Here I am again.
I'm back from work, to work. It has been a very tiring week. It has been work work work work work (even on Sunday).
Howsy, sorry I keyed in your internet name wrongly. Don't lah so angry? It wasn't meant to be an attack on your character, it's the Net, ideas are abound, and what's wrong with someone who thinks differently from you? The fun part is in the discussion. And to the rest of you who felt slighted by my post, I have to apologize for hurting your feelings. I really didn't think I was being that provocative, okay?
To me, I wanted people to know that I felt it was rather unfair that so many people take it upon themselves to 'report' the issues 'as they are'. It was pretty obvious that these reporters included anger into their presentations and expect people to believe that it's a case of spreading the news. While so many people have said that they leave it to the masses to decide, they actually injected their own brand of angry opinions without any constructivism into their news presentation. When I read the issues there wasn't really any reporting lah, no opinions presented, just a series of bash bash bash…, and me, being one of the masses, surely I was allowed my own set of opinions, right? This was something that you'd left for me to decide, and I decided. And then you get angry over my decision, so odd.
The strange thing is so many people in this world get riled up because they cannot get everyone to agree with them. Or sometimes, even when they get supporters, they cannot get the supporters to behave in the way they want them to behave.
I'm making this clear again (since some people misread my intentions). I am thankful that the blogosphere took it upon itself to be the medium that initiated a realization of important issues. It's great to see people like xypre, howsy, ylchong, ilovemalaysia, fat4 around, and the commentors, the ones like sexyman who are always there to provide alternative information, and sometimes, opinions. One thing though, can you guys please also try to understand that for every opinion you cast, there will always be another person who will not agree with you. That's the way the world works. Your logic may not be my logic, but doesn't mean we have to go head to head and point guns at each other right?
All said and done, keep on blogging, I really like your blogs because you guys are different, well, even Fat4 who seems to have this something against me (which till this day, leaves me puzzled and amused). Now since we're on this Fat4character (I have to refer to him as a character, he's not put a face nor identity to his online persona), I'd like to address him here. Uncle, if you say I'm so arrogant, you say it to my face the next time we meet, if we do meet. I warn you first, I take about 2 days to warm up to strangers, I'm terrible at socializing, and usually am a terrible recluse. If you have a problem with me, can you please write to me directly instead of writing funny commentaries on me, you make me sound like a-over-rated politician, and that kind of coverage is over-flattering for someone like me. I'm just a human being, and it seems that my popularity (or notoriety, have it your way), is only enhanced by your constant picking on me. Which works okay, but if you want people to stop reading me and stop referring to me as a blog-celebrity, may I suggest you stop obsessing over my character?
Because I'm getting sick of the attention myself. And you're not helping the both of us here. Okay?
I wanted actually, to talk about religious freedom, in reference to today's outline by the PM that discussions on Article 11 should be stopped.
I do have an opinion on this, since I am a supporter of open discussions on religious freedom (pretty freaking obvious, considering the frequency in which I bring this topic to light online). As much as I am saddened by the gag-order, I suppose that sometimes, when the majority is not prepared and not mature enough to handle the truth, it is best to wait until maturity kicks in. Well, maturity, of course, will not kick in just like that, it comes with a lot of other things as well, education, upbringing, environment etc. In this case, obviously everything is related, race and religion, ethnicity and cultures, all these things are interlinked, we'd be far too ignorant to say that we can divide them as singular issues and tackle them one by one.
There you have the scuffle in UPM, and then you have 400-500 people turning up to protest against discussions about religious freedom in the country, you have labels being thrown around online, and you have people getting berated over issues that might not have been sensitive at all in the first place. I mean, I don't know about you, I suppose I'm fortunate enough to have it internalized inside me that everyone has his right to believe in something, but then again, there are Christians that I've met who go around telling our non-Christian friends that, 'Oh if you still want to believe in that thing, it is up to you. When you die and you go to hell, it's far too late to regret.'
And these are educated, thinking Christians, you know, but they can say something like that. I actually salute the non-Christian for listening to a line like that, this takes immense tolerance obviously. But, what to do? Man is built that way, we cannot seem to accept that everyone thinks differently from each other.
I don't know when we're going to finally mature and realize that it takes one action to provoke a reaction, in fact I think that's never ever going to happen. But since I'm so saddened that we cannot go ahead with the forums to discuss the topic, I just have to akur because the gag-order does make sense, for the better good. I suppose my realization is this: if the public cannot handle the truth (or at least, our version of the truth), what's the point of saying it and provoking the wrong parties? Afturds kena bomb then we know. Not to say that the protesters can be violent lah, but you see, when emotions are stirred up, ANYTHING can happen.
So I'm a scaredy cat. I'd rather shut my mouth and pretend everything is a-okay. My life is okay what, right now. I'll live with it, this is my choice, don't you dare come and prosecute me for making this choice.
July 26th, 2006 at 9:31 am
I too am a supporter of religious freedom and openness, although I am not one to participate in any religion, I believe that people should be given the right to have a choice in what they believe.
Unfortunately, in Malaysia, a gag-order is a gag-order. There is always a risk in being imprisoned under the ISA and sedition laws.
July 26th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Ever wonder why our national news at 8 taking sides in middle east conflict? I guess they forgot their role is about “reporting”, not “condemning”. You can forget about the idea of religious forum in this country. It just won’t happen.
July 26th, 2006 at 10:20 am
Jeez, what kind of day is this? How come both you and I actually put up self-effacing, self-deprecating posts at the same time?
