EQUALITY FOR ALL MALAYSIANS

It was reported in the local newspaper that Tengku Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra said that other races should not question the rights of the Malays? From what I gathered, the Sultan is unaware of what was written in the Federal Consitution of Malaysia.

Although the Malays have the special position as stated in Article 153 but it should be stressed that all Malaysians enjoy equal 'rights' under the Federal Constitution and no one race should feel superior or inferior in this country. It is the responsibility of the Yang di-Peruan Agong to safeguard BOTH the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak AND the legitimate interests of all other communities. It is further emphasised and reiterated that all Malaysians - Malays and non-Malays alike - enjoy same and equal fundamental rights and liberties as enshrined under Part II of the Federal Consitution. By passing such seditious and sensitive remarks show the arrogance of the Sultan.

There was one incidence when a certain Member of Parliament said that Malaysia is a Islamic country and that if anyone cannot accept it than he should leave the country. No doubt, we accept that Islam is the official religion of the country as spelt out in Article 3 of the Federal Constitution but it should be respected that all religions and rights of every Rakyat Malaysia to profess and practise his/her religion as enshrined in Article 11 of the Federal Consitution. How can this so-called people elected MP be so arrogant by forgetting where his votes came from? Surely, he was not voted in as an MP by one race alone? How could that MP claim that Malaysia is an Islamic state which is contrary to the Federal Constitution?

One last incidence before I knock off, the former Chief Minister of Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Khir Toyo, instructed the demolition of a Hindu temple in Padang Jawa (in Shah Alam)two days before Deepavali, which is an Indian celebration, despite an intervention by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It was one of the many reasons that caused the Barisan Nasional to lose the two-third majority during the recent elections.

ONE MUST NOT FORGET THAT A PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD. Datuk Seri Hisammudin, the UMNO Youth leader, was arrogant by showing the "KERIS" a Malay sword its might to frighten the other races. However, the Malaysians did not heed his threat but marked a "X" with a "PEN" in the column provided for against the names of the candidates in the recent elections which wiped out the two-third majority to a simple majority of the ruling Barisan Nasional.

GOD IS EVERYWHERE.

A miracle had happened to me when I was a young kid of eight years old. I knew that I was dying with my physical conditions getting from bad to worse. The only place where I could move around was tiny little space beside the bed. I didn't have the energy to lift myself up from the bed. Life for me was too tormenting and there was nobody to turn to for assistance. At that point of time, I knew that I should pray for the Lord's mercy to cure me from my sickness . My prayers were answered. All of the sudden, I could see the clouds open and there was my guardian angel flapping her wings, keeping a watch over me assuring me that I would be all right. Two days later, I could get up from bed by myself without any aids. I was then too young to realise that our Lord, Jesus Christ had sent an angel to check on me.

As a teenager of sixteen years, I had always thought that no one was right except me. I didn't want to listen to the advice given by the elders. Just like the other kids, I would follow them to a mining pool where we used to have a quick dip before going back to our respective homes. During one of those occasions, I jumped and swam to the middle of the mining pool which unknown to me was an undercurrent movement that pulled me down almost reaching the bottom of it. I had only a few seconds of air left in my lungs before catching another breath. I could see the weeds moving in all directions. Out of the blues, I felt someone grabbed hold of my hair pulling me out of the water just in time to catch some breaths. I would have been a goner if not for the quick action of my friend whom I felt grateful to him for saving my life. It was a narrow escape but I believed I was still wanted in this world.

Believe me, people used to say one could not be a third time lucky so don't ever stake one's lives against risky chances. I am still suffering from hypertension with high chlolesterol . It was due to my irregular intakes of my medication, my blood pressure reading shot up sky high (210/120) and my cholesterol level was beyond around 9. I was hospitalised for a second stroke. This time, I felt that the right side of my body from the mouth to the leg was slightly paralysed. I could not move normally. The doctors put me drips, so to say, to bring down my blood pressure. The hit was really bad. I thought that I would remain in that conditions for the rest of my life. Suddenly, I felt something serene in a white apparition flying over my head while I was lying motionless in the hospital bed. I told myself that I was indeed very lucky that my guardian angel was beside me again in time of needs. Since then I began to recover slowly but steadily. Although I still experience walking difficulties but I am blessed that except for my right leg, the sensation has returned to my right hand and mouth. One thing for sure is that I cannot afford to take things for granted instead I should be more careful in future.

No matter what other people say, God is everywhere. If one prays hard, He will answer one's needs.

INSPIRATIONAL ADVICE.

This friend of mine whom I have known for more then twenty-five years told me today. "You should not feel hapless forever because of your disability. In fact, there is nothing much to worry about but to discipline and instil into yourself with the undying faith that you would be able to overcome your "so-called problems". If you look around yourself, you are very much better than many people. Your children have all grown up and independent. What's that you are worrying about? Like myself, I still have to support my four schooling children whereas your three children can look after themselves. As I know that they are very supportive in all respects. Why don't you make a resolution for this year by taking a walk at least three times weekly, beginning at a slow pace and increase it gradually. Get some early fresh air outdoor and I can guarantee that you'll be all right after two months. So then, the next time when I call you out for a coffee break, you will be able to drive and don't depend on me to pick you up from your house". If I were narrow-minded and sensitive, I would have the impression that he was tired of fetching me from my house but in actual fact. he is trying his level-best to inspire in me that I should not be dependable on others but myself. "Never worry worries until worries worry you" still remains ringing in my ears until today.

