Julian Chew is a bright young prospect. He's been blessed with a middle-class family and an urban upbringing in PJ. Not exactly a very RICH family, so he didn't go to international schools for his primary and secondary education. But not a very POOR family either, so he was free to skip form 6, head to Taylors for his pre-u, do a twinning course which gave him a year in the UK, and graduate with a "University of London" business degree. He's fluent in English, having spoken it both at home and at school all his life. He's conversant in Malay as the national language, Cantonese as a born-and-bred KL-ian, Mandarin from the soap operas his grandma likes him to watch with her, Hokkien (the southern variety) from family reunions. He's Chinese, and his maths/logic skills are pretty far above average.
Pretty much a solid base, then. The world is his oyster, as they say.
Then he gets his first job. He's got an overseas degree, and the market never has enough of such people, especially when they are conversant in so many languages and dialects. He was a bit worried, having read about 80,000 unemployed graduates, but came to realize most of those were educated in sub-standard environments and not very interested in working hard anyway.
His job pays pretty well. 2.3k starting pay, pretty good benefits. Yet getting his first car means upkeep payments, in addition to the loan repayments. He's filial, gives some of his salary to his parents. He's searching for an apartment in central KL to beat the jam, that's going to cost him. His peers are all working adults, and meal costs have suddenly shot to a level he would have balked at even in London. He's having to consider life insurance and medical insurance, more bills at the end of the month.
And so he needs more money. Yet that's not a problem. He works hard, and he's very capable. Soon he finds his boss giving him a promotion, with accompanying pay benefits. Within 2 years, even though he kinda likes the company he's at, a head-hunter offers him almost double the salary at another company, and he can't really turn down half a dozen K per month. So he jumps company. More work, but the pay is worth it. He's young, and there's lots of time left, so he invests it into something useful. His future, or at least his financial future.
About a decade or so on, and somehow he's found the time to get married to his long-time girlfriend. She doesn't really mind his hours, as she keeps similar hours as well. He's heard of friends who, in spending most of their time at the office, developed clandestine relationships with female colleagues. But he's better than that, and he DOES have a wife to go home to at night anyway. Most nights.
By now he's in a managerial position, pretty high up. Cuts some pretty sharp deals, catches the CEO's eye. Yet he's only one a half a dozen born leaders at his level. He needs to stand out, so he starts his 'campaigning'. He makes sure he's involved in the highest-profile projects, and he does what he has to do to ensure they succeed. There's a lot of backbiting and sabotaging at this level, but he decides to rise above it all. He takes the setbacks as they come and doesn't retaliate. His reason? He has a young son at home, and he wouldn't want the son to find out years later he was playing crooked. But he's not stupid. He makes sure the CEO 'finds out' what's going on behind the scenes. And so the CEO's respect for him increases.
He's a rising star. Business trade magazines have heard of him, he's mentioned by heads of different companies as someone they've heard good things of. And his earnings have increased to the point that his wife has left her job to raise their two sons. When he gets back, he hears how they've been doing, from her. It was difficult for her to give up working, initially, but she's been understanding. He tries his best to keep up-to-date on his sons. Manages to make it to their school events, at least once a year. Once in a while he tries to get home just that bit earlier, to eat dinner with them.
He's out of the business world, now. Has enough money, if there's ever such a thing. He's invested in almost every type of investment there is, and some of his friends say his investments are so diverse, half the planet could blow up and he'd still be able to retire gracefully to an island somewhere. Money is just money, after all. Yet he's still relatively young, just crossing the midpoint of his 50s.
He's into politics, now. There's an opposition party with plenty of potential, and the global economic climate means he understands that power is likely to shift. That most people vote opposition when the going gets tough. And his reputation as a business leader means his name carries weight. Candidates listen attentively to his suggestions. He's almost like a network coordinator, connecting those rising into power with those who need an audience with those in power. His wife is always there beside him as he attends the important functions, the dinner parties. His two sons are off in the US studying. They call home, like all filial children, about once a month. Doing well, as well, they've inherited the sharp minds of both parents.
He's getting old. The sons are well-established. The health problems are starting, but he has the best treatment money can buy. His name is in the newspapers regularly. The unkind label him the 'puppet master' for the new government, but most concede that he's earned his position by merit, unlike those before him. He's built relationships with the powerful at the right time, showed allegience to the right people. His wife is spending most of her time nowadays with a group of like-minded ladies, wives of important and powerful men. And so his days are spent in comfort. Alone.
It was his funeral yesterday. Many spoke well of him. Very well, in fact, especially as his sons were listening. His own sons spoke of how their dad has been an example to them of the value of hard-work, the importance of being driven with a goal. Both are following in his footsteps, one as a businessman, one as a lawyer. Many are those who remember him fondly, who say "Now there was a man who achieved greatness". Political leaders, business leaders, were at the front rows.
Yet consider the fact that no real tears of sadness were shed at his passing.
Consider the fact that the sons did not, could not speak of a dad who loved them.
Consider the fact that many people respected him, feared him, yet none truly loved him.
