Kampung Jalan Karim

During my younger days I was staying in a kampung area where people of different races live in old Malay-styled wooden houses. The place my family stays in is house number 2267. It is an attap-roof stilts wooden house. Actually there are two "semi-detached" houses which shared the same house number. Initially we were staying at the house on the right. This is where my late father passed away in 1970. After our next door Indian family neighbour shifted out, we moved next door to the vacated house. An elderly kuih-making old lady with three grown up sons moves into the house that we vacated earlier.

There is a bathroom in front of the house on the right which both families co-shared. Modern toilet facilities are unheard of during that time and all houses uses the traditional method where all excrements are collected in a "tong najis" (bucket). The midnight soil will be collected by the municipal workers in the early morning between 2am -4am. Sometimes if the workers are not careful and spilled the midnight soil onto the roads surface, it really smells like shit in the morning when we walks past to take our school bus.

As far as I know the so-called "kampung" do not have a proper name but there is one kampung road by the name of Jalan Karim. This small road is accessible from Jalan Maharaja Lela (formerly known as Jalan Batak Rabit) which is one of the main trunk road linking Teluk Intan (formerly Telok Anson). My "kampung" is about four kilometres to the Teluk Intan town centre.

The kampung Jalan Karim run parallel to the stream Sungai Pak Kalong which is a tributary of Sungai Perak. In the absence of computers, Internet and Play Stations, Sungai Pak Kalong was one of our main play ground or swimming pool. During high tide when Sungai Pak Kalong reaches a depth of seven feet, the boys will be having a great time swimming or just playing at the banks of the river.

For those keen on fishing, Sungai Pak Kalong is a boon as the river is a major place to catch fresh water fishes like haruan, ikan keli, sepat and puyu. Since Sungai Perak flows side by side with Jalan Maharaja Lela, fishing accessories like hooks and fishing lines are easily obtainable from one of the sundry shops along the road. We will use whatever discarded wooden staff we can find from a nearby sawmill or cut a small tree branch or long twig to tie the fishing line. As bait for the fishes, we just digged the ground around our houses for earthworms. Within less than half an hour of digging, a bagful of fishbait worms will be available.

When the river reaches ankle length during low tide, some will take the opportunity to scoop the fishes with whatever basket that they can get hold from their house. If one's lucky there will be the surprise catch of the day in the basket, an udang galah. The freshwater prawn move along with the in flow of the tide from Sungai Perak and hides amongst the plants below the river banks during low tide.

Kampung Jalan Karim will be flooded at least twice a year. It is not like those life threatening flood which happens in Johor or Pahang in recent years but just about one to two feet deep. This is as long as we do not swim in the river during specially high tide. The river can be fun but can be dangerous too. I was nearly drown in that river once. I slipped from the side of the river towards the middle of the river bed. Luckily one of my brothers friend caught hold of me and pulled me up.

At the right end of the Jalan Karim kampung is the railway tracks which links Teluk Intan to Tapah town. The railway station is about two kilometres away from the kampung. A railway bridge runs across the Sungai Pak Kalong. During the occasion when a train crosses the bridge while we are swimming, we will stay under the bridge until the train crosses. Imagine the sound from the wheel thumping on the tracks and the metal bridge shaking and vibrating for at least one to two minutes. Those were the days.

The railway track is no more there but replaced with a tarred lane. No one will ever wants to swim in the Sungai Pak Kalong nowadays. The river is so polluted with effluents from nearby factories and motor workshops for so many years that the river water turned from muddy brown to oily black. It is no more looks like a river but a dirty longkang (drain). What a sad case for my water playground.- Loka

Serdang Spiritual Connection

With the appointment as an Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya councillor, I  was also appointed as chairman for MPSJ's Zone 24 Residents Committee. Zone 24 is one of the 24 zones within the Seri Kembangan state constituency which constituents are mostly Chinese especially from  the Hakka clan. Seri Kembangan is part of the Serdang parliamentary constituency which also includes Bangi and Balakong state seats. Zone 24 can be said as the "last frontier" of MPSJ as the immediate Balakong neighborhood is under the administration of Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj).

