Nature woes of 2020.

I was nearly brought to tears when I first read about the fate of the poor Malayan tiger which died at the Malacca Zoo back in October. The poor creature was caught in a poacher's trap had to have its front paw amputated. Despite desperate attempts by the veterinarians at the Malacca zoo, the tiger died of infection and extreme stress. It is estimated that there are about 500 Malayan tigers left in our jungles.

If cases similar to the Malayan tiger happened in any of the Scandinavian countries, there would be an outroar (pardon the pun) from the public. The only action I've seen here is reading about it in the papers. Our antipathy only serves to highlight the Malaysian relationship with nature.

It is hoped that by 2020, we will be a developed nation. We hope to have the most advanced banking system infrastructure, public transport that rivals London together with first world infrastructure. But none of these will matter if we keep our third world mentality. Being a developed country is not just about the level of income in our economy. It is not about achieving a GDP of a high income economy.

It is how we think. It is how we treat those who need our help the most. It is how we treat the poor, the disabled, the old. It is how we treat nature, how we treat the environment, how we treat animals and wildlife. These are what make a country truly first world.

I was thrilled to read when the newest Carrefour decided to forgo plastic bags completely. I try my best never to use plastic bags when I go shopping, making sure that I carry my own reusable bag which I tuck away in my handbag. I have seen some attempts by other supermarkets to cut down the use of plastic bags by selling reusable canvas bags.

But all these attempts are half-hearted, or just in my opinion, done to be seen as being ‘with it’ with the trend as opposed concerning the customer’s convenience or being more environmentally conscious. The green/blue canvas bags sold at many supermarkets are square shaped, shallow and have handles which are far too long, making it difficult to carry items that are long and bulky. In one rather ironic case, I saw a reusable bag sold at the supermarket wrapped in plastic.

Supermarkets aren’t the only ones who seem to be jumping into the ‘with it’ trend. Guardian pharmacies were recently giving away free reusable bags, after a purchase of over RM150. RM150 is a very steep price for reusable bags. Granted, they were much nicer on the eyes compared to those sold at supermarkets and being more or less the same shape and size of regular supermarket plastic bags, they were the perfect substitute. Despite the steep price, it being sold out in such a short period of time just proved that RM150 worth of purchases at a pharmacy is not so uncommon after all. But that’s the other problem, how quickly those ‘Reusable bags which aren’t ugly and I don’t mind walking around with’ were sold out. So what’s the point?

I think it is important for the government to have a stronger stand on this issue. They should tax supermarkets which use plastic bags (thereby increasing short-term tax revenue), this will force supermarkets to charge customers for plastic bags, which in turn will force the customer to bring their own bags. Reduce the prices of the more environmentally friendly rubbish bags sold at the supermarket.

Another problem is recycling. I remember back in school when they were trying to promote recycling. It was in no way motivating, students found it a waste of time and even the teachers found it tiresome. The project was short lived. Recycling centers have turned into rubbish dumping grounds.

I can go on and on about ways to be more environmentally friendly but the sad fact is, most people who read the papers already know it but they just cannot do much about it. They recycle at home, but when the rubbish truck picks up the rubbish, the papers, plastic, cans and biodegradables all get mixed up anyway. They buy reusable canvas bags in the supermarket to find out that they are more of a nuisance. Majority just don't care. I barely see any remote interest in our country with regards to the Copenhagen climate summit.

So what makes us different from those in Belgium when it comes to wildlife and the environment? It is education and enforcement. It is following through on environmental education. It is not just having a few half-hearted campaigns every couple of years and hoping for the best afterwards. It is an ongoing battle.

This I see as Malaysia’s greatest weakness. The lack of follow through on every campaign, ambition and dreams that we have, from maintenance of buildings, to commitments on billion dollar investments in cybernetic infrastructure, to the further development of Islamic banking, Math and Science in English, or in the case of this article, campaigning for the environment and wildlife protection. Over and over again we come up with such bombastic ideas but you know what? It will all count for nothing if we don’t emphasize that post-project plans are just as important, if not more so, then the projects themselves.

Take a stand and actually keep with it. Environmental awareness isn’t a trend. Promote wildlife campaigns and actually stick with it. Making sure enforcement is on-going is just as important as making sure there is any enforcement at all. Wildlife and environmental education should evolve just like any other part of education.

The lives of our future, our jungles and our beloved tigers depend on it.

My Dear Doctor

I'm a huge fan of Doctor Who and like every fan out there, I was anticipating the release of Waters of Mars. At long last, on the 15th of November 2009, the wait was over.

