Jazz aficionados would by now be aware of the annual Penang Island Jazz Festival that has been staged since 2004. Well, this year, perhaps, because of the change in government, we are going to get a bonus! Come 30th April, 2008, there shall be a mini jazz festival at the New World Park along Burmah Road, Penang.
The event starts at 6.00 pm with performances by Penang based jazz outfits, each one performing for about forty-five minutes. The featured artistes are the following : -
Areca Jazz Ensemble
Q Jazz Collective
Northern Jazz Ensemble
Jeep Latino Jazz Band
The audience can expect styles ranging from Swing, Be-bop, Hard Bob, Fusion and Latin-Jazz in the repertoire. There will also be vocals featuring Dasha Logan and in all probabilities, Mohd. Razif aka Jeep. Entry to the event is free!
For the those alien to Penang, New World Park is now an “in-place”! It is now a complex of sorts, with theme restaurants, shops, a food court featuring indigenous Penang hawker food! The most famous, of course, is the Ice Kacang with fruit toppings!
So, jazz lovers, and generally, those who appreciate good music, wherever you may be in Malaysia, if you do have the time, do come to Penang and savour our local delights and, at the same time enjoy the music.
Groove to the beat and get fat!
people era, I mean.
Has the Bar Council been manipulated or coerced into hosting this dinner? That judicial reforms shall be unveiled at the dinner was a known fact. In spite of this, the Bar Council, Malaysia, has not seen fit to invite the Bench? Unbelievable! How could elementary protocol like this be ignored? It would be unbecoming of the Bar Council, Malaysia, to plead ”oversight” for this omission, which appears premeditated.
It really beats me to see certain quarters getting all excited about the event. How justice has been served with the announcement of financial compensations to the victims of the l988 Judicial Crisis and recognition of their exemplary contributions, may sound very good, but how sincere is the effort? A planned event, where one of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the JAC, the Bench was snubbed! Why do I hear a very loud “We don’t want Judges here!”
The big question here is who is “we”. Is it the Bar Council, Malaysia? Or is it the government of the day, since they are the paymasters? If it was the government, then how on earth could the Bar Council, Malaysia, allow themselves to participate in this neat hoax? Why walk for justice?
Dear Bangsa Malaysia, all good things have to come to an end....the best romance, the best movie, the best football game & often, the best of friendships!! Talking about not being able to "get close" to the other races, I feel we have to look beyond ourselves. We tend to look for "similar" looks, behaviour, likes
& dislikes when we look to hook up to someone new (when lust doesn't blind us...hahaha!)& language, culture & the many years of brain-washing by our family/environment play an important role in determining whom we "click" with.
I must say "Kudos" to Yasmin Ahmad who has so subtly crossed the borders with her poignant & realistic movies.....can you deny the genuine "feel" of the movies, don't we understand what she is telling us through her movies? There is no hidden message, all is clear for any level-headed person to see.....united we stand! Malaysians, make her dream our reality! God Bless our sister Yasmin who deserves all our respect
for being brave enough to give us a glimpse of what Muhibbah is really all about.
A dinner paid for by the government and hosted by the Bar Council, Malaysia, where judicial reforms were unveiled, was held without invitation to the Bench! ??? I am speechless ………
……..(to be continued tomorrow)
Aiyah...What happen da..? The speech too boring for you? Or has the sleep virus of PackLah infected you too?
Penang 14th April:
Our worst fear may yet come true! Yes, this Bangsa Malaysia dream, we just may not see it in our lifetime. Not with the current crop of irresponsible BN politicians, especially those from UMNO, who on the pretext of championing the Malay cause, abused the NEP in the name of “Ketuanan Melayu”. The strong message from the Rakyat on that fateful day in March has been received with even stronger rhetoric. Rubbing the salt in, they now got some royalty involved.
After the reassuring statements by Raja Nazrin, whom I believe has all the hallmarks of a wise ruler, the speech by the Regent of Kelantan was a super shocker! Here, we have a member of the Kelantan Royalty screaming about the erosion of Malay dominance? My worry is there are still many gullible souls out there. It is unfortunate but true that there are those with lower levels of literacy and education who would become victims of these irresponsible orators. Fiery speeches delivered with passion, can drive people into a frenzy, and that my friend, is playing with fire! Mob rule is frightening! It is a wonder that the PDRM does not deem these speeches as seditious. Can I now adduce that the PDRM supports “Ketuanan Melayu”? Over to you, Mr. IGP.