At Zone 24,  the first place that comes to my mind was the Mines Resort City which was built on a former open cast tin mine. Within the resort city are various tourist related attractions including the Mines Wonderland, Capital Retail (previously Mines Shopping Fair ), Mines Wellness Hotel and other attractions. Other residential areas in Zone 24 includes Serdang Lama and Taman Sungei Besi Indah where the Zone 24 community centre is situated.

Interestingly my linkage to Zone 24 has been there for more than 10 years ago.

                                                        Source: The Sun, 30 July1996

 

In July 1996 I initiated and organised the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia's anniversary celebration rally held at the Mines Wonderland, a very popular theme park during that time. By then I was already in leadership positions of the Buddhist youth organisation's national council and the state committee. About 1,800 YBAM members and their families were provided free entrance to the Mines Wonderland for the rally held at the theme park's amphitheatre. A team of young volunteers especially from the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association was with me throughout the night to prepare the event venue. On event day, buses from all over the country arrives as early as 7am to take part in the rally.

                                               Source : K Sri Dhammananda - A Pictorial Retrospect

 

The highlight of the day that receives a standing ovation and thunderous applauses was the speech given by the Most Venerable K Sri Dhammananda who was also the Religious Patron of YBAM. For those who attended that memorable morning, that moment was something that we can cherished and remembers for a long time. A day when we were deeply very proud and happy to declared ourselves as a Buddhist, especially as Buddhist youth.

Source : Guang Ming Daily 30 July 1996

But then nothing is permanent. Since the demised of the late venerable and silence of his lion's roar, the environment in the community has been anything but an absence of national leadership and direction; feeling of void and emptiness ( too bad it is not emptiness as in the Heart Sutra) and worst - the disintegration of a firm and authoritative Buddhist voice in the local scene.

Source: K Sri Dhammananda - A Pictorial Retrospect

 

When the Mines Wellness Hotel, which was originally known as Mines Beach Resort and Spa was preparing for its' grand opening sometime in 1997 the owner invited the YBAM to organised a huge almsgiving ceremony for the Buddhist clerics, religiously known as the Maha Sanghikadana in the Buddhist context.  About 400 Buddhist clerics (monks and nuns) from all over Malaysia were present to accept  dana from the owner, Lee Kim Yew. It can be said that all the rooms and resorts has been blessed by the Sangha members before the resort received any other paying house guests.

A grand vegetarian lunch was prepared and served at the hotel that day. Interestingly, since it was a newly built resort, the kitchen facilities were all brand new and modern that the team of cooks from a local temple was reluctant to used the facilities.  They were worry that they might not adapt well to the new utensils and might damaged them! At the end of the day everything went smoothly and the resort was fully blessed by no less than 400 monks and nuns led by the Most Ven. Dr K Sri Dhammananda, the most influential and charismatic Buddhist monk in Malaysia's modern history.

Zone 24 indeed was one of the sites where some of my most memorable spiritual and community engagements with Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda unfolds years ago. - Loka

Moving on after May 13

It must be a great relief to many that the purported "Malay Arise" rally which was to be held today was aborted. The aborted rally raises ire and displeasure from both sides of the political divide. If the rally was to be held on any other day, it will be just another news in the inner pages of the newspapers, with the exception of Utusan Malaysia of course.

May 13 is a sensitive date to many especially those age above 40 as the incident in 1969 gave birth to the New Economic Policy(NEP) in 1971. Even though the objectives of the NEP to restructure the socio-economic disparity was a welcomed approach, it ends up widening the race relations even wider.

The incident already happens and no one can should denied it. Accept the fact that the incident is a black mark in our nation's history. Keep harping on it as a political or personal agenda and trying to revive the ghost will not bring any good to anybody. Just look forward and see how to make this nation a better place - FOR ALL. - Loka

Below is the article written last year on the same issue.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May 13 re-visited

A group of men in uniform were walking along the dusty road about 50 meters from my house, all of them with firearms which looks like M16 in their hands. I was curious with this sight as I never seen so many men in uniform all my life. The only guns I ever saw was those used by the hunters to shoot birds flying back to their nest in the evenings at the nearby forest.

