Merdeka 58 and Bersih 4

Malaysians will greet their 58th Merdeka not with cheer and joy like they used to before but with despair and uncertainty of their future and that of their children. The conspicuous scarcity of the Jalur Gemilang on the streets and cars bears testimony to the desperate and subdued feelings of the people at large. There are signs of major troubles brewing and waiting to explode.

The economic downturn, the plunging ringgit and the unfavourable political climate in the country are the main causes of this gloomy feeling of the people. The 1MDB scandal is taking a big toll on the economy and political governance in the country. Its disastrous effects are clearly seen and felt by the people at all levels of society. There is a general feeling of disappointment and big let-down by our leaders who seem to have placed their interests above that of the people who elected them. The result is that the people do not trust their leaders anymore and they badly want change which they now know for sure is not easy to come by, even with their votes in general elections.

Mega corruptions and abuse of power by the executive has created a situation where the laws of the country are blatantly disregarded, the administrative services are abused and those questioning the abuses are punished. Long cherished good values are discarded and replaced with ones that are clearly illegal. Corruption that was frowned upon has become acceptable and a culture of “Cash is King” is becoming an acceptable practice.

It is just days to our 58th Merdeka and what we see more are the all familiar yellow T-shirts of Bersih 4 than national flags. The nation is poised for the coming mass rally by Bersih 4 on 29 August when thousands of ordinary peace-loving Malaysians are preparing to take to the streets peacefully to demand for fair elections, greater democratisation, independent public institutions and more freedom of expression.

Then there are those who even demand the resignation of the PM for his mis-handling of the1MDB.In fact with every passing day the 1MDB crisis gets deeper and more incredible and more and more people are beginning to join in the dissenting chorus demanding the PM to step down which he flatly refuses, thereby sending the nation into crisis where and socioeconomic standstill.

August 29 this year will be the most important day for all Malaysians in recent history. It will be a day of reckoning for people power. Will it be powerful enough to defend the rights of the people peacefully in accordance with the laws of the nation? Will it succeed to transfer the true power to rule to the people?

As we brace for all the possible eventualities we hope and pray for peaceful and amicable solution to the problems confronting our nation and our people. We pray that God guide our leaders to submit to wishes of the people. We pray that God protect our people against all possible harm and grant them the peace and justice they deserve.

Will Merdeka 58 go down in history as the turning point for a better, more accountable and democratic governance in our country? We are not sure but we just hope so.

Merdeka 58

Malaysians will greet their 58^th Merdeka not with cheer and joy like they used to before but with despair and uncertainty of their future and that of their children. The conspicuous scarcity of the Jalur Gemilang on the streets and cars bears testimony to the desperate and subdued feelings of the people at large.

The economic downturn, the plunging ringgit and the unfavourable political climate in the country are the main causes of this gloomy feeling of the people. The 1MDB fiasco and its adverse and even disastrous effects are clearly seen and felt by the people at all levels of society. There is a general feeling of disappointment and big let-down by our leaders who seem to have placed their interests above that of the people who elected them. The result is that the people do not trust their leaders anymore and they badly want change which they now know for sure is not easy to come by, even with their votes general elections.

It is just days to our 58^th Merdeka and what we see more are the all familiar yellow T-shirts of Bersih 4 than national flags. The nation is poised for the coming mass rally by Bersih 4 on 29 August when thousands of ordinary peace-loving Malaysians are preparing to take to the streets peacefully to demand for fair elections, greater democratisation, independent public institutions and more freedom of expression. In fact there are those who even demand the resignation of the PM and their numbers   keep increasing by the day.

August 29 this year will be the most important day for all Malaysians in recent history. It will be a day of reckoning for people power. Will it be powerful enough to defend the rights of the people peacefully in accordance with the laws of the nation? Will it succeed to transfer the true power to rule to the people? 

As we brace for all the possible eventualities we hope and pray for peaceful and amicable solution to the problems confronting our nation and our people. We pray that God guide our leaders to submit to wishes of the people. We pray that God protect our people against all possible harm and grant them the peace and justice they deserve.

Will Merdeka 58 go down in history as the turning point for a better and more accountable and democratic governance in our country? We just hope so.

