10 Qualities of A Great Nation

By Thomas Fann

October 26, 2012

With an upcoming General Election that is expected to be the most hotly contested one ever since independence and the formation of our relatively young nation, Malaysia is at a crossroad. Perhaps for the first time the prospect of a change in government is realistic and both coalitions sense it.

Hearing the empty rhetorics of some leaders of the current coalition, one can only come to the conclusion that they are bankrupt. Certainly not of material wealth but of ideas.

What if there is a change in government and we have a chance to rebuild and reshape this nation? What kind of a nation would we want to build? What are the qualities that would make Malaysia a great nation?

Let me state clearly that I for one do not believe that change for the better will come overnight for two reasons. You can’t undo a political, administrative and social mindset that has been skewed towards a regime overnight. It will be a slow uphill task that requires perseverance. Secondly, the new government does not necessarily be different in ability and even integrity from the old or have all the answers. The difference is that there is a chance for real reform and for the voices and aspirations of the people to be heard, and that is, if we choose to actively and constructively engage the new administration.

I would like to suggest 10 qualities that would make Malaysia a great nation, a place that we would be proud to call home and where we would see a reversal of the brain drain?.

1 FREEDOM – Freedom to choose and to be who you want to be.

Bertrand Russell, the English thinker said, “Freedom in general may be defined as the absence of obstacles to the realization of desires”. Freedom has to be the bedrock of a prosperous nation for without freedom, the shackles which hold us from reaching for the impossible and exploring the unexplored remain. People must be free to think, free to dream, free to explore, free to express, free to change, and even free to fail. Freedom has its risks but it is my belief that these can be mitigated by the other values like justice, graciousness, morality, truthfulness and many more.

2 JUSTICE – The strong desire to ensure fairness and equality in our society, making sure that the rights of everyone are protected regardless.

New laws enacted and old laws amended or repealed must show a commitment to justice and meritocracy. The enforcement and interpretation of these laws must do so impartially by unshackling the judiciary from any influence of the Executive. The presence of justice in a society brings about a sense of security in its citizenry, promoting what is right and deterring what is wrong.

3 GRACIOUSNESS – A society where people consider the interest of and give way to others even though they don’t have to. The opposite of this is selfishness.

When we stop to consider how our actions might impact those around us, something magical happens. This world can suddenly become a better place. Driving becomes less stressful, streets become cleaner, courtesy and consideration become the order of the day. This value might be one of the most challenging to flesh out but certainly not impossible and definitely worth striving for. This quality in a nation is often a reflection of the leaders. Leaders can lead the way in forging this value by displaying grace whenever there is opportunity. This is the quality that makes us a civil or civilised society.

4 MORALITY – A clear sense of morality that resides in the hearts of people, guiding them like an inner compass as to what is right and wrong even when no one can see or know.

It is a concern for the substance of our heart rather than an outward conformity that is important. In a pluralistic society like Malaysia, where various religions are practiced or not practiced, it is not just about embracing a particular religion and living a devout life. It is about embracing a higher level of morality. Better is the man who has no religion but lives a highly moral life than one who has religion but denies the requirements of that religion. We need to have a firm moral base to support all that we do so that we can eradicate corruption, criminal activities, social ills and family breakdown.

5 MERCIFUL – A society that looks after the poor and needy without judging their status or why they are in that situation.

Being merciful is to be able to get under the skin of the person in need of mercy and rendering the necessary assistance. In every society, there will always be those who fall through the cracks and struggle to make ends meet. Such a society would have social safety nets to ensure that help is readily available and its citizens are on the lookout for those that may need help. Helping the poor and needy is not just the right thing to do but is a reflection of the kind of people we are.

6 TRUTHFULNESS – Where truth is sought after in all areas, manifesting itself in transparency, integrity and honesty in all governmental and private dealings.

Al Gore said, “A commitment to openness, truthfulness, and accountability helps our country avoid many serious mistakes that we would otherwise make”. The lack of truthfulness emboldens those who wish to hide their evil deeds in the shadow of legitimacy. Having open and transparent tenders for all government projects and passing Freedom of Information legislations would be a step in the right direction. In such a society, leaders would be honest about mistakes made and actions would be taken without fear or favour.

