I am looking forward to a new budget that is truly “rakyat” friendly with an honest to goodness “people first” approach. To do this, the government has to really think out of the box with drastic yet creative measures to achieve such a proposal. Move away from traditional planning of budgets to create a win-win [...]
one malaysia
1. In recent days we were all saddened by the death of a towering Malaysian and a “glokal” talent called Yasmin Ahmad. For years she has given us much joy and tears from her great Petronas advertisements and enjoyable “Made in Malaysia” movies. I personally am a big fan. She started the whole One Malaysia [...]
first impressions
I imagine myself to be a first time European tourist to Malaysia arriving at the KLIA coming from Singapore.
1. I walk out of the plane and notice that the aero passage bridge is dirty and worn out despite knowing that the KLIA is a fairly new airport having won airport awards year after year (I [...]
why oh why? part 1
1. Why does the media publish stories that stir up sensational issues in ways to corrupt our minds? Don’t we all have better things to worry about than worrying or speculating as to what will happen to the government, ministers, cabinet, parliament, opposition, monarch, etc? Business people are still weary about doing business despite a [...]
unity and heritage
1. A few weeks ago, I had attended a friend’s much awaited wedding ceremony. He is an Indian man who married a beautiful Indian doctor (lucky guy!) and the ceremony dinner was held at a prominent hotel in Petaling Jaya. I always get confused as to what would be appropriate to wear to these events [...]
a new cabinet – letter to the new PM (part 2)
Dear “new” Prime Minister,
1. It is important that as the new Prime Minister for ALL Malaysians, you must make your mark and dictate a new “modus operandi” for your own style of administration. Take the good from the past and include better things for the future. We do not need to lean on the past [...]
“fait accompli”
1. It is quite amusing to see this never ending circus regarding the teaching of science and mathematics in english in our local schools. Why is it so difficult to come to a decision? In fact the decision was already made by the the former PM (endorsed by the cabinet on the 19th of July [...]
negaraku
Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahagia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta x2
Its idiomatic translation is:
My country, my native land
The people living in unity and progressive
May God bestow blessings and happiness
May our Ruler have a successful reign x2
1. “Negaraku” simply means that this country Malaysia is for all us Malaysians who [...]
letter to the new PM
Dear (new) Mr. Prime Minister,
1. Malaysia is a blessed country. Despite it all, we have managed to live quite happily, peacefully, decently and if I may also say, without much hardship. But Malaysia needs a radical change and Malaysians are ready for this change. The “rakyat” demands this change as a matter of fact. What [...]
fuel and fares
1. Kudos to MAS for finally realizing that they cannot continue to ridiculously charge for fuel surcharge when the price of oil is below USD40 per barrel! I just hope that there won’t be any other special fee imposed after the removal of this fuel surcharge because we are not stupid.
2. I notice that not [...]
to my friend in Gaza
Dear Malaysians,
The humanitarian crisis due to the current violence in Gaza is hitting children and women most. Over 800,000 children have been exposed to extraordinary levels of violence and insecurity, some 1,600 have been injured and more than 300 children have died. Gazan children who have survived are experiencing unimaginable trauma every day, cowering from [...]
are you sleeping?
Of late I have been having trouble sleeping well at night due to reasons which I myself am not able to explain nor comprehend. It is now 5am and with only 5 hours sleep earlier I am now wide awake! My body is tired from the daily activities and it needs the much required rest [...]
can the boycott work?
1. I have received so many sms’s and emails asking to boycott American products as well as products of companies that support or give money to Israel.
2. A whole list of products and companies were highlighted. I have my doubts if such a move will tell the Americans anything because the majority of the people [...]
school toilet revolution
1. There are 9825 schools in Malaysia (both primary and secondary) with a total of approx 5,464,751 students (sources from Ministry of Education as of Jan 30, 2008 )
2. Each school I would imagine to have an average of 2 toilets each for boys and girls which totals 4 per school, and in some cases another [...]
a national education fund?
1. Imagine 200 top companies in Malaysia given a tax deduction rebate of RM5-10million each by the Government for a direct contribution to a newly set up “National Education Fund” focusing on various scholarship programs for Malaysian students embarking on tertiary education. RM5million is just a benchmark proposal and it can vary.
2. Imagine the government [...]
semi private govt school?
Do you think that if parents had to pay RM100 per child per month in this proposed “semi private govt school”, there will be an uproar by the public? a march protest by umno, mca and mic youth walking down putrajaya?
I am being practical here. If we assume each class has an average of 30 [...]
50 days
When i was told that this book was finally out, i searched at a few places but none of the big stores had it surprisingly. Distributors still celebrating the festive holidays i guess!
The author, Dato Marina Mahathir was also helping me to locate stores that had it and finally on friday evening i found it [...]
first day of school
After such a long holiday filled with festivities, kids go back to school today. My daughter Ariadna is already in standard 4 and we just cant believe how fast time flies. It only seems like yesterday my dragon baby was born in 2000. Children grow up very fast these days but i wonder if our [...]
malay rights – part 2
part 2 attempts to explain further the rather controversial tone of the 1st article
malay rights – part 1
Malay Rights – A Mystical Myth
Published in malaysiakini June 23, 2008
The very “need” for transparency, openness and tolerance in its current practice in Malaysia today defeats the divine “efforts” of preserving and championing Malay rights and Bumiputera privileges we all are disillusioned to believe is the right way of life for us Malays today, [...]
big welcome to the world!
Welcome to the cowboy malaysia blog!
It was my 2009 new year’s resolution to start blogging and i hope to amuse all of you with my rantings about everyday life in Malaysia specifically. I will start off by posting the 2 controversial articles i had written a few months ago which was published in malaysiakini.com titled [...]
