My Notions For ‘1 Malaysia Transforming The Nation’

If the Earth is soil,

then our country is the root.

If our homes are flowers,

then we are the bees.

            Country and people are actually linked together. If there is an absence of any of them, things can no longer be done.

The ‘1 Malaysia’ concept was propounded by our Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak last year. However, many could vaguely understand the rationale behind the ‘1 Malaysia’ concept. The pertinent questions people might ask could be what is the aim? What can we achieve with this concept? Does it work? How can it be done? Obviously, there were loads of question marks in people’s minds. A year over, the amount of ‘1 Malaysia’ information latched to the minds of the Malaysian after being bombarded by the Barisan National overfed controlled media is still difficult to be determined. Nevertheless, the National Day Theme this year is substantially related to ‘1 Malaysia’ concept, that is ‘1 Malaysia Transforming The Nation’. This time, I am enthralled by the question “What can ‘1 Malaysia’ concept transform the nation?”

To me, ‘1 Malaysia’ concept should be able to transform the nation to become more patriotic. Generally, everyone knows that to acquire an excellent reputation internationally for a country, one must first love the country. There are two types of patriotism: the patriotism of a man who loves his country and thus unflinchingly supports whatever his government does; and the patriotism of a man who loves his country , but also sees its failings, and wants to make it a better place. Well, I would prefer the latter. Here is a quote which I would like to evoke one’s mind. “ You are not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.” Whenever there is a mistake conducted by the government, we should outspeak.

Sometimes I was asked by people, “Do you love your country?” I did not really answer that question. The reason could be revealed by just quoting an example. If someone asks you whether you love your parents or not, what would be your answer? Of course, yes! However, it is indubitable that there may be some exceptions. For example, your parents have treated you as if you are not human being. In such situation, for sure, you will not love them. Most of us would think that flying the Jalur Gemilang, singing our national anthem, paying allegiance to our flag are ways to show how much you love the country. But, I opine that these only bring about some semblance of patriotism. These are all talk and no trousers. Undeniably, this sounds unfathomable. Perhaps I try to explain in this way ---flying the Jalur Gemilang, knowing the national anthem as well as paying allegiance to our flag are our responsibilities. In fact, we should do all these since we were just small kids! As we know, Datuk Lee Chong Wei had won international accolades which made all of us proud. Thus, with ‘1 Malaysia’ concept, it can actually inculcate a strong feeling of patriotism in every one of us and together we create an excellent, glorious and indomitable Malaysia.

Primarily, ‘1 Malaysia’ concept is not the panacea for every problem. Indeed, it really can help. I hope ‘1 Malaysia’ concept can transform people’s selfishness to Mother Teresa selflessness as well as transforming disunity among the races to unity. Authentically, 1 Malaysia values and respects the ethnic identities of each community in Malaysia and proudly regards them as an asset or advantage. 1 Malaysia highlights the value of “Acceptance” amongst its multi-racial people, where one race embraces the uniqueness of other races so that we may live with mutual respect and integrity as well for each other as a nation. It is on the threshold of a success in reuniting the races in our country. Gratitude would be the best virtue that we, the Malaysians should have in order to bring peace for today, and create a vision for tomorrow. As a result, we can even prosper together as one sovereign, modern and developed race.

With the ‘1Malaysia’ concept, I wish that our youth could be transformed into the most invincible, unconquerable and impregnable human resources so as to scale a new height of achievement for our country. This is not a mere fable if the minds of every teenager are being instilled the feeling of patriotism. Although not all of us endorse the ‘1 Malaysia’ concept, a successful outcome is within the realms of possibility if ‘1 Malaysia’ concept is practiced by the entire community. National unity, ethnic tolerance and government efficiency can bring to fruition if we have faith in ourselves as well as in ‘1 Malaysia’ concept.

You can make miracles.

Long live ‘1 Malaysia’.

Child Abuse must be stopped

          Definitions propose four main types of child abuse namely physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and child neglect, but rarely if ever does one form of abuse occur alone. The idea in itself sounds preposterous. Physical abuse and sexual abuse never occur in the absence of emotional abuse. Beyond the obvious effects of child abuse, victims of emotional, physical, sexual and verbal abuse experience psychological damage that can lost a lifetime. The consequences of abuse may include chronic depression, anxiety, behavior problems, problems in school and so forth. Usually, the perpetrators for sexual abuse are mostly males. However, if we touch on this offense--child abuse, there could be a wide spectrum of types of perpetrators, they could be the victims' natural parents, step- parents, relatives, child-minders or even siblings. This phenomenon has shown to us that our society is full with callousness and cynicism, anger and violence and crime, drugs and disease. Hence, we should not puff at this agonizing problem. Together, everyone should have taken their own part in stopping the criminal activity, child abuse.

          The idea that beating children is good for them is a long-standing theory not only in our society, but in many others. Most of the parents would have the mindset thinking that the attitude that physical pain and punishment are necessary to produce discipline and to build a strong character. Natheless, over punishing with hard materials could be considered as a crime. Often, one problem begets another. Unwanted birth can be considered a major factor contributing to the murder of infants and children and to child abuse in general. For those who do read the news everyday, there were persistent cases of murdering and forsaking infants which have made the percentage of child abuse grew higher. Among the low-income and poorly educated families, the rate of unwanted births was even higher. These unwanted babies are more likely to be abused and would not be treated as human being. They are often being beaten, bludgeoned, strangled, suffocated, poisoned or even burned simply because their parents do not welcome their existence.