7 VALUE OF LIFE – A high value is placed on all life and no effort is spared to ensure that lives are preserved and extended.

Regardless of one’s ethnicity, religion, social status, and physiological condition, all lives would be equally valuable and not measured with money. The rescue of the thirty-three miners in Chile after 69 days underground in 2010 illustrates this quality clearly. No cost was spared to bring them out safely and their rescue celebrated the value of human life, a triumph over the prevailing trend of the world where decisions are mainly made based on monetary considerations only. Once we start valuing lives, we would start to look into issues of safety and health.

8 CREATIVITY – Where creativity flourishes as people seek better ways to express and to serve each other.

Robert E. Franken in his book Human Motivation, defined creativity as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others. Again, this value can be applied in all sectors, from the arts, to industry, to education, to government and to business. Entrepreneurship and innovations would flourish as people seek for new and better ways to overcome problems, meet the needs of society, and to add value and quality to life. This quality is closely tied to freedom.

9 EXCELLENCE – People work with all their heart and take pride in what they do.

People would find dignity in their work and produce the best products and services. It is an excellence that is not motivated by fear of losing or the need to be numero uno, instead, it is motivated by a sense of self-achievement and recognition by consumers and recipients of our efforts. Producers would not cut corners to maximize profit, products made will be of good quality and design, queues at government offices would be eliminated, waiters would serve with efficiency, and food would taste great! People find dignity in what they do and we give them recognition!

10 STEWARDSHIP – A nation where properties, resources and the environment would be looked after for the enjoyment of future generations.

It would be a nation where conservation of our natural resources is not just a public relation exercise but birthed out of our deep conviction that saving the planet is saving our children’s lives. It would be a place where we hate wastages in the form of unnecessary and unsustainable projects; and where we want to maintain what we already have, like parks, buildings and roads. Such a society would willingly sacrifice any economic gain if it would threaten our environment.

These ten qualities of a great nation are by no means exhaustive nor are they quantifiable. But they are, I believe, the common yearnings of all human beings. If the people of a nation are united in the pursuit of these qualities, then they are surely attainable.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

A story was told about the late Walt Disney’s vision for Disney World, the mega theme park in Florida. By the time the theme park opened in 1971, Walt Disney had already passed away five years earlier. At the opening ceremony, a guest remarked to one of Disney’s directors that it was a shame that Walt himself was not able to be there to witness the realization of his vision. To that, the director replied that Walt indeed saw Disney World, for otherwise we would not see it.

We need to have a vision of what Malaysia would look like even before we start building it. Let us begin to see it and start working towards it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither would Malaysia. It would take years, decades and generations even, but if we have a clear vision of what we want, we can build on the foundations laid by others and pass on the baton to the next generation when our time has expired. Surely we can do it, surely we must!

Are We Being Bribed?

The ‘Biggest Bribe Budget’?



By Kee Thuan Chye

Malaysian Digest

01 October 2012

I don’t know about you but I got practically nothing from the 2013 Budget. I don’t qualify for the BR1M payout of RM500 for households with a monthly income of not more than RM3,000. I also don’t qualify for the 50% discount on passports for senior citizens.

But that’s all right. I don’t want anything from the Budget. It comes from the people’s money and should be spent wisely on developing the country. I should not expect to get something directly from it.

The way it looks, though, Prime Minister Najib Razak doesn’t seem to think the same way. His 2013 Budget is a lot about giving money away to people. It seems this is to make them happy, and perhaps this feeling of happiness could translate into votes for his Barisan Nasional (BN) government at the upcoming general election.

What worries me is that Najib is spending money like there is no tomorrow. That seems the right way to put it because his Budget does not address the future. Maybe except for education, especially in boosting vocational training and encouraging small entrepreneurs.

There’s hardly anything about enhancing the country’s economic growth, spending prudently or reducing the national debt.

In fact, of the projected amount of RM252 billion to be spent, a whopping RM202 billion will be used for operating expenditure. Only one-fifth left is for development expenditure.

Najib is gung-ho about the global economy despite the uncertainties predicted by financial analysts. He said, “In 2013, based on the prospects of an improved global economy, the Malaysian economy is forecast to expand strongly between 4.5% and 5%.”

