MCA CIRCUS

The MCA Circus

Apparently the MCA circus has not left town. Probably the magicians who are the crowd puller have not completed their tricks or intrigues and also the ring master has not given the command to end the show. Meanwhile, the audience will be kept entertained. And who knows new shows maybe introduced.

The present leadership tussle will continue with each faction trying to outdo the other. It will not be surprising that there will be more Brutus around and accusations of betrayals. CSL was betrayed in the sex scandal. OTK also claimed that his trusted leutenants betrayed him. Soon LTL will also allege that he was betrayed. So what class of leaders does MCA have ?? A bunch of TRAITORS - to betray and be betrayed!!!

In Perak there is a dispute on the rightful State Government caused by the 3 hopping ADUNs. One solution to resolve the impasse which is again disputed is to call a general election for the state. So similarly with MCA which has lost its sense of direction on the claims of leadership. OTK claims that he has an important job to implement the "greater unity plan" and also to complete the unfinished tasks. LTL and his supporters claim that they were not briefed on this great plan and also OTK had not kept his word to resign. All these are mere excuses to justify their actions. Thus, it looks like a long drawn battle among the CC members. If they are unable to settle among themselves, then, they should be brave enough to collectively resign and call for a fresh general elections rather than clinging to their seats or waiting for a "TAIKOR" to ADVICE. Come on, show some pride and win back some respect from the Chinese community. And to the delegates - if you vote in rubbish you deserve to be led by rubbish leaders!!

PREDICTIONS/PROPHECY

DOOMSDAY 2012

There was a write up in The New Sunday Times on Doomsday 2012 and Hollywood has produced a film "2012". From now on there will be many theories and articles on DOOMSDAY from soothsayers, scientists, cult leaders and even the man on the street. In an article in the internet entitled "7 REASONS THE World WILL END IN 2012" offers some explanation.
- Mayan Calender
It seems that the Mayan calender ends in 2012
- Sunstorms
Solar experts are monitoring the sunstorms.
- The Atom
Scientists are smashing the atoms in a 27 Km tunnel in Europe.
- The Bible says ....... Revelations.....
- Super Volcanoes
The super volcano in Yellowstone National Park, USA will erupt.
- Physicists
Physicists are working hard on their calculations.
- Slip-Slop-Slap Bang
Scientists are observing the shifting of the north and south magnetic poles.

Apart from the above 7 reasons here are some grandmothers' stories on signs of the end of the world:
1. When the dragon traverse the mountains !!
It means trains (dragon) can go up the mountains. An example is the super train from Beijing to Tibet.
2. When man has to use a ladder to harvest brinjals.
Genetic engineering can create super plants ?
3. There will be severe eruptions of volcanoes and earthquakes all over the world.

Well, don't take it too seriously but let life just go on. Even God does not tell you the actual time. For an individual human being the end of the world can also mean one's last breath.

SO DON'T WORRY TOO MUCH !!

TODDY & HOT TODDY

Toddy & Hot Toddy

What is commonly known as TODDY is a drink that comes from the coconut tree. The Africans tap the oil palm trees to get toddy also. In Malaysia toddy is always associated with the plantations where the early planters provided toddy shops of similar set up and intentions as in India in those days. It is a "social club" where the workers could relax and unwind after a hard day's work. Of course if one takes one too many it can be an intoxicating drink. Sometimes other intoxicants are added to add the "kick". Adulterated toddy by suppliers are not uncommon and in a dispute the Assistant of the plantation had sometimes to be called to verify quality. And so as a young assistant I was introduced to toddy. If the Tuan Kecil says its OK it must be OK!!

Many many years later on a trip to England for my son's graduation as a doctor I was indeed surprised to come across HOT TODDY in the pubs and food outlets. I thought that as it was the familiar drink back home I ordered one. It turned out to be a hot drink of brandy mixed with whisky which really gave a "kick". Anyway it turned out fine because the day was quite chilly.
This name hot toddy could have its origin from India also!!

The desire to get a "kick" and enjoy a booze gave rise to the local brew - the samu. It became a menace not only to the families but also to the plantation management. Deaths were even reported. In the critical areas anti samsu squads were formed and campaigns organised. Illegal jungle distilleries were identified and destroyed.

Although today the toddy business is a sunset industry there are still people even in the towns who would still enjoy this refreshing drink once in a while . In Taiping there is still a toddy shop which still sells this drink. In fact this shop (in the picture above) which is known as "kedai Tuak" has a long history dating back to the colonial days.

DEEPAVALI

DEEPAVALI

Deepavali is a Hindu religious festival - festival of lights where the good overcomes evil. At one time non-Hindus thought it was Indian New Year which was false. To-day with much publicity people are better educated and aware that it is a religious festival as most Hindus celebrate and hence observed as a public holiday. It is difficult to declare new year as a public holiday for the Indian community, for like the Chinese New Year because among the Indians there are various groups , for example, the Tamils, the Telugus, the Malayalees, Punjabis and others who celebrate their own New Year.

