Embracing the Unknowable

Life has a funny way of telling you that in every crisis, there will eventually be the light at the end of the tunnel. At the end, it is all bittersweet. What can we take from there? An enriching journey to be aware of our weakness and acknowledge our strength - continuous improvement and growth.

Humans have a way of developing through experiences and as a result? Innovation. It's all about improving processes, media and ways that had created undesired outcome whether at work, personal relationships or relationship with events happening around us. It is the basis of intelligence of the human race to create solutions to various problems - and they continuously evolve - in complexity and dynamics. It is the need to be achieving the level of self-actualisation - revisit Maslow's theory that humans continue to dominate the mother Earth among all beings.

However, it starts with the courage to take the first step, as the old saying by Lao-Tzu that goes, "Journey of a thousand mile begins with the single step." How on earth did the idea of landing on the Moon come about in the 60's? Today, we are already attempting to land on the neighbouring red planet (Click here to check out more on the Mars program by NASA).

Human being will continue to evolve intelligently. What steps have you taken to improve your chances of creating an impact to the community, world and humanity which will leave a legacy to be remembered? Going back to the basics - don't let the fear of failure overshadow your passion to create tremendous value to the world. Everyone stands a chance - what's your journey going to be like?

Let's explore the unknowable.

What Does Eagle Mean to You?

Went to catch a movie last Tuesday in GSC Tropicana City Mall, courtesy of Advertlets. It was definitely nice to catch up with many bloggers who I haven't met for a very long time due to hectic work schedule for the past one month.

If you didn't know, it was the screening of "The Eagle", a movie which tells a story of the journey of a young talented Roman warrior, Marcus Aquila in recovering the Roman Eagle standard of the Ninth Legion which was lost in Britain with his slave, Esca, and at the same time clearing the father's name who led the Legion and believed by the Romans themselves to allegedly gave up the Eagle without a fight.

Weird tribal languages can be heard from the movie such as Gaelics and Pictish. They just sound so foreign, it's really hard to find the connection to any familiar British accents. So besides English, get prepared to embrace a totally new language that enters the ears. Can't blame me though, never have a thing with linguistics.

The movie left some very interesting thoughts on why eagles are used as symbols since the days of Romans. In my opinion, there may be few possibilities on why an eagle is deemed as a pride of a strong empire, where eagles are also used today to represent strength and glory. Below shows how the eagles are used today to represent strong characters:

1. Symbol of a Visionary, Risk Taker and Strong Willed

Notice how the video explains "Whatever it takes...". Those are powerful words to describe the power of intention. Obviously, the intention to hunt for the snake is to provide the best food to the eaglets as babies fed on snakes "are most likely to survive in the wild". It also applies to our lives that achieving a feat is no easy task and often involves a lot of risks - risk of losing, failing and embarassment (what if I don't achieve it?). In the case of the eagle in the video, it's a matter of life and death. One mistake and it may be lethal. The Romans probably observed these characteristics and decided that it really represents their people and leaders. Hey, look at the land these Romans had conquered!

2. Authority and Power

These traits are agreed by many and especially used to represent the dominance of the eagle in the nature of its hunt for preys. Des Hunt is one person who has created a profile assessment in his book, 'What Makes People Tick?' where he categorises individuals with the trait of an eagle to be a person who wants to have the control and the freedom to get results - wants to be the boss (a decision maker). Why? Is it because the eagles tend to fly higher than any other birds and they often see further than any other birds too? Oh by the way, I did the Des Hunt's test and the result? I have a dominant trait of an eagle and followed by, ehem, peacock. :P

Think there may be many possibilities of choosing the symbol of the great eagle to represent the Roman pride. What we observed above are merely what I am aware of. What does an eagle mean to you? Would really love to hear from you. Probably with your input, we get to know the characteristic of the great eagle better. Share with me!

A Simple Song for A Break

A simple and relaxing song which just played on the radio. It just makes one appreciates simple things in life.

[mv] 嚴爵yen-j ~ 我喜歡(不,我愛) wo xi huan, bu wo ai mp4 download

What's For The Sunny Days?