“Every dark cloud has a silver lining” they say. At least tonight, in my opinion, the healing begins. According to “The Strait Times” (Singapore), in a piece by Leslie Lopez, the Government of Malaysia and the Bar Council, Malaysia, shall play host to the surviving victims of the 1988 Judicial Crisis. Tun Salleh Abas, Datuk George Seah, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin and Tan Sri Wan Hamzah have confirmed their attendance. Acting against the Cabinet’s wishes, it seems BADawi shall apologize to them and reportedly they shall also be some financial compensations as well! There’s a bonus too! Judicial Reforms shall also be unveiled tonight at the dinner.
There are still quite a number who feels mere apologies are insufficient. I shall not delve into any debate, as it is too lengthy. I am just happy that the first step has been taken and we can move forward. Correspondingly, Bangsa Malaysia is in its infancy. We got to be patient and not give up. It is up to us to take the first step. Remember what’s his name? The guy who began his journey with the first step.
Thinking about this “Baju Kurung” thing and Bangsa Malaysia, I cannot help going back to my childhood. As I remembered, those days there really was this spirit of “muhibah” among the various communities.
Those were the early days of Merdeka. We mixed freely in school. There was much fun and camaraderie. The late great P. Ramlee’s movies were also well received by the urban Malaysian Chinese and Indians as well. Things were pretty good until some idiot politician decided to divide the races to preserve their stranglehold on the national coffers.
Anyway, it’s gonna take some effort and time to achieve this Malaysian dream. It would be a great help if we have responsible and matured politicians. Politicians who realized that we as MALAYSIANS have to compete with the world, not among ourselves! Wonder if that day will come.
So you see, how evil our political leaders are?
So you did a write-up about Baju Kurung and some “hawker food” criticized you. Well, constructive criticisms help one to improve. Looks like you have turned the critic into an ally, good for you.
Anyway, I have got a thing or two to say about this mystery of non-Malays wearing a Baju Kurung. I call it a “mystery” because it does raise eyebrows and questions. I do not know why, but I suspect the culprit is hypocrisy! Let’s examine the attire in a typical Malaysian home. I cannot speak for others. I am a Malaysian of Chinese ancestry.
Most of my friends, like me, are usually dressed in slacks and shirts when at work. Very grudgingly, on formal occasions, we would put on a suit. Not all, some people I know, non-Malays, Indians included, go to bed in a sarong! I do too! Malay ladies and children of the female sex in “cheongsam” is such a common sight in Malaysia. Even both UMNO and PAS have not seen fit to make that an issue! So, what’s with you xxxholes?
A question I pose to the Malaysians of Chinese ancestry; “How many traditional Chinese attire do you posses and how many times have you worn it? Me? I have never in my life owned or worn traditional Chinese attire. The only thing Chinese about me is probably the flat nose and the straight hair! But as they say, “the only thing straight about the Chinese is their hair”. Let’s face it, the majority of Malaysians are attired in western clothing more often than not. Accept the reality and do not be a BIGOT! Having said that, I confess, I do love Archie Bunker!
Come on people, after 50 years of BN oppression it is time to move forward. Be magnanimous; allow old wounds to heal and stop bitching about issues that cannot be undone, let alone trivial stuff like Baju Kurung. You want a democracy, you want to live free and in peace, why are you bothering non-Malays in Baju Kurung? RACIST CHAUVINISTIC PIGS!
From day one, all we have posted were politics related. This was not the original intention. I suppose it turned out this way because when we started, it was just after the 12th GE. The shocking, though much welcomed results, created so much uncertainties for the nation and disorientation for the politicians. There was excitement in the air and rumours of all sorts were circulated.
Well, it’s been a month now, and for most of us, life goes on pretty much the same. Perhaps we feel a little better, hoping that the desired changes that we went to the polls for shall materialize. One can only wait and see. So, for now, I shall leave politics to the politicians.