The incident happens 40 years ago when I was just 4. It was a day after the May 13 Incident. When I drove past the same road in my hometown last month, I reflect upon on how naive I was then. Never cross my mind then that people had died days before and a number of racial riots occured in other parts of the country especially Kuala Lumpur which I have never set foot until years later.

I was told then that there were trouble in the country and we are not allowed to get out from our house. Emergency has been declared! Never understands what was the fuss all about, I still ventured out from the house and played hide and seek.

The actual story of the May 13 Incident or more popularly known as "513" by the Chinese community was very alien to me. I was only told the Malays and Chinese were fighting and killing each other. Never understands the social-economic and political factors which coloured the incident.

I was too young to understand anyway or to be more precised, I was too hungry to be bothered by all these grown-ups problem. My family was too poor to be bothered, what matters is whether we are going to have food on the table for our next meal.

Those who suffered during the tumultous period of our nation might wants to forget but the 513 never fades away as time passes by. We will be reminded again and again by some irresponsible politicians that 513 will happen again if we do not vote them or their party.

Going to school in my hometown never erases the incident from my mind as most of classmates are "familiar" with the story. Furthermore, my hometown always have the benefit of perspectives of different parties from the political divide serving us. We have the benefit of listening to stories from both side. Gerakan held the parliamentary seat while DAP and Umno had a seat each in the state seats. Race was never a issue. The local DAP assemblyman was a Malay and he speaks a smattering of Mandarin and local dialects.

University was the place that I gained more information on the 513 incident even though it may not be the full and precised story. I was studying history and political science which entails to me to read on various subjects related to history and politics in Malaysia. Most of the English books on Malaysian modern history were authored by western authors while those in Malay language was written by mostly nationalist Malays.

Reading these books, we need to be objective and not to be swayed by the personal emotions and value judgement of the writers. Furthermore, many of the documents on 513 were still official secrets and these writers may not have the privilege of seeing the documents themselves to provide a factual and unbiased statements.

After 40 years the ghost of May 13 still haunts those that live through it and a shadow over national unity. It is like a nail that is still imbedded in the heart of this country. It's time to have an operation and removed the nail from the heart once and for all.

It's time to tell the truth on what really happens on May 13 Incident and move on with our lifes especially those that were directly affected by the incident, once and for all. - Loka

Terror from Malaysia

Malaysians should be proud when one of their own was mentioned in the script of the investigative thriller series "Criminal Minds" which is currently shown on TV8 Monday evening. That is of course if the reference was on someone with a great achievement which Malaysians can shout "Malaysia Boleh"! But too bad it was not to be.

While watching the same series yesterday night, which was about some terrorists planning to kill one of the members of the US First Family who was undergoing surgery in a hospital, a familiar name from Malaysia was mentioned. At the middle of the show one of the characters, while discussing the personalities of terrorist bombers made a reference to one of Asia's most wanted man in recent times.

He was talking about Azahari bin Husin, the Malaysian lecturer turned terrorist who mastermind the killing of hundreds of innocent tourists and locals and caused mayhem in the idyllic Bali by bombing various targets in the touristic island including the 2002 Kuta bombing, 2003 JW Marriot Hotel bombing and 2005 Jimbaran and Kuta bombing. Azahari was also the master mind in the 2004 Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta. The terrorist also know as the "Demolition Man" was gunned down by the Indonesian special forces on November 9, 2005 in East Java.

Azahari Husin and another fellow terrorist Noordin bin Mohammed Top who was killed on 17 September 2009,  created a name for themselves while shaming their home country and fellow peace loving Malaysians when they were hunted after the 2002 Bali bombings and many other terrorist acts since then.