Is that predicated on a DR1M?

Meanwhile, the reality, according to online news website Free Malaysia Today, is that this year the national debt has risen 10.1% to a new high of RM502.4 billion or 53.7% of the GDP. That is only 1.3% short of the 55% debt ceiling the country is allowed to reach.

And according to The Malaysian Insider, this debt figure “does not include hidden liability of RM117 billion (12 per cent of GDP) in the form of guarantees issued against commercial loans to government agencies and GLCs (government-linked corporations)”.

Is our fiscal future already in the pawnshop?

In the social media, people are calling Najib “an illusionist” for throwing so much money around when Malaysians are wondering where it is coming from. They’re calling this Budget “the biggest bribe Budget of all time”.

The main targets appear to be the low-income groups, youths and civil servants (who will be getting one-and-a-half month’s bonus).

BR1M is back. It has even been extended to unmarried individuals aged above 21 who are earning not more than RM2,000 a month. These people will get RM250.

I don’t understand the rationale for this. In fact, I think it’s rather silly. Perhaps the minimum age is too low. A newly graduated employee who earns, say, between RM1,500 and RM2,000, which is about what a lot of fresh graduates get these days, would be entitled to the BR1M RM250 even if he or she doesn’t need it.

And what if this person has lost both parents and is therefore a household of one? Does he or she claim the RM250 plus the BR1M RM500, which in principle he or she should also be entitled to?

Even more mind-boggling is the RM200 rebate for those aged between 21 and 30 earning not more than RM3,000 to buy smartphones. Why smartphones? It’s a non-essential item. Besides, many may already own one.

Consider this: A 20-something who earns RM2,900 and has no dependents, therefore no commitments, would be flushed with cash and already own a smartphone. Why give him or her that aid?

As someone pointed out on Facebook, it may transpire that some of them will make a deal with the smartphone dealers and get the cash instead. “Just give me RM150, you keep the other RM50” or something like that.

We saw signs of such a tendency when the Government gave tertiary students book vouchers earlier this year only to see them put up for sale on the Internet. Not having learned from that experience, it is still giving out more book vouchers, worth RM250, through the new Budget.

Indeed, the range of goodies dished out to youths seems to show desperation on the part of BN to secure their goodwill since many of them will be voting at GE13. The Budget even offers a 20% discount to borrowers who pay back in full their National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans by the end of September next year.

This was, to be sure, taking a leaf from the Opposition’s Buku Jingga. It just falls short of Pakatan Rakyat’s proposal to do away with the loans totally and therefore giving free education to everyone. Nonetheless, the Government was not bashful about appropriating the basic theme.

That’s not surprising. This is not the first time the Government has taken ideas from Pakatan Rakyat and used them. Besides, with the general election coming up, any populist idea has to appear a great idea.

Sceptics, however, are not persuaded. Neither are those who are capable of seeing beyond the temporary gratification of the handouts they are given.

As one Netizen wrote on Facebook: “Ini semua secara ‘pinjaman’ saja. (This is all just a ‘loan’.) Payback time will come after GE13. The people will have to pay back with interest if BN wins. Wait and see.”

Indeed, when the Government has to give money out like this, something must have been wrong with its administration of the country. Has it not done the right things to improve the economy of a country blessed with a wealth of natural resources in order to ensure that its people enjoy a high per capita income arising out of a huge GDP?

Why are we at this point in our development still trying to become a high-income nation? Why is our average national wage still so low? According to CIMB, in 2010 it stood at only RM1,804.43.

I was recently reminded by a friend about ‘Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah’ (Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy), the tagline of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s administration. What happened to its promise? Did it turn out to be the opposite instead? And thereby led to leakage and wastage of public money and corruption in high places that sucked away our resources and rendered us poorer than we should be?

Ironically, then, the 2013 Budget shows us even more clearly the failure of the BN government over the decades in taking the country’s economy to a higher level. Compared to Singapore, which has no natural resources, Malaysia is a laggard.

And yet, to make doubly sure that Malaysians got the message that his goodies were meant to secure their votes, Najib stressed: “With … support from the rakyat, God-willing, we will see six more budgets tabled by the BN government before Malaysia transforms into a nation with high-income status” (meaning in 2020).

