Local Councillors - Are we taken as Fools?

The list of appointed local councillors in Selangor has been published in the local newspaper even though it was not officially announced yet. The question that people starts to raise now is whether those councillors that were appointed are really based on their NGO affiliation as claimed.

Some of the councillors representing the NGOs category are suspected to be nominees of the political parties in Pakatan Rakyat. Not many councillors were appointed from the representatives of residents associations although they represented a main chunk of the stake holders.

What really happened in the selection process? Is PR following the BN policy of appointing their own members as councillors albeit camouflaged as NGOs representatives? Is there a hidden agenda to appoint only their own members, supporters or sympathisers of PR as local councillors? If that is true, then it is not only a slap in the face for those who believes PR is different from BN but it is far more worse than BN because the people has been taken as fools! At least BN did not make any promises to appoint NGOs representatives as councillors.

Harmonious co-existence

It was full house at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Plenary Hall during a recent dialogue on harmonious conditions featuring Venerable Hsing Yun of Taiwan's Fo Guang Shan and Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat. It was no doubt who the audience came to listen to.

I was invited as a guest of Fo Guang Shan Malaysia and I really enjoy and rejoiced on the chance to listen to Ven. Hsing Yun that night.

Ven. Hsing Yun's real life stories that he shared with the appreciative audience that night was very simple and easily understood by all. At one stage, the moderator of the forum even tried to camouflaged a political discussion on MCA succession plan in view of the rumour that Ong Tee Keat is MCA president Ong Ka Ting's anointed successor.

The discussion on the role of the number one and the number two in a family or organisation really makes the audience listening attentively to every single word by Tee Keat on any hint of him being the next MCA president. Tee Keat, who is known to be blunt yet very cautious with his words did not took the bait. The focus of the night remained locked on Ven Hsing Yun.

The audience during the dialogue includes the new Selangor State Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim and many MCA politicians in the VIP seats. After so much politicking since the 308 general election, at least a Buddhist event managed to bring politicians of both the political divide to sit down quietly and attentively listening to the Dhamma.

I really hope politicians from all sides will discard the old politics of boycotting an event or showing displeasure if the event organiser extends invitation to elected representatives from opposing parties. It will be a pity if those previously in opposition who suddenly found themselves governing a state government starts to act like prima donna's and reluctant to attend a rakyat's event due to the presence of another leader from the Federal government and vice versa. The people elected the representatives to work for them and not for the elected representatives to boss around with an attitude.

As Ven Hsing Yun advised that night, harmonious conditions is the most important of all that binds wealth, peace and positions together.

After SAPP, who is next?

Looks like Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee is the man on the news. By declaring SAPP intention to support a no-confidence vote on the PM during next parliament seating next week is as good as saying goodbye to BN.

Maybe not. He just wants Pak Lah out, not for SAPP to get out from BN. Or is he bluffing, just like many politicians before him. Aren't we got use to having politicians announcing one thing today and doing the opposite tomorrow?

Or maybe Yong is just fishing. What is he fishing for will be clearer in next few days. People ought not be easily baited by the usual statements about Sabah not being treated fairly by the federal government. The fact on Sabahans needs being neglected and demands not taken seriously has the fair share of truth but at the end of the day, the bottomline is always about power politics. Politicians need to secure positions with political power to decide policies and influence decision making process to fulfill their agendas.

The statement on the vote of no-confidence on the PM is a means to the end. Everybody is jolted and talking about this bombshell isn't it? Yong and his SAPP is just hitting the iron while it is still hot. All the attention will be centred on him and his every moves and statements will be followed closely by both BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

If the "kiasu" syndrome also applies to all political parties, all the statements by Yong's comrades in BN denouncing his intention and declaring support to the PM need to be taken as a pinch of salt. Once these parties sensed they will lose out if still taking a safe or even neutral stand, they will shift their allegiance even before the cock crows the next morning. These people will be working very very late night until the wee hours in the morning to strategise the next step and have negotiations.

If this move creates domino effect in the BN, which party of the next 11 BN components ( except Umno and PBB)will make their stand? As mentioned, don't take too seriously on statements of support for the PM or BN by components parties or their leaders.

The announcement by Yong is a calculated move which is not necessary solely decided by him alone. If there is a hidden hand, who might it be? And it might not be the person which is in everyone's mind now.

Excuse me, I am not a NON!