Flowers, beads and flowing locks
If you ain't hip, you’re a “square”, they mocked
Advocating free love and LSD
Beware! the danger's called “OD”
There was Johnson and the Vietnam War
General Westmoreland and many more
The US Marines and the Green Berets
The Vietcong taunted them till they’re dazed
Flower Power! Make Love Not War!
Get real, mate, who’s minding the store?
Peace! Make Babies Not Bombs!
No, you don't make ‘em in the dorm
While Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream
Ho Chi Minh congratulated his victorious team
Joplin, Hendrix and The Who
Santana, with " Soul Sacrifice" was there too
For three whole days and nights
Some coming from afar by flights
Four hundred thousand congregated
At Max Yaeger’s farm, “Woodstock” exploded!
Hippiedom has passed us by
Fashion then, was tie and dye
They were the non-conformists
Now, they're the leftoverhippies!
He once ruled a nation of multiple ethnicities
In a climate of fear lived the minorities
An “A” student of British indoctrination
He divided and ruled the nation
In time, he retired, leaving a trial of injustices
All brought about by this doctor’s malpractices
For it was he who promulgated "ketuanan melayu"
And the nationalists said "Boo!"
He retired with an anointed successor
Who turned out to be a curse for his predecessor
Now he’s back as a prosecutor
Instigating his ‘once-nemesis’ to be the executioner
Thus, is the story of the man who could do no wrong!?!
And happily ever after, will he live?
“When you do the same thing over and over again, hoping for a different result, it is called insanity.”
And when you do not learn from your mistakes, it’s called “thick”. Did not the PM concede that one of the reasons for the catastrophic fall of the BN was the religious card? Yet it is being played again! This time, the unconstitutional proposal to prosecute non-Muslims for khalwat as well. Looking to score political points? Looks more like an attempt to commit political suicide!
The BN seemed in total oblivion of the election results. They have played the racial card, the religious card (now at it again) and refused to heed Zaid Ibrahim’s proposal for an apology for the 1988 judicial crisis, much to their detriment.
Will they ever learn to be sensitive to the people than be on a power trip to wreck havoc on the public and the nation? The propagation of a fear culture is never a hallmark of good statesmanship! The more the BN continue using old threats, the more they will encounter disgust for their shallow attempts at retaining whatever is left of their power.
As the world watches, the BN’s decadent actions will only draw disdain and loss of respect from God fearing men and just-people worldwide. Indeed, you BN people are thick! Tebal! Faham? When are you going to wake up to the reality that you work for the King and country? That also includes us, the people too! Why do you deserve to be elected when you do not have the vision or the capacity to effectively serve the nation?
I will tell you what they deserve. They deserve the public furore they are going to get from the ill-thought khalwat issue. Looks like they do not know what to do, what issues to follow up. In short, they are clueless! This is the way they have been for a long time and we have been taken for a loonnng ride. The ride has almost come to a halt. Current developments in both Pakatan Rakyat and BN camps indicate that the end of the ride is imminent. GOD BLESS US ALL!
Was it heaven-sent when newly appointed Minister of Tourism declared that the five states that fell to the opposition shall have their MoUs revoked? I suppose that means no more Federal support and involvement too. That, I take as a blessing! After all, her tenure in the Sports Ministry were tainted with numerous transgressions. The training facility in the UK and the Auditor General’s report that implicated her previous Ministry of improprieties are examples.
The economic powerhouses of the country are in opposition territories and she does not see fit to collaborate with them for the benefit of the country. Instead, she has chosen to “ex-communicate” these five states. This action is irresponsible and it reflects her patriotism. The irony here is, the Minister of Tourism suggesting that she is going to make it difficult for the tourism industry in these five states! Hrrmmph! Great start!
So now, it has become very clear, she is only Minister of Tourism for the BN governed states. We have nothing to do with her. This how the BN government functions? On the other hand, we do not have to worry about unnecessary depletion of resources by these unscrupulous bureaucrats.
Perhaps, the opposition states’ governments should have a federal level shadow cabinet to coordinate efforts between them to enhance their efficiency in the various sectors.