Consider the fact that his own wife would spend their waning years socializing rather than together with him, enjoying the fruits of a well-built relationship.
Was Julian a successful man? The answer must be a resounding yes! He's made the most of his life.
Or has he really?
Jesus was tempted to turn stones to bread. To use His power to convert what was common to something filling to the body. What can be more common than time, especially when you're young? What fills you up more than money?
Jesus was tempted to throw Himself off a temple rooftop. To show to the whole watching crowd and nation that someone special is here. Who can resist the lure of a good name, of being honoured by all and sundry?
Jesus was tempted with all the kingdoms of the world. Ultimate power. And there is no power greater than political power over a nation. Is there?
Jesus responded to each temptation with words God had spoken.
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only"
Its been 2000 years, yet we face the same things He did. And we give in, where He did not. We obtain for ourselves every good thing, but something is missing.
Haven't had lots of free time recently. So much for taking Masters providing me with flexi-hours, still have a lot of work to do. Oh well, that's life.
Anyway, this blog-post is quite well-written, by an intelligent young lady who's probably going to take Medicine but in a just world would be some type of writer (and not disadvantaged by the fact). Check it out.
The STAR this week is so much more interesting than during campaigning period. In those times it really looked a bit like a BN newsletter and/or campaign flyer (albeit a thick one). There's still plenty of perceived bias (perceived cos its just my view), such as how the Perak MB situation is making headlines while Terengganu and Perlis are not. Yet post-elections there's been a bit more even coverage, such as the following two articles.
Barisan will act as a watchdog, says Khir
By DHARMENDER SINGH <dharam@thestar.com.my>
SHAH ALAM: The state Barisan Nasional will act as watchdog to ensure that the three parties forming the state government delivered on election promises as stipulated in their manifestoes, said former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.
Breaking his silence for the first time since the recently concluded general election, Dr Khir said, “I hope the three parties (PKR, DAP and PAS) will take the best care possible of the people and this beautiful and good state, after receiving the mandate from the people.
“We will work together with the state government if the projects benefit the people and are carried out transparently.”
He was speaking at a press conference yesterday at the Selangor Umno building here.
Dr Khir, who left the building on Saturday without talking to the press after learning of Barisan's defeat in the state, had cancelled several scheduled press conferences before last night.
He said Barisan would register all pre-schoolers, senior citizens, single mothers and students so that they could receive all the benefits such as free education, allowances and healthcare that were promised.
Asked about rumours that the state Barisan had tried to woo PAS assemblymen to gain a simple majority, Dr Khir said this was not true.
Commenting on claims that Barisan had tried to destroy documents kept at the state secretariat building, Dr Khir said these were just rumours and that he had always been transparent and all the papers were in order.
“We have nothing to hide,” he said.
taken from The Star, March 12 (Wednesday)
Call to scrap mega projects
PENANG: The state Umno will “persuade” the Federal Government to scrap all the mega projects in the state in view of the people’s clear rejection of Barisan Nasional.
Since Penangites do not want development, the Federal Government should not force it on them, said state Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim.
He said that this was not Penang Umno taking revenge “but we are actually giving the people what they want”.
“They voted for change, so let us see what the DAP can do,” he said after the party’s emergency meeting at Menara Umno yesterday.
Azhar, who is Penaga assemblyman, was appointed the state Opposition Leader at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Umno liaison committee deputy chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah hit out at the new administration for its decision not to practise the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Taken from The Star, March 14 (Friday)
Any kid can identify the sheer childishness in the response of these two men. In the first article, Khir Toyo is simply being malicious, to try and overload the PUBLIC healthcare delivery system by convincing those without need to just show up at the hospitals. And that's the keyword there, the PUBLIC healthcare system. In the second article, Penang Umno's Azhar is advocating the cancellation of all mega-projects (read, road construction, second Penang bridge, development of zoned areas), not because they are wasteful, but because "Penangites do not want develoment". Again, advocating that projects supposedly (and I'm aware there's arguments against this) for the PUBLIC be scrapped, simply because BN has lost in Penang. Even though Penang UMNO was never the main component in Penang's pre-GE government.
If you want to be a people's representative, do it. Fight for things that benefit the people. Otherwise you reveal yourself to be just another power-hungry Little Napoleon, upset at being dislodged from your position of priviledge. The BN and the BA/BR (Barisan Alternatif/Barisan Rakyat) are both supposedly intent on helping Malaysians. Prove it, then. Because Malaysians are not so stupid as to forget that you've called for their public healthcare system to become a joke, for projects in their neighbourhoods to be cancelled, all because you're pissed you've lost an election.
Grow up, please.
P.S. - Though I'm only pulling out the negative comments of a few BN representatives, there are others who say the right thing, speak about reform and listening more closely to the people. Empty words they may be, but they're the RIGHT empty words. Special mention to Wanita UMNO and strong-lady Rafidah Aziz (oddly enough).
Today, as I was browsing the Star (which has been providing reasonably good post-election coverage, I must say. Good in comparison to what? Shouldn't be too hard to figure out ). Anyway, as everyone is coming to terms with the huge change this election signifies (read this post to understand why this change is implied and not actual, yet), here's a quote from a leader in BN which I feel cannot be passed by.
