Riding the highways

While traveling the main roads in Kuala Lumpur, even though motorbikes lanes have been constructed especially for them, you could paralyze for a moment when out of a sudden a motorbike flashed by you. That could have caused an accident through no fault of yours because the motorcyclist had no right to be where he was in the first place. Motorbike lanes are exclusively built for their use but sometimes motorcyclists just choose not to use them. Using the lanes curtained their spirit to race like Valentino Rossi. You could see them zig-zagging, similarly to performing a Chinese dragon dance on the busy roads.

Seeing them in a group contributed to a feeling of uneasiness, bordering on suspicion. They may be the Mat Rempits. They caused fear to civilians and terrorized their victims mercilessly. Ya, ya those road lunatics, our government at one time supported. They are praised for their gifted motorcyclist’s skills.

I must add that not everyone who travels in a group is a Mat Rempit. Those riding the Harvey Davidson bikes would want me to disqualify them from the title. They are the harmless, adventure and leisure loving enthusiastics socializing with each other.

Why do I hit on them today, what triggers my sensitivity to criticize them?

It was already 7 am. A time when most of us were hurrying to work. A time when most of us held an impatient temper. A car from a side road decided to join the mainstream traffic without signaling. I swerved slightly to the right lane. Like lightening a motorbike flashed by. I held back my oil. I missed him by a blink. I could have knocked him or he could have slammed into me. Gooseberries surfaced, my pores perspired. It left me shaken.

As for the motorcyclist, he was well ahead, unaware of what he had caused me. To me it was a frightening experience. To the daredevils, that was wet, wet water.

Immunity From The Law

When our current Prime Minister came into power, he took his stand at the podium and profusely declared to the nation that his would be a transparent government. Much to his consternation as days passed, the true characteristics of squeaky clean politicians began to surface. What we have now is a bunch of hungry politicians, caught with their hands deeply submerged in the nation’s piggy banks, siphoning tax-payers sweat-earned money. Aren’t their salaries and perks sufficient for them?

Given the full discretional power to oversea the millions or billions of ringgit temptingly floating passed their eyes under their leadership, to keep some for their own is undebatable. These corrupted politicians became so bold they even recruit their family members to form a formidable partnership.

Who dares to question them? Who have the latitudinal right to ask them for explanation? Who have the authority to put these unscrupulous politicians and their cohorts behind bars? Do the people of Malaysia have the judicial right to ask them to return the millions they sponged from us? After all those are our money not theirs in the first place.

Malaysia could have been a prosperous nation if we are rid of these parasitic individuals. Our government need not have to borrow from other countries from time to time. It is so shameful to ask for a loan and so pathetic to be subjected to a money lender’s dancing tunes.

In Malaysia it is not unusual to have a guilty politician go free after a few harsh words, minus punishment from the law. After a few years later, get elected, back to public office and representing the nation again.

A salute to these politicians. I wondered who is supporting them, making them so bold embezzling public funds right under the nation’s nose and yet received immunity from the law.

Encyclopedia Britannica Article On Rain

Not wanting to be left standing at the wharf watching others launched their ships, Encyclopedia Britannica recently posted an article on Rain in their 2007 Review. Recognizing Rain’s popularity, it hoped by carrying information on him, it could boost their subscription membership.

Reading the article revealed that Rain is not its favorite son. Its prejudicial accusation that Rain’s popularity in Time 100 List was through his fans’ multiple voting system rather than his ‘breadth of influence’.

It must be painful for Britannica to upload their article holding this feeling of resentment against Rain. Yet, they did not hesitate to apply Rain’s influence to attract more visitors to its site. At least for now due to Rain’s inclusion millions of his fans are clicking away.

To access their library of information and images one has to part with USD69.95 per annum. It offers a 7 day free trial with cancellation any time. Just leave behind your email address and credit card details and you can start browsing.

Anyway, anyone who wants to view Britannica’s new addition need not have to go to the hassle to register for I have the article right here.

Rain, South Korean singer & actor Jung Ji Hoon
born June 25, 1982, Seoul, South Korea

In 2007 South Korean pop singer and actor Rain topped Time magazine’s online poll as the most influential person in the world. Though this status was undoubtedly testament more to the dedication of his fans (who could vote as many times as they wished) than to the true breadth of his influence, Rain was unquestionably a pan-Asian superstar. Often called the Korean Justin Timberlake for his smooth hip-hop dance moves, he dominated the charts throughout East and Southeast Asia and sold out arenas across the region. He also began to parlay some previous acting experience, as well as well as his boyish good looks and muscular physique, into a movie career. His greatest ambition, however, was to become the first Asian pop star to achieve crossover success in the U.S.; that goal remained unrealized.

He began performing in his teens as a rapper in a short-lived band called Fanclub. He decided to pursue a solo career, and in 2002 he launched his first album, Bad Guy, with a glittering concert performance that made him a star in South Korea overnight. The following year he starred in a Korean television serial, Sang Doo! Let’s Go to School, and released a second album, How to Avoid the Sun. Another successful television soap opera, Full House, followed; it was widely broadcast in Asia. In 2004, following the successful release of his third album, It’s Raining, Rain made his first concert tour of Japan. By 2005 he was atop the Korean wave, hallyu, and he was arguably the chief object of the Asian craze for Korean pop culture. His Rainy Day concert tour sold out throughout East Asia; he had become a heartthrob to millions of fans around the world, aided by the Internet and DVDs.