With such inspirational advice, I must not fail him but to proceed by aiming for the best possible results, that is, to be independent again. Can I do it?? Why not, another proverb which says that "if there is a will, there is always a way." I believe that most failures are caused by mankind themselves.

When I looked around the park, I noticed one unfortunate man swinging his right leg and left hand while walking. The poor fellow had a bad stroke but he still walks every morning to improve his stamina and physical conditions. There was another lady who initially looked like a "vegetable" and could not walk without the support of her husband. After two months, we saw that she was able to walk without any assistance from her husband. These were the examples which I saw with my own eyes.

I always have the bad habits of postponing things and in the end, I don't achieve anything at all. I must start somewhere, somehow whether I like it or not to improve my physical conditions. Let me report back to you after two months from now.

AN OLD TWIG.

It is always easily said then done. The world may not be static but when it comes to reality, bending a young branch is much easier than before it reaches to become part of a full grown tree. That is the time when you have either to saw or use an axe to remove the old twig from the tree 'cos it can no longer be bent anymore. It is not a matter of possessing the negative feelings but it does restrict the movements of advancement through aging although one may argue that things will change for the better at their own natural pace progressively but of course at a longer period.

Naturally, one would like to change for the better by casting away all those negative thoughts and old ways but in short it still boils down to the same principle as mentioned earlier. Another good proverb is that "one can pull a cow to the pond but one cannot force it to drink the water in the pond". You simply cannot change a person from the old ways overnight. No one in the right frame of his mind would want to remain static if the opportunities are one step way. Everyone wishes that the clock will able to turn back so as to be able to apply the vast experiences gained from the ups and downs of life to become a successful and better person. But circumstances forbid new changes in a very short time, just like "Rome was not built in one day".

I, for one, support changes but at times it is quite discouraging especially when you need assistance it would always be miles apart. I agree that through positive thoughts things will one day change for the better but it is always a matter of running out of patience without positive supports.

FANTASTIC SPEED AHEAD.

At the rate, Chris and Amy are accelerating their speed I would be collecting dust behind their trails. Ho, ho, ho, lucky thing I am now awake from a long slumber otherwise I would find it very difficult even to adjust my tempos but whatever happens, I must still tag along with them so that I would not lose my way.

Chris has taught me how to post pictures in the blog but I am still unable to follow his simple instructions. Can anyone help me? I would like to post some pictures of beautiful scenery which could make my blog more interesting to read.

Ever since he came back from a short break, Chris has been posting diligently in his blog daily. I just wonder how he managed to recollect his pasts so accurately. I wish that I have some of his abilities. I am just asking for a small fraction of it but no more or less. The way he put things to perspective and interesting to read made me wonder how did it........????????

I have to stop to catch some breaths before continuing to pursue him, ha, ha, ha. I am like an old rusty car which needs an overhaul but unfortunately most of my parts are obsolete. He seemed to be encouraging me to move on with my blog with the message which reads "slow and steady wins the race" but definitely and for sure, I would not be able to match their speeds and abilities like what the late Perry Como sang the song entitled: "It's impossible".

THE VIRGIN LANDS IN KENINGAU.

Keningau of today is so much different from those early days when we landed there some forty years ago. Today, most of the virgin jungles there are almost bald as the result of the active logging activities. The incomes from the sales of the round logs sold overseas had turned many people into rich tycoons who to a certain extent were responsible for the developments and prosperity of the once remote town in the interior. However, timber businesses had dwindled down these days due to very few areas left for logging.

The fresh air in Keningau was then "different" from the present days. There were not many industrial developments, not many cars and logging vehicles plying in town thus the percentage of pollution was very low. We were very fortunate that we were given the opportunity to teach there for three years before we left for Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. In the early mornings, we used to breathe the cool, fresh and clean air. The forests were intact and untouched by the loggers then. The population was small and the people seemed to know each other well. It was a peaceful place to live in where we could leave the doors of our rooms unlocked during our teaching sessions from mornings to late noons. There were three Peace Corps volunteers from the USA teaching in the same school. There were a lot of friendly people who would ocassionally ask us to join them for their Western foods. You believe it or not that that was our first taste of Western food. Peace was everywhere during those days.

Today, with the influx of the foreigners from Indonesia and the Phillipines, the peaceful atmosphere is no longer there. Petty thefts and extortion are quite prevalent, however, the matters are under the control and supervision of the Police authority. The foreigners form almost a third of the pettty traders selling in the town.

