Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

To all Malaysians Muslims: Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri!

To those who will be making their journey home in another town and those who’s traveling during this festive holidays, take care on the road. May your journey be safe and your time at your destination be a time filled with laughter, joy and love.

As we celebrate this festive season, please spare a thought for those who are in Kamunting, detained at the government’s pleasure with no right to a trial. And for their families too. So that they will not be a forgotten people, lost because of the cruelty of an unjust government.

On the 2nd day of Hari Raya, I will join others to convey Raya greetings to the ISA detainees at Kamunting. See you there!

a baking sunday (this one’s for RPK’s birthday)

Today I baked a strawberry crumble cake using the leftover strawberries from last Sunday.

This one is for Raja Petra who’s still in ISA detention. Don’t listen to the fellas at Kamunting. You are not forgotten, not ever. Raja Petra, have a blessed birthday!

strawberry crumble cake

strawberry crumble slice

Government please buck up

In Jeff Ooi’s latest take on the sorry state of our country’s economy, the numbers showed that FDI outflow is moving like migratory birds taking flight… FDI outflow surpassed inflow. For more read here.

Of course our government will blame it on the current meltdown worldwide. But can they for once stop and think and acknowledge… that it is also largely due to investors losing confidence in our government in view of the country’s flip-flop policies?

The government should buck up and focus on repairing this damage instead of holding up in meetings to negotiate on transition and sharing of powers.

Otherwise I may end up on the street like this man…

The day the SNAKE got socked…

This is a deliriously happy post. I cannot contain my pleasure after reading a report in the Star (via Malaysia Today) of Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department replying to the SNAKE’s toothless threat.

In case you missed that, here’s the report (note the highlights in red).

KLANG: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah has hit back at Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for asking him not to “interfere” in his ministry.

Murugiah said he was surprised to hear such comments from a senior minister because he was merely doing his duty — attending to complaints and solving problems.

“His statement asking me not to interfere in other people’s affairs is asking me and 270 staff in the Public Complaints Bureau to close shop.

“The bureau has received an average of 180 complaints about each ministry from January to August, and how can I do my job if I can’t ‘interfere’ in another ministry?” he said.

“The Public Complaints Bureau is above all ministries when it comes to handling complaints,” he said after visiting SJK (T) Batu Ampat in Jalan Kota Raja here on Thursday.

Syed Hamid was reported as saying that it was inappropriate for Murugiah to interfere in the affairs of another ministry.

He also said that Murugiah’s action in speaking on behalf of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok on complaints she was not served proper meals while in detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was akin to being a “spokesman for the Opposition.”

Murugiah added that Syed Hamid should talk to him directly instead of making comments publicly.

“I’m trying to do something good for the general public, treating everyone fairly regardless whether the complaints are from the Government, the Opposition or members of the public.

“As a junior minister, I will always accept with a open heart if he (Syed Hamid) would like to guide me or show me the best way to do my job,” he said.

This is the second time Syed Hamid has hit out at his Barisan Nasional colleagues for “interfering” with his ministry.

Earlier this month, he slammed Barisan leaders for criticising his decision to detain three civilians — including Kok — under the ISA.

- The Star

There you go, even a deputy minister has more sense than an experienced minister who has held the Foreign Minister portfolio previously. I cringe in embarrassment to think of the things he had said to his foreign counterparts.

Our government needs more people like T. Murugiah who knows his role as a cabinet minister, that is to serve the general public irregardless of race, religion or party status. Keep it up for Malaysians, Yang Berhormat!

The legitimate function of the government

The recent events of late in the country has caused me to protest against my government. But it is clearly stated in Romans 13 that the government is of God and I am to submit to the government.

After reading an exposition study on this chapter by Ray Stedman, I learned that;

Leaders are servants of God even though they are tyrannical, cruel or corrupted.

Not only the forms of government are brought into by God, the people who occupy the offices are put there by God.

God changes times and seasons, God removes rulers and he sets up rulers.