Have been really busy with work but I have tried not to be too consumed in it. Always think it is important to take a break and read some books, magazines, or even browse the web for more information. They are really sources of inspiration to me in life, and in the way I run my business. So really, when the rain showers really heavily, just take time, slow down, turn on the wipers to slowly indulge into the sound of rain drops. It's soothing, trust me, even when stuck in traffic jams.

Talking about taking a break, browsing the web and the heavy rain, I realised I have not really missed the sun. It has always got my skin burnt. The worst was during my Redang trip couple of years ago. I know you can relate to me:

You know you got burnt when the shirt you are wearing feels irritating to the skin. Whenever the shirt or your shoulder moves a little, it just aches and uncomfortable. It got worse when it's time to shower - fair temperature water feels hot on the burnt skin and colder water sends shivers to my body. How to bathe like that...?

That was for the first night. Subsequent day, I just had to brave myself for the sea under the hot sun again. Back then, my thought was calling for a potion which would get me out of the heat! Guess what, the answer to the call came after many years while browsing the web - a sunblock by the name of Ocean Potion. Take that! Probably won't get me out of the heat but it would definitely get the pain out of the heat.

Pretty cool looking brand from the States.

Imagine a sunblock with the icy feeling. Ooo... :P

However, don't think that particular ICY sunblock is in the Malaysian market though. Will definitely go down to Watson or Guardian to check out for the other Ocean Potion's' which I came across in their Malaysian Facebook page, save it for the sunny days. Please enlighten me whether good sunblocks must contain Aloe Vera? And why?

After my hectic work schedule is slowing down, would like to travel to beaches in Sabah for a getaway. Gotta ensure that the Ocean Potion is with me all the time then. Lol. The more I talk about it, the more it sounds Harry Potter-ish, of potion and all... Well, nvm.

Alright, it's time to get back to work! Need an Office Potion pulak - save me from other "distractions". Cheers!

RM10 Goes A Long Way

Looking at new calendars just remind me on how fast the time flies. 2011 is less than 100 days away from now. Just recently, I came across a beautiful calendar which I think is worth more than its price.

It's about giving hope and opportunity to shape our future generation.

Check out the calendar being sold by Shelter Home for Children in raising funds for maintaining the home's children welfare. It is definitely a must-have for homes and offices!

The front page of the Calendar which displays beautiful arts drawn by the talented John Wong.

Notice that the calendars are up to date with various holidays indication. Bottom of the calendar tells the tale of unfortunate children whose names have been changed.

Beautiful drawings by John Wong on some of the "lost" symbols of what make Malaysians.

A reminder on what we can do for the abused children - with love.

Hope everyone can make a small contribution in support of Shelter Home of Children to ensure that the children can live the life of a normal child with proper schooling and education opportunities.

With just RM10, you can get a beautiful calendar for 2011 and the value will go a long way in helping the children in many ways.

You can contact me to get the calendars - for free from yours truly or if you would also like to contribute by dropping me an e-mail at chanwh.melvin@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can contact the home directly to make your orders online or call them at the details shown in the Shelter Home for Children website.

Next Children Home - Ti Ratana in Desa Petaling. Let us know if you would like to join the TalentEDge InspirED team in our initiative to take a stand in giving equal opportunities for the underprivileged children to live a normal life too. You can call us during office hours at 03-78737534 or drop us a mail at enquiries@mytalentedge.com.

God bless.

A Child Who Grows

Since young, I have always been grateful for the support and guidance my parents have shown me. Toys, books, schools, tuition classes are what make up a great child's learning. A break to travel during well deserved holiday seasons to just capture a moment of experience being able to enjoy and have fun.

It made me think whether all children in the world have been as lucky. Why are there orphanages and children homes? What happened to them that they have to be there instead with their parents? Then I realised, they too deserved the support which was shown onto me for them to grow normally and happily.

I always have a strong passion in providing the best environment and basic necessities needed by a child to grow happily and positively.

