Censoring a Congratulatory Note

BLACKOUT505  STILL IN FORCE HERE.

Which country in the world censors the congratulatory greetings of  friendly governments ? That’s precisely what the government controlled mainstream daily THE STAR did to a congratulatory note by President Obama (USA) to Najib Razak who assumed the Premiership shortly after the GE13 despite the dubious election result. Continue reading “Censoring a Congratulatory Note”

Malaysia Unsettled

I expect that most Malaysians at home and overseas must know what’s been happening in and to this country in the past few weeks. They must be aware of, perhaps, the first giant steps we’ve taken towards giving ourselves a shot at installing a ‘new’ government to administer this country. Well, the cries of “INI KALILAH” (THIS TIME) and “UBAH!” (CHANGE) rose to the skies from thousands and hundreds of thousands of throats at Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples’ Coalition) rallies all around the country, in the run up to our 13th General Election. We feared reactionary responses by Barisan Nasional‘s (National Front) minions and supporters. It is not a joke, as we feared the worst. Continue reading “Malaysia Unsettled”

Baroness Privatization R.I.P.

former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatche...
former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in October 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahath...
Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressing the General Assembly on September 25, 2003. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Anti-Margaret Thatcher badge
Anti-Margaret Thatcher badge (Photo credit: dannybirchall)

I wasn’t overjoyed or saddened at the news of Margaret Thatcher’s demise. She was the UK’s first woman Prime Minister, yet seemed less concerned about what concerned most women  – their children. I’m not British, and seeing the trend of ‘capitalist’ and ‘neo-liberal’ behavior she set in motion in Britain and in other countries of similar economic persuasion during her term as PM, I might feel glad not  being a claimant of her legacy. Continue reading “Baroness Privatization R.I.P.”

Maids in Malaysia

Cover of "Maid in Manhattan"
Cover of Maid in Manhattan
Domestic Workers on Sunday
Domestic Workers on Sunday (Photo credit: JMR_Photography)
English: Domestic worker in Colombia Nederland...
English: Domestic worker in Colombia Nederlands: Huishoudster in Colombia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some may remember the 2002 movie “Maid in Manhattan” with Jennifer Lopez as Marisa Ventura, a mother working as a chamber maid in a classy Manhattan hotel. She meets a politician, Christopher Marshall, who falls in love with her and is staying at the hotel where she works. He mistakes her for someone else but later finds out, and she gets fired from her job for this seeming deception. However, after the story runs its course, true love triumphs in the end, and they live happily ever after.
Many young girls,especially those from impoverished rural areas perhaps hope  such dreams will come true for them in a more affluent environment where they can earn a decent living, and get a better life for their families and themselves. But, the reality isn’t as simple or straight-forward as they think. Continue reading “Maids in Malaysia”

God’s Ear! Got a Pope!

Instead of knocking me down, he knocked me up
Instead of knocking me down, he knocked me up (Photo credit: Liz | populational)
Deutsch: Münster, Petrus-Skulptur, Überwasserk...
Deutsch: Münster, Petrus-Skulptur, Überwasserkirche in Münster, Portal, Schlüsselsymbol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
HIV/ AIDS - NAKURU
HIV/ AIDS – NAKURU (Photo credit: davida3)

Hey! Never thought you were listening to this common human being. Obviously, you’ve got a very BIG EAR! So, you heard my gripe about what kind of Pope, this opinionated one thought should wear Peter’s sandals. You gave me what I wanted and I hope it’s a good thing. Well, at least he seems to have started off right. Sincerely hope he can make the necessary changes, especially in this too-much-of-me-world. Continue reading “God’s Ear! Got a Pope!”

Playing with Shadows

Ghatotkacha as seen in Javanese shadow puppet ...
Ghatotkacha as seen in Javanese shadow puppet play (wayang) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Wayang Kulit
English: Wayang Kulit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many cultures which have taken on the art of using shadows as a medium of communication in performing arts. In Malaysia, we have the “wayang kulit“, a traditional Malay, shadow puppet show. The stylized elaborately designed puppets  interact, dance and glide behind a large white cloth screen on which a  very bright white light is shone. The dramas acted out by these puppets are usually ancient myths and legends. But, the idea of shadow play has actually taken on a more modern usage. Continue reading “Playing with Shadows”

Trying to Hoodwink Granny

Granny (Looney Tunes)
Granny (Looney Tunes) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Irene Ryan
Irene Ryan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are these young ones who like being “know-all’s”. They seem to imagine that older people, I mean much older people, don’t know the tricks of survival. Well, we weren’t born yesterday, OK? Continue reading “Trying to Hoodwink Granny”

Gangnam Backfire – Daching Upset!

The 2004 Asian Tsunami disaster at Tanjung Tok...
The 2004 Asian Tsunami disaster at Tanjung Tokong, Penang (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
PSY – the mop
PSY – the mop (Photo credit: Joybot)

Following up from my last post on Psy‘s dilemma, it looks like the BN’s sneaky tactic to lure votes, backfired instead, when thousands turned up just to enjoy Psy’s performance. A few incidents took place starting with the ‘yee sang’ fracas… Continue reading “Gangnam Backfire – Daching Upset!”

Vacancy at the Vatican

Jesus H. Christ
Jesus H. Christ (Photo credit: angelofsweetbitter2009)
Fisherman
Fisherman (Photo credit: jo fleet)
Pope Benedictus XVI
Pope Benedictus XVI (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pope Benedict XVI will be leaving his Papal chair by the end of this month. Understandably, the mantel gets heavier as one grows older and the world  continues in the throes of change. One can sympathize with him. But, this is nearly the end of an era, and at the moment, who will put on the sandals of the Fisherman and hold the fort of the Roman Catholic Church, we can only speculate. Continue reading “Vacancy at the Vatican”

A Gangnam Dilemma

English: The Penang Bridge was the first expre...
English: The Penang Bridge was the first expressway in Penang. Penang Bridge. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Psy
Psy (Photo credit: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer)

Psy, the world-famous K-Pop star performed in Penang today (11th February 2013). He was called, in a last desperate attempt by the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) to re-take Penang state, which was wrested from them by the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples’ Coalition) at the last general elections on 8th March 2008. Continue reading “A Gangnam Dilemma”

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