Even though these two terrorists did not caused any structural damage and deaths on Malaysian soil, their barbaric actions in Indonesia brought immense embarrassment and shame to the country. It put a black mark in the history of Malaysia as foreigners and other countries will always remembers Malaysia as the country of origin of these two terrorists that killed hundreds and caused millions of dollars of damages and losses of income to those who depends on tourism for survival in Bali.

Will the victims of their vicious bombings from multiple nationalities will ever forgive them for inflicting the pain, losses and sufferings on them and their love ones? Maybe time will heal the pain and forgiveness is divine but it will be difficult for some victims to forget the incidents and losses at the same.

The heart will still hurts when one remembers the sufferings, but why not strive to let go and move on? Feeling angry and vengeful about these terrorists will not bring back the dead or heal the wounds.- Loka

Jalan Dr Seet Kim Beng

Even though Buddhists comprised the second largest religious community in Malaysia, its presence and contribution to the nation's well being and development are seldom recognised and officially endorsed by the government. It is partly due to the Buddhists practice of not seeking glory and also the government's (BN and PR alike) "not aware" of the Buddhists existence because Buddhists did not make any noise or demand.

The Malacca state government recently announced the name change of an existing road to Jalan Dr Seet Kim Beng in honour of the late Venerable Seet Kim Beng for his contributions towards Buddhism and education in this country. This is the first time a public road is name after a Mahayana Buddhist monk. Venerable Kim Beng was the former president of the Malaysian Buddhist Association and founder of the Siang Lin Primary School in Malacca. Hopefully the second road to be named after a Buddhist monk will be a reality soon in Kuala Lumpur.

And now I am waiting for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to officially declares Jalan Pangkor in Penang to be renamed Jalan Datuk Chuk Mor. The late Ven. Chuk Mor was the founder president of MBA and established the Triple Wisdom Hall where it is situated along Jalan Pangkor. If Koh Tsu Koon can recommend a datukship for the late Ven. Chuk Mor, don't tell me Lim Guan Eng cannot perform this simple gesture of gratitude to remember the Father of Malaysian Buddhism!

Historically Buddhism has been in place in Malaysia since the 2nd century. Historical artifacts unearthed by archaelogists in different parts of the country are clear evidence of Buddhist influence since the early days before the arrival of Islam and Christianity. Until today there are still traces of Buddhist and Hindu influence in lost kingdoms which have not been seriously explored like the Lost City of Kota Gelanggi. Why further efforts to search and explore the possible great civilization in our doorsteps was not taken up by the authorities has raised many questions which left unanswered.

The government had spent millions to excavate, develop and promote many historical sites to attract locals and tourists alike on the rich history of this land. Historical sites like Kota Lukut near Port Dickson and Fort Cornwallis in Penang are places which can teach our younger generations the traces of this nation. Ancient Buddhist-Hindu sites like Lembah Bujang in Kedah and possibly Kota Gelanggi are important civilizational assets that cannot be replaced or replicate.

Genuine efforts must be taken to tell the story behind these ancient sites as the early Buddhist-Hindu influences are still noticeable in our society today via the customs and practices in the royal households and some words in the Malay language. - Loka

Jalan K Sri Dhammananda

The Most Venerable Dr. Kirinde Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera is a great spiritual master in the eyes of Buddhists all over the world. To the non-Buddhists and other co-religionists, he is a man who believes and promotes peace, mutual respect and understanding amongst all mankind.

In the international arena, the late Ven Dhammananda stands tall amongst other great Buddhist Dhamma masters like the His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Plum Village's Most Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and  Fo Guang Shan's founder Venerable Master Hsin Yun.

In Malaysia he is accorded the highest level of respect befitting a great monk by the Buddhist community and widely recognised as the Father of Malaysian Buddhism amongst the Buddhists. By far he is the only Buddhist monk in Malaysia to be conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Malaysian Buddhist community for his service and contribution towards the propagation and development of Buddhism in his adopted country.

 

For more than 50 years since his arrival in 1952 on the shore of the then colonial Malaya, the late venerable travelled all over the country to propagate the Buddha Sasana to all levels of society. No one is too young or too old to learn from him. He has his ways in disseminating the Teachings of the Buddha to all who came to see him for guidance and spiritual teachings.