Last week, when I was browsing through a list of Children Homes which we can involve with in an upcoming fundraising project by TalentEDge, I came across Shelter Home for Children, courtesy of www.hati.org.my. It is based in PJ and managing 3 centres in Petaling Jaya and Taman OUG respectively. Immediately, I dropped an e-mail to the general e-mail address and they replied promptly. Arranged an appointment to meet Audrey, a representative from Shelter Home for Children office in Jalan Barat (above Caring Pharmacy).

Audrey, a kind lady who has offered much important information on the needs and direction by the organisation in supporting children who are abandoned, neglected and abused, as well as taking care the welfare of some refugee children has given me a lot of ideas on how we can contribute towards the welfare and development of the children in many ways - related to what I have been doing in training and fundraising projects.

After a good 1-hour chat with Audrey, the team and I moved on to visit one of the centres nearby in Section 8, better known as Shelter 3. It is where they house the teenage boys (currently 7) between the ages of 13-18.

It has a very welcoming signage which we will never miss.

The front view (from the gate) of the centre. Notice how clean the compound is!

One of TalentEDge's team mates chatting with Mr Nelson, the caretaker of the centre.

Nice play area for the boys. Spacious, but football is not allowed - you know how the ball flies. Behind the wall is the main road of Jalan Templer (near the roundabout).

Clean and well taken care dining area.

One of my favourite rooms in the Centre. The study room. It just looks inspiring.

They have vans to ferry the children for events, tuition classes, and various outdoor activities.

For more information on Shelter Home for the Children, visit www.shelterhome.org or they can be contacted at the details below:

Shelter Home for Children

No. 9, 1st Floor

Jalan Barat

46200 Petaling Jaya

Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Tel: 03-7781 4885 ( Contact Person: Ms.Audrey John)

Tel: 03-7955 0663

Fax: 03-7783 3413

Fax: 03-7956 2384

Fax: 03- 7956 3940

Let's give hope to the children of a better world.

NEXT POST: Supporting a Project by Shelter Home for Children

My New Camera

I am officially a proud owner of Olympus Pen E-PL1. Great to be snapping photos again like I used to (haven't got any luck since then as I had a tendency to lose cameras - lost 2 cameras in a span of 5 years!)

Why Olympus E-PL1? Among some of the reasons which I had fallen head over heels with are (keep in mind I'm not anyone who's familiar with photography :P):

1. It's one of the best trendy mirrorless interchangeable lens camera around.

2. Ability to record 720 HD movies with a direct button.

3. Six in-camera Art Filters.

4. 19 scene select modes.

5. Simple functional buttons and keys.

6. Can be used interchangeably with Panasonic lenses (photos were awesome when taken with GF-1's Pancake lens.)

One of the shots taken with the E-PL1. Think it looks great. :P

Cheers!

Take A Break

It's always refreshing to meet and catch up with great people who have touched our life in a way or another.

It is even more important when we are in the midst of a hectic work schedule, to be able to take a break and listen to others' views and opinions, whether it's directly or indirectly related to what we do. Will be really surprised to find how their words will affect and inspire us in ways we never expect and a different perspective in looking in our existing tasks and roles. Take it as a reflection moment - we just wait for magical words and *snap* images of possibilities flash in our minds.

So take a moment, grab your phone and dial the number to reach the inspiring friends whom you have neglected for the longest moment as a result of your hectic schedule.

*Toot**toot* and the first "Hello" is always heart-warming. A smile is just a wonderful automatic reaction.

Project Fitness 100

Recently, I have received many comments on how I have gained weight and looked chubbier than ever. The reality finally sets in with much impact - I couldn't fit in my favourite Dockers beige pants!

Like a guy on a mission, I re-embarked on the journey to fitness which I had attempted 4 years ago, which of course, didn't turn out quite well. :P Determined, this time I will publicly declare that approximately 100 days from Monday, 9th August 2010, or by 18th November 2010, I would have:

1. Reduce 10kg of my weight from 83kg to 73kg!

2. Able to fit into my favourite Dockers pants again!

3. Six-packs body on display at the beach! :P

Will be recording all my progress alternate days in the blog and hopefully, can get your support too to keep me going!