In 2006 Rain made concert appearances in New York City and Las Vegas, recorded a duet with the American R&B singer Omarion, released his fourth album, Rain’s World, and made his film debut in I’m a Cyborg, but That’s OK. At the end of the year, a planned world tour ran into trouble, and most of the North American concerts were canceled. Rain, apparently unfazed, continued to study English, and he began work on his first Hollywood movie, Speed Racer, scheduled for release in 2008. He also announced plans for an English-language album. “Once I release my album,” he said, “people can say, ‘Justin Timberlake, he is like an American version of Rain.’”

K. Anne Ranson

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9439410/Rain

The credit cards promoters

Earning a living is a struggle these days with inflation chasing us down like waters from a burst bund. Setting up counters at shopping malls, approaching passersby to purchase our products is a bad slap to our confidence if we failed in each try.

Previously they were comfortably seated, waiting for potential customers to check out their stalls during their recruitment drives. Now they are parked outside the check-out counters of hypermarkets. They are the credit card promoters.

I am afraid of them. Not that they will physically abuse me but I prefer to be undisturbed wherever I be. Usually I will walk straight ahead or divert my gaze somewhere else or pretend to be busy with my purchases. Smiling and acknowledging their presence with a nod of my head will make me their next target. I know it is rude to ignore them but I really am uninterested in their sales talk.

The more persistent and aggressive ones will block my path and insist I spare them a few minutes. Once I stop they cling like grape vine.

When cornered, my rehearsed reply is ‘my salary does not qualify me to own a credit card’. If they spotted me using one, ‘it is a supplementary card’.

Then they looked me over, their eyes traveled from my home-washed hair down to my sneakers and back to my unimpressive face. Then they retreated and I released a bellow of air from my congested chest. These repellent lines are like Monsanto Roundup. Very effective. Even pigeons keep away.

It is no big deal owning a credit card. Some of us have a string of them. Banks are spoiling us crazy by topping up our credit line. In the end we are their slaves for life.

The Mysterious Moon

Lying on my bed, I could see the moon shining through my window. Not only was the sky brightly lighted by her. Through the window louvers moonlight managed to fight its way into my room. Except for that radiating star which always stays faithfully besides her, there were no other twinkling stars. The clouds have veiled them. Every so often, the moon would glide gracefully pass the clouds, casting shadows upon the earth.

I often wonder whether there is life up there. Scientists will tell us there are living creatures dwelling in Mars. But have we really seen a Martian? Yes, their flying machines. Chinese legends have spun up beautiful folklores of the Jade Emperor and his terrestrial subjects. Christianity believes there are angels living an everlasting life up in the heavens. At this age it is difficult to accept their magical existence.

By observing the moon, we can forecast the weather for the next day. If there is an amber halo surrounding her, it will be hot and humid. Whitish rings will predict a rainy day.

The moon is exceptionally fascinating. She may look so pristine, so peaceful, so calm and so lonely suspended in the vast sky above but she is shrouded by a mystery which radiates an eeriness about her.

Find a quiet place in your garden and relax. Let the silence of the night overpower you. Close your eyes, free your mind, focus on your breathing and just listen deeply. You will be able to realize there is more than the sound of insects at your side. The breeze, it whispers secretly in your ears, passing messages you do not wish to receive. It slithers through your body like a snake, forcing goose pimples to appear.

Then slowly open your eyes, you see shadows coming alive. If you are those who can see beyond what you normally can sense, take flight and run! That is when the dogs start to howl, the birds start to fly and you start to run.

This is my scary experience of a moonlit night. Very frightening. It is more so, if you are in the jungles.

A Voter's Choice

March 8, 2008. Today is polling day. 10.2 million Malaysians here and abroad are casting their votes in the 12th general election.

In yesterday’s Star our Prime Minister urged all Malaysian Chinese to (Quote) “Vote for a voice in the Government”

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reminded the Chinese community that if they gave the DAP their votes, they will end up not having any representation in the Government.

“You have to decide if you want a louder voice in Parliament or representation in the Cabinet where they can be more effective in representing all communities,” the Barisan Nasional chairman said.

He said if the Chinese did not have representation in the Cabinet, their requests would not be heard. (Unquote)

He was advising us to vote for the Barisan National and not the opposition party. The nation has the human right to vote, the right to choose, the right to stand for its values.

If we do not heed his words will something bad happen to us? Is this a threat to the Chinese community. Will his Chinese ancestors kicked and scratched in their coffins when they learned of his unreasonable demand to his own kinsmen?

He should leave it to the wills of God to guide the voters’ choice.

The Human Mind

The human mind is a very complex matter. You can’t see it, you can’t touch it, and you can’t feel it. And yet so powerful it controls our power of thoughts, our vulnerable emotions and our ability to remember. You can hurt our bodies, torture our souls but you can’t destroy our minds. You can poison it and you can manipulate it. It depends on how strong your persuasion is and how strong a person can resist your influence to overcome the human mind.

When a person makes up his mind there is no turning back time. So don’t play, play with a person’s mind.