 

His capabilities as a charismatic speaker and prolific writer enable him to propogate the Buddha Sasana to many people. To reach out to a wider scale of people who are interested to learn about Buddhism, he founded the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia which publishes articles and books on Buddhism for distribution all over the country and the world. His religious work had touches and changed the lives of millions when he was alive and after his passing his books are still being read by millions all over the world in different languages.

 

As a man who stand firms on the importance of inter religious understanding and mutual respect amongst people of different religion, he reaches out to people of other religions with loving hands and compassionate heart. Religious leaders of Christians, Hindus, Muslims and others have deep respect for this man of peace and religion.

 

World Buddhist leaders and scholars from different schools and denominations sees him as a great Buddhist teacher and leader. His international and national stature as a religious teacher can be observed from the presence and messages from Buddhist leaders from all over the world during his funeral three years ago.

 

Residing at the same temple for more than 50 years by no means a great feat for one who came from Sri Lanka to share the sublime Teachings of the Buddha to the people of this country. The Brickfields Buddhist Temple, now known as Buddhist Maha Vihara at Jalan Berhala was his base for his Dhammaduta work for more than half a century. The temple became synonymous with Venerable K Sri Dhammanada.

 

Many who passes through the temple arch at Jalan Berhala for the first time became long term devotees of the temple because there is one person that managed to provide answers to the many questions that arises in their mind. That person that able to provide the meaning of life and answers on Buddhism is non other than the late Most Venerable Dr K Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera.

 

While many had the highest level of respect for the late venerable when he is alive, it is critically important to have gratitude and remembers all the good deeds that he had selflessly contributed to this country and her people. In this respect efforts must be taken to petition the Malaysian government and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to proclaim the name of Jalan Berhala to be changed to Jalan K Sri Dhammananda. This will be apt and respectful to honour a person who contributed so much to the spiritual development and peaceful living of Malaysians while based at that particular road for more than 50 years.

 

Buddhist organisations particularly Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia and temple custodian Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society must take the necessary actions to engaged the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to ensure name change for Jalan Berhala, should be changed to Jalan K Sri Dhammananda and not the name of another politician. The spirituality of the road must be maintain and defended. - Loka

Malaysia Day

Today is Malaysia Day. The day when all the free people of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore comes together to established what is known now as Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Even though Singapore decided to withdraw from the federation in August 1965, Malaysia as one country stays intact until today 46 years later.

Malaysia Day used to be known as Hari Perpaduan or Unity Day but it seems nowadays it has not been promoted and emphasised as one though. When Malaysia celebrates its independence day on 31st of last month, there are people who felt that this country should celebrate as one nation on 16 September.

Sabah and Sarawak will be putting more efforts in celebrating Malaysia Day compared to those states in Peninsula Malaya. In some states, the day will just pass by without any significant commemoration but people in Sabah and Sarawak will be celebrating their nationhood as Malaysians.

Even though the government had declared that there will be only one Independence day celebration which is on 31 August, more efforts and political will need to be taken to place significant importance on Malaysia Day. This is not only about Sabah or Sarawak but the people of Malaysia as a whole where those who called this land their home will feel, think and live as one under the big Malaysian umbrella. - Loka

Let's march for the nation

Malaysia will be celebrating her 52nd year of freedom from colonial powers on 31 August 2009. What is the meaning of this day of freedom ?

Since 31 August is a national public holiday some will take the opportunity to spend more time with their family or beloved ones. Taking advantage on the final day of the Mega Sales Carnival, shopaholics will be swarming the shopping complexes looking for last minutes bargain especially those in big cities crowded with shopping malls. For those who has been sweating it out for the week, the long weekend will the time to have a good rest on the couch.

For those involving in the national day annual parades; brazing through hot suns, inhaling the dreaded haze which is an annual Merdeka gift mostly from our "brotherly" neighbour and drenched by the intermitten rain (not from water cannons though) is already part and parcel of of the package for these patriotic marchers. No worry, those marching along the designated routes will not be sued by the shopowners, KFC, or the goreng pisang and cendol hawkers for causing their sales and profits to drop.

