise your face-shui techniques. Good luck for your next article.
No Benefit in Eating in a Changing Room
SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh is now very famous - for the wrong reasons.
Reports have spread far and wide about how the school has apparently forced its non-Muslim students to have their food during recess in the changing room/ shower room. Not a very pristine environment.
Whatever "room" it is, it is not a place children should be made to eat in.
Parents and other people are (rightfully) angry at the seemingly utter stupidity of the said school's Principal or management or whoever it was that was in charge.
It must be a very small and inadequate school if what the school authorities said is true; that the canteen has been closed for renovation. Therefore, we are made to believe that there is no other suitable hall or room or rest area more conducive for the children to eat in.
And of course, some will choose to politicise the issue too.
Like Mazidul in his blog http://www.mazidulakmal.com/2013/07/pembetulan-fakta-dakwaan-kononnya.html, who wrote (quote): Gambar dipaparkan oleh blogger pro pembangkang itu seharusnya diteliti dan disiasat kesahihannya. Jika benar pelajar makan di bilik air, mengapakah perakam tidak memuatkan gambar mangkuk tandas? (The picture that was uploaded by a pro-opposition blogger should be viewed with caution and thoroughly investigated. If it is true that the students are made to eat in a bathroom/toilet, why was a picture of a toilet bowl not shown?)
So, are we to surmise then that Mazidul himself is pro-government if he accuses the blogger of being pro-opposition? Should we then read everything that Mazidul writes about government actions/ policies/etc. with caution and that it should be disiasat kesahihannya too?
And Mazidul Akmal is supposed to be a journalist reporting in a factual unbiased fashion.
Well, everyone has their own bias and prejudice. Just admit it.
We can only ask that the educated ones control it - you will have your gut and irrational emotional reaction first. Hopefully, with education or exposure or even just plain age, your brain then kicks in with logical and detached analysis and logic.
Reports have spread far and wide about how the school has apparently forced its non-Muslim students to have their food during recess in the changing room/ shower room. Not a very pristine environment.
Whatever "room" it is, it is not a place children should be made to eat in.
Parents and other people are (rightfully) angry at the seemingly utter stupidity of the said school's Principal or management or whoever it was that was in charge.
It must be a very small and inadequate school if what the school authorities said is true; that the canteen has been closed for renovation. Therefore, we are made to believe that there is no other suitable hall or room or rest area more conducive for the children to eat in.
And of course, some will choose to politicise the issue too.
Like Mazidul in his blog http://www.mazidulakmal.com/2013/07/pembetulan-fakta-dakwaan-kononnya.html, who wrote (quote): Gambar dipaparkan oleh blogger pro pembangkang itu seharusnya diteliti dan disiasat kesahihannya. Jika benar pelajar makan di bilik air, mengapakah perakam tidak memuatkan gambar mangkuk tandas? (The picture that was uploaded by a pro-opposition blogger should be viewed with caution and thoroughly investigated. If it is true that the students are made to eat in a bathroom/toilet, why was a picture of a toilet bowl not shown?)
So, are we to surmise then that Mazidul himself is pro-government if he accuses the blogger of being pro-opposition? Should we then read everything that Mazidul writes about government actions/ policies/etc. with caution and that it should be disiasat kesahihannya too?
And Mazidul Akmal is supposed to be a journalist reporting in a factual unbiased fashion.
Well, everyone has their own bias and prejudice. Just admit it.
We can only ask that the educated ones control it - you will have your gut and irrational emotional reaction first. Hopefully, with education or exposure or even just plain age, your brain then kicks in with logical and detached analysis and logic.
19 July 2013
42 Foodies
This is a fairly new restaurant serving Italian food.
It is located in Fair Park in the row of shops behind the Petronas station. It's quite easy to locate.
I read about it on FB as the Canning Garden ADUN had written about lunching there, and hubby's friend from KL also happened to try it out.
As with many new restaurants these days, 42 Foodies had opted for a simple look with clean lines and minimal fuss. Being a weekend, a reasonable crowd had come in for lunch.
I had the pasta vongole. The clams we get here in Malaysia can't compare to the clams used in this dish when we were in Rome. The stock also lacked the rich-garlic-clammy taste that made it so delicious when I had it back in 2004.
Hubby had a seafood aglio olio spaghetti which he said was alright. But their grilled beef burgers were a big disappointment. Priced at RM19, they are not cheap and you would rightfully expect it to be made by the restaurant and not commercially bought. Well, the burger patties looked home-made but they were quite tasteless, and seemed to have a very low % of meat in them. Definitely not worth the price.
All in all, we were not impressed.
It is located in Fair Park in the row of shops behind the Petronas station. It's quite easy to locate.
I read about it on FB as the Canning Garden ADUN had written about lunching there, and hubby's friend from KL also happened to try it out.
As with many new restaurants these days, 42 Foodies had opted for a simple look with clean lines and minimal fuss. Being a weekend, a reasonable crowd had come in for lunch.
I had the pasta vongole. The clams we get here in Malaysia can't compare to the clams used in this dish when we were in Rome. The stock also lacked the rich-garlic-clammy taste that made it so delicious when I had it back in 2004.
Hubby had a seafood aglio olio spaghetti which he said was alright. But their grilled beef burgers were a big disappointment. Priced at RM19, they are not cheap and you would rightfully expect it to be made by the restaurant and not commercially bought. Well, the burger patties looked home-made but they were quite tasteless, and seemed to have a very low % of meat in them. Definitely not worth the price.
All in all, we were not impressed.
Teach For Malaysia
I became aware of this initiative through my wonderful, gregarious niece.
She is a law graduate and potential lawyer, but put aside her legal ambitions to contribute in a noble and meaningful way to the future of the nation's youth, by becoming a Fellow in the Teach for Malaysia program.
TFM reaches out to high-need schools, aspiring to reduce the widening education inequity so that every Malaysian child has the opportunity to be educated, and to be edcuated well.
I am so proud of my niece to have embarked in her journey to make a difference in her lifetime to her country and the children of Malaysia whose lives she will touch.
And to all the other TFM Fellows, bright young minds from the different races of Malaysia - you are wonderful people who make the world a better place.
Here are some of their inspiring stories:
http://aproudtfmfellow.wordpress.com/about/
http://teachingchampions.wordpress.com/
http://www.scoutnetworkblog.com/2012/02/9217/teach-for-malaysia/
Update
Teaching these days is not seen as "the" profession to be in. Everybody is gunning after investment banking, medicine, law, IT. Just look at all the top scorers in our SPM or STPM. How many say they want to be teachers?
But we do need good, passionate, intelligent and qualified teachers if our future generations are to be educated well. Which parent does not complain about the state of Malaysian education?
Therefore it is so refreshing to read When Your Child Teaches For Malaysia.
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