DAP has duped voters, says Ka Chuan
IPOH: The DAP has revealed its “true face” to the people by cooperating
with PAS to form the next state government, Perak MCA chief Datuk Ong
Ka Chuan said.
“All this while, the DAP has been denying that it is working with PAS
when they sought the support of the Chinese community in Perak during
the campaigning period,” he said.
“After getting their votes, the DAP is doing otherwise,” he said
yesterday when commenting on the new ruling coalition government of the
DAP, PKR and PAS.
The DAP, he said, should apologise to the voters for having duped them
about not working together with PAS when wooing them before the
just-concluded polls.
Ong, who is also the MCA secretary-general, said the DAP might even go
to the extent of allowing a PAS leader to be the new Mentri Besar.
“How are they going to explain to the Chinese community? The DAP had not been honest right from the start,” he asked.
The DAP should have told the community right from the beginning that
they were cooperating with PAS so that the voters would be able to make
a wise decision at the ballot box, he said.
“Now the DAP is doing otherwise. I feel sad that the situation has become like this,” he added.
“The people gave the DAP their trust and this is how the DAP is
repaying them – by working with an Islamist party,” said the
newly-elected Tanjong Malim MP.
Text taken from N8, the Star, Tuesday, 11th March 2008.
On the very next sheet, without hint of irony, is this story.
DAP man in Kedah exco line-up
KOTA BARU: PAS has decided to offer a state executive councillor's post to DAP's Lee Guan Aik in Kedah.
PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said although there was no formal
electoral pact with the DAP, the Islamist party decided to offer a post
in the exco line-up to the DAP.
Kedah DAP secretary Lee defeated Chong Itt Chew by a 804-vote majority for the Kota Darul Aman seat.
“It is our way of showing our gratitude for their support to the loose
coalition and also the support that PAS had received from the Chinese,”
said Husam.
The Opposition swept 22 of the 36 state seats in Kedah, with PAS winning 16, PKR four and the DAP and Independent one each.
Text taken from N10, the Star, Tuesday, 11th March 2008.
The comments by Ong Ka Chuan just smack of sour grapes to me, and miss the entire point of the political process. DAP CANNOT form the state government (in fact the state's constitution even prohibits a non-Malay from serving as MB, which is fair enough considering the history of these states), they do not have a majority in seats. And so, there is compromise with other parties. Compromise in the realm of politics is good. It encourages dialogue, tempers fanaticism. PAS cannot have their way in Perak, neither can DAP. As such, it is a COALITION government, the same type of government which BN, and by extension Ong Ka Chuan's own MCA, trumpet every 5 years or so as the only possible formula for a peaceful Malaysia.
The first irony is that on the next page, PAS have invited a DAP candidate (the only winning DAP candidate in Kedah, in fact) to be part of the state government. PAS and their partners PKR have an absolute majority in Kedah, they don't need any more numbers to form the government. What possible reason could they have for inviting a DAP member to join the government? Could it be *gasp* that they're actually interested in working together? And not just in converting the bunch of us and throwing us back into 15th-century Arabia?
The second irony is a more national one. Ong Ka Chuan's comments right at the end of the article demonize Islamist parties (in this case he's talking about PAS). Now, leaving aside the fact that such demonization and polarization is very dangerous in a multi-racial and multi-cultural society, I can think of one other party in Malaysia which behaves as an Islamist party. A party whose leaders have for the past decade been trumpetting Malaysia as an 'Islamic country', whatever that means. A party which has always threatened the general public not to bring up any issues against the 'special rights and position' of the Malays and of Islam.
And so the crux of this second irony is that this party, which does not need to be named to any Malaysian above the age of 15, is in a permanent coalition with Ong Ka Chuan's own MCA.
The coalition of DAP and PAS (with PKR as bridge, more specifically Anwar) may yet fail. They may collapse into infighting or be consumed with corruption. They may destroy the 5 states they've taken over (which would be bad for Malaysia, considering Penang and Selangor are the 2 most productive and prosperous states). It is possible, though I don't think it likely.
But Malaysia being a democracy, DAP, PAS, and PKR have been chosen by the people. The rakyat. And Ong Ka Chuan should accept that, in the manner of Gerakan's president Koh Tsu Koon. Mr. Koh's exact words on Saturday night, after he had just recieved the multiple blows of losing both his seat and Gerakan's state, were just so gentlemanly.
"I want to urge the people to give their full
support to the leaders they have chosen. Give your new leaders a chance
to perform. This is also what I told the civil servants.We may have different opinions on policies but I must accept the views of the people." And that's how politics should be conducted, because in the end the rakyat have the right to choose, whether you THINK they've chosen rightly or wrongly.
P.S. - and a reminder to all, please continue to pray for our country. Things can either get very bad soon, or improve in the long term. The short-term will likely be difficult. Keep praying, because God is in control.
). Anyway, as everyone is coming to terms with the huge change this election signifies (read 