          Families who live in poverty can be one of the main roots leading to the occurrence of child abuse. The majority believe that the economic recession has become the major cause to the poverty of the family. Studies have been found that during economic crisis, the rate of criminal incidences was higher compared to the rate of criminal incidences during heyday. Parents are becoming more and more nervous and tense as well when they struggle to make ends meet. Tragically, they would think that the child is an additional burden to them and therefore they abuse the child or even kill them out of frustration. Psychiatric-ally, stresses and vexations faced by one person could have led to unimaginary death of others. Nathless, parents should have thought of other ways to solve the problems they are facing, and not just to play with one's life. Strong will power to conquer their emotions is of utmost importance as this can refrain oneself from acting emotionally and causes death at the end.

          Children deprived of physical affection are more vulnerable to pimps and kiddy-porn peddlers. Lacking of love and physical affection in one family is one of the contributors causing child abuse. Yet, providing a happy and affectionate homes for children could be one of the effortless ways to overwhelm child abuse. It is estimated that more than a thousand of our children run away from home each year because they find their home lives intolerable. Studies found that runaway children are physically punished two-and-a-half times more frequently then non-runaway children. Children who are deprived of physical affection by their parents are more likely to receive a great deal of punishment from them. Such children will become extremely recalcitrant and vulnerable to exploitation, particularly sexual exploitation. Consequently, it would not be surprising to find these runaways involved in child prostitution and pornography. The unwanted and neglected child would become tomorrow's social offender. Hence, parents should give love and sufficient physical affection to their children so as to avoid them from becoming tomorrow's social offender.
 
           In addition to reporting suspected child abuse cases when one has seen a parent or child-minder abusing or about to abuse a child, one can intervene effectively if one encounters a parent or caregiver abusing or about to abuse a child by striking the child or screaming at the child or taking immediate action to help the poor child. Reporting or writing to the Police Welfare authorities is also one of the ways but it would rather not so effective. There may be considerable reluctance to put a child through the trauma of police, testimony in court and so on, especially if the abuser is a member of the family. Children might have to go through mentally pain once again when they have been asked to offer testimony. Thus, intervention could be a better way compared to reporting such cases.

           Child abuse is so abhorrent that all of us have to play our role in preventing this appalling problem from getting worse. Parents who are more likely to be the epitome of the children has now changed. Children are more likely to bear hatred and resentment against their parents instead of admiring their parents. Hence, we should not allow this man's inhumanity to man to keep continuing happen as we are intrinsically of the same being, human being.

18th April 2010 Back to Penang

          On the way back, we went Malacca again to buy things that we haven't buy at San Shu Gong. 7.00p.m. reached Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

17th April 2010 Jusco Shopping Mall

That day, I took  a picture with Uncle Gary 's old car, year 1969. We also went to Jusco shopping mall, nevertheless, my grandma and my mom can't walk long-distant journey. So, two hours later we went back to Grand Paragon Hotel. 8.00 p.m.--we had our dinner. 10.00 p.m.--we visited Uncle Gary 's apartment. 

16th April 2010 New Experiences

First new experience-- Ayer Keroh, Multimedia University
        Covering by the bed-quilt, feeling the warmth of it...Unfortunately, happy time does not last long. I had been forcibly waken up by my mom while I was having a sweet dream. Merciless!!! Hehe, joking, joking. After having breakfast, we started our journey to Malacca. Two hours later, we reached MMU. We had got some information there, I was actually accompanying my sister, cos I am not interested at all. Then, we proceeded to Malacca Red-house. We didn't buy what we wanna buy at SAN SHU GONG in virtue of the snacks do not last long for so many hours under the sunlight cos we kept them in the boot. It was a pity of not going the River Cruise.

Second new experience-- Drinking beer, Pub, Johor Bahru

            After having dinner, Uncle Gary and Aunt Irene brought us to pub to broaden our horizon and enrich our experience. I asked for a Guinness Malta which is non-alcoholic. However, I did try to drink Carlsberg, it was hard to drink though =.= a little bitter. But, I will not become a toss-pot, I was pretty sure.

Third new experience-- Playing Snooker, Pub, Johor Bahru
           It was very lucky for me to have two teachers-- teaching me the way to play snooker. Uncle Gary, was the one who taught me the basic of playing snooker. After trying a few rounds, a boy named Brandon, 13 year-old, probably is the shopkeeper's god son, back the pub and this let me got the chance to learn from him. His English is good and is a nice person as well. But it seemed like he is matured than me although he is younger than me cos I am not good in sociality. He talked a lot and I just nodded my head and smile most of the time. I hate myself!!!
           In this 2 hours, I had learned to play that &(-.-)&
           Thank to Uncle Gary and Brandon.^^                               

                                                                           P/S: the pub is not like others, is strictly for decent people only e.g. lawyer or doctor or some foreigner.

15th April 2010 Meeting distant relatives

         After discussing and hesitating, well, I decided to go KL, Malacca with conditions that I go there is just for fun. Before going, my sister and I went to school so as to complete the form of MMU---My sister's stuff. The purpose of going there is to find a witness to assure that the form was being filled and is true. There, we met AiPing. She was doing her Petronas stuff for interview. Later, we departed at about 2.05p.m.. This could be the second time for my mother to drive for a long journey--from Penang to KL. On the way to KL, the weather was really vile most of the time.
         At last, at about 6.40 p.m., we reached Kepong, KL. We had our dinner at THAM SI FU Restaurant. That night, we stayed at Crystal Crown Hotel.

Laughter ^o^

"What starting salary are you looking for?" the head of human resources asks the newly graduated engineer at the end of the job interview.

         Going for it, the guy says, "Well, sir, I was thinking about $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."

         "OK," the HR director says. "How about five weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental benefits, a big office and a Porsche for your company car?"

         The engineer gasps and says, "Wow! Are you kidding?"

         "Yeah," he replied.

         "But you started it."

                                                                                                                                  by WAYNE BENNETT