On the contrary, they should be enjoying roaring business from those people that crashed into the parade sites to witness the parade. For sure the ice-cream man and the mamak stalls will be replenishing their stock to fulfill the fanstastic demand. Wonder if these businesses along the routes will share their extra profit with the march organisers since they are the one that brings in more people to the streets.

Why do these people march? No doubt they must be having a valid reason to spend weeks practising and rehearsing their steps marching to the rhythm to ensure nothing went arong so that they can put up a great show on that memorable day. They will be marching as what their forefathers did more than 52 years ago.

Their forefathers marches for a belief, the belief that one day their land shall be free from the clutches of the domineering, high and mighty powers of the day. They dreamt one day they will be able to build a great nation for themselves and their children, and their childrens children. A place where everyone can breathe the same air of freedom with a peaceful mind and hold into their heart that this land will provide a just and equitable opportunity for all to build a happy and comfortable place which they can call home.

Now 52 years later, their sons and daughters will also march to protect the freedom that is promised to all and to remember with gratitude those before them that had sacrificed and dedicated they lives for the nation because they believed it is the right thing to do. On 31 August, for those marching throughout the country, at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, Waterfront in Kota Kinabalu, Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam, Danga Bay in Johore Bahru, Seberang Prai in Penang and so on, they will be marching with the vigour and spirit of their predecessors. They will march to ensure their freedom will be defended and the right to their religious and cultural practices will be respected and to ensure the destiny of the nation will not falls into the hands of bigots and self serving individuals and parties.

Yes, on 31 August all of us will rise early and raise the Jalur Gemilang under the sun that shines over our land and we shall march together for the freedom, justice, progress and a united nation.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke 52.

Long Live Malaysia! - Loka

May 13 re-visited

A group of men in uniform were walking along the dusty road about 50 meters from my house, all of them with firearms which looks like M16 in their hands. I was curious with this sight as I never seen so many men in uniform all my life. The only guns I ever saw was those used by the hunters to shoot birds flying back to their nest in the evenings at the nearby forest.

The incident happens 40 years ago when I was just 4. It was a day after the May 13 Incident. When I drove past the same road in my hometown last month, I reflect upon on how naive I was then. Never cross my mind then that people had died days before and a number of racial riots occured in other parts of the country especially Kuala Lumpur which I have never set foot until years later.

I was told then that there were trouble in the country and we are not allowed to get out from our house. Emergency has been declared! Never understands what was the fuss all about, I still ventured out from the house and played hide and seek.

The actual story of the May 13 Incident or more popularly known as "513" by the Chinese community was very alien to me. I was only told the Malays and Chinese were fighting and killing each other. Never understands the social-economic and political factors which coloured the incident.

I was too young to understand anyway or to be more precised, I was too hungry to be bothered by all these grown-ups problem. My family was too poor to be bothered, what matters is whether we are going to have food on the table for our next meal.

Those who suffered during the tumultous period of our nation might wants to forget but the 513 never fades away as time passes by. We will be reminded again and again by some irresponsible politicians that 513 will happen again if we do not vote them or their party.

Going to school in my hometown never erases the incident from my mind as most of classmates are "familiar" with the story. Furthermore, my hometown always have the benefit of perspectives of different parties from the political divide serving us. We have the benefit of listening to stories from both side. Gerakan held the parliamentary seat while DAP and Umno had a seat each in the state seats. Race was never a issue. The local DAP assemblyman was a Malay and he speaks a smattering of Mandarin and local dialects.

University was the place that I gained more information on the 513 incident even though it may not be the full and precised story. I was studying history and political science which entails to me to read on various subjects related to history and politics in Malaysia. Most of the English books on Malaysian modern history were authored by western authors while those in Malay language was written by mostly nationalist Malays.