Follow my progress on Twitter by following the hashtag #ProjectF100.

Hope you can embark with me on the journey of fitness.

Oh, just in case you're wondering where to find me on #ProjectF100, I work out in True Fitness in Pavilion KL. :) Hope to see you soon! Cheers.

Camera Please!

Just realised what I have missed big time without cameras. Can't take pictures of great moments and it is even more crucial to have a camera than ever before with more programs and events lining up in the company. Was really upset earlier that we couldn't have a group photo with the client before they leave with all inspired faces at the end of our program. Those are moments to be remembered and yet, I can't capture them!

So I need a camera. Full stop.

Say, my budget will be around RM800 to RM1,800, any good cameras to recommend from brands like Canon, Olympus or Nikon?

What I have in mind? Probably something like the one below:

Canon G11

Appreciate if some of the readers here could offer good advice on getting a real good camera with reasonable price. :)

Cheers!

Ending to A Hectic Day with Laughter

Last Tuesday was definitely one of the most engaging day ever. Non-stop meetings and traveling were enough to create a zombie-looking dude by evening.

Refresher?

Thai cuisine in Funky Villa at e@Curve. Tasty and yummy pineapple fried rice (Sorry, no photos. Will take more pictures during the next trip. :P)

What's nice to do after dinner? Movie of course! Courtesy of Advertlets, got myself a pair of tickets to watch The Bounty Hunter, starring a pair of hot looking couple, Jennifer Aniston as a bail-jumping reporter pursued after by her bounty hunter ex-husband, starred by Gerard Butler.

The show turned out to be so-so for two possible reasons. Reason No.1: I might be too tired as a result of a hectic day. Reason No.2: I had high expectations towards the movie because of the high-profiled actor and actress.

My favourite and most memorable scene? It's the scene where Nicole pleaded Milo to let her go by giving him $500 despite Milo stood to be rewarded with $5,000 for handing her over to the authority. Asking why, Nicole explained that her ex would be so good, he could make $5,000 or $10,000 from $500. Convinced, Milo drove straight to the casino and guess what, he won up to $5,000! However, subsequently, he lost it all. (Should notice his face after that. :P)

Well, in the end of the day, if you are looking for a light-movie with a regular laugh, the movie may be a suitable choice for the weeks to come. Check out the trailer:

Plot:

Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (Jennifer Aniston). He thinks all that's ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply with him and Nicole. The exes continually one-up each other - until they find themselves on the run for their lives. They thought their promise to love, honor and obey was tough - staying alive is going to be a whole lot tougher.

What I had drawn from the movie? I want to get a lady who can blow onto dice and make me lucky in the casino!

Anybody?

Why is A Scheduled Meeting Necessary?

It's 9.00am on an usual Monday morning. Reach the office, turn on the computer, get a cuppa and download the necessary files with important numbers prepared before work was let off either, last Friday or Sunday (depends on how committed and effective we are) and we head on straight to the meeting room.

Now some of you may find the activity above just like your usual auto-mode when reaching the office on Monday.

Now why are there weekly meetings and other sequential meetings every now and then within our colleagues and other stakeholders? It keeps important communications going around the organisation. A healthy organisation ensures that the staff be open and always talking to each other regardless of departments, levels and geographical locations.

The ability to communicate is the most important skill you can develop in your personal-being. Some people leverage on the idea of effective communication to get on to the fast track in their career. It is a point used to solve problems and make decisions, both by ourselves and with other people. A meeting will be deemed useless if we sit together and just chat about the cats and the dogs, which some organisations often do, unless you are in the cats and dogs' business.

There is a systematic approach to achieving effective problem solving and decision making in discussions. It begins with defining the challenges and needs, "where's next?" and get "locked and loaded" with ammunition of solutions.

Firstly of course, is addressing to challenges and needs by defining them in written forms. Often receive response from leaders in an organisation with this common remark, "I know these stuff. It's in my head." Many entrepreneurs have failed to get them across the heads of their subordinates and teammates. This step is so important that every team member has to get the details from the question, "What exactly is the problem?" clearly. As some experts put it, clarity of definition will resolve 50% of the issues before they go any further.