Nearly half of this country's citizens has been recognised as a Non for many decades. It was so ingrained into our lives that it even attracts opposition from those who themselves are associated with such a term if there is any effort to change it. We are addressed as such by the authorities, our teachers, our colleagues, our classmates, politicians and of all persons, ourselves!

Does it ring a bell?

For those who are searching to gain their spiritual enlightenment in a serene place of worship, they need to pray hard to ensure a suitable piece of land is provided and approval to construct the place of worship or their house of gods for the Nons are given the nod by the authorities in a reasonable time. Even then, the Nons will toiled in the name of the almighty through days and nights to raise enough funds to build the structure. It will be a blessing if there is a windfall from the authorities.

We are getting used being called the Nons. But it does not mean the Nons need to be addressed as such. Just because the term has been in use for such a long time, it did not mean it is right to do so continuosly. There are Nons who are actually not comfortable to be addresed as such. Why must a person be declared as a non-entity of such and such community?

Can we have a re-look on this matter? Does the constitution in any way written with such a term?

Article 3 of the Federal Constitution says;

"Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practice in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation".

The Constitution was adopted and in use since independence in 1957. If the intention and spirit of the Constitution is to create a clear division between two entity of citizentry, it would have used the word Islam and Non-Islam. But in reality our forefathers of independence acknowleged there were many religions and their adherents in this land, which is the reason for the word other religions which recognises the existence of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and natives and folk religions during that time.

This clause is not the over-rated social contract term that many political animals has been fond of over using it. Article 3 is a very important statement in the most important instrument that defines and governs the nationhood of Malaysia and its people.

It is with this understanding that during a recent meeting in a committee formerly known as Jawatankuasa Hal-Ehwal Bukan Islam Negeri Selangor, I proposed that the term be changed from "Bukan Islam" (Non-Muslim) to "Selain Islam" (Other Than Islam). This suggestion was in response to many objections from representatives of religions other than Islam on the term "Bukan Islam" during the meeting.

Will the Selangor State Government be the first in Malaysian modern history to refrain from using the term "Non- Muslims" (Bukan-Islam) when addressing people of religions other than Islam. If the Selangor State Exco accepts the proposal of the Jawatankuasa Hal-ehwal Keagamaan (Selain Islam) Negeri Selangor to use the term "other than Islam" (selain Islam) instead of "Non-Muslim" ( Bukan-Islam), it will surely be the first state to do so.

All on board, except UMNO and PBB?

So much talk about Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Rakyat taking over the federal government since March 8. I am getting bored with all this cheap talk. Where is the action, man?

Yes, Anwar has been siad to be going around the world talking to BN MPs and even a cabinet minister. In a battle for the prime prize of the federal corridor of power, it seems it was Anwar that is keeping the attack on the BN fort but as shown in many historical wars - physical and political, while a warring army or party are launching the attacks, it need to be aware of counter attacks. No one knows for sure who will triumph until the last count.

If Anwar is too over confidence and arrogant himself as UMNO did before the 308 Tsunami, he might as well be swept out by defections from his own coalition! He can't denied that UMNO still controls the government machinery and also the GLCs that can dole out sweets and honeys to many of his people to cover ever rising expenses to keep their own cronies afloat.

Anyhow if the BN MPs who are neither UMNO and PBB decided to jump ship within this few weeks, Anwar will be drilling all the way to Petronas to reduce the petrol price! Is it possible for MCA's (15 MPs), MIC (3 MPs), Gerakan (2 MPs), Sabah's SAPP (2), LDP (1), PBS (3), UPKO(4) and PBRS(1) and Sarawak's SUPP(6), SPDP (5) and PRS(4) joining the Pakatan Rakyat coalition government? With 46 seats defection from these non UMNO or PBB parties, a new coalition will be formed with Pakatan Rakyat 128 seats versus UMNO-PBB alliance's 94 seats. BN would have been irrelevant by then.

As many would realised by now, there is no permanent loyalty or friends in partisan politics. We shall wait then. Patience is an virtue.

Changing Lifestyle

The petrol price hike of 78 cents per litre already affected the lifestyle of many.

Visited the petrol station twice this week and the petrol price hike shows clearly on the receipts. Have to forked out extra RM50 for petrol in one week and it will be that way until the end of the year. I hoped. The government promised the petrol price per litre will stays until end of the year. This means by 1st Jan 2009, we might get a new year "gift" if the petrol price keep on rising. Hope this time around they will keep their word.