My verdict: The BEST ever doctor who episode!

Of idiotic governance and complacency

It's been the country's goal to have the status of a 1st world state by the year 2020 since Dr Mahathir became the prime minister over 20 years ago. So one of the main steps taken is to emphasize on higher education. Institutes of higher education popped up all over the country at record pace. Scholarships are awarded to thousands of students yearly to further their studies in universities all over the world. Foreign lecturers are frequently being invited to give talks, even invited to teach at local universities. Local lecturers are awarded grants to further their research overseas. Affiliations between local universities and foreign universities are now a norm.

Yet, the government evidently thinks we're stupid. We don't know the difference between what's right and what's wrong. Have a read at this opinion blog.

Sure I'm pissed at the government making such a big hoo haa about Beyonce yet near to no comment about Akon's concert when the latter's lyrics and video clips degrade women. Yes, I'm upset about the initial ban on all muslims going to the B.E.P concert because it was sponsored by a beer company when one of the biggest sponsors for The Rainforest Music festival is Carlsberg (but oh-wait! That's Sarawak. Silly me. Not part of Malaysia right?) and that stupid press statement by JAKIM about banning Yoga for Muslims (which I read on the BBC when I was in the UK - I refused to be Malaysian at that point and insisted that I'm a citizen of the world).

But that's not really the issue I want to address today. Tons of people blog their discontent on those matters. I just wanted to emphasize that we're really not that stupid. Did they really think that after spending so much on education, we're going to remain quiet? Did they think that we're just going to ignore the blatant idiocy of buying two, not one but TWO RM40K laptops? (It wasn't even for the ministry of defense, it was for some admin purposes of a local college!) Did they think we'll be satisfied after the announcement of the budget? You don't even have to be a a Phd holder in Economics to notice that someone didn't do their research.

They announce that Malaysia is to drive towards a high income economy. In other words, that just means the rich get richer whilst everyone else pretty much stays the same. That's how it'll be if our economy is as politically driven as it is. I'm very sure I'm not the only person to realize how much bloody potential Malaysians have, but we are constantly, over and over again restricted of opportunity and choice because some idiot somewhere, with political connections, is getting a larger bank account.

The government think they know best, they send out bright minds to study the economics of 1st world countries. Yet, our real income has deteriorated because it's not up to par with the inflation rate. Proton is still being treated like an infant industry even though it's been over 20 years. The LRT still only has two carriges, both of which are always packed to the brim.

The government has become complacent on the expense of its people. They want educated people. They've definitely got it. They just didn't expect this much frustration and discontent.

But what alternative do we have? Pakatan? Who are too busy bickering amongst themselves?

We need a new political party. All they need to do is promise to lift the exorbitant foreign car import taxes and they'll get my vote. Atleast it's a start.

1Malaysia? Look at our education system then tell me 1 Malaysia.

"All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth" - Aristotle.

Najib preaches about 1Malaysia, yet we have Chinese and Indian schools all over the country which are recognized as public schools. If we really are a multiracial country, why aren't the Malays given the opportunity to learn Mandarin and Tamil in public schools without having to enrol into Chinese or Indian schools? Switzerland recognizes German, French, Italian and Romansh as their official language. Students there are taught those languages in school. Why can't we do the same?

I'm not saying that all official documentations have to be 5 different languages (that's just silly and a waste of time and money) but I do think we should be allowed a choice to study those languages in school. Imagine the multitude of advantages of everyone being multilingual (not just bilingual or trilingual).

And how about the infamous way of teaching Mathematics in Chinese schools? Why can't that be implimented in all public schools when it's been proven to be very effective?

Instead of wasting money switching Maths and Science back into Malay (which I feel is a mistake), why not use to the money to invest a follow through plan for the current Maths and Science in English syllabus? Why not invest the money to improve our education system (please note 'IMPROVE') and not change it just because they hit a bump in the road. Bulldoze through! It's may not be easy but it is simple.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe".

Great things take time and effort. 1Malaysia is possible, but first let us look at the root of things, education.

Of Pay cuts, Politics and Proton

I am quite a frequent customer at the Starbucks near my house. I don't go there just because it is a Starbucks. I would frequent there even if it were a Coffee Bean or Gloria Jeans or even a local little cafe. What mattered to me was that it provides a nice atmosphere, serves decent coffee, air conditioned (a definite must in this part of the world) and provides free wifi (you heard me right, cafes in Malaysia actually provide free wifi you damn capitalistic Brit pricks! - this is my inner student complaining)

I remember long hours just sitting there, ordering triple shot mochas to boost my brain (more specifically, to stay awake) as I slogged over my studies (or drawing in my sketchbook). It continued each time I came back from the UK for the holidays. My presence didn't go ignored by the staff who worked there. After some time, nearly all of them knew my favourite drinks and would occasionally give me freebies. I also enjoyed leaving them little doodles on the napkins before taking my leave.