Next is to throw the questions of "Where's next?" or "Where do we go from here?" or even "What do we do from here?", not forgetting "What are our options for the future?" An important note here to remember is that be sure to focus on the future over the past. In most cases, the meetings do not seem to go anywhere as too many problem-solving discussions end up focusing all of the attention of all the people present on what happened in the past and who is to be blamed. To have control is to take responsibility of the outcome that had happened, draw quickly the lessons from the past and move on quickly to what's next.

When a gun run out of ammunitions, we don't go complaining about it to other people around and start whining on how ineffective the gun is, when it can't accommodate more bullets per round. Imagine the enemy is fast approaching. You just grab the next round of ammunition and continue the shots! Same goes in effective problem solving communications. It is for everyone in a team to talk about the solutions instead of talking about the problems. It is for everyone to keep the attention in the meeting to focus on the possible solutions and what can be done rather than what has already happened.

Here's what you can practice immediately. First, take some time to be absolutely clear about the problem that is under discussion. Give some thought to what an ideal decision or solution would accomplish. Instead of focusing on the situation as it is, talk about the situation as you would like it to be.

Second, keep the conversation focused on solutions, on what can be done in the future. The more you think and talk about solutions, the more positive and creative everyone will be and the better ideas you will come up with.

Shoe Must Be Comfortable

I am one person who is very particular about the comfort of shoes I am wearing. And I am indeed a very happy person since I came to know about 2 very good brands of shoes. I have been wearing my favourite pair of boots for quite some time (and I really love 'em!) by Cole Haan. Cole Haan is a subsidiary of Nike which explains why it has one of the most comfortable semi-formal to formal shoes. Most of their shoes come with Nike Air soles and they are really comfortable, especially their black working shoes. 3.5 years ago, I bought a brown pair of boots and I never regret the purchase (though I recently repaired the shoes for cracked heels).

And just very recent, I got the opportunity to experience Crocs shoes and it has been a great pair of darling shoes to me since then. I have known the brand to be really suitable for people who have problems with spine and legs, especially for elderly people and largely recommended by medical professionals, but prior to then, I have never really lay my feet on any pair of Crocs shoes.

It was a birthday delight when a great friend of mine who is working in Crocs, invited me for a spring/summer launching event for the brand which was held in Mid Valley during the Fashion Week.

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

You know it when a friend is sincere to share the good stuff he/she knows about something. She has definitely shown me a gem. Subsequently, I will share the great stuff that I come across to others too.

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

These fantastic pair of Crocs have made it possible for me to walk through the city of Singapore without complaints (which previously I had, a lot of them about tiring legs!) As a result, my Crocs have looked as though they are being worn for over half a month already, because I literally walk around with the shoes at work, leisure and play for almost 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. And yes, I no longer complain about walking because it is a non-issue now.

Shopping has become nicer too.

If you have noticed in the previous blog post on "It's Super Hot Fever!", I had bad bruise near the ankle that each impact from walking brought piercing pain. However, within 2 days, the foot recovered as a result of cushioning effect from the shoes as it absorbed the impact from walking and as a result, less pressure towards the ankle. Thank God!

For the comfort it brings, the price doesn't seem to be expensive at all. The best thing about Crocs is that it provides variety of shoes designs suitable for, like I've mentioned, work, play and leisure. If you don't believe, check it out yourself!

For more information on the latest Crocs models in Malaysia, check out www.crocs.com.my.

Did I tell you that they carry kids' models as well?

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

Very cute aren't they? I mean the shoes.

Adios 2009/2010!

As the Premiership season 2009/2010 draws to an end with another remaining match to play, the excitement seems to build-up towards the last match. However, not for Liverpool this season. Still recall the same period last season, we were just 3 points apart from the Devils and was really excited and hoping for a Devils defeat while watching the last game of the season in Subang Square. So what happened?