It is food for thought as to whether it was the colonial planters in the estates that first declared Deepavali a common holiday to satisfy all groups to make them happy.

In the estate of 1960s, 1970s, celebrating Deepavali was a day of curries. Similarly in 1980s in the open houses of friends in the town one can savour the best curries and cappatis. In fact the curries in the estate and in personal open houses beat the best curries served in restaurants.

WISHING ALL HINDUS HAPPY DEEPAVALI

LET THIS LIGHT LEAD THE WAY TO HAPPINESS

BIG NAMES CUT BOTH WAYS

Big Names Cut Both Ways

In The Edge dated 12th. Oct. 2009, Kathy Fong wrote on MORATORIUM on IPOs cut both ways. Of course Bursa Malaysia wants more participation whether it is local or foreign investors. When it comes to listing, the promoters and underwriters would look for big names to participate in their IPOs. The bigger the better !!.

In that issue of The Edge the names of the Quek family and the Kuok family (Wilmar) were mentioned. Apparently, the Quek family through Guocoline Group Management Co.Ltd. sold Multi Sports and the share price came down as reported in The Edge. In the Cover Story of The Edge of the same date it was reported that the Kuok group through Wilmar expressed interest to subscribe for 61.6 million new shares in THREE A at 75 sen each for RM46.2 million cash. An investment of RM46.2 million by Wilmar which is small to the Kuok family has brought much cheer to this counter. The share price rose from 80 sen on 25/09/2009 to RM1.58 on 15/10/2009. Meanwhile the Securities has queried THREE A on this price movement.

So BIG NAMES do cut both ways and small timers who are inaccessible to all information must be alert and beware of the effects.

CHINESE CUSTOM OF KEEPING WAKE

Keeping the Wake

The custom of keeping wake at funerals depends on the choice of the priest or monk from the religious sect. The practice of religious rites vary greatly in the use of musical instruments, chanting and the participation of the family members. The Buddhist monks say their prayers and chant without the use of musical instruments. On the contrary the Taoist priests conduct their rites with a lot of action and the playing of the musical instruments loudly. The family members would be kept busy performing the rites or group praying. Guests would be served with packets of mineral water, peanuts and sometimes a light supper.

Donations are accepted and in return 2 sweets are given for good luck. The funeral parlour can offer various packages to cater to the family's needs. This then is the normal traditional wake.

There are however, some variations to the modern way of keeping wakes which are uncommon. There was a case where there was no monk or priest to perform the rites and no prayers. The only sounds were from the casset player which played non-stop soft music and songs from the oldies. The decease daughter told me that these were her late mother's favourites. The atmosphere was serene, friendly except that it was in a funeral parlour.

There was another case where there was a small group in the wake. Apart from the Taoist rites brandy and beer was served in teapots to the drinking "kakis." As for me when almost all the guests had left the wake for my late mother, the drinking "kakis" of the family got together and had a good session until the wee hours with bouts of cheers to grandma(amah) and mak as she was also once a "kaki"too. Above are pictures taken during my late mother's wake.

Having related this story to a friend he also said that he had instructed his wife for a simple funeral. Being a Hindu the rites are already simple and yet he wanted it to be more simple and quick. She replied that when you are alive we take instructions but when your are dead you take

our instructions !!!

MCA - EGM AFTERMATH

MCA - Jostling for Positions

- When MCA is in trouble - look for Tun Ghafar Baba
- When looking for business - look for Ali Baba
- When in Penang and Melaka - look for Nonya Baba
- When looking for religious solace - look for Sai Baba

Tun Dr. Mahathir is suggesting another Tun Ghafar Baba to help resolve the MCA crisis and he is none other than Dato Seri Najib Razak. MCA is already being branded as a lackey of UMNO and should UMNO or any UMNO member play a role directly or indirectly in reaching an amicable settlement, the public's negative perceptions of MCA would be far reaching and difficult to explain.

The jostling for positions in the party is now set in motion irrespective of the options available to resolve the leadership crisis. Yes, every aspirant for the No. 1 position thinks that he is the most suitable and has the vision to lead. But unfortunately, the party had always failed to groom leaders in their succession plans. And that is why today MCA has been unable to identify strong leaders that can be slotted in to be the flag carrier when a situation like this arises. No President would accomodate a strong No.2 or even No. 3 ??

The winner takes all and even if there are good quality leaders in the opposing camp they would be neglected or chopped off for fear of being trouble makers.

Thus today it is back to square one where it is difficult to identify good, competent and transparent leaders that can stand at par with the senior leaders in UMNO and at the same time be a respected leader of the Chinese community in every sense.