He then proceeded to bash the Opposition.

It prompted someone to post in Facebook: “This is the first time in the history of Malaysia that a PM shamelessly tells us that we need to vote for him after he gives out the goodies. Tak malu ke? (Not embarrassed?) Does he think the Government coffers belong solely to BN?”

Yes, lest we forget, the money is not BN’s. It is the public’s money. Yours and mine.

Blogger Sakmongkol AK47 puts it aptly, “The Budget is about the PM asking for our money and telling us how he wants to use the money he is asking from us. It is not a gift from him, not ehsan or hadiah.”

This connotes that we need not be grateful for getting the handouts because it’s our own money. Nonetheless, we still need to ask: Is the PM doing the right thing with our money? Is he bribing us? And if he is, will we allow ourselves to be bribed?

These are questions we also need to answer.

* Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the bestselling book No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians. Its Malay translation, Jangan Kelentong Lagi, Kita Semua Orang Malaysia, is now in bookstores.

In Loving Memory of Kath Ashton



Words can never described how much Aunty Kath had touched my heart within these 7 years of friendship. When words of her passing into heavenly realms at 10.15am, 28th September 2012, my life has darkened, dark black as in a cave, but soon enough a light of hope shines into that "cave" just as the ressurection of Lord Jesus on the 3rd Day after His cruxcificion, beaming a powerful hope that Aunty Kath is in heaven and enjoying the wonderful presence of the Lord and the saints now. Her words and encouragement never fails to move my heart to tears. I miss you really much Aunty Kath, till we meet again in heaven.

Thoughts and prayers are with her beloved husband Uncle Wilf and family and friends. (((HUGS))) to all of you.

Joshua

BERSIH 2.0 is legal, High Court rules

Bersih 2.0 is legal, judge rules

UPDATED @ 02:24:52 PM 24-07-2012 July 24, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Bersih 2.0 has been declared legal after the Kuala Lumpur High Court today quashed the home minister’s order last year that made the electoral reform group unlawful.


In her ruling today, High Court judge Datuk Rohana Yusof said the coalition of civil societies known as Bersih 2.0, though not officially registered, can be considered a society under the Societies Act.

“The minister’s order is quashed because Bersih is a lawful society,” Rohana said.

The home minister’s decision to declare Bersih unlawful on grounds the movement was a threat to national security was irrational and was not based on relevant facts, the judge said.

She noted that the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Shah, had granted an audience to the movement’s leaders in the national capital and the authorities had been willing to negotiate terms prior to the July 9 rally last year.

“It does not make sense, that a week later the reason is no longer valid... the government’s declaration that the organisation is unlawful cannot be accepted.

“Even if that is so, then the declaration should have been lifted accordingly,” Rohana said.

Prominent lawyer and former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (picture) and 13 of her colleagues in Bersih’s steering committee had in July last year filed a judicial review seeking to get the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to lift its July 1, 2011 ban of the movement.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had declared the movement unlawful, citing section 5 of the Societies Act 1966 as investigations had shown that Bersih 2.0 was not a registered organisation and that it was creating unease among the people.

The loose coalition of 62 registered civil societies led tens of thousands to demand for free and fair elections in the capital city on July 9 last year, which resulted in some 1,600 arrests but ultimately resulted in the government agreeing to set up a bipartisan parliamentary polls panel.

Bersih 2.0 also want the court to issue a restriction order against the authorities to stop government officers from entering and raiding its premises and to return all the Bersih 2.0 property and materials seized last September, ranging from the yellow T-shirts, posters, placards, pictures, members’ list.

Apart from Ambiga, the 13 other leaders named in the court filing are Maria Chin Abdullah, Datuk Toh Kin Woon, Zaid Kamaruddin, Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, Arul Prakkash Sinnappan, Haris Fathillah Mohamed Ibrahim, Andrew Khoo Chin Hock, Liau Kok Fah, Wong Chin Huat, Datuk Yeoh Yong Poh and Yeo Yong Woi.

The group has since held another rally on April 28 this year to push for electoral reforms to be enforced before the 13th general election due soon.