Previously they say no price increase after the general election but what happens? They raised the petrol price from $1.92 to $2.70 per litre.

But it seems on the ground, the people are shouting out loud for the government to review the price hike. Not everyone has a fat pay cheque. One thing for sure, our usual lifestyle has to be changed. But hoped the government too will act wisely. Those non essential projects, mega of not, should be postponed or even scrapped. Some of them includes the various corridors projects and the National Service Training Program.

Those with babies fed with infant formulas will be experiencing the pinch in feeding their babies. Price per tin will be on the rise. It will be worse for those going for premium infant formulas.

Those with school going children already got the news- the bus fare has already been raised, with or without the authorities permission. The price of food at the school canteen, if it is not increased, the servings will be reduced. Maybe the children should pack their tea breaks or lunches from home.

Those who frequents the local coffeeshops and mamaks for their regular cuppa of coffee and teh tarik will need to reduce their visits. But at least it is still very much cheaper than starbucks or coffee bean.

Crowds during lunch breaks especially in major cities and towns be prepared to pay more for a serving of the local curry mee, asam laksa, prawn mee, char kueh tiaw etc, etc. Unless of course you opts for instant noodles. But then price of instant noodles had also increased.

If you don't have medical insurance, it is not the best of time to fall sick. If you really need to be admitted, the government hospitals will be a cheaper option even though you may be complaining about the service.

For those who drives to work or for leisure, there is a need to plan your destination well. Sometimes it it much cheaper to use tolled roads or highways to avoid burning more fuel in congested roads. Carpooling will be a good option now even though we need to do some adjustments to accommodate other fellow passengers. Public transport is another option but be prepared to wake up earlier and reach home later. Also prepared to be wet - either due to the heat or drenched by rain because the public transport connectivity is still much to be desired.

There was a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on Friday by thousands of those objecting the petrol price hike. From reports it won't be the last and a big one expected on July 5.

Images of Pyapon

Following are some photos taken at Pyapon

This scene of a destroyed house welcome us to Pyapon.

The crowd at the community centre during the relief handing over ceremony.

Some of the relief items for the cyclone victims.

The Minister offering the relief items as Dana

Group photograph as remembrance.

Two youth presidents and a local youth

Locals

Leaning lamp post of Pyapon

Children and adults waiting for food from passing vehicles

Medical tents

On site at Pyapon 2

Reaching Pyapon was a challenge indeed. We need to past through four army checkpoints, travelling on pot holes roads and riding on a bus which tested our endurance!

Well, the truth is - it seems no local bus operators are keen to take us on the trip to Pyapon. It's just not worth it. The risk of damage to the bus is very high due to the roads condition and the cost to repair can be higher than the rental itself.

We left the Naga Buddhist Temple at Mingalardon township where the nearby international airport is situated at about 12noon. About three hours later, I heard a loud cranking sound and the the bus driver pull the bus to the side. The bus assistant went below the bus body to check. Then he took some wrenches to make some minor repairs and we were on the move again in about 10 minutes. But the air-conditioner went bonkers and we decided to enjoy the rural fresh air instead by keeping the windows opened.

At about 3.30pm, I heard a louder knocking sound and this time the bus engine just went dead. Luckily the bus was travelling at low speed due to the road conditions.I got a hunch this time it won't be a short loo break! Everybody disembarked from the bus to have some fresh air and a view of green fields on both side of the road.

After trying to repair the engine, the bus driver decided to ask for help from passing tractors to give the bus a jump start. It didn't materialized as the tractors were not in position to "push" the bus. So the male passengers decided to contribute their energy.

Huff and puff!, Huff and Puff! the guys pushes the bus. The bus moves few metres but the engine did not jump starts. We know that we will be late for the handing over event since the first bus that fetched the monks already on the way before us.

Some of the passengers, including the media people jumped into a van that accompanies us and they moved on towards Pyapon. Chin Long, the YMM president and myself wouldn't want to miss the handing over event but it is still about an hour drive to Pyapon. No way we can reach there by foot, in time!

The local guide might have sense our disappointment. She waved a local vehicle to a stop which is actually a pick up truck turned into a passenger vehicle. She asked if the truck is going our direction. Yes, we are in luck as it is going to the same event as us!