July 26th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Sometimes one need to remember ‘The Boiled Frog’ story .
http://allaboutfrogs.org/stories/boiled.html
“They say that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water,
it will leap out right away to escape the danger.
But, if you put a frog in a kettle that is filled with water that is cool and pleasant,
and then you gradually heat the kettle until it starts boiling,
the frog will not become aware of the threat until it is too late.
The frog’s survival instincts are geared towards detecting sudden changes.”
… just my 2-cents worth ( and …err … no jibes intended on any party)
July 26th, 2006 at 11:53 am
ouch! grammar error …. line 1 should read:
Sometimes one needs to remember ‘The Boiled Frog’ story .
July 26th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
off-topic
i found this pic at kenny blog, the model on the left in
http://www.kennysia.com/images/photos/20060722-10.jpg
looks like you compare to:
http://static.flickr.com/71/189439019_9ada3ee04c.jpg
July 26th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Miss Minishorts,
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful blog. As a busy grad student (a law student) who also works at a law firm, I seldom have the opportunity to read many blogs or visits many sites these days. However, in the last few months I find myself visiting your site over and over again. Why? Because you are one of the few people that care about what’s important (i.e. morality, education, racism, patriotism/ nationalism), and one of the few willing to share an honest opinion about such topics.
I must also admit that I enjoy your site because it gives me insight into a very different viewpoint of the world. I often fail to realize just how different the struggles and worries are of those in different countries. As a Chinese American born and raised in California, I have few opportunities to peek through the looking glass of another’s cultural viewpoint, and your blog provides a wonderful insight into the great country that is Malaysia.
I hope that you will continue to spend your time sharing your heartfelt feelings with us, and thank you for doing so.
July 26th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
thanks jeff. it’s very flattering to read your note.
and spyder: i so get what you mean. i mean it hurts to know that there are laws like ISA and sedition laws in place, but the fact is… they’re there for a reason. I suppose mankind is not prepared to go lawless yet.
July 26th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
ahhhh…BUT in no way was I nor am I advocating lawlessness . That said, one has to face things squarely in the eye …not sweep stuff under de carpet coz one day one can end up in a whole pile of s ___ t ! That said, being reactive to things that happen is not the way to go …proactive - yarr , that’s the way. .. so - i would say that we need be alert and keep watch; highlight misconduct - but in a rational way. Oh dear… I have been soooo ‘cheong hei’ . Guess I have used up my 2 sens lah
BTW, makan bila?
July 26th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Dear Minishorts,
I agree that you have a right to your opinions, and by all means, express your own misgivings about the manner in which your university’s name was being tarnished, as well as your well intentioned recovery of the university’s good, however your earlier post was a little misjudged and could have been better worded, because the language and tone you employed there severely undermined and downplayed the seriousness of the issues raised by the more overtly ‘political’ bloggers and the socio-political consciousness they were tyring to raise to effect and bring about the necessary socio-political changes in order to better promote, serve and preserve the civil freedoms and privileges that are calculatedly being eroded.
I would say the earlier post was rather dismissive that it probably encouraged a potentially dangerous flippant attitude among less aware or mature readers. Perhaps, you could have written as you have written today, highligting your personal dislike about the negative media reportage, while addressing the issues raised with your constructive ideas on how they can be tackled. Thanks.
Incidentally, I know of someone teaching in UPM who once alluded to certain policies long before these controversies came to the surface… Personally, I feel people need to be more socially conscious, as these little ‘events’ and other unreported things happening reveal undercurrents that do not bode well for our country.
July 27th, 2006 at 5:30 am
I find I can’t agree at all with the part about waiting for the maturity to kick in. Hmm. Reckon….If anything, the gag order will just perpetuate the impression that we cannot talk about such things. And I don’t see how that contributes to “educating” people on how to talk about these things if we…well. Aren’t allowed to.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Ah
Jeff from LA
Malaysia is not that great a country that you think it is….
Minishorts tends to be overly bright and cheerful about the country
July 28th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
I guess there’s probably an adage out there that says something like “You can dislike someone’s opinion, but still admire the person.”
Variances of opinions are important laa, takkan everyday same menu?
I’d say brightly optimistic opinions make for a fresher read.
-_-” God knows I’M sick of being cynical about Malaysia already.
July 28th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Tres, I have to say that I’m happy that minishorts writes optimistically about her country. I think that much of what makes a country great is how the people in that country feel about their own country.
I mean, I feel the same way as minishorts. I know that my country, America, has innumerable faults and weaknesses, but I love it none the same. By being able to see through her worldview (through her blog), I am also able to see what makes Malaysia great in spite of its flaws.
July 28th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Minishorts is the prettiest girl on the Malaysian blogosphere.
July 28th, 2006 at 2:44 pm
Malaysia is a wonderful place to live in. However, she has MANY underlying problems that need to be tackled. Though we may not be affected personally by those problems, we could not dismiss the existence of them.
Even we can choose to believe things in our own point of view, we could not disregard the actual FACT. The country is just one more year to her 50th Birthday. With half a decade time, it is hard to believe that mutual understanding between different races and religious remains immatured. If education, upbringing, environment etc. would be the cause, then we must really look into these areas, which should have undergone “drastic” improvement through out the decades. If they are not the root of the problems, we better prepare to hold a discussion fast, to find a solution to the underlying problem.
Facts are facts. We only have the option to either believe it or don’t, as you said: everyone has his right to believe in something.