God doesn’t ordain any one form of government to be continued forever.

however,

The government although having the authority to act against people who oppose them has limited powers. They are agents of God and NOT God.

The government is not to enslave men, because men belong to God.

The government is not to oppress men, because men bear the image of God.

The legitimate function of the government is to protect us from evil and to honor those who live as good citizens.

and

We have a right to resist oppression by the government by nonviolent means.

Here’s an example of how an American court recognized the right motives of people (a true story as related in the exposition study).

A man was hauled to court because he had stolen a loaf of bread. When the judge investigated, he found out that the man had no job, his family was hungry, he had tried to get work but couldn’t, tried to get funds for relief but couldn’t, and so in order to feed his family he had stolen a loaf of bread. When the judge found out the circumstances he said, “I am sorry but the law can make no exceptions. You stole, and therefore I have to punish you. I have to assess a fine of ten dollars. But I want to pay the money myself.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to the man. As soon as the man took the money, the judge said, “I also want to remit the fine.” That is, the man could keep the money. “Furthermore, I am going to instruct the bailiff to pass around a hat to everyone in this courtroom, and I am fining everybody in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a city when a man has to steal in order to have bread to eat.” When the money was collected, he gave it to the defendant.

Will our country ever have a court that will on occasion recognize the right motives of people even though there may be wrong doing involved? (Of course not, as long as we are still under the present government).

I know God will understand why I am resisting certain issues like the ISA…because the very government I am trusting to defend my freedom is oppressing the freedom of others.

This post is written with excerpts from God’s Strange Servants by Ray C. Stedman Copyright: © 1995 Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church.

a baking sunday

Lincoln (the president wannabe) bought some passion fruits and strawberries from Cameron Highlands.

I baked a passion fruit cake and made strawberry jelly with passion fruit glaze topping, baked some more banana cake, peanut butter muesli cookie and roasted some buffalo wings.

I am too lazy to write about the baking experience. Here are some pictures of my baking sunday.

Passion fruit cake (not so yummy la)

Banana cake (heavenly delicious)

Buffalo wings (a bit burnt but still finger lickin good)

Peanut butter muesli cookies (melts in your mouth..hmm)

Strawberry jelly (forgot to take pictures, now all in the stomach).

updates (Sept 23, 12.25pm) : Yikes! I read in today’s news that the strawberry milk I used to make the jelly is tainted with melamine and I should throw it away! I still have some of the jelly and a bottle of milk in the fridge. These will have to go into the dustbin. Meanwhile, I will be monitoring my urine (or lack of it), blood pressure, irritability, kidneys for any melamine toxic symptoms! Triple yikes!

List of ISA detainees

ISA is an inhuman and cruel Act.

Detention without trial.

I am sure there’s a democratic and humane way to deal with these people.

Here’s a list of known detainees as at 13 September 2008 updated by Aliran.

The wait is killing…

Depression is setting in, just like rigor mortis. When one is dead for a certain number of hours the body stiffens and stays in the position you were before you drew your last breathe. The country’s been dead for several days since 916.

Yes, I am feeling lousily depressed today. Because the wait for a change in government is killing….

Killing the economy. The KLCI has gone into free fall mode. Our ringgit is losing value. Inflation has hit the roof. Prices of essential items have gone up and will never come down. Business is surely turning negative. Our salaries? Still the same and if we are fortunate, it will not suffer a cut.

Killing confidence in the government. Our country runs on auto pilot now. Because our leaders are too busy plotting to gain power. Be it within the ruling government or the opposition trying to take over. Investors are concerned with the instability in our country. Not only new investors are keeping away but existing ones are packing or have packed up to leave.

Killing peace and harmony and freedom. Malaysians like Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and the Hindraf 5 are languishing in detention without trial. Blogger Kickdefella has been detained under the Sedition Act. Screws up our peace of mind. For we don’t know who’s next. Or what we said or wrote will be deemed seditious or a threat to the country.

