A THOUGHT FOR OUR DEPARTED ONES

It could be anyone of us. But the trajic loss of a fine young man who is my nephew (late youngest brother's youngest son) makes me look back and try to understand more - is it a co-incidence, or as the Muslims would say ,its takdir (fate). A wandering mind sometimes could even speculate on whether it could be bad feng shui, a believe common among the Chinese when bad luck or misfortune happens. (Picture taken on during Chinese New Year, 2 months before my father passed away)

To those younger members of the family, let's go back to my mother's generation.We all seem to know more about our maternal side, purely because there are no blood brothers and sisters of our father living in Malaysia. All that we knew was that they were poor and living in harsh conditions in China. And all that they looked forward was financial support from my father who was very filial.

The story begins. My mother, ( The picture taken one week before her passing away taken during nomination day when my nephew Ong teng Boon stood for elections ),better known as "Ah Tet or Sa Chee" came from a big Choe family-comprising 4 males and 6 females.My grandfather was a rich and successful tin miner but misfortune struck and he became poor overnight like all tin miners during his time when tin slumped. Fortunately the 2nd and 3rd sons found employment. Not only was he finacially down my grandmother died and that was the moment when my mother, a young girl of 16/17 had to leave school and assume the role of mother for the family. She was the 3rd. eldest girl and had to look after the welfare of all - the older ones and the younger ones. What a herculean job!!

Now let's get to know my mother's siblings. The eldest boy/brother disappeared into the jungle and never returned-presumed dead. The eldest girl got married and later died. The eldest girl as she grew older became mentally handicapped while the 2nd girl was married but died later. Hence, Ah Tet had to hold the family. An incident occured when the 5th.girl was to be given away for adoption.My mother was dead against it and refused to let her younger sister go as she wanted the family to be together. My 5th. aunty who is now in her 80s since then was ever grateful. Fortunately my 2nd. uncle, an "ang moh sai" because of vast relationships with orang putihs became a very sucessful and rich businessman supported all the unmarried siblings and lived under a single roof. But trajedy struck when he lost his wife (my aunty)when she gave birth to the youngest child (son). This generation is now left with 3 iron ladies, Ah Siew (no.4), Ah Koid (No. 5) and Ah Moy (No. 6-youngest).

Here comes the next generation of Choes and Ongs-brothers and cousins. I lost 2 Choe cousins who were at their prime-one was an up coming businessman and the other a very vociferous unionist/politician. Both were the eldest sons from the families of 2nd and 3rd uncle. From the Ong's side we lost our youngest brother-a promising law professor. Oh yes let's not forget my cute sister younger to me, Poh Choo, who passed away as a young child maybe 2 years old.

Time flies and our generation of cousins - Ongs and Choes have now gone their own ways with families. Many of us have gone past 55 !! Hardly do we meet -Where have all the flowers gone !!

To kick start our next generation of 2nd. of cousins, the Choe side saw the first trajedy when the youngest son - Derek lost his eldest child. The Ong family came in 2nd trajedy - the loss of King. SAD!!!

The story ends with the head of Choe family, my grandfather with whom I was close. Choe See Peng (translated into Hokkien - make into 4 parts, became the butt of jokes on my late mother), lived a life of contentment never misses his bottle of liquor- be it beer, stout or brandy, lived to a ripe old age. As the saying goes some one must inherit some of his genes. I suppose he and I have something in common - he was a miner and I a planter, he had his ups and downs and I too have mine. I still have my bottle!! Ripe old age ?????? Takdir!!!!!!!

May our departed loved ones rest in peace!

So is it also a co-incidence that I write this during the month of the Hungry Ghost?????

Happy reading, don't shed a tear. Life goes on. Bye.

RACIAL TOLERANCE

Good Racial Relations

Lat's cartoons on the antics of various races in Malaysia are good for laughs and in no way being condemned as racist. He had said that his cartoons had never been rejected based on racial grounds. Once a upon a time people can always enjoy a good laugh at each other's expense and there were no hard feelings. Today one must be careful with the jokes that one makes otherwise the word racist would appear immediately.