I became particularly close to one of the barista's working there. A bloke named C. He was a student at an art college and we clicked well. I've now just graduated from uni and we're still relatively close to each other. We met the few times he came to England. Although...freedom of being openly gay made him such a prick. But that's a story for another day.

So, a few days ago, we met up for a drink at a local mamak store. He complained about his crazy boss (he has to do a 4 months internship as part of his interior design course) whilst I complained about how mundane my own job was. Afterwards, we stopped by the very place we first met. We sat down for a chat with one of the baristas who still worked there (I think he's assistant to the manager now). He talked about how he wishes to finally get married once he gets promoted. He talked about how he was now living with his mother to take care of her. He's saving up money for the future. And then he complained about how painful it was when he didn't get his bonus. I asked him why and what he told me was proof of what I had suspected all along.

The link between Starbucks and Israel is a touchy topic. It is a rumour that I cannot deny nor confirm but fact is that the attack on Gaza at the end of 2008 caused a world wide protest against the company. Coupling with the economic crisis, Starbucks was going through a very painful phase. Many people boycotted the brand. Even I stopped going to the Starbucks which had opened near my university. But it was lucky that I didn't do so for the one in Malaysia. The boycott really hit sales and because of that, the baristas working there were forced to endure a painful pay cut and didn't get a bonus. Call me a hypocrite, but I AM Malaysian and it's my country that I care for, regardless of my political beliefs.

This is what most people don't realize. Who is it that works at those places? Malaysians. Sure, they could have chosen to work at a local cafe instead but local places don't pay as well as that of MNCs. Regardless of their political beliefs, they still need to feed themselves and any rational person would choose a job which pays more and will ultimately have more perks (let's face it, it is a lot more impressive to have worked for Starbucks written on your CV as compared to Kedai Kopi Pak Din).

The government wants us to support local companies, yet we are faced with unprofessional twats. They want us to buy local products yet are forced to endure lousy quality.

Look at Proton. Pathetic. Anything over 1.5L, we are forced to settle with Proton because of our exorbitant import taxes for foreign cars. That, or be forced to settle with second hand cars sold by conspicuous second hand dealers on which you'll probably end up coughing up thousands to get the car fixed after a month on which the engine starts to rattle and fall apart. Stop canoodling Proton and throw them into the real world. I belief that Proton has the potential, someone just needs to give them a kick out the door and into the real world. This protectionism has gone on long enough (over 20 years!!!).

Wawasan 2020 my arse. Instead of all those stupid media stunts (Malaysia F1? Puh-lease), why not use the money where it's needed? Our priorities are warped.

Don't get me started on the plans to expand the LRT which conveniently passes by Summit and Sunway Pyramid. I could go on and on but I think I'll save that for another day.

Gongaga and Nibelheim

I love Final Fantasy VII and my one regret was that I never had the chance to finish the game before my laptop died on me. My FF 7 CD was not compatible with my new laptop (my mother wouldn't buy me a playstation) so I had no way of finishing the game (which was a real pity as I had gotten to the final stage of the game). That being said, it didn't stop me from loving it and I knew almost everything about game.

Recently I saw the cut scenes from Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, a prequel to the original game that was released on the PSP some time last year.

I can only say one word: AMAZING.

How I wished they had released the game on the PS2. The graphics for the cut scenes were that of FF VII Advent Children and the gameplay looked much like that of FF XIII.

And forget Cloud Strife, Zack Fair is now my new hero. (Although Cloud still has a special place in my heart). I've decided that once I start making some money (aka. get a job), I shall buy myself a PS3 and download FF7 which has just been recently available on the Playstation Network. It is amazing how the game that was first released 12 years ago in 1997 is still one of the best RPGs ever made.

How I miss playing the game for hours on end back in high school.

I wouldn't really call myself a hardcore gamer but for FF VII, I think I may just spend that little bit more of my time in the land of Gaia. My inner otaku takes the cake for this one.

And it begins...

I am anonymous.

I care enough to complain.

Therefore this is where I shall blog my thoughts.

They could be of politics.

They could be of economics.

They could be of friends.

They could be of family.

They could be of movies.

They could be of games.

One thing for certain, this is where it shall begin.

Regardless of what they may be.