So there we goes squeezing ourselves onto the truck. There were already five passengers at the back and two in the driver's compartment. Another nine of us jumped in to the back and it cramped like sardines and Chin Long had to sit on the platform of the truck. Another local guide sat with the driver and his assistant.

It took us an hour of "sardined" ride before we finally reached the community centre in Pyapon at about 5.05pm local time. The ceremony just began after a video show on the cyclone Nargis disaster and the call for support towards rehabilitation of the victims.

After some chanting of the sutras the presentation of donations were done by the Myanmar Minister of Religion to the monks. The usual group photography session follows and the Minister took a quick exit.

We left at 6.05pm on the same bus which was repaired with the assistance of some local mechanical support. While crossing an overhead bridge only then we notice the make shift medical tents that the local authorities did not inform or shows us.

While on the way out from Pyapon town we saw the people waiting at the road side for food and donations. We did not notice any of this on the way in to Pyapon because we tooked a different route.

At about 10.00pm we arrived at the outskirts of Yangon and were asked to change bus. Our bus was unable to go into the city due to some problems with the front lights. We reached the city centre at 10.30pm to have our dinner.

By 11.15pm local time we were already at the hotel to have our rest. The local organiser already pre checked in our room. Chin Long and myself already on the move for 18 hours since 5.00am Thailand time (Myanmar time is half hour later than Thailand) We had tooked a plane, a bus and a truck to finish our task for the day.

On site at Pyapon

The kids and adults were at both side of the village road. Some clothed, some were on bared back. All of them were slim or even skiny. Their faces shows desperation, sun burned and tired. They were waiting for handouts from passing vehicles....

It was dusk, about 6.30pm and the scene was along the road few kilometres from Pyapon, a town about 75km from Yangon. As nightfall creeps in, I can only see dimly light of small lamp in filmsy thatched huts. I was looking out from the bus travelling back to the city after joining a Buddhist delegation from Thailand to deliver reliefs to the affected people and monks in the Pyapon district.

If it was during a better time, I would have enjoyed the laid back scenery of paddy fields; water buffaloes grazing the grass; ducks swimming on the river and even swines roaming free on the farmer's land. But how can I?

I smelled of an odour which the local guide told us was the results of many dead victims of the Nargis cyclone. The bodies in that area already been cleared but low level of rotting smell is still prevalent.

Those on the roadside were having high hopes that each passing vehicle will offer them whatever food or drinking water the occupants had. All of us cleared whatever pack of biscuits we had in our backpack and the snack pack given to us for our four and a half hours journey back to Yangon. Some even hand out the "kyat" currency in their possessions....

Along the roads we can see small attap thatched huts built by the victims whose houses were washed away by the cyclone. Some of the huts are still surrounded by swampy waters. Thinking that the area was recently surrounded with dead bodies, what choice do they have but to keep on surviving!

These observations were possible after I was invited by my Thai Buddhist friends to participate in the handing over of reliefs to the monks and cyclone victims in the Pyapon district. On top of that, it was intended to study and evaluate the possible future programs to help the cyclone victims. Since it will be beneficial to widen the scope of support, I asked the president of Young Malaysians Movement, Ng Chin Long to join in this delegation. YMM, a chinese-based youth organisations had responded positively to the call to help the cyclone victims.

Both of us travelled to Bangkok one day earlier on June 3 to join the Thai delegation early flight to Yangon the next day. The Thai delegation was led by the Rector of the Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, Most Venerable Dhammakosajarn. Members of the delegation includes the secretary general of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, Phallop Thaiarry, president of World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth, Anurut Vongvanij and Maechee Sansanee of the Sathian Dhammasathan.

The handing over of the relief supplies was held at community centre in Pyapon the same day we landed at the airport. Present to received the supplies was the chief monk of Pyapon district and other senior Myanmar monks. Also in attendance was Myanmar's Minister for Religion and local officials. The Minister was asked to offer these donations as dana to the monks, meaning that the relief supplies will be taken care by the monks and will be distributed to 278 temples throughout the Pyapon district.

The relief supplies includes 10,000 pieces of robes, rice, biscuits, drinks, cooking utensils, water filter machines and others. The donations were worth about 7 million Baht and was publicly announced and registered in front of the monks, officials overseas delegation and members of the media from Thailand and Myanmar.


