Anyone Seen My Self-Esteem?

Guess who’s celebrating his/her (in a politically correct, non-sexism way) 50th birthday?

You guessed right - non other than my (or shall I say "our" in a more Malaysian way?) country - Malaysia. Come 31st August 2007, Malaysia will celebrate it’s 50th year of independence. But let’s focus on 6 days from now, when Malaysia will officially launch the ‘Visit Malaysia 2007 Campaign’.

http://www.vmcc.com.my/

"Experience Malaysia’s sights and sounds for yourself and don’t just see what WE say, read or watch what some of our visitors say about Malaysia!

Malaysia is celebrating it’s 50th birthday in 2007 and plans to party all year round! "

Excited? Anxious? Not knowing what to feel? I’m sure millions of Malaysians out there are preparing their widest smiles, friendliest attitude, and of course, yummiest cuisine, for the highly anticipated (and also feared by some - who’s not afraid that tourists will think badly of us for having Mat Rempits, reckless drivers, greedy cabbies.. get my point?) ‘Visit Malaysia 2007′. But before I go any further, it is better for us to get to know our mid-century old country - Malaysia.

(Sources from - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia)

"Malaysia’s population is comprised of many ethnic groups, with the politically dominant Malays making up the majority, close to 60% of the population. By constitutional definition, all Malays are Muslim. About 30% of the population are Malaysians of Chinese descent, who have historically played an important role in trade and business. Malaysians of Indian descent comprise about 8% of the population. About 90% of the Indian community is Tamil but various other groups are also present, including Malayalis, Punjabis and Gujaratis.

Non-Malay indigenous groups make up more than half of the state of Sarawak’s population, constitute about 66% of Sabah’s population, and also exist in much smaller numbers on the Peninsula, where they are collectively called Orang Asli. The non-Malay indigenous population is divided into dozens of ethnic groups, but they share some general cultural similarities. Other Malaysians also include those of, inter alia, European, Middle Eastern, Cambodian, and Vietnamese descent. Europeans and Eurasians include British who colonized and settled in Malaysia and some Portuguese, and most of the Middle Easterners are Arabs. A small number of Kampucheans and Vietnamese settled in Malaysia as Vietnam War refugees. Population distribution is uneven, with some 20 million residents concentrated on the Malay Peninsula.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual society, consisting of 65% Malays and other indigenous tribes, 25% Chinese, 7% Indians. The Malays, which form the largest community, are all Muslims since one has to be Muslim to be legally Malay under Malaysian law. The Malays play a dominant role politically and are included in a grouping identified as bumiputra. Their native language is Malay (Bahasa Melayu). Malay is the national language of the country.^[38]

The Chinese population in Malaysia is mostly Buddhist (of Mahayana sect), Taoist or Christian. Chinese in Malaysia speak a variety of Chinese dialects including Mandarin Chinese, Hokkien/Fujian, Cantonese, Hakka and Teochew. Many Chinese in Malaysia also speak English as a first language. Chinese have historically been dominant in the Malaysian business community.

The Indians in Malaysia are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India, speaking Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi, living mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. Many middle to upper-middle class Indians in Malaysia also speak English as a first language. There is also a sizeable Sikh community in Malaysia of over 83,000.

Eurasians, Cambodians, Vietnamese, and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. A small number of Eurasians, of mixed Portuguese and Malay descent, speak a Portuguese-based creole, called Papiá Kristang. There are also Eurasians of mixed Malay and Spanish descent, mostly in Sabah. Descended from immigrants from the Philippines, some speak Chavacano, the only Spanish-based creole language in Asia. Cambodians and Vietnamese are mostly Buddhists (Cambodians of Theravada sect and Vietnamese, Mahayana sect).

Malaysian traditional music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms. The music is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes other percussion instruments (some made of shells); the rebab, a bowed string instrument; the serunai, a double-reed oboe-like instrument; flutes, and trumpets. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas, some of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), silat (a stylised martial art) and crafts such as batik, weaving, and silver and brasswork.