There were two articles I read in "Malaysia Today". One was the article about reporters being queried by the police, over statements made by the Penang Chief Minister about the ill effects of the NEP, and the other was the letter from Param Cumaraswamy to the Editor of "Malaysia Today". After reading them, I was both baffled and disturbed.
I am baffled because I have always thought (correct me, if I am wrong) that the police are independent and impartial. In the case quoted by Param, there were people who made police reports calling for Dr. Mahathir’s investigation, basing on evidence (sworn testimony that Dr. Mahathir interfered with ACA investigation) given in court, at the Anwar trial. To date, we have heard nothing about any such investigation. No reasons for the inaction and silence were offered to the public (I suppose they are not obliged to, but considering the high profile of the case, I thought they should act otherwise). They certainly acted different in the case of the Chief Minister of Penang. The reporters who covered his speech were hauled up for statements, apparently attempting to build a case against the Chief Minister. Now, there is talk of interrogating the Chief Minister himself! Is this how it works? ISA for one, OSA for the other!
When I read about stuff like that, somehow in my mind, memories of more police misgivings, some through personal experiences, comes back and I begin to wonder if they know their job! It disturbs me that there were/are so many of these high profile cases that have gone unsolved or vanished! It also disturbs me when I begin to see a pattern in their actions. Clearly, double standards are the order of the day. Kris waving is condoned, Bersih/Hindraf rallies greeted with tear gas, water cannons and police brutality, UMNO led protest found them efficiently directing traffic and keeping order.
So I question their allegiance, is it to King and Country? When one starts questioning, it is inevitable that one begins thinking. After some serious thought, and this really disturbs me, I came to the conclusion that their allegiance is only to UMNO.
I allowed my imagination to go wild a bit and boy, it scared the daylights out of me. Imagine, you call this country home, a country administered by a lame duck PM, with an equally lame government, advised by some delinquents, fresh from their milk bottle, a questionable judiciary, an election commission that reports to the PM and a police force that is at best, mediocre. I think we are living very dangerously!
So except for the uniform, nothing has changed. It brings back memories of school days. You know, you come back to school from holidays. You find the same headmaster, some old faces missing, quite a bit of new senior teaching staff, and things looked fresh and promising. Then came the giant disappointment, the school bully is still there!
It has been three weeks since we had our elections. The euphoria is subsiding and the pangs of reality are surfacing now. The antics of the politicians, whether opposition or otherwise, would have surely created some serious review of their own action by some of the electorate. Are the politicians to be trusted?
Not at all comforting won’t you agree? I have always believed that only politicians have the inborn talent to look you in the eye and lie! Now I know I am right! Just look at what Samy did? Remember the infamous Labour Day cabinet meeting which led to the dismissal of our then Lord President? The irony is that they seem to get away with it all the time.
Another ongoing exercise is the party hopping thing, which has created an interesting debate. It is like a giant merry go round. Anwar is trying to buy some BN MPs over, trying ever so hard to become the PM, while we have ADUN/s threatening to resign, citing racial composition in state Exco. Look, it is all about them coming into power, we are just not in the picture!
Reminds me of a Cantonese proverb “when the wake is over, you have no need for the monk anymore”
Doesn't look like your dream of Bangsa Malaysia will come true in our lifetime. Look at our Thai & Indonesian neighbours who so proudly speak ONE LANGUAGE (their names don't reflect their ancestry)! In Penang, you get many Chinese who are die-hards when it comes to speaking BM - what is there to be so proud about not being able to understand or
speak BM? Does learning the language make you any less Chinese? Hey, the Malays are sending their children to Chinese schools!! It is such a shame when we are part of this MELTING POT but we are not harvesting the benefits. On the other hand, we are guilty of saying (at one time or another)"orang kita" not like that one lah. My friend, many Malaysians are living under the proverbial tempurung although they claim to be new-age, in-the-know & ultra-modern. What happened to the simple values enforced by our fathers & their fathers when it comes to respecting other races & always taking their sensitivities into consideration. Only a shadow remains!
**I have dreams in "English" only....wonder when I will dream in Bahasa Malaysia!!**