I have not visited Keningau for almost a decade but before I retired, I had the opportunity of staying in the Perkasa Hotel for a week during our offficial duties. It was almost thirty years ago since I left Keningau. Coming back to the old good days during our teaching years then, especially at some weekends, we would go picnicking at a riverside with the students. Wow, we learnt a lot from those kids who taught us how to speak Kadazan and Murut, their local dailects. Though it sounded a bit strange but we managed to pick a few words but today I just could not remember due to lack of practice.

The Community hall was some two miles from where we stayed. I used to have the tendency to update myself with the national news. As I had no transport, I had to walk up and down the hilly road alone for at least thrice a week to read the "The Straits Times" which was unavailable for sale in town. I never regret walking which really made feel good. I perspired all over my body with my heart beating exceptionally fast. During our three years of stay there, the "Harvest Festivals " was the most exciting celebration ever which we were looking forward to every year. People from all walks of lives who came from different parts of the State and countries to join in the celebration. The "Sumazau" which is the traditional dance of the Kadazans and Dusuns attracted many foreigners from Europe, Japan, China, USA and other countries. It is a very graceful dance which both men and women glide with the "flying" movements and yells. The blow pipe competition attracted many participants. The darts are normally blown through a about 4" in diameter of a bamboo stick with about 6 to 7 feet in length. It was fun to watch some darts blown by the new participants landed somewhere else instead of the targets. There were woos and ahs among the friends of the participants. Well, the local tribes competed against each other. Wow, we could see how accurate these competitors were hitting the targets at each blow. The eventual winners walked off with their prizes but for those unsuccessful ones, better luck next year.

For those who have not visited Sabah in general, please take this opportunity to see the different cultures and way of living among the different types of peoples not forgetting the beautiful beaches, islands and places to visit.

LAND OF NO RETURN.

It has been quite a long while since I last posted in my blog. Frankly speaking, not only had I run of materials and ideas but the fact is that I felt shy because I was and am still tagging miles behind Chris and Amy who had created a big gap for me to catch up with them. Anyway, I must adopt the 'never-say-die' attitude by fighting against time to make my presence felt just like Senator Clinton's last lurch before reaching the finishing line, ha, ha, ha. Well, I don't mean that I could over-take or beat them but to continue producing more posts to avoid myself from further embarrassments, he, he, he. It is just impossible but the least I could do is to contribute by posting regularly, ho, ho, ho, Sad but I just cannot escape from reality and the naked truths, right?

We heard some stories about the 'head hunters' in the North Borneo but what the heck, we thought that if we had stayed back home all the same we would have to fight for survivals anyway. Why not face the real challenges even though there were such risks and rumours. It was some forty-four years ago, when my wife (fiancee then) and I left our hometown in Penang, with less than two hundred dollars (fortunatelty, the cost of living was pretty low then) in our pockets heading for an unknown place called Keningau. It was a journey of no return without any knowledge of whether how long we would stay on with our new jobs. I must admit that we are still grateful to the late Father Fung (who later became the first Chinese Bishop) who interviewed and recruited us for the teaching posts at the Brothers' College in Penang to teach in Keningau. We knew nothing much except that the birth place of my father was in a remote town called Tenom in Sabah.

The costs of the passages from Penang to Jesselton, (presently known as Kota Kinabalu) were borne by the school. We spent one whole day travelling in a train from Penang stopping in Kuala Lumpur where we then hopped into the southward bound train to Singapore. We spent a night there before the next day we took a small boat from the jetty to the steamship anchored in the open sea. I really did not know the rationale behind it as to why the ship was not allowed to anchor at the harbour then. The sea journey was not so pleasant as we were travelling during the monsoon months of December and January. We spent five days tossing about in the steamship crossing the rough South China Sea. We were fortunate that we could withstand the journey and did not vomit. We reached Jesselton after five days of torturous journey fighting for our physical balances in the ship slicing through the rough stormy sea.

That same morning, we were met by the missionaries at the harbour. We had some "tim sum", Chinese assorted breakfast before continuing our journey by a train to Tenom, the place where my father was born. We were warned not stand by the windows of the train as the ashes from burning coals at the steam engine would fly with down stream winds landing on some passengers' clothings with dotted holes. It was quite scary but it was true as we noticed that some passengers were complaining about the misfortunes. Beaufort, another small town, is half way in between Kota Kinabalu (formerly, Jesselton) and Tenom, we had to travelled along the snake-liked railway tracks built very close to the land adjacent to the Padas River. I felt very much relieved after reaching Tenom thinking that it was end of the journey but we had to travel almost another 30 miles of the bumpy gravel roads for another hour before reaching Keningau. The kind priests there had pre-arranged our accommodations where I had to stay with a Chinese family while Elsie stayed in the teachers' quarters which was within walking distance. The people there were very friendly and we felt very much at home. We could ask for their assistances if there was a need to.

Obviously, we were referring to our experiences based on our journey from Penang to Keningau which was an unknown land to both of us then. Jobs in Penang were scarce and hard to come by during our time thus we had practically no choice but to take up the challenge to teach in the "land of no return". We knew that there was turning back but to proceed on our adventurous journey.