Disney Sunset

Disney Sunset
Disney Sunset

30.5.09

A taste of disobedience.

Being a parent must be hard, especially to have your kid disobeying you when what you asked of them is really for their best.

I am not a parent (yet). But two weeks ago, I got a taste of how it feels like to have someone I treat as my kid to disobey me.

There was this kid I teach at a tuition centre my friend ran for underachieving kids in this place. She's smart and sharp, but she obviously doesn't know that. Two weeks ago, she totally disobeyed all my instructions to the the kids in my small class and simply refused to do anything I asked them to do. She started throwing her exercise book on the floor, screaming at another kid and then rubbed her exercise book furiously until it tore.

I had a very good reason to be angry at her behaviour. It was affecting the others in the small class too. Calming her down wasn't helping (maybe I suck at that :P). But strangely I didn't feel bit angry at all.

I was heartbroken, instead.

There is so much in her and I love her to bits. When she behaved so badly that day, I wanted to cry. I was sad that she disobeyed me, not angry. I can't imagine what's going on in her head then. However, I learnt from this experience that my God feels exactly the same way too when I disobey Him.

The last thing He wants to do is to punish me. He is slow to anger, quick to forgive. It would really break His heart if I disobeyed Him. He would be sad first... like how I felt that day two weeks ago.

Great lesson :)

999

This is another story of Malaysia being a boleh-land, where, really, anything can happen.

I had an emergency at home two days ago. It was 12am. I wanted to call the local police station but I didn't know their number. So I dialed '999', and guess what?

NO ANSWER.

It just rang on and on until I had to hang up.

Come on?! Someone could have died in my house that night.
I double-checked the next day whether the emergency number for the police is 999. It was indeed 999...sigh...

19.5.09

Too Demanding, Or Not.

It's no longer shocking nor surprising to get news of another incident of arbitrary use of powers by those entrusted with the enforcement of laws and civil rights in Malaysia. It happens. The only thing not constant about it is the frequency of it being reported in the news.

With the recent arrest of political scientist and Monash University lecturer, Wong Ching Huat, a series of other related arrests took place. Civilians who showed concern for the current instability in the Perak state assembly and Wong's arrest got arrested. The solicitors and legal aiders who represent those civilians got arrested. Looking at the rate the police is arresting people, I wonder if a person who merely walks pass the Traverse Police Station will get arrested.

None of the above persons was in anyway a threat to the peace and order of this nation, considering the fact that there is none at this moment. A guy sent a mass message out to others to wear black got arrested. And lawyers who were merely discharging their legal duty got arrested, not to mention one of them were only there because she had to drive her friend home. Tell me if there is order. The only order I see is the police repetitively arresting people. Perhaps we all end up in the lock-up, and no one is left on the streets, means peace and order. Haha.

This incident made headlines. But this is only one incident that did. Can you think of all the lay persons whose civil rights were infringed in the process of being arrested, or charged in court for a criminal offense without compliance with the necessary formalities to ensure the powers given to the law enforcers are not used according to their own whims and fancies? They are unheard of and unreported. And each time, the police escapes from the rightful consequences of misuse of their powers. What's worse...how many innocent people were denied their basic rights and put behind bars?

The arbitrary use of the powers by law enforcers is serious as it means civilians are constantly being denied their basic rights, such as the right to be legally represented, and the right to be informed of the offense that they are being arrested for.

It is only natural for us to demand an explanation and public apology for that from those who were involved, and those to whom they are accountable to. When no such explanation or reasonable justifications were given to support their actions, demanding for the resignation of the OCPD, the IGP and the Home Minister, is not too demanding. We live in a democratic country. If you can't perform, we would love to have someone else who can on that seat.

What say you?

If you like badminton...

For more information, please call Mr Hooi -0122139198.

14.5.09

A song that lifts me up

The heart is stronger than you think
Like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can't
It finds a way to just push on though

Sometimes you want to run away
Ain't got the patience for the pain
And if you don't believe it
Look into your heart
The beat goes on

I'm tellin' you that
Things get better
Through whatever

If you fall
Dust it off
Don't let up

Don't you know
You can go be your own miracle

You need to know
If the mind keeps thinking you've had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don't give up

Who are we to be questioning
Wondering what is what
Don't give up
Through it all just stand up

(This is stuck in my head)

10.5.09

Governmentless.

Went back to KK for Mother's Day, only to be welcomed home by a police road block :-S

There was some really dramatic show in the state assembly a couple of days ago. Security guards had to carry the chairperson out. Many would have thought things like this only happen in Taiwan. Well, I guess the motto does say something about us Malaysians... "Malaysia boleh!".

It's sad to know that politically, Perak is still unstable. The state government is illegal. We don't even know who is in charge for administration of the state.

We are stuck in between, and that sucks.

It is no wonder so many have lost hope in the states and constituencies representatives. They use beautifully tailored agendas to get the people's trust, but seemed to fail to deliver what they promised initially. Yes, no doubt there maybe difficulties in implementing their plans due to opposition (be it from the Fedral government or the Opposition itself), ultimately, the ones at lost and victimised are the people.

Did we vote for the right candidate? Or perhaps, our choices were simply the lesser of two, or more, evils?

I wonder...if I can make a difference.

6.5.09

It's OK, He Understands

I didn't want to leave a gap in the things I do. I hate to let go so suddenly, but I have no choice.

Things have gotten out of control. I bet you've been there before.

Even if no soul on earth does understand, it doesn't matter, because Jesus totally understand why I made that choice. And that is enough.

(If you are reading this and are going through the same thing, I hope this encourages you.)