In the eighties jokes on race were still tolerated even at official meetings, of course off record, in a light hearted manner. It goes this way:

Chairman: Where shall we go for study tour? Shall we go to Australia ?
Malay Councillor: Apa bikin ? Sana cakap orang putih, kita pun kurang faham! Apa mahu belajar?
Indian Councillor: Lebih baik kita pergi lawatan India. Curry pun sedap dan original.
Chinese Councillor: Lagi baik kita pergi negeri Cina. Sana pun ada orang Muslim
Non Commital Councillor: Boleh pergi dua dua negeri dan kos lagi murah pergi Australia.
Chairman: Baik lah kita pergi Singapore - paling murah, naik bas sahaja !!!
All Councillors: Sebulat suara, jom pergi lawatan Singapura !!!

And all went to Singapore and stayed in a hotel in Katong.

NON GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day always falls on 10th. December of each year. A few days ago it celebrated its 61st. Anniversary. On its 10th. Anniversary in 1958 the Postal Department of Malaysia even issued commemorative stamps.

Human Rights today is very closely linked to ISA and other related issues that even gave rise to a minor political party known as National Human Rights Party (HRP). HRP had its early footing in 1990 and by 2007 its activities are sometimes under the banner of HINDRAF.

It would be of interest to look forward to the next anniversary as to whether greater awareness would be created through various forums or even the issue of commemorative stamps.

MOSQUITOS

Malaria & Dengue

Firstly, do you know that its the female mosquitos that bite and sucks your blood?

Recently, the Ministry of Health released figures to show a rise in the incidence of dengue and that the government and the public have to play effective roles in containing a outbreak of dengue.

For centuries malaria had been equated with mosquitos. Quinine an extract from the bark of cinchona trees was the medicine to save lives. The drug came in many forms to counter malaria. In Malaysia during the early 1960s a drug maloprim was commonly consumed by the plantation workers to prevent malaria attacks. It was the duty of the plantation staff to ensure the workers under their charge regularly swallow the pills!! Of course there are other preventive measures lsuch as spraying with DDT insecticides which is now banned. To-day the most common preventive measures carried out by the health units is fogging with anti-mosquito insecticides.

It is interesting to note that in the 18th century the French Foreign Legionares (soldiers) in active service in North Africa had to take quinine to prevent malaria. And taking quinine is most distasteful. To make it more pleasant to consume a Frenchman, Joseph Dubonnet created a drink of wine mixed with quinine and other herbs and the wine/vermouth was called DUBONNET.This wine is now very popular even in North America. IS QUININE STILL ADDED ???

MCA CRISIS

MCA Circus III

The above caricature by Lat portrays vividly the MCA circus II.

There are indications that the show is coming to an end. The ring master has appeared and all the clowns, acrobats, actors and actresses have already appeared for the grand finale. And again the audience is waiting anxiously for the final performance which will be under the command of the ring master.

This time around there is no Tun Ghafar Baba but Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has taken over the role of putting MCA on track again. Hopefully, he will be spared the role of Acting MCA President to ensure that the greater unity plan, "GUP" is in place. The secret formula of resolving the crisis would be in place when the PM, Dato Seri Najib Razak returns.

Apparently, one of the components of the formula is to have fresh polls and let the delegates make their choice as indicated by CSL and LTL. This has caused everyone in the top leadership and CC members worried. The big question uppermost in their minds is whether they would be re-elected. Those who had lost previously will definitely take the opportunity of making a come back. All kinds of alignment and re-alignment will surface with the usual horse trading. Of course there will be lists of menu "Chai Tans". It will not be surprising that veterans, and "tok dalangs" will be seen playing a crucial role.

But what is most important is the MCA's availability of a team of leaders that can provide a strong leadership which can regain the respect, dignity and confidence of the people. Does MCA have the leaders who can be at par with the other top leaders of BN component parties particularly UMNO? For example, they should be able to command respect and support from the BN back benches instead of being ridiculed ?