Despite most of the festivals are identified with a particular ethnic or religion, all Malaysians celebrate the festivities together regardless of their religions and ethnic background. For years 1996-1998, when Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year coincided, a slogan Kongsi Raya, a combination of Gong Xi Fa Cai, a greeting used on the Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya (which could also mean "celebrating together" in Malay language) was coined. For years 2005-2006, the Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali coincide, and a slogan Deepa Raya is similarly coined."

Hope that crash-course in ‘Get to Know Malaysia in 30 minutes’ will help all my fellow Malaysian friends to start telling the whole world to come and experience like no other, the Malaysia that is Truly Asia

07:45:03 pm, 26/12/2006

Flood Attacks Penisular

Malaysia

As you all know, 7 major states in the Penisular has been flooded by high water levels due to continuous pouring and rain, which had resulted into the rise in the water level of the rivers, some as high as 1.5m in parts of Kota Tinggi town which was cut off. Cities such as Segamat, Kota Tinggi, Jasin, Gua Musang, and many more have been devastated by the worrying flood, and the death toll has so far is 6 victims.

Although I am thankful that I live in a condominum high above the ground and that my area (and most of my Johorian friends who’ve I’ve contacted are not affected), it is sad to read of the condition in the affected areas and how 55,000 and possibly higher have to evacuate their homes to 120 schools which have been used as relief centres.

But thankfully, some of my good friends have informed me that we can help by donating food, clothing, and cash. For the benefit of those who are not aware, the following items are needed by the flood victims:

- blankets
- UNUSED clothing @ used clothes
- rice
- instant noodles
- milk
- canned food
- sugar
- coffee
- tea
- biscuits
- salt
- cooking oil
- mineral water
- sanitary pads
- diapers
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- towels
- slippers

Please send your donation items to The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) for flood operation room in Segamat.

For those in JB and surrounding areas, please forward your contribution to MRCS’ branch in JB at Wisma Belia.
Full address:
Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Msian, Cwgn Johor
No 3 Jalan Bachang
PTD 673 Wisma Belia
Tampoi 81200
Tel: 07-2384832

For those in KL, contribution can be sent to
the HQ at No. 32 Jalan Nipah, Off Jalan Ampang, near Gleaneagles. Tel: 03 4257 8122

By the way, MERCY (Malaysian Medical Relief Society) which has sent volunteers to the flooded areas, currently may need cash contribution. For those who are willing to give monetary contribution, please contact

03-4256 9999

or visit the HQ

45B, 2nd Floor,
Jalan Mamanda 9,
Ampang Point,
68000 Ampang, Selangor

(just opposite Ampang Putri Medical Centre)

I am pleading to all of you who are able and can afford it to do your part. Our brothers and sisters need our help! Please do spread the word J

Life is short.

You never know when your turn will come. But eventually it will, coz things like death and birth are inevitable. But the difference between the two is that birth is celebrated with utmost joy and happiness, while death is a cause for grief and bawling. Especially when it is the death of your loved ones, whom you some time take for granted. Just because they’re always there, doesn’t mean they always will. Like I said, you never know when they’ll be gone.

I don’t know why, but over the past month or so several deaths have happened. Maybe it’s a wake up call for us still stuck in this reverie, where we think life goes on and on until we’re wrinkly old and achieved all our desired ambitions and goals in life. Life would certainly end meaningfully, but as cold hard reality hits, we realize – life never does go as we plan all the time.

An ITGS (Information Technology in a Global Society) teacher at my college Pn. Azlinda lost her younger brother, aged 18, who drowned while swimming with friends.

Last Thursday, my friend Lina Mardhiah, who’s currently pursuing her degrees in Russia, received news of her 11-year old sister’s death on her birthday – and next week she has an important examination to sit for.

A day before that, my Pure Mathematics teacher Pn. Khuzaimi, who’s been taking leave every now and then ever since her husband had to undergo surgery, had to face the harsh reality of being a widow after her husband passed away.

Nothing but time can take away their anguish and sorrow of losing a loved one. I can do nothing but offer my deepest condolences to each and every one of them. Let us all take some time to recite Al Fatihah/a moment of silence. May God bless their very souls.