The Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) gathering

I am no sociologist or an expert in politics... but I do believe economic deprivation causes social unrest. With all the checks, warnings, arrests and threats from the authorities... the movement went ahead. With all the repercussions and consequences to be faced... the protesters marched forward. They want to be heard... let’s hear their story and not just ignore or play the blame game.

In the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi... any peaceful procession or protest should be allowed. Gandhi's non violence movement not only brought down the mighty British but paved way for Malaysia to gain independence. Malaysia should remember India's contribution for the independence movement sweeping across Asia. Peaceful marches and protests is part of the democratic movement... it is enshrined as fundamental human rights. The authorities should not be the aggressors and intimidators... that is wrong.

Throughout history Indians were brought into this country to work as laborers, estate workers, police force, military, navy and as government servants. The railroads, electricity and water utilities in this country owes a lot to these hardworking laborers. The roads and bridges across this country are built by Indian laborers working under the hot blazing sun. Their contribution to building this nation must be remembered if not cherished. Sadly, these days their intake into goverment agencies, ministries and public services has been thwarted by red tape and prejudice. Educational deprivation hits the hardest among Indians bcoz they are fighting against the tide of unfair meritocracy. Promotions and major positions in the military or police are seriously lacking.

Loyal, trustworthy and hardworking are the traits of these Indian labourers… that’s why the British brought them to work in so many economics sectors… not only in Malaysia… but throughout the British occupied lands. This Hindraf movement should also raise the eyebrows of the British present… and make their young ones understand... all their comforts, luxury and pleasures is derived from their shady military past. The wonderful buildings and great monuments all over London and Britain is built from the vast profits of the East… and this movement should at least create some awareness among the young Brits or the West in general.

We live in a wonderful land... we are Malaysians... lets all work and strive for the better. Please!

Bersih March - my comments..

I dun choose sides and am not affliated to any political party.

I REALLY think this whole issue is about education...

We need school kids, university students and the public in general to be better educated and better travelled. With more knowledge, experience and education ... we make more mature decisions. The biggest decision we need to make is to realise how dear this country is to us. Malaysia is a wonderful country with great people... but these things are slowly fading.

We live in a wonderful land... a place we call home. I grew up with many friends... from all races... mixing freely and having a fun filled childhood. We played games together, ate together... and visited each other... no problem. Even today... am still in contact with my school friends... malays, chinese and indians. We all share some special bond, I suppose.

I also think our education system BEFORE Anwar or Najib screwed it. Before they became Education Ministers... it was so much better and had great quality. No KBSR or KBSM bullshit! My sister had Moral Studies classes (why??!)... and I find some of their history and geography lessons so shallow and really stupid. The English language is at its worse during the KBSM / KBSR time... Mahathir's legacy... and means to please the rural folks... make things easy. Science became a single subject.. combination of physics... chemistry etc. Even the books look cartoonish.

If you look at Malaysians born after 1976, you find the integration among kids lost at schools and universities. They have such patronising and brainwashing school papers and lessons... and their exams get much easier (close one eye you can get an A). Every year the education dept releases more and more As. I can't believe how these many students can score so many As. I was one of the best students in Sgor for my SRP exam in Form 3... scoring 8A1. I had 5As for Std 6... one of the top students in school and state. It was hard to find high scorers during my time because the exams were tougher. These days kids are scoring much higher and they get it so easy in school. Exams are so easy now. I suppose the teachers are not the same too. I respect my primary and secondary school teachers... some of them still in my memory. How many kids these days can claim to have great and dedicated teachers?

The easier these exams and challenges in school and university education... the lazier you become. Everything becomes easier... including university entrance exams. When people are not challenged to learn... they find it hard to compete in this globalised world. When its hard to compete... you can't find good jobs... without "connections" and "strings". So this results in more and more dissatisfied people... not earning enough or not doing the job they want. Many graduates are unemployed or unhappy. I dun blame them... they are not competent to fight in this world... everything is so easy for them now.

So Bersih should NOT be fighting for better elections... they should be fighting for better education in schools and universities. When people are smarter... they make wise decisions.

The price of oil and its true value...

http://www.bloomberg.com/energy/

http://www.oil-price.net/

http://www.wtrg.com/prices.htm

If you do think out of the box... and look at the bigger picture... or read the papers recently... please be aware that crude oil prices are going at USD96 per barrel... and rising. Suddenly the feared USD100 per barrel doesn't seem far fetched. What has this got to do with us? What is the impact for us Malaysians?

Everything you own or work for is related to oil and the energy industry. Food, transport, homes, clothes, utilities, electricity, economies, computers, manufacturing, plastics... EVERYTHING is related to oil. If the price of oil continues to increase, for sure every other man made material price also increases. That seriously includes our daily cost of living. Malaysians are so worried about the price of flour and roti canai but that is only a small factor. The bigger worry is our goverment spending more money subsidising petrol prices and cutting back on more important expenses. Budgets and projects for local councils, police, hospitals, roads, cleanliness, education, universities, environment etc etc will be seriously damaged
If the government decides to cut petrol subsidies, then the normal man on the street will feel a deep hole in their pockets... and thats not good politically or socially. Election is around the corner and politicians cannot afford to make people more upset than they already are. Without subsidies, quite a number of industries and sections of our economy will fail. This in return will result in job losses and severe unemployment in Malaysia. Without subsidies, the normal citizens will not be able to spend money on books, knowledge building or even tourism. It will stress our daily routine and cause damage to national psyche.

Its not easy to run any government and we cannot afford to make mistakes. The Malaysian government must start to think wisely and long term now. We have to make smart and decisive decisions now. The Malaysian government needs to wake up and see the bigger picture. We need an efficient and lean machinery to run this country. That means spending prudently and wisely on things that matter most. We need to award projects to companies and people who can deliver the best. We need to employ the best minds to run agencies and departments. The government cannot afford anymore wastage or embarking on grand projects. Malaysia Mungkin Boleh!!