Killing trust. Too many promises, not an iota of action. Oh yeah, the petrol price will be revised IF crude oil price falls. Hello, anyone can tell how much is crude oil price now? What below USD100? There you go.. And not to mention the flip-flopping? Will hand over in 2010.. or maybe earlier? Just make up your mind and stick to it please!

Killing hopes. An unstable government cannot give the people hope to plan ahead. What is there to hope and plan when everything around you is clouded with anxieties and doubts.

YBs, for the sake of our country and the people, CONCENTRATE ON MANAGING THE COUNTRY!! Don’t leave it to auto pilot because I don’t trust machines! Let me look forward to good news about how you will bring the economy around. Not another meeting or press conference to announce more of your power struggle strategy. What’s there to govern if the country is ‘dead’?

Action. Reaction.

As we drove pass the vehicle, the father flashed a big smile and waved at us!

Shaun and I were driving along this road in Ipoh. Now don’t interrupt my thoughts and ask me who is Shaun. All I can tell you is he is Shaun the Swan. Thanks to the mispronunciation of a very Chinese name.

Anyway, let’s start again. Shaun and I were driving along this road in Ipoh. We followed behind a car with a little Indian boy staring out through the back windscreen. You know that every kid’s favourite position inside a car? He was happily singing (I think) to himself. The happiness spread to us in the car behind his. Quickly I asked Shaun to wave at him.

Hence started a ‘wave-wave’ situation. We kept waving until we cleared a traffic light and I overtook his car. As we drove pass the vehicle, the father flashed a big smile and waved at us! (I thought wave-wave is kids play?)

Hey you made our day! And it was nice waving you.

Moral of the story: For every positive action there is an equally positive reaction (quote dr.2Sen)

Birds WILL jump too

Mama Bird screeched like an owl and jumped like a frog.

6 weeks ago :

Mama Bird decided to build a home for Sonny Bird on the Frangipani Tree. She toiled with her lil’ beak carrying forth dried leaves and twigs. Soon she had a nice home in between two leaves. Alas, Mama Bird must have skipped the parables about building a home on strong foundation! For Mama Bird did not know that the leaves will dry off in no time and fall off from the branch, along with her home!

9 weeks minus 16 days ago:

A good Samaritan saw the precarious position of Mama Bird’s new home on the Frangipani Tree. Oh no, the leaves will fall soon! What will happen to Sonny Bird? So the good Samaritan got hold of some pieces of wood and nailed together a Bollard Rickety. Then when Frangipani Tree shed itself of the dry, no more of any use leaves, Mama Bird’s home will not crash like a ton of bricks.

Now Mama Bird was not at home when the good Samaritan put up the Bollard Rickety. Sonny Bird, trained from young to tell tales, quickly flapped it’s tiny wings to warn Mama Bird of the intrusion.

Mama Bird flew back in haste, ready for an ugly confrontation. Mama Bird screeched like an owl and jumped like a frog. Sonny Bird knows it’s all shadow play. Sonny Bird sighs in embarrassment . Doesn’t big Mama Bird has any new tricks?

The Frangipani Tree shook as vigorously as Mama Bird jumped and jumped. Oops Mama Bird felt the sinking feeling. Sonny Bird screeched frantically , ‘Jump! Mama jump onto the Bollard Rickety now! Or you will sink!”

BIRDS WILL JUMP TOO. WILL YOU WHEN YOUR SHIP IS SINKING? TO SAVE NOT ONLY YOURSELF BUT YOUR FAMILY FROM DESTRUCTION.

Note: I did not fabricate this story. Two humming birds actually built a nest on my frangipani tree. And I did build a support for the nest before the leaves dry up and fall from the tree. Yes, Mama Bird did kick up a ruckus when she saw me meddling with her nest. All is well that ends well. The next morning Mama Bird and Sonny Bird checked out their new nest and hummed happily away. Sorry I cannot tell you what they were singing. But I guess it could be ‘The Last Waltz’.