We have serious series of tactical errors, financial mishaps, owners fall-out and etc. Not a good season indeed and would have to say, this season, if not for Torres, Benayoun and Gerrard, we won't even make it to Europa League next season.

However, a positive take from this season is that the Blues will most probably proceed as the Champions of this season instead of the Devils (Roaar!). Think most Reds fans will probably agree with me that it's better to see Chelsea emerging as Champions this season than the pathetic Devils.

Sorry Devils. 19th title? Slow slow wait. Think the Reds team also agreed with me when Gerrard decided to let Drogba capitalised on the back-pass error.

If the Reds is to seriously contend for the title next season, heavy loads of work need to be done. Good news that the Reds has got a new chairman at helm. For the team, much work to be done on the Back 4. Lack of speed and agility has been the key of many goals being conceded. Look at the set pieces' defending. The team has been vulnerable towards dead-ball and counter-attack situations.

Alonso's departure has seriously left a big gap on the fluidity of Liverpool's play. With quality of players like Lucas (a Brazilian footballer who can't pass, dribble and shoot properly), when will we ever get our 19th title?

...How long more shall we wait?

It's Super Hot Fever!

I will have occasional weird high fever during the northern hemisphere summer time in every 4 years. This time, I feel it coming though it is slower than usual. The source of this weird fever is not known but definitely have something to do with... something round and bouncy. Forbidden to touch with bare hands unless you have special permission to do so. (Even these permitted people would not touch them with bare hands!) I know you are as clean as me so I will no doubt that you're thinking of... football. And yes, I will be having a serious football fever (and it's coming real fast!) because it's World Cup soon!

Feeling the heat when more logos of the World Cup, this time held in South Africa, are being noticed everywhere. Wondering what McDonald's going to do this time. By the way, last World Cup's mascots, Goleo are still sitting at the back of my car. You can probably notice my car with the full sets of lion-like soft toys facing you when you're stuck in a traffic. :P

Just recently during my visit to Singapore, noticed a huge, giant football (as though it's calling me) in Vivo City. What do you expect me to do when I saw it? Kick it of course!

As a result? A bruised ankle! And the foot of an elephant...

Nah, not really. Some of you who are following my tweets would probably know I got a knock during last Monday's futsal game. What to do? It's fever time man! Some people just got crazy and all excited when temperature rising like... El Nino!

If you are also affected by the fever, please wear a mask... and your favourite team's jersey.

Sekian, majulah bola sepak untuk dunia.

P.s.: My new Liverpool jersey has arrived from UK! Will talk about it during the next post. :D

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

Thanks to Shanker for the sharing of a YouTube video on my Facebook wall, I suddenly recalled the moment of inspiration when listening to the speech of Steve Jobs through an audio recording in an AIESEC conference about 4 years ago. Didn't know that there's a video recording of the speech.

Would invite you to listen to this great speech which has definitely contributed to where I am today. So, stay hungry, stay foolish. :)

Uncertainty

Be prepared for the unexpected as this is what it's all about in entrepreneurship. Uncertainty is the least of other extraordinary things which may happen to an entrepreneur and get ready to be faced with the fact that you won't get an outcome as expected in the venture.

A lot of entrepreneurs do not understand the point in being cautiously optimistic. Great things will come but we'll never know when and in what manner. There's one deal that looks so good, it's going to buy you the ticket to riches and next thing you know, in a month before the deal is executed and agreement is signed, the client either pulled out or tell you a thousand reasons why the deal would not be through.

As a conclusion, do not give up and keep on trying. The more frequent you meet your prospects or service your clients, the more likely you are going to strike a couple of deals. So the remedy for the challenge above is not to being too hopeful on the client that it gives you a big deal. Target more clients who can give you deals, though not significant.

At the time of this writing, I came across a quote which best express the point I am delivering in this post.

"A strong person is the one who knows how to be quiet & shed a tear for a moment & then picks up his sword & fight again." ~Unknown

Very true to those who have been hopeful but disappointed.

Cheers!