“Bersih is now a legal organisation,” the group’s lawyer, K. Shanmuga, told reporters outside the courtroom.

It is not known if the government will appeal against today’s decision.

Senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad, representing the government, told reporters the decision was up to the Attorney-General.

From The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/)

Public execution of a woman in Afghanistan

News and video of a woman being publicly executed for alleged adultery in Afghanistan went viral for the past few days. Leaders, activists and the public all cried outrage towards the appaling act of violence. No one has the right to condemn, especially outside the court of law, what more the right to execute. Whether or not if the woman did commit adultery or not is not for debate here, but the way she was treated, executed demands conscience and mercy of all right-thinking people who all us are created in the image of God to condemn this violent act!

Justification for the execution?

Whether Islamic or the Law of Moses found in the Bible, both faiths have strict laws against adultery. Adultery is a sin, no more or less than the sin of deceit/ lies, greed...etc. The Law of Moses which both Islam and Christian faiths subscribe to requires the accused woman's partner in crime to appear and to be punished as well. What the executors done certainly weren't following the Law of Moses, so the execution has no justification at all as it is definitely un-islamic and un-christian! It is barbaric, inhumane, unmerciful!

Christian approach?

There is no better example and explaination than the Lord Jesus himself to deal with the issue of adultery. The Gospel of John in the Bible (NIV Version), Chapter 8:

" But went Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn, he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground  with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?''. "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin".

~ Chapter 8, Gospel of John, Holy Bible

Therefore to all right-thinking people, it is not right to commit adultery (I'm not even sure if the poor woman who was executed was guilty of adultery or not), but whether she was guilty or not, we must all have a merciful heart like Jesus, what more we are all sinners and fall short the Glory of God. If Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman in the Bible, what more are we as sinners to condemn others at present time?

Shame on those executors! May God have mercy on the woman's soul and may God have mercy on all us, who we should forgive and love each other just as Christ forgave and loves us dearly.

"Lord, teach us to be humble, teach us to merciful like you are and teach us to love one and another as you commanded us to. In the most precious, loving and almighty name Jesus, we pray. Amen"

Joshua

We shall overcome

— Jacob Sinnathamby


The Malaysian Insider
Jul 07, 2012

JULY 7 — How often have you heard this statement? Those who do evil and wicked things in Malaysia seem to prosper but the good-intentioned are jailed, demonised and subject to continuous harassment by the mainstream media and authorities.

Or this line? It is so unfair that the crooked politicians can get away with anything.

These statements are often then followed with a burst of anger and frustration, and a despairing rant about how little we can do to bring the wicked to justice and bring about change in Malaysia.

But there is no reason to despair. I am a Catholic and I also sometimes find myself wallowing in the cycle of “nothing can be done”.

But every time I read Psalm 37 I am brought back to the realisation that the corrupt, wicked, evil will face their day of reckoning.

I put down a few verses which points out that God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth.

“Do not be provoked by evildoers;

Do not envy those who do wrong.

Like grass they wither quickly

Like green plants they wilt away.

“Be still before the Lord;

Wait for God.

Do not be provoked by the prosperous nor by malicious schemers.”

“The wicked plot against the just;

And grind their teeth at them

But the Lord laughs at them

Knowing their day is coming.

“Those whose steps are guided by the Lord;

Whose way God approves,

May stumble, but will never fall,

For the Lord holds their hand.”

I am sharing some of these verses because there is a danger that sometimes we get too despondent surveying the political landscape and the wanton actions of those in power. We seem helpless to act against the power of incumbency and the use of the institutions of the state.

In those times, we must remember to trust in God’s promise: “I have seen ruthless scoundrels, strong as flourishing cedars. When I passed by again, they were gone.”

Quench your real "thirst"

It's been a while since I last posted something. Work has been keeping me occupied most of the time, but being working over-time or stressed about it does not help in finding true satisfaction and fulfilment in life. At the end of the day, a healthy relationship with God is all that matters in addition to healthy relationships with people around us.

I'll spare the audience of this blog  from Malaysia and its political situation at the moment, and share with all of you an article will touch each of our hearts and search for a true meaning in life.

Joshua