Correct me if I'm Wrong..No Sedition Intented

I manage to get hold of internet today and decided to write something about our current state of affairs. My inspiration comes from our daily Malaysian news and today, I manage to read an interesting article on The Star online news. The title of it is Bid to ensure temple concert watched only by non-Muslims
It always intrigues me when issues such as said arise as I opine that it is very narrow-minded intepretation of religious teaching. Before moving on with my thoughts, I would like to say that this particular post does not intend to be seditious or insulting. I would expect lots of critism (which I hope would spur further discourse on Unity and Intergration).

Based on the article that was written in The Star, I would like to put forth my point on some issues which may be deem raw writings but certain to appreciate feedbacks.

First of all, in a nation that is going through many upheavals since March 8, 2008 or may I say political evolution, I would have to say that our society at large need to be more mature and evolve as time goes by (in saying so, I mean in terms of religious and race view). As I can see from all the hoo-hah happening, I just wonder how much longer are we Malaysians suppose to keep quiet, be ignorant and foolish all the time with all the nonsense being fed into our mind. During the earlier days, we were told that NEP (or DEB in Malay) is design to liberate our poor citizens. Have you wondered what happen to such a noble cause? I mean poverty still exist at large and may I be brave enough to
remind my Malay brothers and sisters, rural poverty and urban poverty among Malays are still lingering around even after about 20 years UMNO promise toffee and sweets and everything nice. Have you ever wondered why the implemetation of 10% discount when buying house IF you’re bumiputera? If not, then put this basic equation to your calculator. A Malay who has a monthly income of RM 100,000 compared to a padi farmer who only gets a meager RM500 a month. Who deserves more financial help? In fact, it should be propose that this income level of RM 500 should be given more than 10% discount.
A logical and objective mind would ask these quesetions, as it just does not make sound economic judgement. Implementation of these policies just make the gap of the rich and poor widens. Back to the example I’ve given, 10% out of RM 100,000 is RM 10,000 while 10% out of RM 500 is only RM 50!! Can you believe that comparison?
Just imagine what can a padi farmer do with RM 10,000? Groceries, study loan for their school-going children, machinary to help in farming and the list goes on.

Secondly, the issue on religion. I am no religious speaker or self-proclaim holy practinioner. Nonetheless, I personally believe that religion is something close to heart and personal to each being. Therefore, state and religion needs to be separate in implementation and administrative (Using religion's common value is acceptable though). May I again state that I’m in to intention to slander or ‘kutuk’ any religion as even Christianity which is the faith I profess and practise has gone through its own dark ages. Therefore, the main point I would like to put forth is to create awareness that no one religion is the best because each religion and faith is personal to each and everyone. Love your religion and may no one trample on it for it is sacred. Understanding is the preface to unity, intergration and mutual LOVE.
When the religious-state imposes rules and laws for the general population, that will definitely not go well with other religions. To keep it simple, a non-Muslim would appreciate if s/he is given ample space to worship and venues to conduct prayer while a Muslim would respect a non-Muslim who is not compulsory to fast during Ramadhan.
If administrative personnel are matured enough to see the difference and be objective and not one-way thinking, I believe ONLY then can the nation move on.
Moving back to the article that was quoted, I would like to comment that our society should be treated with respect. What I mean by saying so, is to allow them to make the decision themselves. By covering up the area and hoping that Muslims would not go near it is childish because human beings have brain to rationalise. If they want to take part, by hook or by crook, it's still going to happen. By teaching that Allah forbids them to do so and creating conviction in them would be much more effective than trying to cover things up (which we Malaysians are so damn good at; where's the unity our leaders are shouting about to the international scene? In practical, I opine it does not exist).

I shall keep my post at this for the moment. I will await comments and critism before revealing more. In an era of tech-savvy-ness, blogging can be dangerous =p

The Thinker awaits…

Morning Prayer

I received the following prayer from a friend and I find it so meaningful that I just need to share it with all. I believe you do not necessary need to be a believer in Christ to comprehend the beauty of the prayer as it could apply across (almost all) to all faiths. Take time to read and ponder as you move on. Peace be upon you and you and you...

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day.

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so tha t I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God. And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it w ith others. I pray for those who don't believe.

But I thank you that I believe. I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

WANTED

Campus have come alive with vibrant young people for yet another semester in 2008/2009. And as the campus comes back to life, I think it's time for me to pen down some thoughts that have been lingering inside the Thinker's brain.

As I was partially involve again this year to welcome all these new faces into this 'great' university (I wrote 'great' because certain things looks greener from the outside but not when you're inside for 3 years like ME), I look and ponder upon how we-Malaysian public university actually carry out our Orientation. Orientation basically last for a week and I strongly believe that this one week is not about training their (freshman's) leadership skills or get them accustom to university life as many of my peers and below opines. I definitely beg to differ because this noble acts cannot be possibly formed within a short span of a week. I would say that our actual aim in this whole orientation is to orientate our freshman to help them transit from high school into tertiary education. Providing them with vital information to ensure they know who to meet or which department to go when problem arises (such as changing of courses, external education funding, dissatisfaction of services by student affair's department etc) are vital and of much more importance than compared to winning some cheers competition or sports. I mean these events are good to spur the 'Cinta Kolej' spirit or meaning esprit de corp among fellow college residents, however, have we forgotten that we have another one year to do so? (Point to ponder)

As an ex-senior in my residential college and current serving Students' Representative Council member, it saddens me when certain complains by students are actually preventable if university orientation would have been more info orientated, where freshman are not too tired from practising cheers till the wee hours to listen to these boring yet useful sessions. For example, how many students are aware that after official announcement of exam results, students have 2 weeks to lodge a request for re-mark with exam department if they are not satisfied with it? For two years, I've receive this same scenario and the only thing I could do is to pity them because the rule (as unfair as it is) has been stated clearly in students' handbook. As much as I would like to help, there is only so much I could as stipulations exist.

Orientation and freshman entering University keeps me thinking of how much things would be different IF ONLY our seniors are of quality in terms of academic and also people skill. I realise that not many seniors in university are concern about their social-political environment nor are they interested in welfare/charity activities. Their sole purpose in life is to study hard, get good grades and graduate only to realise that it wasn't enough to qualify them for a good job opening. In that sense, I have to agree that our students are quite pessimistic. Nonetheless, as much as I would like to blame the existing system to spoon feed and exam orientated, students themselves have to take charge of their life and destiny. Don't blame the people around you or the surrounding or even our lousy education system because at the end of the day, employers out there are not interested to hear your grouses and dismays. What they want to know is how you overcome it and triumph! Thus, bringing me to why i named this post as WANTED. If you have watched the movie, the last sentence the actor asked was "So what the hell are you doing with your life?"

As crude as it may sound, that statement actually make good sense to me. Each day we go through the same system, same life and things seems to be 'normal' and dull. But what the hell are you doing with it (life)?

In student life and campus context, I believe that means taking charge on your study timetable and juggling between academic and recreation. On a more complex level, I strongly say that students, especially undergraduates should be daring enough to be vocal and voice their thoughts according to ways deem polite and proper in our society. No point complaining till the cows come home because they never will.

If you are not satisfied with something going on, talk to your supervisor or fellow or master or what name they go by. If that fail, write an official complain letter to student affairs division. In the worst scenario, be prepared to have gatherings of student to show your dissatisfaction to the administration of the university. I nearly did that in my university when the administration were said to be doing some 'funny' decision without the students' consent.

Therefore, my advice is to TAKE CHARGE of your life and charter how the water should flow and not follow the current blindly like a clueless boat. Make full use of this short span of 3-5 years of study to get ready to face the real world.