Live Interview with BFM 89.9

Was just listening back to the podcast of our interview which was conducted in BFM Radio 89.9 during previous week. My head consultant, Sharif and I were sharing about our recently launched program and what's the relevance to most organisations today.

If you have missed the live sharing with their audience, you can also listen to the podcast below.

If possible, let me know what are your thoughts. Will be grateful for it.

Cheers!

The Short Term Gain

Would like to write something little serious this time after being away from the blog for some time. And I also realised it's about time to build the readership of the blog.

So what's the news this time?

I just can't stop reflecting on the previous thought I had before I started venturing on my own. People said you have to know your way and work "smartly" in order to get clients to buy from you. It all depends on network and how you "pull" the strings together. So for a certain period, I bought that story though I never really give way for the "short-cut".

Instead of embracing it, I avoided it which took its toll on me. For the past 1.5 years in operations, I never had a chance to strike good deals, although there were couple of offers coming in (proposal requests), I just lack the courage to ask "what's your offer" or "how much percentage you want from here" or anything equivalent which provides additional income for them on top of their big fat salary from these big corporations. Couple of corporations shoved me off as I was insensitive to their "needs".

After a terrible and painful period, I soon found out that the critics were wrong (and proven wrong too). We do not have to have courage to do things which are against our self-values. How we know that? We recently managed to secure a deal from a large corporation (Government Linked too!), without compromising with our integrity. There are still people in organisations who are serious on genuine business relationships. Never lose faith.

Well it's called "pulling the strings" for reasons. Attachments are formed from the strings, which means that whatever happened to the other side of the string, affects our end too. Imagine that one day, the officer who you used to "feed" is now in the hands of the enforcers. All records of previous dealings are now being investigated. Would you be able to sleep peacefully? I bet your cold sweat will be able to fill a big bottle!

Be careful of whom we are pulling the strings from. Remember, "short-cut" = short term gain, long term lose (you lose yourself and the fundamental values you stand on to) but genuine, non-compromising integrity business = short term lose, long term gain.

Instead of complaining that the country is losing its credibility in terms of transparency, and at the same time, believing that we just have to adapt to the unclean way of doing business, stop and do otherwise. It really starts with the man in the mirror.

Start off with this: For once, if you are caught by a policeman for unintentionally breaking the law, stop putting the Ringgit note below the Driving license.

Cheers!

The Unpublished Words

Just came across a very interesting article by inspirational Marina Mahathir. Just hope that her voice gets across to all viewers.

******

THE COLUMN THAT WASN'T

By Marina Mahathir

Folks, I'm posting here what should have been my Musings column tomorrow. The Star has refused to publish it because, after what happened to P. Gunasegaram's article which was pulled out after the Home Ministry gave them a show-cause letter, they don't want any 'sensitive' articles that may jeopardise their KDN permit.

Now I've been writing for the Star for about 20 years now, believe it or not, and although it would be much easier and freer to just blog, I maintain my column because of the discipline and because of my many loyal readers who don't necessarily read anything online. There have been other times when my column has been in danger of being censored (and very occasionally edited to sound gentler and nicer..) but still they came out when they were supposed to.

But this time they were adamant. As it happened, this evening I attended a dinner held by the MCA for NGOs. The MCA, as you may know, owns The Star. It was high irony for me to have so many people, including top MCA officials, tell me that they faithfully read my column when their own paper won't publish it tomorrow. I was seated next to Dato Sri Ong Tee Keat himself and complained about it but he wasn't keen to rock the boat, even though every time someone like me is censored, it's one point gained by the conservatives who, rather than argue things out with proper facts, would simply prefer to shut everyone up.

Of course the problem is the Publishing and Printing Presses Act itself which requires every single publication to apply for a permit every year. And no media which wants to survive can afford to get shut down.

But still there is room for courage, to stand up for freedom of speech. If we capitulate every time, then why bother publishing at all?

Indeed the space for any form of public discussion is narrowing every day, with not only the PPA being used but also police reports against anyone who puts forward the slightest alternative or opposing view. This is what keeps the cops busy these days, instead of catching snatch thieves, robbers, rapists and other real social ills.