As for maintaining cordiality and rapport with the Chinese community leaders the present crop of top leadership leaves much to be desired. The top Chinese community and business leaders made an attempt on 16/11/09 at a dinner to help resolve the crisis but to no avail. Whether any secret formula was put forward or not at the dinner was not known. The traditional spirit of elders of the Chinesese community assisting in resolving disputes was probably ignored. Consequently, the Chinese community and business leaders will ignore MCA and hence have no role to play in future.

In conclusion, will MCA continue to play an effective role in the government? Or will it merely portray Chinese representation in the government?

MCA CRISIS

MCA Circus II


The show continues with more clowns and jugglers appearing to entertain the audience. More faces of the third force are appearing like heavyweights, ex-Secretary General Ong Kah Chuan and featherweights like Tan Kah Choun. More faces may appear as the MCA drums beat louder. Whoever is the saviour of MCA the party must be seen to be able to save itself. If MCA cannot save itself from oblivion how can it represent the Chinese community and defend (forget about fighting) the rights and position.

Now it is an opportunity for all warring factions to sort out their problems together without begging for outside help. Show some pride and self respect and act accordingly without any attachments of self interests. Can you ???

Forget about the Brutus, the traitors, "boleh pakais" and "tak boleh pakais" but call for a truce. If more is being said the deeper is the grave being dug not only for the key players but also the party.

The following may be food for thought.

1. The loss by even 1 vote is a loss based on the principle of first past the post. So OTK you have lost a vote of no confidence although by a narrow margin. As it is not a 2/3 majority vote on a resolution to remove the President the question of resignation does not arise. In such circumstances the President cannot speak from a strong bargaining position and with great confidence. He will be ridiculed as had happened recently in Parliament when he was asked to quit his post as Minister.

2. OTK should therefore, stand for re-election as President and fight for his principles and what he believes in. There will be no problem in winning with a bigger majority if he is truthful, transparent and above all can provide the leadership so as to prove his foes wrong. Dato Paul Low from Transparency International is a fine example when he was re-elected as President.

3. As for CSL he should also seek re-election if he can command the respect and confidence of the delegates inspite of his scandals he will be able to retain his post.

4. The third force led by LTL has surfaced and his supporters are already known. However, the force behind the third have yet to be identified as they are still playing the "Tok Dalangs". There are still wild speculatons on their hidden agenda. If you are sincere they must explain themselves and tell all.

In conclusion, the elections must be held quickly to avoid the party's disintegration through their gimmicks and intrigues. All campaigning should be stopped as the leaders who are key players had already done their rounds.

It is up to the delegates who will be matured to choose wisely and act without blind loyalty so as to SAVE MCA.

Plantation - Chain of Command

Follow Instructions

As a young assistant working in the plantation in the middle of 1960s following instructions is the rule of the day. This is so if you are planting your future and the Company's future. It means the new planting or replanting of rubber and oil palms. The transfer of the planting material from the nursery and planting proper must be properly supervised to ensure a high success rate.

In those days rubber planting was done with seeds, budded stumps and stumped buddings. Stumped buddings in simple language are young rubber seedlings of 1.5 to 2 years old which are pulled out from the nursery and planted straight in the field. These seedlings are either bare rooted or the roots are intact with a clod of earth. During the preparation of the buddings which are of 7 to 12 feet high they are cut at a certain height.

The command from the immediate superior was to cut seedlings at 4 feet height. When he went on leave Big Chief, the Group Manager paid a visit to the nursery where the buddings were being prepared. He was furious when he saw the short rubber stumps and immediately instructed the contractor to cut them as high as possible which was about 7 feet. It was miserable to receive 2 different instructions. The solution was to seek advice from the Deputy Chief. A good compromise was reached, that is, minimum of 4 feet and a maximum of 7 feet. Actually, it should have been at the juxtoposition of the green wood and the brown wood above a whorl of buds.

Hence the plantings in field were of different heights, the lowest being identified with the 3rd. boss who was really short. The trees of average height belong to the Deputy Chief who also happened to be of medium height, whereas the tallest ones are identified with the Big Chief who was a six footer plus.

At the conclusion it was all smiles when the General Manager visited and exclaimed " Oh, what a fine planting - CHEERS !!"