Reading these books, we need to be objective and not to be swayed by the personal emotions and value judgement of the writers. Furthermore, many of the documents on 513 were still official secrets and these writers may not have the privilege of seeing the documents themselves to provide a factual and unbiased statements.

After 40 years the ghost of May 13 still haunts those that live through it and a shadow over national unity. It is like a nail that is still imbedded in the heart of this country. It's time to have an operation and removed the nail from the heart once and for all.

It's time to tell the truth on what really happens on May 13 Incident and move on with our lifes especially those that were directly affected by the incident, once and for all. - Loka

Chinese Educationist Exemplary

Sim Mow Yu ( 1913 - 2009)

The late Sim Mow Yu, an authoritative and influential Chinese educationist, passed away recently on Feb 5, 2009 at the age of 96. Thousands of people from all walks of life send him off during his funeral in Melaka.

His contributions and legacies for Chinese education in Malaysia will be forever remembered by the people. He stood tall among all who believes in providing Chinese education for all. In 1987, he was even thrown into the Kamunting detention centre under the draconian ISA for his beliefs.

I am not a Chinese educationist but as a Buddhist, I am always grateful for his efforts that enabled the most important and holiest day in the Buddhist calendar, Wesak Day, to be declared a national public holiday in this country. - Loka

To remember the person or the road

While in Ipoh for the weekend it draws me to the recent public re-action on the issue of re-naming Jalan Silibin to the name of the late P.Patto, a former stalwart of the Democratic Action Party.

The intention of the Perak PR state government was to remember the late DAP leader as a gesture of recognition for his contribution to society. It became an issue when some residents in Jalan Silibin and some other place objected to the proposal. While it is the right of each individual to voice their opinions it must be justified with facts which is truthful. Those who objected to it by claiming P. Patto did not do anything for the people must either be living in another country or just did not bother to look back on history.

Even though I do not know the late P. Patto personally, he was a very well known to the people of Perak during his time. Amongst my school friends in Teluk Intan who cares to read the newspapers about him in the 1970s and 1980s, we know of his pursuits for justice and democracy. The only time I had the "privilege" to talk to him was when I was in secondary school during a DAP ceramah at the San Min Primary School Open hall. I was curious to listen to the DAP leaders that time and since the ceramah was not in a closed door, I just stand near the stage and listen. Just as interested as what is DAP all about I ends up buying a copy of the DAP newsletter "Rocket" for 40sen. The person who sold me the "Rocket" was non other than the humble P. Patto himself!

I was dumbfounded. A top DAP leader selling the newsletter to me for 40 sen and he even did out the coins from his pocket give me back the change! If I am older that time, I would have been embarassed to asked for the change! DAP was not a rich party back then. I don't know about now though?

Talking about road names also enables me to shared with my kids when we drove past Jalan Koo Chong Kong at the Ipoh old town. I told them it was named after the former Perak Chief Police who was assasinated by the communist in the 1975 while serving there. Some years ago there was an attempt to erase Koo Chong Kong's name the then city council plans to change the road name to Jalan Tabung Haji but was prevented due to public out-cry.

For those powers-that-be, whichever party you represented, please a prepare a well research proposal before you come out with any bright ideas to change the names of roads, lanes, parks, buildings, towns, rivers or even the names of any states or country itself.

We were at the D.R. Seenivasagam Park last Sunday too. Hope no jokers will ever thought of changing it to another name. Read history please before you act.

By the way, what's the historical significance of the name Silibin itself. Nobody seems to highlight this matter other than what are there. - Loka

Before you quote history

History is a subject which many look upon as an arts subject in the secondary and tertiary education systems. Those in the primary school level learned about historical background of certain place or personalities in the local studies subject. Many always made the mistake of saying 'history repeats itself".

Does history "repeats" itself? The incidence might be similiar but the characters and location would have changed. Furthermore, the most important fact about history which will never repeats itself is time. No matter how similiar the incident, time of occurence will never be the same. While I am keying in these words, the previous sentences already history. Time passes while we take every breath.