Yet online there is room for all points of view and is it really so bad? In this blog, I allow all points of view and what I've found is that when you allow it, apart from a few stubborn ones, eventually the humanity of everybody comes through. There is a yearning to understand one another but that can't be done if there is no space for learning. Nor would you gain that insight into people if you didn't allow everyone to express themselves.

And as many have pointed out, what is the point of censoring the mainstream media when there is the freewheeling internet? The other point we should make to people like The Star is, what is the point of constantly sucking up to the Government when they can still turn around and bite you? Not everyone has to be Utusan. Self-respect is important too, no?

So anyway, here's the Column That Wasn't:



When we want to compete with anyone in any field we seek those who are better than us. And we keep going until finally we are recognized as the best. For example, a tennis player starts at the unranked bottom and tries to play and win against better players until finally there is nobody to beat. We do not however insist that everybody comes down to our level or to play badly in order for us to win. This is what puzzles me about the syariah courts in our country. In 1988 a clause was inserted into our Constitution that has been interpreted as having erected a Berlin Wall between the syariah and the civil courts. Basically Article 121(1A) said “the courts referred to in Clause (1) shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any matter within the jurisdiction of the syariah courts." This has caused untold problems because real life sometimes dictates that some issues cross over both jurisdictions. But leave that aside for a moment. Although the new clause did not say that the two separate courts were equal to one another, there are some people who are of the view that the syariah court is superior to the civil courts simply because syariah law is deemed of a higher order than civil laws. This is because apparently God made syariah laws while mere human beings made the civil laws. Never mind the fact that human beings have been changing syariah laws over the years, for instance, by loosening laws that protected women from losing all their property to their divorced husbands. Like other laws in this country, syariah laws have to be drafted, tabled and passed through our various lawmaking bodies whether at the State or Federal levels. This process leaves a lot of human fingerprints all over them. Civil laws are drafted, tabled and passed through Parliament. The difference is that at the tabling stage , they have to be debated before they are passed. The quality of the debate may be sometimes wanting but debated they are. This process provides some sort of ‘quality control’ over the laws so that they are hopefully current, reflect realities and are just. The same does not hold true of syariah laws. When they get tabled at State Excos, non-Muslims do not participate because there is the notion that they cannot partake in any such debate. That leaves only the Muslim Excos, few of whom are women. This means that if a bill affects women, the opinions of the female minority in the Exco can be ignored. Furthermore, most people are ignorant about their religion and tend to leave these matters to those they believe know best. Thus if the State Mufti or religious adviser says it’s a good law, they are unlikely to challenge him. Thus are religious laws passed unscrutinised. Until, that is, something happens such as when someone gets convicted of a syariah crime and punishment is meted out. Who knew until recently that people could get caned for drinking, or for having a baby out of wedlock until the recent cases of Kartika and the three women? Not only are these laws not debated when they are being made but they can’t be debated afterwards either, unlike civil laws. To do so, according to some people, is akin to arguing with God it seems. (There are however some who think that God welcomes such arguments just so that He can prove He is right). If one believes that syariah laws are superior to civil laws, should they not be held to higher standards? Should they not be subjected to more rigorous debate than civil laws out of fear that they may be unjust? If syariah courts are deemed superior to civil courts, should not their processes be more transparent and efficient? How is it that there are innumerable women having to undergo tremendous suffering because syariah court orders to their divorced husbands to pay child maintenance cannot be enforced? How is it also that we suddenly hear about women being caned without any information about the processes they went through? Did they have the benefit of legal representation and heard in an open court? If they did, who were their lawyers and what defense did they mount? Surely the best court of law is one that strives for justice, which shows it is fair to all parties. In this case, on whose behalf was justice served? I have no problems with syariah laws if their foundation is justice, equality and non-discrimination for all, even non-Muslims. But when their intent, processes and enforcement are unfair, they only give the impression that Islam is unjust and discriminatory. Surely to give such an image of Islam is a sin.
******

This column is not published in today's The Star.

You can also read the posting in her blog at: http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2010/03/column-that-wasnt.html