A Tribute the late Professor Dr.Fatimah Harun

It was with great sorrow, we received news of the sudden and tragic demise of our classmate,  Prof.Dr.Fatimah Harun, fondly called Timmy. 

 Many of us may not have been in contact with her regularly but we all remember the good times we had as fellow classmates in MU medical faculty from 1973 till 1978.She was such a pleasant and friendly person who was helpful to her classmates. As a doctor she was known for her care and concern for her patients and as a teacher she went out of her way to help her students who had high regards for her. 

Her untimely demise is a great loss to her patients, students and most so to her family. As her classmates we have lost a good friend.

We offer our deepest condolence to her family in particular her husband and children. There are no words to express our sadness and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family during this period of grief and sorrow.

India celebrates 69th Independence Day 2015

 A tribute to simplicity and honesty

Today, 15 August 2015, India celebrates its 69^th Independence day. It is a memorable day not for India alone but for the world at large as it marked the beginning of the end of colonial rule all over the world as well.

This year it is of special significance as Indians pays tribute to one of the most brilliant and illustrious citizen in recent times, the late Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Dr.Abdul Kalam, the 11 President of the republic who passed away on 27 July 2015.Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam was top scientist but was known for his simplicity, honesty and high integrity and was highly respected and loved by millions within and outside India.

After his death and just before their Independence Day, Public TV announced that the wealth of the late president as follows:

1) 3 Pants
2) 6 shirts
3) 3 suits
4) 1 watch
5) 2500 books
6) No TV, AC or CAR
7) 1 Bangalore Flat handed over to scientists community long time.                                                               

 8) Zero bank balance                                                                                                                          

It is gratifying to note that at a time when simplicity and honesty are ignored, India chose to honor an extremely simple and honest man on such an auspicious day.

Below is one of most memorable quotes which he delivered at a speech at the European parliament:     

               

"Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation there is peace in the world".

As a mark of respect this small but extraordinary man, I submit this short story about him which I came across in my reading and a video tribute of the man who I admire greatly.

 

How Wealthy was the APJ Abdul Kalam in terms of Material

By Sandeep Sharma

APJ Abdul Kalam has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of Indians in a manner few other public figures have in recent memory. In death he achieved the kind of acclaim in people’s hearts that politicians covet but may never come close to attaining.

In material terms, the “People’s President”, it now transpires, owned precious little, save his 2,500 books, a wrist watch, six shirts, four trousers, three suits and a pair of shoes. Kalam did not own any property nor a fridge, TV, car or an air conditioner. This for a man who spent over five decades in public service, including his stint as President of the Republic.

He did not die in penury, but neither did he live a life of luxury. He survived on the royalty from his books – he authored four of them – and his pension. The exact amount of his life savings is not known. “It wasn’t much to write home about,” said Sheridan, his secretary for over two decades.

After he demitted office, the government allotted him a bungalow at 10 Rajaji Marg. The two-storey house lies desolate today but tales of his integrity are still alive. He was firm about not receiving any personal gifts and ensured that all personal gifts were duly tabulated and sent to the government’s toshakhana.

“He would never accept a gift, save a book, and whenever somebody brought him a packed gift and tried to pass it off as a book, he insisted on examining what was inside. Anything other than the book was politely returned,” says his former media advisor SM Khan.

Kalam’s love for technology is well known and he kept himself abreast of the latest developments mainly through radio. “He did not have a television set in his living quarters. He got his news either from radio or newspapers. The only TV set at his Rajaji Marg residence was used by his staff,” Khan said.

Khan recalled how the former President revered his elder brother, who is 99 years old. Kalam held his elder brother APJ Marakia in great esteem and was full of plans to celebrate his brother’s 100th birthday next year. “One of the things that gave him (Kalam) immense joy was when he helped his brother get access to 24-hour power supply by installing a solar panel at their ancestral home,” says Sheridan, adding, “President Kalam would always call him (his brother) before leaving or returning from an important lecture assignment. He had called him the day before leaving for Shillong.”

“The lives of great men remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.” Former president APJ Abdul Kalam wasn’t around when Wordsworth wrote these lines. Had both the men belonged to the same age then these lines would have surely been written for Kalam.