When we try to quote a part of history to justifies our arguments or actions, we need to take cognisance that others will quote many other historical facts to counter our points. History itself has been challenged with history. How far back we want to trace the historical background of certain matter? Yesterday, last year, one decade, one century, ten centuries or to the Bronze Age?

The Ahmad Ismail saga on his racial statement which is considered demeaning the Chinese in Malaysia as immigrants will not see any early ending soon. By justifying his racial statement with historical background based on the colonial period will surely attracts rebuttal from others who will also quote historical facts. The question is which period of time one refers to when claiming a certain race or community is an immigrant or original inhabitants?

Can we based on a scientific guideline or proofs that can safely anointed any individual as the original inhabitants of a land? Basing on a timeline, how long does it take to declare a person as original inhabitants if the person migrates from other places? Ten years, 100 years, 1,000 years, 10,000 years or more?

Can we consider the Perak Man, an 11,000 years old human skeletal remains which was discovered in 1991 in Lenggong, Perak as an original inhabitant. If that is so, how many Malaysians are actually the descendant of Perak Man?- Loka

16 September - Malaysia Day

The proposal for September 16 to be declared a national holiday in recognition of it's significance and importance to national unity and nation-building has been long overdue. But why is it there are certain people in BN particularly Umno who are reluctant to recognised that as a symbol of unity and goodwill gesture with our Sabah and Sarawak brethrens?

Is there an underlining fear in Umno that by giving Sept 16 it's due recognition will dilute or downgrade the contribution of the Malay nationalists' who fought for the nation's independence on 31 August 1957? What about the independence and nationalists of Sabah and Sarawak then? Both the states in East Malaysia did not joined Malaysia on 16 Sept 1963 since the nation called Malaysia did not exists before that. It was known as Malaya before 16 Sept 1963. Both the states were independent entity that decides to establish Malaysia together by merging with Peninsula Malaya and Singapore on equal playing filed and status. Brunei decided not to be part of the Malaysia at the last minute while Singapore seceded from Malaysia on 9 August 1965.

Why can't we have Independence Day on 31 August and Malaysia Day on 16 September? All independence fighters, whether in Peninsula or Sabah and Sarawak , will be fully recognised for their efforts and sacrifices.- Loka

Two sides of history

The school project requires the primary school students to write about the history of Melaka and my son duly asked for my help. He is seeking for a book on history of Melaka as a reference. I asked him to pick a specific book from my collection in the book shelves. That particular book was one of the reference I used during my studies in university many years ago.

It is a good reference on history of Malaysia and the authors had updated it since then. The book , "A History of Malaysia" by Barbara Watson Andaya and Leonard Y. Andaya was published by Macmillan Press Ltd.

Being a history buff and a degree in History, for sure I was very happy to help out my son for his school history project. What happens next was something unexpected from a primary school kid. After he read some parts of the book I picked for him, he commented that the facts in the Andaya book is inaccurate and not the same as what he read in his school books!

I was startled initially but then I told him, in reality it was the facts in his school books which is misleading!

This is serious matter and not a small matter indeed especially when there are people who is still insisting the country's independence was fought by only one particular race and other than the Malays, all Malaysians are pendatang or immigrants!

Many people has the tendency to assumed that Malaysia's history started from Melaka since 1400 and this had also gives credence to those who linked the starting point of Malay history with the beginning of the Melaka Sultanate. Factually this is arguable. The Andayas wrote in the book mentioned above,

"But Melaka's rise from a quiet fishing village to a world-renowned emporium and centre of Malay culture cannot be explained unless one realizes that behind the splendour of its court and vigour of its commerce lay traditions of government and trade which had evolved over centuries. The story of Malaysia does not therefore begin at Melaka but stretches back deep into the past. An examination of Melaka's heritage provides not only the context essential for an understanding of later events but throws up themes which continue to be relevant as Malaysian history unfolds."

If certain people intentionally re-intepret and re-writes history with the purpose of glorifying their own kind and at the same time denies other people's contribution and historical background with this country, it will be a sad day indeed for our nation building process and more than 50 years of nationhood.