Even though we were not brought to the main disaster area like Bogalay, being in Pyapon itself is already a breakthrough. Many relief groups were only allowed to hand over the donations in and around Yangon or even at the airport itself, without even going into disaster areas. To reach Pyapon we had to undergo at least four sentry checks by the army and travelled on some roads (if I can called it as one) that have huge pot holes and it is much more like riding a horse than sitting on a bus. That's why a normal journey of 75km that's takes only less than an hour say in Malaysia, took us about 4 and 1/2 hours to reach Pyapon. That's a total of 9 hours ride to hand over the stuffs that lasted one hour.

Anyhow, we were able to reach Pyapon is due to the early arrangement by the Ven. Dhammakosajarn with a local Myanmar contact in Yangon who oversees the cyclone rehabilitation efforts for Pyapon district.

This hand over is only a beginning. There still much to be done for the cyclone victims. One of the early response will be establishing a system to support about 400Nargis orphans whom will be housed at the Naga Buddhist Temple, nearby the international airport.

I think once the main disaster areas had been cleared of major signs of destruction, more relief teams will be able to go deeper into the Irrawady Delta to help the victims. Then, more work will be required to help the people.

Petrol Cyclone

The first news I received after arriving from Myanmar tonight was the petrol price hike from $1.92 to $2.70 per litre. This "scary" news was conveyed to me by the taxi driver that fetch me from the airport. He also told me there will be a boycott by the airport limousine taxi drivers on Friday.

This petrol "cyclone" will surely affect millions in this country just as Cyclone Nargis tortured many in Myanmar. More information on my trip to survey and deliver humanitarian aids to Myanmar later....

Myanmar Relief 3

It's already a month since Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar.

The world community responded with relief work immediately after the disaster and the Buddhist community in Malaysia also provided the necessary support by raising funds to be channelled to various Buddhist centers in Myanmar.

The Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia raised RM 60,000 for the cyclone victims and the funds will be utilized to provide relief work in Myanmar. The vice president of BMSM, Quah Chi Boon is already in Myanmar to coordinate the relief work with the support of a local Buddhist organisation. BMSM also manage to raise RM 80,000 for the earthquake relief in Sichuan, China.


Another organisation that provides relief support via their counter part in Myanmar was the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association. SJBA raises RM 75,000 from its devotees. Resident monk Bhante Nyanaramsi will personally travel to Myanmar to deliver the contribution to the founder of the Sitagu International Buddhist Academy Sitagu Sayadaw Ashin Nyanissara in the Irrawaddy delta.


At the Sri Jayanti Buddhist Temple, Sentul Kuala Lumpur, the abbot Most Venerable B. Saranankara Maha Thera (pic, seated at the left)lead the devotees in raising funds and food for the Cyclone Nargis victims. The Most Venerable Saranankara, who is also the Chief Adikarana Nayaka Maha Thera of Malaysia was in Myanmar last week to deliver the relief assistance at a village in Myanmar last week. He is expected to travel to Myanmar again to continue relief work there.

There is still much to be done for the Cyclone Nargis victims. Continue your flow of compassion and keep on chipping in the funds for the rehabilitation work.

Patin for the weekend

Having a short break at a small town in Pahang provides me the opportunity to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life.

Mentakab is a small town in Pahang situated in between Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, about two hours drive from the nation's capital. The journey will provide sights of the only casino city of Malaysia, Genting Highlands, during a clear sunny day. Snaking and climbing along the once notorious Karak Highway, we passed thru fresh views of Janda Baik and Selesa Hillhomes and the Dusun Eco Resort. These places will provide city dwellers a choice to get out from the dusty and noisy surroundings in the Klang Valley.

Half way the journey, if your stomach are giving you signals it is time for gastronomical fill-up, have one or two of the famous baked meat buns (siew pow) at Karak.

For those who loves animals, visit the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary near Lanchang. Visitors can feed and ride the elephants at the center which are managed by the Wildlife Department. For those who adores these elephants so much, you can even have a swim with these mammals and give a good scrubs on their bodies!

While cost of living is also on the rise in Mentakab, it was not too steep though. Feeding 10 persons with 8 dishes for a Chinese sit down dinner was a steal at RM120, that includes a medium size patin, a popular freshwater fish in that area.

But then, it was not really a quiet weekend when you have a dozen of boisterous kids running around a Chinese new village house.